AmateurRadio.com

The first quarter of 2012 is in the books and so is a QSO for each and every day.   While the actual Q count is dropping from the total number of QSO’s I had in February and from January, I did manage to make a much bigger impact to my DXCC list.   The Q count is lower since I’ve been devoting most every weekend to working on the new basement ham shack.   This is important to me and will be especially rewarding when I move into the new space.   However, I’m not motivated by the total number of QSO’s I make, it is more about quality versus quantity. 

Another interesting point is the total number of DX stations I worked in March is also higher.  Of course, I did spend a few hours spinning the dial and working who could hear me during the March DX contest.  But perhaps this also means band conditions are gradually improving.  Just last night I worked E51M on 12m.  I saw a tweet from my good friend Martin, and spun the dial over to 12 to see if I could hear them.  E51M is working a DXpedition from Manihiki Atoll, North Cook Island.  It’s always a good feeling for me when I can log a DX contact, especially so when it is a new DX entity.  Of course, this goes in the books for April. 

I view putting Q1 behind me as a successful milestone.  However, before I schedule the parade, I know I’m just 25% into this challenge.  I need to begin thinking about how I’m going to handle vacation and other travel scenarios which will eventually come into play.  While my rules are somewhat relaxed, I did initially state that all QSO’s would be on HF.  I’m not sure if I’ve backed myself into a corner with this or not.   Time will tell…

The breakdown is as follows: 

Mode
Number QSO’s

JT65
48

SSB 
19

Additional notes of interest:

DX Stations Worked – 19

New DX Entities – 4

Total QSO’s for 2012 – 383

Total consecutive QSO days – 91

Days left in 2012 – 272

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK

When I was browsing through eBay last night, I was interested to note that a new Baofeng rig, the UV-5R was available. It runs higher power than the UV-3R, has a keypad and looks an interesting evolution. Since the rig was only £38, it didn’t take much thought to order one. I shall look forward to it arriving.

In the meantime, Hans, PD0AC has already received one and is writing up his findings which look interesting.

That would be Greg K2UM’s KX3 and he was nice enough to post a video about it:

Saliva glands are working overtime!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

PS: Wow! No spam comments today. 1st time in about a month that has happened.

A package from China arrived in the post this morning – a USB programming cable for the Baofeng UV-3R+. I got it from eBay seller happyhamshop where it was sold as a “USB programming cable for Wouxun handheld radio” but Baofeng claims that the UV-3R+ is compatible with Wouxun accessories. I was going to make my own cable but I didn’t have a 2.5mm stereo jack plug in my parts box so I decided to take the easy option and get a ready made cable for not much more than the cost of the plug from a components vendor.

The cable was detected and appeared as COM1 – the same com port number as my other USB to serial adapters that use the Prolific chipset. I haven’t tried it on the Wouxun – I can’t think of a reason to program channels on 4m – but it works with the Baofeng using both the manufacturer’s software and CHIRP, the platform and rig-independent memory management program.

It took me several attempts to transfer the memories from the old UV-3R to the new one. Writing a file taken from the old radio to the new one using either program caused the frequency display to read DDDD.25. Fortunately I knew enough about this issue to have used the software to make a backup of the factory configuration, which was easily restored.

The solution, if you’re interested, was to use CHIRP to export the memories from a file saved from the old radio to a rig-independent .chirp file, then load the factory configuration from the radio and import the file you just exported.

Problems with programming cables seem to be making up half the traffic in forums and groups dedicated to handheld radios. The problems are all associated with cables that use (or claim to use) Prolific USB adapters. These days, programming cables come with USB adapters built-in, so the need for separate USB to RS-232 converters – which could use a less troublesome FTDI or Silicon Labs chipset – is eliminated. But so, unfortunately, is the option to solve the problem by using a different type of adapter.

A couple of days ago I became aware of something that is certainly not going to make this issue any less common. Apparently a Chinese chip manufacturer has produced an unlicensed clone of the Prolific PL2303 USB to serial chip which is now being used in many of the USB cables that come from China. Prolific is understandably not very happy about this. It has released a new driver that detects the clone chip and fails with an error code 10, causing much frustration for the innocent end user.  The solution, apparently, is to turn off automatic updating and install an older driver (the cable vendor will hopefully have a link to a driver that works with the cable they sold you.) The problem seems to be worst for users of 64-bit Windows 7 for which there are fewer old drivers in circulation. I deliberately stay as far from the bleeding edge as possible, and have automatic updates disabled on my shack PC. So far I have had no problems with the 32-bit Windows XP Prolific driver I’ve been using for the last couple of years.

Doug Hendricks KI6DS has announced that Hendricks QRP Kits will have a new offering at Dayton this year – The Weber Tribander.

“Hendricks QRP Kits will be introducing a new CW Transceiver at Dayton this year. Steve will be in our booth, which will be at a new location: Booth Numbers 459 and 460 which is right next to the TAPR booth, and right across the aisle from the ARRL. You will want to stop by and say hello to Steve and take a look at the new kit.”

“Specifications:
? Any three ham bands, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17 or 15 meters, choose at time of order.
? 5 watts output on all bands with 13.8V supply
? Built in Iambic keyer with 5 to 40 wpm code speed, selectable Iambic A or B modes and two 63 character
message memories.
? Receiver sensitivity, 0.2 uV MSD
? DDS VFO for rock steady stability with 50 Hz and 200 Hz tuning rates
? Easy to read four digit LED display with leading zero suppression.
? Rotary knob tuning
? RIT (receive incremental tuning)
? Four IF crystals for excellent selectivity and opposite side band rejection
? 600 Hz audio filter
? Audio derived AGC
? Small size, 6″ wide, 1.5″ tall and 4″ deep.
? Light weight, 12 ounces.
? Modest supply current requirements, 90 ma on receive (no signal) and 600 to 800 ma on transmit at 5W out
(current depends on band, higher bands draw more current)

Does that sound like a great radio? We think it does, and when you see the price, you will agree. The Weber Tribander will be introduced at Dayton, and the radio will include a Ken Locasale, WA4MNT, designed case of brushed aluminum that is pre-punched, drilled, includes a bail and ready to paint. And because it has a brushed aluminum finish, you can even leave it unpainted if you wish. The kit will include every thing you need to build it, and the SMT parts have been pre-installed, so you don’t have to worry about it. This is a through hole kit for the builder, and if you have previous building experience, know how to solder and identify parts, will be a straight forward build.

Where else can you buy a 3 band CW Transceiver with RIT, Digital Display, Encoder Tuning, Case with bail, and everything needed to build it for $200? That is about $67 per band!! And, you get to pick the bands you want. In fact, you can buy 2 of them and have the equivalent of a 6 band radio for $400!! We will have kits at Dayton, and this year we will be taking credit cards, including Visa, Master Charge, Discover and American Express.

I am in the process of kitting right now, and will be getting the boards in 3 weeks. All of the parts are in, and the prototypes have passed all the tests. Steve built the final one Saturday, and everything works fine. Steve is coming to Dayton this year for the introduction of the rig, and we will be posting the manual in a couple of weeks at www.qrpkits.com so that you can take a look at his latest design. Don’t forget that our booth has moved from the North Hall to the Ball Arena, which is where the ARRL booth is. We will be in Ball Arena 459 and 460. Stop by, say hello to Steve, Ken, Karen, Dean, Darrel and me. 72, Doug KI6DS”

As always – standard disclaimer that W2LJ has no financial interest in this – just trying to get the news out.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

This came down from the leadership of Northern New Jersey ARES; but it should be of interest to anyone who is involved with Emergency Communications:

FYI…the info below comes from the ARRL’s EmComm and Regulatory offices and needs your thoughtful and timely input…the ARRL states:

“The FCC has released a Public Notice soliciting input for the Congressional directed study of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications and Impediments to the amateur’s ability to provide those communications. This is the ARRL-proposed study which we have been seeking for the last 3 years….”

The links below should help you with filing your comments and reports….thank you all in advance for you help in this and all EmComm related matters

Additional information is also on the ARRL Website:
http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra
and
http://www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information

If you have participated in an EmComm event or deployment since January 1, 2000, we ask you to provide specific information on the activation by completing this form by clicking here.
http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications-response-actions

If you are affected the deed restrictions, HOAs, or CC&Rs, please complete this form by clicking here.
http://www.arrl.org/ccr-regulations

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Congress directed that the FCC provide the report back within 180-days and that clock is already counting. The FCC is only accepting comments for a 45-day period, which will end May 17,2012. In order for the ARRL to collate your information in a common report, we ask that you send in your information no later than WEDNESDAY APRIL 25.

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I know a lot of you out there are involved in Public Service activities and communications, so please, if you have something to contribute, please do so!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!