Ham Radio Basics--Jim, W6LG Continues with the Basic Ham Station Part 3
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Jim, W6LG tests RG8X coax, an antenna tuner and coax connectors using the Heath Bulb Dummy Load as he Continue with the Basic Ham Station Part 3..
- Наука та технологія
Man , for newbs, this series is pure gold. thank you for producing them and please keep doing them.
Thanks very much. It helps me to read comments like that. 73, Jim in Grass Valley
Thank you so much for all your video's. Although I am an Extra Class Ham, in reality I am really just a novice with a million questions and no one close to talk to. These videos are so well done and such a nice resource for me to learn from. I'm enjoying this. Please keep recording. Thanks again
2:03 I care about you, Jim.....much love ❤
Jim, this was insightful. Thank you for taking the time and sharing.
Outstanding! I have learned so much since discovering your videos 30 odd days ago. It has caused me to rethink and make several changes to my shack improving my ERP and my operating skills. I am DXing now more and further than ever before. Thank you Jim,
Dave
K9ZIB
PS: Can't wait for the next video.
DXing is good! And, it is lots of fun. Thanks Dave & 73 de W6LG
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Learning a lot form you!!
Another great video, Thanks Jim, 73
You have some fantastic hands on tutorials. No better way to learn radio physics than to actually watch it in action, for myself anyways. As far as I'am concerned RG-8X is only good for low power, short jumpers in the HF bands, nothing else.
Thanks for sharing!
Kind regards, Eric Dee.
Thanks Jim, great video I learned alot in a short time.
Thanks Jim. I'm currently studying to sit the exam soon and set up a radio station as well. I'm Learning a lot form your videos. I hope your feeling better.
Thanks Dustin! Good luck on the exam. 73, Jim
This is super helpful stuff. Thank you for putting the time in to demonstrate these concepts.
Thank you! 73, Jim
ANOTHER EXCELLENT CLASS JIM. LEARNED A HUGE DEAL OF INFO. 73
great video, tons of great info......im setting up my 1st station and had tons of questions about what and how to make my antenna run.....man this was a god send thx
73, Randy KD9IGG
I really enjoy your video's Jim. Thank you very much for doing them to help us all learn.
Thanks Glenn. Nice of you to write. 73, Jim W6LG
only viewed a couple of your videos, really enjoy
Thank you, Jim - learned a lot!
Excellent info, I've learned so much in just a few video's. Thank you. Also, a new sub.
Very helpful Jim as I'm about to upgrade my coax. 60' run sounds like lmr400 is my answer. Thanks and 73 w1nga
We love you W6LG. Always your fan W7ABO
Thanks. Especially at this time. I am sitting here with some broken bones as a result of the severe osteoporosis. Send some rain our way. We are way behind in the rain total. By the way, I some ham radio print ads fro the 20's and 30's. I should show some of those during video. Thanks 73, Jim
@@ham-radio I'm very sorry to hear that Jim. I hope you get well fast, And yes those ads will be a lots fun 73 friend
Like the Light Bulb Dummy Load, it's a Fun Way to Show People how to Tune the Antenna!
Great video. Thanks.
Jim: I'm not new to amateur radio but have not been on the air much for a variety of reasons. Thanks very much for your well done and insightful videos, I enjoy watching them and learning from you. 73. Bob AE5SD
Thanks Bob! 73, Jim
We used some of Bird's 4391 or the 4381 when doing training in the AF for RF trans. Rock solid gear
Great demo, I've never seen this before.
Thanks Dan. 73, Jim in Rocklin, CA
You know, this is a really vivid way of demonstrating antenna matching and feedline losses. I'm going to have to get a light bulb dummy load for my own HF station.
As always Jim a very interesting video. I look forward to each new edition! Hoping manual tuners are next? 73, Tom
Love your videos. I subscribed quite a while ago. Wow! You're graphic representation of coax loss. Very, very helpful. Also, the test with losses for tuners and especially connectors. Again, extremely helpful.
I won't claim seeing all your videos. That makes me wonder if you've broached open line feed. I've been very intrigued with the idea since the day I looked at the website for "True Ladder Line".
They have very inexpensive stuff. I currently have an end fed " extra short" antenna from " HyEndFed Antennas in I think the Netherlands. I'm doing better than I'm supposed to be able to do with it, but of course, I WANT MORE!!!!
I'm going to try the True Ladder Line 80 meters antenna. It comes as all of them do with the ladder line going in to the antenna with no breaks. One continuous piece of wire. I will need to either let about 30 feet on each end hang down or take a 90 degree turn which would make it a flat topped U shape.
My biggest desire is to simply try out the ladder line. I don't know if I can do an apples to apples between coax and ladder line with my current antenna but I really think I should try.
From what I understand, ladder line is the lowest loss alternative and the best for matching impedances. Or should I say the most forgiving?
Anyhow, keep up the fantastic work. By the way, I really liked a video where you were doing DX and an Italian station ( I think) broke in rudely. You just shut him down quick. "I was going to work ABC123 SIR!" Not exact but I'm in the ball park. You've obviously experienced pileups in your name before.
So, I'll keep watching and I think after writing this I will see if I can find anything you may have done on open wire feedline.
Jim, some episode ideas for you - two categories:
For beginners:
1. Congrats on your new license - now what?
2. Your first HF antenna - how to assess what you can do in a given space
3. Power supplies - switching vs. linear and when running off a deep cycle battery is a good idea
4. Proper station bonding and grounding (the most confusing topic ever for serious beginners - there is an ocean of misleading and misguided info out there)
For the more experienced:
1. Minimizing receive noise / RFI
2. Understanding HF propagation and using it to your DX advantage
3. How you use your K3 and P3 and the menu settings you use (limited audience, I know)
Thanks for your work with these videos - you explain things in a very clear, no-nonsense way - helpful and enjoyable. All the best, W6IFN.
Thanks for the very good ideas about future episodes. I will try to do some of them Steve. The first 2 have me thinking about how to do them. Really good subjects Steve! 73, Jim
nice vid thanks I too wonder about connector impedance I may test this at some point and will let you know result also the coax attenuation is like you demonstrate one of the biggest areas of loss. as you know the really high power stations use solid copper coax with a air gap as dielectric with teflon spacers every now and again to mitigate this as much as possible
I was always told the same about the rigid connectors. Nice to find that its nothing more than a myth. The ATU was a suprise also. Thanks for your demonstration, Karl. M0KRL
It's because of advice like Jim's that I went with 300ohm ladder line to build a 20m doublet.
very helpful to learn where to focus attention in terms of losses. I liked the experiment you ran. Suggestion for future show is elements of grounding and lightning protection. lot of information out there but lacking in detail.
Ok. I have thought about it. It is a very difficult subject with lots of experts who don't agree. Thanks & 73, Jim
Jim I've learned a lot too, thanks for doing experiments good for who would like to but simply don't have the whole bunch of stuff you have.
I have to say you're a great communicator too. Thanks again for your videos, keep going, and hope to put you on the log one day.
I'm in US till april and would love to get to know you, shake your hand and have a coffe, I think you're a great person. Unfortunately I'm in Texas for flight training, a bit too far, but if I ever come around I'll tell you if don't mind! Feel free to do the same if you ever come to Italy.
Take care
Best 73
Diego
IZ6MTW
Hi Diego,
Thanks very much for the comments. That is very kind. What plane(s) are you flying in Texas? For me, riding in a plane is not a good idea for the next several months. Working I1 from here in CA is not difficult about an hour after sunrise. So, when you get home, we can try to do a schedule on 20 meters. Nice to hear from you Diego. 73, Jim
Jim W6LG unfortunately my ts440 was not working properly when I leaved for US but as soon as I can we can schedule on 20 for sure!
I'm in training for commercial license, flying Cessna 172, Piper Seminole and PartenaviaP68 the last two are multiengine.
I should be able to join airline within few months hopefully! Oh I forgot.. great video quality too! Thanks Jim! Take care!
Diego
Hey Jim, just purchased some vintage radio equipment and wondered if you could pass on full setup. Might make a good video.
Thanks for the videos! Just passed my general and I hear you on 14.252 via a FT450D! 73, Arnie KE0DWG
Congratulation Arnie! I hope we have a QSO. 73, Jim
Nice demo Jim....
Thanks! 73, Jim
Great video! What are your thougts on lmr240? I commonly use that. It performs exceptionally well in the 30-512mhz range. As long as you keep it under 100ft on the upper end of the spectrum. Thoughts?
How did you make your light? I would like to make one myself if I can.
I have one of your old type 3 gauge meters that used to be for a CB radio it has amps SWR and one other thing I can't remember what it is would that be sufficient for a ham radio
Difference between forwarded and reflected power of swr meter?
I use Westflex 103 150ft runs with minable losses from 160 through 23cms
Hi Jim my name is Glauber and I am from Brazil Excellent demonstration.73 PR7AT.
Thanks! Nice to hear from PY. 73, Jim
Thank you for the great videos. I have not viewed them all but wondered if you have covered equipment grounding in any of the videos. Is it critical to ground the chassis of transceivers to a ground rod? Thanks. Doug. ka3ymi.
Thanks Doug. That is on my list. In the meantime, Tom Rauch W8JI has some great advice on his website. 73, Jim Heath W6LG
Subscribed. You might teach this kid a thing or two...
Good Evening Jim! I’d like to get some “Hard-Line” to run out to a new Flagpole Antenna. Do you have a “brand” or a “source”that you would recommend?
I know this is a few years old now, but.... The importance of the good feed-line coax loss is important (LMR400) but what of all those short 'patch leads' between the TX and Tuner etc. LMR400 is quite stiff for these short cable lengths.
Jim where can I but the rotary coax trimmer for rc213 coax. Bob wont a be ham opt.
Great video! I am interested in Ham, though, not licensed...yet?! From what I have been reading, for simple dipole antennas on HF, you could use ladder line instead of coax and an antenna tuner. There are advantages and disadvantages of ladder, but, from what I understand, one advantage is that it is a very low loss line. Does this sound right?
I am working on getting my Ham license. I love your videos. Can you recommend a good mobile solution? Thank you Sir.
Where is the best place to buy ham radio equipment in Canada
Coax connectors insertion loss is a function of frequency. As frequency of passing signal increases, the insertion loss increases. For frequencies within HF and even UHF/VHF band, the insertion loss for good quality PL259 is negligible
Thank you! Good quality coax connectors....there's lot of junk ou there. Stick with name brand silver plated Teflon insulated and likely, it will be good. Crappy coax connectors are nothing but trouble. 73, Jim
I have a balun that converts 50 ohm coax to 450 ohm Twin lead. what are my losses going to be for a hundred feet of Twin lead?
Hi,
That kind of feedline has almost no loss and is a very good choice.
73, Jim W6LG
Hi Jim, The wattage of the lamps should met the output wattage of the radio, wright ?
by the way, great videos, great job a hell of a communicator, learned a lot with you and your videos. 73, Filipe CR7AQF
It was a 125 watt bulb and I was driving it with max out from the K3. I had probably 90 watts into the filament. 73, Jim W6LG
I know I need to run good coax everywhere so I have LMR-400 which was the only thing I could get at the time but it works good. I do have a question on my antenna. I have a Cobra Senior which is an inverted Dipole around 72' legs center tap. From the center I have about 50' of latter line which came with the antenna down to a 4 to 1 balum. Would it be better to use the LMR-400 all the way to the center tap with the balum there? 73
Kent in Willow, AK., KL4AY
Probably not. I would use the ladder line. Ladder line is almost lossless! It is great stuff. 73, Jim W6LG
Excellent demonstration. I enjoy your video's but one recommendation. Lower the level of your intro... it about knocked me off my chair! :) 73, Scott N1SER
Yes, you are right. Somehow, I messed that up and the video levels in the camera kept changing. Seems like there is always something that goes wrong. Thanks for letting me know Scott. 73, Jim W6LG
Thanks
you had a bigger loss in your coax maybe due to the coiling???
Hi Jim I still would like to see how you connect to your dim bulb light/dummy load tester ,nice test session also ,I heard you sign with a station this morning in Fla I think it was on 20 meters as I was checking for VP6EU.For now
n2wjs Charlie
I have it connected to RG58 with the center conductor to the center of the bulb and ground to the outside. I think the bulb is 150 watts. The ohmic resistance is about 50 ohms when it the filament is white hot. There is no matching system or transformer. The socket is screwed to a piece of wood with 4 rubber bumpers. Thanks Charlie! 73, Jim
What coax should I use for 10 meters when the feedline needs to be 125 ft long? I bought a 100 ft rg8 cable but it is 25 ft too short. Can I just add a 25 ft rg8 to the 100 ft? Or should I splurge for a 125 ft LMR400?
Did you use RG8 or RG8X? Thanks, Jim
@@ham-radio rg8
Hi Jim,
Is your dummy load at 50 ohms? As I understand it, db loss on a feedline increases with the impedance mismatch. Thanks and 73. Alan ZL1SAW
HI Alan, Excellent question. The extra loss from a high SWR would not account for much extra loss. I have done that test with my Bird dummy load and gotten the same results. If you Google Belden Coax calculator, you can find one that has a spot for SWR. All of this is interesting stuff. Thanks for watching Alan. 73, Jim W6LG
Beginner here: why did you expect the individual connectors to have 50ohm impedance? They are too small to act as distributed systems for those frequencies (microwaves might be a different story), so i am not sure you can define the impedance in the way of transmission lines. Thanks for your videos.
Hi,
I am guessing that because of their size and rating by the manufacturer, that the N coax connectors are close to being 50 ohms at HF. The UHF connectors are somewhat similar to the size of the coax. I am not talking about anything other than HF frequencies. Again, relative to the wavelength, the connectors are very short.
Thanks for asking. 73, Jim W6LG
I have an old Swan 500CX tube radio that I had purchased years ago. Its been packed away since 1983. Now other things in life have diminished so I can devote time to get my license. Is there any advantage to tube radios?
Not that I know of. I had one of those. I had met with the manufacture many decades ago. Just keep the mic gain as low as you can. 73, Jim
Nothing wrong with KB6SX why the change to W6LG? Were you related to the previous holder?
That is a story I will cover in a video soon. Thanks for asking. I do need to explain the callsign. 73, Jim
why is the coax COILED UP??? that is a big choke.
fantastic vidio cant afford a ham radio CB was the best i could use, cobra 148gtl sigma 4 , 100 w burner spoke to mane from london England no problems, Am lsb
There is a huge amount of inexpensive older equipment from estate sales. Don't let the price of ham radio equipment limit your learning about ham radio and electronics. Ham Radio is many times better than where you are now. Regards from CA, Jim
How to turn a bulb into dummy load ??
Just connect it to the coax as if it were an antenna. 73, Jim
Is 11.1 swr good for 10mtrs. With 100 feet coax
11 to 1 is terrible. 73, Jim
I thought so I’m using a sig multi ban antenna with a Baun. On it it’s about 60ft high. What can I do and I’m using 213 for coax. The radio is a ft897d yeasue.
I don't have a license. I just started watching the HAM videos mainly out of curiosity. But I do have a question: Why don't the xceivers have a built in power supply? That was a huge box that was connected to the HF xceiver. L. E. Pittman
Some did...trying to think of a model. Some have a very special power supply with several voltages. Some of us have more than one transceiver powered by the same big supply. The answer may be that it brings the price down and keeps the package weight lower. I don't have a good answer. Today with switching supplies being so small, it should be possible. The "however" is that switching supplies generate huge noise all over the spectrum. Thanks Leb. 73, Jim W6LG
Really useful test.73 de IU1CYF
awesome Jim thanks for your videos, i always learn so much! oh, what about antennas, im in a condo, what kind of antennas are there i should look at getting to reach say 30 miles with my ICOM 5100? Any advice will be greatly appreciated sir! KD9GRP
Hi,
If that is for 2 meters, I would make a simple vertical antenna. Anything will work. I once made a 2 meter vertical from coat hangers. Thanks for the comments on the videos. It is very good to hear that they have been helpful. 73, Jim W6LG
i made another vertical antenna... off of dave tadlocks video , is working great ... thanks
I have found PL259. 90 degree at 150 MHz can lose almost 3db. At 450 they are really bad!
Interesting. How did you measure the loss? 73, Jim
@@ham-radio didn't put meter on it, just looking at the lose in range. Just years of working with radios. Maybe not that bad but I have seen a big lose in range. There is things like where in the coax meters is, something to do with where meter is along the wavelength. This can be seen better in 150 MHz and 450 MHz where moving the meter inches can move where you read things along the wavelength.
I need to get an HF radio but my are they high price.
Hi Preston, What is your budget for an HF transceiver? 73, Jim W6LG
Jim W6LG when I get back to work. I'll get one around $800. I work construction and it's slow for the winter.
Belden says their RG8X has 1 db loss at 14 Mhz.
I looked at that. I measured about 2dB. Belden is the best. I have done that measurement about 5 times now with about the same results at 14MHz. I don't have an answer as to why the difference; about 10 to 15 watts. Thanks for researching that. 73, Jim
Jim, I think you should consider the fact that your 100 feets cable is wound on your desk instead of being deployed linearly. this works like a coil. 73s
hi Jim, great video. can u email me in private. ..I have a question about environmental noise..tnx.
Jim. ..KB8YBG
Use my QRZ address. I'll try to get back to you today. Thanks Jim. 73 de W6LG
i have a cb like the one you have there,my is radio shack cb,40 chanel
Jose, I do not have any CB equipment. Regards, Jim
2:03 Modesty is a virtue, but don't you think you're taking it a touch too far?
Probably. Thanks for writing to me. 73, Jim
Ham operators need to pronounce the call sign slowly and phonetically slowly……
Yes the should. Thank you. 73, Jim