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Indeed, my thanks too.
I wish I had been able to attend all three days but just one was better than none!
-Dale
It will be interesting to hear what actually appears at Dayton.
Another option coming down the road (or not) is the “New Radio”:
Ref:European hams announce NEW RADIO – a dual-band, multi-mode radio to support DMR, D-STAR and C4FM
http://www.newradio.eu/?lang=en“On May 8th, an article appeared in the ÖVSV by Kurt, OE1KBC, about a new dual-band, multi-mode mobile radio called the “NEW RADIO” that will operate on the 2m & 70cm bands and support the most common ham digital modes, including DMR, D-STAR and C4FM (System Fusion), plus analog FM. As reported in the article, the NEW RADIO has been created by hams for the ham radio community will feature a colour touch screen display, 50W of power output, a 1.8 GHz processor, a Linux operating system, plus dual AMBE+ vocoders, allowing for full-duplex, cross-band operation. Also, one of the biggest features of the NEW RADIO is that it will include a built-in LTE wireless modem and SIM card allowing it to be Internet connected while on the go. Apparently, with it being Internet connected, the NEW RADIO will be able to automatically download frequencies, offsets, contacts and other configuration information on the go, allowing for instant updates for users. This will undoubtedly be a much welcomed feature for anyone used to loading codeplugs into radios, as is the case with DMR. In addition to the mobile version, NEW RADIO is also working on a portable and base station model that features similar operating specifications using different form factors……”
If it was real and working, I’d buy the HT in a heart-beat. In the mean time I’ll continue exploring DMR with my MD-380 and try to find time to get the XPR5550 out of the box and into the car…. Somehow I _assumed_ that when I retired, I’d have more time 😉
-Dale
KB1ZKD/AEElectric Utilities is one that you’ll want after a big storm and lots of power outages.
http://forums.radioreference.com/new-hampshire-radio-discussion-forum/110044-psnh-frequencies.html
Also during an emergency you might want to be able to monitor FRS/GMRS frequencies – These are the low cost HTs you see on many building supply and in many stores for public consumption.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart
Hi Murray:
I echo Fred’s comments. Besides Fred’s blog, I really recommend reading http://www.K0BG.com, it’s “The book” on mobile HF. I’ll be happy to show you my mobile HF install and talk antennas, etc.
73 Dave N1RF
Hi Tony,
Where was this question last month, when I was doing mine.
I put put my ground rod about 3-4 feet away from my house. To sink the ground rod I used a water drill which worked really well and is very easily constructed for less tha $20. Here is essentially the model I used.
Attached to the ground rod I have a Z bracket (the thing you got at HRO) with two lightening arrestors, one for my vhf, and one for my hf antennas, I also have my #6 solid copper wire which I have run to the ground bar of the AC panel inside the house. Like you my AC main ground is a long way from the shack entrance. It is important to ground your lightening protection to your AC main ground otherwise one day you touch something and you become the element that completes the circuit- not a good outcome.
For RF grounding, I use separate 1/2 inch braided copper to a 4′ length of 3/4″ copper pipe from each of my components attached with hose clamps. Then 3/4 inch copper braid also attached with hose clamp to just before the exit of my house where I have joined it to #2 heavy gauge stranded copper out through the wall and to the ground rod.
I will upload pictures when I get home this weekend.
Like you at the Tech Night, I struggle with disconnecting the feed lines outside of the house, how do I keep my coax from getting wet? I waterproofed the connections the best I could at install with the rubberized coax tape and electrical tape, which completely covers the attachments on both sides of my lightening arrestors, hoping this would be a somewhat permanent connection. I don’t relish the idea of doing this everyday. I do however unplug the feed lines from my gear inside the shack.
The correct answer, of course, is to unplug outside, but I wonder how many folks really do that? I would welcome comments on that point with the full understanding and acknowledgement that this is merely an expression of what others do, and in no way advice on how I should proceed!
I mostly followed Fred’s (AB1OC) article when planning, any errors in implementation were mine…
73
Greg
Fred I think having the 4 x 4 concreted in the ground provide to me a couple of options that I might not otherwise have it allows me to elevate the rotor should I go with the bottom mounted rotor as opposed to a mast mounted rotor that really enables me to keep the rotor out of the snow in the winter time. The additional rigidity that the 4 x 4 provides would allow me to actually put a ladder on the 4 x 4 not in the mast itself which should help when extending the mast. Also I am hoping it will provide horizontal support additional to the guys.
Curtis:
FB. VERY COOL! Congratulations. And the JT contacts you have logged
on your QRZ page look impressive.
Dave N1RF
Thought you might enjoy a link on Straight Key Night (SKN) operations. The videos demonstrate a variety of vintage radios and keys. Note the general speed of the contacts… The operator must form each dit and dah by closing a manual key contact. This requires better dexterity and control than that needed for an electronic keyer.
CAUTION: those early key contacts had over 300 VDC on them (keyed cathode operation). And the real early vintage equipment was often built on a wooden frame (and quite exposed).
Some of the setups also show “rock bound” (crystal controlled) setups using FT243 crystals. These could often be obtained as Military Surplus ( slightly below the bands) and then the crystal could be ground with an abrasive to move the frequency higher and into the CW band. The quartz crystal required care during the grinding process as they can be rather fragile. I saw a video on youtube for those interested in the crystals history.
ARRL Straight Key Night – another side of CW operations
Straight Key Night 2013 Fun with Simple Gear – WU2D
– Mike gave the club an excellent presentation at the April 2015 club meeting.
Quartz Crystal Documentary – Crystals go to war
FT243 – crystal grinding video
Fabrication d’un tube Triode – Bonus video
– (hint: it’s a hollow state transistor with a filament) 😉
Enjoy
I thought I would share some Morse Code links with some others exploring the CW -questions forum who want to explore the process further. I have added a couple of “fun” links as well.1) “ how it works: Morse Code (720p) ” – early ARMY training tape– some good details2) “ technique of hand sending “ – 1944 NAVY training film– using a straight key, explanation of timing for good sending.– good background information4) “ abbreviations used in cw communications “ – by Ray Anderson– discussion of the many abbreviations that are often used for CW mode5) “ five tips for learning morse code “– thoughts on good and bad learning techniques.6) “ DA operating W6CF ” – enjoy7) “ the rythem of the code ” – morse code set to music– fun introduction for the younger crowdNOTE: There are lots of other CW training sites out there – but this should help wet the appetite of those interested in exploring this medium. Members that discover other helpful sites are encouraged to share there links with the forum.