I will not be at the Baylands at all. I am en route to Seattle and Victoria, BC. Have fun everyone. See you next year.
Hiroki AH6CY
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Hiroki and Doug, I just emailed you a draft format of the cheat sheet.?
?
Joy
N6GO
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Congratulations Hiroki. ?For a soon to be 83 year old guy that is indeed impressive. ?Hopefully condx on Friday will be good enough for you to take this baby for a spin out in the field.
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On Dec 17, 2024, at 10:46 AM, Hiroki Kato via groups.io <hiroki@...> wrote:
? I am happy to report that my QMX+ is working nicely all around. I have had a few CW and FT8 QSOs from my home QTH with the Squirrel Zapper railing antenna and my WSPR’s band hopping feature is working just fine. You may be able to see my call on the wsprnet.org on several bands. I may decide to use the QMX+ as a 24/7 dedicated WSPR xcvr, freeing my IC-7610 up for SSB and CW only.
The QMX+ is the most challenging kit I have ever dealt with. Not only are there more coils (it’s a 10-band radio!) to wind but a couple of RF transformers require what QRP Labs call “Weird Twisted Sisters” winding, which calls for using twisted parallel magnet wires wound around the two-eyed toroids. I have never done that before.
The end result, however, is very sweet. This seems to be a much more robust radio than uSDX radios. It is still incredible to me that this radio kit costs only $125 (without an enclosure) but can do as much as many $1000< radios do.?
I am thinking of building in the batteries and Raspberry Pi (for wsjtx program) inside the same enclosure as it has quite a bit of room.
Hiroki AH6CY
On Dec 16, 2024, at 18:55, Doug Hendricks via groups.io <ki6ds1@...> wrote:
? Please include me if possible.? ?Thanks in advance.? Doug,? KI6DS?
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I am happy to report that my QMX+ is working nicely all around. I have had a few CW and FT8 QSOs from my home QTH with the Squirrel Zapper railing antenna and my WSPR’s band hopping feature is working just fine. You may be able to see my call on the wsprnet.org on several bands. I may decide to use the QMX+ as a 24/7 dedicated WSPR xcvr, freeing my IC-7610 up for SSB and CW only.
The QMX+ is the most challenging kit I have ever dealt with. Not only are there more coils (it’s a 10-band radio!) to wind but a couple of RF transformers require what QRP Labs call “Weird Twisted Sisters” winding, which calls for using twisted parallel magnet wires wound around the two-eyed toroids. I have never done that before.
The end result, however, is very sweet. This seems to be a much more robust radio than uSDX radios. It is still incredible to me that this radio kit costs only $125 (without an enclosure) but can do as much as many $1000< radios do.?
I am thinking of building in the batteries and Raspberry Pi (for wsjtx program) inside the same enclosure as it has quite a bit of room.
Hiroki AH6CY
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On Dec 16, 2024, at 18:55, Doug Hendricks via groups.io <ki6ds1@...> wrote:
? Please include me if possible.? ?Thanks in advance.? Doug,? KI6DS?
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
very neat article, Hiroki! ? ? also, I was not aware of the other magazines. I will have to check them out. I'm still learning about all of this ham stuff.
Connie W6EFI
On Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 16:15, David W Crocker via groups.io < dwcae@...> wrote:
I agree that RadCom seems to be a much more professional magazine. I have subscribed for maybe 10 years and find the articles more interesting and better written.
Dave W6VYC
On Monday, December 16, 2024 at 01:38:18 PM PST, Hiroki Kato <hiroki@...> wrote:
Doug,
Thanks for the nice words.
To answer your question, here is my longish response.?
I have increasingly been unhappy with the way the QST editorial staff has been processing articles. In my not-so-humble opinion, they are incompetent and disorganized. I stopped submitting my articles to QST in July and instead started to submit them to RadCom and QRP Quarterly. You have seen a few of them already. Alas, there is no CQ anymore, so there will be no more articles of mine in CQ.
I actually submitted my original Delta loop article to QST at the end of April, 2024 and officially withdrew it in October and submitted it to RadCom. This is what happened. When I hadn't heard anything from QST about the article three months after submission, I wrote them to inquire what was happening. They told me that because of the malware attack on ARRL's system in May, everything was delayed but they would be reviewing my article in the August meeting and I would hear from them shortly thereafter. I didn't hear from them for another two months. I finally?
wrote an angry letter to them in early October. They told me that my article was one of the two articles they lost in the malware fiasco. They apparently knew the fact for some time and were not doing anything, If I hadn't written my October letter, chances are that I would still be waiting. ?
Even under normal circumstances, it takes one to three months after you submit an article to QST for them to notify you if the article is accepted for publication. Then it takes up to three years before the article is actually printed. (QST has been sitting on one of my short articles for the Hints and Hacks column for two years now and I have no idea when they will publish it.) ?QST's publishing process is way too long and opaque, in my opinion. Timeliness of an article may be lost. Besides, it is depriving an author an opportunity to submit his article to another publisher. (Though not illegal, it is not considered ethical to submit the same article to more than one publisher at the same time.)?
I met two directors of the ARRL during Pacificon and told them about what happened to my article and gave them my suggestion for some concrete policy changes for the editorial process. They agreed that there are problems and said they would do something. To date, I haven't seen any changes.
Hiroki AH6CY
On Dec 16, 2024, at 8:50 AM, Doug Hendricks via
<
ki6ds1@...> wrote:
Brilliant Hiroki, just Brilliant.? ?Now I see why you bought the 2 poles at Pacificon.? ?I have a question.? ?Did you submit this to QST?? The quality of articles is not good in my opinion.? ?Very little in construction articles are in issues now.? Yet you are writing fabulous articles.? ?But they aren't in QST, yet certainly deserve publication there.? Why is that?? ?Bravo for another wonderful article.? ?Keep up the excellent work.? ?Doug, KI6DS?
--
Connie KN2EFI
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Please include me if possible.? ?Thanks in advance.? Doug,? KI6DS?
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Hiroki, I am going to take a stab and making a quick and dirty cheat sheet for the QMX. I’ll email you a draft copy when it’s ready.?
?
Joy
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Yes I only use the talentcell for the QMX. My husband built it and he would kill me if I blew it up.?
Joy
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
I agree that RadCom seems to be a much more professional magazine. I have subscribed for maybe 10 years and find the articles more interesting and better written.
Dave W6VYC
On Monday, December 16, 2024 at 01:38:18 PM PST, Hiroki Kato <hiroki@...> wrote:
Doug,
Thanks for the nice words.
To answer your question, here is my longish response.?
I have increasingly been unhappy with the way the QST editorial staff has been processing articles. In my not-so-humble opinion, they are incompetent and disorganized. I stopped submitting my articles to QST in July and instead started to submit them to RadCom and QRP Quarterly. You have seen a few of them already. Alas, there is no CQ anymore, so there will be no more articles of mine in CQ.
I actually submitted my original Delta loop article to QST at the end of April, 2024 and officially withdrew it in October and submitted it to RadCom. This is what happened. When I hadn't heard anything from QST about the article three months after submission, I wrote them to inquire what was happening. They told me that because of the malware attack on ARRL's system in May, everything was delayed but they would be reviewing my article in the August meeting and I would hear from them shortly thereafter. I didn't hear from them for another two months. I finally?wrote an angry letter to them in early October. They told me that my article was one of the two articles they lost in the malware fiasco. They apparently knew the fact for some time and were not doing anything, If I hadn't written my October letter, chances are that I would still be waiting. ?
Even under normal circumstances, it takes one to three months after you submit an article to QST for them to notify you if the article is accepted for publication. Then it takes up to three years before the article is actually printed. (QST has been sitting on one of my short articles for the Hints and Hacks column for two years now and I have no idea when they will publish it.) ?QST's publishing process is way too long and opaque, in my opinion. Timeliness of an article may be lost. Besides, it is depriving an author an opportunity to submit his article to another publisher. (Though not illegal, it is not considered ethical to submit the same article to more than one publisher at the same time.)?
I met two directors of the ARRL during Pacificon and told them about what happened to my article and gave them my suggestion for some concrete policy changes for the editorial process. They agreed that there are problems and said they would do something. To date, I haven't seen any changes.
Hiroki AH6CY
On Dec 16, 2024, at 8:50 AM, Doug Hendricks via < ki6ds1@...> wrote:
Brilliant Hiroki, just Brilliant.? ?Now I see why you bought the 2 poles at Pacificon.? ?I have a question.? ?Did you submit this to QST?? The quality of articles is not good in my opinion.? ?Very little in construction articles are in issues now.? Yet you are writing fabulous articles.? ?But they aren't in QST, yet certainly deserve publication there.? Why is that?? ?Bravo for another wonderful article.? ?Keep up the excellent work.? ?Doug, KI6DS?
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
Looks like a great article. Everything just seems to come together the trailer hitch, the bicycle rack to make a tilt mechanism and using two telescoping poles with bungie cords to tension the 3 elements. Also using the 20M element for 10 makes a nice four band antenna. I think this is your best antenna to date.
Good Job,? Dave W6VYC
On Monday, December 16, 2024 at 07:00:55 AM PST, Hiroki Kato <hiroki@...> wrote:
For those of you who have seen my portable delta antenna at the Baylands and been wondering about the specs and how I built it, here is the write up.? This is a galley proof of the article that will appear in the March 2025 issue of the RadCom magazine. Please do not distribute it outside our group until mid-February.
Hiroki AH6CY
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
Hiroki, just as I suspected.? ?That is a horrible response by QST.? I am embarrassed to be a member.? I don't understand what the problem with the hijacked info had to do with? editorial content.? ?They still produced issues of QST during that time didn't they?? And why haven't you heard from our Pacific Division Director?
?
I don't blame you for writing for Radcom and QQ, in fact I want to encourage you to write more for them.? How much is a digital subscription to Radcom?? I am interested in subscribing.?
?
Hiroki,? I want you to know that I appreciate and want to support your writing.? ?Keep it coming.? There may be another British HAM Radio magazine,? Practical Wireless.? ?You should check them out.
?
Doug, KI6DS?
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
Doug,
Thanks for the nice words.
To answer your question, here is my longish response.?
I have increasingly been unhappy with the way the QST editorial staff has been processing articles. In my not-so-humble opinion, they are incompetent and disorganized. I stopped submitting my articles to QST in July and instead started to submit them to RadCom and QRP Quarterly. You have seen a few of them already. Alas, there is no CQ anymore, so there will be no more articles of mine in CQ.
I actually submitted my original Delta loop article to QST at the end of April, 2024 and officially withdrew it in October and submitted it to RadCom. This is what happened. When I hadn't heard anything from QST about the article three months after submission, I wrote them to inquire what was happening. They told me that because of the malware attack on ARRL's system in May, everything was delayed but they would be reviewing my article in the August meeting and I would hear from them shortly thereafter. I didn't hear from them for another two months. I finally?wrote an angry letter to them in early October. They told me that my article was one of the two articles they lost in the malware fiasco. They apparently knew the fact for some time and were not doing anything, If I hadn't written my October letter, chances are that I would still be waiting. ?
Even under normal circumstances, it takes one to three months after you submit an article to QST for them to notify you if the article is accepted for publication. Then it takes up to three years before the article is actually printed. (QST has been sitting on one of my short articles for the Hints and Hacks column for two years now and I have no idea when they will publish it.) ?QST's publishing process is way too long and opaque, in my opinion. Timeliness of an article may be lost. Besides, it is depriving an author an opportunity to submit his article to another publisher. (Though not illegal, it is not considered ethical to submit the same article to more than one publisher at the same time.)?
I met two directors of the ARRL during Pacificon and told them about what happened to my article and gave them my suggestion for some concrete policy changes for the editorial process. They agreed that there are problems and said they would do something. To date, I haven't seen any changes.
Hiroki AH6CY
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On Dec 16, 2024, at 8:50 AM, Doug Hendricks via < ki6ds1@...> wrote:
Brilliant Hiroki, just Brilliant.? ?Now I see why you bought the 2 poles at Pacificon.? ?I have a question.? ?Did you submit this to QST?? The quality of articles is not good in my opinion.? ?Very little in construction articles are in issues now.? Yet you are writing fabulous articles.? ?But they aren't in QST, yet certainly deserve publication there.? Why is that?? ?Bravo for another wonderful article.? ?Keep up the excellent work.? ?Doug, KI6DS?
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Hiroki and Joy.? I have had a talent ce?l for about a year.? I bought it to go with my qcx.? It's an excellent choice.? ?In fact I was going to recommend it to you but Joy beat me to it.? So I will second the motion.? Good choice.? Doug, KI6DS?
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Re: Delta loop antenna article
Brilliant Hiroki, just Brilliant.? ?Now I see why you bought the 2 poles at Pacificon.? ?I have a question.? ?Did you submit this to QST?? The quality of articles is not good in my opinion.? ?Very little in construction articles are in issues now.? Yet you are writing fabulous articles.? ?But they aren't in QST, yet certainly deserve publication there.? Why is that?? ?Bravo for another wonderful article.? ?Keep up the excellent work.? ?Doug, KI6DS?
|
Delta loop antenna article
For those of you who have seen my portable delta antenna at the Baylands and been wondering about the specs and how I built it, here is the write up. This is a galley proof of the article that will appear in the March 2025 issue of the RadCom magazine. Please do not distribute it outside our group until mid-February.
Hiroki AH6CY
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Thank you, Joy, for all the info. The Talentcell looks like a good deal. Have you bee using one?
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On Dec 15, 2024, at 4:28 PM, Joy Rabins via < doghouse3@...> wrote:
Hiroki, here is a link to a 12V battery that a lot of people use for the QMX. You don’t want to play “Russian Roulette” with a 13.8 V battery and your new radio. Here is the link. Talentcell Rechargeable 12V 3000mAh Lithium ion Battery Pack ?
Also, The QCX mini that I built had a manual that included a “cheat sheet” for getting through the menu system. I looked through the manual for the QMX and it didn’t have a cheat sheet. I’m going to do a search and see if someone has come up with one. I know SOMEONE must have. It would be too painful to have to go through the menu each time ?without one.? ?
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Hiroki, here is a link to the QMX manual for firmware firmware 1.00_026 ?? No cheatsheet. ?
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QCX mini manual ? ? On page 52 there is a cheat sheet.? ? Joy N6GO ?
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Regarding the QMX cheat sheet, I just did a search on the QRP-Labs google io site and as on 9/3/23 Han said there is no cheat sheet as yet for the QMX.?
Joy
N6GO
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Hiroki, here is a link to a 12V battery that a lot of people use for the QMX. You don’t want to play “Russian Roulette” with a 13.8 V battery and your new radio. Here is the link. Talentcell Rechargeable 12V 3000mAh Lithium ion Battery Pack
?
Also, The QCX mini that I built had a manual that included a “cheat sheet” for getting through the menu system. I looked through the manual for the QMX and it didn’t have a cheat sheet. I’m going to do a search and see if someone has come up with one. I know SOMEONE must have. It would be too painful to have to go through the menu each time ?without one.?
?
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Hiroki, here is a link to the QMX manual for firmware firmware 1.00_026
?? No cheatsheet.
?
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QCX mini manual ? ? On page 52 there is a cheat sheet.?
?
Joy
N6GO
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Excellent details Hiroki.? ?I have? heard about the learning curve but haven't experienced it yet, as I am waiting for the rig.? Tommy will send when Hans releases SSB firmware.? ?I find I have much more patience in my older years.? ?Keep up the good work and continue to post your results here.? I am sure others are interested also.? Doug
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David W Crocker