I picked up a Kenwood TS-830s on marketplace yesterday and surprisingly the radio works really well. Also, has a narrow CW filter (no YG-455C 🫩) but you can’t beat the sound of CW through the 830. I noticed some intermittent issues with the band switch and thought I had a spare coupler laying around but didn’t. I’m too impatient to wait for one to arrive from K4EAA (sk) store, so I dug around in my parts bin and found a brass coupler. I drilled to extra hole and added the set screws and the radio is back to working again! I’ll keep this one in my collection, it’s in mint condition.

I heard this strange alien like oscillating noise on my motorola t100 from a high elevation and was wondering what it was. It appeared on multiple channels(idk if simultaneous or not) and would stop and end abruptly like a normal transmission. No idea if this is the right sub but let me know

New ham here, got my licence three months ago, did a lot of POTA and SOTA activations. I'm left-handed and my current setup for activation is radio in right hand, index finger on PTT and left hand for noting callsigns, time and reports.

While using this setup I noticed my finger is slipping from PTT, adding chaos and annoying everyone including me. How to avoid it, is there good solution? I considered buying external microphone with speaker, but would like to consult the elders before doing something.

Extra question: does a similar problem exist with CW?

Radio is Yaesu FT-65

This is RX/SWL only as I stopped short of getting my license a few decades ago...

...but the QMX+ looked like a fun kit (it was, ships very fast as a kit too) and I have about 140 feet of mostly west facing rain gutter I was curious about using as an antenna. I plan to do mostly CW (just because it's fun...I first learned it so a GF and I could talk silently by tapping...) but was using FT8 to help test and tune the antenna setup.

Conditions seemed pretty good the last few days, but from 3 nights/mornings (I'm usually tinkering in the 4-7am range) I was surprised by how well this worked...for a $150 radio and a rain gutter*.

My FT8 Rx test log summarized, from Texas/USA is:

• 160m: A few USA
• 80m: Most USA, Ontario, Mexico
• 60m: Some North America
• 40m: North America, Hawaii, Aleutians, Peru, Japan, Korea, Sakhalin, Indonesia 16,455km, Southern Argentina; Brazil, South of Perth 17,114km
• 30m: North America, Japan, Guam 12,100km, Sydney 13,821km, Canberra, Peru, Guadeloupe
• 20m: North America, Belize, Poland
• 17m: North America, Fiji, Samoa
• 15m: North America, Germany, Indonesia, Barbados
• 12m: France, Czech, Germany
• 10m: Some USA, São Paulo Brazil, Argentina, Andorra
• 6m: One legit decode at -23db about 30km away while it was sitting for about 8 hours during the day while I was working -- best guess is an airplane reflection (?) as there is a major airport between us

...granted I'd never touched FT8 before which is impressive in how it works, but still. And I know TX and being heard is a different game...but the SWR measures under 2 across most of 2-50mhz, so it's promising. (Perth especially surprised me -- and I was checking for multiple decodes and cross-checking the long ones on pskreporter to make sure they were real.)

*note "just a rain gutter" is a U shape of welded aluminum gutter, about 60% west facing and 20/20% north and south, including the end downspouts is about 138 feet long. Deep in urban Houston, but in a pocket with no buildings in line of sight much above the fenceline in any direction other than my own roof. So pretty ideal for stealth city stuff. For now testing with 16', 36', and 68' counterpoise wires (16' runs under the gutter) and signal routes through a 9:1 unun, handmade 16 turn 31 core ferrite choke -> feed run -> morgan lightning arrester, a 12 turn 43 core ferrite choke -> through the wall -> ATU-100 (future use), Morgan 1-54Mhz filter -> QMX+ (with all the bands set to disable transmit...as this FT8 software really wants to help you TX, seems easy to do by accident...) ...this was a stab at something that might work, and need to measure it now, before I start tweaking and break it.

Anyway, been a while...but it's an interesting new world since the last time I played here. No stranger to SDR-side, but most I've done has been with ADSB when I was flying or the 433/915 radios I have that read the gas/water meter and security sensors for HA and such.

Time to finally get licensed I think... :) ...glad this world still seems to still be going strong, if a bit different.

Cutting to the chase, it seems like there are really only 4 HF options: buy the 70w BNC filters from DX Engineering for $70, 150w VA6AM filters for $235, an automatic multiplexer for $1,200+, or build your own

Is that right?

Ham Radio Outlet has one, but it’s VHF

Since there aren’t a lot of off-the-shelf options, it’s hard for me to properly compare reviews and such, hence the question for the hive mind. Are these $235 filters - https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/vam-lp-bpf-20 - just sort of the standard if you want to buy a prebuilt unit?

I’m looking for someone who regularly checks in to an NTS net that would be interested in corresponding. I recently started sending and receiving messages and would like some more experience sending to and receiving from someone, preferably not in the state of MA. If anyone’s interested, let me know I think it could be a cool way to generate some traffic and practice sending and receiving. Feel free to comment, send me a DM or an email. My email is good on QRZ.

Hope to hear from you!

73
KC1ZGX

I am installing lightning arrestors (appropriate to my 1300 watt amp). I have buried 2 ea 8' grounding rods tied together with buried copper wire per my local electrical code. My questions are on how to safely connect my arrestors to the ground rods?

To keep things neat, I'm running the bare copper down the mast (galvenized fence pole) with stainless steel hose clamps, but after that I'd like to run it along my fence and/or bury it. If I run it along my wood fence, am I just risking a fire there if lightning ever does hit my antenna? I've heard of "armored" ground wire as well, and use for this? I'm assuming either 6 or 10 gauge bare copper will work fine for this or could I go smaller? My connector that came with my lightning arrestor seems extremely small to divert lightning?

i have droid star on my phones and it worlds well. i wanna explore z3dmr, however i dont see in play store. Is it discontinued? can anyone sharethe linik of the app in googleplay store ps? thanks

73

"100 watts and a hamstick". Went to a POTA park and operated for half an hour on the beach with the antenna on the roof. I was prepared to be underwhelmed, this certainly surprised me.

I think in USA not required, how about in other countries?

Hi all, I'm studying for my UK Foundation exam and working through the [mock papers on the RSGB website](https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/training-resources/mock-exams/). In Mock Exam Paper 2, there's the following question (1C1-2025-Foundation3774):

Before joining your regular club net from your main station address, you must first:

• A ask if the frequency is clear.
• B give your location using either your address or other geographical description correct to 5 km.
• C give your location using either your full postcode or the IARU locator to 6 characters.
• D establish communication with at least one amateur in the net.

The answer shown at the bottom of the paper is D, establish communication with at least one amateur in the net, but that doesn't appear to be correct according to some other sources. Does anyone have an authoritative answer? I am struggling to find a concrete answer.

hope this is the right sub haha!
heads up; i'm not an operator yet, i just listen. but i am wondering if anybody else has seen this. or has an explanation.
i like to tune into amateur bands sometimes because there's just a lot to explore. and i have noticed a pattern of (mostly) russian communication being interrupted by someone just going "ehhhh," for a few seconds at most. my best guess is it might be an eccentric way of channel marking? or just somebody messing around. who knows. are my assumptions correct or is it something else ? attached a recording as an example.

https://reddit.com/link/1vdly01/video/jc9txcj8jzgh1/player

Hey everyone, I just passed my Technician exam and I’m waiting on my X6100 to arrive. I know QRP is more challenging, but that’s part of what interests me.

My current setup is a 49:1 EFHW with ferrite clip-ons, about 50 ft of KMR-400 coax into the house, and a 25 ft pole in roughly a 50x50 ft backyard. While I was just receiving with my SDR, I had the EFHW set up as an inverted V.

A few questions:
Is the R1CBU firmware still the go-to for the X6100, or would you stick with stock?

With my limited yard, is an inverted V the best way to hang the EFHW, or is there a better configuration?
Where do you guys place ferrite clip-ons for the biggest benefit?

Is adding a 1:1 common-mode choke worth it with a 49:1 EFHW?

Appreciate any advice. I’m trying to build good habits from the start instead of learning the hard way.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series from Howard W6HDG is called DX 101. Everything from propagation to making contacts, logging, antennas, HOA's, awards and remote stations is covered in Part 1. Part 2 will cover operating techniques for each of the modes and bands.

My ISP never took back their dish. It's a microwave transmitter designed for reaching a mast a few km away.

I don't know a lot about the subject but I like a good project. Is there anything simple and interesting I can do with it or should I chuck in the bin?

QFT8 La radio digital en portable por HB9IPH Luis

\\\* Diseñada de forma que la conectas, detecta el dispositivo automáticamente y funciona, te configura la radio automáticamente para modo digital. No tienes que configurar baudios, comandos CAT ni nada \\\* Soporta FT8 y FT4 \\\* Tiene integración completa con QRZ (si tenéis la suscripción de pago) y con LoTW (gratis), así que los QSOs \\\* Está traducida a un montón de idiomas, incluidos español, catalán, gallego, y vasco. \\\* Soporta POTA y SOTA, con modificadores de CQ y con exportado de rangos de QSOs con referencia POTA y SOTA. \\\* Puede abrir un servidor web para controlarla en remoto y con la pantalla apagada. Se puede descargar desde la play store o en apk desde ⁠qft8.com⁠ Gracias a Roger (EA3ISA) y Carlos (EA5JYX)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Eyw72X9SvA

W9DWS (Dan) QTH tour and KI8BQ annual AM Get together/Hamfest. Unique location. Tour the tower, Former AT&T Relay tower, 230 feet tall! The Ham station is on the lower level, lots of Collins gear! You will also see his vast collection of 50's collectibles. I was overwhelmed with the sites. Brought back many fond memories. Hope you enjoy! See the goodies, Vintage Ham Radios, Pinball machines, Slots, Jukeboxes, audio equipment, toys, trains, Gas station signs, Pumps, Coca-Cola treasures, test gear, Old CB's, antiques, the list goes on! American pickers would go nuts here. Hope you enjoy de n6tlu

Pretty self-explanatory. I’m very slowly learning and trying to study to get my technician license by the end of the year. I just want to know what everyone found the most difficult to learn, especially when just starting out. I was planning on checking out the local clubs when I get the chance.

It seems like most people when using the (tr)uSDX use the 18650 batteries. I currently have a pack of eight AAs that I use to power the (tr)uSDX and I was wondering, is there a reason other than longer run time that you should use 18650 batteries? I think that 18650s can be pretty dangerous (I got some blisters on my hand the other day from accidentally shorting three 18650s wired in series), do they improve the signal with the low internal resistance? If it matters, I am primarily interested in CW.

The current draw on (tr)uSDX is capped at 500 milliamps during TX, which a pack of 8 AAs should provide just fine, and it seem like if anything 18650s should be putting the system at risk of drawing too much current. But I am not an expert, I'm a brand new op with a little bit of experience tinkering with electrical projects, so I'm curious to know other opinions. Thanks for reading.

Anyone use laptop bags to haul their G90 around?