K8GP Delmarva VHF and Microwave Society
K8GP web site, home of the Grid Pirates Contest Group.
Yaesu FT-817 Audio Enhancement: Heathkit-inspired Homebrew Project
Technical Reference/Audio
Inspired by Heathkit, author aimed to enhance his Yaesu FT-817 with audio and RF processing. Design goals included a compact enclosure, PCB simplicity, matching jacks, a visual meter, and a built-in signal generator. Despite challenges in finding a suitable compressor IC for a 5V DC mic jack, he chose the Analog Devices SSM2165/2166 series. Prototyping with a solderless breadboard, author planned a PCB layout for its versatile performance in communication use.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2343
Aluminium Push Up Mast , Yaesu FT-710 QST Review, FT-710 Yaesu official web site, Short introduction to D-STAR, ICOM IC-7100 Review , Troubleshooting Data Mode Problems, Fix FT-757GXII blank display
Former Illinois Section Manager Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, SK
ARRL is sad to report that Thomas "Tom" T. Ciciora, KA9QPN, of Sandwich, Illinois, has become a silent key. He was 66 years old. Ciciora served as the Section Manager of the ARRL Illinois Section from 2006 - 2017. He was an ARRL Life Member. According to an obituary, Ciciora was active in several amateur radio clubs and had been the director of the Sandwich Emergency Management Agency. Ciciora w...
ARRL Headquarters to Be Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23, 2023, and Friday, November 24, 2023. There will be no W1AW bulletins, code practice, or visitor operations during that time.
ARRL Headquarters will reopen at 8:00 AM Eastern Time on Monday, November 27, 2023. We wish you and yours a hap...
VU2SWX Ham Radio blog
TT's Jottings-Blog of VU2SWX, Travails of an Indian Geek
tk8500 ICOM IC-R8500 Control Software
Software/Radio Control
tk8500 is open source software designed to control and program the ICOM IC-R8500 receiver.
Build an Arduino CW Decoder
Technical Reference/Arduino/Morse Code
An Arduino-Based Solution for 5-35 WPM Signals. Explore the circuit, controls, and setup of this innovative device designed by Allen Baker (KG4JJH). Decode Morse code efficiently, providing a valuable tool for operators, from novices to veterans, and offering a hands-on experience with Arduino technology.
SKYWARN Recognition Day Is Ready to Go
The 2023 SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) is December 2 from 0000z to 2400z. The event honors all SKYWARN storm spotters and amateur radio operators for their contributions to the National Weather Service (NWS) during severe weather. Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication to the NWS and emergency management when normal communications fail. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin...
H44WA Solomon Islands
DX Resources/DX Peditions/2023 DXpeditions
H44WA Solomon Islands November 15-29, 2023. A team of Western Washington DX Club amateur radio operators will activate Solomon Islands in November 2023.
PR0T Log Online
DX Resources/Logs
Online Log for PR0T Trinidade and Marim Vaz Islands 2023
The University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club, W3USR, Got a Facelift
With a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) for almost $200,000 and private donations of more than $20,000, the University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has installed new amateur radio equipment and antennas for its station, W3USR. The station is now located on the fifth floor of the university's Loyola Science Center and features state-of-the-art op...
A mobile radio installation
Operating Modes/Mobile
Detailing a Yaesu FT-857 and ATAS-120 installation in a 1997 Toyota Tacoma, the author used Polar Plot to map signal strength. Using a hand truck with a laptop, FT-817, and an Iron Horse antenna, they circled a chalk-outlined 100-foot diameter, revealing potential nulls towards the truck's rear and through the cab, offering insights into antenna performance.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2342
Three-Element Hex Beam Project, 40m Wire Antennas Comparison, 9:1 Balun and Unun, Building a new lithium battery, Dx-peditions365 App, Tripod Platform and Bi-Quad Antenna Mount, Band Decoder Arduino,
ARRL Audio News November 17, 2023
ARRL Audio News November 17, 2023
2023 ARRL November Sweepstakes Continues
The second part of the ARRL November Sweepstakes is for phone contacts, and it begins Saturday, November 18 at 2100 UTC, and runs through Monday, November 20 at 0259 UTC. The contest objective is to support amateur self-training in radiocommunications, including improving amateur operating skills, conducting technical investigations, and intercommunicating with other amateurs. Amateur stations i...
2023 ARRL Board of Directors Election Results
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® announces the results of the 2023 ARRL Division elections. ARRL Great Lakes Division Vice Director Scott Yonally, N8SY (2,175 votes), of Lexington, Ohio, defeated candidate Michael Kalter, W8CI (2,023 votes), for the position of Division Director. Yonally will assume the role when Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, who has held the seat since 2014, ...
Comparing Mobile whip versus EF HW Vertical
Antennas/End-Fed/End Fed Half Wave Antenna
PH0NO conducted field tests comparing a mobile antenna (DX-UHV) to an end-fed half-wave wire. Results on 20m showed the end-fed wire outperforming the mobile antenna, with a significant difference in signal strength. On 40m, the end-fed wire surpassed the mobile antenna in spots and reach. While the mobile antenna is more practical, the end-fed wire offers superior performance. Further testing is planned.
W6BW Mountain Amateur Radio Club
Official web site of the mountain amateur radio club w6bw, oakhurst ca.
FT-817 Audio Speech Compressor: Boosting Signal Power with SSM2165
Technical Reference/Audio
Designed for the FT-817, this audio speech compressor, centered on the Analog Devices SSM2165, offers a 40 dB compression range, enhancing signal power. Built externally with the SMD version to preserve warranty, the circuit interfaces smoothly with electret microphones. Testing shows a 6 dB average power increase. Adaptable to rigs with electret microphones, it maintains unity gain and 40 dB compression.
Delta Loop vs End Fed Half Wave on 20m
Antennas/End-Fed
Intrigued by a German OM positive experience with a 20m delta loop, the author replicated the design, noting its favorable 50-ohm impedance compared to their 40m version. Testing against a vertical EFHW, the delta loop excelled within EU but lagged at longer distances. Despite needing more testing, the user leaned towards the EFHW for its overall performance and practicality.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2341
Performance of 49:1 Ferrite Core Transformers, Variations on a Dipole, Yaesu FTDX101D QST Review, GP Antenna for 1296 MHz, Repair of an FT-1000 MP Mark V , Cloverleaf Antenna, CWvox
Yaesu FT-857 Repair: Tackling a Sense Wire Issue
Radio Equipment/HF Transceivers/Yaesu FT-857
After owning the second-hand radio for a few months, it developed a sense wire failure, limiting output to 20 watts. Yaesu support advised the owner, an Electrical Engineer, to investigate. The issue was traced to a blown digital transistor, Q1032. Yaesu provided free replacements, revealing intricate internal components during the repair.
W1AW Closed Thursday November, 16, 2023
W1AW will be closed to visitors on Thursday, November 16 for building maintenance. The station's regular operating schedule, including code practice and bulletins, will not be affected. W1AW will reopen on Friday, November 17 at 8:00 am Eastern time.
ARRL Hails FCC Action to Remove Symbol Rate Restrictions
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® reports that earlier today, the FCC Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Amateur Radio Service rules to replace the baud rate limit on the Amateur HF bands with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit to permit greater flexibility in data communications.
“The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to incentivize innovation and experi...
The CW Typewriter: A Morse Code to ASCII Converter
Technical Reference/Morse Code Decoder
The CW typewriter is a compact adapter board that transforms Morse code into ASCII characters using an Iambic key. It connects to a computer via USB, emulating the keyboard. The device features inputs for Iambic keying and a WPM speed potentiometer, and outputs for a key and a speaker for side tone. The device can be used with various software and online typing games for practice, offering a unique and interactive way to learn and use Morse code.
Antenna Manufacturing: How to Prevent Galvanic Corrosion
Antennas/Homebrewing Techniques
Galvanic corrosion, a destructive process triggered by dissimilar metal contact in a corrosive electrolyte, poses a significant threat in antenna manufacturing. With aluminum and stainless steel components commonly involved, unaddressed corrosion can lead to white particle accumulation, causing long-term damage. Awareness of the galvanic series and the application of protective coatings like Alumslip can mitigate this pervasive issue, ensuring a prolonged antenna lifespan.
Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2340
End Fed Antenna for WARC Bands, Open-Folded W8JK Antenna for HF, 8010 Enfed Antenna, Repeaters a guide for Beginners, Yaesu FT-710 Brochure, Yaesu FT-818 Details, 23cm Yagi antenna,
Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club
Located in Port Richey, Florida in Pasco County, West Central Florida just Northwest of Tampa.
Unearthing VHF Contest Secrets: An In-Depth Analysis
DX Resources/Contest/Contest Results
In this article, authors delve into the inner workings of the IARU R1 VHF contest, the world's largest 2m contest. While activity levels are declining, the top performers consistently maintain their results. Authors explore the physical constraints of achieving higher point totals and speculate on various factors like improved technical capabilities, increased interference, and evolving station setups. It is a fascinating journey into the contest's dynamics, leaving room for intriguing speculations about its future.
ARRL Audio News November 10, 2023
ARRL Audio News November 10, 2023
Enhancing Performance with W8JK/MOXON Antenna Variant
Antennas/Moxon
F5NPV introduces a variant of the W8JK antenna design, employing the MOXON principle. With extended monopoles, it outperforms the Open-Folded W8JK, yielding a 1dbd gain improvement, enhanced performance on 30m and 10m bands, bi-directionality, and lower side attenuation. The design's focus on higher radiation impedance results in increased antenna efficiency and reduced losses. Despite these improvements, the bill of materials remains unchanged.
Changes in the ARRL Pacific Section
Section Manager of the ARRL Pacific Section Joe Speroni, AH0A, has retired from the position. Speroni served in the role for 7 years. He was active with ARRL in a variety of positions dating back to the creation of the Volunteer Examiner program in 1984. He has also been an instructor and Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC). His contributions to emergency communications and management in the Hawa...
The First Worked All States Certificate Awarded for the 33-Centimeter Band
On November 4, 2023, Al Ward's, W5LUA, 38-year quest to contact all 50 states on the 33-centimeter band ended when he received the first-ever Worked All States (WAS) certificate for (902 - 928 MHz). Ward started collecting states on the band shortly after it was opened in 1985. "I am extremely grateful to Peter Van Horne, KA6U, for his EME [Earth-moon-Earth] efforts. I was able to work Wisconsin...
70Mhz (4 metre) Delta Loop Antenna
Antennas/Delta loop
Discover the success story of creating a 4-meter Delta Loop antenna, ideal for improving radio communication. This horizontally polarized antenna offers efficient performance when mounted at VHF heights, catering to both HF and VHF characteristics. A simple, DIY project suitable for portable setups, providing versatile options for radio enthusiasts.
|
