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eHam Forums / CW / RE: How to practically copy CW in your head - for beginners
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on: January 12, 2013, 10:42:51 PM
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"Head copy," or whatever you want to call it, is more a matter of attitude than technique.
If you convince yourself that's it's OK to miss the occasional character, you're part way there.
If you decide to "have a conversation," instead of sweating "copying code," you're most of the way there.
The rest is simply doing it, as Steve suggested, until it's second nature.
73,
Bill
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3
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eHam Forums / Computers And Software / RE: HRD & FT-900 Slow Control
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on: March 18, 2012, 06:00:23 PM
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Dan,
Never overlook the obvious.
I also have an FT-900, and recently upgraded the computer, so I replaced the serial port cable with a USB one. When I plugged it in, it didn't work either. Tried everything for 2 days, and was about to send it back. Until I unplugged it and plugged it back in. And hey, it worked.
The connector to the jack on the FT-900 is extremely snug (and a PITA to connect, as you probably know). You can swear you have it plugged in all the way -- and be wrong.
If it is not COMPLETELY plugged in (even though you think it is), it will not work.
I know it sounds silly, but try it.
73,
Bill
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6
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: Propagation and different regions of the US
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on: August 10, 2011, 08:50:58 PM
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Yep, Just checked my log for ES1TU. Worked him May 9 2011 at 0416 on 20 CW. 579 both ways. 100 watts on my end with a balcony halfsquare. When condx are right, that part of EU is relatively easy from southern California, even though as noted it's a polar path. When condx are not right, no amount of power would help. 73, Bill Here are some thoughts about 20m propagation from ES1 (north-east EU) to various parts of US:
* W6,W7 path goes almost straight over the north pole, through auroral oval. This part of the US is open only if sun is relatively chill. That mean A <= 8, K <= 2, solar windspeed <= 450km/sec, B(z) >= -1. If any of those 4 is way off, then I don't get a peep from a west coast. Perhaps only a couple of big guns like W6YRA. If those 4 figures are right (like they are today), then even the vertical and dipole guys with 100w are coming in quite loud. The "window" stayes open for about 2 hours, around 4UTC.
*W1,2,3,4 are the simplest ones. Almost the same distance as to W6,7 but since the path goes further south, it's less disturbed by CME's.
*W5,0 are somewhere between those two.
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eHam Forums / CW / RE: running a Vibroplex Bug and Paddle at will ????
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on: May 08, 2011, 10:59:16 AM
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Agreed, the only solution is practice.
I have the paddle and bug right next to each other. Each has its time and place, and each gets used a lot.
I often have to switch from the paddle to the bug just because the XYL enters the shack. The small "click" the paddles make (brass on brass, you want silence?) absolutely drives her bonkers. The bug, which doesn't make that kind of sound, passes her Litmus test.
The trick is making sure the bug hasn't gone out of adjustment. A 52 year-old Champion can sometimes do that if you look at it funny.
No, my bug sending doesn't sound exactly like my paddle sending -- and, unless the paddle is set to "bug speed," of course it can't, but it hasn't caused any complaints from the other stations, so it's a solution I can live with.
73,
Bill
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8
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eHam Forums / Digital / RE: Rigblaster w/ Yaesu FT890
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on: January 20, 2010, 04:00:55 PM
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Where is your mic gain set when RF power is set to full output?
I've used the Rigblaster Plus with the FT-890 for the last four years, and it all works fine. Of course, the sound card volume setting and the mic gain work together to set the output power, but my mic gain control is set at about 8 0'clock.
Also, can you monitor your output signal with your computer speakers? The audio should sound just like the incoming signals on PSK.
73,
Bill
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eHam Forums / Elmers / RE: MFJ 784B Tunable DSP Filter
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on: January 14, 2010, 04:53:38 PM
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I have the older (non "B") model. It works great on digital modes and CW, and the noise reduction makes for more comfortable listening.
I rarely work phone, so have limited experience with the filter on sideband, but it does help a bit there with peaking weak signals -- though not nearly to the extent it does with narrower modes.
73,
Bill
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eHam Forums / Digital / RE: OLIVIA or not?
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on: January 07, 2010, 01:16:56 PM
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I have to agree with N4UM. Both PSK31 and Olivia have their places, their advantages and disadvantages.
Olivia is flat out great for weak signal work and cutting through QSB. MFSK16 works almost as well but many ops find it difficult to tune. With Olivia, you just need to get reasonably close, and the type appears.
I just wish more operators would give Olivia a try. Yes, it's slower, and if the other guy is in full-blown ragchew mode you can make a sandwich, grab a beer and do the laundry and not miss a thing. But that can be fun too.
73,
Bill
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eHam Forums / Digital / PSK31 vs CW...
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on: October 07, 2009, 08:10:59 PM
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I use both CW and PSK on a regular basis.
For really weak signal work, CW wins, assuming the processor between the ears is up to snuff.
Stuff I can hear well enough to work on CW, often times results in garbled print on PSK.
73,
Bill
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eHam Forums / Elmers / Half Square antenna
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on: August 18, 2009, 11:43:00 AM
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For all the talk about gain, the real advantage of the halfsquare is its lower takeoff angle. That's the key to DX...the little bit of gain is frosting on the cake.
I've used one on 20 meters on my condo balcony (about 30' off the ground) for four years with excellent results, even though I've had to bend the vertical sections back up in "cuphook" fashion to hide the small gauge wire from the condo cops (the first day I built it and tested it with the vertical sections hanging down outside the balcony, I was cited for "two pieces of string").
With the built-in tuner on the FT-890, it loads on 17 through 10 as well -- not the best performer on those bands, but it works the DX when available.
For five bucks worth of wire, I'd say it does the job.
73,
Bill
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eHam Forums / Elmers / FT-900 hidden feature or factory adjustment ??
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on: September 09, 2007, 07:30:20 PM
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It appears to do the same thing the shift control does on my FT-890. Also, when I did what you described, the shift control became inoperative.
Probably just another way to do the same thing, except with numbers on the display.
73,
Bill
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