Well guys I replaced the Alinco DM330 MVT with an Astron linear (RS35). All the noise is gone on all bands!. The guys at HRO said they had never heard of a problem with an Alinco switching PS (or a Diamond for that matter) causing RFI in the RX. I guess I was the first. Also, there is a possibility that the particular Alinco unit I received was bad, but I wasn't about to drive 5 more hours to find out for sure. The Astron resolved the problem.

One person asked what frequencies I was hearing the noise - from the BC band to 17 meters. On 160, 80, and 40 you could barely hear any stations and make sense out of it. The higher you went with the RX in freq. the less noise I heard - guess that makes sense.

Thanks for all the help. 73's,
Dean, K9FTB, Fairport, NY

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. The long wire arrangement is not permanent but is the best I can do for now. Also, I'm headed to HRO in Atlanta tomrorrow to swap the switching PS for an Astron linear PS. Thanks for the help guys.

I recently purchased an Alinco DM330MVT switching PS to operate my IC718. I hear lots of birdies that the DSP and NB can't / don't remove. The Alinco has a "frequency" knob on the power supply to alter the switching frequency. That helps until the freq. drifts back to the passband of the IC718. Other than tossing out the Alinco for an Astron (maybe I should have done that to start with), are there any ideas on filtering the DC to the rig? I've physically moved the PS as far away from the rig and antenna tuner as possible. Using a long wire antenna.
Thanks for any suggestions, ideas.

I've found that emulating any other Yaesu rig from within DXbase 2004 won't work successfully with the FT-100D. I'd like to be able to "autopopulate" the band, frequency, mode, etc. but apparently DXbase doesn't support the 100D. Anyone been succesful in solving this issue?

The cable and connectors look unique - probably something from Japan = during the 80's. The FT-980 is my backup and was replaced by the FT-1000MP MkV after many years. Originally I had an Apple II years ago and bought the interface card for the 980. I was unimpressed with the software's = capability at the time. Basically you saw the main freq. display and could change a = few parameters, but that was it. I'd say, it's not worth pursuing especially when you consider software like TRX Manager that will control just about every rig out there and do it professionally and with style - I use it = with the FT-1000MP MkV.

The 980 had a negative product review written by the QST staff - it was about receiver noise since it was one of the first digital receivers out there at the time. The Fox Tango newsletters have lots of scoop about = mods and updates for the 980, most of which weren't necessary in my unit = since it was at the end of the 980 production run and these changes were included from the factory.

There is a write-up about the LSB problem I noted, but so far I haven't = been able to determine the cause.

I used the 980 at field day several times and it worked very well, especially with all the close in transmitters nearby. I was very pleased with the performance. Never have noticed the receiver noise that the QST article mentioned, but maybe there are weak one's out there that I = simply can't hear. Have not tried an A/B comparison with the FT-1000MP MkV, but maybe I should.

I also, purchased the SCAF-1 audio filter and it works wonders on the = 980 (since it doesn't have DSP). This was well worth the money for use on = the 980.

Good luck on your search for the cable. This week end I'll look at the connectors for the 980 and 757 with a magnifying glass and look for part numbers etc. My eyes aren't too good anymore.

73's,
Dean, K9FTB

-----Original Message-----
From: Elmers@eham.net [mailto:Elmers@eham.net]=20
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 6:41 PM
To: K9FTB@INAME.COM
Subject: [Elmers] RE: FT-980 to a FC-757AT cable.


Posted By KC5TPA

Well darn, how about we "share" it? ;-) Just kidding

Looking at the cable, how hard do you think it would be to duplicate it? = Is there a part number on the cable itself?=20 Do you have any idea of what the price should or would be? I have sent = an email to Yaesu asking them about the cable, but have not received a = reply yet.=20

BTW, Do you like your setup with the 980 and the 757? Is this your main setup, or backup. And lastly, do you utilize the CAT system, and if so = how do you like it?

Sorry for all the questions but thanks.



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Hi everyone,
I've got an FT-980 and the lower sideband only sounds like it's somewhat out of the IF passband. When I move the Shift and Width controls to a wider setting, the audio sounds normal. Uppersideband, CW, AM etc. are all fine.

I don't have any extra filters installed, but I did replace the stock 2.4Khz SSB filter with an Inrad 2.1 Khz filter. The filter is great, but no change in the problem I noted above.

Any comments would be helpful as would a lead on any resources to fix this one myself. Yaseu service dept. tells me they no longer work on the 980 - very disappointing, but I guess selected parts must be a problem.

Thanks,
Dean, K9FTB
Fairport, NY

You might try the Yaseu parts dept. Also Ebay - a long shot but you never know. I've still got an FT-980 and an FC-757AT with the cable your after, but unfortunately I'd like to retain the whole system as a unit.

Good Luck & 73's,
Dean, K9FTB

I've got the Undertow Version 5 Pecision Mapping package (~$50) and am very happy with it as used with UI-View 32 ($15 to register - much better than WinAPRS and the reflector support is superb). Note that Undertow is planning a version 6 release of their map package which WILL NOT work with the existing "free" Pmapserver supplied on the UI-View website. The UI-View reflector had a detailed sustained discussion about this issue. It seems that Undertow only supplies maps of the USA, while UI-VIew is used worldwide. The author would have to bare the cost of rewriting the "Pmapserver" drivers, etc. as personal expense without ever knowing if he could recoup his investment. So there may not ever be a Pmapserver for Undertow's Version 6 package.

The zoom capability is great (Rochester, NY - dinky compared to LA). When coupled with the National Weather Service's internet alert system and Undertow's software, counties or regional areas turn a shaded color to alert the viewer a "watch, warning, etc." has been issued for that area. Neat!!

The detail on the Undertow Precision Mapping is in error in some places near Rochester. I suspect the data for the package is about 7-8 years old (a guess) based on some of the changes here and what the map shows.

Check out the UI-View reflector (www.ui-view.com to link to it). Lots of good Undertow, APRS, and UI-View info. The UI-View website has an abundance of links as well.

No, I'm not a UI-View sales person - just very satisfied!!

Dean, K9FTB
Fairport, NY

I just received my FT-100D from HRO about 2 weeks ago. Serial is 3C46x-xxx. I also installed the 6 Khz AM filter. Radio works great, but case gets slightly warm during long term receive (I've left mine on for the past 2 weeks - burn-in so to speak). No issues.

Great audio reports on HF and VHF/UHF. I'm impressed with all the capabilities packed in such a small form factor! The only issue is the DSP notch filter isn't deep enough to suit me - the DSP noise reduction is great as is the DSP CW peak filter. But.....the IF shift can move an annoying carrier right out of the passband!! So the result is the essentially the same. My FT-1000MP MkV's notch filter is a real killer (~60 db or so) so maybe I was expecting too much. The book says the notch is 20 db for the FT-100D.

It hears very well (subjective of course). For SWLing the 6 Khz filter is a must. The passband must be 30 Khz wide without the fitler - you can hear multiple stations overlaping!!

Also, considered the IC-706 MIIG as an alternative, but the Eham reviews convinced me this is more rig for the money and the performance is better. I am also convinced the reliability issues are history for the more recent production runs.

So far I'm not disappointed. I read somewhere today on an FT-100 reflector that Yaseu has had their final production run of FT-100's in 2/02, so the 3C serial numbers (manufactured 1/03) are at the very end of production with all the mods and updates, plus the high stability TCXO, tone encoder, fan mods, swr mods, speaker mod, mic mod, etc.

I'd buy one again, but I guess that will be a used unit!! Good luck in your decision.

I just replaced a Larsen trunk lip mount antenna that was completely rusted. I purchased it a local hamfest last June '02. I was really disappointed in the quality. I guess I expected the metal to be rust free or coated or something. That's why the TL mount was $29. I replaced it with a Diamond K600 which is all stainless steel and is visually much heavier duty. The price is also nearly 2X the Larsen. Diamond has a number of mounts (same a Larsen) that may meet your needs. I would suggest looking for the words "stainless steel" or "rust free" in the description. I didn't see many Diamond antennas that were stainless either, but the mount (K600 is).

Good luck.

Since spring is here, I'd like to remove a 10' ground rod that's been in the yard for the past 15 years or so and replace it. I've asked at local home centers, electrical stores and nobody seems to have any suggestions other than, "pound the old one below the surface and install the new rod elsewhere." That's not really what I'd like to do, even if I planned to put the new rod elsewhere.

So, how do you remove the old ten footer? How do you install the new ten footer without mushrooming the head?

I've got some solder (rosin core) I had in high school (mid '60's). I've used it a few times recently and it seems to work fine..........so far.

Are there any life limitations to solder? What type should I buy to replace it (for Ham Radio / electronics) and do I need to use a separate flux of some kind?

Can you find all this at a Home Depot type store?

Thanks for any comments / suggestions.

I'd like to pickup a 450 Mhz rig for use in the car and the house. I'd like to find something that is resistant to intermod (like the Icom IC-2100H for 2m), has all the bells & whistles for scanning, power output selection, DTMF, PL included, etc. My dual band IC-2800H is terrible on 450 with intermod, but 2M is okay.

The only options I saw for new rigs were the Alinco and the Kenwood single band units. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome

I'd like to pickup a 450 Mhz rig for use in the car and the house. I'd like to find something that is a good intermod fighter (like the Icom IC-2100H for 2m), has all the bells & whistles for scanning, power output selection, DTMF, PL included, etc. The only options I saw for new rigs were the Alinco and the Kenwood single band units. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

I agree with all the previous posts. First, let me say if your teenage daughter helps you, be sure to provide very explicit instructions and also insure that she passed physics!!

I put my pulley up in the tree as stated by other hams in their replies to you. I use steel wire to attach to the pulley and for about 5 feet below the branch holding the pulley. Then I use "antenna rope" which is UV and mildew resistant, plus very strong tensile strength (about 5/16" diameter, but not cheap - available from Cable Experts on the net). This should secure the hoisting pulley in the tree for the long term, or at least until you tire of the antenna and want to try something else.

Next, as several other folks have said pull an "antenna rope" through the pulley (same stuff I mentioned above). This is where the daughter comes in. As you're hoisting the antenna pulley up in the tree to maximum height, be sure daughter is holding both ends of the rope that is supposed to reach the ground. Also be sure there is really a knot tied in the rope.

I learned, there was no longer a knot and that she wasn't watching and the end of the antenna rope went sailing vertically up to the tree and then to the ground. That was just the correct time for a double scotch on the rocks. I continued the next day.

Seriously, the methods described here by others will work fine. I also use a large slingshot with a cheap Zebco fly reel to "shoot" a weighted sinker over the branch of choice. It only took me about 10 trys to hit to correct branch on one tree, and 2 trys on the other tree. This worked reasonably well (no scotch needed).

Anyway, my dipole is about about 40', held by stainless and aluminum hardware and I'm a happy camper.

All the best on your project and good DX.