What a waste of bandwidth and oxygen!

Bob,

While I never had access to the TS590, my only metric in your discussion would be the 'same antenna A/B test for RX only' I have done between my venerable TS-940SAT and my much newer TS2000SAT/X (1.2 Ghz module installed). Many times the TS940S will hear things much, much better than the TS2K does, but I would say that the RX in the TS2K is equal or efectively better due to the fact that it has some, albeit antiquadated, DSP processing which gives it a distinct edge over the TS940S WRT filtering which has no DSp and is susceptible to front end over loading during busy contests. Give the choice between the two, I'd have to think long and hard about which one to give up as I use them together to cover everything, HF to 440 Mhz. The TS940 is mainstay on HF while the TS2K covers 6M and 2M weak signal work and can be easily switched in for HF work using my home brew antenna switching matrix where both rigs share all HF antennas.

Gene

Maybe not RF reference wise but I have seen some barrel connector that actually fell apart. Also not all PL-259's are created equal. The point here is using quality connectors should reduce any issues mechanically. Like most have stated, you would be hard pressed to see any difference with or without a 'splice' in the coax run at 21Mhz. Now 2M or 440Mhz, that's a different animal.

Also I would not recommend using 'solderless' RF connectors for anything short of an emergency repair. I've seen many new hams use these as they were easy to use without a soldering iron, which many new hams have either never used or don't own.

Gene W5DQ

Sure if you keep no log then guess that make it a moot point. On the other hand, being able to show when you ARE on the air and not having any complaints filed could be used to indicate that your station is NOT the culprit in any interference issues. It's highly doubtful you would generate interference at one time and not another if you used the SAME gear/antennas. Now if it is band/mode related (different rig/antenna), then additional analysis may be required.

Personally I have always kept a log from the first contact as a Novice on Aug 18, 1976 until 23:59Z 9/30/2012 at the end of the CQWW RTTY contest. I use my logbook data for many things such as award tracking, analysis on my station performance and plotting antenna radiation patterns. So far I haven't had the need to use to support any interference analysis from my station.

Gene W5DQ

Typically the dedicated RTTY connection on a radio is for true FSK operations. Using a soundcard device like a Signal Link, the output is AFSK and probably will come out of another port like a digital mode interface used for packet and such. At least it has been my experience with most rigs I have interface from Yaesu and Kenwood.

Gene W5DQ

If this was the intent of the OP, it wasn't very well put across. I did not even come close to getting that meaning from what was posted. Glad it has been 'cleared up' for us CONFUSED readers.

Gene W5DQ

Maybe, but it might not physically melt but may burn out internally.


It may handle 20-30W ok, then it may not. Best thing is to use the proper equipment and give up trying to get something for nothing. If you're only going to use QRP power levels then you can do alot of low power device substitutions but should you forget and light it up with 100W, you may be back to the drawing board. It would be best to figure on setting up for at least 100W and then you won't have to worry about it. If you add an amplifier later then you'll need to address power levels for it then.

For baluns, make sure you are getting what you need such as 'Do you need a current balun or a voltage balun for your antenna design?'. Understanding baluns can be a black art

Also a 1500W balun for $29 may not handle 1500W for very long. Remember you get what you pay for. A $29 balun is probably worth $29 but this is not to say a balun should cost hundreds of dollars. I've seen the inside of some cheap baluns and that is what they are .... CHEAP!!!

CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

Gene W5DQ

Usually when referred to as phone, it is SSB that is being discussed unless AM is specifically mentioned.


While many QRP fans will strongly disagree, I would not recommend that you start with a QRP rig like a FT-817nD. I had one and while they are fun, they are not for the uninitated (in my humble OPINION .... to all the QRPers who are now starting to type flaming responses "PLEASE note I said 'in MY OPINION'..."). If budget is your main constraint, I would recommend you get a 'softly handled' used rig. "Softly handled" of course is a relative term. Some may say that a rig that has been beaten half to death and looks like a chainsaw was taken to the covers is 'softly used' but not in my book. Of course the better the condition of the used gear, the more the cost. You'll have to be the judge where the tradeoff of cost vs looks vs functionality is acceptable. I know you can get a good used multiband 80-10 (possible 160-10) used rig for less than a new FT817 and have up to 100W full output or QRP (usually down to 5-10W) by turning output power down when you want to experiment. You not stuck at using on 5W all the time which can be a challenge for a newbie - no offense meant by saying that.

Checlk with your local club to see if they have a loaner program for their members. You could get a rig to start with while you learn and save some sheckles for your own rig.


Some do. It is usually the high end gear that does, not the entry level stuff as that is many time used as replacement or upgrade to existing gear and a power supply is already in place. Most smaller HF gear run off 12V and DC sources are found in lots of places .... P/S, marine batteries, solar arrays, mobile setups, etc. Why pay for something not needed and makes the rig heavier than needed. I surely would not want to carry my TS-940S portable as it weighs a ton with the built-in AC power supply. It does not use 12V DC, only AC.


Never used the EF-20 but have used the 6M and 2M PAR OMNI Angle loops and they worked well. One thing I would recommend is watching the source of your coax. RG-8X is ok for some shorter runs but I would steer clear of any run of RG-8X over 50'. You will be much farther along to get better coax (best you can afford). I've seen some RG-8X stuff that barely had any shield in it at all. Coax is one area that scrimping to save a few bucks actually will cost you more in the long run. 

Good Luck in your station building efforts,

Gene W5DQ

 

An excellent model to follow for a PSK31 (or any digital mode) macro.

Gene W5DQ

Whether or not you have your volume up isn't the issue as far as I see it.

In my understanding of it all (limited as it may be), the CW ID portion isn't so much for the receiving station to hear and understand as it is to meet the letter of the Part 97 that states we, as amateurs, are required to identify at the end of each transmission. If you're using the free form text string WITHOUT the CW ID and without your call in the text string, you are in essence, violating Part 97.

I use the CW ID on every free form text string I send out at the end of my sequence of exchanges seeing as how my default ending exchange is "2el##W LOTW73" where the ## = my power level in use for that QSO.

Gene W5DQ

Other than what you just posted as being crap ..... opinions, which are what is being posted here as far as I can tell, are like crap. Everyone has it in them.

However, if stating that I find some schmuck's life story coming back at me for several minutes in a long continous string after I respond to his CQ is crap, then pass me a roll of paper there, Jack.

I like to ragchew as much as anybody but I like to be able to get a word in edgewise before I go into a coma waiting for the other guy to get done with his 14 chapters of how old he is, how many times he's been to the docs that week, what meds he takes, what he's retired from or works at, ad naseum, ad nasuem, ad naseum.......

Nothing wrong with a macro saying hello, your name, where you live and then either a sig report or a turn over back to the other guy. What most are saying here is break your life story up into manageable sizes. I doubt I have a macro on any digital mode that is more than 8 to 10 words long. Easy to string them together as needed just don't over do it!

Gene W5DQ

In rereading this posting, it appears there might be some misunderstanding. The CW ID option, as far as I can tell, is ONLY for CW ID string, not for CW QSOs. I'm not sure about WSPR as I have never dealt with that software. I believe that WSJT will do some CW modes but JT65-HF does NOT do CW mode, only JT65.


Gene W5DQ
Gene W5DQ

Your call actually does NOT show up in every transmission if you ever use the free form text string field. The CW ID option ONLY works for the unformatted free text field and it will not transmit when using the canned formats. The idea is to allow CW ID in place of sending your callsign at the last exchange when most use the free form to put in antenna, power levels, state, etc. in a free form 13 character string.

Gene W5DQ

It is rare that I do not "land" a DXpedition on at least one or two bands slots so it is unusual for me NOT to be putting something in the mix - I try to use OQRS if at all possible. If I do not work them, I still am a overall donor as I drop a lump sum in the NCDXF coffers annually. They support many of the DXpeditions, even the ones I might miss .... like 7O and 6O. Try as I might I could get through to either of these operations 

BTW the 6BTV is still doing great. Looking forward to some 160M work with it this fall/winter.

Gene W5DQ

Unless there is NO other way and it has been proven to work, I would suggest to avoid the stations asking for 2 or more IRCs as it is a better than average chance you're going to get "AIR" mail in return. That's AIR as in 'nothing to see'. These types prey upon the fact that they may be considered a rare QTH and people want their card. They let out just enough cards to keep up interest and have a few say 'Well I got mine so it must have never got to the DX station. Better send another"

Personally it's one (1) IRC or up to US$3 to a fixed location or a donation of some acceptable amount ($5 to $20 usually) to a DXpedition providing I feel they did a good job to NA and the US. DXpeditions that favor EU only and hardly work NA get less in my book and nothing if I don't work them. Let their EU buddies pay their way. I never send more than 1 IRC and avoid all IRC traps.

Gene W5DQ