RFI issues- My Radio RFIs itself

Once you read the the title of  this post and stop laughing ….  Let me explain!

 

The Radio is my FT847 and it seems  to be having some minor problems on the higher part of the 20m band when the CAT cable is attached to the  back of the radio.

I recently was brought into the 21st century(kicking and screaming I might add)  and have started using that fantastic piece of software- Ham Radio Deluxe.   I am using it in conjuction with my old(but so am I) Dell Laptop and am using a Generic USB to serial adapter to the recommended “Null Modem Cable” which in turn is plugged into the CAT Port  on the FT 847.  I will happily say that everything seems to be working fine so please do not think this is a rant…

I have been using the above mentioned  setup for a couple of weeks now with no known problems till the other day.

I was trying to make a contact on 20m (HF Pack Calling Freq 14.342.5) and suddenly noticed an icon flashing on the display of the radio while I was transmitting.   A 2nd look at the display showed me it was not the HIGH SWR icon I was thinking it would be, but rather the CAT icon and it was flickering with my voice.

When I off keyed I had lost my rcv audio as if the  volume had been turned off.

I should mention at this point that I have used this program and equipment on all bands in the past with no noticed issues.  This appeared to be the first…

When I have operated my rigblaster using the same USB  adaper on PSK31 in the past there has been no issues but after checking my logs all my 20m operating in the past (since Ihooked up HRD) has been well below 14.300 so perhaps its more specific to the upper end of the band

A  couple of  days later  with the software not running the the same thing happened on the same frequency.  Lost receive audio and the CAT Icon was flashing.  I then disconnected the CAT cable at the computer end by  unplugging the USB interface with the same results.  RFI…

I then  removed the FT 847 from its operating position and removed the CAT Cable altogether and reinstalled the radio and resumed my transmitting on the upper end of 20m and all was good.

It seemed that the combination of the CAT cable and the USB to Serial interface  cable is lacking a bit of  shielding which allows my radio to RFI itself when on the upper end of 20m.

Now when I get some time I will re install the cable with some toroids on the cable  ends  and also take more care routing the CAT cable, but for now its easier just to operate without the Computer Control and just use the HRD Software as the fantastic logging  program and operating platform that it is.

Its not a complaint or a rant…  Just a source of  conversation on a Monday…

73bob

Upcoming Amateur Event in Ottawa

This coming weekend (December 5th and December 6th) the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club once again is allowing young (and old) visitors to the Canada Science and Technology Museum  in Ottawa talk to Santa via Amateur Radio from Ottawa to the North Pole.

This is an excellent way to introduce the general public to our hobby and its easy to do.

A few public spirited Amateur Operators set up at the museum and using 2m handhelds and contact Santa who is at the North Pole (/VE8) and let the delighted youngsters talk to Santa via Amateur Radio.

After the contact has been made the Museum Staff (who have been monitoring ) will prepare a certificate stating that the child has contacted Santa via Amateur Radio and the child (and family) will be told that they can pick up the certificate when they are leaving at the front of the museum.

Anyway if you are going to be in Ottawa this coming weekend and want to help out as one of Santa’s Helpers please contact Larry VE3WEH ( email address) or if you are not able to contact him via email drop me a line and I’ll get him to contact you.

If you are going to be in town with your family for a visit and want to bring your family over so they can talk to Santa (using Grandpa’s/Grandma’s/Dad’s/Mom’s radio) bring your 2m handheld and family to the Museum so they can be amazed by your radio equipment.

Talk to Santa | Canada Science and Technology Museum.

Follow the above link to go to the Museum Site…

As a final thought I will say that over the years my daughters and myself have helped out with this several times and its always a good time and worthy of your support…

73bob

PS…  This is part of the same museum that does not throw me off the property when I operate from their Lighthouse several times a year.  They are a good bunch of people…

110 warnings issued under cellphone-driving law

If you read my earlier post which referenced Radio Station CFRA saying that there had been 85 warnings it seems today that after talking to a different Source the Ottawa Citizen is claiming 110 warnings.

For us the key item is that people have been warned and no Amateur Radio Operators have been charged.

How two major Ottawa News Services can be 25 apart on the same topic is really strange but….

Follows is the link to the Ottawa Citizen Story

110 warnings issued under cellphone-driving law.

73bob

Stats from Ontario Cell Phone Law-

The following information comes to us courtesy of Radio Station CFRA and their news Department.

85 Cellphone Warnings from Ottawa Police

Josh Pringle CFRA News-=Thursday, November 26, 2009

No Ottawa motorist has been fined for using a hand-held cellphone while behind the wheel. Ottawa Police say they have issued 85 warnings to drivers using their hand-held device to talk, email or text in the first month of the new Ontario law.

Police officers across Ontario are conducting a three month education campaign to inform drivers that it’s illegal to use any hand-held communication and entertainment devices while behind the wheel. Starting February 1st, Ontario drivers could be fined up to $500 for violating the rules.

Ontario Provincial Police have issued 11-hundred warnings and 22 tickets across the province for using a hand-held device while driving since the new law took effect October 26.

Once again thanks to CFRA for the article…

Now speaking from an AMATEUR RADIO Standpoint there have not been any Ottawa Amateurs charged that I have heard of.  To be quite honest I’m sure that the local repeaters would have been burning up with comments if there had been.  The comments above from the Ottawa Police stating that they have not charged anyone would seem to confirm that.

I also notice that the Ontario Provincal Police have issued 1100 warnings and also issued 22 tickets across the province during this time under this act.  I can find no mention of this on the Ontario Provincal Police Website let alone any details.

Once again there is no burning up of the airwaves (HF or otherwise) mentioning any amateurs being charged anywhere in Ontario.

73bob

Yaseu “5000″ Yahoo Group- R U a member?

Right now there seems to be a wealth of information and well intented best guesses and comments about the new 5000 line of Yaesu Radios/

So far the best I have found so far is on the Yahoo Group

Everything is still best guess and speculation but there seems to be some “Leaked” information on the Group that has peaked my interest.  I recommend you sign up to the group and become informed.

73bob

An article on VE3LCA-11

Remeber our balloon from a couple of weeks ago????  Thanks to the Conneticut Valley FM Association for the interesting article.

THE ARTICLE IS HERE

and just to jog your memory some

PICTURES ARE HERE

and if you click on the logo it will bring you to some background info

We are still waiting for more info on the other flight VE3REX-11 which last heard from was also stuck up in a tree.

73bob

Welcome to a new Canadian Blog

Welcome to the Oakville Contest Club as they join us in the bloguniverse???

A new source of Canadian Contest Information

Good Luck and

73bob

Plans were made to be changed

Well in my last post I was mentioning the words “Clean Sweep” and in reality the broom never even got dirty.  The bands were cooperating but my cold was not…

I was really suprised how hard it was to try and copy the exchange when stuffed up and dosed up with over the counter cold medicine.   I did give out some contacts before I just gave up and the bulk of them were on 15m which was one of my goals.  Managed East coast of Canada (VO1) and west coast of USA (K7) along with a few stations in between.  It would of been more fun if the cold was absent but….

The only real high point of the day was being section #70 for a station who now was only 10 away from his first clean sweep.  He was a real happy camper about that…  I hope he makes it!!!

Anyway looks like its less radio and more sleep with a good mixture of cold meds as well…

73bob

Weekend Radio Plans

Well its Saturday morning and after having my first coffee of the day I’m trying to decide the plans for the west of the weekend.

I’m still fighting the “cold from hell” and before you ask ….  Yes its just a cold and its not “THE FLU or THAT FLU” but it sure has been hanging around for a while.  It arrived last Saturday evening and has been with me ever since.  Not enough to knock me off my feet but just enough to annoy me and it shows no signs of leaving.  The biggest annoyance is that I can’t go over to one of the Public Health Clinics and get my H1N1 shots as they don’t want sick people at the clinic.

So seeing as I don’t want to get any worse and no one wants to see a person who is coughing with a runny nose and raspy voice as they don’t want a cold or “THE FLU” it looks like a quiet weekend in the shack…  This is not a bad think when you think about it…

Today is the start of the ARRL Sweepstakes (SSB) contest and the main purpose of the contest is to try and contact all 80 ARRL.RAC sections and go through a very long exchange.  If you manage to contact all 80 sections then its called a “Clean Sweep:”I really doubt my chances of a  “Clean Sweep” but as with any contest I set my own goals to challenge myself and as a way to measure my success in the contest.

This time the goals are:

Work all Canadian Sections

Work at least 30 US Sections

Make more contacts on 15m and 160M

Have FunI always add the Have Fun disclaimer cuz if it ain’t fun then why am I still doing it for?

Now as I don’t usually take any contest that seriously I’m not sure how many of the above goals I will meet but if I can devote 8 hours or so I figure I should be close to whats needed.

In addition to my contesting plans there is also remembering my NTS Commitments and so I will be visiting the 2nd Region Net (2rn) a few times along with the Ontario Phone Net.

The New York Public Operation Net (NYPON) on 3.925 at 1700hrs with the New York State Phone Net at 1800 with the 2nd Region Net at 1830 on 3.925 all get visits as well.

So between the “Sweeps” and my regular NTS commitments it should be a good weekend as long as the band holds out…  Hope to hear you on the air sometime…

73bob

We have our 50,000th visitor————–>

If you follow the arrow to the right hand side of the column you will notice our Hit counter.  Well today (Friday November 20 2009) sometime inbetween 1300hrs and 1315 hours Eastern we had visitor number 50,000 to my blog.

I can remember how excited I was when on July 25 2008 we passed the 1,000 mark and that took from late Febuary to July to do that and now we regulary do 1500 or so a week.

From looking at the stats its clear to me that you guys are the most interested in the new toys.

The Yaesu VX8r was and still is a hit magnet and the new FTM 350 and the complete set of the 5000 series (the new Yaesu) HF soon to be released is a real biggie and growing on a daily basis.

On the political scene the recent changes at RAC (Radio Amateurs of Canada for my American Readers) also brough in much interest.  That filled me with confidence as its always good to know that people actually are taking an interest in how the hobby is going and where its going to…

So basically thank for visiting and I hope in the days and entries that follow I can keep you interested in our hobby of Amateur Radio.

73bob