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| Alpha Goes Down |
| Let me preface this post by saying Dick Byrd, N4UQ of Dick Byrd Enterprises in Douglasville, Georgia did a dynamite job on breathing life back into an Alpha 76PA that I acquired from father, which has been shelves for nearly 25 years. Price was really no object here, as it was a wonderful piece of shack hardware from a different era, one that I recall like it was yesterday as I would sit in my father's shack languishing in the sights, sounds and smells. Dick wasted no time in repairing the unit and shipping it back to me. This was last April when I posted Alpha Update: 1.5 and Alpha Update: 1.7 regarding the work that was being accomplished by Dick. Fast forward to yesterday, I was off from work watching my son and decided to put a few hours in playing radio as there were a few QSO parties going on, as well as a RTTY contest. I figured I might get lucky and score a few QSOs, who knows maybe even Delaware would grace my log, since they were having a QSO party. I turned on the power supply, the radio and amplifier. Unfortunately, the amp did not turn on. I went to the breaker box to make sure nothing had tripped, which it had not. I confirmed the 240v outlet was hot, which it was. I checked the two external fuses, which did not look burnt out and I confirmed their measurement. With that work done I pulled the unit down from the shelf and started unscrewing the casing. As I peered inside I pulled the one fuse in sight and measured it, which was okay as well. I e-mailed Dick Byrd for some quick items to check, as well as posting a question on the QRZ Forums. Steve, WB2WIK had information similar to what Dick told me, in believing it was the step start relay (K1 & K2) that needed replacing. So with RTTY WPX on the horizon next weekend, I begrudgingly packed up the Alpha and sent it UPS ground (5 days) to Georgia in order to get it repaired. This means I will be 100w in the upcoming RTTY contest. Hopefully out friend Sol cooperates and gives us a few good operating days with no rain. Since RTTY is my strongest mode I should have a fairly successful contest. Based on my results from RTTY RU, I am going to look at clearing 1000 QSOs. More on that later as the contest draws near. |
| W6ONV on Sunday 07 February 2010 - 09:17:25 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |
| Going Mobile |
| Since purchasing my (new) used 2007 Ford Ranger back in September, 2009 I decided not to put my Yaesu FT-7800R back in. I have never really been impressed with the local repeater action we have in NoCal. The one repeater I enjoy listening in on is in the shadow of a very loud repeater. This had me looking towards going HF in the truck. For a size comparison I took my IC-718 to the truck and how it would fit. I knew this would be too large of a rig to use effectively, so I started reading sites and reviews on what mobile to go with. I came down to two rigs...actually one, the Yaesu FT-857D, which is a mobile version of the FT-897. Unfortunately, the last thing I need right now is another radio! I have been reading all the information provided by Alan at K0BG as it relates to mobile installs. Unlike the 2m rig I had previously, I would like to take my time and "do it right" with regards to this 857D installation. As of now, I still don't have a line on a rig, but I might have a possible ATAS-120A from a NCCC club member. As I understand it, he no longer needs it since he took out his -857D (wouldn't you know it, he sold his other -857D). I have put up my FT-7800R and RigBlaster PRO for sale on the QRZ Forums. As of today, not even a nibble on either item. I am considering selling my IC-718, LDG Z-100 auto tuner, a Hustler 6-BTV and SignaLink USB as a package deal, figuring I could get a price that is close to the suggested retail of a Yaesu FT-897D. None of that equipment is currently being used, although my 4 year old son has been told that is his radio. Now to get him licensed. LOL! I do believe that package would make a great starter kit for any newly licensed General or someone looking to get on HF with digital modes. Trade? Possibly. You can read about the items under 'FOR SALE' you can see the FT-7800R and the Rigblaster over on the QRZ Forums under For Sale. |
| W6ONV on Wednesday 03 February 2010 - 13:17:36 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |
| 160M Options |
| The last band that I have not yet worked has been 160M. Living on 100' x 50' lot does not allow for many options, especially since I removed the two eucalyptus trees the first year we moved into the house. Oh how I wish I had those trees back! Currently I have a SteppIR BigIK Mk III (32') for work on 40/80M and the 5-band hex beam (from DXE) for 10/12/15/17/20M. I ran across K6MM's presentation from a joint PVRC - NCCC webinar, October 2009 titled The 160M &039;No Excuses&039; Homebrew Vertical. All things considered, with a lot of my size ANYTHING that I am able to get on the air with on 160M will be a compromise and I know that going into this potential project. While the BigIR (good product) has produced modest results on 40/80M I figured I might be able to build this 160M helical wound vertical and possibly work some contacts on the "top band." Right now, the main concern is a radial field that will provide desired results. Then again, any sort of antenna on any band is better than none, right? Depending on the location of the antenna in the backyard I could possibly run 60' ground radials. The only drawback is they would be in one direction. One of the main concerns would be to place it where it is out of sight of the XYL, which would limit me to either side of the backyard, with a radial field running west to east or vice versa. With any luck I could tie in the current ground radial system I have set up for the BigIR and tie it into the 160M vertical, while adding a new radial field for this antenna, regardless of where I place it. I have posted a few questions on the forums at QRZ, as well as e-mailed John, K6MM for some further information. But until I decide to move this would be one of the few ways to get on the top band and see what all the excitement is about. |
| W6ONV on Sunday 31 January 2010 - 14:04:05 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |
| The Rig Returns! |
| Early Wednesday afternoon the FedEx delivery truck pulled up and I was handed my box that was shipped from WA4GEG after being repaired. After removing my Yaesu FT-1000MP I placed it on my shack table and connected it to the power supply. I then spent the next 15 minutes modifying the menu settings. Since purchasing the US Interface Navigator I had changed settings pertaining to the 'USR' setting for digital use, such as PSK31. Once I had the necessary menus modified I connected the antennas and went looking to make a few QSOs to see what difference I could hear. RTTY still seems different than on the loaner FT-1000MP I was using. Not sure why but the obvious is a menu setting is incorrect. I need to play with the 'WIDTH' knob and shift the signal into the scope with running MMTTY. I did not previously have to do this, so it seems it is just a setting I failed to set correctly. After spending a few minutes spinning the dial on 20M up from 14.080 I ran across a signal with a strong British accent. I listened for a few minutes as this individual was handing out 59 reports and engaged in a little bit of ragchewing. I then heard him sign, VP8LP. from the Falkland Islands. A new DXCC for me! Oddly enough just 15-20kHz, VP8DMN (DXpedition) was calling CQ and working a pile up. It was no waiting with Bob (VP9LP), as I got him on the first call. About 30 minutes later after checking the packet cluster I saw 5N7M calling CQ on CW. There was a small pileup, but I decided to give it a shot, I have not had much luck working Africa, with the exception of D4C. I have heard signals from Senegal, The Gambia as well as South Africa and DXpedition a few years back to Glorioso. So it was a thrill to get my first mainland Africa QSO in the book and confirmed on 20M. We are just a few weeks away from the next big RTTY contests. WPX is quickly upon us, followed by the NAQP. I am planning full time operations for both of these contests, where I will work 30 hours during WPX and the full 10 for NAQP. I am sure the XYL will love this, but hopefully it will prove successful. RTTY still seems to be the best mode for my given antennas and limitations I have. Depending on propagation I can actively work 15M and 20M is my "money band." Once the sun goes down, I must use the SteppIR BigIR, which while not the best does provide some good signals on 40/80M for RTTY (and CW). In a week or so I will post my goals for WPX. It's nice to have my FT-1000MP back in the shack and running very well. |
| W6ONV on Friday 29 January 2010 - 12:26:11 | Read/Post Comment: 1 |
| TSA Dumbass of the Day |
| I have NEVER supported federalizing security agents at airport because since 9-11 it has been nothing but window dressing with no improvement in the quality of security. Oh sure, they will point to foiled terrorist attempts, as well as no other 9-11 type incident occurring since. And someone remind me just HOW MUCH money has gone into "improving" airline security? Billions, yet the quality of the security is no better than it was back in 1991. The story from last Thursday talked about Rebecca Solomon, 22 a Michigan student flying from Philly to Detroit. Little did she know what was about to happen. Since many air travelers are not thrilled with current TSA procedures when faced with going through a security check point, now we need to deal with agents with a complex and on power trips. A TSA worker was staring at her. He motioned her toward him. Then he pulled a small, clear plastic bag from her carry-on - the sort of baggie that a pair of earrings might come in. Inside the bag was fine, white powder. She remembers his words: "Where did you get it?"* In the end it was not placed in her bag by a terrorist wanting to down a commercial airliner, nor was it her own baggie. The TSA agent for reasons unknown (maybe to get a thrill or his rocks off) was playing a bad practical joke on Ms. Solomon, as he admitted it was his baggie and allowed her to pass. "When she complained to airport security, Solomon said, she was told the TSA worker had been training the staff to detect contraband. She was shocked that no one took him off the floor, she said." Training? I guess this supervisor is no more smarter than the agent who attempted to pull this stunt off. "The TSA views this employee's behavior to be highly inappropriate and unprofessional," she wrote. "We can assure travelers this employee has been disciplined by TSA management at Philadelphia International Airport, and he has expressed remorse for his actions." Yet due to privacy laws the name of the agent could not be given. Actions like this and others by TSA agents needs to be addressed. This is just a dumb as a passenger making a bomb remake when asked if they are carrying anything when they set off the magnetometer. Come on now! In both situations, the individuals involved possess no smarts in the consequences of their actions. I still believe the enter TSA (or better yet, DHS) needs to undergo an evaluation and review. Money continues to be dumped into this black hole, especially after the last "failed" bombing attempt of the "underwear bomber" aboard Northwest in December, 2009. "DHS will receive $42.7 billion ($7 billion just for the TSA) in discretionary spending for 2010, a 6 percent increase over 2009.* I am in complete agreement with David Freddoso, who authored a recent piece titled, Time to abolish TSA as we know it in the Washington Examiner on 07 January. Sorry DHS, but the TSA continues to get a grade of "F" when it comes to what they were federalized in order to provide. |
| W6ONV on Saturday 23 January 2010 - 13:17:19 | Read/Post Comment: 0 |
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