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The Spectrum Monitor — November, 2016
31 October 2016 | by 
Stories you’ll find in our November, 2016 issue:
TSM Reviews: Elecraft KX2 QRP Transceiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
As a ham who already owns both the KX1 and KX3 transceivers, and likes them very well, wouldn’t a KX2 be redundant? Maybe. But it also puts him in a perfect position to compare Elecraft’s latest offering. Thomas takes the diminutive KX2 into the field, where it was meant to be, activating more than twenty NPOTAs (National Park on the Air). What he finds is that “the KX2 is a profound upgrade of the KX1.” He also checks out the KX2 on the international shortwave bands and finds, “It’s an exceptionally sensitive and selective receiver, with a stable AGC, that would please the most dedicated DXer.”
Small HF Antennas for Portable and Restricted Space Use
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH
While small and shortened antennas have their drawbacks, their advantages—convenience for portable use, backpacking and avoiding HOA conflicts—are substantial tradeoffs. And, while their performance is less than should be expected from full-sized antennas, this doesn’t mean they don’t perform—you just need to keep your expectations in perspective. Mark takes a look at several of the more popular portable HF antennas available commercially and he looks at the options for making your own, including a 40-6 meter end-fed antenna he made himself.
Radio Power Supplies: A Primer for Hams and SWLs
By Bob Grove W8JHD
It’s the most basic piece of equipment in your ham shack or radio room—it’s certainly the least interesting—but it could be the most important. Bob Grove answers just about every question you might have had about the lowly radio power supply: Why 13.8 volts? Is a same-brand power supply best for my name-brand transceiver? Do I really need meters on my power supply? What’s a switching power supply? What’s “crowbar protection” and “variable voltage?” What amperage do I really need? If I’m using a battery as a portable power supply, which is best?
The Kit’s Meow: Shopping for DIY Radio Projects
By Richard Fisher KI6SN
With Ramsey shutting down its radio kits division earlier this year, many hams and shortwave listeners felt it might signal the end of the radio kits industry. Don’t people build things anymore? Regular TSM contributor Richard Fisher KI6SN set out to discover the current state of kit making. What he found is quite encouraging: more than 250 online companies offering kits as varied as the spectrum we listen to, with a great range in prices and required maker skills. Richard lists them all, complete with a sampling of their wares and links to their websites.
MURS: Dots, Data and More
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
Along with Class D CB, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and FRS, (Family Radio Service) there’s another aspect to the FCC’s Part 95 two-way radio – MURS. The Multi-Use Radio Service occupies five channels in the VHF spectrum. By rule, it is limited to a 2 watts output power and may seem quite limited, but there’s more to MURS than meets the eye. In this segment of his Part-95 radio series, Cory, looks at the little known VHF service that can meet quite a few needed applications where you live.
Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Public Utilities as “Critical Infrastructure”
Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
TSA Radio Updates and More Small Federal Agencies
Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
KPH Returns to Point Reyes
Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze
By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
An HF “Beep, Beep, Beep,” Chirping Signal Mystery
HF Utility Logs
By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman
Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
DMR Update
VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Baofeng BF-F8HP and BTech UV-5X3 Handhelds and 220 MHZ
Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Forget the Holiday—It’s Contest Time!
Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
What’s New in CB and FRS/GMRS
Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
Space Weather: Solar Cycle 24 is Dying!
The World of Shortwave Listening
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Trends in Shortwave Radio
The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
EU SW Stations and Election Night Listening
Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
FITS Again
The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
The Freshman Masterpiece: a 1920s TRF Experience
Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
And the Twain Shall Meet: Let’s Build a Dipole
The Spectrum Monitor is available in PDF format which can be read on any desktop, laptop, iPad®, Kindle® Fire, or other device capable of opening a PDF file. Annual subscription is $24. Individual monthly issues are available for $3 each.
Ken Reitz, KS4ZR, is publisher and managing editor of The Spectrum Monitor. Contact him at [email protected].
Comparing two CW decoding programs.
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| LY3H CW decoder logic program MRP40 compared to CW decoder logic by LY3H MRP40 CW decoder 1. Decodes all speeds up to 60wpm Decodes but not mention top decode speed. 2. Has good documentation No documentation 3. Auto tracking very smooth Auto tracking hunts between long letter spaces 4. Text formatting-format mode works great Only option is manual or auto decode 5. Will not decode when APF is on Will de-code when using APF 6. Great weak signal decode S1 and below Poor weak signal de-code (not using APF) 7. Great email support Upgrades come out regularly 8. See's noise as code sends radium letters Only sends letters not radium noise as code 9. Does have save QSO but awkward to use. Just added cut and paste QSO to word or clipboard 10. Has “always on top” option Just added “always on top” option. 11. Added a mini log book No log book as of yet 12. You can send code At this time only able to read code A more in-depth look at some of the above comparisons: A) Auto tracking- When wanting to decode a CW signal it helps when the program can lock onto a signal. MRP40 will lock onto a CW signal and stay locked on. CW decoder on the other hand once the CW signal stops or has long gap between letter the program starts to hunt small segments on either side of the CW signal for other CW signals. Once the code starts again CW decoder has to relock onto it and you lose some decoding. If slow code is sent you are in a battle of lock and relock of the code. B) Text formatting options- with MRP40 you have the option on how you want to decode. - Correct word spacing…..this will attempt to add spacing between decoded words even if sender is running them together. - Expand abbreviations…..KN, AR and DE to mention a few. - Expand Q codes…self-explanatory. Both of these programs do the job of decoding CW very well, you have more options and customization option with MRP40. CW decoder logic is very easy to setup and in no time you are decoding CW. I have not had a chance to compare both programs in a CW contest situation. The major drawback to each program is….. MRP40…….no matter what test formatting option I used the program when idling would send radium code as it listened to static were as CW decoder logic would not. CW decoder Logic……when the receiving code stopped the program would start “hunting” for other CW signals. This created two issues, the first being if you are decoding slow code I found the program between letters words would start to hunt. When it does this it bounces back and forth from decoding and hunting and your decode is not reliable. The second is if I second CW op appears close to the op you are decoding the program will bounce between the two QSO’s. The major positive of each program is….. MRP40…..it will decode CW that is almost down at the noise floor and do a great job of it too. CW decoder Logic……it will not send random letters when it is not decoding and does a great job of adding the breaks between words and not running them together. Also this program is free. These code programs will always decode what is sent so you must consider if you are reading odd words and letters it may have to do with poor code sending. CW signals that are close to each other (CW contesting) if your rig cannot filter out the one CW signal your decoder will be confused. CW decoder by LY3H free. MRP40 will cost you 50.00 Euro.  The picture to the left shows MRP40 trying to decode static. |
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].
Comparing two CW decoding programs.
|
| LY3H CW decoder logic program MRP40 compared to CW decoder logic by LY3H MRP40 CW decoder 1. Decodes all speeds up to 60wpm Decodes but not mention top decode speed. 2. Has good documentation No documentation 3. Auto tracking very smooth Auto tracking hunts between long letter spaces 4. Text formatting-format mode works great Only option is manual or auto decode 5. Will not decode when APF is on Will de-code when using APF 6. Great weak signal decode S1 and below Poor weak signal de-code (not using APF) 7. Great email support Upgrades come out regularly 8. See's noise as code sends radium letters Only sends letters not radium noise as code 9. Does have save QSO but awkward to use. Just added cut and paste QSO to word or clipboard 10. Has “always on top” option Just added “always on top” option. 11. Added a mini log book No log book as of yet 12. You can send code At this time only able to read code A more in-depth look at some of the above comparisons: A) Auto tracking- When wanting to decode a CW signal it helps when the program can lock onto a signal. MRP40 will lock onto a CW signal and stay locked on. CW decoder on the other hand once the CW signal stops or has long gap between letter the program starts to hunt small segments on either side of the CW signal for other CW signals. Once the code starts again CW decoder has to relock onto it and you lose some decoding. If slow code is sent you are in a battle of lock and relock of the code. B) Text formatting options- with MRP40 you have the option on how you want to decode. - Correct word spacing…..this will attempt to add spacing between decoded words even if sender is running them together. - Expand abbreviations…..KN, AR and DE to mention a few. - Expand Q codes…self-explanatory. Both of these programs do the job of decoding CW very well, you have more options and customization option with MRP40. CW decoder logic is very easy to setup and in no time you are decoding CW. I have not had a chance to compare both programs in a CW contest situation. The major drawback to each program is….. MRP40…….no matter what test formatting option I used the program when idling would send radium code as it listened to static were as CW decoder logic would not. CW decoder Logic……when the receiving code stopped the program would start “hunting” for other CW signals. This created two issues, the first being if you are decoding slow code I found the program between letters words would start to hunt. When it does this it bounces back and forth from decoding and hunting and your decode is not reliable. The second is if I second CW op appears close to the op you are decoding the program will bounce between the two QSO’s. The major positive of each program is….. MRP40…..it will decode CW that is almost down at the noise floor and do a great job of it too. CW decoder Logic……it will not send random letters when it is not decoding and does a great job of adding the breaks between words and not running them together. Also this program is free. These code programs will always decode what is sent so you must consider if you are reading odd words and letters it may have to do with poor code sending. CW signals that are close to each other (CW contesting) if your rig cannot filter out the one CW signal your decoder will be confused. CW decoder by LY3H free. MRP40 will cost you 50.00 Euro. The picture to the left shows MRP40 trying to decode static. |
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].
Ham College 22
In this episode we cover more circuits and schematic symbols..
48:28
George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].
SOTA Activation: Ormes Peak (W0C/FR-052)
I’ve been thinking about activating Ormes Peak (W0C/FR-052) for a while now. It is not too difficult to get to and is not a difficult climb. After the Waldo Canyon fire (2012), the area was closed for several years, so I needed to be patient. Then I noticed that Don KØDRJ put an alert on SOTAwatch indicating that he was going to activate the summit, so I gave a listen on 146.52 MHz. Sure enough, around mid-morning I heard Don on the frequency and worked him without any problem from my home location.
Then I got to thinking. Joyce KØJJW and I had talked about going for a walk this afternoon, so I did a little checking on Ormes Peak and concluded that it was an option. My fractured ankle is still on the mend so I am not back to 100% of my hiking ability. Ormes seemed like a good next step that would keep me progressing.
We hopped in the Jeep and headed to Rampart Range. To get to Ormes Peak, take USFS road 300 from the north (which is what we did, via Mount Herman Road) or from the south via Garden of the Gods. You’ll want to have a Pike National Forest map for this trip.
Turn East onto USFS road 303 and then follow USFS 302 (these roads are easy 4WD, probably OK for high clearance 2WD). These roads go through the Waldo burn area so you see what a burned forest looks like. Ormes Peak was not directly affected by the fire but we did see a few burned trees on the mountain. According to the Summit Post info, the best approach is from the south but we continued on around to the east and parked at the marked parking area here: 38.948680 deg N, 104.929677 deg W. From there, we bushwacked westward up the side of the hill without too much trouble (about half a mile and 600 feet vertical).
Once on top, I started calling on 146.52 MHz using the FT-1D handheld transceiver. I assembled my 2m yagi antenna hoping to work Brad WA6MM headed up Mt Antero but I found out later he did not summit. We had excellent visibility in all directions: great view of Pikes Peak to the south, Mt Yale and a sliver of Mt Princeton to the west and Mt Evans to the northwest. This really is a great spot to just sit and enjoy the view.
After making 7 contacts on 2m fm, we packed up the gear and headed down the mountain. Ormes Peak is a good “close in” summit accessible from Colorado Springs area.
73, Bob KØNR
The post SOTA Activation: Ormes Peak (W0C/FR-052) appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].
ICQ Podcast Episode 223 – Don Field G3XTT and Dstar Connie
In this episode, Martin M1MRB / W9ICQ is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Dan Romanchik KB6NU and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief, and this episode’s features are interviews with Experienced Amateur Radio DX’er and Practical Wireless Editor Don Field G3XTT and Connie Ballantyne KB0ZSG, who runs a successful DSTAR net.
- GeoSync Ham Radio Satellite
- Ham Track Unauthorised Radio Comms
- Battleship Radio Exam Location
- Media to Give Ham Fairness?
- Ofcom 5 GHz Consultation Responses
- 60m for Luxembourg
Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].
ICQ Podcast Episode 223 – Don Field G3XTT and Dstar Connie
In this episode, Martin M1MRB / W9ICQ is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Dan Romanchik KB6NU and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief, and this episode’s features are interviews with Experienced Amateur Radio DX’er and Practical Wireless Editor Don Field G3XTT and Connie Ballantyne KB0ZSG, who runs a successful DSTAR net.
- GeoSync Ham Radio Satellite
- Ham Track Unauthorised Radio Comms
- Battleship Radio Exam Location
- Media to Give Ham Fairness?
- Ofcom 5 GHz Consultation Responses
- 60m for Luxembourg
Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].
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