UPDATE on today's earlier blog about the Sotabeams filter

Ok, so I just built the filter into a custom enclosure.  Here is what it looks like:

The box has 3 LED indicators and a control knob.  Below is what it looks like inside:

A mass of spaghetti, but all that being said, how well does it work.  Here are my impressions:

1. The audio output with the existing on-board audio amplifier is fairly meek, and almost unusable without external amplification.
2. The external amplifiers that I tried both picked up some noise which I have not determined the source yet.
3. The audio sounds a little hollow, but it isn't a brand new $1000 receiver.
4. With all that being said, the bandwidth filter and the center frequency function as described.  It is a pretty cool little device.

In summary, I really don't see how this is going to help someone working QRP.  Chances are you are going to hear whoever you are working quite well without any filtering.  On the other hand, if you use this filter in a LP or HP situation, then the benefits of being able to control the bandpass is going to have some bang for the buck.  In my 3 quick QSO's on 40m CW,  I was able to reduce the bandwidth in small steps and the received signal was more pleasing to the ear.  The Center Frequency feature definitely moves the hi and low cut quite adequately.  For some reason the direction of the knob feels backwards, but that might have been a wiring error on my part..but I don't think so.

I noticed that one of the chips on the board seemed to run a bit hot, but probably within acceptable limits.

Would I recommend it?  A definite maybe.  If you operate in crowded band conditions, then it could be a real help.  For every day QSOs it might not be necessary and you may not bother to hook it up unless you have a cacophony of signals coming at you on a regular basis.

It was not completely easy to get everything into the small box...mostly that is due to wiring it up.  I would probably build it differently if I do it again...for example, I would want everything mounted on one side of the enclosure to avoid wiring from both top and bottom.

If you decide to build one, let me know how it turns out.  You will need an external audio amplifier to give you more audible output.

73 Mark 4x1ks

Wow! Look what came in the mail today!!!!

The Sotabeams Laserbeam-Vari  -   Variable Bandwidth Filter

Yippee!  I've been waiting a while for this little gem to show up, and now it is here.  The Sotabeams Laserbeam Vari is a variable bandwidth filter that is designed to give you control over your receive audio bandwidth and center frequency.  The instructions and specifications are found here 

Here it is!!!

Okay, so the filter is here, and you may be asking: "so why do you need an audio filter if all the modern radios have bandwidth and other fancy filters?"

A) Well, a lot of us, probably most of us have some rigs that don't have very advanced audio filtering.  For me, that is my K2 (and others).  My Elecraft K2, which is a really outstanding 10w radio came as a kit back in 2001 or so.  It has user customizable filters (actually 4 bandwidth choices), that the user can program.  I set up 1.5, 1.0, .50, and .30 bandwidth filters as my current choices.  

However, bandwidth alone is not the only issue, and here is where the Elecraft K2 needs a little assist.  The help I am talking about is he ability to shift the center frequency away from adjacent noise sources when I am listening to the K2.  The Sotabeams Laserbeam Vari should be very helpful with this issue, and so that is where the filter will hopefully prove itself worthy of the modest price tag of 37.46 British pounds.  If you buy it and ship it out of the UK, then there is NO EU TAX.

The Elecraft K2...one of the greatest kits ever made

I am going to build the little audio filter tonight, but in the meantime, it is really worthwhile to watch this excellent video on testing the Laserbeam-Vari.  This video convinced me to plunk down the cash to buy this filter.  Click here to watch the video.

I will try to let you know how it turns out and also post a pic of the filter in it's enclosure.  I am also wondering how this filter would work with my Collins KWM-2 radios and other older rigs...so stay tuned.  73 for now, Mark 4x1ks

The Gentleman's Band is for you!!

Hello all.  Well, CQ Worldwide 2018 CW is now history.  The activity was fast and furious.  The big guns were pounding the keys and generating big numbers.  They know who they are and if you were listening, then you know who they are.  The rest of us "normal" people are happy to make a bunch of QSO's, and perhaps add a new country, mode and/or band to our log.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and so I must tell  you how I discovered something pretty darn amazing.

Saturday evening I began operating on 80m.  The atmospheric noise was loud, and making QSO's was not a breeze.  I was a little despondent, then I decided to take out 15 minutes and do something I had not done to improve reception.

A few years ago, I purchased a magnetic loop antenna for receiving because of the noise that was relentless in my area.  Since then for some unknown reason things have actually gotten quite quiet here.  No longer do I have S5 noise that won't go away.  However, at the time, I did a little research and saw some good reports on using a magnetic loop for receive. 

So I ended up purchasing a Wellbrook magnetic loop without the loop.  How do you use a receiving loop without the loop?  Actually you don't, but there was no way I was going to ship the whole thing to Israel from England, so I bought just the "guts."  Someone traveling brought the parts and "active" amplifier unit, and making the loop was up to me.

A Wellbrook box and loop antenna

Fortunately, there is a nice aluminum supplier in Tel Aviv that has all different size tubes.  I loaded up a 6m long tube on top of my truck and drove all the way back to my home QTH (about 15 miles away) with the tube bouncing and swaying in the wind.  But we made it!

Once home, I proceeded to bend the tube, not into a loop, but into a square.  My square "loop" is actually larger than the original round loop, and the chief at Wellbrook actually thought that my square loop would have some advantages over the smaller round loop.  I put it all together and prepared myself for magical receive capabilities.

Then the truth hit.  On the upper bands, the loop is a wash.  In fact, I didn't expect great results on the upper bands, but I did hope for lower noise...but not so much of an advantage there.  Granted, the ideal location for a magnetic loop is close to the ground and away from structures.  The truth was that I was really looking for a big improvement on 80m.  To this end, 80m turned out to be okay.  In some orientations, the magnetic loop does provide noise reduction and better ears on 80m, and that is why I set it up for the CQ WW CW  on last Saturday night.  It was an experiment, and I did not intend to work the whole contest using the loop for receive, but it did prove that 80m with the loop can have some advantages.



All of this is a preamble, because the real story here is all about TOP BAND, 160m.  For a little fun, I had set up my Wellbrook loop with my SDRplay and the receiver.  I also installed the latest SDRuno software complete the receiver setup.  The loop was put up on a small mast on my 3rd floor patio and all was set up as required.  The loop had not been used in about 18 months, so I had no clue as to what to expect, but the rainwater leaking from the aluminum tube did not inspire confidence.

So, with the software SDRuno up and running I first checked 80m, then, just for fun, I tuned to 160m around 1.820 mhz.  The SDRuno software shows you a user-defined chunk of the band.  Let me tell you that the audio was nothing short of astounding.  160m was absolutely pristine.  The signals were well-defined, and band noise was minimal.  It was absolutely unbelievable.  If you would like to see the SDRuno video, press here.

A screenshot of the SDRuno software

I immediately committed myself to figuring out some way to put together a 160m transmitting antenna.  The receiver for the "Gentleman's Band" is hands down going to be the Wellbrook magnetic receiving loop.  I cannot describe to you how wonderful the receive audio was with this antenna.   No doubt, coming up with a 160m tx antenna is not easily solved if you are limited in space.  However, there are vertical solutions and perhaps other wire antenna solutions that will give you some level of TX ability on Top Band.  Maybe in a future blog I will explore 160m transmitting antennas.  For now, suffice it to say that the receiving issues like high noise levels are (in my opinion), significantly improved with the use of a receiving loop. 

Keep in mind that you must try to locate the receiving loop away from the TX antenna.  You can NEVER transmit into the receiving loop or you will destroy the electronics in the amplifier box.   You could experiment with a separate receiver, or to run the loop to your computer directly with an SDRplay or similar computer-based receiver in between the antenna and the computer.  Your results may vary, and the best setup needs to be determined based on your particular rig situation.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EPLO-b0a-Q

The above link will take you to a youtube video by Z33T, Mike Kokotov using SDRuno to listen to 80m.  You will see the spectrum display and hear the clear signals.

I always thought that 160m is out of reach, and whenever I would tune a compromise antenna on Top Band, all I would hear would be a lot of noise that was just too difficult to work around.  Following my test on Saturday evening (November 24, 2018), I am determined to give the Gentleman's Band a go.  Next is to solve the transmitting antenna problem.

73 for now, Mark 4x1ks

CQ WW CW....

Due to CQWW CW Contest, the blog will be hibernating until Monday...Good luck in the contest if you are participating.  73, Mark 4x1ks

The Zumspot Zumbox...a fun project that is ready to ZOOM!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Today's blog is about my new Zumbox.  This is a custom enclosure for you Zumspot - Pi-Zero combination.  I've been planning on making a compact box for the Zumspot for a while now, and finally all the parts came together.

If anyone is interested in building this box for you Zumspot, then comment below and I can give you a parts list and instructions.

Firstly, here is the finished product:

Zumspot with 2.4" Nextion Display...Customized with my KWM-2

Being that everything is combined into one box, the only part not "in the box" is power.  Power is a 5v battery or power supply connected to a side mounted USB port.  From there, the screen and the Zumspot / Pi-Zero are powered up.  You can use any battery you like.  I use a Romoss Solo 5 10,000mah battery that has 2 usb outputs. This allows you to run your Zumbox and at the same time, power your cellphone.  The dimensions of the finished box is 134mm long (5 7/16") x 88mm wide(3  7/16") x 45mm high (1  3/4"). 

Of course, the cellphone and a decent cellular connection is critical.  You must set up your phone for Mobile Data, and the phone should be up and running before you plug in the power to the Zumbox.  The Zumbox will boot up and in short order your Zumspot will be connected.  My Zumspot is set up for D-Star, DMR, and P25.

The USB port mounted on the side panel of the Zumbox

As I write this, I am listening to D-Star reflector ref001c.  I am listening to a G6 station conversing with a KE8 in Wisconsin who is working mobile in the snow on a brisk Thanksgiving afternoon in the USA.

A wonderful feature of the Zumspot with Pi-Star software is the ability to see what is going on from the screen of your cellphone.  Here's the trick to seeing the Pi-Star software interface in case you don't know.  Go to your mobile hotspot and tethering menu on your android phone.  You will immediately see the Zumspot listed as most likely a device connected to your phone and call "PiStar" with an IP address underneath.  For example, your Zumspot address might be 192.168.40.50  or some other address.  Simple go to your browser and type in the IP address in the browser and hit enter.  You will be directed to the Pi-Star software and will need to enter your user name and password.  The default is pistar and raspberry, I think.

There are many optional settings in the Pi-Star software. Much too much for this blog, but the basics are not overwhelming...just stay out of EXPERT mode until you know what you are doing, and then use Caution.

My Nextion 2.4" display 

Building this project requires some use of tools, minor SD card programming or the Nextion Display, and use of Nextion Editor if you want to make a custom display.  You can use any box that you have available, or you can order one.  I chose the smallest possible box that I could find that could also fit every thing in there.  There is still room for one additional piece which is a small 5v fan that might be necessary if the Zumspot gets to hot when out traveling.

A small screenshot of the Nextion editor

As I mentioned earlier, if you are interested in building the project, then comment with your info (e.g. email), and I will try to answer your questions on how to acquire the parts and make your Zumbox ready to go, go, go !!!

73 for now and Happy Thanksgiving. We are have 26 people here in our home in central Israel.  Two medium-size turkeys and all the trimmings. Yum!  Enjoy! Mark 4x1ks

What to do with that old HT you used to love so much...

If you are a ham for at least 10 years, then chances are you might have an old HT laying around that doesn't see a lot of use.  It seems that more and more, we are using our D-Star handhelds, our DMR radios, and other HT's that are combos of digital and analog.  That leaves a lot of HT's unused and gathering dust.

Besides being replaced by new "fancy" radios, why might that old HT be just sitting?

I can go though a few experiences of my own and perhaps they will align with yours as well.

1) The battery pack is NiCad. It is pretty much dead and won't take a charge.  I won't toss the radio, because it is a good radio that has a power problem.  Ok, so there are some solutions here.  Let's consider my Kenwood TH28

Kenwood TH-28

In the past, I purchase replacement batteries for this little radio.  They worked fine for a while and then they too bit the dust.  The radio, however, was and is still fine, so when I saw the prices of the new batteries, I couldn't justify that kind of expense for a radio that will not see much use.  BUT there is an alternative.   You can get yourself a standard battery pack.

The battery pack takes 6 standard AA batteries.  I bought mine from overseas because I was not in a hurry.  The batteries were very difficult to insert, but I managed to get them installed, and the pack was cheap.  Now the TH 28 is powered up and ready to go.  We even used it on a special event site recently for communications between stations at the site.  Works fine.

2. The second reason that the older HT might be on the shelf could be because of mechanical issues.  My Kenwood TH79a was a great example.  The antenna mount inside the radio was always mechanically "weak," and it required me to disassemble the radio and do surgery on it.  Unfortunately, although this worked for a long time, eventually the radio just wasn't a good long-term radio and other things broke.  With a radio like this, I had no choice but to do something I despise doing:  I tossed it.  The battery went to the recycler, and that's that.

3. Some radios are just too unique to get rid of.  I have at least 2 handhelds like this.  The first is the Icom Delta 1A.  This is a tri-band HT with 2m, 440m, and 1.2 ghz.  What a rare radio.  The battery packs are long dead, and it is near impossible to find a new one.  With a radio like this, there is only one solution that I can think of and that is to rebuild the battery pack yourself.

This can be a daunting task, because you must open the radio and disassemble the existing battery pack, then replace the cells with something that fits that are NiMH or Li-ion, and you must be sure to have a charging system that will work with these new cells.  If you do it correctly, then your old-time classic will have a new lease on life.

The Venerable Icom Delta 1a

I have another rare Icom that also has a battery issue, however this radio's batteries are still available if you hunt around.  The radio is an Icom IC-2SRA.  This was a really interesting HT, because it has 2m plus it also is a separate antenna for a receiver that covers 25 thru 950 mhz.  You can also rebuild the battery pack on this one if you are motivated.

The Icom IC-2SRA

4) No one is talking on VHF or UHF analog.  Well, I hear you, but I think that is not entirely true.  There are plenty of analog repeaters out there and in fact, analog audio is just a lot better than digital audio almost always.  Perhaps P25 is the best of the digital audios out there, but P25 is pretty rare on the air.  

And then there's Allstar Network which is analog and is bulletproof if you set up your own node correctly.  You can use that Analog and ancient HT to work on Allstar as long as you are in range.  You can also set up DTMF tones to get Allstar to connect to other nodes that you want programmed into your HT.  A lot of people don't know much about Allstar, so in a future blog I will attempt to break it down for y'all.  

Finally, there is always charity and mentoring.  There are Hams out there that do have access to an analog repeater, but could use an HT because they don't have the spare cash to buy a new one.  When I think about using an old Kenwood or Yaesu HT to work my nearby analog repeater, well that is definitely preferred over using a new Chinese radio any day.

There is also the possibility of getting someone more involved in ham radio by using VHF or UHF to get them involved in the local club or just as a means to becoming an Elmer to a newer ham.  I think back when I passed my Technician, and it was just great when I could find people that I met at the club meeting on the local (Memphis) repeater.  These folks helped be along to learn and improve my skills and to upgrade.  That old hand held of yours might find a lot of use in the hands of a newbie.

Recently I received a large and heavy dualband radio, the Icom IC-32AT.  This thing is the size and weight of a brick, but it has a real DTMF pad on the front panel.  There is no way a working radio like this is going to end up being shelved.  Perhaps at your next club meeting you should show up with a brick-sized radio on your hip.  Could lead to an interesting conversation about the old days.

73

Mark 4x1ks

The ARRL position on political boycotts (or EP6RRC Iran on 40m)

This is a pretty controversial topic.  I will say that from the start.

Twice in the past couple of years I have written to the ARRL concerning what I think is a poor policy that the ARRL has towards political boycotts.

Let me explain.  As an operator from 4X, there are several countries that  will refuse to allow their operators to work me.  Just a few of them are EP (Iran), OD (Lebanon), S0 (Western Sahara)..to name a few.  There are others. The totalitarian governments of these countries prohibit their operators from making a QSO with 4X.

Recently, I heard S0 (the Islamic State of Western Sahara) calling CQ and working a pile up.   Since I was not aware of their position on boycotts, I naturally called (SSB) and received a reply from the operator (who was from the EU), that "I am not allowed to work you, sorry."

Typically, my callsign is completely ignored, but in the case of S0, the operator actually told me flat out that he was legally bound NOT to work me.

In my recent letter to the ARRL, I pointed out that in some dimension, the ARRL is actually complicit in the policy of political boycott using ham radio.  Specifically because the ARRL recognizes the boycotters with DXCC.  That means that if you are from S0 or EP, you can work whoever you want and get DXCC and even make it to the top of the honor roll at the same time that you refuse to work a 4X.

In my letter, I told the ARRL (of which I am a member), that this concept could apply to other DXCC countries as well, since any country that has a squabble with its neighbor can then make a law that if you operate with that country that you will lose your license.

Frankly, in my opinion, the ARRL can take a bold and moral position in challenging these countries who continue to boycott other DXCC entities. How exactly can the ARRL do that?

It's a fairly simple idea that is loaded with pitfalls.  Essentially, what I suggested to the ARRL is that if you are a ham from a country that boycotts another country, then you (the Ham from the country that does the boycotting) will be ineligible to receive DXCC from the ARRL.  This is a massively bold step for the ARRL to take, and on its face it seems unfair to the hams of these regime-states.  How is it unfair?  Because what did they ever do?  They just want to work DX like the rest of us...so why make them suffer?   I totally sympathize with that argument, but let's take a look at who these regimes are.

The truth is that a large number of the Hams in these countries actually are well-connected members of the elite in their societies.  As such, when you inform them that the ARRL will no longer recognize their DXCC status, this puts a tremendous amount of pressure on these regimes to change their policy.

It may take years to get the last dirty vestiges of discrimination out of amateur radio, but it is worth it if the end result will be that operators will ALWAYS be willing and able to work ANYONE else out there who happens to be looking to make a QSO.

My two letters to the ARRL have been responded to with polite emails saying "we will forward your comments to the appropriate committee...blah blah."   I don't think that my letters made it too far passed the shredder, however, injustices need to be addressed wherever they are, and ham radio should be politically inert.

Right now, as I write this, I am listening to EP6RRC on 7.025 listening up.  I have called many times, but got no response as expected.  Maybe someday they will listen and make a good QSO.

73  Mark 4x1ks

How LOW can YOU go?

Sad Sad Sunspots, but there is a silver lining...

Tell me...what is different about today's sunspot report?  Yes. you got it.  There is actually a sunspot number listed that is not ZERO.  With that in mind, let's just muse a little on DX conditions.

I am hearing quite a bit about how bad conditions are, and I must admit that if you are looking to work some rare DX on 10m, 12m, 15m...well..as they say in NY, "fuggedaboudit."  That is pretty much how it is on the high side of HF.  Although there is the occasional opening on 15m, you can expect that to be rare.

That leaves 17m and down.  So here is the good news.  I just worked A35EU...Tonga on 40m CW for a new one.  They are very light, but the truth is that 40m is actually become a pretty HOT band not that sunspots are routinely ZERO.  In fact, I am hearing and working a decent amount of DX on 40m, and that is promising for everyone out there because my 40m antenna is not the biggest kid on the block.  I'm using an Alpha-Delta 40/80 dipole as an inverted vee, and it is not extraordinarily high up.  However, it is working well...at least on 40m.  80 meters is a different story as the antenna is a little finicky on 80m.  For that reason I've been toying with the idea of replacing the Alpha Delta (for the time-being) with an inverted vee cut just of 80m.  On 40m I will use the sad but true Cushcraft R7000 which has undergone major trap surgery to get it back to functional...that's a tale for another time.

Alpha Delta DX-DD 80/40 dipole

So we agree that the DX-DD is not the King Kong of the neighborhood, and of course, I would love to be using a 2 element quad on 40 and 80...the stuff that dreams are made of....but alas, we have to go with the space we got.  Still, there is a lot that can be worked with tiny sunspot numbers and less than ideal antennas. 

For that reason, now is the best time to really go after what you can hear on 40 and 80.  That also means calling CQ.  

The truth is that if you knew SHE was calling CQ on 40, then you'd be listening, right?

The other day, one of my ham friends said that his other ham friend makes a point of calling CQ when the bands appear dead.  How many of us will turn on the radio and then listen for a couple of minutes and make the assumption that the band is dead.  I used to do that a lot.  Now I have a different attitude because one of the many tools out there to use is an amazing site called www.reversebeacon.net

Here is a screenshot of reversebeacon.net.  From left to right you have:

The station that reported me as heard

My call

the frequency

CW and that I am on LOTW

The Signal to Noise Ratio

Keying speed

Time / date

This is important, because you can see that in some faraway places I have a pretty good signal.  That means that if we all start calling a bit more, then there may be stations that will hear your signal pretty well.  If your SNR is over 15dB, then you should definitely be able to work any stations in that area that have a similar antenna...or less.

In this dull and dreary sunspot cycle, there is still plenty to work. In the last few months I have worked on 40m:  A35EU, JA9PPC, 5H3MB, JD1BNA, VP6D, and others.  I am especially happy with Ducie VP6D, because the ONLY band that I could hear them on was 40m.

As far as 80m, well there I am on the verge of completing 5BDXCC.  I came to 4X in 1998, and I was off the air from 2008 to 2014...that left a lot of catching up to do.  So now there is this thing called FT8.

Ah yes, FT8.  Some people despise FT8, however, like I said in a previous blog, FT8, and computer-based ham radio could be a blessing in disguise because it attracts young folks to our amazing hobby.   On 80m, FT8 appears to be king right now.  It is also a way to fill out those lower bands and give you a shot at DXCC or 5BDXCC if you have a limited antenna.  So I say embrace it as long as it doesn't drift down into CW territory!!

This is the metaphor for an FT8 kid creeping into CW land....JUST DON'T DO IT !!!

So the bottom line is that the lower bands are our way to go when we are in the low numbers.  Go ahead and make those calls, and if I hear you then I will definitely answer!  73 for now Mark 4x1ks

We Are One Big Family!

Are your family members also licensed amateur radio operators?

Scene from the hit US show "Last Man Standing"

Perhaps no one thing gnaws at a dedicated ham radio enthusiast more that the dangling question of "how do I get my spouse, kids, and grandkids involved in ham radio?"  Without a doubt, most of us would love it if our families were also ham radio operators.  Yet when you do a search online for ham radio families, there don't seem to be too many hits using a Google search.  Perhaps what comes natural for the active ham is not so attractive to the next generation.  

I was lucky partially in that my daughter, 4X5YL Michelle, was willing at a young age to be dragged around by her ham radio dad to participate.  Fortunately, I was able to prepare Michelle to take her exams at an early age, and she became KF4OHL (one happy lady) at age 8 back in Memphis, Tennessee.  We then proceeded to go mobile and even won the Delta Division VHF/UHF Rover Contest back in the late 1990's.  We had great fun working from my truck with a big beam mounted on a mast as we drove around North of Little Rock.  We also built a couple of visible red laser transceivers just to add another band to the mix.

Newly licensed 8 year old KF4OHL in 1996

The KF4OHL laser transceiver added points during the ARRL VHF/UHF Contest

The good part is that after 20 years, Michelle upgraded her license to general class in Israel as is now 4X5YL.  She received an Icom 751a from the relatives of an SK ham here who were happy that their dad's rig would be used by a young(er) person.  The downside is that the late 20's age group here are very busy with work and kids, so it is hard for Michelle to find time to get on the air.

Now I am working on the next generation.  I've got a 10 year old granddaughter who likes science, and she is toying with the idea of sitting for her licensing exam.  It would be enormously satisfying to have a 3rd generation ham in the family, especially in this age of cellphones and Facebook.  

I am sure that many of you out there are experiencing the same longing that our children and grandchildren would embrace the hobby and get on the radio as licensed operators.

Interestingly, my granddaughter may actually be the 4th generation of radio operators being that my dad was a Navy radioman back in 1945.  That was an interesting story in that in late 1944, my dad, who was only 16 decided that he had to enlist.  So in 1945 at age 17, he got my grandfather to state that my dad was 18.  The new recruit quickly ended up in radio school, but was injured in an explosion that left him permanently vision disabled in one eye.  His radio career came to an end, but as a child, I heard about it, and so maybe that is what motivated me to start tinkering with radios at an early age.

There are many of us Hams who are always amazed when we meet entire families that are involved in radio.  Somehow it just makes sense that the best hobby there is should automatically be a magnet for the children of hams.  Yet there are many of us who have kids that aren't the least bit interested.  So I ask myself, what can I do to get my "modern" kids interested?

Perhaps there are no easy answers to this question.  Maybe it is to find that aspect of ham radio that appeals to that particular person.  Some people like the science. Some people like doing something with their families.  More and more, with computers and software becoming so popular with youngsters, well, then perhaps it is the integration of computers with ham radio that will be the thing that attracts them.

In particular, I am thinking about small computes like the Arduino, the Raspberry Pi, and the software routines called sketches that are often run on these little devices.  I know from my own experience with Allstar Network, that the integration of software and the internet with ham radio is a new and exciting aspect of our hobby.  It will never replace the joy of CW (for me), but it is right up the alley for modern kids who are writing software sketches for little computers in junior high school.  Maybe this synthesis of ham radio and modern software/hardware is the common ground that will get the next generations involved and active.

I'd be curious to hear about your experiences with getting your family members active in ham radio.  Please tell me all about it.  In the meantime, 73 and all the best, Mark 4x1ks

You Drive Me Crazy!

Ham Radio is the BEST!, but maybe not the best thing to do when you are behind the wheel.  That is the subject of this blog.  Do you, or should you, talk on the radio when you are driving your magnificent 1972 Cutlass Supreme Convertible, blue with the white ragtop...

Sorry!  I was just having that fantasy again. OH...what a car!

Anyway, pardon my digression.  So, you have that mobile radio in your car or truck.  Do you talk on it or let it be?  Let's see what some folks say about this.  In 2009, the ARRL released an official position on the use of ham radio microphones while driving.  The ARRL definitely differentiated between texting on a cellphone and talking on a microphone, the latter being considered not a distraction.  However, they did add:

"...ARRL encourages licensees to conduct Amateur communications from motor vehicles in a manner that does not detract from the safe and attentive operation of a motor vehicle at all times."

Here is the link to the 2009 statement. 

https://www.arrl.org/files/file/MobileAmateurRadioPolicyStatement.pdf

I will tell you straight up front that I agree with that policy statement totally.   In 2014 the ARRL updated their policy.  You can see the policy statement here.

Ok, so now that we took the ARRL's position into account...

I do not have all of the 50 states' rules on using amateur radio while driving, but let's dig into this a little.

From the early days of getting my license, I was already installing radios into my car and truck.  My 1994 GMC Sierra had an Icom 706mkIIg and a screwdriver antenna.  I talked to a guy in Australia while heading east past Nashville on 40 probably between Cookville and Crossville.  It was great fun operating mobile and I was careful to keep my eyes on the road..especially with my daughter in the truck.  Since then I think I have never had a truck without a radio in it.

My understanding is that more and more states are getting very strict on mobile devices in vehicles.  They are actually giving out tickets.  Here's a link to some of the penalties $$ for cellphone use:

Some of the states like Connecticut will nail you for $500 on your 3rd offense.  Here in Israel...I admit it, in 1999, they got me.

The cost of that ticket?  700 shekels first offense which was about $200.  There was no amount of pleading ignorance and innocence as an immigrant that would help.  That cop?  She had No sense of humor whatsoever.

Now it is 2018, and it seems that the world over, talking while driving is a very bad thing.  I looked it up, and there are a lot of countries that have made it illegal.  The UK, France, Italy, and every province in Canada except for NUNAVUT.  Of course, I have no idea where NUNAVUT is, or what it is, but I may drive there sometime just so I can talk on my cellphone.

In any case, we hams like rules and we also don't like rules.  Talking on the radio?  It should be in the Constitution!  So when it comes to talking on the radio while driving, some of us will never give in.  Frankly, I think it should not be illegal for a ham to hold a microphone and talk while driving down the road.  The problem comes when you start tuning and looking at the display on your radio.  On top of that, if you are holding that mic, then the cop may just see you, and BAM, you got a ticket.

Homemade key in my 2005 Isuzu D-max

Well, CW has made life a lot easier, at least here in Israel with the newest rules on mobile devices.  The rule is that if you LOOK DOWN while driving; that is a ticketable offense.  That's right, if the cop sees you looking towards your lap, then that is a sign that you are on your phone.  However, if  your phone is in a cradle on the dashboard then that is okay.  It's the looking away from the road part that is the problem, or if you have something in your hand.  So shaving with an electric razor on the way to work is also technically illegal, along with eating a sandwich, munching on potato chips; you get the picture.

I operate CW regularly when I drive.  Don't tell anyone.  First, you can tell by the picture above that I mounted the key on the center console...well below dashboard level.  Secondly, I can operate CW while driving and no one will know, except the station in the EU that I am working.  Working CW keeps the mic out of my hand, and no one is the wiser, especially officer HADABADDAY, who is looking for ME to give a ticket to.  

If holding a mic is outlawed in your state, then you might consider CW with a sneaky key that is unseen.  It will also help you to practice copying CW in your head.

Have you operated your rig while mobile?  Feel free to comment.  Happy to hear about your ham radio mobile operations.

73

Mark 4x1ks

Zoom...Zoom...Zoom! Zumspot!

But I don't LIVE near a repeater and I am not overwhelmed by FT8!!!

Shall I be blunt?  Sunspots are hanging around Zero pretty much constantly.  With low sunspot numbers we see unusable bands, bands with limited activity, and hf antennas that are wanting for more, more more!!!

However, we shall have to wait for a while before we see those big numbers.  Don't get me wrong, there is activity on HF.  I've worked plenty of new ones, like Ducie Isl., but those are mostly on 40m or 20m.  There is FT8, of course, which has taken ham radio by storm, but with 15 second exchanges that are limited to "RR73," it isn't the most chatty way of having a QSO.

So that leaves CW mostly on 20, 30, 40, 80,  maybe 17, and if you have the room, maybe on 160.  Not bad really, there is plenty of CW activity.

Nevertheless, some very creative folks have come up with internet-based digital communications (e.g. DMR, D-Star, etc.).  Now, I would like to state right  up front, that of all the internet protocols out there, I am partial to Allstar.  Allstar is ANALOG, and if it is set up correctly, then you have really good quality audio and you can connect to other Allstar "nodes" all over the world.  I can't say enough about how great Allstar has been for us here in Israel...so I will save the Allstar Network discussion for another time.

The digital modes like DMR and D-star have become very popular.   A DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) handheld can be had for around 100 bucks.  D-star, a bit more.  Then there is System Fusion, and some other modes.  I am going to focus on DMR and D-star because they are my favorites, even though I really don't talk on internet-based ham radio that much. But, the really great part is that with the invention of digital protocols came a really nifty device called the Hotspot.

The SharkRF Openspot 

My first hotspot was the SharkRF Openspot.  With this little guy, and a cellphone, and a little portable router (TPlink 3020), I had access to DMR and D-star anywhere there was/is cellular service.  This unit is no longer in production, and a new product is just hitting the market.  Setting up the RF Shark was not super easy, but it does work, and it has 20mw of output power on uhf, so you can walk away from the device and still have a decent connection.

Then, for me, about 5 months ago, I went hog wild over the Zumspot with a Raspberry Pi-zero.  As you can see in the pic below, the Zumspot is really small, but don't be fooled by the small package.  After all, Napoleon was small, James Monroe was small, Joe Pesci, and most all of the horse racing jockeys are small, but they are/were still important and powerful, and so is the Zumspot.

The Zumspot board on top of a Raspberry Pi-zero

This little device is user friendly, fairly priced ($120 without the plastic case), and integrates beautifully with an awesome piece of software called Pi-Star.

So what does it all mean?  Well, with a Zumspot and a Dmr or D-star radio, you can talk to all your buddies either locally or around the world.  Let's take DMR, for example.  DMR is organized into Talkgroups.  These Talkgroups are numbered.  As an example, we have Talkgroup 2350 which is focused on the UK.  However, people from all over the world will connect to TG 2350 and make new friends and carry on "QSO's" with folks on this busy talk group.  And there are a gizzilion TalkGroups out there.  You can see a list at this link:

http://www.mw0mwz.co.uk/dmr_bm_talkgroups.php

The Talk Groups listed about are just some...but not all.

So let's talk about Pi-Star.  Pi-Star is this amazing user interface (software application) that allows you to setup and monitor your Zumspot.  Here is what Pi-Star looks like.

The Callsigns are blurry for privacy sake

So, if you get a Zumspot, you can then control and interact with your Zumspot using this very nice software application that is FREE.  

Probably many, if not most of you are familiar with DMR, etc., but if not, then here is what you will need in the event that there is not a digital repeater near you. 

1. an internet connection, either using your cellphone, or wifi in your house

2. a Zumspot board using a Pi-Zero (or another small board computer)

3. a radio (such as TYT380 for DMR, or an Icom ID51 for D-Star...there are plenty of others).

4. software to set up your Zumspot (like the pi-star above).

5. a micro SD card and a way to program it.

6. usb power for you Zumspot

So, once you have a Zumspot up and running, what's next?  Talk.  Hams all over the world are active on the internet-based digital modes.  The audio can have a digital nuance to it, but it isn't analog after all.

I was so happy with my Zumspot, that I bought another one to use mobile.  For that I added a fat battery pack of 10,000mah.  I also went a step further and added a digital display to my Zumspot.  

Above, the display with me keying up TG 42555

Below, my customized display of my Collins KWM-2

As you can see, I've attached an external display to my Zumspot.  All of this is soon going to be installed into a little travel case and the display will be integrated into the case.  This display is a 2.4" Nextion display.  Whether using DMR or D-Star, I can see information on whoever is keying up the Talk Group (in the case of DMR), or the Reflector (in the case of D-Star).  By the way, D-Star identifies their sites as "Reflectors."

So, you too can enter the realm of digital internet-based communications with a very good value of a Zumspot hotspot.  If you have questions on any of this, then contact me and I will be happy to give you some pointers.  

Next time we will be talking about ...hmm....not sure yet...but it will be something interesting I hope!

73 for now, Mark 4x1ks

The Great Relay Race...or What IS THAT?

Howdy All:

A few days ago I discussed the AN-762 Amplifier.  Not exceedingly difficult to home brew.

Before I go further, I may ask you, what is this?

Let's see, it has two metal thingies, and it is on some kind of circuit board. Hmm.  It has little labels.

Here's the back of it:

Well, not to keep you in suspense, this is a homemade relay board for the AN-762 amplifier.  Just to briefly explain the basics, the AN-762 Amplifier is designed to take 5 watts and give you 140watts output.  In order for that to happen, you need an exciter (in my case an Elecraft K2 transceiver).  I also want to receive using the K2, but because of the tremendous attenuation of the amplifier board,  I need to bypass the amp when in receive.  That means 2 relays.  One to bypass the amp in, and one to bypass the amp out.  When you key the Elecraft, the relays switch to allow the rf from the K2 to go through the amp, giving you 140w out..less insertion losses, etc.

My original amp relay circuit has two loud and clickity-clack relays that have a life expectancy of 50,000 switches.  That is not a lot if you consider that you may be sending CW quite often, and if it fails, when it fails, then that RF might be going into your finals or elsewhere and POOF.

So, I was looking for a nice elegant solution, and that is when I came upon the idea of high-speed (1 to 2 ms) relays that have long lifespan and don't make noise.  That led me to using wetted mercury relays, and that is what you are seeing  in the first photo. These relays have a lifespan of 1,000,000,000 throws before failure.  My friends, that is a lot of Dits and Dahs, even for those speed demons working at 35 wpm.  As far as quiet; you can barely hear these things switch.

Cutting the traces on a little shop milling machine

The downside is that they contain mercury, and that is not even allowed in a large number of states in the USA.  They also MUST be positioned vertically, and will not work otherwise.  They are also a lot more money than your standard mechanical relay.

However, once installed in whatever ham radio device you are using, they will last.  As far as full QSK, no problem, have at it.  My existing relays have an electrolytic capacitor / resistor combo to create a delay so that I can operate at 20 or 22 wpm and not have the relays clicking on and off after every dit.  The wetted relays can run full QSK and you won't even hear them switching.

So, If you are in the mood to build an amp for your QRP transceiver, then this might be the Cadillac solution to your switching issues.

Next time we will be switching gears (not relays), when we discuss the amazing Zumspot digital hotspot.  It is an amazing little device and you might want one if you don't have one already.

Until then,  73, Mark 4x1ks

Don't Trust the Crane

Now here is a blog that has almost nothing to do with ham radio.  Almost. I dare you to read to the end if you like math, and even if you don't like math.

One of my day jobs is welding and building gates, railings, metal art, etc.  Lately I've been spending much more time on software, communications, and various hi-tech endeavors, but I still go out and do an occasional metal project if I get in the mood.

Today I received a phone call from someone who said that a railing that I had built years ago was in need of repair. Hmm.  Yep, after many years, railings tend to need paint, but if the welds were pretty good, then it usually only takes some paint to make the railing look like new.

I did not expect to see this:

This is what happens when a large and heavy object falls from about 20 feet onto a piece of 30mm steel RHS.  Looks fairly well crushed, eh?  In this case, a crane on the back of a truck was lowering a large solar water tank from a roof for replacement.  Clearly the straps holding the tank were not adequately secured, and down came the tank at 32 feet per second squared...or 9.8 m/sec^2 if you remember high school physics.

The tank probably weighs in at about 120 lbs.  That is food for thought..more on that in a second.  Here is what the tank looks like on the ground.

The tank smashed the windshield on the crane truck. WHAM!

So what does this have to do with ham radio?  Not much, but I was thinking about who, in their hobby might have to deal with the risk of falling objects.  Artists? No.  Clay modelers? Unlikely.  Chess players? Highly unlikely.  However, we amateur radio operators do tend to put things up in the air and occasional are up above the ground ourselves.  Fortunately, no one was anywhere near the tank when it fell from 20 feet or so.  For fun, let's figure out the forces involved. To help, I visited the site:

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/impact-force-d_1780.html

From the formulas available on that site, I figured as follows, and I apologize for working in metric, but it's what I have been using for about 20 years, so here we are:

E = (60kg weight of the tank) (9.81m/s^2 acceleration of gravity) (7 meters of falling distance)

   =4120.20 Joules

now we calculate the Force involved, and it is A LOT !

Fmax = 2 (4120.2 Joules)/0.02m (impact distance of 2cm from the ground)

          = 412 kilo Newtons

And how much is that? Well round it off to 92,621 pound - feet of force.  That's a lot.

And what does this have to do with Ham Radio?  Well next time you climb that tower, be sure that your ground crew is not anywhere under you in case you drop a tool, an antenna element, a tool bag, or even a machine screw.  Certainly you want to make sure that you are firmly belted to the tower; that's a given. 73 for now, Mark 4x1ks

November 11, 2018....."Singles Day?"

I just found out that at least in Asia, the 11th of November is called Singles Day.  I have no clue as to why it is called that, but what I do know is that large vendor groups like Aliexpress have sales on Singles Day.  So if you can't find what you need locally, and I always believe that you should buy locally, then perhaps you can find what you need through Aliexpress or some other vendor group.

November 11th, for us here in Israel, and by "us" I am referring to the a small group of operators who are English speaking, a special event day.  Several of us, notably 4x6zm, 4z5ot, 4z1ug, 4x5mg, 4x1ks, went to a fascinating place called Susya to set up 3 or 4 stations as a special event.

The event is still going on at 1900 utc, and will continue until 12.11.2018 at about 0600 utc.  Activity is currently on 40m and 80m, as it is now nighttime in Israel.

The site itself is the home of a very ancient archeological dig located northeast of Beersheba in Southern Israel.  The stations were equipped with a 17m vertical, a multi-band dipole, a 20m dipole, and a 40/80 m vertical.  The rigs included an Icom 706mkIIg, a Yaesu 950, a Yaesu 857, and a Kenwood 450.  CW, SSB, and FT8 were the main modes.  The operation that is continuing until 12.11.2018 will be CW and SSB.

Pillars and Arches from a courtyard dating back over 2000 years

What impresses me most about the site is the beautiful and breathtaking high desert environment.  The air is cool and crisp, and the archeological dig is just spectacular.  In addition, there is something special about going off into the woods, or desert, or mountains with your ham friends to set up and run special events.  I can't emphasize how good it is to be out with like-minded friends working dx from around the world while activating a rare grid or unusual site.

Perhaps you should consider getting together with a group of your friends and go out to a notable site and run a special event.  Even when sunspot/propagation conditions are not great, there is still a lot to be gained from a day out with your ham buddies.

Please feel free to send me a message about your last (or next) outdoor ham radio event, I'd love to hear about it.  73, Mark 4x1ks

The Two Tuber 8 watt Transmitter

The Two Tube Transmitter - QST January 2003

Hello all.  In 2003, after reading this interesting article in QST, I decided that I too have to build this tube transmitter.  The article by Steve Johnston, WB8DAS, was actually built in a tuna fish can.  I decided that the tuna can idea would not really work for me.  So now fast forward to 2018.  Finally after 15 years, I got started by building the power supply onto a wooden board.  Fortunately, I had purchased all of the parts, or almost all of the parts back in 2003 or 2004.

The Two Tuber under construction with the power supply in place

In the above photo you can see the power supply is secured to the board.  The front panel is a piece of sheet steel with TX/RX, On/Off, Fuse, On-light, TX light, key jack;  I might add other things if I can think of any.  The rear panel which is not yet installed will have a jack for the antenna, and oh yes, the front panel will also have a socket for a fundamental crystal.

The most difficult part of building this transmitter will be your power source for 6.3vac and 250vdc.  The filament voltage on the tubes is 6.3vac.  If  you have a way of putting together the power supply without using the Radio Shack transformers pictured above, then you are in good shape.  I have no clue at this time if you can find these transformers.  There are other power sources, but I recommend reading the article from QST to review the power supply.  Everything else is obtainable without too much trouble, probably even the tubes.  The tubes are V1...6C4, and V2...5763.

Once you have obtained the parts, then the next biggest hurdle is to wind inductor L1.  L1 is 32 turns of #20 wire 1 inch in diameter and 2 inches long.  It sounds simple, but the article says to use a B & W type 3015 miniductor.  This inductor is not cheap, and so not being so eager to spend a lot of money on one part, so I decided to roll my own.  

Homebrew Mini Inductor

There is an excellent article on homebrewing your own inductors.  Here is the link:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9708033.pdf

The truth is that making your own inductor like the one I made in the picture above is difficult.  You must make sure that the coil is spaced so that nothing touches.  The epoxy has to do the job also and you must make sure that the epoxy penetrates enough to hold the AWG 20 wire in place.

So far the project has been educational and slightly challenging for someone who always thinks "Solid State."  For the old timers, this project may be reminiscent of transmitters they built as a novice.

At a minimum, I certainly advise you to look up the old QST article just for the fun of reading through the project steps.  It is also important to keep in mind that if you decide to build this tube transmitter, then you must play it safe and remember that you are dealing with AC voltages.  The author reminds us in the article that the key is hot also.

Have any questions or comments?  Please feel free to post.  I will be putting up pics of the homebrew circuit board that I am going to prepare for this project.  It will be absolutely non-fancy, but will hopefully do the job.

73 for now, Mark 4x1ks