On Tue, Sep 29, 2020 at 06:16 PM, Brian wrote:

Create a set of wire lengths with a connector of some kind that are band specific.

I did do that, with lamp wiring "zip cord" that I had on hand.? It's a bit heavy, and bulky.? Ribbon cable would be neater, lighter, and easier to handle and roll up.? By 'staggering' the cuts, two sets could be made from one piece of ribbon cable.
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Doug, K8RFT

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 11:11 PM, NC0N wrote:
It's the outside of the power cable (charger) plug.? The negative terminal.? But just a plug, no cable or charger.
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Doug, K8RFT

Doug,?
For us visual learners, do you have or can you take a post a picture of the ground to barrel connection for the counterpoise?

Cory, NC0N

Thanks guys!!

A USB dongle is the better choice in my experience. The cheap ones work fine. The more expensive one from XGGCOMMS is better in my experience. By better I mean signal reception is better. Here is the thread where I discussed them.

/g/X5105-Users/topic/xggcomms_usb_soundcard_for/79241571?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,0,20,79241571

Brian
K0FBS



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Brian
K0FBS

I also use an inexpensive USB sound card dongle with separate mic in & headphone out TRS sockets with a Y TRRS plug for input? to 2 TRS output plugs for mic & headphone.? My X5105 is 'happy' with this combination.? Good luck!! You'll probably need to adjust - fiddle with - the mic & headphone levels in your computer's sound control settings, too.

On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 08:52 AM, DougVL wrote:

If your computer has separate MIC and PHONES jacks, you have enough parts.
My new laptop has a combined jack, called TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve), so I have to connect two of the TRS audio cables to one TRRS plug (which is not included with the radio).
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Doug, K8RFT

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Ok, well I’m glad I asked bow because I’m looking to buy a windows laptop just for ham radio. I have the latest MacBook Pro, but everything ham seems to be a pain moth Mac and drivers.?

so, I’ll look to see if their is a windows laptop that has both a mic jack and a phone jack.?

thanks again Doug!
KG2RG

If your computer has separate MIC and PHONES jacks, you have enough parts.
My new laptop has a combined jack, called TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve), so I have to connect two of the TRS audio cables to one TRRS plug (which is not included with the radio).
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Doug, K8RFT

In the 24 years of being a Ham, I have never operated on RTTY/data/digital modes. I’m just wondering what I would need as far as hardware to make to connection between the X5105 and a computer. Also wondering if what I already have is enough, or do I need additional hardware/connectors??

thanks!!
KG2RG

I made a similar mount adapter bar, from scrap aluminum bar stock.? (The bar is also available from hardware and building supply stores.? Locally, Menards stocks it - 1/4" X 1" X 72" - for $13.00

It's shown in use in my 'yard test' photos up above on this page.

Details are shown in the attached photos.
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Doug, K8RFT

On Wed, Mar 17, 2021 at 01:08 PM, Tim K wrote:

.? I made this little bracket to take the strain off the BNC and works well.

Elecraft makes a fancy version of that for their KX3.? It costs $75 or $85, though, IIRC.? Interesting to see, but no way to know if it would work (fit) with the X5105.
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Doug, K8RFT

Brian,?
? Sorry no I don't.? Definitely not that fancy. It really just a couple scrap pieces of micarta, BNC elbow and some 5 min epoxy. I had plans to make a better, more proper looking one but this works just fine ?.?
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73
Tim
KF7VUT

Hey Tim,
Do you have that stand in 3D printer file? If not a standard engineering drawing will work. ?

Brian
K0FBS



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Brian
K0FBS

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I've used the 1899 quite a bit with success.? I check into a 40m net often with it and use it with js8 call.? As with all these short antennas the counterpoise is key.? I made this little bracket to take the strain off the BNC and works well.
73
Tim
KF7VUT

Fortunately, it's easy to adjust the counterpoise length.? I start with a piece of wire that seems like it might be a bit long, then fold the end back on itself until tests show the best length.? Or, as the usual case, just use a random piece.? Even 6 feet makes a HUGE difference, compared to no counterpoise.? Try it and see!? I tried it with the wire lying on the floor in my bedroom hamshack.

"Theoretically"? a 17 foot wire would be a good choice.?? I have made one this length, and put it on a small "linewinder", but have not yet used it.? It is made of some very thin and limp 28 ga. silicone wire.? My outdoor tests in the pictures above use a multi-wire counterpoise with several different lengths./
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Doug, K8RFT

Doug,

that information on the power plug is very helpful. The notes in the Counterpoise lengths are a helpful start for the rest of us. I suspect each radio will vary as to the best counterpoise length.?
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Brian
K0FBS

开云体育

Ah. Windows stuff. I’m on a Mac.

I found an old note from 9/16/2020, made when I was testing my new -1899 multiband whip antenna.? With the jumper set for 80 meters, and a counterpoise wire of roughly 10 feet connected, I could get an SWR of 1.0 at 3.685 MHz.? (Unfortunately, I didn't write down the whip length setting.)? I also noted that 40 meters was also good with a 10 foot (and less) counterpoise wire.? 20 meters, with about 6 feet of counterpoise wire.

And I've found a fairly convenient way to connect a counterpoise wire.? I had a spare coaxial DC power connector, and soldered a piece of thin, limp counterpoise wire to the negative contact of the plug.? Before using it, I did verify with an ohmmeter that the negative power jack connection does go to radio chassis ground.? So the counterpoise wire just plugs in - even handier than using a big (wide jaw) alligator-type clip on the BNC connector.?
My X5105 power connector is 5.5 mm x 2.5 mm (larger center pin than the much more common 5.5 x 2.1 connector).
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Doug, K8RFT

On Sun, Mar 14, 2021 at 09:38 PM, Mike Colyar wrote:

When I’m on the “Messages" page, for instance, the selections are along the left hand side. “Files" is one of them

Then you don't need my note.
But, right now, I can't even find the "Messages" page.
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Doug, K8RFT