eet) Sy CQ World Wide ony Tey ene ae DX CW Contest 7 his remotely- rere tet Pe f PClmara getter a Nev ea ae Richmond Hill, New York Details on page 24. as‘With the Kenwood TM/71A you have a choice of where you want your speaker onthe top or onthe bottom ofthe radio. Simply remove the faceplate and ip the main body, then reattach the face it’ that simple! Yet another Kenwood tt, this dal band wansceiver has ten dedicated Ethoink® memory channels as well as Echolnk sysop-mode operation. Echolink connection to you PC va the optional PG-SH cable kit is asy with no expensive interface needed vena kenwoedusa com KENWOODCovers 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, and 40 Meterst ‘The Cusheraft RS is recognized as the industry gold standard for mult-band verticals, with thousands in use ‘worldwide. Efficient, rugged, and built to withstand the test of time, the R8's unigue ground-independent design ‘Small Footprint -- Big Signal has a well-earned reputation for delivering top DX results| under tough conditions. Best of all, the RB is easy to assemble, insalls just about anywhere, and blends incon palpate Ban Steins The nce eee naar et po eno res Loma TS Matching Network ne Only the best tri-band antennas become DX classies, which is why the Cusheraft World-Ranger ‘Ad5, A3S, and A3WS go to the hhead of the class, For more than 30 years, these pace-setting per Tormers have taken on the world’s ‘most demanding operating condi- tions and proven themselves every ime, The key to success comes {rom attention to basics. For example, ele- ‘ment length and spacing has been carefully refined overtime, and high-power traps are sli hand-made and individually tuned. Using laboratory-grade instruments. All dhs ‘One Yagi for Dual-Band FM Radios Dual-bander VHF rigs are the norm these days, so ‘why not compliment your HEM base station with a dual-band Yagi? Not only ‘will you eliminate a costly Feed line, youl realize extra again for digital modes like high-speed packet and D~ Star! Cushcratt’s A270-6S, provides three elements pper band and the A270- 10S provides five for solid point-to-point performance. They're both pre-tuned and assembly is a snap using the fully ilustrated manual oa | leo suet ‘tess points handle any ized suriaces safely out of reach, ‘Legal-Limit Power: Heavy-duty components are con- test-proven to handle all the power your amplifier can legally deliver and radiating tas RF rather than heat, “The sunspot count is climbing and long-awaited band openings are finally becoming a reality. Now isthe per fet time to discover why Cusheraf’s RS muli-ban tical isthe premier choice of DX-wise hams everywhere! R-8GK, $56.95, R-8 three-point guy kit for high winds. ‘no ground radials to bury and all, The MA.SB is one of Cusheraf's most popular HE anennes, delivering solid sigaoostng dice fiviin a antar-weight package. Moun'son root thin hada Peet exon exciting DX without the high cost and heavy iy installing lage tower and full-sized array. ls foot 3snch boom has les than 9 feet of tuning radius. Contest ough ~ handles 1500 Watt “The unigue MA:3B gives you S-band, tomatic tu switching and easy intlaon an a compact pound package: On 10, 8 and 20 Meters the end clements become a two-lement Vag that delivers Sol power-mulipiyng gin over a dipole on all te On 13 aml Mister thal cle ‘neat sa highly eficent tap dipole. When working DDX, what really mates are the nterferng signals and noise yu don her. That's where the MACSE's impressive side reestion and ronto-back ato wealy sins See euscrajtamatercom for gan figures R8's Rugged Design (pimanes tae mogty Te goes without saying that the World-Ranger lineup is also famous for its rugged ‘construction. In fact, the majority ofthese antennas sold years ago are stil in service today! Conservative mechanical design, rugged ‘over-sized components, sainless-steel hardware, and aireraft-erade {6053 make all the difference. “The 3-clement A3S/ASWS and 4-clement AS are world-famous For powerhouse gain and super performance. A-3WS, $499.95, 12/17 M, 30/40 Meter addon kits available, $599°5 attention to detail means low SWR, wide bandwidth, optimum directivity, and high elficieney — tmportant performance charac- teristics you rely on to maintain regular schedules, rack up impressive contest scores, and grow your collection of rare QSLs! WIRX's famous Ringo antenna has been around fora long time and remains unbeaten for solid reliability. The Ringo is broad-banded, lighting protected, exiremely rugged, economical, clec- tvicaly bullet-proof, low-angle, and more ~ but ‘mainly, it just plain works! To discover why hams and commercial two-way installers around the ‘world sill love this antenna, onder yours now! Free Cush Catalo: land Nearest Dealer ... 662-323: Call your dealer for your best price! Cushcraft iret Pa hand Sake 39589 USA ST Mons Fe.Add Siping ito FAN: Gee ss) isherattamateur.ham radio news Ham Among Americans Killed in Libyan Consulate Attack Sean Smith, KG4WSS, was one ofthe four Americans — including Ambassador Chris Stevens—killed September 11 in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Lioya. ‘According to the ARAL Letter, Smith had worked for the State Department for the past ton years, following a six yoar enlistment in the U.S. Air Fores. He was on tempo: fary assignment in Libya atthe time ofthe attack Co-Founder of Mirage, RF Concepts, SK Everett Gracey, WABCBA, who co-founded both Mirage Communications (now a part of MFJ) and RF Concepts, passed away in late August at age 90. His wife of 71 years, Dorothy, predeceased him by seven months, according to his daughter. A World War Il vet- eran awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Gracey was also responsible for bringing Alinco produets into the US ham marketplace and most recent- ly was the dealer representative for LDG Electronics. He \vas also involved with AMSAT and the SAREX/ARISS, ‘amateur radio in space programs, and was the author of several books. He is survived by his daughter and son- in-law, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, W1BXY New Managing Editor of @ST Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, has been named Managing Editor of QST magazine, succeeding Joe! Kleinman, NIBKE (SK). Schoenfeld had been the ARRL's Book Editor and has more than 20 years of expe- lence in publishing, according to the ARAL Letter. Before joining the ARRL staff, she had worked in edu- cational publishing and founded a poetry journal. The Letter reports that she is active on 6 and 10 meters. Kosovo Achieves Full Sovereignty ‘The Republic of Kosovo achieved full sovereignty in September at the conclusion of a five-year period of "supervised independence,” during which an interation- al stoering group appointed by the United Nations over- ‘saw it development of democratic insttutions and laws. “The ISG has now completed its duties, allowing Kosovo to continue with full sovereignty and the man- agement ofits own affairs as amember of the world com- munity,” wrote International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, adding, “Kosovo is now an independent country, which ‘must be honored as such.” ‘Timmermans comments appeared to be directed toward the ARRL, which has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent DXCC entity. CQ has rec- ognized Kosovo as a separate entity for its award and contest programs since the country became indepen- dent in 2007. Timmerman also reports that an amateur radio working group is in the final stages of working with the country’s telecommunications agency to develop regulations governing amateur radio in Kosovo. Army MARS Restructures, Decentralizes, Leadership ‘The Chief of Army MARS—the Miltary Auxiliary Radio ‘Systom—has put day-to-day management of the orga- nization into the hands of the 11 volunteer Region Directors who make up the MARS Goverment Executive Board, “You will tellus if you can take on a task and you wil tellus the resources you need,” Chiet Stephen Klinefelter told the directors, according to a news release. “Our responsiblity at HQ will be to pro: vide the training and the resources and to support you. Klinefelter also announced that this fall, the Army MARS headquarters staff will be adding a full-time civil 2» CO + November 2012 Bob Cox, K3EST, Retires as CQWW Contest Director ‘Bob Cox, KSEST, ratred in early September as Director of| the CQ Werld Wide DX Contest and as CO's Director of Contesting, it was announced by CQ Publisher Dick Floss, K2MGA. Cox has boon at the holm of the COWW for 35 years, ‘uiding the contest through massive changes in technology— Doth on and off the ait—and CGWW's growth to become the world's most popular amateur radio contest. In making his announcement to members of the CQ World ‘Wide Contest Committee, Cox noted that 35 years “encom- ppasses almost the entite history of modern contesting” Ross Saidthe association adbeen longandtrutt,teling Bob, "Your ‘contributions tothe art and sport of amateur radio contesting have been enormous” ‘At press time, a successor had not yet been named. Jan Program Officer with amateur radio as well as upper- level Army experience. The new Program Officer will report to Klinefelter, but he told the directors, “You're in charge ... You're responsible.” US Foxhunters Bring Home 13 Medals ‘Americans won 13 medals at September's World Championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (AROF), held in Serbia. In the past, the US team had Won no more than two medals, none gold, according to ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Mosll, KJOV, who is also ‘moderator of the CQ World Wide Foxhunting Weekend, ‘The U.S. team of 13 competitors faced off against a fiold of moro than 330 participants from 33 countries, Winning our gold medals and three silversin the process, This year's competition included three new events, the “World Cup” for individual competitors rather than teams, the ARDF Sprint and Foxoring, which combines fox- hunting and orienteering. The next ARDF Worid ‘Championships will be held in 2014 in Kazakhstan. Cubesats Galore But You Can Only Listen.. ‘The AMSAT News Service reports that four amateur radio cubesats were among a dozen satellites launched together on September 13 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The four amateur-band cubesats each carry scientific experiments and are downiink-only “birds” which do not provide for two-way amateur com- munications. Five adcitional cubesats -all also downlink-only -were ‘scheduled to be hand-launched from the International ‘Space Station on September 27. In addition, the Japanese-built PROITERES satelite was launched ‘September 9 from India. It was India’s 100th successful satellite launch, according to space.com. It is also a downlink-only satelite, designed to demonstrate pow- ered flight using a pulsed plasma thruster engine. Land-Mobile Narrow-Banding in Effect Jan. 1 ‘The FCC has notified manufacturers, distributors and users of Private Land Mobile radios operating in the high \VHE (150-174 MHz) and UHF (421-470 MHz) bands that they must convert to narrowband transmissions as of January 1, 2013, according to Newsline. The change, \which has been in the works for several years, will con- vert those bands from 25-kHz channels to 12.5-KH2 channels, essentially doubling the number of available channels on those two bands. Amateur radio is not ditectly affected by the change. However, many manufacturers build both land-mobile and amateur rigs on the same basic platforms, so itis likely that future generations of VHF/UHF ham gear will bee built to comply with the new land mobile standard, Adéional and pated news is avalable on the Ham Radio News 2 eC wt tn caro go ca Fa, Visit Our Web SiteFLEX-6000 Signature Series Direct Sampling HF/6m Transceivers with SmartSDR’ Imagine a transceiver that changes Ham Radio - forever. FlexRadio Systems, a pioneer in software defined radios for the amateur radio community, proudly eee age ee eure RCs Rew fel Caullel ele) 2 BONS Ue MAE dd AL tee eRe) — Pa Mch meas CB aN eaincy Caius is ‘The FLEX-6000 Signature Series, Every radio is a network radio, SmartSDR organizes all signal Packs more signal processing whether across the shack or processing power into an power into one radio than all across the world. advanced dynamically ‘other brands combined. reconfigurable environment. + Up to 317 GMAC & 121 GFLOPS + Ethernet interface + Simple and elegant user interface + ARM Cortex™ - AB/NEON™ CPU + Native remote capability + Upto 8 Slice Rec + Xilinx Virtex*-6 FPGA + Multi-user capable Panadapters + Reserve power for future apps + Hides complexity TTA Ar ie eT eee Peete aE EP erena rey Pores 2a Be eet ee eetCOhiehue 13. STATION REMOTE CONTROL: Win antenna resticions becoming a big problem, the authors explore severl options ‘By Bll Karle, VEAKZ, and Len Moris, VASLMIVEIFIB 22 NO ANTENNA? NO RADIO? NO PROBLEM! An introduction to QsoNet ‘By Bill Clarke, VI2BLC 26 CQ REVIEWS: ELECRAFT KX3 HFIVHF TRANSCEIVER By Bruce Prior, N7AR 32 AN AUDIO CW REGEN FILTER: Combining aspects of Armstrong's regenerative receiver with Reber's radio tolascope ‘By Ph Anderson, WOXI 44 — CHARGING WITHOUT WIRES: 5 at what price? 8y Isior Buctynann 47 MATH'SNOTES: Ishomebrewing dea? Sy win Math, WAZNOK 50 CO REVIEWS: VIBROPLEX VIBROCUBE PADDLES By Ta. “Skip” Arey, N2EI im bleeding edge to retro y Rich Ariand, K7SZ_ 5d LEARNING CURVE: Ham acl technology— 66 — MOBILING: From the mailbox By Jeff Reinhardt, AAJA 78 _KIT-BUILDING: Holiday ideas for kt builders By Joe Eisenberg, KONEB 81 GORDO'S SHORT CIRCUITS: Decode the weather By Gordon West, WBGNOA 59 RILEY'S RAMBLINGS: Inside the FCC's report on amateur rao in femergencies and impediments to amateur communiestions ‘By Riby Holingsworh, KAZDH 62 PUBLIC SERVICE: Band of HEROS rales In Wake of Philpine disaster ®y Fichard Fisher, KI6SN 84 WHAT'S NEW: Lots 10 lok a for hams By John Wood, WS 90 VHF PLUS: Atime to romember By doe Lynch, NECL 94 AWARDS: Novety awards, ps KITKL, USA-CA 11290 96 0% SivetngDXved * by cat St, isa geo ee : Supporting Dxpedtions ar Sith, 104 cowTesTIN: Hate tne mostf ite contest season ao By Goorge Tranos, NOGA 10 ANNouNcemeNTs 110 PROPAGATION 114 Ham stop By Tomas Hood, NW7USi Array Solutions Your Source for Outstanding Radio Products ‘ofes: nal Grade Equipment from Array Solutions Introducing the ACOM 1500 Tse Bio brane teat ade agenesis ae Sve cerca ea try aed Serica’ aco eS alae essere cn TSN Se Meron er ee Tt) DEE ema Cie’ ee rer Cee Arrestor NEW! aE eke) For use wih open Bebecereneenpse ie enet a eNL ad ae ha Sr tecnica ees | = Re en] pede eo Re a ee ec) ‘Coca ares = Sc ieee Le cd Se a i cee ue Cares se Er Nene Nolet a SPT) erece) | | Bandmaster III Universal Band Decoder 2 BS Penns ogee eal eg sete aT) Pere ence Mote Menke e ue Gol Se se terres sae atiaeied lng hectares Baers ga euekne astro t ator) eC er ET ee) = WSNON design plug:infters = 6 bands, 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 & 10m supplied ER Ghar toca Se ats Manual or fully automatic control = Wil interface with other sourcing band decoders| Peed Ete Chitose) The AIM 4170 & the AIM uhf Lab Grade RF Antenna Analyzers Hedrons teuatnere ned Ues atc anes keene eee el reer eg cee ee a eae ge Ga Ti Loss ne loss, and mote and plot the results in an easy to read graphs and interactive Smith Charts. erga Data plots include SWR, RL, R+ X, series and parallel, magnitude, phase, and more, Bree ce mon Renee eae ee rea oe Nt oteh cath IM ubf covers SkHzto 1 GHz See a Rec) Cee Le ee eos OPliBeam SANE RE tl Raters, 2 eer ad Lebar cnenace saa ee eee eel et te eee eee eR Foe ghd mel erty er dep eet Pret pepe a Ea ae seer otIntroducing the Yaesu FT-950 transceiver for DX enthusiasts Naa pree kom vescenieyi y= Diieum lero tNUM TD suai ieigy asta | Triple-conversion super-heterodyne receiver architecture, using 69.450 MHz 1st IF Eight narrow, band-pass fers in the RF stage eliminate out of band interference and protect the powerful 1st IF ‘st IF 3 kHz Roofing fiter included High-speed Direct Digital Synthesizer (ODS) and high-spec Digital PLL for outstanding Local Oscillator performance Original YAESU IF DSP advanced design, provides comfortable and effective reception. IF SHIFT / IF WIDTH / CONTOUR / NOTCH /ONR Nee a eda cre ren HF/50 MHz 100 W Transceiver FT-950 DSP enhancement of Transmit SSB/AM signal quality with Parametric Microphone Equalizer and Speech Processor Built. high stability TCXO (0.5 ppm after 1 minute@77 ° F) Built-in automatic antenna tuner ATU, with 100 memories Powerful CW operating capabilities for CW enthusiasts Five Voice Message memories, with the optional DVS-6 unit Large Multi-color VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) Optional Data Management Unit (OMU-2000) permits display of various operating conditions, transceiver status and station logging Optional RF j.-Tune Units for 160 m, 80/40 m and 30/20 m Bands ene ee tL) eee ase key eed (On the lower Amateur bands, strong signal votages impinge on a receiver and create noise and intermod that can cover up the weak signals you're trying to pull through. YAESU engineers developed the (Mu) Tuning system for the FT ox 9000/FT-2000, and itis now available as_an option for the FT-950. Three modules ‘are available (MTU-160, MTu-80/40, MTU-30/20) these may be connected externally with no internal ‘modification required! When, Tuning is engaged, the AF ‘system is bypassed, fim but the fred Bandpass Fiters: (VO are stl in the received signal path For the latest Yaosu news, visit us on the Internat: ‘ittpsiwww.yaesu.com irs ray be ted soe neat reas erage eters rac nt you ec Yous Sar ose cas Enjoy the ultimate in operating ease by adding the DMU-2000! Enjoy the same dsplays available with the FT ox 9000 and FT-2000: Band Scope, Audio Scope, X-Y Oscilloscope, World Clock, Rotator Control, Extensive Transceiver Status Displays, and Station Logging Capabilty, These extensive functions are displayed on your user- supplied computer monitor. ‘YAES U The radio ‘YAESU USA fas may be sss. ste eae Fessney crag ray aves 6225 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA 90630 (714) 827-7600| Field Gear That HF/VHF/UHF Portable Operation Powerful Transceiver ‘= The Ultimate Emergency Communications Radio ‘= Rugged, Innovative Multi-Band: Operates on the SSB,-CW, AM, FM, and Digital Modes. ae Frequency Coverage }-Watt Portable Operation Using intemal Batteries ‘100 Watts When Using an External 13.8-Volt DC Power Source FT-817ND The Ultimate Backpack, Multi-Mode Portable Transceiver elf-Contained attery-Powered jovering the HF, VHF, and UHF Bands rovides up to Five Watts of Power Output = SSB, CW. AM. FM, Packet, or SSB-based Digital Modes like PSK31 FT-857D The World's Smallest HF/VHF/UHF) Mobile Transceiver = Ultra-Compact Package {deal for Mobile or External Battery Portable Work 1 Wide Frequency Coverage tional Remote-Head ‘= High-Performance Mobile Operation FT-450D HF/50 MHz 100 W Easy to Operate All Mode Transceiver s llluminated Key Buttons 300Hz / SOOM? /2.4 kHz CW IF Fiter oot Stand assically Designed Main Dial and Knobs iynamic Microphione MH-31 ABJ Included YAESU The radio py 6125 Phyllis Dri yypress, CA 90630 (714) 827-7600zero bids - a CQ editorial BY RICH MOSESON,* W2VU Olympics & Radiosport past summer watching the Olympics, spellbound by feats of athletic prowess and the stories behind some of the competitors. Images of Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas and Usain Bolt remain in my mind, along with double-amputes runner Oscar Pistorius of South ‘Africa and Guor Marial, the South Sudanese marathoner ‘who ran under the flag of the International Olympic ‘Committee bacause his country is too new to have field: ‘ed a team, For competitors like Pheips, Douglas and Bolt, it was all about winning ... they were among the games’ “big ‘guns.” Forathletes like Pistorius and Marial, though, itwas more about just being there, being part of a worldwide ‘sporting event and competing on the same playing field ‘as the world's best athietes. They had no real expecta- tions of winning medals, but that was beside the point. ‘They are like the “lite pistols” of amateur radio contest ing, who compete mostly against their own past perfor- mances and are there forthe joy of taking part in a world wide sporting event—radiospon, in this case. ‘The CO World Wide DX Contest (SSB weekend at the ‘end of October; CW at the end of November is not only amateur radio's biggest contest, itis also—as far as we ‘can tellthe world’s largest participation sporting event. Period. Based on the number of diferent callsigns that ‘appear in the logs we receive, no other single sporting event has so many participants. Realisticaly, only a small percentage of those competitors have any real chance of ‘qualifying for a plaque of a certificate. The rest of us are thare either to work some rare DX, to compete against our ‘own past performances or perhaps our friends, or simply {or the joy of taking part in a worldwide sporting event. Unlike the Olympics, you don't have to pre-qualify in order to compete in the CQWW (see rules at ). But there is a ham radio equiva lent of the Olympics .. held every four years, complete with qualifying events, national teams and international rules (but no worldwide TV audience) ... The World Radiosport Team Championship, or WRTC. The next WRTC will be held in New England in 2014 (see ) and preparations are already well under way. ‘There's even a brand new ham radio contest inspired by athletic competitions: Our frends from the Araucaria DX Group in Brazil have just announced the World Wide Jron Ham Contest, to be held at the end of December, basedon Iron Man and triathlon-type events. Compotitors wil sequentially operate all three major contesting modes = SSB, CW and RTTY, in a single 24-hour period (see ). Events such as these add to the “sport” part of “radiosport, CQ Contest Changes |While much of my free time during the summer was occu- pied with watching the Olympics, a good deal of my work time recently has been focused on radiosport, specifical- ly CO's contests. We dealt with some scoring issues (see ‘October C2, p. 90}, the realignment of our contest report- ing schedule (see October CO, p. 38) and the retirement ‘of Bob Cox, KSEST, as Director af the CQ World-Wide OX Contest after 35 yoars. Bob led the contest through massive upgrades in tech- nology, both on and off the air, that have significantly ‘changed the way people operate their stations during con- tests, how they log their contacts and suomi their logs and how those logs are scored and checked for aocura- ‘ey. Throughitall, Bob and the CQ WW Contest Committee L ike many of you, | spent much of my free time this “e-mail: B+ Ca + November 2012 Digital Edition 1st Anniversary ‘This issue marks the beginning of CO's second year of publishing in digtal form as well as in print, After some ini- tial growing paine that como along with any new project, ‘everything is moving along well, and we hope everyone is ‘making the mostof what this new format offers, suchas direct links 10 videos, audio fles and references on the web. ‘A note for those of you who have hesitated to try our dig- ital edition because of prior problems with Zinio, our digtal tediion host. Around the me that wa began digtal publica tion, Zinio apparently underwent a major service Upgrade and virtually all of the earlier problems that people have \esctited appear to have been resolved. Soif that has been holding you baok, we urge you to give thom another hot. “There are special ciscounts available for print subscribers adding on a digital subscription. weve have kept us at the leading edge ofthe technology curve, building the CQ World-Wide DX Contest into the world’s largestham radio contest and, asnoted above, the word's largest participation sporting avent. Thank you, Bob, for your many years of service to CO, to contesting in partic. Ular, and to amateur radio in gener ‘While the details of our new contest reporting schedule were published last month, I would lke to take a moment here to reiterate one point, which will affect every reader Of this magazine. The process of rearranging everything to publish contest resus several months sooner—soma: thing that many readers have been requesting for sever al years—will ake a full year to complete and our sched. Ue for next yearis going tobea ttle jumbled. For example, We're going to have two years’ worth of WPX Contest results in the same year, and some of our specials are going to be bouncing around a bit. So we ask for your indulgence while we get things rearranged. Our new schedule will be fully in place as of 2014. Thanks in ‘advance for your understanding, In This Issue... Thisisoursecondannual Technology Special, andwe're happy to once again share with you several articles on the current and fulure states of amateur radio technology. More than project articles, our features this month focus cn the technology itself, whare its heading and how some folks are combining both old and new technology to ‘accomplish new things. It's what hams have always done ‘and continue to do. ‘Our frst two articles deal with different approaches to a growing problem—severe limits or outright prohibitions fon amateur radio antennas in various locations. One focuses on different options for remote station operation while the other looks at the more controversial option of Using the internet for ham radio “Ika” contacts. By pub: lishing this article, we are not necessarily endorsing the concept, but rather putting it out there for discussion. We also have an aricle on combining “ancient” regenerative Circuitry with radio astronomy techniques to pull weak CW signals out of the noise, a look at the pros and cons of Wireless battery charging and two CQ reviews. We hope you enjoy this month’s selections. ‘And Speaking of November... For our readers in the United States, this month begins with a presidential election and ends with Thanksgwving Day and the CW weekend of the CQ World-Wide DX Contest. We encourage you al to vote and to be thankful that we live in a socioly in which we are free to expross Widely differing poltical views without fear of retribution (despite the temptation posed by endless poilcal posts| fon Facebook’), Happy Thanksgiving! 73, Rich W2VU Visit Our Web sitehy-gain. HF VERTICALS Self-supporting ~ no guys required... Remarkable DX performance ~ low angle radiation, omnidirectional ... Handles 1500 Watts... Low SWR... Auto- matic band switching . .. Aircraft quality aluminum tubing... Stainless steel hard- Ee ware... Recessed SO-239 connector... Two tad limited Warranty ‘compression clamps is used for radiators. 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Others dream of vertical arrays and stacked mono-banders, while reality is a cramped city lot or an apartment balcony. Travellers yeam to operate the home rig. The shack may be buried in the basement, but some want to check conditions from anywhere, Familiar puzzles? If so, remotely controlling your station may be a solution. S=& of us live in localities that do not “like” amateur “P.O. Box 4, Belair, MB ROE 0E0, Canada e-mail: This article is about applying remote-control principles to amateur radio. Featured are actual stations. Relevant prod- ucts and a set of references round out the story. Get Me Out of this RF “Black Hole"! ‘An Ontario ham, let's call him “Mark,” found that he could not talk to the rest of Canada, let alone the world, from his apart- ‘ment QTH. A smallish antenna seemed to nelther transmit nor receive. Occupancy rules precluded a larger radiator. Experienced with networking computers, he developed a solution. He visualized remotely controlling his equipment, wisely placed outside of the “Black Hole” via an internet connec- Fig. 1- Escaping the “Black Hole” functional diagram. ‘wwrw.cqramateur-radio.com November 2012 » ca + 13Photo A~ Parallel port control board. (Courtesy DarkSide Technologies) tion, reasoning that the internet is rei able enough, as are the technologies that “glue” everything together. The system diagramis in fig. 1. A local ham, outside of the “Black Hole,” graciously offered space at his QTH to host Mark's remote transceiver, computer, periph- erals, and antennas. ‘The remote transceiver must have a remote-control port. For an Icom radio it is known as the CI-V port, while for others, suchas Yaesurradios, itiscalled the CAT port. The parallel port control board takes low-voltage signals from the remote computer's parallel port and uses them to close relays that switch connected circuits. The “telecommuni- cations" entity is the internet, but it also might be alocal network based on wired or wireless technology. Mark's local computer is moderately powerful and connected to the internet via a high-speed modem and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The remote computer is similar and is con- nected to the internet by an “always on” modem and an ISP. The modem per- manently needs to be active so that that Mark's local computer can connect at any time to the remote one. You can see that there are three con- nections between the remote computer Dex — Pee frre ons Photo B- Parallel board ‘control image on screen. and the transceiver. The RS-232 port out of the remote computer goes into the CAT port on the transceiver, a Kenwood TS-440S in this case. The computer audio-in and -out connec- tions, respectively, connectto the trans- ceiver’s speaker’ output and micro- phone input. The audio levels at both the sound card and the rig have to be carefully set. ‘Abetter way of connecting the trans- ceiver and computer, in our view, is to use an interface that has its own sound card. For example, the RiGblaster ‘Advantage connects audio and Cl-V signals between one of this author's computers, via the USB port, and his Icom 756 Pro Ill. An interface is shown infig. 14s the recommended approach. Ityou have a Software Defined Radio (SDR), no physical audio or serial cables are needed, since such circuits are virtual ones. Audio remains digi- tized, avoiding conversion from analog to digital and back, making for very clean signals. Thisisthe bestapproach seamlessly integrating signal modula- tion and demodulation with RF genera- tion and detection. Virtual Serial Ports similarly effect rig control. ‘A separate connection from the com- puter’s parallel port, via a relay board by DarkSide Technologies, controls transceiver power on/off and antenna selection in this example. Photo A shows the board. The controller board can switch up to eight circuits. Its soft- ware lets the local computer control the remote one’s parallel port. Bothmachines use TeamViewersott- ware. This program accesses the remote computer by establishing a vir- tual private network (VPN) supported by any real network. The local comput- er controls the remote one and what- ever operating system (OS) and appli- cations reside on it. The remote ‘TeamViewer software runs in server mode (the company calls it “partner” mode) and has a unique identification code (ID). The remote computer also has a distinct Internet Protocol (IP) address. The local copy of TeamViewer meanwhile runs in client mode. Having the TeamViewer ID and passwordofthe remote computer, the TeamViewer lienttunnels through the internettofind and connect with the remote unit Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) is installed on both the local and remote computers. The local copy runs in client mode while the remote copy is in server mode. This easily is set up, since the HRD software has a set of instructions in its manual." The two machines use IP-Sound to carry transmit and receive audio 14» ca © November 2012 Visit Our Web Site{oom bra Juana rar) )_woow vse some 061 wens (eae 400:Fet Zim 602, MB Pr DxTung, OWL Lent! ‘rr eros net roe [Tne FL Noma ‘ATU Oats NR? Fetona Tone [Ose =] Photo C- Ham Radio Deluxe screen controlling remote transceiver. channels. The well-known Skype software acts as an alternative ‘The operation of the station is as follows: 1. Both the remote computer and the local one are running and connected to the Internet 2. TeamViewer is launched on the local computer and “Fiemote contro!” mode selected. The remote PC's ID is entered followed by the password. After connection, the remote machine's desktop appears. 3. Taking contro of te remote machine's ‘Star’ menu, the Parallel Port Controller Board software is selected and exe- cuted, See photo B. The transceivers power supply is tumed (on and the desired antenna is selected. 4, Atthe local computer, IP-Sound and HRD are launched Full control of the transceiver now exists. Photo C shows a typical HRD screen 5. Aheadset, with earphone and microphone, handles the audio chores al the local OTH. Itnecessary, audio levels are adjusted via IP-Sound or TeamViewer's VOIP, as the case might be 6. Activating transmit on HRD puts the remote transceiver on the air Performance is great. There is full operating agility just as if Mark were using a local transceiver and antenna. Based on observation, the transmitted audio is penetrating. It was found early on that using a headset with attached boom microphone improved audio clarity and eliminated audio arti- facts such as feedback and phasing (‘hollow” sound). For further suggestions about a remote station, consider WAGHD's solution. Complicated Stations Benefit Co-author Len Morris, VESFUB/VASLM, wanted remote access to his highly desirable operating location (photo D) for himself and fellow contesters. He also sought to get a condo-limited colleague back on the air. A guiding design parameter was to solve the remote-con- ‘rol problem in a forward-thinking way. The station, therefore, is built entirely with equipment that is digital and/or digitally operated. Len started with a software defined radio, the Flex 3000, and other products that use digital communications via RS- 282 and USB standards. KSFR's free software tool for the Flex product line, called DDUti, binds the SDR, four-element SteppIR beam, Green Heron rotator controller, LP-100A Photo D- Co-author Len Morris, VASLM/VESFJP, atthe con- trols of his shack. He has set up remote control to operate from anywhere with an intemet connection. www.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 © ca + 15‘Skype Endpoint Ddutl Flex bs ad USB Serial Control ‘Audio / FW Path RF Cable Path ‘WeatherLink Fig. 2 Functional diagram of the VESFJB remote station. LP-100 Wattmeter wattmeter/SWR bridge, and ACOM 20008 linear amplifier into a coordinated whole. The intemet is the telecommuni- cations link for the VEFJB solution. See fig. 2fortheremote | __ VE3FJB-VA3LM — Remote Control ‘end of the station, f As How does one control such a feature-richstation? The con- Site and VPN Connectivity cepts are similarto those described earlier. This station, how- ever, allows for different operators, using different terminal ee 8 equipment and communications modes, to access the ” remote station. See fig. 3. Notice that the links to and from the intemet are encrypted to prevent unauthorized users from gaining control, a legal, safety, and security consider- ation. Note that either a Remote Desktop Protocol (ROP) client, such as LogMeln, or TeamViewer, may be used. “VoIP* represents the audio transmitireceive audio channels using Skype, the well-known voice over Intemet Protocol (VoIP) software, or Version 7 and later of TeamViewer. Permitting operations via wired or wireless local area net- ‘works, as in the upper right station box, furthers flexibility. The operator has a commanding operating experience, as listed here, * Changing the frequency on the Flex (or through HRD or similar programs like MixW or many logger programs) auto- matically changes the band, band-sets the Acom linearamp, tunes the SteppIR antenna, and inhibits damage to the antenna by disabling the transmit function until the SteppIF is tuned4 * All SteppiR features are available (bi-directionality, 180-degree direction change, home and calibrate modes selection), Fig. 3- Client configurations for VESFJB. 16 » Ca » November 2012 Visit Our Web SiteMFJ 1500 Watt Remote Auto Tuner Place this MFJ-998RT remote tuner at your antenna to match high SWR antennas/ong coaxes -- greatly reduce losses for high efficiency «+. Match 12-1600 Ohms, 1.5 kW, SSB/CW, 1.8-30 MHz... Match coax/wire antennas... Weather-sealed . .. Remotely powered thru coax static/lightning protection . Tune your antenna AT your antenna! 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Tough, durable, buil-to-last Jbinet measures 9/.Ws3Hx14 sD inches, Weighs us 4 pounds: nces MP-4117 gy Bias Tes Power Injector. tom Chassis M299 160-6 Meters 43 foot Vertical Antenna ‘Operate all bands 160-6 Meters at full 1500 Watts with this selfsupporting, 43 foot high performance vertical! Assembles a in less than an our. Low profile blends in with sky and trees -- barely see it Entire length radiates, Exceptional low angle DX performance on 160-20 /Meters and very good performance on 17-6 Meters. Telescope it shorter for ‘more effective low angle radiation on 17-6 M if desired. One of these wide range MEJ auomatic nmers atthe antenna easily matches all bands 160-6 /Meters. There's no physical tuning adjustments on the antenna - you simply pur it up! Reguires ground system, at leat one radial, more the beter Includes balun and base mount. MFJ-1932, $34.95. All band ground radial system. FAX2(662)323- Amplifier, radio, tuner protection... 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Requires 12-15 VDC at 1-4 Amps maximum o 110 VAC with optional MFI-1316, $21.95, Weighs 9.5 Ibs. 13/AWx674Hx17/-D inches. 200W Remote InielliTuner™ MEI.9260, 8279°5 MFI-9268, 200 Watts a SSW, matches 6160 Ons, Commie antennas, 1.8-30 MHz. Includes BiasTee 200W Remote Econo Tuner™ MELS27 | MFJ-927, 200 Watts 2 GPS SS8:CW, 61600 Ohi, = Coax/Wire antennas, 1.8.30 MHz, Weather-sealed, BiasTee. 7/-WxS/AHX8'-D i, Free MFJ Catal attp:/swww.mfjenterprises.com ‘or call toll-free 800-647-1800 «TWear No Matter Whal™ waranty «30 day moncy tack guarante (ess ih) on orders direct from ME MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC. 500 Industrial Pk Rd, Starkville, JMS 30739 PH: (662) 223-5869 Tech Help: (662) 323-0549 S51 s440CST Mn Fd A Attp://www.mfjenterprises.comPhoto E- Len's house and antennas (and dog). His friend with antenna restrictions has been able to operate Len’s station remotely and has worked over 200 countries. (But he cannot remotely pet the dog!) + Ahigh SWR reading or an overpower condition detected by the LP-1004, in conjunction with DDUtil, immediately dis- ables the transmitter. ‘* The DDUtil software, given the call sign prefix, calculates the short path and long path directions to the desired station. The operator just points and clicks, letting the Green Heron rotor controller do the rest. + The system concurrently allows multiple applications, such as HRD and Bandmaster, to talk to the Flex. ‘Amplifier operating conditions are immediately known, + Voltage and temperature monitoring is available. “*Atime-out timer shuts down the Flex after a defined time If the internet connection is lost. It is complemented by AutoPing technologies in the Ethernet Power Controller. ‘= Macros are supported. + Parallel port manipulation also is available and quite often Used for antenna selection or power switching, Ifyou do not have a Flex SDR, you can use hardware solu- tions such as Microham Station Master or a software prod- ct such as PSTRotatorAZ. Both can be manipulated using TeamViewer. ‘Security and reliability considerations include these. + Aremotely accessible weather station to understand if it is safe to tum the large SteppIR antenna. + An Ethemet power controller to shut down the power to Up to eight devices. ‘+ Firewalls that support VPNs. + Skype auto-answer deployment, but only for authorized stations, * Policies to frequently change passwords and to frequently backup data. * Solid-state mass storage devices instead of disk drives (avoids spinning parts that fail). + Everything is documented so that a rapid rebuild possi- ble in case of disaster. + An Array Solutions Eight Pak antenna switch, which, if not under computer control, grounds all connections. It can be manually overridden by an operator at the remote site if, for example, a severe storm threatens. * Everything is tested before making it available to the users. Accessing Len's station (photo E), his condo-bound friend has communicated with over 200 countries. That user's screen is shown in photo F. Monitoring the Bands All the Time Hams chasing DX appreciate how real life collides with the pursuit of elusive entilies, Bob Nelson, K2QPN, remote-controls his Icom 756 Pro Ill within his home. This allows him to check on band conditions without trekking to the basement shack. When connecting his laptop computer to the household Ethemet network, his shack computer appears as one of the attached devices. Bob says: “The shack computer controls the Pro3 via a microHam microKeyer. That offers two CI-V serial ports. | use 18 © ca» November 2012 Visit Our Web sitePhoto F— Client Station Screen. This is what Len’s antenna-restricted friend sees on his computer screen when he's operating Len’s station. The Flex 3000 oper- ational window is at the top. The lower left window is the antenna switch panel, The lower right window is the DDUti image. Notice the noise floor. Logger32 for DX spots and pointing the beam and Ham Radio Deluxe for tun- ing the rig. From my laptop, | use RealVNC to capture the remote desk- top and Skype to transfer the audio. | can do RTTY, PSK, CW, or phone. Nothing fancy but it works.’ Ralph Gable, WA2PUX, in true ham fashion, cobbled a novel means. to remotely operate his TS-2000. Ralph Uses off-the-shelf components to con- rect the rig to his household ethernet Moving the audio redeploys a retired, but serviceable, phone patch!® Can | Remote-Control without Computers? The short answer is “yes.” There are stand-alone devices that interface remote equipment to the internet. FiemoteRig sells remote and local conirol units, called Remote Radio Controllers (RACs), that connect drect- ly to a modem/router and then to the Internet. This is possible because each IAC has its own IP address. A related CQ magazine aricle® is worth a read. A neat feature is that no computer is required if one is using one of the sup- ported rigs having a detachable front panel. Are There Manufacturer- Specific Solutions? Good that you asked. Yaesu, Icom, SSB-Electronic of Germany, and others have means of remoting their products over the intemet orany TCP/IP network The Icom BAT IP Remote Control Software, for instance, is installed on the local and remote computers. The system works with Windows® 7, Vista, and XP (with SP3 or later) and requires a moderately fast network, 350 to 500 kbps or faster. Only certain models of lcom’s transceivers can take advantage of this approach, Kenwood's SkyCommand I! software affords ways remotely to control its TS- 590S via, for example, a V/UHF radio. www.cq-amateur-radio.com ‘9¢x2000047 nd moet ‘Se Habla Espafol » We Export Phone: Tollfree: = 800-737-2787 (Orders only) RF PARTS: 760-744-1943 888-744-1943References ‘Array Solutions Antenna and Related Items: htip:/Awww.arraysolutions.com> ‘DarkSide Technologies: http:/¢uww.darksidetech.cal DUE software tool for Flex: http:/kSfr.com/ Ethemet Power Controller: htlp/Awww.igita-toggers.com Flex Radio: hitp/iwww.fiex-racio.com! Green Heron Rotator: http:/www.greenheronengineering.com/ Ham Radio Deluxe: htp:/wnw-hrdsoftwarelie.comy Icom Remote Radio Control: hitp:/!www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amatour/ bi/rsbat default aspx {P-Sound: hitp:/xoomer.virgilo.itham-radio-manuals/ Kenwood Remote Contra) of TS-590S: http /iwww.kenwoodusa.con/Communications! ‘Amateur RadiolHF Base Mobile/TS-590S. ‘LogMeln: httos://secure logmein.com/productsitree/ LP-100A Wattmeter: hitpy/nmw-telepostinc.com Micrcham: http:/iwaw.microham.com! eal VNC: http://www. realvne.com’ Remote Rig: htip:/www remoterig.com/wp! PSTRotatorAZ: hitp/pstrotatoraz.software.informer.com/ ‘Skype: http:!iwww.skype.com ‘SSB-Electronic: htp:/www.ssb.de/ SteppIR Antennas: hitp:/iwww.steppit.com! ‘TeamViewer: http:/hwww.TeamViewer.com Yaesu “Twinning”: htip:/iwaw.cqdx.ru/blog/201 1/07/06/rc-1258mkils-yaesu-twin- remote-control! Note: The authors have no relationship with the product manufacturers, distrbutors, and retailers, other than as users or reporters. The authors make no guarantees or war- rranties. Many of the products and services are protected by copyright and by registered trademarks. SUCH AHAM Wwnwsuchaham.com i i i i No need to get up, Mavis. Just getting a couple of small items out of the car from the ham fest. 20 * CQ » November 2012 SSB has merged the firm's expertise in softwate-defined radios with Ethernet, LAN networking. The product is straightforwardly named "SSB LAN- SDR’. The firm’s Perseus radio now offers network connections. Is This Legal? This is an interesting question. Realizing that readers from many juris- dictions read CQ, the writers recom: mend that you check your national reg: ulations, rules, and interpretations. It may be legal to operate a remote sta- tion but the privilege may be reserved for certain categories of amateur radio operators. (Within the US, there are no specific limits on remotely controlling a station via the Internet, as long as pro- visions are in place to shut down the transmitter in the event that the control circuit fails. Remote control over the air is considered Auxiliary operation and is subject to certain band restrictions. See FCC 1ules.—ed.) Conclusion This article has provided some solu- tions to the challenges of remotely con- trolling amateur radio stations. The methods should be within the capabil- ty of most computer- and data-commu nications-savvy hams. Hamming any where can be yours when you implement remote control. The authors thank K2QPN and WAGHD for permission to mention their stations and for reviewing parts of the manuscript; WE4GWX and WAQITP for helpful inputs; and DarkSide Technol- gies for permission to use its photo- graph. Several hams, who wish not to be named, nevertheless inspired the article and offered valued insights. Notes 1. For another view of HRD setup, see “Setting up HRD on the host computer.” It is a pdt file at the K6BR website, httpy/www.k6br.nevHRD_remote pat. 2. TeamViewer, starting with version 7, ‘supports VOIP. 3. Hilton Dean, WAGHD. “Paradise Found,” QST, 2010 October, 94(10), pp 201. 4. The StoppIR is resonated by length- ‘ening and shortening elements, located inside non-metallic tubes, by motors attached to the elements. 5. Ralph Gabel, WA2PUX. “Remote rig operation: a creative approach to remote transceiver control,” QEX, 2011 November-December, pp 10-18. 6. Martti J. Laine, OH2BH. “Advances in remote site contro! without computers.” CQ, 2011 July, 67(7), p 30 f. Visit Our Web siteraging Ola am % NEW IC-7100 ATA TCOT NY Col Cos gros aero ‘ Angled Controller with Built-in Speaker N= Tioiaecl Mere kses Ae Psy pm@rorarecel (ee MONI clN =r} oa US Part oy) ceili | TOOL KTTechnology Special You’re right. This is not “real radio.” But when circumstances conspire to make it impossible to get on the air, QsoNet provides an alternative way to at least keep in touch with your fellow hams. It’s also good when propagation isn’t. W2BLC explains... No Antenna? No Radio? No Problem! An Introduction to QsoNet re you unable to participate in ham radio due to where youlive? Do you have problematic HOA rules that prevent you from erecting antennas—or even operating a radio transmitter? Are you in a location that is too small for any HF antennas or has no space for equipment? Is your loca- tion so filled with RF noise that you can hear no other stations? Have you down- sized to a restrictive setting, such as a retirement condo, assisted living, or a nursing home? As long as you have a ‘computer and an internet connection, there is hope. QsoNet In September 2006 a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system for amateur radio was released by Cormac In- dustries of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Can- ada called QsoNet (see: ). Operationally, QsoNet uses the intemet to send and receive ham radio-type communica tions. There is no RF involved. However, from the user's point of view, there is ‘no real difference between QsoNet and RF modes. You communi- cate with other hams, Most QsoNet users are found on voice; however, some use CW or even digital modes. You transmit and you receive using your computer. You cre- ate no RFI, need no antenna, and are “e-mail: BY BILL CLARKE," W2BLC Fig. 1- The Cormac CQ100 on-screen transceiver. Notice how familiar it looks. not affected by QRM/QRN or home- ‘owners association rules. See It in Operation There is an excellent demonstration of QsoNet operation on YouTube at . The demo shows the Cormac CQ100 on-screen transceiver actually in use. Notice how familiar the transceiver looks, making operation very intuitive (see fig. 1). Many users refer to QsoNet as CQ100, after the name of the on-screen transceiver. Setup QsoNet is designed to be an over-the- intemet ham radio mode, and as such, only licensed amateur radio operators are allowed to use it. When intially sign- ing up for the system, you will be given instructions to prove your status as a licensed operator. Setting up and using QsoNet is very easy. You download and install the soft- ware, following the online instructions, The system works on dial-up, DSL, and cable intemet connections. No special changes need be made to your com- puter, such as port sattings. The soft- ware is as near to “sure fire” as you will ever experience. Support lneeded, helpis available from QsoNet at chttp:/www.qsonet.com:> in the form of an excellent FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, or you can contact 22 » CO » November 2012 Visit Our Web si00 TEM WAVE a ny @ Single USB connection to computer @ USB Sound Card built-in i 3-Way Rig Control built-in - logic level, RS-232 & USB! @ Computer isolated from radio New Lower SC + DSP Upgrade Combo Pricing! As Always- Upgrade any PK-232 ever made to the PK-232SC! Customize your PK-232 with our complete line of upgrades and accessories. Available at: ¢ HO 4 Universal Radio # Radio City ‘ ‘RAL Electronics PK-232SC Multimode Data Controller* Sound Card, Rig Control, USB, Pactor, RTTY, CW Packet & more! 100,000 sold - All-time top selling data controller! New PK-282SC Now shipping! The incredible PK-232SC again expands its role in your radio station. Now it connects to your computer with a single USB cable - no audio Cables, no RS-232 cables! It has a built-in USB sound card with isolated audio 1/0 to your radio to prevent ground loops. The new logic level and RS-232 rig control is optically isolated for your Icom CI-V, Yaesu CAT, Kenwood and other radios. You never have enough downstream USB ports so we even added a pair for that new radio with USB rig control and other accessories. Need Software? Check the new Ham Radio Deluxe & Radio Operating Center bundle! Optimized for the PK-232SC and other Timewave/AEA TNCs www.ham-radio-deluxe.com Wi DSP-599zx Audio Signal Processor* Noise Reduction, precision highpass, lowpass, bandpass & notch filtering for audio, CW & data. @ 1Z-900 Antenna Analyzer Now shipping with new bigger & brighter display! Once you use the TZ-900 - you'll never want to use any other! ‘Sweep and analyze antennas in seconds. Zoom, Compare & Store Data. Sunlight-visible color graphics, handheld, rechargable batteries, no computer required. MANC-4 Antenna Noise Canceller see g hear a demo on YouTube! Kill Noise before it reaches your receiver! Great for supressing power line noise, plasma TV noise & many other local electrical noises. @ DSP-232+ Multimode Data Controller* Sound card interface, USB, Pactor, 1200/9600 Packet @ PK-96/100 TNC - 1200/9600 Packet* Available with USB or RS-232 HamLink™ Wireless and USB Remote Control & Audio @ HamLinkUSB™ Rig Control Plus C-IM, CAT, RTS (PTT, FSK or CW) for sound card software @ PK-232_RS-232-to-USB Adapter* Use the PK-232 with your new computer! @ HamLinkBT-BTH + ~ Bluetooth*Adaptor Q Use a standard cellphone Bluetooth® headset to keep your hands free for driving and operating Includes USB rig control for your statin. ‘Audio, VOX & PTT - Fixed & Mobile. *From the Timewave Fountain of Youth - Upgrades for many of our DSP & PK products. Call Us Now! Timewave Technology Inc. www.timewave.com sales@timewave.com 27 Empire Drive, Suite 110 St. Paul, MN 55103 USA 651-489-5080 Fax 651-489-5066On the Cover If you've ever ridden the Long Isiand Rail Road through Jamaica station in Queens, New York, there's a good ‘chance you've seen a building with an ld car on the roof, a radio tower and a big sign that reads “WB2AHK AOL.COM.” So wha is WB2AHK? What kind of station does he have there? And What kind of car is that, anyway? Well, WB2AHK, or “American Ham King” per his preferred phonetics, is Chet Brown, who actually lives about seven miles away in Floral Park, New York. The station is located at his fam- lly business, which manufactures auto- ‘motive starters and alternators. Chet is a 160-meter AM buff, but doesn't have space at home to put up low-band antennas. So about 20 years ago, he built the station at the factory and con- trols it remotely with DTMF (TouchTonet) tones over an auxiliary link on 421 MHz. He also has a receiv- er and small antenna at home, allow- ing him to work full duplex an 160! Chet's main rig for 160 is a single- band K7DYY Senior transmitter (see ‘), which puts out about 300 watts of carrier on one of six selected frequencies. Antennas are all wire, including a full-size 160-meter dipole (240 feet long). There's also a JRC JST-245 and matching JRL- 2000F ampitir for times that Chet (or another member of his club, the HF Relay Association, K2HFR) wants to work something otherthan 160 meters. Chet says he's more of a tinkerer than anything else, and always enjoys building, or as he explains, “making things connect,” adding, “Im having fun in my own way, always building things, changing things. | neverrun out of ideas.” Oh, the car: I's a 1928 Hupmobile, which Chethadon the roadtor20 years before retiring itto the root. (Cover photo by Larry Mulvehill, ws22P!) 24 © Ca» November 2012 Fig. 2- QSO TV provides a means of sharing JPG pictures, and it's much faster than slow-scan! the system operator via the website. There is also a discussion group (bul- letin board) at . Activity According to the QsoNet website, there are nearly 34,000 system users. The activity on QsoNet is from all over the world, involving both one-on-one QSOs and net operations—much as the RF modes on the air. Anetlistis maintained at chtip:/www.w2ble.netleq 100nets. him>; however, itis not alk inclusive. AS with the RF modes, nets come and go. Additionally, several beacon stations broadcast code practice at various speeds, making this another great place to sharpen your CW skills. aso Tv As an addition to simple QSOs, paid subscribers (see below) may also use QSO TV for sharing pictures. Pictures make QSOs extra enjoyable by adding the ability to send and receive scenic Photos, equipment pictures, and dia- grams, or even post a cartoon or two. Unlike Slow Scan TV, the pictures are sent and received instantly and are a big part of many QSOs (see fig. 2). Cost Ihave beenon the air for over ity years, and! can assure you QsoNetis the most bang forthe buck out there. Considering that most of us already have a comput- er, there is only an annual subscription charge of $39. That amounts to about a nickel an hour for me. You can sign- up fora 90-day tree trial of CQ100 (SO TV is not included with the free-trial). | purchased the full subscription after the first day of the trial; | was that im- pressed. Rules Everything has rules, and QsoNet is no different. There are rules for proper operation, and most hams will find them to be the same as when they operate the RF modes. Of course, all users are licensed ham operators. Additionally, the following is expected: + Identify when transmiting (which is also done by the system on the screen) * Be courteous to other users + Avoid using a frequency already in use * No voice in the CW bands + No commercial activities, No music ‘Sure sounds familiar, doesn't it? My Experience Ihave been using CQ100 for nearty five years as an altermative mode of opera- tion. It has afforded me many QSOs during periods of heavy static and poor band conditions ... conditions so bad that | would have wound up watching ‘TV rather than being on the radio, On most days | will be found both on RF modes and QsoNet enjoying the many varied contacts that each provides. Ihave had conversations with hamsin England, the USA, Australia, Germany, and Japan—allin the same QSO. | have also had many QSOs with hams who Visit Our Web siteCearn)| More} Hear More )Build|More Teach yourself the correct use of ‘your multitester. Book explains fundamental concepts of electricity including conventional ‘and electron current and series and parallel circuits. It teaches how analog and digital meters work and tells you what the voltage, current and, resistance measurements mi ‘Then it provides fully.illustrated, step-by-step instruction on using your meter in practical applications in the home, workshop, automotive and other settings. An excellent learning tool and reference for the hobbyist and ham, DETR $2495, ‘The WSY!I Group P.O. Box 2000 John Figliozzi's brand new /expanded Sth Edition Worldwide Listening Guide radio listening in all Of today’s formats ~ “live,” on: demand, Wiki, podcast, terrestrial, satelite, internet, digital and, of course, AM, FM and SW. Includes a comprehensive program guide to what can be heard how, when and where. Link to WWLG website keeps you up-to-date on program schedule changes. Spiral bound to open in a flat, easy-to-use format ww $2495 800-669-9594 165 Arlington, TX 76006-0065, ‘Mention this ad for a free gift, These Mims classies teach you hands-on electronics! Study and build 100s of practical circuits and fun projects. Each volume contains Several of his famous Mini Notebooks. Tertfic ideas for science fair projects and a great way to lear about electronics! Useful reference guides for your workbench! Vol. 1: Timer, Op Amp, & Optoelectronic Circuits & Projects M1 $1285 Vol. 2: Science & Communications Circuits & Projects M2 $1295, Vol. 3: Electronic Sensor Circuits & Projects ns s1285 Vol. 4: Electronic Formulas, Symbols & Circuits Mes 1295, : wwW.WO5yi.org co were in assisted-living places or even nursing homes. You usually cannot do sither on an RF mode. Net operations on QsoNet are pretty much the same as on the RF modes— an NCS and a general topic of interest. ‘They flow from there. Of course, picture sharing becomes a major part of most CQ100 nets. Advantages ‘The advantages of QsoNet are many: * Continued ham radio operation for those forced out of the hobby by their current living circumstances + No antennas needed * Small operating space (see fig. 3) + Easy and inexpensive participation needing only acomputer with a micro- phone and an annual subscription * Easily goes on vacation with you; most hotels/motels have WiFi for their customers * Can be used mobile when using an AirCard or other mobile broadband ser- vice plan. * No QRM/QRN or tuner-uppers. + Jammers do not exist; all transmis sions are identified on the screen Other forms of VoIP exist. However. QsoNNet is, by far, the easiest to install Fig. 3- A small laptop and a headset are all you need for a complete QsoNet station. and use. There are no special settings, no complex codes or numbers to remember, and its operation is very straightforward. Typically, itis the same as any late-model HF transceiver. Disadvantages Unfortunately, QsoNet is only availble for Windows®-based systems. Itis not available to operate directly on Apple or Linux. That said, | understand there are ‘operators who have succeeded inusing QsoNet with other systems via inter- preter or conversion software. ‘Then there are the nay-sayers! Those are the folks saying that QsoNet isn't real radio and should be avoided. Sure, technically speaking, QsoNet is VoIP and notrealradio. However, itlooks like real radio, sounds like real radio, and offers the same camaraderie, friend- ships, and communications ‘as real radio. One thing is for sure: Itsure beats no radio! worw.cqramateursradio.com November 2012 ¢ ca © 25Photo A- Elecraft KXS with KXPD3 paddle and MH3 microphone. (Photo courtesy Elecratt) It’s a full-featured HF + 6-meter transceiver that weighs about two pounds, ideal for portable operating. But it can also be at home, at home. Plus, it can do RTTY and PSK31 without a keyboard! N7RR has The New Kid on the Trail CQ Reviews: Elecraft KX3 HF/VHF Transceiver BY BRUCE PRIOR," N7RR our review... name ‘of the game in ‘cutting-edge technology. The Elecraft KX3 transceiver is all of those. The user inter- {ace is inspired both by the larger Elecraft K3 transceiver (whose display it shares) and by the earlier portable Elecraft KX1 transceiver. Designed especially for portable operation, with the display and operating controls on the top of the trans- ceiver, the KX3 will also do fine as a low-power base-station rig, and with the addition of a future add-on 100-watt linear amplifier and matching tuner, it also can serve as a excel- lent-quality base-station transceiver with a very small foot print at the operating position. The linear amplifier and the ‘external power supply can be tucked away out of sight. This review is of serial number 15, which was included in the group that field test team members purchased. Like the rest of the field test rigs, this one was factory assembled. A semi-kit version is also available (more on that later). The S rmaller, lighter, smarter, and more versatile—that's the "853 Alder St., Blaine, WA 98230-8030 ‘e-mail: KX3 owner's manual and semi-kit assembly manual are available at the Elecraft website . Purchasers may wish to review the assem- bly manual before deciding whether to order the semi-kit or assembled version. Full-Featured, Ultra-Light The KXS is the first fulkfeatured amateur transceiver that ultra-light backpackers can carry withoutimposing alopsided dent in their weight budgets ... or their financial budgets. A fully-loaded KX3, including the MH3_ microphone with up/down switches, weighs about 2 pounds 2 ounces, or 965 grams (excluding eight AA cells or other power suppiy). The boom headset adds another quarter-pound, or 120 grams. ‘The cost as configured is just under $1500 (plus shipping) {or the factoty-assembled version with the hand mic, and the semi-kit equivalent is about $1400. Using the fancy head- set costs a bit more. The base price for the radio alone is $999 assembled, $899 semi-kit. Table | lists the weights and prices of the KX3 with various options, excluding shipping 26 * Ca * November 2012 Visit Our Web siteDESC) = Introducing the_ sali La 4040 Dreamtuner.™ eae) ALPHA a eee a Uae ee eT VT out the website at for a list of resellers Poi ead alo 303-973-9232Item (radio or accessory) KX3-K transceiver semi-kit KXG-F transceiver assembled MHS hand microphone Proset-K2 boom headset” KXFL3 dual-passband roofing fier KXATS intemal 20-W antenna tuner KXPDS iambic keyer paddle KXBC3 NIMH charger + realtime clock Weight Price 1.5 Ibs. /680 grams $899.95 15 Ibs. / 680 grams $999.95 6.3 07. / 180 grams $59.95, 10.5 02. / 300 grams $165.00 0.25 02. /7 grams $129.95 1.28 oz. /35 grams. $169.95 1.4 02./ 99 grams $129.95 Weight not available $59.95, "The Proset-k2 was not evaluated for this raview. Table - The weights and prices of the KX3 with various options. charges and sales tax for California residents. Overview The KX3 is a software-defined radio in box that, except forits diminutive size, looks like’ typical radio. Free online firmware revisions are being added tre- quently and will doubtless continue to be available for the foreseeable future. The basic KX3 receives from 310 kHz to 32 MHz, plus 44 MHz to 54 MHz. A planned optional 2-meter module would add 144 MHz to 148 MHz. The tig transmits with all egal modes on all amateur bands from 160 meters through 6 meters (plus 2 meters in the future with that same planned module) (CW operators can use a Morse paddle to operate RTTY and PSK31 modes without employing a computer. There isno single on/off power switch To power the KX3 on or off, two sepa~ rate buttons must be pushed simultane- ously, reducing the possibilty of turing (on the rig accidentally while i's jostling inside a backpack or a suitcase. Allof the rotatable panel controls are rotary encoders which govern digital functions. Tapping the AF gain control, for example, changes it to an RF gain control or to @ squelch control in FM mode. A longer press changes that encoder to a volume control for CW sidetone, RTTY tones and switch- tones. As a benefit for bind operators, the switch-tones can be changed to Morse code readout at various speeds. Such a feature-rich radio in so small a package would have been impossible Using yesteryear’s through-hole parts and large components The KX3 is a California product. The circuit boards are stuffed robotically in Monterey and then the boards are test- ed and calibrated individually in Wat- sonville. The KX3 semi-kit builders assemble the already-tested boards and associated parts using simple tools such as screwdrivers and small wrenches on a customer-supplied anti- static mat. No soldering is required, ‘except possibly for your connections to the outside world, such @s power and antennas, User Interface The learning curve to operate the KX3 controlsisshort andintuitive. For exam- ple, to access menu options on the KX3, press and hold the DISP/MENU button and then scroll through the list of menu items using the VFOB rotary control just above that button. Then rotating the nearby VFO A control selects values for those menu items. ‘The VFO B knob can be used option- ally to coarse-tune the VFO A frequency. I was concemed that the small sizo ‘er would yield inadequate volume. That speaker actually works very well and produces clear, loud audio eveninnoisy environments. | was activating a SOTA (Summits on the Air) summit not far froman interstate highway, and the KX3 speaker volume handily overcame the pesky highway noise without introduc- ing distortion, Special Receive Facilities Bandwidth filtering reduces interfer- ence from unwantedsignals beyond the spectrum needed to detect a given sig- nal. The filter can be quite narrow for normal-speed CW operation or PSK31, and wider for SSB, AM, and FM recep- tion. The dual FSK or AFSK (RTTY) fil ters have two peaks around both the mark and space frequencies, and atten- ate the spectrum above, below, and between those peaks. ‘A clever feature called Dual Watch works like a second receiver as long as \VFO B is tuned within about 15 kHz or so of VFO A. One frequency feeds into the left side of stereo speakers or head- hones and the other goes to the right side. The two VFOs can be switched quickly by engaging the A/B switch. That's great for chasing DX off the DX ‘operator's transmit frequency, or forcall- ing CQ during a contest: An operator can ofthe KX3may mean thatits tiny speak- listen on the CQ frequency while simul- How Do the Electronics Work? Although the KXS user interface bears a striking resemblance to the Elecraft K3, inside the box is a completely different radio. Needless to say, the KXS is complex. Here is a bare-bones summary: Both received and transmitted signals pass through the same low-pass and bandpass fiters. Received signals are either amplified or attenuated betore they are fed to a mixer which down-converts them to in-phase (1) and quadrature (Q) analog signals in the AF range. Strictly speaking, these AF signals are the IF (intermediate frequency) in the KX3, although the KX3 normally uses an IF of zero hertz. The IF is shifted up in some cases, such as when Dual Watch isin use. Ifthe high-quality KXFLS roofing fiter option is installed, the receive “" and “Q" signals are next passed through precision anaiog fiers. This narrowband fitering—an important innovation in the KX8 technology—can greatly improve dynamic range by protecting the ‘analog-to-digital converter (ADC) from out-of-band signals. The receive /Q outputs, which ‘can be fed to a computer for use in software-defined radio (SDR) applications, are derived ahead of the narrow fitering, This faciitates wideband demodulation for computer-based spectral display. The ampitied IF signal is then fed to the ADC. Those digitized signals are acted upon In the digital signal processing (OSP) unit which utlizes a 2-megabyte flash memory. All ‘modulation, demodulation, filtering, and similar processes are handied by the DSP. The resulting digital signals are fed to a dual digtal-to-analog converter (DAC), after which the analog signals are amplified and fed to the speaker or headphones. This dual ‘audio path in the KXS provides quasi-stereo leftright panning for Dual Watch, and other receive audio effects, The transmit process is similar: Processed audio signals and envelope shaping are ‘applied at the auio stage and up-converted directly to RF. Tho generated RF signals are {ed to the bandpass fiers and then amplifed betore going either directly to the antenna ‘connector oF to the optional internal KXATS antenna tune. ‘The control panels the traffic cop which manages the operation ofthe radio in response to operator commands via rotary encoders and push-button controls, plus manipulation (f input devices such as a key or a paddle or a microphone or a keyboard-equipped ‘computer. 28 » Ca » November 2012 Visit Our Web sitetaneously searching for other activity away from that transmit frequency. Stereo headphones can also be used to take advantage of DSP ‘audio effects” (AFX) by either delaying recep- tion very slightly in one ear or by em- ploying left-right phase shifts, depend- Ing on a menu option. The resulting sound is more pleasant and less fatigu- ing to hear for lengthy periods. ‘The KX3 features both noise redue- tion (NR) of random atmospheric static discharges and noise blanking (NB) of narrow noise pulses. Those facilities can be employed separately or simul- taneously, An audio peaking filter (APF) enhances very weak CW signals. Much CW and PSK31 operation takes place by carefully 2ero-beating the other station’s frequency. The KX3 facilitates this process with its automatic and man- ual SPOT functions. | use the autorat- ic KX3 SPOT feature very frequently Audio equalization facilities in the KX can be utilized for receiving in a way that adjusts the sound levels of var- lous received voice frequencies. Similar techniques can make transmitted voice modes communicate better by match- ing the operator's voice frequency pat- terns to the most effective use of the transmitted spectrum. ‘The optional KXFL3 dual-passband roofing filter intervenes to reduce the tendency of strong adjacent signals to swamp a lower-level desired signal. If the operating environment s along dis- tance from strong signals, the roofing filter might not be needed. But if you will be operating in a dense RF environ- ‘ment, you may find that the extra money for the roofing filter will be well-spent, Special Transmit Facilities Sidetone PITCH and matching CW off- setcan be adjusted to suit operator pret- erences. In addition to generating CW characters at a specified speed, the intemal CW keyer also can be used to transmit messagesin ATTY and PSK31 ‘The only way to tell the difference on the other end is that PSK31 transmissions generated that way cannot change between upper- and lower-case letters, Wilderness operation in those modes is now possible without the burden of car- rying a computer in a backpack. ittakes some practice both to read the scrolling display andlog essential information, but i's definitely possible at PSK31 and 45- baud RTTY speeds. For hams who don't know Morse or who just prefer keyboard operation, the KX3 Utility Terminal screen works for receiving and sending in CW, PSK31, and RTTY. Font styles and type sizes can be chosen to fit the needs of users. Operators with some visual impairment can use fonts up to 72-point size. In addition, the diddle time after text runs out can be set by the user for up to 100 seconds. | find 10 seconds works just fine. When | want the diddle to stop, | just press the XMIT button on the KX3 control panel or the ESC kay in the Making a Tripod Base | ound that a tripod base—such as that on the Elecraft KX1—provides more stability ‘on uneven surfaces in an outdoor environment than the four-footed base on the KX3. If Yyou encounter stability problems in outdoor use, you may want to considera mod to make Yur own tripod base. | made one with three corks and the ip ofa trekking pote. A tripod base made from three corks and a trekking-pole tip. (Photo by Margaret Prior, K7MWP) wwrw.cq-amateur-radio.com eee ee a All Others Are Judged MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE lrg PLN for strength and perfon DHD Series is pretuned to adhieve Sura) www.diamondantenna.net Available through selected qu 770-614-7443 AAs November 2012 + ca + 29upper-left comer of the keyboard, where its easy to find. | ‘can also stop the diddle just by paddling a non-transmitted di-d-dah-dah, Voice modes can use push-to-talk (PTT) keying or voice- ‘operated transmit (VOX) modes. VOX and break-in keying (QSk) transmit/recelve delay functions are programmable Using the DLY button, Messages can be recorded and played in all modes including voice, facilitating repetitive contesting, Dxpedition, and special-event operations. There are six sep- arate CW and other digital message memory slots available on the radio itself, each holding up to 250 characters. The KX3 Utility Terminal holds an additional 16 separate mes- ‘sage memories for CW, PSK31, and RTTY, so thet makes a {otal of 4 message memories available, Slotscanbe chained to hold longer messages, and they can be repeated as bea- ‘cons with programmable repeat intervals. Microphone gain and speech compression can be adjusted separately. ‘The KX3 also operates AM and FM. The review radio uses standard envelope detection AM. According to the owner's manual, synchronous AM detection as well as enhanced SSB (ESSB) may be added in the future. Full repeater facilities, including split frequencies and PL tones, are available on the KX3 for 10-meter and 6-meter FM (and in the future, 2 meters). An audio squelch operates in FM for silent standby monitoring. All other modes also oper- ale on those bands, making it an ideal candidate for offroad, ‘operating on HF and VHF. A lightweight KX station ina back- pack makes an excellent choice for SOTA activations. CW Decoder Received CW as well as PSK31 and RTTY signals can be decoded and fed toa scrolling display on the radio itself, with seven characters visible at any one time. The same readout is echoed onthe KX3 Utility Terminal page, where much more text, depending on font size, can be retained and viewed. ‘The CW decoder in the KXS is the best | have ever seen. Alter a short period of synchronization, it does a remarkable job of decoding CW at varying speeds. That same decoding facility works while transmitting, helping the operator disci- pline sending, paying special altention to proper letter and ‘word spacing, If the display shows words without spacing between them, that means that the operator needs to leave longerpauses between words. Ifspaces appear within words, then the operator needs to shorten pauses between letters. ‘When using the paddles to transmit PSK31 and RTTY, that ‘same spacing discipline becomes critical for those reading transmissions on the other side of a conversation. ‘With the excellent CW decoder available on the KX3, peo- ple with no knowledge of Morse Code whatsoever can use the KX Utility Terminal page to operate CW like an old land- line telegrapher or a maritime “Sparks.” No key or paddle is needed! Channel Memories ‘The KX3 has a capacity of 100 general-purpose frequency memories, numbered 00 through 99, plus four band-specit- ic memories for each band. That means that the stock KX3 sports a total of 144 memories. There's a nice wrinkle, how- ever. Each memory stores not only the principal VFO A tre~ quency, but also the secondary VFO B frequency, as well as mode, filter settings, antenna tuner setting, tone, memory name, and other associated information which can be brought Up later for use. So, for those memories which are used for simplex operation, the total numberis doubled. Repeater oper- ation can be accomplished without using VFO B. Simply spec- ity the transmit frequency offset for a given channel. That will be especially important for repeater operation when the 2- meter module becomes available. Frequency ranges within one band can be scanned with one mode, and saved memo- ries within any band can be “channel-hopped” as well Frequencies can be selected by manual tuning with either the large VFO A encoder knob or the smaller VFO B knob. In addition, there are ten numbered buttons from 0 through 9 plus ‘a decimal point which can be used to directly enter a specific frequency in megahertz with a traling decimal point and up to three digits anywhere within the KX3's range. That means tthe resolution for direct frequency entry is 1 kilohertz. The VFO A control can then be used to resolve that to the nearest hertz. VFO A and VFO B as well as receiver incremental tuning (AIT) or transmitter incremental tuning (XIT) can be utilized for split transmit-receive operations commonly employed by Dxers, Antenna Tuner Resonantantennasare fine formonoband transceivers. They become complicated to manage for multiband transceivers, Enter the antenna tuner (ATU). Like all Elecraft transceivers, the KX has an optional inter- nal ATU which tunes very quickly. The tuner in the KX3 uses latching relays, so once the tuner has found its best match, the setting stays in place without any addtional power need- ed. A search algorithm is used, so a series of relay rattles is heard until the lowest SWR is found using the optimal com- bination of eight inductors and eight capacitors in an L net- work (series L and shunt ©). Operators who will be using the KX3 entirely as a base- station rig and who plan to add the linear amplifier when itis released may wish to skip ordering the internal KXATS ATU. Otherwise, I heartily recommend the KXATS to everybody. The internal ATU can be bypassed to drive resonant anten- nas or an external tuner, 60 operators who want to use the KX3 both as a low-power portable transceiver and as a base station with the 100-watt linear amplifier and tuner will also want to purchase the KXAT3, A Grab-Bag of Goodies ‘Some of the details of the KX are remarkable. For instance: * The radio has a built-in two-tone test facility for evaluat- ing SSB transmit quality * Two front-panel programmable function switches (PF1 and PF2) are available which can be set up to allow instant access to the operator's choice of two menu items. I've pro- grammed one of them to go to DUAL RX, which toggles that wonderful Dual Watch function on or off Ergonomics Initially | thought that the VFO A control didn't turn easily enough. Then | realized that a spinning-style VFO A control lke that on the K3 isn't appropriate for a portable transceiv- er, since i's too easy to brush agains it in awkward operat- ing situations ang to inadvertently change the frequency. The small force needed to rotate the VFO A control works just fine as itis. Wide frequency excursions can be made via direct frequency entry. BAND and BAND- buttons allow switch- ing bands up and down. The RATE button, which also has a Hz function when pressed and held, adds even more flexi bility to changing frequency. ‘Ido have one quibble with the VFO A knob, however. In my view, it's so large that it partially obscures the display when the KX is normal keying distance away on a typical desk-height operating position. | resolved this issue on my Unit by increasing the tit angle. (Elecraft says it has lowered 30 + CO + November 2012 Visit Our Web Sitethe dial and raised the legs on production units, so this may rno longer be an issue —ed.) For many, the orientation of the control panel on the top of the KX3 will be a novel experience. For some operating situ- ations, standing the radio on end may be appropriate, such ‘as when the rig Is on a shelf above the operating position or mounted securely in the pilothouse of a vessel. A KXPD3 or Begali paddle cannot be attached to the chassis when it is mounted vertically, however. Here's a way of securing the KX3 in a vertical orientation while preserving its portability: Buy some Dual Lock™ fastener strips! at a hardware store. Now trim two pieces of Dual Lock" to fit on the chassis just to the right of the intemal speaker and at a corresponding position on the left side. Then mount Dual Lock™ on the hor- izontal surface to match the locations on the KX3, The radio willbevery secure, butitwillalso beremovable. Ihadassumed that vertical mounting would muffle the speaker audio signif- icantly, but with the two layers of Dual Lock™ present, the speaker sound is still quite clear. Attachable Morse Paddles ‘The optional KXPD3 has some awkward characteristics, including stiffnon-adjustable return force and contact-space adjustment using two tiny Allen wrenches, which are difficult to use in the field. The well-known Italian key manufacturer Piero Begall is developing two paddles for the KX3 and other portable transceivers. The dual-lever paddle will be called the Adventure and the single-lever version will be the ‘Adventure Mono. They will be more expensive than the KXPD3, but more convenient to use in outdoor situations, Check the Begali Keys website for availabilty and final pricing, The Tilt Function and Ground Connection The electronics of the KX3 are incredibly rich and powerful ‘There are some mechanical features of the rig, however, that are less than ideal, in my view—spectfically, the tilt mecha- nism and the ground connection. ‘There are many operating situations, such as outdoors on a tilted or irregular surface, or in a place where the radio is, about the same level where the operator is sitting, when it N7HKW Dust Cover Because of the upward orientation of the display and control ppanel, a dust cover is especially helpful for the KX. Custom- ‘made covers are available from Rose Kopp, N7HKW. E-mail her at for more details. The cover sits high on the transceiver, so it does not interfere with wires and cables plugged into the sides. An option is available for the| NTHKW dust cover to accommodate the KXPDS paddle. N7HKW Dust Cover for the KX3. (Photo by Margaret Prior, K7MWP) www.cq-amateur-radio.com would be very helpful not to deploy the built-in tit-forward function in order to achieve an optimal display viewing angle or to allow clearance for an attached paddle. In the early model that | reviewed the rubber was too far forward for the flat position to be stable when the rear feet were in their collapsed position. However, production mod- els include an additional spacer on each leg, so presumably this is no longer an issue. ‘One of the designers’ concessions to small size was the Use of multi-function thumbscrews to hold the legs in place, keep the case closed (you have to loosen them to change the internal batteries), and to function as a ground connec- tion, Personally, | found this awkward. (Many KX3 owners prelertouse a BNC-to-binding post adapterand connect their ground wire to the shield side binding post—ed.) Bottom Line ThelOGisa game-changer. Any manufacturer entering thealrmode, al-band portable transoeiver market inthe futures going to have sleep mountain to cimb to come close to the KX3. Since the KX3is asoftware-defnedrado, what we see intoday/'s 1X3 sless than the radio we wil 999 in the future after numerous free downloadable fimware updates become avalabe. Here's just one example of a future capability thatisunder development: AKXG wil be able to con- trola second KX (or lecraftK) in another location via en interet- based ink. The KXS is a keeper. Notes 1. They are often sold under the Sootch® brand in a package called “All-Weather Fasteners." ‘3M™ Dual Lock™ is also available at Amazon.com. PRehackisan sdancedontor Ing tol witha mld of apples twee and ost of thea shack Daal r detad ahysandpywtte REE "ache tte USB Cac th poopy od reat stat plot ac aye caret or ove nmin SONAR tara pep moter ell mer Rete ey swcs shasta il eestrs Intranets 174.000 dataport Amon “Ber AMP Hor ae pes stant dation emi apay erecta pay Mew OUNCE OAD or LOAD SOURCE ‘AISTRACES nde Andersen over terinale November 2012 ¢ ca» 31Technology Special WX! has taken some of the earliest radio technology and merged it with radio astronomy techniques to help make your CW listening more comfortable on a noisy band. An Audio CW Regen Filter Combining Aspects of Armstrong’ Regenerative Receiver with Reber’s Radio Telescope BY PHIL ANDERSON,” WAX! jects include at least two disciplines. In one project on trav- ling waves he had us combine our efforts with a home- ‘economics class. We had to assist the gals in producing a Baked Alaska and they hadto assist us in measuring the time ittook for the heat in the oven to reach through the meringue and cake and melt the ice-cream core. Multiple rewards fol- lowed this effort, as you can imagine. Ever since then | seem to automatically compare a project at hand with anything remotely related. ‘Soon after obtaininga new Yaesu FT-450D last year, which has a good receiver and DSP filtering, | found that the ever- present galactic and manmade noises on 40 meters stil par- tially masked readable but weak CW signals. Having recent- | college | had a professor who insisted that all of our pro- "4620 Harvard Fd, Lawrence, KS 66049 e-mail ly reviewed Grote Reber's fundamental work in measuring star noise and Edwin Howard Armstrong's classic regener- ative receiver, a favorite of mine, | wondered if their tech- niques of measuring weak noise signals and boosting coher- cent signals might be combined to scrub away some of the noise stil reaching my headphones. The answer seemed to be yes, in certain situations, using signal integration and audio regeneration. We'll review the architecture of Reber’s radio telescope and Armstrong's eatly taco receiver and then describe my audio regen CW filter’. First, however, who were Grote Reber and Edwin Armstrang? Grote Reber and His Radio Telescopes Grote was a radio amateur (W9FGZ) and engineer who lived in Wheaton, Ilinois. In 1937, he became interested in discussions of the day on the electrical disturbances apparently coming from extraterrestrial sources, known to Record Coax Feed (A) UHF Dish ANT inverting Ampifer HF ANT Fractional ®) Fig. 1~ Block diagrams of the basic technologies behind this circuit, the radio telescope and the regenerative receiver. 32 * CQ * November 2012 Visit Our Web siteGordo roorganizes the Q&A into Togial topic groups for Tearing! Key ‘words are bighliated inhis explanations to help you undersiand the Web address for more than 125 helpful ‘shcational sites Tacludes demonstrating Tech privileges. GATMETO $2095 “Tech Book & Software Package Gedo's book with WSYT sotware allows you study at your computer and ake practice cxams. Explanations fom Gorda's boo are onthe software “aswer question Wrong and his explanation appear to reinforce your learning. Incas fee Part 57 Rule Book NoS-10 $29.95 Tech Audio Course on CD. 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Each v ‘onrains sever of his Mini Notebooks. Terie Mes for Sconce fir prose and grea vay fo lear abou eletonis! ul erence guides for yoursvrkene! v Vol. 1: Timer, Op Amp, & Optoelectronic MIN $1295 Circus & Projecss Vo. 2: Science & Cire Prjects van-2 s1295 Vol. 3: Electronic Sensor Cini & Projects vais $1295 Vol 4: Eiecmonie Formulas, Symbols & Circuits aa $1295) Order today from W5Y1: 800-669-9594 or on-line: www.w5yi.org The WSYI Group PO. Box 200065 Arlington, TX 76006-0065 eee EET cet a| He cw Bor W REGEN O25 STEP 2 we Fig. 2- Audio regen reduces band-pass filter width with regenerative gain amateurs as static. This led him to construct a large parabolic dish and a series of receivers to catch this noise. Reber's work led to the development of the field of study known today as radio astronomy. ‘A block diagram of one of Reber's scopes, circa 1940, is shown in fig. 1A. Itconsists of a9.5-meterparaboliccish, band-pass filter, six RF stages with gain of 128 dB at 8-MHz bandwidth, a Power detector, a low-pass filter, and a recorder. His dish was adjustable in height above the horizon but fixed to look due south, thus configured as a meridian-transit telescope. He used the rotation of the Earth to scan the sky, adjusting declination (launch angle) each day. Combining these data with his recording times, he was able to pro- duce celestial maps of radio-emission intensity. To detect the level of the noise a a G al 0 3.00 3 0.050 3.50 3 0.100 4.30 3 0.150 5.50 3 0.200 7.50 5 0.250 12.00 3 0.300 30.00 3 0.310 42.90 3 0.320 75.00 3 0.330 300.00 3 > ‘osc in each given direction he had to inte- grate the signal over a short period in ‘order to distinguish that portion of the noise received from all background noise. He was not comparing a coher- ent signal against noise—as we do with HF radio—but targeted noise In a por- tion of the sky against all other noise. This requires the addition of a power detector and low-pass filter. As you'll see, our audio project also seeks to Feduce as much unwanted noise as possible. Edwin Armstrong and His HF Regenerative Receiver Edwin Howard Armstrong was an engi- eer and inventor born in 1890 in Now York City, NY. He has been called the father of radio by many. His works and patents advanced commercial AM and A a G 6 0 6.00 6 0.050 857 6 0.100 15.00 6 0.150 60.00 6 0.153 73.17 6 0.165 600.00 6 5 ‘osc Table I~ Ina regenerative circuit keeping the basic gain of the amplifier (A) low— as in the left-hand column—provides finer contro! when adding feedback (A) to achieve the same overall gain (G) than starting with higher amplifier gain, as in the right-hand column. Compare the bold entries in each column. See toxt for formula by which these figures were derived. Regeneration values above the ‘maximum levels shown results in self-oscillation. FM radio and included innovative mil tary uses in both World Wars. He is per- haps best known in amateur radio cit- les for his regenerative detector, using one Audion tube yet producing large signal gain. See the schematic and some comments in the sidebar. (Armstrong also invented FM and the superheterodyne receiver, which today remains the basis of all analog receiv- er design— ed.) A block diagram of a generic regen- erative receiver is shown in fig. 18. It consists of a tuned circuit front end, inverting low-gain amplifier, inverting fractional feedback network, and audio amplifier. The gain of any RF or audio regen can be calculated as follows: G@=_A (1-aA) where Gis the overall gain, Ais the gain of the amplifier alone, is thet fraction Of the output fed back to the input, and aA is called the Joop gain. Playing with the equation abit, wecan determine the regen's overall gain for different amplifier gains and feedback. Consider the cases shown in Table I. For A= and a =0% feedback, the gain of the regen is simply the gain of the internal amplifier, or 3. With a feedback (of 32% (see highlighted line on left col- umn of table), the regen gain reaches roughly 75. Now consider a regen with an internal gain of 6, as shown in the right-hand column. The total gain then reaches roughly 75 when the feedback is just a bit over 15%. Thus, if A is increased, the range of control—ie., the percentage fed back—is smaller. For this reason, practice is to keep the 34 * ca » November 2012 Visit Our Web siteNOTE: ‘V battery, 78195 regulator, Voo/2 bias and L286 audio amp not shown Fig. 3~ Audio regen schematic. Note that U1b is part of the power supply, which is not shown here. See text for circuit explanation and additional <——_ details. gain of a regen low so the feedback con- trol can be finer. RF versus Audio Regeneration ‘As one would expect, the block diagram for an audio regenerator can be the same as that for RF. It tums out that moving aregen from RF to audiois eas- ier than the other way around, At audio, we don't have to deal with coils or @ throtte capacitor, and our choices for the amplification ‘are expanded to the transistor, JFET, or operational ampli- fiers, the latter being the most versatile. One thing is certain, however; we must incorporate a band-pass filer some- where in the audio regenin order to cre- ate the ability to reduce the bandwidth with an inerease in gain through regen- eration. | simulated these aspects using LTspice (see References). The results. are displayed in fig. 2. The top trace dis- plays the bandwidth with gain and regeneration in operation, The bottom trace simply measures the bandwiath of the band-pass filter. Clearly, with increased gain the overall bandwidth at the output of the regen narrows. We can Use this characteristic to some extent to reject the noise coming from excessive bandwidth. With slow or moderate speed CW, 50 Hz of bandwidth is sufi cient fora GW tone togetthrough, while atthe same time rejecting all noise that would have come from a wider band- pass filer. Therefore, our strategy in scrubbing out the noise is to increase the gain of the audio regen until the bandwidth reaches a minimum that will still allow the CW note through. ‘One question remains: Shall we sum the input and feedback first and then Use the regen filter, or shall we fie fist and then sum? Although not obvious to ‘meat ist, itturns out thateither method works. The traditional RF regen sums Up front using input cols; it then adds a small amount of gain and feeds a por- tion back in phase by inverting the phase of the tickler coil. For audio | found that | liked placing the banc-pass filler fist, followed by a summing oper- ational amplifier. This arrangement requires the addition ofa "/2-cycle delay in the feedback but is compensated for by the factthat the feedback control can Use a pot for finer tuning control. Keep worw.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 » ca + 35Listening is only half tht POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS is the other half! You'll fing features on sconner monitoring of police. fire, utility, ‘and circratt communications; International shortwave listening; CB radio; amateur radio: FS: MRS; monitoring radio digital ‘communications; AM/FM commercial broadcasting: weather and communications satellites; telephone equipment radio nostalgia; clandestine and military radio, Choose the PRINT Edition or New DIGITAL Edition! Buy both at a SPECIAL price! Holiday Special! Bothl 098 $8099 $06.95 Print $82.95 $42.98 $92.98 Digital #2300 $23.00 #2300 1 year Usa conn Foreign Popular Communications 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY11801 Phone: 516-681-2922; Fax 516-681-2926 Visit our web site: www, popular-communications.com 36 * Ca * November 2012 inmind either method works. The delay, at audio, can be had by connecting three RC 60-degree phase-shift net- ‘works in series as you'll see in the cir- cuit described below. Here is the final secret of the project The regen builds up the desired signal toamuch higher level than that arriving from the rig’s headphone jack. At the same time, it limits the buildup of the noise due to its reduced bandwith with gain. The result is then scaled down to limit the increased audio level toa com- fortable level The Audio Regen The resulting design is shown in the schematic, fig. 3. Note that all active devices are op-amps except for the out- ean desis nerin cr tid 10-Apr-12 05:53 320s, Cha) BW Limit forty 100M Volts/Div. Probe iu v 10K ah vatase x ¥ Wh CHT amv 7.05015KHz Fig. 4~ Oscilloscope trace comparing noise from the regen circuit (channel 1) with the channel 2 trace of the rig’s headphone output. Tiig’d CHT 200m" CHE T.00vey “fa th 7-May-12 06:23 M Pos: 0.0005 CHO 7 270m 5362,281H2 Fig. 5— A trace of the output of the regen and the accompanying input signal. Here the output is displayed on the channel 2 trace and the input on channel 5 Visit Our Web SiteAMERITRON Easily handles 1500 Watts continuous carrier even on 160 Meters ... High-current edge- Two 500 pf high capacitance tuning capacitors with 6:1 vernier reduction drives... 3 core choke balun .. . Six position antenna switch... True peak reading Cross-Needle SWR/Watimeter.... ed Roller Inductor . 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ALS- S00RC, $49, Ameritron ... the world’s high 2 os leader! ‘Watts PEP/S0OW CW, 1.5.22 MHz, instant bandswitching, SWR protected, extremely quiet, SWR/Wattmeter, ALC {600 with 10 tb.,very'low RF ‘Remote Head. noise switching power supply: AMERITRON’ the world’s high power leader! 16 Willow Road, Starke, MS 39759, TECH (663) 420-8211 FAX (660) 323-6851 ‘Sam. - 430 pm. CST Monday «Friday For pamer sp component all (662) S221Photo A~ The audio regen CW filter, available from the Xtal Set Society as the CW Scrubber Kit. Options include board, parts list and schematic only, board and parts with no case, and a full kt. Armstrong's Regenerative Detector ‘Armstrong's detactor is shown in the schematic in fig. SB. It was 1912 when Edwin conceived the idea of coupling the plate voltage Of the triode tube back into the input or grid circuit. Hobbyists today think of a detector as a diode, as in a 1N34 detector for a crystal set With Armstrong's detector the RF Is not stripped off atthe headphones but simply bypasses them via a capacitor anda portion is retumed to the input ofthe tube via a coupling coil, L3, called the ticler. Lets walk through this circu. An FF signal arrives at the antenna. Itthen is magnetically coupled into the grid of the tube from L1 via LL (like a transformer). As the AF signal there reaches its peak, the current in the diode will reach its minimum. In effect, the voltage at the drain is inverted relative tothe input signal. The plate signal's then applied to the tickler col, L8, and because itis wound backward relative to L2, it flips the voltage again and adds itto the grid via the L3-L2 coupling (a second transformer). This process causes the sig al atthe piate to build up and the gain achieved is dependent upon the gain ofthe tube, the turns rato of the L3-L2 combination, and the position of L3 relative to L2. Large gains are achievable. 1 Tode “ Fig. SB-LTspice simulation of an audio regen circuit. (See References for more about L Tspice) 38 * CO » November 2012 Visit Our Web Siteput LM386 audio amplifier not shown, Which accommodates an 8-ohm pair of headphones or a small speaker. Let's walk through the circuit The headphone jack of your rig plugs. Into the input of this fiter at left. Two stages of a mulliple-feedback band- Pass filter complete the input. You can Use just one. A pot is included in each stage to adjust the center frequency. | used 700 Hz, but the pot can be adjust- €ed for anything from 600 to 800 Hz. The summing amplifier follows at U2a, col lecting the signal from the band-pass fil ter and feedback path. As you can see, the gain of the amp is set at 2.7 (270K/100k). The output feeds both the pot going to the LMS86 and the three- stage feedback network at bottom left. Each stage of the feedback provides for a unity gain ampifier with a 60-degree phase shift. Apct atthe input to that third stage was added to calibrate the network for a halt-cycle delay of from 600 to 800, Hz. The output of the third stage feeds. the regen pot, which feeds the summing amplifier. A low dropout regulator was usedto provide the +5V supply required, and one of the unused op-2mp sections was used to provide the bias for this sin- gle-supply circuit. These common cir- Cuits are not shown in the figure. Operational Results When listening to HF CW, particularly in the presence of inhibiting galactic and man-made noise, many CW OPS tum the AF volume fully on and man- age noise and signal volume with any internal rigfiters and the RF gain knob. Even with these techniques, band-lim- ited static that is ever-present reaches the headphones along with the desired signal, particularly at 40 meters. There isn’t much one can do to copy CWnotes that are simply too weak, but indeed cone can scrub away aportion of the sta- tic with the audio regen, Thank you, Mr. ‘Armstrong! With my Yaesu FT4500 sei in USB-CW mode, the IF bandwiath set toaminimum, and the frequency tuned to1a quiet spot on 30 meters, the chan- nel t noise trace of the regen compares favorably with the channel 2 trace ofthe ‘ig’s headphone output, as shown nig 4. Atrace of the output of the regen and the accompanying input signal are shown in the second scope trace, fig. 5, Here the output is displayed on the channel 2 trace and the input on chan- nel 1. Note thatthe regen is producing a full ra-to-ail signal at U2a given a 200. mVpp (millivolts peak-to-peak) input, showing a gain of over 25. At this, setting the bandwiath of the regen will be approximately 30 to 40 Hz wunw.cq-amatour-radio.com Note 1. A PCB, fll schematic, and parts list are available at . The WOXI audio regen CW iter is also available commercially as the CW Scrubber Kit from the Xtal Set Society, See ads in CO or visit . References How to Build Your First Vacuum Tube Regen Receiver, T.J. Lindsay, Lindsay Publications, 1997. ‘An Introduction to Amateur Radio Astronomy, Phil Anderson, WOXI, 2011, Xtal Set Society. ‘Secrets of Homebuilt Regen Receivers, by C.F. "Rock" Rockey, Lindsay Publications. LTspice. I's a software package that enables circult analysis and is supplied free via the web by Linear Technology We’ve Updated our Website! www.tentec.com/cq Visit us for New Products, Products by Area of Interest, De ea ue sD Products, Accessories, Kits, Enclosures, Tool & Die, ee ee ee ee EE Re ue cd) Ten-Tec Makes Radio More Fun! November 2012 » Ca + 39—— S LL What You've Told Us... Our August survey asked about what led you to become a ham and whether you're stil pursuing that activity today First of all, more than two-thirds of respondents (69%) have been hams for more than 20 years, ollowedby 1-5years (14%), 11-20 years (12%), 6-10 years (4%) and less than one year (3%). ‘Asked for your main. motivation in becoming a ham, 23% of you responded “ham radio's ‘technology playground, folowedby the lure of DX (18%), thamys. tery of never knowing who youll talk to next (17%) and public service/emer- gency communications (15%), followed by the lure of “off the grid" communica- tion (8°), family member influence and the opportunity to build stu (7% each), and contesting or other competition (2%). Two-thirds of you said that the activity that prompted you to become a ham had met your expectations, and more beyond, followed by 22% reporting ‘yes, completely" (that's an overall 88% yes response}, 10% some but notall, and 2% “not really” Asked i you stl participate in that initial activity, 35% responded “yes, more than ever, followed by “yes, as much as ever" (30%), "yes, but less, than inthe past (28%), and no (5%). Asked i you have discovered other aspects of amatour radio that have given yOu at least as much enjoyment or futil- iment as your original motivation, 68% said yes, Several aspects; 26% said yes, ‘ne or two, and only 5% said no. Finally, We asked whether you stil find “imag nation and adventure" (the theme of August's editorial) in your ham radio activites. “Yes, as much as in the past” led the responses with 41%, followed by “more than nthe past (33%), notas muc as in the past (22%), ‘never really dd (4%) and “not anymore (1%). Thank you for your responses. This ‘month's free subscription winner is Brian Hamerski, KF6HI, of West Hills, California. Reader Survey November 2012 We'd like to know more about you—about who you are, where you live, what kind(s) ‘of work you do, and of course, what kinds of amateur radio activities you enjoy. Why? To help us serve you better Each time we run one of these surveys, we'll ask afew different questions and ask you to indicate your answers by circling numbers on the Survey Card and returning i to us. ‘As abit of incentive, we'll pick one respondent each month and give that person a com- pplimentary one-year subscription (or subscription extension) to CO. ‘Wo've been observing certain tends at hamfesis this year, so this month, we'd ike to see if your experiences match up with our observations. ‘This month, in honor of our technology special, we'd like to know more about your interest in technical articles in CQ. Please answer by circling the appropriate numbers on the reply card or by going {o the following web link [From the di tal edition, just click on the link], 1. How frequently have you built an electronic project from a magazine article? Regularly A Occasionally, 2 Rarely 3 Never. 4 2. How do you rate your ability to read and understand a schematic diagram? Highly proficient 5 Proficient 6 ‘Somewhat proficient 7 I’can get a general idea of how the circuit functions 8 Its like looking at something in a language | don't know. 9 3, Have you ever designed and bullt your own electronic circuit? Yes 10 No... 7 ant 4. What is your opinion of the number of technical articles generally ‘appearing in CQ? "Too many 12 About the right number. 13 Too few... fer eee! ‘5. What is your opinion of the complexity of technical articles: generally appearing in CO? Too complex. 15 ‘About right 16 Too basic. 7 6, What type of technical article is of the greatest interest to you? (Choose one) General discussion of specfic types of technology. 18 Theoretical discussion of specific types of technology. 19 ‘icles on how people are using different types of technology in their ham stations. 20 Projecticonstruction articles 21 ‘Aficles about new technology, even i tare Is not (yet) a direct link to ‘amateur radio 22 ‘Armix of the above. 23 No interest in technical articles, ‘24 7. Space for longer articles is often an issue for us (and many technical aiticles tend to run long). Which of the following would you prefer? ‘Do not publish lengthy articles. BB Publish an introductory or summary artic in the magazine with a link to a ‘more detailed version oniine (such as our current "Digging Deeper’ pieces) .....26 Break up lengthy artcies into two or three parts 27 Wait unt we have space and publish a lengthy aricio in ful 28 Create an online technical magazine to accommodate longer technical anicies. 29, Thank you for your responses. Welll be back next month with more questions. 40 + ca + November 2012 Visit Our Web SiteSelf-supporting 43 foot vertical -- no guy wires required . 1500 Watts . . . exceptional performance .. . low-profile . . . includes base mount and legal limit balun... assembles in an hour... MEI2990 835995 Operate all bands 160 through 6 Meters at full 1500 Watt with this self-supporting, 43 feet high performance verti- cai! It assembles in less than an hour and its low-profile blends in with the sky and trees -- you can barely see it from across the street. The entire length radiates to provide exceptional low angle DX performance on 160 through 20 meters and very ‘good performance on 17 through 6 ‘Meters. You can shorten it by telescop- ing it down for more effective low angle radiation on higher bands if desired. A.wide-range automatic or manual antenna tuner at your rig easily matches this antenna for all bands 160-6 Meters, There’s no physical tuning adjustments oon the antenna ~ you simply put it up! An optimized balun design allows direct coax feed with negligible coax loss (typically less than ‘2 dB 60-6 ‘Meters and less than | dB 160-80 M with good quality, low-loss coax). With just 2 square feet wind load, the fully self-supporting MF1-2990 no guy wires needed --has the lowest wind-loading and lowest visibility of any vertical antenna! The key is a six foot section of tapering diameter sfain- Jess steel whip that flexes in strong ‘wind instead of stressing the bottom sections. Its 2-inch O.D. and .120 inch For legal limit 1500 Watt SSBICW amplifiers. Auto-ranging LCD and Cross- Needle SWI Wattmeter, antenna switch, amp bypass, matches 12-1600 Ohms, 18-30 MHz, MFI-993B 5259" ual power range -- 300 Watt range aatches 6-1600 Ohms, 150 Watv6-3200 Ohins. Auto-ranging LCD and Cross-Needle SWR/Wattmeter, antenna switch, 18-30 MHz, MEJ-998. s699°° thick walled tubing bottom section makes it incredibly strong ~ i'l stay up! ‘Weighs just 20 pounds you can easily put it up by yourself because its corrosion resistant 6063 aircraft alu- minum tubing and stainless steel con- struction make it ight and super-strong You can easily assemble it in an hour! Ground mounting lets you com- MEJ-989D. 5389°> 1500 Watts SSBICW, L8 30Mliz. Active, peak-reading Cross-Necdle SWR/Wattmeter, balan, dummy] oad, antenna switch, aircore roller inductor MFI-949E 5479 World’s most popular tuner! 300 Wats, 1.8.30 MHz. Peak/Average Cross- Needlle SWR/Wattmeter, 8 pos. antenna switch, dummy load, 1kV capacitors. pletely hide its antenna base in shrub- bery. Includes ATB-65 high-strength, antenna mount. Requires ground sys- tem -- at least one radial. More exten- sive ground system will give much bet- ter performance, This very low-profile antenna is per- fect for stealth operation in antenna restricted areas. Hide it behind trees, fences, buildings, bushes. Use it as a flagpole, Telescope it down during the day. Put it up at night and take it down in the moming before the neighbors even notice! ‘Quick and easy installation makes it great for DXpeditions, field day and other portable and temporary opergfions. MFJ-299@jincludes ee rae) CEU) EL MEI-4c02 Cooney, bo aan anced line, random wire, ground thru window. Bring 3 Connectors mounted on stainless ste! pane! Year No Maer back guarantee (eth) on order direct frm MED MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC. 300 Industrial Pk Rey Starkville. 3 JMS 39759 PH: (662) 323-5869 Tech Help: (662) 323-0549Technology Special Will you one day be able to plop your handheld down on a special “mat” and have it automatically recharge? Or better yet, have it recharge while clipped to your belt? And if you can, will you want to? Charging Without Wires Convenience, but at What Price? BY ISIDOR BUCHMANN* ireless charging may one day replace plugs and Wi= similarly to how Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have modernized personal communication. Wireless charging with inductive coupling uses an electromagnetic field that transfers energy from the transmitter to the receiv- ef. Consumersare wild about the convenience of simply plac- ing a portable device on a charging mat. Wireless charging ‘works well with mobile phones, digital cameras, media play- ers, gaming controllers, and Bluetooth headsets. Other potential applications are power tools, medical devices, e- bikes, and electric cars (EVs)—even, conceivably, battery- ‘operated ham rigs. But the technology has both benefits and drawbacks, Wireless transfer of power is not new. In 1831, Michael Faraday discovered induction and stated that electromag- netic forces can travel through space. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Nicola Tesia began demonstrating wireless broadcasting and power transmission. Early experiments in Colorado Springs in 1899 led to the Wardenclytfe Tower in New York. Tesla was adamant to prove that electrical power ‘could be transmitted without wires, but lack of funding halt- ed the project. (Tesia’s main financial backer, industrialist George Westinghouse, was famously reported to have asked about wireless power transier, “Where do you put the meter?"—ed.) twas not until the 1920s that public broadcasting began, and Europe built massive AM transmitters with signal strengths to penetrate many countries. The transmitter at Beromunster in Switzerland (near where your author grew up) could have transmitted at 600 kW, but legislation on elec- tro-smog and protests from the local population limited the power to 180 KW." Smaller FM stations have since replaced these large national transmitters. How does wireless charging relate to radio transmission? Both models are similar in that they transmit power by elec- tro-magnetic waves. Wireless charging operates in a near field condition in which the primary coil produces a magnet- ic field that is picked up by the secondary coil in close prox- . The radio transmitter works on the far field principle by sending waves that travel through space. While the receiv- ing coll of the wireless charger captures most of the energy generated, the receiving antenna of the radio needs only a few microvolts (one millionth of a volt) to raise the signal “e-mail: Photo A~ Charging mat for a mobile phone. Wireless charg- ing is most practical for mobile phones and accessories. (Photo courtesy of Powermat) above the noise level and receive clear intelligence when amplified. Types of Wireless Charging Wireless charging is classified into three categories: Radio charging, inductive charging, and resonance charging. Radio charging will serve low-power devices operating within 2 10-meter (30-foot) radius from the transmitter to charge batteries in medical implants, hearing aids, watches, and entertainment devices. Radio charging can also activate advanced RFID (radio frequency identification) chips through resonantly enhanced induction. The transmitter sends a low: power radio wave at a frequency of 915 MHz (frequency for microwave ovens), and the receiver converts the signal to energy. The radio charging method is closest to a regular radio transmitter; it offers high flexibility but has low power capture and exposes people to electro-smog. ‘Most of today’s wireless chargers use inductive charging, featuring transmit and receive coils in close proximity. Electric toothbrushes were among the first devices to use this charg- ing method, and mobile phones are the fastest-growing sec- torto charge without wires. To retrofit an existing mobile phone for mobile charging, simply attach a “skin” that contains the receiver and provides interconnection to the charger socket. Many new devices have this feature builtin For larger batteries such as electric vehicles, resonance charging, or electro dynamic induction, is being developed. 44» ca © November 2012 Visit Our Web Sitele ete A tT Are You? The new CN-B01HPS provides legendary Daiwa precision for simultaneous forward/refiected power and VSWR readings at power levels up to 3 KW! + Three power ranges: 30W/300W/3000W! + Selector switch allows display of AVG or PEP power (REF pwr in AVG mode only). + Large, easy-to-see meter with mirrored scale to accurate viewing of readings over wide an: 1.8 - 200 MHz! + Renowned Daiwa cross-needle design displays forward power, reflected power, and SWR simultaneously--perfect for monitoring effects of external antenna tuner adjustments! + LED illumination with On/Off switch. For a complete catalog, call or visit your local dealer. Or contact NCG Company, 15036 Sierra Bonita Lane, Chino, CA 91710 Daiwa 909-393-6133 800-962-2611 FAX 909-393-6136 www.natcommgroup.com Resonance charging works by making a coil ring. The oscil- lating magnetic field works within a 1-meter (3-foot) radius, and the distance between transmit and receive coils must be well within 1/4 wavelength (915 MHz has a wavelength of 0.328 meters, or about one foot). Currently, resonance charging in trials can deliver roughly 3,000 watts at a trans- fer efficiency of 80-80 percent. Global Standard The success of wireless charging was conditioned on adopt ing a global standard, and the WPC (Wireless Power Consortium)? accomplished this in 2008. With the “Qi’ norm, device manufacturers can now build charger platforms to serve a broad range of compatible Gi devices. The first release limits the power to five watts and works as follows: While in ready mode, the charging mat sends signals that sense the placing of an object. Detection occurs by a change in capacitance or resonance. The mat validates the device for WPC compatibility by sending a packet of data by modulating the load with an &-bit data string. The receiving device awak- tens and responds by providing the signal strength. The mat then sends multiple digital pings to identify the best position- ing of the placed object. Only then will service begin. During Charging, he receiver sends control error packets'o adjust the power level. Photo A illustrates a Qi-compatible charger mat. The charge mat transmits power only when a valid object is recognized. With no load, or when the battery is fully charged, the mat switches to standby mode. The transmit and receive coils are shielded to obtain good coupling and to reduce stray radiation. Some charge mats use a free moving transmit coil that seeks the object placed above for best cou- pling; other systems feature multiple transmit coilsand engage only those in close proximity tothe objectbeing charged. Photo Photo B- Wireless charging system by Texas Instruments: Qi-compatible transmitter module (left) and the receiver ‘module. Commercial applications are currently imited to 5 watts. (Photo courtesy of Texas Instruments) B shows a Qi kit from Texas Instruments representing the transmitter and receiver. Drawbacks of Wireless Charging Inductive charging is not without disadvantages. The California Energy Commission (CEC), Level V, mandates ‘wwww.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 « CQ + 45that AC adapters meet minimum elon of 85 percent Energy Star‘, Level, requites 87 percent (European CE uses CEC as a base). Adding the losses of the charger circuit to the AC adapter brings the overall efficiency for a hardwired charger to about 70 percent. Wireless charging has a trans- fer efficiency of 70-80 percent; coupled with its own AC power conversion, the overall charge efficiency hovers between 60 and 70 percent. In addition to efficiency losses, the wireless charger includes the “readiness" mode to identity the place ment of an object, a feature that adds to power consumption, Charger manufacturers, including Cadex Electronics®, make great efforts to meet regulatory requirements. Losses incurred through less efficient charge methods go against the government-backed Energy Star program, and exceptions may need to be made to allow more energy use to support convenience. With roughly one-billon chargers on standby or in charge mode, the extra power consumed is significant. The number of mobile phones in the world is estimated at over five billion. In 2008, 3.2-billion power supplies were man- ufactured globally; most are plugged into the mains, drawing power. Lost energy turns into heat and a wireless charger can get quite warm during charge. Any temperature increase to the baltery causes undue stress, and batteries charged on wire- less devices may not last as long on a mat as on the regular plug-in charger. It should be noted that the heat buildup only ‘occurs during charging; the Qivwireless charger will cool down when the baitery is fully charged. WPC was very careful when releasing Qi the first version has a power limit of five watts. A medium-power version of up to 120 watts is in the works but this norm must meet strin- gent radiation standards before release. There are health Par EndFedz® Antennas READY FOR ACTION: NO tuning or ground radials! STEALTHY: Great for restricted residential areas! VERSATILE: Install at home or take it with you! QUALITY: Best in class!) MANTIZ FX-2 * 30/40 Meter QRP CW Transceiver * Rated at 3W (30M) 4.5W (40M) Power Output GTA * Great for backpacking and portable use! —a~-LNR PRECISION ENDFEDZ’ (Chock ou esham reviews to hear ‘what others aro saying! www.LNRprecision.com Tel: 336-495-7714 46 + ca + November 2012 concems because the devices operate in close proximity to human activity at radio frequencies ranging from 80-300 kHz, Some stations transmit at 915 MHz, the frequency used to heat food in microwave ovens. Electromagnetic energy from radio towers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, and now wireless charging are categorized as non-ionizing radiation and are believed to be harmless. Ionizing rays from X-rays, on the other hand, have been shown to cause cancer. As the number of non-ionizing devices in ‘creases, people begin to question safety. Regulatory author- ities are waiting for evidence and will only impose restrictions ifahealth risk can be scientifically proven (so far, none has — ed). Meanwhile, parents odjectto Schoois installing Wi-Fi, and homeowners protest about electric meters that communicate data without wires. Radiation from wireless chargers may be ‘seen as harmless because they do not transmit intelligence, In most cases, the household radiation is low enough not to worry, but itis the field strength and close proximity to the ‘source that could add to potential harm, if indeed there is any. Charging electric vehicles without plug and cable offers the ultimate in convenience, as the driver simply parks the vehi cle over a transmit coil. Engineers talk about embedding charging coils into highways for continuous charging while diving or when waiting at a traffic ight. While this is techni cally feasible, cost, efficiency, and radiation issues at these higher powers are thus far insurmountable challenges. ‘Ata transfer efficiency of 80-90 percent, 10-20 percent of the power is lost. This is reflected in a substantial energy cost tothe user and should be calculated as a decrease in drivable distance per watt. Applied to a large vehicle population, this ‘goes against the efforts to conserve energy. Daimler's head of Future Mobility, Professor Herbert Kohler, says that induc- tive charging for EVs is at least 15 years away and cautioned about safety. The potential radiation of EV charging is higher than Wi-Fi or talking on a mobile phone; it could also endan ‘ger people who have pacemakers. ‘Onthe other hand, despite low efficiency and radiation con- ‘cems, wireless charging offers decisive advantages in indus- try. tallows safe chargingin a hazardous environment where an electrical spark through charge contacts could cause an ‘explosion, or where heavy grease, dust, and corrosion would make electrical contacts impractical. Wireless charging also helps when muttiple insertions would wear out the battery ‘contacts too quickly. There is, however, a cost premium and this is especially apparentin custom devices that cannot take advantage of cost reductions through mass production. Currently, a wireless charging station will cost roughly 25, percent more than a regular charger. A 25-percent premium also applies to the receiver. If the portable device cannot be ‘charged withthe battery installed, as is possible with a mobile phone, then each battery would need its own receiver and the battery pack would bear the added cost. Unless wireless charging is necessary for convenience or environmental reasons, charging through battery contact continues to be the most practical alternative. Notes 1. Swiss National Public Radio, AM Station Beromiinster 2. Wireless Power Consortium 3. California Energy Commission (CEC), the state's primary ‘energy policy and planning agency 4, Energy Star, an international standard for energy efficient consumer products '5. The author is founder and CEO of Cadex Electronics, . Visit Our Web siteTechnology Special Is Homebrewing ver the 30+ years that | have been writing this column one unfortunate factor stands out. When | began (in the early 1970s), many columns were aimed at home-brewing tips and kinks in one form or another. From simple microphone and power connections to more advanced topics such as entire transmitters. and receivers, many amateurs were engaged in build- ing something. As a direct result of the mail we received (remember, this was before e-mail) we had a lot of questions and comments regarding these endeavors. As time passed, however, the umber of questions dwindled. Now perhaps 5%. (of our mail (this time including e-mail) is concemed. with @ home-brew project of some sort. In fact, ther than “exotic” topics such as GHz transmis: sion, digital modulation schemes and the like, and, very simple questions (the color code of the wires “cio CQ magazine Dead? ina line cord), any ‘middle of the road” questions and comments are few and far between | know that rag-chewing certainly is a major part of the hobby and store-bought equipment is the ‘norm. I should indicate that | have no problem with that, at all, But how many of you (especially new= comers) have enjoyedthe thrillot contacting some- one with equipment that you have built with your own two hands?! Itis hard to explain the feeling if you have not experienced it personally. "My God, itactually works!is the usual thought the first time. There is a new (?) movement growing called “Makers.” This consists of groups of people actu- ally making somethingthemselves. There areeven. “faites,” as they call them, devoted to this endeav- or. Although not specifically geared to amateur radio, isn't this what we have been doing for the past hundred years on a regular basis? if the pen- dulumis truly swinging back, perhaps theres hope yet for the dwindling ranks of the amateur radio home brewer. \ /] Antenna 2.5mH RF Choke el 1N34 Germanium Diode 0.01uF ceramic Vv capacitor | 100 to 200 uA panel meter 100K Potentiometer (Sensitivity) Fig. 1~ Simple field-strength meter described in text. wwrw.cq-amateur-radio.com WONZWM «HIV NIMAI AS SOJOU S$ UJOUU November 2012 * ca + 47Fifteen spectacular color images of some of the biggest, most photogenic shacks, antennas, ‘scenics and personalities from across the country! ‘This year’s calendar is better than ever! Includes dates of important Ham Radio events, ‘major contests and other operating events, ‘meteor showers, phases of the moon, and other astro- ‘nomical information, plus important and popular hol days. CQ's 15-month calendar (January 2013, through March 2014) is a must have! Onder yours tock? Calendars will ship October 1st. ‘You will not be billed until calendar ships! Shipping charges: USA $3; CNIMX $5; All other countrios $10. (eK rd Tl 2-H Ce deat NN at med eT eee eee aM eet eer rd 48 + ca + November 2012 lege Fig. 2- Suggested layout of components. From my comments it is easy the see where my feelings lie. When you get a license, you must first demonstrate a knowledge (to some degree) of the technical aspects of radio. if you have not simply memorized the answers tothe various questions, perhaps you should consider warming up the sol dering iron and “getting your hands dirty.” Build something! Don't be scared by tiny surface-mount components. Plenty of resistors and capacitors are still available. Integrated cir- cuits canstillbe gotten in the easy-to-handle plastic DIP pack- ages, and even IC sockets are readily available. Printed cir- Cuitboards are nice, but in the “old days" point-to-point wiring and so-called "Manhattan style” or "dead bug” techniques were the only way webuilt things, andby the way, they worked Quite well from the simplest to the most advanced projects. They can still work quite well for you. With this idea in mind, especially if you are a newcomer or ‘a"maker,” | would suggest that you start with @ very simple but useful device—a field strength meter. This will not cost ‘much, is easy to build, and will resuit in something that can at least show you that your transmitter is working. A suitable ‘schematic diagram is shown in fig. 1. Although I rarely do it, | have listed the parts and some sources so that you really have no excuse for not obtaining them (see Typical Parts List box). A possible sketch of a finished unit is shown in fig. 2, and for the real novice | have even produced a pictorial wiring diagram in fig. 3 When all is complete, place the finished unit near your transmitting antenna. Key the transmitter (in the CW mode), adjust the pot and antenna length for a mid-scale reading, Visit Our Web SiteThe Elecraft K-Line A powerful performance you won't want to miss eee eae ery arted with the K3 transceiver, which tops the charts in Pe eae ars eee aC nee ees fast, full-color panadapter. And now, we're proud to introduce the KPASO0: a 500-watt solid-state amp that's so well-integrated you'll think it's reading your mind. KPA500 features 160-6 m coverage, instant RF-based band switching with any radio, alphanumeric tus display, bright LED bar graphs, and a rugged, built-in linear supply. The amp’s manual band switches can be used to change bands on the K3. The K3 can even select per-band amplifier drive levels automatically when the amp is placed into operate mode, so you'll rarely need to adju The K3 already gives you the competitive edge, with its optional high-performance sub r filters as narrow as 200 Hz, new audio peaking filter (APF), and one of the cleanest SSB signals arou ere uo kee) nied Fr ELECRAFT nae eal Box 69, Aptos, California 95001-0069 and you have it. Simple to be sure, but you will have built it 7 yourself and should get some degree of satistaction from see- ing It actually work. Note that this circuit is based on the old Heathkit field-strength meter of the 1960s and should work from 160 meters to 2 meters. Maybe this will encourage you to pursue more interesting Telescoping projects in the future. ‘antenna o.otue 73, Irwin, WA2NOM Typical Parts List ‘N34 Germanium diode (Mouser Electronics 526-1N@4A) RF 2.5 milliHenry RF choke coil (Miller 6302 from Mouser aw Electronics 542-6302-R) aay al 100K Potentiometer (RadioShack 271-092) sorter “ HHT Knob for potentiometer (RadioShack 270RN-120L) ng” (salt ) 0.01-uF coramic capacitor (RadioShack 272-131) NT A DC micro-ammeter (0-100 or 0-200 yA) (eBay for approx $y, imately $7.50, or All Electronics PMD-100UA for $12.00) Rey Project box (RadkoShack 270-1808) / U ‘Telescoping antenna (RadioShack 270-1418) came on Keep in mind that parts are not critical and are available Band Potentiometer frommany other sources, notjust the ones listed above. Those listed are simply for reference, but don't be alald to “shop around" You can save more than half if you simply take the Fig, 3- Pictorial layout of components. timo to look. After al, that's part of home brewing as well wurw.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 + ca + 49Technology Special Is “key creep” a problem in your shack? You know, paddles moving around your desk as you try to send code? N2EI says Vibroplex has solved that problem with a distinctive heavyweight paddle set ... the Vibrocube. Vibroplex Vibrocube Paddles any CW ops can tell the same story: You're in the middle of a QSO ormorelikely afast-paced contest exchange. You go to send an important piece of information, and just as you start to move the keyer paddles, “P.O. Box 236, Beverly, NJ 08010 e-mail: BY TJ. “SKIP” AREY,* N2EI the key slides across the table, forcing you to send some rapid dits followed by an apology for your sloppy fist. I's as if Murphy had it in for code folks! Over the years CW ops have come up with clever and even drastic solu- tions to keeping their keys from creep- ing across the shack table top. The problem with this tends to be the more you lock down the key, the less conve- ritent it becomes to move it when you actually want to change things around, Like many hams, | have long depend- ed on the Vibroplex company to address all my CW keying needs. And, like many CW ops, 've become some- what set in my ways. So when Scott Robbins, W4PA, the current owner of The Vibrocube Standard version (lett) features a black wrinkle finish, while the Deluxe version (right) comes in Vibroplex’s more traditional polished chrome finish. Both models weigh nearly six pounds and feature oversized finger pieces to ‘compensate for their increased height. (W2VU photo) 50 © Ca * November 2012 Visit Our Web siteVibroplex, decided to design a key to resolve this age old key creep problem, Iwas more than intrigued. The Vibrocube weighs in at just a touch under six pounds! That's nearly twice as heavy as most other premium keying systems, so let's get this out of the way right now: THIS KEY IS STAY- ING PUT! PERIODI! The base is made Of solid cold-rolled steel. If your keying style makes this unit move across the table, you reallyneedto consider anoth- erhobby, perhaps powerlifting or unlim- ited mixed martial arts. However, if you are a CW op with a decidedly heavy hand at the paddles, this key may be the answer to your prayers. (Okay, 80 sticking a big, heavy weight under the paddle mechanismis no great engineering feat. The real trick is get- ting that much weight into a key base and still have the key's footprint on the desktop stay at a reasonable size. Vibroplex took a very clever route to solve this problem. It raised the overall height of the keying mechanism by nearly an inch. That allowed for a lot more mass in the same space, but under normal circumstances, this also raises the finger pieces to a rather unnatural position. The Vibroplex folks solved this problem as well by creating ‘a new patadigm in finger pieces. The oversized acrylic finger pieces are nearly three times larger than tradi- tional Vibroplex pieces, As someone who has used traditional Vibroplex key designs for my entire amateur radio life, this new design intially gave me pause. This was something new and different. Was it too different? lunhooked my Vibroplex iambic pad- dles from my rig and put the Vibrocube into position. Interestingly enough, the actual keying mechanism is essentially identical to that of the classic iambic paddles. The setup was a simple mat- ter of adjusting the contact spacing and spring tension to suit my personal taste. The Vibrocube was ready to go in less than five minutes. | got on 40 meters and searched out a few rag-chewing sessions. The larg- er finger pieces do exhibit a bit more give than the more traditional pieces, but I resolved this to my satisfaction by backing off slightly on the spring ten- sion. | was pleasantly surprised when | picked up speed with the paddles. Over 20 wpm the flexibilty in the finger pieces became unnoticeable. As counterintu- itive as this may sound, | found the Vibrocube's finger pieces an asset to higher-speed operation. I contacted Scott, W4PA, to ask him about these new design ideas and he wonw.cq-amateur-radio.com told me that so far folks are happy with the new design. In addition, Scott said the Vibrocube also seems to work well for those just starting out in CW. | can see that the large finger pieces and free- dom from keyer creep certainly would help new users develop a comfort level with their CW practice. | also think the large finger pieces are likely to encour- ‘age modification. I'm looking forward to seeing the first set of ebony finger pieces with mother-of-pear inlay! Thus, after a few weeks of enjoyable on-air use, | decided to give the Vibrocube a real test. | brought it to my local ham club, which has a good mix of new hams and old-timers. Initially folks were more interested in trying to get the Vibrocube to slide across the smooth table top, and they were pleased to find that litle short of hitting itwith a closed fist was going to make the unit budge. However, once they actually sat down to use the paddles, both new and old hams began spouting superlatives. My favorite comment was, “This is the HumVee of code keys!” Not such a bad analogy, actually, The Vibrocube is big, sturdy, and able to get the job done with a certain kind of style. ‘The Vibrocube is available in three models. The Standard Vibrocube ($189.95) has machined trunion pins and screws. The Upgraded Vibrocube ($219.95) includes industrial jeweled movements on the upper and lower trunion pins. The Standard and Up- {graded models of the Vibrocube come in a black wrinkle finish that gives the units a unique appearance. That said, Vibroplex also offers a Deluxe Model (6289.95) with industrial jeweled move- ments anda chrome finish similar to its other Deluxe keys and paddles. The Vibroplex folks are also proud of the fact that the Vibrocube is 100% made and assembled in the United States. ‘The Vibrocube breaks new ground in key design. If you are a beginning CW user, aveteran code aficionado, or any- thing in between, you'll want to give the Vibrocube a try. For more information: Vibroplex, 2906 Tazewell Pike, Ste. A2B, Knoxville, TN 37918; phone 800-840: 8873; web . The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 Bringing Communication to Education Since1980 ee a RADIO Radios You Can Write Off - Kids You Can’t SOT eS UG OCCU acre Pe nog Se ec gear to an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity. eee ecu ke eet cen Ean ces ie ucurc} eters acre ss eT sear RTS SRr) Pee yee red Fax 516-674-9600 WB November 2012 « ca + 51Announcing: The 2013 CQ World-Wide 160-Meter Contest CW: 2200Z January 25 to 2200Z January 27 SSB: 2200Z February 22 to 2200Z February 24 New Deadlines for Log Submissions are 5 Days: CW: 2200Z February 1, 2013 SSB: 2200Z March 1, 2013 |. OBJECTIVE: For amateurs around the world to contact other amateurs in as many U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and countries as possible uliizing the 160 meter band. ll BAND USE: 1810-2000 kHz in ITU Region 1 1800-2000 kHz in ITU Regions 2 and 3. All entrants are encouraged to spread out as much as possible, obeying fre- quency restrictions and power limits for their own country. Any violations of the ITU band use may result in dis- qualification. Ill. CATEGORIES: For all categories ‘The main site is defined as: all transmitters, receivers, and antennas must be located on the same contiguous proper ly. If the property is not contiguous, then all equipment must fail within 2 1500 meter radius. Ali antennas must be con- nected by wires to the main station. This rule applies to all entrants. ‘The use of any so-called "Chat Rooms” via the internet or similar means for communication between stations or oper- ators during the contest period is strictly prohibited. Do not arrange or confirm QSOs by any other means than the use of the 160 Meter band and the same mode as used in the contest. Any such use may result in disqualification at the discretion of the committee. The use of self spotting is not allowed in any category. Remote operation is permitted under the following conditions: ‘= The use of any receiver located away trom the main site is strictly prohibited. + The use of a separate receiver at the remote control loca- tion is prohibited. ‘* Any receiver linked via the Internet or RF not physically located at the main site is strictly prohibited. ‘i the remote station is located in another DXCC entity it \s required to comply with all local country regulations. Operating time: Each contest is 48 hours long and starts at 22002. Single operator stations may only operate 30 out of the 48 hours. Multi-Operator stations may operate 40 hours. Off times must be a minimum of 30 minutes in lenath for all categories. (A) Single Operator: One person performs all ofthe oper- ating, logging, and spotting functions. Maximum operating time is 30 hours. Passive spotting is NOT allowed. (See definition of passive spotting functions below.) Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any moment in time. Maximum power is 1500 watts total output or the output power allowed by your country, whichever is less. (B) Single Operator/Low Power: Same as (A) with the ‘exception that the output power shall not exceed 150 watts. Stations in this category compete with other Low Power sta- tions only. (C) GRP: Same as (A) with the exception that the output power shall notexceed 5 watts. Stations in this category com- pote with other QRP stations only. {D) Single Operator Assisted: HIGH POWER ONLY. ‘Same as (A) with the following exception: The use of pas: sive spotting IS allowed. (See definition of passive spotting functions below.) (E) Multi-Operator: HIGH POWER ONLY. All rules apply as in Single Op Assisted; however, more than one operator (person) is involved in the operation. Maximum operating time is 40 hours. Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any momentin time. Maximum power is 1500 watts total out- put or the output power allowed by your country, whichever is less. The use of passive spotting is allowed. Passive Spotting is defined as (but not limited to): DX spotting nets or QSO alerting assistance of any kind, Over-the-air nets or stations that provide frequency and sta~ tion information. ‘Any device or person that provides frequency and callsign information of any station during the contest period. This includes band skimmers or similar devices. Passive spotting does NOT include band scopes, SDR receivers, or the like, which provide no information about the signal other than its presence, which is allowed in all categories. IV. Exchange: RS(T) and state for U.S., province for Canada, and CQ Zone for DX. Note: Zones are location indi- ators only and do not count for multipliers. V. Multiplier: U.S. States: (48 contiguous states); U.S. District of Columbia (DC) (1) Canadian Provinces: (14) VO1, VO2, NB, NS, PEI (VY2), VE2, VES, VE4, VES, VE6, VE7, VE8 (NWT), VY1 (YUK), wo. DXCC plus WAE countries: WAE: IT, GM (Shetland Islands), JW (Bearisland), TA1 (European Turkey), 4U1VIC, ‘YUS Kosova. VI. Points: Contacts with stations in own country: 2 points. Contacts with other countries on same continent: 5 points. 52 * CO + November 2012 Visit Our Web SiContacts with other continents: 10 points. Maritime mobile contacts count 5 points. There is no multiplier value for a maritime mobile contact. VIL. Scoring: All stations—the final sscore is the result of the total QSO points ‘muttiplied by the sum of all multipliers (tates, VE provinces, DX countries). Vill. Awards: Certificates will be awardedto the top scorers ineach class (see provisions under classes) by state, Canadian area, and DX country. Runners-up with high scores over 100,000 points may also receive certifi- cates. The trophies and donors for all categories can be found on the official contest web site CQ160.com. If you are interested in sponsoring a plaque, please contact us at: . IX. Club Competition: Any club that submits at least three logs may enter the Club Competition. The name of the club must be clearly identified under club competition onthe summary sheet, or summary portion of the Cabrillo log, Please make sure all entrants from your club use the same club name (spelled the same) in the Cabrillo entry. Non- compliance with this request may result in your score not being credited to your club's entry. X. Log Instructions: ‘The new deadline for log submis: sions is 5 days from the end of the contest: For CW this is 22002 Feb 1, 2013. For SSB this is 2200Z Mar 1, 2013. The submission of Cabrillo Logs is highly encouraged. Please submit CQ WW 160 Meter Contest logs via e-mail to <160CW@kkn.net> for CW and <160SSB@kkn.net> for SSB. Logs are requested to be in the Cabrillo file for- ‘mal. You can view the currentlist of logs received at . Mailing deadline (postmark) for CW entries is February 1, 2013; for SSB entries March 1, 2013. Mail all paperidisk logs to: Paper Logs, P.O. Box 481, New Carlisle, OH 45344. Please indicate 160M CW or SSB on the envelope. For hardship cases that require more time for log submission, send an e-mail to . We will make every effort to accommodate you if you have a valid reason for delay. Cabrillo formatted logs are received bya log processing robot. Ifyourlog has been submitted correctly, the robot will reply with an e-mail containing a track- ing (confirmation) number. If there is a problem with your log, the robot will www.cq-amateur-radio.com send you an error message containing suggestions for how to fix your log. Read this e-mail carefully. Mostlog sub- mission problems are minor and can be corrected in one pass. Submit your log as many times asneeded. The last sub- mitted og will be the version that counts for your official entry. Once you receive a tracking number, your log has been accepted. Inquiries should be sent to . Special request for competitive entries: Whereverpossible, the entrant is asked to record and save an audio file of the contest for review by the ‘committee when requested. Any typeof audio format is acceptable. This is only arequestandis not required forwards. Be sure to send in paper and diskette based logs early to ensure receipt by the deadlines. Unreadable paper logs will be classified as check logs. XI, Penalties and Disqualification: Logs will be cross-checked and penal- ties will be applied at the committee's discretion for contacts determined tobe bad or busted. The bad QSO is removed and a penalty of two more equivalent QSOs is applied tothe points nly. No penalty should be applied for unique QSOs unless they are deemed excessive. Alog may be disqualified for Violation of amateur radio regulations, unsportsmanlike conduct, or claiming excessive unverified contacts Report file outputs showing final score calculations will be available for all entrants after the results are pub- lished. The decisions of the CQ WW 160 Contest Committee are final Alinco, Arrow Antennas, Comet, Daiwa, GRE, Heil, Jetstream, LDG Tuners, $9, Tigertronics, Uniden, W2I]HY |$99 Dual Band @Bwouxun’ Credit Cards and Pa and More LDG New AT-600Proll al Accepted “OME www.CheapHam.com 732-716-1600 Hometek LLC, 1575 Route 37 W, Unit 4, Toms River, NJ 08755 W2Z2IKY Technologies 8 Band EQ Wear avonstas Neb ea sna esgas er stance edeter aaa peeeeeeeen cereal Sean coca Pere reer en eT caer etme onal’ hissetty.com WZIHY Technologies Inc. order online at www.w2ihy.com EQplus By W2IHY Promium Audlo Processing. fee tars har al rego ab Be tine. Conor Sut uh gover tale dro rts heey | Expat ne edad face tr yen rane Haafone None pn Feel std we or Cr ith UO ad a ance ay Poorer err eneeperioremniare 19Vanessa Lane Staateburg, NY 12560 November 2012 » ca + 53learning curve BY RICH ARLAND,* K7SZ chnology Special Ham Radio Technology: From Bleeding Edge to Retro the amateur radio hobby. Technology has always driven our hobby, but the evolving technology of today is making such rapid inroads in amateur radio that it almost takes a score card to keep up. Having been a ham since the early 1960s, | have seen our hobby grow by leaps and bounds, but nothing prepared me for the last ten years! When | was getting started, vacuum tubes (some of you might remember those little glass. tubes that glowed in the dark) were the state of the art and amplitude modulation (AM) was king. Shortly after becoming a ham, | saw single side- band take over from AM and transistor technolo- gy surpass vacuum tubes. The primary digital ‘mode of the day was radio teletype (ATTY) unless. you count CW as the “original digital mode"! No one had heard of packet radio, PSK31, JT65, or Olivia... yet! N& is an exciting time to be involved with °770 Wiliam St. SE, Dacula, GA 30019 ‘e-mail: AF Gain Keyor Prana et Photo A~ The front panel of the SDR Cube is dense but ifs all usable, even with my fat fingers. The dis- play is very crisp and easy on the eyes. You control the entire radio from the front panel, no computer, no ‘mouse, no trackball! (K7SZ photos) 54.» ca » November 2012 In this month's column we are going to visit some “bleeding edge” technology and take a backwards glance over our shoulders to some retro technology that still has a huge following among many hams. Software Defined Radios The three most feared words that most of us old pharls hate to hear are software defined radios, or SDRs. That's right, SDRs have seemingly taken overham radio. i's scary. NO, really, Imean SCARY! Until June of fast year, had nothing but analog ‘igs in the shack. Now’ have four SDRs and | swear, when the lights in the shack are turned out at night, they multiply! Like | said, SDRs are Scary First ofall, you have to understand | really don't like computers. Really, | don't. Computers are a necessary evil, and while | can manipulate com mercial software onmy computers, when itcomes to understanding how the bloody things really work, i's voodoo, black magic, of whatever you want to call it. To say that I have no ‘computer MoJo" is an understatement. Inthe “good'’ol days,” we relied ondiscrete com- ponents such as resistors, capacitors, coils/induc- tots, and all sorts of solid-state parts to make up the hardware for our radios. Nothing was “digital,” except maybe the frequency readout on the main tuning dial. On these ‘analog’ radios itwas a sim- pile matter to learn basic troubleshooting and how to isolate a problem to a specific part inside the rig. Things were simple. Then some data-dink decided that we needed to “digitize” everything, and things would be "bet- ter.” Well, ‘better’ is @ relative term, as we soon shall see. OK, first of all | do like data-dinks; after all, 'd be in deep kimchi without them. I have a couple of them on speed-clal for those times | do some- thing insanely gooly and manage to screw up a perfectly good $800 computer. That settled, let's press on and get acquainted with the newest rev- olution in ham radio: Software Defined Radios, When we talk about analog radios we are talk- ing about the mainstay of ham radio for over 70 years. The following is @ short list of some of the more notable analog rigs: Collins KWM-2 and the Scline; Drake A, B, & C lines and the 2B receiver, allthe Heathkit igs; all the Hallicrafters sets; Ten Tec Argonauts and Omnis (except the Omni-Vll); justto name a few. Everything was nice and easy founderstand, God was in His heaven and allwas Visit Our Web siteProven Performance Accessories nd KENWOOD Radios WART Sells ALL LDG Electronics Products. Electronics www.wart.com, Incredible Software-Defined Antenna Analyzer ELECTRONICS. sss Sos ASTER DEALER toon Pose th right with the world. Then came the dig- ital craze and all bets were off The idea behind SDRs is to build a simple RF hardware platform and have specialized software in the computer, helped by the audio card, do the heavy lifting by performing all the functions including SSB, AM, CW, data modes, etc. Once the RF signals are digitized and stuffed into a computer running specialized SDR software, | get lost. Basically, as | understand it, once in the digital realm and all signals are either ‘ones” or "zeros" (1 or 0), some really sophisticated software can be employed to do some really amazing things with these signals. | got that. Unfortunately, the learning curve on some of these new SDAs is extremely steep—especially the ones that are nothing more than a box with connec tors that interface to a computer. Everything is done by a mouse click or atrack ball,no buttons, switches, or any of the standard things we are used to on analog sets. Making the transition from our old, comfortable analog rigs tothe new SDR rigs can take some time and effort. Is it worth it? Interesting question. Certainly from the perspective of what these new digital rigs can accomplish, itis. With the current trend of adding digital technol- for YAESU, ICOM, OUTSTANDING DSP Noise Cancellin Bm °7Rus W4RT Electronics www.wart.com COLLINS MECHANICAL FILTERS a . Fie, ‘DUAL-FILTERS, 1 tor 300,500 & 2300 He Fitters FT817(ND), 857(0) & 897(0) FT-2000, 1C-703 & 10-718 Noise Cancelling DSP fats na PSY? ToT, (Cream. 19 49.3-40, rit war OX, FRC-100, FH, ogy to mainstream radios from the major Japanese companies, Ten-Tec and others, it would stand to reason that the moder ham should become int mately familiar with SDR technology. In a few years we may be looking at a severe lack of analog gear! Thinking Outside the Box, or “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Computer!” With al the emphasis on marrying com- puters to radio platforms, it took some- ne like George Heron, N2APB, and Juha Niinikoski, OH2NLT, to do some serious thinking outside-the-box to come up with a rig that is in a class by itself! George, Juha, and Joe Everhart, N2CX, are “doers.” They are the design dream team behind Midnight Design Solutions, the innovative company that brought ‘us the NUE-PSK_ digital modem, and now the SDR Cube, a stand-alone tiny SDR that does not eed a computer to work! As a matter of fact, the official motto of the SDR Cube design team is (with apologies to Humphrey Bogart and Alfonso Bedoya in The Treasure of Sierra Madre), "We don't need no stinkin’ computer!” The idea arose from listening to com- plaints of portable/mobile ham opera- tors who were frustrated because they had to drag alaptop or Netbook into the field with their radio gear in order to operate from remote locations. The SDR evolved by incorporating a com- pputer sound card and all the processing firmware in the tiny 4-inch cube itself! ‘The SDR Cube has a graphic LCD dis- play along with knobs, switches, jacks, etc.,just lke a “real radio” (photo A), but that is where the similarity ends. All the processing of the analog to digital sig- nals is done inside the SDR Cube itselt (photo B), with no need for a computer torrun the show. Clever, huh? The SOR Cube is a rather unique It- tle piece of gear. First is its size: rough ly fourinches per side; a neat litle cube! The rig, as it comes from the manufac- turer, is capable of SSB, CW, and data modes. The SDR Cube transceiverisall- band capable, with general-coverage receive and replaceable transmit mod- ules providing simultaneous coverage for each HF ham band. tuses Soft Rock modules for the RF deck, so this little {gem is definitely mult-band: just plug in the desired Soft Rock module and you are on the air! The rig can be purchased prre-buit or in kit form and the website (http:viwww.sdr-cube.com/) gives the various configurations and prices for this little SDR, My sources also hear that the www.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 Ca + 55SDR Cube line is expanding soon to incorporate a 20W RF power amplifier, a GPS timing unit, and an amplified stereo speaker system. This will make a regular “Cube-Line”! Cute is a great adjective for this tiny radio. It is relatively easy to learn to operate and there Is built-in expand- ability right from the factory. The back Photo B-An interior shot of the SDR Cube shows a bit ofthe technology involved. Notice that the Softrock band modules plug in and can be changed in about 30, seconds, which includes removing and reinstalling the case cover. of the Cube (photo C) features the infoutput jacks, power jack, and data Jack. Thereis even a jack to hook up the NUE-PSK digital modem to the SOR Cube. Data modes such as PSK31, RTTY, and CW are instantly available simply by plugging in the NUE-PSK dig- ital modem! Now thats technology lean live with! Photo C- Here Is the business end of the SDR Cube where all the inouvoutput ports, mic/speaker and power jacks and “ON/OFF” switch are located. Notice that there is a separate jack for the NUE-PSK digital modem to allow PSK, CW, or RTTY operation. ‘The Midnight Design Solutions SDR Cube transceiver is authentic “bleeding edge” technology. It is truly a one-of-a- kind digital radio system. This kind of creativity is what SDR technology is spawning. The entire Cube-Line will give today's ham radio operator the advantage of a complete multi-mode, ‘multi-band station in a physically small footprint, allata reasonable cost. While the Cube is at home in the shack, itcan also function quite wellin a portable role camping/hiking in the bush. The small physicalform factor ofthis rig lends itself nicely to including it in a camper or RV. ‘There's nothing like being able to take your hobby on the road! Let's Go Retro! OK, we've seen what the future of ham radio is all about, so let's take @ look backward over our shoulders and reconnect with the “original digital mode,” CW. The current CW craze isan amazing phenomenon. | am dumb- founded when it comes to the fact that CW is more popular now than before, when it was a requirement for obtaining aham license. Since the FCC lifted the ‘Morse code requirement, it seems like everyone now wants to leam CW! ‘The straight telegraph key is the orig- inal CW icon. While there is a group, the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC: www.skecgroup.com)), that promotes the use of straight keys, bugs, and “cootie keys," the vast majority of hams who utilize CW use automated keyers with a paddle set to make the dots and dashes. Paddles are a very personal thing among hams. While one paddle set may be your favorite, | might find it difficult, if not nearly impossible, to become comfortable with on the air. To be sure, there are literally hundreds of paddle sets available on the commer- cial market, and finding one that “fits” you properly can take on the persona of a crusade. My sage advice at this point is to get with some of your local ham club's CW gurus and try out their pad- dles to find your perfect fit KBRA Paddles At this time, I'd like to invite you into the machine shop of Jerry Pittenger, KERA, who makes some really nice, relatively inexpensive paddles (see photo D and -chttp:/inww KBra.com/>). Jerry's line of paddles deserves some serious consid- eration for the frugal ham. My mainstay pacole setis the KBRA P-6, single lever Paddle (http://mww.kBra.com/index_ (027, htm). Unfortunately, there has been 56 * CO » November 2012 Visit Our Web Sit* LONG WIRELESS RANGE MRUCSSUIEIMCIE III 1.0008 + FREQUENT WEATHER UPDATES at Affordable Prices (Mayer , + ALARM SETTINGS Vantage Pro2 Wireless and for over 70 parameters CCM Muesli + OVER 80 GRAPHS for highs, lows, and totals Vantage Pro2 weather stations give you the eee an - ultimate in professional 1 9 282) . accuracy and durability in their W2i- 2 = price range. Provides details on “Da? “she, 4 temperature, barometric pressure, tie 2 wind, rai, humidity and dewpoints. Add optional consoles, stations and sensors for even more weather ino, UT STARTS AT $495 a lack of quality, sensibly-priced single-lever paddles in the _leverlambic paddle much lke asingle-lever unit, thereis some- ‘market. The current focus has been on iambic dual-lever pad- thing I really ike about a well-designed single-lever paddle. dles. | never got the hang of using iambic paddles, although! Jerry's P-6 is big, heavy (4 pounds!) and doesn't “walk” have tried on several occasions. While you can use a dual- around the op’s bench when in use. That | like! It is made of Photo D- Jerry Pettinger, K8RA, produces some very nice, cost-effective paddle sets for the CW enthusiast. All are made from solid brass and feature silver contacts. The P-2jr (left) is an iambic paddle set specifically designed for RP portable/mobile operations. The P-6 is a single lever paddle set and is a great addition to any shack. wurw.ca-amateur-radio.com November 2012 * ca « S7Photo E~ The ZN-QRP paddle set is a true work or art. Tony Baleno, N3ZN, manufactures some of the most striking pad- dle sets | have ever seen. His attention to details truly amaz- ing. The ZN-QRP is at home in the shack as well as on the road portable/mobile. This diminutive key fits right in to the QRPer's gear bag and performs flawlessly. Good News for the VHF/UHF Enthusias The al-time favorite magazine for the VHF/UHF enthusiast. CQ VHF is better than ever and here fo serve youl By taking advantage of our subsctiption specials you'llsave money and nave CQ VHF delivered right to your mallloox. Only $28 for four information- packed quarterly issues. Or better yet, enter a two or three year subscription at these special prices. As always, every subscription comes with our money back guarantee. Ce Te Tm Le USA —VEIKE Foreign Air Post 1Year 25.00 36.00 39.00 2Years 52.00 72.00 78.00 3Years 78.00 108.00 117.00 Pass alt 6 wos aay tits Mail your order to CQ VHF # 25 Newbridge Road Hicksville, NY 1801 Subscribe on line at www.cq-vhfcom FAX your order to us at_ 516 661-2926 Cali Toll-Free 800-853-9797 5B + CO + November 2012 solid brass with lacquered finish to avoid tarnishing. The pad- dle uses sliver contacts and miniature ball bearings in the movement. It can be made to order using either spring ten- sion or magnetic tension. The P-6 is great for us old timers who never got the hang of iambic keying. Big, heavy, extremely wal-crafted—the P6 is a real workhorse. For us QAP and backpacking enthusiasts Jerry also pro- duces @ P-2 Junior, a small “GRP version” of his P-2 dual- lever paddle sel. This tiny paddle set (htip:/www.k8ra.com! index_014,htm) measures 2 x 2.5 x fe inches and weighs in al f pound. Made from solid brass, ike its big brothers, itfea- {ures miniature ball bearings in the movement along with sit ver contacts. | use my P2-Junior as my on-the-road paddle, since it fits nicely into a Small metal box that protect it while ‘ot in use. It also is relatively heavy for its size and can stand up to the rigors of operation from the bush quite well, which makes it my favorite for inclusion in my EmComm Go-Kit. Proportionally itis very much at home with small QAP rigs suchas the FT-817, IC-703, and the Ten-Tec Argonaut series The smell physical footprint of the P-2j will defintely save space on the ops bench while offering optimal performance for its diminutive size. {As I stated before, Jerry's line of paddles is priced quite reasonably, allowing the frugal CW enthusiast to procure @ quality paddle set af a cost that won't break the bank. N3ZN Paddle Tony Baleno, N3ZN, produces some extremely beautiful and very functional paddles. | have one of Tony's ZN-QRP dual lever paddle sets (photo E), and | have to admit itis a very impressive piece of CW apparatus. Not only that, it weighs in at 1 pound 4 ounces! Itis small, measuting 2.25 x 2.25 x 78 inches; ideal for inclusion in your portable radio equip- ‘ment kit. However, itis just fine for use in your home station, too, saving space on the ops bench. The ZN-QRP is con- structed of solid brass and has four feet, making it very sta- ble for such a small paddle. The ZN-ORP features a ball- bearing movement, magnetic lever return, and quick adjusting contact and magnet screws. It is available in tex- tured black, IRONMAN finish or lacquered brass finish with a choice of several different finger pieces. | got mine in brass and itis a work of art! have used my ZN-QRP for over a year. However, | can- not bear to take it on a portable outing! I's just too dared pretty! Seriously, the ZN-QRP is a quality iambic paddle set that can, of course, be used as a single-lever paddle, which isthe way employ mine. Tony offers a personalized top plate with your callsign engraved upon it, which adds a nice touch. ‘One thing I do have to mention regarding my ZN-QRP: As itcame out of the box, | made no adjustments to the contact spacing! Tony sets these paddles up before they leave his workshop and he apparently knows how to do it effectively, since my paddles have not been adjusted since they arrived! Well done, Tony! N3ZN offers not only iambic paddle sets but single-lever paddles and a selection of straight keys and CW parapher- nalia. Tony's products are not inexpensive, but then you are buying a quality sculpted piece of CW gear that willlast many, ‘many years. Drop by Tony's website and check out his offer- ings at: . That's it for this session, Contest season is in full swing, 0 hit the air waves and have some fun employing both the older and new-wave technologies available to today's ham radio operator. Vy 73, Rich, K7SZ Visit Our Web SiteInside the FCC’s Report on Amateur Radio in Emergencies and Impediments to Amateur Communications tion of the latest FCC order regarding amateur radio, a study that was required by Congress. Before that, however, | want to follow up on last, ‘month's column, “Success Through Failure,” in which I released the long-awaited study of my own (long-awaited by me at least) on the harmful effects of exposure to RF on two specific amateur radio frequencies. ‘Ata couple of ham events | was asked to explain what was occurring on those frequencies—3.910 MHZ in the east in the evenings and 14.300 MHz pretty much anywhere, anytime. The fellows said they didn’t operate on those frequencies and didn't listen but asked for a description. | described the operations as best | could, but it was only on the way home that I thought of the best way to char- acterize the mental impairment that results from operating on those frequencies. The best description would be that the commu- nications sound like a combination of road rage and karaoke, and the contribution to society gen- erally and to amateur radio specifically is about the same as either of those. Ii this column I'l try to give a simple explana- The FCC Study Refer to "Zero Bias” in last month's issue of this, magazine for additional background information regarding this study. On August 12, 2012, the FCC. released a report entitled “Uses and Capabilities, of Amateur Radio Service Communications in Emergencies and Disaster Relief.” It was a report to Congress pursuant to a requirement tacked on to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The report was written jointly by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Homeland Security Bureau of the FCC. | urge you to read the fairly brief full report. You may access: it online at . The report was the result of lobbying by the ARRL for a federal study of the value of amateur radio during emergencies and to bring federal attention to—ang, it was hoped, relief from—any impediments to such communications, such as what are known as “covenants, conditions, and restrictions’ (CC&Rs) as well as condominium bylaws and such that prohibitor limit outdoor ama- teur antennas in housing developments. Now please keep in mind that the land use restriction (CC&R) concept is totally separate from what we all know as “PRB-1," the FCC require- ‘ment that state and local jurisdictions make “rea- sonable accommodations” for amateur radio antennas. So before we even get into the FCC “C/O CO magazine e-mail: \wonw.cq-amateur-radio.com study, let's review PRB-1 and put it in proper per- spective with land use restrictions. PRB-1 PRB-1 is a 1985 decision in which the FCC adopt- ed a policy of limited preemption of state and local regulations governing amateur station facilties, including antennas and support structures. The ‘order (subsequently codified in Section 97.15(b) of the FCC Rules) preempted state and local regula tions that preclude amateur communications in their communities. It ordered that regulations that involve placement, screening, or height of amateur radio antennas based on heatth, safety or aesthetic considerations must be crafted to reasonably ‘accommodate amateur radio communications and ‘must represent the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the authority's purpose. PRB-1 is very valuable policy for amateur radio ‘operators, but in it the FCC did not extend the sreemption policy to private land use restric- tions that show up in covenants, conditions and restrictions in home ownership deeds and condominium bylaws because, it said, those ‘agreements are voluntarily entered into by the buyer or tenant and so do not usually concern the Commission. As a result PRB-1 applies ONLY to state and local regulations, typically known as zoning. State and local regulations regarding antennas, ‘te., are regulations with which an amateur MUST comply. CC&Rs, on the other hand, are contracts to which an amateur voluntarily agrees to be sub- jected. Over the years the Commission has been requested to expand PRB-1 to CC&Rs but has declined to do so. The reasoning was that there had notbeena sufficient showing that CC&Rs pre- vent amateur operators trom pursuing the basis and purpose of the amateur service since there are other methods amateur operators can use to transmit communications that do not require an antenna installation at their residence. These include remote base or mobile operation, and use of a club station So the bottom line is that PRB-1 does not govern CC&Rs. CC&Rs are usually imbedded the five pounds of documents you sign at closing when moving into @ housing development or condo and have nothing to do with the local zon- ing board. You know the situation. It's where there is a Sle) HOZPY «’HLNOMSONNITIOH ASTI AS SOUIGUID S$, November 2012 * ca + 59Reflections Ill by Walt Maxwell, W2DU All the info in Petlections | ‘andilland more! This ‘completely revised and Updated, 424-pago 3rd ditions a must-have! 8.5 X 11 Paperback $39.95 ‘New! CD Version $29.95 Buy both for only $59.95 The Quad Antenna by Bob Haviland, wane [UII i Comprehensive guide to the ‘construction, design and performance of Quad Antennas. General Concepts, Citcular-Loop & Arrays, Rectangular & Square Loops, Mutt-Element Quads and more! 8.5X 11 Paperback $19.95 ‘New! CD Version $14.95 Buy both for only $29.95 The NEW Shortwave Propagation Handbook by W3ASK, N4XX & K6GKU This authortatve bookon shortwave propagation i your source for easy-o-understand information on sunspot aciviy, propagation prosictons, unusual propagaton sffects and do-tyourselt forecasting tip. 8.5 X 11 Paperback $19.95 ‘New! CD Version $14.95 Buy both for only $29.95 ‘oping &Yaning UA. fo vk, £32012 Pee abe osanina Chan =I Satara SSteraach ansrera i CQ Communications Inc. 25 Newbridge Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801 516-681-2922; Fax 516-681-2926 hifp://store.cq-amateur-radio.com 60 * CO » November 2012 community or homeowners association that has volunteer vigilantes who go bonkers if they see a birdhouse or an outside clothesline. One jumped me down in Virginia decades ago for set- ting my trash can out front of the house a day early. The poor fellow was hyper- ventilating so badly when he called me that | thought there must be a fire in my row of townhouses. Now in that particular development, you seriously could not put up a bird- house or outdoor clothestine. One would think that those two items would not only be very American but a definite benefit to the environment and actually encour- aged, but such restrictions are typical There are two problems with these restrictions. First, often the home buyer has _no idea these non-negotiable restrictions even exist untilclosing time, or shortly thereafter when a neighbor: hood patrol squawks about the 40- meter dipole, or when a building permit for a tower has been obtained but the homeowner finds out that it is not allowed in the particular development. As the "Zero Bias” article pointed out, you either have to accept the restric- tions or live somewhere else. saw many sad cases over the years in which a couple retired to a nice little community, getting away from all the burdens of an older, larger house and yard and looking forward to enjoying retirement and ham radio, only to lean at closing or after moving that they wouldn't be able to continue their Ife- long activity of ham radio. The second problem is that such restrictions spread very rapidly in the housing boom and have now Become the norm in many areas. They spread from developer to developer and I often think no one really pays much attention to what they forbid—unti the neighbor- hood “enforcers” get involved. Armed with the restrictions of the neighbor- hood, the enforcers start patrolling for horrible things like clotheslines and birdhouses, or maybe trash cans sus- piciously put out on the curb a day early. Now keep in mind the difference between PRB-1 and the zoning regula- tionsit governs, and the private land use restrictions—CC&Rs—as we get into the findings of the FCC study. Findings of the FCC Study The report was very pos amateur radio and its rok ‘emergency communications, descri ing well-known examples aver past decades such as Hurricane Katrina and the shuttle disaster. It also positively described more recent examples of amateur radio emergency communica- tions assistance in storms and floods during 2011 and 2012. It specifically cited Skywarn, ARES, RACES, and MARS, as well as the Maritime Mobile Service Net, the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), and REACT. Each of these organiza: tions has performed wonderfully in dis- asters over the years. Disappointing, however, was the decision not to expand PRB-1 to cover CCBRs. The study made the following recom- ‘mendations: 1. The Department of Homeland Security should consult with the pub- lic safety, emergency management, and amateur radio emergency com- munications associations and groups to identify training opportuni- ties that will support better utilization of amateur operators for emergency ‘communications, and to solicit views ‘on how amateur radio capabilities could be further incorporated into response plans or initiatives. 2. The Department of Homeland Security should work with state, local and tribal authorities to devel- op disaster area “credentialing poli- cies” (emphasis added) for trained amateur operators, including a means for documenting their qualifi- i they whether to grant access to di areas by amateurs. The ARAL had sought a recommen- dation that a federal credentialing sys- tem be adopted to permit trained ama- teurs to have common emergency training documents and thus easier access to areas when traveling from other states to help provide communi- cations support. However, the FCC study did not recommend a federal sys- tem of credentials for amateur opera tors in emergency communications, Instead it found as follows: 3. We do not believe ... that a fed- eral credentialing system would be effective ... because access to dis- aster areasis generally controlled by state, local or tribal authorities. Any such credential or qualification doc- ument should ... be a matter deter- mined by appropriate state, local or tribal officials such as emergency management agency heads. itwas hoped by the ARRL and many others that the FCC study would recom mend actions against private land use restrictions, such as. some kind of pre- emption of covenants, conditions, and restrictions in local neighborhoods and housing developments. It was hoped that some language as strong as PRE- 11 would be born in this study. Visit Our Web SiteALIN Quality. Style. Perform Although recognizing five categories of CC&Rs in the study, the FCC did not change its reasoning about them in this study. It cited the ARAL survey of the five basic land use restrictions: those that prohibit all outdoor antennas; those that allow over the air video delivery antennas but prohibit all other antennas; those that allow certain amateur antennas depending upon size, height or shape, and/or on visibility from the street or other lots; those that allow amateur anten- nas as long as they are approved by the homeowners asso- ciation orits architectural control board; and finally, those that prohibit all amateur radio transmission. ‘The Commission cited comments to the proceeding stat- ing that in many cases the restrictions would have little effect on amateur operation in areas hit with disaster because antennas are unlikely to survive or because most operators do not have emergency generators to power their stations, The Commission also cited comments that mobile commu- nications would be more useful than home-based commu cations in such instances because they would be available at the actual site of the emergency operations, that indoor or temporary antennas would be effective, and that club sta- tions and remote control would be just as effective. ‘Asa result, the FCC reached its fourth recommendation: 4. While commenters suggest that private land use restrictions have become more common, our review of the record does not indicate that amateur operators are unable to find homes that are not subject to such restric- tions. Therefore, at this time we do not see a compelling reason for the Commission to revisit its previous deter- minations that preemption should not be expanded to CC&Rs. The bottom line ofall his is that the Commission did a great aerate ee nei rat De ete job of applauding amateur operators for their role in emer- ‘gency and disaster communications, and did a good job of documenting what the service has done during those events. Itfound that no federal standard was necessary in issuing cre- dentials to those participating in emergency communications, It found that other possible impediments to amateur emer- ‘gency communications, such as mode of operation or mes- ‘Sage encoding restrictions, could be addressed in rulemaking proceedings. Finally, the FCC found that it was not appropr- ate at this time for the agency on its own to expand PRB-1 to private land use restrictions, and that’s disappointing. In faimness to the FCC here, step back a moment and con- sider this: Should an independent regulatory agency be telling homeowners what kind of restrictions are best for housing development or condo? Probably not, and that's the way the FCC viewed it. Itfelt that such action should be the baillwick of Congress, not an agency. The Commission repeated that philosophy in 2007, 2009, and 2012 in various rulings on petitions to expand PRB-1 before this study was released in August. ‘Amateurs didn't get all they asked for, but the overall result ‘was a nice step forward, in my opinion, in acknowledging and specific roles of amateur emergency communications in our national communications system, which is as fragile as itis convenient—when it works, | mean. However, the problem remains that the severe limitations of CC&Rs have suppressed the ability of many amateurs to move into other, neighborhoods. They also suppress the ability of residents of those neighborhoods to become amateurs. As the “Zero Bias" article pointed out, at some point the ‘oppressive and non-negotiable nature of CC&Rs should be addressed. 73, Riley, KAZDH www.cq-amateur-radio.com November 2012 » ca + 61BY RICHARD FISHER,” KI6SN. IC service ubl Band of HEROs Rallies in Wake of Philippine Disaster spread damage and terrifying residents in region of the Philippines, brought mem- bers of HERO quickly into action under a Blue Moon on August 31. Ham Emergency Radio Operations (HERO), the Philippines’ equivalent of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) inthe UnitedStates, got the clarion call when the ground shook vio- lently at 8:47 p.m. local time (WATCH: Video of Panicked shoppers, photo A, moments after the earthquake it, —KI6SN) The undersea earthquake struck the central part of the archipelago near Guiuan, a town on Samar Island. One person was Killed. According to Philippines Amateur Radio As- sociation Chief Operating Otfice Eddie Valdez, DUIEV, HERO messages were immediately being handled with coastal areas impacted. Roberto Jose Vicencio, DUIVHY, of Manda- luyong City, passed traffic and got reports fromthe affected areas of DU4, DUS, U6, DUS, and DUS. (SEE: Listing of Philippine call district areas at A* magnitude earthquake, causing wide- “1940 Wetherly Way, Riverside, CA 92506 e-mail: You 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake @ Robinson's Tacloban 2012/08/31 Photo A- Terrified shoppers run for cover in this video taken moments after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked an area of the Philigpines on ‘August 31, . Members of the HERO EmComm amateur radio group provided vital information in the aftermath of the event. (Internet screen grab) 62 + ca + November 2012 . Scroll down to DU.—KI6SN) “The area of DUS was nearest the epicenter,” Valdez said, “and Lester Price, DVSPO, reported there was a power outage in Borongan, Samar Island. Price lives in the small village of Locsoon in Easter Samar. ‘There were widespread reports of evacuations from across the region following a tsunami alert issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The warning was soon lifted, the ‘news of which was relayed to residents in part by amateur radio. “Similar warnings were issued in neighboring countries from Indonesia to Japan, and for Pacific islands as far away as the Northem Marianas,” authorities said. ‘About 200 aftershocks rattled an area including Visayas (DU5-7) and Mindanao (DUB-9). Disaster officials said the event was a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness in the broad region known as the Pacific rim Ring of Fire. (IN DEPTH: What is the Ring of Fire? Visit —KIGSN) Valdez said, “It was good that many hams in the affected areas showed up on the 2-meter (144.74 MHz) and 40-meter (7.095MHz) emergency chan- nels and other districts were on standby if need- ed.” Most of the dwellings destroyed were made of “light materials in the coconut-growing, low socioeconomic area of the island.” “in February this year a 6.8 quake killed 51 and leftmore than 60 people missingin the Negros and ‘Cebu regions on the Philippines,” according to Jim Linton, VK3PC, chairman of the IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee. “The (August 31) earthquake followed HERO being activated during the flooding caused by heavy recent seasonal monsoon rains and storms, including most of the capital of Manila being under water during a 48-hour deluge.” Linton said authorities “have also renowed their ‘warning of further disasters in the Pacific Ring of Fire ... where an earthquake measuring 7.9 killed thousands in the area of Luzon (the Philippines’ largest island) on July 16, 1990." Florida SKYWARN® Ops Lead the Pack on “Debby” Reports ‘The Pinellas County SKYWARN® net was acti- vated around 10:35 a.m., as a pesky Tropical Storm Debby set its sights on the Pass a Grille atea of St. Petersburg, Florida on June 24 Not surprisingly, a severe thunderstorm wam- ing had been issued for the area as the storm approached (photo B). Visit Our Web sitePhoto B~ Unrelenting rain accompanied Tropical Storm Debby's pass across northern Florida, prompting the Pinellas County SKYWARN® Net to spring into action. (Screen grab from Wikimedia video by Walter from Pinellas Park, s ) “The most significant event occurred in the evening, when one of 10 torna- does spawned by Debby touched down in southern Pinellas,” reported Kevin Poorman, KVACT, ARRL West Central Florida Section ‘Public Information Coordinator. ‘At 8:14 p.m., a tornado waming was issued for Pinellas County as radarindi- cated a funnel on the ground near Ft. Desoto Park, movingnorth. The net was See een eetes afl aaa ayy ey erescgo ot: Please be su Original Reporting GMT - Greenwich Mean Time is preferre immediately moved from Stand By to Code Red —meaning severe weather is imminent. “At 8:23 p.m., Jack Satterfield, WAGA\, reported multiple transformers blowing (up) in the Pass a Grille area and advised that his son's house, just south of him, had a window blown out,’ KVACT reported, based on information provided by Pinellas County SkY- WARN®. "This reportwas relayedtothe ae ee eT coe ean] as Zulu or UTC) National Weather Service in 1-2 min- utes, which was reported in a severe- weather statement released shortly after. W4GRJ made follow-up reports of roots tom off a couple of buildings and power lines down in Pass a Grille, all of Which were relayed to NWS.” According to Pinellas County SKY- WARN®, “post-storm surveys by the NWS indicated an EF-1 tornado with winds of 80-85 mph had touched down in Pass a Grille at 8:21 p.m. and lifted at8:25,” KVACT said. “The tornado had a path length of 3.3 miles and a width of 50 yards. It actually started as a waterspout that then moved onshore. Damage included a tourist rental build- ing that had its top unit destroyed Fortunately, no one wasin this top unit." “Our net maintained contact with the National Weather Service throughout the event using the NWS onlinechat sys- tem, which allows us to interact directly with the forecasters in real time and Quickly relay reports received from our spotters,” according to Justin McBride, KIAREU, Pinellas SKYWARN® Co- ordinator. “This event highlighted the Unique ability of SKYWARN® amateur radio operators togetreports tothe NWS well ahead of other sources, ‘As an example, McBride said, in southem Pinellas County, reports of tor- nado damage from the spotter in Pass a Grille were relayed to the NWS ee ee) Photo C- The National Hurricane Centeramateur radio station in Miami, WX4NHC, urges operators to submit surface weath: er condition reports when severe storms are imminent. The station has posted an online form to easily provide that data at . (Internet screen grab) wunu.cq-amatour-radio.com November 2012 » CO + 63approximately 10 minutes before 911 and the media received and relayed the information “Our SKYWARN® activation for Tropical Storm Debby underscored the value of training, organization, and fre- quent practice in our program, which allowed us to respond effectively to the situation,” McBride said. “The event {gave us additional experience which will better prepare us for future, more severe events.” Eye for an Eye: WX4NHC and HWN Keep Tabs on ‘Isaac’ As Hurricane Isaac churned through the Gulf of Mexico on its way to landfall near New Orieans, radio amateurs from around the region were gathering infor- mation and preparing for emergency communications, many with Hurricane Katrina fresh in their minds. WX4NHC, the amateur radio station of the National Hurricane Center in Miami —_, activated its high-frequency and EchoLink/ALP stations at 6 p.m., August and continued operations unti Isaac's landtall on August 28, accord- ing to Julio Fipoll, WO4R, the NHC sta- tion's assistant coordinator. “We requested all land-based sta- tions.as wellas ships at seain the areas affected send us weather data—mea- sured or estimated—and damage reports,” he said in a statement. “If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN (Hurricane Photo D- Lake County ARES® operator Bob Beach, WSLCZ, points to one of the reasons there is a certain element of danger at the Leesburg, Florida refuge cok lection site during the clean-up effort known as ‘Ibini Tera.” (Courtesy of K1AYZ) Watch Net, ) or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest hurricane advisories and to report your local conditions,” Rpoll said prior to tsaac’s landfall. WX4NHC monitored the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz, with HWN secondary HF frequencies of 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz, “plus or minus ‘QRM, should we have lost propagation on 20 meters,” WD4R said. The EchoLink"WX-Talk’ Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 were monitored as well , “along with CWOP, APRS, and MADIS/ MESONET automated weather sta- tions in the affected area.” ‘Surface reports using the NHG’s On- line Hurricane Report form were logged via , photo C. “These are very impor- tant, as they give hurricane specialists at NHC a better idea of what is actual- ly happening on the ground level during the storm," Ripoll said. “The WX4NHC Group continues to expand its efforts to increase the quantity and quality of sur- face reports to include many different modes of reception and groups of people.” Hams Throw Trash Out and ‘Support Behind “Ibini Tera” “ibini Tera," a hybrid Timucua Indian and Spanish phrase loosely translated as “clean water,” puts a fine point on an annual volunteer lake clean-up effort Coordinated by the St. Johns Water Management District and the Lake County Water Authority in Florida. "This is a clean up our lakes event tat takes piace all over Lake County to gath- cer up trash bags and walk the shores of the county's largerlakes picking up cans, bottles, plastic bags, old tires, and any- thing else they see that should not be there,” writes Ted Luebbers, KTAYZ, of the Lake County Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES), which provided communications for the event in March (photos D, , and F). “This year we had 175 (ham and non- ham) volunteers who managed to col- lect 5,000 pounds of trash from 10 col- he said. "Some of the Photo E- Gene Susiowicz, AD4UB, of Eustis, Florida, keeps track of the trash picked up from Lake Dora at Mount Dora. (Courtesy of K1AYZ) 64 + ca » November 2012 Visit Our Web SitePhoto F- This is one of two pickup trucks needed to haul| lake debris away from Lake Dora during “Ibini Tera'‘in March, (Courtesy of K1AYZ) volunteers brought along their boats and patrolled the lakes looking for floating objects that could be hazards to naviga- tion. On this day a large telephone pole was found by one of the boaters. In the past such things as a sofa and a partial- ly-submerged boat were found.” The Hickory Point Recreational Facility on Lake Harris “was the focal point ofthis activity and where the Lake County ARES® hams set up their net control station.” K1AYZ said “All radio transmissions were conducted on the 2 meter frequency of 147.000 MHz. The members operated from mobile rigs or used handheld radios. This covered the county very well. Results from the separate cleanup sites at each lake were radioed to the ARES® net control station, N4FLA, and tallied 0 that awards—including largest or most unusual object; oldest and youngest volunteer, and so on—could be given out by noon. “This year the Lake County ARES® group fielded 13 vol- Unters with a radio operator at each site and three at the net control station to handle the radio traffic and help tally the col- lection results,” Luebbers writes, “This is considered a prac- tice session by the ARES® operators for those times when they may be called upon to provide emergency communica- tions during natural or man-made disasters. When hurricanes and tomados blow down power and telephone lines they will be ready to assist first responders with portable and mobile radio communications, “in the not-too-distant past, hams from Lake County were deployed to emergency shelters and National Guard staging areas to provide communications to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center in Tavares, Florida. (NOTE: For more information about Lake County amateur radio activities visit and —KIAYZ) Your Reports Are Welcome Please keep CQ's Public Service posted on your EmComm activities— whether they are in training for live events or adding communications support to the real thing. Send your updates, stories and photographs to and we'll be glad to share them with CQ readers. 73, Richard, KI6SN wunu.cq-amatour-radio.com “First to Market” WITH BATTERIES FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMUNICATION NEEDS ONE STOP SOURCE For Replacement Batteries, Battery Chargers, Battery Analyzers, Universal Clips & other battery related accessories HIGHEST PERFORMANCE All batteries meet or exceed the original manufacturers specifications LARGEST SELECTION of Nicad, NiMH and Li-ion batteries SHIPPED WITHIN 48 HOURS Orders are expedited-carefully and quickly MADE IN THE USA Using the finest quality components for over 20 years Visit Our Website For Our Complete Product Line W&W - The ONE Source For Replacement Batteries, Chargers & Analyzers [Ya ae W & W Manufacturing Co. Trrmy Cte howe oe eck Eee ATS Renee Tete beirereretien E-mail wwinfo@ww-manufacturing.com Peed tee ee November 2012 » CO + 65mobilin BY JEFF REINHARDT," AAGJR From The Mailbox filled the mailbox with great info on their mobiles. Imagine my surprise upon leaming there's aha with a terrific mobile whose name sounds identi- cal to my own. A few months ago | became aware of Jeff Rinehart, W4PJW. We began to exchange e-mails and | discovered, beside having a great name, he’s an avid mobile operator. With that, Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR (me!), proudly presents a nar- rative by Jeff Rinehart, WaPJW: M any thanks tothismonth’s contributors who North to Alaska “Let's drive up to the Yukon Territory.” . . Those few words started an adventure of a lifetime. | pur- chased my very first pickup truck—a used, S/4-ton Chevy Silverado Duramax diesel, 4-door, short- bed. Of course I'd have to set up a first-class HF mobile installation. | have been mobiling since 1970 with all kinds of rigs and automobiles, but this would be the first time | really put in the effort to do it right.” | figured this pickup deserved a new radio to replace my old IC 706 MkIIG. | purchased a new 17000 to install above the IG2720 dual bander. (See photo A) “5904 Lake Lindero Drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 e-mail: Photo A— A well-arranged multi-band installation that’s easy to view, sturdy, and away from air-bag deployment zones. (W4PJW photo) 66 * ca » November 2012 My brother Mark (KB4YMF), a certified welder, taught me welding basics and off | went with one ‘of my best purchases, a wire welder. A good side grinder can make a bad welding job look better, too. In order to mount the Tarheel Antenna, | had to fabricate a mount using 1-inch-square tubing land some channel for the main support structure (photo B). | welded brackets to the frame under the truck tobolt on the mount. I soon discovered that the top of the mount needed some support, too, so | fab- ricated a thin piece of metal that bolted to the top of the tubing and slipped under the topper, which was bolted to the inside of the truck bed. Each of the bracket's mounting bolts has appro- priate star washers to ald in grounding. In adaition, {ran two braid straps to the taillight assembly and attached them under the lens with sheet-metal screws. Drilling holes ina new truck would have been much more difficult to stomach—not so much with @ used truck | mounted the radios under the back seat. With «2 8/a-inch Greenlee Punch | made four holes in the floor on the driver's side under the rear seat. They Photo B- Antenna mounts don'tgetmuch stronger than this! Just the kind of construction you need for a 10,000-mile trip to Alaska. (W4PJW photo) Visit Our Web siteANTENNAS & MORE er poeta 30: ‘The Buddipole™ Portable Dipole fits in your travel bag and assembles in minutes. The Buddipole is more than an antenna, it’s a versatile system for launching your signal. Optimized for transmit power and proven for DX work, the Buddipole is the secret weapon used by HF portable operators all over the world. come SE S9thC Hillsboro, OR 97123 PU ued Seer? cone ae Pe s thru 2meters) with one set, le coi! Cee ee ee Sere ee ree Cc ieuraee Ui parts Comoe ee ae on Se ence eer ea) Cena eC cory Se ue ne ete ne ee ups OTE ey were just large enough to allow a PL- 259 to pass through. If a coax ever falled, | could replace it with one that already had plugs on the ends. The extra space around the cables was filed with silicone sealant. Three of the holes are used for coax cables, while the fourth is used for the APRS GPS. antenna coax, the Tarheel control cable, and the 12-volt cables. To compensate for voltage drop on the power cables, | ran 2 conductor #8 copper cables, both fused at one of the batteries, back to ahome-brew distribu tion box under the rear seat. This pow- ers the 7K, the 2720, and an old Kenwood 2520 2-meter radio for the Tiny Trek3 APRS unis (photo C). This truck can sit for two or three weeks at a time without being started. eee i 5 ) i ( Orr) Ber ed piraaeenitery Photo C- With good planning you can tuck a lot away in a concealed area, (W4PJW photo) | wanted a way to disconnect power without having to get under the back seat to pull the plug on the IC7000 or the APRS racio. | found 12-volt 30-amp automotive relays at RadioShack and mounted two remote switches by the driver's seat to control power to those Units. The relay for the 7000 also pow- ers a 3-inch computer fan which blows air across the top of the radio when the relay is energized. Control and remote cables were run from the operating position back to the back seat, routed along the edge of the driver's seat through a piece of "/2-inch PVC tubing to protect them from the power seat. The cables include two relay switch leads, remote cables for the IC7000 and the IC2720, a speaker line for the 2720, and the up/dn control line for the Tarheel antenna. All these run under the rear carpet and come out under the back seat. Pop, Pop, Pop Ignition-type noise is always a prob- lem in mobile installations, and the diesel truck is no exception. | believe my noise is from the fuel injectors, not spark plugs. | have done the normal strapping of the exhaust system, bond- wunw.cq-amatour-radio.com November 2012 » Ca + 67ing the doors, hood, tailgate, ete. | have even added ground straps between the main cab and bed of the truck; nothing has made a difference. | have also placed several 31-mix snap on ferrite beads on the radio cables and on the main truck and transmission comput- ers. Nothing has made any difference. Fortunately the IC7000 has filtering options that remove most of the noise. In the past | used a DSP speaker for noise cancelling but determined that the 7K does abetter job, so have removed that speaker. Installing the control heads into the dash required considerable griting of teeth and holding of breath as | pulled and twisted on the plastic parts to gain access. | found that prying and pulling the plastic dash pieces straight toward me would release them, but not without scary cracking and squeaking sounds. I drilled holes no larger than necessary inside the various storage cavities to rout the control cables. Through careful placement, the holes should not be seen if | ever decided to sell the truck. This allowed me to hide all the control cables and speaker wires. To mount the control heads, pieces of wood were fash- ioned with foam rubber spacers to allow placing the assem- blies into the cavities (photo D). This rubbery material came from some floor mats that | have in my shop. Some no-slip shelfliner material could be used to wrap the wood if foam rubber is not in your junk box. ‘On-board computers have made it much more likely that your HF transmitter will get into the computer system. This ‘can affect your cruise control, dash lights, and cause other problems. On 60 meters my dash lights go off, the speedome- ter goes to zero, and the engine misses, even with all the fer- rite beads | have in place If anyone has solved this issue, please contact me, Our 10,000 mile trip to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory wes fantastic. We pulled our 26-foot camper and made contact back home to Virginia many times during the trip. The mobile setup worked fine. The only problem | had was with the little tuning coil at the base of the Tarheel. Twice one end broke loose from the fatigue caused by the coll vibrating. | put a spot of silicone under the coil to stop vibration, It's a real pleasure to operate mobile when you have anice, quiet receive situation. It really helps make the miles go by when you can ride along listening fo the various nets, good rag chews, and even some nice DX from time to time. Thad lots of fun contacting my friends back home and look forward to another trip in the near future—maybe to Alaska again. Happy Mobiling, Jelf W4PJW ‘Thank you, Jeff. We appreciate the contribution and the great detail. Now if| could only get you to spell your last name correctly (hi). Conquering “Inner Space” From Pennsylvania, Herb Gillland WASYNX, writes to share his story of dealing withthe tight confines of today’s vehicles: | wanted to install an Icom 706 MK IIG in my new Toyota Highlander. Wow, there isn't much room anywhere! The first Photo D- Some spare rubber foam can help fill the cavities and act as a vibration damper for the mount. (W4PJW photo) Photo E- The inside structure of WASYNX’s clever cup holder mount. (WA3YNX photo) challenge was to find a place to get the wire through the fire- wall. | found one place on the passenger side at the top cen ter of the floor mat. Reaching it was very difficult even with my small hands. I couldn't quite do it, so | made a tool by taping an Xacto® knife to the end of a "4inch dowel. With this | was able to push a slice through the rubber grommet ‘on the fire wall. Be careful and do not push too hard, just ‘enough to push it in about a 1/2 inch. I made two slices, one perpendicular to the other. | couldn't get my hand in position to push the wire through, so again | built a tool. | used the ‘same dowel about 8 inches long with a point (not real sharp) ‘on one end and the wire taped to the other. Using #12 land scape wire allowed me to push the stiff dowel through the grommet into the passenger compartmentand pull itthrough. To get the wire to the radio (located in the back-seat area), | slipped it under the plastic cowling at the carpet and pulled itto the transceiver. The Skyhook At first | was thinking I would mount the antenna on the tear door along the side, but the gasket was too close to the

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