$119 isn't that much around £53 ok theres duty on top of that but im sure i could get the controller over here. I only thought about RF controller to cut down the amount of wires.

I'll have to look at the controller too

Charlotte 2E0BSS

I'm building a screwdriver antenna for the car, can't afford one of the super expensive commercial ones and theres never a second hand one when I'm looking so it's off to B&Q hardware store.  I've got it all together just one slight problem of controlling the motor. I'm thinking 433MHz AM RF control unit with a small receiver in the base, Ideally I wanted a rocker switch to control the up down of the coil inside this might not be possible with the design of the RF unit. Any ideas ? the unit will generate it's own noise but I'm guessing it will be filtered at manufacture as the RF unit is a commercial grade one and not a Maplin special (bit like Radio Shack) Am I just spiraling into lunacy on this one?

Charlotte 2E0BSS (Oh Ive found plans for a full size Multi band SSB transceiver so that is the next project)

As you're not in the UK disregard the UK Specs same still applies get the amp.

Charlotte

Hi why do you want to increase the power from your 857D ? It will run 100 watts stock, a lot run around 130 on full power as does mine according to my local shop who checked it over for me.  As the other posts have said to run more get an amplifier provided your license allows this 85's and 89's will cook if you mess with the power settings

It's not worth the £494 for a new one to get a little more power out of it when for a couple of hundred you can get a good amp to boost the power to 400watts uk legal limit on a G or M0, M1 license and get a larger amp if you want to run kilowatts

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Ok thanks for the reply, will a good Oscilliscope do almost the same thing ? I'm guessing it can't check the vacuum tubes

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Could anyone suggest a modern equivalent or know where I can aquire the following test equipment

Hewlett Packard RF Signal Generator 606A 1v @ 50 ohm coverage to 30MHz
Hewlett Packard AF Signal Generator 200B
Hewlett Packard Vacuum Tube Voltmeter 410B with probe to 40MHz

I know these units are old school I need them to servce my FT 101 E

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Hi thanks for the update. Tried to send you an email but can't I'd be interested in how the board will cause the 6VDV line loss of regulation, I am searching the internet for help too. If you could Email me with some pointers I have the board out it doesn't look damaged although a few of the solder joints have gone black (like bad joints)

I have the manual from Yaesu so will be checking that tomorrow.

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Hi me again with another question, which I know I'll get great advice.

I'm planning on buying a home base radio as my FT101E is on the way out due to it transmitting on a variable 6-10kc's above and below, depending on its mood, the receive frequency which is not good. I'm going to have it serviced so I can use it for the receiver and until I've made my mind up on what radio to buy.

I'm currently using my FT857D for both mobile and home although it's a touch small for home so I'm wondering what do you recommend my budget is small around £700 ($1400) I'm thinking of the FT450AT as well as the AT 480SAT, IC718 or the FT897D.  I'm also planning a trip over to the USA so I will be able to get a radio for half the uk price.

I know radios are a personal choice but I'd love some thoughts, one thing I have noticed is speaking to russian stations they seem to be using Kenwood radios so thats a plus I guess. Why can't yaesu bring out a home base version of the FT857/897D's I be first in queue for it, or a new upto date FT101ZD

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Hi all the replies are great. Just one small problem I'm not CWing at the moment my New LDG Z11Pro has quit on me so no ATU at present to use so very limited on CW.

Charlotte2E0BSS

Can someone suggest a safe way to discharge capacitors? If there is a way.


Charlotte 2E0BSS

I have to agree with the previous post, do not take the information from here but seek the advice of a professional, even though like me there are licensed Lawyers they will not be able to offer you advice or at least not advice which will stand up on court.  I'm sure there will be a good Lawyer in your area who can give you all the advice you need.

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Yaesu FT 857, 897 is a good all mode VHF/UHF radio plus it gives you HF too.

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Some will give a 599 report because they don't know what else to say, I quite often get a 599 report at 2am gmt running 50watts when I can barely hear the other station and they can barely hear me, as they keep asking for me to repeat either callsign or location. If everyone runs over a Kilowatt which seems to be getting more common then we will all be 599+ no matter where we are, this makes it really hard for the lower powered operators to get anywhere especially 2E's and M3's from the UK I frequently get wiped out by stations using huge amounts of power, then we all complain about the conditions and QRm/QRn

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Oh and I can transmit on a regular basis to Poland (SP)

Charlotte 2E0BSS

Not sure if this is the correct forum for my question which is a bit of an odd one.

I have a half size G5RV mounted east to west with the ends pointing downwards due to lack of space when it was put up, however, this is about to be resited to make the ends go upwards in the next few weeks.

What I would really like to know is can anyone work out it's current Radiation Pattern or Transmit footprint and send me a copy? I've worked out it's a very long narrow footprint but would be very interested in a picture or advice on how I can find this out myself

Currently I can transmit to the following countries at a 5:9 - 5-8

Finland
Russia Both the European part and the central part
Italy
Sweden
Spain
Canaries (when conditions are right)
Southern part of Germany
Denmark
Bosnia
Hertzagovnia
Serbia
SWitzerland
All the former russian countries (to many to list)
Israel
Sardinia
Greece (same as Canaries)
Belguim when the weather is bad
Southern parts of France (as belguim)
Afgansitan (rarely think the country has been closed down)



I can hear the Northern part of Canada aound Labrador and the USA but cannot get back, I know I have 50 watts; I know of other intermediate licensees who can so it's not power related.


Charlotte 2E0BSS