Hello.  My wife may be getting a defibrillator (ICD) to correct a bad heart rhythm she has due to an enlarged heart.  If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, what have been your experiences with this device and ham radio operation?  She is studying for the no code tech license currently, but she is afraid that a HT might cause her device to malfunction.  The manufacturer suggests that you do not grab a hold of the antenna while transmitting ( No kidding! ) but no other precautions.  Another manufacturer recommends a HT @ 3 watts be held no closer than 6 inches from the device.  HF antennas be kept at least 10 feet away while xmiting @ 200 watts.  Seems reasonable.    What has been you experience?

Thanks,
Randy KB8ASO

Hello.  Is it possible to convert this transciever for 2 meter operation?  It is said in the manual that the transceiver may be reprogramed on other frequencies than the 9 it is programmed with out of the box. Inside of the radio on the PCB there is a small push button marked "SET".  What is it used for?  I looked at the processor area and the radio uses a ATMEL 93C46R eeprom.  Is there programming software out there?  I would think that RS would not have a unit built with an eeprom if it could not be changed.  Why add the extra expense?  Any ideas?  These radios are being cleared out at $69.00 now and at that price I have a use for a simple 2 channel 5W mobile with CTCSS.

73
Randy KB8ASO  

Hi.  There is a low cost source of HF broadband amps in old marine HF radios. At a local hamfest I bought 3 for $50.00 and all worked.  The PA is usualy a module attached to the heatsink with 100 mw to 1 watt required to drive the unit to full output ( Around 100 W.).  They usually work from 1.8 to at least 25 - 30 Mhz.  Mine were built by ITT Mackay, SEA and Intek.  Add a tr relay and enclosure and your ready to go on the cheap!  Lo pass filter parts or the whole filter is already there.  Just check inside and make sure they have not taken a salt water bath before you buy.  Look for xtal controled or PROM programed models as they will fetch the least $$$.  All we are interested in is the PA.

73
Randy KB8ASO

p.s.  Don't feel bad junking the marine radio as most are USB/CW only and usually do not go higher than 13.5 ish Mhz.  If yours is USB/LSB and doesn't use xtals or some funky PROM to program the freq's, DON'T junk it.  Use it!  These rigs are very stable and usually built to a high level of quality and reliability.  

Hello.  I have just finished uploading to:

http://bama.sbc.edu/

The complete maintenance manual for the 103.  Give it a couple of
days for him to get it on the site or if you can take a 5.6 meg e-mail
I can send it to you.

73
Randy KB8ASO

Hello.  I came across this tuner at a hamfest last summer for the sum of $1.00.  COOL!!!  Now the real question, what was it intended for?  As far as I can determine it is a switched (12 position)  "L" network for use with a long wire antenna.  It looks like it would go 10-80 meters OK.   I do not think the 500 means 500 watts as the cap. plate spacing is minimal and the coil is wound on some type of soft thermoplastic.  There is a 6 position terminal strip for grounding the device.  Anyone know the specs for this unit?  Joymatch Lo-z 500 Partridge Electronics Broadstairs Kent England.  

Thanks,
Randy.

I am looking for the programming info and or a service manual for an Intech Mariner 2500.  I have found out that Intech was a marketer of SSB radios, but not the manufacturer.  The radios were made by SEA.  I called SEA but their documentation does not go that far back.  ( Set was made circa 1980-81. )  This radio uses a diode matrix for frequency selection.  Any ideas as to what the SEA model # would have been?    
Thank you,
Randy.

I am looking for the programming info and or a service manual for an

Intech Mariner 2500.  I have found out that Intech was a marketer of

SSB radios, but not the manufacturer.  The radios were made by SEA.  I

called SEA but their documentation does not go that far back.  ( Set

was made circa 1980-81. )  This radio uses a diode matrix for ferquency

selection.  Any ideas as to what the SEA model # would have been?    
Thank you,
Randy.

Hello.  I have lived by one of the all time RFI generators.  The VOA relay station at Mason ( Cincinnati ) Ohio.  I lived only 3/4 of a mile away.  Every night at 6:00PM VOA signed on and the VCR was useless.  The RF was going straight into the video heads.  Try this, get some braid and connect the center to the ground connection on the PCB then the other ends to the metal cabinet top and bottom.  This will help as most of the metal cabinet tops are left floating, not grounded.  This helped in my situation, but with 6-8 transmitters running 175 KW each it was not enough.  Your situation is much better!!!!!  Hope this helps.
Randy.