New antenna, need some reports

[N2RJ]

I just put up a 80m doublet. Rx is very much improved.

Any misfits up for a sked?

I'm good for 80m and up.

40m? 20m? 75m? :D

[N2RJ]

No one? Come on now guys... I don't bite!!

The new antenna seems to be working great so far. Just made contact with KH7Y, 100w not even trying.

He's running 1.5kw but is 5-7 to 5-9 here.

[ad4mg]

Storms were moving through the area last night here Ryan, and our DSL was screwed as well. I called it an early night.

Maybe tonight?

[W5IEI]

yes,
let's try tonight.
Post times in engrish please 8)
Mike

[ad4mg]

yes,
let's try tonight.
Post times in engrish please 8)
Mike

Si, senior. :oops:

[N2RJ]

Alrighty I am up for anytime tonight, after 6PM EDT.

[K8YS]

I'll be running errands today, getting the motorhome ready, so I'll be on 18.157.5 or 14.300 most of the day.


(6AUG2k7@0952A-EDT)



http://usera.imagecave.com/k8ys/Boundeavatar.jpg

[KU4MY]

Damn it, it's back to the slave pits for me tonight, but, I'll lurk here and see what's up Wednesday and Thursday evening. Maybe with some luck the bands will be in better shape as they all pretty well suck right now, even 60m is a bit iffy today.

[N2RJ]

Okay, well whenever you guys want.

Sorry, I took down my HF antennas to put up some VHF/UHF aluminum. Besides I am probably to close to give you a report anyway.

I will have some wire up in the air for 20 and 40 meters before winter.

[W4KLB]

:D have'bn listining all afternoon did'nt heare you :lol: :lol: noise here is $10

7 3

[N2RJ]

OK guys, I'm available anytime. Just lemme know time and frequency.

[ad4mg]

OK guys, I'm available anytime. Just lemme know time and frequency.

Waiting on my wife to bring one of the dogs back from the vet. After a quick dinner, I'll be at the rig. Say around 2330 utc or so?

[N2RJ]

2330 sounds good to me.

Just let me know where...

[ad4mg]

7.193 is the best spot I can find right now. A light hetrodyne there, but otherwise clear.

Waiting for a call !!

[ad4mg]

moved to 7174, nighthawks net started on 7193

[N2RJ]

Calling but nada...

[ad4mg]

Calling but nada...

On 7174??? No way ...

[n4aud]

Ryan
I heard you quite well here in the other end of Virginia, 599 with some static on the band. You were talking to W2BWQ (I think) who said he was close to your location. You had a great signal. I would have given you an on air report but didn't find an opportunity to break in, sounded like they had a sked.

[N2RJ]

Join us on 7174

[N2RJ]

Good job guys... we had a nice little net going there. Hopefully we can hear some more of y'all next time!

[N2RJ]

Luke, Audie and I had a nice little chat this evening.

We were thinking, why not make this into a semi-informal roundtable?

40 seems to be pretty good around 0:00 because some of the broadcast QRM disappears around that time.

It doesn't have to be every day or even every week. But I think if we have something regular (once or twice a week, or once every two weeks) we can encourage more folks away from their keyboards and onto the radio.

What do you think?

[ad4mg]

Luke, Audie and I had a nice little chat this evening.

We were thinking, why not make this into a semi-informal roundtable?

40 seems to be pretty good around 0:00 because some of the broadcast QRM disappears around that time.

It doesn't have to be every day or even every week. But I think if we have something regular (once or twice a week, or once every two weeks) we can encourage more folks away from their keyboards and onto the radio.

What do you think?

Absolutely enjoyed razzin' all the keyboard commando's. Audie was solid at about S-7 to S-8, and Ryan, quite an improvement on your signal ... you rode S-9 and a bit more just about the whole time! I don't operate that much SSB, so I hope the audio was acceptable. I could probably improve it a bit with the transmit audio adjustments available in the rig, but most of my operating is with the paddles. They eliminate all those annoying adjustments!

I had some static crashes ... all around S-5 or so, and pretty steady.

Ryan, did you record any of the QSO? I've never heard myself on the air, and don't monitor my signal, as I find headphones to be irritating. I would love to hear what I sound like some day.

I'm up for something semi-regular ... would love to see more of the guys here joins us. I'll keep an eye out here for any interest in such a thing.

Enjoyed the chat!

73 - Luke

[N2RJ]

As a matter of fact I did, and I converted it to MP3.

I'm on the phone with someone talking about his MonstIR install so when I'm finished I'll put it online for download.

[N2RJ]

http://www.n2rj.com/audio/ad4mg.mp3

[ad4mg]

http://www.n2rj.com/audio/ad4mg.mp3

Cool freakin' beans dude! I'm impressed ... the audio is pretty good, and clean! I had always worried about over-driving the rig, now my mind is at ease.

Thanks so much for the recording! I notice you had considerable static from lightning crashes too.

I'm going to super glue the knobs right where they're set!

Thanks,
Luke

[N2RJ]

Haha yeah, super glue those knobs. Your audio was pretty good.

The static crashes were a b&*ch. You could literally see them sweeping across the bandscope screen. We had a weather advisory earlier today but now the crashes are pretty much gone.

To record I used my RigExpert and audacity. MP3 conversion was done with LAME.

[N2RJ]

Audie, here is your recording:

http://www.n2rj.com/audio/n4aud.mp3

[K1OU]

In about a month, you'll have a file of me. It ought to be fun on 75 late at night come Ocrober!

[KU4MY]

Speak Engrish!

[kb9rqz]

In about a month, you'll have a file of me. It ought to be fun on 75 late at night come Ocrober!
at the risk of seeming to the newbie to hf that I am can we realy expect a noticable different on 75 in the falland winter at this point in the cycle with auto insurance this month property taxes next month the soonest I can hope to affod an amp to boost 100 watt into something a bit louder (and since I am hearing lots of folks that ain't hearing I am think louder is called for)

[KU4MY]

OK

[ad4mg]

In about a month, you'll have a file of me. It ought to be fun on 75 late at night come Ocrober!
at the risk of seeming to the newbie to hf that I am can we realy expect a noticable different on 75 in the falland winter at this point in the cycle with auto insurance this month property taxes next month the soonest I can hope to affod an amp to boost 100 watt into something a bit louder (and since I am hearing lots of folks that ain't hearing I am think louder is called for)

The biggest difference will be lower static levels. Fewer thunderstorms rolling across the continental US. If you have a little room, a good antenna beats an amp, hands down. As an example, Ryan and I gave this a go on 40 a couple of weeks ago using compromise antennas, mine being a ground mounted vertical. Copy was difficult at best. Last night, we were both on 75/80 meter wires, and even with noise from broadcast stations and mucho lightning crashes, copy was almost armchair quality. We were both running 100 watts. Certainly an amp will help during difficult band conditions, but you can do quite well on 75/80 meters with 100 watts and a full sized antenna. Plus, when you improve your antenna, you improve your receive as well as your transmit signals. An amplifier helps only with the transmitted signal. If you can't hear them, you can't work them!

The lower bands are also not affected quite as much by solar activity. At the bottom of the cycle like we are in now, it is still common to work good DX on 30, 40, 75/80, and 160 meters. The winter activity on the lower bands is better simply because you don't have to fight all that static.

You can build a nice multi-band antenna for less than $100, including the suspension. A 75/80 meter dipole, fed with 450 ohm ladder line (or 300 ohm twin lead if you don't use an amp), up 40' or higher provides a solid performing antenna capable of working all the way up to 10 meters. Some trimming of the feedline may be necessary for operation on the higher bands to keep RF out of the shack. If you are interested in how to construct one, let me know. I'll be happy to give a detailed description of this antenna.

A friend of mine built a 75/80 folded dipole totally from 300 ohm twin lead. The antenna and feedline were made from this lead. It's very lightweight, and the twin lead can be brought directly to your tuner (if it is capable of tuning parallel feeders). There is one caveat when using parallel feeders ... the SWR is going to change when it gets wet, more so for the 300 ohm stuff. It's a minor inconvenience.

73 - Luke

[n4aud]

Speak Engrish!
Great Ryan! Enjoyed my short conversation with you two a lot. I wouldn't mind doing it on a regular basis.

Tom, they told me at language school they'd have to teach me English FIRST, then Korean. I have had a few people who said they had trouble with my accent.

[KU4MY]

Audie my friend, I am a victim of the American educational system. After arriving here as one of those horrible foreigners, falling off of the turnip truck on this side of the pond, I attended public School in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Dade County, Florida. You will have to overlook my profound ignorance and stupidity for I am not worthy recognition. Ignorance I can thank the school system for, but my stupidity is a merry contribution of my parents upon which I have expanded.

I had rather hoped over the years I would befall a serious head injury, such that might improve the performance of the old grey matter, but alas, it has never happened.

Unlike the amassed brilliance that surrounds me here on the IOMH, I foolishly wake up with a smile, a bright cheerful attitude and expect a wonderful and prosperous day…… silly me…… I’m afraid you will just have to overlook this cretin sir, for I am not worthy the odd glance or recognition by those other citizens of the Island. Just consider me the janitor or custodian passing through as the others do and you will prosper here for a very long time indeed sir.

[n4aud]

Audie my friend, I am a victim of the American educational system. After arriving here as one of those horrible foreigners, falling off of the turnip truck on this side of the pond, I attended public School in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Dade County, Florida. You will have to overlook my profound ignorance and stupidity for I am not worthy recognition. Ignorance I can thank the school system for, but my stupidity is a merry contribution of my parents upon which I have expanded.

I had rather hoped over the years I would befall a serious head injury, such that might improve the performance of the old grey matter, but alas, it has never happened.

Unlike the amassed brilliance that surrounds me here on the IOMH, I foolishly wake up with a smile, a bright cheerful attitude and expect a wonderful and prosperous day…… silly me…… I’m afraid you will just have to overlook this cretin sir, for I am not worthy the odd glance or recognition by those other citizens of the Island. Just consider me the janitor or custodian passing through as the others do and you will prosper here for a very long time indeed sir.

Well, my excuse is that I'm just dim witted! You said speak "Engrish" but I'm lucky to be able to do my "drawl." I should work on my CW skills because no IQ points would be automatically deducted- which some people do when they hear a couple of words from me.

The semi-regular net is a great idea, IMHO. I might even put up an antenna JUST for 40 meters.

[KU4MY]

I should work on my CW skills because no IQ points would be automatically deducted- which some people do when they hear a couple of words from me.

The semi-regular net is a great idea, IMHO. I might even put up an antenna JUST for 40 meters.

Word!

I'm just delighted that people here (in the US) as well as Ryan (who is also obviously in the US now) have been kind enough to not ask me if I'm a pig farmer. Besides, if Ryan decided to lower the hammer on me and call me such, what horrible come back could I have? Coconut farmer just doesn't have that nasty sting to it, does it? :cry:

I think a Saturday morning or evening 40m thing for those available at a predetermined time would be better than fantastic.

[N2RJ]

Coconut farmer wouldn't be offensive at all.

But actually my people are sugar cane farmers.

You could say I came from a banana republic, but honestly I don't think Trinidad exports that many bananas...

Whatever day/time you guys want is fine with me.

This weekend I may actually be free provided I don't get called. Either they've decided to give me a rest or they ran out of overtime in their budget. I suspect it's more the latter than the former. I have to pay for that big tower and antenna somehow... :D

[K1OU]

Per AD4MG,

"You can build a nice multi-band antenna for less than $100, including the suspension. A 75/80 meter dipole, fed with 450 ohm ladder line (or 300 ohm twin lead if you don't use an amp), up 40' or higher provides a solid performing antenna capable of working all the way up to 10 meters. Some trimming of the feedline may be necessary for operation on the higher bands to keep RF out of the shack. If you are interested in how to construct one, let me know. I'll be happy to give a detailed description of this antenna.

A friend of mine built a 75/80 folded dipole totally from 300 ohm twin lead. The antenna and feedline were made from this lead. It's very lightweight, and the twin lead can be brought directly to your tuner (if it is capable of tuning parallel feeders). There is one caveat when using parallel feeders ... the SWR is going to change when it gets wet, more so for the 300 ohm stuff. It's a minor inconvenience."

Exactly. The key piece is the antenna. I'm getting ready to do the exact thing of which Luke speaks when I am putting my station back on the air within a couple of weeks.

A full size 80 meter doublet or loop is hard to beat, and works well on 80 and 40. As for an amp, look for something cheap, such as an old Heathkit SB200. 500 watts with a full size antenna on 75 in the fall will make you hard to beat.

[N2RJ]

The 80m doublet is exactly what I am using, FWIW.

Audie my friend, I am a victim of the American educational system. After arriving here as one of those horrible foreigners, falling off of the turnip truck on this side of the pond, I attended public School in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Dade County, Florida. You will have to overlook my profound ignorance and stupidity for I am not worthy recognition. Ignorance I can thank the school system for, but my stupidity is a merry contribution of my parents upon which I have expanded.

I had rather hoped over the years I would befall a serious head injury, such that might improve the performance of the old grey matter, but alas, it has never happened.

Unlike the amassed brilliance that surrounds me here on the IOMH, I foolishly wake up with a smile, a bright cheerful attitude and expect a wonderful and prosperous day…… silly me…… I’m afraid you will just have to overlook this cretin sir, for I am not worthy the odd glance or recognition by those other citizens of the Island. Just consider me the janitor or custodian passing through as the others do and you will prosper here for a very long time indeed sir.

Well, my excuse is that I'm just dim witted! You said speak "Engrish" but I'm lucky to be able to do my "drawl." I should work on my CW skills because no IQ points would be automatically deducted- which some people do when they hear a couple of words from me.

The semi-regular net is a great idea, IMHO. I might even put up an antenna JUST for 40 meters.

You can download MULTIPSK and operate high speed CW on there. On my computer, the faster the CW, the better the copy. Novice thru Extra can operate like 40M CW, and there are good contacts to be made.

The computer won't do so well with slower speeds, but 40 - 50 WPM is great. I have a problem typing that fast.

[n4aud]

Audie my friend, I am a victim of the American educational system. After arriving here as one of those horrible foreigners, falling off of the turnip truck on this side of the pond, I attended public School in Prince Edward County, Virginia and Dade County, Florida. You will have to overlook my profound ignorance and stupidity for I am not worthy recognition. Ignorance I can thank the school system for, but my stupidity is a merry contribution of my parents upon which I have expanded.

I had rather hoped over the years I would befall a serious head injury, such that might improve the performance of the old grey matter, but alas, it has never happened.

Unlike the amassed brilliance that surrounds me here on the IOMH, I foolishly wake up with a smile, a bright cheerful attitude and expect a wonderful and prosperous day…… silly me…… I’m afraid you will just have to overlook this cretin sir, for I am not worthy the odd glance or recognition by those other citizens of the Island. Just consider me the janitor or custodian passing through as the others do and you will prosper here for a very long time indeed sir.

Well, my excuse is that I'm just dim witted! You said speak "Engrish" but I'm lucky to be able to do my "drawl." I should work on my CW skills because no IQ points would be automatically deducted- which some people do when they hear a couple of words from me.

The semi-regular net is a great idea, IMHO. I might even put up an antenna JUST for 40 meters.

You can download MULTIPSK and operate high speed CW on there. On my computer, the faster the CW, the better the copy. Novice thru Extra can operate like 40M CW, and there are good contacts to be made.

The computer won't do so well with slower speeds, but 40 - 50 WPM is great. I have a problem typing that fast.

I've got multipsk, but never tried that...will have to try it out...

[N3ATS]

PC generated CW? Oh the travesty!!!!

[N2RJ]

PC generated CW? Oh the travesty!!!!

Only for contests.
When in Rome...

[N2RJ]

Paul,

Got your QSL card today, OM!

Thank you!

I'll send a reply to you later this week.

[KC8TCQ]

You can download MULTIPSK and operate high speed CW on there. On my computer, the faster the CW, the better the copy. Novice thru Extra can operate like 40M CW, and there are good contacts to be made.

The computer won't do so well with slower speeds, but 40 - 50 WPM is great. I have a problem typing that fast.

I just downloaded it, now I need to make/buy an interface for my 706. I want it more of working PSK31 etc. I have an older laptop I want to use it on, that way I can take the whole thing to field day, or on a camping trip.

Ryan,

I have wire up for some HF bands so I could work you on 40 meters. Only problem is that we are roughly 50 air miles from each other so I could only give you a report on your audio.

[N2RJ]

No probs.

I am not on air much as I am assembling the beam antenna and also looking for work.