Richard,

Most likely you aren't receiving anything due to your antenna location. I take it that you are in an apartment or similar situation. It may be coupling to local objects. Is there a lot of noise? Try moving the antenna for one thing. Those antennas are a compromise for when you can't get wire in the air and while much better than nothing they aren't the best. When are you listening? During the day you should find some signal in your area. It is unlikely the receive section of your bitx isn't working but possible.

I know disposible income is an issue, but a cheap SDR dongle would let you see what your antenna is receiving, Or perhaps ask if someone in your club has receiver you can borrow. Ask around for a net on 40 that is active and listen at that time and frequency. Remember the bitx may be off frequency until calibrated.

Good luck!


On 3/18/2017 7:44 AM, richard kappler wrote:

My BX is complete and running, I get sound from the speaker/headphones, when I transmit I get measurable power out to the antenna. I do not have a SWR meter at the moment, trying to borrow one until I have some disposable income.

I have done all the checks called for in initial setup, measured amperage, etc, all nominal.

I am receiving nothing but static and when I transmit I get no responses. I figure it's one of two things:

1. Antenna improperly tuned (MFJ-1622 with a 33ft counterpoise, coil shorted to #25, whip fully extended).

2. 40M is dead in my area. Trying to get in touch with somebody in the local club to set up a test time, but so far no responses.

Is there anything else I should do/adjust/test?

regards, Richard - W2KAP

My BX is complete and running, I get sound from the speaker/headphones, when I transmit I get measurable power out to the antenna. I do not have a SWR meter at the moment, trying to borrow one until I have some disposable income.

I have done all the checks called for in initial setup, measured amperage, etc, all nominal.

I am receiving nothing but static and when I transmit I get no responses. I figure it's one of two things:

1. Antenna improperly tuned (MFJ-1622 with a 33ft counterpoise, coil shorted to #25, whip fully extended).

2. 40M is dead in my area. Trying to get in touch with somebody in the local club to set up a test time, but so far no responses.

Is there anything else I should do/adjust/test?

regards, Richard - W2KAP

Is the display working and showing a change in freq.?? When U connect and disconnect the antenna do you hear the ant. noise vs audio hiss?

Regards

Larry WA9DOH

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 9:44 AM, richard kappler <richkappler@...> wrote:

My BX is complete and running, I get sound from the speaker/headphones, when I transmit I get measurable power out to the antenna. I do not have a SWR meter at the moment, trying to borrow one until I have some disposable income.

I have done all the checks called for in initial setup, measured amperage, etc, all nominal.

I am receiving nothing but static and when I transmit I get no responses. I figure it's one of two things:

1. Antenna improperly tuned (MFJ-1622 with a 33ft counterpoise, coil shorted to #25, whip fully extended).

2. 40M is dead in my area. Trying to get in touch with somebody in the local club to set up a test time, but so far no responses.

Is there anything else I should do/adjust/test?

regards, Richard - W2KAP

Larry,

The display is working and showing freq change, I do hear audio hiss with no antenna, much antenna noise when it's connected. I'm fairly certain wither the antenna is improperly tuned or the BX needs calibrating.?

One of the things I love about this community, I received an email about 20 minutes ago from a fellow who lives about an hour from here, offered to drive down and lend me an SWR meter if I don't hear back from my local. I wish I'd got started in ham years ago.

regards, Richard - W2KAP

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 1:40 PM, Larry Smith <815cpu@...> wrote:

Is the display working and showing a change in freq.?? When U connect and disconnect the antenna do you hear the ant. noise vs audio hiss?

Regards

Larry WA9DOH

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 9:44 AM, richard kappler <richkappler@...> wrote:

My BX is complete and running, I get sound from the speaker/headphones, when I transmit I get measurable power out to the antenna. I do not have a SWR meter at the moment, trying to borrow one until I have some disposable income.

I have done all the checks called for in initial setup, measured amperage, etc, all nominal.

I am receiving nothing but static and when I transmit I get no responses. I figure it's one of two things:

1. Antenna improperly tuned (MFJ-1622 with a 33ft counterpoise, coil shorted to #25, whip fully extended).

2. 40M is dead in my area. Trying to get in touch with somebody in the local club to set up a test time, but so far no responses.

Is there anything else I should do/adjust/test?

regards, Richard - W2KAP

There is a pair of wires that are cross connected.? They go to the center of the main board.? You said you double checked the wire so just one other thing ..That pair from the display module is the 5 Mhz into the main board.? One side of the pair is grounded.? That wiring is uniquely wired as per the instructions.

??

On mine I have over head mag florescent lamp.? I can here the noise in the radio when I turn the lamp on and off.? The audio hiss shows the audio amp is working and when I connect a long piece of wire I then hear that antenna noise.

I've been in ham radio since 1961 when I got my novice.? I have made good friends and many even from H.S. still stay in touch. This hobby always has so many new technologies to use.? In H.S. I built from scratch a 450 MHz ATV.? Only problem no one else was on on the air (near by) HI! ? My DX was across the room to my own receiver Hi.? Used a flying spot scanner for vdeo. ?many of my parts came from garbage picked TV, Radios and military surplus..Gud'Ol Days!

Good luck and good friends hang in there

Larry ? ?WA9DOH

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 12:48 PM, richard kappler <richkappler@...> wrote:

Larry,

The display is working and showing freq change, I do hear audio hiss with no antenna, much antenna noise when it's connected. I'm fairly certain wither the antenna is improperly tuned or the BX needs calibrating.?

One of the things I love about this community, I received an email about 20 minutes ago from a fellow who lives about an hour from here, offered to drive down and lend me an SWR meter if I don't hear back from my local. I wish I'd got started in ham years ago.

regards, Richard - W2KAP

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 1:40 PM, Larry Smith <815cpu@...> wrote:

Is the display working and showing a change in freq.?? When U connect and disconnect the antenna do you hear the ant. noise vs audio hiss?

Regards

Larry WA9DOH

On Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 9:44 AM, richard kappler <richkappler@...> wrote:

My BX is complete and running, I get sound from the speaker/headphones, when I transmit I get measurable power out to the antenna. I do not have a SWR meter at the moment, trying to borrow one until I have some disposable income.

I have done all the checks called for in initial setup, measured amperage, etc, all nominal.

I am receiving nothing but static and when I transmit I get no responses. I figure it's one of two things:

1. Antenna improperly tuned (MFJ-1622 with a 33ft counterpoise, coil shorted to #25, whip fully extended).

2. 40M is dead in my area. Trying to get in touch with somebody in the local club to set up a test time, but so far no responses.

Is there anything else I should do/adjust/test?

regards, Richard - W2KAP