November 2008 – Ham Radio . Magnum Experimentum

QRPeanut Can Transceiver

February 29, 2012November 27, 2008

Last fall I purchased a QRPKits.com DC40A QRP transceiver. At around $40 it is a no brainer purchase for any kit builder attempting to keep in practice. I really wanted to try an Elecraft, but budgets are budgets. I have my main rig now so I finally decided to take the built and tested DC40A board and house it. During testing I soldered a piece of coax straight to the antenna points on the board. The center conductor broke at the board pretty quick. I was motivated to tie that antenna signal to a bulkhead BNC.

Jpole vs. Coaxial Dipole EZNEC Shootout

May 23, 2018November 27, 2008

This J-Pole, Monopole, Coaxial Dipole VHF EZNEC shootout addresses a comment made that no models exist for j-pole and coaxial dipole antenna simulation.

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Antenna EZNEC Shootout Conclusions

May 28, 2016November 27, 2008

We have looked at the 43 foot antenna available from DX Engineering and Zero Five alongside the BigIR product from SteppIR. In addition, the BigIR was simulated using the optional 80 meter coil.

Both antenna types approach the vertical HF antenna problem with unique solutions.

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna @ 80 meters EZNEC Shootout

May 28, 2016November 27, 2008

As we continue our EZNEC simulation research for the 43 foot and BigIR antennas we finally are looking into the 80 meter band.

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna @ 40 meters EZNEC Shootout

May 28, 2016November 24, 2008

Continuing our NEC Shootout between the 43 foot vertical available from DX Engineering or Zero Five and the adjustable height BigIR antenna available from SteppIR antennas we now analyze them in the 40 meter band.

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna @ 20 meters EZNEC Shootout

May 28, 2016November 16, 2008

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna @ 15 meters EZNEC Shootout

May 28, 2016November 15, 2008

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna @ 10 meters EZNEC Shootout

October 20, 2013November 13, 2008

In a previous post we promised to analyze the merits of the 43 foot tall tuner-required antenna vs. the adjustable BigIR vertical from SteppIR. We did and here are the results.

BigIR vs. 43 Foot Vertical Antenna EZNEC Shootout

October 20, 2013November 13, 2008

Considering a vertical? Among all the dipoles, beams and other types of antennas, the lowly vertical has regained some popularity thanks, in part, to the BigIR SteppIR and, more recently, the 43 foot vertical offered by DX Engineering and Zero Five antennas.

Stud Finder as Copper Tape Finder in SteppIR

November 9, 2008

A fellow named Mel gave me permission to share his elegant method to locate the end of the copper tape in SteppIR antennas. The position of that tape needs to be known occasionally during maintenance. To quote…

Amateur Radio License Plates

August 15, 2012November 8, 2008

You studied.

Your forked over $13 to take the test (some VEs charge nothing… shop around). Perhaps you forked over another $13 for another chance… It happens.

…and…

Ham Saves Self with HT While Hunting

May 19, 2018November 7, 2008

Entire communications path for ham requesting ambulance.

Ham radio enhances hunting safety by bringing assistance to injured hunter using cross band repeat.

1/4 Wave Monopole vs. 1/2 Wave J-Pole EZNEC Shootout

November 3, 2018November 6, 2008

Myths abound concerning how J-Poles do so well. Here is an EZNEC shootout between a 2 meter J-Pole and a Monopole with radials.

Turning AGC Off Helps Kenwood TS-2000 CW

November 3, 2008

A ham on the local Sunday Night Tech Net reported a technique that improved the reception of CW measurably.

He has a Kenwood TS-2000 transceiver. As time went by he used various adjustments while listening to CW. He was never quite satisfied with the noise levels that came in along with the desire CW signals. Variables adjusted include the RF Gain and AGC response time.

Icom 746 & 725 Rig Control with N3FJP

February 24, 2012November 2, 2008

A reader asks for help with rig control interfacing to an Icom 725.

Copper J-Pole Antenna on Play Set

May 23, 2018November 1, 2008

Can a 2 meter J-Pole antenna work well on a child’s playset? Read and find out.

43 Foot Vertical and Coax Switches

February 24, 2012November 1, 2008

Furthering the discussion of the 43 foot vertical antenna I wanted to report a concern I have with this antenna and the use of any relay based coax switch.

If you install a 43 foot vertical in your back yard, route the coax through a switch and handle the tuning inside your ham shack, you need to ensure you do not exceed the voltage or current limits of the relays in the switch.