Elecraft T1 Tuner Repair

I've been kind of "radio inactive" whilst sorting out a few things over the last 3 years or so. First time operating in quite a while was back in October up in the Fish lake National forest with my sons. Just prior to leaving, I visited my buddy Chuck to run my gear through its paces. We hooked up my T1 QRP tuner (actually a max of 20 watts) to his FT-897 and my PRC74 military radio whip antenna. I keyed an AM carrier, pressed the tune switch and man--that old military whip tuned up in about 1.5 seconds. Well, that's what I thought... In actuality, I either hit it with too much RF (might have turned down the wrong power settings on the 897) or the tuner just hadn't been used in a long while... Regardless, I fried two diodes. They are barely visible on either side of the right-most torroid on the bottom of this photo. Small blue components aligned horizontally in this snap.

I looked all over and found replacement diodes at Mouser. Ironically, they are fifty cents each, and shipping is $6 (and it's no wonder--my two diodes were shipped in a mid-sized cardboard box!).

I've been stabbing away at desoldering these diodes, but no joy. I'm taking them to my buddy's. He's got a beautiful desoldering station (no joke--I seem to use it a lot). This repair should go quickly! Along wth testing my PFR, we're doing the repair in the next couple days. Hopefully my next post will be of a successful tuning sequence with my 817 and his Gap Titan antenna.

By the way: the trip to Fish Lake wasn't a total bust. That old whip is resonant on 10m (when switched to the antenna's 40m configuration), and 10m was wide open. At 5 watts with right around 1:1.5 antenna matching, I was using PSK to contact France and several US stations. It could have been worse!

73's de K7JTO

Action-Packer Go Box

One of my favorite organizing tools is Rubbermaid’s Action Packer. They make these things in several sizes (from 80 gallons to 8 gallons), they’re just about bulletproof, and they pack a zillion items. So when it came time to build a go-box, there really was no option – it’s the Action Packer or nothing! (Well, I have debated using something metal, to protect from an EMP, but I haven’t found anything that’ll work for that—yet).

What’s a go box? It’s a box or container you can grab and just run with. It’s great for field day or for the special events station we’ll be manning in June (for the Pony Express 150th anniversary). It contains essentially everything you need to operate in the field. Most go-boxes include radios, antennas, wires, batteries, and even food. I like to keep my food separate; it allows for a slightly smaller go-box.

My goals for building a go-box were:

• Store both my Yaesu FT-100 and my Yaesu FT-817 radios, in an upper shelf.
• Carry at least two lead-acid batteries below.
• Be completely wired – I should be able to open the top, plug in a radio and an antenna, and just GO.
• Be wired with ARES/RACES standard Anderson Powerpoles.
• Include an external connection so I can input power at any time, easily.
• Have room to store antennas, cables, a quick repair kit, etc.
• Include luxuries such as a flashlight and more.

Given that I want it to be easily portable AND I want it to hold a limited amount of gear, I opted for the smallest Action Packer, which is 8 gallons in size. Great choice!

Here are some photos of what I’ve got so far:

Batteries in the bottom, and the hole in the side for external power tap.	Close-up of the hole – I added a small rubber gasket for waterproofing. I also drilled the hole on a down-ward facing slope, to keep out water.
As you can see, the power out will have Anderson Powerpoles on it. That way I can plug into just about anyone’s system.	These are the lead acid batteries at the bottom. I have 1) power in, 2) lead acid batter, 3) second lead acid battery, and 4) power up to the top. Wanting to save a boatload of cash, I built my own power distribution unit (power distribution block) out of Anderson Powerpoles – I’ll write a quick blog on that. I also made room in the power block to plug in two additional batteries (I’ve got 4, after all), just in case.
Some things are just too easy… This is an Energizer brand battery charger. It just happens to take… 12v to charge batteries! You never know when you need a AA or AAA battery!	The comforts of home! I made 1) alligator clamp connector for auto batteries, 2) ring connectors for power supplies, 3) ring connectors with small alligator clamps, 4) 12v battery charger with the power supply cord modified, 4) Anderson-equipped power supply for my FT-817 (which happens to use the same tip as some old PockePC power supplies—and is the same tip the VX-7R uses). There’s a sample power distribution block. Oh and that’s the COOLEST flashlight I’ve ever seen – it’s LED powered. They sell them at NAPA for about 8 bucks—they have a hook and a magnet on the back of them.

There’s still some work left to do—I would like a shelf at the bottom to cover up the power supply. I’m worried a wrench or something will fall in between the batteries and cause a short. I need a shelf on the top on which I can put the radios (padded for transport, of course). I hope to wrap all that up shortly, and I’ll add final photos when I do.

Quick note on batteries – I left my QRP (low-power) Yaesu FT-817 running the other day. I went a full 24 hours on one lead acid battery. Twenty-four hours! And that included a couple hours of heavy HF transmission at full power (5 watts). Can you imagine what 4 batteries will do, if I shut the thing off now and again? It measures in weeks…

Ultimate Backpacking Yagi

If you’ve read my blog, you know I got started in amateur radio because I was looking for a reliable emergency communications solution for the backcountry. I found it, but in 2009 while taking my Scouts on a 50-miler, I knew next to nothing about radio. I wasn’t all that successful with my transmission. Part of the issue was that I didn’t know enough about programming the radio nor about VHR radio to set things up correctly. I had all the wrong data – wrong offset, wrong tone for opening repeaters, etc. But there is more – I had equipment problems. And now I know several reasons why!

• Yaesu VX-7R: my first challenge (not problem—challenge) is that my Yaesu VX-7R is a 5-watt hand-held unit (in ham radio vernacular, it’s called an “HT” or handie-talkie). 5 watts isn’t all that much power, you know? A decent 5-watt HT with a good antenna will transmit about 30 miles line-of-sight. I was never much more than 30 miles from any repeater, but there were trees all over the place. Nice things about the Yaesu? On standby, this puppy can remain on for a good two days. It’s a tough little unit, and the LCD has just enough info to keep you going, without getting too cluttered. What are you going to do with an awesome 5-watt handheld? Since they don’t make many handhelds with a higher wattage, especially with all these features, I’m sure not going to throw it out!
• Whip Antenna: I own a Diamond SRH-999 antenna. This is an awesome quad-band antenna which will transmit and receive on 50, 144, 220, and 445 (6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm). The problem is that a whip antenna transmits in a big circle—the transmit power is spread out 360 degrees!
• No Gain: the other problem with a whip is that there’s essentially no gain. The radio pumps out 5 watts, and that’s what’s transmitted out of the antenna.

So is there an answer to this problem? I’ve got a great little radio. I have learned so much more about VHF radio, repeaters, and programming my radio that I have all the repeater settings correctly dialed in now. But how do I get around the transmission limitations of a 5-watt HT with a whip antenna? Simple: the two-meter Yagi.

Directional Antenna: the Yagi

Welcome to the world of amateur radio antennas! As I’ve studied about radio, I have learned that it’s pretty incredible what you can do with a low-power radio. As a matter of fact, there’s an entire dark art in ham radio called “QRP” or low-power radio. Most QRPers use 5-watt CW (continuous wave, or Morse code) radios. Some of them are as small as an Altoids tin (I’ll be building one of those – it’s my reward for earning General class). If you can transmit cross-county on a fraction of a watt, with a 9volt batter, you ought to be able to transmit 30, 50 or even 60 miles with a 5-watt HT! It all comes down to having the right antenna. And the right antenna will accomplish two things: first, it will focus all your power into a narrow beam; second, it will actually increase your transmission power.

The antenna that accomplishes this? Simple – the Yagi or beam antenna. Remember the old TV antennas? Those are Yagi antennas!

But I’m not looking for just any antenna. I’m looking for a Yagi I can take backpacking.

• 2-meter backpacking Yagi: Now, I thought I had the perfect antenna when I found the 2-meter backpacking Yagi plans presented at my local club. This has it all! It’s light (PVC and aluminum rod), it’s small (stuffs down into the PVC) and it’s convenient. Unfortunately, it calls for some pretty advanced stuff—ever try to by Delrin rod? Great stuff, but it’s not necessarily sold at your local Ace Hardware. I never really got started on this antenna, simply because I don’t know where to by aluminum rod, Delrin rod, etc.
• Simple 2-meter backpacking J-match Yagi: so imagine my excitement when I found plans for a 2-meter J-match Yagi antenna. Not only is it easier to build, it’s made out of parts you can buy easily (aluminum grounding rod, apparently available at Radio Shack, and a few alligator clips).
• Ultimate 2-meter backpacking Yagi: I had my heart set on building the J-match yagi, until I found the ultimate 2-meter backpacking yagi (see pages 5-6). Not only is this puppy light, it’s ultra-light and it’s ultra-compact! Check out in this youtube video how easy it is to build!

So tomorrow I have a slowish day and I plan on buying the parts for the J-Match 2m Yagi and building it. I’m going to keep an eye out for an arrow or even a broken fishing pole out of which I can build the KD5IVP antenna though. THAT’s going to be the bomb for backcountry communications!

General Class!

Wow, I’m really falling behind! It’s been 8 months since earning my Technician class. In those months, I’ve built myself out quite the set-up. My Yaesu VX-7R has served me well, and I’ve added a Yaesu FT-100 to my collection. The joy about the FT-100 is that it’s a mobile HF radio – it goes great in my car, and it does all bands (160m to 70cm). In my most recent article, I mentioned I made my first HF contact (on 10 meters, with a guy near Sacramento, CA).

Well, this week I reached a long-time goal: I earned my general class license! I am now licensed to operate on all amateur radio bands! Pretty exciting, frankly.

So the day after I earned my tech, I hopped onto the 160, 80, 40 and 20 meter bands to make my first General contact. And sure enough – next thing I knew, I was chatting with Hector, XE2GAG, in Ensenada, Mexico (about an hour south of San Diego).

Just goes to show you, you can do just about anything you set your mind to. Eight months ago, I had only heard about amateur radio once (when I was living in Virginia, my buddy Fred told me we’d be able to chat together, even though he lived in Washington at the time). Now I’m learning about HF and the big wavelength bands.

My Second Radio: Yeasu FT-100

I am officially a member of the amateur fanatics—I own more than one radio! <GRIN>

As I’ve been contemplating accepting an offer to serve as the communications chair for Centerville City’s CERT committee, I have been thinking about my preparedness. I’ve also been encouraging an interest in amateur radio in my children (with varying degrees of success). All of this led me to conclude that I need to get myself a base station. So last week, I visited one of my Elmers (N7UPI) to check out his station and talk about local communications.

One of the big questions I had for John was how to select a base station. Contrary to outward evidence, I am TRYING to limit my investment. As we chatted, I told John I wanted a mobile station, so I could provide support for ARES. At the same time, I wanted a base station which would allow me to communicate around the world, in hopes that I would draw my sons’ interest. He picked the radio to do both—the Yeasu FT-100.

Let me preface that by explaining that you can drop a LOT of cows for a base station (probably five figures, if you looked really hard). And mobile stations are usually limited to VHF/UHF frequencies (2m and 70cm being the most prevalent). I was looking to pack a whole lotta radio into a small package; turns out, Yeasu beat me to it!

You probably need to understand that Yeasu has been building radios for years, and that the FT-100 has long since been retired. So I’m talking about a used radio here. The current standard produced by Yeasu is the FT-857D. For $900, you’re getting one heck of a radio. Powerful enough in terms of bands, features, and functionality that you can use it as a base station, yet it fits in a mobile situation. I was inclined to buy an 857D, but for the $400 I saved, I can buy myself quite a few antennas. So I’ve opted for the FT-100, trusting that, when I’m all set up and have some cash, I can easily upgrade and still get a fair price on reselling the FT-100.

You can read a review about the FT-100 here: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/ft100.html

So far, I found the learning curve to be steep but short. I was up and broadcasting within a few minutes of setting it up, but getting it programmed took a while longer.

Are You Seeking Power?

The biggest benefit – and challenge – to the FT-100 is its power. This little beast will push 100 watts on HF, and 50 watts on 2m. That kind of power doesn’t come for free though, with the radio drawing an incredible 22 amps. The little 10 am DC power supply I borrowed is, well, completely insufficient for the radio. The first time I keyed up the mic, everything just shut down.

So my current home setup is the FT-100, a car battery, and a 10-amp automatic charger. The car battery is stop-gap temporary, and there only because I couldn’t find anything powerful enough to use. I understand this battery won’t last me very long; the next step will be to pick up an RV/Marine battery, which is designed for these long, low-amp draws. But I just happened to have the car battery available, and I wanted to get on the air.

It’s Never Just a Radio

Unless you’re buying a 5-watt HT, you’ll quickly learn that it’s never just a radio… This is one thing I love about the FT-100: it’s nearly self-contained. The other key purchases are an HF antenna, a VHF/UHF antenna, and a couple of cables for each. So far, I have a VHF/UHF antenna and a 50’ cable. Saving up for next month, when I can afford an HF antenna and the fun really begins. I bought a short 8’ antenna which will eventually become my mobile antenna for field days and field deployments.

It could be a lot worse. Most base stations require you purchase an amplifier (to boost your signal), a tuner (to fine-tune your signal to your transmit frequency) and a bunch of other little things. I didn’t just save by going with a used radio, I saved by buying this all-in-one!

Next Steps

I’m already working on next steps. I want to build out my home station like this:

1. 35-amp DC power supply
2. Marine battery
3. HF-antenna and cable
4. (eventually) solar panel to recharge things

Going Mobile

Next step will be the acquisition of a Yeasu ATAS antenna. This antenna covers HF/VHF/UHF frequencies and mounts to a car. I’ll pick up the antenna, two mounts, and two cables and get things mounted up in my Jetta and my Jeep. Then I’ll be truly mobile.

Field Box

Finally, I’ll be putting together a field box. Next year the family will be participating in the Timpanogos Emergency Response Team. I’ll be at the high camp with my HT; my family will be staffing a trailhead station. As such, they’ll also need a radio. Rather than buying another HT, I think we can set up a field box, which is pre-wired for batteries, meters, etc. My field box will have:

1. Solar input panel
2. Inbound amp meter
3. A second amp meter to measure draw
4. Small speaker
5. Radio and necessary cabling
6. Several UPS batteries
7. Integrated iPod charger
8. 12v LED light
9. 12v outlet

Buying a Radio – What I Wish I’d Known

I was very lucky… My best friend (Fred, KE7JBA) is my Elmer. Fred had already researched and purchased a hand-held radio, so I just went with whatever he said. And I’m glad I did!

When buying your first radio, you really need to start by thinking about what you’re going to do with it:

• Hand-held, local, emergency and public service: some hams are really into helping in the community, and boy are hams useful in the local community! My club (DCARC, Davis County Amateur Radio Club) is active pretty much year-round. Every July we assist with the Independence Day parade. This October we’re assisting the Centerville City with their disaster drill. Also in October, we’re helping with the Davis Cup (battle of the high school bands) during which 35 different high school bands will shuttle through Davis High. We provide logistical support for all of this. I’m also volunteering next year with TERT (Timpanogos Emergency Response Team), providing rescue and other services to hikers on Mt. Timpanogos. All TERT communications is done on amateur bands (2 meter, to be precise). For this kind of service, a hand-held amateur radio is critical—also known as a handie-talkie or HT.
• Long and distance voice and community support, non-mobile: if you’re interested in helping with various logistics but don’t have an HT, you can still help out. You need a good station with headphones and a microphone. You’ll also need an antenna, tuner, and reliable power source. Many parades end up setting up with a stationary base station, coordinating the efforts of mobile volunteers. With the right equipment (antenna, tuner, and amplifier) you can make voice contacts in other states as well as overseas, too. It gets pretty interesting!
• Long distance morse: finally, you can use your base station to broadcast morse code signal (CW, or continuous wave) to make really long distance contacts—like half-way around the earth.

I bought my radio (Yeasu VX-7R) based on Fred’s recommendation. I needed a radio for backcountry communications because I was taking a group of scouts on a long hike through Utah’s Uinta mountains and I wanted a reliable source of communications in the event of an emergency. I’m glad I picked the hand-held – I have learned that I can make contacts locally as well as world-wide, using a series of repeaters and IRLP frequencies. So I get the best of both worlds – the portability and availability of an HT, with the long-distance communications of a powerful base station. I’ll be the first to admit the HT is average at everything – average distance, average broadcasting ability, etc. Unlike my friend Bob (N7XJ), I won’t ever contact Japan from a high mountain peak in Utah, but so far I have made contacts from Rocky Sea Pass, Lewiston Peak, and Mt. Timpanogos.

So the first step in buying a radio is to assess your ambitions. Based on that, make your radio selection. Frankly what I’m learning is that it really doesn’t matter what you buy as your first radio; you’ll probably buy a radio in another ‘category’ soon enough. That having been said, the nice points of an HT are that they are self-contained (you don’t need to buy a radio, tuner, amplifier, headphones, microphone and antenna) and you get a great taste of the flavor of amateur radio, with less investment – both in terms of time as well as money.

My purchase included the VX-7R (and I’ll review that in a later article), a AA-battery adapter for emergency power, and a Diamond quad-band antenna because the stock antenna (called a rubber duckie) just doesn’t have the broadcast range I needed. To prepare for my exam, I bought a copy of the Technician class test bank for my iPhone – it was invaluable!

Upcoming purchases (very soon) include a second rechargeable battery and a microphone, for my local event and disaster support. Down the road, I’m sure I’ll be building a true base station with an antenna tuner, amplifier, and all the bells and whistles.

In addition to commercial purchases, I’ve been planning to build two hand-held ‘backcountry’ antennas. My friend Bob (N7XJ) has been helping—he’s a very experienced backcountry transmitter, with CW contacts all over the world from the peaks of various Utah mountains. Over the winter, I plan to build a quad and a Yagi antenna for 2m voice transmission.

• HT or Handie-Talkie: portable batter-powered radio capable of transmission and reception on amateur bands. Most often used in conjunction with a repeater.
• Repeater: a signal broadcaster – you connect to it with your low-power radio on one frequency, and it re-broadcasts your transmission on another frequency at a much higher power.
• IRLP: Internet Radio Linking Project is an effort to link amateur radio systems via the Internet. On my local IRLP repeater, I am connecting to the Western Reflector, and have personally heard enthusiasts from all over the United States (Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, New Jersey and Delaware come to mind) as well as from Germany, England, and New Zealand.
• CW: Continuous Wave or Morse code. This is communication in the form of short and long tones. Because this is ‘binary’ communication (on or off) the signal holds up over long distances and despite interference. It’s easy to make a CW connection around the world – you just need to understand the language.
• Quad: an antenna with four elements—the first two elements are ‘driven’ or powered – these carry the signal transmission. The others are reflectors. When the driven and reflector elements are sized correctly, they form constructive interference and boost the power of a signal.
• Yagi: a form of antenna similar to the quad. I have a recipe for a backcountry Yagi made of tape measures and PVC pipe. It ain’t pretty, but it’ll be light.

Welcome to KF7DVJ!

Welcome to my blog about getting into amateur radio (also known as ham radio). Hopefully this will serve as a virtual elmer to other new hams over time. Feel free to post questions (and answers) as comments and I'll try to get to them as soon as possible.

If you're interested in technology, check out my other blog - thoughtsonqa.blogspot.com. I haven't been very active for a while, given that I've accepted a new job which is very demanding! But I'll pick it back up.