Just encountered this Facebook group while searching out details of a Hamfest :

Hamfests Australasia Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/16751163...ouncements

Sharing it for the benefit of all...

Hello Gurus,

I have been playing around with interfacing a small mixing console (Behringer Q502USB) with my bench radio (Yaesu FT-857D).

There are a couple of reasons I am thinking of doing this. Firstly the microphones I want to use are all low Z stage mics so I need a "z transformer" to overcome the 20dB difference in output between a low Z microphone and a hi z microphone. 

Next is that after over 40 years competitive shooting, about 30 years teaching diving and 40 odd years in and around the music industry my ears ain't what they used to be and some EQ on the headphones and shack speakers wouldn't go astray.

And of course, the main reason is the console and microphones (and all the bibs and bobs for it) are within reach and sitting idle...

The main out from a console is generally said to be around 22dBu, which is way too high for a microphone input.

My plan is to place a 600Ω:600Ω isolation transformer followed by some sort of resistance between main out and mic in.

In my feeble mind I thought that a 1kΩ log variable resistor across the transformer output might do the job. However, I also have had thoughts about doing a voltage divider with a series resistor before the variable resistor. Only I have no ideas on what would be some starting values for the said resistors.

The transformer and resistor/s will be installed into the box on the desktop that already has the 1/4" microphone jack and PTT switch. (Although I just got a router so a new box may be in the offing).

Has anyone done this?

Any ideas what the divider network values might need to be as a starting point?

Hi.
Given that 8m is as popular  as Kamila Harris do we want it on air ? It now has Ident ZL28M. Its plug and play so no real effort required this end. Thoughts ?  Mark.

I have started to look at putting a fan dipole together for 12 and 15 metres. My 40m OCF should cover 15 but doesn't and the 20m dipole next to it is now somewhat redundant, so I will replace .it.

I have assembled the balun/choke/centre support.

At first it was RG58 wound onto a FT240-31 core. However it wasn't so effective - around -16dB rejection across the bands in question.

I rewound it with 1.25 mm diameter enamelled wire to get better than -30dB across all of the HF bands.

   

   

This afternoon on my drive home from work I realised I had no anchor points for the second dipole, so rather than anchoring off the same eyebolts I added a second set at the bottom of the case.

I was quite pleased with the end result.

I saw the previous discussion located here: https://www.ahrdf.net/forum/thread-1289.html

Has anyone had any contact with Terry Clinch of Outbacker antennas in the past few months?

In April of this year I reached out to him about placing an order for a new HF mobile antenna. I was considering the Outbacker Classic, but asked if he could do one in his orange finish.

He informed me that he was recovering from COVID and catching up on orders. He said they were currently doing a run of the two piece OB88 antennas and that he could get one of that model out to me in orange "fairly quickly".

I placed the order and paid on April 27th.

I've sent 5 follow-up emails since placing the order with no reply. I know his usual lead time is 4-6 weeks and recovery from COVID can delay things, but 4+ months later I'm starting to get a bit worried.

I saw my 1st the spread carrier on multiple VOR frequencies last night.
They were 112.8MHz and 114.1MHz.
112.8 from Weipa? and 114.1 from Townsville?
They were too weak to make a sound.

Recently I could hear FMBC from Mount Isa,Cairns and Townsville no problem.

Maybe 2m TEP path to Mount Isa also no problem like JA6-VK8.
And with Cairns and Townsville might be possible by weak signal mode.

PSE check 144.460 FT8 to find TEP path to JA.
2m activity is lower than before so pse check 144.460 FT8 where stations QRV surely.
(I have never seen Q65 at all)

The best time last night was around 10utc.
It starts about 40-60 minutes earlier than JA6-VK8 path.

FB DX!

de JR4ENY/1 Awa in Kawasaki PM95SN 50W 7x2el yagis v-pol

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3 September 2024

New fees, reminder to reassign or reconfirm call signs
New amateur radio fees

From 1 September 2024, we will introduce new fees for the following call sign activities:

Reassigning a:
special event call sign: $34.00
VK0 and VK9 call sign: $34.00
contest call sign: $15.00
Transferring a call sign to another amateur operator: $15.00
The amateur radio call sign policy and website has been updated to reflect these new charges. Information about how we set fees is in the Fees for service cost recovery implementation statement.


Reassigning call signs

Special event, contest, VK0 or VK9 call signs have a designated assignment period of 12 months. We will contact you before the expiry to remind you to apply to have the call sign reassigned to you (the fees listed above will apply). If a reassignment application is not made before the expiry date, the call sign will no longer be assigned to you, and will be made available on the call sign register.

Amateur operators with 2-letter, 3-letter and F-series call signs should reconfirm ongoing use of their call sign every 5 years There is no cost for amateur operators to reconfirm ongoing use of their 2-letter, 3-letter and F-series call signs.

We encourage amateur operators to log into ACMA Assist to reconfirm their call sign, or apply to transfer or reassign call signs.


Update to the amateur operating procedures

Following feedback, we have made a minor change to the Amateur radio operating procedures to clarify that communications established with another station is also referred to as a ‘series of transmissions’.

FTDI USB-serial adapter PCBs

So you have bought a nominal FTDI interface board from eBay or similar to use to interface to your handheld (+ )  so you can use Chirp.  [ https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home ]

   

And most of these PCBs have a mini-USB socket instead of a type-C.   Suitable USB leads are now hard-to-find.

You plugged it into a spare USB port via a cable and there isn't a new COM port appearing.. But.. the TX and RX LEDs flashed and the power LED is lit !

Even though you might have installed the FT232RL drivers from https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ , the serial port does not appear in Windows Device Manager under Ports (COM and LPT).  In lieu the device might appear under the generic title USB devices when plugged in via the cable.

Checking the properties of it shows an error message like ‘Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)’
This device cannot start. (Code 10)
A request for the USB device descriptor failed.
No driver is loaded..

Sometimes there may be a good reason for that :
1. it could be a fake FT232RL chip;
2. or more likely, you grabbed a long unused USB type A to mini-USB lead that was supplied with your dash-cam or GPS or similar and used that to plug in the FTDI board.

Unfortunately, those type of leads do NOT support USB data exchange, some have only the 2 power wires in them in lieu of 4 etc, so if your USB lead is more than about 0.5 metre to 1.0 metre long, your very first thing to do is find/buy a short cable.

Plug in the new/short lead and up pops your new COM port !

PS Grab that old lead and mark it "Power Only" so you do not fall into that trap again..

My 6m dipole used to be in this branch.

   

At least the sacrificial twine joiner did its job.

   

After a round trip of 1200km+ between QTHs I'm now the proud owner of a 4.9m dish from Phil VK4CDI.
I just have to recondition it and assemble it. Luckily I have a degree in Ikea   

Working out the mechanics and constructing a suitable support and ways to rotate and elevate it will be part of the fun.

cheers

Tim

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