Re: [Elecraft] Code Buddy
Jeff, I wish I were close to you so that I could help, but KY to the West Coast is a bit far. I would, however, like to commend and encourage you to work on your code speed. On the air experience is great, but there are alternatives. Some keyers have an option to send random code groups. Also, there are computer programs to help you train for increased speed. Just a couple of hints from an old guy who has been at it over 50 years now: 1) There is no magice formula, no tricky technique that will get you there quicker, regardless of what some advertisements say. Regular practice, daily if possible, is the method to do it. Steady and sure progress, sometimes frustrating, will get you there. The catch here is that, as adults, we have other responsibilities tht demand our time. It will take a disiplined approach to keep a schedule of practice. Some folks listen to code tapes (or CDs) in the car during a long commute to work. 2) You may have to take a break after a bit. Perhaps you will have to limit your practice sessions to 15 minutes or so. This is tiring stuff and the mind gets saturated easily. 3) If you use a computer, set the character speed at 18 to 20 wpm, even if the code speed is lower. Learning to hear and recognize the characters at speed will help the ability to copy when the space between characters shortens as the overall spped of transmisson increases. 4) Spend a little time working contests. You don't have to enter. Most contest exchanges are simple and repetitive and everyone sends fast. It will help contition your ear and brain to comprehend faster code, but only a few characters at a time. 5) Are you a musician or do you like to listen to music? Try listening to some Bach or Motzart for a few minutes before your code sessions. I believe that will help. Good luck Jeff. Learning the code is its own reward. It /IS/ like riding a bicycle. I go away for weeks at a time, on occasion, and when I get back to it, I am back to full speed within minutes. 73, Dave, K4TO j s wrote: I've been copying/sending at about 9 wpm for too long. I very much want to increase my speed, but I need someone who is patient to help me do that. If you are interested and in the western U.S., especially California, please email me. -Jeff __ Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
FW: [Elecraft] Code Buddy (Motzart = better CW)
Dave, you may be right but, as one who doesn't like classical music, I read your music tip a bit differently. I'm thinking ... yea, listen to classical music for a while. After that CW will be like music to your ears and you'll be able to tolerate a longer practice session. In fact, if you want to listen to CW all day and not be irritated, precede it with 10 minutes of Bagpipe music! After 10 minutes anything will sound good! Sorry, couldn't resist ... Speaking of bagpipes, do you know why pipers walk while they play? To get away from the sound! - Keith KD1E - -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Sublette *snip* 5) Are you a musician or do you like to listen to music? Try listening to some Bach or Motzart for a few minutes before your code sessions. I believe that will help. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] No matter what I do... Cake!
Thanks Vin! While driving to church one day, I spotted a car at a red light. The driver was a retired man in a suit and tie. His passenger was a well dressed lady in her mid 60's. I concluded they were on their way to church, just like my family and me. On the roof of the car, right above the driver's head was a home-made layer cake on a plate with cellophane wrap around it and tooth picks to keep the cellophane off the frosting. The light turned green and off he went before I had a chance to signal to him. That was almost 10 years ago. I wonder if she is speaking to him yet? - Keith - -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of V Cortina Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 8:32 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] No matter what I do... Since I had placed the box on the right side of the roof ... ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Code Buddy (Motzart = better CW)
Hi Keith, Yup, I know that joke about the pipers. I have friends who are pipers. I am a trumpet player. I enjoy many types of music, but my favorite is big band music from the 20's 30's and 40's. I play lead trumpet in a 16 piece big band. We are all retired and we play in retirement homes, nursing homes, senior centers, etc. We played 41 times last year. We play a one hour show and, on occasion, a two hour show. I have a nephew and his wife who are both pipers. I have a picture, taken from behind two of my grandchildren who are sitting and listening to them play the pipes, with both hands over their ears. It is a classic. I show it to my piper friends often. There is nothing better to me than ballet without the dancing and opera without the singing. 73, Dave Darwin, Keith wrote: Dave, you may be right but, as one who doesn't like classical music, I read your music tip a bit differently. I'm thinking ... yea, listen to classical music for a while. After that CW will be like music to your ears and you'll be able to tolerate a longer practice session. In fact, if you want to listen to CW all day and not be irritated, precede it with 10 minutes of Bagpipe music! After 10 minutes anything will sound good! Sorry, couldn't resist ... Speaking of bagpipes, do you know why pipers walk while they play? To get away from the sound! - Keith KD1E - -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Sublette *snip* 5) Are you a musician or do you like to listen to music? Try listening to some Bach or Motzart for a few minutes before your code sessions. I believe that will help. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] KXOD1 paddle testing
Hello Elecraft, if still a tester needed for the paddle, i would be interested. I am an active CW op on the SOTA (summits on the air) programm in central europe on 7030 kc. using K2. 73 kurt HB9AFI ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Soler Controllers
Hi I have been supplying a Solar Charge Controller Kit for several years. This controller will keep a SLA or LA 12 volt battery charged from solar panels of 3 to about 150 watts. Batteries of 2 amp hour to 110 amp hour have been used with these controllers. The new batch of circuit boards I received had a problem from the board supplier and had to be made over. This delayed shipment on a few orders but I have the corrected circuit boards now and all orders have shipped. (The silk screen was on the wrong side of the board.. go figure.) The kit is $30 or two for $50 check or money order and includes all the parts and documentation required to build the controller, less a box to mount it into. I also still have about 8-10 of the low power controller. This controller will handle up to 1.5 amps or about 20 watts. This version will power a KX1, K1 or QRP K2. The price for this version is $16 order from: Don Brown KD5NDB 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint, Texas 75762 The price includes US postage Thanks Don ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Controllers
I built 2 of Don's controllers for Field Day a while back and they worked great! Simple to build and an excellent value in my opinion! 73 Paul w9bbr Don Brown [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi I have been supplying a Solar Charge Controller Kit for several years. This controller will keep a SLA or LA 12 volt battery charged from solar panels of 3 to about 150 watts. Batteries of 2 amp hour to 110 amp hour have been used with these controllers. The new batch of circuit boards I received had a problem from the board supplier and had to be made over. This delayed shipment on a few orders but I have the corrected circuit boards now and all orders have shipped. (The silk screen was on the wrong side of the board.. go figure.) The kit is $30 or two for $50 check or money order and includes all the parts and documentation required to build the controller, less a box to mount it into. I also still have about 8-10 of the low power controller. This controller will handle up to 1.5 amps or about 20 watts. This version will power a KX1, K1 or QRP K2. The price for this version is $16 order from: Don Brown KD5NDB 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint, Texas 75762 The price includes US postage Thanks Don ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL 160
If anyone needs a QSL from Orange County, NY for the ARRL 160M test (or any other QSO's for that matter) send SASE and I'll get one out to you. Tom K2TA K2/AT/100 #1117 Tom Althoff PO Box 1259 Greenwood Lake, NY 10925 - Original Message - From: J F [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 7:38 AM Subject: [Elecraft] ARRL 160 Greetings All, I'd like to collect QSLs from everyone using an Elecraft in the contest this past weekend. I managed to work all 50 states and thought it would be really neat it they were all Elecraft users. There are some really outstanding scores from K2 users posted on 3830 already. This was the first time I used the Rx Antenna feature and it was invaluable. Thanks to everyone for a great 'test! 73, Julius n2wn K2/100 #3311 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] FS Like new Palm Tungsten E2
Pictures and details at: http://users.frii.com/rwc/fs/ -- 73, Rod N0RC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] N8LP wattmeter kits
Just in time for Christmas... sort of. For all of you who expressed interest in the LP-200 project, I have added Buy Now PayPal buttons on the LP-200 webpage. Deliveries will start in early January, due to manufacturing lead time on the PCB and bottom plate. I made some small changes, which include adding the HP dual Schottky diode detector, which eliminates diode matching and some of the calibration procedure... and I also changed some of the cal screens, adding a second gain screen for high power, and an offset screen for zero'ing out the opamp offset error. I have also started a new wattmeter project, the LP-300, which is a handheld, battery operated directional wattmeter with digital readout. The project is in the prototype/testing phase, and should be ready in 2-3 weeks. It borrows heavily from the LP-100 and LP-200, has digital readout and a number of features important for portable use. I mention this only because I thought you should all know about it in case you feel it is better suited to your needs than the LP-200. I believe the three wattmeters provide different needs, but there is obviously some overlap of features since they are all wattmeters ;-) I have also added a webpage with a comparison matrix of the three projects. If you go to my home page, www.telepostinc.com, you will find links in the LATEST NEWS section to the LP-200, comparison matrix and a preliminary look at the LP-300. 73, Larry N8LP ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] ARRL 160 Rx antenna
Julius, Would you (or anyone) please elaborate on the use of an Rx antenna? Thanks Bill K3UJ This was the first time I used the Rx Antenna feature and it was invaluable. Thanks to everyone for a great 'test! 73, Julius n2wn K2/100 #3311 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] ARRL 160 Rx antenna
Bill, Often low efficiency antennas make great low noise receiving antennas - example is a multiturn loop which can be quite directional, but transmit efficincy would be almost 'zip'. Another example is traveling wave antennas such as the Beverage - which also are directional, but the efficiency is low and therefore unsuitable for transmitting. By using the K2 Rant, one can automatically select the Rx antenna on any band separate from the selection of the transmitting antenna. This is often used with great success on 160 (and 80 meters) where a low noise directional antenna is used for receiving and a vertical is used for transmitting. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Julius, Would you (or anyone) please elaborate on the use of an Rx antenna? Thanks Bill K3UJ This was the first time I used the Rx Antenna feature and it was invaluable. Thanks to everyone for a great 'test! 73, Julius n2wn K2/100 #3311 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Using Separate Rx and Tx Antennas (WAS: ARRL 160 Rx antenna)
It allows you to use a separate antenna for receiving. Often such an antenna can provide a superior signal-to-noise ratio than the main antenna, especially if you're using a vertical for transmitting. I have a wire a couple of feet above the ground running along my fence that often provides superior reception over the doublet up high, especially on the lower-frequency bands where QRN is more of an issue. QRN, especially man-made QRN, is less pronounced down near the ground. Of course, such an antenna has a lot less gain than a wire up high, which means it's not so good for transmitting, but gain is not a concern in receiving on the HF bands. The rig (especially the K2) has far more gain than necessary to overcome the losses in almost any antenna. So the whole story is in the signal-to-noise ratio. The better the S/N ratio, the better your K2 will hear, regardless of the gain of the antenna. Some dedicated people have even built underground doublets, letting the ground shield them from QRN while signals, although attenuated, are cut much less allowing them to hear signals their huge skywire up high couldn't detect. Of course such underground antennas are well insulated from the earth, often placed inside water-tight pipes. Other options are to use a small rotatable loop that allows you to null out QRM and peak the signal. Just because a transmitting antenna hears as well as it radiates does not mean that it's optimum for receiving! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 5:27 Pme To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] ARRL 160 Rx antenna Julius, Would you (or anyone) please elaborate on the use of an Rx antenna? Thanks Bill K3UJ This was the first time I used the Rx Antenna feature and it was invaluable. Thanks to everyone for a great 'test! 73, Julius n2wn K2/100 #3311 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Swap IC-271H for Elecraft kits
Hi, I have a very nice IC-271H that is fresh from the factory after being updated and aligned. .2uv RX and 105 Watts Xmt. I would like to offer for unfinished or unbuilt or excess Elecraft kits that would match in value. $425 or so. Pix at www.kalkwarf.com/k7rlk Bob k7rlk (k2-5036) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 BFO Test
I am in the process of testing the BFO on page 62. Everything tested fine up to this point but now I can not get the proper BFO range. The BFO high frequency is 4917.56 and the BFO low frequency is 4914.26. This provides a BFO range of 3.2 kHz. It appears that I can not the the BFO low frequency below 4912.7 as specified in the manual. I checked L33 to make sure R116 is not shorting any turns. Should I troubleshoot this problem before proceding? If so where else should I look. Thanks. Ted K6OI ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 to K2 DX QSL received
I got an envelope of QSL cards from the bureau today and one of them was for a contact I made on vacation in France last year with OH0EC (DL1EKC) in the Aland Islands. I was running my K2 and MP-1 from my hotel room in Tourcoing and he was running a K2-100. Thanks, Marcus! Bob ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 for sale
Greetings Elecrafters! Bought this built, it is in excellent condition. I have been using it daily for several months and made hundreds of QSOs on all bands. I wouldn't part with it but I have to sell something to get something new, and I want to try building my own. K2 Serial Number: 389 Firmware 1.04C 1.02 KSB option included KBT2 option included Unbuilt KNB2 included. rhauser (at) americaningredients (dot) com -- work, preferred eichmann (at) kc (dot) rr (dot) com -- personal 73 --Ron KC0TLN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon!
Craig, What prompted you to get back into the fray? Well, a few months ago I received a QSL card from Canada in the mail by mistake. Looking at the card, I started thinking about the old days. I haven't been on the air since around 1981 or so. Then, a week or so ago, the subject of Heathkit (of all things) came up in a discussion with my wife. I can't remember what we were talking about. Anyway, I was curious to see if Heathkit was still in business (in some form) so I got on the internet and started searching. Heathkit is no more -- but I did find the Elecraft website during my search. I did some research and I was impressed with the reviews on the K2. QRP CW sounded interesting to me so I checked to make sure my license was still valid (yes!). Then I went online to join the ARRL again and to order the Operating Manual and The ARRL Handbook to bone up on what has changed in all these years. This afternoon I ordered the K2 with the auto tuner and RS232 interface. It should be here on Thursday. I still need to get some QSL cards made up and find a suitable power supply. Then I need to tackle the issue of an antenna. It needs to be something I can attach to the solar panels on the roof. I thought about attaching a dipole of some form to the pipes with cable ties. It should be almost invisible to the eye (deed restrictions :( ). Plus the fact that we have all woods out back makes it very unlikely anyone will see it. I just hope it works decently :) Kevin -Original Message- From: Craig D. Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 11:22 PM To: 'Kevin Shaw' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon! Kevin ... Glad to know that I'm not alone with this reentry into ham radio. The K2 looks like a great rig and I think we will both enjoy building and using them. I installed a stealth random wire antenna up on the ridgeline of my roof as others in the neighborhood were installing Xmas lights (think I got away with it). Seems to work OK on receive, and hopefully will be able to make some contacts with it. I used to be a CW contester at heart, so may get frustrated with the antenna situation here, but should be fun anyhow. They have QRP divisions, now they just need to have an indoor antenna division too ;) Also plan to install radials in the back yard (definitely invisible!) and make a tripod mounted vertical that I can put out on special occasions and/or after dark. The new automatic tuners should make this type of thing easier than it used to be. Plan to order my K2 with the auto tuner, noise blanker and 160 meter option and then get the DSP filter and perhaps SSB later in 2006. Look for me in Sweepstakes next November for sure! What prompted you to get back into the fray? Best Regards ... Craig Craig D. Smith PowerSmith Consulting 1009 Alder Way Longmont, CO 80503 phone: 303-678-7958 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.PowerSmithConsulting.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin Shaw Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 7:52 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon! After 18 years of inactivity and a lapsed license, I've joined the ranks of hamdom again. I too am in the process of getting back into ham radio after about 22 years. I plan on ordering a K2 in a few days and trying my hand at some CW. Hopefully I won't be too rusty :) I'm looking forward to a fun construction project, the challenge of working QRP CW with extreme antenna restrictions from my HOA I have the same problem here. We have solar panels on the roof for the swimming pool. I was thinking about attaching a dipole to the pipes that run along the roof. The pipes are long enough for a DX-CC dipole and should be almost invisible. It's less than optimal, but it's better than nothing. 73s Kevin Shaw N8IQ/4 Trinity, Florida -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Craig D. Smith Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 3:17 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon! After 18 years of inactivity and a lapsed license, I've joined the ranks of hamdom again. Took elements 2, 3 and 4 on Saturday and now am waiting for my new (and much longer) call from the FCC. I started exploring what's new in amateur radio a couple months ago, and my most exciting discovery was Elecraft and the enthusiasm and support of this Email list. I like the product designs and the prospect of building and servicing my own equipment like we did back in the day. I wasn't sure if that was still a practical possibility, but with Elecraft it certainly is. Without Elecraft, I probably wouldn't have taken the plunge again. Just treated myself to a new Weller WESD51 soldering station with all the trimmings - decided that my 1966 soldering iron wasn't
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL 160 Rx antenna
On Dec 6, 2005, at 8:27 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Would you (or anyone) please elaborate on the use of an Rx antenna? The fundamental problem on the low bands is the high noise level. A good transmitting antenna can often have S6-9 noise, or worse. It's hard to hear weak signals with all that noise. As W8JI would put it, the characteristics of a good transmitting antenna and a good receiving antenna aren't the same. A transmitting antenna should have gain in a particular direction (and angle) in order to place the most signal into the target area. For receive, at least until you get into the upper VHF region, gain isn't really important. The problem is noise -- you can pick up the ambient noise on the band with barely any antenna at all -- all that gain just brings more noise into the radio. For receive, the important thing isn't gain, but antenna pattern. An antenna with a good pattern will ignore noise (and QRM) from directions outside the target area. Less noise means better signal to noise ratio. Signals that aren't audible on the transmitting antenna are then audible on the receiving antenna. There are many designs for effective low-band receiving antennas. These are quite lossy, having gain 20-30 dB below that of a transmitting antenna. Examples include Beverage antennas, Flags, Pennants, EWEs, K9AY loops. Despite being lossy, they can have quite sharp patterns, especially the Beverage antenna. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quote: Not within a thousand years will man ever fly! -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL 160 Rx antenna
Bill and others, The explanations by Don Ron were as always right on and very helpful. I already knew the answers but enjoyed reading the replies anyway. I still have questions, though, too, so please continue to read on (we get there eventually). I would like to point out a couple of resources for more info on the topic. First is a book by John Devoldere, ON4UN called 80m DXing, oops, sorry, I'm showing my age, it is now called Low Band DXing or Antennas and Techniques on Low Band DXing. I did a quick Google search and guess I should pick up a more up to date version of the book. The copy I have is from 1978 and was an excellent resource at that time. Recently looking through it some info is obviously dated (comparison of different radios now considered to be vintage although still excellent rigs even compared to today's newer radios, such as the Drake R4B/C, Kenwood TS820, Collins S-Line/KWM2, Signal One CX7, Collins R390, Heath SB101, etc) while other information is timeless (theoretical and practical info on the antennas for the most part as well as operating practices). It gives lots of great info on these subjects with practical examples from a time honored expert. Another book that is about 10 years newer for the copy I have which is a 2nd edition, although it looks like the latest release that is still available is the 3rd edition, but I'm not sure when it came out, is called The Beverage Antenna Handbook by Victor Misek, W1WCR. This book includes topics on single wire Travelling Wave Antennas multiple wire Steerable Wave Antennas. As is the case for most ham related books it is mostly practical and only moderately theoretical. Both of the above examples require a bit of real estate, or at least a cooperative neighbor. I convinced my neighbor at one time that the wire I proposed to run out onto his property was only used for Rx and I guaranteed to him that *it* would not cause interference. This negotiation worked and my neighbor and I still have a good relationship to this day (long after I've moved away, although my moving away is not the reason for our good relationship these days!). I've seen other installations that have also taken advantage of a good neighbor policy. Try it, it works! Other Rx antennas that are popular lately and work almost as well without nearly as much real estate which you should be able to find more info on the web include the EWE Array or K9AY loops. I'm currently investigating the latter along with a small magnetic loop (oh, I thought it was small for 160m at about 12' diameter, maybe I should make it smaller yet!). Okay, now for the questions that I have. Having recently worked several stations surprisingly easily with my K2 at 5W during the recent Top Band contests (both the ARRL as well as the less active QRP ARCI a few days before) I am intrigued with possibilities of a Rx Only antenna. I know the old saying that You gotta hear 'em before you can work 'em surely applies, however, I think that especially when running QRP the station on the other end has much more work to be able to hear your signal, so they need to likely have an even better Rx station than you have. There were several stations which I couldn't work that had moderate (not strong and not weak) signals during this past weekend. Maybe if they had better Rx antennas I could have worked them. I tried several different times hoping that conditions maybe had improved. Generally this was on Friday night while at my QTH Saturday night didn't seem as good. However, my questions (finally) are these: If I have a great Rx only antenna won't I be able to hear many more stations that I probably won't be able to work? Okay, so there is a possibility that some of those stations will also have great Rx antennas and so between the two of us we may be able to work where previously I may not have been able to hear (and hence work) them. But does anyone have any experience with this and care to comment? I'm not trying to gather this information to discourage the attemps, just looking for some practical experience on this as part of a reality check. I have only so far worked one European station and heard very few on 160m, but my experiences on 160m with the K2 are just beginning. The guy I worked in Greece was using a 1000' Beverage for the USA (one and the longest of 4 that he had total) and I think was running about 800W. With my Carolina Windom at about 45' that I used on both Tx Rx I was barely able to copy him initially, then as his signal finally improved so that I could copy so-so, good enough to copy his callsign after enough times of him calling CQ or a few people now and again answering him (while there was several big pileups a few kHz above). Finally when I was sure of his call I called him and he came back and fairly quickly the QSO was in the logbook! I remember giving him a 559, which was
