[AK-VHF] Rover Run Complete
Edward R Cole
kl7uw at acsalaska.net
Wed Jun 17 14:59:45 EDT 2020
My initial attempt to use my computer soundcard
directly connected to my K3 did not work. I
think the problem is mono connectors on one end
and stereo on the other. Probably need to make
special cables up with one wire from the stereo
connected to a mono, etc. Stereo/mono adaptors
short the stereo lines together which might no be liked by the device.
Impossible to find audio cables in the
Kenai/Soldotna area (No Radio Shack; no electronics store; nada).
Regarding a directional 6m antenna: the moxon is
essentially a two-element yagi with element ends
bent toward each other. Mechanically it is a
rectangular loop so good for mobile conditions
and narrower than dipole or yagi. I built mine
from on-line plans an it worked (no
tuning). Gain 4 to 5-dBi (3 dBd). Requires an
insulated boom (I used wooden closet
pole). mounted a coax dongle for easy
install/removal. I suspect one could make a
3-element moxon (with a little cut-n-try).
Stainless hose clamps work for sliding element
sections; slit the element end about one inch on the larger tube.
73, Ed - KL7UW
CONTEST logs need to be submitted by tenth day
after the contest - don't procrastinate! We need
minimum three entries for Alaska VHF-Up Group for
standings to be recognized in club standings.
At 10:22 AM 6/17/2020, Brandon Clark wrote:
>Hello group,
>
>The digital modes are definitely the go-to thing
>these days. Finding ways to include those in our
>club activities could be really helpful in
>attracting more participation up here. In
>September I'll be doing a more limited rover
>route due to the MARA hamfest taking place on
>Saturday. Since I won't be traveling as much I'm
>thinking about taking Sunday as a day to try out
>using digital modes from the rover.
>
>If anyone has an interest just let me know and
>we can try some things. I can picture things
>like RTTY being great for quick local contact,
>modes like JT65 and FT8 being used for long haul work.
>
>I don't think I will have it ready for the
>September event, but I am also planning to
>greatly increase my 6 M capability on the rover.
>I will be designing a direct-feed (50 ohm)
>3-element beam that I can mount on the rotator
>stack. A 6 M horizontal yagi will stick out
>beyond the sides of the truck somewhat, so my
>idea is to make it fold up for travel.
>
>One idea is to use telescoping tubing sizes
>(common on yagis) and make the outermost pieces
>"quick disconnect" using wing nuts, cotter pins,
>or something equally simple. The other option is
>to use elements that have a hinge a few feet
>from the boom, allowing the outermost sections
>of each element to rotate in towards the boom. A
>lot it depends on what I can obtain here in
>Alaska. For example, the local metal yards can't
>(or won't) get 1/2" tubing except on $500+ special order.
>
>Construction methods aside, that would give me
>more gain on the best band to use for long-haul
>contacts, and I wouldn't have to take the whole
>antenna down when moving between grids.
>
>Brandon
>
>
>On 6/16/20 5:52 AM, Paul Kiesel via ak-vhf wrote:
>> Ed,
>>There was some activity on 50.125, but most
>>active contesters now have migrated to 50.313
>>and are using FT8 mode. Unfortunately, that is
>>the place to be now. On the other hand, FT8 is
>>more sensitive than CW or SSB and a user in
>>Alaska is more likely to be discovered down here if he uses FT8.
>>All too often, we miss QSOs with a station that
>>a neighbor works 10 miles away via E skip.
>>That's the nature of the beast. Very often,
>>though, just waiting on the frequency will get
>>you a contact with that station. Not always, but often.
>>73, Paul K7CW
>>
>> On Monday, June 15, 2020, 11:11:07 PM
>> PDT, Edward R Cole <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:
>>
>> Ken,
>>
>>Sounds like an interesting trip. Noted in the
>>news that smoke waslimiting travel on the old
>>Murphy Dome road; wonder if you encounteredany?
>>
>>VHF Contests up here start out on 144.200 SSB;
>>I started calling on 6mabout 1820+ but on
>>50.125 SSB. Probably no one down in the
>>lower-48does that anymore. Heard no openings
>>to the south; K3 was on 6m
>>allday. Mid-afternoon (2100ish) is tried to
>>get FT8 running on 50.313,but had audio
>>problems in Rx. I did hear a strong signal
>>briefly inthe speaker (like a carrier). Too
>>often Es skip over us up toBP64-land.
>>
>>Good memories of your first rove in AK.
>>
>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>>
>>
>>
>>At 09:52 PM 6/15/2020, Ken K wrote:
>>
>>Sat morning, I started in BP46,about 25 miles
>>south of the Arctic Circle. Activated 6 grids
>>on Saturday,then a severe wx lightning forecast
>>for my route Sunday led me to stayaround Fbks and work some more locals.
>>
>>Paul, there WAS an opening to the PNW, for
>>about 10 minutes at the startof the contest.
>>VE7DX, Perry and I spotted each other on ft-8,
>>butcouldn't close with RR. He did work into
>>BP64 successfully, but I wasabout 120 miles
>>north of there. I spotted another VE7 and even
>>K5CM, butit was all over by 1815. Crazy band.
>>
>>Ed, we'll make that long path yet. And I still
>>have the 3 pathfindercertificates hanging in
>>the shack (Shannon KL3JI has them as
>>well)Looking back, my best roving score was the
>>Jan 2010 contest, when I ranfrom
>>Homer-Fairbanks for the first time. 1,764
>>points was good enough towin the Northwestern
>>Division and West Coast Region in Limited
>>Rover,thanks to lots of help from lots of
>>folks, and bad winter wx in the PNWand west
>>coast that weekend. I got lucky. Good fun!
>>
>>73,
>>Ken NL7B
>>On Monday, June 15, 2020, 11:14:48 AM AKDT,
>>Edward R Cole<kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Agreed! Both Brandon-KL7BSC signing KL7VHF/R and Ken - NL7B/R made
>>this VHF Contest very enjoyable.
>>
>>I worked 22 QSO's on 50/144/222/432 in five grids. What was
>>surprising was to work a couple stations north of me with my 6m yagi
>>fixed pointed SE. The rovers activated the grids (two of which
>>normally have no activity. I think Brandon qualifies for the
>>Pathfinder Award
>><https://www.qsl.net/a/ak-vhf//Awards/>https://www.qsl.net/a/ak-vhf//Awards/
>>from the AK VHF Group. Ken was our first Pathfinder in 2011 usingNL7HJ.
>>
>>Other long-shot was that NL7B received my weak signal on 144 SSB over
>>a path of approx 350-miles passing thru the Alaska Rang to Murphy
>>Dome NW of Fairbanks (dog-leg shot). Ken was using a 4-element yagi
>>for receiving; I ran 140w into my four 10-element eme array Pointed
>>az=021 Which crosses over 4,000 foot Mt. Susitna about 70-miles north
>>of me. Pretty sure if a couple yagis (10 or 12 element were used we
>>could have had a 2-way contact).
>>
>>Haven't worked up my score, as yet.
>>
>>73, ED - KL7UW
>>
>>At 07:15 AM 6/15/2020, Paul Kiesel via ak-vhf wrote:
>>> Â Brandon, well done. Looking forward to seeing theresults.
>>>73, Paul K7CW
>>>
>>> Â Â Â On Sunday, June 14, 2020, 11:55:55 PM PDT, BrandonClark
>>><kl7bsc at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>> Â Hello everyone,
>>>
>>>After a 4 hour delay in Turnagain construction traffic I'm backin
>>>Anchorage again. I'll send out more details tomorrow, but the shirtversion
>>>is that this is a new record for the club river station. 61contacts.
>>>Full details tomorrow.
>>>73,
>>>Brandon, KL7BSC
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>>73, Ed - KL7UW
>> Â http://www.kl7uw.com
>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>> Â dubususa at gmail.com
>>
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>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>> Â http://www.kl7uw.com
>>Dubus-NA Business mail:
>> Â 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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