Last month we featured a video of Richard Desaulniers, Sr., VE2DX, displaying some of the new VE2DX Electronics products that would be coming soon to DX Engineering. Today, we’re pleased to announce that some of those items are now available at DXEngineering.com, with more items on the way. Here are a few highlights:

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LED “On Air” Sign

The VE2DX LED “On Air” Acrylic Sign enhances the look and feel of your shack and will let everyone know when you are operating.

When powered, the sign displays the “On Air” text in red. It remains transparent when not illuminated.

The sign is operated with a user-supplied 12VDC power source. Additionally, you can enable automatic activation and turn on the sign during TX by integrating a dry contact relay controlled by your transceiver (not included).

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Icom/Xiegu Five-Port TrueCI-V Data Hubs

These TrueCI-V data hubs connect Xiegu and Icom transceivers to multiple CI-V devices that need to be simultaneously served the interfaced transceiver’s CI-V data stream.

They feature TrueTTL/TrueCI-V technology—a combination of advanced RFI filtering on all ports, signals, power sources and grounds, with an auto-leveling design that ensures the output signals on all five ports remain at maximum TTL levels.

These five-port CI-V hubs feature USB-C power, CI-V status LEDs, and magnets under the enclosure to aid with installation. They support many types of station devices including frequency-based decoders, smart antenna switch controllers, amplifiers, tuners, band pass filters, and more.

These hubs interface to all Xiegu HF transceivers, which utilize the Icom CI-V protocol, with a 3.5mm mono audio jack (X5105), 3.5mm TRSS multifunction jack (X6100), or a MiniDin connector for the G90 and G106. These hubs will also work with Icom remote port transceivers from the legacy IC-735 to the newer IC-7300 and IC-9700 using a simple 3.5mm patch cable. Choose from these options:

CT17B-5X Version 2: Transceiver Interface Data Hub, TrueCI-V Icom/Xiegu CI-V Remote, Five Ports, RFI Filtered, Works on all Icom CI-V 3.5mm, 5VDC USB-C

CT17B-6XUSB Version 2: Transceiver USB Interface Data Hub Plus Five Ports TrueCI-V, Icom/Xiegu CI-V to USB PC, RFI Filtered, 5VDC USB-C

CT17B-5X: Transceiver Interface Data Hub, 5 Standard Icom/Xiegu CI-V Remote, Five CI-V Ports, RFI Filtered, Works on all Icom CI-V 3.5mm, Passive

Bluetooth Icom/Xiegu Five-Port TrueCI-V Data Hub models feature CI-V over Bluetooth and a five-port hub that connects the interfaced transceiver’s CI-V data stream to multiple accessories simultaneously. Bluetooth models are also the perfect electronic remedy for the missing physical CI-V port on the Icom IC-705. These Bluetooth devices pair with the IC-705 to send data to their five TrueCI-V ports. Alternatively, these interfaces can use CI-V over Bluetooth to pair with the computer to isolate it from the RF side of any Icom station. Choose from these new Bluetooth options:

CT17B-6XBT Version 2: Transceiver Bluetooth Interface Data Hub, Plus Five Ports TrueCI-V, Isolated Icom/Xiegu CI-V to PC via Bluetooth, RFI Filtered, 5VDC USB-C

CT17B-7XDM Version 2: Transceiver Bluetooth and USB Icom/Xiegu Data Hub, Plus Five Ports TrueCI-V Isolated Icom CI-V to PC via Bluetooth, RFI Filtered, 5VDC USB-C

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Visit DXEngineering.com for all available products from VE2DX Electronics, including new CI-V/CAT Radio Interface Cables.

The post New Products Spotlight: “On Air” Sign and Icom/Xiegu 5-Port TruCI-V Data Hubs from VE2DX appeared first on OnAllBands.

It’s hard to keep up with all the new amateur radio gear you’ll find at DX Engineering! The latest products from leading manufacturers are being added weekly to the 30,000-plus ham radio items—from more than 175 top amateur radio providers—available at DXEngineering.com.

OnAllBands is dedicated to making sure you’re not missing out on that station addition that will improve your contesting scores, help you work more DX, upgrade your emergency preparedness, and enhance your 0verall enjoyment of the world’s greatest hobby.

DX Engineering has you covered with a bunch of new products you’ll want to add to your amateur radio must-have list, from premade coax assemblies to a new Icom handheld receiver. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, highlights a few of the latest offerings in the video below. 

Like what you see? Click on the links below for all the details. 

Icom IC-R15 Wideband Handheld Receiver

mAT-TUNER mAT-1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuner

mAT-TUNER mAT-50 Automatic Antenna Tuner and Coupler Packages

Times Microwave LMR® 400UF Ultra-Flex Coaxial Cable Assemblies with DX Engineering PL-259 Connectors

InnovAntennas 50-LFA-4-LN 4-Element 50 MHz Yagi

bhi NCH-W Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones

Hi-Z Antennas Manual Directional Control Consoles

DX Engineering AVA-3 Active Matching Unit

The post New Products Spotlight: Antenna Tuners, Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones, and More at DX Engineering (Video) appeared first on OnAllBands.

When DX Engineering acquired Hi-Z Antennas’ lineup of HF receiving array products in 2022, the company’s research and development team went to work to make sure Hi-Z’s most popular devices would continue to be available to amateur operators worldwide.

The goal of this ongoing effort has been to roll out Hi-Z-inspired devices that retain the functionality of the original designs while making significant electronic and mechanical improvements. The evolution of these updated receive array devices includes efficient production, superior durability, and smoother operation.

DX Engineering is pleased to announce the release of Hi-Z Manual Directional Consoles—specialized BCD grounding switches that are specifically designed to operate Hi-Z Phasing Combiner relay units, also known as Phase Controllers.

Each HIZ-MDC console controls the phasing and direction selection of only Hi-Z Antennas Receive Vertical Antenna arrays and supplies power to the array element amplifiers. Consoles feature a large rotary switch knob and green LEDs arranged as receive array directional azimuth indicators with corresponding compass bearing degree markings on the front panel. The MDC-4 that controls the four-element Hi-Z Four Square Receive Array is below.

Selection of a specific model Manual Directional Control Console is required. Choose the model that corresponds to the desired version of Hi-Z Antennas Receive Array Phasing Combiner or legacy Phase Controller. Each console serves as a replacement for legacy, discontinued Hi-Z manual Shack Switches, and for the discontinued Hi-Z SS-2 and SS-2PLUS:

• HIZ-MDC-4 works only with the multiband Four Square Arrays PC-4A and PC-4ELEMENT.
• HIZ-MDC-6 works only with the multiband Three Element Six-Direction Triangular Arrays PC-3A and PC-3ELEMENT.
• HIZ-MDC-8PRO works only with the 85/113 ft. diameter multiband 8 Circle Arrays PC-8PRO and PC4-8PROUP/PLUS.
• HIZ-MDC-8 (below) works only with the 200 ft./100 ft. diameter monoband 8 Circle Arrays PC-8, PC-8A, and PC-8B.

Features include:

• Rugged construction
• Four large non-skid rubber feet
• Stainless steel chassis with cold-rolled steel black powdercoated lid
• Large, easy-grip rotary switch with end-of-rotation stops
• The required multi-conductor array power and BCD control cable (purchased separately for the required number of conductors and length to the array) passes through a grommet on the rear panel and is connected internally
• A rear panel 2.1mm +13.8VDC power connector accepts the included mating 2.1mm plug and unterminated DC power cable for connection to a user-provided +13.8VDC 1A fused, well-filtered power supply

An Important Note About Receive Antenna System Performance

The performance of a receive antenna system can be dramatically improved when the array elements are placed where RF noise is minimal. One of the most important aspects of the installation is to maximize the array’s distance from any structures, towers, transmitting antennas, metal buildings, large trees, and fences that induce RF noise or affect the antenna field.

Preserving the array directional pattern requires that we ignore the temptation to position the receiving antenna closer to the station, based on coaxial cable loss or control cable cost. RF loss is negligible on 160 and 80 meters with up to 1,000 feet of economical RG-6U feedline. Therefore, the control cable must be chosen for the conductor size necessary to deliver sufficient voltage at the current required by the phasing combiner and element amplifiers, despite the higher cost. The benefits of the investment in the appropriate control cable for a well-placed, far-away receive antenna array are the immeasurable profits of significantly improved reception.

A convenient chart in each model’s manual will help you choose a control cable conductor size based on the distance to the array and the resulting voltage drop with maximum current flow through the supply and ground return conductors.

The post New Product Spotlight: Hi-Z Antennas Manual Directional Control Consoles appeared first on OnAllBands.

Vibroplex, which first manufactured and sold its signature Morse code “bug” key back in 1904, is the longest continually operating ham radio equipment provider on the planet, but that doesn’t mean the venerable company doesn’t have more than a few new tricks up its well-worn, rolled-up sleeves.

DX Engineering’s Rod Ehrhart, K8RR, caught up with Scott Robbins, W4PA, Vibroplex’s owner since 2009, at Dayton Hamvention 2024 to discuss the mAT-TUNER line of automatic antenna tuners, which the Knoxville, Tennessee-based company has distributed in the U.S. since 2019. Watch the video below:

Scott, W4PA, highlights two new mAT-TUNER offerings—mAT-50 Automatic Antenna Tuner and Coupler Packages and the 1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuner, both available along with the entire mAT-TUNER lineup at DXEngineering.com.

The multipurpose, 1.8-54 MHz mAT-50 Automatic Antenna Tuner comes with either an Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood coupler and corresponding control cable. This remote tuner has the capability of matching a variety of impedances and antennas including long-wires, dipoles, verticals, Yagis, whips, and virtually any coax-fed antenna. It features a maximum input power of 120W SSB/60W Digital.

Install the sturdy, weather-resistant tuner outside near the antenna. Then install the coupler inside near the transceiver to provide power for the tuner and control its operation. The tuner does not require a control cable between the remote tuner and coupler, making installation simple. The only required connection between the antenna tuner and coupler is one 50-ohm coaxial cable. Advanced technology employed in the tuner delivers stable performance and excellent anti-interference capabilities for convenient one-key tuning.

The mAT-50 can also be used as a universal tuner for all transceivers if a mAT-50-Y or mAT-50-M coupler is connected to an external DC power supply (not included) and a control cable is not installed. You can then operate the tuner manually.

The mAT-1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuner is an upgraded version of the original mAT-1500 tuner. Improvements include reduced weight, high- quality housing, and additional interfaces for Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood transceivers and their corresponding operating modes. This allows the tuner to be controlled directly from the transceiver, reducing the need for manual operation.

In addition, two antennas can be connected simultaneously, and the corresponding buttons for switching (in receive mode) are placed on the front panel for easy access. Other features include:

• Designed for modern transceivers with a frequency range of 1.8-54 MHz
• Rated for up to 1,500W SSB/800W Digital
• 16,000 memory locations
• Fast tuning—found values for a frequency are stored in the memory, enabling adjustments as quick as 100ms
• Loop-through of the PTT line makes it possible to loop in the power amplifier behind the tuner. The tuner interrupts the PTT line to the power amplifier during the tuning process. This avoids tuning with high power, greatly reducing the possibility of damaging the tuner relays.
• 6 to 1,000 ohms tuning range, which corresponds to an SWR range maximum of 10:1. This allows it to match all coax-fed antennas such as a G5RV with a balun at the transition between two-wire ladder line and coax cable, but also a wideband vertical antenna designed for the rated power.

See all mAT-TUNER automatic antenna tuners and accessories at DXEngineering.com, including the MAT-Y200 for Yaesu transceivers, the MAT-705PLUS for the Icom IC-705, and the MAT-180H for select Icom and Kenwood transceivers.

The post New Products Spotlight: mAT-TUNER mAT-50 and 1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuners (video) appeared first on OnAllBands.