Re: [Flexradio] Product Decision
Bob Did you confirm that it s not coming in on the mic lead? Mike va3mw On Dec 27, 2012, at 2:11 PM, Steve Sterling wrote: > Hi Robert-- the cheaper "bead" type designs, if configured properly, do work. > But a good one requires > a) 50 or more beads, 100 beads to use on 160M-- to get the necessary high > impedance .. > b) The correct ferrite mix. > > I don't know how many or what mix the MFJ has. There are many vendors of the > bead-type chokes that skimp-- maybe only 20 or 25 beads, and worse, beads > made for VHF, not HF. I've used materials from Wireman to make a bead-type > or two. Cost effective if implemented right. Waste of money or worse if not. > > Steve WA7DUH > > On 12/27/2012 8:45 AM, Robert Costa wrote: >> All, >> As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing >> down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting >> up on 40 meters and above now. >> As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I >> had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product >> that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get >> what you pay for. >> I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core >> 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics >> as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. >> My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only >> 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not >> expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. >> Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me >> your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? >> Thank you and 73 >> Robert >> KB6QXM >> ___ >> FlexRadio Systems Mailing List >> FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz >> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz >> Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ >> Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ > > > ___ > FlexRadio Systems Mailing List > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz > Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ > Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] Product Decision
Everett, Below you stated; "5. Star grounded (with 1" wide braided cables) my 5000A, computer case, amplifier and tuner to the wall plate which itself is an extension of the entire systems grounding system." Questions: 1. What kind of grounding is system is your wall plate connected to? 2. Is this "wall plate" your electrical duplex outlet "wall plat"e? 3. Is your ham shack in the basement, ground floor or second floor? 4. How long is the connection from your "wall plate" to the earth ground? The house hold electrical system ground is not an effective RF ground system. Depending on the location of your ham shack and size of your house your house hold ground (cold water pipe or a ground rod at the electrical power input to the house) may be 60 or so feet away from ground. If that's the case it may be resonate 1/2 wave length at 40 meters and would put your rig at the worst possible place for RF ingress. If the above is the case, a set of 1/4 wave counterpoise wires for each band you want to operate, connected to the star ground point and end of the wire connected to nothing. If this is not possible, recommend an artificial ground system. Bob K8MLM In a message dated 12/27/2012 12:32:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ke5...@tx.rr.com writes: Robert: I have two baluns from Balun Designs one of which is the 1115DU. Both are very well made, heavy duty items. I have not used or seen the MFJ device, so I have no comment on it. My operating location is fairly close to my antennas which caused a number of RFI issues. The steps I took were: 1. Installed ferrite beads on most of the interconnecting cables in the shack. 2. Installation of current baluns at the bases of the antennas. 3. Replaced a "stock" (read cheap) firewire cable with a Granite firewire cable. 4. Replaced my (largely) plastic computer case with a metal one. 5. Star grounded (with 1" wide braided cables) my 5000A, computer case, amplifier and tuner to the wall plate which itself is an extension of the entire systems grounding system. Hope this helps. Everett KE5MMT -Original Message- From: Flexedge [mailto:flexedge-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Robert Costa Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 10:46 AM To: Flex Radio List; Flexedge Subject: [FlexEdge] Product Decision All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ Flexedge mailing list flexe...@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software innovation and other technical SDR topics. ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 6 meters
As for frequencies, 50.125 is a calling freq for SSB---freqs in the range from 50.1 to 50.150 are for SSB. For CW, good freqs are 50.07 to 50.1. Beacons range from about 50.04 to 50.07. Weak signals and EME range 50.0 to 50.04. Band openings can skew these ranges a good bit. There are several good websites on VHF/UHF operations, including a near real-time on-line bulletin board on which people say what they doing and on what frequency they are doing it. There are also several tutorials on-line for various types of operational interests. At least this is what my experience shows me. Bob, NZ5A Sent from my iPhone On Dec 27, 2012, at 3:51 PM, Johnnie Spotts wrote: Hi all, I am operating a Flex-3000. Where can I get info on operating 6 meters. Thannks, Johnnie W6HTY ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
[Flexradio] Balun Designs
Put me down as another endorser of Balun Designs. Not that MFJ is bad - it will probably work for you - but Balun Designs is better. Much better. George J Molnar Las Vegas, USA Amateur Radio: KF2T Twitter: @GJMolnar ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
[Flexradio] 6 meters
Hi all, I am operating a Flex-3000. Where can I get info on operating 6 meters. Thannks, Johnnie W6HTY ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Product Decision
Hi Robert-- the cheaper "bead" type designs, if configured properly, do work. But a good one requires a) 50 or more beads, 100 beads to use on 160M-- to get the necessary high impedance .. b) The correct ferrite mix. I don't know how many or what mix the MFJ has. There are many vendors of the bead-type chokes that skimp-- maybe only 20 or 25 beads, and worse, beads made for VHF, not HF. I've used materials from Wireman to make a bead-type or two. Cost effective if implemented right. Waste of money or worse if not. Steve WA7DUH On 12/27/2012 8:45 AM, Robert Costa wrote: All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] Product Decision
Robert: I have two baluns from Balun Designs one of which is the 1115DU. Both are very well made, heavy duty items. I have not used or seen the MFJ device, so I have no comment on it. My operating location is fairly close to my antennas which caused a number of RFI issues. The steps I took were: 1. Installed ferrite beads on most of the interconnecting cables in the shack. 2. Installation of current baluns at the bases of the antennas. 3. Replaced a "stock" (read cheap) firewire cable with a Granite firewire cable. 4. Replaced my (largely) plastic computer case with a metal one. 5. Star grounded (with 1" wide braided cables) my 5000A, computer case, amplifier and tuner to the wall plate which itself is an extension of the entire systems grounding system. Hope this helps. Everett KE5MMT -Original Message- From: Flexedge [mailto:flexedge-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Robert Costa Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 10:46 AM To: Flex Radio List; Flexedge Subject: [FlexEdge] Product Decision All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ Flexedge mailing list flexe...@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software innovation and other technical SDR topics. ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] Product Decision
The DX engineering feedline choke uses RG-142 coax looped through a couple binocular cores. Excellent construction quality and materials. -- Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL 3191 Western Dr. Cameron Park, CA 95682 br...@lloyd.com +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) +1.916.877.5067 (USA) ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] Product Decision
On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 8:45 AM, Robert Costa wrote: > I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core > 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great > characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 > meters. > SWR and line loss, while interesting, aren't that important because, after all, it is just a straight piece of coax. If they used good coax then the SWR and line loss numbers will be that of a good piece of coax. The choking impedance from 160m-10m is the crucial information. The bigger that number is at your operating frequency, the better it will choke off currents on the outside of the line. One thing to consider is that, if the impedance is too low, the choke will run hot and NOT do the job you want it to do. And one other thing. Where you place the choke in the line makes a difference. RF current appears in standing waves just as RF voltage appears in standing waves. There are points on the line that are high current (low impedance) and points that are low current (high impedance). If you happen to place your new choke at a high-impedance point on the line, the effect will be minimal. If you place it at a low impedance point on the line, the effect will be maximal, i.e. reducing current all along the line. If you have a way of measuring RF current along the line you can find these high current nodes. And measuring current on the outside of the line is surprisingly easy. Put a ferrite bead over the coax and wrap several turns of hook-up wire around it too. You have just made a current transformer. Connect a meter that will measure RF voltage to the free ends of the hook-up wire and now you can find the current peaks and nulls on the coax. (It doesn't matter if it accurately measures current, only that it will show you where the peaks and nulls are.) > My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only > 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not > expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum > analyzer. > Right. You have no idea what kind of ferrite beads were used so you have no idea how much choke impedance there is. You are shooting in the dark. Of course, you COULD measure the impedance but I am guessing that will cost you a lot more than buying a known quantity (unless you already have the kit). -- Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL 3191 Western Dr. Cameron Park, CA 95682 br...@lloyd.com +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) +1.916.877.5067 (USA) ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] Product Decision
I've got several chokes, 1:1, and 4:1 baluns from Balun Designs - excellent products. Lloyd - N9LB On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM, Robert Costa wrote: All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ Flexedge mailing list flexe...@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software innovation and other technical SDR topics. ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Product Decision
I have two of the Balun Designs 1115DU's. Have recommended to many local HAM's having issues - with great success for all. I have one on my OCF and one on my 6M loop. Both eliminated the remaining stray RF I was suffering from after the placement of the ugly balun at the antenna. -- Richard A Clafton | the brITish guy | W5\G7EIX RIROC - Hosting - Development - Technology http://www.riroc.com | rclaf...@riroc.com "Jack of all trades, master of none, though often better than the master of one." -Original Message- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Robert Costa Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 10:46 AM To: Flex Radio List; Flexedge Subject: [Flexradio] Product Decision All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
[Flexradio] Product Decision
All, As many of you have read and are probably tired of hearing, I am chasing down my RF ingress issues into my Flex 5000a, which seem to be even acting up on 40 meters and above now. As part of my potential solution, I will be purchasing a isolation choke. I had decided on a product, when a friend of mine pointed to another product that is almost 1/3 the cost. Now I do believe in the old adage that you get what you pay for. I was on the phone with Bob from Balun Designs. He suggested a dual core 1115DU. The cost is $79.00 plus shipping. The item has great characteristics as far as SWR, line loss and choking impedance from 160-10 meters. My friend in a QSO last night suggested the MFJ-915. This item is only 29.99. It consists of a bunch of ferrite beads. As it is MFJ, I do not expect them to publish any specifications or sweeps from a spectrum analyzer. Hs anyone dealt with either one of these products or both? Can you give me your honest opinion on the performance versus cost analysis? Thank you and 73 Robert KB6QXM ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
[Flexradio] Looking SDR1000
I am Looking SDR1000 Please email me : yb...@yahoo.com Tnx 73 de YB0AR Ferry Jakarta - Indonesia ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
