Dumb question...did you get the manual along with it? Reason I ask is that as I recall the HF-1000 has a built-in self test. The rig is no longer in production, as a matter of fact WJ was bought out a couple of years ago but still supports the radio (be prepared for $$$).

Take a look at the Premium-RX group's page at:

http://kahuna.sdsu.edu/~premium/

May be someone there who can help. I lusted after the HF-1000 for many years but ended up going with the TenTec RX-340 as my receiver of choice.

Good luck!

Dino KLØS/4

Tim -- MixW most definitely works with the Rigblaster (at least the basic model I have).  What exactly did you find that would not work?  Maybe we can help troubleshoot if you'll add some specifics.

Dino KLØS/4

HAL Corparation still sells and services the ST-8000. I acquired one and upgraded it with the latest firmware and it works great. You can purchase the operator and service manuals too. Mine is used as a "front-end" feeding a PK-232 for use on RTTY and PACTOR. You can also control all the functions via computer. Initial learning curve is a little steep but it outperforms all the other systems I've seen/used in 30 years of digital work.

Dennis -- you can get replacement batteries from East Coast Transistor Parts, Inc. (800)637-0388.  They're Kenwood's official parts folks.  The timer/clock board battery (used to be two batteries, now replaced by a single unit) is P/N W09-0359-05 @ $12.50 and the memory battery is P/N W09-0326-05 @ $6.00 [as of April 2003 when I gave this info to Bud WA2QAV who replaced his].  Kenwood provided me with a guide to replacing the batteries (many moons ago) and I imagine if you call them they would do the same.  But if your're good in QRZ.com I can send you a copy.  It's not difficult to do...the most involved one is the memory battery which is on the digital A board under the speaker assembly.  If you're going to change out one battery I'd recommend going ahead and doing both at the same time.

GL -- Dino KLØS/4

You might think about replacing the aluminum soffit cover with a piece of a wood with the PVC pass thru. I did this at one QTH and it worked very well...when we moved I simply replaced the cover. Volume of air shouldn't be a problem covering just one soffit access point.

The Army MARS program is alive, well (contrary to many pundits who say otherwise) and continuing to grow.  All service MARS programs have been undergoing a significant refocusing of their priorities in the last few years.  Morale and Welfare message support for servicemen and women overseas has decreased significantly with the advent of inexpensive telephone calling cards and e-mail/internet access for soldiers serving overseas.  But for those soldiers deployed to areas of the world where these facilities are not available the MARS program may be their only expeditious means of maintaining contact with families and friends back home.  This support historically has been the program's most visible activity, however emergency communications support to the services during disasters, both natural and man-made, and an expanding role in support of Homeland Security are now the driving force for MARS.

As with the amateur service the level of interest and participation varies by state.  In states with active memberships, training in emergency communications operations, in particular Essential Elements of Information (EEI) disaster information reporting to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, furthering the state of the art with digital modes, antennas, and other technical pursuits keep the level of interest high.  Although the surplus property programs have become more limited recently there are still opportunities for members to acquire radio, electronic test, power generation, and computer equipment free of charge.

Having said all that the MARS programs are not without problems, but the good news is that those problems have been identified and are being addressed (at least in Army MARS).

On balance if you're interested in a more structured and rewarding way to support the security and well being of our nation and the servicemen and women of our armed services I'd recommend joining MARS.  As a now retired soldier with 26 years of service I can tell you that the MARS program has been and remains a valuable asset to the nation and the Army and its soldiers, to include me personally.

Give it a try...it's a volunteer organization and if you don't believe it's for you please find other ways to channel your volunteer efforts to support our nation.  You can find out more info about the Army MARS program at:

http://www.asc.army.mil/MARS/

Dino KL0S/4
Army MARS Operator AAT3BE

The batteries are readily available from East Coast Transistor Parts, Inc.  They are Kenwood's parts distributor (800-637-0388 was their number last time I ordered a pair of the batteries).  They're not cheap, probably about $50 for the pair nowadays.  Kenwood will provide you with info on how to replace them...it's really easy if you've done any work at all on your 940.

The part numbers a long time ago were:

W09-0326-05 Lithium Battery
W09-0359-05 TS940S Timer/Clock Battery

I believe they've changed but East Coast knows what you need.

Dino KLØS/4

Murray...tried sending via e-mail but it bounced.
From: KLØS <kl0s@cox.net>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 08:06:03 -0400
To: <as149@detroit.freenet.org>
Subject: HP Z3801A Availability

Murray---hope this e-mail address is still good (it's the one on QRZ.com).
Sorry it took so long to answer your question but the "elmer" topic had
scrolled off the screen and I had forgotten about the thread until I decided
to see if there were any additional comments.

The HP Z3801A will show up on eBay periodically and probably the biggest
seller commercially now is:

http://www.buylegacy.com/app/site/site.nl/alias./.f

which you may have already seen if you've visited Bill K8CU's web site about
the Z3801A....if not point your browser at:

http://www.realhamradio.com/GPS_Frequency_Standard.htm

where you can find just about anything you need to know about the unit and
how people are using them.

Hope this helps....

73 -- Dino KLØS/4

Yes, but over a period of time you can in some part account for that propagation deviation by referencing your reception methodology to a known accurate standard.  I used this procedure during the ARRL Frequency Measurement Test in November 2002 and got readings within 0.2 Hz (0.06 ppm) on 75m and -0.03 Hz (-0.04 ppm) on 40m of the ARRL's W1AW signal test signals.  By monitoring CHU on 3.33 MHz and 7.335 MHz immediately before and after the test I was able to formulate a correction factor to apply to the test signal calculations (although they were so small that they proved to be insignificant in the final calculations).

Dino KLØS/4

I built and used a high precision frequency standard that derived its precision from the 15.7 kHz signal present in the color TV ("High Precision Frequency Standard" by Johnson, 73 Magazine January 1991).  The problem is that, at least here in the U.S., the network affiliated stations almost all use digital frame synchronizers which introduce error when not adjusted periodically and/or properly.  This level of precision may be acceptable in your application.  I've shifted to using two HP Z3801A GPS derived frequency standards to drive the test equipment on the bench here.  Hopefully rig builders will begin to introduce the option to lock their master oscillators to an external reference either as a replacement to or in addition to the high stability oscillators that come either standard or as an option today....problem solve then.

Ken--had the same problem with one of my 232's and it turned out to be Q5 (MPS6561); found it by following the keying signal along the circuit until I got no more switching.  Replacement is easy with any old NPN silicon switching type transistor (used Radio Shack #RS2009).

Hope this helps.

Dino KLØS/4

Massimo--I have the same DSP upgrade (actually two units that I upgraded with the Timewave DSP boards) and the only information I received from them were the installation instructions, no info on any operation or specs on what the upgrade actually did for the unit.  You might try sending an e-mail to Timwave (www.timewave.com) and see if there is any info to be had.

If your DSP board is not installed and you need instructions and can't get them from Timewave let me know and I'll make copies for you.

Dino KLØS/4

The strong signals are pumping your AGC when the noise blanker is on.  To demonstrate that turn the NB off and although the noise will be back the strong signal crud should go away.  I had the same problem with my TS-940S and a strong noise problem and it would do what you're describing.  An external noise canceler (Timewave and MFJ both sell them) can help a lot.  My noise got progressively worse to the point neither the NB nor the external noise canceler helped enough to hear weak signals.  Finally worked with the electric utility to find a bad splice in an underground distribution cable about a half-mile from my house...once the splice was redone the noise disappeared totally and I don't even have the NB turned on anymore.

Dino KLØS/4

You should also check out Keyspan adapters.  They have three models to choose from; a single port, two-ports that support Macintosh computers, and a four-port model.  I've used both the single and 4-port models with my Mac and both work just fine driving the serial ports of my PK-232s and the transmit keying circuit of my Rigblaster.

GL....

Dino KLØS/4

Wayne--the Kenwood part number for the two lamps that are in the LCD backlight is:

B30-0835-08

They are not the same lamps that go behind the S-meter assembly.  I replaced one of the S-meter lamps recently and got it from the east coast Kenwood service center (757-340-1702) when my 940S was in for some service.  There was an article about using Radio Shack lamps as replacements for both locations but they are not direct replacements.  If I can find the article I'll forward it to you.

Dino KLØS/4
(KLØS@arrl.net)