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2
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: Decent first scope?
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on: December 03, 2012, 05:47:11 AM
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OK, going to revive this a little.
Is there a need for 4 channels?
I have since gotten the bug for 2M/440MHz as well, and would 100MHz be enough?
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3
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eHam Forums / Repeaters / Source for shielded audio cable for repeater controller?
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on: November 09, 2012, 07:35:47 AM
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Tile says most of it. I am looking for ideas for shielded audio cable that I can solder into s 9 pin subd connector. I was thinking of finding some small audio cables from radio shack, then cut off the connectors and just use the wire, unless there is a better source for abot 4 feet of cable?
Thanks
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4
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eHam Forums / Contesting / RE: Audio for contesting and DX, Questions...
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on: October 30, 2012, 11:49:53 AM
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Ok, I switched to a Heil Proset with the HC-4 element earlier in the spring, and it makes it easier to log and call using the foot switch, but that is not my question. I use a Kenwood TS-940 and a SB-200, have about 500+/-W and I usually set the compression to about 10dB, and set the processor out till it just barely keeps the ALC needle moving. I was almost ignored, so I, against my better judgment cranked up the compression to about 15dB and processor out so that the ALC never returned to zero, better, then I cranked it up so that it would never go below 1/3 scale and would peak around the 20dB compression mark. THEN I was answered at a better rate. I DO NOT LIKE this, it probably sounded like crap. My question is... How can I monitor the audio real time so I do not sound like I have 'all knobs right' and still punch through? Listening with the monitor function on the radio does not really help. Is there a better setup? I am sure there is, so what is it? Do I have to go to full outboard pro audio processing, or is there something a little smaller and less drastic?
Thanks!
I have a TS940S (it's sick right now and on the bench for service) but I use a W2IHY EQ-Plus with a Heil GM-5 mic on it. Since I do all my audio processing externally in the EQ-Plus, I have the TS940S compression turned OFF but I typically drive my TS940S to have voice peaks cause the ALC to jump up to just below the peak ALC meter reading (roughly mid scale of the meter movement). I also monitor my output RF signal on the SM-220 Station Monitor scope and the headphone using the MONITOR function on the TS940S. I have no distortion (either audio or visually on the scope) and the audio reports I get say it is very solid, smooth and nice sounding. Locals that I have tested with tell me it is very natural sounding. I drive this into a Ameritron AL-811 and have roughly 500W out also. I think from your description, you were just under driving your audio at first and as your drove it more, your signal came up to where people started t hear you. In the past, I followed the TS940S manual and setup my audio drive levels per it using the compression and had no problems. I think if you follow the manual, you should have none either. I went to the EQ-Plus more to get rid of background sounds from blowers and the evaporative cooler blower output just behind my operating position. Usually 10dB compression should be enough. You can turn up the monitor audio level to get more sound into the headphones to help hear problems. The adjustment for this is on the bottom of the radio in a hole (yes, a really dumb place to put it!!) and you'll need a small screwdriver to adjust it properly. 73 Gene W5DQ Thanks! I am having trouble using my SM-220 for anything but the pan adapter. I got it used, and it had some hacks installed, which I removed, but audio monitoring is not going well for me with it. How are you hooking up the SM-220 for audio monitoring? I tried to use the two-tone function to check and set the audio levels, but I do not see any real waveform untill I crank the mic input to WAY passed where I think it should be. I am thinking the SM-220 is faulty or the cable I am using for the 2-tone is not the right type. I was not aware of the monitor out adjustment, or I forgot about it. Would be nice if it was easily knob adjustable. |
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eHam Forums / Contesting / Audio for contesting and DX, Questions...
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on: October 29, 2012, 11:50:23 AM
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Ok, I switched to a Heil Proset with the HC-4 element earlier in the spring, and it makes it easier to log and call using the foot switch, but that is not my question. I use a Kenwood TS-940 and a SB-200, have about 500+/-W and I usually set the compression to about 10dB, and set the processor out till it just barely keeps the ALC needle moving. I was almost ignored, so I, against my better judgment cranked up the compression to about 15dB and processor out so that the ALC never returned to zero, better, then I cranked it up so that it would never go below 1/3 scale and would peak around the 20dB compression mark. THEN I was answered at a better rate. I DO NOT LIKE this, it probably sounded like crap. My question is... How can I monitor the audio real time so I do not sound like I have 'all knobs right' and still punch through? Listening with the monitor function on the radio does not really help. Is there a better setup? I am sure there is, so what is it? Do I have to go to full outboard pro audio processing, or is there something a little smaller and less drastic?
Thanks!
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6
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eHam Forums / Contesting / RE: How many countries have you worked in CQ WW DX SSB
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on: October 29, 2012, 06:10:53 AM
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I have a quick question I hope someone can answer. i used N1MM Logger for the contest , and in the status bar at the bottow of the contact info wimdow it has 2 sets of numbers QSOs/xxx/yyy, and Score. Now I get total score and QSOs, and I know the next two (xxx, yyy) I know they are multipliers, but which one is which?
Thanks
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7
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eHam Forums / Contesting / RE: Ham for a month, and I hate contesters already.
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on: October 29, 2012, 05:41:38 AM
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Especially this week-end! Can't you guys stay away from QRP calling frequencies, CW band segments and the Maritime Net on 14300?
Last night I had to find refuge in the lower part of 40m, and even there, it was hard to find a quiet space. I heard SSB stations with their 3kHz wide signals in the Extra CW part of the band! Forget 7030 and it's vicinity.. I couldn't get away from the contesters there. I just can't understand such a lack of respect. It's bullying at it's best. I've been a ham for a little more than a month, and I can't stand contesters already. I don't bother you with my hobby, don't bother me with yours!
From what I hear, WARC bands are not immune either.
You guys give Ham Radio a bad name.
Gil.
Gil, By your own admittance you have been a ham for less than a month, yet you hate something? How is that possible? You probably don't have enough hours on air to be qualified to judge other hams. Was it hard to find a quiet space? Yea, except for 12, 17, 30,lower sections of 40 and 80 were quiet, VHF, UHF... Were there Phone QSOs in the CW 'space'? Like someone mentioned, check the band plans for the other regions. We, USA, in Region 2, are not the only ones in the world. As far as Nets.... While I do respect the need for some nets, No One owns a frequency. even the beloved Maritime Net. Is it respected? Yes, most hams will stay clear of the net by 5kc, only 3kc is needed. If 3kc is not enough space for emergency comms, then perhaps they need better equipment... Region 1 declared it the "Global Emergency" frequency, others have not followed suit, yet. And I can testify that every time I scanned through that area of the band during he contest this weekend, it was like my receiver went deaf. Almost pure white noise, and the one or two QSOs that I heard were definitely not contest QSOs. Now I am a fairly new ham as well, and still learning. And one of the things I think you have to learn is that some groups have been messing with other groups since the beginning of time. One group in particular just loves to mess with 14.300, and some participants of 14.300 are no angels either. If there is no net in operation, then 14.300 is open for all to use as they see fit, yet some will guard dog that frequency +/-10kc like their life depends on it, yet only white noise is heard for hours. BTW, Gil, what is your call? John KC2ZPK |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Bending copper tubing for folded dipoles
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on: October 19, 2012, 04:17:08 AM
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What frequency are you building for?
The higher the frequency, the smaller the tubing can be.
It's for 440 MHz
Depending on the radius of the bend, size makes a difference.
The tighter the bend, the smaller the tubing you should use.
Pack sand and use a spring bender on the tubing for best results.
Tubing material also makes a difference in the radius of the bend.
NAPA sells a corrosion resistant brake line that is a copper/nickel
alloy which is soft and easily bent.
Air conditioning tubing is also a softer alloy and bends well, too.
Aluminum is difficult to bend, unless it is alloyed for it.
However, aluminum holds up better than copper, unless,
as noted above, you use a corrosion resistant alloy.
If strength is needed, you may want to heat treat after bending
to increase the strength. But it does cost to have it done right.
If you don't need the bandwidth larger tubing has, use wire.
Aluminum wire is light and strong, and easily worked.
Another benefit of wire is, water doesn't get inside to freeze or corrode.
I was trying to bend 3/8 utility grade copper tubing. They also had a different grade, which might bend easier. I was also thinking of using 10gauge copper wire, that should be stiff enough to hold up. |
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Bending copper tubing for folded dipoles
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on: October 16, 2012, 06:48:52 PM
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I tried that, but might have to try more heat. I flattened the tube around the bends. It really needs a follower to go around the bent to support the tube. I have a bender for 1 1/5" tube, but I am not sure they make dies as small as 3/8". Even if they did I could probably buy a commercial antenna for the cost of the dies. Why use tubing? At UHF, solid copper wire would likely stand up just as well as tubing and be a whole lot easier to bend.
I have thought of solid copper, but almost all commercial antennas are tube, must be a reason. Wether it is a vallid reason is the question. I highly recommend the rigid brand, They are not to pricy but not cheep. I have bent 3/8" .058 Wall 6061 T6 Aluminum tube with no issues at all, The other method mentioned on the first reply also works, if you make all your measurements you can pre space the spacers to give you accurate bends. I used the bender and calipers. I have actually thought about fabing up a folded dipole bender that would allow adjustable spacing and help prevent kinking like a normal tube bender. Good luck. http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/400-Series-Lever-BendersThat tool is probably what I am looking for, has anyone used it with success? Not that I am not willing to try, just looking for options. John |
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11
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / Bending copper tubing for folded dipoles
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on: October 15, 2012, 08:36:31 PM
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How does one bend copper, or Aluminum, tubing to form folded dipoles for UHF with out kinking the tubing? I am trying to bend some 3/8" copper tubing to form a folded dipole for UHF and I keep kinking the tubing. I haven't tried a bending spring yet, but i am not sure that will give the tight radius of about 1" I am using copper as I can solder it, as opposed to TIG welding the elements to the mounting brackets.
John
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eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / Ideas for a 1 wire multiband antenna fed with 72 Ohm coax
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on: April 19, 2012, 09:12:47 PM
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Ok, I had an idea to hag a fan dipole from a fairly high tree in my area. About 50-60 feet or so. But having the individual wires for each band fan out would make the antenna too visible. (I need a semi stealth install). What I have done so far is run 72 Ohm coax (RG6) out about 300' to the trees. What I am now thinking is some sort of multiband antenna, like a windom, or similar. The only 3 requirements are I use the RG6 I already ran, and not have to have a tuner outside, the balun at the feed point can't be huge. No 4" diameter PVC baluns, a 2" one would probably be ok as long as it wasn't more then 8" or so long. I also have a SB-200, so max power would be about 5-600W.
So any ideas?
Thanks
73
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eHam Forums / Contesting / RE: ARRL Rookie roundup?
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on: April 12, 2012, 05:40:24 AM
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I know it's late in the game, but this year they allow up to 5 single ops to be a team, and compete for a combined score.
If anyone wants to form a team, let me know.
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