Sunday, March 15, 2009

FT-817

Hello All,

I recently added a new radio to the collection, a Yaseu FT-817 low power QRP rig. The FT-817 is an all mode transceiver that covers the HF and VHF/UHF bands through 70cm. To date I've been using my IC-735 at ~20W exclusively on 20M using PSK-31. This setup has worked extremely well, however since getting my General license I've been intriqued by the 817, mainly by it size and capability.

Today, I got the opportunity to plug the 817 into my 20M dipole and try out the world of low power.  W5NA of Hattiesburg, MS was my first QSO, running around 5W peak, Joe and I had a great QSO with strong signals.  Joe gave me a 599 QST and good IMD report.  Prior to getting on air (following the directions of K7AGE from his PSK-31 videos @ http://www.youtube.com/user/K7AGE) I adjusted my speaker output from my laptop to maintain my ALC to about 1 bar.

In addition to making a few excellent state side contacts (MS, KS, LA), I also picked up a DX contact.  I responded to FG5LA's of Guadeloupe CQ and to my surprise he called back and we QSLd.

W5NA, also provided some excellent links on Intermodulation Distortion, the are as follows:
http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=12851
http://homepage.mac.com/chen/w7ay/cocoaModem/UsersManual/pskManual/index.html#imd

That's all for now.

73s
--Chris

Sunday, March 8, 2009

More DX and Google Earth Plots

Hello Everyone,

Another weekend has gone by with some new DX into the Netherlands, France (again), Romania, and even some place called California (my first US West Coast Contact!).

I've begin to get used to Digital Master 780, it as some great features including an integrated logging utility (that interfaces with eQSL) and a really neat feature that allows you to plot your logged contacts in Google Earth. Here are a few plots of my US, South America, and Europe contacts from January 26th to present day.

Enjoy.

73s
--Chris

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

System Block Diagram


Hello All,

I wanted to post a block diagram of my current setup.  The center of the system is an ICOM-735 HF Transceiver.  As my primary mode today is PSK-31, I'm using a Rigblaster NoMIC as an audio interface and keying mechanism for the radio transmit.  My current antenna is a Radiowavz 20M dipole fed by ~50' of COAX at 12'.  I've been experimenting with both Digipan 2.0 and HRD DM780 for my PSK31 software.  Although Digipan is much simpler to work with, DM780's features are impressive.  Next time I'm on the air, I will post a screen cap of the DM780 waterfall interface.  My typical power level is between 10-20W, which I've been successful with both state side and international contacts.

Stay tuned for more.

73s
--Chris


Monday, March 2, 2009

My first DX QSL Card


Hello,

Today I logged into eQSL and to my surprise I had received an electronic QSL card from T14ADS, this is my first QSL card from DX.  

Exciting times.

73s
--Chris

Snow Monday


Hello Everyone,

It's a snowy Monday here in Maryland.  We've got about 8" of snow on the ground here in Stevensville, MD with a lot of blowing snow.

Here's a picture of my 20M dipole before I lowered it this morning.

73s
--Chris

Sunday, March 1, 2009

CQ DX


Hello Everyone,

So it had to happen sometime, I experienced my first DX contact this afternoon.  I made contact with F8CED "Cyrille" of LA Bernerie, France.

That was then followed by T14ADS of Costa Rica and PD9GD of the Netherlands.

I used the same setup 20M dipole, up 12' on the painters pole, with the IC-735.

73s

--Chris