[600MRG] Bad news / help request

[N1BUG]

Ed,

I do use an amp with the U3S. But there are two serious issues with
trying to use a U3S for QSOs. One is that even with preprogrammed
messages it is not possible to change what message is to be sent
without missing a transmit sequence. The other is it can only send
13 character free text messages. This requires a modified QSO
procedure which the other operator might not understand. For
example, even without spaces KL7UWN1BUGR-30 won't fit. I suppose one
could just just call suffixes at that point in a QSO but call signs
plus report can still be a problem.

The U3S is a fantastic beacon rig but it just wasn't meant for QSO use.

73,
Paul


On 12/31/18 11:46 AM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Paul,
> 
> Why not consider an amplifier for the Ultimate 3S?  Building an amp 
> is easier than any of  your alternatives with the TS2000X.
> 
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> probably not QRV until spring - Inverted-L on ground for maint on 
> 2m-eme system that supports one end of the antenna.
> 
> At 04:59 AM 12/31/2018, N1BUG wrote:
>> So, the latest SlowJT9 test is completed. I regret I was not able to
>> run one night on 630m as planned.
>>
>> I used a QRP Labs Ultimate 3S beacon transmitter for these tests.
>> Yesterday I checked my ability to use JT9-5 for QSOs and found that
>> I have none! My FT-2000 transceiver has too much drift to be of any
>> use on JT9-5 and is very marginal even for JT9-2. What a huge
>> disappointment, though it did not come as any surprise.
>>
>> I can think of several ways to solve this but am not sure any of
>> them can save some part of this winter season:
>>
>> 1. Add insulation and a heater to the FT-2000 TCXO area. I will try
>> this but I am not convinced I can make enough improvement. The drift
>> is really ugly!
>>
>> 2. Replace the FT-2000 TCXO with an outboard programmable GPS
>> referenced oscillator, for example a Leo Bodnar unit. The trouble
>> with this is I do not have sufficient knowledge or experience to
>> know what kind of problems might be encountered. The GPSDO is enough
>> of an investment to kill any and all other attempts at a resolution
>> if I am unable to make it work.
>>
>> 3. Use a divide-by-100 circuit with the FT-2000 operating at 13.6
>> MHz instead of a LO/mixer converter from 10 MHz. This should reduce
>> drift to the order of 0.1 Hz, probably quite acceptable. So far I
>> have not found a divide-by-100 circuit using a modern/available part.
>>
>> 4. Run away from the junk FT-2000 completely, using audio to 136 kHz
>> converter for Tx and 136 kHz to audio converter for Rx. This is
>> finally the direction I want to go but there seems to be much
>> learning left to do and a lot of building. It's probably not a
>> solution which can be completed in time for this winter season.
>>
>> If anyone has experience in any of these areas and is willing to
>> share knowledge, please get in touch with me. This may be the last
>> solar minimum for me, and I would like to make some LF/MF DX QSOs
>> before these incredible conditions fade away.
>>
>> 73,
>> Paul N1BUG