Messages

31

Equipment / Re: need help wiring ACC connection from radio to amp

« on: August 27, 2016, 2244 UTC »

EliteData - You hit the nail on the head!  I was getting ready to break out the soldering iron when I saw your post.  I just decided to tie the two ends together and BINGO.  I have no need for receive, so this allows me to make the ON/OFF switch my amp control.  This is perfect solution! 

32

Equipment / Re: need help wiring ACC connection from radio to amp

« on: August 27, 2016, 2021 UTC »

It is indeed!   

33

Equipment / Re: need help wiring ACC connection from radio to amp

« on: August 27, 2016, 1943 UTC »

Sorry, upon reading my post again I realized it was a little vague.  Yes, it's my understanding that the black/red wire that come out of the back of the amp function the same as the "Relay" connection you'd find on most transceivers/amplifiers.  Bizarre that it's not labeled as such on this amp plus the fact that it's hardwired.  But then again, the Yaesu doesn't have a "Relay" connection either, with the components of such being hidden among the ACC socket pins.  I appreciate the advice.  I'll test out your suggestion and also double check things with my volt meter.  

34

Equipment / Re: need help wiring ACC connection from radio to amp

« on: August 27, 2016, 1646 UTC »

Been reading some more through the dreadful instructions that came with the amp.  Finally found a description of how to connect the ACC wires.  It says the black should be wired to "ground" and the red to "TX-PTT."  Unfortunately neither of these really matches the ACC diagram of the FT-817.  Ground is fairly easy, but I'm not sure whether it should be TX GND or GND.  I'm guessing TX-PTT would coincide with TX INH on the FT-817, but I'm not certain.  The younger me would just figure it out through trial and error but I really don't want to blow up my Yaesu or QRP amp.  Neither were cheap.   

35

Equipment / need help wiring ACC connection from radio to amp

« on: August 27, 2016, 0305 UTC »

I have a Yaesu FT-817 and I recently purchased a 45 watt QRP amp to use with it.  The amp came with an ACC cable to connect to the back of the 817, but unfortunately they didn't connect the actual ACC plug that goes in to the back of the Yaesu (either that or it fell off during shipping).  The ACC cable coming out of the back of the amp has just two wires, one red and one black.  Here is the wiring diagram for the ACC port on the Yaesu 817:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Sx8UoqolwlNmVrUFIyeURfaWM/view?usp=sharing

So I guess what I'm looking for is where I connect the red and black wires on the ACC plug.  Any advice would be appreciated! 

36

General Radio Discussion / Re: Man Stung With $15,000 Fine in North Miami Pirate Case

« on: August 24, 2016, 1834 UTC »

Out of curiosity, I've always wondered how they track down pirates operating in high occupancy buildings.  Granted, somebody with an antenna or coax coming out of their window is going to be easy to find regardless.  But it seems like a pirate operating out of a single apartment 5 floors up is going to be somewhat difficult to pinpoint unless they're operating 24/7. 

37

General Radio Discussion / 40 m dead carrier curiosity

« on: August 24, 2016, 1538 UTC »

This past weekend I took the family out to the country where I had rented a quaint turn of the century (19th century) farmhouse out in the middle of nowhere.  Nearest neighbor a mile away, no Internet or television, no cell phone coverage...it was a great few days of unplugging from everything and forcing the kids to tune in to, you know, reality.     One of the few tech things I brought along was my Grundig radio so I could do something I haven't in a very long time...some SWL. 

While scanning the bands one night, I came across something odd in the 40 meter band.  It was a dead carrier that pegged the Grundig at S9 and it ranged from around 7200 khz up to 7300 khz (I didn't make a note of the exact start/stop).  It was there the entire 3 days we were at the farmhouse.  That makes me think it was coming from somewhere in the house (or out in one of the barns that were on the property) as opposed to some area Ham who had inadvertently left something keyed on their rig.  It was an absolutely silent carrier, no hint of background noise, no static, no tones...nada. 

Anyway, I was curious what would cause something like that.  I've never experienced a signal like that before when SWL.  Maybe it's a phenomenon some here are more familiar with. 

38

Broadcast Announcements / Re: Radio Zed broadcasting on 15050 khz USB/AM

« on: August 21, 2016, 0050 UTC »

Switched over to AM.  Probably at about 3 watts.  Like I said, don't expect anyone to hear me.  This is more of a test.     That being said, I'm getting better reception on 15053 khz.   

39

Broadcast Announcements / Radio Zed broadcasting on 15050 khz USB/AM

« on: August 21, 2016, 0011 UTC »

I'll be giving a try on 15050 khz in a few moments in USB or AM.  Power will be at QRP levels, so don't expect anyone to hear...but thought it would be helpful to have a few people at least listening.  

40

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 20, 2016, 1246 UTC »

Poured through all the import restrictions and there is nothing whatsoever about bringing radio transmitters in to the country (perhaps the reason why I've never been hassled about it in the past). Funny thing is that they DO have restrictions on bringing in cellular telephones that are over a certain value.  I guess all of us that were there last time packing around iPhones probably just put on the customs form that it was worth $10.00.    

41

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 19, 2016, 1711 UTC »

I would be a little concerned carrying a txmitter into a foreign country...
Unless you have big cajones...

rgg

Well, all expeditions carry a transmitter of some sort, plus sat phones.  Last time I was there I was packing an Iridium as well as a field programmable VHF.  Everyone else is packing them around as well.  But an amateur radio transmitter is admittedly a different deal.  I'll go read up on import restrictions to see what they might have on that sort of equipment. 

42

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 19, 2016, 1351 UTC »

I've heard those buddipole systems are the way to go, but the problem for my purposes of course are that they're noticeable as a tx antenna to most people.  A few feet of a shiny telescoping antenna sticking out of the top of a guy's tent though?  Most likely just some guy listening to his AM/FM/SW radio.     A good point was made earlier that I hadn't really thought about...getting pinched probably wouldn't be the same as at home.  At home some guy shows up at the door and wags his finger and warns me not to do it again.  There?  Maybe a bunch of paratroopers descending on basecamp in a chopper to drag me off stuffed in a duffle bag.  Incognito definitely sounds like the way to go.    

43

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 18, 2016, 1359 UTC »

No, I very much appreciate it.  What I wouldn't give to have a tree up there somewhere.  But it's essentially like the surface of the moon.  A few boulders that might be 4 or 5 feet high, but otherwise a barren wasteland of gravel, snow, and ice.  In basecamp there is a 20' steel tower that the park rangers and outfitters have some of their antennas mounted to for emergency communications, but that's it.  If I was feeling really brave I could always try to string a wire up there, but there'd be no way to do it without being seen.    Plus, it wouldn't do me any good during my time in all the other camps.  I think for right now my plan is to stay with the MFJ.  Ultimate portability, and despite having poor efficiency, I'm still hedging my bets that being on the highest rock in the hemisphere will get my signal out pretty well.  Or maybe just down in to the nearest village.  

44

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 18, 2016, 0327 UTC »

Yikes!  Nearly 300 views and no further answers.  I take it I'm on a fruitless search for the "perfect" antenna.  I've spent the day researching the options some more and it seems there's probably not many better options than what I bought, which is the MFJ-1899T.  Others point to the "Miracle Whip," saying that the MW is better if I don't want to use a counterpoise and the 1899 is better if I'm willing to do so.  Answer has been self solved, although I may still go and get myself a lightweight QRP antenna tuner to round out the package. 

45

Equipment / Re: Help me find the ultimate portable/stealth wideband antenna

« on: August 17, 2016, 1633 UTC »

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding something, but wouldn't a full 1/4 wavelength antenna for 43 meters be over 30' long?  That's a mighty big ski pole!