User:W0DBW

www.ke0etz.com

Current Events

UPDATED: 9:22 PM Monday, March 14, 2016

I have been studying and experimenting more with cross-band repeat this week. Updates to how it works and what is permissible by the FCC can be read on the wiki page about Ham Radio Cross Band Repeater. Maybe I will discuss on the Monday 2m net.

UPDATED: 4:57 PM Monday, February 29, 2016

In my area our local ham group, the Plattsmouth Amateur Radio Club, we have been experimenting with DMR and SDR. The club president, KB0OGO, did a demonstration of SDR with his new SDRplay receiver. KI0PY has demonstrated MotoTRBO with a Motorola branded HT while I have recently obtained the Tytera MD-380.

I've been building antennas, with my most recent endeavor to build a 6-meter "squalo" horizontally polarized antenna. There is a local 6-meter net I plan to check in on. I have a 6-meter transceiver that is all-mode and I believe the net is SSB.

Local Repeaters

East Nebraska and West Iowa Active Repeater List

About Me

Renewed my interest in radio after over two decades in absentia and obtained my ticket last summer. I am testing for my General at the next available VE event and studying for the Extra, which I plan to achieve eventually. I plan to start working HF as soon as possible. This is all after not knowing for sure whether or not I would care to get back into radio. At this point in my life I think it is a good fit for me.

Recent Equipment Photographs

File:Ke0etz shack201602.jpg

Working Inventory

Transceivers I have collected and used over the years are listed here. I am trying to locate the ones I stored away. Since I have renewed my interest in radio communication after many years (late 80s early 90s) I have started buying here and there again. My radio hobby has to be on a budget so don't expect any super-mega-digital-all-crazy $$$ rigs in this collection.

Working Inventory: HF

Primary Base Rig:

• Kenwood TS-940SAT - A Solid State Competition Grade HF Transceiver. Solid state HF transceiver, radio bands from 160 to 10 meters, general coverage receiver from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, CW, SSB, AM, FSK, and narrow-band FM. 100 Watt out. The S model has no auto tuner, while my SAT has the auto tuner.

 

The nice thing about this radio is "no menus." Everything is controlled by manual controls on the face. It needed some attention when it came to me. I have corrected some problems with it including the well known PLL lock problem, the sub display not working, and a problem with the auto tuner. I think it is ready for use.

Primary Mobile Rig:

• Alinco DX-70T HF/6m Tranceiver - Working. This transceiver will cover 160 meters - 10 meters and 6 meters. SSB, CW, FM 1.8MHz-30MHz 100 Watts; 50MHz-54MHz: 10 Watts (AM) 1.8 MHz - 30 MHz 40 Watts; 5OMHz - 54 MHz: 4 Watts.

Shelved or in Storage:

• Clear Channel Ranger AR-3500 - In storage. Hand-me-down from a family member. I like my President HR2510 better although this AR3500 is the 100 watt model so it is more powerful. It does have power! This radio is in unknown condition. I haven't powered it up in over 20 years.

• Uniden President HR2510 - Working however since it hasn't been used much in a couple decades I think it is a bit out of tune. The SWR meter on it never seemed to work well. I used to thump the signal display to get it to register. I have worked this radio a lot and made many contacts. In 1990 I was able to make regular contacts in the UK. Used with the Hy Gain Penetrator antenna, which has to be shorted a bit for 10-meter operation, and during the right solar activity, this radio is great for making long distant contacts on HF band. Here is what it looks like:

When I get this back on a good antenna I plan to make some contacts before this sunspot cycle dries up. I will eventually put a log here. This is my only working HF radio right now.

I also have some old amps and equipment not worth mentioning. Though, the tube AMP I have will do 800 watts.

• Yaesu Sommerkamp FT-7B - This was also a hand-me-down from a family member. It once worked, but now doesn't seem to put out any power, low output problem. I plan to take it apart and start with a good cleaning, then go from there.

Working Inventory: VHF & UHF

• Icom IC-2820H with UT123 board. This is a dual band 2m / 70cm transceiver with optional D-Star digital mode. Mine has the D-Star board installed. I haven't had this radio very long. I will post some pics and a review after I have put some time in on it.

stock photo

• TYT TH-9800 Quad Band Transceiver. This radio does cover 10-meter but not with SSB so I didn't list it up there. It is strictly AM-FM mode. It is a Chinese knockoff of Yaseau. I got it for under $200 new. looks like:

stock photo

The above is a stock image. I will snap a pic of it as it is hooked up in my van as soon as I clean up the way I mounted it. Right now it is held to the dash by zip ties.

• Kenwood TR-7400A - My old VHF mobile rig. I dug this out of storage but can't find where I put the microphone.

Actual pic: I hooked this up to a VHF HT antenna and a 12v PSU to see if it still worked. Even if I had the mic I wouldn't key down on this type of antenna. I was picking up conversation from a couple local repeaters. Sounded good. When I find the mic I will hook it up in my van and see if it still transmits well enough.

• Kenwood TR-8300 - tested and dead.

It was stored at my parents farm. I found it in a moldy box in an out building, rusted and wet. Total loss.

• Kenwood TK 880H - This is a Part 90 radio which retails with the following feature list: 32 systems / 250 groups (trunked mode), Max 600 channels (trunked mode), Max 250 channels capacity (conventional mode), 12 character dot matririx LCD, 10 character alphanumeric alias. This radio can be programmed for use on Ham bands. Programming is done with KPG-49D software. It is supposed to be 50 watts and programmable for use between 400 to 430 mhz. With a dummy load I tested it at about 30 watts. Requires a serial cable to program, serial on one end, RJ45 on the other.

Digital

I have been testing the water on DMR with the Tytera MD-380 which is MotoTRBO compatible. DMR is Digital 2-Way Radio. If you're interested in DMR take a look at Using DMR which is a guide to get you started.

Miscellaneous HTs

• Yaesu VX-2R
• Baofeng BF-F8HP
• Baofeng UV-B6
• Kenwood TK-380K
• Tokmate UHF

Actually I have a box full of HTs mostly China made and a few old Radio Shack "Realistic" models.

other thoughts

There has been some increased VHF repeater activity in the Midwest as a result of new Technician ham operators. This is good for the ham community. Each of us needs to take the responsibility of promoting the hobby. Lack of interest in ham radio will surely result in loss of frequency privileges for everyone. The mobile phone industry is already trying to consume as much spectrum as possible, lobbying to take portions away from other users, including amateur radio. More amateur operators as the result of new licensees is one way to help prevent the loss of spectrum allocation for amateur use.

Technician licensees: remember there is HF available to you! You have a slice of the 10-meter band for voice. There are also portions lower that are available for CW. Morse code is becoming a lost art. I think it would be fun to learn. I started by learning to code my call sign.

Antenna Tuners

Dentron Jr. Monitor

• HF coverage from 1.6-30 MHz
• 300w

Manufactured by Prime for Dentron.

MFJ-945E

• HF+6M coverage from 1.8 to 60 Mhz
• 300/60 and 30/6 Watt ranges
• ON/OFF lamp switch
• MFJ Product Page

MJF-941E

• HF coverage from 1.8 - 30 Mhz
• 300/60 and 30/6 watt ranges
• ON/OFF lamp switch
• Bypass
• 4:1 balun
• MFJ Product Page

Vintage

I collect vintage tube radios, shortwave radios, and various related. I will throw some pics up here when I get time.

For Sale

 ITEM DESCRIPTION                                           PRICE
 -----------------------------------------------------      --------

 Kenwood TS-430S - (used) ................................. $ Dead 

 Cobra 124 GTL - (used) expanded 365 channels ............. $ 350.00 --- tested, fully functional.

 Tokmate TU30 (new) Handheld UHF 400-480MHz ............... $  35.00 --- NIB, will program for you 
                                                                         at no additional cost.  
 Hy Gain Omni Directional 10 meter antenna (used) ......... sold

The Hy Gain antenna was damaged by a storm. What remains has been sold. I had a second one in storage. If I can locate it I might post it here for sale.

Update: second Hy Gain P500 was disposed of by my parents, probably scrapped for metal round up on the farm.

Cobra 142 GTL expanded for 365 channels operate 10-meter USB and LSB.

WANTED: Dead or Alive

Actually I prefer alive.

• Yaesu HF, 6M, VHF, UHF All Mode Transceiver
• Hybrid HF Transceiver
• New Truck Chaser digital scanner

transceivers

The Yaesu FT-897 is an all band, all mode transceiver. HF/VHF/UHF all mode portable transceiver 100 watts on HF.

• Yaesu FT-1000(D) - 200w allmode transceiver 100 kHz to 30 MHz.
• Yaesu FT-1000MP - 160m-10m transceiver
• Yaesu FT-1000MP Mk V Field
• Yaesu FT-102 - 160 to 10 meters in SSB, CW, AM and FSK modes. Hybrid. Analog dial. Digital display.
• Yaesu FT-650
• Yaesu FT-900CAT
• Yaesu FT-902DM
• Yaesu FT-990

Sun Spots

Sunspot numbers wax and wane in an approximately 11-year cycle. Solar Cycle 1 spanned the years 1755 to 1766. The last, Cycle 23, peaked in April 2000 with an average of 120 sunspots per day around the time of maximum. The last minimum part of the cycle bottomed out in December 2008, was the longest and quietest in over a century. Cycle 24 is occurring now in 1014 - 1015. Cycle 24 is a disappointing cycle. 10-meter DX depends largely on solar activity. Skip on 10-meter is active now and predicted to remain active until 2018 or shortly thereafter. It is a weak sunspot cycle, however, it is enough to provide for skip.

Cycle 24 actually peaked in 2014.

We need more sunspots! Join my campaign to lobby Washington to pass a bill that creates sunspots. Click HERE to send us your donation.

Skip

VHF

• 6m : sporadic, mostly daytime.

HF

• 10m : evening propagation and daytime mostly and during high sunspot period of solar cycle.
• 12 - 17m : daytime bands, usually opened.
• 20m : Can be opened day or night. This is a reliable band for DX.
• 40m : local skip during the day, DX at night.
• 80m : local skip during the day, longer distance DX at night.

MF

• 160m : night propagation. local skip.

Hy Gain Penetrator

The Hy Gain Penetrator antenna designer Howell Pabian is now retired in the Lincoln, Nebraska! That's where I ordered my antennas from. A little 2-way radio shop that once existed on O Street.

Hy Gain Penetrator Facts:

• 5/8 wave ground plane antenna.
• shorten the vertical radiator for 10-meter use.

MFJ now owns the rights to Hy Gain in name.

• Penetrator P500 article from October 2009

A new version of the antenna is back in production.

• Hy-gain SPT-500 (fall in love again!)

Investigating

Equipment: Connect Systems CS750 DMR Digital/Analog Radio

Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) - The new CS750 is the first DMR-compatible radio to be designed specifically for the Ham market.

• $210

Equipment: Yaesu VX-3R VHF/UHF DualBand Handheld -vs- ZASTONE ZT-2R+

The Yaesu Receives 0.5-999Mhz AM/FMN/FMW, Transmits 144-148 & 430-450Mhz VHF/UHF FM Output is 1.5W Vhf, 1W UHF

The ZASTONE ZT-2R+ TX Frequency Ranges: 144-146 MHz 430-440 MHz (but no info on AM/FM)

Icom ICR6 Broadband Receiver

0.100 ~ 1309.995MHz in AM / FM / WFM.

Scanning the HF dial

Day Night kHz use location language comments

		X	0.330	CW				
		X	3.215	AM	SW		english	news, political
		X	3.330	AM	SW		english	automated beacon
		X	3.618	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.625	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.700	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.908	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.908	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.916	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.936	LSB	ham		english	
		X	7.138	LSB	ham		english	
	X		7.217	LSB	ham			
		X	7.385	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	7.455	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	7.489	AM	SW		english	
		X	7.569	AM	SW		english	
		X	9.395	AM	SW		english	
	X		9.474	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	9.790	AM	SW		english	
		X	9.800	AM	SW		english	news
		X	9.955	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	9.975	AM	SW		english	
	X		9.980	AM	SW		english	religious
	X		11.550	AM	SW		spanish	
		X	11.670	AM	SW		foreign	
		X	11.780	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		11.825	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	11.840	AM	SW		foreign	same as 13.743
	X		11.950	AM	SW		spanish	strong signal
	X		12.160	AM	SW	USA	english	midwest USA, call in talkshow
		X	13.743	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		14.670	AM	SW	Canada	english	radio beacon
	X		15.120	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		15.230	AM	SW		spanish	
	X		15.370	AM	SW		spanish	same as 15.230
	X		15.700	AM	SW	China	english	China radio propiganda, news, strong signal
	X		18.155	USB	ham		english

Wavelength to Frequency Table

Meter Band 	Frequency Range and Use
--------------------------------------------------
160 meter 	1800 - 2000 kHz ham radio
120 meter 	2300 - 2498 kHz broadcasting
90 meter 	3200 - 3400 kHz broadcasting
80 meter 	3500 - 4000 kHz ham radio
60 meter 	4750 - 4995 kHz broadcasting
49 meter 	5950 - 6250 kHz broadcasting
41 meter 	7100 - 7300 kHz broadcasting
40 meter 	7000 - 7300 kHz ham radio
31 meter 	9500 - 9900 kHz broadcasting
30 meter 	10100 - 10150 kHz ham radio
25 meter 	11650 - 11975 kHz broadcasting
22 meter 	13600 - 13800 kHz broadcasting
20 meter 	14000 - 14350 kHz ham radio
19 meter 	15100 - 15600 kHz broadcasting
17 meter 	18068 - 18168 kHz ham radio
16 meter 	17550 - 17900 kHz broadcasting
15 meter 	21000 - 21450 kHz ham radio
13 meter 	21450 - 21850 kHz broadcasting
12 meter 	24890 - 24990 ham radio
11 meter 	25670 - 26100 kHz broadcasting
10 meter 	28 - 29.7 MHz ham radio 
6 meter         50 - 54 MHz ham radio since 1947
5 meter         56 – 64 MHz taken from ham radio in 1946
4 meter         70.000 MHz – 70.500 MHz
3 meter         76 - 88 MHz 88 - 108 MHz broadcasting 
2 meter         144 MHz to 148 MHz for ham
1.25 meter      219 - 225 MHz
70 centimeter   420 - 450 MHz ham 462 - 468 MHz non-ham public
33 centimeter   902.000 MHz – 928.000 MHz
23 centimeter   1.240 GHz – 1.300 GHz
13 centimeter   2.300 GHz – 2.450 GHz

Some Local Nets

2m and 70cm Nets

• 2m/FM: Douglas Co ARES, Sunday at 9:00pm on ??? repeater 147.360
• 2m/FM: Heartland Hams, Mondays at 7:00pm on Glenwood Iowa 145.290 repeater.
• 2m/FM: SWIARC, Mondays at 9:00pm on AKSARBEN 147.390 repeater. Predetermined Subject.
• 2m/FM: SWIARC, Wednesdays at 9:00pm on Council Bluffs Iowa 146.820 repeater. Open Chat.

mobile antennas

CSB-770A

Comet's BEST DualBand Mobile Antennas
2M/440MHz high gain antenna
Gain& Wave:
2M  5/8 wave  4.4dBi
440MHz  Two 5/8 waves 6.9dBi
VSWR:  1.5:1 or less
Max Power:  150W
Length:  50"
Connector: Gold-plated PL-259
Fold-over hinge included

Tram 1180

2M/70cm 5/8 wave mobile antenna
37.5" tall
NMO mount
eham: 4.1

CA-2x4SR

The Comet CA-2x4SR dual band is a 2 meter and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 5/8 wave on 2 meters providing 3.8 dB gain and a 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 6.2 dB gain. VSWR 1.5 : 1 or less. This antenna can handle up to 150 watts. This antenna is black with three coils on the whip element. The CA-2x4SR is pretuned, but an Allen wrench for adjusting is included.
This antenna is 40 inches (1.02 m) high. The connector type is UHF

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