Posts Tagged ‘amateurradio.com’
Elecraft BL2
January 16th, 2016 | 
Author: Two Baluns in One
Elecraft mini-module kits offer interesting and useful, little devices and I am learning a bit more about Ham Radio and electronics as I build them. I previously built the Elecraft AF1 audio filter and tonight I assembled the BL2 switchable balun.
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| Elecraft BL2 kit |
I wanted a small, low loss, balun for use with ladder line and end-fed antennas that I could switch between 1:1 and 4:1. MFJ makes a commercial pre-assembled switchable balun but I suspect that the quality of its cores do not match Elecraft's.
The kit is obviously an easy build. The most time consuming aspect is getting the four stripped wire ends from the core all equally inserted in their tiny holes.
I tried it out with my attic doublet and the ability to switch between 1:1 and 4:1 made a difference on difficult to tune bands.
According to an email correspondence with Gary (AB7MY) at Elecraft...
According to an email correspondence with Gary (AB7MY) at Elecraft...
- The ground lug is there to be used to bleed off static voltage on an antenna that is not DC or earth grounded.
- We don't recommend using the balun with an end fed wire. It will have too much loss. The balun is for use with a balanced antenna and a low impedance of 200-300 ohms or less.
Too Fragile?
The only drawback is the lack of an enclosure resulting in a relatively fragile mechanical connection to the antenna and coax. I had hoped the board would be thicker than average epoxy board with some mechanical reinforcement of the connectors but it's standard thickness and the connections are only held on by their solder points. 450 ohm ladder line is pretty stiff stuff and I saw the connectors flex on the board as I attached the antenna.
I will need to get it in an enclosure before much field use.
Summary
I enjoyed the simple build and winding the cores and tracing out the continuity. I've been studying for my Extra ticket and learning more about inductance. Building even something as simple as a balun is interesting to me.
Update 2-8-2016
N4HAY recently performed a thorough test on the BL2 to measure its loss and current balance capabilities in blog (http://zs6rsh.blogspot.com/) in this blog post.
So lower your power and raise your expectations
72/73
Richard, N4PBQ
Poetic justice?
Following my last post it is perhaps ironic that for the last few evenings I have been plagued by an increase in QRM.
Trying some JT65 on 40m I was being plagued by S8-S9 of local noise, it is noise I have had regularly (even before the purchase of my PLT devices) so I reconnected up the WiMo QRM Eliminator, which has been collecting dust, to see if I could improve matters.
Using just a short piece of wire as the auxillary 'noise' antenna managed to null out most of it to greatly improve reception. No commentary on the video below but hopefully you can see it working.
Interestingly the noise seems to abate around 11pm when people are off to bed.
Trying some JT65 on 40m I was being plagued by S8-S9 of local noise, it is noise I have had regularly (even before the purchase of my PLT devices) so I reconnected up the WiMo QRM Eliminator, which has been collecting dust, to see if I could improve matters.
Using just a short piece of wire as the auxillary 'noise' antenna managed to null out most of it to greatly improve reception. No commentary on the video below but hopefully you can see it working.
Interestingly the noise seems to abate around 11pm when people are off to bed.
Poetic justice?
Following my last post it is perhaps ironic that for the last few evenings I have been plagued by an increase in QRM.
Trying some JT65 on 40m I was being plagued by S8-S9 of local noise, it is noise I have had regularly (even before the purchase of my PLT devices) so I reconnected up the WiMo QRM Eliminator, which has been collecting dust, to see if I could improve matters.
Using just a short piece of wire as the auxillary 'noise' antenna managed to null out most of it to greatly improve reception. No commentary on the video below but hopefully you can see it working.
Interestingly the noise seems to abate around 11pm when people are off to bed.
Trying some JT65 on 40m I was being plagued by S8-S9 of local noise, it is noise I have had regularly (even before the purchase of my PLT devices) so I reconnected up the WiMo QRM Eliminator, which has been collecting dust, to see if I could improve matters.
Using just a short piece of wire as the auxillary 'noise' antenna managed to null out most of it to greatly improve reception. No commentary on the video below but hopefully you can see it working.
Interestingly the noise seems to abate around 11pm when people are off to bed.
Just stand up
The "Nifty Accessories" KX3 stand
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| Nifty Accessories KX3 stand |
The Elecraft KX3 is naturally at home in the wild
My Elecraft KX3 is an incredible radio in many ways. It's small size makes it a marvel for portable operations.
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| The upward facing display of the KX3's short legs is ideal for remote, portable operations |
But on the desktop it's short stuff
But for desktop operation the short rear legs make for a laid back angle that makes the display difficult to see and the buttons awkward to operate. I home brewed a stand that I've used for the past few months. It angled the radio more vertically but it was still low to the desk.
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| The KX3 on my homebrew stand |
The KX3 "Iron Throne"
I finally felt it was time to give the KX3 some love and give it a proper throne chair for its little princely demeanor. The KX3 now has some height and sits more vertically. Access to the face of the radio is much improved.
Here's a closer view...
If you have a KX3 and use it on a desk in the shack the Nifty Accessories stand is a solid addition to improve the ergonomics of your little jewel. It can be ordered with enough space to clear an attached paddle or lower to the desk if you prefer but I wanted the additional height to get it above some of my taller keys.
One Suggestion... replace the paper clips
The stand comes with big paper clips to hold the KX3 to the stand. They are a a bit difficult to properly attach with all the cables exiting the KX3 on the left hand side and they look ugly.
I replaced the two paper clips with a small bungee cord which I attach as a loop across the top of the stand. The bungee cord connects to itself underneath the stand...
The feet of the KX3 then slip under the bungee cord. It seems to hold it sufficiently and is easier to attach and remove the radio. It looks nicer as well...
So lower your power and raise your expectations
72/73
Richard, N4PBQ
So sad
I was browsing Facebook today when I saw this sad post (not verbatim) in the Amateur Radio group. "I am leaving the hobby after 10 years. I am tired of having people tell me that unless I have thousands of dollars of equipment, and lots of land for antennas that I am not a "real Ham" (I hate that phrase!). Have a nice life."
I feel badly for this individual, and I suspect there's more going on here under the surface. But, if that's the definition of a "real Ham" then I'm not one, either ...... and I've been at this "Ham Radio thing" for 38 years now.
I am not going to insult anyone's intelligence by feigning that I don't own expensive Amateur Radio equipment. I do. But when you look at my shack compared to a lot of others out there, mine is relatively modest. No, I'm way beyond two tin cans and a wire, but I'm also do not own enough equipment that would equal the GDP of a small nation.
In the same breath, let me say that I do NOT begrudge anyone from owning enough equipment that would equal the GDP of a small nation. Hey, if you are wealthy enough, and you're not ignoring the basic needs of yourself or your family in order to fund your hobby - more power to you.
The second part of his definition is nearer and dearer to my heart, though. I have never been in a situation where I felt I could put up the kind of antennas that I would like to have. At both my QTHs, the one in East Brunswick, where I grew up, and the one in South Plainfield where I currently live - both are typical NJ suburban lots that are 50 feet wide by 100 feet long. (15M X 30M).
I had a G5RV here in South Plainfield that took so may twists and turns that it looked like I was playing the three dimensional chess board from Star Trek. Everything I have has to fit on my property, even the radials under by Butternut have twists and angles to them. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. Do I wish I had plenty of land where I could lay out a classic Beverage antenna for 160 Meters - or even put up a half wave dipole for 160 Meters? You're darn tootin' I would. But I don't, so I'm not going to shed tears over it. As bad as my case is, at least I can have outdoor antennas. A lot of people have to live with a lot less than I have, and I think about that every time I am tempted to complain or feel sorry for myself.
In the end, you make do with what you have. I'll probably never make DXCC Honor Roll, but I am closing in on 200 countries worked. Given the antennas that I have (and had), I think that's a pretty fair accomplishment.
The bottom line is that you can't let another person dictate to you what something as wide in scope as Amateur Radio..... is. Amateur Radio is many things to many people. My excitement over working Australia with 5 Watts might make you yawn. Your excitement over having your 100th message passed this month might earn just a shrug of my shoulders from me. Are either of us wrong? No, both of us are enjoying what we like best in a hobby that has enough room for everyone!
So the next time someone tells you that you're not a "real Ham", just smile and walk away. Anyone who truly thinks they know what a "real Ham' is, is just kidding themselves, anyway.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
I feel badly for this individual, and I suspect there's more going on here under the surface. But, if that's the definition of a "real Ham" then I'm not one, either ...... and I've been at this "Ham Radio thing" for 38 years now.
I am not going to insult anyone's intelligence by feigning that I don't own expensive Amateur Radio equipment. I do. But when you look at my shack compared to a lot of others out there, mine is relatively modest. No, I'm way beyond two tin cans and a wire, but I'm also do not own enough equipment that would equal the GDP of a small nation.
In the same breath, let me say that I do NOT begrudge anyone from owning enough equipment that would equal the GDP of a small nation. Hey, if you are wealthy enough, and you're not ignoring the basic needs of yourself or your family in order to fund your hobby - more power to you.
The second part of his definition is nearer and dearer to my heart, though. I have never been in a situation where I felt I could put up the kind of antennas that I would like to have. At both my QTHs, the one in East Brunswick, where I grew up, and the one in South Plainfield where I currently live - both are typical NJ suburban lots that are 50 feet wide by 100 feet long. (15M X 30M).
I had a G5RV here in South Plainfield that took so may twists and turns that it looked like I was playing the three dimensional chess board from Star Trek. Everything I have has to fit on my property, even the radials under by Butternut have twists and angles to them. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. Do I wish I had plenty of land where I could lay out a classic Beverage antenna for 160 Meters - or even put up a half wave dipole for 160 Meters? You're darn tootin' I would. But I don't, so I'm not going to shed tears over it. As bad as my case is, at least I can have outdoor antennas. A lot of people have to live with a lot less than I have, and I think about that every time I am tempted to complain or feel sorry for myself.
In the end, you make do with what you have. I'll probably never make DXCC Honor Roll, but I am closing in on 200 countries worked. Given the antennas that I have (and had), I think that's a pretty fair accomplishment.
The bottom line is that you can't let another person dictate to you what something as wide in scope as Amateur Radio..... is. Amateur Radio is many things to many people. My excitement over working Australia with 5 Watts might make you yawn. Your excitement over having your 100th message passed this month might earn just a shrug of my shoulders from me. Are either of us wrong? No, both of us are enjoying what we like best in a hobby that has enough room for everyone!
So the next time someone tells you that you're not a "real Ham", just smile and walk away. Anyone who truly thinks they know what a "real Ham' is, is just kidding themselves, anyway.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Guys who build stuff
Yesterday, after getting my fill of NPOTA stations, I was in the shack getting ready to pull the switch for the evening. It was just then that I heard a weak CQ on 3.652 MHz, from WT2W who lives in the Syracuse, NY region. It turned out that Jim was using a homebrewed transmitter modeled after a 1929 Hartley Oscillator.
Jim was putting out all of about 2 Watts to his antenna, but it was enough to garner him a 569 report from me. His signal was a little chirpy and a tiny bit raspy, but it was still pleasant to listen to and fully copyable. Shortly after our QSO, Jim e-mailed me the above photo. I know how satisfying it is to build a kit and have it work. I can only imagine how much more satisfying it must be to build something from scratch and have it work. I'm not the greatest scratch builder, but the few times I have and have had the finished product work were enough to make the ol' shirt buttons pop.
Another friend who is into building from scratch is my good buddy, Bob W3BBO from Erie, PA. As mentioned before, Bob is my Ham Radio mentor, and I've learned so much from him that I don't even know where to begin. Here are some photos of a series of regen receivers that he's been homebrewing.
Now does he do nice work, or what? Very nice work, indeed! I know that Bob has been conversing with Dave AA7EE, who's listed on the blog roll to the right. As far as I'm concerned, Dave's one of the Master Builders. His creations come out looking so good as to be museum pieces, in my humble opinion.
I wish I had an nth of the talent that these guys have. My creations always seem to come out looking more like something Dr. Frankenstein would have created. Functional, maybe, but definitely not pleasant to look at.
This afternoon, I worked three more NPOTA stations:
AC9FL - SSB - TR55 - Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
N4MJ - CW - BF04 - Fort Donelson National Battlefield
KS4YT - SSB - NP30 - Hot Springs National Park
Sadly, my SSB pileup breaking skills are nowhere near my CW pileup breaking skills. It's going to be interesting to see if they improve as the year progresses.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Jim was putting out all of about 2 Watts to his antenna, but it was enough to garner him a 569 report from me. His signal was a little chirpy and a tiny bit raspy, but it was still pleasant to listen to and fully copyable. Shortly after our QSO, Jim e-mailed me the above photo. I know how satisfying it is to build a kit and have it work. I can only imagine how much more satisfying it must be to build something from scratch and have it work. I'm not the greatest scratch builder, but the few times I have and have had the finished product work were enough to make the ol' shirt buttons pop.
Another friend who is into building from scratch is my good buddy, Bob W3BBO from Erie, PA. As mentioned before, Bob is my Ham Radio mentor, and I've learned so much from him that I don't even know where to begin. Here are some photos of a series of regen receivers that he's been homebrewing.
Now does he do nice work, or what? Very nice work, indeed! I know that Bob has been conversing with Dave AA7EE, who's listed on the blog roll to the right. As far as I'm concerned, Dave's one of the Master Builders. His creations come out looking so good as to be museum pieces, in my humble opinion.
I wish I had an nth of the talent that these guys have. My creations always seem to come out looking more like something Dr. Frankenstein would have created. Functional, maybe, but definitely not pleasant to look at.
This afternoon, I worked three more NPOTA stations:
AC9FL - SSB - TR55 - Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
N4MJ - CW - BF04 - Fort Donelson National Battlefield
KS4YT - SSB - NP30 - Hot Springs National Park
Sadly, my SSB pileup breaking skills are nowhere near my CW pileup breaking skills. It's going to be interesting to see if they improve as the year progresses.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
New Year’s Day
Is always a kind of lazy day at the W2LJ household. Marianne and I are not big party-ers and in fact, last evening, we had to wake up to watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV. We were both fast asleep quickly after. Our two kids were up later than we were, talking with their friends online.
I got on for a bit last night for SKN. I don't know if it was just bad band conditions with the remnants of that CME lingering; or perhaps it was my atrocious bug fist. I made no contacts last night.
During the day today, I did a bit better. I worked five different NPOTA activations (6 QSOs):
N8XX - TR04 - North County National Scenic Trail
W1BXY - NS76 - Weir Farm National Historic Sight
NC8IN - NS55 - Ninety Six National Historic Sight
NR3P - SS01 - Assateague Island National Seashore
KK4ZUU - BP02 - Mnasassas National Battlefield Park
K7UPJ - NS55- Ninety Six National Historic Sight
I just realized now that I worked NS55 twice. Basically, I was dial twiddling, working the ones I could hear decently. There were a few others, but QSB was so bad on 20 Meters at times that I bypassed a few, thinking conditions would get better. They didn't, and going back to try and work those again, I found them to be gone. Sometimes the Propagation Princess is a cruel mistress!
Only N8XX and NR3P were CW, though. I had to break out the microphone and resort to SSB for the others. As Yoda would say, "A disturbing trend in The Force, I sense".
As mentioned in an earlier post, the 2016 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt will be featuring NPOTA - but let that be just a foot note. I would hope that a lot of you who read this blog regularly will step up the plate and activate NPOTA entities using CW (and QRP).
Remember, it doesn't have to be an elaborate set up, with multi ops and crazy antenna installations that last all day. This NPOTA program was tailor made for portable QRP ops! Go to one of the entities, throw a wire into a tree, or perhaps break out the Buddistick, Buddipole, Alex Loop - what have you. Get on the air for a few hours and hand out some contacts!
Also, remember that this is a year long celebration. There were a bumper crop of NPOTA activations on the air today. It seems that everyone wanted to be active on "Day One", but there are 365 days left (this is a Leap Year, don't forget). So get out there and have some fun. That's what this is all about - going outdoors, setting up and having some fun.
This is OUR specialty, guys! Let's show them how it's done!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
I got on for a bit last night for SKN. I don't know if it was just bad band conditions with the remnants of that CME lingering; or perhaps it was my atrocious bug fist. I made no contacts last night.
During the day today, I did a bit better. I worked five different NPOTA activations (6 QSOs):
N8XX - TR04 - North County National Scenic Trail
W1BXY - NS76 - Weir Farm National Historic Sight
NC8IN - NS55 - Ninety Six National Historic Sight
NR3P - SS01 - Assateague Island National Seashore
KK4ZUU - BP02 - Mnasassas National Battlefield Park
K7UPJ - NS55- Ninety Six National Historic Sight
I just realized now that I worked NS55 twice. Basically, I was dial twiddling, working the ones I could hear decently. There were a few others, but QSB was so bad on 20 Meters at times that I bypassed a few, thinking conditions would get better. They didn't, and going back to try and work those again, I found them to be gone. Sometimes the Propagation Princess is a cruel mistress!
Only N8XX and NR3P were CW, though. I had to break out the microphone and resort to SSB for the others. As Yoda would say, "A disturbing trend in The Force, I sense".
As mentioned in an earlier post, the 2016 NJQRP Skeeter Hunt will be featuring NPOTA - but let that be just a foot note. I would hope that a lot of you who read this blog regularly will step up the plate and activate NPOTA entities using CW (and QRP).
Remember, it doesn't have to be an elaborate set up, with multi ops and crazy antenna installations that last all day. This NPOTA program was tailor made for portable QRP ops! Go to one of the entities, throw a wire into a tree, or perhaps break out the Buddistick, Buddipole, Alex Loop - what have you. Get on the air for a few hours and hand out some contacts!
Also, remember that this is a year long celebration. There were a bumper crop of NPOTA activations on the air today. It seems that everyone wanted to be active on "Day One", but there are 365 days left (this is a Leap Year, don't forget). So get out there and have some fun. That's what this is all about - going outdoors, setting up and having some fun.
This is OUR specialty, guys! Let's show them how it's done!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
