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16
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: Modifying an MA-160V turning it into a great lowband DX antenna
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on: April 13, 2013, 11:34:44 AM
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I have been following this thread with much interest. Learning more about 160 meter antennas thanks to you guys. I am planning a 160 meter inverted L or something similar myself. Looking at ON4UN's book I noticed a T configuration also. I can manage a 160 meter L or T which would be 75 feet vertical and then one horizontal wire or two horizontal wires in a T. The horizontal wires would
have to slope down about 45 degrees. I am trying to figure out the length of the T horizontal wires,
(presumably shorter than the L wire) and the advantage if any of the T top loading compared to the L
config.
Bob
K6UJ
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18
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: Do you use any homebrewed gear for DX-ing
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on: April 07, 2013, 02:59:31 PM
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QRO antenna tuner using vac variables. Low band wire antennas.
Elecraft K3 built from a kit, does that count ? Electronic keyer.
Made several HF amps in the past, sold them, rack mounted and took up too much room. Now using an Alpha 76PA I converted to QSK with vacuum relays and upgraded to 2 - 3CPX800A7's. 70 amp, 5 to 18 volt power supply for the shack, spent so much for the XFMR and all the parts I could have bought an Astron cheaper, hihihi
Bob
K6UJ
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19
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eHam Forums / Mods And Repairs / RE: IC-733A low VHF output
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on: April 04, 2013, 12:08:30 PM
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OK, Service manual is open.
I will focus on the control circuit feeding pin 2 and see if I discover anything.
Thanks for elmering me on trouble shooting this Phil, much appreciated !
73,
Bpb
K6UJ
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20
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eHam Forums / Mods And Repairs / RE: IC-733A low VHF output
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on: April 04, 2013, 09:35:12 AM
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Here are the voltage readings on the power module, transmit, hi power setting
Pin 2 8.57 volts
Pin 3 13.3 volts
the radio is drawing 4.5 amps and the output is showing 7 watts on the bird
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21
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eHam Forums / Mods And Repairs / RE: IC-733A low VHF output
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on: April 03, 2013, 04:52:25 PM
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I did some testing and this is what I found:
1. The voltage inside the radio in TX mode is the asme as at the power supply.
2. The current draw on TX mode is 4.5 amps.
3. I havent checked the voltages on the module yet, will do tomorrow.
I have another 2 meter radio with the same power rating as the Kenwood and just for comparison
I checked the current draw on TX mode. It draws 8.7 amps which makes sense, it has full output.
Looks like it is pointing to a bad power module ?
Bob
K6UJ
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23
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eHam Forums / Mods And Repairs / IC-733A low VHF output
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on: April 02, 2013, 03:46:33 PM
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My IC-733A has full power out on 440 but only 7 watts out on 2 meters (with the high power setting)
Would it be foolish to try adjusting the output trimmers on the VHF board ?
I am thinking it probably needs a new output transistor/module. Any advice
on how to diagnose ?
Bob
K6UJ
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24
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: So what makes a "great" DXer?
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on: March 31, 2013, 05:36:59 PM
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At first thought it might be attaining DXCC or other DX awards, but my take on a "great" DXer is someone that spends time helping other DXers achieve their DX goals.
It might be:
Being on a DXpedition team.
Giving seminars on antennas, and the many technical facets DXers use.
Helping other DXers install antennas, set up their stations.
Elmering new DXers.
There are more categories that come to mind, but helping other DXers is what promotes a good DXer to a great DXer.
Bob
K6UJ
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25
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: Sunspot Cycle Doldrums ?
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on: March 31, 2013, 04:58:46 PM
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I have started planning for this, but feel its about 2 years before I replace my 17M stack with a switchable 40M yagi, up 70 feet - and most Definately wire, and using my Stack Match. It will be oriented NE - SW.
But I'm also interested in trying a loop - up 70' for 160 - 10M, but really concentrating on the low bands.
I had heard a bunch of rumors last year about really rare dx-peds that might happen in 2013, and the trend seems to be that these are all being pushed out a year.
So, I would hate to be without a high band antenna with height, gain and directivity, when Tromelin, Heard, Amsterdam, Bouvet, Navassa and South Sandwich are activated.
For me, the issue isn't conditions, its the fact that nothing I need has been announced.
I do think this could be a summer of experimentation though - since I have all the time in the world waiting.
73,
Rich
KY6R
Hi Rich, Yeah I think I will keep my tribander intact for a while longer. With my luck right after taking it down all my ATNO's would show up on 15 and ten.  This cycle has been discouraging though. I installed the optional add on element to my Force 12 C3 for 10 meters and it made a nice improvement on gain and especially F/B ratio. Havent had much of a chance to work DX on 10 with it though. Your 40 meter yagi up 70 feet sounds like it should work quite well. I have been entertaining the idea of hanging a 40 meter vertical Moxon off a pole sticking out the side of the tower near the top and rotating it manually. It will be fun to see if it works. 73, Bob K6UJ |
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26
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eHam Forums / DXing / Sunspot Cycle Doldrums ?
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on: March 31, 2013, 09:49:28 AM
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I am focussing on low band antennas, 40, 80, 160 now.
Especially for 10 meters, my tribander is just a perch for the birds.
Planning on trying some new antennas for the low bands and maybe taking down the tribander.
Maybe I am premature with this but this sunspot cycle is going nowhere.
Anyone else thinking along these lines ?
Bob
K6UJ
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27
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: Moral implications of using flagpole antenna?
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on: March 26, 2013, 06:06:25 PM
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I dont see the issue either. I have the American flag flying from the top of my
mast that projects above my tribander. I first put the flag up on the 4th of July and took it down one week later. My neighbor asked why I took it down, said he likes it flying.
I put it back up and had it up daily for about 5 months. The flag was getting raggedy around the edges so I took it down until I could get another. Two weeks later I still hadn't put up a new flag and several more neighbors asked where the flag was. I put up a new one and have been flying one ever since. Is anyone offended by my having a dual purpose antenna structure, one for my ham antenna, and one for flying the American flag ? No of course not, actually the opposite has occurred.
Bob
K6UJ
Bob, It doesn't sound like you are in an area which restricts antennas since you have a visible tribander. I am specifically talking about people who erect a flagpole antenna so they may get around a restriction. 73, Chris/NU1O Chris, I think you are digging yourself in a hole. You asked if someone would be offended by this, really ? Whether I lived in a non antenna restricted area or not I would still be proud to fly the American flag from my antenna or antenna support. Its not about the restrictions............ Bob K6UJ |
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28
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: Moral implications of using flagpole antenna?
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on: March 26, 2013, 03:46:49 PM
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I dont see the issue either. I have the American flag flying from the top of my
mast that projects above my tribander. I first put the flag up on the 4th of July and took it down one week later. My neighbor asked why I took it down, said he likes it flying.
I put it back up and had it up daily for about 5 months. The flag was getting raggedy around the edges so I took it down until I could get another. Two weeks later I still hadn't put up a new flag and several more neighbors asked where the flag was. I put up a new one and have been flying one ever since. Is anyone offended by my having a dual purpose antenna structure, one for my ham antenna, and one for flying the American flag ? No of course not, actually the opposite has occurred.
Bob
K6UJ
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eHam Forums / DXing / RE: The TX5K Team Has Arrived at Clipperton!
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on: March 01, 2013, 10:48:10 PM
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You need to go to DXA...it will tell you if they are operating...what bands...modes...etc...also check out the blog...talks about the pirates this afternoon...lots of info on the TX5K site...73...Sam W8VVE
thanks! anyone know what it takes to get a worked all pirates award? (maybe 100 UNCONFIRMED entities?) i think i am off to a good start I want some recognition too for working pirates. I got a TX5K pirate, he got me hook, line and sinker  Bob K6UJ |
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