[Elecraft] Advice on first HF Antenna
Bob
bobsmacbox at yahoo.com
Mon Dec 7 22:38:58 EST 2015
Dipole is great. If you want a multiband I have 2 G5RV antennas. 105' for 80m and up and another for 160m and up. Both are reasonable compromises. You must have a tuner.
If you have the KX3 then you will be QRP. I bought a couple hundred feet of insulated 24 ga wire. I have lengths cut for the 15, 20, 30 and 40 m bands. Each wound separately and stored in a plastic pill container. The wire can be had real cheap at Hamfests so losing a run is not a problem.
Bob/nz2z
Bob Bennett
Sent from my iPhone
> On Dec 7, 2015, at 9:12 PM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: New K3SYNA and RTTY (Rich)
> 2. Re: KRX3 & K144XV question (Don Wilhelm)
> 3. Re: KRX3 & K144XV question (Oliver Dr?se)
> 4. Advice on First HF Antenna (CRAIG SCHROEDER)
> 5. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Gerald Manthey)
> 6. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Dr. William J. Schmidt, II)
> 7. Advice on First HF Antenna (James Wilson)
> 8. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Barry LaZar)
> 9. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (tnnyswy at yahoo.com)
> 10. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT)
> 11. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (CRAIG SCHROEDER)
> 12. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (John Kramer)
> 13. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (David Guernsey)
> 14. Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- practice
> fast (Kevin Cozens)
> 15. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Don Wilhelm)
> 16. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Augie "Gus" Hansen)
> 17. K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Dauer, Edward)
> 18. NAQCC Sprint this Tuesday Evening (Larry W2LJ)
> 19. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Sfbonk)
> 20. Re: K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Don Wilhelm)
> 21. Re: K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Bob Novas)
> 22. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v-
> practice fast (Robert G Strickland)
> 23. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v-
> practice fast (Don Wilhelm)
> 24. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Jim Brown)
> 25. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v-
> practice fast (Robert G Strickland)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:57:52 -0500
> From: Rich <rwnewbould at comcast.net>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K3SYNA and RTTY
> Message-ID: <566600E0.1050106 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> I am talking about the RX decoding. I would have no real way of
> knowing which the sender is using. I guess to be more precise I was
> using Writelog/MMTTY for decoding, however I did watch the K3 display
> every now and then. The decode on the K3 was just as accurate. I was
> sending FSK.
>
> Rich
>
> On 12/7/2015 3:30 PM, efortner wrote:
> Are you using afsk or fsk?
>
> Earl, K4KAY
>
>> On 12/7/2015 3:30 PM, efortner wrote:
>> Are you using afsk or fsk?
>>
>> Earl, K4KAY
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rich
>> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 12:19 AM
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Elecraft] New K3SYNA and RTTY
>>
>> I am seeing dramatic improvements in weak signal RTTY decoding.
>>
>> Are other K3 RTTY contesters out there seeing the same remarkable
>> improvement?
>>
>> Rich
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
>> delivered to efortner at ctc.net
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:58:29 -0500
> From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> To: Alan Muldawer <alan at muldawer.com>, elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KRX3 & K144XV question
> Message-ID: <56660105.10203 at embarqmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Alan,
>
> Set the Config menu VFO IND to YES.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 12/7/2015 3:58 PM, Alan Muldawer wrote:
>> I have a K3 with the second receiver KRX3 and I also have the internal 2
>> meter card K144XV and what I would like to do is to be on 6 meter, VFO A
>> and to listen to 2 meters on VFO B . I have had no luck! It looks like in
>> the information for K144XV it seems that this is possible : "If you have a
>> KRX3 sub receiver installed, you can tune HF-6 meters with the sub while
>> operating on 2 meters with the main receiver/transmitter. "
>> http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K144XV%20Data%20Sheet%20rev%204sm.pdf
>> I have separate antennas for both bands. The 6 meter antenna is on #2 and
>> the 2 meter antenna is on #3.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 23:00:16 +0100
> From: Oliver Dr?se <droese at necg.de>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KRX3 & K144XV question
> Message-ID: <56660170.80203 at necg.de>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Alan,
>
> as your quoted instructions say: VFO A on 2 m, VFO B on HF-6. Does not
> work vice versa (as in your request) as the K144XV only connects to the
> main RX (plus the sub RX if you share both, that would mean VFO A + B
> both on 2 m). Also take a look at the RX switching PDF on the Elecraft
> website for deeper insight into possible RX path'.
>
> 73, Olli - DH8BQA
>
> Contest, DX & radio projects: http://www.dh8bqa.de
>
>
>> Am 07.12.2015 um 21:58 schrieb Alan Muldawer:
>> I have a K3 with the second receiver KRX3 and I also have the internal 2
>> meter card K144XV and what I would like to do is to be on 6 meter, VFO A
>> and to listen to 2 meters on VFO B . I have had no luck! It looks like in
>> the information for K144XV it seems that this is possible : "If you have a
>> KRX3 sub receiver installed, you can tune HF-6 meters with the sub while
>> operating on 2 meters with the main receiver/transmitter. "
>> http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K144XV%20Data%20Sheet%20rev%204sm.pdf
>> I have separate antennas for both bands. The 6 meter antenna is on #2 and
>> the 2 meter antenna is on #3.
>> Has anyone been able to do this and how. Thanks!
>> 73 Alan N3ALN
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to droese at necg.de
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:13:22 -0600
> From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <01DC4AEF-3CDE-46A6-802F-50E1CD517FFC at mac.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Craig
> KD0TXL
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:24:11 -0600
> From: Gerald Manthey <kc6cnn at gmail.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> Cc: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <59B5EB49-A36C-46D4-BF55-B02E8730E538 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Craig
> Do you have the real estate to have dipoles up or are you limited in space?
> Tnx
> Gerald KC6CNN
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:24:51 -0600
> From: "Dr. William J. Schmidt, II" <bill at wjschmidt.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> Cc: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <D0181822-2853-41F2-B93F-1C530A8D2B30 at wjschmidt.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> How much money do you want to spend?
>
>
> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
>
> Owner - Operator
> Big Signal Ranch ? K9ZC
> Staunton, Illinois
>
> Owner ? Operator
> Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ
> Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.
> Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com
>
> email: bill at wjschmidt.com
>
>
>> On Dec 7, 2015, at 4:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com> wrote:
>>
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Craig
>> KD0TXL
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:31:45 -0600
> From: James Wilson <w4rks73 at gmail.com>
> To: Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID:
> <CAJNRSCYOZcoD4nXU+CrwrHmU+sDxba8SyowoLkj-qfnOD6CKjA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Craig,
> For a first HF antenna, I would suggest not buying but building your basic
> antenna. A Half-Wave wire antenna (made from stranded copper wire from a
> "big box" store) that is resonant (trimmed to the right length) at the
> frequency you want to operate is both fundamental and highly effective.
>
> Take a look at half wave dipole antennas in an ARRL Handbook or Antenna
> Book.
>
> This will get you on the air quite effectively.
>
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try
>
>> my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna,
>
>> primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would
>
>> you recommend?
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:33:38 +0000
> From: "Barry LaZar" <k3ndm at comcast.net>
> To: "CRAIG SCHROEDER" <craigschroeder at mac.com>,
> "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <em4e75bdaf-7b72-439b-9229-d7f1b6a42229 at barry-laptop2>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=utf-8
>
> Craig,
> Let me start with there is such thing as the perfect antenna. Each
> is a compromise. Now having said that, there are several antennas that
> come to mind. First, there is a simple dipole, fan dipole, or off center
> fed dipole. This assumes that you have supports, trees or equal, that
> can allow you to get the antenna up at least 35' and are at least 70'
> apart. I prefer a 40 meter off center fed dipole, OCFD, as it covers all
> the bands, and being off center fed, allow it to be tuned fairly easily.
> A simple 40 meter dipole fed in the center will work on 20, but it will
> require a 4:1 current balun in the system. Fan dipoles can be made to
> operate on both bands, but tuning is interactive.
>
> If you want to spend ~$600, a Gap Titan is a good antenna. It is a
> bit cumbersome to stand up, but they work. Just make sure the bottom of
> the antenna is about 10' above ground. This height prevents clothes
> lining friends and relatives, and no radials are required.
>
> There are other antennas. Each has something good or bad, price,
> performance, difficulty, etc. My belief is simple is best. And, the same
> should be true field work.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "CRAIG SCHROEDER" <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: 12/7/2015 5:13:22 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
>
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my
>> hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna,
>> primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you
>> recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field
>> antenna for QRP?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Craig
>> KD0TXL
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to k3ndm at comcast.net
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 22:35:48 +0000 (UTC)
> From: <tnnyswy at yahoo.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>,
> "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID:
> <218189586.16992559.1449527748182.JavaMail.yahoo at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Craig, my best advise, ARRL Antenna Book.
> There are way too many variables , and when it comes to Antenna, the only
> high performance Antenna there is, is measured in dbi.
> Go back through the archives here on the forum and you'll find many of educating
> discussion of different antenna subject.
>
> Best of luck, and WELCOME to Ham Radio and Elecraft.
> ((((73)))) Milverton / W9MMS.
>
> From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 4:13 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
>
> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing!? If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend?? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Craig
> KD0TXL
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to tnnyswy at yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 14:41:08 -0800
> From: "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <KX3 at ColdRocksHotBrooms.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <56660B04.7080506 at ColdRocksHotBrooms.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Wire antennas are flexible, work well and are incredibly inexpensive.
>
> Put up as many as you can as big as you can. If they stay up, they were
> too small.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
>> On 12/7/2015 2:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote:
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Craig
>> KD0TXL
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to kx3 at coldrockshotbrooms.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:45:35 -0600
> From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> To: Gerald Manthey <kc6cnn at gmail.com>
> Cc: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <BC45CB5A-F5AF-453B-8971-A2AC17BF6158 at mac.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi Gerald,
>
> I own a large lot with 2 tall trees that could accommodate an 80 meter dipole, and with the cooperation of a friendly neighbor, I could fit 160 meters using his large tree across the back of his property. My trees run east to west and using the neighbors tree I can run north to south. I'm located almost right in the center of the United States.
>
> Performance is the driving factor, but I world like to stay under $500 for the antenna itself.
>
> BTW, I ordered my KX3 with the internal antenna tuner and roofing filters.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Craig
>
>> On Dec 7, 2015, at 4:24 PM, Gerald Manthey <kc6cnn at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Craig
>> Do you have the real estate to have dipoles up or are you limited in space?
>> Tnx
>> Gerald KC6CNN
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 00:45:54 +0200
> From: John Kramer <jkramer at iafrica.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> Cc: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <2DB82A94-EA8B-4188-BCAF-7526C425509B at iafrica.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> I can suggest an antenna by www.myantennas.com Look for their antenna
> called an EFHW 80-10. It will take 1 KW, and has a low SWR on all bands
> 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 bands. It is a half wave design, that I have had
> tremendous success with as a second antenna to my SteppIR beams.
> It is easy and quick to get up, and will serve you well until such time that you
> decide whether to put up a tower and beam. It will also serve well as a portable
> antenna. I have done comparisons to numerous OCFD, Gap Titan vertical,
> G5RV, ZS6BKW, loops and other wire antennas, and in most cases it
> outperformed all of them.
>
> 73
> John ZS5J
>
>
>
>
> On 08 Dec 2015, at 12:13 AM, CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com> wrote:
>
> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Craig
> KD0TXL
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to jkramer at iafrica.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 22:53:49 +0000 (UTC)
> From: David Guernsey <mooo1941 at yahoo.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>,
> "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID:
> <1259522120.17187909.1449528829477.JavaMail.yahoo at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> My first HF antenna was an inverted V up?aboutt 30 ft at feed point. It was cut for 20 meters, but worked on 15 and 4o also.?73 de Dave KJ6CBS
> From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 4:13 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
>
> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing!? If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend?? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Craig
> KD0TXL
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to mooo1941 at yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 14
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 18:00:17 -0500
> From: Kevin Cozens <kevin at ve3syb.ca>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow
> -v- practice fast
> Message-ID: <56660F81.1040901 at ve3syb.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
>> On 15-12-07 12:33 AM, Bill Frantz wrote:
>> The DX vocabulary is very small, and it is fairly easy to learn it at high
>> speed. The major words are:
>>
>> CQ, AGN, ?, UP, TU, and your own call sign.
>
> The other major word during a lot of contests, or for DX, is "5nn".
>
> --
> Cheers!
>
> Kevin.
>
> http://www.ve3syb.ca/ |"Nerds make the shiny things that distract
> Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 | the mouth-breathers, and that's why we're
> | powerful!"
> #include <disclaimer/favourite> | --Chris Hardwick
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 15
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 18:39:44 -0500
> From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>,
> "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <566618C0.2010309 at embarqmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Craig,
>
> For the home station, your first consideration is build or buy. It is
> quite easy to build a pair of dipoles, one for 40 and one for 20 if
> those are your most desirable bands. Get some wire, and some good coax
> and a good common mode choke for each antenna and use the ARRL handbook
> section on dipoles to build your own - it is not difficult.
> Look at what you have for antenna supports - the higher the better, but
> for 40 meters, 50 feet is a suggested minimum for good performance.
> If you have only one support that high, an inverted Vee works nicely.
> Use resonant dipoles center fed and feed with 50 ohm coax. Low loss
> RG8X is almost as low loss as RG8 but not as heavy. If you are going to
> run power, use the RG-8 or RG-213 right from the start.
>
> With a single tall support, for an inverted Vee configuration, position
> a 40 meter radiator at right angles with a 20 meter radiator and feed
> both with a single feedline. Being placed at right angles to each
> other, there is little if any interaction. Get the ends of the
> inverted Vee radiators up as high as possible - if you can get the ends
> up to the same height as the center, that is great - you will have a
> pair of dipoles, so much the better.
> Put the dipoles up, cut a bit long from what the "formula" tells you,
> and then trim it a bit at a time for the lowest SWR or for a reactance
> of zero should you have access to an antenna analyzer at the midpoint of
> your operating frequency.
>
> If you have room for another dipole, consider adding a multiband antenna
> such as a G5RV so you can explore bands other than 40 and 20.
>
> Use a good common mode choke at the antenna feedpoint (for the G5RV at
> the junction of the parallel feedline and the coax). You will need a
> tuner for a G5RV or most any other multiband antennas.
>
> If your horizontal space is limited, try a vertical. I can recommend
> the GAP Titan, being a halfwave vertical, it needs no radials. Mount
> the base 10 feet off the ground so the loop for 40 meters is above head
> level and use a good common mode choke at the feedpoint.
>
> This is just for starters on your antenna quest. That quest is an
> ongoing exercise for most hams.
> Do not strive for the "best" antenna for starters, just get something up
> in the air and start operating - with time you will be able to determine
> how you want to improve your antenna farm.
>
> For portable QRP operation, take a look at the End Fed Halfwave antennas
> offered by LNR Precision - They work and they have a good "trail
> friendly" lightweight version. An EFHW can be easily deployed with one
> end in a tree and the other end near the transmitter.
> If your field operations are more of the picnic table variety than the
> backpacking type, then consider a 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole to
> hold up the center of an inverted VEE antenna. Tie the center of a
> dipole antenna to the top of the pole and push it up - anchor the pole
> to whatever vertical support is available with bungy cords. Extend the
> radiator ends out to whatever bushes or other supports are available.
>
> So my suggestion is to start simple with homebuilt dipoles or other wire
> antennas, then grow your antenna farm after you get on the air and
> determine what you really want, and that may be a 150 foot tower with
> stacked rotating beams sometime in the future. If you have space and
> want "beam" antennas using wire, consider 4 130 foot wires spaced 45
> degrees apart (total of 180 degrees spread) and you will have V-beams
> that can be steered - a very effective beam on 20 meters, but does
> require some feedline switching to select the pair of radiators to
> properly direct the radiation (it is bi-directional).
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>> On 12/7/2015 5:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote:
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 16
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:47:06 -0700
> From: "Augie \"Gus\" Hansen" <augie.hansen at comcast.net>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <56661A7A.704 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
>
>
>> On 12/7/2015 3:41 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>> Wire antennas are flexible, work well and are incredibly inexpensive.
>
> Agreed - you can afford to experiment and learn a lot about antennas by
> building simple wire dipoles and loops before investing big money in
> towers and aluminum. And getting a copy of the ARRL Antenna Book, even
> an old edition at a swap meet or from a ham friend is highly recommended.
>
>> Put up as many as you can as big as you can. If they stay up, they
>> were too small.
>
> Nah, let's get Craig started in the right direction. When I got into ham
> radio in the 1970s I often heard the expression "if your antenna didn't
> fall down last winter it wasn't big enough." But that's kind of like
> saying "If you're driving on the highway and you don't crash you're not
> driving fast enough."
>
> I prefer to suggest that we should try to design and construct antennas
> well so that they stay up and work right. Putting a pulley and weight on
> the support of one end of a dipole suspended between two trees to
> accommodate tension changes from wind is an example of good technique.
>
> Happy antenna building Craig.
>
> Gus Hansen
> KB0YH
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 17
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 23:54:00 +0000
> From: "Dauer, Edward" <edauer at law.du.edu>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
> Message-ID: <4CC216BC-B912-45C6-ADDE-37A67797B94A at law.du.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this
> mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short?
>
> Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry
> about things that aren?t going to happen.
>
> Ted, KN1CBR
>
>
>
>
> On 12/7/15, 2:36 PM, "elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net"
> <elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> Message: 22
>> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 09:43:28 -0800
>> From: Phil Wheeler <w7ox at socal.rr.com>
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
>> Message-ID: <5665C540.6010703 at socal.rr.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>>
>> Uhhh .. it seems we all miss *something*, Bob :-)
>> Good that it resulted only in "rocking on a flat
>> surface" vs. smoke or worse!
>>
>> 73, Phil W7OX
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 18
> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:58:26 -0500
> From: "Larry W2LJ" <w2lj at verizon.net>
> To: "elecraft" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] NAQCC Sprint this Tuesday Evening
> Message-ID: <7906379f4a0c754685ff72a2cc433703 at 192.168.1.4>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ascii"
>
> The December sprint is this coming Tuesday evening local time (December 8th,
> EDT - 8:30-10:30PM, CDT - 7:30-9:30PM, MDT - 6:30-8:30PM, PDT - 5:30-7:30PM),
> which translates as Wednesday, December 9th, 0130 to 0330Z in all cases.
>
> For all the "official" information, please go to:
>
> http://naqcc.info/sprint201512.html
>
> There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other important
> information.
>
> Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX
> for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers (New!). A Certificate for top score in the
> GAIN antenna category.
>
> Prizes: Too many to list!! - check out the prizes page on our website.
>
> This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight
> key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you
> must use QRP power levels to compete for awards.
>
> If you've been hesitant to join in our sprints because you hear other sprints
> running at breakneck speeds, have no fear. Our sprints are geared to the
> newcomer to CW and/or contesting. Virtually everyone including the many veteran
> contesters who regularly enter our sprints will slow down to YOUR speed to help
> you make your contacts.
>
> If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE! Now is your
> chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!! We currently have 7100+
> members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 100 Countries. Sign up on the
> NAQCC website today (http://naqcc.info/) and receive a handsome certificate,
> with your membership number on it, which is good for life.
>
> Come join us and have a real good time!
>
> And since this is the last REGULAR Sprint for 2015, may I take the opportunity on behalf
> of the NACQQ to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
>
> 72/73 de Larry W2LJ
> NAQCC #35
>
> for NAQCC
> http://naqcc.info/
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 19
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 19:18:12 -0500
> From: Sfbonk <sfbonk at aol.com>
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <1517ef3e855-6783-11088 at webstg-m05.mail.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>
> Another advantage of the 40 & 20 dipoles is that the 40 dipole should load up well on 15 (while it is still hanging in there prop wise). Will have some gain and the main lobes will be closer to the wire than broadside, so watch the orientation for DX coverage. I put up a G5RV at my vacation home and it loads with a tuner on 80 to 10. Has some gain on the higher bands ,keep in mind that nulls go along with the gain main lobes.
>
> W3OU Steve
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroeder at mac.com>; elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Mon, Dec 7, 2015 6:41 pm
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
>
> Craig,
>
> For the home station, your first consideration is build or buy. It is
> quite easy to build a pair of dipoles, one for 40 and one for 20 if
> those are your most desirable bands. Get some wire, and some good coax
> and a good common mode choke for each antenna and use the ARRL handbook
> section on dipoles to build your own - it is not difficult.
> Look at what you have for antenna supports - the higher the better, but
> for 40 meters, 50 feet is a suggested minimum for good performance.
> If you have only one support that high, an inverted Vee works nicely.
> Use resonant dipoles center fed and feed with 50 ohm coax. Low loss
> RG8X is almost as low loss as RG8 but not as heavy. If you are going to
> run power, use the RG-8 or RG-213 right from the start.
>
> With a single tall support, for an inverted Vee configuration, position
> a 40 meter radiator at right angles with a 20 meter radiator and feed
> both with a single feedline. Being placed at right angles to each
> other, there is little if any interaction. Get the ends of the
> inverted Vee radiators up as high as possible - if you can get the ends
> up to the same height as the center, that is great - you will have a
> pair of dipoles, so much the better.
> Put the dipoles up, cut a bit long from what the "formula" tells you,
> and then trim it a bit at a time for the lowest SWR or for a reactance
> of zero should you have access to an antenna analyzer at the midpoint of
> your operating frequency.
>
> If you have room for another dipole, consider adding a multiband antenna
> such as a G5RV so you can explore bands other than 40 and 20.
>
> Use a good common mode choke at the antenna feedpoint (for the G5RV at
> the junction of the parallel feedline and the coax). You will need a
> tuner for a G5RV or most any other multiband antennas.
>
> If your horizontal space is limited, try a vertical. I can recommend
> the GAP Titan, being a halfwave vertical, it needs no radials. Mount
> the base 10 feet off the ground so the loop for 40 meters is above head
> level and use a good common mode choke at the feedpoint.
>
> This is just for starters on your antenna quest. That quest is an
> ongoing exercise for most hams.
> Do not strive for the "best" antenna for starters, just get something up
> in the air and start operating - with time you will be able to determine
> how you want to improve your antenna farm.
>
> For portable QRP operation, take a look at the End Fed Halfwave antennas
> offered by LNR Precision - They work and they have a good "trail
> friendly" lightweight version. An EFHW can be easily deployed with one
> end in a tree and the other end near the transmitter.
> If your field operations are more of the picnic table variety than the
> backpacking type, then consider a 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole to
> hold up the center of an inverted VEE antenna. Tie the center of a
> dipole antenna to the top of the pole and push it up - anchor the pole
> to whatever vertical support is available with bungy cords. Extend the
> radiator ends out to whatever bushes or other supports are available.
>
> So my suggestion is to start simple with homebuilt dipoles or other wire
> antennas, then grow your antenna farm after you get on the air and
> determine what you really want, and that may be a 150 foot tower with
> stacked rotating beams sometime in the future. If you have space and
> want "beam" antennas using wire, consider 4 130 foot wires spaced 45
> degrees apart (total of 180 degrees spread) and you will have V-beams
> that can be steered - a very effective beam on 20 meters, but does
> require some feedline switching to select the pair of radiators to
> properly direct the radiation (it is bi-directional).
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>> On 12/7/2015 5:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote:
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to sfbonk at aol.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 20
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 19:21:07 -0500
> From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
> Message-ID: <56662273.7070208 at embarqmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>
> Ted,
>
> Since that builder was able to swap the wrong standoff for the right
> one, I think the inventory would have been correct, but that builder
> simply selected the wrong one during his assembly process. Not an
> uncommon occurrence - no "lawyering" required.
> 1/32" difference is difficult for some to discern visually - measurement
> may be required.
>
> OTOH, if a wrong part was supplied, parts at elecraft.com is available to
> provide the right part quickly.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 12/7/2015 6:54 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
>> Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this
>> mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short?
>>
>> Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry
>> about things that aren?t going to happen.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 21
> Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:31:25 -0500
> From: "Bob Novas" <bob.novas at verizon.net>
> To: "'Dauer, Edward'" <edauer at law.du.edu>, <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> there's a whole bag of leftover parts. Kinda like when I rebuilt my engine. :)
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dauer,
>> Edward
>> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 6:54 PM
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
>>
>> Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this
>> mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short?
>>
>> Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry about
>> things that aren?t going to happen.
>>
>> Ted, KN1CBR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12/7/15, 2:36 PM, "elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net"
>> <elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Message: 22
>>> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 09:43:28 -0800
>>> From: Phil Wheeler <w7ox at socal.rr.com>
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED!
>>> Message-ID: <5665C540.6010703 at socal.rr.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>>>
>>> Uhhh .. it seems we all miss *something*, Bob :-) Good that it resulted
>>> only in "rocking on a flat surface" vs. smoke or worse!
>>>
>>> 73, Phil W7OX
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
>> delivered to bob.novas at verizon.net
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 22
> Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2015 01:27:32 +0000
> From: Robert G Strickland <rcrgs at verizon.net>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed:
> practice slow -v- practice fast
> Message-ID: <56663204.80008 at verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw proficiency
> has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts on the subject.
> Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the practice message, then
> my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could be stated as follows.
> Which is the quickest way to achieve some target speed: to start the
> group at a speed where only one/two character are correct, or to start
> where three/four are correct? I have no doubt that with the regular and
> intense "concentration" that Bob advocates, any method [within common
> sense limits] will result in higher copying speed. That said, which
> starting point is going to get the operator to the target speed the
> quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can comfortably copy at
> speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old school" in that many
> learned in the military and have been at it a very long time. I have to
> believe that their speed developed over time with continuous
> usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An interesting
> "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy at 20wpm,
> divide them into the two approaches being discussed and "measure" how
> long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm. A human factors
> issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for frustration.
> Starting with only one character correct out of five may be pretty
> daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But, that's a separate
> issue.
>
> Enjoying and learning from the discussion. Thanks Elecraft!
>
> ...robert
>
>> On 12/6/2015 08:00, Robert Harmon wrote:
>>
>> Bill,
>>
>> We are not discussing entry level code learning. We are discussing
>> increasing your code speed on receive. And speed is vitally important !
>> K7QQ is not the only one that can copy high speed CW, there are many of
>> us out here. Transitioning to higher speed copy can be done through
>> systematic and regular exercise. I have been a CW operator for over
>> 40 years and it wasn't until fairly late in the game that I accepted the
>> advice from several high speed ops on how to progress past mediocre copy
>> speed. ( I will share this below)
>> First we need to realize there are two distinct types of training for
>> CW. The first is developing your rote memorization skills for learning
>> the characters. I recommend the Farnsworth method for this. With
>> Farnsworth the characters are sent faster than the words. For instance
>> at 10 wpm each character is sent at 20 wpm but enough time is added to
>> slow down the rate to 10 wpm. The ARRL adopted this method years ago
>> for their morse code training materials and the W1AW morse
>> transmissions. For example when W1AW is sending at 18 wpm the
>> characters are sent at 20 wpm.
>>
>> Now to increase your speed you need to approach your training
>> differently. (which is the subject of Roberts
>> original post) There are different variations of the training used to
>> increase your speed but they all have a
>> common denominator. They all in some form or another introduce copying
>> at a faster speed (go figure)
>>
>> Here is what I found to be most effective method for me I learned from
>> other ops.
>> Its great to spend time in the saddle copying QSO's in which your
>> current copying speed will allow, but to really increase your copying
>> speed you need to spend some time exercising your copying abilities each
>> day by practice copying ONLY at speeds faster than you can comfortably
>> copy. You wont increase your copying speed by always copying at the
>> same comfortable speeds. Practice at a speed where you are only able to
>> copy one or two characters in each word. Concentrate !! Do this for
>> only 10 minutes each day. If you are really concentrating you will find
>> 10 minutes is about when you are ready to throw in the towel for the day
>> anyway Later on after you find you are able to copy about half of the
>> overall text then increase the speed back to where you can only copy one
>> or two characters in each word. (This isn't supposed to be easy this is
>> a training exercise.)
>> Try this only ten minutes a day and see what happens ! Also this needs
>> to be practiced regularly, every day and if you miss a day, no worries,
>> jump back in. Many hams never improve their speed and are content when
>> they reach around 20 wpm max. In many chasing DX and contest operating
>> CW activities it gives you an big advantage to be able to operate at
>> higher speeds. We have all heard the high speed ops during a contest
>> and marvel at how fast their contacts go by. It is great to be able to
>> match their speed and grab a contact ! Its not that difficult folks,
>> just 10 minutes a day of concentrated practice. As you are gaining your
>> speed don't get frustrated over losing a word or words when you are in a
>> CW QSO and losing the intelligibility of the conversation, that happens
>> to all of us and will be remedied when you copying speed is increased.
>> Lastly, you will with practice, increase your "comfortable" copy speed
>> to upwards of 30 to 35 wpm and more.
>> You will be able to really enjoy morse as a language. You will sit
>> there and listen to sentences and
>> paragraphs go by in your head with complete understanding. It is very
>> enjoyable !
>>
>>
>> 73,
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 12/5/15 11:54 AM, Bill Rowlett wrote:
>>> The best way to learn CW is the same as learning any language, by the
>>> sound of the letters or charters. The speed you use to practice is not
>>> important, it is writing down the letter when heard, over and over
>>> again. K7QO has a CW program on his site which does just that. Also,
>>> it is finding the time and dedication to put in the time needed. K7QO
>>> by the way has won copy contest at over 100wpm, he knows what he speaks.
>>>
>>> Just my two cents. Now, back to the practice.
>>>
>>> 73 and good DX
>>>
>>> Bill KC4ATU
>>>
>>>
>>> On Dec 5, 2015, at 2:37 PM, Kevin Stover<kevin.stover at mediacombb.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've always thought the Farnsworth method was directly responsible
>>>> for the "10 wpm wall" newcomers were running into. Reading "The Art
>>>> and Skill of Radio Telegraphy" Pierpont says the same thing. By
>>>> stretching the time between words you give people more time to
>>>> translate. if your going to copy Morse faster than about 10wpm you
>>>> don't have time to translate. You have to know the character as soon
>>>> as you hear it without using the look up table in your head. The Koch
>>>> method has no exaggerated spacing between words or elements. You want
>>>> to be proficient at 35 wpm, you practice with dit/dah and word speed
>>>> set for 35 wpm.
>>>>
>>>> Building speed on the air is great as long as the code you are
>>>> copying is "good" code meaning close to properly spaced and timed
>>>> code. The nice thing about the computer programs is they send perfect
>>>> code. With G4FON you can make it more realistic by adding QRM, QRN
>>>> and QSB in varying levels. The only thing your missing is an old
>>>> timer on his bug sending with the "Lake Erie Swing".
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> R. Kevin Stover
>>>> AC0H
>>>> ARRL
>>>> FISTS #11993
>>>> SKCC #215
>>>> NAQCC #3441
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ---
>>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>>>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post:mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>
>>>> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered tokc4atu at hotmail.com
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post:mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered tok6uj at pacbell.net
>>
>>
>>
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>
> --
> Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
> rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
> Syracuse, New York, USA
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 23
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 20:46:33 -0500
> From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> To: Robert G Strickland <rcrgs at verizon.net>, elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed:
> practice slow -v- practice fast
> Message-ID: <56663679.608 at embarqmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Robert,
>
> What is missing is that each person learns at a different level and
> pace. Each of us has our brains "wired differently".
> In other words, what will work well for one person does not mean that it
> will work well for all.
> The quickest way to increasing CW speed is to get on the air and start
> copying stations that stretch your current copying speed. In other
> words, push yourself to higher speeds even if you cannot copy everything.
> ARRL Code Practice is good up to 35 WPM, so try that, but on the air
> conversations may drop you back to 25 WPM because of CW being sent
> imperfectly.
> When you can copy imperfect code (from a bug or keyer without perfect
> spacing), then you have 'arrived'.
>
> There is no substitute for practice - I advocate the 10 minutes a day at
> trying to copy above your comfortable speed limit. More time than that
> leads to frustration.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 12/7/2015 8:27 PM, Robert G Strickland wrote:
>> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw
>> proficiency has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts
>> on the subject. Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the
>> practice message, then my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could
>> be stated as follows. Which is the quickest way to achieve some target
>> speed: to start the group at a speed where only one/two character are
>> correct, or to start where three/four are correct? I have no doubt
>> that with the regular and intense "concentration" that Bob advocates,
>> any method [within common sense limits] will result in higher copying
>> speed. That said, which starting point is going to get the operator to
>> the target speed the quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can
>> comfortably copy at speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old
>> school" in that many learned in the military and have been at it a
>> very long time. I have to believe that their speed developed over time
>> with continuous usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An
>> interesting "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy
>> at 20wpm, divide them into the two approaches being discussed and
>> "measure" how long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm.
>> A human factors issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for
>> frustration. Starting with only one character correct out of five may
>> be pretty daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But,
>> that's a separate issue.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 24
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 17:48:48 -0800
> From: Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna
> Message-ID: <56663700.3060708 at audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
>> On Mon,12/7/2015 2:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote:
>> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend?
>
> Real hams don't BUY antennas, we BUILD them. Antennas are the most
> important part of any station, and until you get into a tri-band beam,
> it is easy to build better than you can buy, and for a tiny fraction of
> the cost.
>
> First, BUY a copy of the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book. STUDY
> (not quick read, but STUDY) these books so that you understand how
> antennas work. Next, STUDY the resources at your real estate -- what's
> available to support one or more wires up in the air? If the answer is
> nothing, then consider buying a multi-band vertical. Suggestions about
> that later.
>
> If you can support only one point, use it to support one or two "fan"
> dipoles. Build one fan for 80 and 40M, and hang the center from the very
> top of your single support. If you have two supports widely spaced
> enough, hang it between them. Build a second fan dipole for 20, 15 and
> 10M. On these bands, 30-40 ft is a good height. Feed these antennas with
> 50 ohm coax. If the feedline will be much longer than about 100 ft, use
> RG8 to minimize feedline losses.
>
> If you're limited to a vertical, go with the biggest Cushcraft R-series
> you can afford, and try to mount it on your roof. HF verticals work
> better up in the air than on the ground. Again, feed it with 50 ohm
> coax, use the bigger RG8 if the feedline is very long.
>
> There are lots of practical tutorials about how to build antennas on my
> website. k9yc.com/publish.htm Start with the slide show and the short
> written piece about Antennas For Limited Space.
>
> For portable QRP use -- start with plain ordinary insulated wire. #18 -
> #22 is a good size. Unroll a length close to a quarter wave, toss it
> into a tree, using string or rope to hold it up. Unroll a second length
> close to a quarter wave and connect it to the chassis of the KX3. Much
> cheaper and works far better than so-called QRP antennas that you buy.
> If there are no trees around where you plan to operate, buy one of the
> telescoping fiberglass poles designed to hold wire antennas and tape the
> wire to it that you would have tossed into a tree. Connect the second
> wire to the chassis. There's a photo of me on my qrz.com page doing
> exactly this about 12 years ago at a county park near Chicago. The rig
> is a K2.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>> Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 25
> Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2015 02:12:37 +0000
> From: Robert G Strickland <rcrgs at verizon.net>
> To: w3fpr at embarqmail.com, elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed:
> practice slow -v- practice fast
> Message-ID: <56663C95.9040409 at verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Don...
>
> For sure, individual differences make for a big difference, both in the
> rate of learning and the appropriateness of any one approach. I think we
> all agree that "stretching your current copying speed" is the only way
> to get faster. That's certainly my experience. I think my curiosity
> comes down to how much "stretch" is the sweet spot [individual
> difference aside]. Lots of stretch - few characters/words copied, versus
> some stretch - most characters/words copied.
>
> Speaking of individual factors... I was just practicing with Rufz and
> noticed how long I "hang" on the first character which inevitably leads
> to subsequent errors. So, I pushed myself to almost "ignore" the first
> character and move right along. Overall error rate dropped
> significantly. So, yes, lots going on. Nothing beats practicing, for
> sure. Have a good day.
>
> ...robert
>
>> On 12/8/2015 01:46, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Robert,
>>
>> What is missing is that each person learns at a different level and
>> pace. Each of us has our brains "wired differently".
>> In other words, what will work well for one person does not mean that it
>> will work well for all.
>> The quickest way to increasing CW speed is to get on the air and start
>> copying stations that stretch your current copying speed. In other
>> words, push yourself to higher speeds even if you cannot copy everything.
>> ARRL Code Practice is good up to 35 WPM, so try that, but on the air
>> conversations may drop you back to 25 WPM because of CW being sent
>> imperfectly.
>> When you can copy imperfect code (from a bug or keyer without perfect
>> spacing), then you have 'arrived'.
>>
>> There is no substitute for practice - I advocate the 10 minutes a day at
>> trying to copy above your comfortable speed limit. More time than that
>> leads to frustration.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>> On 12/7/2015 8:27 PM, Robert G Strickland wrote:
>>> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw
>>> proficiency has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts
>>> on the subject. Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the
>>> practice message, then my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could
>>> be stated as follows. Which is the quickest way to achieve some target
>>> speed: to start the group at a speed where only one/two character are
>>> correct, or to start where three/four are correct? I have no doubt
>>> that with the regular and intense "concentration" that Bob advocates,
>>> any method [within common sense limits] will result in higher copying
>>> speed. That said, which starting point is going to get the operator to
>>> the target speed the quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can
>>> comfortably copy at speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old
>>> school" in that many learned in the military and have been at it a
>>> very long time. I have to believe that their speed developed over time
>>> with continuous usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An
>>> interesting "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy
>>> at 20wpm, divide them into the two approaches being discussed and
>>> "measure" how long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm.
>>> A human factors issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for
>>> frustration. Starting with only one character correct out of five may
>>> be pretty daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But,
>>> that's a separate issue.
>
> --
> Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
> rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
> Syracuse, New York, USA
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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>
> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 140, Issue 11
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