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31
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: Aligning QRP Kit with only an Oscilloscope and VOM? No other Tranceiver.
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on: July 26, 2012, 09:18:38 AM
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You should be able to get an HFSWR meter for $20.00. Radio Shack sells them. Just make sure it is HF and not VHF.... and makes sure the meter will handle the power ....especially low power. Getting one to give a full scale reading at low power is a problem. Consider a CB SWR meter because they are designed to operate at 5w or less.
No need to spend big bucks on this meter.
The problem with the CB SWR meters is that they generally become significantly less responsive below the CB band. Down at 20M they would still work but not as well. I would recommend looking at the Hendircks QRP kits (Tayloe SWR Indicator/Bridge Kit). This type of indicator provides lower tuneup radiation and some protection from high SWR antennas. They are pretty much standard issue for QRP ops. You can even find the circuit diagram and build one. Very handy. Good luck. 73, JP, K8AG |
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32
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eHam Forums / Misc / RE: Having a blast....
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on: July 10, 2012, 09:10:38 AM
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There is always something new in amateur radio. Anytime your operations become "mundane" its simply because you haven't tried something else. We got digital communications, emergency communications, DX, CW, SSB, FM voice, QRO, QRP, QRPp ........
I agree with Al. The fun is in the preparations. Operating what you have prepared can also be a blast.
Only 37 years here. Lots I still haven't done.
73, JP, K8AG
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33
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eHam Forums / HomeBrew / RE: Getting Started
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on: June 29, 2012, 10:08:54 AM
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If he can find a local elmer I would recommend the Pipin transmitter. It is very basic and a 12-year-old is likely to be somewhat $$ depleted. He can also learn a lot about parts and how the transmitter works. Building a kit many times becomes rather cookbook. He can use his 5200 for a receiver. Parts are easily available and substituted. He could even wind the inductors on cardboard tunes.
Than's my 2-cents.
73, JP, K8AG
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34
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: How often should I call CQ?
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on: June 20, 2012, 07:10:53 AM
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In my experience I have much better luck calling CQ in the CW segments. For some reason CW ops seem to enjoy the random contact more than the voice folks. Always has been that way in my experience.
73, JP, K8AG
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35
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: Sloppy CW sending: I hate it!
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on: June 20, 2012, 07:02:07 AM
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Consider the **possibility** that the guy's hands are not a steady as they once were and he may be struggling to hang in their with CW. Most sloppy CW comes from guys who are trying to send way too fast for their ability with a keyer.
Many times I have been frustrated coping a "sloppy operator" only later to find out that they had some sort of significant disability (Parkinsons etc.) We need to be tolerant of some. We OTs are getting along there and some of us will have problems. I have said for decades that folks should include recording their own sending and then copying it. Send a magazine article or chapter from a book backwards. Then copy your own fist and see how easy you are to copy. If you have trouble copying your own fist, so will everybody else. 73, JP, K8AG |
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37
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: Arm ache with sending practice
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on: June 12, 2012, 11:50:46 AM
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Support your sending elbow at the operating position. I have worked with many colleagues who complained of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I work as a programmer and spend a lot of time using a mouse. Many times they are working at the front edge of a work surface. I suggest that they push the keyboard and mouse back and support their elbow. Many of them are simply cured by this.
I definitely em NOT a doctor (nor do I play one on TV). But this has worked for me and a lot of my friends. Try it.
73, JP, K8AG
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38
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: The Best CW Transceiver?
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on: June 12, 2012, 11:46:50 AM
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I actually have used a K2 and a K3 and frequently side-by-side. The K2 is really amazing but the K3 is better. I will use the K2 for several days then switch back to the K3 and it is simply better. Not tremendously better. And both are better than everything else I have used except for the Orion 2. The O2 is just a better rig if you don't mind a large radio.
My 2 cents.
73, JP, K8AG
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39
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: The single most vital piece of advice I can give to those wanting to learn CW
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on: June 12, 2012, 11:41:14 AM
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I would only add one thing to N2EY's steps. Practice decoding your own "fist". Record your own sending. Play it back. Decode what you send. I would rather copy someone at 3 WPM cleanly than 20 WPM badly sent. If you can copy tapes and CW from the computer but not your own recorded CW, you have to work on sending.
I find that I need to do this from time to time just to clean-it-up. Don't forget sending.
73, JP, K8AG
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40
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eHam Forums / QRP / RE: QRP Field Day 2012
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on: June 06, 2012, 10:02:54 AM
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I am thinking of operating 40 meter QRP on Field Day using an MFJ 9040 and probably either a random wire through a tuner or a 40 meter dipole. I was wondering if anyone can offer any advice or this just not worth the effort to try qrp CW on Field Day?
73,
Mike KU4UV
Mike its ALWAYS a good idea to try QRP. I think you will surprise yourself. Just get the wire up as high as possible and operate. I have committed to 100% QRP this year and so far haven't wanted to go QRO yet. I have heard it said that "Life is to short for QRP". But I say life is too short for QRO. QRP is a real blast!!! 72, JP, K8AG |
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41
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eHam Forums / Misc / RE: New HF rig for a new Ham
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on: June 06, 2012, 09:09:15 AM
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Think antenna, not radio. In my opinion, far too many new HF hams buy a great transceiver and then string up a poor antenna. A $400 used rig with a good, tower-mounted Yagi will bring you lots more interesting operating possibilities than a $2,000 radio with a poorly-located dipole or vertical.
I mostly disagree. Todays bands can be very crowded and times and some locations have trouble with RFI too and a proper rig can deal with this better than a cheap one. I am a firm believer of have a decent rig first and beam second. You do not need a beam to do well but you do need to be able to reject/separate signals. A lot of wire antennas and even verticals can play nicely with minimal investment. The thing about antennas is, if you can solder you can make a very good antenna very cheaply. Yes beams are fine for some things. But my main antenna is a wire in the trees (see ZS6BKW) that I have been using for probably 10 years. My record right now is Spain with 100mw. Not bad for a wire in the thees. Welcome aboard. Try CW when you get the urge. 73, JP, K8AG |
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42
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eHam Forums / Mods And Repairs / RE: What spares would you stash back for an FT-817ND?
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on: June 06, 2012, 06:08:46 AM
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Power connectors on the 817 seem to be fairly delicate. I would have a socket for replacement inside the rig (I have done this and it is not too difficult if you are experienced with a soldering iron). Also have extra replacement power plugs. They are frequently out at Radio Shack.
My 2 cents.
72, JP, K8AG
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43
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eHam Forums / Misc / RE: Yaesu Ft-920
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on: May 31, 2012, 10:25:04 AM
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My primary rig for several years was the 920. I had a nice mic on a boom wired to the rear connector. Was a direct connect. And the 920 allowed me to use my CW key as a PTT.
73, JP, K8AG
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44
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: Transceivers made in USA
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on: May 31, 2012, 10:06:07 AM
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In a way though, and I am not trying to be contentious, these are boutique rigs in their own way.
The mainstream (if I dare say it) rigs do tend to be manufactured overseas.
Funny how these "boutique" rigs are all at the top of the Sherwood Engineering ranking for performance. 73, JP, K8AG |
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45
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eHam Forums / QRP / RE: A new QRP DX personal best
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on: April 09, 2012, 09:40:03 AM
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Just to put this in perspective that is half way + around the world with 1/15th the power that a large incansescent Christmas tree bulb uses.
My best is somewhat less impressive in that it was from my home station. Using 100mW I CW'd with a ham in Pamplona Spain. Antenna is a ZS6BKW simple wire antenna in the trees in my yard.
Working to get my portable antenna going this year and see what I can do portable.
Congrats. Excellent!!!!
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