|
|
|
1
|
eHam Forums / Antennas and Towers and more / RE: Counterpoise wire size important ?
|
on: March 11, 2013, 06:04:20 AM
|
If you're going for portable use, you'll want stranded wire. Otherwise, CAT-5 cable is an excellent source for 8 strands of #22. But it's solid core.
I am a PBX Technician for a living. Your statements are partially true. -Cat 5 cable these days is almost "unobtanium". The PLANET had eveolved to Cat 5e...at the MINIMUM. Cat 6 is the "latest thing". -MOST LAN cable is 24 gauge copper. 22 wouldn't fit into most connectors. -the solid conductor data cable IS used for the station drops, but stranded conductor is available as well. It's used for patch cords. Other than those nit-picky things, they're still excellent ideas. I have 3000' of satin cord in my truck. That could be an excellent choice for counterpoise wires. John KB2HSH |
|
|
|
|
2
|
eHam Forums / CW / RE: I did it... !
|
on: February 21, 2013, 04:42:00 PM
|
Just had my very first CW QSO. If one could call that a QSO ha ha..  Didn't get the nice guys name right, and didn't get all jotted down right, man was that a scary experience. Suddenly i seemed to go completely blank, couldn't form letters right and so on. Anyway managed to get the essentials and confirming QSL exchange. The fellow UT5UIA , Serge was VERY patient. He must have laughed hard So, that was just my experience i wanted to share... 73 de OZ1LRI Dennis CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! CW will always be a special mode...WELCOME to the club!! KB2HSH |
|
|
|
|
3
|
eHam Forums / QRP / RE: My ex-XYL bought me an HW-7
|
on: February 21, 2013, 04:38:50 PM
|
I was looking at the KX3, but I already have FT817, and if I did operating from the couch I would use a laptop and remote control back to the shack. I don't do backpacking, but I do travel. If I operate from the hotel, the 817 seems to offer everything I need.
But the KX3 does have me intrigued. I am watching it closely...
Hey Mark! Yeah...that KX3 is a keeper. I miss my FT-817ND, but once I get back on my feet here (post-divorce) I think I'll be saving for a KX3. The CW-to-RTTY feature is a winner! JM |
|
|
|
|
5
|
eHam Forums / Digital / RE: ARRL OO Notices for JT65 Users
|
on: February 14, 2013, 06:45:34 PM
|
What are these bad practices of which you speak?
One is over modualated signals, but the measurement is being conducted using just the waterfall in JT65-HF, in spectrum lab, the "over modulated" signals are fine, and we have completed a whole host of tests to prove this.. Then the other is not ID'g at the end of transmission when sending "LOTW 73 TU" or such in free txt, even though the CW ID is turned on... I have gotten 54 reports of this overnight all from the same OO Well in my JT65 software is the CW ID is checked off then it is sending my call at the end of the typed in text. I agree with Gene, the OO can't copy CW. I have also seen some pretty solid and strong JT65 signals on the waterfall and had no trouble decoding them so those signals were not "over modulated" as the OO thinks they are. They are just strong signals due to propagation. As I said before, I think the OO in this case needs to get a life, or another hobby.  Have to agree with you there. I use(d) JT65 quite a bit when I had my Yaesu...and TRUST ME...I don't run more than 5 watts when using this mode. I'll be back on JT65 this wknd from my new apartment. While the rational side of me would be honestly concerned about getting an OO slip, my ghetto side would be ready for a "road trip"...especially if I've done nothing wrong. |
|
|
|
|
6
|
eHam Forums / Satellites / RE: So where does the satellite hobby stand now?
|
on: February 13, 2013, 11:34:21 AM
|
|
I think what's worse is the utter INFLUX of satellites that have been launched by the various universities around the world that are NOTHING more than beacons. Sure, SEEDS was fun, as was the last one launched by hand from the ISS...but the telemetry sats, I feel, just add to the rising frustration level in many. My old friend Dave Guimont has stated several times that hamsats are NOTHING like they used to be...and he's right.
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
eHam Forums / CW / RE: I need a new keyer with 8 memories: suggestions?
|
on: February 13, 2013, 11:27:40 AM
|
OK, thanks to all for the input! Specific replies: I'd rather get a new keyer than fiddle with replacing the memory buttons; 4 memories really isn't enough for me. (And for those who asked why I need more, it's for the same reason that I drive a compact car and you drive a pickup: because we have different tastes and different needs.) I don't use a computer for logging--just for PSK/RTTY. I keep a paper log and transfer the data to an MS-Access database for recordkeeping, QSLing, and LOTW.
I decided on an MFJ as a second choice but the Logikey K-5 as a first choice, since a.) it has 6 buttons atop it, and b.) I've been using a K-1 and I'm familiar with the interface. I didn't find a ham store with a K-5 in stock but I did find one with a used K-3, very similar, at a nice price, so I'm now waiting for that to arrive.
Thanks again to all who helped! --kejn
Good Luck with your CW key needs! |
|
|
|
|
8
|
eHam Forums / Computers And Software / RE: Prolific PL2303 Issue with Ubuntu 12.10
|
on: February 13, 2013, 11:26:23 AM
|
FWIW: if fldigi "sees" the appropriate USB port, then I would guess that your drivers are in place. Thats one thing I like about fldigi, if I check the available input and it finds the one I need, that part is taken care of.
However fldigi offers several ways of controlling the rig. I ran a linux box here in the shack for the past several years and, as W9GB noted, the drivers were already part of the newer kernel so it wasn't an issue. But I always have to fiddle a bit with the rig control settings to get them to work. When running linux I use the Hamlib option, making sure I indeed have it already installed.
So my question would be, what rig control option are you using? I think thats were the hang up might be, i.e. getting the proper settings...
73 de WB0FDJ
I'm merely using the PTT option. I didn't even attempt Hamlib, since I'm not using full rig control. This is for an HTX-100...an oldie but goodie. |
|
|
|
|
9
|
eHam Forums / QRP / RE: My ex-XYL bought me an HW-7
|
on: February 12, 2013, 09:37:29 AM
|
|
My friend W2MDW has a KX3 and he likes sitting on his couch and working DX with it. I've seen the photos...it's pretty cool. Reminds me of when I had a Lektrokit Spider Jr, and could play radio while laying in bed.
John
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
eHam Forums / CW / RE: I need a new keyer with 8 memories: suggestions?
|
on: February 12, 2013, 09:34:11 AM
|
|
On eBay, you can find the old Heathkit Micromatic SA-5010 keyer pretty cheaply. I bought one for about $25, and they are on there frequently for less. The 5010 has 10 memories. It works VERY VERY well for a keyer from 1985.
I bought mine specifically for QRP contesting.
YMMV.
John KB2HSH
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
eHam Forums / Computers And Software / Prolific PL2303 Issue with Ubuntu 12.10
|
on: February 12, 2013, 09:13:48 AM
|
|
I have a rescued HP 6715b that was returned to service rather creatively after being ABUSED and damaged pretty severely by a former employee of my company. Without a HDD, I was able to install Ubuntu 12.10 to an SD card, boot to it, and I have been using it. With the amount of RAM that this corporate grade machine has, the "non-fact" that the OS resides upon a SD is irrelevant. (And please, don't bore me with the "you'll wear out that SD pretty quickly"...because I have Voice Mail systems that run on them and do so for YEARS AND YEARS without any issues)
Fldigi works great with 12.10, and the HP's built-in mic has been doing a nice job of RX while I've been sorting this issue out. Basically, I installed a PL2302 USB-to-serial cable onto the laptop. I can "see" it via terminal when I enter lsusb and dmesg. I KNOW it's there. Fldigi sees /ttyUSB0 in the PTT list. However, it doesn't key the rig.
Help???
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
eHam Forums / Computers And Software / RE: I HATE Ubuntu 12.04 !
|
on: February 12, 2013, 09:00:17 AM
|
They say Vista was the worst OS that Microsoft has come out with.
No, that would be Windows ME. Well, it seems to me that Ubuntu 12.04 is the Windows Vista of Linux distros.
If you don't like it, then don't use it. Pick a different distro. Arch Linux is my favorite personally... I have Windows Me running on a SONY VAIO with 32 MB of ram, and it runs incredibly well. It can go for MONTHS at a time without a reboot. I have done this, as a matter of fact. It sat in my garage last summer doing nothing but running UI-View32/AGWPE to my Icom IC-2AT. Never ONCE had an issue. And as of last night, 2/11/2013, I booted it up, and started MixW 1.45, and it too works quite well for old school RTTY. |
|
|
|
|
13
|
eHam Forums / QRP / RE: My ex-XYL bought me an HW-7
|
on: February 10, 2013, 05:41:51 AM
|
|
Yeah...trust me, I feel the pain. I miss my FT-817ND...it was the best rig I could have had for the way I operate. But, on to bigger and better, although not necessarily newer. You're in a rare breed, Dick, that isn't fond of the KX3. My friend WB2VUO has been chomping at the bit to get one for himself.
To each their own. That's what's so great about THIS hobby.
John
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
eHam Forums / QRP / RE: My ex-XYL bought me an HW-7
|
on: February 08, 2013, 10:12:19 AM
|
I found a deal on an HW7 years ago and it is virtually useless as a stock radio. The "mod" to make it work is to remove nearly everything in it and start over. I sold it for what I paid for it and felt lucky to get that much. I would treat it as a project case for a QRP rig that needs a cabinet. Or, as shelfware. OUCH. Yeah...from what I remember, the 7s I've had were pretty SPARTAN to say the least. The 8s I had were so-so...but each one had lousy capacitors that lost capacitor plates. Truthfully, I never really took the time to ground the rig/tuner properly in the past, and I had lousy antennas then, too. If I can make QSOs with a Rockmite and a PixieII, the HW-7 should be "ok". I'm just not expecting MIRACLES. I know it's not my old FT-817 that I had. Thanks for the responses, guys!! John KB2HSH |
|
|
|
|
Loading...
|
Show Posts
