With Varying Frequency - Amateur Radio Ponderings

Recently eHam has had to address a new issue - a casual request to subscribers of The DailyDX to consider rating the publication in the eHam Reviews section lead to over 75 almost instantaneous 5 out of 5 ratings with reviews from around the world.

This was followed by a very crabby non-review posting giving The DailyDX a 0 of 5 rating by a new 2007 licensee who openly stated he never had even seen the publication.  This bogus review was removed by eHam’s Reviews Manager Phil NA4M after I emailed him pointing out that it wasn’t a product review, but rather a rant by someone who hadn’t taken the time to look over the product.

Next came the usual eHam hand-wringing in the Elmers section and apparently a fair number of private emails.

eHam’s Product Review Manager, Phil NA4M, had himself a paradox - complaints from all directions and thoughts that The DailyDX request to consider doing reviews was somehow advertising.

Result, eHam has pulled the reviews, blocked out the product Name for future reviews and at least for now set-aside the reviews that 75+ amateurs from around the world had taken the time to post.

Second guessing their decision isn’t hard - on the face of it one wonders why they would basically punish the successful for having an enthusiastic paying readership willing to give up their time to post their product reviews?

Isn’t that what eHam Reviews are supposed to be about?

Perhaps the eHam team is thinking about it.

Here are some related links:

eHam Blocking URL

eHam Periodical Reviews Section

eHam URL for My Personal Review which has been Deleted

(My review read: Each Day by email I get the most welcomed look into the world of DX by a subscription email Newsletter, The Daily DX by Bernie McClenny W3UR

From the DailyDX Website: The Daily DX is the first daily (Monday-Friday) E-mailed DX bulletin edited and produced by Bernie McClenny, W3UR.

The Daily DX contains late breaking news about future DXpeditions, propagation forecasts, QSL information, Contest expeditions, IOTA (Islands on the Air), facts, tidbits and more.

The Daily DX is full of fresh new DX information. You get 5 issues a week, received daily by e-mail in your home or office. Snail mail DX bulletins take too long to get you the DX information you need in a timely manner. The other e-mail DX bulletins only come out once a week. Do you want to wait a whole week for the latest DX news and then find you’ve missed a new one?

It is obvious that Bernie W3UR puts a lot of work into the newsletter and still is able to keep his subscription rate modest - you can arrange to receive a couple weeks as a free sample at The DailyDX Website

73 & best DX

Steve
K9ZW)

The DailyDX

Personally my thoughts, as conveyed before eHam deleted all reviews, was that the reviews by people who actually had purchased and used The DailyDX should stand.

Perhaps eHam will restore them after reflection.

73

Steve

K9ZW

The Green Heron Rotor Control continues to impress me.

 
With the formal release of the GH Everyware Program this control really shines!  This program allows remote IP based control of multiple Green Heron RT-20 and RT-21 controllers.

Green Heron’s  Jeff Ach W2FU demonstrated control of his multi-tower station back in New York state via GH Everyware directly from his Dayton Booth!  We watched our commands execute via webcams pointed at the towers.  Automatic selection of rotor, tower, polling/voting by rule-sets for multiple users and more!

I’d written about the RT-20 back in As the World Turns - Green Heron RT-20 Rotor Control

The newest RT-21 adds USB connectivity and a new RT-21D model adds a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) and custom black front panel. Green Heron also builds the K7NV Prop Pitch Systems
Standard Control Box, a customization of the RT-21 to handle the special demands of of a Prop Pitch Motor.

My RT-20 has work flawlessly for a couple years.

Recommended!

73

Steve
K9ZW

At Contest University 2008 the importance of this book was again stressed, and a discount coupon to buy a copy was part of the CU packet.  Here is my write-up & review of the book from 2007.  It is also being reposted as it was done before Tags and RSS feeds were implemented for this blog.

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At Dayton 2007’s Contest University one book on the important issue of station design for Multi Stations and SO2R (Single Operator Two Radios) Stations was mentioned by several of instructors.

Managing Interstation Interference by W2VJN

During the Dayton show I made a beeline to the INRAD booth to buy three copies - one for my local club, one for my Dayton traveling partner George W9EVT and one for my amateur radio library.

I found George W9EVT speaking with a long lost old time High-Speed CW contact who had worked Skeds for years between them. Imagine my surprise to find that with the books fresh in hand that this CW expert was none other than George W9JVN - Author of the Books!!

I mentioned how this book had received multiple mentions and recommendations during the Contest University and how I appreciated meeting the Author in person.

From the introduction of the book:

Whenever two or more transceivers are used in close proximity there is some level of interference involved. This level can vary from practically no problem to actually burning up components in the receiving radio. The purpose of this book is to identify and quantify the various parameters that create the interference and to show methods that will reduce or eliminate it.

My read of the book since Dayton has found that the CTU Profs understated the quality and usefulness of the information in this book. And that the book has not gone unnoticed by other experts:

ON4UN says:
“George [W9JVN] covers every imaginable
aspect of the interference
problem in this book…”

The actual stubs can either be designed and made by the amateur themselves, or one of George’s other businesses Top Ten Devices offers W2VJN’s Stubs as a commercial product:

Band Reject Coaxial Stubs
Every multi-transmitter environment suffers to some extent from harmonic interferences. In some cases, coupling due to closeness of antennas is sufficiently high that potentially damaging voltages may be present at the receiver terminals. Harmonics can be so strong that operation within 25 or 50 kHz is not possible due to receiver overload. Application of band reject coaxial stubs will reduce transmitted harmonics from the final amplifier and reduce fundamental pickup as well. This translates to fewer complaints from the operators, higher contest scores, and reduced risk of receiver front end damage.

Approximately 30 dB of harmonic attenuation can be expected from a single stub. Lumped constant filters can also provide the mentioned benefits, but none are available for amateur use unless they are home built. Top Ten Devices uses high quality RG-213 coax with a silver plated, teflon PL259 and heat shrink tubing on the shorted or open end. Rated ultra-conservatively at 1.5 kW continuous duty operation, these stubs will last a lifetime.

Stubs are manufactured to order and are individually trimmed with a Hewlett Packard network analyzer to +/-10kHz. When ordering, please specify CW or SSB, and the stub will be cut to plus 25 kHz from the sub band edge.

A single stub can be connected to the output of an amplifier with a UHF tee connector. For multi band operation, the stub(s) may be connected after the antenna switch. There is no requirement for a specific length of coax between the amplifier and the stub. Well shielded line should be used to prevent radiation of harmonics before they get to the stub. Two or more stubs for a given band may be used together. For example, a CS-4 and a CS-5 together will null 40,15 and 10. They would be connected with two UHF tee connectors close to the amplifier, if possible, to minimize pick up or radiation on the connecting lead. For stations where the amplifier is used on more than one band, automatic stub switching can be accomplished [and the] station antennas can be switched at the same time.

It is worth noting that not only has George W9VJN passed on what he has learned in his book, he is ensuring that his product knowledge & products remain available by passing the torch at INRAD. International Radio now in the very capable hands of new owners Trey, N5KO, and Mark, AG9A with George staying involved in the development of new products.

A recommended Book!

73

Steve
K9ZW

On Friday night of the Dayton Hamvention, foot weary both, W9EVT and I drove out to the KOA Campground for the tail-end of the 160m Everynight Net BBQ & Gathering.

A Friday Tradition with the members of this net, they have quite a spread put on on a pot-luck basis.

Lucky W9EVT had stocked up on Sodas, Cakes & Chips as our contribution to the event.

The weather was perfect and the group a great time, talking, comparing notes and putting faces to voices heard often during the year.

My work & community schedule makes my check-ins on the 160m net at best once a month, but the group was in no way less gracious given my random & occasional check-ins.

 At the Hara the group has noon Photo Shoots on certain days.  George W9EVT was able to make one of these while I was driving around doing the Boat Anchor pickup routine.  (Covered in Dayton Hamvention 2008 Follow-Up Report No. 15 - Buying Boatanchors which will post in a few days.)

I really liked the quietness of the KOA site after the noise of the Hara all day.  Sitting around a campfire watching the moon and stars while talking about matters radio was a great time to be quiet and listen for me.

Check out my previous Article Every Night 160 Meter Group - 1.895 Year Round  and the 160m Everynight Net Webpage at:  http://www.wb8sqj.com/en160/index.html

73

Steve
K9ZW

Scott NE1RD has created a wonder Manual on assembling the Small Wonders Lab “Rockmite” QRP transceiver.

Scott NE1RD was very kind and gave me a copy at Dayton Hamvention 2008 at Contest University.

As is NE1RD’s custom he has done an ace job of making something moderately complex into something easy, by writing good directions laced with photos.  

It is like having an injection of self-confidence for a neophyte builder to have a manual like this!

This isn’t Scott NE1RD’s first build instruction project, having done the Assembling the MFJ Cub Transceiver by Scott NE1RD 

Here are the links:

Scott NE1RD’s Homepage on the Rockmite Build

NE1RD’s Rockmite Assemble Manual On-Line

Check out all of Scott NE1RD’s Project Websites and see if you can help in Developing Young Ham’s building experience through a club build!

Recommended!

73

Steve
K9ZW

Ok, here is one great value if you are building a station - Building a Super Station by David Robbins K1TTT

Here are reviews on eHam: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6573

At you will find the download or the book at Lulu : http://www.lulu.com/k1ttt

History of the construction of a Ham Radio super contest station. 21+ years of construction, reconstruction, and maintenance at K1TTT with tips for both big and small contest stations

K1TTT’s website is: http://www.k1ttt.net/

Here is the Table of Contents:

Contents

Introduction …………….ii
Contents …..iii
Figures …….vii
Evolution ……1
The First Year ……..1
Growing ..7
The First Tower Party ..11
And now for some operating! …..13
Spring Cleaning 1986 ..16
And Growing …….22
And Growing Some More ………..28
And Still Growing .. …48
One more big growth spurt! ……..71
And Still Growing? Well, not for a while ..82
Happy Birthday! .. ….108
Inventory ..116
Property …………..116
Outside ……………117
150’ 20m Tower …..117
60’ Misc Tower ……118
120’ 10m Tower …..119
120’ 15m Tower …..120
180’ 40m Tower …..121
Other Stuff …..122
Inside …126
VHF Station …127
80m …………….128
10m …………….129
40m/SO2R ……130
20m …………….132
160m …………..133
15m …………….134
Cables ..135
Contest Scores Summary ……………136
The Land ..154
Where to go? ……154
Finding ……………154
Zoning and Covenants …………..155
Neighbors ………..155
Start Small ……………156
Single op to multi-single transition ………..156
Thinking Big ………..157
The Vision ……….157
Keep it simple ….157
Radios …………….158
Planning the outside layout …….158
Keep notes ……….159
Planning the Inside layout ………159
Buy vs. build furniture ……….159
Lighting ……….160
Power! …………161
Baseband noise control ………162
Computers ……….162
Insurance …………163
Hardware ……..164
Liability ……….164
Adjusters ……..164
Antenna Support Structures ………..165
Selecting the type .. ..165
Installation ……….165
Bases, anchors ….166
EHS vs. Philly vs. Insulators and other guy wire things …….166
Grounding ……….168
Putting the mast in the tower ….169
Antennas ..171
Buy or build …….171
Wire or aluminum ……171
Vertical vs. Horizontal …………..171
Refurbishing used antennas ……171
How long? ……….172
Stacks ..172
Dedicated spot antennas …………173
4-squares and other phased verticals ………173
Inverted V’s vs. Loops …………..173
Beverages ………..174
Insulated Copperweld vs. other wires …….178
“Improvements” .. ….179
40-2cd …………179
Yagi Element Vibration ……..179
Telrex sleeves .. ….180
Boom vibration ……183
Oddities …………..185
Backwards 10m Yagi ………..185
Tribander poisoning …………..185
Sub-Harmonics from floating transmission line ……………185
Amps ……..187
Buy or build? ……187
New or Used? …..187
Tubes …187
Auto or Manual ..187
Cable and wire ……..188
75ohm hard line .. ….188
Use good cable …188
Above or below ground …………188
How to support cables ……………189
Lightning protection …190
Rotors, switches, phasing boxes ….192
Buy or build? ……192
Simplicity is nice .. …192
Single band on a coax ……………192
Remote switches .. …193
Simple stack matching vs. bought boxes ..193
Outside Enclosures …..196
Tools ……..197
Chain saws ………198
Wrenches …………199
Crescent hammers ……199
Pliers, cutters, and other nasty things ……..200
Misc Stuff ………..202
Socket sets ……….203
Belts and harnesses ….204
Buckets ……………205
Pulleys and other rigging ……….205
Come-alongs ……206
Other specialty stuff …206
Capstans, winches, cars, tractors, and other lifting power ….208
Ropes! …………….208
Cranes and Helicopters ………….209
Gin Poles …………209
Inside Tools ……..210
Doing the work …….214
Planning, planning, planning ….214
Ground control to Major Tom… ……………214
Rigging – or how to break a boom in one easy lesson ……….214
Knots – back to the basics ………215
Tripods – get out Boy Scout lashing book ………….215
Trams – the easy way up a tower …………..217
Tilt and tip - working in 3 dimensions ……220
Having the fun ………221
M/M Operators …221
Guest Operators and recruiting ..221
My call, your call, club call?? …222
Propagation ……..222
Goals …224
Special Techniques ….224
Spotting network notes ………….225
Food and drink …227
Sleeping …………..227
Checklists ………..227
Maintenance …………230
Annual inspections …..230
Repairs – Danger, Will Robinson! …………231
Repair or replace? ……232
How long do things live? ……….232
Trees and Weeds .. …233
Technical Miscellany ……234
Filters… ………….234
Stubs ….235
Analysis of Single Coax Stub ……………237
Analysis of pairs of Coax Stubs …………239
419A input isolation …243
Sub harmonic analysis …………..244
Cheap TDR ……..246
Tuning gamma matches …………249
50 vs. 75 ohm cable …250
Hard line connectors from plumbing fittings ………250
Cheap Doppler DF …..253
Yaesu G-xxxxSDX series control box problems …255
Temporary fix for stuck indicator: ……..255
Replacing indicator motor: ….256
Rotor turns faster one way than the other: ………257
‘Rain’ static ……..258
TV RFI cleanup ..259
Many ways to do 4-squares …….261
TS-870 Beverage Switch ……….265
U-L-BIP-BOP ….266
Yaesu CAT mod .. …267
The End ….268

An absolutely awesome collection of information!

Check it out - well worth the modest download or book price!

Recommended!

73

Steve
K9ZW