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Cure For Stray RF On My Signal

Cure For Stray RF On My SignalCure For Stray RF On My Signal.

I found a simple cure for stray RF on my signal. At $10 the fix is cheap!

Occasionally with different frequencies, weather and beam headings I’ll get RF in my shack and onto my signal. If my microphone line gets near my Palstar AT5K tuner, or if I’m beaming 8 elements over the house on 10 Meters, or RF is being introduced into my W2IHY cabling and/or gear, there’s nothing more frustrating than hearing RF on my signal – no matter where it’s coming from.

I’ve installed dozens of choke beads on cables & leads and although they do work, they’re “fussy”. I’m always changing positions, wraps, adding/subtracting and moving things around to try and diminish stray RF it seems.

And now here’s the $10 permanent fix for stray RF on my signal: https://amzn.to/3HkRg2M

This little Besign isolator/decoupler COMPLETELY removed any and all stray RF from getting onto my signal!

I simply plug my Heil headset into the Besign and plug the Besign into my radio mic input. It couldn’t be easier. This isolator decouples whatever stray RF is on the mic line. No stray RF in, no stray RF out.

It also works on decoupling hum from a pole pig transformer in a linear amplifier I occasionally use around here. If my headset mic is within 2′ or so of the amplifier, my mic picks up the magnetic flux “hum” from the amp transformer. This Besign isolator removes 100% of that hum too.

And to add to this post, I just heard from a Ham friend in Florida who was getting RF into his Heil amplified speaker on certain frequencies. He installed the Besign isolator and reported back the RF is completely gone!

“Thanks for the tip Lumpy. I Was getting some RF into my Heil amplified speaker. Inserting toroids helped, but the gadget you recommended completely removed it. Two thumbs up!”

And that’s that. Easy, simple, cheap, and it works! https://amzn.to/3HkRg2M

N0UN

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DXer vs. TXTer

DXer vs. TXTer. We are not the same.

Dom, T32TT calling N0UN on “Phone” from East Kiribati:

 

Guess this picture says it all:

DXer vs. TXTer

And so it goes – The Rise of the Machines”. Lazy, mindless, automated computer scripted text messaging. Skynet is closer than you think.

Lazy is, as lazy does.

Say No To FT8

N0UN

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JD1BMH Ogasawara

JD1BMH DX Cluster Spots

click to enlarge

JD1BMH Ogasawara. WOW, a REAL DXpedition!

“Harry” is churning it out on CW & Phone.  Does anybody remember what real Ham Radio was like before all this fake, lazy, mindless automated computer scripted text messaging the last few years? You know back when Ham Radio Operators weren’t so lazy and humans actually “communicated”? Before TXTpeditions and the Big FT8 Money Grab?

Follow JD1BMH Harry on Twitter

Morse Code lives! Harry JD1BMH (home call JG7PSJ) calling CQ on 17M CW (0138Z):

 

JD1BMH Website

N0UN

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Yaesu SP-8 Speaker Replacement

Yaesu SP-8 Speaker ReplacementYaesu SP-8 Speaker Replacement.

My trusty Yaesu SP-8 speaker bit the dust. The annoying crackling & popping told me it was time for a new speaker. Turning up the volume to listen across the room finally took its toll.

Even though I have the correct power supply/speaker for my FTDX101MP (the FPS-101), I use the SP-8 instead. Here’s a few reasons why:

I don’t like plugging/unplugging my headset into the radio. I’d rather plug/unplug into a much less costly speaker. I’ve seen $4,000 radios with worn out phono plugs, no thank you to that repair! The FPS-101/SP-101 doesn’t have a single phono jack, the SP-8 has two.

Secondly I like the seven audio filters on the Yaesu SP-8. The FPS-101/SP-101 doesn’t have any.

Not that I use it anymore but I have the LL-7 Phone Patch option in my SP-8. Nothing of the sort even available in the FPS-101/SP-101.

The case color matches the FTDX-101, and the height is very close.

Lastly I like I can run either of two audio signal inputs into the SP-8. The FPS-101/SP-101? No chance, only one.

Now I got why I use my Yaesu SP-8 instead of the FPS-101 out of the way, here’s the fix for a crackling & popping blown speaker.

A good sounding, easy to find replacement – the Visaton R10S 4 inch 8 Ohm speaker. On Amazon it’s around $10.

8 screws and 20 minutes later, the installation was complete. Here’s a few pictures:

 

The new speaker sounds great, full bodied, no distortion even at high volume, and best of all no cracking & popping! An easy, low cost fix for your Yaesu SP-8 speaker. The ultra low profile Visaton R10S 4 inch 8 Ohm speaker will also fit the FPS-101 and SP-101 (no power supply) speakers.

N0UN

 

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Ham Radio TXTpeditions

Ham Radio TXTpeditions VU7AHam Radio TXTpeditions

I took a peek at the VU7A (Lakshadweep Islands) statistics today on Club Log (right). So far 25,000 Q’s – ZERO on CW, ZERO on SSB.

Then I took a look at my old friend’s T32TT (Eastern Kiribati) statistics. Well, I tried to but Dom doesn’t publish statistics anymore [somebody figured a way to count dupes on Dom’s last TXTpedition. Duplicate Q’s were running 50%!] But I know from T32TT spots for the last 30 hours he has 11,000 Q’s with ZERO on CW and ZERO on SSB. That’s a TXTpedition! The TXTpedition posted they’d have two CW and one SSB station, but we all know how that goes…

Ain’t this a bitch?  Better yet, ain’t this a “lazy, mindless, automated computer scripted text messaging” bitch?

I said it a few years ago FT8 Is Destroying Ham Radio, and it turns out it’s even worse than anybody ever thought it could be. The Big FT8 Money Grab continues.

I’m trying to come up with a number that separates a traditional human mode DXpedition from a TXTpedition. Perhaps 20, 25% FT8? Or maybe 50%? Or heck, like these two TXTpeditions, they’re running 100% FT8. What percentage of FT8 makes a traditional human mode DXpedition a TXTpedition to you?

And just another friendly reminder for all you Dumbed Down, Lazy, Mindless, Automated Computer Scripted Text Messengers out there – you want to RR73 the virtues of FT8 from the rooftops – do it on your own blog, not mine. Beat it. Go play over at TXTpeditions.com.  Only real Ham Radio COMMUNICATORS and OPERATORS allowed around this watering hole can comment here.

🙂

N0UN

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XV9Q Viet Nam 30M CW

XV9Q Viet Nam 30M CW

When I saw the spot from W3LPL’s DX Cluster “skimmer” for XV9Q, I thought there’s absolutely ZERO chance I’d hear Viet Nam on 30 Meters CW at 9:00 AM our local time. Not only did I think there’s no way I’d hear him, but with only a couple hundred watt limit on 30 Meters and just my ground mounted vertical, there’s no way he’d ever hear me either!

But what do I know?

N0UN Working XV9Q Viet Nam 30M CWI went to listen and sure enough there’s a station calling CQ signing XV9Q. I would’ve bet a $100 bill it had to be a pirate, but it turns out not only was XV9Q REAL – he was running Club Log’s “Livestream” logging program where I saw my call pop up seconds later!

What’s even more perplexing there was only a couple North American stations that worked him – even after my re-spot. “Spotlight propagation” I call it.

Here’s the recording working XV9Q 30M CW in broad daylight, simplex, 2 hours after sunrise (9 AM local):

 

And the cherry on top? An unsolicited LoTW confirmation hours later!

XV9Q Viet Nam on LoTW

Life is good. Thanks for the Q Greg!

QSL via Dan, N4GNR

XV9Q Online Log

N0UN

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7O8AE & 7O8AD Yemen DXpedition

7O8AE & 7O8AD DXpedition7O8AE & 7O8AD Yemen DXpedition

A two man low power DXpedition from a rare DXCC Entity with an emphasis on CW & Phone with the CW Op running FT8 on the side. A concept I can get behind 100%!

Online QSL for 7O8AE & 7O8AD via M0OXO and his OQRS System.

“Two operators will be QRV Nov 3rd to Nov 16th, licenses issued are 7O8AD (Ken) and 7O8AE (Shani)

This is a ‘Tent and generator” operation, limited facilities at Dhihamri, grid locator LK72CQ
7O8AD Ken: 1X CW + 1X FT8 (SO2R light) & 7O8AE Shani: 1XSSB
It means 7O8AE is the SSB call and 7O8AD is the CW/FT8 call.
100W RIGs: Three 100W stations. No amplifier due to weight restrictions.
Band: 160-10m. No band plan, use the VFO. FT8 will be WSJT-X F/H or MHSV – never on standard frequency.
Antennas: Verticals and VDA close to saltwater, clear beach take off.
All antenna support material will be constructed on the spot by material we can source locally. For that reason 40-10m will be installed first, then 160+80m.
Especially for 160/80m it means splicing wood poles and make a temporary support structure for the (toploaded) wire – so please be patient for low band.

Media officer/WW Pilot: Steve N2AJ, stevousa@aol.com
ALL questions during the operation to Steve, team will not monitor or answer any emails. We have no internet access, as we only have satellite connection to pilot via Garmin + HF (!).”
Updates will be posted here https://www.facebook.com/groups/6878768972146047/

7O8AE & 7O8AD QSL manager M0OXO – LOG will be uploaded AFTER DXpedition.
OQRS will open once Charles receives the logs. ALL QSL questions to Charles, team will not answer any questions related to QSL or LOG.
Donations/OQRS for both callsigns is via paypal – kenneth@opskar.no  All upfront supporters will get their LoTW + Direct QSL cards automatically.
OQRS Direct, OQRS Buro or Direct mailed. No paper buro cards. Complete log will be uploaded to LoTW.

No busted callsign enquiries for FT8, if your computer gets lost, work us again.
I will personally make a humanitarian donation to UNCHR Yemen once I return home – anyone wanting to support this humanitarian fundraiser can use the PayPal address – and please label that separate donation “Humanitarian aid”. 500 houses in Socotra, Yemen were partially or fully damaged during a cyclone last week. All humanitarian donations will be transferred 100% to UNCHR Yemen, and everyone who contributes will be listed and thanked.

Thank you!
73 Ken
LA7GIA”

Anytime you can break a pileup from EU it’s a good thing! Thanks Shani!

N0UN working 7O8AE 15M SSB:

 

UPDATED 11/20/23. LoTW has been uploaded for early sponsors.

7O8AE & 7O8AD LoTW Confirmation

 

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TXTpeditions (Formerly DXpeditions)

TXTpeditions (Formerly DXpeditions)TXTpeditions (Formerly DXpeditions):

A few current TXTpeditions as of this Blog Post writing:

T22T – 100,034 Q’s: .5% CW, 1% SSB, 98.5% FT

ZD9W – 6,518 Q’s: 0% CW, 0% SSB, 100% FT

5X3K – 29,802 Q’s: 22% CW, 13% SSB, 65% FT

It appears to many of us Real Amateurs (ie Real Communicators) the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) sure has gone out of their way to allow the destruction of a hobby they say they’ve been trying for decades – to protect. TXTpeditioners, guilty. TXTers, guilty. ARRL, guilty. Lazy is, as lazy does.

“Follow the money” he said, follow the money.

Think I’ll go register TXTpeditions.com. Seems to be the new humanless lazy, automated computer scripted txt messaging app path for the future of Ham Radio. Swell.

N0UN

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The Big FT8 Money Grab

The Big FT8 Money GrabThe Big FT8 Money Grab. DXpeditioners have turned to the laziest, easiest way to make money – FT8.

Somebody has to say it – DXpeditioners have figured out they can turn on their automated FT8 computer scripts and make more money than actually operating their Ham Radio’s on Phone or CW.

“Money for nothin’ and chicks for free”. AND the ARRL approves because they’re profiting handsomely too. All those lazy, computer scripted 24/7 hour text message Q’s count for their DXCC program. Those indoor dipole non-human mode stations are stumbling over themselves to pay ARRL membership dues and pay again for DXCC Credits. The ARRL and DXpeditions figured out a way to print money.

Lazy DXpeditioners claim there’s nobody on CW or Phone to work. Ever notice the FT8 spots from these DXpeditions never stop? All day, all night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week the computers are knocking it down. On the TN8 DXpedition I watched every night up to 9 unmanned computers went to FT8, only for most to bounce back to Phone and CW a little after their sunrise when the humans woke up. Completely and totally automated. Wake up with another 5,000 Q’s in the log. They cannot resist the lure of easy money.

But shhhhhh! It’s the Big Secret. Nobody talks about it, nobody wants to admit it’s happening. Every man for himself, just get those easy DXCC credits while you’re at dinner or outside mowing the grass – and for the DXpeditioner – collect those $5 to $10 Paypal’s per LoTW request while you sleep. 100,000 Q’s, 40,000 unique, or digital, or ATNO, or bandfills are how much at $5 a LoTW request? Do the math homie. All for a computer Q with a computer digital file upload (LoTW). That’ll pay for a DXpedition, won’t it?

Current DXpedition T22T with over 98% of his 83 thousand Q’s are FT. VK9LAA, ZD9W all following suit, all on FT8. Fake Ham Radio at best. Lazy, mindless, computer scripted text messaging is now a profitable endeavor.

Don’t deny it – Lazy is, as lazy does.

Don’t bother me for “up front” donations or ask my companies to “sponsor” these embarrassing “TXTpeditions.com” anymore either. You FT8ers go pay to play and leave me out of that crap – go to FT8Forum.com and play there, lol. You want my Club Log OQRS? $100 USD!

N0UN (a real DXer, not a “TXTer” pretender)

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My New Dell Computers

N0UN ComputersMy New Dell Computers.

I liked the first one so much, I bought another! These have worked out great! https://amzn.to/3PzgAFX

I’m not sure how they can sell this refurbished Dell computer for less than $200, delivered, but I’m not complaining. They both look brand new. I can’t buy 32GB of RAM for that price.

“Dell OptiPlex 9020 Small Form Computer Desktop PC, Intel Core i7 3.4GHz Processor, 32GB Ram, 1 TB Solid State, Wireless Keyboard & Mouse, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, HDMI, Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)”.

Perfect for this Ham Shack!

N0UN

 

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FT8 – Lazy, Computer Scripted “Crapola”

Say No To FT8FT8 = Lazy, Computer Scripted “Crapola”.

Since 2017 THIS is the “new” Ham Radio DXer. No skill required. Set your computer, go to dinner, come back after dessert and claim your DXCC “Participation Trophy“.

Look at the first few days of T22T and their 19K Q’s in the log:

T22T Tuvalu Log

How embarrassing. For both the DXpedition AND the new TXTer (oh sorry, I meant DXer).  No hello’s, no goodbye’s, no speaking, no Morse Code CW skills, hell – no human communications whatsoever. Not a single CW or Phone Q. 19 thousand Q’s, and not a single one!

From their Press Release: “Rebel DX Group has given a quick update on their upcoming T22T – Tuvalu DXpedition. QRV from September 21 to October 9, 2023. 10 x stations on air simultaneously; CW (2 stations), SSB (1 station), FT8 (7 stations). WSJT-X software will be used on F/H mode. QSL via OQRS, LoTW.”

I guess the lure of lazy is just too much to actually operate Phone & CW on DXpeditions anymore. For both sides.  Lazy is, as lazy does.

Thank God there’s still a few real DXers left that actually communicate via Human Modes!

See you fellow humans on the airwaves!

N0UN

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eHam Forum Is A Waste Of Time

eHam Forum is a waste of timeeHam Forum is a waste of time.

“Cancel Culture” is alive and well at eHam Forum (eHam.net).  I can’t even count how many forum topics in the “DXing” section have been “locked”.  I’ve had enough.  After the last thread I went to comment on was locked minutes ago, I attempted to delete my account.  Isn’t it ironic the eHam Forum overlords have to “approve & allow” you to delete your account?  Who does that in this day & age?

No harm, no foul here as “nutcase” Hams had taken over most of the interesting threads in the DXing section anyway.  Several loser members and the commie censors that run the forum really do deserve each other.  Another perfect example of misery loves company.

N0UN

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N0UN DXCC Bandfill Chart

N0UN DXCC Bandfill Chart

This is an Excel sheet I made years ago to help me quickly mark band/mode Q’s for several DXpeditions I’m chasing at a glance. I still electronically log everything, but this “cheat sheet” makes the DX hunt simple & easy.

I “X” mark the band/mode when I work a DXpedition, then I circle it when it shows up in Club Log, then I red line it when I receive a LoTW.

The present sheet on my desk:

N0UN DXCC Bandfill Chart

And here’s the link to download the N0UN DXCC Bandfill Chart

Save it to your computer and print a blank sheet as you work through DXpeditions.

Hope it helps!

NØUN

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February 14, 2024

February 14, 2024February 14, 2024, will be etched in the memories of a generation of Oregon residents for more than Romance…

On that date Mount Doom, a little known peak in the Oregon Cascade mountains erupted, then began spewing poisonous gasses that killed every breathing creature for miles around. The gasses were heavy, and settled into pockets everywhere close to the eruption. The emergency was exacerbated by a terrible blizzard sweeping the area within hours after the beginning of the eruption.

An emergency management site was hastily established in Baker City, OR. An amateur radio ARES station was a part of the operation. By late morning of the day following the eruption, the extent of the disaster was beginning to become clear. However, the vicious winter storm had closed roads and airports. Widespread power outages made everything worse, but weather conditions were slowly improving.

The blizzard conditions having slowly abated, Oregon’s governor was able to arrive at the emergency management site in late morning by National Guard Helicopter, and immediately asked for an update on the communities in the mountains near the eruption.

The report was not encouraging. Virtually all forms of communication to the several mountain communities had been cut off, save for one – amateur radio. The governor was quickly escorted to the amateur radio ARES emergency van, parked immediately next a network TV van. The governor requested a briefing. The interview was recorded by the TV network.

“Well, madam, we have identified three communities particularly at risk. They are Vast Gorge, Excrement Creek and Crabtree Hollows. But we have contact with amateur radio stations in each of them.”

“Well, what are they reporting?”

“Vast Gorge has extensive damage. There is no power. No phones, cell or land line communication. A lot of injuries, some deaths. But we have a schedule arranged with the town mayor on Single Sideband voice arranged in anticipation of your arrival. That is in ten minutes.”

“Excellent. What about Excrement Creek?”

“Well, as you know, there are only a few hundred people living there, and normally no ham operators. But we got lucky. There is a back-packer ham radio gal visiting there by fortunate coincidence. She has a 5 watt radio and a wire antenna. She is there because of an operating program called Summits on the Air. She can only use Morse code with her equipment.”

“How can that be any good?”

“Actually, it is huge. She has sent us a lot of traffic. Even though she can only send and receive code on her little radio she is good at it. We’ve gotten casualty reports. Things they especially need. Gas masks, oxygen equipment, stuff for damaged lungs. And she has told us that the locals there are working like crazy to clear a landing spot for helicopters. She has already sent us the GPS co-ordinates, and has answered several questions the State Aviation Director asked about the landing zone. I believe the first helicopter to go there is leaving shortly. She also said she is dying for a cup of coffee. We are sending her a large thermos. ”

“Wow! What is she using for power?”

“Flashlight batteries! But she said they have a car battery for a back-up and that she can go for days with that,”

“Excellent. And what about Crabtree Hollows? It is the largest of the three communities.”

“Well, that is not as good a situation. We have solid contact with a station using a computer data mode.”

“Well, that should be good, right?”

“Uh, um, no, not exactly. We fear the station there may be on an automatic computer program. And probably an automatic back-up generator. We are thus far unable to exchange meaningful information. Early on, we made a contact. It lasted one minute, and we found out that our station was being received loud and clear. Since then we have not been able to even get another contact. But if we change the callsign we are using we can get another contact, once. And all we find out is that again we are loud and clear. The station has been on the air for hours. But that is all anyone can get – a report that they are loud and clear. Once.”

“How can that be?”

“The mode they are using is called FT8. It is proving to be totally useless for any kind of meaningful communication. We fear everyone there may be dead. And now, Madam Governor, won’t you sit here, our schedule with the mayor of Vast Gorge is ready…”

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3D2UN Approved For DXCC

3D2UN License3D2UN Approved For DXCC

My 3D2UN (Fiji) operation for 2023/2024 has been approved for DXCC.

I have also uploaded the initial 3D2UN log to LoTW and Club Log.  3D2UN on Club Log

I will operate from time to time on “human modes” only, with an emphasis on CW.

There will be operations from other DX Entities in the future.

NØUN

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