InterceptRadio.com Forums

DE K7MHI /AE :)

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Was it hard?

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actually it wasn't, having been in the hobby for a while helps then I found this site http://www.hamtestonline.com/ and it turned the test into cake. took about 15 hours of study and I only missed one question, had I actually spent time reading it slower I would have had 100% cant say enough about Gordo's books and that site.

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Grats Spud!

congrats!

thanks guys:)

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Congratulations - The Extra is not as easy as you make it out to be - I studied the books for two months so know what you endured. Enjoy your new ticket privileges - hope to work you sometime on PSK or RTTY.

Gordon NW7D

thanks! yes hope to see you on the air!

I guess I should say that my background is with technical and I have a solid understanding of electrical so I didnt have to 'learn' a majority for the first time. it was mostly the propagation stuff that I had to learn. so "easy" is all relative :)

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Good work!

also try

http://www.aa9pw.com page for study practice.

Passed my General today and have my new vanity callsign. :D

Trying 40m today but not having much luck. Trimming a dipole can be a pain! Now I know why people buy antenna tuners! :lol:

-Nick
w7dss /AG

PS. Will be going for my Extra here in the next month or so.

Congratulations :D
Jim N7UAP

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" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Congrats!

40m in the day time will only be local people which also likely wont be on 40, 20m till dusk then 40m at night. But 40m 80m at night will do you better.

trimming can be a pain but antenna tuners arnt magic, all they do is fake the radio to think that its a 50ohm match, the antenna will still "stink" your radio just wont know.

tune your antenna then use a tuner to match up on other bands you dont use all the time.

Example. I have a 40/20 dipole tuned 1:1 on the PSK31 calling frequency's however they will load up anywhere

I use digital 99% of the time so this is very handy

for general coverage I made a 80m loop for PSK31 calling 1:1 and then I use a tuner on it for everything else

I suggest the loop method for your first antenna if you can put up a dipole at 40 then you can get a loop at 40 they are very effective with 40 up with a tuner. Also they are quieter and you can drop one leg of the loop (pull the coax pin out for example) and have a 80m long wire for winter.

im down in renton and if you ever want to check out some different modes etc just holla, or I can bring some toys to work some day ( I work across the street from best buy) I have a full portable ham shack. you can check out some new things

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If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
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DE K7MHI

Thanks Jim and Spud.

Yeah, I started getting the dipole up at 11am and it seems that 40m is best around noon in this area. It's working okay now, but it's bandwidth is pretty tiny. I'm only < 2.0 swr about 50khz in the upper part of the band. I just checked in to the Noontime Net on 40m (7268.5) - and was heard quite easily. The net control station is in Boise, ID so that's progress. :)

I'm definitely looking at my options for antennas. In some aspects, an elevated vertical would be ideal for my situation. I would consider making my own, as most of the commerical options are quite pricey. As far as cost, I'm leaning toward a G5RV setup with the LDG IT-100 tuner. This should get me 80m-10m. I need to examine my real-estate to make sure it can be installed properly however. A solid set-up is pretty much mandatory for an effective G5RV.

We should plan some kind of Intercept HAM gathering and make our own field day set up. I have an Icom IC-7000 and have a portable/mobile set up as well.

The G5RV is a nice antenna but it has some issues.

The 10 to 80 meter version is 102 feet long but needs to have room for a vertical twin-lead or ladder-line drop 30 feet until it hooks on to your 50 ohm coax that goes to your rig or tuner.

There is a 10 to 40 meter version that is half those dimensions.

Also a 10 to 160 meter version that is 204 feet long and needs a 53 foot vertical ladder-line drop. So it needs to be mounted at least 60 feet up if you don't want your coax on the ground.

I don't know how the G5RV does on the WARC bands. Maybe someone else does?

I use a Yaesu YA-30 Broadband HF antenna that will do 2 to 30 MHz without a tuner
and does even better with a tuner. It is mounted only 20 feet up because I don't have room for higher. It cost about $270 but that's not bad If you don't need a tuner.

It is only 83 feet long. I believe this is what the National Guard uses at Camp Murray.
It is limited to 150 watts. B & W has a similar version that costs a little more that will handle 1500 watts.

Good luck. Here are some links to the things mentioned above...

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=9756

http://www.iw5edi.com/homebrew-g5rv

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3400

http://w1npp.org/Equipment/Yaesu_YA-30_ ... ntenna.pdf

http://www.eham.net/forums/Elmers/26328

http://www.bwantennas.com/ama/amaindex.htm

73 Jim N7UAP

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Jim,

Yes, I actually own a B&W T2FD (90ft) - but I discovered it requires serious real-estate. I had it set up about 30ft above ground but I didn't have the best configuration for the 45ft legs and supports. I did test its SWR and was pretty impressed. Aside from the space requirement, the other negative thing about the T2FD is the weight. It's quite a heavy antenna and a proper mast support is vital. I kind of cheated and used PVC - and it worked okay, but it could have been better.

I have since taken it down. I may look at it getting it back up with the proper mast supports.

I think the G5RV will be ideal as I have a couple of trees that I can use for a center support, so the ladder line isn't a problem. I believe an inverted V will be no problem.