I like how you can link to repeaters in different city's as if they were local. The Echolink and Win system is also nice but, having that many nodes on-line at the same time you have to be a coordinated net, otherwise it would be impossible to have a QSO with anyone.
Anyhow, it is fun and very useful.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
MFJ 259B Analyzer
I finally picked up an 259B for the shack. Bought new from HRO because I have heard all the horror stories about MFJ and wanted a local dealer just in case. Not to mention, I am very impatient when it comes to waiting for equipment.
Just like every other ham that has picked up a new analyzer I immediately started checking the health of my 40M bottom loaded Vertical. No real surprises here just tuned it to cover the band all under 1.5:1 so not to shabby.
Now comes the 2M quad. This was a disaster I don't even remember the readings but they were not usable, so I removed the Director and Reflector and played around trying to get a better match. Did not spend much time on it, will get back to it later.
2M Dipole using 1" Aluminum tubing. This was originally cut for an old Radio Shack scanner I have have since the 90's little bugger still works. I first started this antenna with the intention of turning it into a 3 element Yagi but, not having an analyzer or 2M radio at the time, it got put on the back burner.
I knew I had cut this long, lower in freq than the 2M ham band. So hooked it up and checked it out. Sure enough it was resonant around 136 MHz "Let the trimming Begin" .
Trimmed to 146 MHz. Need to take some pic's and document the rest of the build.
Just like every other ham that has picked up a new analyzer I immediately started checking the health of my 40M bottom loaded Vertical. No real surprises here just tuned it to cover the band all under 1.5:1 so not to shabby.
Now comes the 2M quad. This was a disaster I don't even remember the readings but they were not usable, so I removed the Director and Reflector and played around trying to get a better match. Did not spend much time on it, will get back to it later.
2M Dipole using 1" Aluminum tubing. This was originally cut for an old Radio Shack scanner I have have since the 90's little bugger still works. I first started this antenna with the intention of turning it into a 3 element Yagi but, not having an analyzer or 2M radio at the time, it got put on the back burner.
I knew I had cut this long, lower in freq than the 2M ham band. So hooked it up and checked it out. Sure enough it was resonant around 136 MHz "Let the trimming Begin" .
Trimmed to 146 MHz. Need to take some pic's and document the rest of the build.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Fixed LoTW problem
My log file had an mismatch in dates ?? Installed the new file and seems to be working for logs as of Jan 2012.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
2M (70cm) Collinear antenna
Well, I still have not checked my antenna (2M) with an analyzer as of yet, but I have built another one. The Collinear 2M 70cm seems to be working very well. I can hit the 2m and 440 Mhz Smith peak repeater about 90 miles away. The antenna is only about 8/9' off the ground and in prototype stage. I believe once I get it setup permanent it will be a very good performer. More to follow.
Above is the first version mounted in the backyard...
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