Have pity on a poor ex-VP

http://hometech.apartmenttherapy.com/hometech/inspiration/inspiration-al-gores-desk-023314

(Safe for work).

HA6SST

The cheapest way to increase your effective radiated power is to improve your antenna.

HA6SST

Feed the signal into a logic gate with a schmitt trigger input, the output will be a square wave. A lot of logic families will now work into the low-vhf frequencies without  needing to use ECL (which is now quite old). I have had good results with the 74LVC series.

HA6SST

Send your email address to edwardalmos(AT)gmail(DOT)com and I will forward a copy of the service manual to you. This is a 10Mb pdf file so make sure you have room in your mailbox.

Alignment instructions are included in the document.

HA6SST

I've found one way of cleaning the contacts of sealed relays which MAY work in your case (not guaranteed)

1) remove the relay from the rig.

2) wire in series the coil of the relay, the normally closed contact and a suitable DC supply. You have now made a DC buzzer.

3) run the buzzer for a minute or so, the spark from the back EMF will clean the contacts.

4) wire the relay back in to the rig.

The fault occurs because there is no wetting current through the contacts for the receive circuit. Operation as a buzzer cleans the oxide off the contacts and restores normal operation.

HA6SST

Please could you re-post this in the company reviews section? Good news around there is always welcome.

HA6SST

Roll your own. I had the same problem as you so I fired up the computer and created a front and back cover that had all of the CW abreviations, callsign prefixes and a world map, this was printed on colored paper and then encapsulated in plastic.

I then created a log sheet which had 25 entries per side (to make the counting easier) and then printed it double sided. The nice thing about this is that I could create extra columns which do not normally appear in a log.

The only thing that needed to be done at the print shop was the spiral binding.

I might still have the files on a floppy disk somewhere. If you want a copy then send me an email at edwardalmos@gmail.com

HA6SST

Interesting:

I may be wrong in this but 'LTD' is normally added to the end of a company in the UK

The address for Industrial Communications Engineers Ltd is in Indianapolis, IN.

The WHOIS information for iceradioproducts.com points back to Array Solutions in Texas.

Who ARE these guys?

HA6SST

To KD4RBG

Normally your post would be useful, the only problem is that the URL leads to the website of Ocean State Electronics. A lot of hams have had problems dealing with this company and a quick search in the Company Review section of Eham will reveal these stories.

Try the following retailers:

DC Electronics
PO Box 3203
Scottsdale AZ 85271-3203
1-(800)-467-7736
1-(800)-423-0070

Hosfelt Electronics,Inc
2700 Sunset Blvd
Steubenville OH 43952-1158
1- (800)-524-6464

Failing this, do a Google search for 'Datamark'.

HA6SST

I see the problem. The amplifier has a 50 ohm output impedance and you used a 75 ohm egg.

HA6SST

Ummm, OK. It might be an idea if you told us which modifications you would like carried out?

HA6SST

Previous posts have already mentioned that the power you put into your dummy load will be converted into heat. If you put a lot of power into your dummy load it will be converted into light as well, this is bad <s>.

A dummy load built into the same case as an ATU will probably work but some form of cooling might be a good idea. Consider fitting a 12v fan into the side of your dummy load compartment with some wire mesh to help keep the RF inside.

One thing which is really important. You MUST use none inductive resistors in your dummy load. Wirewound resistors will not work.

Build it, experiment, have fun.

HA6SST

If you do not mind using BNC connectors instead of PL259 why not use network ports? There are quite a few companies who sell wall ports for 10-base-t connections.

HA6SST

Both readings are correct. To explain.

If you have an antenna correctly matched to 50 ohms there will  be no standing waves. Most if not all of your transmitting energy will appear at the antenna.

If you use either the wrong coax impedance or an incorrectly matched antenna then standing waves will appear on the coax and losses will occur. On a really poor system that is running high power it is even possible to run your fingers along the feeder and feel warm spots at half wavelength intervals.

If you have two SWR meters exactly half a wavelength apart at the frequency of operation then they will read the same. If they are any other different length apart then there will be different readings.

HA6SST

Another positive review just to balance things out.

Onspec are a UK based company but they supply worldwide. They manufacture a wide range of oscillators for commercial and ham radio use including oven and temperature compensated models.

The website can be found at http://www.onspec.co.uk/ If you want a one-off custom oscillator for a project then give them a try.

HA6SST

No connection apart from being a satisfied customer.