Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

Alex Netherton

I wish I had my book about Ham on a budget done, but it is still in the works. You need to get an antenna up, even if not licensed. Get or build an antenna matcher. Plans can be found all over the Internet. If you decide on a resonant antenna, you can build a trap dipole, a fan dipole, or any number of other resonant antennas, such as a Marconi, which can also be built with taps.

Grounding is not necessary until you begin to transmit, and even then, if you have a good counterpoise, such as a resonant dipole, you may not need one.
"BOB HEIL a king in ham has 24 radios and 46 other items that have grounds in his shack and NON are grounded"
I would really like to discover how Bob Heil gets away without a ground. Please share with us, as I myself have a shack on the second floor of my house, and RF can be a problem, especially on 17 meters for some reason...

Now, about the three pronged plug. Your writing sounds like you are from England or somewhere in the UK, so I do not know what kind of connector your power uses, but you need a power supply for the 7K, and most power supplies use 3 pronged plugs (here in US), grounding the power supply with the house ground. If you are in the UK and bought a US rig, there might be some confusion. DO NOT connect the 7K to the mains (House power, or 120V here in US.) directly!!! It will kill it. You MUST have a 12 volt power supply capable of at least 20 amps, and 25 or 30 is better, since at 100 watts transmit, you will be needing around 200 to 225 or so watts input to the finals, plus other circuits in the radio for 100 watts out, so your current draw will exceed 20 amps, at least momentarily. This translates to a draw from your house power of just a little more than a 100 watt bulb. (Curious, isn't it - you can talk around the world with the equivalent of a 100 watt bulb!).

Work on your license, and read the manual several times. Old radios (my last rig was a Drake TR-4, and before that a Swan 400), you just turned them on, let them warm up, tuned up and there you were. Modern radios (I have two) are a lot more complex...

73 de KC4BO

Alex Netherton

Show quoted text

On Sat, Nov 30, 2013 at 2:01 PM, Philip <pcsalley@...> wrote:

?

?Do as Simon says, and no, a ground connection is not needed as a receiver.? Just disconnect the antenna when not around to prevent stray lightning damage.? The ground “may” become necessary when transmitting and you will know in that case.? When using a good resonant antenna a ground is not mandatory.? A ground becomes imparitive when using a tuner to operate on frequencies off the natural antenna resonant point.? All this will become clear as you learn the antenna basics.? GL and enjoy, regards, Phil / K4PO

?
?

Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34847

开云体育

?Do as Simon says, and no, a ground connection is not needed as a receiver.? Just disconnect the antenna when not around to prevent stray lightning damage.? The ground “may” become necessary when transmitting and you will know in that case.? When using a good resonant antenna a ground is not mandatory.? A ground becomes imparitive when using a tuner to operate on frequencies off the natural antenna resonant point.? All this will become clear as you learn the antenna basics.? GL and enjoy, regards, Phil / K4PO

?

Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34846

开云体育

Doing what Gene writes below CAN still invite disaster.? NJ1V (now K5XA) did that here in Oklahoma City years ago and the stroke STILL came in on the coax from the tower(s) 150 and 250 feet away and blew right through the jars to the rebar in the house's slab.? LOTS of melted stuff, even to gear that was disconnected from power lines and antennas.
Best to not have any feedlines even coming in the house. I suggest hooking the feedlines to a ground bus outside the house, or at least disconnecting the feedlines and laying them on the ground AWAY from the house.
Telephone lines also seem to be a common entry point to your house for lightning damage. Gets your phones, computers, modems, TVs, satellite receivers, etc.
* * * * * * * * * * *
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
* (Since 30 Nov 53) *
* k2gkk hotmail com *
* Oklahoma City, OK *
* USAF & FAA (Ret.) *
* * * * * * * * * * *
?

?

> To: ic7000@...
> From: elcoggins@...
> Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 12:42:01 -0500
> Subject: Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.
>
> Yes. And in the event of a lightening storm and when not in use, disconnect the antenna(s) from the 7000 and place the ends into an individual clean dry glass jar. Don't put your faith into a blitz bug.
>
> Gene
> KN3ZIP
>
> >
> >Note that diagram omits what many would consider essential items (e.g lightning protection on antenna lines).
> >
> >Best of luck to you.
> >
> >73
> >Scott
> >W7SLS

Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

Bob Brooks

#34854

The two pronged connector goes to an external power supply that will convert ac current to the dc 13.8 v current that operates your radio. The external power supply is what gets plugged into your wall outlet. There is a red line and a black line that probably has exposed wire on one end and a black plug on the other end. The black plug goes into the back of the radio and the exposed wires connect to the power supply. BE SURE to connect the black wire to the negative post (-) on the power supply and the red wire to the positive post (+) Check out the following link so that you can see what power supplies look like (I am not suggesting this brand just that I have one There are many other good supplies out there But this one works). My suggestion would be; if you don't know what something is for on the radio, don't touch it. We all started out as you have and the learning curve never ends. That is what I love about this hobby. Best of luck.

bb

KC1AKV

On Saturday, November 30, 2013 9:55 AM, W7SLS wrote:

>>?Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged connector when [I use the IC-7000] at home as a base station? ?- Alex [no call sign yet]

Alex,

Welcome to ham radio. ?Lots to learn,?and in my opinion, well worth it. ?I’d recommend that (if you haven’t already) you check out local ham radio clubs to see which one meets your needs/interests.

One?way to find them: ?? ?enter your zip code, etc, and get a list of ones to visit.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘2-pronged connector’, but the manual has some help.

Page 17 of my manual (page numbers sometimes change version to version) shows the necessary connections:

Connect the DC 13.8 Volt connector to a 13.8 volt DC power supply (pay attention to polarity)

(optional but recommended) connect the GND (ground) terminal to a ground

~as others mentioned, do NOT connect a microphone until you have your license~

~do not connect a key until you have your license~

Connect an antenna to one (or both) antenna ports

Note that diagram omits what many would consider essential items (e.g lightning protection on antenna lines).

Best of luck to you.

73

Scott

W7SLS

Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34845

On Sat, 30 Nov 2013 06:55:03 -0800, W7SLS wrote:

~do not connect a key until you have your license~I'd ease up on that one a bit.  I think with a key connected, he might
be able to practice a little code with the sidetone and get a feel for
things there too.  You never know, he may become a CW op someday (we can
hope).  :o)  Just be sure VOX is turned off in all modes.

Gary
--

3055: 
NodeOp Help Page: 

Re: [IC-7000] Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34844

Yes. And in the event of a lightening storm and when not in use, disconnect the antenna(s) from the 7000 and place the ends into an individual clean dry glass jar. Don't put your faith into a blitz bug.

Gene
KN3ZIP

Show quoted text

Note that diagram omits what many would consider essential items (e.g lightning protection on antenna lines).

Best of luck to you.

73
Scott
W7SLS

Re: Send CW via FLDIGI or other...

#34843

开云体育

trying to locate a follow ham...name is steve...

qth is raleigh NC..has posted a lot of good info...

forgot his call.

?

thanks

?

73s

jim

wa4yiz

Re: Grounding plus newbie questions.

W7SLS

#34838

>>?Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged connector when [I use the IC-7000] at home as a base station? ?- Alex [no call sign yet]

Alex,

Welcome to ham radio. ?Lots to learn,?and in my opinion, well worth it. ?I’d recommend that (if you haven’t already) you check out local ham radio clubs to see which one meets your needs/interests.

One?way to find them: ?? ?enter your zip code, etc, and get a list of ones to visit.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘2-pronged connector’, but the manual has some help.

Page 17 of my manual (page numbers sometimes change version to version) shows the necessary connections:

Connect the DC 13.8 Volt connector to a 13.8 volt DC power supply (pay attention to polarity)

(optional but recommended) connect the GND (ground) terminal to a ground

~as others mentioned, do NOT connect a microphone until you have your license~

~do not connect a key until you have your license~

Connect an antenna to one (or both) antenna ports

Note that diagram omits what many would consider essential items (e.g lightning protection on antenna lines).

Best of luck to you.

73

Scott

W7SLS

Re: [IC-7000] Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34840

As suggested I've also turned VOX off and RF down to 0 per cent.

Show quoted text

--- In ic7000@..., Simon Thompson <simonthompson67@...> wrote:

Don't connect the microphone. Turn off "vox".

On Friday, November 29, 2013, alex.c.lawler@... wrote:



Hi I've just bought this transceiver but must admit to being abit lost
despite reading the manual. Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged
connector when using it at home as a base station. I haven't got my license
yet and infact haven't even turned it on. At the moment I have a Wellbrook
connected to antenna one port and want to use it as a receiver until I have
my license and know what I'm doing. Has anyone got any advice on what not
to touch in order to ensure I don't accidentally transmit. I don't want to
brick it and so haven't connected the microphone but is there another way I
could accidentally transmit. I know these questions are basic but please
bear with me I am completely ignorant and although the manual is very good
I have absolutely no personal starting grid when it comes to transceivers.
Cheers.

Re: [IC-7000] Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34841

Thanks. On switching it on it goes straight to receive anyway. I haven't connected the mic and from what I can see in the manual the only transmit button is on the mic keypap.

Show quoted text

--- In ic7000@..., Simon Thompson <simonthompson67@...> wrote:

Don't connect the microphone. Turn off "vox".

On Friday, November 29, 2013, alex.c.lawler@... wrote:



Hi I've just bought this transceiver but must admit to being abit lost
despite reading the manual. Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged
connector when using it at home as a base station. I haven't got my license
yet and infact haven't even turned it on. At the moment I have a Wellbrook
connected to antenna one port and want to use it as a receiver until I have
my license and know what I'm doing. Has anyone got any advice on what not
to touch in order to ensure I don't accidentally transmit. I don't want to
brick it and so haven't connected the microphone but is there another way I
could accidentally transmit. I know these questions are basic but please
bear with me I am completely ignorant and although the manual is very good
I have absolutely no personal starting grid when it comes to transceivers.
Cheers.

Re: [IC-7000] Hi I am new to this group I have problems with no ssb on tx

Helen Sinnott

#34839

Hi Robert

Thank you for your reply. Yes it does seem that it can't be the dac as it provides the other modes.? I also notice that this radio has those ribbons as well, they make me shudder as I have had some trouble with those in other equipment. I have retired out of? radio a few years ago and I have not worked much with SMD. Is there in techniques or tools that may be appropriate? Of course I have used an iron on SMD boards but not on any thing that I have overly worried about the outcome !

Regards Helen

VK3RY

On Monday, 25 November 2013 8:23 PM, BT Yahoo!?2013 wrote:

HI Helen
?????????????? many of these problems coming to light are as a result of the lead free solder used in the construction of these modern transceivers. so a dry joint is the most likely cause of a lot of problems with the Icom Ic7000.
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Best Regards Robert G6LLP

Show quoted text

From: "helen_3ry@..."
To: ic7000@...
Sent: Saturday, 23 November 2013, 11:30
Subject: [IC-7000] Hi I am new to this group I have problems with no ssb on tx

?

Hi I am new to this group my name is Helen Vk3ry

I have lost SSB upper and lower on my rig.

I have been able to track the lack of TX down to the 1st IF?

my thoughts it may be the processor, the rig is quite happy on am fm Rtty

and good on ex. it implies the Dac is ok too,alc indicates very high alc although there is no alc voltage.

I sure I am not the only one with this prob? ? ? ??

Any one with similar experience?

KInd regards Helen VK3RY

谢谢

Re: [IC-7000] Grounding plus newbie questions.

brian mackey

#34842

Read the owners manual! ?The external ground is NOT needed depending on who you listen to.. BOB HEIL a king in ham has 24 radios and 46 other items that have grounds in his shack and NON are grounded, but READ the Manual you get the answers.. My 7000 ?is NOT grounded :)

Thank you,

Brian Mackey

KC1MAC?

Hams don't let hams get stuck on 2 meter repeaters! :)

From: Simon Thompson <simonthompson67@...>
Reply-To: <ic7000@...>
Date: Friday, November 29, 2013 at 7:03 PM
To: "ic7000@..." <ic7000@...>
Subject: Re: [IC-7000] Grounding plus newbie questions.

Don't connect the microphone. Turn off "vox".?

Show quoted text

On Friday, November 29, 2013, alex.c.lawler@... wrote:

?

Hi I've just bought this transceiver but must admit to being abit lost despite reading the manual. Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged connector when using it at home as a base station. I haven't got my license yet and infact haven't even turned it on. At the moment I have a Wellbrook connected to antenna one port and want to use it as a receiver until I have my license and know what I'm doing. Has anyone got any advice on what not to touch in order to ensure I don't accidentally transmit. I don't want to brick it and so haven't connected the microphone but is there another way I could accidentally transmit. I know these questions are basic but please bear with me I am completely ignorant and although the manual is very good I have absolutely no personal starting grid when it comes to transceivers. Cheers.

Re: [IC-7000] Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34837

Don't connect the microphone. Turn off "vox".?

Show quoted text

On Friday, November 29, 2013, alex.c.lawler@... wrote:

?

Hi I've just bought this transceiver but must admit to being abit lost despite reading the manual. Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged connector when using it at home as a base station. I haven't got my license yet and infact haven't even turned it on. At the moment I have a Wellbrook connected to antenna one port and want to use it as a receiver until I have my license and know what I'm doing. Has anyone got any advice on what not to touch in order to ensure I don't accidentally transmit. I don't want to brick it and so haven't connected the microphone but is there another way I could accidentally transmit. I know these questions are basic but please bear with me I am completely ignorant and although the manual is very good I have absolutely no personal starting grid when it comes to transceivers. Cheers.

Grounding plus newbie questions.

#34836

Hi I've just bought this transceiver but must admit to being abit lost despite reading the manual. Do I have to plug in or ground the two pronged connector when using it at home as a base station. I haven't got my license yet and infact haven't even turned it on. At the moment I have a Wellbrook connected to antenna one port and want to use it as a receiver until I have my license and know what I'm doing. Has anyone got any advice on what not to touch in order to ensure I don't accidentally transmit. I don't want to brick it and so haven't connected the microphone but is there another way I could accidentally transmit. I know these questions are basic but please bear with me I am completely ignorant and although the manual is very good I have absolutely no personal starting grid when it comes to transceivers. Cheers.