Jim, "what about mechanical limit switches on the rotator motor?" A possibility but that's probably best done when these units are back on the ground for service. That shouldnt be for quite a long ti
Jim & Gerald, Tnx for the info. Will need to look at limit switches for the future. Paul, W9AC "what about mechanical limit switches on the rotator motor?" A possibility but that's probably best done
Good advice, Joe. For now, I'm inclined to isolate circuit ground from chassis ground on the secondary side of the controller's power transformer. Of course, there's no guarantee during a strike even
Roger, Tnx for the MOV info. I'm also considering the addition of a second vacuum relay inside the M2 prop pitch controller. That would actually be the easiest solution and not be subject to an accid
John, Thanks for the added info. Last time I looked, GH didn't publish the full schematic set for the K7NV version of the rotator. But, I suspect it's doing the same thing: using a DPDT relay to isol
The good news is that there is FREE detailed terrain data available via download for most all of the continental US available from the USGS, as well as a nifty Freeware program called Microdem..." K6
"I don't want to start a brouhaha but would like to solicit opinions as to the best crimpers for crimping crimp type PL-259 connectors." I have Amphenol and RF Industries branded crimpers. The qualit
Forgot to add that I use Paladin two and three-step coaxial prep tools. These tools precisely prepare the coax to the correct cutting distance and depth. Paul, W9AC "I don't want to start a brouhaha
Don, I'm not sure of your budget for a replacement, but consider either a Hexacon or American Beauty iron in the 60W-100W range. As you know from your experience with Weller guns, it's not the wattag
Been enjoying the discussion... Questions concerning the Metcal heating technology: (1) In the event the RF heating element fails, what is the typical replacement cost?; and (2) should the RF heating
Back in May, I was discussing the addition of lightning protection in a M2 RC2800PX controller. At the time, I had installed a vacuum relay at the controller output to isolate the switching MOSFET fr
What do you prefer for your LMR-600 end connectors, female or male or does it make any difference? N4CC and I recently used male N connectors on both ends of the LMR-600 runs. The copper bulkhead we
Not sure about the best place, but RF Parts stocks the Amphenol/Connex 172123 for USD $4.95 ea. Paul W9AC _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Mike, There's "good-better-best" silver content. 5%-15% is common. You can get silver solder bars at a local welding supplier or on-line from vendors like this: http://www.gacopper.com/BrazingRod.htm
Use approved grounding clamps and conductor size to satisfy local code and NEC. Then augment the system with silver-soldered connections. Paul, W9AC Sent from my iPhone6 _____________________________
"For lightning grounds with a few connections, a proper mechanical clamp or an exothermic weld, both of which are readily available to hams, are as good or better than brazed connections using materi
wire? Hilarious! Not too hilarious on the day we were driving 24 ft. rods with a hammer drill just to get under 10-ohms in the sandy soil of North Florida. Repeated 4 times to get below that target.
Grant, You're right to be skeptical of clamp-on readings that appear too good to be true. When the reading seems unusually low, it's often because the clamp-on induction coil is pulsing an AC current
This fall, I will be adding multiple transceivers and amplifiers to a remote site. Unlike other web controlled devices, switching between amplifiers requires the simultaneous switching of Amp In/Amp
Also consider RG-400 in lieu of RG-142. It's the same outer diameter as RG-58 and RG-142, and uses a double-silver braid with copper/silver inner conductor. All inside shack cabling here is RG-400. W