Stan at www.radiodustcovers.com is fantastic!

I've had a pair of these for 7 months now.  I decided to order another pair for my other rigs.  Stan will give you some of the best personal service to make certain you get what you want.  You can order covers out of wool felt or vinyl.  I got the wool.  Very well made.  Custom embroidered with the Manufacturers Logo, the rig model and my call.  Fit perfectly.  He'll even do up custom sizes.  You just need to provide the dimensions (if he doesn't already have them).  He'll make 'combo covers' to fit the rig, power supply, speaker combo or individual pieces.

When I made a color selection that was a bit screwy - he E-Mailed and made sure I wasn't punking out my station with psychedelic colors.

Thanks Stan and I can't wait for the new covers.

Jim - KB1NXE

Does the telephone company have a deeded right of way to have this cable through the middle of your property?

It may not couple any RF if it's at a right angle to the antenna.  But, unless they have a deeded right of way, it may not need to be there at all.

Do you know what type of service is in that cable?  Are you sure it's copper and not fiber?

Grow up

In all fairness to DX Lab Suite of programs, yes it does do all of the things mentioned by AA6YQ.  In MY OPINION, it's UI (User Interface) is not up to the standards of HRD and therefore, I claim HRD to be without peer.

Using an Icom IC-756 Pro III, I was daunted by all the various setting, knobs and subscriptions (yes, registration is required on many of the web sites feeding data to DX Lab) that needed twiddling in DX Lab.  As compared to HRD, which requires less configuring and selecting of options.  This makes it IN MY OPINION more desirable to the casual user.  This is why I deemed it unprecedented.  HRD also has features I prefer and are not available in DX Lab (like the bandscope on the rig control  screen).

As with any thing, the choice is yours.  I was trying to aide fellow HAMs and that has seemed to ruffled the feathers of another HAM.  Oh well.  Can't make everyone happy.

What attack?  Just like there was no ambush.

Dave,  AA6YQ,

  Thanks for living the dream and keeping the reputation and name of Mass residents alive...

Bob,

   Thank you.  I guess I wasn't misinterpreting the tone of the questions.

   FWIW, I have tried DXSuite and found it very cumbersome.  Unloaded it from my PC.  The UI was way to complicated and not well thought out in my humble opinion.  I like the look and feel of HRD much, much more.

   I make my living in IT, so software that I feel is daunting must be for the true Uber Geeks.  Not for the average or casual user.  I also don't like spending a dozen hours configuring software.  I'd rather spend 11 of those hours making contacts.

Jim

Wow, lot's of questions.  I'll answer them below if I can.

Does it enable a user to

- display frequency-dependent settings for devices like tuners and amplifiers?
No.  But then, it's rig control software, not amplifier or tuner control software.

- define buttons and sliders that control the active transceiver via CAT commands?
Yes, as long as those sliders and buttons have rig specific commands to control them at the rig.  Most of the obvious one's are included in the default setting for a particular rig.  You can add others if you wish and almost all of them are pre-configured.  For instance, for an Icom IC-756 PIII, there are pre-configure menu items to add sliders for TX and RX bass and treble.

- rapidly search the more than 80 or so web-based sources of QSL information (e.g. online country-specific callbooks)?
No.  QRZ Online/Offline seems to be it's mainstay.

- perform a callbook lookup on a group of logged QSOs en masse (e.g. after a contest)?
No, does it during log entry.

- generate progress reports for the DXCC, TopList, Challenge, VUCC, Marathon, WAS, WAC, IOTA, WAZ, WPX, USA-CA, Canadaward, DOK, WAE, WAB, DDFM, SRR, RDA, WAJA, JCC, JCG, or AJA awards?
Yes, via the log analysis feature.

- automatically identify unconfirmed QSOs whose confirmation would advance DXCC or WAZ award progress?
Not 100% sure of your question.  I believe you want real time log analysis based upon whether or not you have a confirmed QSO.  If that's the case, then no.  In the log, while using the spotter window, if the entity in the spotter is in your log (dup) or the prefix is in your log, it will identify it differently (dup = a plus sign and check mark, you have the prefix it's just a check mark).  If you have not worked the prefix before, it is marked with a 'X'.

- directly print QSL cards and labels from logged QSOs?
Does address labels.

- directly print addresses on envelopes or on envelope labels from logged QSOs?
Never tried, but as it does labels, it should be capable.

- automatically identify confirmed-but-unverified QSOs and generate the required DXCC submission paperwork?
No.

- rapidly synchronize (upload and download) with LotW?
Creates ADIF files to wash through TQSL to create the TQ8 file.

- accurately modify many logged QSOs simultaneously (without requiring the user to edit ADIF files)?
No, but not sure why you would need this...

- collect DX spots from multiple clusters simultaneously, and combine spots of the same DX station into a single entry showing when the station was first spotted and most recently spotted?
Yes.  It also displays the DX spots on a rather neat slide rule by frequency

- provide comprehensive spot filtering -- including by spotting station location?
Yes.  You must build your own filters

- identify spotted DX stations known to participate in LotW or in eQSL's Authenticity Guaranteed program?
No.  But is that information accurately identified in spotter reports?  As a LotW participant, I know of no way to 'declare myself' authentic.

- identify and audibly announce DX spots "needed" for DXCC or WAZ?
Yes.  Also capable of alerting via cell phone text message or E-Mail.

- QSY the transceiver and antenna to a DX spot in a single gesture (including setting the transceiver to the correct split)?
Double click on the DX Spot entry will QSY and change mode, but not set up a split as that may or may not be available in the DX entry.  Also, they are working on adding the feature to rotate your antenna while you QSY.  It will also initiate the log entry if you do make contact and therefore just may need to update times (single click).

- generate point-and-click propagation forecasts using a modern prediction engine (e.g. VOACAP or ICEPAC)?
No.  It is built in - however.

- monitor the NCDXV/IARU HF beacon network to assess actual propation?
It's software and can't monitor anything.  It compiles data on space weather and displays that information for your own interpretation.  You do set it to gather the information for the sources you wish.


Well, for free software, it seems to almost grant all your wishes.  Why don't you try it out and see if you agree.  It won't cost you a thing and if you know of a better package for the same price, please let the rest of us know.

I also hope many of your questions were rhetorical. This is free software and a volunteer effort by other hams.  This is not software produced by some multi-employee software sweatshop.  It's an effort of other Hams offered as a labor of love for free to the rest of us.

Ham Radio Deluxe 5.0 is out as a Beta and available for download.  There have been many improvements to this software and it's value continues to increase.

For those who don't keep up with Rig Control Software, this FREEWARE (Donations welcomed) collection of programs gives you the most comprehensive station control in one package you could ever imagine.  To list:

Rig Control
Logging Software with contest submission and award analysis
Digital Mode Software
DX Spotter
Satellite Tracking
Rotator Control
Solar weather and prediction
Automated updates and information collection

One of the benefits of the new logging software is it allows you to place the log file on a computer and share that file out to several operators.  Great for club station, contests or even if you have multiple rigs and computers (like I do)  Logging allows you to enter the call, (and with a subscription to QRZ or loaded on your computer) check the call and populate all the fields automatically.  With some rigs, it'll read your S meter and complete the RST.  The Logging software, the digital software and the rig control all interface with one another giving you unprecedented control over all aspects of your station.

This is software written for Amateurs by Amateurs.  It's an international effort, and very well written.  Certainly worth the download and the price is as always - free.  Find it at www.ham-radio-deluxe.com

Glad to hear it Rog,

   My KingBee is doing fine and as I scrape the pennies together and get enough, I'll be ordering that 5 band Quad.

My first experience with this company.  And I have nothing but praises for them.

   I ordered something small - a Signalink USB.  Little more than a hundred bucks.  I placed the order Tuesday night, so in reality, Wednesday.  The box was on my door and waiting for me Friday noon!  Not only was it exceptionally well packed, but they included a free catalog and Ball Cap since it was my first order!  Who else does that?

   A word about their catalog.  After looking through it, I came to realize if I ever needed to home brew a multi-element antenna, they have all the parts to do it right and make it work.  Incredible stuff.  They have everything needed for antennas except hardline.  

   To quote the overused movie line:  "I'll be back"

You seem to be missing something.  Your LIGHTNING protection should happen outside at the base of your antenna support or SPG.  If you have done this properly, then you have no LIGHTNING from a direct tower or antenna strike to ground from your station equipment.  It never gets to your rig (that would be of course:  Proper Engineering).

However (I love that word):

When LIGHTNING strikes (whether directly or nearby is rather moot) it also INDUCES a current on all metal objects nearby.  This is from the magnetic energy contained in the lightning.  If your tower was (for the sake of argument) the target of this lightning, then the current induced on the metal surfaces near your station, including your station equipment, will be quite high.  Now, unless your station is in a complete Faraday shield, or there are no metal surfaces present, there WILL BE voltage and current induced on the case of that rig.  

Sure, your rig may be grounded well enough through the coax shield for day to day RF, but that coax shield WOULD ALSO HAVE ENERGY INDUCED UPON IT DURING THIS EVENT!  Think about it.  Every metal surface in your shack charged to a different potential (that's important - they all have different currents and  voltages present due to the distance from the strike/size/metallurgy/a hundred other factors)  simultaneously all seeking ground.

Certainly, the ground system will also have a charge induced upon it.  No argument.  But if it's correctly engineered, it will be a low impedance path to ground.  The impedance of a coax shield will be significantly higher to the induced current than 1" copper strap or even 1" braid!  Coax shield flattens out top what, ~3/8" braid?

Additionally, you may have other issues to contend with.  Especially with a nearby strike that will induce currents on other common carrier equipment (cable, phone and/or electrical) and other metal infrastructure (read:  house wiring that is on the protected side of your whole house protection at the breaker panel).  This is one reason I'm glad the studs in my walls are wood!

Depending on the size of the strike, proximity, etc., these currents can be significant.  You basically have high frequency, high energy coming from all directions and conductive surfaces simultaneously.  The question is, whatcha gonna do with it all?

My personal goal is to give it as many and as big a path to ground as possible.  And that means grounding my rigs to a station side ground that is tied to the external ground field.  From the rigs it's 1" wide copper to a single ground point tied to the external field with 2" wide copper.  This is commonly referred to as a star ground in the field I am employed as a Senior Engineer (Computer Networks).  Rather than dealing with lightning, we install elaborate grounding schemes to deal with EMI/RFI.  Large scale computer systems are noisy buggers.  Especially when switched at the speeds we deal with.  The data center I'm responsible for has 5 mainframes (yes, people still use mainframes) and over 500 servers.  Plus supporting tape and disk subsystems, network infrastructure, etc.  The EMI noise in there is incredible.  Only dissimilar to lightning induced currents in the values of the currents present (mA as opposed to KA).

Now, I sit on the top of one of the taller hills in the area.  Great for day to day, but when a storm comes around, I want all the protection I can muster.  I'll ground my rigs.

I hope this has been of help to someone.

"Poly Phaser suggestions are very good."

Yes, using your own approved source.

I guess you'd need to have followed the entire thread.

The OP asked what equipment you tie to your SPG.

WB2WIK said none.

I disagreed.

He asked me to prove the need.

I seem to have.

No rants.  Just correcting erroneous opinion. WB2WIK's

I tie my equipment to a single point ground in the shack.  The single point ground is brought outside to a ground network of several ground rods.  The house safety ground, the antenna support ground and the shack SPG are tied together.  This is exactly what (and someone else opened that can of worms) Polyphaser recommends.  I will place my trust in Polyphaser and not WB2WIK.  I have to believe Polyphaser does know proper engineering.

Bob,

   OK, I just didn't understand where you were going with your comments.  I truly was confused by your comment.

   I guess one way he could route it out using a copper strap is over a windowsill.  Kinda snaking it around and form fitting it to all the corners.  There's not a huge worry about lightning from inside the shack (unless he's real unlucky) needing to follow the path of the copper.  We all know that a lightning ground needs to be as straight as possible with gentle turns where needed.

   With the strap you still would be able to close the window.

   Still, for a permanent installation, a through the wall hole is the most convenient way to go.