A weblog about all things.....
Weblog
Newest addition to the shack, a legal limit auto-tuner from Palstar
I bit a BIG bullet and ordered me a new tuner from Palstar. This is a full auto unit that will automatically bandswitch, select the right antenna and tune from memory. I selected this one over others out there because of its built in capability to handle balanced lines
Michley 7" display for my Icom 7000
Bought it off a QTH add from Ron K1HZ and I am growing to like it . Quality of the monitor itself is Junk, but it serves it's purpose.
Latest radio trade FT-102 Maclomized and a FC-102 Tuner
Got a call yesterday from KD5U Rudy about my QTH add looking for a FT-102. He said he had a really nice one that was 100% Malcomized and operational. He also told me it had just returned from Cal for a tune-up and relays change. We arranged to meet at the Copperas Cove Field Day event. A quick trip to his house sealed the deal and the radio is everything he said it was. I owned one many years ago and always regretted selling it. Now I have this gorgeous example of a boat anchor. Thanks for a Square Deal Rudy!
Beginning of a tower
Got the mast, Solarcon A-99 (local 10 meter nets) and a 2m 3el. Just below the 2m antenna will go the force 12 c4s. Tomorrow I will put the remote antenna switch on and begin assembling the beam. Doesn't look that high until you are up there!
Work on the GM roof mounted tower continues
Work on the GM roof mounted tower continues. I am in the process of putting the mast up with a Solarcon A99 on top of the mast. I use this for a local 10 meter net and need the vertical polarization for the in close stuff. I am also about ¾ of the way through with re-assembly of the Force 12 C4 which I took down from my old QTH. The Beam was at about 25 feet at the old QTH and I worked the world, so at about 34 foot at the new QTH it should be even better.
Sold both my TS-940 and my Brand New FT-950 today so I am slimming down on transmitters. That just leaves me my 756ProIII, 7000 and my drake stuff.
GM Rooftop tower going up
I used this for many years at my previous QTH, using a force12 C4. I am in the process of putting it all back together.
Full wave Horizontal Loop
Hard to see it, but there is a perfect rectangle 264foot full wave loop at 16 feet above the ground. My primary antenna for 40 and 78-80.
Got my Alpha back from Dick Byrd N4UQ yesterday and boy am I a happy camper
Got my Alpha back from Dick Byrd N4UQ yesterday and boy am I a happy camper. I sent it to Dick for two reasons, first on-air reports indicated that there was a very low AC Hum, and second; I wanted Dick to re-do the 3cx800 mod. It was originally done by the previous owner who payed someone to do the mod. Anyway, Dick put it back in perfect shape. Turns out problem 1 was being caused by problem 2. Dick is an absolute Alpha Master!
I am back up and running legal limit in the bandpass mode, you gotta love that
Antennas
Antennas
My second love. I love messing around with wire antennas. I have built just about every configuration I have ever read about and even designed a few of my own. But, cut to the chase; A full wave, horizontal loop as high as you can get it; fed by ladder line all the way to the tuner is just about as good as they get. There are days and freq’s where a DEZ might do better but they are few and far between.
I currently use one 264 foot long, tied at all 4 corners to trees at about 30 feet. My next project will be to get it about 10-15 foot higher. This is my primary 80 and 40 antenna. It just works!
For higher freqs, I have a force12 CS3 on a 17 foot GM roof mounted tower. It has served me well on 20-10m.
Finally, I have a DEZ anchored between 2 trees about 300 feet apart. I find myself using this one less and less.
Amps
Amps
My love. I love building and operating amplifiers. I have built 6 to date and am considering my next project. Most of the amps that I have built, I have used for a while then sold. My first was a pair of 813’s. It went to a local ham, Bill KB5VTZ. We lost Bill a while back and I have no idea what happened to that amp. Probably found its way to the Belton Hamfest.
Next amp is a 4 x CX250B’s. I still have that one in a rack but have not used it for a while. Put the right voltage on the plate and that amp was stout.
3rd amp was a single 3-500 in a grounded grid config. I still have that one and use it whenever I just need 6-700 watts.
4th Amp was a GS-35b GG. 10-80m legal limit. Tuned input, vacuum relays and capacitors. Not sure why I sold that one but I did.
5th Amp was a pair of 3-500z. I used a variac controlled 5KV PS that I also built and still have. With 3200 steady volts on the plate, this amp was rock stable. Sold it 2 years ago to another local ham.
6h amp was a pair of GS-35B’s. Never got this thing to work the way I wanted to. Tank circuit was an infinite problem. Sold it last year.
I currently operate a Henry 2k modified with a stout power supply and 8877 tube. Step start, grid protection and all the bells and whistles of modern day, computerized amp. I use this thing daily on my Icom 756ProIII.
Connected to my Yaesu FT-950 is a Rare Sigma XR-3000D. This has a pair of 3-500’s , tuned input in a double shielded cabinet with a 60 pound power supply “STOUT”. This amp was produced in the early 1970’s in Japan and had a very limited exportation. Big 4 inch meters, simple to tune and operate and an honest 1500 watts out.
Connected to my IC-7000 my all time favorite an Alpha 78 modified by N4UQ )Dick Byrd to a pair of 3cx800a7’s If you ever need an Alpha worked on, send it to a true PRO. Dick is truly an Alpha Master. I call this my Lazy mans amplifier as I have a tendancy to just leave it in the bandpass settings as I go from band to band. Hit it with about 65 watts and 1500 comes out, it is truly phenomenal.
Connected to my Kenwood TS-940 is my Homebrew single 3-500Z. It is rock stable, tunes easily and gives me an honest 700 watts when I need it.
I have owned just about every amp there is at one time or another and have settled (for now) on the above amps in my shop. If you haven’t tried building an amp, read some books, take some safety precautions (HV won’t kill you, but the current will) and have some fun.
73’s Richard N5OU