Thanks Richard for the new frontiers!! :-) I am learning a lot.

Mine is a center fed dipole with a 1:1 balun which feeds both 40m and
20m dipoles. The ends are at unequal heights because I couldn't find a
convenient way to tie the ends in the terrace.

My next experiment is to measure SWR at dofferent frequencies. To make
things simple, is there some kind of input signal suggested? Shouting
can easily come down afew decibels, after going up and down the stairs
adjusting the dipole angle and lengths. :-) I don't have a CW key yet.
:-( So what's the other option?

73
Ramakrishnan, vu3rdd

wrote:
I don't have a CW key yet. :-( So what's the other option?

You can generate a CW signal using FM mode and the mic
button if you guarantee absolutely no background noise,
i.e. absolutely no modulation. My SSB mic element failed
me one time and I got a CW message through without a CW
key by using the mic button in FM mode on my IC-706.
Please don't ask what my CW-WPM was. :-)
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

On 23 May 2005 02:11:46 -0700, "
wrote:

Shouting
can easily come down afew decibels, after going up and down the stairs
adjusting the dipole angle and lengths. :-) I don't have a CW key yet.
:-( So what's the other option?

Hi Ramakrishnan,

Give us some more details, like what rig you are using. There is a
chance that it has a "key" button for tune-up already. If you don't
have a CW key, I'm sure you have a screwdriver that would fit into the
jack (#2 Phillips maybe?).

So, as I understand it, you already have a "fan dipole." With uneven
length elements because of their tie-off, you could simply tie-off a
normal length element wire, and let the excess hang down. Take care
to select a tie-off point that is remote from surfaces (this may mean
that more wire hangs down, but this doesn't not seem to be an issue
with your height advantage).

Where in India are you located?

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Hi Richard,

I am using Icom IC-706 (not the newer one, but the oldest one), got it
from another local ham for a good price. I am using an external SWR
meter, of a friend. (Lafayete is the brand name I can read in the box).

I am located in Bangalore, a city located in the southern part of
India.

73
Ramakrishnan, VU3RDD
http://www.hackGNU.org

On 23 May 2005 21:09:39 -0700, "
wrote:

I am using Icom IC-706 (not the newer one, but the oldest one), got it
from another local ham for a good price. I am using an external SWR
meter, of a friend. (Lafayete is the brand name I can read in the box).

Hi Ramakrishnan,

This rig is sure feature loaded. If you don't have the manual, visit:
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/m...c-706mkiig.pdf
As I suspected, a #2 Phillips will do the job of key-down. I didn't
take the time to wade through the manual - my taste in gear runs
towards surface mount meaning a single component that can be held
between two fingers, and the markings can still be read without heavy
lensing.

I presume you don't have the optional tuner, otherwise we wouldn't be
talking about SWR.

The external SWR meter is good enough (does it agree with the ICOM
front panel indicator?). Do you have a dummy load to test it against?
If so, we can proceed along those lines too.

http://www.hackGNU.org
Your weblog has crashed by the way.

You should also be following the thread
"Laport's 'Radio Antenna Engineering' available"
and downloading a copy if you are not bandwidth restricted. Laport is
one of the more accessible writers on the craft of antenna design.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Hi Richard,

Richard Clark wrote:
On 23 May 2005 21:09:39 -0700, "
wrote:
This rig is sure feature loaded. If you don't have the manual,
visit:
http://www.icomamerica.com/support/m...c-706mkiig.pdf

Yes, I got the user manual and the service manual from this link:

http://www.qsl.net/icom/manuals.html

I presume you don't have the optional tuner, otherwise we wouldn't be
talking about SWR.

Yes, I do not have a tuner.

The external SWR meter is good enough (does it agree with the ICOM
front panel indicator?). Do you have a dummy load to test it
against?

Yes, it agrees. I don't have a dummy load. From what I read in this
group and elsewhere, I think a dummy load is the first test gear I
should get. It will definitely show whether the coax is faulty or the
antenna.

Your weblog has crashed by the way.

Oh.. thanks. Will fix it this evening.

You should also be following the thread
"Laport's 'Radio Antenna Engineering' available"
and downloading a copy if you are not bandwidth restricted. Laport
is
one of the more accessible writers on the craft of antenna design.

Yes, I had been trying for the whole of today from
http://www.r-bonomi.com/cgi-bin/laport but unfortunately not been able
to get it. Would appreciate if someone put an http/ftp download
somewhere.

73
Ramakrishnan, vu3rdd
http://www.hackGNU.org

On 23 May 2005 23:54:06 -0700, "
wrote:

front panel indicator?). Do you have a dummy load to test it
against?

Yes, it agrees. I don't have a dummy load. From what I read in this
group and elsewhere, I think a dummy load is the first test gear I
should get. It will definitely show whether the coax is faulty or the
antenna.

Hi Ramakrishnan,

Coax is not something that goes wrong with subtle error. Simple
continuity testing is quite often enough. However, a good load still
resolves full power issues.

Given the low power setting available from your rig, a corresponding
low power load can be built without too much trouble. If you have a
suitable multimeter, you can even extend the range of your SWR meter
to do low level measurements. Crack open that Lafayette (it has to be
a good 30 years old) and see how simple things can be. Identify the
RF section, as distinct from the DC conversion that drives the meter.
You will notice there are not too many parts involved and getting to
know what they are for will give you the momentum to take on the low
power challenge.

A tuner is no more difficult than a similar box with a gozinta and a
comesoutta, a multipole switch for a coil you wind, and a couple of
variable caps stolen from an old radio.

This, again, goes to flexibility. In this regard, knowing where an
old parts outlet is like having a treasure house. Not sure what
options you have in that regard in Bangalore.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Richard Clark wrote:
http://www.hackGNU.org
Your weblog has crashed by the way.

It works now.

73 - VU3RDD

wrote:
I am using Icom IC-706 ...

On the IC-706 you can use FM mode to generate a CW signal.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----