I'm trying to tune a variation of this antenna.  I built an Off Center Fed 2M antenna using aluminum tape on a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe.  I have the SWR on 2M at 1.2:1 in the middle of the 2M band and I can go up to 155 MHZ before the SWR gets about 2:1.  Really nice broad band 2M antenna.  I'd like to use it on 440 also but the antenna seems to be optimum at 438 Mhz.  As I get up to 442 Mhz the SWR hits 2.5:1.  I was expecting this antenna to be usable on 440.  Any thought on why I'm fine on 2M but I seem to have missed the 440 Mhz band - the 440 FM band that is?

I am decoupling the RF with 4 turns of coax just below the antenna. 

Thanks!

I have several of these bluetooth headsets now and have started to wonder if I could create an intercom or audio conference system with these.  I realize the range would be limited.  I do think this might be handy however. I have been searching the web and I mostly find motorcycle products.  Basically looking for hardware that would allow two or more bluetooth headsets to just talk together.  Nothing fancy, no connection to a phone or anything else.  Just bluetooth headsets as kind of a wireless partyline.  Has anyone come across such a device?

Thanks,

Dan - KA9ZIM
ka9zim@aol.com

NOAA has some good info on this link.

http://www.weather.gov/emwin/index.htm

You might also check around and see if anyone is rebroadcasting on VHF in your area.  The NWS recently authorized rebroadcasting on about 5 of their VHF frequencies.  The OEM of the county south of me (Will County Illinois) reboadcasts on 163.325 Mhz.  Much more convenient than an satellite downlink.  

Regards,
Dan

They do.  I'm not sure if the MIC-E is handling Widen-N correctly.  I'd like to hear from someone that MIC-E does handle the new format.

I have a TAPR Mic-E that I built 6 or 8 years ago when they were still available from TAPR.  I never used it on a voice repeater, but I used to use it as a tracker.  

Well I fired it up the other day and it does not seem to be working very well.  The only position data that made it to FindU was data sent with the old Relay, Wide, Wide setting.  Once I changed it to Wide1-1, Wide2-1, there was nothing making it to FindU.  I don't know if the Mic-E can't handle the new Widen-N format, or if the digis in my area are in transition and not handling the data well.  


Can anyone tell me if the origianl Mic-E should work with the new Widen-E format?  If so then perhaps I have a component problem worth trying to fix.  But if not then I could save myself the trouble and buy a new tracker.

Thanks,
Dan - KA9ZIM

They have the manual on their web site.

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&ProdID=873&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

I'm planning to give the tuner and 102" whip combo a shot.  Just wondering if the tuner hunts if the Radio Shack 102" whip is bouncing around as you drive?

From the Belden cable company's web site I came up with RG-8/U having 2.6 dB loss per 100' at 400 MHz and RG-213/U having 4.1 dB loss per 100' at 400 MHz.  So if both of the cables you are considering are Belden cables then the RG-8/U is a better choice.  If the cables you are considering are by some other manufactures then you will need to obtain info on that particular cable's losses at you maximum operating frequency and make your choice based on loss vs. cost.

Mobile HF setups are always a compromise.  I suggest you start with the easiest mounting method and see if you like the results.  As for the ground plane concern, do your best to bond the spare tire carrier to the body of the jeep with a short jumper.  Braiding is better but a wire jumper will work too.

Steve,
Thanks for the info, but perhaps I should have been more clear with my question.  I'm not looking for mag mounts, just the magnets with the chrome cover that many companies use to make mag mounts.  I'm looking for 4 95# pull magnet bases to attach to a box that will contain an APRS tracker that will be temporarily placed on the roofs of various vehicles.  
Thanks,
Dan

Does anyone know of a source for buying 3" and 5" magnet bases?  Some of the grade needed for mobile antenna mounts?
Thanks
Dan - KA9ZIM

ka9zim@aol.com

The ARRL web site has more info, but basically 5 Mhz has characteristics that would suggest it would be a good HF band for domestic, emergency HF communication. The ARRL had special permission from the FCC to conducts some tests on this band.  They have since submitted a petition to the FCC to request an amateur allocation in the 5 Mhz area.  There is some opposition to this allocation, but the ARRL is upbeat that we will eventually receive an allocation around 5 Mhz.  

My understanding is that the FCC allows our amateur equipment to receive on adjacent frequencies.  We are not necessarily allowed to use "scanners", but our transceivers capable of receiving out of band are legal per the FCC, regardless of state or local law.  Always keep a copy of your license with you when you travel.

See the following info at the ARRL:

http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/pr91-36/pr91-36.html

It is very challenging to meet the ID requirement using crossband as you have outlined.  The crossband feature is typically utilized to boost a dual band HT.  Say you want to work a 2M repeater from your dual band HT, but you can't hit the machine.  You would set up your dual band mobile to hear you on a 440 simplex frequency and cross band transmit your audio on the 2M repeater input frequency.  On your dual band HT you would be listening on 2M to the repeater output but transmitting on your 440 simplex to your crossband rig.

To ID you could simply state your call and then that you are via the YOURCALL crossband repeater.  

I realize my example does not go along with your question.  I'm trying to point that your application for cross band is not legal without something to ID.  However, there are legal applications for cross band as the feature exists in most radios.

As just another thought here, if you can transmit on the input frequency of your cross band repeater you can voice id every 10 minutes through your cross band set up.  

And another thought (sorry it's late and my brain is working slowly).  If you want to set up a more permanent cross band repeater and use two single band radios to do it, you can try the Echostation PC based repeater controller.  Info is at http://www.synergenics.com/sc/


Regards,
Dan - KA9ZIM

I'm looking for software that will understand 300 Baud Bell 103 standard tones by way of the sound card input.  Basically 300 baud RTTY but with the 103 tones.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.