The first step I would take is to export your database to a text file with either commas or tabs between the fields and one line per record. I don’t know how Microsoft Works 2004 behaves, but text exporting is a pretty common capability of most any database program.

Once you have exported it, I would zip it up and email it to yourself so you have it archived somewhere else.

Now with a text export of your QSO records in hand the next step depends greatly on your current logging program. The information you have captured in your current database is exactly the information needed, but the format is likely unique.

If it is any of the mainline programs including, but not limited to, ACLog, Ham Radio Deluxe, etc. they all support ADIF import. Your text file is certainly not ADIF format so an additional step is in order.

If you give me a copy of your text file export, I can very likely convert it to an ADIF file with an afternoon of scripting at an OSX/Linux prompt.

Much depends on your target logging program, but having an ADIF file of your past logs is never a bad idea even if you don’t currently need it.

I might be able to work with your actual Microsoft Works file also and am willing to try.

Send the file to kx4o@hamradio.me if you would like me to help.

John, kx4o

I soldered Times Microwave LMR-195 cable to my NMO mount and added a connector to the radio end. The LMR-195 is a solid core so is less able to handle repeat bending, but my installation is pretty well fixed. The jacket of the LMR cable is quite tough and that was a serious consideration for coax that must go over, under and past some abrasive points on its way to the radio.

I looked seriously at the NMO mounts with pre-made cables. I only found RG58 options and I wanted something better.

LMR-240 should be great if not a little over kill, but for a fer-sure installation go for it. I wouldn’t bother with the stranded type unless you know for sure the cable will be moving around quite often. One possible problem you might find is attaching the little black cover after your cable installation. It relies on a plastic grip feature that is sized for a particular cable… most often RG58. That was another reason I settled for LMR-195.

The plain mounts without cables cost under $10 each plus shipping. As you know from my posts, I purchased several units to review. One of them came from an Amazon listed vendor. WPS Antennas was another vendor I think. I also purchased a 19 inch NMO whip from WPS and everything tunes up quite well. Do a search on NMO MABO or NMO MBO and you will find several sources ready to take your order.

Good luck and let us know how your install goes. Even better, take some pics and let me format to a post for this web site.

73,
John

Did you solder the cable yourself? Which cable did you use? Would you recommend this way or a model with a “pre-made” cable?

I was thinking to get some good-quality LMR-240 with stranded core (for added flexibility).

How much did you pay for the mounts? Is there a place you would recommend to buy them from?

Thanks!

73, N4RP

If the feed line is actually “feed line” rather than two VERY widely spaced wires, you can’t really count it as part of the loop.

The parallel wires are not radiating parts of the loop to be sure, but are certainly part of the tuned feeder resonance length complete with standing waves.

To Elwood, my 543′ loop is less than 5ohms DCR, wire loss is pretty much a non-issue

Skin effect makes this more of an issue quick as frequency rises.

I operate my loop QRP 5W, phone and digital. My loop is only about 35′ high, and I’ve managed to exceed 1000mi/watt on 7 bands, during a solar minimum.

That’s awesome and speaks well of antennas with large effective apertures like this loop. It speaks well of your operating skills too.

I’d agree with go for the 525′ one, but don’t count the feed line as part of the length…

The thing to avoid is the presentation of a high impedance to the tuner at the end of the parallel line… no matter how good it is. We select a loop size plus feed-line length that presents the transmatch with something other than a spot on voltage maximum for each band we desire. In the case above, the parallel feed-line length is pretty much set leaving only the loop length to adjust.

I agree the 525′ loop is the target circumference, but the feed-line presents this feed-point impedance to the shack at a different impedance.

Of course, if we place an automatic transmatch at the loop’s feed-point our worries are less.

How long is your feed-line?

To Elwood, my 543′ loop is less than 5ohms DCR, wire loss is pretty much a non-issue….

I operate my loop QRP 5W, phone and digital. My loop is only about 35′ high, and I’ve managed to exceed 1000mi/watt on 7 bands, during a solar minimum…

I’d agree with go for the 525′ one, but don’t count the feed line as part of the length. Also, if you’re planning to operate the loop on the harmonics, make it a little longer, remember 14.200/8 is only 1.775…

This antenna will be going up again for this QSO Party again this year.

43 Foot Antenna Installation – The Rising

If local noise is a problem you have the room to consider a Beverage antenna for receive. If you’re not familiar with them start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage_antenna .

Or, if you have access to QEX, there was a very interesting article about electronically steering an array of 160m verticals with a set of SDRs in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue.

73, Elwood, WB0OEW

We should all watch very closely when and if these, arguably very well prepared, EmComm ham groups provide a tangible benefit. I hope they do.

Thanks for posting your questions.

After carefully priming the antenna as described above, I applied two coats of generic flat black paint purchased from Home Depot.

Details of the antenna raising are available in this post…

43 Foot Antenna – The Rising

So far the antenna is holding up very well against the weather here in Virginia. There are no signs of paint flake, peel or other issues.

As far as I can tell the antenna performs fine with no perceptible issues caused by the paint. Note my 43 foot antenna is just one big conductor with no traps or anything else. I say this because some paints have conductivity and spraying this across some electrical boundary might cause problems.

My research into Zinc Chromate suggests it does not conduct. However, I was never quite sure. Also black paints typically have carbon in their makeup which might cause them to conduct at DC and/or RF frequencies.

The good news for me and you is our radiating element is just one big conductor mounted on a standoff at the base and should not be perturbed if the paint does conduct. The aluminum will still be the dominant 43 foot conductor and should work just fine. If anyone thinks otherwise I am eager to discuss.

I participate in QRP Fox Hunts on 80 and 40 plus various QSO Parties including the California Party on 80-15 meters with just this antenna. I still wish I had a beam for 20-10, but cannot complain about how this antenna works; It just works.

My primed and painted 43 foot antenna is a keeper.

I wish you the best of luck with yours.

Thanks,

Melvin, AB5EQ

I looked at 10 meters too, but there was nothing to be found there.

So it seems the 43 foot ground mounted antenna provides at least some functionality for 15 meters given my many contacts between Virginia and California.

Maybe I have something set in my radio that prevents AGC from being on in CW mode, the ham that mentioned this was in SSB mode where AGC is enabled, the ham meant something else, or there’s some option I’m not aware of to further turn off AGC beyond what my TS-2000 does just when I go into CW mode.