Basement done

Now its time to finish arranging my combination woodworking area/Radio Shack to get operating. Time is always the factor that kills!

Pictures from Field Day-2011

An example

This is an idea of what my Go Kit is going to look like:

Fully self contained unit with battery and charger and everything built right in to be a truly portable operating kit. I am using the FT-817 so though I am compromising on power, I have a lot more flexibility with bands and more importantly, battery life.

YRARC Field day

To go or not to go... that is the question. I better go :)

Antenna

Stopped by Radioworld today to pick up my antenna for FT817. Granted, that was my fault all the way for losing part of it.

Tried to buy charger for my VX3 and they want 30 bucks for an older model that isn't even the correct one. Sometimes RWI just makes me sigh, shake my head and move on... I don't think they care *shrug*


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Resistor Colour Charts

Here are some resistor colour charts for those who need it as well as the ohm's law circle. Pick whichever works for you as they are all the same :)

As a follow up

Wiring for switches is a very good site for figuring out your wiring if the switch comes with no instructions. Like mine.

Soon I will be posting a list of the paraphernalia I have bought thus far for this kit. Going to take it slow.. I have bought maybe a couple switches, a couple computer fans and thats about it. No going nuts on this one as LLL would say :)

Two options of wiring that switch!

The two diagrams below (courtesy : http://www.bcae1.com/switches.htm ) are the two methods of wiring this switch. Thanks Neil (VE3SST)

Option 1

Option 2

Going with option 1!

Wiring? - Double Pole ON-OFF

Double Pole ON-OFF, Illuminated Rocker Switch

Please have a look at the two picture above (click to enlarge). The following is with respect to the items labeled 1,2 and 3 of the switch in the diagram above.

- When I connect my multimeter to prongs 1 and 2 of the switch when it is in the OFF position, I get no continuity. Good

- When I connect my multimeter to prongs 1 and 2 of the switch when it is in the ON position, I get full continuity on my multimeter. Good

- Prong 3 of the switch has NO effect on continuity in any combination (Prongs 1-3, or 2-3 etc) whether the switch is ON or OFF

- This is an illuminated switch and Prong 3 has a symbol of a lamp etched on it...

I am using this switch to control power to the LOAD (which could be a fan as an example). The normal connections I would use are:

A1 to 1

2 to L1

A2 to L2

A3 to L3

What I DON'T know is how to connect prong 3 of the switch to make it light up... Any suggestions would be helpful

Here is a closeup of the switch:

Thanks and Regards

My Carry and GO

Following some posts made in the YRARC yahoo board, I decided to build a communications GO Kit. Don't know what I am going to call mine yet. So far I have decided on the case I am using. A pelican 1550 in ORANGE. Here is the case. Of course, the one I am using is without foam. Will be posting progress as I go along :)

Still Alive

Slowly but steadily, I am building my Antenna for HF. Hope to put it together soon!

Sick of being Sick

If anyone has been sick for over a week recently.. will know what I mean.

Well, I may venture out of bed this weekend and stroll down to my basement to work on a 40m dipole. Here are the raw materials for the same:

Going to plan it on paper and then build it.

73's

GPS Signal interference

This news is a bit of a concern. See some info at the following GPS webpage:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/news/data-shows-disastrous-gps-jamming-fcc-approved-broadcaster-11029

Courtesy of Doug, VE3VS

A little more shopping at Powerwerx

Dear Vicky Bagwalla, Your order has been shipped from our warehouse on 02/14/2011.

SKU Name Qty PPC-1 Powerpole Weather Resistant Dust Cap Cover 4 CT-OEM OEM Connector/Terminal Ratchet Style Crimping Tool 1 OEM-T-Male Original 2 pin Power connector for VHF/UHF Power cords - Power source side 5 OEM-T-Female Original 2 pin Power connector for VHF/UHF - Radio Side 5 PP15-25 15 Amp Unassembled Red/Black Anderson Powerpole Sets (Sets: 25) 1 RF-8383 SMA Female to BNC Male - RF-8383 1 RF-8183 UHF Male to SMA Female - RF-8183 1

Wheeee! Can't wait for it to arrive later this week

Buddipole

I think I am very close to buying the Buddipole Deluxe Kit !

No antenna yet :(

Inspite of all the research this weekend about antenna's, I am closer to building a portable antenna for my FT-817. Crazy!

FT-90R

I am looking for this radio. If anyone has one they would like to sell or know anyone who would like to sell an FT-90R, please let me know. Thanks




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Powerpoles

Spent the evening yesterday crimping anderson powerpole ends on cables for PJL. He wants to (wisely I might add), make his own cables instead of spending big dollars on them!

Di-electric grease

I am now in possession of dielectric grease that I need to put on my antenna threads since they are rusting a little. I am pretty sure something has gone south with the repeater as earlier, I could hit it (in rain and fog and snow) from twice the distance. Now, I am apparently "barely" holding the repeater from 400 and 407. Let me see how cleaning the rust off my antenna threads and putting on that grease helps :)

HF Antenna's

I am back to my research on a multi-band HF antenna. Thinking of going the route of a vertical. *sigh*. The costs are crazeee

FT-817

I want to start doing more QRP work with my FT-817. Hmm. Maybe set up a blog for that


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APRS Tomorrow

Hopefully get to work on my APRS setup this weekend. Does anyone know where I can get Silicone Grease from? I need to use some on the antenna threads before screwing it on to the base. Please post as a comment to this message :) Thanks!

APRS

Going to start working on my APRS project over the weekend. I tried and tested it all earlier and it was good to go. The only thing that is going to delay this project is the mounting of the second antenna in the car… seems too cold to attach a glass mount antenna. We’ll see

Couldn't get on the radio today

On my way to work. Was on a call for most of the drive in. I still haven't found my VX-3

Nothing to do with Amateur Radio

But this is the coolest picture!

VX-3

My VX-3 is missing.. have I left it at anyone's house? :(

The Antenna

...On the mini. Glass mount. Notice the rust.

Transmitting conditions

Were actually better today. IDB mentioned that the repeater was having issues, is being worked on and is "consistently getting better". Well. Need to go looking for silicone grease to prevent rusting on the outside of the antenna :)

Antenna

Looks like the antenna on the mini is showing signs of rust? Luckily on the actual rod and not on the mounting business. Going to unscrew that and screw in a new one

Repaired IC-2820H

Repaired the IC-2820H and placed it in the mini. Mounted it on a board that sits behind the passenger seat. Seems to be a better location for it than where it was previously!

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