Guys,

Does anyone have a schematic for a homebrew voice keyer? Nothing to fancy, just something to make calling CQ a little easier.  Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim, KG4MQD

Hey all,
        I have a question or two.  First off, I live in an apartment, on the second floor, with no patio/deck.  My VHF/UHF antennas are in the attic, and work fine for repeaters and simplex.  If conditions are favorable, I can get into the Roanoke, VA. repeater from my apartment in Kernersville, NC.  Thats a pretty good distance.  I am not full quieting, but readable.

I have just aquired a Kenwood TS-930 withh the built in antenna tuner.  I am upgrading very soon and want to go ahead and get an antenna in place so that I can begin using the rig as soon as I am legally able.

I realize I cannot reasonably expect to work 160 meters with limited space, but if possible, I would like to be active on 80-10.  Would I be better off using one dipole, 135' (I think thats right) for all bands, or should I cut individual dipoles for each band?  All this has to fit in the attic...I looked at doing a wire around the building, but it would be noticeable on the front, and all the power, tv and cable comes in on the back of the building in various locations, so thats out.  

If I do the seperate dipoles with one feed line, will the Tuner on the radio properly tune?  That may be a stupid question, but I didnt know.  I am very strapped for cash right now, so an external tuner is out of the question.  Whatever I do will have to be simple, low budget, and somewhat capable of radiating further than the parking lot.

Any and all suggestions are welcome, but please dont waste bandwidth suggesting I move.  Thats kinda hard when you are in the middle of a nasty divorce, and she got all the money.....

One other question.  Station Grounding..how?  the cold water pipes are PVC, and it would be a 20' run out the window to a grounding rod.  I am sure that the ground line would resonate on some portion of the HF bands, so does anyone have any ideas?  I want to operate safe...

Thx & 73
Tim, KG4MQD

Guys,
     Thanks for the info.  I have found the answer to my problem.  In case anyone else is interested, If you have any brand of HT that uses  a 2.5mm MONO mic jack AND a 3.5mm MONO speaker jack, follow this link:

http://www.packetradio.com/sb16rads/202ht.gif

The schematic there shows an interface suitable for handheld radios.  I hope to have one constructed this evening, and try it out with my computer and packet software tonight.  I will post the results.

73,
Tim
KG4MQD

Hi all,
       Has anyone attempted to interface an older hand held to a soundcard?  I have an Icom IC-2GAT and I would like to interface it to a laptop.  The audio out from the radio to the laptop is no problem, but the keying circut is the hard part.  As I am sure you are aware, the radio is keyed by completing the mic circut.

Would it be possible to have the computer close a low current relay to complete the transmit circut, or is there a better and more efficent way to do this? (I know, buy a new radio, and do it the easy way, but where is the fun in that?)  Any and all help is appreciated!

73,
Tim
KG4MQD

Hi guys,
         I have a question, obviously!  I am soon to aquire a 6 meter rig, and I live in an apartment.  No balcony, and the owner says "No, and I mean NO antennas of ANY sort outside the building."  The owner inspects the property every week, and he has a sharp eye...even my DSS dish is inside, aimed thru a window. (Signal sucks, but at least I still have it)

Here it is:

I am assuming (correct me if I am wrong) that 6 meter antennas by and large are vertically polarized.  What are my options?  I can get into the attic, but space is very limited.  I am on the second floor, and for 2 meters, I have a homebrew 1/4 wave dipole, and a pocket j-pole, both of which are "mounted" at the end of yardsticks, allowing me to slide them out the window when I am home, and bring them in when I am not.  Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

I hope to upgrade soon, the code is starting to come more naturally, but I promised myself I wont take the test till I can copy at 13 wpm, maybe that way I wont sound like a rank begginer when I can afford to get some HF gear.  (Besides, a longwire in the attic is very do-able, and that would be easier to install than my current setup for VHF!)

73,
Tim
KG4MQD

Ok, I measured the elements, and the "Skirt" elements are 32" long, and have a diameter of 32".  The short elements are 11".  What, if anything, can be done to tune this antenna?  I appreciate all the help you guys provide!!

Tim

KG4MQD

Hi all,
       I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4wd, and want to use a 5/8 2 meter whip.  I know that the best place to mount it is on the roof, but here is the kicker:

I have to park in a parking deck several times a week, and the clearance is only 7'3".  I have a magnet mount base, but taking it on and off is going to get old.  My question is this:  how much would I lose if I mounted (welded?) a plate to the center of the front of the truck bed, along the lip at the top of the bed, and used the magnet mount there?  I know I would be sending rf into the cab, but it is an extended cab, (no passengers in the back seat) and the antenna is mated to an HT with 7 watts max on 13.8 VDC.  (No money for a mobile rig yet)  

My other thought was to mount (weld?) a plate in one corner or the other at the front of the bed, and stick the magnet there....any help would be appreciated.

73,

Tim
KG4MQD

Hi all,
        I just got my call today, and my employer made the day even better by giving me a never used Radio Shack Discone antenna he had bought to use with a scanner.  He didn't have the directions, and after looking at the R-S website, I discovered that a piece is missing.  My question is simple actually:

The whip that goes on the top is missing.  I plane to use this antenna with my 2 Meter handheld, and I did hook it up tonight, but I was afraid to transmit without the whip.  Is it needed for 144-148?  The info I got from the R-S website says its provided to enable tuning in 6 meters, but I figured since it was missing I would ask before I tried.  

Side note, instead of using the discone to talk with, I raided the closet, and made a dipole from coat hangars, cut to 19.25 inches, and fed it with RG-58.  With my little IC-2GAT, I was able to get into alot of repeaters and got good reports....And that was with the "antenna" wire tied to the end of a yard stick, and positioned outside my Apt. window!  I think I am gonna love the low buck side of the hobby!!!  (Now if I can pick up a good mobile 2m/70cm for a song, I will be happy!)

73,
Tim
KG4MQD