Comment

Comment by JED on October 25, 2009 at 9:44pm

Minuteman, you brought up a good point about not transmitting on more than one radio at a time. At this time my plans for the HF rig are limited to phone, and possibly CW (if I can learn Morse Code that is). Don't know enough about the other modes to be interested, but I do know that I want to keep things as simple as I can so if the SHTF it won't take much to keep me up and running.

Do screwdriver antennas give enough gain to make them worthwhile? I've seen them on a few rigs but I had thought they were for HF. I'm experimenting with fractal ground planes to see what kind of gain they will provide with HT, and hoping to do the same on a mobile. I'll let you know as soon as I have something to report.

Comment by Minuteman on October 25, 2009 at 8:29pm

Yes 32A max. I find it OK but I'm not transmitting all three radios at the same time either. It does receive on all three and transmit on one simultaneously just fine. Not any meter fluctuation when receiving on three and transmitting on one at 100W into the dummy load.

Are you planning Packet, PSK31 or IRLP and transmit phone on 2 meters simultaneously? That would be fun too. I'm not sure I'm coordinated enough for that yet though..

I bought the IC-7000 today and I've ordered an Alpine motorized screwdriver antenna for the truck. Those seem to be a great deal at $150.00. I got 2 So I can rig a Dipole with mast and rotator on the truck for fixed DX work while hilltopping. Then take it down and screw one onto the truck for mobile ops.

The DX contest is over for this year. What a busy weekend it was. I heard loads of long distance two way conversation which means I'm in a pretty decent location after all....

Later...

Comment by JED on October 25, 2009 at 7:19pm

Looks like the DM-330MV has a max output of 32A, which is less than what I need to run both my 2 meter and HF rigs at the same time. I may end up using 2 separate supplies.

Comment by JED on October 25, 2009 at 7:15pm

Can't tell you how much I wish my 2 meter was SSB capable.

Comment by Minuteman on October 25, 2009 at 8:19am

Good luck Jed. Maybe I'll hear you in there soon....

Comment by JED on October 24, 2009 at 10:56pm

Minuteman, I'm still waiting on a power supply for the HF rig, so for the time being I'm stuck on 2 meter. But I will check out that Alinco unit. I didn't know they made switching power supplies. Right now I'm waiting for a new NiMh battery and charger for my Icom HT so I can give a proper test to a new fractal ground plane made for it.

Comment by Minuteman on October 24, 2009 at 8:29am

Jed,

I called the FCC yeterday. I couldn't take the waiting anymore. They are presently running 10 to 20 days at the moment.

I really like the Alinco DM-330MV. There is no noise at all. It is small and well constructed. Can be programmed and has lots of accessory ouyputs for the meters, tuners and multiple radios. A 32A max. output switcher that is silent in operation with 2 meters as well. It's a hoss.... I do reccomend it highly.

Hey Jed and Jonesey you should throw up a wire this weekend and listen in to the WorldWide DX contest this weekend. It is more active than I remember CB radio in it's heyday. You can't tune to a freq on 20 meters without pulling in several stations. a pile-up on most every freq, I'm amazed but am unable to participate of course. Bummer for sure.....

Comment by JED on October 23, 2009 at 5:47pm

Minuteman, you can also check the FCC website for your callsign as well. Still working on getting the 2 meter antenna up, finding a reasonable switching power supply, and finding a desk mic for the Kenwood. Haven't studied for the general test in weeks. Soon I hope.

Comment by Minuteman on October 22, 2009 at 7:47am

Yup that's what they said at the test, 7-10 days. It's just a long time to wait is all... Thanks for the link.

The IC-7000 is nice but no comparison to the weak signal capability of the Pro III so far. HF antenna considerations for the truck are a headache. It seems you must look like a plumbing supply vehicle to get anything great there. That or trail a longwire behind you and when you get pulled over say oops..hehhehheh. The Yeasu's have a better total solution for 1/2 the price new the ATAS/857/897 combo. For now I'd be stuck with the Tarheel and High Sierra screwdriver antennas. Monsterous things...and not Honda Civic friendly for those long roadtrips.

It is a great deal with it's minor scratches. It works 100% as far as I can tell. He is selling his 7000 to keep his 706mkIIg so that should tell you there is not a huge difference between them. The DSP being the major player there I think. I'd hold with the 706 myself and may just go that route used.

Spent far too much on this stuff so far but Christmas is coming.....so to speak.

till next time....

Comment by David A Jones on October 22, 2009 at 2:46am

$700 for the 7000 sounds pretty good to me. I was sort of wanting one, but could not afford it. I think Universal has them around $1150.00 or so. So I got my used 706IIG. So far I like it a lot. Wish it had keypad freq entry for faster jumping around for shortwave listening, but it's OK.

I think I was notified of my call sign in about 10 days, but can't remember now. You could try a search at ARRL with your name and address and maybe it's there. It shows up on the net sooner than you are notified.

The long form is below my info.

http://www.arrl.org/fcc/fcclook.php3?call=kc0ouf&x=0&y=0


jonesey65244
KC0OUF

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