No one is stopping you doing Morse to 5WPM, or more.

The license exam is merely what the licensing authority (in the US the FCC) determine is needed to operate with the rights of the relevant license class. It is not some "badge" for holders to say say "I'm better than you."

73
Brian
G8OSN / W8OSN

In the area were the needles cross there should be some curved lines which radiate from the middle of the lower edge of the meter face. These lines are marked with the SWR

Basically, you identify the point where the needles cross and read off the SWR on the above lines. You may have to interpollate between lines.

Happy New Year &
73

Brian
G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk  

Hi,

Is anyone aware of designs on the web for a 2m and 70cm x yagi, please?

I've found one desigb but the metal work seems a bit heavy compared with the Arrow (not available in the UK) and finding a proven design has to be better than rescaling or starting over.

73

Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

I've been looking at the manuals for one of the SGC autotuners and I am intrigured by the suggestions for the counterpoise arrangements suggested.

The SGC guys recommend a wire, longer than the antenna, but running along the ground, asa counterpoise.

I'm familair with the use of a series of 1/4wave counterpoises but haven't come across the single 'longer the better' idea- which would be more convienent for me to install.

The antenna is a 150 ft random wire.

Opinions / ideas, please?

73

Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

Bird thruline slugs are quite expensive in the UK and one suitable for HF are rare. Howeverm the odd cheepies come along- usually for low power and bands of limited use to amateurs.

The internal contstruction of the slugs isn't complex seems common in similar bands so 'retuning' to a new band should not be complex.

I would like to retune a 60-80MHz 1W slug to 2-30MHz 250W. I'm pretty sure the coupling is common a this end of the spectrum so the only thing is the pot and possibly a series R.

Anyone actually done any retuning and who is prepare to share their experiences out there, please?

73

Brian
G8OSN
in a windy and wet UK

Hmm! Not a car to play radio in?

I have to ask why not?

Ok, maybe not a full blown multiband station, but a 2m / 70cm  set up to liven up the drive to work would be nice.

Thing is, we Brits tend not to 'cruise' ;-)

73,

Brian

Hi,

I often see US hams refer to 'freebanders'. My guess  is this just another name for a pirate or is it more specific than that??

(This is a serious question- it isn't a term used in the UK!)

73
Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

Anyone done a successful rig install in a Mazda Miata (US), MX5 (UK) , Eunos and can share details, please?

73
Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

I have fibreglass MPV (or people carrier where I come from) and use a Maldol dual bander (1/2W + 5/8//5/8) which works very well with no ground plane.

I also have a 'rag top' which I plan to build a splitter and automatic switch for so I can share an antenna between the broadcast radio and the Ham gear.
My 'rag top' has a metal body, so I don't have your problem there and plan to use a 1/4W + 5/8 dual bander.

73

Brian
G8OSN

Hi John,

That is why I planned on using a coax relay to select whether the aerial was switched to the Tx or BC RX. Do you not think this would provide enough isolation? I could also include a 145MHz 1/4 wave coax length in the BC Rx line, with some back to back diodes as well. Any stray RF down the coax would turn on the diodes and the 1/4 wave line would then present a Hi Z to the unselected relay port with the diodes limiting any 145 MHz RF into the BC Rx. That just seemed a bit over the top.

Any comments appreciated.

73

Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

Has anyone tried adapting the broadcast antenna on a Mazda Miata (or MX5 in the UK)to serve a dual purpose as a 2m 1/4wave and still for broadcast radio.

It looks easy- a trim to lenght and a coax relay to select the coax. In fact, too easy- which is why I asked the question ;-)

73

Brian
G8OSN

Hi,

I had a similair problem with my people carrier (or MPV as it is known in the former colonies ;-) ).

I used dual band antenna from Maldol which is a 2m 1/2Wave an 70cm 5/8 over 5/8, neither of which need a ground plane. I made a small aluminium bracket which screwed to the roof bar. SWR is 1:1 with a needle width across UK 2m and 70 cm bands and it on air peformance good.

73
Brian