Topband: Rig Question

Thu Jun 19 12:05:41 EDT 2014

Is my P3 Monitor worth it.  Yes. necessary no.  Does it allow me to work 
DX faster yes.  Pretty handy knowing exactly where the last guy the dx 
just worked was or the pattern the dx uses or finding holes in the pileups.

How many rigs have true diversity receive?  One?  Does it help? It sure 
does.  W6AM was using this long ago on his rombic farm. Does everyone 
need it?  No.

Phase noise in a MM situation can be awful.  K3's have minimized this.  
Many of the big dxpeditions are only taking K3's because of this and the 
best receiver available.  When you have the world calling you do need 
the best.

Thankfully we have choices.

Why should radio be any different than cars?  Why do we have so many 
choices?  They all go down the road at 65mph and are pretty safe.  There 
are far more choices in brands of cars and price points than ham radio.

The bottom line is that people like choices.  Thankfully we have them.

Mike W0MU

On 6/19/2014 9:54 AM, Carl wrote:
> What I dont understand is even the need for some of these fancy rigs.
>
> DXers and contesters on any band 160-10M havent really progressed much 
> in close to 30 years based upon the rig alone. PC control has been 
> around a long time and a simple external box can shape the TX/RX audio.
>
> Key clix, phase noise, ALC spikes, reliability problems, constant 
> updates/fixes, and more are still with us...no progress there.
> Overdriven SSB rigs and amps by those with a simian IQ are more 
> prevalent than ever IMO.
>
> Is a built in panadaptor really needed? I have a SM-230 and SM-240 
> that are rarely of any use on HF and especially 160. I use the SM-230 
> regularly on 6M CW DX due to the random nature of DX band openings and 
> fast moving E clouds.
>
> Advancements have been in receive antennas and control systems. Ive 
> never found a second receiver built in to be any help. OTOH I do have 
> a seperate rig, amp, split and fader controllable headphones, and 
> antenna selection switching matrix that allows me to be on 2 bands at 
> once chasing DXpeditions even on different modes.
> This is with mid to late 80's gear.
>
> Advancements in automatic amp and antenna/rotator control plus logging 
> and spotting networks are, again IMO, a primary reason for higher 
> contest scores and the xcvr used has little to do with it.
>
> With the huge acceptance of the TS-590 by all levels of ops it is a 
> big statement as to why spend $$$ for very little 
> improvement.....those who always want the biggest and best toys arent 
> included. Buy 2 and a second amp (lots of good used ones in the 
> $1000-1500 range) and spend less money than just a xcvr in some cases.
>
> Many hams Ive talked to are wasting 1-3dB in feedline loss by the time 
> they get to 10M. VSWR loss is additive to the flat loss making some 
> antennas even more lossy over a full band. CATV hardline; and cheap 50 
> Ohm versions with connectors are free to even less than scrap copper 
> these days as the 2 way and paging businesses have tanked.
>
> In the automotive world the Corvette and Mustangs (and toss the new 
> SRT/Dodge Viper into the mix) are giving even the highest priced Euro 
> cars fits on the tracks and dragstrips at a fraction of the 
> cost....there is American technology at its best where it is actually 
> measurable one on one unlike with ham rigs which are more a personal 
> and emotional choice, and perceived rather than real useful performance.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "W7RH" <midnight18 at cox.net>
> To: <topband at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2014 9:42 AM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question
>
>
>> Much of the discussion of todays transceivers is like comparing 
>> apples to apples. My situation did not require a big box status 
>> symbol with over a hundred button features. My requirements were 
>> standard communications interface ala serial, USB or Ethernet control 
>> with a decent receiver. Sub menus via computer screen.
>>
>> My ten year remote project started  before K3 days and most 
>> manufacturers could not satisfy the above requirement without silly 
>> interface boxes. Many of those who had the specific features had lack 
>> luster firmware and software control. My interest in remote operation 
>> due to big city life and restrictions fueled my multiscreen computer 
>> control and I ended up with a Kenwood TS480 with the narrow 270 Hz cw 
>> filter option.
>>
>> DXing is a casual operation for me and separate simple SDR with loop 
>> is used for basic split frequency operation. Proper adjustment of the 
>> attenuator, RF gain and ALC is the key to this radio specific 
>> performance. Dual receive diversity is through a simple audio mixer 
>> and really is seldom used.
>>
>> My option is not for everyone. However, with the typical longtime ham 
>> station for seasoned low bander or contester in the price range of a 
>> couple of Harleys or nice BMW it is not out of sight.
>>
>> The bottom line. A simple transceiver with quiet location and good 
>> antenna works for me. If you can't hear them you can't work them no 
>> matter what you spend.
>>
>> 73,
>> Bob W7RH
>>
>> http://w7rh.net
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> W7RH DM35OS
>>
>> Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be 
>> shot. Others look on it as a cow they can milk. Not enough people see 
>> it as a healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.
>> Winston Churchill
>>
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