|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 16, 2023 17:48:05 GMT -5
Am I crazy?
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 16, 2023 18:40:19 GMT -5
Not that I remember.
I just put up a dipole and cannot believe the amount of noise. My favorite repeater went D-star. I think I'm done.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Apr 16, 2023 18:43:48 GMT -5
Yes, you are.
|
|
argo
Wholenote
Posts: 402
|
Post by argo on Apr 16, 2023 19:37:35 GMT -5
Not that I remember. I just put up a dipole and cannot believe the amount of noise. My favorite repeater went D-star. I think I'm done. Now that I'm semi retired I have been spending more time with my radios and studying to test for Extra. I've notice a lot of HF noise also in the last few days, but we have a lot of rainy WX coming in. I recently bought an Icom id-4100 with d star, there doesn't seem to be any digital activity here in Northern Michigan. My next project is to get the interweb into my shack which is about 300 feet from my house through the trees.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 16, 2023 21:06:27 GMT -5
most of my hamming is digital... FT8, FT4, a little bit of CW... but i don't talk too much except with the local guys on the 2 meter repeaters. i've entered the DSTAR world and am learning the menu's on the radios. i get tangled up in them and sometimes and humbled. i'm learning to CROSSMODE from DSTAR to DMR using a gadget called OPEN SPOT 3. there are several DSTAR and DMR repeaters around here, so i don't have to use an internet connection if i don't want to. i have an ICOM 5100 in my pilot that does repeaters or i can connect it to the OPEN SPOT 3 and go thru the internet... the OPEN SPOT 3 will connect to my phone and when i'm in the car, i can use it connected with cellular data and the phone in hotspot mode.
i've recently become interested in a project called P(arks) O(on) T(he) A(ir)... POTA. hams take their stations portable to a park that has been registered with the POTA organization and set up. they take contacts from stations all over the world in all modes and bands. they are the activators, we are the hunters and receive awards for the number of parks we're able to make a confirmed contact with...
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 16, 2023 23:24:05 GMT -5
I have no interest in the digital modes. I liked talking around the world on ssb, am or cw. The only repeater that is used went D-star due to azzhats who would interfere with coms. I won't spend 500 for a radio for one repeater. LED lights and signals over the power lines have ruined HF. I have not put my gear for sale yet but am close. About a month ago I unhooked my antennas due to a storm and have not hooked them back up to the radios.
Been extra class since 2002 or so
|
|
argo
Wholenote
Posts: 402
|
Post by argo on Apr 17, 2023 5:49:06 GMT -5
One great thing about digital radio is, it seems to be causing a resurgence in the popularity of the hobby/sport. I'm having a hard time with the digital aspect, but it seems to come easier to a different generation.
I say sport beacuse of all the contesting, including POTA, SOTA and even IOTA (Islands on The Air). There maybe more but I'm just an OM.(Old Man)
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 17, 2023 8:10:30 GMT -5
you've been around it a while. i was licensed novice in 1987. i had tried to find a way to be a ham for years and FINALLY found a real live HAM who helped me get started and tested me. back in the day, the generals could give a novice test.
he owned a NAPA store and i took the test in the stock room... he tapped out CW on top of a cardboard box. i tested up and got my Extra in 1989 i think. the math drove me nuts. everyone talked about the CW being a problem but i never really had much. it was more like rhythmic dictation. just learning the rhythm patterns.
i guess i'll sound like an old fart at this point, but our hobby is not what it used to be. phasing out CW and passing out the answers to the tests so all people had to do was memorize them to pass has watered it down to where most are only appliance operators and CANNOT repair and maintain their equipment.
i'm not sure i could pass the tests nowadays... i was very conscientious and studied form that huge manual that heathkit company sold... i forget how many pages it was. i bought an ameco theory book and studied from it. my goal was to be the best ham i could be... and i was learning. i rebuilt power supplies, changed power transistors in radios, started fixing and refurbishing old 40's tube receivers... i was having a great time then my work load became intense and family responsibilities came... so for nearly 20 years i was inactive and i have forgotten a lot. it comes back slowly but i have to go look things up...
but i'm back now, retired and having a ball... still playing my instruments too. i don't have enough time for it all! trying to take care of the farm... i can't remember how i had time to work full time!
|
|
|
Post by HenryJ on Apr 17, 2023 8:17:04 GMT -5
There might have been one on the old FDP.
|
|
|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 17, 2023 9:04:38 GMT -5
Well, I guess we have one now.
I’m trying to decide what to do in the new home. I’ve never had a permanent HF station, always doing picnic table QRP portable. Now I’d like something permanent in my man cave, nothing fancy but 100W. I have a walkout attic from the man cave with a high roof peak, but with my back and balance issues I’m not sure I want to be walking on ceiling joists beyond the platform that is outside the door right now. The accessible part of the attic is about 40’ long, but it faces E-W which isn’t optimal for a wire. I can also get access to the back yard, but I’m not a big fan of antenna farms and I’d have to do battle with the HOA.
Right now I’m considering three compromise antenna options that I could raise on a pole in the attic right outside the access door and would get me on the air quickly:
1) a Hamstick “octopus” with dipoles for 40, 20, 6 and something else, tuned at the radio; or 2) some kind of magnetic loop with remote tuning; or 3) a screwdriver mobile antenna with added radials.
Decisions, decisions… I have a new Yaesu FT-891 on order that covers 6 on down. I really like 6, which is one of the reasons I haven’t bonded with the ICOM IC-718 I picked up used a few years back.
|
|
|
Post by tahitijack on Apr 17, 2023 10:42:39 GMT -5
You might want to consider setting up an internet radio station. It's not as hard or expensive as you might think.
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 17, 2023 11:13:49 GMT -5
You might want to consider setting up an internet radio station. It's not as hard or expensive as you might think. Might as well just get a headset for the play station.....
|
|
|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 17, 2023 11:15:46 GMT -5
You might want to consider setting up an internet radio station. It's not as hard or expensive as you might think. ? Do you mean a remote station where you access a distant xcvr via the web?
|
|
|
Post by markfromhawaii on Apr 17, 2023 11:22:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 17, 2023 11:35:33 GMT -5
Do you mean a remote station where you access a distant xcvr via the web? This and modes where you hook your radio to your laptop and talk over the internet. I looked into some of this but there is no challenge.
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Apr 17, 2023 14:04:23 GMT -5
I have no interest in the digital modes. I liked talking around the world on ssb, am or cw. The only repeater that is used went D-star due to azzhats who would interfere with coms. I won't spend 500 for a radio for one repeater. LED lights and signals over the power lines have ruined HF. I have not put my gear for sale yet but am close. About a month ago I unhooked my antennas due to a storm and have not hooked them back up to the radios.
Been extra class since 2002 or so
I was considering getting into this. You just saved me some money!
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 17, 2023 14:13:49 GMT -5
I was considering getting into this. You just saved me some money! Lots of people like the digital crap. I'm coming from a time when there was no digital. I got involved with work ect and took a 15 year break and nothing is the same. So I am a bit jaded. Check out your local HAM club they will let you do some hands on playing with the equipment. You may like it.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 17, 2023 19:46:09 GMT -5
Well, I guess we have one now. I’m trying to decide what to do in the new home. I’ve never had a permanent HF station, always doing picnic table QRP portable. Now I’d like something permanent in my man cave, nothing fancy but 100W. I have a walkout attic from the man cave with a high roof peak, but with my back and balance issues I’m not sure I want to be walking on ceiling joists beyond the platform that is outside the door right now. The accessible part of the attic is about 40’ long, but it faces E-W which isn’t optimal for a wire. I can also get access to the back yard, but I’m not a big fan of antenna farms and I’d have to do battle with the HOA. Right now I’m considering three compromise antenna options that I could raise on a pole in the attic right outside the access door and would get me on the air quickly: 1) a Hamstick “octopus” with dipoles for 40, 20, 6 and something else, tuned at the radio; or 2) some kind of magnetic loop with remote tuning; or 3) a screwdriver mobile antenna with added radials. Decisions, decisions… I have a new Yaesu FT-891 on order that covers 6 on down. I really like 6, which is one of the reasons I haven’t bonded with the ICOM IC-718 I picked up used a few years back. i like the idea of the octopus and have considered putting one on my chimney. i like the end fed half wave antennas. you could build one yourself that is almost invisible using stereo wire. i've used it and you just can't see it. 49:1 balun and some wire... read some of the theory. i put a 160/6 meter up last week as an inverted L and it's doing great.
i'm not familiar with the 891, but i am considering swapping my icom 7300 for the yaesu dx10... i like the idea of being able to control it remotely. i can attach keyboards and displays to it. there's a newer one that i want to look at, i can't remember the model at the moment, but it's a true SDR rig... i've heard the dx10 was discontinued, but i can't find that news anywhere. i do know that HRO is discounting it.
|
|
|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 17, 2023 20:14:06 GMT -5
Do you mean a remote station where you access a distant xcvr via the web? This and modes where you hook your radio to your laptop and talk over the internet. I looked into some of this but there is no challenge. We use the internet as a backbone to connect repeaters, it’s no different than how multi site public safety systems have worked for decades. But if RF isn’t being generated on each end, I’m not interested. I really want to work on my fist and more importantly my ear for the first time in ages. I’m a big fan of QRP, but to me that’s a CW world. I can only do so much with decoding and encoding software.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 17, 2023 21:29:33 GMT -5
This and modes where you hook your radio to your laptop and talk over the internet. I looked into some of this but there is no challenge. We use the internet as a backbone to connect repeaters, it’s no different than how multi site public safety systems have worked for decades. But if RF isn’t being generated on each end, I’m not interested. I really want to work on my fist and more importantly my ear for the first time in ages. I’m a big fan of QRP, but to me that’s a CW world. I can only do so much with decoding and encoding software. in this area, the digital repeaters are an ADDITION to the existing repeaters. nobody took anything down and replaced it. some of the repeaters do both, i think. i use an icom 5100 and it has digital and analog capability. i use them both.
i'm set up at the house with another 5100 that i can crossband around the farm and i have an allstarlink node that is a 440 receiver interfaced into my router and i can connect to other nodes around the world which transmit to a radio somewhere.
i've been using a little CW in my POTA hunts. i'm terrible... but i get thru. all i have to do is recognize their call sign and signal report and get mine to them in a way they can copy it. i've always used a straight key and last summer bought miniature paddle set... the 7300 has a keyer and that throws me off... i can't NOT listen to it as i'm sending... it's like playing/singing in a large place and you hear your sound thru the PA system a split second after you make it... like an echo. i have to force myself to not listen.
i agree about the RF... take that away and we may as well be using phones... but in a pinch, i have the applications on my phone capable of doing what my radio is.
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 17, 2023 22:01:07 GMT -5
n this area, the digital repeaters are an ADDITION to the existing repeaters. nobody took anything down and replaced it. In Cincinnati that is exactly what happened. The 145.35 repeater went Dstar only. It still shows busy almost all day on the S meter. Only thing is you have to buy an ICOM radio to use it. Yaesu has their digital protocol, Kenwood....... Then the HF protocols. Too damn expensive having to buy a radio for each.
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 17, 2023 22:58:47 GMT -5
It is supposed to be an emergency communications service. That distinction is being lost. When comms are dependent on the internet you lose comms when the internet is down.
I'll keep one HF EMP proof radio just in case. FT-101 serves me well.
|
|
|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 18, 2023 8:24:42 GMT -5
I owned a UHF repeater back in IL, I had a high site on a tall building with good coverage.
It was dual mode - if you talked to in analog, it would repeat analog as a stand alone site or as a part of a regional network, all analog. But if you talked to it in DMR, it did the same plus had the ability to retransmit anywhere in the world you wanted. What’s bad about that? I had emergency power so if any of the links were lost it still functioned as a local machine.
FM and digital VHF and UHF has gotten boring for me, and I want to get more active on HF. I may just stick up a single band Hamstick type dipole in the attic on 20M, and also a 6M Omniangle or similar. I can pick other bands after that, and probably get a more useful wire up there after surgery and I can get around better. I’ll keep looking at outside antenna options, too.
If I ever put up another repeater it will probably be on 900 dual mode NFM and P25.
|
|
|
Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 18, 2023 9:03:26 GMT -5
Change of plans for an HF antenna.
I ordered a 50’ EFLW that is advertised as being good for 6 through 40 using a tuner which is perfect for me. It may take a little time for me to be able to get out to the far end of the attic, so for the time being I’m going to stick my Elecraft AX1 or AX2 antenna on the tripod and use my KX3 with its internal ATU on QRP. When the FT-891 gets here I’ll figure out a ATU for it (either the Yaesu that is integrated with the FT-891 or a LDG) and swap it out for the KX3.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 18, 2023 10:20:21 GMT -5
Change of plans for an HF antenna. I ordered a 50’ EFLW that is advertised as being good for 6 through 40 using a tuner which is perfect for me. It may take a little time for me to be able to get out to the far end of the attic, so for the time being I’m going to stick my Elecraft AX1 or AX2 antenna on the tripod and use my KX3 with its internal ATU on QRP. When the FT-891 gets here I’ll figure out a ATU for it (either the Yaesu that is integrated with the FT-891 or a LDG) and swap it out for the KX3. i have two up now, one i use on the 7300 (80/6) and the other on the 7100 (160/6). i am amazed. on the 7300 chasing POTA, i can truthfully say that i've not called any station that has not responded. it may take a time or two or three in a pileup, but always a great report in both CW and SSB. it's set up as a flat top from the chimney to the top of a pine tree. i'm guessing it's more NVIS. the internal tuner tunes everything easily except 80 and i have to use the big ameritron tuner for that... when i'm on other bands, i turn the tuner to bypass... and use the internal.
the one on the 7100 is new. i just put it up last week. it's vertical (well, as vertical as i could get it going to a tree top) and grounded with a full length rod (whew!!! that was tough getting into the ground) at the top, i shot another line across a tree and pulled it across to make an inverted L so it's about 70' vertical and about 30' horizontal. it does great from 160/6. i used the LDG PRO 2K watt auto tuner. it tunes easily... some bands the tuner goes into bypass mode because it doesn't have to be tuned.
i'm thinking about selling my hustler 6BTV, this appears to be doing better. time will tell. i also have up a buckmaster off center fed dipole. but here in the valley, my signals go straight up, the hills around me smother the horizontal signals. the verticals take off rise just enough to get over the ridges and give me some decent DX.... watching the monitor reports in pskreporter.
we've been talking about downsizing to a smaller place but i want a few acres with no restrictions on antennas... it's hard to find anything with a little bit of land that doesn't cost a bundle. i hope my place sells for prices they want when i'm ready... but as my luck goes, when i put my place on the market, the real estate bubble will burst again and my place won't be worth anything
|
|
argo
Wholenote
Posts: 402
|
Post by argo on Apr 18, 2023 10:24:29 GMT -5
I'm trying to get more into HF also, Recently bought a FT-847 at a swap and using a G5RV for my antenna. I'm having trouble with 40 meters but can listen and check in to Mass. and South Dakota on 20 meters from Norhern Michigan, but can't get clear contact into Ohio on 40 meters. I've read that a this antenna is superior and still in my price range www.ni4l.com/zs6bkw-g5rv-optimized-multi-band-hf-dipole-antenna-poly-stealth/I live in the woods, so there are trees galore to hang it from. Thinking of hanging both with a switcher to do a side by side.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 18, 2023 11:09:15 GMT -5
I'm trying to get more into HF also, Recently bought a FT-847 at a swap and using a G5RV for my antenna. I'm having trouble with 40 meters but can listen and check in to Mass. and South Dakota on 20 meters from Norhern Michigan, but can't get clear contact into Ohio on 40 meters. I've read that a this antenna is superior and still in my price range www.ni4l.com/zs6bkw-g5rv-optimized-multi-band-hf-dipole-antenna-poly-stealth/I live in the woods, so there are trees galore to hang it from. Thinking of hanging both with a switcher to do a side by side. . 40 meters is pretty good in the evening and thru the night until the sun comes up. During the day i can barely get out of the back yard. 20 is good almost around the clock now. I've used g5rv successfully but the wind is hard on the ladder line. It kept breaking and SWR was terrible.
|
|
|
Post by K4 on Apr 18, 2023 11:41:05 GMT -5
My favorite band is 160 meters. Not too many CBer's on this band. However the noise is so bad it is almost un-usable. Mostly interference from LED lights and the signals from the power meters.
If you have the room just make a fan dipole, nothing hard about it and it makes a 50 match on each band you have it cut for.
Throw 12 to 24 ground radials on that Hustler and it will work better for DX than the end fed thing-a-ma-jig. Keep the end fed if you have any local nets.
|
|
michael
Wholenote
Recent Retiree
Posts: 620
Age: old enough to know better and not care
|
Post by michael on Apr 18, 2023 15:20:53 GMT -5
My favorite band is 160 meters. Not too many CBer's on this band. However the noise is so bad it is almost un-usable. Mostly interference from LED lights and the signals from the power meters. If you have the room just make a fan dipole, nothing hard about it and it makes a 50 match on each band you have it cut for. Throw 12 to 24 ground radials on that Hustler and it will work better for DX than the end fed thing-a-ma-jig. Keep the end fed if you have any local nets. i've used fan dipoles... i like them. my hustler is ground mounted with 60 radials cut approximately 1/4 wave for 40 meters. i didn't intend and don't use it on 80. i have the end fed grounded to one full length ground rod... i have been testing them side by side and find they're pretty much equally good/bad. the end fed is good 160/6 where the hustler is only 6 bands.
looking at the pskreporter monitors, there isn't much difference between the two. the hustler loads on 10 a little easier.
i've tried to download the WHISPER application and run tests on the 2 to compare the signal but my request to download hasn't been answered yet.
my qrz page is good... KM4IY
|
|
|
Post by Ricketi on Apr 18, 2023 17:12:01 GMT -5
It's all greek to me but I find this thread intriguing. The only radios I ever had were CBs
|
|