I have been updating my list for DXCC contacts.
I have been going over my LOTW and QSL cards received.

I have a question about the DXCC entity lists.

In my LOTW I have a few confirmed contacts that are not showing up on the entity list but LOTW is counting them. I will list them below. Maybe someone can let me know what is up with these if LOTW is counting them but they are not on the Entity list.

Alaska AL9A
European Russia R7DX
France TM6M
Guernsey MU0GSY
Isle of Man MD2C
Northern Ireland MI0SAI
Puerto Rico NP4G
Scotland MM0TFU
United States of America N3MK

LOTW is counting these but I cannot find the corresponding country entity for these.

Bob
W8RID
 

Thanks for the reply and confirmation of what I thought it was.

Bob
W8RID

I have been reading the ARRL Rules for DXCC Awards.

For the most part are clear but then they become very vague in spots.

The reason I am writing is because I cannot find out how many confirmed DXCC QSO you need to have to apply for and get the Basic DXCC Award.

I see that there are several different totals for other special DXCC Awards but can't seem to come up with the number for the Basic Mixed DXCC Award.

My logging program has a number of 200. When I look it up on wikipedia it says 100.

What is this magical number for this Basic mixed award??

This will just be the start for me. Once I get that I will continue to work on the others as I go.

Thanks for the guidance.

Bob
W8RID

OK, Thanks for the Quick reply.

Here is what I can give you at this moment. (I'm a Firefighter/Paramedic, getting ready to leave for work. Will not be home until Friday AM)

I'm running an IC-735 with a PS-55 and a AT-150. Also what was running at the time was my Drake L4-B.
My Pyramid Phase III power supply was running for my APRS setup and rig (FT-1500)
My Computers and 2 Florescent lights. (One that I have already replaced the bulb with a incandescent bulb)

Is there a way for me to track this down without contacting someone on my rig??

Some kind of "A/C Hum Radar"??

Bob
W8RID

Was just told that I have A/C Hum on my signal.
(at the time I had power supplies running, Amplifier running, Florescent lights on)

I know that this can be caused by several things. Florescent lights, power supplies, bad grounds, etc.

Is there a way to help find out where it is coming from??

I know it is going to be a case of turning things on and off till I isolate it.

Just need some guidance at this point in time.

Bob
W8RID
 

Been searching the net to find plans for a home brew 6 meter antenna tuner.
So far nothing that jumps out at me.

Anyone have any plans or ideas where to find something like this??

Bob
W8RID

 

Just noticed that I seem to be having a issue with my 10mtr section of my IC-735.
I have the AT-150 antenna tuner doing the tuning.

Here is what I have noticed: (All being sent to my dummy load)

1. When I put the rig in 10mtr, Select FM mode, key up, the AT-150 tunes. The external SWR/Power meter shows the SWR if way up over 5:1.

2. All my other bands get tuned to 1:1 with the AT-150.

Here is the quirk:

3. When I select the 12mtr band, Select FM mode, key up, the AT-150 tunes to 1:1. Then I switch to 10mtr band, Select FM mode, key up. The AT-150 tunes 1:1.

I'm not sure if this issue is with the IC-735 or the AT-150.

Got any thoughts on this??

Bob
W8RID

OK!!

That kind of gives me the answers that I was hoping not to get,but needed.

I will probably take it out of the loop and make a lamp out of it.

Thanks

Bob
W8RID

This amp was given to me.

It sat for probably 10-15yrs without running.

As for what I am putting into the amp that is around 14-15w.
I'm using a FT-726R.

I would be happy getting 400-500W out of it at this point.

I am relatively new to amplifiers. My Drake L-4B is up and running now and I'm getting more and more comfortable using it, setting it up and dialing it in.

The Econo Amp is even easier to set up and dial in.

Don't really need this amp. Just playing around with it and was finding these unusual output readings.
I'm not on 6m much. That is the only band that I have not made a contact on.

The pricing on the tubes is on the high side. So I don't know how much I really want to put into this unit.
Just trying to get some more info and guidance on how to proceed with this project.

Bob
W8RID

Looking to replace all the tubes in my Econo-Amp 6meter. (4 total)

I'm not getting the power that I should be and I think it is the tubes.

I would like to test the ones I take out. Does anyone know of a local company that I could go to, to have them checked out. (Twinsburg, OH)

This amp is old and has not been used for 15-20 years. It is clean.

I'm thinking I have a bad tube or tubes. It should be putting out 1000W on CW and 700W on SSB.
I'm not getting anything near that. The max power I'm getting is 70W.

I would like to have them all 100% or more and all the same brand.

Been looking on the internet and not finding 4 that meet that criteria.

Any other places I should be looking??

Thanks

Bob
W8RID

 

Posted this on the Amp forum. Thought that I would post it here too.

My Plate Current Meter is "Blown" according to my repair service.

I would like to find a replacement one for it or be able to get mine repaired.

Does anyone know where I could get either one of these things accomplished??

Thanks

Bob
W8RID

Yes, I believe that is the one.

Upper Left on the front panel.

Bob

Looking to do one of 2 things here:

1. get a replacement Plate Current Meter (Highly unlikley)
2. get my Plate current meter repaired.

My Plate Current Meter is not working becaues it is blown. (Coming from my repair shop)
they are looking for another one or a repair place too.

Need help here on getting this issue taken care of.

thanks

Bob
W8RID
 

Steve:

No it was not WA8SAJ. I contacted Jeff about a year ago when I started trying to trouble shoot this Amp. He does not work on them any more. He has scaled back what he works on. But I always call him when I have to find out if he can fix it or where I should take it.

The person I'm using is W8CQ, Jeff Weinberg. He is a little farther away but he also came highly recommended. (Harbach Electronics, Polk, OH)

Bob
W8RID

To everyone that sent a reply on something to check, Thanks!!

It took me a week to get through all the suggestions. Still not operating.

I was able to get a Drake repair person to come here and take a look at it and he said there was definately something wrong and he needed to take it to his shop and check it out more thoughouly. So that is where this issue is at right now. Waiting to hear back from him.

But, one of my original questions did not get answered.
Is there a way to check the 3-500Z tubes to see if one or both is bad??

Bob
W8RID