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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
JEFF WALSH
Tom .... all good advice ...... my shop is a engineered structure ....all metal prefab ..... I weld and use cutting torches in it ......didn't want the fire risk....... with a wind loading of 150mph ..... not a wood structure with corrugated tin roofing .... it looks like a Quanset style hut ..... My XYL and myself assembled it in our younger days ...... still have nightmares about over 4000 nuts and bolts used to assemble it .... electrically it is considered to be one piece ... works great a as faraday cage .... cel phone won't even get 1 bar Tom at Zero Five said that the building should work just fine to work the antenna off of JEFF WALSH W3WMU #1673 BUBBAWOOD WORLDWIDE HEADQUARTERS STURGIS, MS.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 1:53 PM, K8TOM <tsingle@...> wrote: Jeff, The metal structure mounting in lieu of wire radials can work well, if you have that option. As I think I have mentioned before, I mounted a Hustler 6BTV on top of my metal roofed barn at about 40 feet above the dirt. The antenna and its support are bonded to the metal roof. I checked the continuity of the roof (between the "tin roof" sheets) before I went that route, and I recommend that you do that check prior to committing to this configuration. The RF continuity between the "tin roof" sheets seemed good, so I went for it. Within a few months I managed to get almost all of my initial DXCC contacts with that vertical and it is still the antenna that I use 75% of the time vs the beam. YMMV. Tom K8TOM 815
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
Martin Tuip
Thanks for the tips. I looked at some MFJs bit stumbled across a really good looking AMP AT1200 which is a bit of a boat anchor but very manual and it will help me get a better understanding of stuff I don't always fully understand. I will keep my eye out for a compact MFJ for when I travel however.
Martin
On Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 5:25 PM -0700, "JEFF WALSH" <jeffwalsh1644@...> wrote:
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Mobile Installations
W7RIV
I would like to do more mobile operating for a few reasons. I would like to help the club out and get more Grids on the air for individuals. I find this a fun activity, but sometimes to do a portable setup it is just painful. I've been looking at antennas, and there are just a million options and some they are very proud of them and the cost is insane. Is there a cost sensitive antenna that would work well for HF? I'm also looking for an easy way to mount my Elecraft KX3 in my Jeep Wrangler. Thanks for your input, Bryon, W7RIV
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
Jeff,
The metal structure mounting in lieu of wire radials can work well, if you have that option. As I think I have mentioned before, I mounted a Hustler 6BTV on top of my metal roofed barn at about 40 feet above the dirt. The antenna and its support are bonded to the metal roof. I checked the continuity of the roof (between the "tin roof" sheets) before I went that route, and I recommend that you do that check prior to committing to this configuration. The RF continuity between the "tin roof" sheets seemed good, so I went for it. Within a few months I managed to get almost all of my initial DXCC contacts with that vertical and it is still the antenna that I use 75% of the time vs the beam. YMMV. Tom K8TOM 815
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
JEFF WALSH
Dan ,,,,, I have the Zero Five 10-40 with ground plane .... I have been happy with it and use it on my IC-7410 for phone work ..... I followed the recommendations and mounted it at 20' .... Tom explained any higher is a waste as the ground plane rods mounted on the base work off the ground {real ground not electrical ground} ,,,,, I elected to get the model with the ground plane rods as I didn't want to run the radials {too lazy at the time to run em} ..... I have the antenna feed with LMR400 coax tuning it with a MFJ 993b auto tuner and the combination seems to work great ..... I have worked much DX off it when conditions where better. I have full lenght homebrew dipoles for all bands running all over the place and bought the Zero Five just for a quick scan of the bands on the IC-7410. As you know Dan the Zero Five is a very well built and designed antenna ..... I gotta give it a 5 star rating. but I don't know if you would gain that much by going to a longer mast ...... however the more radials the better. I am comtemplating their 43' model and center mounting it on my 40' x 50' all metal shop and working it off the metal roof instead of running wire radials..... I spoke with Tom at Zero Five and he told me that he has several customers that have done similiar mountings with good results ,,,,, but that project is down the road .... Dan hope the information helps but every antenna situation is different .... if you look on my QRZ page you will see my rats nest wiring but hey it works for me plus my station is located in my shop and my XYL leaves me alone out there so neatness doesn't matter ... hi hi JEFF WALSH W3WMU #1673 BUBBAWOOD WORLDWIDE HEADQUARTERS STURGIS, MS.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 10:54 AM, Dan Morris <dbmorris315@...> wrote: Jeff — Which Zero Five vertical do you have?? Just curious as I have the 27’ vertical with 40 radials all at 27’ long. Seems to do well but don’t know since I have nothing to compare it to. I have often wondered if I should jump up to the 33’ or the 43’ vertical. Not sure the 33’ one would make that much difference. I thought the 27’ would be best for me for operations on 10 meters but hey, 10 meters is just about non existent right now ...
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
Jeff — Which Zero Five vertical do you have?? Just curious as I have the 27’ vertical with 40 radials all at 27’ long. Seems to do well but don’t know since I have nothing to compare it to. I have often wondered if I should jump up to the 33’ or the 43’ vertical. Not sure the 33’ one would make that much difference. I thought the 27’ would be best for me for operations on 10 meters but hey, 10 meters is just about non existent right now ...
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20M Signals from EU this morning
Seeing some 20M PSK31 signals this morning in No Illinois. Made contact with I and DL. 1415Z 14.0711
Don K9DEB #2007
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
Thanks Steve (The other one) and all the rest how commented. I appreciate it. Had fun in the contest even tho condx were not the best. Larry WA7HDZ #404
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
JEFF WALSH
Hi Martin.... I have been using MFJ tuners for years ...... 941D and 949E both manual tuners and still have them and they are at least 25 years old and still work fine .... The only thing I replaced in them is the light bulbs...... I have 2 MFJ 993b auto tuners which I have hooked up to my IC 7200 and IC 7410.... I bought the auto tuners we I got active in PSK and jump around the bands a lot..... I have been very happy with them and I had a problem with one of the 993s during the St. Pat contest but as Jim pointed out all I did was do a reset and I am back in business..... I have a bunch of homebrew dipoles plus a Mosley TA33 and a Zero five vertical {obviously I don't live in a deed restricted neighborhood} and all my MFJ tuners whether auto or manual have been able to tune down to 1.5 or less..... I had a LDG auto tuner but was not happy with it and gave it to a ham buddy down in FL...... I know that most hams either love or hate MFJ but I have no complaints and would buy em again. Just a footnote MFJ is about 15 miles from my QTH but I always order or buy from a retailer as MFJ will only sell at the retail price and I can buy their products cheaper from a store or online. I feel that MFJ gives a lot of bang for the buck .... but maybe that's because I have never had any problems with their products ..... and maybe a little luck of the Irish on my end ? JEFF WALSH W3WMU #1673 BUBBAWOOD WORLDWIDE HEADQUARTERS STURGIS, MS.
On Monday, March 19, 2018 4:31 PM, Curtis D Sanders <k3urt@...> wrote: I have been using a MFJ-949E for years with no trouble. 73 de Curt, K3URT, #1630.
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
Stephen Melachrinos <melachri@...>
Jim -
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I already mentioned in my last post the date pattern I didn't recognize.
I don't put much stock in that 11/14/17 date. QRZ to my knowledge doesn't query the Canadian database like they do the FCC. I'll bet that 11/14/17 is when Steve logged in to QRZ and told them about that callsign. Steve says RAC issued his VA3 call in May 2017 and that's good enough for me.
Steve (the other one)
W3HF
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim K5SP <jinnis@...> To: 070Club <070Club@groups.io> Sent: Mon, Mar 19, 2018 10:10 am Subject: Re: [070Club] ST. Pats Error? I checked the member list, and VA3FLF is tied to KM3FLF and a
start date of 04/09/2016 is shown for both, with no end date
because to my knowledge he still holds both tickets. His VA3FLF
according to QRZ starts 11-14-17. Not sure what the date pattern
is that Steve doesn't recognize, and not sure where the 5/18/17
date he is referring to comes from.
Jim, K5SP
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
I have been using a MFJ-949E for years with no trouble.
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73 de Curt, K3URT, #1630.
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Re: Antenna tuner suggestions / help
Martin: You could try looking at a few hamfests in your area this spring/summer. Have heard that some tuners rated at 100 watts aren't really 100 watt units; same goes for some of the 300 watt units. In others words, you might let the smoke out. My tendency would be to go after something rated at a KW because it's built a bit more heavy duty and the parts will hopefully stand up better in case you run into high SWRs. I picked up a Vectronics (original, not MFJ) HF-1500 for about $250 and it seems to work well. Always invest in the best you can afford so you don't have to spend more bucks later. Some of the other brands out there are older, but just as good: E.F. Johnson, Drake, etc. Good luck ! Jerry N9AVY
From: Martin Tuip <ajax@...> To: 070Club@groups.io Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 3:08 PM Subject: [070Club] Antenna tuner suggestions / help I'm looking to tap into the knowledge of all of you here a bit. My main shack is in my house but I have a secondary shack in my garage with a simple Alinco radio and a VHF setup as well. I'm not specifically planning to do any digital from there but I do most of my antenna design and builds there.
I'm experimenting with different wire and verticals and am thinking a manual tuner is going to give me more flexibility than an automatic tuner as I also get a little bit more insight (plus I wonder if a manual tuner will allow me to sometimes to a better job than auto tuners). At the moment I'm sticking to max 100W although I have a dedicated 240V circuit for an amp already installed. What would you suggest without spending a ton of money. MFJ (yeah I know their reputation) has like 3 million models and I'm just lost.
If anyone has a used one laying around that they don't need and am willing to part with as well for some $ I'm open too.
Martin
KG7HAX
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Antenna tuner suggestions / help
Martin Tuip
I'm looking to tap into the knowledge of all of you here a bit. My main shack is in my house but I have a secondary shack in my garage with a simple Alinco radio and a VHF setup as well. I'm not specifically planning to do any digital from there but I do most of my antenna design and builds there.
I'm experimenting with different wire and verticals and am thinking a manual tuner is going to give me more flexibility than an automatic tuner as I also get a little bit more insight (plus I wonder if a manual tuner will allow me to sometimes to a better job than auto tuners). At the moment I'm sticking to max 100W although I have a dedicated 240V circuit for an amp already installed. What would you suggest without spending a ton of money. MFJ (yeah I know their reputation) has like 3 million models and I'm just lost.
If anyone has a used one laying around that they don't need and am willing to part with as well for some $ I'm open too.
Martin
KG7HAX
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
I uploaded my St. Pats log to David's checker last night, Sunday, and out of 14 QAO's got 14 LONP'a and 1
Maple leaf. So VA3FLF seems to be good there. BLW, my Yaesu FT-450D went dead in mid-contest too.
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
Steve: Just another challenge for the team ! Jerry
From: Steve R via Groups.Io <oldjavadrinker@...> To: 070Club@groups.io Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 9:39 AM Subject: Re: [070Club] ST. Pats Error? Oh Lord Jerry, I didn’t take offense at all. You didn’t say anything wrong. I am just looking out for the better of the group. My Canadian call was issued on May 23, 2017. I expect to stay up here except for short visiting trips for another couple of years. The xyl has two more years to retire and then we see what happens. Most of my operating will be done up here. So I don’t know if that answers your question about the database Jim. Maybe at this point enter as VA3FLF. When I win the lottery how will you guys enter my Jamaican call? Hi! Thanks everyone. Steve 2301 Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Jim K5SP Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 10:12 AM To: 070Club@groups.io Subject: Re: [070Club] ST. Pats Error? No, stay in the contests, we will figure this out. Do you still want to be in the database as KM4FLF? What is the effective date of your Canadian ticket? Jim, K5SP On 3/19/2018 8:54 AM, Steve R via Groups.Io wrote:
-- Jim, K5SP #483 Member Services Director
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
Steve VA3FLF/KM4FLF
Oh Lord Jerry, I didn’t take offense at all. You didn’t say anything wrong. I am just looking out for the better of the group. My Canadian call was issued on May 23, 2017.
I expect to stay up here except for short visiting trips for another couple of years. The xyl has two more years to retire and then we see what happens. Most of my operating will be done up here. So I don’t know if that answers your question about the database Jim. Maybe at this point enter as VA3FLF.
When I win the lottery how will you guys enter my Jamaican call? Hi!
Thanks everyone.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Jim K5SP
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 10:12 AM To: 070Club@groups.io Subject: Re: [070Club] ST. Pats Error?
No, stay in the contests, we will figure this out. Do you still want to be in the database as KM4FLF? What is the effective date of your Canadian ticket? Jim, K5SP
On 3/19/2018 8:54 AM, Steve R via Groups.Io wrote:
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
No, stay in the contests, we will figure this out. Do you still want to be in the database as KM4FLF? What is the effective date of your Canadian ticket? Jim, K5SP
On 3/19/2018 8:54 AM, Steve R via
Groups.Io wrote:
Geez guys I am sorry to be the “fly in the ointment” so to speak. If it’s easier I’ll stay out of the contests seems like my situation screws ups someone’s scoring every time. --
Jim, K5SP #483 Member Services Director
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
I checked the member list, and VA3FLF is tied to KM3FLF and a
start date of 04/09/2016 is shown for both, with no end date
because to my knowledge he still holds both tickets. His VA3FLF
according to QRZ starts 11-14-17. Not sure what the date pattern
is that Steve doesn't recognize, and not sure where the 5/18/17
date he is referring to comes from. Jim, K5SP
On 3/19/2018 5:32 AM, Stephen
Melachrinos wrote:
Larry - --
Jim, K5SP #483 Member Services Director
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
Steve VA3FLF/KM4FLF
Geez guys I am sorry to be the “fly in the ointment” so to speak. If it’s easier I’ll stay out of the contests seems like my situation screws ups someone’s scoring every time.
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That last log checker was my fault I used the VA3 call to upload with instead of my US. Again I’m sorry for the mess. Steve 2301
On Mar 19, 2018, at 08:58, Jerry N9AVY <n9avy@...> wrote:
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Re: ST. Pats Error?
VA3FLF is also stuck in the LONP endorsement checker for approval the past couple months as is KG7STV. Nothing I can do to get rid of them. Guess that's above my paid grade. Jerry N9AVY
From: Stephen Melachrinos <melachri@...> To: 070Club@groups.io Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 5:32 AM Subject: Re: [070Club] ST. Pats Error? Larry -
We've seen a variant of this before--Steve uploaded his log to the endorsement checker under his VA3FLF call and it rejected him.
I just looked at the membership listing under 2301 and it shows a date pattern for his VA3 call that I can't recognize. (The same VA3 call seems to be listed twice with two start dates.) Even though there aren't end dates listed for either, I wonder if the contest checker is confused. I think there should only be one start date (the 5/18/17 date) and no end date.
I think this is a database change that the membership manager can make, not a logic change that would have to wait for David. And if it's done quickly, it should be able to be in effect for the contest.
Regardless, it should count for LONP as it's clearly Steve.
73,
Steve
W3HF
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Rockne #404 <pops4355@...> To: 070Club <070Club@groups.io> Sent: Sun, Mar 18, 2018 11:02 pm Subject: [070Club] ST. Pats Error? I hate to throw a monkey wrench into things....but, the scorer said I had one error.
That VA3FLF/070# did not match.
I looked in QRZ under VA3FLF and found the following:
Stephen J. Riddle, VA3FLF
From QRZ:
“I have both a US (KM4FLF) and Canadian ticket.”
I travel back and forth from North Carolina to visit family and friends. I am ocassionally using my /VE3 callsign to finish up some awards I have been tracking.”
“Member PODX #2301, LONP #0396.....”
Under KM4FLF: “I got my Canadian call back in May, see my new page at VA3FLF.”
It may be to late to include him in the St. Pat's day contest, but would love to have his LONP#.
Larry WA7HDZ #404
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