SHACK ATTACK

HAD A GOOD 'SORT-OUT'

Got up this morning (Saturday) and it was pouring down with rain and it was set to stay for the whole weekend so I turned to the Shack and decided to rip it out in readiness for the Flex-SDR. The IC-7100 is moving to the truck, so I disconnected all the cables and made the antenna-switches redundant. The incoming coax-cables will now go straight to their relevant radios.

When the rain stopped watering my garden for a few minutes, I ran to the truck to try out my TowBar Antenna Mast Bracket. I got this from Callum (M0MCX) at DX COMMANDER and let me tell you - it works a treat!

On his website it shows an antenna-mast mounted off the ground, but I think it's MUCH more stable if you let the mast rest on the ground and then tighten up all the bolts. I might even make a spiked cup for it to sit in. Callum describes it as "experimental" because he's obviously mindful of something going pear-shaped with  the errr, less careful of us. You can just imagine the mayhem if a big yagi came crashing down on your car, lol.

Common sense tells you to exercise caution when using something that is held up by a clamp on a steel ball! And that's why I prefer to make sure the mast sits firmly on the ground, taking the strain off  the towball bracket. Anyway, we'll see how it goes when I get out in them there hills :-)

FLEX YOUR MUSCLES

FLEX 3000 SDR

I use my computer all the time. As soon as I get home from work I switch it on and when I 'play radio', I invariably want to control the radio from the PC using the manufacturers software or Ham Radio Deluxe, etc. 

Another thing that I do is run software to provide me with a good panadapter and waterfall. Normally I use SDRPLAY UNO via my RSP1A receiver. It does a fabulous job too, but I have to be careful not to blow the front end of it when transmitting on my radio. I protect it by using an MFJ-1708B antenna switch. So in this configuration, I have a transceiver, an ATU, an SDR receiver, a computer and an "RF-Sensing" switch to protect the receiver during transmissions. Additionally I will also be running logging software.

 

 

So what's the point of all this? Well I recently decided that it might be a good idea to remove the Icom IC-7100 from the shack and put it in the truck. Then I have the perfect 1-box solution when out and about -  HF, 50, 70, 144, 430, DSTAR on HF & VHF.

So what would replace it in the shack?? Well the Alinco DR-735E would take car of my 2/70 needs (plus airband listening) and I thought that a FLEX 3000 would be the ideal HF solution. DSTAR can be done in the shack with my Kenwood D74.

So Flex 3000 it is then. It's relatively cheap and has a brilliant reputation as a good radio. It's compact (in terms of it's very low profile) and it has a built-in ATU. It's also 100W output. It comes with computer control software which includes a panadapter and waterfall. So basically, it replaces a lot of bulk and cables. It also means I can avoid antenna switches and can go directly into the radio with the antenna, providing the best possible signal path.

The Flex-3000 is a very high performance transceiver and has excellent reviews from fellow hams on EHAM REVIEWS.  I'm looking forward to it arriving. When it's set up in the shack, I'll do a little write-up about it. Meanwhile, here's the radio's operating screen. It's one of many really, because you can choose from a wide range of skins and layouts...

FLEXRADIO  POWER SDR

STATION MANAGER GETS NEW CAR

FIAT ABARTH 124 SPIDER

The Mrs fancied a new car (she's never had one before) so we looked for something that would compliment the vehicles we've already got. For a start, there's my truck which is great fun and it will lug virtually anything around. While holding the title of "commercial vehicle", it's still very car-like inside and it's extremely comfortable and also easy to drive with the big V6 engine and 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Then there's the bike for out and out risque riding and exhilaration. It's also quite good for weekends away, with its large top-box and optional tank-bag. So what would be the right "second" car? We wanted something small to replace the Mazda MX5, something sporty, a convertible and ideally, something that little bit special!

The first thing that sprang to mind was a new MX5. Very nice that new model, but it was doomed as soon as I realised that its bigger brother, the Fiat 124 Spider was available! The 124 is infinitely more stylish and attractive. Well, that's if you prefer the retro-look. And I do. It's more expensive than the MX5 but its worth every penny in the looks department.

But hold on a minute, don't Fiat do an "ABARTH" version? A hot, tuned up, racy model with a styling nod to the the 60's rally car? Yes they do. Again, more expensive, but just go and listen to one! The Abarth turbo-engine produces an extra 30BHP and it has modified suspension, better brakes (with shiny red calipers) and the AMAZING MONZA EXHAUST that is to die for!

Ordered. THE END

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

SPEAKER SWITCH BOX

Looked all over for a switch to allow me to use 3 radios with 1 speaker. Gave up in the end and made my own SwitchBox this morning. Neat and compact. I'll be sending men to the moon next!

END FED

BANDSPRINGER END-FED WIRE

I've never used an end-fed wire so I thought they'd be worth looking at if only for their convenience and ease of setup! So I looked on the trusty SOTABEAMS website and found their "BandSpringer Midi" which covers the 10-60M bands.

It looks very straightforward and there's a video on the SotaBeams webpage demonstrating the use of the antenna. Click below....

I also picked up one of their smaller and lighter weight extending masts to go with it. It's like a smaller version of my 7000HDS.

.

Look forward to trying it out throughout the summer.

THE RUGGED ALINCO DUAL BANDER

ALINCO DR-735E

I recently got a new truck and decided to get a mobile radio for it. Because the truck is on a Lease/Purchase, I'm not too sure if I'll be able to install it semi-permanently or if I'll have to plug it in each time - I'll find out at the weekend I guess.

The radio I chose was the DualBand 2M/70cm Alinco DR-735E. It provides 50W on both bands and it is FULL DUPLEX, with a Cross-Band repeater function.

ALINCO DR-735E DUAL BAND  

As you can see, the radio has a rather unique colour-screen. It can be configured to change colour depending on Mode, Frequency, Band, TX, RX or a host of other states. You can even configure it so that each Memory Bank is a different colour. So for example, you could have it turn green if it's scanning the Airband or purple for scanning Repeaters.  You can even have different colours on each side of the screen for VFO-A and VFO-B. There are ten colours in total.

What attracted me to this radio (apart from its pleasing looks and large screen) is the fact that the basic controls are incredibly simple and easy to use in a mobile situation.

Each side (each VFO) has its own volume knob, squelch and tuning dial. That's a real plus in an age where so many radios have squelches hidden in a menu!

DESCRIPTION : 

Th new Alinco DR735E , fully featured 50w Dual Band 145/433MHz VHF/UHF mobile transceiver with remote head facility and new "Rainbow" colour display.

• Full Duplex
• Extended RX 108 - 174 MHz, 400 - 479 MHz
• Large Display with "rainbow" of colour options
• 1,000 Memories
• Scan facility
• Power 50/20/10/5w output
• Computer programmable with free downloadable software
• Internal duplexer allows single antenna socket for Dual Band antennas
• Optional EDS-30 head separation kit

Easy repeater access - Features manual shift and offset-direction setting plus preset and programmable auto-repeater settings. Includes 4 tone-burst tones.

Versatile memory functions  Includes 1,000 memory channels in 10 banks,100 right-only/100 left-only memories, 100 dual memories, 5 pairs of programmed-scan channels, and 2 call channels.All memory channels can hold output setting, tones, LCD display color selections and more.Easy-to-Read Display

Large LCD Display screen offers adjustable display brightness, color and contrast along with 6-character alphanumeric tags, a brightness timer that boosts light levels temporarily when keys are engaged and a scan light feature that increases brightness for two seconds when scanning stops.

Convenient Receiver Functions Includes popular functions such as pager (icon and beep tones), extended  receive, aviation and utility monitoring on VHF and UHF frequencies, a variety of selectable channel steps, CTCSS/DCS capabilities for selective monitoring, a 10dB RX attenuator, sub-band mute, reception image rejection and auto-power-off.Advanced Transmitting Features  These features are part of the setmode menu that includes time-out-timer and busy channel lockout as well as an adjustable mid-power output level, microphone gain adjustment and cross-band repeat (T model only)*.

Selectable Scan Modes - Choose from a variety of scan modes that include VFO, memory, programmed or priority scans with busy and timed modes, CTCSS/DCS tone detection and memory scans with "skip" and "favorite" settings. (Utility software required for priority scan setting.)

Popular Features Other popular features include single-band mode, arestore function that recalls set-mode settings even after a complete reset, different reset modes (system, complete, VFO, memory and color resets),cable-cloning and utility software.

Full description The Alinco DR-735 features eight full colour LEDs enabling you to customize your display colours!  Using 10 standard colours plus 6 color memory channels in the set mode, the DR-735 lets you assign different colours for different functions.  For example, you can designate one colour to the right VFO and a different colour to the left VFO or add them to memory so you can see at a glance which memory bank you are using. 

It's your choice whether to use blue for VHF memories, pink for local repeaters, green for aviation channels or yellow for UHF channels.  And, you can set the status colours for TX/RX/Standby separately.  You can also select 2 animated multi-color displays.

This radio has fully independent keys and dials to deliver true dual-band operation.  The removable front panel can be remotely mounted or inverted for optimal speaker placement.

Full-duplex receiver enables simultaneous TX/RX within 144/440MHz bands as well as V/V and U/U receiver capability.  Fully independent frequency, audio level and squelch knobs for right and left VFOs make it seem more like operating two mono band radios rather than a dual band transceiver. Simply press the volume knob to select the VFO you wish to use for transmitting.

Cross-band repeater function available on all DR-735 radios. (Be sure to observe all regulations applicable to cross-band operation.)

Computer programmable with free software available for download at www.alinco.com. Set Mode menus are divided into basic and advanced, allowing you to assign less frequently used modes such as auto  power off or busy channel lockout to set and forget. That makes it easier to access the menus you use more often, such as scan mode and pager settings.

Large heatsink and quiet fan for stability while operating Wide and narrow ceramic Filters enable true narrow band operation Two speaker ports located on the back of the unit allow you to separate signals by both right and left sides or by internal or external speakers using audio from a single external source.

Specifications:

• Frequency range TX: T VHF 144.00 - 147.995MHz / UHF 430.00 - 449.995MHzTX: E 144.00 - 145.995MHz / 430.00 - 439.995MHz RX:108.000-173.995MHz -400.000-479.995MHz
• Modulation 16K0F3E(FM)/8K50F3E(Narrow FM)/F1E(digital voice)/F2D(1200bps)/A3E(RX only/AM)
• Channel Steps 5.6.25, 8.33,10,12.5,15,20,25,30,50, 100,KHz
• Memory channels Free-programmable 1000,ch / R+L 100 ch each / dual 100ch VHF CALL / UHF CALL 1ch each / 5 pairs program scan
• Antenna impedance 50 ohm unbalanced
• Freq.stability ±2.5ppm (TCXO-10+60)
• Power Supply Requirement
• 13.8V DC ±15% Negative ground
• Current Drain (Approx.) 12A TX high / 0.6A RX max. / 0.4A RX squelched
• Usable temperature range -10 to +60 (14F to 140F)
• Dimensions (Approx.) 140mm(W) X 60mm(H) X 188mm(D) or 5.5 x 2.4 x 7.4 inches
• Weight (Approx.) Approx. 1.3kg or 45.9oz

Transmitter

• Output (Approx.) High 50W / Mid 20W / Low 5W
• Modulation System Variable Reactance Frequency Modulation
• Max.Frequency Deviation ±5KHz (FM) ±2.5KHz (NFM)
• Spurious emissions Less than -60dB2k
• (E) European version supplied with EMS-78 standard microphone
• EMS-79 DTMF microphone available as an optional extra.
•  

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The 2M/70cm antenna is the DIAMOND SG-7700 which is 5/8wave on VHF and 2x 5/8wave on UHF. It terminates with a PL-259 and can be folded flat. It boasts a gain of 4.3db on VHF and 6.8db on UHF so in theory, it should be quite effective.

As an aside, I also ordered something to make my outdoor HF work easier! I was thinking of one of those roll-on, roll-off devices that you buy to support your mast, but I heard that they can be a PIA on uneven ground (most outdoor places), so I opted for something else instead.

It's from M0MCX Callum's '"DX COMMANDER" site and it's basically a mast-support that attaches to your towball! The photos show it holding the mast up in the air, but I'll be letting the mast find its natural resting point on the ground and then tightening it up. Needless to say, this will be handy for using my 2M Yagi too.

SUPERSONIC!

WHEN FAST ISN'T FAST ENOUGH!

My PC is pretty old now and despite upgrading certain components, it still showed its age in certain areas. The CPU and Video Card are both absolutely fine for now and so too is the RAM, but when it came to the hard-drives, boy it was seriously lagging.

Of course, it's nothing that you'd notice in general terms, but when it comes to high-demand applications like CombatSims, the older platter spinners really struggle. This results in dreadful loading times and the occasional stutter in-game.

Thanks to the blistering speeds of SSD's all that's a thing of the past. I installed a 512Mb Samsung 860PRO into the PC and use it PURELY for sim software. The difference in loading times is truly dramatic!! 

The PC feels much more modern now and will keep going for some time, but I am fully aware that the motherboard and CPU will need replacing at some point.