Power used?
Roger
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On 20 April 2019 07:58:40 BST, "KEN G4APB via Groups.Io" <lfoofui.nbz42@...> wrote:
Hi Alan,
why is it that when I look at WSPRnet on say 160m I only see local Europe stations and like?
wise my own transmissions are hardly spotted, so information is conditions are not that good, BUT, if I run a couple of CQs on FT8, I get reports at MUCH greater range and spots stations in The USA, deep into Russia and even South Arfrica. Clearly conditions are much better than WSPR predicts?
73 Ken G4apb?
--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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Very nice, very green.??
73
Peter, GM0EUL
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Hi Alan,
why is it that when I look at WSPRnet on say 160m I only see local Europe stations and like?
wise my own transmissions are hardly spotted, so information is conditions are not that good, BUT, if I run a couple of CQs on FT8, I get reports at MUCH greater range and spots stations in The USA, deep into Russia and even South Arfrica. Clearly conditions are much better than WSPR predicts?
73 Ken G4apb?
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is WSPR a communication mode?
Geoff, Back in 2010 there was a WSPR QSO mode which a few tried but it did not catch on. My opinion about FT8 is that it is not suited for constant beacon use on HF because there are other modes, more effective and lower bandwidth. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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I took a break from soldering to test fit the display in the case I 3D printed while waiting for the kit to arrive. As you can see for the upper left, I didn't get the memo about starting with T1. Oh well, if the YOTA kids could do it that way, I guess it will be ok.
Case design was taken from dimension found in the QRP Guys article on making one from copper clad, so I'll have to make extenders for the knobs and switches
Cheers,
Bob ab3ua
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When I get anyone's kit supplying stamped IC sockets, I always replace them by using machine grade sockets.? Consequently I always keep them on hand.? To cut down inventory I use TWO 14 pin sockets as a replacement for one 28 pin socket.? Works great and once soldered in place you can hardly tell you used two smaller sockets instead of one that's larger.
Lee, w0vt
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Re: DX-ing with QRP - possible?
Hi Jim and All
I have been enjoying my QCX 20 CW rig for the past year, and am constantly surprised and thrilled to make long distance contacts at 2.5-3W feeding a TH-5 beam up about 40 feet. Today was one of the best DX QSO's yet. I answered a CQ from CE7SV and was thrilled to get a 559 report from him on my first response.! According to my Ham Radio Deluxe log, that is 10541 Km distance! QCX continues to blow me away! Thanks again Hans.
72 de Dave VE7AHT
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Hi Geoff,
(From the WSJT / WSPR modes home page.
Description
WSPR implements a protocol designed for
probing potential propagation paths with low-power transmissions.?
Normal transmissions carry a station's callsign, Maidenhead grid
locator, and transmitter power in dBm.? The program can decode
signals with S/N as low as -28 dB in a 2500 Hz bandwidth.?
Stations with internet access can automatically upload their
reception reports to a central database called WSPRnet, which
includes a mapping facility.? To see a live version of the map
pictured at top right, click here.)
My take is....
WSPR is useful as an own use propagation tool, I have used it since
approx 20I0 having seen the work of W3PM / GM4YRE (?)
In all that time I have never used the WSPR mode intentionally for
the purposes of communication for which it is not suited.
WSPR was conceived / is used as a one way RF based uplink mode
having reserved allocations on specified Amateur Bands, with
confirmation back from a remote RX station to the TX station
provided via IP / internet?
As a by-product of acepting these terms of use, a database entry is
available for free use to anyone having an interest, not necessarily
restricted to licenced Radio Amateurs.
Alan
On 19/04/2019 23:46, geoff M0ORE via
Groups.Io wrote:
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Alan, is WSPR a communication mode?
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Is there a reason I am left with one resistor that measures 38 ohms (Orange/White/Black)???
All the white spacers in the kit will accept the screw in one end.? The screw wont fit in the other end of the spacer.?
Al Lipinski?
Hi Al
Yes. Non-critical. The most non-critical place for the low one would be C21 or C22.
73 Hans G0UPL? ?
Section 3.16 of manual?
Install 1uF capacitors (3).??
I measured two caps at 0.978 uF I measured one cap at 0.775uF? ?.? About - 22% tolerance Should I install the low cap?????
Thanks,?
-- Al Lipinski
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Alan, is WSPR a communication mode?
On 19/04/2019 22:41, Alan de G1FXB via
Groups.Io wrote:
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(Personally...)
The U3 started as a simple beacon best suited for sending
preset short, repeatable stings of data.
There was a great movement for the inclusion of whatever was
the latest digimode to the U3 just because it could, rather than
perhaps if is the best use in a U3.
The legacy of which, we have today.....
The U3 has limited IO's, can anyone suggest a simple way to get
live messages such as from a keyboard into a U3 to warrant the
inclusion of QSO modes, for those operators that wish undertake 2
way exchanges?
My rejected thoughts:-
The U3 can be configured as a CW TX, maybe if it had the CW
decoder / edit function of the QCX spliced into it's firmware, CW
in FT8 out but not realy live.
Maybe appending the NMEA string in some way?? but that's not an
easy way and requires external resources......
Without an easy input route the U3 is limited to whatever is in
it's message memory and #LT, it makes for laborious "typing".....
before Xmas there was some development of an off-line click &
load computer application to edit the eep file, has / can that
progressed to on-line creation of messages?
Regarding one way propagation tools or beacon mode
I struggle with the need or the wisdom of announcing your
presence on the band using a mode optimised? for two way QSO
exchanges* but indicating you wish to behave as a virtual beacon
/ do not wish to partake in to QSO.
If you just want to see a spot pop up on a computer screen there
are better modes adopted for such spotting? (Historically, human
read QRSS skimmers, then later the inclusion of automated
centralised WSPR database.)
These have specifically reserved allocations in the band plan so
such interested RX stations partaking know where to "find" you,
rather than being a lone "adopted" beacon mode lost in the Data
allocation of the band.
Also running for instance FT8 / JC8call TX's in the Weak Signals
sub band may be considered as bad practice by some?
* copy & pasted directly from relevant application /
modes homepage:-
WSJT-X implements communication protocols or "modes" called
FT8, JT4, JT9, JT65, QRA64, ISCAT, MSK144, and WSPR, as well as
one called Echo for detecting and measuring your own radio
signals reflected from the Moon.?
These modes were all designed for making reliable, confirmed QSOs under extreme
weak-signal conditions.
from the experimental? mode of the month / FT8 upgrade is.....
"JS8Call is software using the JS8 Digital Mode providing weak
signal keyboard to keyboard
messaging to Amateur Radio Operators.
For easy QSO Digimode use, await a widely anticipated project
rather than a U3?
IF, there is a
real need.
Rather than trying to
enforce a beacon condition on an existing QSO mode, maybe
there is a need to define an updated world standard for Beacon
/ one-way only optimised mode.
Alan
On 19/04/2019 18:27, TrueBlue wrote:
On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 08:33 AM, Arvo W0VRA wrote:
Would a responsible way to use FT8 for checking a
station's propagation would be to call CQ DX...
No.
I addressed this some messages back.
It would be absolutely no different with FT8 than it is with JT9
or JT65 or any other of the U3S's many so-called "QSO
modes."? Why this suddenly and retroactively became a big issue
I can't imagine.
FT8 changes absolutely nothing, except by working better.?
The U3S is a beacon, not a transceiver.? You monitor propagation
via online reception logging.? It's a hands-off arrangement
attractive to lazy persons like me who find personal QSOs
tedious and excessively laborious.
If you do not send a CQ you owe nobody a QSO.?
Think about it.
Some people add a "B" character to signify beacon
status.
Automation rules!
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Re: Good Mileage: Four Laps 190000km 90 cents for fuel (hydrogen )
Michael?
The balloon is a 36" clear party balloon sold in China for weddings and other festivities. ( sometimes with leds around them that light up and look cool as they float around the wedding party )
I believe the material is coextruded plastic film? with one layer being low density polyethylene.?
73 Dave
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Finished my QCX20, taking the final look and gonna turn it on. Wish me luck.
Gary W0CKI
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Re: Multi band QCX plus Party time...
Wow!
These storms today seem to be a boon to 15m propagation !
The stock QCX-17 has been heard by EA8BFK in the Canaries on 15m several times this afternoon !
72 / 73,
Bill, N4QA
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(Personally...)
The U3 started as a simple beacon best suited for sending preset
short, repeatable stings of data.
There was a great movement for the inclusion of whatever was the
latest digimode to the U3 just because it could, rather than
perhaps if is the best use in a U3.
The legacy of which, we have today.....
The U3 has limited IO's, can anyone suggest a simple way to get live
messages such as from a keyboard into a U3 to warrant the inclusion
of QSO modes, for those operators that wish undertake 2 way
exchanges?
My rejected thoughts:-
The U3 can be configured as a CW TX, maybe if it had the CW decoder
/ edit function of the QCX spliced into it's firmware, CW in FT8 out
but not realy live.
Maybe appending the NMEA string in some way?? but that's not an easy
way and requires external resources......
Without an easy input route the U3 is limited to whatever is in it's
message memory and #LT, it makes for laborious "typing".....
before Xmas there was some development of an off-line click &
load computer application to edit the eep file, has / can that
progressed to on-line creation of messages?
Regarding one way propagation tools or beacon mode
I struggle with the need or the wisdom of announcing your
presence on the band using a mode optimised? for two way QSO
exchanges* but indicating you wish to behave as a virtual beacon /
do not wish to partake in to QSO.
If you just want to see a spot pop up on a computer screen there are
better modes adopted for such spotting? (Historically, human read
QRSS skimmers, then later the inclusion of automated centralised
WSPR database.)
These have specifically reserved allocations in the band plan so
such interested RX stations partaking know where to "find" you,
rather than being a lone "adopted" beacon mode lost in the Data
allocation of the band.
Also running for instance FT8 / JC8call TX's in the Weak Signals sub
band may be considered as bad practice by some?
* copy & pasted directly from relevant application /
modes homepage:-
WSJT-X implements communication protocols or "modes" called FT8,
JT4, JT9, JT65, QRA64, ISCAT, MSK144, and WSPR, as well as one
called Echo for detecting and measuring your own radio signals
reflected from the Moon.?
These modes were all designed for making reliable, confirmed QSOs under extreme weak-signal
conditions.
from the experimental? mode of the month / FT8 upgrade is.....
"JS8Call is software using the JS8 Digital Mode providing weak
signal keyboard to keyboard
messaging to Amateur Radio Operators.
For easy QSO Digimode use, await a widely anticipated project
rather than a U3?
IF, there is a real
need.
Rather than trying to enforce
a beacon condition on an existing QSO mode, maybe there is a
need to define an updated world standard for Beacon / one-way
only optimised mode.
Alan
On 19/04/2019 18:27, TrueBlue wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 08:33 AM, Arvo W0VRA wrote:
Would a responsible way to use FT8 for checking a
station's propagation would be to call CQ DX...
No.
I addressed this some messages back.
It would be absolutely no different with FT8 than it is with JT9
or JT65 or any other of the U3S's many so-called "QSO
modes."? Why this suddenly and retroactively became a big issue I
can't imagine.
FT8 changes absolutely nothing, except by working better.?
The U3S is a beacon, not a transceiver.? You monitor propagation
via online reception logging.? It's a hands-off arrangement
attractive to lazy persons like me who find personal QSOs tedious
and excessively laborious.
If you do not send a CQ you owe nobody a QSO.?
Think about it.
Some people add a "B" character to signify beacon status.
Automation rules!
|
We probably don't really need those four pins anyway...which pins are missing? just kiddin' "0)
FB on SKCC stuff.
Se ya !
72 / 73,
Bill, N4QA
dit dit
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Re: U3S transmitting through the case
Hi Chris?
There are no issues with the relay board.
Please check the jumpers you installed are in the correct positions..
Also check that the configuration you set up was correct: the U3S transmission screens need to specify the correct band slot for the frequency you are transmitting and it is easy to get this mixed up.
73 Hans G0UPL? ?
It's the blooming relay board!
Now it's configured to run without the relay board it works fine. Loads of spots.
It all looks okay??
- The highest frequency LPF in position 1- Yes
- Shorts -? None seen, and buzzed out okay
- Relays clicking during operation -Yes
- Tried new positions for LPF - Yes
- Check links against instruction - Yes
?Are there any common issues with this board?
--
Best regards,
Chris
M0XFL
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Hi all
1). The latest batch of QCX PCBs arrived here yesterday (Thursday) evening. We shipped out 38 today and will ship out the remaining pending orders on Monday/Tuesday. Apologies for the abnormal delay, for people who have been waiting..
2). Anyone ordering a QCX from now on will be shipped out within 1 business day as usual.
3). There appears to have been a supplier mistake and a small percentage of the kits have 24-pin sockets instead of 28-pin. I'm not sure what percentage yet.?
Since we already sent out a few 10's of kits today, and earlier in the week, some from US stock to US customers... there will be some people such as Lloyd K3ESE who got the 24-pin socket. Please do NOT use bandwidth on this group for this going forward; if yours has a 24-pin socket please email me off-list and I will sort out a replacement for you.
For any kits shipped from now onwards we will make sure they are checked and only correct 28-pin sockets sent out.?
4) the new batch of kits incorporates the improvement to the keying envelope that is this modification:? This means, certain component values have changed. The PCB (Rev 4) is the same.? If you started building a kit from the new batch (means any kit shipped on or after 13-Apr-2019) then you need to use the component values mentioned in the modification? I will update the assembly manual to show this, as soon as possible (and Monday at the latest).
73 Hans G0UPL? ?
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Re: qrp labs QRSS Transmitter
HI, i'm all the way down in South Somerset. good to know though. i'll keep at it & see where i get. thanks. Gary
On 19 April 2019 at 18:04 Stephen Farthing G0XAR JO92ON97 <squirrox@...> wrote:
Where are you Gary? I kitted these back in the days when Hans and I started QRP Labs. I¡¯ve probably got all the spare parts. Apart from crystals. I¡¯m near Norwich.?
Regards,
Steve G0XAR?
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hi, Bill!
I'll enjoy what I can of the build, but they shipped a 24-pin socket for IC2, rather than the 28 required, so there will be a caesura...
WB8YYY and I, and others, are often found doing SKCC things, of late...
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Hi Lloyd.
Enjoy the build, om !
Good to see you on here and...is that Curt, WB8YYY that I see on here too?
Cool ! Pretty soon the whole QRP-L gang will be over here !
72 / 73,
Bill, N4QA
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Peter GM0EUL
Alan de G1FXB
VE3KCL
Lloyd K3ESE