Heil Pro Set Plus Head Set

Without question this is the best accessory in my shack. The Heil Pro Set Plus Head Set.
I can rag-chew while walking around in my shack, sitting in my recliner or while sitting at my desk. Having the HS-2 hand switch & Heil FS-2 dual footswitch was the bonus.

When rag-chewing with local friends they can tell if I am on the hand microphone or head set. The head set produces an unbelievable audio sound. The reception is also the best, wearing the head set I hear nothing that happens in my home or shack. Heck, the house could fall down and unless something fell on me I would not know.

The hand switch is great for walking around the room or sitting in the recliner, the foot switch is great while working DX or rag-chewing while working on the computer.

The Heil Pro Set Plus! is a dual mic element headset. It includes the HC-5 key element for articulate speech audio that is great for everyday rag-chewing and traffic handling. And it includes the HC-4 DX Dream Machine element designed to help you cut threw pile ups. This new "!" version features a audio phase switch. The Heil Pro Set Plus! is destined to be the new benchmark competition headset for DX and contest operators worldwide.

Switchable HC-5 and HC-4 elements
Phase Switch
Boom swings for left or right use
Self adjusting cushioned headband
Highly efficient tuned speaker cavities
Heavy duty cable system
Extremely light and comfortable
Removable cotton ear pads
Speaker Phase reversal switch
Rugged ¼” speaker swivel studs

So with all this do you want one now?
Well, you can not get a new one~ They have been discontinued.
Their replacement is the PSE-6.
The Heil Pro Set Elite series.
I will let you know what I think about that when I get it.
If it is anything like the Pro Set Plus~ Wow!

Really Cool Dipole

This is a really cool, eye opening set-up.
I mean this antenna looks cool in the carrying case and set-up.
The real eye opener is the price, Big Ouch.
I am not going to waste your and my time with photos and the write up, just a link.
Click Here

ICOM's ID-E880

This looks like a neat little toy to have. One day I do hope to purchase an ICOM rig with the D-Star capabilities. At the moment there is a D-Star Repeater in my area but I am unsure how much activity it receives. One day I may listen online. If you are interested in listening to DSTAR audio feeds via the internet, then you have two options:

Listen direct on my server at http://radio1.ham-radio- op.net:9008 or via the Radio Reference Web Site at http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/? ctid=321 Users on Radio Reference need to scroll to bottom of page then click on the speaker icon next to the Dstar feed name.

Back to the ID-880;
Icom is pleased to announce the debut of the ID-E880 mobile VHF/UHF dual-band, D-Star transceiver. The ID-E880 is designed to be easy to use and contain a new ‘DV mode’ feature which allows the operator to access D-Star repeaters in just two steps. The ID-E880 mobile is the successor to the ID-800H mobile transceiver and retains many of the features of its predecessor including switchable dual-band capability, detachable controller and 50W power output. The usability of the ID-E880 has been improved with a larger LCD display and a high speed scan capability of up to 50 channels a second. The ID-E880 is ideal for a range of users including foundation licensees, anyone new to D-Star and Ham organizations such as Ray-net that are looking for a simple GPS position reporting system.
To read more on this rig, click here or click here

Videos for ID-E880

The Alinco DR-235 TMK III

I’m hoping to purchase an Alinco DR-235 TMK III in 2011. Why you may ask? Just because it is the only mobile rig that dose the 1.25 meter band (220 MHz). The 220 MHz is a portion of the VHF radio spectrum allocated for amateur radio use in ITU Region 2, comprising frequencies from 222 MHz to 225 MHz in the United States (with the addition of 219–220 MHz on a limited, secondary basis) I’m still needing to research the meaning of that.
It just seems to me that 2 meters is very crowded and 440 gives me heartburn, so I am gonna try 220MHz.

The Alinco DR-235 TMK III features;

Frequency range RX; 216-278 MHz (after modification: RX/TX 200-299.995 MHz depending on VCO alignment)

TX; 222-225 MHz

Modulations;
RX FM / N-FM
TX FM / N-FM

Sensitivity;0.25 µV (12 dB SINAD)

Selectivity;
FM: 12 kHz (-6 dB), 28 kHz (-60 dB)
N-FM: 6 kHz (-6 dB), 14 kHz (-60 dB)

Aerial; 50 Ω, SO-239

RF-Output; High: 25 W, Medium: 10 W, Low: 5 W

Memories;101 channels in 1 banks

Power requirements;13.8V DC

Current drain RX; Max 600 mA

TX; Max 8 A

Dimensions (w×h×d); 142 × 40 × 174 mm (5.59 × 1.57 × 6.85 in)

Weight; 1000 gr (2.2 lbs)

Features;
CTCSS, DCS and DTMF. 1K2/9K6 TNC option. Theft alarm Digital voice board option (requires at least two similarly equipped radios)

New Toy ordered

I ordered a Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe today.
I am hoping to see it before December third.
Here are some of the e-Ham reviews I read. click here
I also talked to several hams before my purchase. What do I have to loose? I am new to CW.

Water Antenna

Looks like another weekend project to play with.

UHFSDR Kit

Here it is. Another winter project. This was e-mailed to me by a few anonymous readers. So I had to do some tracking to find the source. Credit to Andrew Sparky and WB6DHW

The UHFSDR is a Software Defined Transceiver covering the 1.75 MHz to 700 MHz frequency range. A Si570 is used for frequency control. Two LVPECL 4 GHz max.flip flops produce I and Q LO signals at 1/2 the Si570 frequency. A pair of 1-1000MHz Double Balanced Mixers are used to convert signals to and from base band.

A receiver pre-amp (2dB noise figure) and a transmit pre-amp(50mW max output) are provided as well as antennal switching plus provision for separate receive and transmit connections.

For additional information, download the Assembly Manual.
The BOM, schematic, and board layout are Here.
A HiRes(3.7MByte.) picture of the completed board is Here

Link to WD6DHW’s Website

Marshall Headphones

Not Ham related, but cool indeed. Having been a guitar player for 35 years I think this is pretty cool. I know many hams who also have battles with the six string axe.

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Everyone knows that you can't really get that full live rock and roll experience without shoving your head against the amp. That said, sometimes it's hard to find a nearby Marshall stack--like, say, when you're at the office or on the subway.

These new Marhsall-branded headphones may be the next thing. At the very least, they sort of look like a pair of amps strapped to the sides of your head.

"These headphones are conceived from Marshall's time-tested fundamentals of performance and endurance, designed to thrive on daily use and to render music the way it was meant to sound, no matter what your flavor is," the company writes in a press release. "The greatest of effort has also been put into the aesthetics, making the headphones ooze of that iconic Marshall look."

If you don't mind a little oozing next to your ears, these things look downright snazzy. Well, at least wall two inches of what we've seen thus far.

Wouxun KG-UV920R Mobile

UPDATE; Click Here
I'm all for cheaper radios and equipment in this wonderful hobby of Amateur Radio. Being on a fixed income I can only afford used equipment at this point unless I save for several months. Wouxun has plans to release a New Dual Band Mobile unit. It sure looks awesome. Read the Specs. From what I have read it's in the $150-$200 price range. If that is the real price range, it's going to upset the Amateur Radio world as far as prices are concerned.
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The KG-UV920R is Wouxon's first dual band rig, operating both 2 meters and 70 cm (440 MHz). Power output is selectable in 3 steps (2m: 5/25/50W, 70cm: 5/20/40W) and modulation can be switched between narrow-FM and regular-FM. The receiver covers the entire HF band, 65-220 MHz and 400-520 MHz and supports AM. A detachable front panel and DTMF-mic come standard.

Frequency range RX 0.15-30 / 65-220 / 400-520 MHz

TX; 2 m / 70 cm

Modulations RX;AM / FM / N-FM

TX; FM / N-FM

Tuning steps; 5 / 6.25 / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 50 / 100 kHz

Features;

DTMF-mic
Detachable front panel
Called ID
Twin RX
Cross-band repeater

For more info on Wouxum; click here

Eagle HF DSP Transceiver; Ten-Tec

I got an e-mail asking if I had heard anything about this rig.
The answer is no I have not.
Ryan informs me that this rig may give some of the newer rigs a run for there money and operation features. The radio looks nice and I love the fact that the fact that many of the hot buttons light up and the fact you can also change the color on the display.
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Ten-Tec has created a transceiver combining simplified controls and ease of operation with the excellent performance of a low first IF 160-through 6-meter ham-band architecture in a compact, mobile-friendly structure. The analog portion of the radio is double conversion with IF frequencies of 9.0015 MHz and 22.5 kHz. A third conversion to zero-frequency IF is accomplished in the DSP processor.

- Frequency Range TX: Ham Bands Only (160-6M)
- RF Power Output: Adjustable, 5-100 W, +/- 1 dB

Price “599″ Model (without Antenna Tuner): $1795.00
Price “599AT” Model (with Antenna Tuner): $1995.00

Details

Documents:

599 Manual V1.003 1.15MB (2010-10-06)

Brochure 398.76KB (2010-09-27)

Kenwood TS-590 on Air test

Here is a new video of the New Kenwood TS-590

here is another video: Click Here

The SDR Cube

I posted back in August (Tmate (what your SDR always wanted) I was told by several that SDR is not a popular thing here in the U.S. Looks like they maybe wrong.
While browsing around the ARRL web site I notice an article in which it mention SDR Dominating the 2010 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference.
While reading the article I was led to the web-page by George Heron, N2APB and Juha Niinikoski, OH2NLT, where they introduced the SDR Cube project.
This definitely looks cool to me.

For more on the SDR Cube;
click here
They also have a yahoo group;
click here

George N2APB and Juha OH2NLT have also added videos demonstrating the SDR Cube in action. The video segments include:- Overview- Tuning a CW station (two clips)- Tuning SSB stations- CW QSO with YL2QT- Tuning an RTTY station
These videos can be seen; click here

High Efficiency Plate Caps for the Eimac 3-500Z Tubes

While chatting with some friends this morning, The topic came up in regards to aluminum plate caps. So this is what I was taught;
These Precision machined 6061 aluminum Plate Caps remove an incredible amount of heat from the plate pin of the Eimac 3-500Z tube as compared with the original style Plate Cap (Anode Cap for our friends in the UK). This gives the operator a comfortable margin of safety regarding the Plate Pin Seal Temperature when operating his amplifier at elevated continuous duty output.
These plate caps are not intended to increase the original ratings of the tube or amplifier, always use good engineering practices and follow the recommendations of the tube and amplifier manufacture when in use.






source

Yaesu FT-8900

I have been asked several times by new and old hams, what is my favorite rig?
My answer is always my FT-8900.
Yes, it is a mobile rig yet it makes for a nice base station also. Mine is in the shack mounted just above my FT-897D.
The FT-8900 has many features that I enjoy such as the separation kit, dual receive, operating FM Satellites and Cross Band Repeat.
The Cross Band Repeat is helpful when I am rag-chewing while sitting around the fire pit in the back yard or in other areas of the house.
My HT is unable to make the trip to many distant stations, but it will receive them well, so I set up the cross band on the FT-8900, grab the HT and take my friends with me.
The other nice feature about the FT-8900 is that it is a Quad Band FM transceiver, able to work 70cm, 2m, 6m and 10 meter bands. If you hold only a Technician Licensee the great thing about this rig is you can operate on all bands.
Did I mention the Hyper Memory? Another great feature.

Check out the Yaesu FT-8900.

"New" ~ Elecraft Custom K3

Now this is a nice looking rig. I have never operated a Elecraft, heck, I have never seen one. I guess I should try and get out more. This is a beauty and would look nice in my shack. If anyone out there wants to donate one to me that would be awesome. hi hi.
BTW, although this rig is not new, to me the addition of the knobs makes it a new rig. Maybe I should had said the Custom K3 for a title.
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Now available: A New Weighted dimple type VFO Knob made just for the Elecraft K3

The original K3 knob weighs in around 3.5 ounces. These premium USA made knobs weigh 14 ounces and they tune just wonderful. This knob is made from solid high strength Bronze. There is something about this bearing grade material that feels ultra slick in the hand. It has to be felt in person to appreciate. Smooth as glass is a good description and the color while being quite different from stock, really grows on you the more you use it.

Installation is easy and all hardware is Stainless Steel. Everything is CNC Machined from billet stock right here in the USA. The set screw that holds the knob in place is a flat tip style (no marring of your VFO shaft). Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed 30 days or you may return it for a full refund.

LINK

Kenwood TS-590

I'm a major fan of Yaesu, however this looks to be a Gem....

The new Kenwood TS-590 that created a buzz at Dayton this year is finally being released WW in October 2010.

Kenwood in Japan has released the final specifications. It looks like it’s going to be a superb receiver but the pricing looks to be well over 2K USD. Kenwood’s Japan site lists it at 228,900.00 JPY=2,679.41 USD.

Related links at Kenwood Japan:

LINK (1)

LINK (2) Versions of New KENWOOD: “TS590S” “TS590V” and “TS590D”

Tmate (what your SDR always wanted)

This is really cool, A friend sent this to me. We talked about this while on Echo-Link. Seems like the really cool stuff is going on in Europe.

Tmate is the most awaited accessory by many users of SDR radio that can not or will not stay without the VFO knob! With a classical tuning knob, the USB interface and the upgradable software, allows the control of main functions of the various SDR software. Intended mainly to allow the use of SDR software without the need to watch the screen of the PC, or when the screen of the PC is crowded by various programs such as LOG or software for DIGITAL operations or CONTEST.