Back to my injured FT817

You might remember that I had mentioned that while I was away at White Lake Ontario that I had damaged the power plug on my Ft817.  Some people call them coaxial plugs and I call them barrell plugs….

(I broke what the above plug… plugs in to)

Anyway where the barrell plug, plugs into the FT 817 the female plug (on the radio) seems to have the ground side no longer connected to the radio.  The cause for this I assume is that when I put it away in its bag I neglected to remove the plug first and somehow some pressure on the power cord side of the connector caused the radio side of the connector to flex/move/etc which caused the connector to pull away ever so slightly on the circut board…

That not the most technical explanation you have ever heard but at least I did not use the words “thingamajig” or “dohickey”…

But to be a little more clear I broke the negative side of the power plug receptable on the radio…

I have removed the cover (ever so carefully) and inspected the spot on the board where the connector is attached and could not find any visiable signs of damage.

(translated…  no easy to see fix… like a quick solder job…)

I did swap out different power cords to make sure the power cord was not damaged and if I run a ground wire from the battery to the chassis of the radio it all works fine so I am pretty sure the issue is the where the power gets to the circuit board…

So here are my options as I see them…

1- Send it away to get repared.  Estimated cost 2 hours labour plus shipping (insured courier service)

2- Don’t fix it.  Run with the extra ground and hope that the positive side does not break as well.  We have no idea how much stress was put on the connector at the radio end…  If it breaks off then deal with the repairs and hope for no smoke…

Well those of you who know me …. YUP …. you got it right….  I took option number 2

However in addition to adding the extra ground I also took steps to reinforce the connections so it should (might) not happen again…  So far the radio is working fine and its saved me the price of the repair job.   I know there is a slight chance that the next time I might not be so lucky and if it happens again and it cost me more…  gosh darn it…

Today the good thing is that the radio that got me back into the hobby over 10 years ago as back up and running today…

73bob

ps…  Thinking back this is the second time in 10 years that the radio has needed repair…  Before I really understood the radio and how to use it properly I blew the finals… (my fault) and now 10 years later a power plug fails… (again my fault)….  This does not even count the abuse over the years during Portable operations like…

Dropped on ground…  fell off numerous tables…  left out in rain on picnic table…  and my all time favourite…  wrong antenna jack selection…

They were state of the art when they came out and even now they are a sweet rig and pretty durable…  I’m glad it was a quick fix…

The VX3W (Sunburned but happy) aftermath

Well I’m back from Fort Wellington in Prescott Ontario where I operated 40m at VX3W.  This was a special event station operated by the Manotick Amateur Radio Group for the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812

The band conditons were not the best and we had a higher than usual noise level which I suspect came from some sort of electrical device located inside the visitors center at the Fort.  Despite the static we did manage to make contacts on 40m and 20 m ssb.  VE3XGD operated with his Yaesu FT857 and a Buddipole Deluxe and I operated with my FT897 and a clone of the S9 31 foot vertical.

In addition to the contacts made we had many visitors drop in for a visit.  I did not know that Prescott had so many amateurs…  One of the participants in the reenactment was also an amateur so he came over for a visit inbetween battles… We also had a few visitors from a little further affield…  Its strange how amateurs always seems to find an antenna in a crowd…

Our VIP visitor of the day was the CEO of Parks Canada who was in town for the ceremonies.  He dropped in for a visit and also guest operated for a few minutes….  He made one contact…  It should be mentioned that Parks Canada has supported several DXPeditions by letting us operate on their property which includes the Rideau Canal System.  We hope to take advantage of their generosity again in the future…

Once I got back home Liz noticed a slight change in my colour and it was determined that I got a bit too much sun today….  I’ll pay for it later but it was worth it…

73bob

Lessons learned… and the weekend

Well I got home this am after spending the last couple of days doing antenna work up at Doug’s (VE3DLJ) Trailer at White Lake Ontario…  Things went really well and we managed to get his 2m JPole at the top of a 30 foot telescopic mast and no one fell off the ladder.  As I was at the top of the ladder this was a really good thing…  Not much else to say about this except its working…  He has his choice of a couple of Ottawa Area Repeaters,  a couple of repeaters up the Ottawa Valley and a few repeaters down towards the Kingston Area.  Without looking at exact distances going by the repeaters covereages as compared to White Lake he is looking at approx a 100 mile radius  from his trailer for reliable 2m communications…

Now on to the Lessons learned…

I learned that when packing my FT 817 back into its carry bag I really should remove the 12v barrel plug from the back of the radio before I put it in the bag.  I actually knew that before but I guess I forgot and so the  pressure on the barrel plug must of in turn put pressure on the plug receptiple on the radio which put pressure on the board and now my radio has to go visit the doctor to get the ground side of the plug re attached to the circuit board…  I might even take the cover off the radio and try it myself depending on how much room I have to work with once its opened up.  If its too tight lets leave it to the pros…

Now on to the weekend…

This Saturday I will be assisting with the operations of Special Event Station VX3W which will be operating from Fort Wellington in Prescott Ontario.  This Special Event Station will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  For more into on this please visit the Manotick Amateur Radio Group website.

I was planning to take my FT817 but now I think I am looking at the FT897 for the trip. (see my above comments on my FT 817)  I will be taking a homebrewed clone of the popular S9 31′ vertical which will give me coverage on 6m to 40m.  I have had exceptional results with my 43 foot version at home so I am hoping for the same good stuff with the 31 foot homebrewed version.  I guess the logs will let me know if it worked or not.  More on this Saturday evening when we get back….

For those of you who are looking to work a special event station…  We will be operating between 10m and 40m SSB and maybe digital from around 9am EDST and 4pm EDST with frequencies to be dependant on band conditions…  If you hear us please spot us on the clusters… and I hope to get lots of you in the log…

The rest of this Canadian Long Weekend will be spent close to home wondering what toys the Ottawa Group will be bringing back from Dayton…

73bob

 

Busy till Friday

Too much stuff happening all at the same time…  Will be around but out of touch for a couple of days…  Should be close to the keyboard on Friday am and then can let you know whats happening for the weekend…

73bob

Some 60m info from the RAC Bulletin Service

The following was found in my email inbox this am.  Although it would be to your advantage to sign up for this RAC service just in case you do not I feel its important enough for me to share it with you here…

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RAC Bulletin 2012-026E – 60 metre Consultation Bulletin 2012-05-14

As of May 12th, Industry Canada has begun the consultation process to see final approval for the use of six channels on the 60 metre band.

As part of the consultation, Industry Canada is seeking input on five items. RAC feels it is important for amateur radio operators to comment on this proposal and indicate their preference for the rules governing the frequencies going forward. The five items are explained below.
Item One: Should Industry Canada allow amateur radio operators the use of five frequencies that are harmonized with the US on a no-protection, no-interference basis? These channels are 5332kHz, 5348kHz, 5358.5kHz, 5373kHz, 5405kHz. Transmissions would be limited to a 2.8Khz bandwidth centered on these frequencies.
- The obvious answer to Item One is that as amateur radio operators, these additional frequencies are needed for additional emergency communication capacity and having harmonization on frequency with the US will allow for cross border operation. Item Two: Should Industry Canada harmonize the emission modes and designators on these five channels? In the US they are limited to telephony, data, RTTY and CW.
- In Item Two, IC asks if the operating modes should be the same as the US on the five harmonized channels.

It was assumed prior to consultation that this was not optional but in the consultation, it appears that input will be taken on this item. However in the proposed revisions to RBR-4, these designators are in place. Unless reason is shown to not harmonize this item, it will likely be implemented.

Item Three: Should Industry Canada specify a maximum radiated power of 100 watts peak envelope power?
-Again, in Item Three, IC asks if there should be harmonization on the output power on the five channels. In the US, the FCC has limited transmit power to 100 watts. In the proposed revisions to RBR-4, these designators are in place. Unless reason is shown to not harmonize this item, it will likely be implemented.
Item Four: Should Industry Canada allow Canadian amateurs access to the 5329kHz channel? Transmissions would be restricted to 2.8 kHz centered on this frequency.

In Item Four, IC asks if they should allow a sixth, Canadian only channel. Originally, RAC had requested two Canadian only channels but one was found to be un-useable. RAC recommends Canadian Amateurs support the allotment of a sixth channel.
Item Five: Should Industry Canada specify emission designators and peak power for this sixth channel? If so, what would those be?

-Given that the channel referred to in Item Five is domestic only there is little need to harmonize emission types with the US. RAC recommends that as few limits as possible be placed upon the sixth channel to encourage development of domestic communications on this channel.

Those wishing to provide their comments to Industry Canada are asked to do so in the following ways:

In electronic format (WordPerfect, MS Word or PDF) sent to spectrum.engineering@ic.gc.ca . RAC requests a copy of your comments also be sent to regulatory@rac.ca so that we may track response from amateur radio operators.
In written format by mail to Manager, Mobile Systems, Industry Canada, 300 Slater Street, 19th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8. RAC requests that if possible, a copy of written comments be faxed to RAC at 866-660-1187 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              866-660-1187     end_of_the_skype_highlighting so that we may track response from amateur radio operators. Please note that Industry Canada will not accept comments by fax.
Comments on these items must be received prior to June 12th. All comments will be posted publicly on the Industry Canada website after the consultation process closes.
The Radio Amateurs of Canada has been working to obtain permanent authorization for Canadian Amateurs on the 60 metre band since 2010. This consultation process represents one of the last steps in that work. Development Licenses continue to be available for those operators who wish to have temporary use of the five frequencies identified in Item One. There is a small cost for the development license. If you wish to obtain a temporary development license, please contact your local District Office of Industry Canada.
We thank Industry Canada and all respondents for their continued work to see the completion of the process to obtain permanent authorization. If you require help sending comments to Industry Canada or have additional questions for RAC on this or any other regulatory matter, please email regulatory@rac.ca
Bill Gade, VE4WO Regulatory Affairs Officer – Radio Amateurs of Canada
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Vernon Ikeda – VE2MBS/VE2QQ Pointe-Claire, Québec RAC Blog Editor/RAC E-News/Web News Bulletin Editor
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More on the Titanic Antenna questions by VA3PCJ (guest blogger)

This morning posting come to us from Jose VA3PCJ (guest blogger)  As a sailor  VA3PCJ has some interest in the antenna system of the RMS Titanic and shares some of his research with us…

Jose wrote a previous article for us which can be found here

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Was the Antenna in RMS Titanic Vertically Polarized? A few weeks ago Bob VA3QV kindly posted in his blog a note I sent to him with several questions about the electrical structure and RF properties of the telegraphic antenna in HMS Titanic. I believe to have since found answers to most of my queries. Looking at pictures of RMS Titanic the first impression is that its antenna would have been horizontally polarized. However I am now convinced that it was, in fact, a nearly omnidirectional top-loaded vertical.

The Titanic antenna comprised four contiguous top-loaded vertical shortened quarter-wave antennas made of wires connected as a “T” with two top horizontal branches stretched forward and aft. Since each of the top portion was center-fed with a single wire the currents in the two opposite branches would have been anti-phase. Hence, there must have been very little if any radiation coming from the horizontal wires strung between the two masts. These horizontal wires would have mainly added to the capacitance needed to allow for quarter-wave resonance with an antenna shorter than a quarter-wave. Using a more modern analogy the Titanic antenna would not have been too different from quadruple gigantic dipoles each with both cables of the ladder-line connected together and, hence, providing most of its vertically polarized radiating power. As indicated by  Ian Poole G3YWX in his book [3]: “This type of antenna is often described as “T” and is frequently made from a center-fed antenna which has both its feeder wires “strapped” together at the bottom. The G5RV or tuned-doublet antenna used in this wasy can become a useful vertical antenna if tuned against a good ground system”. Ian Poole then goes to add: “Similar arrangements […] have long associations with ship-borne radio installations  where there are obvious antenna length restrictions.” Larry Jibson seemed to imply that the antenna radiated sideways as if had been a dipole: “Signal strength to the sides was enhanced by overlaying the radiation patterns of two parallel elements. Radio coverage in the fore and aft direction was correspondingly reduced”.[1] However, Parks Stephenson argues the opposite: “The use of the “T” type aerial afforded greater power and sensitivity both fore and aft, so optimized performance could be expected when the ship was pointed either toward or away from a distant station.” [2] Simple NEC-2 simulations of analog “T” antennas support the latter pattern with the antenna being essentially omnidirectional with some gain fore and aft. The other quarter-wave completing the half-wavelength would have been provided by the antenna’s image in the surrounding sea since, as Larry Jibson indicates in his article [1], “the earth connection was made by insulated cable to convenient points on the hull of the vessel.” The resonance of the vertical wires would not have been too critical since – according to the same article – the antenna “was tuned with a multiple tuner providing for the reception of all waves between 100 and 2,500 metres.” It is interesting that the vertical wires in the Marconi antenna of the Titanic are often identified only as “lead lines” while in fact they would have provided most of the radiating power of the antenna. Another interesting question pertains to the amount of electro-magnetic radiation experienced by the operators inside the Marconi office at the very base of the vertical elements driven at several kilowatts. Also difficult to evaluate are the effect that the nearby huge stacks and the relative long distance between the vertical elements and its reflected image in the hull and sea would have had on the radiation pattern of such “T” vertical top-loaded design. In the end, it allowed the signals it broadcasted to be received and interpreted as intended, which – as any antenna goes – is really all that matters.

73,

de José VA3PCJ

———— [1] Larry Jibson. Titanic’s Aerial. Titanic Research & Modeling Association http://titanic-model.com/marconi/article.shtml

[2] Parks Stephenson. The Marconi Wireless Installation in R.M.S. Titanic http://marconigraph.com/titanic/wireless/mgy_wireless.html

[3] Ian Poole G3YWX. Practical Wires Antennas 2. Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), Herts, UK, 2005.

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So thanks to Jose for this information…  If you have any comment/questions please feel free to comment and then VA3PCJ will get back to you as his time allows…

73bob

Upcoming Amateur Radio Special Event- VX3W

This coming Saturday (May 19th) right in the middle of the “Victoria Day Long Weekend” members of the Manotick Amateur Radio Group (MARG) will be operating Amateur Radio Special Event Station VX3W  from Fort Wellington In Prescott Ontario.

View Larger Map

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I think they say it fairly well with this exerpt from their infomation release…  Amateur radio parts copied here…

The event

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, an event coinciding with Parks Canada’s festivities at Fort Wellington on the May 19th weekend is proposed. Amateur radio clubs and individual operators would be invited to make contact with our special event station on Saturday, May 19

th. Special amateur radio call signs marking the event would be requested from Industry Canada, the ministry responsible for the amateur radio service, and special QSL cards and/or certificates would be issued by each station.

Parks Canada would be asked to designate an area at Fort Wellington where an amateur radio station could be established for the duration of the event. Ideally, this would include the provision of a few electrical outlets. To provide shelter, the station would probably be set up under tents/tarps. Temporary antennas would need to be set up and these would be provided by the participants. Placement of the antennas would be coordinated by the participants with the Parks Canada staff.

The public would be invited to stop by the event station to learn about the hobby and possibly act as guest operators under the supervision of a licensed amateur radio operator.

So if you have nothing to do on the 19th why not give a listen for a Canadian Special Event Station???  For most of Ontario they should be readable on the 40m band.  For those of you further away try 20m and they expect to be spotted on the clusters so it will make it easier to find them.

If you live closer then why not drive over for a visit and guest operate…????  Come over and see the faces behind the microphone so to speak…  Or the face that goes with the blog even…

If you need any more information feel free to contact Gordon Dewis who is the President of the Manotick Group via the following:

email:  ve3xgd@pinetree.org

As we used to say up in the “Ottawa Valley”…  “They are a good buncha lads and will put on a good show… “

73bob

From the Ontario QSO Party

I got this off the Yahoo Newsgroup for the OQP and thought it would be best shared with you…

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One week to go! Just a reminder that the deadline for submission of logs for the Ontario QSO Party is May 18th. If you have sent in your log please check the Logs Received listing at http://www.va3cco. com/oqp/logs. htm If your call isn’t there please send paper logs to http://www.va3cco. com/oqp/contact. htm and electronic entries to http://www.va3cco. com/oqp/submitlo g.htm It was a pleasure for CCO to host this event. I hope everyone enjoyed our party!
73 Bob VE3KZ

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No more putting it off…

Submit your logs

73bob

 

When in Rome…

The last time I operated in the United States of America I had to conform to FCC rules as they pertained to Amateur Radio Operations (and rightly so).  I could not check in (voice) to the Trans Provincal Net on 7.055 as voice is not permitted in that part of the band.  I could also not check in (voice) to the Trans Canada Net on 14.140 for the same reason.

The fact that I can in Canada is because the Canadian Regulations are different from the American Regulations.

Another example of this would be that only now are Canadians starting to get use of 60m although the process is speeding up very quickly (read my previous posting) and our American and British cousins have been on 60 for a while now in various modes.

So why am I giving you this little spiel on International Radio Regs???

Today we fast forward to another issue that concerns the 7O6T DXPedition to Yemen.  The 7O6T operators have to abide by the conditions of the Yemen authorities who issued the License to operate.

Unfortunatly “7O” has a short list of banned countries.  This means that 7O6T is not allowed to contact them.  On that list is 4X (Israel) .  For 7O6T to contact any Israel callsign would put them in direct conflict with their Licence terms and conditions and could leave them open to penalties determined by the Yemen authorities…

All of us as Amateur Radio Operators do not want to be political pawns but we have to recognise that if we are going to operate from  a foreign country that we must respect the laws of that soverign nation.

There has been questions asked as to why the DXPediton even would happen knowing that they could not talk to “all amateurs of the world” and other questions as to why the ARRL allowed this DXPedition to be granted DXCC status because of the above….  Those questions are at a level I won’t even try to understand as I am not a politician…

I am just an Amateur Radio Operator whose goverment allowed me to talk to a county and that country was allowed to talk back to Canada…

However the bottom line is… Follow the rules … and when in Rome… (you know the rest)

73bob

60m NEWS FROM RAC

The following arrived in my inbox from Bill Unger VE3XT who is the RAC Director for North and East Ontario…

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Special North East Ontario Regional Directors Report

Finally after a two year wait from Industry Canada they have Gazetted the request from Radio Amateurs of Canada for access to 60M.

Here is the link to the gazette item:

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2012/2012-05-12/html/notice-avis-eng.html#d108

This has been a long hard go and has taken a lot of time and effort on the part of Radio Amateurs of Canada on behalf of all Canadian Amateurs.

I would encourage you all to submit a positive comment on this proposal in the format required.

Watch for an official RAC bulletin on this very shortly with further analysis.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me at ve3xt@rac.ca.

Bill VE3XT

North East Ontario Regional Director

Radio Amateurs of Canada

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If you have any comments/questions please contact Bill via email at his above address…