Date: Wed, 8 Dec 93 04:30:22 PST
From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup <ham-equip@ucsd.edu>
Errors-To: Ham-Equip-Errors@UCSD.Edu
Reply-To: Ham-Equip@UCSD.Edu
Precedence: Bulk
Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V93 #125
To: Ham-Equip
Ham-Equip Digest Wed, 8 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 125
Today's Topics:
<< HELP >> WANTED MODS...
Comments on Autek RF-1 Wanted
entry-level rigs - recommendations? (2 msgs)
ICOM w2a or 2sra comments pse!
Kits?
Standard HT opinions? (C228A)
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Ham-Equip@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Ham-Equip-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.
Archives of past issues of the Ham-Equip Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-equip".
We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 7 Dec 93 12:57:57 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: << HELP >> WANTED MODS...
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
Hi Chris (N0OXI) and ALL!
Here are some mods for the Yaesu FT-290r mkII radio...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FT290.1
FROM: M. P. ("JUG") JOGOLEFF, WA6MBZ
@ K6TZ BBS
RE: YAESU MICRO-PHONE NUMBER MH-15 C8.
MOD.: HOW TO PREVENT THE TOUCH-TONE PAD FROM
AUTOMATICALLY KEYING UP YOUR RIG.
RIGS INVOLVED: THIS MIC. COMES WITH THE YAESU FT 290 MK
II (2 METER RIG), THE FT 690 MK II (6 METER RIG), OR THE FT 490
MK II (UHF RIG), AND POSSIBLY OTHERS.
1) TAKE THE THREE (3) BACK SCREWS OFF.
2) TAKE THE TWO (2) SCREWS OFF THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO FREE
IT FROM THE CASE.
3) FIND THE RED WIRE GOING TO THE MICRO-SWITCH, IE, THE
PTT LINE.
4) FOLLOW THAT RED WIRE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. AT THAT
PLACE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD ANOTHER RED WIRE WILL JOIN THE FIRST
ONE.
5) UN-SOLDER BOTH RED WIRES FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND
CLEAN UP THE SOLDER MESS, OTHERWISE HUM WILL OCCUR.
6) SOLDER THE TWO RED WIRES TOGETHER AND COVER WITH TAPE
OR SHRINK TUBING.
7) PUT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN PLACE AND SCREW IT DOWN.
8) PUT THE "LOCK" SLIDE SWITCH BACK IN PLACE.
9) PUT THE REST OF THE CASE ON.
10) PUT THE OUTSIDE SCREWS IN.
11) YOU ARE NOW READY TO TRY IT OUT, SO GO AHEAD AND RE-
ATTACH IT TO YOUR RIG!
12) ALL SHOULD WORK:
PTT WORKS AND RELEASES,
MIC PASSES AUDIO,
TOUCH TONES WORK WHEN PTT BUTTON HELD,
TOUCH-TONE RED "LED" STILL LIGHTS UP WHEN TOUCH-TONE
PAD KEYS ARE DEPRESSED, EVEN IF PTT BUTTON IS NOT HELD DOWN,
NO HUM NOTICED.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FT290.2
FT-290R (first version) Extensions
The pins no 38,39,40,41 near HMCS45C are used for extensions.
PIN No BAND STEP FM/SSB SHIFT
38 39 40 41 MHz KHz Hz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 140-150 25 1000 7.6MHz
100 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * 140-144 10 1000 1MHz
20 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * 140-150 5 1000 no shift possible
10 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 144-146 12.5 1000 600KHz
25 100 (European version)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * 144-149 10 1000 600KHz
20 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 140-150 25 1000 5MHz
100 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 140-150 25 1000 5MHz
100 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * 144-148 5 1000 600KHz
10 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 144-148 5 1000 600KHz
10 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 140-150 25 1000 1.6MHz
100 100 (FB for 70 cm transverter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * 144-146 10 1000 600KHz
20 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 144-148 12.5 1000 600KHz
25 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * 143.5-148.5 5 1000 600KHz
10 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to F1GAN for this info.
73 Serge F1EMT @ FF6KDC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FT290.3
FT-290R
There is a very "hard" de-emphasis in FT-290R. This can cause serious
problems copying packet signals with some demodulator chips, eg. like the
XR2211.
By a common request, here is a modification of this popular TCVR for packet
radio. It was made after a RADIO-REF article in several copies, by HA5OB,
HA5DI, HA3MA and others. Increasing the intelligibility in noisy environment,
this modification is also useful in FM voice communications.
You'll have to add only a serial RC unit, the R being 4.7 kOhm, and C being a
1uF tantalum capacitor. Put them between the pin 9 of IC Q1019 and the
collector of transistor Q1021, with the positive leg of the tantalum
capacitor to the collector of the transistor. These points can be found as
test points, near to IC Q1019. Solder the components together, wrap some
insulation around them, then solder to the test points mentioned. That's all
you have to do!
With this modification, FM reception will sound somewhat noisy, but much
louder.
73, Sanyi/HA3PG
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73's and Merry Christmas for ALL, de Ed - LU7AKC @ LU7AKC.#COL.CF.ARG.SOAM
<postmaster@asarin.org.ar>
------------------------------
Date: 7 Dec 93 16:18:48 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!usenet.ucs.indiana.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!aries!hawley@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Comments on Autek RF-1 Wanted
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
bobh@cup.hp.com (Bob Headrick) writes:
>I am considering buying the Autek RF-1 SWR/Impedence/L/C/Freq meter, as
>advertised in QST Dec'93 p 160. Does anyone out there have one? I'd be
>interested in how well it works, ease of tuning, etc, etc. Thanks in
>advance.
>Bob Headrick WA7OVU
>bobh@cup.hp.com
I just got it. So far I am well pleased. The coarse tuning is slightly
coarse, and the fine is a little too fine. The tuning is manageable though.
The instruction sheets show the designer(s) to be very knowledgeable. The
observations on transmission line and antenna measurement limitations
made in the instructions are "worth their weight". The accuracy is not
HP, but quite useful in the shack (varies with measurement and conditions
from a few % to maybe 20%). The circuits inside the thing are "proprietary".
However, a few adjustments are described. They could have been a little more
clever about how they packaged it in terms of how it comes apart to do the
adjustments. You will be pleased with your purchase when considering the low
price and the alternatives.
Chuck, KE9UW
------------------------------
Date: 2 Dec 93 17:17:44 EDT
From: hayes!bcoleman@uunet.uu.net
Subject: entry-level rigs - recommendations?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
In article <2dim82$i4p@oak.oakland.edu>, prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes:
>
> If you are getting your NOVICE license, look for a Heathkit HW-16 and
> HG-10B VFO. That combination is an excellent "entry-level" radio at
> under $125.
I disagree. The HW-16 and HG-10B were great entry level rigs FIFTEEN YEARS
AGO! While these venerable tube-type rigs still work, they aren't anything
like rigs of today. I wouldn't recommend anyone but a nostalgia buff mess
around with this old tube gear.
Besides, the HW-16 won't let a Novice exercise their full privileges on
HF. It does not support SSB or digital modes on 10M. It only does CW.
I recommend Novices do as I did. Buy the best HF setup you can afford.
(In my case, this was a used heath SB-301, SB-401, but that was 1976) That way,
when you upgrade, you won't have to replace it and buy new.
The brand new gear is interesting, but go to a hamfest and look for some
of the older solid-state gear.
> If you have a couple hundred to spend on an "entry-level rig", look for
> a used Ten Tec Century 21 at $200-$250. Agrueably the finest "novice"
> level radio ever produced.
Again, a CW-only rig. Novices have had SSB and digital privileges for 5
years now. Unless your interests in radio run purely in CW, I don't
recommend a CW-only rig.
--
Bill Coleman, AA4LR ! CIS: 76067,2327 AppleLink: D1958
Principal Software Engineer ! Packet Radio: AA4LR @ W4QO
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. ! UUCP: uunet!hayes!bcoleman
POB 105203 Atlanta, GA 30348 USA ! Internet: bcoleman%hayes@uunet.uu.net
Disclaimer: "My employer doesn't pay me to have opinions."
Quote: "The same light shines on vineyards that makes deserts." -Steve Hackett.
------------------------------
Date: 8 Dec 93 02:38:06 GMT
From: ogicse!cs.uoregon.edu!sgiblab!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!srgenprp!alanb@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: entry-level rigs - recommendations?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
prvalko (prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu) wrote:
: Bill Coleman (bcoleman@hayes.com) wrote:
: : In article <2dim82$i4p@oak.oakland.edu>, prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes:
: : >
: : > If you are getting your NOVICE license, look for a Heathkit HW-16 and
: : > HG-10B VFO. That combination is an excellent "entry-level" radio at
: : > under $125.
: : I disagree. The HW-16 and HG-10B were great entry level rigs FIFTEEN YEARS
: : AGO! While these venerable tube-type rigs still work, they aren't anything
: : like rigs of today. I wouldn't recommend anyone but a nostalgia buff mess
: : around with this old tube gear.
One way they are different is that they have true FULL BREAK IN. Many of
the modern rigs claim to have break-in, but it is not instantaneous like
the HW-16. I can recommended the rig -- I used one for several years
(with an Advanced license) and worked lots of DX with it using a random-
length wire antenna. Sure enough, HW-16s only work on CW, so if you want
SSB etc. look for another rig. Also they don't cover 20 meters, which
in my opinion is the major limitation.
If you are on a tight budget and want to work CW, they are a great way
to get on the air.
AL N1AL
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 20:13:56 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!maroon.tc.umn.edu!roban001@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: ICOM w2a or 2sra comments pse!
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
I want to buy (at least I think I do) either of these
models. I would like to get all the advice I can.
What, if any, modifications exist for these radios?
Has anyone bought one of these, who now wants to review it?
ThAnk U
Philip K. Roban N0ETX (Extra Value Added Bonus Class)
roban001@staff.tc.umn.edu
------------------------------
Date: 7 Dec 93 19:19:18 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!usenet.ucs.indiana.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!aries!finnie@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Kits?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
Witha all the discussion lately about the major expense of getting a shack
started, I was wondering about the practicality of building your own
equipment. Now, I'm just a newbie to hamming (no license yet even :( but
why not build your own gear from kits?
I'm on a *very* tight grad-school budget (trying to spend less than $200 for
starters if you can imagine that) and thought that kits would be both fun
and cheap.
So are there any recommendations out there for starter kits? Even CW only
wouldn't be so bad to start. Or would this simply be too hard and
frustrating for someone with little experience in electronics?
--
Dave Finnie
aries@scs.uiuc.edu
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
------------------------------
Date: 2 Dec 1993 08:45:39 -0800
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ornews.intel.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Standard HT opinions? (C228A)
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
In article <2ddkaq$3bp@hub.ucsb.edu> uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu (Andrew Krenz) writes:
>Howdy..
>
>I'm in the market for a dual band HT (possibly) and I'm most interested
>in getting one that's 2m/220. The only one I've seen so far is the Standard
>C228A. Does anyone have any recomendations on Standard radio equipment?
>They seem to be pricier than the usual Alinco and Yaesu group, so is
>there a reason for this?
I have a C228A and I'm quite happy with it. Another ham in the area has
one and he has had some trouble however. Its now on its third trip for
repair. I'm not sure what this kid has been doing to it though. His
last complaint has been that the squelch is always open on one band.
Previously the transmitter had quit twice. There is the possibility he
may have driven another transmitter into it, or so I've heard. Anyway,
its been repaired free of charge so far. I have had no trouble at all
with mine and I don't treat it particularly nice. It seems to be very
rugged. Its very easy on batteries and I really didn't need to buy the
big battery as well. I have only two minor complaints. The button
sequence for specific range scan is complex and awkward. It always seems
to be in single tone mode when I'm trying to use DTMF and I can't remember
the sequence to toggle it back to dual tone. There is no display for this
either. I've lost my dual band rubber duck and nobody else makes one for
2m/222 so I guess I'll have to order one from Standard. I'm getting by
with the AEA Hotrod for 222Mhz and the long rubber 2 meter from Larsen.
According to HRO, Icom is about to come out with a 2m/222 handheld. I
thought I had seen an ad for this one somewhere. They could not quote
a price for it but the current Standared C228A price is $529 which is
$20 cheaper than when I bought mine a year and a half ago.
--
zardoz@ornews.intel.com WA7LDV
------------------------------
End of Ham-Equip Digest V93 #125
******************************
******************************