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Re: AH3 vs FC40
raimo ilkka
Ok Jan. Thanks for reply.
Your system in the boat sounds Good. I have tried sometimes "resonating" counterpoises. At the moment there is only one for 20m. Some years ago I had wooden motorboat abt 7m long with cabin for sleeping and driving. I wish to have that time this kind modern radios with auto ATUs that time.I was using IC730 with HomeMade ATU, Antenna was 4 m long fiberglass stick. Ground was done by seweral connections to engine and steels outside. Now I am driving small fiberglass boat with windscreen and 30 hp outboard. There is no space for radios.. part of 80m. To make it tune 80m I have to add a 0.4mHow is that pigtail positioning when it is working, how did you found idea to use it ? That is intresting! As I have told, winter is soon here, this weekend goeing to cottage to empy all water tanks and pots. There is only IC730 and G5RV, my 20 years old base station, still working very well. FT897/FC40 are already at town QTH. FT897 is now connected to multiband vertical on the top of roof. Inv L antenna is fed by IC706/AH3 . After you writing, I have to make fast some counterpoises with L ant, before snow and ice comes. 73s es gl dx de rami, oh6bi --- On Mon, 27/10/08, fil_jds <fil_jds@...> wrote: From: fil_jds <fil_jds@...> |
Re: AH3 vs FC40
fil_jds
Rami,
yes indeed you might need a good counterpoise system. The best starting point is at least 1 tuned (cut for 1/4 wave length) radial per frequency you want to use, and stretch them on the ground, starting from a central ground bus bar point close to your antenna tuner. Of course even better is a system with 16 or 32 radials in a star formation, but who has the available and free garden surroundings to do so.... On my sailing boat, the FC40 is working quite well with following counterpoise: 1. wide copper tape running from atu to a bronze underwater object (coupling to the seawter) 2. copper tape from atu ground connected to the stainless steel "lifelines" that run along both sides of the boat and are about 8 m long 3. 2 tuned radials for 20 m and 2 tuned radials for 40m running along both sides of the boat on the deck, strapped to the aluminium toerails The wire antenna is 9.60m long, and tunes all freq but only upper part of 80m. To make it tune 80m I have to add a 0.4m pigtail to the antenna connection of the tuner, parallel to the antenna wire. With this the FC40 tunes perfectly with SWR's lower than 1.5:1 on all ham bands. So when the FC40 cán tune a frequency, then it works super super fast. I've made good DX contacts with this system on 20m and on 17 m (even japan) from the boat with only 100Watts. Jan --- In YaesuTuner@..., raimo ilkka <oh6bi@...> wrote: earlier weekend. Then it came two weeks "rains season" and 23m wirestarted behave same way as I got it working in the middle of testing period. Almost all bands were tuned again.. So, how was my ground ? explains. that. I have told through this group how it is built, so I am not goeingto write that all agn. enough. I have learned that it suppose to be at least 15 to 20 percents.Rig and good thing them together is FC40s memory,,but,, when antennasystem is stable. I should have more time to continue testing after I have gotare taking my time now, maybe next summer at the cottage agn.
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Re: AH3 vs FC40
raimo ilkka
Thanks for your reply Jan.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
When I bought FC40 I believed that it is as the competitors. After three months testing I finally found some wire lengths which were quite good, but even founded lengths were not stable. I checked many times my wiring and nothing was changed after earlier weekend. Then it came two weeks "rains season" and 23m wire started behave same way as I got it working in the middle of testing period. Almost all bands were tuned again.. So, how was my ground ? I did plenty of works for ground system and still same situation, I didnt know what was goeing on ?? Making several tests and "speakings" through HAM groups, no explains. My ground is not the best one but quite good anyway, I really know that. I have told through this group how it is built, so I am not goeing to write that all agn. My "final" feelings with FC40 are OK, if not expecting that it can tune whatever... Like manual "standard" ATUs there are many different types for different antennas and bandwidths. With FC40 5 or 10 percents away from the half wave length is not enough. I have learned that it suppose to be at least 15 to 20 percents. Maybe FC40 is built (or programmed) different way than AH3 (or4), because changes with the ground or soil are more effective. I have FT897 and I like it much. FC40 is the best friend of that Rig and good thing them together is FC40s memory,,but,, when antenna system is stable. I should have more time to continue testing after I have got some experience, but winter and other type of antennas (magloop) are taking my time now, maybe next summer at the cottage agn. I think best way to get FC40 working is against of counterpoise, then soil doesnot effect so much as straight connection to gnd. best regards and 73?s de rami, oh6bi --- On Fri, 24/10/08, fil_jds <fil_jds@...> wrote:
From: fil_jds <fil_jds@...> |
Re: AH3 vs FC40
fil_jds
Well Rami, this is what I was complaining about. Apparently the
tuning range (impedance matching range) of the FC40 is quite narrow as compared to other ATU's. I think it is only 15-600 Ohms Z. Don't know about reactance tuning. THis is why it mostly does not tune well on all bands for a given wire length. One thing that can help id putting a 4:1 or 9:1 UNUN between the wire and the ATU. Jan ON3ZTT --- In YaesuTuner@..., "oh6bi" <oh6bi@...> wrote: with AH3 and Icom radio.tests, but there was some frequencies where FC40 didnt tune. Those FRGswere tuned perfectly with AH3. And FRGs what I never tested with FC40was tuned well by AH3. Even the down end 1.8 MHz was tuned nicely.it.
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AH3 vs FC40
oh6bi
Hi.
It was week ago I had HAM weekend with my friend at cottage. My friend wanted to test his Icom rig in low level QRM QTH. So, I took my AH3 tuner (almost similar as FC40) to cottage for him. The 23 meter wire I found good during my earlier tests was used with AH3 and Icom radio. I dont member exactly how 23wire was working during last year tests, but there was some frequencies where FC40 didnt tune. Those FRGs were tuned perfectly with AH3. And FRGs what I never tested with FC40 was tuned well by AH3. Even the down end 1.8 MHz was tuned nicely. This FC 40 compared to AH3 has smaller coils and should be compare with icom AH4. Unfortunately I dont have AH4, just 2 pcs AH3 and one FC40. I am not telling that FC40 is not good. I try to tell that the HAM has to know his stuff and make the things working. There is NO Perfect tuner what can tune everything. FC40 is goog stuff for Yaesu radios, but have to think how to use it. 73s es GL DX de rami, oh6bi |
Re: Testing starts Again !
oh6bi
First partly copy from the message I wrote to Jan, maybe it is
intresting to others: About the FC40 testing, this summer was somehow more busy and not enough time for one vawelenght loop testing, some tests I did but not enough to store results to the web. You should member from my messages that I am doing tests in the summercottage, not useful in the wintertime. One tricky test I did when camping at SRAL summerhappening (SRAL is like ARRL here in OH country ). I got thought abt G5RV what I have been using all my RadioTime.. abt 25 yrs, idea was to use the standard G5RV length 31,5 meters straight from the FC40 and it was working nicely with several bands, I didnt write up the results because test was done in the bush. I didnt hear enough OH stations with that G5RV mod and I made horisontal one vawlength loop to 3,7 MHz , that one didnt work, I dont know why ? Tuner did his work and SWR was OK, but no QSOs, it still questionmark. When I was in ZamBia ( 9j2bi) , I got better results with temporary G5RV, than with 23 m long wire what I told in my earlier messages. but it still good idea jusgt to throw wire over tree and start QSOs. should be realistic.. it is not so easy **** ... and the ground is needed too One thing more I have to tell you, at town qth I have inv L antenna, horisontal length abt 42 meters and vertical part 21 meters, horisontal part abt 18 meters high , free space. After coming back from that camping I told, I was thinking maybe something wrong in FC40. I installed FC40 instead of my AH3 (icom similar stuff) and FC40/FT897 was working OK all bands.. not so good as IC706/AH3, but good anyway. -------- Now back to Reply itself. Ok Jan, good reply. OCF Dipole can be fed different ways as you described, always have to find best way to fit your needs and what are possibilities. I did some OCF tests, but they were not perfectly documented, thatswhy I didnt wrote results here. It was working OK in some bands, the 23m wire is better, Maybe because of better ground. Longer wire was connected to FC40 output and shorter wire to Ground connector, the "real" ground connection was only in my ground bar, where all my stuff is grounded, FC40 was not connected there during this test. Suppose to do more testing with OCF.. Once I made windom to my AH3 / IC706 so that feeding was one third from "shorter" side and single feeding wire length abt 8 to 10 m . Cottage ground was there in the AH3 gnd connector. Whole system was like inverted V, shorter line to town direction and longer part to DX direction. It was GOOD antenna, but also no documentation. I did it abt 8 years ago. What to learn from this: DOCUMENTATION IS IMPORTANT !!!! After years you can member just something ! 73s de rami, oh6bi --- In YaesuTuner@..., "fil_jds" <fil_jds@...> wrote: having bought the SGC-230 instead...tuning range and therefore is rapidly 'running out of breath" with morefed wire length that it will tune all-band.sloping backstay wire as wire antenna, with a halyard running down frommast top, sloping to port sisde aft, with heavy duty isolator throughthe deck and 40 cm extra wire untill the FC 40. As RF ground I use widesteel lifelines that run on both sides of the boat, + 2 radials cut for40m and 2 cut for 20m.12.5m wire. Works more or less but this is lossy.the FC40 AT the antenna, just where the 2 uneven dipole halves meet?OCF dipole on some bands.I would guess this would be a very losless system?of corner, to a 1:4 balun at the tuner. |
Re: Testing starts Again !
fil_jds
Hi Rami,
I am also "forced" to use the FC40 and in reality I regret not having bought the SGC-230 instead... The FC40 seems to have only a limited impedance and reactance tuning range and therefore is rapidly 'running out of breath" with more demanding antenna systems. As you will have found out, it is quite difficult to find an end-fed wire length that it will tune all-band. A 23m inverted L with goud ground system it will tune. On my sailing boat it is really giving me a headache.I use a sloping backstay wire as wire antenna, with a halyard running down from mast top, sloping to port sisde aft, with heavy duty isolator through the deck and 40 cm extra wire untill the FC 40. As RF ground I use wide copper tape running to engine mass and also to an underwater bronze strut underwater. Via copper tape also coupled to the stailess steel lifelines that run on both sides of the boat, + 2 radials cut for 40m and 2 cut for 20m. I can only tune all band (and still miss bottom part of 80m) with 9.6m total wire length till FC40. 12.5 or 13m does not work. The FC 40 is also very very sensitive to length even some distande away from 1/2 waves. I tried to insert a 1:9 Unun at bottom just before tuner, with 12.5m wire. Works more or less but this is lossy. Now why do you try to tune an OCF dipole? Do you mean installing the FC40 AT the antenna, just where the 2 uneven dipole halves meet? Normally the impedance there should be around 300 Ohms for most of the usable bands (since normally a 1:6 balun + good choke is installed there before running down coax). The FC40 should be able to handle that 300 Ohms! But why don't you justhook the FC40 at the end of the coax at your transceiver, and install the normal 1:6 balun at the antenna? The FC40 should easily tune-up the slight SWR you will find with and OCF dipole on some bands. Another idea: run down a twin lead (450 Ohms of 1/2 electrical wave on lowest band, then a 1:1 current balun and this into your FC 40? I would guess this would be a very losless system? In a field situation like the Zambia, I would use 20m, 17m and 15m simple wire vertical dipoles (no tuner needed) and maybe an 80m horizontal loop, hanging at leats 10m high, fed with twin lead out of corner, to a 1:4 balun at the tuner. Jan ON3ZTT --- In YaesuTuner@..., "oh6bi" <oh6bi@...> wrote: IC706). Check in AH4 section from |
New file uploaded to YaesuTuner
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the YaesuTuner group. File : /Yaesu-FC-40-Brochure.pdf Uploaded by : vtnn43e48073 <vtnn43e@...> Description : Yaesu FC-40 Brochure You can access this file at the URL: To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: Regards, vtnn43e48073 <vtnn43e@...> |
New file uploaded to YaesuTuner
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the YaesuTuner group. File : /SGC stealthbook.pdf Uploaded by : vtnn43e48073 <vtnn43e@...> Description : SGC Stealth Antennas - lots of ideas for antennas to use with the FC-40 You can access this file at the URL: To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: Regards, vtnn43e48073 <vtnn43e@...> |
Lightning protection and ByPass mode
oh6bi
Hi all
I am planning to install FC40 to the roof but I am worried of lightning, now FC40 is in my balcony and I am able to connect and disconnect the antenna wire from it. How is FC40 built ? Is there something to eliminate electric pulses , sure I dont mean from the straight shot. What happens in FC40 when I turn my FT897 on, I can hear some noice from FC40. When Radio is on but not "tuned" is Tuner in ByPass mode ? Does it give some extra protection if build sparking gap between antenna wire and FC40 ? 73s de rami, oh6bi |
Re: New FC-40 Owner questions
wb0m
--- In YaesuTuner@..., "kd4hri" <mark@...> wrote:
Anyone know if there is any reason to use the Yaesu YA-007 as opposedHi Mark, It think it's mostly to get more money out of your pocket - as if gas prices aren't doing that already. I've never heard of any good reason. The same goes for the Icom AH-4 and their whip. I've even heard of people loading the fiberglass CB whips. GL & 73, Jeff/wb0m |
Testing starts Again !
oh6bi
Hello All after long winter !
Yesterday I put my boat to sea and today goeing to summer cottage with FT897 and FC40.. If you dont know about me, just read some earlier messages from oh6bi in this group. OK, last messages during autumn I told to start testing FC40 and OCF dipole, yes I will do that. During this winter I spent 3 months in Zambia (9J2BI) and I didnt get good contacs to Europe with 23m long Wire. I installed The Wire four times to different directions to get better EU signals, but no good success, only some QSOs to Europe, none to OH. JA and UA9 where the best. Also local QRM and QRN where strong with The Wire. After that I did some tests with 7 MHz deltaloop and that was much better. QRN and QRM where lower and receiving signals better. Unfortunately work was disturbing The Hobby and not enough time for the loop. That means I will start this summer experiments with 7 MHz Delta Loop. You will see what happens.. By the way, does anyone have information how FC40 really works ? I mean would be nice to build "universal control box" same way as many has done with Icom AH4(and AH3, what I am using with IC706). Check in AH4 section from AA7OL Niko Takahashi: "AH4 connetion to any Radio". Best Regards and 73s de rami, oh6bi |
Re: fc-40 and feeder?
peterschrader2
Hi Colin,
Exactly what I do when operating portable, 300 ohm transmit grade feeder about 15 metres long, feeding a longish doublet (60 metres total I think, I must measure it some day). I hang it in some trees when camping. Loads up on all bands 160 to 6 metres, and seems to radiate quite well if I can get the wires up flat and high. I tried using the FC40 with a vertical, pretty poor performer compared to the screwdriver I use now while mobile (Codan 9350). 73, Peter VK4TGV --- In YaesuTuner@..., "colin" <kinggreene2003@...> wrote: ratio? i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limited |
Re: fc-40 and feeder?
wb0m
--- In YaesuTuner@..., "colin" <kinggreene2003@...> wrote:
well i have got a Ft-40 that came with the bundle of radio's that iratio? i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limitedHi Colin, Yes, you can connect the FC-40 to your OCF with twin lead. However, I use 450 ladder line and have read that 300 sometimes is not the best because of the spacing between the leads wires. I am unsure about your "don't use coax" comment. You need to use coax between the tuner and radio, of course, but coax between the tuner and antenna is a no-no. The loss will be much to great. I also use a I.C.E. lightning suppressor for twin lead wire between the coupler and my OCF. GL & 73, Jeff/wb0m |
fc-40 and feeder?
colin
well i have got a Ft-40 that came with the bundle of radio's that i
got a short while ago, i am wondering weather i could feed a "off center dipole" with some 300 ohm feeder, something like a 33/66Ft ratio? i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limited to about a 20 Ft vertical. any ideas? colin KB3PNE |
I am gettting
Gerald Gaule
This is KE7GGV...Albany Oregon..I am getting a YAESU FT-707 and looking
at the FC-707 Antenna Tuner....does anyone own one out there...I need any information,tips,ideas,quirks...any info will help..Thanks for your time...DE KE7GGV...73 ke7ggv@... take care www.qrz.com/callsign/ke7ggv |
Re: Control Cable revisited
wb0m
--- In YaesuTuner@..., "dj5hd" <jurgen@...> wrote:
Hello Jurgen, Tnx fer taking the time to reply. I've decided to replace the CAT-5 cable I now use with 8 conductor rotor wire. I cut the cable that Yaesu gave me and will splice the wire in between. At the tuner end I'll use a terminal strip and place it in a waterproof container and on the radio end I'll use a 9-pin molex connector so I can disconnect during storms. Tnx agn & 73, Jeff/wb0m |
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