The Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society will be operating KL7AIR in conjunction with Arctic Thunder 2010 the AF Air Show in Anchorage Alaska.

One Day Special QSL Cards will be sent to any station wanting to confirm a contact with us on the 31st.  We will also log to LotW and EQsl.

For Club info see the website at KL7AIR.US.

Hope to work you on the 31st!

Ron Keech, KL7YK
EARS President

Looking for anyone who has already tried this.

I have been using Hustler HF mobile antenna for years, have no issues with them.  I run the 54 solid mast, have resonators for 75, 40, 20 and 15m.  Even have a duplicate setup on the boat.

What I am looking at is does lengthening the mast add anything to the effectiveness of the antenna?
Yes, I know the $800 screwdriver is the cats meow....but I have what I have.

I am playing with a 24 inch addition to the basic 54 inch mast.  So I have a 78" mast section below the resonator.  Tunes fine, radio is quite happy.  Have not put an analyzer on this yet (don't happen to own one) so I could be simply creating a better dummy load.  I have other lengths of extensions to play with, longer still.  Poor bands of late for Alaska have limited my on air checks with anything "DX".
But if you have tried this or can model this let me know.

Ron, KL7YK
Anchorage

Ok, been trying to get these two to talk to each other using the internal packet connections.

The TM-271E has a mini-din connector on it for Packet, the A version (US Version) does not, but the connection points are still available on the board.

This mod has been addressed to a degree on the TAPR forums but not exactly fully described. (described by KQ4KX) Not complaining about that article I just am missing something from it.

So, with that here is my problem.

On the 271A I have the following connection points to the cable for the KCP3+:

Kenwood PKD Point is connected to KPC Pin 1
PKS point to pin 3
PR9 point to pin 5
GND to pin 9

Thats how the described connections are explained as far as I can tell. Radio is internal menu set to 1200 baud and the XMITLVL is set to 75 as outlined in the article I read.

This is not working nor is about any combo that remotely looks right. Recieve is fine, TNC show open squelch all the time. But no xmit until I turn the radio off (as in the TNC does not hear a busy freq).
If I reverse Pins 1 and 5 the TNC will send the transmit command but the radio basically resets (flashes on and on kind of thing, that can't be good!)
Tried that because have been bitten by the reverse veiw
effect on packet setups before.
So what am I missing here? If you have accomplished this mod please let me know what is to connect to what etc...

Ron, KL7YK
Anchorage

Ok looking at the tech data for the 1446 and the pinouts for the Pro 5 Headset.

Heil Headset makes prefect since, the 5 pins on the 1446 are another matter.

I did ask Heil about a prebuilt adaptor and was told they had never even heard of the RT-1446 Harris.

So going to the experts.  Somebody pass along the trick to making these two devices work with each other.

A diagram would be really helpful.

email is kl7yk(at)arrl.net

Ron, KL7YK
Anchorage

Ok, just installed the remote head for 2 x RT-1446's.
Military Club/MARS Station using Pacer Bounce Gear on Elmendorf AFB. So far only using B&W Folded Dipoles but plan is to get access to a Log and an HF Discone.

Question is can I adapt the mic/headset inputs to use a Heil Pro headset?  Tried asking Heil, no joy.
Looking through the military manuals didn't help a lot.
The actual pin outs for the mic and headset jacks are so far unknown.  If someone has those handy I would appreciate it.  All I can find for the U-229 is the A-F info on pins.  Still have yet to find a diagram that shows what is pin A, B, etc..
My own experience with these rigs is limited to a little operating time the radio back in the 80's.
Any help is appreciated.

Ron Keech, KL7YK
Anchorage, AK

The Elmendorf Amateur Radio Club has a nice working Cubic Comm Amp, solid state with manual band switching.  No information is coming up via the usual routes and Cubic Comm no longer tracks these old amps. Am being told this was one of very few like models that were produced.
If you have the schematic for this amp we would love to get a copy.   Only problem found so far is the thermoswitch is faulty for the fan on high heat detection.  That is being replaced already and is bypassed (manual switch) until Mouser gets the part to me.  Otherwise the amp is in perfect working order.
Big and heavy, but well built (like a tank).
Should make a nice second station setup for the Club Shack.

Email - club@kl7air.us


Ron Keech, KL7YK
Pres. Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society KL7AIR

Have an early model outdoor HF auto tuner from Motorola.  Model T1820b  It uses a diode config board.
This was a military tuner and is equipped with a 16 pin connector.  Of course only 3 or 4 wires are actually used in more recent tuners like the AH-4 Icom.

I need to find the pin outs and configs for this tuner.  It's in like new condition and would make a perfect long wire tuner for the KL7AIR Club Station if we can get it operational.

If you have a manual for this vintage tuner please scan the wiring diagram and diode board setup and email them to "club@kl7air.us".

Thanks!

Ron Keech KL7YK
Pres., Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society KL7AIR

Fellow MARS Members,

As the State Director of the Alaska Army MARS program, I am concerned about losing the Navy/Marine MARS Program as well.  The Navy/Marine MARS program in Alaska provides coverage to parts of this large state that the Army program simply can't.  Over the years the Army MARS program did have operators in about every corner of the state.  But like everywhere else time and changing attitudes have left their mark.  I can say that in every Navy/Marine Net I have participated in was well run and professional.
Between the Navy/Marine Program and the Army Program in AK we could pretty well support comms over the entire state.
I sincerely hope the Navy/Marine Program survives and I have seen some postings that suggest that could very well be the case. I have read where the plan is should funding be the killer then possibly the re-organization of the Navy/Marine program would keep it alive.  I cannot off the cuff remember the specifics of that traffic but it seems they were talking about reduction of the management side by having less regional direction and more state level.
Yes the Army Program has gone into high gear for emcomm support of TSA and other federal and state agencies.  The Army Program came within days of being suspended itself not all that long ago.  The Army Program changed it focus from strictly military support to a broader spectrum.  Now we work with Civil Authorities and various federal agencies.  We reinvented ourselves to remain functional and effective.
While the Army and the Air Force have affirmed their financial support to MARS, that funding is no where near what it was even in the late 80's.  Main expense involved to the active duty side is maintaining a working MARS station on Post.  That includes the expense of Radio's, SCS TNCs and broad band antenna's like those Log Periodic antennas.  The average MARS Member is given nothing financial for the time and dedication to his preferred program.  So it's not the volunteers that are going unfunded. We bought and maintain our stations out of our own pocket.  So before someone starts with the "waste of taxpayer's money" routine.  There are no tax dollars involved below the Head Quarters function that I am aware of.
Regional Directors, State Directors and Officers all volunteer their time to the programs.
If the Navy/Marine Program has become out of touch, it is due to a failure to grow beyond it's strictly military roots.  Having said that, its not the volunteers that have resisted that change.  That fault lies with the Navy/Marine brass who have failed to see and appreciate what is going to happen when the hi-tech gear fails.  The military is no different than the civil managers, out of sight out of mind.  That satcom system works great why do we need HF or we have the internet why play with radios?  Same thought process that many of the younger than 40 crowd have.
Yes the Army MARS program is expanding and the training is getting tougher.  But that increased skill set that is being developed will pay dividends down the road.  Can the Navy/Marine program catch up?  Sure it can.  There is some truth to the "old members" comments, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  But only when those old dogs do not want to learn not because they can't.
Like all Amateur Radio Operations the medium aged is creeping upward and a lack of young Hams is being  felt.  But I know of several senior MARS Members who are still active and learning "new tricks".

To my Navy/Marine Brother's in Arms, I salute you.  I hope the Navy/Marine Program survives and thrives.
Should it not, do not think your skills are not needed anymore.  Now more than ever your needed by both the Army and the Air Force programs.  Your experience is invaluable.

There that's how I see it, like it or don't.


Ron Keech, ALM7AK
SMD Alaska Army MARS

Ok let's bounce this off the group.

Typical HID lighting installed on vehicle, works fine as a bright light source for driving.  Except for the RFI the ballast generates.
Each side has its own ballast and is wired direct to the battery as recommended by the manufacturer.
Seeing several possible solutions on the web.  From ferrite toroids to inline filters.  Some even suggest wrapping it with foil.

My question is why couldn't the leads be run through say the shielding out of RG8 coax and ground each end? Encase the ballast itself in a metal case and ground the case?  Or combine the two?

If the RFI is in fact either generated on the power leads (acting as an antenna) or emitting directly from the ballasts then encasing the whole nine yards would trap the RFI.

Looks like a cheaper more effective solution than inline filters or toroids.

The RFI I am getting is VHF+ have not heard any mention of it on HF from the truck.

Ideas?

Well the CQ WPX did not disappoint!

Great Bands!

We did 4 times the points from last years contest.  Last year we only managed 43K points, this year we did 212k points! Our best contest participation to date.

Worked several new countries as well. Thanks to everyone who got involved.

Ron Keech, KL7YK
Pres. EARS (KL7AIR)

My 2 cents worth.

I have owned 2 FT-857Ds and a FT-897D for several years without one problem at all.  From base to boat never skipped a beat.  In the truck at 10 below it takes the display a minute or so to come up but the radio worked fine. Only complaint I have ever gotten was RF into the mic which turned out to be a faulty coax switch, not that radio.

Have added the filters and even the TCXO to the 897 without incident.  MARS modded them as well.

Further I own an FT-450AT which has proven to be a gem as well.

Ron Keech, KL7YK

State State Director??



I want that title!


ROn Keech, ALM7AK
SMD Alaska Army MARS

I am just glad it's over anyway.

I have used CB radios and used in the way they were intended they work fine.  But like anything involving people there will be cases of abuse.  A bigot does not need a radio to be a bigot.  He also does not have to be a CBer or a No Code Ham to be a bigot.  Tirades on the radio or on an internet forum does not make you a man, it makes you a loud mouthed idiot.

Enjoy jail Opie1, and for all those narrow visioned people out there who like to hate. Remember, what goes around comes around.

Ron, KL7YK
Anchorage

"Remember, it's a hobby not a religion!"

I am still not able to hear any of the RMS stations.  So have to think I have something still not right in my setup.  Will have to scan around for any PACTOR traffic and see if I can decode it.

I think I am transmitting fine just the hearing is off.  I listen to the outbound signal on a second radio and it is obvious I am phasing but never connecting.

When I bring up another program like PKWare etc...I see the TNC configures ok and the lights do what they are supposed to do. But the waterfall remains blank.  RTTY, PSK all of it remains blank in the waterfall.

Connection to the FT-450 is via the accy data port and according to the wire diagrams everything is right.  But I do not have audio plugged into those jacks on the TNC, audio is via the primary cable between the radio and TNC.  If I plug in the sound out from the radio to the TNC I lose the ability to easily use the 450 for voice.  I can live with that if I must but if radio audio is getting to the TNC on that primary cable I shouldn’t need to add a audio cable.

Anyone who has gotten an FT-450 and a PK-232 to play nice, talk to me.  What am I missing here?

Oh and the TNC is firmware 7.2, I need to get Airmail up and running and only need the 232 to do Pactor.  I have sound card based digital for about everything else.  Even bought the newest version of PKWare it too appears to setup everything up correctly.

Would be nice to be able to work MARS and the Ham Bands for HF Mail.


Ron, KL7YK

Very good, was a 700ma supply.  Switched to the main shack 12DC system and it stabilized!

Thanks!

Ron, KL7YK