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ICOM issues statement regarding IC-V82 radios used in Lebanon device explosions
Meeting on the Air – TONIGHT at 7:00PM!
Please join us this evening at 7:00PM on the 147.090 repeater, for our monthly Meeting-on-the-Air!
On the agenda, we’ll be covering minutes from last week’s meeting, share some updates, and talk about some upcoming activities, such as the Maine QSO Party and Simulated Emergency Test (SET).
As always, if you have HF capabilities, you’re welcome to join us on 28.455 USB for the After Net, immediately following our net on the repeater.
See you there!
73,
Tim Watson KB1HNZ
ICOM Investigating Radios Targeted in Lebanon Blasts
Sepura SCL3 - NOT amateur radio
It looks more like a mobile phone than a traditional TETRA transceiver. I hope it is successful.
See https://scl3.sepura.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SCL3_Brochure_converted_compressed.pdf.
October 2024 – Strategic priorities update
Icom USA’s Ray Novak, N9JA, Discusses an Upgraded Icom HT and the Fun of the IC-905 (Video)
There are a lot of exciting things happening on the DX Engineering Facebook page and DX Engineering YouTube channel. Make sure to check in from time to time for product reviews, ham radio news, overviews of the latest equipment, and interviews put together by DX Engineering for the benefit of the ham radio community.
One of the most popular shows is the Manufacturer’s Showcase hosted by Tim Duffy, K3LR, CEO of DX Engineering. Tim has interviewed dozens of representatives from the manufacturers whose products you’ll find available at DXEngineering.com. You can listen to these insightful interviews live and send questions in real-time Thursdays at 2:30 pm ET or visit YouTube to watch the archived videos, along with hundreds of other videos from DX Engineering—everything from instructional presentations on weatherproofing coaxial connectors to FM satellite etiquette.
Also, don’t miss Tim’s Weekend Special on Facebook Fridays at 4 pm ET, featuring interviews with hams on rare DXpeditions, innovators in the amateur radio community, youth operators, and more.
Today, we’re excited to feature K3LR’s interview with Ray Novak, N9JA, senior sales manager at Icom America.
***
Here are some of the highlights:
- Details about the upgraded Icom ID-52A PLUS VHF/UHF Multi-Function D-STAR Handheld Transceiver with enhanced Bluetooth, dual operation of terminal mode and simplex/repeater operations, and updated USB-C charging/data port for faster connections and charging.
- News about the very cool 60th Anniversary Limited Edition model of the ID-52A PLUS with metallic-colored body, exclusive embossed hand strap, and commemorative box.
(Please check on the availability of the ID-52A PLUS and Limited Edition model at DXEngineering.com.)
- The plug-and-play reliability of the IC-905 VHF/UHF/SHF All Mode Base/Portable Transceiver for super high frequency operating and all the fun you can have on the microwave bands, POTA activations included. You can watch a great overview by Michael, KI8R, of the IC-905 on the DX Engineering YouTube channel.
- IC-905 accessories: 2.4 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and 10 GHz colinear antennas; and 10 GHz parabolic antenna
Visit DXEngineering.com for the full lineup of Icom products, including the IC-705 HF/50/144/430 MHz All Mode Portable Transceiver, AH-705 Antenna Tuner, SP-38 Base Station Speaker, and more.
The post Icom USA’s Ray Novak, N9JA, Discusses an Upgraded Icom HT and the Fun of the IC-905 (Video) appeared first on OnAllBands.
Is bigger better? The Big Kansas Coil Vertical Antenna System
The Big Kansas Coil is a lightweight, portable, and durable base loaded vertical antenna system that when paired with a telescoping whip operates on the 6 through 80 meter ham radio bands. This coil offers some innovative features, including: 3D printed construction out of engineering grade materials, integrated coil scale, easy to use adjustment collar, and a wider diameter coil than anything else on the market.
The Big Kansas Coil: https://bigkansascoil.com/
HF Manpack Collapsible 7 Element Whip Antenna: https://amzn.to/4epr3zh
MFJ-1979 telescoping whip antenna: https://amzn.to/3Vv6Dfv
So what makes the big Kansas Coil different than other base loaded coils? First off is the construction. This coil is entirely 3D printed out of engineering grade Glass and Carbon Fiber filled Nylon material. This coil is lightweight and durable. The material is weather and heat resistant so this antenna is rated for up to 100 watts digital modes with a 50% duty cycle.
The second is its size, or diameter of the coil. This coil is wider than anything else on the market. In building loading or inductance coils, the diameter of the coil will affect the Q or quality factor. Narrow coils will have a very high Q and extremely sharp bandwidth on the lower bands. If you make the coil wider, the Q is reduced and you end up with more bandwidth. I’ll demonstrate what that means a bit later in this video.
As a bonus, patrons can view the unedited phone contacts for this POTA activation. Visit my page on Patreon for details: https://www.patreon.com/kb9vbrantennas
Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay.
The post Is bigger better? The Big Kansas Coil Vertical Antenna System appeared first on KB9VBR Antennas.
VP2MMM Montserrat Island. From DXNews.com
TK9R Corsica Island. From DXNews.com
Elecraft Adventures
Having the KX3 out and in operation for a few days this week was a bad idea. Using it always reminds me of how good it is and how it could so easily anchor my ham shack. And it’s not even the best Elecraft radio I own. That title belongs to my old Elecraft K2, number 524 that I built and put into service in 1999. Yeah, it’s the finest receiver I own and I don’t mean to offend you and your new Yaesu, but I’ve found nothing that can carry its jock strap.
Let me qualify that a bit, it’s super power is as a simple CW transceiver.
It doesn’t have two-hundred knobs and buttons and a hundred selection deep menu system. The K2 doesn’t have multiple ways of connecting to a computer, and it doesn’t have a built-in sound card. Mine is the original 15 watt version. It no longer appears regularly in all the major contest stations and DXpeditions.
But for the CW purist without need of a million creature features, it contains the sweetest receiver this side of heaven. My family have strict instructions that I am to be buried with my K2 just in case heaven doesn’t yet have anything that sweet.
It doesn’t occupy the central position in my shack because of the desire for BRE (big rig energy), vanity, and knee-deep levels of marketing bullshit from various vendors compounded with amplified nonsense from Sherwood and as my buddy calls them, “these young guys with beards who look like they drink only craft beers with ham radio YouTube channels…”
I bring this up because using the KX3 created crazy notions of ordering a K4 and continuing the Elecraft tradition spinning in my head. I have owned and built everything they offered right up to the K3 and I’ve tried to own a few more, but grew weary waiting for them to deliver. Now I see they have the shipping time for the K4 down to around a week. I could order one today and be on the air sometime late next week. A recent announcement from Eric says prices are going up in October so no pressure, but a quick decision could save me some money.
That same announcement also said, “KX2 and KH1 wait times have also rapidly decreased and we hope to be shipping them within 1-10 business days after order in several weeks” which should make long-suffering fans happy.
If I buy anything new it will replace my IC-7610. That transceiver has performed well, but is getting a little long in the tooth especially now that ICOM has released an upgraded version of it making ‘right now’ the peak re-sale value season for the 7610. If I order anything I will be forced to unload at least $10k worth of other equipment or build onto the house. Unused gear is stacking up so high around here it will take a year or more to sell, box, and ship it all.
Is that a possibility? Maybe. A definite maybe.
RadCom October 2024, Vol. 100, No. 10
VP2MMX Montserrat Island. From DXNews.com
Sept 19, 2024, Craftsmanship, Creativity and Cool!
Today I wanted to share a homebrewer's work that hits the "Triple Crown" Triple C (Craftsmanship, Creativity and Cool) mark. We are talking about Mike, KG7TR
HEC Today 9/19/24
11am Meet in the “Dungeon” in the Lowndes Emergency Services Annex of the Court House. Go to the 911 office door and press the 911 call button and tell them you are there for the HAM radio club meeting. Once in go left downstairs then to the right at the end of the hall. See Y’all There!
Rallies this weekend
The following have been notified, but always check details are correct before going far.
- Saturday September 21st - East Midlands and Electronics Rally, Doncaster, DN10 4FX. Contact www.g0raf.co,uk/rally . Please note this is a 1 day event, not 2. The location is actually nearer Gainsborough.
- Sunday September 22nd - Weston super Mare Radio Society 9th Radio and Electronics Rally, Worle, Weston super Mare, BS24 7DX. Contact westonradiosociety@gmail.com .
Interesting how many radio rallies have broadened their appeal to include a wider audience than in the past.