Messages

1006

Equipment / Re: FM kits

« on: June 20, 2019, 1711 UTC »

WOW!!!! If I was still into FM, this would be a dream TX to have. Any plans for MW AM? With LPB, Inc., and now Radio Systems, going bye-bye in AM Carrier-Current gear, that leaves the door wide open there. Albeit, they don't seem to have the concept of Carrier-Current broadcasting in Europe, but totally permissible license-free still in USA and Canada.

1007

The RF Workbench / Re: Audio jacks/plugs as QRP RF wire quick connects

« on: June 19, 2019, 1927 UTC »

Heck, I had a Realistic DX-40 portable,   http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1978/h131.html     that had a 3/32" ANT connector. It worked, for what it was at the time. I certainly would not TX with a connector like that, even QRP.

1008

The RF Workbench / Re: Zinc Negative Resistance Makes 40 Meter CW Transmitter

« on: June 18, 2019, 1739 UTC »

WHOA!!!! NICE!!!! I see some nice Part #15 applications here. While we're at it, here's the 20M one, along with an 80M link,    http://sparkbangbuzz.com/zinc-20-meter-xmtr/zinc-20-meter-xmtr.htm

1009

Amateur Radio / Re: 2M SSB

« on: June 17, 2019, 1840 UTC »

I had an FT-857D multiband rig, and had fun using it for ARRL VHF Contests as a rover station with it. Why I got rid of it was it was a terrible AM QSO'er on TX. The Kenwoods, and even Icoms, kick its butt there. Anyway, I find the RX in the FT-857D not the best, and you will want a +20dB RX preamp with it, especially for 2M SSB, and you'll really want one for 432MHz SSB work, if ya ever do that. 50W 2M SSB is doable, with a decent beam out in the clear, and especially above trees and houses. 20W on 432MHz is challenging, but still doable on that rig, especially hill topping it or by a lake shore. The 1st thing that you want to try, when ya get it all set-up for 2M SSB / CW, is to see how many 2M beacons you can RX from 144.275MHz - 144.300MHz, then find out how far they are. When ya get Temp Inversions and Tropo enhancement, 2M SSB and 432MHz really can come alive with nice distances with just 10W, or less. I did a great QSO with just 4W 440FM back in that super band opening in September 2004, WNY to London, ON, Canada for hours. Oh... I remember a SK'ed friend of mine QSO'ed daily on 2M SSB with just 10W, 10 element beam from Penn Yan, NY to NJ, back in the 1990's. Hope this somewhat helps. 

1010

Equipment / Re: Gear prices

« on: June 17, 2019, 0353 UTC »

I've actually got an early 1990's Sony ICF-SW100S. Super travel radio for sure! Unfortunately, the ribbon cables broke on mine, twice! I bought and self replaced cables in 1998, and sand papered the clamshell edges by rounding them. Unfortunately, the new cables didn't last, and by 2005, they severed, again. Now, I'm trying to figure if I wanna' another go of it, just to have the cables fail, yet again? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Too bad... Certainly not the best HF portables I've got, or had, but it had its uses. I even DX'ed, and DF'ed FM pirate stations with it.

1011

Amateur Radio / Re: 2M SSB

« on: June 17, 2019, 0344 UTC »

Anyone into a 2M SSB revival? I've just read, and even posted, about the weirdness on the posts about 75M crazies. Thus far, (Knock-knock, on this wooden table.), everyone that I've worked and QSO'ed with up there has been fantastic. Let's keep it that way! Oh, and no lightning crashes, until they are under 100 miles from ya. That in itself is keeping me off the lower HF bands now, lightning crashes.

1012

Amateur Radio / Re: 3840 khz Bootlegger Net & Jammers (LSB) 05:30 UTC

« on: June 17, 2019, 0338 UTC »

This is another reason I like 2M and 432 SSB. You just didn't hear the nasties, like you are on 75 - 80M, 40M, and even 20M. Oh, and for decades 10M has had its come and goes with weirdness, albeit it seems better up there, lately. Thus far, 17M, 12M, 6M, and 60M, seem pretty tranquil. And, I hope that it stays that way. Hey... There's always 222MHz to get back to. 222.100MHz SSB transverters anyone?

1013

Amateur Radio / Re: ARRL June VHF Contest this weekend, 6/8 - 6/10/2019.

« on: June 15, 2019, 2325 UTC »

Oh yeah??? Well, you have another chance this September,    http://www.arrl.org/september-vhf
I've worked that one too, several times. Propagation usually is Temp Inversions and Aurora.    Sporadic "E" is pretty much non-existent then.   

1014

General Radio Discussion / Re: Decades of Universal Music Group treasures burned in 2008

« on: June 12, 2019, 1851 UTC »

This also emphasizes my, "Never use a Cloud!", policy for personal storage of any info / media. And, I too like solid, tangible, media storage. As far as all that Universal tunage gone forever? One of two things will now happen, (1.) Have any past media from Universal become more valuable. And, or (2.) Raise the prices of any media, past and present. 

1015

General Radio Discussion / Re: LED public street lighting...

« on: June 09, 2019, 1731 UTC »

What I hate is when those sodium vapor lights start going band and wipe out HF, lower VHF, and even seen noise into the UHF TV band, from them. I had an APT, that had one at the complex, for a couple of years going bad. DX'ing at night was damned near impossible with S+40/9 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

1016

General Radio Discussion / Re: THE GUARDIAN on the demise of rural radio in USA

« on: June 08, 2019, 2043 UTC »

I agree with several things in that article. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, was that dude that commented from Syracuse UNI, whom started at a Hornell, NY station, from the now gone WHHO? Yeah, that Telecomm Act of 1996 pretty much ruined radio for those of whom give a damn about it. Yes, you have the limited LPFM, with no ad revenues allowed, period. And, Part #15 AM radio is expanding via radio hobbyists, doing radio their own way. But, commercial, local, radio in most small towns are in trouble, especially AM stations. Many of them don't have a live person at all running them, or even anymore than a closest, or shelf, space for the entire station. Sad article, but we're just going to hear more of this.   

1017

Amateur Radio / ARRL June VHF Contest this weekend, 6/8 - 6/10/2019.

« on: June 05, 2019, 2106 UTC »

 If we can ever get a weekend break in T-storms, there's the VHF, on up, Contests this weekend,   http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf
          Even if you don't have CW / SSB capabilities, check the following simplex FM FREQ's of 52.525MHz, 52.540MHz, 146.550MHz, 146.580MHz, the 147MHz simplex FREQ's, 223.500MHz, 446.000MHz, 446.050MHz, and 446.100MHz. The exchange here is mainly for the grid square and if you have other bands to work points from. And, any licensed amateur worked is a point to any serious contester. Good practice for Field Day. Now, wish these T-storms away!

1018

General Radio Discussion / Re: That '70s gadget, the CB, hangs on! Chicago Tribune article.

« on: June 05, 2019, 1938 UTC »

I've posted the same thing on The FRN, but asked if anyone remember that 'Good Times' episode where Bookman ditched a CB away from his 'ol lady. Boomer found it on Youtube!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TBOp7XtOz4   Yep, CB is very affordable today, no monthly bill, can work anywhere that cell phone can't, and you can be almost anyone you want to on it. What's old is new again? So, ya think that Millennials will catch back on it?

1019

Equipment / Re: On the Importance of Speaker Phasing

« on: June 03, 2019, 2302 UTC »

Look in the audio chain on your scanner. Both of my Uniden BC-175XL and BC-210XLT 1980's scanners had the same problem. In both cases, it was an electrolytic CAP in the near output of the scanners' audio chains. Once I'd swapped them, full audio restored. No doubt, Uniden custom made your scanner as well. If I remember right, the CAP was a DC blocker that was rated at 10VDC, instead of 16VDC, or higher, like it should be. Uniden did that also on an original RCI-2950 All-Mode 10M rig, which came to sounding very raspy to everyone in SSB. Sure enough, a whole bunch of under rated, low voltage, electrolytic CAP's in there needed replacing. I'm still using that rig as well. Amazing the corners companies cut to save $$$$$.

1020

General Radio Discussion / That '70s gadget, the CB, hangs on! Chicago Tribune article.

« on: June 02, 2019, 1932 UTC »

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-08-25-0808230026-story.html       CB is still alive and well where I am.