Google has not been my friend. I have not been able to find a source for ICOM V-8 programming software for purchase or for free. Any suggestions?

I am sure this is a topic covered may times, but my ineptness forces me to raise it again. How do you solder coax to the connectors? First, no electric soldering I have ever gets a connector hot enough to melt solder. I have used the butane models and with direct flame you can heat it hot enough to melt solder, but you run the risk of melting the plastic insulation of both the connector and the cable. I have been able to successfully solder the center conductor, but have not had much success with the braid. I'm doing all right stripping the coax in preparation, but the last step is frustrating.

What are the tricks you have learned?

Solder type?

Soldering iron type/heat output?

Heat sinks?

Flux?

Incantations (so far the four letter ones have not worked)?

Thanks in advance.

15 years ago I got a plan for a 2M J-pole that used PVC pipe and two pieces of hardware cloth (the galvanized stuff with 1/4 inch mesh). It worked pretty well, but I cannot begin to remember where I found it, but I suspect it was in a magazine, probably QST. I used the grey electrical conduit rather than the irrigation pipe

Bob

I can just about guarantee an announcement within a few weeks. I just bought a brand new one at the end of March!

Measurements of my Tak Tenna

The end pieces are 30"' long. The 30 inch pieces form a cross. In each arm of the cross there are seven slots cut 1.5 inches apart, starting about .25 inches from the end.

The cross piece is 32 inches long. The coils are separated by 24 inches.

The center conductor terminal is 10 inches from its coil, the hot coil in Tak Tenna parlance.. The braid terminal is 16 inches to its coil, the cold coil in Tak Tenna parlance.

Some notes from the instructions:

Tak Tenna is an electrical half wavelength dipole antenna

If the antennas are not wound in the same direction tuning will be impossible.

If either spiral is cut too short tuning may be a problem.

Rotate Tak Tenna; if you see SWR change it is seeing something.

Antenna feed point changes with elevation.

The Hot spiral affects frequency.
The Cold spiral affects SWR.

It is possible that the antenna will show two minima, one at a lower frequency and one at a higher frequency, both in/around the 40M band. BRING THE LOWER ONE UP FOR RESONANCE.


This information is intended for you antenna analysts to model its performance and I will not give anyone information on the construction details (ie, how the tubing is connected together), as the vendor deserves to maintain his business.

Bob
WD6S

On wire length, the instructions that come with the 40M antennas say not to cut off more than 3 feet of wire. Interestingly, depending on how you wind you will have little or a lot of surplus. On one end I tried to maintain a circular pattern and ended up with surplus wire (almost 3 feet). On the other end I "squared the circle" and ended up coming out even.

For the 20 M antenna, the plastic parts are the same size, but the wire is shorter, resulting in many of the inner slots in the cross arms not being used- something that disturbed me enough to send an email. I was assured that this is normal.

The "hot" side, as it is called in the instructions, is fed by the center conductor and is the side closest to boom support clamp.

I have one, and it does work. Compared to a Hustler vertical with about 20 radials in the desert, it is somewhat more directional, probably a little less sensitive overall. It seemed to work better than the random wire that I had up there. It does have a wind load so its needs support if at any great height (mine is at 20 feet and was blown over despite a tripod weighted with a couple of hundred pounds of rocks.

It is no miracle by any means, but it works ok. It is compact, easy to build, and easy to maneuver. Good for camping or RV'ing I suppose.

On the 20 meter version about 20-21 feet of copper clad solid steel wire is used on each side.

I have one, and it does work. Compared to a Hustler vertical with about 20 radials in the desert, it is somewhat more directional, probably a little less sensitive overall. It seemed to work better than the random wire that I had up there. It does have a wind load so its needs support if at any great height (mine is at 20 feet and was blown over despite a tripod weighted with a couple of hundred pounds of rocks.

It is no miracle by any means, but it works ok. It is compact, easy to build, and easy to maneuver. Good for camping or RV'ing I suppose.

On the 20 meter version about 20-21 feet of copper clad solid steel wire is used on each side.

I have the radials for my Hustler vertical on top of the ground at our desert cabin, where the ground is rocky and sandy. They work fine. I could not bury them if I wanted to. The only problems are the wind sometimes re-arranges things a bit (not that much) and varmints like to chew on some of the wires. I was using rope to guy the antenna and something chewed one of the lines into several two foot pieces.

I have been using IRCs without problem for foreign stations and get a very high response rate. I get a lower response rate within the US though I (almost) always send  a SASE.

I am curious that I have never received a request for a QSL card in the past year I have been licensed. Am I just quick to send out my requests and beat the others to the post, or is it just newbies like me that are enthusiastic about the cards?

Depending on the length of the tubes you could build a J-pole. Google "2M J-pole" and you should get plenty of hits. Most are for copper pipe but they should be adaptable to aluminum tubes.

Though I am a relative newbie to HF, and I have been extremely impressed by the operators' efficiency, and the signals on all the bands I have contacted have been extraordinarily strong and clear. From my point of view, the Ducie Island operation should be recognized as one of the best examples of organization and execution of a DXpedition ever accomplished.  

Good job guys, and thanks for the opportunity.

I am new to the HF game too. (I am an Extra-lite as of last May.) Last night I made a contact in Cuba that made my day. I have made contacts in Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, Netherlands Antilles, Japan, and Russian Siberia, as well as Mexico and Canada, and each new country gives me a real thrill. Even Hawaii and Alaska give me a sense of accomplishment. This radio stuff can be complex and frustrating when a problem arises, but when all is working well and you make a DX contact, life is good.  I share your enthusiasm and understand your sense of satisfaction.

And I love the line "How many are in a Brazilian".

I have run CAT 5 lines in tow separate locations, one next to a 2 meter radio which is also where my cable modem and network switch is located- no problems there.

I also have CAT 5 running into my shack (which is in a separate shed- a real shack) with multiple HF and 2 meter radios and I have no problems there either with interference either way.

Of course I do not use more than 100 watts for anything, so I can't speak for higher power.

Bob

Thanks for all of your rapid and voluminous responses. It will take a while to digest it all, and try them out. Your responses were to the point, and not flippant or rude, which as a newcomer I very much appreciate. Some folks find sport in roasting rookies like me.

Bob
WD6S