Radio W4KAZ Thanks for stopping by the virtual KazShack. Feel free to comment - I often approve them.
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By w4kaz, created on 2008.06.11 at 07:07:09 | last changed on 2008.06.11 at 07:25:13 | Well, one way or other the next year will be interesting. The sunspot predictions will be tested against the actual data, and two competing sunspot models will have more data to use for future predictions. In another couple ofmillenniathey will have enough data to make their predictions with a confidence level higher than 50%.
The plotted progression data should soon start to diverge from one or both of the predictions. It’s a shame the data takes so long to collect, because it is a fascinating subject area. And right now, the data is taking even longer to collect than normal. Favoring the lower prediction maybe?
If the higher peak numbers are going to come, I’d expect the spots to start ramping up pretty soon, although we are still well within the averages for the lengths of a cycle. I wonder if there are any trends from the data following longer-than-normal minimums, or longer-than-normal cycles? Hmm.
As the kids would say, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”
“Be patient kiddo. It will only take a couple thousand years to get the data we need.”
By w4kaz, created on 2008.06.04 at 06:44:19 | last changed on 2010.10.27 at 13:06:18 | I had hoped to spend more time on the air in CQ WPX CW, but the XYL had reached the melting point on getting the bedroom painted. So the contest was shot from the git-go, ‘cuz I knew I’d be too tired from moving the furniture, painting, etc.
I did spend a few 30 minute breaks twirling the knob on the K2 during the contest. I must say, the K2 really is a good CW rig. Based on the ARRL Lab and Sherwood Engineering test numbers, it should downright blow away the FT-920 for selectivity. Not so fast there, Bandwidth Breath…..
The K2 was indeed better atseparatingthe signals, but the FT-920acquitteditself well in the head to head A/B testing. I didn’t call NT4D up to give it the full Monty acid test. When Jay fires up his Alpha within about 30kc of me, the FT-920 screams for mercy.(We are close enough neighbors to run Multi-2, we are within a 500 meter circle.) The AGC pumping makes all but the strongest signals difficult copy on the 920.
Even lacking the real acid test, it is still obvious that the K2 is a better receiver. I really am looking forward to trying it out in the ARRL 160m this winter, and FD this summer.
I have also spent a bit more time toying with the K2’s DSP filters. I need to research this area more fully. I have everything set up for both SSB and CW the way I like it to sound. After resetting the CW filter center frequencies to the side tone frequency, I am now very pleased with the DSP selections available. The SSB filters were a bit more difficult. They are easy to set, I just had difficulty deciding which sound characteristics made for easier copy.
The feature I need to research is the Noise Reduction/denoiser. Turning the NR on for CW works okay, but on SSB I find that it distorts the audio. I’m sure I have something set incorrectly.
I’m also getting more accustomed to the control function and layout. I found that the switching the filters is really the only feature I have a lot of need to change with any frequency, and that is easy.
One more caveat turned up during WPX play. The K2 seems very sensitive to high SWR situations. All of my antennas are of the resonant variety, with the exception of the Inv-L for 160m. Unfortunately, only the 80m folded dipole is resonant at the RIGHT PLACE. 🙂 (yet another project…) So until I get the autotuner, I’m using an outboard MFJ 949. I really need to tweak the 20m and 40m dipoles.
I am still missing my FT-100D – but only for its VHF/UHF capabilities. The K2 rooolz.
– more – at the K2 Impressions series
By w4kaz, created on 2008.03.24 at 05:29:06 | last changed on 2021.05.06 at 21:23:16 | Well, it turns out I have a lot of stuff to add to the FP-1023/Sec-1223 page. So much so that I’m trying to figure out a better way to organize the website for presentation of multiple related pages. It is a content management issue.
I’d like the power supply content to be more easily accessible than normal blog posts. I would just rather not get bogged down in re-programming WordPress, creating a bunch of external pages, or writing a custom WordPress plug-in. (Aughhhh! Plug-in suggestions appreciated!)
I may get to that point one day – but not now.
Until then, there are some additions coming, including some close up shots of the new PS, and an interesting article sent me by Oliver, DG7XO on a nice digital meter project. Oliver included photos of his power supply with the meter mod.
So until I get all of the content organized, here is the DG7XO meter project as a teaser.
By w4kaz, created on 2008.02.26 at 10:56:04 | last changed on 2008.02.26 at 10:56:51 | After discovering that the Samlex was so ‘very similar’ to other well known brands, I bought one to replace my dead switching supply.
I’ll need to make some updates to my FP-1023 page. The new Samlex has some changes in the output filtering section. The new supply has a toroidal inductor for L2(instead of the rod) and different, larger value capacitors for the RF bypass at the outputs.
An initial comparison and search for birdies turned up very little, and nothing of concern, compared to the loaner Astron RS-35. The switcher had a few more birdies on 15m and 10m, but actually had NO birdies on 40m, while the Astron had three or four(one significant). Most of the other birdies were consistently present with either supply.
I plan to put the supply under load(i.e., the second radio transmitting into a dummy load), and hunt for birdies under load. After that, I’ll update the page, including photos of the new parts layout.
By w4kaz, created on 2008.01.26 at 13:24:08 | last changed on 2008.01.26 at 13:24:08 | I ran across this article on making progress. It seemed so accurate, I thought I’d put a link to it here. It does seem to apply to all facets of life, aina?
I’ve come to realize that side-walk superintending is one of mankind’s vices. But I like to think I’m learning how to stifle my own tendencies towards it.
By w4kaz, created on 2008.01.23 at 09:51:13 | last changed on 2008.01.23 at 12:24:35 | I suppose there is a technical reason for this to be true, but why do so many of the modern day ’12 volt’ radios actually require 13.8 volts to function?
I suppose their specifications all clearly state 13.8 volts+/-, but it sure would be nice if you could actually use the radio from an ordinary automobile car battery. I know it would sure would make life easier in a genuine emergency situation. Running the car just to maintain voltage is a waste of fuel. It sure would make things easier for quick and dirty portable operating too, and certainly be good for camping and Field Day.
I know there are radios out there that are tolerant of lower voltages. Elecraft comes immediately to mind. A couple of years back, I watched N4YDU belt out ten or so Field Day QSO’s on a TenTec Scout using a battery that was straining to supply 11 volts(ur rst 592 om…). The problem is, I didn’t realize it was a problem I should address until I already had the other radios. I have only myself to blame for not educating myself sooner. Yet another reason to go Elecraft.
As always “Age and guile beat youth and a bad haircut”(hat tip P.J. O’Rourke).
By w4kaz, created on 2008.01.18 at 13:48:09 | last changed on 2008.01.18 at 15:15:01 | After a bit of internet digging, and a few helpful e-mails, I turned up references to the website of N0SS. Tom’s web site is a trove of good advice on a variety of things. One of those things is the Samlex 1223 switching power supply. It just so happens that the Yaesu FP-1023 is a re-branded Samlex(i.e., made for Yaesu by Samlex).
I have put together a separate page to document some of this power supply information. That page will be updated as new info rolls in. Enough said here for now.
By w4kaz, created on 2007.12.11 at 21:34:32 | last changed on 2007.12.11 at 21:34:32 | After struggling with mastering the use of ‘paddles’ and ‘keyers’ for the purposes of Modulating the Continuous Wave, I decided to upgrade both my paddles and keyer.
For some reason it never occurred to me to try using my paddles with the radio’s internal keyer. When it finally did occur to me recently, it turns out I had less trouble sending legible CW using the internal keyer in the radio than with my “Common Brand” keyer. Go figure.
So, having found a good bargain on a set of nice Kent paddles, and having a thumbs up from trusted sources on the Idiom Press Logikeyer – I made those two items my xmas present to myself.
I got the Logikeyer CMOS4 kit, so some assembly was required. I got the kit put together last week. The Logikeyer is a well done kit. I got lucky and it worked on the first try. 🙂 I’ve been eyeing up the Idiom Press SCAF-1 audio filter, and now I’m pretty sure I’ll get one of those too, sooner or later. I’m sure it will be a high quality item also.
Anyway, it sure is easier to send CW with a good set of paddles and a keyer that works! (I’m no paddle expert, but I really like the Kent paddles.) I’m still a lid, but I might actually be able to learn how to use paddles now. If I can, then I work on the second long range goal – training the left hand to send CW.
By w4kaz, created on 2007.12.03 at 21:45:57 | last changed on 2007.12.03 at 21:59:20 | Thinking back on the event, it seems like the 80m and 40m antenna moves were good. Propagation was just a bit unusual, favoring longer skip paths than I normally see at the KAZland QTH. I think that these antennas, in their current orientations, will play even better when conditions are more ‘normal’. It is also clear I’d have done much better on 20m had I debugged the shack problem with the 20m antennas earlier.
The other operating change I will make is to plan on S&P during the first two hours of this contest. My S&P rate will be higher than any runs I might have during the bedlam of the start of the race. It will also give me a better chance at nailing some of the mults I should have found this year.
750 Q’s seems like a reasonable goal for this contest with these same bottom of the cycle propagation conditions. I wonder if 900 or 1000 Q’s are possible when conditions improve. Maybe.
By w4kaz, created on 2007.10.14 at 19:51:16 | last changed on 2007.10.14 at 19:52:20 | I had a few minutes to spent playing around with the new antennas, just listening around. The guys calling CQ for the Pennsylvania QP were booming in here on 40m during the afternoon. The 40m dipole really seems to be hearing well.
On 80m, the new antenna was showing a very high noise level across the band, and it sounded similar to the AGC pumping from a strong nearby station.
“Hmmmmm…” thinks w4kaz, eyes vacant and scratching head idly.
Turns out my 80m antenna is now flat broadside to the WPTF 50KW antennas that are about one mile to my NNE. I have an 80m bandpass filter I built a couple of years back. Plugging that into the line cleared up the WPTF problem, dropping the broadcast QRM from S7 to S0. Its still there, but its very low level now. Not many signals on in the afternoon, so I need to carve out some time to spend in the shack playing around some.
Lesson: 50 KW at less than one mile distance is undesirable. (Yeah Homer, I know….doe-OH!)
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