 I like the shades! |
K6JRF's Page formerly W6FZC Yaesu FT2000 ESSB Audio Setup |
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(Updated: Feb 26, 2020)
- - What's NEW - -
[03/29/20] - FTdx101D 'ttbf' Mode Analysis . . . click here
[03/26/20] - GDO "RFI" problem . . . click here
[02/18/20] - K6JRF Antenna Repair by JD Signs. . . click here
[02/12/20] - FTdx3000 Line In Analysis added. . . click here
[12/27/19] - FM-DX Tuner and FM Yagi Design - 4el new yagi design. . . click here
[03/21/19] - Use "UrbanBeam" Concept to Design a compact 3el 20M Yagi. . . click here
[03/05/19] - The Saga of the Plugged Shower Drain - Part II. . . click here
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The OWA explanation: The Optimized Wideband Antenna (OWA) is antenna feed-point matching method developed by WA3FET that provides an increased feed point impedance while widening the VSWR bandwidth. The OWA is implemented in a yagi by moving the first director very close in front of the driven element. The only negative aspect of OWA yagis is that they give up a slight amount of forward gain (typically less than .5dB) from a conventional yagi. This small degradation is impossible to notice in operation and is well worth the simplicity of direct feed and the excellent bandwidth. Analyzing the "OWA" method; O = optimized . . . this word causes difficulties; optimized means only ONE parameter is "peaked", not all! W = wideband . . . implies complete band operation. Nothing wrong with that; A = antenna . . . dipole, yagi, quad, etc. No problem here. So the use of the term "optimized" is a problem! What does "OWA" method actually accomplish . . by moving the director closer to the driven element, the feed-point impedance is raised which reduces the F/G and reduces the SWR thereby increasing the operating bandwidth. That, friends as stated, is a "method" or a "technique" and results state that this method will make an optimized wideband antenna. The problem is that the optimization process only peaks ONE parameter at the expense of the others. The word "optimize" by definition means to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible. Does performing the OWA method result in the best F/G and the best F/B and the best BW? The answer is NO! Performing this "method" results in a peaking of one parameter and compromise for the remaining parameters. This is far from the BEST, most favorable, ideal or perfect. So the OWA method can't be the BEST for all parameters! If I happen to want more F/G, the OWA method will not provide that. So performing the "OWA" method does NOT result in the BEST that can be done. However, the authors use the term optimize which implies to the reader that the antenna is now the best it can be when actually, it is less than it was before! Here's an example - - the HG204BA yagi features four (4) elements on a 26ft boom. The 'graphical' summary on the left shows what it does "out-of-the-box". Next to it on the right is the OWA technique to transform the yagi. 
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The stock 204BA meets a lot of users needs; good F/G, good F/B ratio with reasonable SWR across the complete 20M band.
Could that be called "the best"? If any version of this yagi could be called the best, this is it! There is absolutely
NOTHING wrong w/ that yagi as is. For MOST Hams, this yagi provides the
overall best in F/G, F/B and SWR that can be had for that boom length. And you
certainly can operate over the full 20M band w/o any SWR problems! By applying the OWA method/technique, the antenna is modified to loose some F/G while lowering the overall SWR (1.5:1 vs 1.2:1 is nothing to write home about). The main difference is that you can now use a direct 50 ohm coax feed. That is not necessarily an advantage b/c a balun is still required as it was before the OWA method. The only thing that has changed is the possible elimination of the "match" (hairpin for the HG204BA). Is this yagi now "better" than stock HG204BA? I don't think so! Actually the yagi's specs have been degraded but now some can now call this an OWA. A change s/b made to the "name"* to better define what was done to modify the antenna and remove the ambiguity using the word "optimized". This removes the mis-understanding with most Hams who think the antenna is now the "best" it can be b/c it was "optimized"!!! * A more appropriate term is . . . . Comprehensive Wideband Matching - CWM . . this much better describes what's going on. You loose F/G for the sake of operating bandwidth by changing feed-point impedance as the result of moving the director closer to the driven element. The resulting antenna is not OPTIMIZED for all parameters. |
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FBN-83 (1400ma) to FBN-94 (1800ma)  If you purchase a replacement battery for the VX-170 2M HT and choose the FBN-94 to replace the FBN-83, you need to cut off the plastic battery cover from the bottom right corner as shown so that the battery's ground shows (metal case). If you don't it won't CHARGE when you plug it into the standard charger via the "Ext DC" side input. |
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Good News . . FTdx101D/MP has the "ttbf" mode - 4Khz SSB TX! Latest FW release: "202003" date 3/16/20 Up to Mar 16, 2020, Yaesu has pulled a fast one on the buyers of the new FTdx101D and FTdx101MP radios. It appears that they are playing games by initially "giving" the user only 3KHZ RECEIVE bandwidth and then, probably after many buyer complaints, releasing a FW update that now gives 4Khz RECEIVE BW but NO "ttbf" SSB TX mode that is present on the FTdx9000, FTdx5000, FTdx3000, FTdx1200 and FT2000 radios. And MANY are very angry and disappointed. But that's Yaesu!! I believe Yaesu is still designing the radio as it sells them! And since this is a new technology field for Yaesu - SDR, I'm not sure that they can release a future FW update that will give the fabled "ttbf" mode on SSB TX. The FW release at the end of June shows there there is still pressure to continue the "ttbf" tradition in their radios even in the new SDR field. One customer called Yaseu and asked about the "ttbf" mode: he was told that at THIS time, the function is not available; however his call was logged and forward to the engineering dept. So there may be hope . . Personally, if the ttbf mode isn't added, I wouldn't buy the radio! The 101D price tag is $3300 and 101MP is $4400. The 101D requires an external 13.8V DC power supply and a speaker. The 101MP comes with a power supply (FPS-101) which has a speaker in the external cabinet. It should be the same for the 101D. In my opinion this SDR Yaesu radio is in the beta-testing stage!! They have far more issues with new releases than all other companies combined. Yaesu owners will remember the "PEP" . . Performance Enhancement Program from Yaesu where they literally replaced the "insides" of FTdx9000 and other radios and installed FW that actually did something! My FT2000D received all new FW for the "operating" and "features" updates where the Noise Blanker, for example, actually started to work! Personally, I'd get a used FTdx5000MP and be very happy! However, as of Mar 16, 2020, Yaesu released a FW update: 202003 and you can now attain the fabled 'ttbf' mode for SSB TX. Details at the bottom of this section. |
Here's the FTdx101D mic preamp schematic: |
After capturing the above schematic into 5Spice, it appears as shown: |
As you can see, the preamp's audio BW is certainly quite good - 16hz to 5.7Khz - without the need to
REPLACE any component! That's a first for Yaesu. Normally, they usually RESTRICT the audio peramp BW resulting in ckt component
modifications to give sufficient audio bw. It's about time they got it right! |
However, this excellent response is degraded in the following stages BEHIND the mic preamp. I personally
have observed cutoff below 100hz and above 2.5Khz in the final RF output so this audio is not being utilized. That is
unfortunate. You see that there's an analog mux that selects the signal into a gain opamp, then through R-C filter which attenuates the signal by over -100dB and then through a "peaking" opamp filter which peaks the signal. |
The follow-on ckt consists of what is called the "Buffer-Filter Ckt" and the schematic show it captured into 5Spice for analysis.
The ckt appears to be "strange" in that there is a low-pass-attenuator consisting of resistor/capacitors around Q9014. This ckt attenuates
the preamp signal by over 100dB. Then Q9033 opamp "peaks" the response. This is strange indeed!!! |
The 5Spice analysis shows the conditioning that occurs to the excellent mic preamp signal to deteriorate it as shown. As you see, the
Lo cut = 16hz, Hi cut= 5.5Khz with a PEAK response point at 3.5Khz @ 7dB! Certainly not standard processing IMO.
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Received email from Damon, KJ7E regarding the latest FW update: 202003 of 3/16/20. Here's what he wrote: 
Been a long time, lots to talk about, but I picked up an FTDX101MP a few months ago and just figured out how to enable the TTBF for extended
TX bandwidth. With the latest 202003 firmware update package you can enable the TTBF TX BPF option. Same as the
FTDX5000, power on and press DNR+DNF buttons on the main RX side (lower set).Did a real quick sweep between the two settings this morning, didn’t plot it but here are the results; [Also received an email from Terry W6RU and he confirms the addition of the 'ttbf' mode by following the above instructions. Charles, W4CO has also reported that performing the FW update does indeed give the ttbf mode on his FTdx101MP.] -- Pwr Pwr Hz TTBF 50-3050 20 0 0 40 0 0 60 0.4 0.4 80 3.2 3.4 Low Pwr Out Problems 100 8.4 8.7 below 100hz, 150 23.2 23.2 above 3.2Khz 200 30.3 30.3 250 36.1 35.9 300 39.1 39.0 400 44.2 44.1 500 47.2 47.3 600 48.2 47.7 700 49.0 48.7 800 50.0 49.9 900 50.6 50.5 1.0k 49.7 50.0 1.2k 50.3 50.1 1.4k 48.6 48.2 1.6k 48.7 47.7 1.8k 45.7 45.3 2.0k 43.4 43.3 2.2k 40.8 40.7 2.4k 37.1 36.9 2.6k 33.0 32.7 2.8k 29.1 28.3 3.0k 22.6 22.3 3.2k 15.7 14.0 3.4k 9.4 2.6 3.6k 5.0 0 <--- power out stops - 50-3050 mode 3.8k 5.0 0 4.0k 2.1 0 4.2k 0.5 0 <--- power out stops - ttbf mode 4.4k 0.0 0 4.8k 0.0 0 5.0k 0.0 0 
The left and right charts show the FTdx101 and FT2000D @ 50W frequency response respectively. My FT2000D was swept using a Sony
MZ-R55 with a pre-recorded "white", "pink" and "tone" sources w/o any EQ. I picked the "Tone" curve b/c it matches the method
used by KJ7E. Look at the shape of each curve: the FTdx101 output exhibits "pwr-sag" at two (2) places: below 150hz and above 3.2Khz. I've drawn two (2) 'correction' lines that match the FT2000D response. |
Comparing the output levels are various frequencies shows a rolloff at low frequencies (below 100hz) and high freguenices (above
3.2Khz). As you read in the SPICE section above, the Mic Preamp does NOT restrict the signal's BW. However, there is some
"strange" equalization in the BUFFER/FILTER ckt that is hard to explain why it would be needed?? 
The chart shows a comparison between the ttbf vs 50-3050 modes: the
ttbf response is not much different from the 50-3050 mode with the LO freq response missing. A small increase in the HI freq repsonse.
This was recorded from the SF web-SDR and it MAY be restricting the 'real' BW. The HI freq response in the ttbf mode
rolls off starting at 3.4Khz. In any event, it needs work!! Freq FTdx101 FT2000D 60hz -21dB -3db 100hz -8dB -1db 3.2Khz -5dB -4dB 3.6Khz -11dB -7dB <-- HI freq rolloff is evident in the SpecraPlus chart. 4.0Khz -14dB -9dB I understand that the SSB TX signal is directly created by a D/A converter. It's amplified to the needed power level and outputted. There must be some non-linearities in the drive signal (as we saw in the Buf/Filter ckt) or in the output drive to the final RF TX amplifier. The chain needs to be investigated! Another anomaly is the loss of the "50-3050" setting when turning on the 'ttbf' mode. FT2000 FTdx101 1-3000 50-3050 <-- becomes 'ttbf' when it is enabled! 1-2900 1-2900 2-2800 2-2800 3-2700 3-2700 4-2600 4-2600 3000WB - - - <-- no entry! When the 'ttbf' mode is enabled, the 50-3050 mode is replaced by 'ttbf' So you loose the 50 - 3050 mode which shouldn't be! Yaesu needs to correct this IMO. |
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Will continue to monitor and report findings here . . . stay tuned! |
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= FTdx1200 & FTdx3000 4Khz SSB TX = Two things show that this is possible: 1) The "WIDTH" control can be extended to 4Khz by turning it fully CW; 2) The specs for Menu #104 (for both radios) state that these TX BW are possible: [1-30= 100-3000]; [1-29= 100-2900]; [2-28= 200-2800]; [3-27= 300-2700]; [4-26= 400-2600] and 3000WB. The last setting "3000WB" [100-3000] is found on the FT2000, FTdx5000, FTdx9000 radios; when the "magic" two buttons are pressed while pressing the POWER switch, "3000WB" is replaced in Menu #104 by "ttbf" which is the 4Khz TX mode. The two buttons for the FT2000 are described in the FT2000 table below.  Received an email tonight from VE3WCQ which stated . . . " I thought I would let you be the second site to learn of the TTBF for the FTdx3000 and FTdx1200. 1. Make sure power is off. 2. Find the CS and TXW buttons just left of the Freq Dial. 3. Push and hold "CS" and "TXW" buttons in while powering the radio via the "ON/OFF" switch. 4. Select Menu# 104 and see that "TTBF" has replaced 3000WB. 5. If you wish to go back to 3000WB just do steps 1 to 4. Well that's it. I hope your followers will enjoy. Mike VE3WCQ " Tnx Mike for the info . . many owners will have a big smile after tonight! Yaesu used a great choice of buttons; the "C.S" is direct MENU access-select while the "TXW" selects the SSB TX BW. For EQ and processing selections visit my "4Khz SSB EQ" page here For a "quickie" EQ, try these settings for the parametric EQ mode (#159 to #167) with a 'quality' mic plugged directly into the front panel connector; ----- Desc ----- Menu# -- Setting-- PrmEQ1Freq ----- 159 ---- 300 PrmEQ1Levl ----- 160 ---- -6 PrmEQ1BW ------ 161 ----- 1 PrmEQ2Freq ----- 162 ---- 700 PrmEQ2Levl ----- 163 ---- -5 PrmEQ2BW ------ 164 ----- 1 PrmEQ3Freq ----- 165 ---- 3200 PrmEQ3Levl ----- 166 ---- 10 PrmEQ3BW ------ 167 ----- 1 I've added the FTdx3000 to the "NO EQ" page here. OK, how about some other EQ entries? |
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The FTdx9000 and FT2000 can be programmed to a 4Khz SSB Tx BW, so should the FTdx5000. That's what I've always believed and sure enough, it can! NAIA was the first to discover this as I recall. It's easy to do and here's how to get the radio into the 4Khz SSB TX mode. So how is it done? Access Menu #104 and look at all of the entries. One of them is labeled "1-30" and another "3000WB". "WB" stands for "Wide Band". As you read in the "How to EQ . . " section, both are identical. So the "dual" entry implies that the "WB" can be made to extend further. And it can! 
How? Simply do the following; The picture shows the two (2) pushbuttons . . . The radio will turn on normally except that when you access the "Tx BW" menu #104, you'll see that the "3000WB" has been replaced with "TTBF". So now, "1-30" is still the same, 50hz to 3Khz but the newly added "TTBF" has 50hz to 4Khz Tx BW. The SSB Rx BW is still 40hz to 4Khz. You can return the radio to 3Khz SSB BW by repeating the same steps at turn on. Very simple! |
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The FTdx9000 and FTdx5000 can be programmed to a 4Khz SSB Tx BW, so should the FT2000. That's what I've always believed and sure enough, it can! Yours truly was the FIRST to find the magic buttons even though others posted (K3UR, KC4PE and others) as if they found it. So how is it done? Access Menu #85 and look at all of the entries. One of them is labeled "1-30" and another "3000" or "3000WB". "WB" stands for "Wide Band". As you read in the "How to EQ . . " section, both are identical. So the "dual" entry implies that the "WB" can be made to extend further. And it can! How? Simply do the following; 
The picture shows the two (2) pushbuttons . . . The radio will turn on normally except that when you access the "Tx BW" menu #085, you'll see that the "3000WB" has been replaced with "TTBF". So now, "1-30" is still the same, 50hz to 3Khz but the newly added "TTBF" has 50hz to 4Khz Tx BW. The SSB Rx BW is still 40hz to 4Khz. You can return the radio to 3Khz SSB BW by repeating the same steps at turn on. Very simple! Unfortunately, the EQ schemes that I've developed for the "3Khz" Tx BW need to be augmented to take advantage of the increased 4Khz SSB BW. I've added a new section to compliment the 3Khz EQ section called "How to EQ the FT2000 - 4Khz Tx BW". Click here to see my current audio rack settings. The old section was renamed to "How to EQ the FT2000 - 3Khz Tx BW". The new TTBF EQ section will build as time progresses. The MP3 clip below demonstrates the fuller 4Khz SSB audio captured by Duke, NA1A on a Flex5000A @ 4Khz BW. The extra BW, results in a more "relaxed" and "open" sound. This clip shows that fullness can also be had at the same time! |
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KK7HO said in his note: This filter is a huge improvement. It's been some time in the making but looks like a really simple replacement for one of the FT2000 roofing filters and the results is an increase of about 24 dB in the IMDDR 3 @ 2 kHz. I have known Charlie W5VIN for several years - great technician and Jeff AC0C for about the past year and a half. I've been involved in a Yahoo FT2000 tech group for the last year or so and have followed and discussed this with them during the development stage. I think it's a winner and I'll be ordering one. The link shows the details of the development so far along w/ how-to-install the new filter. Note that at this point, the 2Khz filter is in the development stage. The final product should be much easier to install. As of June 2016, the NS filter is no longer available. According to Jeff, AC0C, he estimates at least 25,000 of the FT2000 and daughter FT950 rigs were sold in the production lifetime making it one of Yaesu's most successful products. Check out the improvement for the FT2000 for the installed NS filter here . Talk about an impressive difference! |
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Recently Hans, PA1HR created a summary of the QST reviews of modern day radios. These include Flex6600A, Elecraft K3, varios Icom radios and the Yaesu line including FTdx9000, FTdx5000, FT2000 and FT950 to name the more popular radios. This update shows the new FTdx101D Be prepared for a <<SHOCK>>, the FTdx5000's rcvr is a brick-wall of 114db! Even the SSB transmitter's 3rd Order IMD specs are apx 10db better than the next closest radio!!! And the newly released FTdx101D is now ranked "2nd" but if you look carefully, it could be #1 depending on how you sort/rank the data! The format of the report is "landscape" in order to better fit the large amount of data for each item. It also has a "Power Amplifier" section to review and rank the many HF linear amps available going back to 1997. New addtion for this month: SPE_Expert 1.5K. Click here to download this latest version. Here's the "Sherwood" report: Click here to see the ranking report. The top radio today is the FTdx101D . . . and the FTdx5000 is ranked 12th based on the criteria. My old FT-2000D is ranked . . . 124th!!! It's a wonder I can hear anything??? |
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The information here centers the use of external audio equipment and, secondarily, use of the internal parametric EQ to attain improved Tx ESSB audio. The techniques described here are directly applicable to the FT2000, however the recommendations are applicable to any modern HF transceiver. The capabilities of this radio seem, at first, overwhelming. But once you spend some time looking at the operational manuals, browsing through the schematics and playing with the knobs, you see the best of all worlds is built into this radio. The "Technical Supplement Menu" section contains the "service" documentation for the FT2000 and DMU module. Each PDF contains the schematics, board layout and parts-list of all modules. This data is a must if you plan on making any changes. Also, the "Alignment" manual contains the "how-to-do" instructions including the required test equipment to properly align the radio. Please RIGHT-CLICK and select "Save Target As" to download the PDF files. The main Service Manual is 25Mb! The Owners Manual's internals can be copied and/or extracted to other programs.
In the "Audio Techniques Menu" section, specific instructions for attaining 'good' ESSB audio including adjustment techniques, alignment improvements as well as tips for proper audio system interconnection. Included are links to equipment manufacturers. These techniques are applicable to any radio however they are tailored for the FT2000.
In the "FT2000 Modification/Alignment/Repair Menu" section, improvements to the FT2000's circuits are shown. Mose "Mods" are shown in detail using Spice ckt analysis to show the actual performance of the "stock" ckt as compared to the improved operation after the mods are made. In addition, all of the details of required parts along with instructions that show how-to-accomplish the changes including the PWB parts layout from the Service Manual. Presently, there are technical analysis of the FT2000's VOX and MIC ckts. In the "Repair" section, the failure of a front panel pushbutton (PB) is explained and the repair steps are shown in words and pictures.
In the "Amplifier Modification Menu " improvements to accessory equipment such as linear amps, etc are detailed. This section concentrates on using Spice ckt analysis to show the actual performance of the "stock" ckt as compared to the improved operation after the mod(s) are made. In addition, all of the details of required parts along with instructions that show how-to-accomplish the changes including the PWB parts layout from parts suppliers such as Mouser Electronics. Presently, there are a technical analysis of the AL-1500, AL-572 and 6mtr mod to the SB-230.
In the "Antenna Design Techniques Menu " standard methodology for using available antenna design sw to successfully design any type of antenna desired such as "wire", "vertical", "yagis", and "quads" to name a few. The first section concentrates on detailing the necessary design techniques for using Yagi Optimizer [YO], Antenna Optimizer [AO] and Terrain Analyzer [TA]. This design SW was developed and perfected by Brian Beezley, K6STI.
In the "General Interest Pics" section, improvements to my home and surrounding area is detailed. Recently "Operation No-Grass", "Solar System Update" and "Bird Spike Repair" were completed with pictures showing the highlights of each project.
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This room was
remodelled recently and the goals were to make it clean, comfortable, well lighted
and organized, all of the things that the former studio was not! Also made sure to have lots of
120 Vac outlets. To that end, a new service line was added which makes 36 outlets available!
The studio is also wired for 240Vac which powers all radios (FT2000D + TS-711) and AL-1500 linear and
Y0-301 scope. I recommended doing this b/c it isolates the high current draw devices and improves the
power transfer efficiency. The air conditioner was recently replaced w/ a new LG 8500BTU unit. A/C makes radio operation a pleasure on hot summer days. The computer system has been 'upgraded' w/ a new monitor, keyboard, printer and scanner shown in the picture below. |
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The desk lineup
shows; audio rack with three (3) studio grade audio processors plus a Technics 40W audio amplifier w/ equalizer,
Yaesu FT2000D, Yaesu YO-301 monitor scope, Palstar AT-1500DT tuner. In front of the audio rack is a Dell C640
P4-2.4Ghz laptop used for digital recordings/playback, 5Spice analysis and making/recording Spectra Plus charts. Second tier shows; SP-5 Speaker w/ Time Wave DSP, TS-711 2M all-mode Transceiver, Sony E10 Minidisc recorder, Nye-Viking wattmeter, HyGain HDR300 rotator and Ameritron AL-1500 linear amplifier. The microphone is a Neumann TLM-103 Anniversary issue which has been my main (and only) mic for many years now! When you have one of the most faithful sound reproducing mics in the world, you don't need to experiment. |
Sony MDS-E10 mini-disk recorder. Makes flat recordings from 20hz to 20Khz. Note: fix "eject" problem: uxcell
Nitrile Rubber O-Rings, 17mm ID x 1mm dia.
 click here for a larger picture |
FT2000D w/ external switching PS.
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My current audio
equipment. Starting from the top;  The DDP equalizer screen with its 'visual' frequency display! |
Tower and Antennas
The current antennas are different from my previous shown here.
The large 20mtr mono-band antenna spread out over the deck and pool as the picture shows and it provided a "resting-place" for all birds to constantly 'bomb' the real estate below. After 35+ years, they won so all of the antennas were removed.  It's been over 8 years and all traces of birds and their droppings are gone. So I've put up a different, mostly smaller, antennas and these have Bird Spikes added to the elements and boom. This product prevents birds from landing and there is no mess to clean up on the deck or in the pool! My current plans include putting up a LJ-203BA, a 3el 20mtr monoband yagi and a Create Design, CD78 75/80 dipole. On top of the tower is a Hustler G6-144B 6dB colinear antenna, all with Bird Spikes mounted on all potential bird-landing surfaces! The picture shows George, W6ZZ [sk 11/15/14 - rest in peace], Terry, N6CW and yours truly along w/ our respective ages. The "Old Amigos" continue to ride! The alternate picture shows a closeup of the CD78 feed point taken by my "hand held" Panasonic DMC-TZ5 camera on the ground at 17x zoom! Amazing Optical Stabilization; even the label on the DX Eng balun is clearly readable. CD78 Dipole Analysis The CD78 is an amazing antenna for it's size. The 75 mtr gain is lower than a full size dipole b/c of its reduced size, apx 58 ft from tip to tip but since it can be mounted high on a tower, the height makes it very efficient b/c of the lowered radiation angle. It also loads on 20mtrs perfectly. I've used it on 15mtrs w/ the FT2000's automatic tuner. Using antenna software called Antenna Optimizer [AO] by K6STI, Brian Beezley, I checked to see what it would take to increase the gain. AO was able to quantify the gain loss due to the dipole's "coils" and then show what can be attained with lower loss coils. Click here to see the AO analysis results. |
 click for CD78 closeup w/ Bird Spikes  click for overall tower picture click for closeup of CD78 mounting After 41 years of studying birds, I've found the "secret"; if you wish to be bird free, you MUST not let them land. If you do, you WILL have a bird problem. It's as simple as that! 5/13/11 Oh, Oh, there's bird poop on the deck and in the pool . . . . click here to see why |
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The tower
is a 13 year old crank-up tubular tower by US Tower
MA-850MDP. This base system, MARB-850 rotator base, is planted in 6' x 6' x 4.5' of reenforced
concrete and is bolted to the concrete via the four (4) 2 inch diameter bolts. Besides holding the tower,
this allows for easy leveling of the overall structure. Also the base allows the tower to fold over when
it's fully collapsed via the two 2.5 inch triple hardened bolts used as hinges! The five (5) section tower sits on a trust bearing supplied with grease fittings in order to keep rotational wear to a minimum. The bottom plate supports most popular rotators. I've used the HyGain HDR-300 rotator (5000in/lbs of rotating torque) for 13 years with no problems. |
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The tower system
was purchased with the positive pull-down feature. This feature is very desirable during high winds. If
you've gone though this, then you know what I mean! The reversible 1/2hp motor mounts a 1' pulley driving about 10:1 reduction gear that powers the worm drive box with another 40:1 internal reduction. With all this power, it breaks tangled coax (or anything else) without hesitation! Unfortunately this has happened at least once! The upper spring and pulley assembly takes up slack in the positive pull-down cable that goes directly to a tie point on top of the tower. The tower is controlled by two (2) limit switches that set the highest and lowest points before the motor power is cut off. The control box is basically a junction box for 120Vac and contains reversing and limit switch wiring. The ladder allows you to climb the first section (20') when it's fully collapsed. |
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This new HF
amplifier is just great addition to my studio. The
Ameritron AL-1500
uses a single 8877 (3CX1500A7) tube from Eimac and it outputs 1500W for 40 watts drive. The amp has an Electronic Bias Ckt (EBS-1)
which cuts the tubes off very cleanly between words. Thus the total dissipation is kept remarkably low and, even more
important, the heat buildup is minimized. Check here to see how it was mounted into a tight space.
This is my main amplifier. |
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I never thought that
I'd never sell this amp but you can't ever say "never"! I don't use it so, it was sold to Jerry, W6XI and the
pic shows that it's headed for a new home in Arizona. The amp is 35+ years old and it's never 'failed' or even hiccuped!
Jerry will enjoy this amp from now on . . I sold it to him if he guaranteed that he wouldn't beat me in the pileups . . .
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 click for larger picture |
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Detailed Audio Rack View: The Behringer MIC2200 preamp has a combination tube and solid state amplifier that gives the best of both worlds. A tube preamp in general gives a warmer sound to the audio from the mic. The Behringer Ultra Curve Pro DEQ2496 is a unique audio dynamics processor that employs 24-bit A/D/A converters in a 96Khz sampling environment. The DDP is a unique audio dynamics processor that employs 24-bit A-D and D-A converters under control of a dBx developed DSP chip with a LCD display. A truly marvellous dynamics unit in one increment of panel height. |
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click for detailed picture |
The key element in
audio work is the microphone and there are as many opinions as there are microphones, so here we all tend to get subjective.
The best overall mic is probably a 'dynamic' such as the Electrovoice
RE20 or Shure
KSM44. These mics
produce audio with little or no coloration. I personally have settled on the 'condenser' style mic because of its high sensitivity (typically 15db more sensitive than a dynamic), and broad pickup pattern. Currently I'm using the Neumann TLM-103. It's a great example of a well engineered and quality manufactured product albeit pricey! The Marshall MXL2003 is a good condenser microphone that is reasonably priced. For those who don't want to spend a lot, try the Shure C606 dynamic mic. Priced around $25 and it's can be used directly (XLR connection) into the FT2000 or FT950 using the internal EQs with a 75hz to 12Khz response and a rise starting at 1Khz. Marvellous mic for the price. |
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W2ONV became a SK on Aug 12, 2007 due to a battle with scleroderma. His disease became aggressive and quickly
caused other immune diseases resulting in the taking of his life. A sad day for all Ham Radio. Bill had been "one- two, one- two" for so many years before anybody took notice that many incorrectly attribute his SSB experiments to the early 90s. In truth, he had been doing that in the late 80s and, in fact, I would "stop-by" 14.178 and ask if he got it "right" yet. He'd reply that when he got to "three" he would be close! I asked why he was wasting so much time with this "hifi" audio. One of my problems, was simply that I couldn't hear it b/c of a "standard" rcvr bw of 400hz to 2400hz. His radio transmitted 50hz to 3.5Khz, so that's why it was a mystery to me! The Spectra Plus chart captures the essence of Bill's SSB audio.  About a 6 - 7 months later, the new FT1000D ESSB radio was born. The radio continued to evolve for another year as more advanced mods were done. The details of how this was done are on my FT1000 web pages here . Suffice to say, that this delighted Bill to no end. He would mention it every time he found me on frequency. He was so proud that it was done and a member of the 'group' did it. That's the kind of man he was. I left active ham radio in 2000 or so and was off-the-air until about 6 months ago. I removed all of my antennas so I couldn't get on the air even if I wanted . . . and believe me, I wanted, mainly to talk to Bill. As I was 'getting' ready to come back, I was told of his passing. All I can say, it was as if my father had passed. It delayed me for at least, another 6 - 8 months before I got over his demise. When I was setting up the "external audio rack", Bill said that he had the 'magic' setup info that will give you great audio. At that time, I was naive enough to believe him so he said he'd send me the proven Aphex setup info. 
Here's the sketch of Bill's setup (click for larger view) that he used when he ran Aphex audio processing. It was well
marked meaning it had made the 'rounds'. The "key" was the Aphex "Big Bottom" setup outlined in the blue box. The BB drive
. . . "must be exact"! Nothing against Aphex (and Behringer, etc) but the BB circuit was a 'joke' . . The only thing
that's a 'secret' is the fact that all audio is mainly dependent on the 'voice' and mic driving the rack. However, I
treasure that info and have shared with you all today. |
Speaking of knobs, I'm not much for marrying a computer w/ a radio b/c I'm basically an old-timer and I still love
buttons, knobs and sliders on the radio. Well, last night, I decided to try a Software Defined Radio (SDR) program so
I d/l the latest version of Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD), V4.0 SP4 build 1901 and installed it. The work that has
gone into the development of this fine program is to be lauded. Simon Brown, HB9DRV has done fantastic work to bring
the program to this latest state of perfection. 
I works so well that I couldn't believe what I saw. All functions work so nicely and effortlessly, that I was taken
back. All of the buttons and knobs on the radio are available in HRD they all work as advertised. The picture shows the basic FT2000 radio setup (sliders are not shown). You can either click a button on the screen w/ your mouse or use the radio. The program has many features and one of these is the "DX Cluster" announcements right on your screen sorted by band. If you're interested in a particular station, you simply "click" on the station and your radio changes to that frequency and aims the antenna. It takes the "work" out of chasing DX. The program can be downloaded here. Scroll down to the "Installation" section and click on the highlighted "Download". After the d/l completes, click on the main file EXE program to start the installation. |
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Three versions of an excellent HAM Timer program by WC0EM is located here Ham Timer V3.0 is available for Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10;  Ham Timer V2.31 with re-sizeable windows for Windows XP;  Ham Timer V1.22 is available for ALL Windows.  Bjørn Vangstein, LA5MDA FT-2000 Audio settings here. Checkout W3YY info page for FT-2000 here for early overall review. MARS/CAP mod for FT-2000 here. Mods.dk compilation for FT2000 here. The DXZone for FT-2000 resources here. Larry, W3OZ, ESSB audio info and other neat things here. Send me 
with your commentsVisitors since July 3, 2000 |