Dust of your straigt key: Straight key night is only 27 days away.

Dusty:not much use

Dusted:not polished

http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night

My code is quite rusty at the moment.  I usually get on the air more than I did in 2011 and spend the Thanksgiving break working on my code since most of the time I am a bit lazy and use my paddles.

The bands are opening so hopefully this Straight Key Night will be more active than last year.

This is what happens to an FAA amp when the RF feed opens

Besides taking out the tube.  This is what happens to the Kapton insulators in the plate circuit that make up the capacitors in the cavity.  There are 2 of these; one on the side for the output coupling and the other is the tuning cavity where the plate D.C. is applied to the tube.

These are very difficult to find as replacement parts, but since I have a sheet of Kapton of the same thickness I made a new one, installed it and tested the amp.  Seems to work fine.  Sure beats buying a new cavity if they are even available.

I also convert these amplifiers to run on a 4CX250B instead of the 8930.  The 8930 is the same as a 4CX250R which is a 4CX250B with more rugged structures and a much larger anode assembly.  This combination allows the tube to withstand more vibration than the 4CX250B and it will dissipate heat better.

Goodnight Irene, portable operation after the storm passed

This is the front view of my HF jump kit.  I had all but the box when I decided to put it all together.  It is an Icom IC-735, Icom AT-150 auto antenna tuner and Icom IC-PS20 DC supply with external speaker.  I use the stock HM-12 microphone and if I work CW a J-38 key.  The normal antenna is a portable 20 meter inverted-V or a home brew short vertical using Hustler traps and stinger for different bands.  This can be power from a.c. mains, a generator or large batteries if it is not powered from my vehicle.

I should have taken some photos earlier today while operating portable.  Now everything is stored.

As with other years before the hurricane or storm hits I got out my gear and charged all the batteries.   I also ensured I had sufficient spares of all and plenty of extra food and water.  However, Emily was far enough off-shore so all that hit my QTH was rain and some wind.  Cannot say the same for 2004.  The year that encouraged me to finally get my ticket to the world of amateur radio.

One of the first things I determined to do when I got my Technician License was to make every effort to be operational under any conditions even if I only had VHF-UHF.

The years have been somewhat uneventful since 2004, and that does not disappoint me the least.

When I got my General I determined I would be able to use VHF-UHF and the HF bands under any conditions and always have all I need with me and available to use.  This stems from my first emcomm ops in 1972 when a very well meaning ham showed up to help us out during tropical storm Agnes without an antenna, and a few other things.  He had a trailer full of gear, but forgot one of the two most important items.  A local ham managed to dismantle and reinstall a usable antenna several hours later.  I was one of the 3 people running the local eoc (before they were called that).

So much for war stories.  I have been somewhat out of commission due to an injury last week.  I decided today is a good day for some time on the air.  When my main rig wouldn't work I decided to use my HF jump kit that was not on the air but once since it was built last summer.  I already had plenty of battery power fully charged so I decided on some portable operation to check into the area net and see who else I could work until it got too hot to be outside or the battery died.  I have several, but they are heavier than I wanted to transport one-handed.  The one battery I had with the rig would be the only one.  I have a solar panel charger I made for use with the kit.  I did not run the solar charger today.

My outdoors portable operations have included a wire in a tree, short vertical and a 20 meter inverted V.  Today I decided to work all bands if possible and used my AP8A.  Sometimes my portable operation does not take me farther than my yard.  Today was one of those.  Technically, I may not be portable by some standards.  By not being on the power mains, not running a generator, not being in my house and using my kit for all practical purposes; portable.  I just happened upon an installed multi-band vertical.

I was able to work 80, 40, and 20 meters with a few contacts on each band until I quit.  There were a few on the air in the coastal regions of SC, NC, and inland VA and one fellow on Long Island.  None were reporting disastrous weather conditions, but I did not note their exact locations.

So as one rig failed to operate the when all else fails motto holds even after a storm or any time.  I thought about QRP, but for now I am one handed and CW is a bit too challenging at the moment.  Besides, I wanted to better emulate if I had to use the jump kit.

Why the long post without much technical or even traffic handling or emergency information?  Just hoping to stir some thoughts on having a station in reserve even for those who may think they can always get or be on the air when wanted and their one and only rig fails.  Now I'm off to install a new 12BY7A.

73 and hoping the storm passes by without damage to your QTH.

Like I said; easier to see what is typed rather than on a monitor

Looks like I can't spell.

The previous post.....Let's see.....

73

Well Let's see what has taken me away from this blog.........

My intention was to do a few more Mores Code entries and move onto some projects.

Well work and a new view camera took precidence.

Then a renewed interest in improving my writing and fountain pens replaced my radio time.

Last week I had a bit of a mishap that now has me typing (yep, typing---I'm from the days of those things (and why the computer industry has never doe away with the STUPID qwerty KB is beyond common reason and any kind of sense.)) with one hand, mostly one finger, so I am slow and unlike a typewriter it is more difficult to see typing in real time.  Much easier to see the paper directly at the KB.

Like most computer things that we are fed a bunch of crap on, it is not faster with a computer, but annoyingly SLOWER.

73

Getting lost in the world of work and other things

Still around and working on some projects.  It seems work, yard work, and other priorities are even keeping me from this blog.

Planned to do a follow-up on the Morse Code and still will.  Time goes by way too fast at times and if there is anyone who knows how to get 48 hours out of a day I am interested in doing that also.

About the most ham radio activity has been a few hours on the air and the addition of 2 new old items to the shack.  Looking over my notebook seems July is the month of station additions.  2 out of 3 of my HF radios were added in July, my main antenna was purchased in July and a few small things were added this July.

After owning a Kenwood TS-700A for about 5 years a near mint condition SP-70 external speaker has been added.  The SP-70 makes listening much more pleasing than the internal speaker.

A Kenwood SP-230 was added to my TS-830S station bringing that station one more step closer to becoming a complete station.  This speaker is not as mint as the SP-70 above.  A bit of dis-colored coating on the rear panel and a small nick on the faceplate.  The SP-230 is nice in that it has built-in switchable audio filters and the ability to switch to two different radios.  If I wanted I would not need the SP-70, I could use only the SP-230 and connect both radios to it and switch back and forth.  Nice feature, but I doubt I'll use it.

Maybe I should have entitled this post as external speakers since that is becoming the subject. 

One thing I have not understood since getting my license is why all the ham gear costs so much.  Take an external speaker.  Most are nothing more than a cheap low wattage paper cone speaker, limited frequency response, mounted in a metal or plastic cabinet, some with a closed back, some fully open backs, and having metal or plastic grills.  Everything that is opposite of a good design for a good sounding speaker and enclosure.

Sure the purpose is only for voice communication so fancy full-range audio is not needed.  So with the cheap quality construction why the high cost?  This does not seem to matter whether new or used.  Some or most of the used sell for many times more than when they were new.  I guess this is the collectable aspect of liking older things like I do. 

The fact is many of us like things matching our radios.  Many of us like collecting and using the older equipment.  The limited manufacturing runs of many of the things for amateur radio.  The demand for certain items.  All these add to the cost of what we are willing to pay for things.  I'll continue buying things to complete my older stations.  I'll be using the older things, and I'll continue to state the same thing about the cost.   Overall I'll still be enjoying a great hobby.

So just a bit of rambling about additions to the shack, external speakers and self-answering comments on the costs of things.  Hopefully not too boring.

73

Morse Code 2

Just a bit to expand on the first post.  As stated I decided to give the code another try when I found an MFJ-411 Pocket Morse Tutor in a local thrift shop one night on my way home from work.

When I got home I did as I do with most electronics; put it on the work bench and opened the cover.  Everything looked like new.  I put a battery in it and it told me it was ON.  Cool.  I remembered 2 letters.  I cycled it through the selections and figured out how to use it.

I did a search for the manual.  No manual.  Very few worthwhile or informative posts on the 411.  No site with the manual.  Some information on line about the 417, and I found several sites with the manual. MFJ had a description of the 417 Code Tutor and the manual.  I downloaded it and still do not know the difference in the 2 since the manual is nearly identical to what I eventually located a few years later for the 411.

I set the MFJ-411 per the instructions for the MFJ-413/417 and listened to the code.  It was the same.  I used this for a while, but did not know how to check what was sent against what I copied for accuracy.  The first code group is easy, but as each groups complexity increased, copy and proof of accuracy began to become too difficult and time consuming.

Next I downloaded & installed the Koch Method Morse Trainer software from G4FON.  Now the code is easier to proof for accuracy.  It became even more fun to learn.  I could watch the screen as a character was sent, I could copy and check the copy, and I could be sure what I copied and checked was accurate.

I also started using Chuck Adams, K7QO Morse Code Course on CD.  I was given an MP3 player and this worked fine since I could load Chuck's files onto an SD card and play it back any time any place to practice.

Finally I was able to copy code and it was fun learning.  I know I only had to learn at Novice speed to get my General and Extra and there are those out there who had to learn 13 w.p.m. and 20 w.p.m.  I know I have a long way to go to get to be really proficient at both copying and sending.  I do hope someone wanting to try CW reads this and is encouraged no matter what their age or license class (or even if they do not have a license) to take a few minutes each day and learn the code and get on the air.

I finally found a manual (way after I got my Extra) some place and downloaded it.  Since it was difficult to find I added a link to the manual at the end.  Now that I have the manual I am back to practice using the code tutor.  I also keep using the K7QO files on my MP3 player.  I like the tutor because I can set the speed faster than 12 w.p.m.

 The MFJ-411 Pocket Morse Tutor

The inside of the 411.  The original battery connector failed and I added a better one that required removal of the original bracket clip that held the battery on its side.  The battery now lays flat.  The fit is snug enough a clip is not needed to hold the battery in place.

MFJ-411Manual

I also use CWCP.  It is a Linux based trainer much like the G4FON trainer.

Just a few of many fun ways to learn the Morse Code.  I have yet to memorize what a trainer sends like I was able to do with recordings played over and over and over....


de Bill
73

Digital Photography

I have a brief page on my website about my webtography (yep another one of my made-up words).  The digital photography I do for web postings.  Most of it is sloppy as compared to any real (film) photography I have done and I still do.  However, for on line it works & digital photography is quick and easy.

As I was searching for some information on one of my view cameras I came across a website for those like myself do not like to spend exaggerated sums of my hard earned money on stuff I can build or acquire for next to nothing or even free (check out www.freecycle.org and look for your city or a city near you).  The site is for do-it-yourself photographers.  http://diyphotography.net/

I spent quite a bit of time exploring the home made items on there.  Some I have already made before knowing of this site.  One of the neat places is the lighting section.  I have done many kinds of lighting through the years.  Much of it was in automated machine vision inspection.  The requirement is quite like the super macro photography I do for some of my web posts and the other is diffuse lighting where soft light without shadows is needed to make a flatly lit subject whether it be a portrait, a still-life, or to show some fine detail in a product or tooling, or for an item to be posted on line.

If you like photography, like to save money and like to make things the DIY Photography site is loaded with plenty of information and it is all free.  Sometimes there is not real detail in building an accessory, but there is enough shown that anyone with basic hand tools should be able to make their own item(s).

Why a post on photography on a ham radio blog?  Why not my original thoughts of expanding on the Morse Code?  Well, there may be someone out there that wants a few pointers on doing table top digital photography to sell the extra rig or microphone or close-up of their new QRP circuit or what ever reason.  Take a bit extra time to make a better photo to post and the item may sell faster or at a better price.  As Fred R. Barnard once said, " A picture is worth a thousand words."  (yea, he originated it; not Confucius some were along the line it became attributed to the Chinese fellow)

Also check out Chuck Adams, K7QO, Lab Notebook.  I got the idea for my cameras from his site and even learned some of his QRP construction techniques.  Chuck has a very interesting site.

BTW the sheet metal punch he notes is no longer in the Harbor Freight catalog, but a similar one for about $30.00 is available from Wholesale Tool.
Check out their entire catalog.  I get nothing for mentioning them.  I buy from them and they have good prices and great service even on hard to find items that I could not find at several other major well known suppliers of similar wares.

73

dah-di-dah-dit ^ dah-dah-di-dah Speaking of the Morse Code -- The Original Digital Mode

Many people, including ham radio operators, like to think the Morse Code or CW operation is dead or dying.  From my experience I do not know.  I do know I do not hear as much of it across the Short Wave Band, but when the ham bands are open there is still quite a bit of code chatter.

What got me thinking about the code was an article I came across by Duane Asherman, W6REC called Learn CW (Morse Code) as a Language.  It really is a language, a new language that can be learned.

It is also what has kept many, like myself, out of Amateur Radio for years.  For me it was 40 or so years!  Why?  I think because of the archaic ways to learn it (before the MFJ code tutors and PCs).  Like many I memorized the records and tapes.  I found when someone took the time to send it did not sound like the recordings and was boring.  I wanted to get my ticket to build things to get on the air.  It is more of a challenge to build an A.M. or SSB transmitter than it is a CW transmitter.  However a CW transmitter is easy and simple and inexpensive.  A home brew QRP rig is one of the most economical ways into amateur radio.  But I went into commercial radio and my first transmitter was a nice new AEL 25KD 25kW.

I was out of commercial radio only a few months when I decided I have to get back to radio.  By chance I found an old MFJ-411 Code Tutor at a thrift store for $1.00.  That got me thinking of learning the code so I started on my amateur license.  I thought anyone, especially an old guy, can learn at least 5 w.p.m. and get on the  air.  Besides if I can get the code and learn a few rules I can get my Extra without a problem.

(Now all the fellows who had to learn 13 words per minute copy and send at the F.C.C. Field Office can pick on me.)

Now the mode that was of little interest to me has become my favorite mode.  I like QRP and that is a great fit for CW.  It was fun to learn and it is still fun to use all the tools to keep improving my terrible fist.  I still have a long way to go to get to the speed and quality of my goal.  I hear fellows at faster speeds than I can copy and I hear near perfect code (and the perfect machine or computer sent) and those who have been using code for decades and I want to send good code.

The reason for the long, and maybe boring, history is to encourage everyone reading this who does not know the code to get one of the computer based training programs and start learning code and open a brand new world on the air.

Search Morse Code and read some of the posts that are on line.  Start with the article I mentioned.  It is a very good article on learning the code.

Also check out Fists
Chuck Adams, K7QO has designed a nice code learning course in MP3 available on CD from Fists. 

Download one of the most popular & easy to use trainers by Ray Goff,  G4FON Koch Method Trainer
This runs on Windows.  The G4FON trainer is perhaps my favorite although I use CWCP quite often since I run Linux PCs and CWCP is written for Linux.  G4FON's will run using WINE, but sometimes the code will not be as clean nor do all the features work as well as if it is run on Windows.

Read So You Want to Learn Morse Code 

Visit Jack Wagoner's (WB8SFV) site   Lot of good information on CW and CW QSOs.

And for those really serious about the code (and those who like to read download) The Art and Skill of Radio-Telegraphy by William G. Pierpont, N0HFF (SK).  This is an excellent manual on learning and using Morse Code. 

Then practice, practice, practice and practice more.  All the reading will not make you proficient at the code, but listening and / or sending (after you get your copy down) will.



The when all else fails motto (paraphrased) from the ARRL for ham radio is true, but when all else fails to get through the noise CW punches through; and sometimes at much less of a power level than any other mode. (ok PSK is quiet efficient at low power)

CW, the Morse Code.  Check it out, Learn it, and get on the air and use it.

Adding more to the blog.

The search engines are finally or perhaps already finding this blog.  Thought a bit of revising should be in order.  I added a photo of what my station looked like as I added a few accessories to my FT-101ZD a few months after I placed it on the air.  My operating area was much less cluttered then and so was the room housing it all.

That reminds me of a good topic.  Clutter.  Not much of a radio subject, but something I learned at a very young age.  If there is a space -- fill it!  Whether it be a room, cabinet, closet, tool box or work bench.  I had a few good teachers for this.  My grandfather's garage, my mentors work bench and shop, my mentor in commercial radio with his shop (and many other areas) and work bench and the work areas at many radio stations.  After awhile one becomes proficient at pushing things aside on the bench to make room to pile on more.

The problem is then incomplete projects get burried, set aside or even worse removed from the bench and put somewhere and never get completed.

The moral of all this: keep the workbench clear and organized with only what can be completed on it and complete that one or two things at a time.

Now if I could apply that philosophy to my radio room and garage!  The radio room is a mess normally (I never show that part on photos) and for those who remember Fibber McGee, well my garage is like his closet.

So much for now.

For those in the USA have a great Independence Day!

This should have been posted at the start of the blog

In June we lost 2 greats in electronics, analog electronics.  You know the kind that takes a bit of work as opposed to digital.  ( I have said that about analog vs. digital ever since college and I say the same about tubes except that we have a gargantuan amount of stuff that could never be if all we had were tubes, but tube audio and radio gear still sounds better than solid state and it is great fun to design around and work on)

Jim Williams passed away in early June and ironically Bob Pease died about 2 weeks later on his way home from Jim's memorial service.

Both will be greatly missed and I will especially miss Jim's articles on linear design and Bob's monthly Pease Porridge in EDN.

There are many great articles from these fellows on line and some fine video of Jim on YouTube.

I cannot write much about either man.  There are several obituaries posted.  Search on either name and if you never heard of these men you will learn something.  For those who knew them through their writing a new appreciation.
For those who knew them personally a great big loss.

More on Field Day

May seem odd to post about an event that took place last weekend.  Well this week end finished up my work on Field Day 2011.  The Blazer is finally empty. I start in winter.  It takes a few days in winter to make anything new and maintain anything from the previous event.  Nice thing about living in FL the winters are a great time to do outside things.  In VA it was usually fine if there was no snow on the ground, but in PA it generally was too blustery cold to do many things outside.

So for now the ropes are wound, the ground spikes cleaned, the antenna wires and coax all wound, the masts and all other accessories tagged, inventoried and stored ready for another use.  The radio, key, microphone and all the station items back in the station.  Now to make the operating position look once again like it appears on or in the photo on my Home Page, QRZ and eyeball cards.

So with the storing of all the stuff from this year it is time to note what can be done better and plan to do some work over the winter and get ready for 2012's 3 weeks (gather & load the week prior, use one week end, and put it all away the following) of Field Day.  Really it is more counting things that get done through the year.  It is all part of amateur radio and being prepared.  In Florida that is a constant endeavor due to hurricanes and in some places wild fire.  Maybe next year I will work Field Day myself and work QRP.

Field Day 2011

Well, the big event for many North American hams was last week.  I work with 2 clubs and things went quite well in spite of the wild fires, construction and general last minute relocations.  More on all of this later. 

One thing that comes up quite often during the event here are questions on the masts and the hardware that gets used.  I posted a page on my site which may be a circular link if you found the blog from the site. 

Originally all the information on masts was going to be on the one page.  Since it was getting quite long the AB-155/U mast was placed on its own page.  Much of the information on the mast page is or can be common to both.  It seems there are many more of the LCSS poles around being used for masts than the MS-44 mast sections that are used with the AB-155/U and I have seen even less of the other masts used with the NVIS and VHF antennas and masts.

One thing not on the site, nor is it found on other sites relating to the masts, is a good base.  I have used modified bases.  I machine my own.  However, just recently, too close to Field Day to order one I found the best base for these on Ebay from Baran's Surplus.  I have purchased from him and know that he is reliable and products are as described.  No, this is not an ad and I do not have any affiliation with Baran's Surplus other than being one of the customers.  I plan on ordering one of these bases and will post more when I get one.  The base is well worth the price asked.  Used ones for the other masts cost at least as much and if you do not have a machine shop they do not work.

Baran also can supply the tripod adapter.  I do not have one.  I made my own and they are much heavier (weight-wise)  than the aluminum ones sold on Ebay.   There was even an article in the June QST magazine on several uses for the masts and tripod adapter. 

More will be posted later.  Please follow this blog or check my site over the next few weeks.

How to decide how this should look

The blog was started on the spur of the moment and I have not yet decided upon the background or lay out.  Kind of like no preparation.  What photos?  What content?  Until this thing actually hits the on line world of cyberspace there is time to change things and even when this hits the web I'll still change things. 

Short note

Only the second day of the blog and undecided on exactly what I want here that has not already been posted on my photos or other web sites.  Could just put something about the latest Field Day and still having to return everything to its proper place and get the garage back into somewhat of an order.   Now that could be a subject for this blog. My garage.  Like so many others it is very over crowded.  In fact mine is quite a bit like Fibber McGee's closet.  Open at the wrong time or move the wrong things and piles of stuff will come tumbling down.  I had at least 3 good teachers on how to over stuff a garage and keep a very cluttered and full work bench.  Must have something to do with all the coal dust I inhaled as a kid.  Anthracite.  Real coal.  At least that is how I used to like to tease my friends from the Bituminous regions.  More subject matter unrelated to amateur radio. 

Everything has to start somewhere..

ARRL Field Day seems an appropriate time to start.

Just a start...

more to come