HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
keith y mortensen (KC1XU)
on
July 19, 2003
View comments about this article!
Although it is a simple matter to "open up" most of today's modern transceivers to transmit on 60 meters, it does not necessarily mean the radio is happy. The bandpass filters in these transmitters are designed specifically to attenuate signals out of the bands the radio was designed for. This is not an issue just outside the designed bands, such as the MARS frequencies, but it certainly can be at 60 meters. 60 meters is at the worst possible frequency between 80 and 40 meters. The bandpass filters could overheat and fail. There is also risk of exceeding FCC specs regarding spurious signal and harmonic purity.
It would be wise to consult your rig's manufacturer before firing up on 60 meters.
KC1XU
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by W4CNG on July 20, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
First I do not think any of the "Filters" are going to overheat and melt if used on 60 meters. Almost all of the current batch of Off Shore produced rigs and Ten-Tec have multiple switched band pass filters for the final PA, including the popular HL50B amplifier from Tokyo Hi-Power. That said, why is 60 meters is such a bad position? I have the equipment and skill sets to check my equipment (2 Yaesu, 1 TT Jupiter, 1 Motorola Micom-S) for emission purity and frequency. Also again much ado about nothing, all clean. There is more bad information out on the internet about what possibly is not working or right with 60 meters than what is right. From where I sit, everyone I have heard on 60 meters sound good and on frequency. I have also listened to the second and third harmonic frequency ranges and do not hear a peep. I believe that not enough folks are getting credit for "Doing it Right" on 60 meters.
Steve W4CNG
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by KC1XU on July 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Steve:
Please note, I did not say it could NOT be done, nor that NO rig is happy. It was a cauntionary note. Icom has specifically recomended against using the 756 pro on 60 meters.
Regards,
keith
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by N3ZKP on July 21, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
With all due respect, I think you are far from correct concerning modern rigs. I have two Alinco DX-70s and a Kenwood TS-570(S)G that have been chugging along nicely on 5-meg MARS frequencies for almost three years now and the signals are not out of spec compared to the normal amateur frequencies.
|
| |
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by WB8NUT on July 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
The advantage of all the latest TenTec software defined radios is that they were designed to support new bands, and firmware has already been released to upgrade the Orion, Jupiter, Pegasus and Argonaut V to allow operation in the new 60 meter "band". No hardware modifications are required. In this respect, these American made radios are far ahead of their import competitors.
|
| |
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by W9SZ on July 22, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I've been using my TS-850SAT on 60 meters with no problems at all so far. I crank the power output down to about 40 watts. I don't think it's likely to hurt anything at that level. The receiver is outstanding in this band, as it is across the entire HF spectrum (the TS-850 is a very popular radio for hams who also enjoy BCB/HF SWL'ing).
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by KB0GU on July 24, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have used an "opened up" TS870 Kenwood a couple of times on 60 meters, receiver is fantastic, transmit is clean and there are menu options to ensure proper bandwidth. I did see a web site that recommended the optional high tolerance frequency control modification however. Although the published and measured frequency stability of this rig is within the prescribed limits.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by NZ5L on August 1, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Ditto for the IC-718. Zero problems have been encountered vis-a-vis stability, and several unsolicited reports of "great audio" - this with the stock hand mic! Nor have I heard any questionable sounding sigs at all, even on some older rigs such as the Drake TR line. Just be very careful if modifying a modern rig using surface-mount technology. A bad goof-up could result in an $800 door stop! However, several commercial outlets have advertised they will modify most rigs for a reasonable fee (Burghardt comes to mind). If you are at all leery, this might be a good investment.
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by WB2JIX on August 15, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have just acquired a TS-570S (G) that has been "Modified" to operate on 60 meters. I was told that he cut out two components and glued two small copper jumpers in their places. He now has 60 meters but no 6 meters. Not a good scenario for me as I'd like to sell the radio as original.
Can you point me in the right direction for what the components were, where I could find them or what else I may have to do?
You may email me directly at bwduerr@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Sincerely:
Brian Duerr/WB2JIX
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by W9RPE on March 17, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Brian,
My last rig was a TS-570S(G) which I bought new and did the MARS mod to open up the radio, which includes 60m. The mod is simply removing one surface mount resistor. R41 on the control board I believe. I can't imagine what your guy did to the radio, removing two components and GLUEING(!!???) wires in their place. Sounds funky to me.
Ron
|
| |
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on March 19, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Some rigs are simply more broadbanded than others. If the rigs maker has a model that looks like your HAM rig, GOOD CHANCE IT WILL SPEC OUT.
I was shocked to find out that the PTO tuned radio, the drake TR-7 can be used on 60M. Drake made a Marine/commercial SSB rig, It was a TR-7 with the RV-75 digital VFO in it. The electronics are indentical.
I have to check this one out. I was told if you keep your tr-7 on long enough, it will be stable enough for the channel operation of 60M. the TR-7 always had a TIGHT 8 POLE 2.3KHZ filter in it for SSB TX. If you have the aux-8 board, then XTAL up.
Now this was a shocker, the Yeasu FT-100D is not good enough, even with the optional TCXO.
Reason, the TX filtering is too wide! Even at reduced power, a large smout of power spectrum will not stay within the TX spectal purity bandwidth.
All the fancy DSP Audio adjusting will not help. The Newer Yueasu DC-daylight mobiles can take Collins filters as an option.
It is easy to see that the small rigs band selection
LC networks, do not like being operated outside otside of range on transmit.
THE TS-850 is OK, 0nly with the TCXO added.
I have to ask my self is 5 channels worth the trouble!
I just won a mil spec Harris HF SSB rig. Im sure that one is good for 60M! It is the RT-1446. Still used
for commercial and mil apps. I paid $1500. I hope it works!
Toronto Scientific sells the Harris for $2500.
You will not find a single DSP knob to play with.
I have not even bothered to RX on the new channels.
How is everybody doing with the 50W ERP limit?
No, I did not buy the overbuilt Harris for 60M. I just always wanted a current HF Mil. spec rig.
73 MIKE
|
| |
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on March 22, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Won a Harris 1446 aka 350. A mil/commercial rig. Paid $1500. No fancy DSP features. However it will met spec for 60M. awaiting it's arrival.
Toronto scientic sells them working for under $3000.
Removed from service. 100W 1.6-30mhz. Radio has phone patches and IEEE-422 control.
I was annoyed to find out my Yeasu FT-100D with the TCXO will not meet bandwidth spec.
|
| |
|
HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by AG4ZV on May 31, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Greetings
I just wanted to share with everyone that the Motorola Micom 100 SSB is perfect for 60meters. You can pick up a Micom 100 for about 50 - 100 dollars on ebay or at a hamfest. You only order one crystal for each channel. The radio will put out 125 watts on 60 meters and will transmit and receive USB or AM.
The radio is well suited for this application and can hold 10 channels. The radio will also do duplex. I am using mine for 60 meters and PSK31. It works GREAT!
73 all and Good DX!
AG4ZV
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by W6AJP on August 12, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Wonder if anyone has information on the Motorola Micom-100. I could use some info on power cord connections and QSY info for 60 meters..Copy of a manual would be better.
73's
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by K9CTB on May 26, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Mike said: "... just won a mil spec Harris HF SSB rig. Im sure that one is good for 60M! It is the RT-1446. Still used
for commercial and mil apps. I paid $1500. I hope it works! "
Hope you got a good one, Mike...... I enjoy the heck outta mine. They are GREAT to play with. Kinda boatanchorish (heavy), BUT ..... Once you set the TCXO on that baby against a good standard, you'll be dead-on from 160 through 10. No FM, but as has already been said, it's a done deal that it'll work on 60 meters. You'll probably want to drop the output power at the PA assembly. Shoot, just leave it at 50 for everything....no one will notice the difference. Make sure you get a copy of AT LEAST the organizational maintenence manual -- you can find it free on the web, and it will tell you how to set the output power, etc. Oh yeah......look at the 9-pin "Input 2" and the phone patch for attaching your sound card...!! Good luck and 73 de neil
K9CTB
|
| |
|
RE: HF Transceivers & 60-meter Compatibility:
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on July 15, 2005
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
MICOM HF 100 is fine for 60m ops. Just make sure your ERP does not exceed 50W
I have a chance to buy a broken one. I know motorola anything are expensive.
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to discussions on this article.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Related News & Articles
60 Meters -- My Dream This Morning
Why is 30 Meters Ignored?
Newbies, Let's Hear You on Ten!
Dumb Questions about Dummy Loads & SWR
A Handy-Dandy Super Cheap Field Meter
Other News Articles
Eagle Radio Ham Honored for Long Service:
Bright Spot -- Ray Grob NN8R:
K6VVA's FCC Petition For Rulemaking (Identity Protection):
Indonesia To Launch Orari Satellite Next Year:
Radio Enthusiasts Help Red Cross During Games:
|
