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Lscott

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  1. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXR255 for a gallery image, Coax Switch.jpg   
    Typical coax switch. This one has three positions and uses SO-239 sockets with the webbing insulator. If you don't want, or can't use, "N" type connectors then the SO-239 sockets with the webbing type is the best you can do. It helps to reduce the impedance bump, SWR issues, on UHF. What ever you do DON'T use the sockets with the red or brown colored insulator material!! The solid white insulator material is better, it's either Delron or Teflon, but sill not as good as the webbing type.
    https://diamondantenna.net/cx310a.html
  2. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRYR428 for a gallery image, CA-2x4SR   
    This is a Comet CA-2X4SR wide band antenna. I have it mounted on a sawed off metal stand with 4 ground radials. It worked well for Ham/GMRS/MURS. I used this setup when I lived for years in an apartment where outdoor antennas were prohibited. https://cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CA-2x4SR.pdf
    The SWR scan was done with the antenna on an SO-239 mount with a tri-magnet base on a sheet metal ground plane for testing. The antenna is a bit sensitive to the type of ground plane used, flat sheet metal - magnet mount - ground radials etc. I would recommend anyone using the antenna to test it in various locations and use the one that results in the best match over the frequency range of interest.
  3. Like
    Lscott reacted to WRXB215 for a gallery image, Slide_Rule.jpg   
  4. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from Sshannon for a gallery image, TK-D340U Front and Back - 2.jpg   
    This is the Kenwood TK-D340U. It is an analog/DMR 32 channel radio. There is a VHF version too. There also are the NX-240V and NX-340U radios, which looks nearly identical except they do NXDN.
    https://comms.kenwood.com/common/pdf/download/DMR_TK-D240V_D340U_K_letter_1124.pdf
    https://comms.kenwood.com/common/pdf/download/05_nx240v_340u_K_1117_typeD added.pdf
    I prefer radios with a display however the price on this used DMR radio was too good to pass up.
    I've used this side by side with my Anytone D878 radio. The Kenwood seems to work better. It was able to more reliably decode DMR signals the D878 failed to even detect. That shows you the commercial grade radios do perform better compared to the cheaper Chinese radios, and the D878 wasn't that cheap!
    The TK-D240V/D340U along with the NX-240V/340U radios have been discontinued, and the replacement is the NX-1200/1300 series.
  5. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRTG259 for a gallery image, CA-2x4SR   
    This is a Comet CA-2X4SR wide band antenna. I have it mounted on a sawed off metal stand with 4 ground radials. It worked well for Ham/GMRS/MURS. I used this setup when I lived for years in an apartment where outdoor antennas were prohibited. https://cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CA-2x4SR.pdf
    The SWR scan was done with the antenna on an SO-239 mount with a tri-magnet base on a sheet metal ground plane for testing. The antenna is a bit sensitive to the type of ground plane used, flat sheet metal - magnet mount - ground radials etc. I would recommend anyone using the antenna to test it in various locations and use the one that results in the best match over the frequency range of interest.
  6. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXX738 for a gallery image, NX-820GH.jpg   
  7. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXX738 for a gallery image, TH-79A.jpg   
  8. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXX738 for a gallery image, Portable Mast & Antenna System   
    This is a portable mast system for temporary use. The base is a heavy duty speaker stand I got at a flea market. The mast is from MFJ purchased new. The antenna is a telescoping dual band type that doesn't need a ground plane. With some aluminum tent stakes and small diameter nylon rope I can guy this for use in light to moderate wind conditions.
    In total the antenna is up about 20 feet. That gives an approximate calculated line of sight distance to the horizon of 6.25 miles. 
    The antenna is an AL-800. There are various sources for this antenna all with the same model number but seems to vary in over all length a bit.
    https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/pry-al-800
  9. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXX738 for a gallery image, Bird 43 Wattmeter   
    I picked up the very clean looking Bird 43 wattmeter at the Hamvention in Ohio, 5/2023, with a leather case for about $200. 

    Shopping elsewhere in the flea market area I also got a “N” type connector, looked basically new for $30, to swap out the SO-239 one on the side.
    These wattmeters are well accepted as a reliable instrument for measuring RF power. It’s not uncommon to see radio service manuals refer to it when setting up, or checking, the power calibration on a radio.  
     
    I also picked up a couple of 5 watt elements covering 100-250 MHz and the 400-1000 MHz range for testing used HT’s I buy. Would get some higher power ones in the future to test a few 50 watt mobile radios and some high power VHF and UHF amplifiers I own.
  10. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from hfd376 for a gallery image, Bird 43 Wattmeter   
    I picked up the very clean looking Bird 43 wattmeter at the Hamvention in Ohio, 5/2023, with a leather case for about $200. 

    Shopping elsewhere in the flea market area I also got a “N” type connector, looked basically new for $30, to swap out the SO-239 one on the side.
    These wattmeters are well accepted as a reliable instrument for measuring RF power. It’s not uncommon to see radio service manuals refer to it when setting up, or checking, the power calibration on a radio.  
     
    I also picked up a couple of 5 watt elements covering 100-250 MHz and the 400-1000 MHz range for testing used HT’s I buy. Would get some higher power ones in the future to test a few 50 watt mobile radios and some high power VHF and UHF amplifiers I own.
  11. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from WRXN668 for a gallery image, Bird 43 Wattmeter   
    I picked up the very clean looking Bird 43 wattmeter at the Hamvention in Ohio, 5/2023, with a leather case for about $200. 

    Shopping elsewhere in the flea market area I also got a “N” type connector, looked basically new for $30, to swap out the SO-239 one on the side.
    These wattmeters are well accepted as a reliable instrument for measuring RF power. It’s not uncommon to see radio service manuals refer to it when setting up, or checking, the power calibration on a radio.  
     
    I also picked up a couple of 5 watt elements covering 100-250 MHz and the 400-1000 MHz range for testing used HT’s I buy. Would get some higher power ones in the future to test a few 50 watt mobile radios and some high power VHF and UHF amplifiers I own.
  12. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from Luish19779 for a gallery image, D878UV Model 1   
    This is my Anytone D878UV model 1 in digital monitor mode. I had my Kenwood TK-D340U programmed for this repeater and talk groups. However one evening the Kenwood wouldn't decode any audio. So, I grabbed the D878UV and used the digital monitor to see what was going on. Turns out this was an undocumented talk group on the repeater.
  13. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from Luish19779 for a gallery image, New in the box TK-D300E   
    The new in the box TK-D300E radio arrived. I was lucky to find a source in the Netherlands that still had them. Supposedly they are discontinued. This cost me 271 Euros, about $271 US at the exchange rate when purchased.
    Radio Spec's:
    https://www.kenwood.eu/files/file/comms/uk/brochures/nx/TK-D200_D300_V4.1.pdf
  14. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from wrtq652 for a gallery image, CA-2x4SR   
    This is a Comet CA-2X4SR wide band antenna. I have it mounted on a sawed off metal stand with 4 ground radials. It worked well for Ham/GMRS/MURS. I used this setup when I lived for years in an apartment where outdoor antennas were prohibited. https://cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CA-2x4SR.pdf
    The SWR scan was done with the antenna on an SO-239 mount with a tri-magnet base on a sheet metal ground plane for testing. The antenna is a bit sensitive to the type of ground plane used, flat sheet metal - magnet mount - ground radials etc. I would recommend anyone using the antenna to test it in various locations and use the one that results in the best match over the frequency range of interest.
  15. Like
    Lscott got a reaction from PACNWComms for a gallery image, Battery Pack Testing   
    I picked up a new electronic load specifically for battery pack testing. It has battery test feature built in. I have it set up on the kitchen table so I don't need to check on it by running up and down the stairs to the basement.
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