[50mhz] [6 Meter Sked] A question for 52.525 FMers ONLY...

[James M. Walker]

Well,
The recent email activity, tells me I should get busy in the
garage, and "dig out" the 6 meter gear, and set it up out
there. I also have a Diamond vertical for 6, along with a horizontal
Loop with match and 50 Ohm feed.

I "might" be able to start making "RF" by Sunday afternoon or
evening. I have all modes but I think the "Beacon" mode to
start to see if anyone hears my test signals. Got a PC to do
CW TX/RX un-manned so I can keep hunting for stuff
while it is running.

If anyone hears it I may not be right therem but within ear-shot
if I get any responses.

Jim
WB2FCN/WD2XSH-22

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob" <n1ujs at toast.net>
To: <6meter at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: <50mhz at mailman.qth.net>; <themagicband at yahoogroups.co.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 9:41 PM
Subject: Re: [50mhz] [6 Meter Sked] A question for 52.525 FMers ONLY...


> On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 10:48 AM, n8ofs at mjbrowns.com 
> <n8ofs at mjbrowns.com>wrote:
>
>> **
>>
>>
>> > While I have yet to devote one radio entirely to 6 meter FM, I am using
>> an
>> > Icom 706MKIIG and a Kenwood TS-60s for radios.
>>
>> Which do you prefer???
>>
>
>
> Funny you should ask that!  I just put the TS-60 on the bench and went
> through it, tweaking everything to perfection, in hopes of making it my
> "stand alone" 6 meter rig.
> I even wired an SM-8 microphone to it, modified the mike to do the Kenwood
> up/down scheme, and replaced the "a/b" switch on it with a 50k audio taper
> pot and knob to have some flexibility between modes since the radio has no
> front panel microphone gain control.  I then put it side by side with the
> 706MKIIG on a switch so I could toggle between them and compare.  Keep in
> mind, I was HOPING the TS-60 would "win".....
>
> Results as follows:
> TX- I had my friend a few towns away using a SDR rig digitally record me 
> on
> each mode, making a multitude of adjustments during this process on both
> rigs.  Very close results.  The TS-60 had a wider range of tone available,
> but the 706 had less "imperfections" on SSB and AM (mainly differences in
> the way the ALC reacts in each mode).  I can send the sound files to 
> anyone
> who is interested, and you can draw your own conclusions.  Neither would
> outshine the other as far as ability to make the contact though.
>
> RX- Listening to the Yankee SSB net on Sunday morning, where unless the
> guys (most of them up by Boston, and some along the coast from the Cape up
> to Maine) actually point at me, most of them are a marginal copy, I found
> the 706 to be overall the easiest to copy on.  It was "noisier", but also
> had more signal to work with.  Turning off the so called "preamp" (really
> just the front end stage) on the 706 put the radios at almost equal status
> and eliminated the "noisy" part on the 706.  The sound quality of the 
> TS-60
> however was more pleasing, and while there were no close stations on to
> verify this, I suspect the Kenwood would have handled a busier band (like
> sprint/contest conditions) better.  Both noise blankers had their
> weaknesses and their good points.
> Later, I pointed down to PA and monitored two very weak operators in QSO,
> and again, the 706 was the easiest copy.
> On FM, the radios were much closer, though when I add the "narrow" 
> function
> on the 706 the s/n ratio drastically improves and the signal rises an
> S-unit.
>
> Prior to this, I had always had a nagging suspicion the 706 was lacking,
> but I feel better about it now.  The results surprised me. I have more
> confidence in it's ability to receive than I do in the TS-60.
>
> Post testing, the decision was made to leave the TS-60 in line as the main
> 6 meter rig, however, to also leave the switch in line to allow changing
> quickly to the 760 if necessary.
>
> The hunt for the perfect rig continues......and my gut has been suggesting
> to me that an Icom IC-736 may be what I need.  I missed a clean on for 
> $500
> a year ago.  The TS-60 was free though, so it is staying for now.
>
> Thanks for the complimentary comments Andy, and I'm sure we will work at
> some point.
>
> I hope my long winded reply hasn't put anyone to sleep......
>
> 73, Bob N1UJS
> ______________________________________________________________
> 50mhz mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/50mhz
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:50mhz at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>