Most commented posts
- Build your own Hytera cable — 36 comments
- Icom IC-9700 frequency modification — 15 comments
- Icom IC-9700 Power overshoot — 15 comments
- Icom IC-9700 and WSJT-X — 14 comments
- Hytera MD785(G) noise modification — 13 comments
Author's posts
Aug 05 2014
Entering Hytera service menu
Some Hytera models have a hidden service menu. This will display some more information. Most useful is the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value giving detail about the real quality of the received signal. I’ve tested this on the MD-785G, PD-785 and the X1p. Entering this menu can be done by pressing some buttons in …
Aug 05 2014
Hytera (crossband) repeater
Take two pieces of the Hytera MD785 and build your own (crossband) repeater. No logic, just a simple cable with 4 resistors are needed. Works with FM and DMR of FM to DMR or the other way around. Keep in mind that when using a DMR-DMR repeater, audio will be converted to analog first causing …
Jun 28 2014
Fixing PI3ASD interference
Santino (PD8S) called me to help sorting out a problem at the new PI2ASD and PI3ASD repeaters. PI3ASD is causing interference on a TELE2 microwave link. Tough this link works on 13 GHz, the modulator has a baseband working on 140 MHz +/- bandwidth. The PI3AMS repeater is just in the middle of that band, …
Jun 28 2014
HAMNET Netherlands kick-off
Last week we had a nice meeting about the roll-out of HAMNET in the Netherlands. Attendees were Paul (PE1RJV), Lucas (PD0LVS), Rob (PE1CHL) and me. We all have our specialties when it comes to networking, IP, DNS, etc. With this small team we should be able to make fast progress… We already found a network …
Jun 28 2014
Going Anderson PowerPole
I’m changing the default 12VDC connector from banana jack to Anderson PowerPole. No more soldering or even worse: screwing high current power connectors. The new default is Anderson PowerPole crimp connectors. To support a transfer phase I’ve created a PowerPole to Banana jack cable this morning capable of running 30 Amps of power at 12 …
Jun 03 2014
Worked last state (Wyoming)
Yesterday evening I managed to work the last state to achieve the Worked All States Certificate: Wyoming. I had a JT65 QSO with Jackie, N7MJ on the 17-meters band. He already confirmed the QSO via Logbook of the World (LoTW) so my certificate is requested. I only used a magnetic loop antenna. The current WAS …
Apr 05 2014
Going topbands with new loop
I like my I3VHF loop, like Wimo sells it as Baby loop. It has full coverage between 6,5 and 30 MHz and provides me with the 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meter band. I can work around the world in digimode (JT65) with it and there aren’t many day’s I can’t work …
Mar 30 2014
One state left for WAS
Today I was giving CQ on 15M via JT65. Kevin, KH6KX, answered my call from Hawaii, one of the two missing states for my Worked All States certificate. It’s nice to see he’s using a Buddypole antenna while I’m using a Magnetic loop. Tough not bad, both are knitting needles compared to yagi’s. Hawaii is in. …
Mar 11 2014
New Bird attenuator
Today, my new attenuator arrived. The old home-brew unit wasn’t really suitable to do measurements on 150 MHz and above. This Bird is suitable till 6 Ghz and has a -30 dB attenuator (the old one had a -40 dB att.). The type is 100-SA-NFM-30 and documents can be found on the Bird website. By …
Mar 10 2014
PA6TX confirmed during IOTA contest
In 2013 we activated the island of Texel (EU-038) during the RSGB IOTA weekend in July. This year, in 2014, we will return with better equipment and more operators. This year we will use PA6TX as callsign. More info will follow soon. Meanwhile: qrz.com/db/pa6tx. Confirmed operators: PA4RVS, PH4X, PD0LVS, PD1JFB Confirmed guests: DL1KVN Logs will be uploaded …
Feb 28 2014
QSL from Gibraltar
Gibraltar (DXCC 146 on the most wanted list) is confirmed as of today on the 10-meter band in CW.
Feb 24 2014
The lazy SWL
For some weeks now I notice I get more and more SWL reports from the JT65 QSO’s. Guess JT65-HF is the new skimmer, automatically collecting QSO’s for the SWL. Today it became even more frustrating, receiving an e-mail with ‘PDF QSL card’ and the request to send a card back via direct mail. How about …
