[AK-VHF] NET: 17 Nov. - 144.200 USB

[Tom Elmore]

Ed, Thanks for the update on the Saturday net. I am QRT on 2m SSB at the
moment due to an issue with the Collins transverter. The unit has always
been about 7Khz high on the dial when using the two meter portion and I have
put up with it knowing where to preset the dial before the net begins. I
knew the issue was with a 94Mhz overtone crystal used in one of the mixer
stages and was a real bear to get at to troubleshoot. About two weeks ago
now I took it all apart and attempted to electrically move the crystal down
in frequency but I couldn't keep the crystal oscillating reliably enough
then I decided to open the sealed crystal to see it I could move it down in
frequency by grinding which was a mistake and I ended up breaking the quartz
plate inside the sealed unit. I managed to find a 94Mhz crystal from a place
in Australia
(https://www.minikits.com.au/94.000000MHz) for those interested. I also
decided to give this place a try http://www.quartslab.com/ in the UK and
will let everyone know if they are a good supplier of crystals of for those
that might need them. I hope to be back on the air later this week.


Tom 
KA1NVZ

-----Original Message-----
From: ak-vhf-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ak-vhf-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Edward R Cole
Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2018 11:44 PM
To: ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
Cc: magicacresak at gmail.com; melum at alaska.net; al7jx at icloud.com;
kl7jd at alaska.net; kl7grm at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [AK-VHF] NET: 17 Nov. - 144.200 USB

Just a note about today's net:

I was surprised to find infinite SWR (100w fwd/80w refl) at the 
beginning of the net so I switched to use my ARX-270 10-dB vertical 
for transmitting.  That lowered my signal about 10-dB from normal.

AL7JX called at 9am and was S7 using my yagis for Rx.  Fortunately 
band was quiet with S3 level so Glenn  was strong.  Interestingly he 
searched by rotating his antenna for peak and found me very loud 
coming from West (apparent mountain bounce from across Cook 
Inlet).  This just shows that one should not just point directly on 
VHF+ bands as there is interesting propagation (at times).  Normally 
I can only work Glenn by pointing my yagis toward Anchorage which 
180-degrees from direct path (guessing Chugach Mtn backscatter).
KL7FZ was worked with S4-5 signal weak but readable
WL7AU - S7 nice copy but he had trouble copying my vertical so I 
tried using the yagis even with high SWR - it worked better!
KL6M - S9+10dB
KL7YK - S5 difficult copy
KL7JK - no copy
KL4E - S9

Normally would not operate with such bad SWR as I would expect the 
amp to shutdown.  It didn't.

Spent afternoon installing LMR-600 phasing lines on new 6m dual-yagi 
system and soldering an 8-pin plug onto my elevation system cable 
outside in the light rain.  Did not troubleshot the 2m SWR.

My new 2m 1200w amp is near completion and I found dc test with 
cooling fans running is too loud for operating SSB in the shack.  No 
problem for running digital eme modes as they are text with no audio 
in the room.  Ordered replacement Ham-IV rotator and 60-foot of new 
rotor cable to fix the 2m azimuth drive system.  May have the old 
rotator for sale (as-is).

73, Ed - KL7UW
Happy Thanksgiving!

At 09:37 PM 11/16/2018, Edward R Cole wrote:
>Net begins at 9am on 144.200 USB
>Hope to see you tomorrow on the net.
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
>   http://www.kl7uw.com
>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>   dubususa at gmail.com
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73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 

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