Friday, June 20, 2008

Happy Birthday! 

Happy birthday to the Morse Code which turn 160 years old today. Learn more about the history of the code from these sources.

The Victorian Internet an interesting book about the history of the first "on line" pioneers.

An on line article in WIRED Magazine about the history of Morse Code.

Tidbit: Did you know that Morse visited several printers shops when devising the code to see how many lead letters were in their boxes of type and then assigned the shortest characters to the bins with the most letters in them?

Labels:


(0) comments

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Video mentioned on May 25 scanner net 

During the Sunday night Scanner Net I read about a link sent to me by Bob, N3DOK, concerning a video on a site run by the magazine Home Land Security Today about radio interoperability. I haven't yet watched the entire video but I'm sure it will be interesting especially to scanner listeners. Here is a brief synopsis of the video and a link to see it.

Video:
The challenge of achieving interoperability for disaster response and the debate over the best approach to solve this critical homeland security gap.

Click here to watch the video.

(1) comments

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Latest addition to the shack 


Right before my aforementioned road trip my faithful Yaesu VX-7R died on me. Well it didn't exactly die its more like it went comatose. I have a habit of carrying my VX7 to work with me and when I get home dropping it into the desk charger for use the next day. Now sometimes I manage to drain the battery completely before I get home, which is why I carry a spare, but often I won't notice that it has died until I'm ready to stuff it back in the charger. Once the battery level falls below a preset voltage the radio shuts off and will not turn back on until that minimum level has been met or exceeded.

Of course as soon as you put the radio in the charger that is what happens and the radio comes back to life. At that point I just press the off button and go on my way. As the battery approaches full charge the LED goes from steady red to flashing red and finally to steady green at completion of the charge cycle. When I removed my VX-7 from the charger the next morning the light was still flashing red. I noticed that but didn't give it much thought as I removed the radio and cliped it on my belt to head off to work. After getting in the car I noticed that the radio was on 147.090 with a "P" in front of the 1. I started trying to change to a different frequency only to find the radio locked up so I ignored it until I got to work. Once there I discovered that the only thing working on the VX-7 was the receiver. It would hear the 09 repeater but none of the keys on the keypad functioned and it would not transmit. After tinkering with it for some time I decided that a "hard reset" was in order and I would have to reprogram the radio.

A hard reset on the VX-7 involves holding down three keys while powering the radio on then pressing the function key. This I proceeded to do only to find that after powering the rig up and getting the message on the display to "Press F to reset" that at this point the keypad is locked up and you are unable to press any keys. Now, I told you that story so I could tell you this one.

I decided after trying a few other tricks that I was not going resolve the problem whatever it was and am now contemplating returning it to Yaesu for repairs. In the interium I looked at buying a replacement for it and started looking at Icom, Kenwood and Yeasu models that were in a reasonable price range. I considered a high end Icom with the DStar protocol installed but decided that I would wait on that one. I see myself buying a DStar radio somewhere down the line but not just yet. Despite the fact that my VX-7 has died I still prefer hand held units from Yaesu/Vertex for a number of reasons. I preferred a dual band unit but could live with a high band only radio if need be. This brought me to the FT-60R.

It was dual band, well constructed, had all the features I was looking for and was under $200. A combination that is hard to beat. Just as I was about to call my friendly ham radio dealer I overheard a friend on the air saying that he had won a dual band hand held at the last area ham fest. He said that he already had two so he would have rather won another prize but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I asked what it was and he replied a Yaesu FT-60R. Well it didn't take long for a deal to be struck and as you can see from the picture above I now have it in my possession.

So far I'm very impressed with the little unit and have purchased the desk top rapid charger, spare battery and programming software for it. I made my first contact with it while in Virginia Beach on the local 22/82 machine there and got reports of excellent audio. Matter of fact the machine had a DVR incorporated in the controller and one of the locals keyed it up and let me record a few seconds of my voice and play it back. It does indeed sound good. I have found one or two little nits to pick about it and I will write an additional review after I have used the rig for a while. So if you happen to be in the market for a dual band hand held I suggest that you give the FT-60R consideration. I think you will be as impressed with it as I was.

(0) comments

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Road trip! 


Well I'm off in Virginia Beach and I had a very warm welcome from the local ham community this evening. I checked into the ARES net tonight and talked with a number of stations after words at least two of whom where former Pittsburgh natives. I have three or four invites to stop over meet some of the guys and operate a little HF if I so desire. Nice bunch of guys. The photo is the shack of Ed, KN4KL, who is about a mile from where I'm sitting as the crow flies. I hope to get a chance to stop and see it first hand before heading home. Having a great time on ham radio in Virgina Beach.

(0) comments

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Pittsburgh Area Ham Calendar 

Thanks Chuck for the calendar.

Attached is the latest revised copy of the Pittsburgh Area Ham Radio
Calendar that I read during the Monday Night
Two Rivers ARC Net. The net stars at 8 PM on the 146.73 MHz WA3PBD Repeater.
73 de Chuck KC3ET
The following information is provided as a service to those listening to the
Two Rivers ARC 'Monday Night 2 Meter Net' operating at 8 PM local time on the
146.73 MHz WA3PBD Repeater, and on the Two Rivers ARC 'Come As You Are Net'
which operates on Thursdays starting at 8 PM on the club repeater 147.12 MHz.

================================================================
* 2008 *
================================================================
* MAY *
7 Amateur Radio Exams (note 10)
8 Amateur Radio Exams (note 11)
10 Armed Forces Day Communications Test
More Info: Qst Magazine-May 2208 Issue-Page 99
Internet: http://www.netcom.army.mil/MARS
16-18 Dayton Hamvention-Hara Arena-Dayton, OH
More Info: http://www.hamvention.org
24-25 CQ World Wide WPX Contest-CW Mode
27 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
31 South West Pa Packet Group Meeting-10 AM-Blue Flame Restaurant
Route 51 South-Pleasant Hills, PA-(note 4)

* JUNE *
1 Breezshooters Hamfest and Computer Show-8am to 3pm
Butler Farm Showgrounds-Route 68-(next to Roe Airport)
Butler, PA-Talk-In: 147.300 (no tone)
More Info: Phone: 412-829-9383
Email: hamfest2008@breezeshooters.com
10 Two Rivers ARC Amateur Radio Exams (Note 2b)
17 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
21 ARRL Kids Day-More Info: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/kd-rules.html
26 Amateur Radio Exams (note 11)
28-29 ARRL Field Day
* JULY *
13 23rd Annual North Hills Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Northland Public Library-300 Cumberland Road-Pittsburgh, PA
Talk-In: 147.09 (PL 88.5)
More Info: http://www.nharc.org
Phone: 412-487-9254
Email: n3rqd@earthlink.net
15 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
19-20 Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix Auto Race
20 Western Pa Repeater Council Meeting-130 PM-(note 5)
Tentative: State College Pa.
20 Somerset county ARC Hamfest
Somerset County VO-Tech School-Somerset, PA-Talkin:147.195 Repeater
More Info:
email: ak3j@arrl.net web:http://www.k3smt.org
26 South West Pa Packet Group Meeting-10 AM-Blue Flame Restaurant
Route 51 South-Pleasant Hills, PA-(note 4)

* AUGUST *
2-3 Pittsburgh PA 250 Year Celebration
Special Event Stations to be in operation
Check with your local club for participation
9 Two Rivers ARC Family Picnic-Noon to Dark
White Oak Park-Cedar Grove 2-White Oak, PA
24 Skyview Radio Society-Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
Skyview Radio Society Clubhouse-2335 Turkey Ridge Road
New Kensington, PA
Talk-In: 146.640- (PL 131.8)
More Info: http://www.skyviewradio.net/
Email: SkyviewHamfest2008@verizon.net
30 Union ARC Gabfest
Uniontown ARC Club Grounds-Old Pittsburgh Road-Uniontown, PA
More Info:
email: newsletter@w3pie.org
* SEPTEMBER *
9 Two Rivers ARC Amateur Radio Exams (Note 2b)
16 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
27 South West Pa Packet Group Meeting-10 AM-Blue Flame Restaurant
Route 51 South-Pleasant Hills, PA-(note 4)

* OCTOBER *
19 Western Pa Repeater Council Meeting-130 PM-(note 5)
Annual Meeting & Election of Officers
Tentative: Clarion, PA
21 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
* NOVEMBER *
2 WACOM Hamfest-Washington County Fairgrounds
Washington PA
More Info:
Phone: 724-986-9271
email: n3zni@arrl.net internet: http://wacomarc.org
18 Two Rivers ARC Club Meeting-8 PM (note 1)
29 South West Pa Packet Group Meeting-10 AM-Blue Flame Restaurant
Route 51 South-Pleasant Hills, PA-(note 4)

* DECEMBER *
9 Two Rivers ARC Amateur Radio Exams (Note 2b)

* NOTES *
1: Time:8 PM-McKeesport Area High School-South Hall Cafeteria-Eden Park Blvd-McKeesport, PA
More Info: Internet-http://www.tworiversarc.com - Email: trarc@tworiversarc.com
2. a. All exams will be held as noted below, except for exams at the Two Rivers ARC Hamfest.
Please contact the coordinators for more information: 412-664-1683/412-678-1206
email: veteam @ tworiversarc.com
b. McKeesport Area High School-South Hall-Room 112-Eden Park Blvd-McKeeport, PA
630 PM-48 Hour Pre-Registration Requested-More Info: 412 664 1683/412 678 1206
email: veteam @ tworiversarc.com
3. Time: 9 AM-Kings Restaurant-Corner PA 48 & U.S. 30-North Versailles, PA
4. Time: 10 AM-Blue Flame Restaurant-PA Route 51-Large, PA (Near Southland Shopping Center)
More Info: 412-384-8012 or Internet: http://swppg.zelie.com-Email:geno570@verizon.net
5. Time 130 PM-Meetings are held at various locations in the ARRL defined W.PA Section.
More Info: Internet-http://www.wprc.us
Email: wprcemail@yahoogroups.com
6. More Info: http://www.arrl.org/contests/calendar.html
7. More Info: http://www.ncjweb.com/naqprules.php
8. More Info: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/index.html
9. More Info: http://www.nittany-arc.net/paqso.html
10.Salvation Army Disaster Services-825 Parish Street, Greentree Boro
First Floor Class Room-Pittsburgh PA 15220
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM-Email: ka3tdq @ verizon.net
11.Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center
400 North Lexington Street-Second Floor/Class Room 1A-Pittsburgh PA 15208
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM-Email: ka3tdq @ verizon.net
Information provided by: A.R.R.L., QST Magazine, CQ Magazine,Ten-Ten International,
South West Pa Packet Group, Two Rivers ARC 'Spark Gap' Newsletter (Editor: N3XBW),



(0) comments

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Photos of KFI commercial tower collapsing 

I got this link from a mailing list that I'm on and though most hams would find it interesting. Apparently this one collapsed while being erected to replace the previous one that has collapsed. I don't think I ever want to be around when one this size comes down of it's own volition.

KFI Tower Collapse

Click on the photo next to the story to see many detail pictures.

(0) comments

Friday, March 14, 2008

CPR training offered at club meetings 

If you would like to enhance your capabilities when involved with public service work involving amateur radio this is a vital skill to have.

At the next 2 North Hills Amateur Radio Club Activity meetings, March 26 and April 23, you will have the opportunity to get CPR training. The training is The American Heart Association course.

We need a positive response if you wish to get certified. This is important for trainee to trainer ratio, and also to determine if we need a larger meeting place.



We would like to Thank Craig Pearson KB3NWE and the trainers from the Elfinwild VFC, for allowing us this opportunity

PLEASE respond to kb3iys@hotmail.com or 412-486-2785


Thanks Jim KB3IYS and Cathy KB3OYS

Thanks, we look forward to seeing you there.

John, N3RQD

North Hills Amateur Radio Club

(0) comments

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Ham specific search engine 

Picked this up from the K3MJW mailing list and tried it out. I haven't explored it in depth yet but it looks like a good page to have available on the shack computer.

CQOOGLE

Check it out and see what you think.

(0) comments

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Alternator Whine 

Thanks to Bob, N3DOK, for the pointer to this article.


Original author K0BG


Alternator Whine

I want to revisit this problem, because there seems to be a lot of poor advice floating around on these pages. Let's start out with a few basic facts, but keep in mind this is NOT an alternator primer. If you need or want more data, the internet is your best friend.

The average alternator's output is between 13.9 and 14.2 VDC. It might be less if there is a problem with the alternator. In some cases it may be a little higher, but voltages over 14.6 VDC should be considered abnormal.

Continuous output and peak current ratings vary quite a bit. The requisite amperage ratings selected by OEMs are largely based on content. That is to say, how many features like rear window defrosters, premium sound systems, electric windows, and heated seats any given vehicle is equipped with. Heavy duty and high-end vehicles usually have larger ones as do those with extra-cost trailer towing packages.

Nowadays, the smallest OEM ones are rated about 90 amps peak, and the larger OEM ones about 150 amps peak. There are a few exceptions, but the highest rated OEM units are about 225 amps peak. The reason I use the term peak is this; very few OEM alternators will deliver their rated output continuously, and contrary to popular belief, there isn't any standard rule for peak versus average.

\Almost all alternator stators (the non-rotating part) are wired in a wye configuration (as shown), and the rest are wired in a delta configuration (primarily Ford products). Rotating within the stator is the field. The field current and/or voltage is varied by the regulator so the output voltage is constant, regardless of the load, up to their peak amperage rating. There are several different regulation strategies employed. Some simply use a pass transistor, others use pulse width modulation, and some almost defy definition.

Depending on the engine type (diesel or gas), alternators are driven from two to five times engine speed, up to a maximum of about 16,000 rpm. As a general rule, the output frequency of an OEM alternator is equal to the engine rpm. That is to say, 1,000 rpm equals 1KHz. Their efficiency is about 90%. Thus, an alternator rated at 130 amps, with an output of 14 vdc, will have an input of around 2 KW, and will require about 3 HP to drive.

\In a never-ending quest to reduce weight, and improve efficiency, most new-generation OEM alternators are double wound, and use twelve diodes instead of six. This not only reduces size and weight, the lower mass of the rotating field allows the alternator to be driven faster, which improves low rpm power output. It also doubles the ripple frequency.

As long as the diodes are doing their job, the output ripple is nearly nonexistent, as the battery is acting like a very large capacitor. When they don't do their job, the result is what we commonly call alternator whine. To be sure, there are other causes which will be discussed later.

While alternator whine can be a bane for us amateurs, as long as the alternator delivers its rated output, dealers don't care, and typically will not replace noisy ones under warranty. So this leads those who are plagued to seek other avenues of relief. For example, using RG8 as a power cord, or twisting the factory power cords of their transceivers. Doing so is junk science. Let's visit this in more depth.

First, any technique we use to shunt alternator whine to ground must present a low impedance at the frequency we're trying to suppress (less than 8 kilohertz typically). Further, it must be of lower impedance than the circuit it is attached to. In the case of vehicle DC wiring, that's seldom higher than a few tenths of an ohm.

An average power cord is ten foot long. A ten foot piece of RG8 has 250 pF of capacitance. At 8 kHz, 250 pF has a reactance of about 1,500 ohms. In terms of suppression, this amount is insignificant.

Twisted or not, a 10 foot power cord made from two number 10 conductors will have about 2 pF of capacitance per foot. Ten feet of it is an insignificant reactance even at 80 kHz! What's more, those who support twisting the power cord as a fix for alternator whine, and a host of other maladies, ignore some basic facts. Twisting works to reduce noise pickup only if both inputs and outputs are balanced, and neither end is grounded. That's not the case here.

Brute force filters offer some help, but there is a big downside too, and that's voltage drop. Radio Shack used to sell one that was rated at 20 amps. Inside its tubular construction is 20 feet of what appears to be number 16 Thermalese wire wound around a laminated steel core about 3/8 of an inch square, and and 2 inches long. A 1 uF coaxial capacitor completes the package. The input and output are size 10. The voltage drop at 20 amps is almost 2 volts. At 8 kHz, the suppression is less than 2 dB.

In some cases, a 1 Farad cap, like those used in mobile sound systems will suppress alternator whine if they're placed near the radio end of the power cord. However, they have a lot of drawbacks, not the least of which is their propensity to explode if dead shorted.

The best place to cure alternator whine is at the source. If you think it is a leaky diode causing your problem, use an O scope to look at the alternator output directly at the output terminal. If it is a diode, you'll easily see it. The fix is obvious.

As alluded to above, there are another situations which can cause what ripple there is to invade the circuitry of your transceiver. One of those is a ground loop. Ground loops occur when there is a differential in current flow between the positive and negative power leads feeding the radio. This is typically caused by incorrect wiring techniques. Poor bonding of body on frame vehicles, and poor coax connections can also cause the problem.

Another problem altogether, which is often incorrectly identified as alternator whine, is the switching transients from the alternator's regulator. While diode induced whine directly varies with engine speed, regulator whine normally does not. It will appear louder at low rpms, and when there is a high amperage load. Since it is radiated RF energy, removing the antenna will cause it to go away. The only fix is to replace the regulator.

Distractors will surely point out that they fixed their alternator whine with one of the aforementioned anecdotal remedies. If that is indeed the case, then the original wiring was amiss.

Alan, KØBG
http://www.k0bg.com/

(0) comments

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Electronics Lab 

Every so often I run across a web site that gets my juices flowing. I haven't played with hardware either radio or computer for some time now. I seem to spend all my time wrapped up in some application level tool like a database or presentation program of some kind.

Electronics Lab is one of those sites that I just happened to stumble across on the web while looking for something else. This site is filled with projects on everything from tube type amplifiers to microprocessor based controllers. Take some time and browse around and see if you don't suddenly smell hot solder in the air and start thinking about some neat application that you could use the circuit in. I have added them to the links section here on the blog. Good stuff.

Electronics Lab Web Site

(0) comments

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Short net this evening Feb 17 2008 

Well it was a short net tonight. I didn't have much in the way of information and there were no questions and only a few comments from Rich K3RWN. He reminded us that this coming Sunday is the WASH FEST where out monthly meeting will be held for February. Hope to see you there. Also this coming Wednesday, February 20th 2008, will be the next meeting of the Oblong Table. These meetings are held at the Kings Family Restaurant at Water Works Plaza on Freeport road just north of the Highland Park bridge. Very informal we generally meet between 07:00 and 07:30 PM, have a bite to eat and shoot the breeze about our favorite topic scanners. All are welcome.

Last but not least I have asked on the net several times about antenna supports made from pipe or mast and had a few suggestions but they didn't really do what I was looking for. While surfing the Wiki on the Radio Reference Site the other day I found a project for a 35 foot tilt over mast that looks like it is exactly what I'm looking for. If I get one built up I will take pictures to post on the blog and let you know how easy or hard it was to construct and get in the air.

If you would like to take a look at the project here is a link that will take you to the site.

Tilt over 35 foot mast assembly.

(0) comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Reliability of $2.1B statewide communication system in doubt 

Reliability of $2.1B statewide communication system in doubt

By FRED LeBRUN
First published: Sunday, February 10, 2008
At $2.1 billion, the state's long-planned single wireless communication system that is supposed to allow firefighters, police and other first responders to speak with one another is the priciest such technology contract in the country.

Yet even at this late date, two months before the drop-dead date to prove this system is operational, there's substantial doubt that it works reliably.

And reliability, for the State Police, for firefighters going into a building, for police in the field, is crucial.

Interim fire and police tests of the system, devised over years by the contractor M/A-Com and the state Office of Technology, have been far short of successful. Trials last summer and fall in rural Chautauqua County went acceptably, but in more crowded Erie County, communication was at best haphazard. Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo, for example, said radios failed to work in about half the city. The public safety unions and the Buffalo police commissioner have expressed no confidence in the system.


Follow THIS LINK to read the complete story.

(0) comments

Friday, February 08, 2008

Interesting tidbit for international travelers 


Here is some information for you operators that spend time outside of the United States across the pond. This not something that affects me but I know many people who take the rig with them when traveling abroad. This is especially true with sales and field service people. Although I don't know in this post September 11th world how you go about getting an HF rig on an airplane. I suppose with the tiny transceivers available today you could carry an entire setup in your brief case on the plane. Assuming of course that you can get through security.

European Reciprocal Licenses Now Limited to Advanced and Extra Class Licensees


(0) comments

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

CORRECTION ON THE MARCfest POSTING 

Some kind soul noticed that I apparently had a disconnect between the device that sits between the shoulders and the appendages that operate the keyboard causing the wrong date to be announced for the MARCfest.

The posting has been corrected and....................

The Correct Date Is :

Sunday March 30th 2008.

In the words of Maxwell Smart, "Sorry about that Chief"



Labels:


(0) comments

Monday, February 04, 2008

This months TRAMA meeting to be held at the WASH Fest 


Following our historical tradition the February monthly meeting of the Three Rivers Area Monitoring Association, or TRAMA, will be held at the annual Wireless Association Of South Hills ham fest. Also known as the "WASHfest".

This is Pittsburgh's first ham fest of the year and is always well attended as everyone has cabin fever by the time it arrives and just can't wait to get out buy, sell, meet and socialize with fellow operators. Unlike some other area events I have never heard anyone talking latter in the day or the week saying "well it just wasn't as good as it has been in years past" when it comes to this ham fest. So I hope to see all of you there and have a chance to stop by our table pull up a chair and chat for a while. As usual there will be lots of talk about scanners and public safety radio.

Here is a link to directions and more information on the WASH Fest. See you there!

(0) comments

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?