Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi Steve,
The issue I'm having seems to be different, but close attention to your reply makes me wanting to expend some euros on a dummy load for further debug this.
Meanwhile, I also engaged with Neptune crew (Pawel) and I'm preparing to follow his suggestion on firmware upgrade.
73,
Anaxi, CS7BGW
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Hi, gang...
?
well the subject says it all. I'm looking for the little coaxial power jack for the 718. I've searched Amazon and eBay. I don't want to spend $25 for a connector with a hunk of wire on it.?
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The plug in the back Anderson power pole thingiee would be okay, but apparently there's some rather nasty ripoffs floating around.
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Is there a Mouser part number handy?
?
Thanks..
?
Mike WB8VGE
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Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi Anaxi, I replied twice but the web page kept freezing towards the end of an extended post and I lost heart!
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It happens as soon as the radio is turned on.
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Connect mic only- all OK.
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Connect key only- all OK.
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Connect mic and key- OK to use key.
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Connect mic and key- PTT and it locks up for hours.
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This is on internal NiMh pack, various external battery packs, ProAudio Engineering PSU and other PSUs.
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This is with a selection of dummy loads including a Bird 300 watts example. Chokes everywhere didn't work.
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Because it only happened when I PTT, I naturally suspected the mic. I tried three Yaesu mics (one having a replacement Racal insert) but still no good. I would try a choke on the mic and different mics and think I had a cure, but then it would lock up again. Eventually I realised I was trying to cure the mic and so did not have the key connected. Sure enough, when I also connected a key it locked up on PTT. I tried a screened key lead and it seemed to work. Then it locked up again. I tried two chokes on the screened lead and it seemed OK, but then it locked up again. What I had failed to do was record the power levels whenever it happened and my "fix" nay have been at a lower power level. As of now I cannot be bothered with it any more. It's clearly an RF issue, but off grid on a dummy load? Really? I'm sick of this radio, no one should have to tolerate this, least of all all the folks who have had to put up with me going on about it.
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Phew!
--
Steve, G4VRR.
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Re: 2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
Any contact from a POTA park counts as a POTA contact.? POTA has no required exchange.? Whether you are doing POTA or FOBB just upload everything to the POTA web site.
--
Mark
AA3K
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Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
I’m still seeing such behavior on the IC-705 (different radio)... when on SSB/voice, randomly, when I press the PTT, I see the TX light on the amp, but as soon I say something the TX light turns off and stays off until I release the PPT and try again.
When using FT8/digital it seems to work 100% of time.
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Re: 2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
Flight of the Bumblebees is now just 1 Week Away.? ??July 28th is nearly here.? ? ? ?21JUL24
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Bumblebee Number requests are still coming in.? As of this morning, there are 166 Bumblebees signed up to go out and operate portable in some fresh air location. ?The Bumblebees will be everywhere from Maine to California and Florida to Washington.? Not in every state, but pretty darn close.? We will also have Bumblebees in Canada, and at least two in a DX location.? They will be operating from mountain tops, parks, beaches, local fields, back yards, etc.
?
Wow, that is sure a lot of Bumblebees for the FOBB Home Stations to find and work. ?Remember, you can work each Bumblebee once on each band that you can find them on.
And Bumblebee to Bumblebee contacts are rewarding when it comes to the Total Score.
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Bumblebees and POTA
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When the ARS was organized and the FOBB event was created back in the 1990-1995 time frame, the notion of getting out to operate a portable ham station was a novelty.?? With the popularity of POTA, that is not quite so novel today.
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It is not surprising that lots of folks who routinely Activate POTA have obtained a Bumblebee Number and have said they expect to be operating from a POTA park.? Remember that the FOBB event is a 5W QRP event and that you cannot rely on your vehicle for anything other than getting you there,?
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Some have indicated that they may split their time between being a POTA Activator and? being a Bumblebee.?? That is certainly acceptable.? As long as Bumblebees do not exceed 5W CW output , and they are not relying on their vehicle in any way, then all CW QSOs that they make from their portable location within the designated 4 hour FOBB window will count as FOBB 'Contacts'.
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Discussing this with one of my local club members who is a POTA Activator,, he replied:
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I think I'll prioritize to be a BB.? At some point in time I may devote an hour as a POTA operator.? After all I can be a POTA operator whenever I want, but being a BB only comes once a year.
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Give that come consideration.? Keep calling CQ BB during the 4 hour FOBB window..
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Also remember that being a FOBB Bumblebee or being a FOBB Home Station is a individual effort, not a team effort.
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Good Luck.? And have a good buzzy time.
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Adventure Radio Society – Rules are at :
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73,
Jody – K3JZD
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On Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 12:47 PM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
Based on some questions that ?I have received, I have added the following to the FOBB Rules on
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POTA/SOTA OPERATIONS AND HIGHER POWERED HUNTERS/CHASERS:
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Many of the Bumblebees have indicated that they will be operating from POTA or SOTA locations. ?
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Many Bumblebees have said that they will also be responding to POTA Hunters and/or SOTA Chasers.
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As long as a Bumblebee Number is sent in the Outgoing Exchange, that will be a Bumblebee FOBB Contact.?
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FOBB Home Stations are expected to be running 5W QRP.
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However most POTA Hunters and SOTA Chasers will be running more than 5W QRP.
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A Bumblebee should strive to obtain and log the Power of the POTA Hunter or SOTA Chaser.
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?However, that is not always going to be possible - do not dwell on it - move on.
?
?(POTA Hunters and SOTA Chasers running more than 5W QRP cannot Submit FOBB Results)
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD
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On Sun, Jul 14, 2024 at 08:46 PM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
Flight of the Bumblebees is 2 Weeks Away.? ??July 28th will soon be here.??
?
Bumblebee Number requests are still coming in.? As of today, there are 120 Bumblebees signed up to go out and operate portable in some fresh air location. ?The Bumblebees will be everywhere from Maine to California and Florida to Washington.? Not in every state, but pretty darn close.? We will also have Bumblebees in Canada, and at least one in a DX location.? They will be operating from mountain tops, parks, beaches, local fields, back yards, etc.
?
Let me address this to the Home Stations:
?
Your challenge is to work as many of these Bumblebees as possible using 5W CW.? On as many bands as possible.? You have the advantage of having better permanent antennas, but you may encounter pileups since Home Stations will outnumber Bumblebees..?
?
You can work the same Bumblebee once on each band – each band will count as another Contact and another Bumblebee worked.?? While you can also work other Home Stations from your Home Station, the scoring is weighted toward working Bumblebees.
?
Let me give you an example:
-????????? Working 1 Bumblebee and 9 other Home Stations results in a Total Score of 30?
-????????? Working 10 Bumblebees results in a Total Score of 300
Not everyone will be in it for the Score, but it is always nice to have bragging rights.
?
Of course propagation will not support it, but with 120 Bumblebees, and 5 bands available (10-15-20-40-80), a Home Station theoretically has 600 Bumblebees out there to find and work.? Chasing Bumblebees will easily fill up the whole 4 hours of this event.
?
Good Luck.? And have fun.
?
Adventure Radio Society – Rules are at :
?
73,
Jody – K3JZD
On Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 05:54 AM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
FT-817's set the world on fire for Portable QRP Operation.? ?Now would be a good time to get your FT-817/FT-818 out there and turn it into a Bumblebee !!?
2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
?
The annual Flight of the Bumblebees will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
?
The event ?will be in a four hour daytime window, from 1700 to 2100 UTC.
?
This casual QRP CW event consists of 'Bumblebees' who are operating portable stations at outdoor locations, and 'Home Stations' who try to work as many of these 'Bumblebees' as possible.
?
This event is open to all operators.? Anywhere.? Being at the top of the sunspot cycle, this year's? event has the potential to be very interesting.
?
Operators who want to go out and setup a portable station at some outdoor location, and be a highly sought after 'Bumblebee', need to obtain a "Bumblebee Number".?
?
The window for obtaining your 2024 'Bumblebee Number' is now Open.
?
The web site will explain the whole process.
?
I'll be out there as a 'Bumblebee' - hoping to work you during the event.
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi Steve,
Long time since no groups.io-thread-interaction ?
...commencing about one month after the warranty expired.
That is a bummer...
I key the supplied Yaesu mic. and the RF collapses, and in my case it takes 6-8 hours before the radio is functional once again.
How often do you face this? Any clue of the scenarios (temp, uptime...) when it happens?
Have you established whether the zero output from the amplifier is caused by zero drive from the radio? Maybe try the amp with a different radio as well.
Excellent tip, I'll try with another radio. Is there any other thread where I can read more about that 818 RF drop issue? Or suggestions on how to debug such issue?
73
Anaxi, CS7BGW
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Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Strange behaviour but it is familiar to me with my '818 and has been a nagging issue for several years, commencing about one month after the warranty expired. I key the supplied Yaesu mic. and the RF collapses, and in my case it takes 6-8 hours before the radio is functional once again. It is possibly due to RF pick up via the morse key's lead, even into a dummy load and on off-grid power, and I still haven't found a solution that doesn't revert to this behaviour. Have you established whether the zero output from the amplifier is caused by zero drive from the radio? Maybe try the amp with a different radio as well.
--
Steve, G4VRR.
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Re: For Sale: MURATA CFJ455K-14 2.4Khz CERAMIC SSB FILTER
Priced reduced to $15 + shipping which should be around $15.00 or so…
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Re: 60dbm Neptune Amplifier + or -
Hi,
Just got this amplifier, the version with band sensing, and their cable kit for FT-817.
Working conditions:
- Yaesu FT-818nd (TX) -> Neptune 50W (AMP) -> Diamond SX600 (EXT. METER) -> Diamond HF20CL (ANT)
- Diamond HF20CL is mobile antenna for 20m installed on a balcony rail w/ some radials. At worse parts of bands the external meter shows SWR 1.8
Initial observations and questions for those that may have this already working:
- The green lights are very strong… I happen to have this amp close to power/swr meter and while doing the initial tests, it was hard looking anywhere near the amp
- The amp mains cable are very short and to make it longer, I had to build an extension cable using 15A Anderson Powerpole connectors
- On the amp mains wire, why is that black and red wires have different thickness/awg?
- When my external meter shows 1.8 SWR, the radio meter shows something around 1.1… I love this fact, just want to know if this an expected behaviour
- Yesterday night, I tried to answered some calls on 20m, using power levels of I, II and III bars (1W, 2.5W and 5W) to drive the amp and noted the following two strange behaviours among TX attempts:
* When I press the PTT button, the TX indicator on the amp would turn ON for brief seconds and then turn OFF - the ext meter would also consistently indicate no significant power (amp disengaged)
* Other times, when I press the PTT button, the TX indicator on the amp would turn ON and stay ON, but as soon I speak to the mic, it would turn OFF - the ext meter would also consistently indicate no significant power (amp disengaged)
Email sent to maker, while waiting, any comments/idea about this?
(non-native English from this end, sorry for spell/grammar errors)
73,
Anaxi
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Re: 2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
Based on some questions that ?I have received, I have added the following to the FOBB Rules on
?
POTA/SOTA OPERATIONS AND HIGHER POWERED HUNTERS/CHASERS:
?
Many of the Bumblebees have indicated that they will be operating from POTA or SOTA locations. ?
?
Many Bumblebees have said that they will also be responding to POTA Hunters and/or SOTA Chasers.
?
As long as a Bumblebee Number is sent in the Outgoing Exchange, that will be a Bumblebee FOBB Contact.?
?
FOBB Home Stations are expected to be running 5W QRP.
?
However most POTA Hunters and SOTA Chasers will be running more than 5W QRP.
?
A Bumblebee should strive to obtain and log the Power of the POTA Hunter or SOTA Chaser.
?
?However, that is not always going to be possible - do not dwell on it - move on.
?
?(POTA Hunters and SOTA Chasers running more than 5W QRP cannot Submit FOBB Results)
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD
?
On Sun, Jul 14, 2024 at 08:46 PM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
Flight of the Bumblebees is 2 Weeks Away.? ??July 28th will soon be here.??
?
Bumblebee Number requests are still coming in.? As of today, there are 120 Bumblebees signed up to go out and operate portable in some fresh air location. ?The Bumblebees will be everywhere from Maine to California and Florida to Washington.? Not in every state, but pretty darn close.? We will also have Bumblebees in Canada, and at least one in a DX location.? They will be operating from mountain tops, parks, beaches, local fields, back yards, etc.
?
Let me address this to the Home Stations:
?
Your challenge is to work as many of these Bumblebees as possible using 5W CW.? On as many bands as possible.? You have the advantage of having better permanent antennas, but you may encounter pileups since Home Stations will outnumber Bumblebees..?
?
You can work the same Bumblebee once on each band – each band will count as another Contact and another Bumblebee worked.?? While you can also work other Home Stations from your Home Station, the scoring is weighted toward working Bumblebees.
?
Let me give you an example:
-????????? Working 1 Bumblebee and 9 other Home Stations results in a Total Score of 30?
-????????? Working 10 Bumblebees results in a Total Score of 300
Not everyone will be in it for the Score, but it is always nice to have bragging rights.
?
Of course propagation will not support it, but with 120 Bumblebees, and 5 bands available (10-15-20-40-80), a Home Station theoretically has 600 Bumblebees out there to find and work.? Chasing Bumblebees will easily fill up the whole 4 hours of this event.
?
Good Luck.? And have fun.
?
Adventure Radio Society – Rules are at :
?
73,
Jody – K3JZD
On Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 05:54 AM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
FT-817's set the world on fire for Portable QRP Operation.? ?Now would be a good time to get your FT-817/FT-818 out there and turn it into a Bumblebee !!?
2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
?
The annual Flight of the Bumblebees will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
?
The event ?will be in a four hour daytime window, from 1700 to 2100 UTC.
?
This casual QRP CW event consists of 'Bumblebees' who are operating portable stations at outdoor locations, and 'Home Stations' who try to work as many of these 'Bumblebees' as possible.
?
This event is open to all operators.? Anywhere.? Being at the top of the sunspot cycle, this year's? event has the potential to be very interesting.
?
Operators who want to go out and setup a portable station at some outdoor location, and be a highly sought after 'Bumblebee', need to obtain a "Bumblebee Number".?
?
The window for obtaining your 2024 'Bumblebee Number' is now Open.
?
The web site will explain the whole process.
?
I'll be out there as a 'Bumblebee' - hoping to work you during the event.
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
Switched to normal decode and sync'd the time. It seems to be good for now.
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Re: 2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
Flight of the Bumblebees is 2 Weeks Away.? ??July 28th will soon be here.??
?
Bumblebee Number requests are still coming in.? As of today, there are 120 Bumblebees signed up to go out and operate portable in some fresh air location. ?The Bumblebees will be everywhere from Maine to California and Florida to Washington.? Not in every state, but pretty darn close.? We will also have Bumblebees in Canada, and at least one in a DX location.? They will be operating from mountain tops, parks, beaches, local fields, back yards, etc.
?
Let me address this to the Home Stations:
?
Your challenge is to work as many of these Bumblebees as possible using 5W CW.? On as many bands as possible.? You have the advantage of having better permanent antennas, but you may encounter pileups since Home Stations will outnumber Bumblebees..?
?
You can work the same Bumblebee once on each band – each band will count as another Contact and another Bumblebee worked.?? While you can also work other Home Stations from your Home Station, the scoring is weighted toward working Bumblebees.
?
Let me give you an example:
-????????? Working 1 Bumblebee and 9 other Home Stations results in a Total Score of 30?
-????????? Working 10 Bumblebees results in a Total Score of 300
Not everyone will be in it for the Score, but it is always nice to have bragging rights.
?
Of course propagation will not support it, but with 120 Bumblebees, and 5 bands available (10-15-20-40-80), a Home Station theoretically has 600 Bumblebees out there to find and work.? Chasing Bumblebees will easily fill up the whole 4 hours of this event.
?
Good Luck.? And have fun.
?
Adventure Radio Society – Rules are at :
?
73,
Jody – K3JZD
On Sun, Jun 30, 2024 at 05:54 AM, Jody - K3JZD wrote:
FT-817's set the world on fire for Portable QRP Operation.? ?Now would be a good time to get your FT-817/FT-818 out there and turn it into a Bumblebee !!?
2024 Flight of the Bumblebees
?
The annual Flight of the Bumblebees will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
?
The event ?will be in a four hour daytime window, from 1700 to 2100 UTC.
?
This casual QRP CW event consists of 'Bumblebees' who are operating portable stations at outdoor locations, and 'Home Stations' who try to work as many of these 'Bumblebees' as possible.
?
This event is open to all operators.? Anywhere.? Being at the top of the sunspot cycle, this year's? event has the potential to be very interesting.
?
Operators who want to go out and setup a portable station at some outdoor location, and be a highly sought after 'Bumblebee', need to obtain a "Bumblebee Number".?
?
The window for obtaining your 2024 'Bumblebee Number' is now Open.
?
The web site will explain the whole process.
?
I'll be out there as a 'Bumblebee' - hoping to work you during the event.
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD
|
Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
I'm testing right now with WSJT-X. Set up for FT8 and works OK. Clicked the FT4 button and it switches to that mode and decodes OK.
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
It started working suddenly and then stopped after I shut down. It seems to be a software issue. JSTX gave me the insight, when I got an error "partial data loss", that W-SJTX did not. I set decode to normal and it seems to work now. I hope it stays that way.
Thanks,
Marc
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
I assume you have the correct frequency for FT4 transmissions and that the radio is set for USB?
If FT8 works, FT4 should also work. Disable the CW filter if you have one enabled.
Give us a few more details on what the problem is. No decode on RX, TX seems OK, etc.
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
Can you clarify "does not work"? Doesn't transmit? Doesn't receive? Doesn't decode?
I have never tried FT4 with my FT-817. I'll try to check it out today and see if there is any difference from FT8.
Best FT8 DX so far is Perth, Australia with 2.5 watts, 11,000 miles.
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
Sorry, that should have been menus, not memories – senior’s moment! ? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Eric van de Weyer
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2024 7:47 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT8 works FT4 Does Not? Hi Marc, ? Go to menu 1 and turn it on. That will allow all memories to accessed. ? 73….Eric VK2VE. ? ? Hello,
I am new to digital HF. I am using an early FT-817 with W-SJTX or JSTX and experience the same issue, that has me stumped. I am able to use FT8 without any issue, but FT4 just does not work. I have tried changing settings and levels, with no success. The interface is Rigblaster Plug And Play (6 pin data jack) with USB soundcard.
I am using the following:
PKT RATE 1200
DIG MODE USER-U
DIG DISP 0
DIG MIC 12
DIG SHIFT 0
I saw a post where someone said to adjust menu #55 USB offset, but my radio goes to #51.
Any wisdom on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc
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Re: FT8 works FT4 Does Not
Hi Marc, ? Go to menu 1 and turn it on. That will allow all memories to accessed. ? 73….Eric VK2VE. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Marc WR2I via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2024 10:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ft817] FT8 works FT4 Does Not? Hello,
I am new to digital HF. I am using an early FT-817 with W-SJTX or JSTX and experience the same issue, that has me stumped. I am able to use FT8 without any issue, but FT4 just does not work. I have tried changing settings and levels, with no success. The interface is Rigblaster Plug And Play (6 pin data jack) with USB soundcard.
I am using the following:
PKT RATE 1200
DIG MODE USER-U
DIG DISP 0
DIG MIC 12
DIG SHIFT 0
I saw a post where someone said to adjust menu #55 USB offset, but my radio goes to #51.
Any wisdom on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc
|
Hello,
I am new to digital HF. I am using an early FT-817 with W-SJTX or JSTX and experience the same issue, that has me stumped. I am able to use FT8 without any issue, but FT4 just does not work. I have tried changing settings and levels, with no success. The interface is Rigblaster Plug And Play (6 pin data jack) with USB soundcard.
I am using the following:
PKT RATE 1200
DIG MODE USER-U
DIG DISP 0
DIG MIC 12
DIG SHIFT 0
I saw a post where someone said to adjust menu #55 USB offset, but my radio goes to #51.
Any wisdom on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc
|
Anaxi
Steve
Ham Radio