I've just found TXFactor

No not the Simon Cowell revenue generating TV programme of a similar name but a TV channel on YouTube dedicated to Amateur Radio.

It is very well produced if a little long (the episode I watched was 64 minutes) but if you have a remote interest in Amateur Radio you may find this interesting.

http://www.txfilms.co.uk/txfactor/

I certainly found Episode 13 interesting with articles about Radio Caroline and general radio propagation. Jim Bacon G3YLA is a superb communicator and demystifies propagation, Sporadic E, radio predictions on the video. RadCom had a tiny mention of TXFactor in January 2017 edition thanks go to the RSGB. There are 13 episodes so far and I hope there are many more.
https://youtu.be/vfaNtwsEk1A

It is sponsored by Martin Lynch (MLS) and there are a small amount of advertisements to watch. Well done to the people behind TXFactor.

New gardeners

We have a new team and they are fantastic. They know what they are doing and I mentioned about the grounding cable. They will take care around it.
Result.

Gardening contractor experience

I used to have a terrific gardener who came in once a week and did some garden maintenance with his crew. Unfortunately he became ill earlier this year and can't currently work. In his place he sent around a pair of idiots (not his usual crew) who took on his "round" and said they were giving him a portion of the payment.
I took them on thinking that Danny would come back later in the season (2016) but unfortunately he is still not well. In the meantime I have been watching the idiots whose idea of garden maintenance is mowing lawns and strimming (UK Strimmer is USA Line Trimmer, String Trimmer or Weed Eater) perfectly good plants out of existence while leaving weeds intact.
They use a leaf blower to blow leaves about a bit resulting in them being trapped behind planters, in flower beds and under our cars. This is also known as "sweeping dust under the rug".

They are completely hopeless and I am actively looking for new contractors - don't make any suggestions BTW as I'm in England. The last straw came when I found they had strimmed all our perennial sweet peas off the face of the earth. These have come up every year since we bought the house (16 years ago) and are beautiful in the springtime. Worst of all they strimmed my grounding cable connection the HF antenna to its copper grounding stake - as well as woodworking I am a ham radio operator and this cable is important.



I'm keeping them on for the fall leaves, banned their strimmer and once all the leaves are all down they are sacked.

THEY HAVE GOT TO GO!

15m is up in the UK at the moment

I know we have been approaching the doldrums on HF but over the last couple of days 15 metres has been open and I've heard lots of DX. South Africa is coming in strong and South America is good too. At the time of writing 11:45 UTC 9th August 2016 it has become lively.

There is hope for DX yet so get your ears on and listen or if operating digimodes get the computer on!

HF Doldrums

Very little HF working in the last few days. Daytime working has been limited to occasional contacts on 20 metres. Early morning I've had a few 40 metre contacts. SFI is currently 73 with a K index of 4.
This is what approaching a solar minimum is like :(

JT65 Salutations

I have been using JT modes for a number of years now and have got a typical logged QSO down to about 4 minutes. This is great for quickly changing conditions especially on 6 metres. I find the reply RRR to be superfluous and I therefore don't use it.

A typical QSO would go like this

1. CQ G8YPH IO83 (CQ call)
2. G8YPH G8RLR IO83 (QSO received by my station clock starts)
3. G8RLR G8YPH -01 (QSO initial report sent clock minute 1)
4. G8YPH G8RLR R-01 (QSO other station report sent minute 2)
5. G8RLR G8YPH RR73 (QSO report acknowledged and 73 sent minute 3)
6. G8YPH G8RLR 73 (QSO other station 73 sent minute 4)

So the logbook shows up 4 minutes elapsed time even though the initial CQ doesn't count in the logged QSO. So in theory you should be able to work 12 stations an hour (1 minute for the CQ and4 minutes for the logged QSO).

FT-450D Digimodes revisited

I'd had a few questions on how I connect the computer to the FT-450D when using digimodes (or even just controlling it with a program like Ham Radio Deluxe) and decided to do a block diagram of how I achieve this.
This diagram is a full picture of the station layout so you can see how everything hooks together. Feel free to use it for the basis for your own datamodes operation.
In case you are wondering why I have 2 ATUs, one is in the shack for tuning the Diamond 2000 when it is switched into circuit and the other is outside at the feed point of the 9:1 UNUN end fed antenna.

Physically I have two USB hubs in circuit. One of them has USB sockets arranged side by side and the other in a vertical column pattern. The USB deices that plug into them can't go into one hub as they foul each other. Either they are too wide or too thick to have them all in one hub. So having two enables full flexibility and physical room. The diagram only shows one hub for clarity.

Wouxun KG-UV950P Programming Issue

This is an old one and I wasn't aware that Wouxun had issued a fix for it. Essentially when channels are programmed from the keypad on the speaker mic or on the radio itself, accessing and scanning those channels is not a problem. However, when using the KG-UV950P Commander programming software provided by the manufacturer, the radio does not display all of the channels.

Symptoms

When attempting to program more than two channels into the rig using the Commander programming software, the radio seems to only acknowledge the first two channels programmed and will only display and scan those channels. All frequencies entered into the programming software can be stored to and retrieved from the radio, however only the first two frequencies will be displayed and accessible from the radio when it is in operation. For example try programming frequencies into a dozen or so channels using the programming software and write the file to the radio. The rig will only display and scan the first two channels programmed into it. All other channels are not displayed or accessible.

My Workaround

Was to use the keypad to program a bunch of channels copying them into vacant memory locations. It is time consuming and is a repetitive key pressing method but it worked. Then program using the old Commander software as usual. However that is all to change as seen from the solution below.

Cause

This issue occurs when the KG-UV950P Commander programming software is used on a computer with Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed. I'm led to believe that it does not occur when the software is installed on a computer with the now unsupported Windows XP.

Solution

The website BuyTwoWayRadios.com contacted Wouxun and worked with them to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Wouxun then sent a fix to BuyTwoWayRadios.com and they determined that it did resolve the issue. Wouxun then released a new version of the KG-UV950P Commander with this fix to Buy Two Way Radios for distribution. Although this fix is not on Wouxun's own website which I find very odd. Why not have the current software on their own site?

To update KG-UV950P Commander, follow these simple instructions:

1. Download KG-UV950 Commander R2.V1.02 from BuyTwoWayRadios.com here
2. Uninstall the old version of KG-UV950P Commander from your computer.
3. Reboot your computer.
4. Install KG-950P Commander R2.V1.02.

My results

The new Command R2.V1.02 (2.5K) does actually work using Windows 7 and Windows 10. I haven't tested Windows 8 but if you are still running that you need to upgrade to Windows 10 now anyway.

73 de Terry G8YPH

Wouxun KG-UV950P review - Part 8 - Squelch

After using the rig for a couple of years I am still frustrated by its squelch control. This, like most of the settings, is controlled by altering a programmable setting. To do it you press key 9 which has the SQL legend on it. Then you use the main rotary control or one of the number keys to set squelch between 0 and 9, then finally pressing the MENU button.
In practice I have found that the squelch breaks with a regular on/off on/off, almost like a load ticking noise, when there is a weak station in range. This becomes annoying after a while as it is just a noise you can do without.

To open the squelch completely you either have to set it at 0 or press the side button on the microphone.

I prefer continuously variable analog squelch controls and one of my ancient FM 1970s transceivers is eminently better than this rig. Most of the time I leave the Wouxun at squelch 9 as this seems to cause the less noise. Although you miss out on weak stations with this setting.

6 metres is up

Today is 26 May 2016. I keep an eye on propagation predictions and current conditions using various websites. One of them is HRDLOG.NET which has current conditions shown in graphical format. This is a small piece of code that can be pasted into your own website to display this if you like, indeed I have it on this blog. Details on the HRDLOG.net website on how to do this.

Look how high the 6m bar is

4 metres is open too but I don't yet have a rig for that band

I noticed 6 metres was showing a lot of activity so I tuned the rig over to it. Lo and behold there were a load of stations both distant and close so I changed the antenna to my 6m vertical.

QSO after QSO followed for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Suddenly out of the VHF doldrums comes decent working.

Ham Radio Deluxe announces JT modes in their DM780 module

The management at HRD demoed a version of HRD containing JT65, JT9 and WSPR modes at Dayton. Not sure of what decoder they are using nor any more details of how it has been designed.
We'll see if it lives up to the hype when it finally gets released. Until then I will carry on using JT65-HB8HQX with JTAlert,

FT450D and Ham Radio Deluxe - Macro for switching to low power, initiating TX, tune external ATU, resetting back to original power.

As some operators of the FT450D know there is a CS button that can be programmed to do a number of useful features. Unfortunately Yaesu in their wisdom omitted this button from being controlled with a CAT command. So using a program such as Ham Radio Deluxe you can't press this button with a mouse click.
I have programmed my particular CS button to initiate a low power carrier to enable the antenna to be tuned. Note this is not the same as the TUNE button which initiates the tuning of the internal ATU.

I had been looking for ages to try and find a way of doing this then I thought of macros that are available from within Ham Radio Deluxe (other programs may also have this feature and the following commands also apply).

Most of my working is on digital modes such as JT65 or PSK31. This is normally transmitted on USB regardless of the band so I set out doing this:

• Change the mode to AM (or CW - my LDG RT-100 works ok on any mode but they recommend AM)
• Set the power at 5 watts
• Trigger the transmitter. This enables you to press any external ATU tune buttons or if like me you have a carrier triggered fully automatic remote ATU - nothing.
• Set the mode back to USER U (USB audio fed to the rig via the data socket)
• Set the power back to its original setting - in my case 30 watts

The CAT commands to do this are below

MD03;
EX048005;
TX1;
TX;
TX1;
TX;
TX0;
MD0C;
EX048030;

I put multiple TX1 TX commands in as HRD seemed to just switch TX power on and off almost simultaneously. So the addition of a couple more TX commands resulted in what I was looking for and latched TX on until I pressed the macro button again..
Save this as a macro in Ham Radio Deluxe and assign it to a button. (read the HRD manual to do this).

30 Watts and AM TUNE Buttons added

In use here is what I do

One click does the first part of the macro resulting in the TX button being set. Another press of the button switches off the TX and resets everything (apart from the power) back to the original settings.  Because there appeared to be a bug somewhere in having the the EX048005; and EX048030; commands in the same macro I wrote another separate macro to set the power to 30 watts.
If you use HRD try it out. If you have another CAT control program the same command should also work.

HRD Specific Macro Method

There is also another way to do this using HRD's own Macro commands but this is specific to HRD (not the CAT macro command editor)
In the Macro editor create a new macro
Add the following commands in

TYPE                            TITLE             VALUE
Advanced/Slide             RF Power        5
Dropdown Button                                  Mode: AM
Standard Button              TX                 Switch ON
Standard Button              TX                 Switch OFF
Dropdown Button                                  Mode: USER-U

AM Tune Macro

Set power to 30W

Logbook #1 completed - 36 years after it was started

In my blog entry from August 2015 g8yph.blogspot.com/2015/08/logbooks-and-logging-in-uk.html I posed the question to myself "I wonder when the logbook will be completed". Well the day has come and it was filled by the station RX1CV Sergo in Russia at 0929UTC on April 1st 2016.
This was almost 36 years after I started it as a teenager back in October 1980.

The first contact was Fred G8TLB who is now G4TJU a few minutes after I received the license through the post on October 4th 1980. I remember that first QSO as it was a nervous time taking the steps for the initial time speaking on air. I'm sure everybody has gone through that.

There are lots of gaps in my logbook, sometimes years without operating, others were exclusively logged electronically when operating on packet radio. Remember that? I'm not sure it still exists. Most of the off times were due to changes in circumstances, job commitments, family commitments, changes in lifestyle where I didn't have time for the hobby.

And here were are so many years later with a brand new blank logbook.

Hopefully it won't take as long to fill logbook #2!......

LDG RT-100/RC-100 Combo Review Part 2

If you want a fit and forget ATU that works then this one is for you. Since installing the ATU I no longer think about tuning up as it does it automatically and seamlessly. As many readers know I operate primarily using DigiModes. These are normally less than 30 watts and my Yaesu FT-450D can be adjusted to operate on any power level between 5 to 100 watts.
The ATU is rated at 30W on high duty cycle modes like PSK or JT65 for instance. I always have the power levels set less than this as it is not necessary to have high powers to work world wide DX.

As mentioned in the previous article I have not been able to get my UNUN end fed antenna to match on 80m at all despite the ATU being right at the feed point. So for now I have dismissed 80m until I make a suitable antenna. But the ATU is superb on all other bands to 6m and it tunes automatically without any user intervention. This can be overridden with the TUNE button on the RC-100 (essentially hold it down for more than 1 second when transmitting and it will force a tuning cycle).

So just to underline this is a fantastic piece of equipment and ideal for matching a multiband antenna to your feedline/rig.

Over-using Q codes in FM Simplex or while using repeaters

One thing that annoys me on 2m/70cm FM simplex or on repeaters is the overuse of Q codes in local contacts. Q codes are normally used in difficult to hear SSB contacts, most likely used in Morse code or digimodes.

One station near me uses "QSL" to punctuate sentences like some people use expletives.

He will say "Do you get what I mean QSL" or "I have a Raspberry PI QSL"

I overheard his conversation with another station today and it went something like this:
"I met a few of the guys from Manchester at a rally- one of the lads said you use satellites don't you - I said yes on my lickle (sic a Manchester word for little) HT - so we walked out to the car park and we had a do QSL - I worked a station by the satellite but he was a station in Croydon ha ha ha. QSL" (Croydon is also in the UK so irony of using a satellite to establish a local contact amused him hence the laughter)
He then continued:
"Satellites are alright and it would be ok normally but by the time they fly over I'm still in bed QSL" - then he drops carrier.

This station I use as an example is about 2 miles from me and is perfectly readable. It seems overusing "QSL" is a habit he just can't get out of.

LDG RT-100 Remote ATU Review

I have 2 LDG ATUs now, the Z-100 Plus and the other day I ordered the RT-100/RC-100 combo from Martin Lynch. I was fed up with having to press the CS button on the FT-450D that I had configured to send a 5 watt carrier to get the Z-100 Plus to tune! I have never found a way of configuring Ham Radio Deluxe to "press" the CS button. There isn't a CAT command defined by Yaesu for it.

On to the remote tuner.

The RC-100 Controller and the RT-100 Tuner

Yaesu FT-450D one year anniversary

Well it is coming up to the 1st anniversary of the purchase of the FT-450D from Haydon Communications. In that time I have had occasional lockups of the rig requiring a power off reboot. I'm not sure why this happens. The connection to HRD via the CAT connector ceases and the front panel becomes non responsive requiring a reboot of the rig.

Other than that I have been extremely pleased with the radio. It is very sensitive and I have worked stations literally all over the world with it on no more than 35 watts.

An earthing/grounding stake on a 9:1 UNUN

Moonraker had a deal on the last weekend for earthing stakes. I bought the solid copper version and buried it underneath the feedpoint of my antenna.
The 9:1 UNUN feeding the 80m-6m length wire had a cable attached to the counterpoise cable so I connected it to the rod. The rig and ATU had to alter their settings to compensate for the change.

I still couldn't get the antenna to tune on 80m but all other bands were matched as before. I got a contact with a Japanese station JA1OTT on 17m and a Uruguay station CX9AU on 15m. So still working OK on all bands 40m to 6m including WARC bands.

Then I ran a few random length radials (just insulated wire) connected to the earthing stake and laid them on the ground. One of them I ran underneath the main antenna wire like a mirror image. Then I went back to the shack and found the external ATU (LDG Z-100Plus|) would match on 80m. This is a bit of a result so I will keep experimenting.

Ham Radio Deluxe Upgrade paid for

I've just paid for an upgrade to another year of support and upgrades for Ham Radio Deluxe. I got an earlybird discount of 15% off the purchase price of $49.95. This took the final price to $42.46 which works out in British Pounds at current rates to be £30.20

I think it is worthwhile paying this and it keeps people in work developing the software.

Ham Radio Deluxe Macro Management on the Yaesu FT450D

HRD is capable at some powerful macro management. Consider this:
You want to program HRD to set your rig to your favourite repeater. This is not difficult IF you work out the logic.

Here are the steps:

• Set the operating frequency
• Set the operating mode
• Turn CTCSS encoding on - this will be needed on transmission but may also be needed on reception too.
• Set the repeater shift
• Set the repeater offset frequency
• Set the CTCSS frequency
• Set squelch

So on the FT-450D here's how I do it with the correct CAT commands:
Consider setting the rig to 6m repeater GB3SX in Stoke On Trent, England.

Yaesu FT-450D not broken

I thought my FT-450D rig had developed a fault but I was wrong.
Essentially I was mid QSO with an Australian station both of us operating low power JT65A (I was transmitting 5 watts). I use HRD and JT65HF HB9HQX to control the rig. All of a sudden the PC started making beeping noises (the one when you unplug a USB device) and the rig was powering off and on by itself.

I disconnected everything and the rig would not power on. When I put the CAT cable back into the D9 on the back panel it powered up. However it would not TX and kept rebooting when I tried.
Thinking that it had developed a fault I emailed Yaesu customer service in the UK. A shortwhile later Sam Ruddy, the Yaesu Service manager, replied. One of the things he suggested was try the fuses in the power lead.

"Fuses?" I thought. "Are there two?"
Sure enough there are and the one in the negative lead had become loose in its holder. I don't know how but it had. Basically the rig had been powering on through the PC ground connection. When trying to TX the high current ground was going through the PC causing the rig to become disconnected from power and rebooting it. Fortunately there was no damage to either the rig nor the PC.

So when both fuses were reseated and everything reconnected all is working again. It just goes to show - get back to basics when you fault find.

Thanks to Sam Ruddy at Yaesu UK

ZL still elusive on JT modes

Grey line propagation between UK and New Zealand is good this morning on 40 m. I can hear (detect??) a few ZL stations. However as soon as they come up they disappear again so no contacts made yet.

Happy New Year 2016

A few JT65A QSOs over the last couple of hours on 15m and 17m. Hopefully many more of the year.

HNW 73 De Terry G8YPH