User:W0DBW

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Local Repeaters

Band State Region Location Output Freq Input Freq Call Sign ' Repeater Notes' CTCSS TONE ECHOLINK IRLP NODE Sponsor Distance Bearing Degrees
6 Meters IA WEST CENTRAL Mondamin 53.390 -1.7 K0BVC 136.5 BVARC 32 347
2 Meters NE SOUTH EAST 145.115 - WB0QQK E 266619 WB0QQK
2 Meters IA WEST CENTRAL Mondamin 145.130 - K0BVC 136.5 BVARC 32 347
2 Meters NE FREMONT Colon 145.265 - WN0L WN0L 37 275
2 Meters IA SOUTHWEST Glenwood 145.290 - N0WKF N0WKF 15 154
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 145.370 - N0OFQ EWETAN ARC 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 145.450 - K0BOY K0BOY 3 276
2 Meters IA WEST CENTRAL Logan 145.470 - AB0VX 123.0 AB0VX 27 9
2 Meters IA SOUTHWEST Red Oak 146.655 - N0NHB 146.2 N0NHB 37 116
2 Meters NE FREMONT Colon 146.670 - WN0L WN0L 37 275
2 Meters NE SOUTH EAST NE City 146.700 - K0TIK K0TIK 39 180
2 Meters NE SOUTH EAST NE City 146.730 - KJ0Z 103.5 39 180
2 Meters IA WEST CENTRAL Portsmouth 146.750 - K0BVC aers 136.5 136.5 BVARC 33 34
2 Meters IA COUNCIL BLUFFS Council Bluffs 146.820 - K0SWI SWIARC 0 56
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 146.940 - K0USA o 131.8 AKSARBEN ARC 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 147.000 - WB0CMC o 131.8 WB0CMC 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 147.000 WB0CMC o 131.8 WB0CMC 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 147.060 W0JJK
2 Meters NE FREMONT Fremont 147.105 KF0MS KF0MS 34 291
2 Meters MO WEST CENTRAL NOPC 147.120 AA0AAA oLITZ GCARC 12 256
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 147.300 WA0WTL ce WA0WTL 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 147.360 K0BOY K0BOY 3 276
2 Meters NE OMAHA Bellevue 147.390 W0WYV 131.8 BELLEVUE ARC 8 182
1.25 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha 223.940 - WB0CMC WB0CMC 3 276
1.25 Meters NE FREMONT Fremont 224.660 224.66 WN0L oe 34 291
1.25 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha/KPTM 224.820 - WB0CMC WB0CMC 3 276
1.25 Meters NE OMAHA Omaha/KPTM 224.940 - K0USA AKSARBEN ARC 3 276
ATV NE OMAHA Omaha/KPTM 421.250 434 WB0CMC oH SYNC GOATS 3 276
70 cm IA SOUTHWEST Mineola 442.025 N0WKF N0WKF 12 129
70 cm IA SOUTHWEST Minden 442.075 N0ZHX N0ZHX 22 50
70 cm NE SOUTH EAST NE City 442.100 K0TIK oael K0TIK 39 180
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 442.475 K0IJY oel 3 276
70 cm IA COUNCIL BLUFFS Council Bluffs 442.525 WB0GXD 100.0 E 51503 WB0GXD 1 56
70 cm NE OMAHA Murray 442.575 KA0IJY cel 100 100.0 23 186
70 cm NE SOUTH EAST Ashland 442.825 K0AMP E 185665 29 240
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 442.900 N0UP N0UP 3 276
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 442.950 WB0CMC 146.2 WB0CMC 3 276
70 cm NE SOUTH EAST Plattsmouth 443.225 KB0SMX oael PLATTSMOUTH ARC 16 180
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 443.450 KB0SMX oaelsz 100.0 100.0 PLATTSMOUTH ARC 3 276
70 cm NE SOUTH EAST Ashland 443.600 NOLWL o N0LWL 29 240
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 443.725 KF6SWL oL(IRLP) I 4120 WORLD WIDE 3 276
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 443.775 W0EQU ARC DIS SVC 3 276
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 443.975 KC0VEY oe 114.8 114.8 E 289653 KC0VEY 3 276
70 cm IA SOUTHWEST Red Oak 444.025 KC0ECI KC0ECI 37 116
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 444.050 WB0WXS o WB0WXS 3 276
70 cm IA SOUTHWEST Mo Valley 444.075 N0ZHX N0ZHX 20 0
70 cm NE FREMONT Fremont 444.175 W0UVQ o W0UVQ 34 291
70 cm IA SOUTHWEST Glenwood 444.325 N0WKF N0WKF 15 154
70 cm IA WEST CENTRAL Woodbine 444.350 K0BVC 136.5 BVARC 34 15
70 cm NE FREMONT Fremont 444.375 KFOMS oes 34 291
70 cm NE EAST Blair 444.400 KC0R oae 141.3 141.3 BLAIR ARC 23 328
70 cm NE OMAHA Yutan/Omaha 444.425 N0YMJ EWETAN ARC 26 269
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 444.650 K0BOY oel K0BOY 3 276
70 cm IA WEST CENTRAL Logan 444.800 AB0VX 97.4 I 3548 AB0VX 27 9
70 cm IA WEST CENTRAL Mondamin 444.925 K0BVC 136.5 I 3328 BVARC 32 347
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha/KPTM 444.950 WB0CMC WB0CMC 3 276
70 cm NE OMAHA Omaha 444.975 K0BOY o 3 276
33 cm IA SOUTHWEST Mo Valley 927.325 -25 N0ZHX 110.9 N0ZHX 20 0
ATV NE OMAHA Omaha/KPTM 1248.250 434 WB0CMC oH SYNC 3 276
WX Radio NE Omaha 162.400 KIH61 1000 Watts 3 276
WX Radio IA Hancock/Pottawattam 162.525 KZZ52 1000 Watts 28 70

About Me

Renewed my interest in radio after over two decades in absentia and obtained my ticket last summer. I am testing for my General at the next available VE event and studying for the Extra, which I plan to achieve eventually. I plan to start working HF as soon as possible. This is all after not knowing for sure whether or not I would care to get back into radio. At this point in my life I think it is a good fit for me.

Working Inventory

Transceivers I have collected and used over the years are listed here. I am trying to locate the ones I stored away. Since I have renewed my interest in radio communication after many years (late 80s early 90s) I have started buying here and there again. My radio hobby has to be on a budget so don't expect any super-mega-digital-all-crazy $$$ rigs in this collection.

Hamsomerigstestingke0.jpg

Working Inventory: HF

Primary Base Rig:

  • Kenwood TS-940SAT - A Solid State Competition Grade HF Transceiver. 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. The S model has no auto tuner, while my SAT has the auto tuner.

Kenwoodts940s-ke0etz.jpg  

The nice thing about this radio is "no menus." Everything is controlled by manual controls on the face. It needed some attention when it came to me. I have corrected some problems with it including the well known PLL lock problem, the sub display not working, and a problem with the auto tuner. I think it is ready for use.

Kenwoodts940s-ke0etz2.jpg

Primary Mobile Rig:

  • Alinco DX-70T HF/6m Tranceiver - Working. This transceiver will cover 160 meters - 10 meters and 6 meters. SSB, CW, FM 1.8MHz-30MHz 100 Watts; 50MHz-54MHz: 10 Watts (AM) 1.8 MHz - 30 MHz 40 Watts; 5OMHz - 54 MHz: 4 Watts.

Alinco DX70T 320.jpg

Shelved or in Storage:

  • 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:

UnidenPresidentHR2510.jpg

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 Transceiver. 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:

TYT TH-9800.jpg

The above is a stock image. I will snap a pic of it as it is hooked up in my van as soon as I clean up the way I mounted it. Right now it is held to the dash by zip ties.

  • Kenwood TR-7400A - My old VHF mobile rig. I dug this out of storage but can't find where I put the microphone.

Kenwood TR-7400A300px.jpg

Actual pic: I hooked this up to a VHF HT antenna and a 12v PSU to see if it still worked. Even if I had the mic I wouldn't key down on this type of antenna. I was picking up conversation from a couple local repeaters. Sounded good. When I find the mic I will hook it up in my van and see if it still transmits well enough.

  • Kenwood TR-8300 - tested and dead.

Kenwood tr8300advts.jpg

It was stored at my parents farm. I found it in a moldy box in an out building, rusted and wet. Total loss.

  • Kenwood TK 880H - This is a Part 90 radio which retails with the following feature list: 32 systems / 250 groups (trunked mode), Max 600 channels (trunked mode), Max 250 channels capacity (conventional mode), 12 character dot matririx LCD, 10 character alphanumeric alias. This radio can be programmed for use on Ham bands. Programming is done with KPG-49D software. It is supposed to be 50 watts and programmable for use between 400 to 430 mhz. With a dummy load I tested it at about 30 watts. Requires a serial cable to program, serial on one end, RJ45 on the other.

Digital

I have been testing the water on DMR with the Tytera MD-380 which is MotoTRBO compatible. DMR is Digital 2-Way Radio. If you're interested in DMR take a look at Using DMR which is a guide to get you started.

Miscellaneous HTs

Actually I have a box full of HTs mostly China made and a few old Radio Shack "Realistic" models.

other thoughts

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 radio 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.

From between 1988 - 1991 I worked 10-meter a lot, under a different call sign. I made contacts all over North America and as far as the United Kingdom. I also did Alaska. 10-meter was good during that period. Lots of solar activity. Lots of skip. 12-watts is all that was needed. I made the U.K. contact barefoot on only 12-watts with a good directional antenna.

Antenna Tuners

Dentron Jr. Monitor

  • HF coverage from 1.6-30 MHz
  • 300w

Manufactured by Prime for Dentron.

MFJ-945E

  • HF+6M coverage from 1.8 to 60 Mhz
  • 300/60 and 30/6 Watt ranges
  • ON/OFF lamp switch
  • MFJ Product Page

MJF-941E

  • HF coverage from 1.8 - 30 Mhz
  • 300/60 and 30/6 watt ranges
  • ON/OFF lamp switch
  • Bypass
  • 4:1 balun
  • MFJ Product Page

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.

Cobra142GTLmodified640.jpg
Cobra 142 GTL expanded for 365 channels operate 10-meter USB and LSB.

WANTED: Dead or Alive

Actually I prefer alive.

  • Yaesu HF, 6M, VHF, UHF All Mode Transceiver
  • Hybrid HF Transceiver
  • New Truck Chaser digital scanner

transceivers

The Yaesu FT-897 is an all band, all mode transceiver. HF/VHF/UHF all mode portable transceiver 100 watts on HF.

  • Yaesu FT-1000(D) - 200w allmode transceiver 100 kHz to 30 MHz.
  • Yaesu FT-1000MP - 160m-10m transceiver
  • Yaesu FT-1000MP Mk V Field
  • Yaesu FT-102 - 160 to 10 meters in SSB, CW, AM and FSK modes. Hybrid. Analog dial. Digital display.
  • Yaesu FT-650
  • Yaesu FT-900CAT
  • Yaesu FT-902DM
  • Yaesu FT-990

Sun Spots

Sunspotcyclefunny01.png

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.

Sunspotcyclepredict01.png

We need more sunspots! Join my campaign to lobby Washington to pass a bill that creates sunspots. Click HERE to send us your donation.

Skip

VHF

  • 6m : sporadic, mostly daytime.

HF

  • 10m : evening propagation and daytime mostly and during high sunspot period of solar cycle.
  • 12 - 17m : daytime bands, usually opened.
  • 20m : Can be opened day or night. This is a reliable band for DX.
  • 40m : local skip during the day, DX at night.
  • 80m : local skip during the day, longer distance DX at night.

MF

  • 160m : night propagation. local skip.

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.

Hygain-penetrator.gif

MFJ now owns the rights to Hy Gain in name.

A new version of the antenna is back in production.

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)

Icom ICR6 Broadband Receiver

0.100 ~ 1309.995MHz in AM / FM / WFM.

Scanning the HF dial

Day Night kHz use location language comments

		X	0.330	CW				
		X	3.215	AM	SW		english	news, political
		X	3.330	AM	SW		english	automated beacon
		X	3.618	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.625	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.700	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.908	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.908	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.916	LSB	ham		english	
		X	3.936	LSB	ham		english	
		X	7.138	LSB	ham		english	
	X		7.217	LSB	ham			
		X	7.385	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	7.455	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	7.489	AM	SW		english	
		X	7.569	AM	SW		english	
		X	9.395	AM	SW		english	
	X		9.474	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	9.790	AM	SW		english	
		X	9.800	AM	SW		english	news
		X	9.955	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	9.975	AM	SW		english	
	X		9.980	AM	SW		english	religious
	X		11.550	AM	SW		spanish	
		X	11.670	AM	SW		foreign	
		X	11.780	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		11.825	AM	SW		english	religious
		X	11.840	AM	SW		foreign	same as 13.743
	X		11.950	AM	SW		spanish	strong signal
	X		12.160	AM	SW	USA	english	midwest USA, call in talkshow
		X	13.743	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		14.670	AM	SW	Canada	english	radio beacon
	X		15.120	AM	SW		foreign	
	X		15.230	AM	SW		spanish	
	X		15.370	AM	SW		spanish	same as 15.230
	X		15.700	AM	SW	China	english	China radio propiganda, news, strong signal
	X		18.155	USB	ham		english

Wavelength to Frequency Table

Meter Band 	Frequency Range and Use
--------------------------------------------------
160 meter 	1800 - 2000 kHz ham radio
120 meter 	2300 - 2498 kHz broadcasting
90 meter 	3200 - 3400 kHz broadcasting
80 meter 	3500 - 4000 kHz ham radio
60 meter 	4750 - 4995 kHz broadcasting
49 meter 	5950 - 6250 kHz broadcasting
41 meter 	7100 - 7300 kHz broadcasting
40 meter 	7000 - 7300 kHz ham radio
31 meter 	9500 - 9900 kHz broadcasting
30 meter 	10100 - 10150 kHz ham radio
25 meter 	11650 - 11975 kHz broadcasting
22 meter 	13600 - 13800 kHz broadcasting
20 meter 	14000 - 14350 kHz ham radio
19 meter 	15100 - 15600 kHz broadcasting
17 meter 	18068 - 18168 kHz ham radio
16 meter 	17550 - 17900 kHz broadcasting
15 meter 	21000 - 21450 kHz ham radio
13 meter 	21450 - 21850 kHz broadcasting
12 meter 	24890 - 24990 ham radio
11 meter 	25670 - 26100 kHz broadcasting
10 meter 	28 - 29.7 MHz ham radio 
6 meter         50 - 54 MHz ham radio since 1947
5 meter         56 – 64 MHz taken from ham radio in 1946
4 meter         70.000 MHz – 70.500 MHz
3 meter         76 - 88 MHz 88 - 108 MHz broadcasting 
2 meter         144 MHz to 148 MHz for ham
1.25 meter      219 - 225 MHz
70 centimeter   420 - 450 MHz ham 462 - 468 MHz non-ham public
33 centimeter   902.000 MHz – 928.000 MHz
23 centimeter   1.240 GHz – 1.300 GHz
13 centimeter   2.300 GHz – 2.450 GHz

Some Local Nets

  • 2m/FM: Wednesday's at 9:00pm on Council Bluffs 146.820 repeater. Open Chat.

Note to Moderator / Admin

Please contact me prior to considering making modifications to my own user page.