One of the things DX Engineering always enjoys about Dayton Hamvention is the opportunity to showcase new gear, especially when these station-upgrading devices come from the innovative minds of our own team of active operators. As with many products generated from DX Engineering, suggestions from customers—as well as observations about what’s missing in our own shacks—inform us about niches that need to be filled. That’s when our team gets to work!

Today we’re featuring just a few new DX Engineering products that were on display at Dayton Hamvention 2024: RG-8X Coaxial Cable with Orange PVC Jacket, the Transmit Receive Interrupter Plug-In Module for the NCC-2, and Receive Antenna Matching Transformer.

***

RG-8X High Visibility Orange 50-ohm Coaxial Cable

DXE-8XV RG-8X coaxial cables are covered in a non-contaminating orange PVC jacket, so you get the high-performance benefits of DX Engineering RG-8X low-loss 50-ohm coax plus high-visibility that ensures your installations won’t be missed by you or bystanders. DXE-8XV cable is available by the foot; as 1.5-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, 25-, 50-, and 100-foot assemblies with DX Engineering’s patented PL-259 connectors; or in a 1,000-foot spool.

Flexible and low-loss DXE-8XV RG-8X cable features a stranded copper 16 AWG center conductor and gas-injected foam dielectric with a braided copper shield. In addition to its visibility, the Type II-A PVC jacket is highly water-resistant and perfect for direct-bury applications. The cable is intended for most low, medium, and medium-high power HF operations in base, mobile, and portable applications where short runs, flexibility, and visibility are key factors.

Note: DXE-8XV Orange will fade with continuous sunlight UV exposure. Color delivered can vary.

The orange version of the cable has the same industry standard specifications as DXE-8X black jacket coax, offering significantly better handling characteristics than larger cables, excellent shielding, and lower loss than slightly smaller RG-58. Further, DXE-8XV is easily terminated with crimp connectors, including DX Engineering Next Generation Crimp-Solder 8X PL-259 Connectors.

***

Transmit Receive Interrupter Plug-In Module

The DXE-TRI-PM provides protection from station transmit energy picked up by a receive antenna connected to the DXE-NCC-2 Receive Antenna Phasing System Channel B Receive Antenna Input active front end. This optional PCB relay switch device is typically installed in the NCC-2’s top Option Slot of the Channel B rear panel board. When the transceiver keys the NCC-2’s RADIO PTT port, the DXE-TRI-PM can open or ground the receive antenna input and board output, as selected by jumpers.

The device functions independently and does not affect or depend on the settings of the NCC-2’s Bias-Tee Enable circuit that places DC on the receive antenna feedline for active antennas. The module also features a gas discharge tube to protect the front end of the NCC-2 while in receive mode. Additionally, the DXE-TRI-PM installed in the DXE-DMC-2 Dual Module Chassis can interrupt or ground any receive antenna feedline or a receiver input.

Note: Adding a second DXE-TRI-PM to the top slot of the NCC-2 Channel A rear panel is recommended for further protection.

***

Receive Antenna Feedline Matching Transformer

Enjoy the best possible receive performance with this useful device. The transformer matches your receive antenna 75-ohm output impedance to the nominal 50-ohm input impedance of most receivers. The transformer may be used in almost any receiving application that requires a 75-ohm Type F connection to a 50-ohm BNC connector. The unit boasts low insertion loss (< 0.3 dB) and excellent frequency coverage (100 kHz to 30 MHz). This feedline transformer is for use only on receive antenna systems, does not pass DC, and cannot be connected to a transmitting RF power source.

***

To see the complete lineup of DX Engineering branded equipment—from Telescoping Fiberglass Tubing Sets to Maxi-Core 20 Baluns and Feedline Chokes—visit DXEngineering.com.

The post DX Engineering Highlights New Gear at Dayton Hamvention® 2024: Orange RG-8X Coaxial Cable & More appeared first on OnAllBands.

It’s May 20, the Monday after Dayton Hamvention 2024. Do you know what that means? Only 360 or so days until we meet again in Xenia, Ohio, to immerse ourselves in the world’s greatest hobby! If you were unable to make this year’s event, we’ve put together a brief rundown to get you thinking about the fun you’ll have if you can join us in 2025. Stay tuned. We’ll be posting much more about Hamvention in the days ahead.

***

Four Days in May

The week’s festivities kicked off the evening of Wednesday, May 15, with Four Days in May—the annual celebration of QRP operation held by the QRP Amateur Radio Club International. DX Engineering was well represented at the vendor showcase on Thursday, displaying TransWorld Antennas, the AlexLoop HamPack Portable Magnetic Loop Antenna System, DX Engineering Tool Kits, and other gear. Watch the video here:

***

Contest University^©

It was another packed house on Thursday at the Hope Hotel in Dayton for the 15^th edition of Contest University, hosted by Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO. Presenters, representing the very best in radiosport, covered a range of topics, from optimizing the use of waterfall displays to strategies for remote and hybrid multi-op contesting.

Missed it this year? Watch eight hours of Contest University 2024 streamed live here.

***

Dayton Hamvention

While official numbers on attendance have not been released, Dayton Hamvention was another huge success by all accounts. The team at DX Engineering would like to thank all the hams who filled our booths in Building One throughout the event.

As we’ve said in past posts, making eyeball QSOs with old friends and new acquaintances, answering technical questions, and swapping stories of rare QSOs and antenna-building triumphs are always highlights.

“Hamvention 2024 is in the books and what a great event it was. Hamvention was an awesome opportunity to meet and talk to many of our customers, and we were thrilled to see so many of them, get their feedback, and share all the things DX Engineering has been working on.”

Scott Jones, N3RA, DX Engineering Sales Manager

Of particular interest were many of the vendors sold exclusively in North America by DX Engineering (DX Commander, microHAM, VA6AM band pass filters and multiplexers, et. al) and DX Engineering products like our HF+50MHz/VHF/UHF Go Box Kits (below). The kits feature Icom or Yaseu radios, Gator equipment case, rack shelving, automatic antenna tuner, and more. Troy Blair, AC8OW, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, handled duties at the Go Box display:

How busy was it in Building One shortly after the gates opened on Friday at 9 am?

***

OnAllBands will be delving deeper into Dayton Hamvention 2024 in the days to come, including a closer look at some of our favorite manufacturers and DX Engineering branded gear featured at the show.

The post Dayton Hamvention® 2024 Wrap-Up—Some Highlights from Ham Radio’s Greatest Gathering appeared first on OnAllBands.

Story by Paul Sakalas, KJ8EEP

As anyone who’s ever been will tell you:

You’ll see a lot of awesome stuff at the annual Dayton Hamvention.

And if you need proof, check out this stunningly restored 1964 Ford Econoline van wearing vintage Collins Radio livery and crammed with period-correct Collins S-Line Ham equipment.

The van was part of the Collins Amateur Radio Club display and better yet, we were able to talk with Ted Craven W0TCW, a former employee with Collins Radio, to get all the details behind the Econoline’s history.

“I was the factory service rep for Ham gear,” Ted says. “So I drove it.”

And more importantly, Ted knew the van’s origin story.

“Back in 1964, Collins bought the van directly from the Ford Motor Company,” Ted explains. “They took it to a cabinet shop in Texas, and had them completely re-do the inside. Then it went back to the Collins factory to put all the electronics in it.”

Once it was ready to go, the Ford crisscrossed the country showing off the S-Line and, when needed, it operated on the air for demo (and sometimes emergency) purposes. It attended the 1964 World’s Fair in New York—and, yes, it was at the 1966 Dayton Hamvention too.

All told, the Econoline racked up 40,000 miles between 1964 and 1966.

The van carries its own DC power, yet can also be plugged into “shore power” AC for supplemental power needs. In addition to those that are permanently attached, the van carries along extra masts and antennas in the small rear cargo area and in lockers on the roof. Out back you’ll also find the DC power distribution system and the RF amplifiers.

Collins Radio used the van up to about 1966, when it was sold into private ownership. Interestingly, the Econoline was bought by another Ham, Ed Moory W5DBR, who used it in his electronics wholesale business.

Yet since it was just an ordinary used van at the time, Moory pressed the Econoline into service doing the sort of jobs that you’d expect an old van to be used for.

“He used it to deliver appliances,” Ted laments. “He gutted it, and beat it to death.”

Thankfully, the trusty Ford’s story doesn’t end there.

The van resurfaced decades later in a condition that Ted describes as “rusted out and beat up.” Recognizing the van’s history and provenance, it was quickly snapped up by Collins Radio enthusiast Jim Stitzinger WA3CEX in the early 1990s. And as Ted tells it, the purchase wasn’t a coincidence.

“The story goes,” he laughs, “that Ed Moory’s wife called Jim and said ‘Would you get this thing outta here!'”

With the help of fellow Ham Darrel Huth WB6VHK, the Econoline was returned to its original specs both mechanically and cosmetically, with great lengths taken to ensure that its period-correct Collins Radio equipment functioned flawlessly.

Together with representatives from the Collins Amateur Radio Club, the van now travels nationwide attending regional Hamfests and other large events—including the 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of Collins Radio.

It’s even served as Special Event station W0CCX.

But our favorite part of this rig is out back, where in addition to the amplifiers, cables, and antenna storage, we’re greeted by a bulkhead crammed with signatures, callsigns, dates, and locations—each one a testament to this van’s place in history and the adventures it’s had.

As we shook his hand and said goodbye, Ted asked that we sign the van’s rear bulkhead.

It’s an honor we wouldn’t miss.

73.

The post Vintage Ford Econoline Collins Radio Van Spotted at Dayton Hamvention® appeared first on OnAllBands.

At the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, ICOM put on display are number of printed circuit boards from what is supposed to be the 60th Anniversary Concept Model “X60”.

ICOM-UK write... "Referred to internally as the "X60" all lips are very tightly and firmly sealed about this project and the exciting concept model behind the secrecy. Only a carefully selected handful of our very top development gurus and members of our absolute senior management in Osaka know the complete and full details about this very special project.

The full reveal will be at the Tokyo Ham Fair which will be held over the weekend of August 24th & 25th 2024. Full details on the new model, its name, its specification and its availability, plus its target price will be disclosed there."

What is it??? Well, it's not a handheld!  Considering the number of PCB's and the fact that the one in the middle and at the top has plenty of toroids and relays, it probably is some sort of flagship HF transceiver.

On the PA board PCB, there is 'PA200W' written on it which would certainly suggest a top end HF transceiver.

If it's just another expensive HF & 6m model then I doubt if the hype is worth it. If it's a 'shack in a box' and includes some VHF and UHF bands then it certainly could generate some excitement.

We'll have to wait and see.

More photos below...

Antenna Tuner Board

After months of preparation, countless volunteer hours, and anticipation by thousands of hams who have had the dates circled in red for months, the wait is almost over! The gates are set to open on Dayton Hamvention at 9 am on Friday, May 17 and close on Sunday, May 19 at 1 pm.

The result of all the behind-the-scenes work is a celebration of amateur radio like no other—three days jampacked with the best ham radio has to offer, whether you’re looking to score a vintage rig at the flea market, take home a brand-new transceiver, or walk away with information you can use from many educational forums.

If you get the chance, also take the time to congratulate this year’s Hamvention award winners: Special Achievement Award, Anthony Luscre, K8ZT; Technical Achievement Award, Ward Silver, N0AX; Club of the Year, the Young Ladies’ Radio League; and Amateur of the Year Award, Edward Engleman, KG8CX.

Watch the winner announcements in the video below:

***

If you’re planning on attending the Dayton Hamvention, check out the event’s official website to map out how to best spend your time at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio—the location that has been a welcome home for hams from around the world since 2017. 

You’ll also want to take some time visiting DX Engineering’s booths in Building One—the company’s largest presence ever at Hamvention. Just like all the prep work that goes into putting on the best hamfest possible, the team at DX Engineering has been working nonstop to make sure your time at their booths will be well worth the visit. Here’s what you’ll find:

Lots of Station-Upgrading Gear for Sale

Because DX Engineering headquarters/showroom near Akron, Ohio is only about three hours away from Xenia, the company is able to truck down loads of products for immediate sale. Take your time shopping for popular transceivers, antenna analyzers, portable antennas, ferrite RFI suppression kits, coaxial cable prep tool kits, amplifiers, CW keys and paddles, receiving devices, grounding and bonding gear, lightning and surge protection, wattmeters, and much more.

Items on Display for You to Order

If you’ve ever seen the Summit Racing/DX Engineering warehouse on a trip to Northeast Ohio, you’ll understand the enormity of the operation. You’ll also understand that bringing along the full lineup of gear available from DX Engineering—more than 30,000 amateur radio products from 175-plus manufacturers—simply isn’t possible, even with our expanded booths.

What you will find are displays of many products that allow you to get up close and see for yourself why other hams rave about them—like the DX Commander Signature 9 40-10M Vertical Antenna. Like what you see? Place your order with a friendly sales rep and we’ll ship the product right to your door.

Meet the DX Engineering Team

For the DX Engineering team—enthusiastic, active hams like you—one of the most exciting moments of Hamvention is the initial surge of amateurs entering the booths on the Friday morning of the show, just after the gates swing open. While we enjoy helping hams over the phone or through email, nothing beats making eyeball QSOs with familiar faces or spending one-on-one time assisting a new operator who just earned his or her Technician license. Rest assured, you’ll receive the same friendly, patient, and informed advice at Hamvention that you’ve come to expect from contacting DX Engineering from y0ur QTH.

Simply, we love ham radio and Hamvention as much as you do—and it shows.

Pick up the New 2024 DX Engineering Catalog

Hot off the presses, the 2024 edition of the DX Engineering Amateur Radio Catalog will be available—great reading material (if you’re in the passenger’s seat) for your long trip home after the show.

Gifts Galore

In addition to bringing along loads of gear for sale, DX Engineering will also have lots of DX Engineering swag for you to take home: logo polo shirts, T-shirts, work shirts (below), baby rompers, sweatshirts, umbrellas, regular and new camo-style ball caps, tumblers, mugs, PaddlePads, and more.

Apparel comes in both men’s and women’s styles from small to 4X-large.

The post Make Plans to Visit DX Engineering’s Expanded Booths at the 2024 Dayton Hamvention®! appeared first on OnAllBands.

Four Days in May (May 15-19), the annual celebration of QRP operation held by the QRP Amateur Radio Club International, is almost here! For a gathering that’s all about promoting low-power operation, you can almost feel the high levels of energy building as the date nears. Irony aside, this event once again promises to be filled with fun, homebrew competitions, learning opportunities, vendors, and door prizes, including ones donated by DX Engineering.

You can still register for FDIM at the event, held at the Holiday Inn Fairborn (about 20 minutes from Dayton Hamvention), the evening of Wednesday, May 15, and the morning of Thursday, May 16.

Click here for a rundown of what you can expect at FDIM.

Along with other vendors, DX Engineering will be displaying a range of ham radio products Thursday evening in the hotel ballroom. It’s an excellent chance to get your questions answered and check out some of the DX Engineering branded gear and products from leading manufacturers that will be available at the DX Engineering Dayton Hamvention booths from May 17-19.

Items include:

• DX Engineering Complete Coaxial Cable Prep Tool Kit (DXE-UT-KIT4)

• DX Engineering Ultra-Grip 2 Crimp Connector Tool Kit (DXE-UT-KIT-CRMP2)
• New: DX Engineering RG-8X DXE-8XV Cable Assemblies with Orange PVC Jacket (also available by the foot and in 1,000-foot spools)

• RigExpert STICK-PRO 0.1-600 MHz Antenna Analyzer (REU-STICK-PRO)
• RigExpert AA-35ZOOM 0.06-35 MHz Antenna Analyzer (REU-AA-35ZOOM)
• NANUK Equipment Cases
• Icom IC-705 HF/50/144/430 MHz All Mode Portable Transceiver

• AlexLoop HamPack Portable Magnetic Loop Antenna System (ALX-HAMPACK)
• New: Remote Tuner Plus AlexLoop HamPack Combo (ALX-HAMPACK-RC-2)
• Bioenno Power LiFePO4 12 VDC Batteries
• Bioenno Power Solar Panels and Solar Charge Controllers

• Chameleon 40-10M End-Fed Halfwave Sloper (CHA-LEFS-4010)
• Par EndFedz 40/20/10M End-Fed Halfwave Antenna (PEZ-EFT-102040)
• Chelegance JNCRadio VNA 3G Portable Mini Vector Analyzer (NCE-CH0010005)

• Chelegance PCB Test Board for VNA (NCE-CH0020003)
• SOTAbeams Band Hopper Multi-Band Portable Dipole Antenna (SBM-HOPPER403020)
• SOTAbeams WOLF-100 WOLFWAVE Advanced Audio Processor (SBM-WOLFWAVE)

The post Four Days in May (FDIM) Offers a Slice of Low-Power Heaven for Ham Radio Operators appeared first on OnAllBands.