On 29-Jun-96 Rich L. Boyd wrote:
>As far as not doing CW for five months and getting out of practice, I've
>never noticed this myself. I feel that I've been doing CW for so long
>that I've kind of fully integrated it and wouldn't get rusty after five
>months any more than I would if I wasn't able to speak English to anyone
>for five months. I do notice I may make more mistakes in sending,
>though.
>
Rich;
I would tend to agree. I was out of radio for about 10 years, 86-96 and upon ret
esting
morse was my last worry. I found my speed had dropped from about 40WPM to about
20WPM
but I was happy since it had been 10 years, and after a few contests, I am back
to
around 35 WPM.
73
Al - kk5zx
____________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail: foggie@dtx.net | Snail-Mail: Allen Fogleson
| Fort Polk, La 71459
____________________________________________________________________________
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>From ki4hn@nando.net (Jim Stevens) Sat Jun 29 04:44:03 1996
From: ki4hn@nando.net (Jim Stevens) (Jim Stevens)
Subject: W6UQF
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19960629034403.00683678@mailhost.nando.net>
Wow, Chas is gone! Good propagation and clean fists to you, OM!
Everyone complaining about no new contesters can thank Chas for partially
helping to stop that trend. I was an inactive, former contester that
happened to get back on 10M the first Saturday of Oct in 1992. One of
the first guys that I worked who was willing to help me out was W6UQF.
Since Oct. 1992, I have Chas in my log 28 times. Absolutely amazing!
Chas was always willing to talk contesting with me over the air and offer
some advice. He remember me on QSLs that I send him and wrote personal
notes. A very class act and great operator!
You will be missed!
73, Jim, KI4HN
http://www.webbuild.com/~ki4hn -> vanity call info
>From becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) Sat Jun 29 07:41:34 1996
From: becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) (Tony and Celia Becker)
Subject: Need help with WRTC TH3 tribander dimensions
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19960629064134.30b76b8a@portal.com>
Now here is a subject I KNOW Trey will not object to! ('cause he might get
stuck with this turkey if I don't get fixed up in time for WRTC).
Last winter I picked up a Hi Gain TH3, left for dead in AD6E's behind the
garage aluminum graveyard.
I had my doubts, since the plastic caps had all rotted off the traps and
several had cracks in the aluminum at the attachment points. With
fear-chilled hands we put it up on the portable tower last weekend for field
day.
We were pleasantly surprized that it actually worked over 400 Q's with
almost a quarter of the operating hours done by a CB'er I'm trying to get
interested in contesting. It even had a reasonably low minimum SWR point
within all three bands! (Yes, it was new coax).
Unfortunately, either this former CW stalwart had it tuned for PHONE (Al,
how COULD you!) or the poor thing has shrunk in the hot California sun.
Since I have not used an aluminum radiator since my Novice License expired,
(I still miss my Gem-Quad), I need one of you aluminum users to send me the
dimensions for the Hi Gain TH3. This one is on a 14 foot boom, so I guess
that makes it a Mark II. I intend to set it just a little on the low side
of mid-band.
I'm going to put this antenna up at the Motel 6 for the WRTC ers to use
before the contest, checking propagation, working off nerves, etc. If we
run short of stations, (looking likely at the moment) it will also be
pressed into service for the event.
(DG: "Hey John, call up room service for more Kim-Chee".
(AR: "Sorry, nothing but 'sprouts and mesquite-range chicken on this menu...)
:)
Remember, your favorite team just might have to get by with the result!
AE0M, Tony Becker - becker@shell.portal.com - Silicon Valley, U.S.A.
>From ni6t@scruznet.com (Garry Shapiro) Sat Jun 29 15:51:39 1996
From: ni6t@scruznet.com (Garry Shapiro) (Garry Shapiro)
Subject: DSP Boxes
References: <1.5.4.32.19960628135940.0068bd88@southwind.net>
Message-ID: <31D542FB.14EC@scruznet.com>
Lee Buller wrote:
>
> Hi All...
>
> What are you guys using in the form of DSP out there. Have yet to get me
> a DSP filter.
>
> Any suggestions. I like the Timewave stuff, just on looks...but would like
> to get some ideas as to what is being used.
I have no idea. I bought a JPS NIR-10 when it came out, and have shelled
out for ROM upgrades twice. Ver 4.0 in there now. The upgrades have
improved it, but I dunno how it stacks up to an NIR-12. The current
incarnation of the NIR-10 has simultaneous peaking and noise reduction,
with the amount of processing somewhat conrollable with an analog knob.
At times one can make CW sigs jump out of the noise; at other times not.
I have less experience with it on SSB. One cannot deploy the digital
bandpass filters simultaneous with the other functions.
I also bought a Timewave DSP-9+ when it came out. Unlike the NIR-10,
filtering and noise reduction can both be employed. One can choose a
number of CW bandpass center frequencies--but only two at a time,
according to internal jumpers. Two seems enough. It has an AGC, and
settings not only for CW and SSB, but the digital modes. However, the
fancy and much-ballyhooed RTTY remodulator is, IMHO, essentially useless
on weak signals. And I have found combinations on CW that put spurious
steady tones--akin to oscillations--into the audio output.
Before buying either of these, I had a Super SCAF switched-capacitor
bandpass filter. Currently I have all three in cascade--the Timewave
drives the NIR-10 which drives the SCAF. I utilize various
combinations. The SCAF remains useful because it reduces the
high-frequency hiss present in the TS-930S audio output, and in the
output of both DSP units. The SCAF is also able to provide very narrow
bandpasses for CW.
I have used this setup only a short time, and am still trying out
different combinations under different and difficult conditions. My
current impression is that the DSP-9+ is less than I originally thought
it was, and that the NIR-10 with the new ROMs is more than it originally
was, but that combinations appear to be more effective than any of the
units by themeselves. It does require a lot of juggling of gain controls.
In short, neither of the DSP boxes represents the millenium, and I am not
ready to give up the SCAF. And, regarding using the combination in
CONTESTS is concerned, it is generally too much effort in contest
condx, and is more suited to weak-signal, high-QRN DXing, as on the low
bands.
Garry, NI6T
>
> Thanks...
> Lee Buller
> k0wa@southwind.net
--
"Alternating currents are dangerous. They are fit only for
powering the electric chair."
-- Thomas A. Edison
Garry Shapiro, NI6T
Editor, "The DXer"
--monthly bulletin of the Northern California DX Club
>From pa3fcd@dds.nl (Mark van Wijk) Sat Jun 29 09:01:16 1996
From: pa3fcd@dds.nl (Mark van Wijk) (Mark van Wijk)
Subject: "Best-second hand-radio ??"
Message-ID: <31D4E2CC.1F4F@dds.nl>
Hello,
I'm probabely kicking in an old "rusty" door, but I am simply looking
for the "best" used contest radio (CW ONLY).
Some rig's I've tried so far: ICOM 720A, 765
Kenwood 940s, 850
So far I liked the 850 because of its contest ergonimics, but hated the
digital-bar-LED S meter, and it has a sloppy QSK.
Now since there are lots of $$$ involved in such a decision I'm looking
for any nice rig (the OMNI-6 is not available here in Holland).
A second hand 850 is my financial "top of the budget", please remember
HF-rigs are almost twice the price here in Europe.....
One major important thing is that a rig requires a really "clean" local
oscillator (I prefer low band operating).
Secondly additional original first and second IF filters can be improved
sometimes by other brands ?
Question: Can anybody give me some input on the performance of a TS-930?
So far it seems very good on phase noise.
Also what to look for, serial no's to avoid, other IF filters
etc.
Any comment is greatly appreciated!!!
Best regards,
Mark, PA3FCD
>From dave@egh.com (David Clemons) Sat Jun 29 12:52:53 1996
From: dave@egh.com (David Clemons) (David Clemons)
Subject: Putting the fun back in contesting
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9606290734.A2556-0100000@newman.egh.com>
As Rich KE3Q pointed out, I did forget my call on the last message.
Since we generally know each other by call and not name, I probably left
a lot of people wondering who this guy Dave Clemons is. (We complain about
no-code, what about no-license?!?). Anyway, my apologies. I am K1VUT.
73, Dave Clemons K1VUT
>From n1mm@usa.pipeline.com (Tom Wagner) Sat Jun 29 14:06:14 1996
From: n1mm@usa.pipeline.com (Tom Wagner) (Tom Wagner)
Subject: "Best-second hand-radio ??"
Message-ID: <199606291306.NAA10675@pipe2.t1.usa.pipeline.com>
On Jun 29, 1996 10:01:16, 'pa3fcd@dds.nl (Mark van Wijk)' wrote:
>Question: Can anybody give me some input on the performance of a TS-930?
> So far it seems very good on phase noise.
>Also what to look for, serial no's to avoid, other IF filters
>etc.
The TS-930 service manual has two schematics in it. One for
serial numbers < 3.1 million one for serial numbers > 3.1 million.
I don't know what changes were made at that point, but
your safest bet is to look for one with a high serial number.
Tom - N1MM
>From w2vjn@rosenet.net (George Cutsogeorge) Sat Jun 29 23:03:14 1996
From: w2vjn@rosenet.net (George Cutsogeorge) (George Cutsogeorge)
Subject: "Best-second hand-radio ??"
References: <31D4E2CC.1F4F@dds.nl>
Message-ID: <M.062996.150314.43@ppp026.rosenet.net>
Mike,
I have run some lab tests on and/or owned some of the radio types that you are
considering. Here are phase noise results on some of them.
Measurements taken by injecting a clean signal, 100 dB above the noise floor,
offset from the listening frequency by the amount listed. The numbers list the
amount of degradation of the noise floor while using the 500 Hz CW filters.
(Someday I'll convert this to dBC/Hz.)
Radio 930 940 765
Offset Level(dB)
5kHz 16 10 5
10kHz 8 6.5 2
15kHz 4 2 1
20kHz 1 0 0.5
This data shows the 765 has lower phase noise that the 930 and 940. It is
quite noticeable to the operator under contest conditions.
The 930 and 940 have excellant QSK operation. The 765 QSK can be improved a
bit and is then very good.
If you are interested in SSB, the processor performance varies substantially
between these radios. The following data was taken by setting the radio to 100
watts peak output, injecting white noise into the mike input and measuring
average power output with the processor out and in.
Radio Proc OFF Proc ON
930 16Watts 47Watts
940 16 35
761 20 31
Thus, the 930 will be 1.8dB stronger than the 761(essentially the same as 765)
for the same PEP output. This was verified on the air by direct comparisons.
The 930 has one major disadvantage, of course, it has no computer interface.
In my opinion, the improvements in the 765 receiver make a very noticeable
difference under heavy QRM conditions and it would be my choice. I have no
experience with the 850.
George
----
George Cutsogeorge, W2VJN
Umpqua, OR.
http://www.QTH.com/topten
>From kamar@tiac.net (Ron Martin) Sat Jun 29 16:15:18 1996
From: kamar@tiac.net (Ron Martin) (Ron Martin)
Subject: NARC's Field Day
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19960629151518.0067f624@tiac.net>
Take a Look at the Following URL:
http://www.mv.com/ipusers/ww1y/narc/fd96/index.html
>From km0l@tyrell.net (Steve Lufcy) Sat Jun 29 19:27:36 1996
From: km0l@tyrell.net (Steve Lufcy) (Steve Lufcy)
Subject: DSP Boxes
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960629131458.18821A-100000@tyrell.net>
Lee-
Regarding DSP filters: I have a MFJ-784 super DSP filter. The thing is
phenomenal- does things I can't believe. Takes out noise and leaves
signal and narrows down to almost 0 bandpass; wherein lies the problem-
for contest work it is actually too much. With filter in tuning for S & P
is almost impossible because you tune across the signals so quickly, and
when CQing the bandpass is too narrow- filters out any signal not right
in bandpass. The thing is great for tuning in a signal once you have
found it. However, once again, for contest work you dont want to take
that much time to tune him in. I love my MFJ DSP and it works great- but
the filters in my TS-940s (500khz in both IFs) are much more practicle
for contesting.
Hope there is some info in this post that may be useful.
73 de KM0L Steve in KC
>From km0l@tyrell.net (Steve Lufcy) Sat Jun 29 19:37:48 1996
From: km0l@tyrell.net (Steve Lufcy) (Steve Lufcy)
Subject: W6UQF stories
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960629133106.18821B-100000@tyrell.net>
W6UQF was my friend. I worked him in every contest for so many years that
he called me by name and said HI. Always looked forward to hearing Chas
in the contest. It was a given that he would be in there. We ran similar
stations and antenna and it was always fun to compare numbers with him.
My type of contester and ham. I can't believe I will not work W6UQF in
the next contest. What a loss. I will miss my friend Chas, W6UQF. So long
Chas- C U in my final contest.
73 de KM0L Steve in KC
>From k7ox@usa.pipeline.com (Gary D. Elliott) Sat Jun 29 21:14:09 1996
From: k7ox@usa.pipeline.com (Gary D. Elliott) (Gary D. Elliott)
Subject: DSP Box (JPS NIR-10)
Message-ID: <199606292014.UAA00958@pipe3.la1.usa.pipeline.com>
I just picked up a JPS NIR-10 DSP Box at a Garage Sale and of course had no
paperwork or manual. I have "fiddled" with the knobs but I am not
impressed. Would anybody out there have a manual that could tell me the
basic settings for this thing and how to tune it etc. Thanks
73 Gary
k7ox@usa.pipeline.com
>From cns-sd@ix.netcom.com (Art Wallace) Sat Jun 29 23:34:40 1996
From: cns-sd@ix.netcom.com (Art Wallace) (Art Wallace)
Subject: Chas - W6UQF
Message-ID: <199606292234.PAA06199@dfw-ix1.ix.netcom.com>
..
Chas always made me feel comfortable at the San Diego DX Club meetings.
He made me feel at home at my first Visallia and my first Southern
Calif Contest Club meeting. He was always there to remind this wanta-be
Contester/DX'er that I was in there working em and that was what
counted. I could always count on Chas for a Q on every band/mode in the
big ones, a good laugh during our Calif QSO Parties and NAQP's as I
(not Chas) was wearing out. He would always get me kick started again
at 3 in the morning. I will especially miss the eyeball QSO's after the
club meetings with Chas and all the history of DX'ing and Contesting he
would talk about.
73 Chas and CUL Art KK6XN
..
|