--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
| Ron Stone, GW3YDX - EMail ron@gw3ydx.demon.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chaps
Those on the reflector will know I am looking for a new linear. One
that can take some caning in a contest situation.
The Alpha 91 B looks pretty good on paper. However I did hear that
they blow up - especially if they have a dodgy power source such as
DXpedition generators. I'm unlikely to do that, the supply is
relatively stable here (only varies from 210 to 270 VAC !!)
What's the real news on the 91B please - and can one get one.
I've not talked to ETO yet. First of all I'll learn from users !!
The governing factor with the 91B would be the QSK and the replacement
price for tubes. They are supposed to be half the price of the 3CX800
so that would make them $200 or less (???)
73
Ron
73
>From Brian McGinness <CARL02@MACCVM.CORP.MOT.COM> Tue Aug 15 21:06:52 1995
From: Brian McGinness <CARL02@MACCVM.CORP.MOT.COM> (Brian McGinness)
Subject: A3S Biting Partial Dust
Message-ID: <"CARL02 95/08/15 20:06:52.289992"@MACCVM.CORP.MOT.COM>
Hi Ward. I could not reply directly because you did not give
your email address at the end. Some of us out here are still on
ancient mainframe e-mail systems! hi.
Your traps can be both tested and repaired quite easily.
To test them you need a functioning grid-dip meter or an MFJ
antenna analyzer with their grid-dip antenna for it.
I have found the best way to couple to the trap using the MFJ
is to slide the stubby antenna inside the inner trap tube, and hold
the whold thing up in the air on the end of the analyzer so other
objects do not influence it. Then you will see a SLIGHT dip in the
SWR at the resonant freq of the trap. It is a very slight hardly
noticible dip depending on how well you are coupled. I suspect the
dip is easier to see using a real grid-dip meter.
I don't have the exact trap frequencies with me, but the
inner 10 meter trap should dip around 27.5 (plus or minus a few
hundred kc, it is not critical) and the outer 15 meter trap
should have a dip around 20.3 or so, if I remember correctly.
No doubt all your traps are full of bug stuff. Actually,
in spite of what Cushcraft says, they are easy to open and repair.
To open them, remove the end caps. Then loosen the single cover
screw, and slide the center tube up inside the trap as far as
it will go. (away from the screw end). Then stick the HANDLE of
a rubber mallet or hammer into the trap past where the screw went,
and tap the trap down against the hammer to use the handle to
drive the end insulator out the side that is not screwed in.
That will generate enough force to slip the insulator past the
points in the cover that are center punched to hold the trap together.
Do not try to pry the insulators out, it will not work, they have
to be driven out with force. To reassemble, tap the insulator
back into the trap cover with a rubber mallett.
While inside the trap, check for corrosion at the screw
terminals on the trap inductor, and clean and debris and scorched
areas.
YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY!!! Work carefully with them, and you can fix
them yourself, although it does take the proper touch.
Good luck & 73
Brian
WA3WJD
carl02@maccvm.corp.mot.com
>From Jan Seay <jans@muskox.alaska.edu> Tue Aug 15 22:35:11 1995
From: Jan Seay <jans@muskox.alaska.edu> (Jan Seay)
Subject: Antenna Gains
Message-ID: <Pine.HPP.3.91.950815132501.24185A-100000@muskox.alaska.edu>
A while back, I read with interest, the comments on
measuring antenna gain at specific sites. While most
comments had merit, I think the point of using the least
amount of math, and concentrating on easy solutions was
missed.
It is true that you cannot mathematically calculate the
gain of an antenna for a specific ham location because there
are too many variables and unknowns in most cases. However!
Those of you who use the CDE or HyGain rotors, have the
practical solution in hand. These rotors use a dc voltage
via a variable resistor to indicate the direction of the
antenna. This voltage is perfect to use as the external
X-Axis scan signal for a spectrum analyzer. Just tap off the
terminal on the rear of unit, have a known dBd or dBi signal
at the inner edge of the far field, such as a friend across
town with a good dipole, measure the power at the input
to the dipole, and you have a rough measurement of the
ERP in dBd. Then, the spectrum analyzer (fed by your antenna)
will draw the antenna pattern as you rotate the antenna. The
readings will be absolute values in dBm, easily calcualted into
gain, F/B, etc. Most of the stations have friends in the biz who
can provide the loan of a good spectrum analyzer.
Hope I haven't stepped outa line. -73-
Del, KL7HF
>From Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com> Tue Aug 15 22:56:55 1995
From: Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com> (Frank Donovan)
Subject: Phased Beverages! (was: EVE vs Beverage?) (fwd)
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.950815174334.13112D-100000@jekyll.sgate.com>
Hi Bill!
I'm happy someone out there is finding some utility in this arcane topic!
I know of no scientific study of Beverage interaction with towers and
large transmitting antennas; however, the anecdotal evidence suggests that
the performance of Beverage antennas is badly degraded if such objects are
within 1/4 to 1/2 wavelength. My initial attempts to use Beverages were
unsatisfactory until I placed them well away from my towers.
On the other hand, Beverage antennas are so closely coupled into the
ground (they more closely resemble leaky feedlines than antennas!) that
they interact with EACH OTHER very minimally. Scientific measurements
(as opposed to anecdotal evidence) has show that two Beverages spaced by
twice their height (ie 12 foot spacing with 6 foot height) have better
than 40 dB isolation. Three foot spacing is probably inadequate, unless
your Beverages will be very low!
73!
Frank
W3LPL
donovanf@sgate.com
> I'm going to be running 2el Cushcrafts stacked on 40m. I'm thinking that
> with the poor F/B performance of these antennas that this type of
> beverage system would be good for me on 40m.
>
> Now to my question... I have heard and read that beverages like to be by
> themselves. In other words, no towers, antennas or the like near them. If
> I ran this system, I would want to do it for 80m and 160m also. Do you
> think I'm safe to run one side of the 160/80/40 beverage on the same poles
> spaced about 3' apart and then run the other side at the proper 1/2 wave
> spacing?
>
> Thanks for the excellent reading!
>
> ---
> Bill Fisher, KM9P - Concentric Systems, Inc.
>From Lau, Zack, KH6CP" <zlau@arrl.org Tue Aug 15 23:00:00 1995
From: Lau, Zack, KH6CP" <zlau@arrl.org (Lau, Zack, KH6CP)
Subject: Antenna Gains
Message-ID: <3031191B@arrl.org>
I remember taking a little 2 element 2 meter yagi to Central
States in 1994--it measured an astounding 7 dBd gain--though
they declined to publish the result. Boom is roughly 8 inches.
I let them use it to probe the range (they look for a volume where
the field strength doesn't vary too much), so perhaps it wasn't
too surprising that it got a favorable reflection. By contrast,
a 3 el Kent Britain design measured 7.5 dBd and an 8 el
12 ft. W1JR measured 7.7 dBd.
Maybe a good reference is 20 dBi. If your antennas have
that much gain you can probably make good measurements.
Measurements seem to be noticeably better at higher
frequencies (10 GHz results seem to be much more
consistent). On the other hand, if you are 15 dB below this
reference, there is probably a great deal of uncertainty
associated with the measurement. K1WHS of Directive
Systems, formerly of Cushcraft, has stories about how
distant trucks would disturb his efforts to measure
omnidirectional VHF antennas....
Zack zlau@arrl.org.
>From Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com> Tue Aug 15 23:17:19 1995
From: Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com> (Frank Donovan)
Subject: Phased Beverages! (was: EVE vs Beverage?) (fwd)
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.950815181644.13112F-100000@jekyll.sgate.com>
Hi Rich!
First u need to describe what you mean by "better"!
A pair of phased Beverages longer than 580 feet on 160M will produce
narrower beamwidth, if that is what you desire... 875 feet is a good
choice if u want to go longer than 580 feet, although the exact length is
not critical. As W1WCR first pointed out in his "Beverage Antenna
Handbook," certain Beverage lengths produce a very desirable "cone of
silence" at the rear of the antenna. 580 and 875 feet are two such
desired lengths on 160M. Corresponding lengths on 80M are 295 and 440 feet.
Four phased Beverages will produce still narrower beamwidth; however, it will
be difficult to retain the excellent side rejection of the pair. In this
case, perhaps more is not better!
I've always used insulated copper wire for my Beverages.. I do not plan to
use anything else... However, I would be interested in results with
other types of wire.
73!
Frank
W3LPL
donovanf@sgate.com
On Tue, 15 Aug 1995, Rich L. Boyd wrote:
> Is it correct to assume that if they are longer than 580' they will work
> that much better? I think I have the capability of constructing such a
> thing here. How about 4 of them side by side??
>
> Do you agree with someone's message here that beverages should be made of
> copper wire instead of electic fence wire?
>From Hodge Thorgerson David Cameron-INBA <hodge@servidor.unam.mx> Wed Aug 16
>01:06:31 1995
From: Hodge Thorgerson David Cameron-INBA <hodge@servidor.unam.mx> (Hodge
Thorgerson David Cameron-INBA)
Subject: NAQP
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.950815180237.27539A-100000@servidor>
Hello everyone! (Who here listens to Karl Haas?)
Sorry to be radio inactive for the last few tests. Been a busy beaver!
I hope to get a 40mtr wire up sometime this week and hand out some QSOs in
the NAQP next weekend.
Would you believe I just waded through over 1200 messages accumulated
since the end of June? Food for thought!
73 and see you on bands, David XE1/AA6RX
>From barry@w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) Wed Aug 16 01:56:30 1995
From: barry@w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) (Barry Kutner)
Subject: Phased Beverages! (was: EVE vs Beverage?) (fwd)
Message-ID: <Vcgw0c1w165w@w2up.wells.com>
Frank Donovan <donovanf@sgate.com> writes:
>
> I've always used insulated copper wire for my Beverages.. I do not plan to
> use anything else... However, I would be interested in results with
> other types of wire.
>
> >
Frank (and others) - I am a relative newcomer to the Beverage world
(sounds like a store name, doesn't it, hi) installing Beverages only for
2 years now. I've only used electric fence wire (17 ga). I got this idea
from the guys at ICE. Their explanation was based on the fact that a
Beverage is a high impedance/low current antenna, therefore little is
lost with a few extra ohms of wire loss. Is it possible to model this?
Any other comments from the gurus? 73 Barry
--
Barry N. Kutner, W2UP Internet: barry@w2up.wells.com
Newtown, PA Packet Radio: W2UP @ WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA.NA
Packet Cluster: W2UP >WB2R (FRC)
.......................................................................
>From wb2r@ix.netcom.com (Barry K. Cummings ) Wed Aug 16 02:37:22 1995
From: wb2r@ix.netcom.com (Barry K. Cummings ) (Barry K. Cummings )
Subject: CT bug?
Message-ID: <199508160137.SAA22809@ix7.ix.netcom.com>
You wrote:
>
>At one point, near end of WAE, noticed computer clock was 9 minutes
fast.
>Keeps good time otherwise. Double checked it to WWV at start of test.
>Hmmm...
>
>--
Bar, at Howard's, he set the computer clock to WWV just before the
contest, and I noted (and remarked to him) that the clock was dead-on
to my WWV-synched watch at the end of the contest. Perhaps something
other than CT?
.....................................................73, Barry
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Barry K Cummings WB2R eMail WB2R@ix.netcom.com +
+ Delran, NJ Packet WB2R@WB2R (FRC PacketCluster) +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>From V. Zavgorodniy" <zavgor@fuib.donetsk.ua Mon Aug 14 15:09:34 1995
From: V. Zavgorodniy" <zavgor@fuib.donetsk.ua (V. Zavgorodniy)
Subject: CQ ALL!
Message-ID: <AAUarBmqn8@fuib.donetsk.ua>
CQ All!
I would like to ask send me answer all HAMs from the ex USSR/CIS by Email.
Thank you in advance.
Regards, Vlad V. Zavgorodniy/UR3IDV also UR3I/US3I/
Chief of UR3IWA/ Club-radiostation of
Donetsk Technical University
---
Vladimir Zavgorodniy
E-Mail: zavgor@fuib.donetsk.ua
>From aa6tt@frontier.net (William H. Hein) Wed Aug 16 03:40:21 1995
From: aa6tt@frontier.net (William H. Hein) (William H. Hein)
Subject: FT-1000MP
Message-ID: <v02110100ac56a5893de8@[199.45.201.5]>
I spoke with Chip K7JA at Yaesu today regarding the forthcoming FT-1000MP
transceiver. I am happy to report that this looks like my dream rig -- it
has everything I like about the FT-1000 and adds virtually every feature I
felt the FT-1000 was lacking:
* transverter port and ability to directly read out transverted frequency
(50.110, 144.200, etc.) on the VFO readout.
* CW beat frequency will go down to 300 Hz. The DSP audio features will
track the CW beat frequency, which will be front panel selectable (no DIP
switches on the top of the rig).
* Quiet DDS with resolution under 1 Hz.
* DB9 RS232 computer port (no need for level converter).
* AC or DC operation.
* Cascaded crystal and Collins mechanical IF filters plus DSP audio filtering.
* Synchronous AM detection.
* Selectable antenna jacks.
* Separate S meters for each receiver.
* User selectable tuning steps permitting super-slow tuning.
The FT-1000MP cannnot handle dual reception on two different bands at one
time (the FT-1000D can) and has 100w (vs 200w) output, two features I can
live without. The FT-1000MP maintains the FT-1000's wonderful dual
VFO/tuning knob/true stereo audio operation and still has a separate RX
antenna input for Beverage use (features the new Icom rigs are notably
missing).
Chip added that the FT-1000MP front end is at least as good as the FT-1000.
Can't wait! Anyone want to purchase my FT-1000D?
Bill AA6TT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
William H. Hein, PO Bx 579, Ignacio, Colorado 81137-0579 USA
fone 970/883-2415 fax 970/883-2408 Internet aa6tt@frontier.net
AA6TT is in Tiffany, Colorado, grid square DM67fb
*** To subscribe to the 160m DX Internet mailing list, email the message
"subscribe" to topband-request@lists.frontier.net ***
>From ki8w@grfn.ORG (Barry Martz) Wed Aug 16 03:50:57 1995
From: ki8w@grfn.ORG (Barry Martz) (Barry Martz)
Subject: VPED
Message-ID: <9508160250.AA09279@grfn.ORG>
Hi All:
Hate to bring this up again but I need some help with making voice files for
VPED. I have Soundblaster 16, Pentium computer. Each time I try to record
a file, it says recording but it locks up. I can record ok on soundblaster.
What do I have set up wrong? What do I need to add?
Did someone say they had sound files to swap? If I can get this to work, I
will be glad to swap some sound files.
Thanks de Barry
ki8w@grfn.org
>From Jerry Sidorov" <jerry@ua9ar.urc.ac.ru Tue Aug 15 22:24:43 1995
From: Jerry Sidorov" <jerry@ua9ar.urc.ac.ru (Jerry Sidorov)
Subject: RK9AWN's claimed score (WAE '95 CW)
Message-ID: <ABR2HCmSn0@ua9ar.urc.ac.ru>
WAE CONTEST SUMMARY SHEET
Callsign used = RK9AWN
Band QSOs Points Ctys Mults
80 250 249 34 136
40 368 364 37 111
20 656 646 38 76
15 45 45 11 22
10 3 3 1 2
Total 1322 1307 121 347
QTCs sent 1320
Claimed score (1307+1320)*347 = 911,569
Equipment Home brewed TRCVR (just single one), military PA
IBM PC/AT 286, N6TR 4.05 (great stuff!)
Antennas 80/40 Sloper (wave on 40, but not enough sloped), top @37m
40 Phased dipoles @15m (hi), used to receiving
20 3el Yagi @25m
15 4L Yagi @23m
10 3 over 3 el Yagi @22&28m
Operators RA9AA, RA9AEW, UA9AR, RA9AX, RA9ANR, RA9ATU
Club or team None
Remarks As many ops as few rigs (hi), too poor antennas for 80, 40 and 20.
Bad propagation on 15 was very strange - Serge, RA9AA was hearing
EX guy who worked OK station on the RU1A's frequency without any
hearing RU1A and at the same time Serge didn't hear that OK guy!
On the other hand, we've started to use computer for serving of
contests. Even an old version of N6TR's LOG works fascinately!
Especially much joy was during sending QTC's. No hard paddle
keying, no tiresome checking of dupes of QSOs and QTCs. Few
fun cases occured with QTC asking - few QTCed guys asked QTC once
more, after "you have 10 QTCs already" answer they were say "Nah,
nothing like that!". The arguement "Computer doesn't mistake"
did them to having to check their QTCs list again. Unfortunately,
as far, as I see, v4.05 doesn't output band information onto LPT
port. It does us to have to pay additional attention during
switcing bands.
This is to certify that in this contest I have operated my transmitter within
the limitations of my license and have observed fully the rules and
regulations of the contest:
Signature _______________ Jerry, UA9AR Date 08/16/95
---
73, Jerry UA9AR.
Mail: Jerry Sidorov, P/O Box 9411, * E-mail: jerry@ua9ar.urc.ac.ru
Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russia *
>From Bob Patten <z002816b@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us> Tue Aug 15 16:50:23 1995
From: Bob Patten <z002816b@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us> (Bob Patten)
Subject: Computer and RFI
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9508151142.A2496-0100000@bcfreenet>
On Fri, 4 Aug 1995, Peter Jennings wrote:
> Put snap-on ferrites on the keyboard cable where it enters the
> computer. That has been the most common problem I have had with
> RFI and computers here. It can almost always be solved with ferrites.
>
> The keyboard and cable make a nice antenna.
>
I somehow got knocked off the reflector while on vacation and missed any
thread that might have followed this... Anyway, this describes my
problem to a tee and I'd like to know where I can find a few of these
snap-on ferrite beads? I have three networked computers in the shack all
of which are getting RF generated key strokes.
Tnx 73, Bob, N4BP
>From becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) Wed Aug 16 05:57:55 1995
From: becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) (Tony and Celia Becker)
Subject: VPED and PED files / 16 bit soundblaster bug
Message-ID: <199508160801.BAA00410@nova.unix.portal.com>
Barry Martz wrote:
>I have a Soundblaster 16. Each time I try to record a file, it says
>recording but it locks up. I can record ok on soundblaster.
>What do I have set up wrong? What do I need to add?
>
>Did someone say they had sound files to swap? If I can get this to work, I
>will be glad to swap some sound files.
The one bug reported with VPED is that it does not record from the 16 bit
soundblaster.
You are welcome to my voice files, contest files and the workarounds
suggested by the author, JE3MAS. Look for the files AE0MVPED.ZIP,
AE0MPED.ZIP and AE0MREAD.ME on John, K2MM's ftp site, MasPar.MasPar.com in
the /pub/k2mm/ped directory.
Please ask John if it is OK to upload your voice files as well. He can be
reached at k2mm@MasPar.com.
AE=D8M, Tony Becker - becker@shell.portal.com - Silicon Valley, U.S.A.
|