All Questions

Does the MFJ-4125 power supply provide enough power?

dwholcomb — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:55:55 -0600

Does the MFJ-4125 power supply provide enough power for operating one Icom ID-880H 50 watt mobile radio and one Yaesu VX-7R 5 watt handheld with a Mirage BD-35 35 watt power amplifier - all operated at full power using the MFJ-4125 25 amp power supply?

Antenna tuner question

SteveBlack — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:31:23 -0600

I am running low power, generally 75W or less into a 4-band dipole mounted in the attic (loft). I can load up perfectly on 20 and 15 meters (SWR readings of between 1.1:1 and 1.3:1 but 40 and 10 meters are a disaster with SWR literally off the scale. The rig's internal tuner takes one look and gives up. I don't believe there's anything wrong electrically with the antenna and the feedline. It may be that the antenna is interacting with electrical wiring, gutters and a 30 foot-long vent cap. If this is in fact the case, would an inline external tuner be of help? I would hate to spend three hundred dollars or more on one (mail order, no less) only to find that it was a futile gesture.

So... any ideas, gentlemen and ladies? Any thoughts or opinions would be more than welcome, and thanks in advance for helping out a newbie.

Steve KD2BSW

J-Pole on roof?

KD2BQF — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:49:19 -0700

I am planning on building a 2 meter j-pole antenna on my roof (the highest point available). I looked at many plans on how to build one, when I came across a warning saying that "the J-Pole will couple with nearby large objects or structures, so try to keep it at least 6-8 feet from buildings." I was wondering what this means and if it is safe to put onto my roof.

Thanks a lot, KD2BQF

New Licence

KD2BQF — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:15:59 -0700

I recently took and passed my ham radio test(technician class). My call sign has finaly showed up in the FCC ULS database and I was wondering if there is anything else I have to do before I'm allowed on the air. My call sign is kd2bqf.

73's,

KD2BQF

License for Marine Radio

KJ6SJO — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:59:13 -0700

I am interested in maintaining and repairing marine radio equipment. I reckon that, from time to time, I will need to do "test transmissions" of the equipment I am repairing and that it may not be feasible to transmit into a dummy load.

I hold a General Class amateur radio license and doubt that my amateur license will cover me for such marine radio test transmissions. Is this true?

For reference, please see the "Maitenance and Repair" section of this FCC web page http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=wncol

Best way to learn Morse Code?

projektdotnet — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:08:18 -0700

I just upgraded to my Amateur Extra and applied for my W5YI VE on 22 Dec.

I was wondering what the best way to learn Morse Code is?

I'd like to get out there and use all that fresh new CW spectrum I've unlocked, mostly because it'll be cheaper to build my own CW QRP rig with a nice little Dipole than it would be to buy a large multi-band SSB rig, antenna, etc.

Yaesu rotator

KY1RK — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:23:28 -0700

I have had a Yaesu G-450 rotator for about 3 years. For the past 6 months, the direction indicator on the controller stopped being accurate (it would speak up and slow down no matter how tight or loose the indicator). Now, the whole thing does not work. I checked the wire and connector to the controller carefully, even jiggling the plug and such. I took the rotator off of the tower and opened it up. I did not see anything unusual. I put it back together and discovered that the problem was that it only goes in one direction as soon as the controller is powered on. When it reaches the stop, the motor keeps trying to move it (it makes a soft buzzing sound). Flipping the switches on the controller has no effect and I checked the connections again.

Any idea on what I might try or do, or where the problem lies?

Thanks and 73,

Robert

Short or bad coax?

KY1RK — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:05:36 -0700

I was helping a friend put up an antenna today. We used a rather old but very stout coax RG-58, similar to Bury-Flex, 50 Ohm. Of course, we put UHF connectors on the ends. Here's the question: When connecting to the transceiver, the lead touched the hole and we hear what you'd expect to hear, but as soon as the ground on the connector touches the ground on the rig, it goes almost dead. Does this mean there is a short in the coax, perhaps a defect in the connectors (a short or bad solder job) or a bad cable?

Do I need an antenna tuner?

qrpis4me — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:21:32 -0600

Do I need some sort of antenna tuner to run qrp 250 milliwatts cw to an end fed random wire antenna?

Antenna Element Material Question

HyTronix — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:29:04 -0600

I have constructed antenna elements (Dipoles, Yagi-Uda) out of bare copper wire twisted in a drill chuck before (works great!) but my question is:

Could you use insulated wire twisted in the same way as long as there is an electrical connection at one end?

Thanks,

-John

CW Key is getting hot ..redux

kilroy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:05:57 -0600

Thanks to the responses from K4RFE who set me onto the path of common mode currents and grounding, I ran across http://www.wc7i.com/, who states "The real purpose of this site is Antenna Fundamentals for the Beginner". Just thought you would like to know about it. Bob, KC8HPG

Key is getting hot

kilroy — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:42:18 -0600

Hi, I hold an general ticket but haven't been active for several years, since about 2000. anyway I have dug out my Kenwood TS530S and tried to re-establish my radio room. I find when I transmit, the key is RF hot. I don't see RFI on TVsets or in nearby radio receivers and the neighbors don't complain so I am guessing that I'm not causing any problems but I don't understand what is making the key hot. Can someone bring me back up to speed on this? thanks

Power supply puts out 15 volts

Learner — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:06:30 -0600

I purchased a used power supply and tested the voltage output with a multimeter. It registered 15 volts. Out of curiousity I checked another power supply I have and it registered 14.7 volts. They are both supposed to 13.8 volts. How typical is it for a power supply to be off and is it a problem?

Does a dipole in the attic need a ground?

Wayne Conrad — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:18:10 -0600

I'm thinking about this setup for my first rig:

Elecraft K2 (10W, 10-80M) with built-in antenna auto-tuner.
A dipole in the attic, run from one end of the house to the other. That's about 80 feet, if I recall.
Some sort of feed line from the dipole to the transceiver.
All antennas and feed lines entirely in the house.

I'm planning on putting the antenna in the attic not because I have to (I've got no HOA), but because it appears to be cheap and easy.

Beyond my power supply's connection to the house wiring ground, What grounding and lightning protection will I need for safety and for proper operation?

Calling Frequency

Wayne Conrad — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:45:13 -0600

This ARRL Band Plan makes reference to several "calling frequencies":

3.885   AM calling frequency
7.290   AM calling frequency
&c.

What is a "calling frequency" for?

20 meter nets, okay to join?

tnt — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:28:01 -0700

New to HF and 20 meter. I hear many nets. Is it okay (proper etiquette) to join the net or how do you go about joining? thanks

Dx Contacts

Alex A — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:27:10 -0700

Hello Why are Dx Contacts (Europe, Asia, Etc) usually found on the Extra/Advanced portions of the bands? This has motivated me to take the Extra test but as I get in to studying, I see it's going to take a while. Alex

How many ham radio operators are licensed in the United States?

AC0QW — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:07:09 -0700

How many ham radio operators are licensed in the United States? Where can this type of information be found ?

Antenna Polarization

KB3IYQ — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:23:47 -0700

If using a dipole, log periodic or yagi in one polarization, (Horizontal), and receiving a signal that originated in the opposite, (vertical), polarization the loss is if memory serves 6 dB. If one wants to use one antenna for both, options are either to rotate the antenna as required, or mount it at 45 degrees and suffer 3 dB of loss. What would be the effect of making the antenna 1.414 times longer and mounting at 45 deg?

YAESU-FLASHING DISPLAY

capecodham — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:31:31 -0600

I HAVE A YAESU-FT 840, RECENTLY, WHEN I TURN THE RIG ON, THE FREQUENCY DISPLAY STARTS TO FLASH. WHEN I DOES, THE AUDIO DROPS AND I HAVE NO ABILITY TO TUNE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE FLASHING STOPS AND THE AUDIO COMES BACK. IN A WHILE, IT DOES IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES THE INTERIM IS LONGER; SOMETIMES IT STARTS AS SOON AS THE RIG GOES ON. CAN ANYONE SUGGEST WHAT THE PROB IS AND ANY SOLUTION? PLEASE.

Feedline length for portable operations - How important?

Nick — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:13:18 -0600

I plan to build several dipole antennas for use in QRP portable operations. I will be working low power (5 watts) on 40, 20 and 17 meters. The apex of my antenna(s) will vary from 16 to 30 feet. This depends on the terrain and the availability of trees, etc... My coax feedline will be RG8x. I plan on using a 1:1 balun at the feedpoint. How critical is the length of coax from the antenna feedpoint to the tuner? This question seems relevant to me since I will be operating portable and am planing to carry only 1 coax feedline with me in the field. Requirements and conditions are different in a permanent installation.

Thanks,

Nick

Is it necessary to use a balun?

Nick — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:29:04 -0600

Is it necessary to use a balun on a simple dipole antenna between the antenna feed point and the coax feedline? Some say yes, and some say no.....

Thanks,

Nick

What is the farthest distance QSO you've had on 2m and above?

AC0QW — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:58:23 -0600

Just curious what people in the real world have been able to do on UHF/VHF. So tell me about the farthest QSO you've had on 2m or above (simplex only - no repeaters, satellite or moon bounce). What mode, modulation, power, equipment etc. was used?

Antennas in the attic

KZ4N 1 — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:22:01 -0600

I have a strict Home Owners association, and have to mount my antennas in the attic. I currently have home made UHF/VHF antenna mounted in there and have no problems. I also have a two meter/70cm vertical antenna mounted in the attic. both are about 10 feet apart. Now i am getting ready to span the length of the attic with an end fedz 20 meter antenna. This antenna will be strung from one end to the other in the attic and will pass within 1 to 2 feet of the 2 meter antenna. Now i doubt that i will be transmitting on both at the same time, but may be monitoring one and transmitting on another. My whole concern here is with RF from one antenna affecting the other enough to damage my radio equipment on the other end? Do i need to be concerned?

Thanks,

Myron - KZ4N

Special call sign designator list / descriptions

Nicky new guy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:42:15 -0600

call sign designator list / descriptions

Where do I find a descritions of designators that follow call signs. In example W1AW/8 (mobile), W1AW/5 etc. etc. ? Thanks

starting out in CW. Need straight key recommendation for a beginner.

John Vogel 1 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:30:48 -0600

I'm working on saving up for an HF rig (probably will buy new). One of the things I'm looking forward to is getting into CW. I'd like to know what kind of accessories I could build or start looking for. I think I'd like to try a straight key first. What's a good one for a beginner?

750Watts Vs 1400 watts-what is the DB difference in signal /s units??

K8PG — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:28:23 -0600

I would calculate it at about 1.7 db or 1 s unit more on the meter? What say All?

Studying for the Technician Test

Jim West — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:31:51 -0600

Hi,

I wish to study for the technician license & heard there is a new wrinkle to the testing as of July 2010.

What will I need to study to be up to speed for this new change(s)?

David west

radio / antenna troubles?

Jim West — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:28:00 -0600

Hi, I have had a Yeasou mobile and a J pole antenna for years as my base station.

I don't talk on it very much, and haven't done so for a little while. Now I am not able to get out. When I key up I simply just recycle back to the frequency number. I'm out of practice, and it's been a while since i studied these things. Can anyone give me some troubleshooting tips?

I've been thinking for a while I might need to get up on the roof and shine up the copper j-pole. Could this be my problem?

kb9ues

Thank You

Conditioned power to shack - benefits ya or na?

Nick 1 — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:49:02 -0600

Has anyone had an opportunity to test or use conditioned power to feed your shack (in addition to regulated power supplies)? If so, has it improved signal quality, reduced noise levels, etc? What type of power conditioning units/devices did you use? Has anyone tried the units that install at the breaker box?

Do the benefits (if any) out weigh the costs and effort?

Your feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick