I happened to see the mod when I was looking for the mod information for extended transmit for MARS.

I was curious about it.  I'm not going to do it.  But it was interesting to read the responses.

I've picked up a IC-718 to replace my 20 year old original owner IC-735....which needs repairs again.  The cost of all the repairs (two trips to Icom and needing a third) for the 735 was exceeding the purchase price of the 718, so I've just decided to replace it.  The 735 lasted 20 years of moderate use before needing any repairs. 

I've read about several modifications posted online about an easy adjustment that allows the Icom 718 to increase from 100 watts to 200 watts out.

Has anyone tried this modification and if so, what were your results?

Can any other IC-735 operators verify if what I'm experiencing is normal?  I think there is a problem with the AM mode transmitter and I'm not sure if segments of that transmitter are also used to generate the SSB mode Phone.

Here is what I'm experiencing:

AM mode carrier used to have a max output of 40 watts.  Internal meter now only reads about 20 and the external meter reads about 30 when just the carrier. It used to show 40. I never use AM mode, I just accidentally hit AM instead of FM for the manual tuner.  When speaking, I'm getting 40 watts on the internal meter and only about 25 to 30 on the external meter.  AM PSK31 shows a full 40 watts out on the internal and external meter.  So here the external meter is reading higher than the internal but both readings are below the rated 40 watts.

FM mode works fine.  Full 100 watts and the internal and external meter match perfectly at several intervals in that range.

SSB Phone, internal meter peaking between 50 and 100 watts, external meter only peaks at about 30 watts.  So here the internal meters is reading significantly higher than the external.  SSB PSK31 internal and external meters show 100 watts steady out and match at all intervals in between.

So I guess my question is:  AM and SSB work fine with digital...is there are problem with voice as the meter readings are so disparate???

73s

SSB

I was wondering if the poster solved the issue.

My wireless modem which is over 100 feet from my shack (through the length of my house) is also giving me random interference on HF frequencies at spacings from 10Khz to 60Khz apart.

I've tracked mine down to the wireless router.  Disconnected all cables from the router and unplugged the modem, noise still there.  Then unplugged the wireless router, noise goes away.  Plug back in, noise comes back.

So the wireless router is generating noise from inside its plastic case or along the power cable/wall wart.

Completely wrapped the wall wart power cord around a ferrite core ring, no change.

Cancel this post.  I got lucky.

The radio already had out of band capability factory built-in from 140-150 MHz.

The mod was to open it up beyond that range (range of the receiver, something like 118-174).

73s
Paul
KB7QND/AFA9PS

I need to do a MARS mod for an Icom 228A 2m transceiver.

I've found conflicting information.

One source says to replace Diode D7 with a 1SS184.  The other source says to replace it with a 1SS193.

Any difference?  Anyone do this mod themselves?

73s
Paul
AFA9PS

Thanks John,

Do you already have MARS artwork on file with them.  If yes, is there an artwork ID number or identifier?

Paul/AFA9PS

I've found a couple of places that sell MARS patches/pins/decals. 

But does anyone out there know if there are any online stores selling MARS t-shirts/polo shirts either embroidered or silk screened?

73s
Paul
KB7QND/AFA9PS

I was looking at picking up a RigBlaster Data Jack Plug and Play Complete with the MixW software.  Anyone use this before?  http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=pnp

I've never operated digital modes before, and this looks like an economical way.  My worry is that it seems too economical and that I might be missing something.

Any opinions?

73s
/Paul

To keep things short, I agree with N0NB and KB1SF. 

The only thing I would add is that the FCC should mandate that your region number actually reflect the region you are in.  Its impossible to tell where someone is located nowadays; unless you have internet connection in your shack.  I worked one guy because he had a "3" in his call.  Turned out, he was in California and had moved there years ago.  The region numbers have become useless...can't even use them to judge propagation anymore.  The vanity call sign system is ok, just make the region number a mandatory for actual station location.

Lots of good comments from everyone.  I thought the 5 class structure was ok as-was.  I was first licensed in 1991 while in high school and my elmer made me start with the Novice ticket. From there I upgraded to Tech, then General.

I have a friend who just got his license a year ago.  He likes (and me as well) HF more than 2m/70cm.  He says 10m SSB is dead and worthless.  I remember when it was thriving.  Times have changed.  People that come into the hobby now are lured in by an easy license class just to work 2m/70cm.  Or they are interested in only emergency communications.  I've met very few if any Techs that purchase an HF radio as their first radio.  Hence, 10m SSB in the Novice/Tech subband is basically inactive....I actually hear more Generals there than Novice/Tech.

I guess I kinda understand why the new entry class; to drive up license numbers to protect spectrum.  I also know that if we went back to a Novice and Tech structure, most people wouldn't bother to get licensed as they are looking for that "cell phone alternative."  My friend originally wanted something "better than CB"; but fell in love with HF once I introduced it to him.  We don't introduce HF to newcomers and don't, for the lack of a better word, "push" it during Tech license classes.

So I'm not really sure how to solve the entry license class and the 2m/70cm vs. HF debate for beginners.  Maybe just leave it as it currently is.

What I do believe is that restructuring or reexamination of test questions at the upper levels should be looked at.

What do I notice from the General and Extra exams?  That there is heavy emphasis on electronic circuits, components, and equations.  What is missing?  Detailed, indepth info on operating in the digital environment;  how to read and understand all of the propagation bulletins K-index, solor flux number; basically general operating knowledge instead of design and repair.  

After all, with our $2000 to $10,000 radios, who in reality is actually working on them???  I'm not risking it.  Some parts are now too small for me to even see or handle.

I'm studying for my Extra and here's what I notice:

1.  There's too much material for someone to learn as a hobby in one exam.  I know that there are some 7 yr old Extras, but who was teaching them?  My brain works a little slower as I get older.  It should really be split back to Advanced then Extra to make the material more manageable....like it was before with the Advanced class.  Too many technical terms and way, way too many equations to memorize (have you counted all the equations to memorize; it'll blow the mind of nonmathmeticians).  How many people memorized them all and how many people look them up when they need them?  I'm sure this is easy material for someone whose occupation is related, but for an amateur hobbiest, its a lot of material.  

2.  There's way too much material on circuits and components.  Again, as I said above, who's working on their own high end radio?  Amateur radio is supposed to be demonstrating forward looking technology....most of the technology is too complicated for your average hobbiest to fix.  What's not in the Extra exam in deep detail?  Well, digital modes....WinLink and so forth.  Just based on the exam material, when I get my Extra license, I wouldn't be able to tell you anything about WinLink or digital modes......no mention of sound card technology, how to format messages etc. because the Extra exam isn't about that.  I had to buy the ARRL HF Digital Handbook to answer my questions because the Extra exam didn't cover it.  

3.  The tests are missing just basic good operating practice.  More emphasis should be on the rules.  There's nothing in the exam about calculating your RF exposure as required by the FCC to "protect" your neighbors.  I was working a special event station and I couldn't count the vast number of 2X2, 2X1 calls etc. that were giving their callsign 3, 4, 5, and even 6 times straight as if the contact was "owed" to them and the basic rude operating all around.  I didn't hear that from the 2X3 calls.  There needs to be more emphasis on sharing and courtesy regardless of license class.  

My friend remarked that Extra seemed like an "exlusive member's only club" for experienced radio technicians who occupation was this...hence its easy for them to pass the exam  The Extra should be a little more balanced between circuits and new operating modes and station building.  Remember, its a hobby.  For some people the hobby is rag-chewing, for some its building and repairing equipment, for some its contesting, for some its operating a special event station, for some its emergency communications.  The test should balance all of that.  After all, how many Extras have built their own radio and amplifier?  I know when I listen, I hear them reciting the same brand names that Generals are using.  Usually something like "I'm running an Icom 756 Pro III with an Ameritron 811 with a beam at 75 feet."  

Why do you need to know so much for a few KHz extra radio spectrum?  After all, extra spectrum isn't really any different than the spectrum you have now.  Its not like it has different physical properties.  If you can operate on 7.200 SSB then you can operate equally well on 7.150 SSB right?

Maybe a three class system would work better.  A Novice for the 2m/70cm group or emcomm; a General for full radio spectrum; and then an Extra who would be the only ones authorized to use their own homebuilt transmitters and authorized for transmitter repair and alignment.  But that's not perfect either as people in the other license classes would lose out on homebrew and kit building.

This debate reminds me of a similar one from my years as a highway patrol/state police radio dispatcher.  The old timers were set on a 5/8 work week with three standard shifts.  As a younger generation started filling more spots, a drive went on to change that.  Us younger crowd wanted  a better balance between work and home....after all you are talking about a 24/7 occupation, working weekends, and working every holiday.  We devised a schedule that had a combination of 5/8, 4/10, and 3/12 shifts to allow some flexibility for different people's lives.  All we got from the old timers was a stone wall...with the attitude of "this is the way it was when we started, we had to earn our way to our current shift, you should suffer the same misery also."  The other argument was "we worked all those rotten hours and made sacrifices to get where we are now...it would be an insult to us (perceived reduction in "status") for the center to change now."  Our argument was, at some point things must change and no matter what point in the future we make the change, there will always be someone who has a perceived reduction in benefits or status.  But the times they are a-changin.  The stone wallers eventually retired and we out numbered the remaining during a vote.  We have our new schedule and everyone loves it; moral and productivity has improved.

And the debate continues on...........

Thanks Paul, AC5S.

I think I may have answered my own question, but you were pretty on target with a coax problem. 

The wind stopped blowing....now a dead calm outside.  Went to tune it again, easy tune across all bands.  No heart beat needle.

I had forgotten to tie off the ladder line, so as the wind was blowing it was contacting the metal mast.  I tied it off so that the wind can no longer blow it into that metal mast.  So far, that seems to have made the difference.  I'll just have to wait until the wind starts up again to see if the problem returns. 

I've had a 20m/40m fan dipole for a long time, my tuner has been able to "tune" it for 10m through 80m - very nasty tune on 80).  

A couple of months ago on vacation I purchased and used a G5RV Jr. (50ft) strung between two trees at 10 ft off the ground at a relative's house in the Pacific Northwest.  Had no problem tuning it from 10m through 40 m.  Worked like a dream.

So I decided to drop the fan dipole and put up a full size G5RV (10m through 80M) made by RadioWavz.  It is 30 feet off the ground supported in the middle and both ends....can't get it any higher.  Its sitting in the middle of a 1/2 acre with no obstructions (plant or building) of any kind.  Just dry desert underneath it, not even shrubs, just ground level weeds.

I'm feeding it with 100 feet of LMR-400 coax.  Purchased preassembled from HRO.  

Using the same manual tuner I've always used.  

I'm having a near impossible time trying to tune it at all.  Can't seem to load it on anything between 10m and 80m.  Trying to get the cross needles do anything than point straight up is a chore.

When it does load, meaning I've had to adjust things with surgeon like hands, the SWR reflected needle (cross needle meter) bounces up and down like a heart beat.  

The package says "The 300 ohm line is heavy duty copper clad steel so you won't have to worry about the impedance swing in bad weather..."  

Moderate sustained winds all day today.  Checked the wire, its not swaying in the wind....nice and tight.  Could this be the reason for the heart beat needle?

I made a couple of contacts today, people say I sound good and strong....mostly TN QSO Party contest stations.

Any suggestions on what I should look at???

I have an Icom 2GAT (7 watt) HT that I purchased new in 1992 when I upgraded from Novice to Tech.  I very rarely use it, so its in like new condition.  The only time I do use it is when my wife and I go out hiking (out of celphone range) as an emergency communications choice.  Right now I have only one battery and its on its way out.  I have a choice to purchase one of two options and I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on what I should do based on cost, battery/radio performance, and appropriateness for my use.

1.  Purchase a new battery (13.2V at 2700 mAh) for $60.

or

2.  Purchase two battery holders that hold 10 AA batteries each for $25/ea.

My 8th grade science teacher (which was in 1988) was a pilot and had an aviation band radio (distributed by Sporty's Pilot Shop) that he listened to between classes.  I loved aviation and was curious.  So he introduced me to radio and I purchased the same radio as he did (and which I still own to this day). 

I listened to that for two years when I discovered an old am/fm/shortwave radio my parents had bought in the 1970's.  My first SWL experience came upon discovering the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service broadcasts followed by shortwave station KUSW in Utah (for which I have a QSL card).  I found SWL'ing to be fascinating and my self-taught knowledge of radio was rapidly expanding.

In 1990, I was in high school and had some extra money from some jobs and so I expanded my hobby and purchased an Icom R7000 communications receiver.  The world of vhf/uhf was opened up to me; which was really interesting since I lived on an air force base.

That same year, my high school history teacher spoke about amateur radio in class.  He was a Ham.  It was the first time I had heard of it and was an opportunity to take SWL'ing and graduate to actually transmitting.

To shorten the story a bit, in the spring of 1991, I asked him to help me get my license.  He elmered me and helped me learn Morse code.  In June 1991, I passed my Novice test.  In November 1991, I upgraded to Technician and in later years then upgraded to General. 

So I credit my hobby back to two school teachers.