I'll direct this especially to Bob, N4FBZ
If you are having issues with trying to handle a key, you might want to look at a keyboard keyer.? K1EL has a new model coming out (the K44 has been discontinued) and Begali (in Italy) also has one.? You might want to look at an Arduino & see what is available.? Just a thought - you don't say what the issues are. If it's an RX, rather than a TX issue, you might want to try a code reader.? The K44 has this feature.? Since you say that you can enjoy digital modes, I presume your medical issues do not prevent you from using a keyboard.? You might want to look at the Fldigi suite.? It has CW as one of its modes.? Hope this helps.
Gerry, VE4GKS
Sent by the Thunderbird
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On 2021-04-22 11:52 a.m., Robert D. Bowers wrote:
A well-known problem... and I've encountered it here occasionally for some time (when I have that rarity, free time - and turn on my radios).
It used to be that I often encountered S9+20-30 noise here.? There were periods where it was quieter, but during "prime time" (and in the morning) the noise floor would rise from tolerable to bad starting about the time people started getting up to go to work. I learned from a friend that the noise I experienced was from Plasma TVs mixed with various forms of power line noise.? Plasma noise was one that was so characteristic that we could even track it down to a neighborhood - and I lived thousands of feet away. It seems that Plasma screens are going out of favor - and I'm glad.? A high noise level without a S-meter... that could be difficult to identify and deal with (without equipment and help).
There hasn't been much activity at all on the bands since the last sunspot maximum (at least that's what I understand, and I've noticed the same thing you have).? I know a lot of hams blame "FT-8" - but that mode might be what is keeping our hobby alive. I do try to get on - but it seems that (on the lower bands) as soon as I tune into a signal, I get blasted with virulent politics or religion - which turns me (and my radio) off.? CW is out for me due to neurological issues (that were not identified until many years after I'd gotten my Extra), so that leaves digital modes.? I like FT-8 (and other digital modes) because of my limitations.? I don't think it's behind your problem at all.
So what you're experiencing might be normal.? I'd suggest that if you know any local hams near you, ask them for help.? The suggestion to see if you can receive signals in the area where FT-8 is run is a good one.? It encourages me to think about hooking up my computer to my radio(s) again.? I did enjoy the mode, and it was a way I was able to make contacts without getting hammered with all the ranting and raving.
Bob
N4FBZ
On 4/21/21 9:06 PM, Scott via groups.io wrote:
Still having quite a bit of fun building/moving antennas and using the uBITX to learn about propagation.
This has me confused however.? Here's what I believe are the relevant details;
uBITX ver6
1/2 wave dipole.? ?It does need to be lengthened a bit.? It's lowest SWR is currently at 14.360? (1.05:1) and is 1.39:1 at 14.074 MHz (20m FT8)
I got these numbers with a NanoVNA
It takes 2 separate roof climbs to adjust but it's on the list. I'm in a fairly dense residential area and the antenna is about 30' in the air.
The antenna is 14awg stranded, insulated wire fed with about 30' of RG6.? Yes I know it's 75ohm.
Now, with me running probably somewhere between 5-10W depending on what you read I would expect to hear a lot more stations than I can reach given a "decent" antenna.? ?Here's two grabs from the same moment on pskreporter, one showing over 200 stations that can hear me and the other showing the 9 stations that I can hear.
This doesn't make sense to me given my low power.? Am I interpreting the reports incorrectly?? Is it just a "HF thing" ? ?I have to assume the antenna/cabling and radio tuning is decent to be able to reach out to 200 stations.? Why do I hear so few???I've tried to listen to for the beacon at 14.100 and I've never heard it.? Is??there a chance there's something up with my rig on the RX sensitivity?
Attachments:
? * psk1.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/0>
? * psk2.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/1>
