Fixed

WB2EWB Home

NEW: Mobile Antenna Testing Results Part 1

Updates:

Oct 2004: finishing up the mobile antenna shootout

July 2004: Added antenna testing and more photos

June 2004:
Laptop crash so I decided to completely redo the site..


	[Mobile Station] [Fixed] [Walkabout] [Other Hobbies] [Links]


	This is the Home (Fixed) station. Not shown is some additional power supplies and testing tools. This is on the second floor of a house with cables run on the outside in 2” conduit. There are multiple ground wires thru these to a ground rod system installed outside.

Icom IC-756PRO: This is the main radio. I am simply amazed at this unit. (My last radio was a tube Galexy Transmitter with a Drake tube 2C receiver!). When I can hear them I can “work them” I have this connected to the ICOM speaker which includes some audio filtering as well as a CI-V interface for PC control. A homemade sound card interface (transformer isolated) completes the HF equipment picture.


	I bought this just as the IC756PROII was coming out, so the price was discounted. (Save some money) I would definitely buy this again. I was relunctant to buy a used radio but that might be an option for some. I would like to have had 2m atleast in the radio (for SSB work) or atleast matching transverters. But I guess that is why I have the FT857 and kept the Kenwood 9130S.


				The LDG Electronics AT-11MP Tuner is currently discontinued, but it serves well in my shack. Easy to operate, I dont ask much of it (a tuned antenna is better than trying to match it at the rig!) Never had a problem with the unit.

						I had the Yeasu FT-2800M installed in the car as a rescue radio and 2M FM. But this is really not type approved for rescue and the TS-B2000 made it unnecessary. so I went legal and picked up the F521 (see mobile page) and installed this in my fixed station. Allows me to operate 2M from the home station, this is a a powerful, easy to operate radio at a great price. If any of my kids ever get their license, I will “loan” them this radio for their car... I use an MFJ enterprises power supply for this and the TR-9130.


	The Kenwood TR-9130 is my oldest radio. I dont know, maybe I keep it for sentimental reasons, but it is still the only radio I have (other than the TS-B2000 that operates 2m SSB. Beautiful 7 segment display, trivial to use (only 5 memories!) solid radio. For 2M FM I have the FT-2800M. Fun radio! (Just need to get the 2M yagi from highschool days working again!)


	Ok Weird: Software: I am using Ham Radio Deluxe: This is a free program with easy to use interface, integrated PSK31 and DX clusters and scanning. Good software to store all those handy frequncies and settings.

		To connect to the laptop I use the Radio Shack USB to COM cable: it works but dont buy it!!! everytime I connect it it uses a different com port, and marks old ones as being in use. Really awful.. Sorry I bought it but now that I have it I will put up with it!


	I have the usual assortment of other “stuff”: coax switch, tools, dummy load. I like to use coax from cable experts but that brings us to antennas: a new page!


	[WB2EWB Ham Radio] [Mobile Station] [Fixed] [Walkabout] [Other Hobbies] [Links]


	Copyright 2004 by Philip P. Thompson, All rights reserved.