This is the way it’s supposed to work.  You dedicate your time building an awesome product – then sell it and cash out!  Hopefully Simon did well.

The new website for Ham Radio Deluxe support is now at HRDSoftwareLLC.com.  There they have links to the new HRD Discussion Forum and also links to purchase their new version 5.21.

From everything I’ve been able to find out, it appears that all previous versions to 5.21 will always be free.  And me likes FREE!  Even though I was a steady Paypal donator to Simon previous to the sale, I think I’ll wait a bit before I pull the trigger on my credit card and pay $60 for their newest version.  I want to make sure they have the bugs worked out first.

While the new owners are working out their bugs, it dawned on me that I’d better find and grab the latest Logbook Country and Unique Database files before they disappear altogether.  For years K7PT did a fabulous job updating these files and making them available for all (and free) on his K7PT Website, but it seems he’s not doing that anymore with the ownership change.    So with K7PT not updating and with the Ham Radio Deluxe ownership change, I saved what I could find to MY server.  Surely in the coming months/years this program, Websites and files will disappear from the Internet but now I know where to look for them.  Anyway, here’s a few links to those latest files and the last, latest FREE version of Ham Radio Deluxe from Simon (right click link and “save as” to your computer):

LogbookCountryDataEx.xml (Updated April 1st, 2012)

UniqueCallSignDatabase.xml (updated April 10th, 2012)

And here’s a link to the latest FREE version of Ham Radio Deluxe (v5.0 Build 2893) built by Simon HB9DRV.

v5.0 Build 2893 Ham Radio Deluxe

Although there is another newer, FREE version from the new ownership group (v5.11a), Simon’s version (5.0, Build 2893) had worked perfect for me for the last year so I decided to stick with it and just update the LogbookCountryDataEX and UniqueCallSignDatabase .xml files for now.  When I booted v5.11a up, it scared me with a cheezy new ownership logo (with bubbles?) on it.  And with me not trusting the new ownership versions yet, I reloaded the last known free version from Simon (V5.0, Build 2893).

Perfect (for now), enjoy!

I don’t need Myanmar for a new one, but it would sure be nice to hear them on again. That’s just what Simon Luttrell HS0ZIB (XZ1K) is planning on doing very soon.

Here’s a few links to Simon’s Websites and also a link to his story (from DX-World.net):

XZ1K Myanmar (Burma) Website Link

XZ1K Myanmar (Burma) Online Log Link

XZ1K “MyanmarTeachers.org” is a social enterprise founded by British businessman Simon Luttrell and his Thai wife Anthika. Simon has been living & working in the Thai/Myanmar border region since 2002, including 6 years as a volunteer police officer in Thailand.

And from DX-World.net – XZ1K Myanmar Operation

I sent a small $5 Paypal donation to his cause and also mentioned I’d like to attempt a schedule. Check back, we’ll see if Simon can make it happen with all he has going on.

Good luck in the pileups!

To hear K1MAN purposely move his broadcast down to 14.271 (from 14.275) today really upset many Hams I’m sure. I thought this guy got fined and shut down? Guess not.

Here’s a few links to the Italian Operators Websites that went over to Somalia and activated 6O0CW while on a humanitarian mission.

6O0CW Somalia Online Log

6O0CW Somalia Twitter

6O0CW Somalia Official Website

6O0CW Somalia Discussion & Forum

73 & good luck getting through the K1MAN broadcasts!

UPDATED May 10th, 0246Z – And here’s why I run recordings of my DXPedition QSO’s:  After listening to the recording a few times, it sure sounds like N9UN, not N0UN…  We’ll see if I’m in the log in the next few days.  N0UN Working 6O0CW, 20M CW

Yep, in the log!

Here’s a few links to their 7O6T Yemen Website, Twitter page and Online Log.

7O6T Online Log Link

7O6T Website Link

7O6T Twitter Link

“7O6, YEMEN. An international team of operators will be active as 7O6T from Socotra Island (AS-028) April 30th through May 17th. The team has obtained the license and is en-route to Sanaa. They plan to have six stations on the air (5x Elecraft K3 and Kenwood TS-590).  Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:

CW – 1824, 3504, 7004, 10104, 14024, 18074, 21024, 24894 and 28024 kHz
SSB – 1845, 3780, 7065/7180, 14145, 18145, 21295, 24945 and 28495 kHz
RTTY – 7035, 10140, 14080, 18100, 21080, 24920 and 28080 kHz”

And from the 7O6T Website, “We plan to QRV from 10 through 160 meters on CW, SSB and RTTY with 6 stations simultaneously on different bands/modes starting 21:00Z April 30th”

UPDATED May 1st, 0151Z. Damn, now THAT was one helluva’ 20 Meter SSB pile-up!

7O6T Yemen is in the log.  Worked him 31kc UP.  N0UN Working 7O6T Yemen 20M SSB

UPDATED May 3rd, 0135Z. 20M CW.  1.8kc UP.  N0UN Working 7O6T Yemen 20M CW

UPDATED May 5th, 1620Z. 15M CW.  2.6kc UP.  N0UN Working 7O6T Yemen 15M CW

UPDATED May 6th, 1646Z.  15M SSB.  6kc UP.  N0UN Working 7O6T Yemen 15M SSB

Good luck in the pileups!

I’ve had several linear amplifiers through the years but for me, this one really stands out. I picked up a non-working ETO Alpha PA-77 for a song a few weeks ago from a local Ham. The price was “really right” so I couldn’t pass it up. I had no idea what was wrong with it other than the previous owner said it “wouldn’t key”.

I found out while doing some research (and troubleshooting) to this PA-77, that it was the predecessor to the famous Alpha 77 DX.  The PA-77 is physically smaller than the 77 DX, but like the DX it uses a single 8877 (3CX1500A7) tube.  I also found out that the PA-77 is NOT a candidate for a conversion to two 8877′s (like the Alpha 77SX).  Partly because of the smaller physical dimensions and also because the transformer doesn’t have enough “oomph” to power a pair of tubes.

After disassembling the PA-77, I cleaned up the keying relays, realigned the top lid interlock switch, cleaned what I could, put it back together and I’ll be damned, she worked perfect (for awhile anyway).

That’s when the fun started. I noticed the blower motor starting capacitor was leaking when I had it apart but figured that would be a project for another day. Well a week or so after running it hard chasing DX, the blower motor starting cap decided to go boom. Not a firecracker boom, more like an M-80 boom! Damn near knocked me out of my chair when it went. Nothing like a LOUD boom and heavy black smoke in the shack. Needless to say, that capacitor is oil filled and man oh man, did it made a mess.

I disassembled the PA-77 again and I really didn’t like what I saw this time. The filament wiring to the tube was in very near proximity to a couple high wattage resistors in the blower circuit (to cut the blower speed) and they got so hot the filament wiring started on fire. So a blown starting capacitor, smoked resistors and cooked filament wiring were the next repairs. But what caused the resistors to get so damn hot? After a little more troubleshooting, it appeared the blower motor was failing when it got warm. The longer the blower ran, the more current it was drawing until finally it was acting like a short.

Here’s a few pictures of the damage (click to enlarge):

After repairing the filament wiring and removing the blower series resistor modifications (some previous owner had done), I also removed the blower motor and hooked it directly to 120V.  Nothing but a “grunt”.  After taking a few hours to clean up the oil from the blown oil filled starting capacitor, I then went on the hunt for a new blower motor.  Yeah, right!  Trying to find a blower motor for a 40 year old amplifier is not the easiest thing to do.

I figured I’d start right at RF Concepts and see if they had any legacy blower motors laying around.  Molly is a great gal and has ALWAYS been good to me, maybe I’d get lucky?

Here’s the almost immediate reply I got from from Molly at RF Concepts:

Update for Case #13988 – “Blower PA-77″

Hi Wayne,

Sorry to let you know but we don’t have that motor in stock anymore. We tried some years back to get blowers for the 77 and the 77D and 77DX/SX series of amplifiers and ran into quotes in excess of $1,000 with minimum orders as well. You may be able to find a used blower yourself by searching on the Internet or if the blower is very noisy, you may be able to have the bearings re-worked and then replace them into the blower.

73,
Molly, WØMOM

No luck at RF Concepts, so off I went to our local Grainger store to see if I could match something up.  After an hour at the counter with a great Grainger salesperson (didn’t get his name), I decided on a Grainger #6NZP8 motor.  Used in HVAC applications, the 3.3″, Shaded Pole PSC, 5/16″ Shaft, 1/10 HP, 3,000 RPM, CCW/CW ball bearing motor would probably work with some modification to the rear panel of the Alpha.  Plus it was only $75.  It would take a few days to get the motor into the store, but I was in no hurry.  I put the Henry Radio 2K-4 amplifier in-line and I figured it would take me a few days to clean up the oil in the PA-77 anyway.  I ordered it and went back to work cleaning the amp.

Mr. New Blower Motor comes in a few days later and it took about 30 minutes to “fit” the PA-77 to the motor.  I “elongated” the blower mounting holes on the rear panel to fit the 2″ bolt pattern of the new motor (old motor was 1 7/8″) with a small round file and cut down the motor studs to not interfere with the squirrel cage.  Here’s a few pictures of the “stretched” hole pattern and new blower motor installation:

So how does it work you ask?  Well, I hooked everything up and fired the ETO Alpha PA-77 up and NO BLOWER.  Seems the 6NZP8 is too much motor for the Alpha blower circuitry.  As soon as you put power to it, it faulted the overload solenoid (OFF button lights amber).  Hmmmm, 120V at blower, check.  Blower motor on staight 120V, check.  Put it inline and it faults the solenoid.

Have you ever had too much of something?  The rated current draw of the new 1/10HP motor is 1.2 amps.  I don’t know what the Alpha blower circuit faults at, but I’m sure it was way lower than 1.2A (maybe 300 or 400ma?).  Hindsight is always 20/20, but I wasn’t going to order and wait another few days on a lesser current drawing motor to come in, so I ran over to Radio Shack and picked up a $10, 120VAC relay (90ma).  I ran a #18 wire up to one of the fused mains direct to the blower, and then connected the Alpha blower circuitry to the other side of the relay.  I added a little Radio Shack “Hook and Loop” faster (Velcro) to hold it down.  Here’s a pictures of that addition:

And now with the new relay and motor installed, the amplifier works perfectly.  I’m surprised at how quiet the new motor is, and I especially like the fact that the new blower REALLY blows some air over the 8877.  I still may put a variable temperature thermostat in circuit at sometime in the future but for now it is what it is, and “it” works.  A 40 year old amplifier that is working well is a good thing.  If I had to do it again, I probably would have tried the Grainger 3,000 RPM, .5A 6ZNP6 motor first.  And as always in my “projects”, a tip of the black hat to Keith (K0KE) for his technical expertise and direction!

My Yaesu G-800SA Rotor Control lost its illumination not even 6 months after I opened the box. It was starting to bother me (after a more than a few months “in the dark”) so I figured I’d tear into it and replace a simple bulb, right? Wrong.

Here’s a couple pictures of the damn near completely disassembled rotor control and the culprit; a “soldered in” incandescent bulb (click to enlarge):

After I removed the ORIGINAL incandescent bulb I noticed it was starting to “melt” the plastic face:

On the Internet I read about some guys putting LED’s in their units when their bulb went out, but I’m a simple guy.  I guess I could have gone to Radio Shack and got what I needed to put a few LEDs in, but I rummaged around my junkbox to see if I had anything “simpler”.  Ahhh, a trailer side marker light just doing nothing but sitting there begging to be put to good use.  I pulled the marker light apart and stole the bulb and its socket.  I checked the voltage between the Orange (negative) and Yellow (positive) wires – bingo! 12.02 Volts DC.  There’s even a little stanchion in the cover that’s not being used for anything too, perfect.  A 90 degree twist of the socket mounting bracket, a screw and whala, let there be light!

It is not as bright as I would like it to be but it was a simple “zero cost” fix.  If it ever goes out again, at least I can replace the bulb now.  I’ll keep an eye on it to make sure the new 12V bulb doesn’t get hot and start melting things or I might have to go get a couple LEDs and a resistor and wire that up (still might do it anyway).  It shouldn’t burn anything up as it’s not too close to anything, but we’ll see.

My Command Technologies HF-2500E (Export) amplifier in action. Testing into a large dummy load. Video shows drive input (100 watts), then putting Commander 2500E into operation mode (<4 kilowatts).

OK, I admit – this video is pretty corny but it gets the point across – it’ll have to do.  Pictures are below.

Anyway, my rare Command Technologies Commander HF-2500E (Export) linear amplifier is for sale.  3 times 3CPX800A7 tube compliment. 100 watts in delivers nearly 4 kilowatts out (under test conditions).

160 through 10 Meters. 220 volt single phase power.

This amplifier is in absolutely PRISTINE condition. NO scratches, NO marks, NO issues. It is the best of all the rest. This QUIET amplifier puts out full power and the 3CPX800A7′s are known for their low, low emissions. I use it daily. Email me at: bluesky55@msn.com for a 20 Meter schedule to hear it in action if you wish.

This Commander 2500 Export comes with the 220V power cord and manual (copy).

Asking $5,500 for this fine jewel.  Not interested in trades.

Available for pickup near Denver, Colorado. Shipping can be negotiated.

“Go big or go home”

73

Here’s a few pictures (now THAT’S a transformer)!

UPDATED (April 15th, 2010)!  This amplifier was SOLD and is in the hands of its new owner.

9M0L – Spratly Island

DXCC Prefix: 1S, From 05.04.2012 to 17.04.2012. QSL via. It will be held on 7 to 15 April, 2012, Layang-Layang island near Sabah, East Malaysia. Via LA DX Group Calendar – Read the full Article

Seems clear cut.  Spratly will be on April of 2012.  But here’s a couple things I have to shake off.  When I followed the link to the 9M0L Website, nowhere does it say exactly what DXCC Country their DXpedition will count as.  They mention they’ll be operating from, “Layang-Layang island near Sabah, East Malaysia”.  But it doesn’t say anything about “Spratly”.  In fact, they specifically mention; “Layang-Layang which also known as “Swallow Reefs” is an oceanic atoll. It lies about 300km north of Labuan near the famous Spratly group of islands”.  Well I don’t know about you, but “near” doesn’t sit well with me!  It is or it isn’t?

Hmmmm, so what does this DXpedition count for anyway?

Well, I went and looked up Layang-Layang Island and found out that Layang-Layang Island is also called Swallow Reef. And Swallow Reef (Layang-Layang Island) is considered part of the Spratly Island Group per Wikipedia.  “Swallow Reef, known as Layang-Layang Island (Dusun for Place of Swallows) in Malaysia, Danwan Jiao (Chinese: 弹丸礁) in China, Celerio in the Philippines and Đá Hoa Lau in Vietnam, is an uninhabited oceanic atoll of the Spratly Islands situated approximately 300 km northwest of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Swallow Reef has a total land area of approximately 0.1 km². As with all of the Spratly Islands, the ownership of the island is disputed, but it is controlled by Malaysia and claimed by the People’s Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan), Philippines and Vietnam.”

Well that’s good enough, right?  Wrong.  Note, Wikipedia said Swallow Reef is “is an uninhabited oceanic atoll of the Spratly Islands”.  The 9M0L Website boasts Swallow Reef as, “the atoll has a 1,067 metres airstrip and a comfortable 90 rooms three-star resort. Every room is air conditioned with private amenities and comes equipped with TV, fridge, extra size beds and a private oceanfront balcony. There is a 200 seat restaurant, full service PADI dive centre, a free form water pool and souvenir shop.”

That sure doesn’t sound “uninhabited” to me, but what the hell do I know?  Seems there’s a whole lot of disinformation out there, right down to the dates of the DXpedition.  The news post had it as April 5th through the 17th, the website says the 10th through the 24th?  WT?

After all that, you know what I think?  WORK FIRST & WORRY LATER! End of story, hahahahaha.

Visit the 9M0L Spratly Website Here.  Check the 9M0L Spratly Online Log Here

Go get’m!  Good luck!

UPDATED: March 26, 2012 1526Z. Spratly Islands DXpedition is in the log. His signal got much stronger in the minutes after I worked him, even up to S9, but I’ve learned if you wait for the peak, you might be waiting forever.  Work first, worry later. Note; the beeping you hear in the recording below is me “dovetailing” stations working Spratly (previous to me). I was hunting Spratly’s listening frequency on the sub-VFO. Found W7RCS, then K7PI working him so instead of calling blind, I just hitched my wagon to them. Good stuff.

N0UN Working 9M6/OH2YY Spratly Islands

]]> http://www.n0un.net/2012/03/spratly-9m0l-online-log/feed/ 2 http://www.n0un.net/2012/01/xw0zjz-laos/ http://www.n0un.net/2012/01/xw0zjz-laos/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:00:34 +0000 admin http://www.n0un.net/?p=1119 Larry (XW0ZJZ) sure had a good signal from Laos today! (0040Z, Jan 06, 2012 – 14.028 UP). I noticed from the his grid coordinates on QRZ, he’s located right next door to the German Embassy.

Listen:  XW0ZJZ and N0UN

QSL Via E21EIC

December 27, 2011 1613Z. I saw 9X0PY spotted from India (VU2PTT) on the DX Cluster and I happened to have my antenna on the longpath to Africa (after clearing a QSO with Andy, 3DA0TM in Swaziland) so I dropped down to CW to see if I could hear 9X0PY (Carl in Rwanda).  I heard his call a couple times and pounced.  Got’m.  Then as fast as he appeared, he disappeared.  I don’t know if he changed frequency, lost power or just decided to take a break.  Anyway, he’s in the log!  It happened so fast I think I forgot I worked him! I’m glad I can listen to the recording and reconfirm the Q.

Recording of 9X0PY and N0UN, 20M CW

QSL Carl via his home call: SM6CPY