N0JJZ,

This is my solution:

Wire the Turner Mic for 8 pin Yaesu.
Get a Cable from Heil Sound that goes from 8 pin Yaesu to 8 pin modular. ( which is what I think your radio is ) Contact Heil sound for cable #.
Adjust the Mic & Radio settings as needed.

Take care,
David K1WJ

I need several UHF barrel connectors 4in. female on each end. On the net, where is the best price & place to get them?
Is there a spec. or type that is best? Brand?

Thanks to all,
73 David K1WJ

KE0CU,

These may help:

Make sure the antenna base is close to the ground as stated in the install instructions. I think it is to be around 2-4 inches.

I have heard that if you need to lengthen the sections, your soil ground is poor.

If ground mounted make all your radials 1/4 wave for 40 meters, 33 feet +-. 12-16 minimum if you can. Ground mounted lengths are not so critical, I suggest making them all for 40m. Do what you can, longer better.

Tuning the antenna in order 10-15-20-40, bottom to top is critical.

Any trap or length of antenna adjusted effects everything below that freq. IE. Adjusting 10m effects 10-15-20-40. Adjusting 15 effects only 15-20 & 40. And so on.

The fine adjustments are done with the tubes, the traps are your course adjustments. Moving a trap 1/2-1 inch should move it 500kc+- depending on short or long.

Make sure to make both RF choke coils at the antenna & before the radio. Follow install instructions.

I have set up 2 4BTV's, & was able to tune for the voice/ssb sections for 10-15-20-40 using common antenna tuning practice. SWR meter only. All were 1.2 - 1.5 to 1 swr.

Go slow take your time, go bottom to top. You should get it. I'm good on QRZ, if you need a contact.

73, K1WJ

If it is an 11 meter yagi, it can be adjusted for 10 meters 28.3 to 28.5 Mhz is most likely the tuning range.

Shorten the driven element by 3.5 inches as a starting point.

The 1st refector should be 5% more length than the driven element.

Make the director 5% less than the driven element length.

Bottom line: shorten the elements to go from 11m to 10m.

You will need a good SWR bridge to complete with confidence.

After the initial 3.5 inch change to the driven element and corresponding directors & reflectors 5% changes, make 1/8 inch adjustments after that until lowest swr is reached.

This should give you a general idea of what is required. Get a ham antenna book, good info.

73 K1WJ

Like anything tried at first, everyone is a little messed up.

Not a problem, just remember you a licensed operator so you should have some degree of confidence.

On your first go around after the contact is established: give your first name & location.

Then when turned back to you, give the signal report & the type of equipment you are using.

On the third go around, the local Temperature and conditions should be conveyed.

After that, talk about whatever you wish. Try to confirm you and your contact have all the information correct. This is just a general format that is common, feel free to make it your own style.

Keep in mind some contacts will rag chew & some will just want your call sign, location & signal report.

73 K1WJ  

ZL1BR,

Note: If you see a reply on ANY subject by N5LRZ don't even read it, he is negative & full of BS.....

The 5BTV on 80m is limited performance, others have done the following:

1. Add as many 1/4 wave radials for 80m as you can 60ft+-. If it is ground mounted the radials do not need to be cut for band, make them as long as possible.
If elevated they need to be cut to band for all bands in use. 2 minimum for each band.
2. Run more Power
3. Get a Tuner inline to increase the 40-50khz bandwidth.

I have a 4BTV, ground mounted with 16 ground radials with different 1/4 wave length radials for 10m-40m. Thats how I did mine, if I was to do it again I would make them all cut for 40m or as long as possible.

73 K1WJ

I have been using a 5/8th wave 2 meter Mag.Mount antenna on the roof of my Full size truck. It seems to work fairly well, and the swr is low on the sections of the band I use it on: FM simplex or repeater use.

What is the real disadvantage to using a Mag. Mount versus other mounting configurations as far as performance goes?

It just seems to me the ease of the Mag. mount method outways any real performace gain. Or am I mistaken?

Thanks to all, 73 David K1WJ

KB2MBO

Yes I think the PAR end fed dipole will be the best. PAR end feed dipoles are well liked by those who have used them. The one you are getting is only good to 25watts if I'm not mistaken.

MFJ and others have types of retractable poles/masts around 30-40 ft. that should work good in a temp. QRP situation.

This antenna can be anyway you need it horizonal, vertical, or somewhere in between ie slopper. The slopper configuration is the most common I feel.

Go with the PAR End fed you can't go wrong.
73 K1WJ David

K2VXV
You may want to contact Bob Heil at Heil Sound.com. His company offers many different cables & they have done work with Icom radio's. If you e-mail Bob at Heil Sound.com. he usually gets back to you quick. Explain to them what your trying to do. If no one else has the answer on this site. Try Bob Heil's site.

73 K1WJ David

Thanks to all,

I put an ART mic pre-amp inline, now I have enough audio with my Shure SM58 studio mic set into a Heil desk mic stand. All Set. Reports have been fine.

73   K1WJ

N8TRO: The Comet CHA250B has received poor reviews.

Try a Hustler 4BTV (10,15,29,40m)it will work on the ground with radials or not.
Tuning is very easy for the most part.
In the air (elevated) radials are more critical & must be cut to the proper lengths.

My 4BTV is ground mounted with 16 ground radials and have worked many stations on 20m & 40m. 10m & 15m work good also when the band is open. 10m has been open lately, contacts just fine.

I have operated the 4BTV with a minimum of 8 radials however my understanding is it will work with no radials, if that is an issue. I take it you are not in the desert so your ground should be fair to good.

If you do get a 4BTV, contact me if any issues upon install. I know these antennas very well.
DX Engineering is the best place to buy one.In my view.

Im good on QRZ.com
73, David K1WJ

Does anyone know if or where there is an internal Mic gain pot for a Yaesu FT-7800? I'm trying to run a lower impedence desk mic 300 to 600 ohms, the stock mic is 2k which is still considered a Low impedence mic.
With the desk mics the audio is very low when compared to the stock mic. This is a audio level issue.

If there is no internal Mic gain ajustment to be made on the FT-7800 an EQ setup may indeed be required.

In Addition: Where can I find the Service Manual for this radio: FT-7800? I looked at UK.mods:did not see.

Thanks, Dave K1WJ

KI4WAF:

The Icom 718 new is $599 +-, with no FM. But hard to beat for your stated price range.

The Yaesu 897D is also close in price and has all modes plus VHF/UHF for $799+-.

A good used TS-940SAT is also in that range, & that radio is a well known classic radio.

Re N5LRZ: Maybe you need to take a break until your attitude is better. Your far from elite. I think we all could live without your negitive postings.

Good Luck KI4WAF          73,KIWJ

 The QRP SSB Calling Frequency for 10M is 28.385 usb.

Beacons 28.190 - 28.225.

73,
David K1WJ

 
1st make sure you have the license for the section of the band your going to work

Established a freq. that has little to no activity 2-3khz above & below from freq.

Ask if freq. is in use please, 3 times minimum and wait 15 seconds+- between each request

Tune & check all radio settings

To call CQ: this is the method I use: Example
"CQ CQ CQ / CQ CQ CQ this is Kilowatt One Whiskey Juliet K1WJ   CQ CQ CQ  Kilowatt One Whiskey Juliet K1WJ Calling CQ and standing by"

Wait 10 seconds then try again.

Note calling CQ is for any one listening to respond.
Calling CQDX is for non-stateside stations only respond.

If I call for 10 minutes & no response, I may wait awhile before trying again or move the a lower freq. band.

PS: Just because you call CQ does not mean a station will always call you back. If there is activity on the band your signal has potential to be heard. Run higher power at first & reduce power once contact is established when possible.

That covers it for the most part: 73 K1WJ David