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- Date: Wed, 8 Dec 93 04:30:22 PST
- From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup <ham-equip@ucsd.edu>
- Errors-To: Ham-Equip-Errors@UCSD.Edu
- Reply-To: Ham-Equip@UCSD.Edu
- Precedence: Bulk
- Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V93 #125
- To: Ham-Equip
-
-
- Ham-Equip Digest Wed, 8 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 125
-
- Today's Topics:
- << HELP >> WANTED MODS...
- Comments on Autek RF-1 Wanted
- entry-level rigs - recommendations? (2 msgs)
- ICOM w2a or 2sra comments pse!
- Kits?
- Standard HT opinions? (C228A)
-
- Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Ham-Equip@UCSD.Edu>
- Send subscription requests to: <Ham-Equip-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
- Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.
-
- Archives of past issues of the Ham-Equip Digest are available
- (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-equip".
-
- We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
- herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
- policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Date: 7 Dec 93 12:57:57 GMT
- From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
- Subject: << HELP >> WANTED MODS...
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- Hi Chris (N0OXI) and ALL!
-
- Here are some mods for the Yaesu FT-290r mkII radio...
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- FT290.1
-
- FROM: M. P. ("JUG") JOGOLEFF, WA6MBZ
- @ K6TZ BBS
-
- RE: YAESU MICRO-PHONE NUMBER MH-15 C8.
-
- MOD.: HOW TO PREVENT THE TOUCH-TONE PAD FROM
- AUTOMATICALLY KEYING UP YOUR RIG.
-
- RIGS INVOLVED: THIS MIC. COMES WITH THE YAESU FT 290 MK
- II (2 METER RIG), THE FT 690 MK II (6 METER RIG), OR THE FT 490
- MK II (UHF RIG), AND POSSIBLY OTHERS.
-
- 1) TAKE THE THREE (3) BACK SCREWS OFF.
- 2) TAKE THE TWO (2) SCREWS OFF THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO FREE
- IT FROM THE CASE.
- 3) FIND THE RED WIRE GOING TO THE MICRO-SWITCH, IE, THE
- PTT LINE.
- 4) FOLLOW THAT RED WIRE TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. AT THAT
- PLACE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD ANOTHER RED WIRE WILL JOIN THE FIRST
- ONE.
- 5) UN-SOLDER BOTH RED WIRES FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND
- CLEAN UP THE SOLDER MESS, OTHERWISE HUM WILL OCCUR.
- 6) SOLDER THE TWO RED WIRES TOGETHER AND COVER WITH TAPE
- OR SHRINK TUBING.
- 7) PUT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN PLACE AND SCREW IT DOWN.
- 8) PUT THE "LOCK" SLIDE SWITCH BACK IN PLACE.
- 9) PUT THE REST OF THE CASE ON.
- 10) PUT THE OUTSIDE SCREWS IN.
- 11) YOU ARE NOW READY TO TRY IT OUT, SO GO AHEAD AND RE-
- ATTACH IT TO YOUR RIG!
- 12) ALL SHOULD WORK:
- PTT WORKS AND RELEASES,
- MIC PASSES AUDIO,
- TOUCH TONES WORK WHEN PTT BUTTON HELD,
- TOUCH-TONE RED "LED" STILL LIGHTS UP WHEN TOUCH-TONE
- PAD KEYS ARE DEPRESSED, EVEN IF PTT BUTTON IS NOT HELD DOWN,
- NO HUM NOTICED.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- FT290.2
- FT-290R (first version) Extensions
- The pins no 38,39,40,41 near HMCS45C are used for extensions.
- PIN No BAND STEP FM/SSB SHIFT
- 38 39 40 41 MHz KHz Hz
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 140-150 25 1000 7.6MHz
- 100 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * * 140-144 10 1000 1MHz
- 20 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * * * 140-150 5 1000 no shift possible
- 10 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 144-146 12.5 1000 600KHz
- 25 100 (European version)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * * 144-149 10 1000 600KHz
- 20 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 140-150 25 1000 5MHz
- 100 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 140-150 25 1000 5MHz
- 100 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * * 144-148 5 1000 600KHz
- 10 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 144-148 5 1000 600KHz
- 10 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * 140-150 25 1000 1.6MHz
- 100 100 (FB for 70 cm transverter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * 144-146 10 1000 600KHz
- 20 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * 144-148 12.5 1000 600KHz
- 25 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * * * 143.5-148.5 5 1000 600KHz
- 10 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Thanks to F1GAN for this info.
- 73 Serge F1EMT @ FF6KDC
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- FT290.3
-
- FT-290R
-
- There is a very "hard" de-emphasis in FT-290R. This can cause serious
- problems copying packet signals with some demodulator chips, eg. like the
- XR2211.
- By a common request, here is a modification of this popular TCVR for packet
- radio. It was made after a RADIO-REF article in several copies, by HA5OB,
- HA5DI, HA3MA and others. Increasing the intelligibility in noisy environment,
- this modification is also useful in FM voice communications.
- You'll have to add only a serial RC unit, the R being 4.7 kOhm, and C being a
- 1uF tantalum capacitor. Put them between the pin 9 of IC Q1019 and the
- collector of transistor Q1021, with the positive leg of the tantalum
- capacitor to the collector of the transistor. These points can be found as
- test points, near to IC Q1019. Solder the components together, wrap some
- insulation around them, then solder to the test points mentioned. That's all
- you have to do!
- With this modification, FM reception will sound somewhat noisy, but much
- louder.
- 73, Sanyi/HA3PG
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 73's and Merry Christmas for ALL, de Ed - LU7AKC @ LU7AKC.#COL.CF.ARG.SOAM
- <postmaster@asarin.org.ar>
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 7 Dec 93 16:18:48 GMT
- From: sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!usenet.ucs.indiana.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!aries!hawley@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: Comments on Autek RF-1 Wanted
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- bobh@cup.hp.com (Bob Headrick) writes:
-
- >I am considering buying the Autek RF-1 SWR/Impedence/L/C/Freq meter, as
- >advertised in QST Dec'93 p 160. Does anyone out there have one? I'd be
- >interested in how well it works, ease of tuning, etc, etc. Thanks in
- >advance.
-
- >Bob Headrick WA7OVU
- >bobh@cup.hp.com
-
-
- I just got it. So far I am well pleased. The coarse tuning is slightly
- coarse, and the fine is a little too fine. The tuning is manageable though.
- The instruction sheets show the designer(s) to be very knowledgeable. The
- observations on transmission line and antenna measurement limitations
- made in the instructions are "worth their weight". The accuracy is not
- HP, but quite useful in the shack (varies with measurement and conditions
- from a few % to maybe 20%). The circuits inside the thing are "proprietary".
- However, a few adjustments are described. They could have been a little more
- clever about how they packaged it in terms of how it comes apart to do the
- adjustments. You will be pleased with your purchase when considering the low
- price and the alternatives.
- Chuck, KE9UW
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 2 Dec 93 17:17:44 EDT
- From: hayes!bcoleman@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: entry-level rigs - recommendations?
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <2dim82$i4p@oak.oakland.edu>, prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes:
- >
- > If you are getting your NOVICE license, look for a Heathkit HW-16 and
- > HG-10B VFO. That combination is an excellent "entry-level" radio at
- > under $125.
-
- I disagree. The HW-16 and HG-10B were great entry level rigs FIFTEEN YEARS
- AGO! While these venerable tube-type rigs still work, they aren't anything
- like rigs of today. I wouldn't recommend anyone but a nostalgia buff mess
- around with this old tube gear.
-
- Besides, the HW-16 won't let a Novice exercise their full privileges on
- HF. It does not support SSB or digital modes on 10M. It only does CW.
-
- I recommend Novices do as I did. Buy the best HF setup you can afford.
- (In my case, this was a used heath SB-301, SB-401, but that was 1976) That way,
- when you upgrade, you won't have to replace it and buy new.
-
- The brand new gear is interesting, but go to a hamfest and look for some
- of the older solid-state gear.
-
- > If you have a couple hundred to spend on an "entry-level rig", look for
- > a used Ten Tec Century 21 at $200-$250. Agrueably the finest "novice"
- > level radio ever produced.
-
- Again, a CW-only rig. Novices have had SSB and digital privileges for 5
- years now. Unless your interests in radio run purely in CW, I don't
- recommend a CW-only rig.
-
- --
- Bill Coleman, AA4LR ! CIS: 76067,2327 AppleLink: D1958
- Principal Software Engineer ! Packet Radio: AA4LR @ W4QO
- Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. ! UUCP: uunet!hayes!bcoleman
- POB 105203 Atlanta, GA 30348 USA ! Internet: bcoleman%hayes@uunet.uu.net
- Disclaimer: "My employer doesn't pay me to have opinions."
- Quote: "The same light shines on vineyards that makes deserts." -Steve Hackett.
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 8 Dec 93 02:38:06 GMT
- From: ogicse!cs.uoregon.edu!sgiblab!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!srgenprp!alanb@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: entry-level rigs - recommendations?
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- prvalko (prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu) wrote:
- : Bill Coleman (bcoleman@hayes.com) wrote:
- : : In article <2dim82$i4p@oak.oakland.edu>, prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes:
- : : >
- : : > If you are getting your NOVICE license, look for a Heathkit HW-16 and
- : : > HG-10B VFO. That combination is an excellent "entry-level" radio at
- : : > under $125.
-
- : : I disagree. The HW-16 and HG-10B were great entry level rigs FIFTEEN YEARS
- : : AGO! While these venerable tube-type rigs still work, they aren't anything
- : : like rigs of today. I wouldn't recommend anyone but a nostalgia buff mess
- : : around with this old tube gear.
-
- One way they are different is that they have true FULL BREAK IN. Many of
- the modern rigs claim to have break-in, but it is not instantaneous like
- the HW-16. I can recommended the rig -- I used one for several years
- (with an Advanced license) and worked lots of DX with it using a random-
- length wire antenna. Sure enough, HW-16s only work on CW, so if you want
- SSB etc. look for another rig. Also they don't cover 20 meters, which
- in my opinion is the major limitation.
-
- If you are on a tight budget and want to work CW, they are a great way
- to get on the air.
-
- AL N1AL
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 20:13:56 GMT
- From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!maroon.tc.umn.edu!roban001@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: ICOM w2a or 2sra comments pse!
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- I want to buy (at least I think I do) either of these
- models. I would like to get all the advice I can.
-
- What, if any, modifications exist for these radios?
- Has anyone bought one of these, who now wants to review it?
-
- ThAnk U
- Philip K. Roban N0ETX (Extra Value Added Bonus Class)
- roban001@staff.tc.umn.edu
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 7 Dec 93 19:19:18 GMT
- From: sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!usenet.ucs.indiana.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!aries!finnie@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: Kits?
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- Witha all the discussion lately about the major expense of getting a shack
- started, I was wondering about the practicality of building your own
- equipment. Now, I'm just a newbie to hamming (no license yet even :( but
- why not build your own gear from kits?
-
- I'm on a *very* tight grad-school budget (trying to spend less than $200 for
- starters if you can imagine that) and thought that kits would be both fun
- and cheap.
-
- So are there any recommendations out there for starter kits? Even CW only
- wouldn't be so bad to start. Or would this simply be too hard and
- frustrating for someone with little experience in electronics?
-
- --
- Dave Finnie
- aries@scs.uiuc.edu
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 2 Dec 1993 08:45:39 -0800
- From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ornews.intel.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: Standard HT opinions? (C228A)
- To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <2ddkaq$3bp@hub.ucsb.edu> uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu (Andrew Krenz) writes:
- >Howdy..
- >
- >I'm in the market for a dual band HT (possibly) and I'm most interested
- >in getting one that's 2m/220. The only one I've seen so far is the Standard
- >C228A. Does anyone have any recomendations on Standard radio equipment?
- >They seem to be pricier than the usual Alinco and Yaesu group, so is
- >there a reason for this?
-
- I have a C228A and I'm quite happy with it. Another ham in the area has
- one and he has had some trouble however. Its now on its third trip for
- repair. I'm not sure what this kid has been doing to it though. His
- last complaint has been that the squelch is always open on one band.
- Previously the transmitter had quit twice. There is the possibility he
- may have driven another transmitter into it, or so I've heard. Anyway,
- its been repaired free of charge so far. I have had no trouble at all
- with mine and I don't treat it particularly nice. It seems to be very
- rugged. Its very easy on batteries and I really didn't need to buy the
- big battery as well. I have only two minor complaints. The button
- sequence for specific range scan is complex and awkward. It always seems
- to be in single tone mode when I'm trying to use DTMF and I can't remember
- the sequence to toggle it back to dual tone. There is no display for this
- either. I've lost my dual band rubber duck and nobody else makes one for
- 2m/222 so I guess I'll have to order one from Standard. I'm getting by
- with the AEA Hotrod for 222Mhz and the long rubber 2 meter from Larsen.
-
- According to HRO, Icom is about to come out with a 2m/222 handheld. I
- thought I had seen an ad for this one somewhere. They could not quote
- a price for it but the current Standared C228A price is $529 which is
- $20 cheaper than when I bought mine a year and a half ago.
-
-
-
- --
- zardoz@ornews.intel.com WA7LDV
-
- ------------------------------
-
- End of Ham-Equip Digest V93 #125
- ******************************
- ******************************
-