On 2023-01-30 13:00, lbakely wrote: I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6
meters. My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so
I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking
for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3. Other than a beacon,
I’m not hearing anything. I listen at various times during the day.
Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead
(where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question: Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M? What
frequencies are you using? What modes? Are you having any success,
or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx,
Larry (WA2VKG) Hi Larry, Welcome to The Magic Band. Sometimes it's magic that one gets a contact, any contact, however the times it "opens" are truly Magic. It has the LOS features other VHF+ frequencies do, with a bit of the somewhat extended ground wave (compared to High Band VHF) that keeps military land mobile there however a wee book I have on it has about seven kinds of funky propagation beyond simple Skywave. Sad to say, however you _just_ missed the winter hotbed of activity for the band -- the ARRL January VHF Contest. There are three of these hosted by the Big A, the others being June and Sept. There are Sprints (single band, mini-contests), Spring and Fall. These often draw out a number of folks. Other hosted contests, say those by CQ Magazine, are good draws for ops. Check out Bruce's I started a local 50 MHz activity group about 18 mo. back. We have played on the local repeater, on FM direct ("simplex") and on SSB / Fone. A number of my mates use the FT-817 as their 6 m rig. I hit up the Sprints and Contests, often as a Rover in the latter. It sounds like you've worked out it isn't like FM at all in a number of ways. Speaking of FM, sometimes it is useful. I had a look at RepeaterBook to see if you had any 6 m rptrs in your area. I didn't see one in Pitman, however there are about a half dozen reported as serviceable in the state. Perhaps you might reach one. At least you'd find someone to play on the band with. I left a rig on 52.525 MHz FM when living in another city and was super surprised one day when the band opened south a number of states away. One fellow reportedly achieved WAS on 50 MHz -- all FM. Left it on and worked anyone who showed up over several years. When one is not on the FM band plan we tend to call it Weak Signal work, even if folks are running, 100 W, 300 W, or a KW. No matter the amount, one is invariably trying to reach to the edge of what is seemingly possible, so the received signal is often (technically) weak. Have a look for a local, regional or larger Weak Signal group. This gives one people and resources, information. I'm lucky to have both the Western Canada Weak Signal Association and the Pacific Northwest VHF Society in the area, to lean on or look to for information, advice, encouragement, contacts. I'd heartily encourage some local-ish contact, on or off air or on-line, with enthusiasts. Even following along on a mailing list can help. I'm unsure of how distances are regarded in your locale, and these may or may not seem regional if not local, however they may know of folks closer to you: Mt Airy VHF Radio Club Warminster, PA North East Weak Signal [N.E.W.S.] Group, Longmeadow, MA W3HZU Keystone VHF Club, York, PA Signals _are_ up. The MUF climbs. 10 m has been wide open the last few days. Reports exist of 6 m activity and some fun has been reported on "8 m" (40 MHz experiments in progress.) 52.525 MHz FM NA Calling. Might be treated as a Watering Hole in your area, or some may treat it as strictly for calling. If no activity, call out! Hang out! 50.125 MHz USB is generally NA Calling. If one leaves the frequency, Tune Up! That is, Up The Band. CW and I think an Int'l DX Window is "below." Re the contests. Some are single band -- if so, hang out, trade off calling out CQ. Most will work a new op on the air in an unofficial round robin. If the band opens then it feels more like HF and folks spread out. Looking for contacts/points? Try out FM every now and again. Many folks have 50 MHz bolted on to their MF/HF rig. Some models of HT have 50 MHz. So encourage a local activity. Some 'tests are multi-band. Manys the time that folks meet on 144 MHz, and the question is asked, "Do you have ____?" Other ops may follow that pair to that band (inc. 6 m) and another round robin ensues, then other bands are visited, many ops/stations returning to 144.2 MHz, or what have you, as a mix of watering hole, contact puddle, and coordinating frequency. Try a dipole as minimum. The portability of the rig allows for getting out to local high ground which acts in lieu of a tower or other structure. Still one's antenna needs to be a helpful distance above ground. Have fun. Weak Signal Work is sometimes a bit about listening to white noise. Also remember, if no one is calling a band looks dead. Don't be shy. <grin> 73, John Some events: for Fall Sprints, have to check out all the links sometimes to find your prey -- J. D. Erskine VA7OTC CN88hk VE7MHI VA7RCN Victoria, BC
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Oh yes Larry!
We have a 25W ERP and horizontal polarisation here in DL on 6m, so 'often' I only use my FT-817, first generation made 2000, for that prupose. Most of the time its my only radio, i used, to make my 6m work!?
I don't need more power, and it 'frees' the other rigs, to do the rest of the SW-work!?
You should use, a short Yagi-typ antenna!
Here I use a 6-element Konni-antenna, more then enough, ...? I did work every station that I receive here! The 'balance' is more than adequate.
Best is, I can 'mute', most half of the world, with the Yagi-antenna, and listen to the prefered stations.
Have a lot of 'luck' with it!
You may always 'missed' the openings, or something else must happened!
(Go dancing with the XYL, or fishing?)
The 'open 6m Magic-Band' is less "open" then 10m, ... because of the wave-lenghts of 6m. There are about 'half' the acticity of 10m. But when open, the 'crowd' will be amazing and 'loud' and everywhere! - Like a shortwave 40m contest! - especialy the signal strengs of the stations. (9+10 to 20dB and more)
Listen to 10m and 2m. If there is some 'activity', go to 6m, and you will not missed the opening again!?
It is a real 'macig' band! Most of the times, only local 'backgroung noise', but when open, "der Punk geht ab!", as we say in DL! (The 'dude' will turn arround in circles!)
Watch some more times, and do a little more 'selective' search on 6m, when the higher band will work!
Now we are in the 'beginning' of a new strong sun-circle, in the up-comming part, and it will be a good one! (For the next 3 to 5 years)
Sorry for my bad English, it's not my native tounge!?
73 de Markus - db9pz?
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HI?
I have occasionally been using my FT817 on 6m FT8, experimenting with home-brew Slim Jim or Moxon constructed with the aid of plastic drain pipe or ducting. ?Best I managed was down to Greece.
6m FT8 can get quite busy
73
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Hi Larry,
I'm not a big user of 6m but back in June 2013 I was on holiday in a cottage in Suffolk, England. I'd taken my FT-817, Z817 tuner and some wire antennas, vertical and four radials, which I was using on the ground floor with the vertical part up the staircase. I decided to see whether the tuner could match the 17m on 6m - and it could. Within a few minutes I'd worked Budapest on CW.?
Wait until sporadic E season and you'll be surprised.
73,
John G4EDX On Mon, 30 Jan 2023 at 21:00, lbakely < lbakely@...> wrote: I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6 meters.? My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3.? Other than a beacon, I’m not hearing anything.? I listen at various times during the day.? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead (where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question:? Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M?? What frequencies are you using?? What modes?? Are you having any success, or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx, Larry (WA2VKG)
--
|
Hi Larry,
I'm not a big user of 6m but back in June 2013 I was on holiday in a cottage in Suffolk, England. I'd taken my FT-817, Z817 tuner and some wire antennas, vertical and four radials, which I was using on the ground floor with the vertical part up the staircase. I decided to see whether the tuner could match the 17m on 6m - and it could. Within a few minutes I'd worked Budapest on CW.?
Wait until sporadic E season and you'll be surprised.
73,
John G4EDX
On Mon, 30 Jan 2023 at 21:00, lbakely < lbakely@...> wrote: I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6 meters.? My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3.? Other than a beacon, I’m not hearing anything.? I listen at various times during the day.? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead (where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question:? Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M?? What frequencies are you using?? What modes?? Are you having any success, or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx,
Larry (WA2VKG)
|
Il giorno lun 30 gen 2023 alle ore 22:00 lbakely < lbakely@...> ha scritto: I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6 meters.? My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3.? Other than a beacon, I’m not hearing anything.? I listen at various times during the day.? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead (where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Wait for the right season and you'll see! ? 73,
Simone IU3QEZ?
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Where to start… 6m is sporadic when it’s good it’s GOOD much of the time you would need to use low power digital modes to make contacts with. Summer is probably going to be very good - may on wards it will wake up - best to set up some skeds really - keep an eye on?
(You can change it to your region)?
It’s very much addictive once you’ve have conditions appear from nowhere and a lift happens then it’s goes back to nothing again.?
A beam or wire dipole is a good thing to have but vertical in a lift will get contacts. Ft817 - yes you should get contacts in a lift - best pre-organise contacts other times tho.
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On 30 Jan 2023, at 21:00, lbakely <lbakely@...> wrote:
? I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6 meters.? My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3.? Other than a beacon, I’m not hearing anything.? I listen at various times during the day.? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead (where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question:? Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M?? What frequencies are you using?? What modes?? Are you having any success, or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx,
Larry (WA2VKG)
|
I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6 meters.? My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3.? Other than a beacon, I’m not hearing anything.? I listen at various times during the day.? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead (where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question:? Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M?? What frequencies are you using?? What modes?? Are you having any success, or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx,
Larry (WA2VKG)
|
Re: Severe hum in RX and TX
G’day Ulf,
?
You mention that you’re running from a lead acid battery, is there a
charger connected to it and running?
?
Steve VK2ARS
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From: SM0FKI
Ulf
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 12:26 AM
Subject: [ft817] Severe hum in RX and TX
?
Hello
I'm new to this group so excuse me if this topic can been up to discussion
earler.
I have a strong hum in my 817 TX and RX. It's very noticable on
the transmitted CW carrier and it sounds like a very bad power supply, but I'm
using pure DC from a led/acid battery..
Since it is noticable in alla modes
and both in the TX and RX my idea is that it's probably related to the
synthesizer.
Any hints or suggestions?
73? SM0FKI? Ulf
|
Re: Severe hum in RX and TX
Ulf,
CW is generated by unbalancing a double-balanced mixer.
Presumably the hum is FM, rather than AM—are you able to check
with an oscilloscope or similar (an auxiliary SDR, for instance?)
Two things come to mind:
a) the FT-817 power supply arrangement is nasty, and the power
negative (-) lead does not connect to the chassis,
except via a choke, which can allow hum loops to appear,
especially if things have gone wrong in the DC power department.
[Even battery powered, there can be multiple sources of
so-called earth (ground) potential.]
b) if there is a strong magnetic field nearby, such as
from a mains transformer, that can induce voltages within the
phase locked loop (PLL) electronics [Try moving the 817 away
from all other radios or electronics—badly shielded kit can
produce local fields that are very hard to suppress. There may
be something the other side of a wall, for instance.]
c) 3 of 2: has anything changed recently, not necessarily with
the 817, but with something else?
For more diagnosis, is the behaviour the same on all bands? Is it
the same, on transmit, when connected to a dummy load?
Good luck, and I hope your 817 doesn't work Valhalla just yet!
Robin, G8DQX
On 23/01/2023 22:11, SM0FKI Ulf wrote:
Thanks for your
reply Al. I don't think the problem is audio related because it's
present in the in transmitted CW carrier.
As far as I know the TX CW is not audio generated in the 817.
I will try an "open heart surgery" and see if I can get a clue
what's happening inside. If not, it will end up in the junk bin
together with my smoked IC-7000. No hard feelings, it served me
well for many years..
SM0FKI? / Ulf
|
Re: Severe hum in RX and TX
Thanks for your reply Al. I don't think the problem is audio related because it's present in the in transmitted CW carrier.
As far as I know the TX CW is not audio generated in the 817.
I will try an "open heart surgery" and see if I can get a clue what's happening inside. If not, it will end up in the junk bin together with my smoked IC-7000. No hard feelings, it served me well for many years..
SM0FKI? / Ulf
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Thanks Dave! I'm trying to connect ISS with a software modem (as I do with all digital mode, packet included) and my cable works on audio rear input. What does "packet cable" mean??This is the info I'm looking for...?
pietro I2OIM??
Il giorno lun 23 gen 2023 alle ore 15:28 Dave Tucker Nu4N < dwtucker19@...> ha scritto:
Well Pietro . Do u have the 817 packet
cable? I have one that I will never use. I don't have a use for
it. Would rather not advertise here.You can e-mail direct at
dwtucker19@... if you need it.
23/2023 12:16 AM, Pietro Molina wrote:
Dear Dave, also I worked iss in FM? and signal is very
strong. I worked others satellites, too, with 5 W. I never had
more then 10 W in my life (since 1974...) And I'm sure that
power is never a problem...
There is something I don't know about packet on ISS (I worked
packet on QO-100, btw with 2W only).
Pietro (via
Tablet)
Il dom 22 gen 2023, 22:17
Dave Tucker Nu4N < dwtucker19@...>
ha scritto:
Well Pietro I never
connected to packet but I have worked the ISS on low
power 5 watts worked great. I also used the LOS
sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not believe I
work the sat's on 5 watts.
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina wrote:
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the
ISS? I work on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in
packet mode. I use UISS software with UZ7HO
soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I decrypt
the packets I receive but I don't get any response
and none of my packets are listed on .
Pietro I2OIM
--
73's de NU4N Dave
--
73's de NU4N Dave
|
Well Pietro . Do u have the 817 packet
cable? I have one that I will never use. I don't have a use for
it. Would rather not advertise here.You can e-mail direct at
dwtucker19@... if you need it.
23/2023 12:16 AM, Pietro Molina wrote:
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Dear Dave, also I worked iss in FM? and signal is very
strong. I worked others satellites, too, with 5 W. I never had
more then 10 W in my life (since 1974...) And I'm sure that
power is never a problem...
There is something I don't know about packet on ISS (I worked
packet on QO-100, btw with 2W only).
Pietro (via
Tablet)
Il dom 22 gen 2023, 22:17
Dave Tucker Nu4N < dwtucker19@...>
ha scritto:
Well Pietro I never
connected to packet but I have worked the ISS on low
power 5 watts worked great. I also used the LOS
sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not believe I
work the sat's on 5 watts.
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina wrote:
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the
ISS? I work on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in
packet mode. I use UISS software with UZ7HO
soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I decrypt
the packets I receive but I don't get any response
and none of my packets are listed on .
Pietro I2OIM
--
73's de NU4N Dave
--
73's de NU4N Dave
|
Re: Severe hum in RX and TX
The audio circuits are sensitive to fields near the radio.? Do you have any transformer operated devices near the radio.? Is there line voltage cables running next to the radio, etc.?? Does the hum change if you move the radio?
--
Al Skierkiewicz
WB9UVJ
|
Hello I'm new to this group so excuse me if this topic have been up to discussion earler.
I have a strong hum in my 817 TX and RX. It's very noticable on the transmitted CW carrier and it sounds like a very bad power supply, but I'm using pure DC from a led/acid battery..
Since it is noticable in alla modes and both in the TX and RX my idea is that it's probably related to the synthesizer.
Any hints or suggestions?
73? SM0FKI? Ulf
|
Dear Dave, also I worked iss in FM? and signal is very strong. I worked others satellites, too, with 5 W. I never had more then 10 W in my life (since 1974...) And I'm sure that power is never a problem...
There is something I don't know about packet on ISS (I worked packet on QO-100, btw with 2W only).
Il dom 22 gen 2023, 22:17 Dave Tucker Nu4N < dwtucker19@...> ha scritto:
Well Pietro I never connected to packet
but I have worked the ISS on low power 5 watts worked great. I
also used the LOS sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not
believe I work the sat's on 5 watts.
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina
wrote:
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the ISS? I work
on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in packet mode. I use UISS
software with UZ7HO soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I
decrypt the packets I receive but I don't get any response and
none of my packets are listed on .
Pietro I2OIM
--
73's de NU4N Dave
|
Yes if you look on the AMSAT or the ISS amateur radio page it will have a schedule of what is active and when
?
?
John Earnshaw
M0JFE aka Beanpole or 26TM915
Tel:- 07940815659
“Ride the waves and make new friends”
?
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From: Douglas Richards
Sent: 22 January 2023 21:24
To: ft817
Subject: Re: [ft817] Iss Packet #712e #setup
?
Pietro
Check your unproto path
Aprs via rs0iss,sgate,wide1-1,wide2-1
Douglas VE3FFR
?
?
On Jan 22, 2023 at 4:17 p.m., Dave Tucker Nu4N <dwtucker19@...> wrote:
?
Well Pietro I never connected to packet but I have worked the ISS on low power 5 watts worked great. I also used the LOS sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not believe I work the sat's on 5 watts.
?
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina wrote:
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the ISS? I work on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in packet mode. I use UISS software with UZ7HO soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I decrypt the packets I receive but I don't get
any response and none of my packets are listed on ariss.net.
?
Pietro I2OIM
?
?
--
73's de NU4N Dave
?
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Pietro Check your unproto path Aprs via rs0iss,sgate,wide1-1,wide2-1 Douglas VE3FFR
On Jan 22, 2023 at 4:17 p.m., Dave Tucker Nu4N <dwtucker19@...> wrote:
Well Pietro I never connected to packet but I have worked the ISS on low power 5 watts worked great. I also used the LOS sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not believe I work the sat's on 5 watts.
73's Dave NU4N On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina wrote: Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the ISS? I work on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in packet mode. I use UISS software with UZ7HO soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I decrypt the packets I receive but I don't get any response and none of my packets are listed on ariss.net.
Pietro I2OIM
-- 73's de NU4N Dave
|
Well Pietro I never connected to packet
but I have worked the ISS on low power 5 watts worked great. I
also used the LOS sat's cross band 2/440 before. Could not
believe I work the sat's on 5 watts.
73's Dave NU4N
On 1/22/2023 10:32 AM, Pietro Molina
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the ISS? I work
on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in packet mode. I use UISS
software with UZ7HO soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I
decrypt the packets I receive but I don't get any response and
none of my packets are listed on ariss.net.
Pietro I2OIM
--
73's de NU4N Dave
|
Has anyone had experience with packet QSOs on the ISS? I work on the ISS in FM but I can't connect in packet mode. I use UISS software with UZ7HO soundmodem. I solved the PTT problem, but I decrypt the packets I receive but I don't get any response and none of my packets are listed on ariss.net.
Pietro I2OIM
|
Hi
A 817ND with first digit a 1 would be 2011 an original 817 with a
1 would be
2001. I have one of the latter.
Marty kd8bj
On 1/20/23 11:40, Ken N2VIP wrote:
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Either 2001 or 2011, if I read the magic decoder properly...
The model number may help you narrow it down better, certain
models were offered in certain years...
Ken, N2VIP
?
WHat would be the full year it was made? Mine
starts with 1N...
73, Zack W9SZ
Hi Kev,
Mike, N1EVH posted this information to the list:
-----
Yaesu's serial number scheme is as follows...
1st digit is the year it was made.
2nd digit is the month it was made
3rd and 4th digits are the lot number
5th thru 8th digits is the unit number in that lot.
Now with the month... they start with the letter "C".
So the months would be...
C - January? ? ? ?I - July
D - February? ? ?J - August
E - March? ? ? ? ?K - September
F - April? ? ? ? ? ? L - October
G - May? ? ? ? ? ?M - November
H - June? ? ? ? ? ?N - December
------
I hope that helps.
David, GM8XBZ
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
<[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Kev Tatlow
Sent: 20 January 2023 08:51
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ft817] Information Needed!
Hi all - Ive just bought a Yaesu FT817ND and I wanted
to know how you can determine from the serial number
how old it is?
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John D Erskine VE7MHI VA7OTC
Markus
Pietro Molina
Al WB9UVJ
