Kenwood 1.8khz SSB filter

Wed Jan 4 20:14:52 EST 1995

>In my original response to N1EPU's filter survey, I forgot to include my
>experience with the Kenwood 1.8Khz SSB filter. In my experience it hurt
>intelligibility more than it helped by reducing QRM. I ended up taking it
>out
>and selling it.

>K6LL at mcimail.com

I agree. The 1.8 is worthless. The 250hz CW filter, however, is excellent.
I use mine all the time, except when running in a contest. It's expensive,
but has great shape factor.                      
                             Jeff K0OD
     jfsinger at delphi.com

>From James White <0006492564 at mcimail.com>  Thu Jan  5 00:47:00 1995
From: James White <0006492564 at mcimail.com> (James White)
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 95 19:47 EST
Subject: Mopar enthusiasts
Message-ID: <81950105004718/0006492564PK4EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

...to those who noticed my reference to our new fifteen meter beam as being
the:
                Mega Monster 426-Hemi Yagi

....yes, this is indeed a reference to the ole Mopar, the beam's boom (3/4
wvlgth-odd multiple of a qtr wave) is 426 inches long....it only seemed
appropriate for such a killer beast to be likened to the Hemi. 

...............besides, in my book Road Runner still rules!

                        meep meep
                                                       zx

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 'ACME' LINEAR AMPLIFIER KIT XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ...you provide the smoke!...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

>From Steve Sacco <0006901972 at mcimail.com>  Thu Jan  5 01:21:00 1995
From: Steve Sacco <0006901972 at mcimail.com> (Steve Sacco)
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 95 20:21 EST
Subject: A/B Coax Switches Part Deux
Message-ID: <92950105012129/0006901972DC2EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

> Here's a subject I've never seen discussed - what do folks use to switch
> between the "A" and "B" rigs when using two radios in a contest?
> blah blah...

Sorry - I now realize that I could have made this more clear - I am refering
to the DPDT type of switch - where Rig "A" goes to antenna "A", and "B" goes
to antenna "B", and when you SWITCH, Rig "A" is on antenna "B", and so on.

Thanks again.

Please respond to me directly: ssacco at mcimail.com; I'll compile a summary of
the answers and repost - this stikes me as a subject of interest to most of
us.

73/HNY

Steve KC2X
Narcoosee, Florida

>From Steven Affens <k3sa at access.digex.net>  Thu Jan  5 04:10:09 1995
From: Steven Affens <k3sa at access.digex.net> (Steven Affens)
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 1995 23:10:09 -0500 (EST)
Subject: VHF Rover
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950104230800.5109D-100000 at access4.digex.net>

Ken asked me to post this for him.  I'm not sure if there is a VHF 
reflector, so I thought it would be best here:
Msg #326  From: KP4XS  Date:  3-Jan 0132Z  Subj: VHF Contest Grid Rove!
  Hi There,
         I will be doing a Serious Grid Rove expedition for the
January VHF sweepstakes the weekend of January 21/22. 
The reason it will be serious will not be for score but to
 make sure that I spend as much time in the grids as possible and
 allow all who need it to work it.
   The order of the rove will be FM15-FM25-FM26 then either FM16 or FM27
and possibly ending with FM28 in Delaware. I will be running at   least
100 watts per band and 400 on 2m. The bands will be 2/222/432/903/1296
 W3ZZ needs 4 of those grids on 903 so they must be rare on 903.
 He also says that as far as he can remember that there has not been any 
222 
activity from fm15.
 I will move around in a grid if needed until it is worked by any that 
need 
it for a new one.  I haven't calculated an itinerary yet but I should 
have it 
all figured out by next week.
If you need one of these grids on any of those bands please let me
know and I will give it that much more of an effort for you.
Please let your VHF friends know about my trip and spread the news on the act
ivity hours. I plan on having a designated coordinating freq.
 and will also let you know about it. I would like to schedule a smuch as 
possible which will make it easier for me to plan my travel times.
 let me know what you need. 73 de Ken

Steven C. Affens
K3SA at ACCESS.DIGEX.NET

>From Mr. Brett Graham" <bagraham at HK.Super.NET  Thu Jan  5 08:56:19 1995
From: Mr. Brett Graham" <bagraham at HK.Super.NET (Mr. Brett Graham)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 16:56:19 +0800
Subject: Dayton dates?
Message-ID: <199501050856.AA13701 at is1.hk.super.net>

I'l++0l be going to NAB in Vegas this April.  I might be ab++0le to
swing a hop to Dayton, but don't know the dates...  Could somebody drop me
a quick note with the dates for this year?  Greatly appreciated.

73, VS6BrettGraham aka VR2BG bagraham at hk.super.net

>From blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy)  Thu Jan  5 16:29:08 1995
From: blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy) (Keith wb9tiy)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 10:29:08 -0600 (CST)
Subject: A/B Coax Switches Part Deux
Message-ID: <m0rPv3k-0007w4C at golden.ripco.com>

RE: Two Radios and Coax switch...

Anybody ever have a problem zapping a radio when using a simple relay or coax 
switch and switching 2 radios between antennas ??

I'm thinking about problems due to lack of isolation between radios.  I know 
that when "we" do VHF contests, on 6M we use 2 relays to increase isolation 
between the radios (yes, we use two radios all the time) when we transmit.  
The second relay acts as an extra "X" dB of isolation so we don't zap the 2nd 
receiver when transmitting.

I know that you get a lot more isolation at 3.8 or 7 or 14 MHz then you do at 
50 MHz but, has anybody ever checked the power level going into the 2nd 
receiver when using a single DPDT switch or relay ??

Keith WB9TIY
Society of Midwest Contesters
blckhole at ripco.com
-- 

>From georgen at redwood.stortek.com (George Noyes x5698)  Thu Jan  5 16:29:00 1995
From: georgen at redwood.stortek.com (George Noyes x5698) (George Noyes x5698)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 95 09:29:00 MST
Subject: KC1XX usnail address?
Message-ID: <9501051629.AA17731 at redwood.stortek.com>

Anyone know Matt's, KC1XX mailing address? The callbook one doesn't
appear to be "operational"

tnx george, w1xe   email: georgen at redwood.stortek.com

>From sellington" <sellington at mail.ssec.wisc.edu  Thu Jan  5 11:06:30 1995
From: sellington" <sellington at mail.ssec.wisc.edu (sellington)
Date: 5 Jan 95 11:06:30 U
Subject: A/B Coax Switches Part Deux

>I know that you get a lot more isolation at 3.8 or 7 or 14 MHz then you do at 
>50 MHz but, has anybody ever checked the power level going into the 2nd 
>receiver when using a single DPDT switch or relay ??

Even at 14 MHz, the isolation probably depends more on the wiring layout
than the relay itself, so I'd expect wide variations.

Scott  K9MA

>From georgen at redwood.stortek.com (George Noyes x5698)  Thu Jan  5 17:41:24 1995
From: georgen at redwood.stortek.com (George Noyes x5698) (George Noyes x5698)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 95 10:41:24 MST
Subject: KC1XX adr
Message-ID: <9501051741.AA19093 at redwood.stortek.com>

Adr rcvd, tnx de George, W1XE

>From Dravland, Todd" <ToddD at dci.state.sd.us  Thu Jan  5 21:52:00 1995
From: Dravland, Todd" <ToddD at dci.state.sd.us (Dravland, Todd)
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 95 13:52:00 PST
Subject: SprINT, etc..
Message-ID: <2F0C68F4 at sdmailgw.state.sd.us>

WD0T    SD    131q's

107 -40m
 24 -  80m

Conditions were great on 40m with K4PQL the loudest, then WA2SRQ, K2TW. 
 Never
did hear WQ5L, but heard others working him.  Strange conditions.  Most 
worked
stations WA2SRQ - 13,  K4PQL and K6LL - 10 each.  80m was very noisy and 
weak
signals abounded, albeit my 80m inv.  dummy load was probably most of the 
problem.   Best names were Gozer and God.  Anyhow, was my 1st internet 
sprINT and
I love the format!!  thanks for all the q's!

My 1st question to the net is:  What do you use to put the paper log into 
ASCII format??
Do you use a word processing program or what??

Next question:  I am wondering if it is worth the effort to elevate the 
bottom of my wire
inverted L for 160m and put radials at the 10 ft level, instead of on the 
ground.  I could put up appox 8 elevated radials through small trees , on 
the roof of the house, etc..  Has anyone compared this to using 8 or so 
radial ground mounted and is it worth the try.  My inverted L would have 55 
ft vertical and the remainder horizontal in the elevated radial 
configuration.  I am trying to get something decent to work on 160m for the 
upcoming NAQP's.  If there is enough response, I will post.  Thanks!! :-))

See you in the fracas!

todd, WD0T

ToddD at DCI.STATE.SD.US

>From Skelton, Tom" <TSkelton at engineer.ClemsonSC.ATTGIS.COM  Thu Jan  5 23:16:00 1995
From: Skelton, Tom" <TSkelton at engineer.ClemsonSC.ATTGIS.COM (Skelton, Tom)
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 95 15:16:00 PST
Subject: And another one bites the dust....
Message-ID: <2F0C7DD0 at admin.ClemsonSC.ATTGIS.COM>

<del>
Scott KA9FOX
ka9fox at aol.com

(Sorry, won't be on for NAQPs... thing with new YL is FB!!!!)
 ----------

And another one bites the dust....

73, Tom WB4iUX
Tom.Skelton at ClemsonSC.ATTGIS.COM

>From George Cutsogeorge <0006354141 at mcimail.com>  Thu Jan  5 21:37:00 1995
From: George Cutsogeorge <0006354141 at mcimail.com> (George Cutsogeorge)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 95 16:37 EST
Subject: A/B Switching.
Message-ID: <53950105213735/0006354141PK3EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

My station in NJ was set up for SO2R and Multi-2 and I used
a DPDT vacuum relay to switch between two amplifiers and 2
towers. The relay was mounted in a Bud box with UHF connectors
and was wired as a reversing switch.

The measured isolation at 20 meters was 40dB using a single
50 ohm load on the transmit side.  That assumes the receiving
antenna picks up no signal from the xmtr and is a high impedance
at the transmitting frequency.  The contact capacitance was
specified as 1pf and in the reversing hook up two contacts
are involved, so the isolating capacitance was 2pf.  If the
isolation with 2pf and 50 ohms is calculated, it yields 41dB.

This is enough isolation to prevent damage to a set of receiving
filters and to most radios.  It is also more isolation than
existed between many antennas (all monobanders) in my yard
yard.

Of course I am referring to a power level of 1500 watts or less.
Receiving filters were necessary to prevent damage to the radios.
I recall measuring 25 volts into a 50 ohm load from the 160
meter inverted vee when transmitting on the 80 meter sloper
array.  Anything over 5 volts can be damaging to many radios.

George, W2VJN           mbx:  gcutso at mcimail.com

>From blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy)  Thu Jan  5 21:44:39 1995
From: blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy) (Keith wb9tiy)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 15:44:39 -0600 (CST)
Subject: FT1000 audio solutions
Message-ID: <m0rPzz6-000Kl4C at foley.ripco.com>

Thanks to all those who responded to my question concerning the REAL fix for 
low FT1000 audio when using Heil Proset headphones !!

Tnx to WA6BXH, N6CQ/3, KG7D, WB5CRG, WE9V, KO9Y and mnay other !

--------------------

There are multiple fixes, YMMV, Buyer beware, ect.

1) Per Yaesu AN-94610A:
   Replace R9607/R9610 on the SHP unit with 10K carbon film resistors.
   Replace R9608/R9611 on the SHP unit with 470K resistors.
   This mod is supposed to increase audio gain by 13 dB per the app note.

2) Per Yaesu AN-94610, dated 9 June, 1994.
   Entitled "Low audio when using Heil headphone w/ FT1000"
   Replace C9611/C9612 on SHP unit with 1000 uF, 25V cap's.
   Per app note, this mod will "increase audio level".

---------------------

The SHP board is accessed from the BOTTOM and is located in the left, front, 
between the "RF unit" and the "local unit" (per Yaesu AN-94610).

KG7D suggests leaving the leads longer then required to allow the components 
to be bent over.  Probably due to a clearance problem associated with the 
bottom cover.  He reports the audio level to be acceptable, without distortion.

Good luck !!

Keith WB9TIY
Society of Midwest Contesters
blckhole at ripco.com

>From fish at crl.com (Bill Fisher, KM9P  Concentric Systems, Inc.)  Thu Jan  5 22:35:17 1995
From: fish at crl.com (Bill Fisher, KM9P  Concentric Systems, Inc.) (Bill Fisher, KM9P  Concentric Systems, Inc.)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 14:35:17 -0800
Subject: YO & Hairpin summary
Message-ID: <199501052235.AA26301 at mail.crl.com>

I received a number of responses to my question about matching a low
impedance (15 - j19) yagi antenna with a hair pin.  According to to K4VX and
K9MA I should have been able to match it to 1.24:1.  

Scott, K9MA says...

If the driven element was really 15.3-j19.6, you should have been able 
to get down to 1.24:1 with the hairpin.  15.2-j23.0 would allow you
to get to 1:1.  My guess is that as you change the length of the driven
element the real part of the impedance changes along with the imaginary
part such that you never end up with a combination that allows perfect
matching with the  shunt reactance of the hairpin.  The equation that
has to be satisfied is:  X^2=R(Ro-R), where the DE impedance is R+jX and
Ro is the feedline impedance (50 Ohms, I presume).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------

Everyone I talked to about YO said that it does not predict the match,
either hairpin or gamma correctly.

About this, KZ2S says...

1.)  The information from YO for hairpins is not very useful.  It
does not give accurate results.  I think this is because the
algorithm models the hairpin as a shorted transmission line to
calculate inductance of the hairpin.  With the shapes of the hairpins
we usually use for matching (short/fat stubs), I think this
assumption begins to fall apart.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------

Several people suggested to me that once you go below 20 - J20 that things
start to get a little flakey...  In that I mean very small changes in the
matching network make big differences in impedance.  Several of you
suggested buying YO 6.0, which has the ability to set a low impedance
threshold like in AO.  One thing I found interesting, was that N0XX at DX
Engineering, said I should be able to match that the low impedance with the
hairpin.  But, of the 3 antennas I own of theirs, all have impedances higher
than 20 - J20.  

Regarding the actual process of matching the antenna on the tower, Dave
Leeson, W6QHS had the most to say...

In any event, my experience with beta matching is that the driven element 
length is the main variable...I use a physical (coil) inductor so it is easy 
to adjust the inductance without a stretch, and I mount the antenna 
temporarily on the tower so I can reach the driven element easily...my 
experience is that the antenna impedance tends to be higher than predicted by 
YO by a few ohms...I use an MFJ bridge on the tower, and adjust the element 
length for minimum SWR, then the inductor, then the length, etc...a 
difference of 1/2" is significant, so go slowly...when you have the thing 
matched, then find a capacitor that resonates with the inductor near the 
antenna frequency (use the SWR bridge with a 47 ohm series resistor, the 
capacitor and the inductor, and find the frequency of the SWR minimum...then 
build up the beta inductor and adjust it's length on the boom to resonate at 
the same frequency with the same capacitor...when connected, you will be very 
close...you can make fine adjustments with the wire length from the balun to 
the driven element, and sometimes it is better to connect the beta match 
across the balun rather than across the driven element (puts the line length 
into the driven element length...the beta inductance is really secondary, so 
long as it is large enough so it doesn't bring the real part of the impedance 
down too much...it's the reactance of the driven element that is the main 
variable, and it's too bad that adjusting it is so time-consuming, but once 
done the thing works fine...you can look at an antenna and see the impedance 
level from the length of the beta match (infinite length if 50 ohms, very 
short for less than 20 ohms).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------

John Golomb, KZ2S, is doing some really interesting stuff with AO regarding
this subject.  I think he will submit it to the NCJ for publication after
little more work.  I don't want to give it away here.

I received several other responses, but these seemed to be most applicable
to my problem.  Thanks all and I hope this is of some help to you.  
---
Bill Fisher, KM9P   -    Concentric Systems, Inc.  

>From Pete Stafford <mxyztplk at water.waterw.com>  Thu Jan  5 22:38:19 1995
From: Pete Stafford <mxyztplk at water.waterw.com> (Pete Stafford)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 17:38:19 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Contest Ranking System
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9501051713.E18746-0100000 at water.waterw.com>

Just before the holidays I posted  a message comparing Bridge and 
Contesting, with an eye to adapting the Duplicate (competitive) Bridge 
scheme of ranking players to radio contesting.  Basically I suggested:
  Track performance over a lifetime of contesting
  Accumulate "points" based on performance within categories (State, 
Zone, SOA, QRP - however the sponsor sets it up)
  Award points for placing in the top x% of particpants in the category, 
with most points to 1st place, fewer to second, etc.
  Rank the category so that more important contests award more points for 
placing highly.
  Placing nationally or globally award more points.
  Award rankings "Master Contester", "National Contester", "World 
Contester", etc. to attainment of certain point totals.

I got only five responses: W0CP, WY0J, K5ED, K5GN, and K8JLF.  All were 
supportive.  I found out that competitive Chess does much the same 
thing.  It was recognized that the scheme will reward consistent 
participation regardless of category, and perhaps address the regional 
inequities problem, and increase participation in 'unfavored regions'.

Perhaps the greatest impediment here is that a program such as this must 
be administered by someone or some organization.  I think doing it 
privately would doom it to failure, so ARRL, CQ, maybe a big Contest Club 
would have to handle it.

According to Dave, K8JLF, N0AX is chairing a group developing a rating 
system for Contest Ops, but points would not accumulate, so it probably 
would emphasize the big guns.

Frankly, I was surprised that only 5 responses were received.  This could 
be a major change in contest incentives, and I think would greatly expand 
participation and interest, but when 20 people respond to a question on 
Vertical antennas but only 5 to this, I come to the conclusion that it's 
not ready for prime time.
73 de Pete  mxyztplk at water.waterw.com

>From Patricia A Smith <pasmith at badlands.NoDak.edu>  Fri Jan  6 02:43:31 1995
From: Patricia A Smith <pasmith at badlands.NoDak.edu> (Patricia A Smith)
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 20:43:31 -0600 (CST)
Subject: BHCC NAQP Teams
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9501052031.A64393-0100000 at badlands.NoDak.edu>

I'm probabaly a bit behind the power curve, but am recruiting team 
members for Black Hole Contesting Conspiracy teams for the NAQPs.

Got one team filled and four slots one the second team.

Team names:  BLIZZARD and ALBERTA CLIPPER.

Sign up by sending me an email and I will handle registration.

73 bob ND1H Grand Forks, North Dakota

pasmith at badlands.nodak.edu