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Today — 14 July 2024Ham Radio Blogs

Grading antennas

✇W2LJ QRP - When you care to send the very least!
By: QRP - When you care to send the very least!
14 July 2024 at 18:49
At Lake George last week, I had the opportunity to use four different antennas. My thoughts and impressions of each:

My Buddistick magmounted to the car roof was a clear winner. I was able to work a couple of European stations within minutes of each other. Had I brought along my camping chair, I would have stayed with the Buddistick a lot longer. Standing hunched over behind my open hatch back was aggravating the bursitis in my hip. I have used this setup before when I used to do a lot of lunchtime radio from tbe parking lot at work, and in fact, I had written an article about it that appeared in the February 2014 edition of CQ magazine. I am hoping the nano VNA will help me determine sweet spots for 40 through 10 Meters.

Second was the PAR ENDFEDZ used as a sloper in conjunction with a 20 foot Shakespeare crappie pole as a mast. This worked exceedingly well, also. Next year, I plan to bring the Jackite for an added extra 11 feet in height. Wire antennas seem to be a favorite of mine going back to my Novice days. I know that wire in the air will not disappoint.

Third was the AlexLoop. This antenna performed satisfactorally and was the clear winner for ease in changing bands, Just tune the capacitor and you're good to go. It might not have heard as well, or gotten out as well as the Buddistick or Par, but I was glad I brought it along and will continue to do so in the future.

AX1. I didn't use it long enough a proper evaluation. On first try, I was not really impressed, but I have it used before with decent results. It would think that going forward, it will be my last resort if any other solutions appear viable. But I have to keep in mind that many KX2 and KH1 users rave about this antenna, so I will keep an open mind.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

Experiments with the QMX+

✇Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog
By: Roger G3XBM
14 July 2024 at 14:34

 At the moment, I am testing my QMX+ transceiver on 15m and 10m QRP FT8. I am still experimenting to see what sequence I have to use to get the QMX+ soundcards to be recognised by the Windows 10 PC.  Currently it works fine although I cannot remember the sequence in which I plugged things in!!  

Also, the audio levels need increasing on the higher bands. This can be done by putting the PC in terminal mode and adjusting some numbers. I have yet to do this.

Overall, I think the QMX+ is a good rig. It will be even better when I adjust the audio levels on the higher bands.

July 14, 2024. A Vintage 1957 Solid State Transmitter.

✇N6QW ~ The Ham Oracle
By: N6QW
14 July 2024 at 13:24

In 1957 I had two important subjects firmly on my mind: Girls and Only 2 more years before I could escape my boring town in Western Pennsylvania -- about 30 Miles from Butler, PA which of course is in the news today.

That is my excuse for not spotting this jewel when it was first published in 1957.



Wow! A 200 milli-watt CW transmitter, all solid-state using RCA Transistors. With some attention to biasing you likely could pop in the circuit, transistors like the 2N3906, 2N2907, 2N4403 or a 2N2905. The Oscillator is a Common Base, and the Amp is a Common Emitter.

[Check Google as to why the Common Base for the Oscillator like Voltage Gain, Input Impedance, Stability, Biasing etc.]

Speaking of Biasing note the use of multiple batteries versus resistance biasing. The Oscillator is keyed, and the Oscillator/Amp is switched on during transmit using SW1. By switching on SW2 a lesser collector voltage is applied likely a spotting signal.

There are three meters in the rig and the output circuit and antenna tuner should provide for good harmonic suppression. Note also JIC (just in case), the output has a wavemeter coupled to the output to assure you are transmitting with "max smoke" on the right band. BTW 200 milliwatts of RF at 7MHz was a big deal in 1957!

I will bet the signal quality, in large, depended on the crystals being used. The plated type might yield a whoop, whoop sound as you keyed the rig. A good place for the FT-243 type.

You can find the complete article by searching for N4TRB + RCA Ham Tips ~ July 1957. This schematic has great potential for a 2024 makeover with less parts, less cost and more power output. 

Again, the fun of looking at something from 67 years ago and remaking it with modern components. There is also another incentive to not directly replicate this design -- the cost. The eBay auction site currently has an RCA 2N140 transistor for about $20 shipped.







TYGNYB.

73's
Pete N6QW

Electromagnetic Waves -- Sir Lawrence Bragg -- Royal Institution (Video)

✇SolderSmoke Daily News
By: Bill Meara
14 July 2024 at 11:14

This is a really wonderful video.  I especially liked his presentation on the nature of the EM spectrum, and his use of the centimeter waves to demonstrate wave behaviour.   The two slit experiment was very nice.  Sir Lawrence's presentation on SWR was brilliant.  

Still, you wonder how would all this be done if those waves of Sir Lawrence (and Young, Maxwell and Faraday) were considered to be the photons that they also really are? 

In any case, three cheers for the Royal Institution: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/search?q=Royal+Institution  


Special QSL Card: RTI Direct from Tamsui July/August 2024

✇The SWLing Post
By: Thomas
14 July 2024 at 11:02
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gérard Koopal, who writes: Dear Thomas, See below for a schedule from RTI stating their direct transmissions/programs from Tamsui Taiwan in German starting this Friday [July 12]. Reports can be sent to: deutsch@rti.org.tw or by post: Radio Taiwan International, German Service, P.O. Box 123-199, Taipei 11199, Taiwan. They also […]

Bob shares a 1968 off-air recording of Radio Australia

✇The SWLing Post
By: Thomas
14 July 2024 at 10:55
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Purse, owner and curator of the excellent Inches Per Second audio archive and blog, who recently posted a 1968 recording of Radio Australia. This recording is in the queue to be published on the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive, but I thought I’d share it here first since I know […]

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of Rádio Mitre (July 14, 2024)

✇The SWLing Post
By: Thomas
14 July 2024 at 10:55
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art and recording from Rádio Mitre: Carlos notes: “…World commotion, Donald Trump assassination attempt. It was at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. While the Republican candidate was giving his speech, several shots were heard and immediately afterwards he fell with a wound […]

MY AX1 Kit

✇WB3GCK QRP Amateur Radio
By: WB3GCK
14 July 2024 at 10:38

I’ve had a lot of fun with my Elecraft AX1 antenna since I bought it six or seven years ago. I’ve activated several parks with it, and it has yet to let me down. Running five watts into a 45-inch whip shouldn’t really work, but somehow it does. While I don’t always use it as my primary antenna, I always take it along on outings as a backup. 

I have used my AX1 in a variety of settings, e.g., picnic table portable, with a car window mount, clamped to the handlebars of my bike, etc. While perusing the Temu website, I stumbled upon a tactical-style MOLLE pouch capable of holding the AX1 and all the accessories I typically use for those configurations. The cost was a mere $8.00 (USD) for a pair of them. (The original offering is no longer available, but a search for “molle pouch” on Temu or AliExpress should find this pouch or something similar.)

AX1 Kit (front). I have two of these pouches, so I used a nylon zip tie label to tell them apart.
AX1 Kit (front). I have two of these pouches, so I used a nylon zip tie label to tell them apart.
AX1 Kit (Rear). The pouch is MOLLE-compatible.
AX1 Kit (Rear). The pouch is MOLLE-compatible.

It measures 6.3 in. (16cm) x 4.33 in. (11cm) x 2.1 in. (5.5cm). For as inexpensive as they are, the quality is pretty good. The material is durable, and the zipper works smoothly. Each pouch came with an American flag velcro patch. At these low prices, you often get what you pay for. This time, though, I think it was a pretty good deal.

Here’s what I carry in the bag:

Everything fits comfortably in the little pouch, but there isn’t much room to spare. 

This is everything I carry in my AX1 kit. (See text for list)
This is what I carry in my AX1 kit. Not shown is a 3-foot RG-316 coax cable. (See text for list)

I normally carry my AX1 pouch in my backpack. When I have too much other stuff in my pack, I can use the MOLLE straps to attach the pouch to the outside of the pack. 

It’s nice having all of this stuff in one place. Now my little AX1 is always ready to go, however I plan to use it.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Logs 14 Jul 2024

✇Shortwave DX blog
By: uk dxer
14 July 2024 at 17:24

5015 1721 Deltracks. SINPO 34433. Change of freq
5040 0815 Deltracks. SINPO 24432.
5800 1812 Radio Contikenzo. SINPO 54444.
5880 0801 Radio Rock Revolution. SINPO 34433.
6020 0750 Radio Casanova. SINPO 35433.
6160 0808 Skyline R Germany via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 34433.
6160 1542 Weekend Music R via Shortwave Gold. SINPO 34433.
6170 1603 Radio Delta. SINPO 54444.
6210 1553 Radio King Shortwave. SINPO 24432.
6295 0820 Weekend Music Radio. SINPO 44444.
6370 1807 WMBR (pres). SINPO 34433. Offshore recordings
6392 1705 Radio Joey. SINPO 44433.
7660 1033 Radio Pamela. SINPO 24432. 
15105 1735 Cupid Radio. SINPO 34433.

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