QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/digests/equip/940076.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-14 | 18KB

Date: Thu, 24 Mar 94 04:30:30 PST
From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Reply-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V94 #76
To: Ham-Equip


Ham-Equip Digest            Thu, 24 Mar 94       Volume 94 : Issue   76

Today's Topics:
                   2m HT recomendations ? (2 msgs)
                        Batteries for HTX-202
                               HTX-202
           Kenwood (TS-850) Computer Interface Info Wanted
                                 list
                      Need Manuals for SWAN 350
                      Question on Yaesu ear mike
                      QUESTIONS ON YAESU FT101E
          RF and AF speech processors. Was: FT-990 vs TS-850
                         Yaesu ft530 question

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We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
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policies or positions of any party.  Your mileage may vary.  So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 1994 15:00:24 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!sgiblab!cs.uoregon.edu!reuter.cse.ogi.edu!hp-cv!hp-pcd!hpcvsnz![e-mail]
Subject: 2m HT recomendations ?
To: [e-mail]

Harland MacKenzie ([e-mail]) wrote:
: I am thinking about buying a 2m HT. I have read the glossy ads,
: in CQ and 73 but I can not come to any conclusions.

: Which do you use ? What are its good / bad points ?

: Is power important or is battery life more critical ?

: What features are important DTMF, CTCSS, pageing, ...

: I am looking at models from Kenwood, Yeasu, and I-COM. I am
: leaning toward the Kenwood TH-28A.  I am also looking at the
: Yeasu F-11R and 411 as well as a few models from I-COM.

: I would appreciated any recomendations or info on these or
: other 2m HTs before I take the plunge and buy one.

: I do plan on carring it with me once and a while but moslty I
: will use it in my car on at home.

: Thanks,
:                     Harland

I would also look at Standard. I have a Standard C168A (my wife does also). It
is currently selling for I think around $290. They also have some new models
out, a C158A I think it is that is around $250.00 and a C178A which is
primarily a 2 meter rig but has 70cm but only with 100mW output on 70cm. I
called HRO and they quoted me something like $399 for this one.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 1994 14:33:19 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!uwm.edu!mixcom.com![e-mail]
Subject: 2m HT recomendations ?
To: [e-mail]

In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Troyce) writes:

>In article <2ml0k0$[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Harland
>MacKenzie) wrote:

>> What features are important DTMF, CTCSS, pageing, ...

>As far as features, you'll want CTCSS, so that you can access repeaters
>that require pl tones (important in crowded areas, or for closed
>repeaters).

CTCSS stands for Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System.  The short way
of saying that is PL DEcode.  Emphasis on the "DE".  PL ENcode will
get you in to a repeater that requires a specific PL (sub audible tone)
for access.  CTCSS is an OPTION on some rigs and may not be needed
unless you have interferance from another system on the same frequency
(typical when the band opens up).  With PL DEcode (CTCSS) activated,
the recived audio will not be passed through unless the proper sub-
audible tone is detected.  If the PL is set to the output of your
local repeater, you will only here your local repeater, and not that
obnoxious one down in Chicago! ;-))


--
  /`-_           [e-mail]
 {     }/     Marquette Electronics, Inc
  \    /      N9SQB, ARRL, Amateur Radio
   |__*|   N9SQB @ WD9ANY.#MKE.WI.USA.NA

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 94 14:52:00 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Batteries for HTX-202
To: [e-mail]

          Bob, VE7EMD asked about batteries for the HTX-202 2-meter
          handheld from Radio Shack.


          I have had luck with ICOM BP-5 (drop-in charge, 500 mAH, 10.8V)
          batteries like those used for the IC-2AT.

          I have also successfully used the DELCOM pack available from TNR
          and other battery suppliers.  This is another IC@AT-compatible
          battery pack that holds 8 standard ni-cd AA cells and has a
          built-in charger/regulator like the ICOM BP-2 and BP-3 batteries,
          so you can charge it directly from a 12-14Volt power supply or an
          automobile lighter socket.  It's a bit more fragile than the ICOM
          packs, but the price is right !

          Good luck es 73 de KD1DJ.

------------------------------

Date: 22 Mar 94 20:31:19 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!panix!zip.eecs.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!ncar!csn!jabba.cybernetics.net![e-mail]
Subject: HTX-202
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] wrote:
: I'm considering the purchase of the Radio Shack handheld as a spare
: handheld, especially since they're on sale 'til the end of the month for
: $259 Can.

: Can anyone tell me if other, larger batteries will also fit on the RS
: radio? It doesn't look like much capacity to me...

The Nicad pacs for the larger Icom HT's (IC02AT, for instance) will fit.
--
Tim Rumph                   Concord, NC
[e-mail]     [e-mail] (until May, FINALLY)
kd4ows@wb4kdf.#gas.nc.usa.na   (non-hams: don't try to use this on the
                                Internet)

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 1994 20:02:50 -0500
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.kei.com!ddsw1!panix![e-mail]
Subject: Kenwood (TS-850) Computer Interface Info Wanted
To: [e-mail]

  A friend is interested in getting details about the computer
interface "box" used with the Kenwood TS-850.  Has anybody built one
for themselves (rather than buying Kenwood's)?  Does anybody have
schematics?  I'm sure that recommendations of commercially available
software and other hints and kinks would be appreciated as well.
Email to me ([e-mail]) and I'll forward your replies.

 -Thanx
  -Adam (N2DHH)

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 94 21:15:19 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: list
To: [e-mail]

subscribe Evert Halbach

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 1994 15:34:16 GMT
From: news.ingr.com!b8!ldf.b24a.ingr.com![e-mail]
Subject: Need Manuals for SWAN 350
To: [e-mail]

My only HF rig is dead, and I don't have any documentation for it.  I am looking
for any information that I can get on a SWAN 350.  Im looking for manuals,
schematics, and anything else I can get my hands on.  I also welcome any advice
on that you guys might have on working on this thing.

The current problems are:

1.  CW key wont key transmitter.
2.  Occasionally throws high voltage arcs inside the main unit or between
    the main unit and the power supply if they are too close together.
3.  No Audio when transmitting voice.
4.  Receive frequency is not stable.  Sometimes sounds like the frequency
    knob is being spun wildly.


The transmitter puts a full 100 Watts into the dummy load when the radio
is switched to "TUNE CW" and seems to have a fairly sensitive receiver when
its working.

Some of the questions I am trying to get answers for right now are:

1.  The CW key is hard wired to the connector and the plug is makeing good
    contact.  Is this the proper way to hook up the key to this rig or
    is something else required?

2.  I have seen radios that required a jumper in the auxiliary connector slot
    before the radio would key.  Is the SWAN 350 one of those, and if so
    where should the jumper be?

3.  What would cause the arcs?  There is nothing obviously defective that I have
    found so far.

4.  The system is not grounded.  Is this causing the arcing problem,  and will
    replacing the current power cord with a grounded cord fix the problem?



Thanks in advance for the help.

73.

Larry  |^^^^^^^|
      (|(o) (o)|)
===!!!=====U=====!!!========================================================

       Larry D. Frost                   Ham Call: KR4GU (formerly KD4YDG)
       EE Support            ingr!b24a!ldf!ldfrost
       [phone]            [e-mail]

          Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL 35894-0001
============================================================================

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 1994 19:12:51 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!news.tamu.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Question on Yaesu ear mike
To: [e-mail]

Recently I noticed that Yaesu seems to have added an ear mike to the
line of accessories for their HTs.  I don't have the literature here,
but its number is something like MH-18 or MH-19.  Does anyone have
experience with this item?  Does it work and how well?

Thanks.

                    --Rick
                      KE3IV

------------------------------

Date: 23 Mar 94 08:49:04 EDT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!udel!pacs.sunbelt.net![e-mail]
Subject: QUESTIONS ON YAESU FT101E
To: [e-mail]

Maybe some of you can help me.  I recently bought a Yaesu FT101E and
have had it on the air for about a week.  The problem is that I have
trouble tuning to other stations' frequencies on 75 meters, especially.
This shows up mostly when I'm trying to check into a net, etc.  Problem
doesn't seem to be evident on 20M.  Can you give me some hints in terms
of tuning...difficult sometimes to guage the other operator's voice
pitch...I tend to tune a bit low based on pitch.  Note:  this is a
pre-digital rig, with analog tuning and it is somewhat broadband.  Any
tips via Email would be most appreciated.

Thanks and 73's.

Dorr Depew
N4QIX

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 1994 14:57:54 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nwnexus!jhgrud!eskimo![e-mail]
Subject: RF and AF speech processors. Was: FT-990 vs TS-850
To: [e-mail]

<2ml9q1$[e-mail]> <2mn2rd$[e-mail]>
<cowart.764364068@neptune>
Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever

In article <cowart.764364068@neptune>,
Michael Cowart <[e-mail]> wrote:
>[e-mail] (Ignacy Misztal) writes:
>
>>It seems that the SSB quality depends on 3 factors:
>>1. Passband characteristics of the AF chain (including the
microphone),
>>2. IMD of the PA,
>>3. Type of processing, audio or RF?
>
>You are forgetting probably the most important factor, the voice
characteristics
>of the operator.  I recently sold a radio to a friend of mine.  During
the
>five years I had it, I consistantly got unsolicited comments on how
GOOD
>my audio sounded.  My friend is always getting complaints on his.
>I have heard him on a TS520, TS430, and now the Yaesu FT980 (not 990)
>His voice sounds like, well like it is being compressed.
>I have a resonating, full "FM" sounding voice.  He doesn't.
>Voices are like faces, everyone would rather look at a pretty face
>than an ugly one (unfortunately, his face is prettier than mine hi hi),
>and when you hear a good-sounding voice, you ususally will compliment
it.
>
>I know the purist (real ones and those who think they are) will take
exception
>to this, but most commercially available radios have similar TX
charactersitics.
>Yes, RF processors are superior than most AF ones, but in the 32 years
I have
>been hamming, I have found that voice characteristics determine who
gets
>unsolicited compliments.
>
>my $.02 worth
>
>Mike WA5CMI
>
>Extra Class since 1973
>5-band WAS, WAZ, DXCC (303 cfmd)
>Ragchewer
>Electrical Engineer, CONVEX Computer Corp.
>The opinions are mine alone, not my employer's
>


Certainly true about the voice characteristics, but when a rig
changes locations and starts getting poor audio complaints,
one might want to be sure there is no "RF in the mike" syndrome
present.  Major RF levels will be obvious, but low levels
might not.  SSB is especially sneaky since the distortion
only occurs on voice peaks, not the whole signal.

73 es gl
Bill Turner, W7LZP
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 1994 20:50:43 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!concert!unccsun.uncc.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Yaesu ft530 question
To: [e-mail]

I'm new to ham radio and this news group, so bear with me if
this question has already been answered many times.

Question: When jumper 13 is removed, will the FT530 receive
cellular (800 MHz)?  Yes, I know this is or will soon be
illegal.

Thanks in advance.

Jerre M. Hill
UNC-Charlotte

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 1994 16:25:57 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!psinntp!psinntp!psinntp!arrl.org![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <2ml9q1$[e-mail]>, <2mn2rd$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: RF and AF speech processors. Was: FT-990 vs TS-850

Ignacy Misztal ([e-mail]) wrote:
: It seems that the SSB quality depends on 3 factors:
: 1. Passband characteristics of the AF chain (including the microphone),
: 2. IMD of the PA,
: 3. Type of processing, audio or RF?

: I am wondering why the QST reviews do not mention the type of processing,
: which has a large effect on signal quality. Signals with audio processing
: have higher content of AF harmonics, and are subsequently less efficient

I don't understand why audio processing has to result in more audio
harmonics.  Aren't there digital signal processing algorithms that
could prevent this effect?  Even before DSP, didn't people use split
band audio processing to reduce the content of harmonics?

: (3db?) and more difficult to tune. All cheaper rigs such as IC 725-737,
: FT 747-757, TS 430-450 use AF processing. IC 751-, FT990-, TS 830-
: use RF processing. I am not sure about the rest.

--
Zack Lau  KH6CP/1           2 way QRP WAS
                           8 States on 10 GHz
Internet: [e-mail]   10 grids on 2304 MHz

------------------------------

Date: (null)
From: (null)
On the flip side the Kenwood TH28 would have been my second choice and I have
heard good reports on it. There are alot of nice 2 meter HT's on the market
and it makes the buying decision that much more complex.

If you are looking primarily for something for car or home use I would
seriously consider a mobile rig instead of an HT. Then again that depends on
how far you are from repeaters you intead to use etc. It doesn't take much of
a hill for example to render your 2.5 watts from an HT pretty useless. On the
other hand a good antenna will make a big difference over the rubber duck
antenna.

Good Luck

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Mar 1994 03:00:16 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <2ml9q1$[e-mail]>, <2mn2rd$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: RF and AF speech processors. Was: FT-990 vs TS-850

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Zack Lau (KH6CP)) writes:
>Ignacy Misztal ([e-mail]) wrote:
>
>: I am wondering why the QST reviews do not mention the type of processing,
>: which has a large effect on signal quality. Signals with audio processing
>: have higher content of AF harmonics, and are subsequently less efficient
>
>I don't understand why audio processing has to result in more audio
>harmonics.  Aren't there digital signal processing algorithms that
>could prevent this effect?  Even before DSP, didn't people use split
>band audio processing to reduce the content of harmonics?

Sure, and still do in broadcasting, but it isn't either easy or cheap,
and the results still aren't that great. You have to process in 1/3
octave bands, and there are a lot of them at the lower end of the
voice spectrum. You also have to adopt a control strategy that doesn't
alter the amplitude relationships between octaves too much, or the
time relationships *at all*, otherwise you screw up the frequency
and phase response on a dynamic basis. That sounds *really* bad,
worse than just harmonic distortion.  Broadcast engineers seem to
spend half their lives tinkering with the audio processing equipment.
It's really easier to modulate, limit at RF, filter, and demodulate
again rather than process properly at AF.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

------------------------------

End of Ham-Equip Digest V94 #76
******************************