N3QO » Antenna Stuff

MDS RC-1Y

jeff — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:35:42 +0000

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is be able to direct the beam antenna via the computer. My choice to go with the Yaesu G-800SA was so-so, although I would have had better options by going with the DXA series. Yaesu makes an RS232 (serial) interface for my rotor, but the cost is in excess of $500. Idiom Press also makes a product called rotor card, which is quite affordable, although does not work with my 800SA. My final option was the MDS RC-1. MDS makes digital rotor controllers for many different types of rotors for approximately $250.

Initially I had a problem configuring mine with my 800SA, but it ended up being confusion on my end. The 800 uses South-stop rather than the older North-stop configuration. You just have to set a 180 degree offset for the bearings to be correct.

MDS’s support is phenomenal. Glen (K4KV) responded back to an email question I had asked within an hour, on a Saturday, during the ARRL DX Phone contest, while he was out of town. He also provided me with a firmware upgrade to apply. Like I said, phenomenal.

So far I’ve had great success with it, although some of the control software out on the internet is somewhat lacking. First off Ham Radio Deluxe’s Rotator software works fine although doesn’t display any feedback from the rotor. N1MM’s rotator program sets the heading on the RC-1, it just never executes the heading change, even after you press “GO”. Same issue with Win-test.

Now, LP-Rotor works perfect, and an earlier version of PstRotator had the same issue as above, although Codrut (YO3DMU) provided me with an upgrade to 5.14 which works just fine, and it’s network-able as well. This was a huge help when I was up on the roof setting up the Mosley and running the coax around the rotor. My neighbors must think I’m nuts, being up there with the laptop sitting on the chimney.

Hexbeam down, Mosley up

jeff — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:09:57 +0000

Earlier today I swapped out the Hex-beam with the Mosley TA-33. With the upcoming storms lining up for the new few days, I wanted to get this thing in the air. The receive quality is spectacular and already I’ve worked Greece and Nigeria with 5-8-5-9 reports. The performance is very comparable to the hex-beam with a good deal less noise.

Just like Frampton…

jeff — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:22:31 +0000

…it’s alive!!!

Yesterday, since I ran out of room in a 1 car garage, we finished assembling the Mosley in the backyard. All that’s left is to install the feedpoint and run some frequency sweeps on it. And No, that isn’t a miniature picnic table.

Almost there….

jeff — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:04:34 +0000

We’re just about ready to do an new antenna installation within the next week or so here at N3QO. This project was a chance in opportunity with everything lining up completely unexpectedly. The Yaesu G800SA rotor just arrived today. I’m still waiting on the mast mount bracket for it and the shipment of replacement parts from Mosley for the beam. Weather permitting I’m planning on the installation next weekend.

Soon the homebrew hexbeam and light duty rotor will be available to the highest bidder. I’m also looking forward to the days when the “large” expenses are over to get this station to where I want it. Almost there!

Free Laptops College Students

The Mosley has arrived.

jeff — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Laurie and I drove down to Fredrick, Maryland this morning to pick up the Mosley TA-33. It’s in good shape, except for a few trap covers here and there. Counting the days until I can get it in the air.

160m Inverted L

jeff — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:08:38 +0000

Saturday we threw 123 feet of wire in the air in an “L” configuration for 160m. The “pin” side connects to the L while the shield connects to the existing radial field for the other vertical antenna. Signal reports are slightly better. We’re waiting for the snow to melt to shoot new lines through the trees to hopefully get it to it’s permanent location. Below is the interface box. Seeing about 40 ohms at the feedpoint.

Got snow???

jeff — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:53:18 +0000

Blizzard of 2010 in Pottstown, PA

Antenna switch label

jeff — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:58:33 +0000

After working some 40m PSK this evening, I found I had to move the switch positions around a little. With the updated configuration, I can work someone off the Vee, and then make one switch movement to get to the vertical for DX. Doesn’t sound like much, but in a QSO or contest, this allows for quick change in antenna take-off angles. The label is a custom label template in Microsoft Visio.

The chores before the storm…

jeff — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:29:25 +0000

With the upcoming snow storm that’s predicted to hit the Northeast US in the next few hours I decided to move my Ameritron RCS-8V antenna switch to it’s permanent home so it doesn’t get buried under the supposed 18″ of snow. I used my new RG8/U cable to connect it into the shack. I swept the 110 foot coax run with .3 db loss at 1.9mhz and 1.1db at 29.7.

DLARC Hamfest

jeff — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:44:39 +0000

Tonight was the 2010 DLARC mini hamfest which brought a great turn out to our monthly meeting. I’m pretty psyched to have come home with about 300 feet of RG8/U. Coax is a non-stop necessity in this shack… At least for the time being. All in an effort to convert from my RG8x to support an upcoming amplifier purchase. For those not in the know, RG8x is a smaller diameter 50 ohm coax cable that serves the HF world very well, but usually has a maximum power rating of 300-500 watts.