Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Nice rig, pics?
That’s what I run due to clarity an reliability.

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If i go mobile ill be using my KX3, with a screwdriver antenna

 

I just got mine the other day too. I really have to work on my remote PTT switch. I had one on the 6sd shifter but it started to cut out. Too hard, at times, to shift, steer, talk, and work the pedals at the same time. I don't think I could do HF in a mobile and run it when driving on a screwdriver. 2M off the repeater takes enough effort as it is...

One of these days, I have to get a pc connected to my base station (FT-847) and try FT-8 or similar. A friend that I talk to got into it and is making all sorts of contacts on the upper ends of HF. Maybe a winter project...

 

Yeah I’ll post some later today. My transceiver is under my seat and my head unit is being ran from my cup holder

 

Somewhere on the Tacoma forum I saw a few posts about someone wiring a folding 90 degree antenna mount with switch inside the cabin.

Would anyone know where that post might be?

Thanks so Much!

Doug N8EKL in Ohio

 

@Cudgel and eventually me.

 

Hi N8EKL...here is info from my electronics build threads on the power antenna I used:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cudgels-build-thread.600420/#post-20174395

I'm happy to provide more details as well.
73

Thanks @Gunshot-6A

 

Why the DPDT switch instead of a SPDT? Looks like you only have one folder. Or was it for an eventual second one?

Or was that just what was laying around in the garage?

 

In order for it to reverse, you need to cross both the + and the - poles...this cannot be accomplished with a single pole.

1 2 (leads out) +/-or -/+
3 4 (line in) +/-
5 6 crossed with 2, 1

 

ah, that makes sense since its a rotary motor you need to turn both ways.

 

Anyone have any fun home brew HF antenna projects they can suggest? Looking for some more gain at a lower take off angle. Could even be monoband

 

https://youtu.be/Al3ZJipFq6k

sux she just left everyone hanging...

 

Maybe a 10m Slim Jim?

 

What kinda stuff have you tried so far?

• Verticals can give nice low angles
• Have you tried a quad
• Add a director element for an existing antenna (horizontal wire dipole, etc)
• CobWebb can do like 15° for a main lobe at reduced height
• Co-phasing can be a trip as well

 

I setup an 80m vertical on the back of my taco. Mast is a 18m spiderbeam fiberglass stuck into a hitch flagpole mount. Used a piece of wire as the driven element with 3 ground radials. Sets up in about 5-10 min and has a wonderful takeoff angle. I'd like to measure and cut some additional radials.

 

I've been warned that if you live near a large population that verticals can be "noise sticks". Any merit to this?


I was looking at a cobweb too! Although if I read correctly it's only a minor increase of gain over a dipole.

 

its true about verticals, thats why i have a myriad of different antennas. When i get get all my antenna projects done i will have the following. 80m dipole fed with ladderline, hexbeam, OMTA ( Offset Multiband Trapless Antenna), 10m vertical, MIDI magnetic loop and VHF vertical.

Different antennas for different bands for different settings.... NOT ONE antenna can do it all.....

 

@m603holden needs to get on the high angle SATCOM train!

 

Yep I've got an 80m ocf at a low height for 80/40 NVIS and North/south lobes for 20, and my 40m ocf at a good height for east west lobes.

I'll probably run a true 80m nvis, eventually a hex beam, and a cubical quad at some point.

I did see some cool plans for a 2 element field 40/20 yagi. Might give that a go in the backyard.

 

Gave me a laugh!