public:radio:active:start
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Table of Contents
2023 Projects
May 2023 Update
- I am going to avoid any radio modes/methods that require an internet connection. I feel more and more that amateur radio communication should be radio ↔ radio only
- The Internet is useful as an “accessory” to the actual communication (spotting for WSPR, PSKReporter etc.), but I feel increasingly that it shouldn't be a necessary part of the communication itself, which should rely on RF alone.
- “Normal” Repeaters are okay - it's RF all the way: User ↔ Repeater ↔ User.
- No DMR Hotspot
- No Fusion/YSF Hotspot
- No AllStar Link
- No Echolink
- No APRS i-Gates
- I accept that my packets may reach the APRS-IS network via other i-Gates, but that doesn't mean I should run an i-Gate myself.
- From http://www.aprs.org/
APRS is not a vehicle tracking system. It is a two-way tactical real-time digital communications system between all assets in a network sharing information about everything going on in the local area.- Nothing about APRS requires that the packets reach the whole world via i-Gates and the APRS-IS network
- I am going to limit my TX power to 20W (all bands) for the rest of the year (and possibly for ever?)
- Some of my reasons for doing this include
- No large, noisy PSU capable of the high current needed to power a 100W transceiver
- 20W is still “reasonable” (not QRP) power
- Easier to make homebrew equipment, antennas, ATUs etc. when only dealing with relatively low power
- 20W radios only draw ~5A and can be powered from “accessory” socket in a vehicle (not ideal, but workable)
- 20W will give an approximation of the power levels used in commercial/military manpacks
- 20W will cause less RFI to equipment in the shack.
- Lower power on the bands means less QRM, less reason for other people to feel the need to wind up their power etc.
- It'll be instructive to be more mindful of propagation conditions, MUF, Critical Frequency etc. when choosing a band.
- Be frequency agile, rather than brute-force a QSO with high power on a band that's really unsuitable.
- I'm just perverse that way…
Steps to 20W
- Mothball the IC-M710 and 60A PSU - which will liberate a significant space in the shack for new homebrew projects.
- Use my homebrew 60m transceiver (plus commercial amp) at 20W for the bulk of my 60m digimode (Olivia, mainly) QSOs
- Install the G90 in a more permanent location in the shack, for use on CW, SSB and digimodes.
- I now admit that I'm not going to get much use of the G90 as a portable HF radio and it's a waste to leave it permanently in a Peli case in the van and never get any use from it.
- Connect up the QCX+ 40m CW transceiver that I built but have never used on the air, and have some QRP CW QSOs
- Change “Service” config of TM-D710 to make L → 5W, M → 10W and H → 20W
- Program any/all FM1100 for Power Level 4 (15W) on all channels
Plans for the year ahead
- build 17m CW “phasing” RX
- build 17m CW TX - QRP 5W
- Work some CW using bug and straight key
- Monitor 10m FM and try to have some QSOs - call CQ regularly
- Install an FM1100 for 4m (& SIC Roads Low Band) in Shack - antenna??
- Work some more JS8Call
- Work some more SSB
This year's Radio Projects
Further Information
public/radio/active/start.1684823673.txt.gz · Last modified: 06/03/25 06:49 GMT (external edit)