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====Diamond SX-400==== | ====Diamond SX-400==== | ||
Revision as of 17:35, 22 July 2015
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KE0ETZ Home Page
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Contents
Working Inventory: HF
- Clear Channel Ranger AR-3500 - In storage. Hand-me-down from a family member. I like my President HR2510 better although this AR3500 is the 100 watt model so it is more powerful. It does have power! This radio is in unknown condition. I haven't powered it up in over 20 years.
- Uniden President HR2510 - Working however since it hasn't been used much in a couple decades I think it is a bit out of tune. The SWR meter on it never seemed to work well. I used to thump the signal display to get it to register. I have worked this radio a lot and made many contacts. In 1990 I was able to make regular contacts in the UK. Used with the Hy Gain Penetrator antenna, which has to be shorted a bit for 10-meter operation, and during the right solar activity, this radio is great for making long distant contacts on HF band. Here is what it looks like:
When I get this back on a good antenna I plan to make some contacts before this sunspot cycle dries up. I will eventually put a log here. This is my only working HF radio right now.
I also have some old amps and equipment not worth mentioning. Though, the tube AMP I have will do 800 watts.
- Yaesu Sommerkamp FT-7B - This was also a hand-me-down from a family member. It once worked, but now doesn't seem to put out any power, low output problem. I plan to take it apart and start with a good cleaning, then go from there.
Working Inventory: VHF & UHF
- TYT TH-9800 Quad Band. This radio does cover 10-meter but not with SSB so I didn't list it up there. It is strictly AM-FM mode. It is a Chinese knockoff of Yaseau. I got it for under $200 new. looks like:
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Kenwood TR-8300- tested and dead.
Miscellaneous HTs
- Baofeng BF-F8HP
- Tokmate UHF
HF is where it is at. You might as well upgrade from a Technician to General Class if you want to talk to someone. The VHF and UHF repeaters are plentiful and if you enjoy tuning in to hear the 10 minute CW identifier then VHF and UHF is for you, because that's all you'll hear. HAM operators are moving up to higher UHF digital, which is of no interest to me. The equipment is proprietary and expensive. I prefer to go down low, to HF where there is skip, and good DX. There's always activity on HF. However, if you are a technician class then you are restricted to a very narrow slice of 10-meter and nothing lower. 10-meter is great during the sun spot peek, but can be pretty quiet otherwise. I was able to make a 10-meter contact with my Uniden President HR2510 during the last HAM Radio Field Day.
Vintage
I collect vintage tube radios, shortwave radios, and various related. I will throw some pics up here when I get time.
For Sale
ITEM DESCRIPTION PRICE ----------------------------------------------------- --------Kenwood TS-430S - (used) ................................. $Dead Cobra 124 GTL - (used) expanded 365 channels ............. $ 350.00 --- tested, fully functional. Tokmate TU30 (new) Handheld UHF 400-480MHz ............... $ 35.00 --- NIB, will program for you at no additional cost. Hy Gain Omni Directional 10 meter antenna (used) ......... sold
The Hy Gain antenna was damaged by a storm. What remains has been sold. I had a second one in storage. If I can locate it I might post it here for sale.
Purchase Consideration
Equipment I do not own but have been researching and in consideration for purchasing. If I make a purchase I will use and follow up with a review of the product. We like to do product reviews here.
Test Equipment
Diamond SX-400
Diamond power meter SX-400 5w 20w 200w 400w Power and SWR Meter - The SX400 measures forward and reflected power and VSWR. Compact size makes meter useful for testing both base and mobile installations.
Special Features: Illuminated meter, Switchable r.m.s. or peak power, Measures forward, reflected & VSWR power. Dimensions 6"W x 2"H x 4"D, 2 lbs.
Specifications: 140-525 MHz at 5, 20, or 200 watts. Connector SO-239, Minimum power required to SWR test is 4 watts.
Transceivers
- Icom IC-718 HF - A Modern Full Mode HF Transceiver
This one is still in production. It's straightforward easy to operate modern HF rig.
0.03-29.999999 MHz* general coverage receive capability. *Guaranteed range: 0.5-29.999999 MHz
- Kenwood TS-940S - A Solid State Classic HF Transceiver that Remains Useful
Solid state HF transceiver, radio bands from 160 to 10 meters, general coverage receiver from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, CW, SSB, AM, FSK, and narrow-band FM. 100 Watt out. value used: $550- $650
The nice thing about this radio is "no menus." Everything is controlled by manual controls on the face. It is a powerful rig with extended coverage. There is a simple "TS-940S Complete TX Coverage Modification." There's room to work inside these old rigs, easier to do mods.
- TYT TH-9800 Quad Band
TRANSCEIVER, 29/50/2M/70CM, CROSS BAND, 50 WATT - Yeah one of them there CHINA knockoffs. However, for the price this little guy does a lot. I've read quality many vary widely as is the case with this Chinese stuff. I am looking at one now that has been fully tested at a shop in the United States. They are also being sold on Amazon.com
Scanners
Antennas
2m/440 dual band needed for VHF UHF operation.
mobile:
- Larsen NMO2/70
base station:
- J-Pole for 2-meters and 70-cm - can be built "homebrew" which I like to do.
Sun Spots
Sunspot numbers wax and wane in an approximately 11-year cycle. Solar Cycle 1 spanned the years 1755 to 1766. The last, Cycle 23, peaked in April 2000 with an average of 120 sunspots per day around the time of maximum. The last minimum part of the cycle bottomed out in December 2008, was the longest and quietest in over a century. Cycle 24 is occurring now in 1014 - 1015. Cycle 24 is a disappointing cycle. 10-meter DX depends largely on solar activity. Skip on 10-meter is active now and predicted to remain active until 2018 or shortly thereafter. It is a weak sunspot cycle, however, it is enough to provide for skip.
Cycle 24 actually peaked in 2014.
We need more sunspots! Join my campaign to lobby Washington to pass a bill that creates sunspots. Click HERE to send us your donation.
Hy Gain Penetrator
The Hy Gain Penetrator antenna designer Howell Pabian is now retired in the Lincoln, Nebraska! That's where I ordered my antennas from. A little 2-way radio shop that once existed on O Street.
Hy Gain Penetrator Facts:
- 5/8 wave ground plane antenna.
- shorten the vertical radiator for 10-meter use.
MFJ now owns the rights to Hy Gain in name.
A new version of the antenna is back in production.
- Hy-gain SPT-500 (fall in love again!)
Investigating
Equipment: Connect Systems CS750 DMR Digital/Analog Radio
Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) - The new CS750 is the first DMR-compatible radio to be designed specifically for the Ham market.
- $210
Equipment: Yaesu VX-3R VHF/UHF DualBand Handheld -vs- ZASTONE ZT-2R+
The Yaesu Receives 0.5-999Mhz AM/FMN/FMW, Transmits 144-148 & 430-450Mhz VHF/UHF FM Output is 1.5W Vhf, 1W UHF
The ZASTONE ZT-2R+ TX Frequency Ranges: 144-146 MHz 430-440 MHz (but no info on AM/FM)
