[PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload

R. J. Grasser rgrasser at frontiernet.net
Sun Sep 12 09:32:30 EDT 2004 

Hi Martin,

Bonito 4.5 works ONLY on the PCR-1000/100 since ICOM paid them to make a
special version.

ICOM provides it for free with the current build of their receiver, as their
2.2 is sadly lacking in many of the features of Bonito.

According to the guy at ICOM I talked with last week, they dont intend to
incorporate the features in the next version of their software, since it was
easier for them to simply "buy" a made-to-order package.

I also noted some guy selling on Ebay an older version of the PCR-1000 at a
price far above buying the latest "new" model (Texas Towers, for $370.00),
and without BON software.

Do you happen to know when ICOM started making the triple-conversion model?
Early models were only double conversion.

Where would I get a trial copy of Skysweeper?

What will the "key" do for your copy of TalkPCR?

Heres the giggle of the day:

Guy in Florida gets 6 months in prison for hitting his girlfriend with an
alligator.  Convicted of assault, and posession of a dangerous animal.

Under Florida law, individuals may not own/possess alligators which until
about 10 years ago were on the endangered species list.

Regards, RJ (rgrasser at frontiernet.net)


----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Francis" <martin at classaxe.com>
To: "'Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom'" <pcr-1000 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 9:14 AM
Subject: RE: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload


> Hi again R.J.,
>
> thanks for your message and kind offer.  I think that I will stay with
Talk
> PCR however - I'm possibly a bit overzealous when it comes to software
> licensing issues (I'm a programmer by profession) and I'd rather not have
> any software installed on my machine that I'm not 100% sure I'm strictly
> entitled to use - and I bought my PCR1000 before they started bundling it
> with Bonito.   As for the decoding and so on, I have a licensed copy of
> SkySweeper that I use for that.
>
> In the meantime, I will try and contact Talk PCR's author again to see if
> he can send me a registration key for my PC, now that the product is
> supposedly freeware.
>
> Very best wishes and many thanks for your kind offer,
>
>
> Martin Francis <><
> =============================================================
>  NDBList:   Mapmaster, Country Co-ordinator and NDBRNA Editor
>  Location:  Richmond Hill, ON, CANADA / FN03GV
>  Antenna:   Twin K9AY 140' loops on 300 feet of coax
>  Receiver:  ICOM PCR1000 (2.8KHz filter) + DSP-599ZX
>  Software:  NDBWebLog, WWSU, Argo, Goldwave, SkySweep, NDBRNA
>  Beacons:   582 received since May 7, 2003
>
>  Web Site:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx
>  NDB Log:   http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/log
>  NDB Maps:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/maps
>  NDBRNA:    http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbrna
>  NDBRE:     http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbre
> =============================================================
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R. J. Grasser [SMTP:rgrasser at frontiernet.net]
> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 8:20 AM
> To: martin at classaxe.com; Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom
> Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
> Importance: High
>
> Hi Martin,
>
> According to my ISP, many emails were lost last week.
>
> Several people have commented that my address didnt exist, and their
> messages were kicked back.
>
> Should be fixed now, so if you had any returned try resending them as
> "forwards".
>
> You mentioned you use Talk PCR.  I just downloaded it to see what the
> differences are between that and Bonito 4.5.  Actually not much except for
> the display.
>
> Bonito actually does more since it has all those converters that
> automatically decode a variety of signals.
>
> Outside of printing out all the "help" files, I dont see a single
printable
> owners manual.  Do you know if there is one?   Where can I get it?
>
> Had ICOM 2.2 software lockup the squelch control.  Couldnt turn it off
even
> when the "monitor" was on.
>
> ICOM didnt have a fix, so I un-installed it a re-installed it.  That fixed
> it.
>
> If you would like Bonito 4.5, let me know.  I can send it along with its
> "key" via email.
>
> Regards, RJ (rgrasser at frontiernet.net)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Martin Francis" <martin at classaxe.com>
> To: "'Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom'" <pcr-1000 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 8:25 PM
> Subject: RE: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
>
>
> > Hi again R.J.,
> >
> > on my PCR1000 I have a bypassable 7th-order butterworth LPF, which I
also
> > use to match the 75 ohm TV coax I used for the feedline from my K9AY
> > (http://www.classaxe.com/dx/k9ay) into the 50 ohm Icom front-end.   It
> > works well, but I'd still like a bit of extra cut for those specific
> local
> > pests.
> >
> > I use Talk PCR with my set, though despite the fact that it is now
> > 'Freeware' I still get annoying popups asking me to register.   Never
> mind
> > the fact that I would gladly register and have written twice to the
> author
> > so far offering to in exchange for a valid key for it.   The only
digital
> > mode I work with is DGPS decode to identify the LF DGPS stations in the
> > 286-320KHz band, and that's done with a registered version of
SkySweeper.
> >   For DSP I use an external DSP-599zx and offline recording with cleanup
> > using Goldwave which seems to do a much better job of isolating signals
> > than the real-time hardware box does.
> >
> > The 137KHz ham band is also used in North America, for QRP QRSS CW
> > transmission.
> >
> > Sorry to hear about your UPS dying.  $145 must buy you a heck of a
> battery
> > pack.   My UPS unit is much younger (and smaller I guess).   It's also
by
> > APC and I think this one does stepped sinewave too, not much nasty stuff
> > from it.
> >
> > As for LF, I really DO recommend that you build yourself a simple LPF
and
> > try some NDB DXing, it's great.   I produced and now edit a web system
> call
> > NDBRNA (link below) that could help you a lot if you do try NDBing.
> >
> > 73 for now,
> >
> > Martin Francis <><
> > =============================================================
> >  NDBList:   Mapmaster, Country Co-ordinator and NDBRNA Editor
> >  Location:  Richmond Hill, ON, CANADA / FN03GV
> >  Antenna:   Twin K9AY 140' loops on 300 feet of coax
> >  Receiver:  ICOM PCR1000 (2.8KHz filter) + DSP-599ZX
> >  Software:  NDBWebLog, WWSU, Argo, Goldwave, SkySweep, NDBRNA
> >  Beacons:   581 received since May 7, 2003
> >
> >  Web Site:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx
> >  NDB Log:   http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/log
> >  NDB Maps:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/maps
> >  NDBRNA:    http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbrna
> >  NDBRE:     http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbre
> > =============================================================
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: R. J. Grasser [SMTP:rgrasser at frontiernet.net]
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 3:05 PM
> > To: martin at classaxe.com; Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom
> > Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
> >
> > Hi Martin,
> >
> > According to MFJ the 956 is limited to 1.5 to 30 Mhz, and they dont
> suggest
> > you "mess with it".
> >
> > My antenna "math" is circa the early 60's and mostly forgotten due to
old
> > age, and lack of practise ;-)
> >
> > Took the ICOM down on the MF/LF band for the first time today.  Nothing
> but
> > spurs, harmonics, images, and general noise (except for the LORAN-C on
> 100
> > Khz).
> >
> > In "my days", I never ventured over 80 Meters, so I really dont know
what
> > might be down there.
> >
> > I did note in one of my frequency tables there is a EU Ham band at 135.7
> to
> > 137.8 Khz.  Is it used here as well?  What modes are used, and when can
I
> > expect to hear "anything"?
> >
> > Did you get Bonito 4.5 with your receiver?   If not, I can xmit you the
> > files on email (also the ID codes).
> >
> > Bonito has an excellent CW decoder (automatic) if you reset the defaults
> to
> > CF=800Hz, BW=200Hz, and set the tune increment to 1Hz with an IF of 3
> Khz.
> >
> > Bonito falls apart when it comes to hi-res NOAA images from the
> satellites
> > since it is a standard FAX mode part of the software.
> >
> > If your into "imaging" the satellites, download the free version of
> WXTOIMG
> > from the Kiwiland website.  The widely used WXSAT freeware is a really
> > "poor
> > cousin" to WXTOIMG !!
> >
> > My APC UPS battery just bit the dust this morning when the "replace
> > battery"
> > alarm came on for the first time.  Battery lasted 5 years.  Its going to
> > cost me $145.00 to replace it.
> >
> > Speaking of which.  I know why Im not seeing 60 Hz images.  The BP-1000
> > generates a trapezoid on its output instead of a stepped sinewave like
> most
> > UPS's.  Seems the receiver cant see it.  Thats a nice little "perk" :-)
> >
> > Whats your QTH btw?
> >
> > Regards, RJ (rgrasser at frontiernet.net)
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Martin Francis" <martin at classaxe.com>
> > To: "'Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom'" <pcr-1000 at mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 7:09 PM
> > Subject: RE: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
> >
> >
> > > Hi there Mr Grasser,
> > >
> > > I looked up the presector at MFJ's web site.   It seems that it only
> goes
> > > down to 1.8MHz - great for Hams, less so for NDB / MF DXers.
> > >
> > > I found another product by MFJ that looked interesting:
> > > http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-956
> > >
> > > If you click on the 'Download the MFJ-956 Manual' link you see a very
> > > simple circuit diagram - switchable inductor in series with 365pF
> tuning
> > > capacitor.
> > >
> > > 1/(2 * PI * sqrt(L*C))
> > >
> > > The inductors for the bottom couple of bands are 2.5mH and 33uH.
> > Assuming
> > > a usable tuning range of 40-365pH:
> > >
> > > 2.5mH gives 166-503KHz.
> > > 330uH gives 458-1385KHz
> > >
> > > If you wanted to rearrange the formula with a known capacitance of say
> > 1nF,
> > > for a frequency of 1110KHz... you'd need a bigger brain than I have.
> >   I'm
> > > hopeless at these things.
> > >
> > > Now my question is, if this thing is wired to shunt out the unwanted
> > signal
> > > (i.e. the shunt goes between antenna and earth), and you add extra
> > 'stages'
> > > to remove other frequencies, or does the whole thing just turn into
one
> > > almighty mathematical mess?
> > >
> > >
> > > Any ideas?   Or do I have to build it and try it?
> > >
> > > ?
> > >
> > > Martin Francis <><
> > > =============================================================
> > >  NDBList:   Mapmaster, Country Co-ordinator and NDBRNA Editor
> > >  Location:  Richmond Hill, ON, CANADA / FN03GV
> > >  Antenna:   Twin K9AY 140' loops on 300 feet of coax
> > >  Receiver:  ICOM PCR1000 (2.8KHz filter) + DSP-599ZX
> > >  Software:  NDBWebLog, WWSU, Argo, Goldwave, SkySweep, NDBRNA
> > >  Beacons:   581 received since May 7, 2003
> > >
> > >  Web Site:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx
> > >  NDB Log:   http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/log
> > >  NDB Maps:  http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/maps
> > >  NDBRNA:    http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbrna
> > >  NDBRE:     http://www.classaxe.com/dx/ndb/ndbre
> > > =============================================================
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: R. J. Grasser [SMTP:rgrasser at frontiernet.net]
> > > Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 5:09 PM
> > > To: DB Nicholson; Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom
> > > Subject: Re: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
> > >
> > > First off ground your radio at the "in ground" side of your water
pipe.
> > > Your house wiring, or the power meter may not be anything more than a
> > > "floating ground".
> > >
> > > If you have the money, buy an MFJ-1045C active preselector ($67.00 on
> the
> > > web), as it has a very sharp cutoff notch filter.
> > >
> > > We also have a 50 KW station about 7 miles from us, but using the
1045C
> > in
> > > conjunction with my H-800 active antenna (10 Khz to 50 Mhz) from LF
> > > Engineering, and my ST-2 broadband vertical array (30 Mhz to 1.3 Ghz),
> I
> > > can
> > > totally eliminate the offending AM station, and its images/harmonics.
> > >
> > > RJ (rgrasser at frontiernet.net)
> > >
> > > Rochester, NY
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "DB Nicholson" <d_nicholson at bellsouth.net>
> > > To: <pcr-1000 at mailman.qth.net>
> > > Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 12:09 PM
> > > Subject: [PCR-1000] PCR-1000 Front end overload
> > >
> > >
> > > I live less than 3 air miles from a 50kw AM station (WBT - 1110).
>  Front
> > > end
> > > overload makes AM band reception useless.  I am using a longwire abt
> 30'
> > > above ground.  Radio is grounded using the house ground at power
meter.
> > > Someone once suggested using an RC filter to shunt 1110 to ground, but
> > I'm
> > > not sure what components to use, etc.  Any help would be appreciated!
> > > TIA,
> > > Dave
> > > Charlotte, NC
> > > ______________________________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> > >
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