Its time!

[N7YA]

Ive put it off for 4 months. Moving into a new house, starting my business, helping my wife start hers, buying a car for her, etc, etc...has put ham radio on the back burner. Its just sitting here, not hooked up. I think its time to put NV back on the air this weekend (my weekend is mon/tue/wed). I will try to be on by monday, mostly CW, and most likely only able to work 40 thru 10. It wont be impressive by any means, im going to run the coax out the office window, down the side of the house and up to the balcony in the back, then hang the wire off the side and run the ends to the back railing and call it a day.

Would be good to take advantage of the improved DX conditions again. So if anyone wants to try and make a 2x with 7 land, drop me a line.

[W3WN]

Let me know when you're up & ready to go.

[NQ6U]

Me too, although San Diego to 'Vegas is hardly what you'd call DX—a straight shot up I-15. I could get in my car and be there in about five hours.

[ki4itv]

When I refer to the "man cave" as my office, the XYL laughs hysterically. :lol:
But, then again... we've been married 13 yrs.

[KJ3N]

..mostly CW...

Pass. :hand:

Let me know when you get around to Phone or RTTY.

[W3WN]

Pass. :hand:

Let me know when you get around to Phone or RTTY.Wuss.

[N7YA]

Let me know when you're up & ready to go.

I will do that, Ron.

[N7YA]

Pass. :hand:

Let me know when you get around to Phone or RTTY.

I dont have RTTY here, in fact, ive never made a RTTY qso in 30 years of hamming...but theres always a first time. I do have a mic and i suppose i can make a foray up into the ghetto known as the fone band.

[WØTKX]

No digital mode soundcard setup at all? That's how most do RTTY these days.

[N7YA]

My rig is circa 1983, computer isnt much better. I am interested in trying it though.

[WØTKX]

Umm, the first time I got on PSK I used my good 'ol Ten Tec Omni D. In a room with a stable temp. :lol:

That being said, I'd beep with ya. Prolly be on the straight key, a real speedy 17 wpm or so.

[N7YA]

Im down! May have to wait another week though, my boss just dumped 4 new songs on me to learn, as well as dusting off a bunch of others that i havent played in years...for launch this thursday. I may be in front of the computer with the bass for these days off.

[W3WN]

My rig is circa 1983, computer isnt much better. I am interested in trying it though.Now you tell me. I just trashed a couple of older XP SP3 machines that were perfectly fine, just sitting around collecting dust. I could have shipped one of them to you instead...

[N7YA]

Damn! And i have a cool wife too, she wouldnt have minded more ham stuff in the house. Thats what i get for not putting feelers out there.

[ke3fg]

"I dont have RTTY here, in fact, ive never made a RTTY qso in 30 years of hamming.."
I haven't either. Can someone post a link on how to get on RTTY using the sound card?
Thanks,
Jim

[KJ3N]

"I dont have RTTY here, in fact, ive never made a RTTY qso in 30 years of hamming.."
I haven't either. Can someone post a link on how to get on RTTY using the sound card?
Thanks,
Jim

Seriously? :wtf:

http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmtty.php

http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/RTTY/

http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/rttysoftware.htm

Weak Google-Fu around here.....

[NQ6U]

"I dont have RTTY here, in fact, ive never made a RTTY qso in 30 years of hamming.."
I haven't either. Can someone post a link on how to get on RTTY using the sound card?
Thanks,
Jim

Welcome to the Island, Jim. Barkeep, set this gentleman up with the drink of his choice and put it on my tab.

Now, as far as RTTY goes, it would help a bit if we knew what kind of radio you're using but there are a number of options. What I use is Ham Radio Deluxe with Digital Master 780, which is a free download, but there several other free software packages out there as well. The nice thing about HRD is that, with the right cable, you can have full computer control of your rig. As far as the sound card goes, you can use your computer sound card with a simple isolation transformer setup to avoid ground loops but you may find you have better luck if you use one of the external USB sound cards instead. I use a SignaLink USB because it works nicely with my older rig (Icom IC-736) which won't accept a PTT command over the CAT interface. Rig Blaster also makes interface units that are very popular but if you want to roll your own interface, check this site out:

http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.html

It's a good place to start at least.

Hope that helped.

[ke3fg]

"Now, as far as RTTY goes, it would help a bit if we knew what kind of radio you're using but there are a number of options. What I use is Ham Radio Deluxe with Digital Master 780"
Thanks, KJ6BSO; I have a TS450SAT that I use mostly on 30 Meter CW. I don't have HRD. I guess I'll have to start reading first before I decide to buy anything.
73,
Jim

[NQ6U]

I have a TS450SAT that I use mostly on 30 Meter CW.

30m is a good band for digital stuff too. I've had some excellent PSK31 DX on 30.

I looked into the TS450; it has the same limitation as my Icom when it comes to triggering the PTT over a CAT connection so you might find the SignaLink USB to be a good option for you.


I don't have HRD.

You can download it free from here:

http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/Downloads.aspx


I guess I'll have to start reading first before I decide to buy anything.

Never a bad idea, Jim!

[N7YA]

Im steadily working on getting 300 on CW...well, the rarest DX is the one i dont have confirmed yet. But once i nail that one, im going to dig into these other modes, seems like a lot of fun!

[N7YA]

Finally up and running! Heard europeans on 40 and 30, states and VE on 20 and 17....its good to be back up.

[K7SGJ]

Finally up and running! Heard europeans on 40 and 30, states and VE on 20 and 17....its good to be back up.

It's ALWAYS nice to be up.

[NQ6U]

its good to be back up.

If you're up for more than four hours, consult your doctor immediately.

[W1GUH]

When you get a BA AM rig on the air, we'll have to hook up!

[K7SGJ]

If you're up for more than four hours, consult your doctor immediately.

I did that once. He said I was a lucky stiff.

[N7YA]

Dont get cocky, guys! I cant just ram my way into traffic, must warm up the finals first.