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What's New
Starting A New Company?
Then check out my new blog by clicking Should You Start A Company Today?
Also, check out my new Workshop for Start Up Companies by clicking Workshop!
Manuals
I've set up a page that has downloads of various manuals in Acrobat format. All of these are for equipment I have owned with lots on Yaesu...but other stuff is there too. Click Manuals.
Shack-N-Bag TM
Just added a new page with lots of photos showing my easy to "grab and go" portable station. Click Shack-N-Bag for details.
El Cheapo AZ-EL Rotor System for Satellites:
Details on how to assemble my under $50 approach for my AA5FR El Cheapo AZ-EL rotor system for working the LEO (low earth orbit) AMSAT birds. Click Cheapo.
ATAS-120a Antenna
I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!
New Band:
I have just made my first Six Meter contact in 40 years. Actually about 3 dozen as far away as Canada and Saint Louis. Since both of my rigs offer it and they are the first six meter enabled rigs I have had since high school, I decided to use the tuner and the same 80-10 Meter "AA5FR KindaSorta Dipole" and see what happens. Getting very good reports up and down the east coast with 40 watts and working just about anything I could hear.. Now considering a moxon to maybe pursue Six more seriously.
New Shack Additions
Just bought the Kenwood TH-F6A HT to add to my minimalist lineup where less is more. Great little radio in an incredibly small package. Just added the Diamond CR320A Tri-band Mobile Antenna to the car to run this as an easy mobile. Covers the same 144/220/440 as the TH-F6A HT and works MUCH better than the cheapie MFJ dual bander mag mount.
Also, just convinced the XYL that an HF mobile
mount is a good idea, especially for mountain topping (she is less convinced
about using it while driving)! That way, we can operate portable in the
comfort of the car with the top down on the convertible.
Just got the Comet CP-5 and the Yaesu ATAS-120A
auto tune antenna. Will also be using the ATAS for portable operation.
Update: Just added the Diamond K-400C Mount for the ATAS as I was finding
the Comet CP-5 not quite good enough. See new test results now that I have
installed the K-400. Will dedicate the CP-5 to the CR320A by clicking
ATAS.
I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've
created a separate page. Click
ATAS to see!
Email:
You can email me by clicking on my eyeball contacts (yep, really my eyes.)
A Gift - Even If There Is Less Than A Zero Chance We Will Work Together
This is one of the ways that I am "paying it forward."
Zero cost. Zero expectations - except that it is with my hope that it helps improve your life - and more quickly gets you from your current Point A to your desired Point B.
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Revamping Shack - Selling This StuffNine Down - One To Go
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| The Yaesu FT-857D is the world's smallest HF/VHF/UHF
multimode amateur transceiver. It is the successor to the
earlier FT-857. But the new D version adds the
60 meter ham band and
includes the formerly optional
DSP-2 Digital Signal Processing Unit. The FT-857D is
loaded with features, high power output and a receiver that
blends the renowned performance of the FT-897D and FT-1000 Mark
V. It provides coverage of the 160 to 6 meter bands plus the 144
MHz and 430 MHz bands! The ergonomic layout and large
tuning knob insure safe mobile operation. And look at the
receive coverage: 0.1-56, 76-108, 118-164 and 420-470 MHz The
front panel is removable and it is remotable with the optional
YSK-857 separation kit. Refinements include: spectrum display,
32 color display, beacon mode, keyer, 200 alphanumeric memories
and CTCSS.
The FT-857D rear panel features an SO239 input for your HF/6M antenna, and an SO-239 input for your 2M/440 MHz antenna. Includes MH31A8J hand mic, mounting bracket, DC power cord, spare ATC fuses. The included YSK-857 allows remoting the head.
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Price
My Price: $640 plus $28 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Astron RS-20M Power Supply SOLD!
The RS-20M is a fixed voltage DC Power Supply producing +13.8 Vdc at 16 A continuous and 20 A intermittent. The RS-20M features crowbar over voltage protection and foldback current limiting. Two analog panel meters provide simultaneous monitoring of voltage and current. Power connections are via rear panel studs, washers, and nuts.
This was the power supply I used with the FT-857D above. Works great and is in excellent condition.
Price
My Price: $65 plus $34 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
LDG AT-200Pro Automatic Antenna Tuner SOLD!
Excellent tuner. Zero problems or hassles with this unit. Excellent condition. Includes cable for Yaesu, original box and manual.
- 5 to 250 watts SSB and CW. (100 watts on 6M)
- Easy to read LED bargraph display for RF power, SWR and status
- 16,000 3D memories for instantaneous band changing
- Two position antenna switch with memories for four antennas on each position
- Tuning time: 0.5 to 6 seconds full tune, < 0.1 second memory tune
- Built in frequency counter for memory operation
- Frequency coverage: 1.8 to 54.0 MHz.
- Tunes 6 to 1000 ohm loads (16 to 150 ohms on 6M), 6 to 4000 ohms with optional 4:1 Balun (LDG RBA 4-1)
- For Dipoles, Verticals, Vs, Beams or and Coax Fed Antenna
- Optional external Balun allows tuning of random length, long wire or ladder line fed antennas
- Optional interfaces for Icom and Yaesu available
- Power requirements: 11 to 16 volts DC at 750 mA max during tuning
- Enclosure: 8.5D x 6.0W x 2.0H inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
Price
My Price: $195 plus $20 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Yaesu MD-100 AX8 Microphone
This great sounding desk mic features a cardioid dynamic mic element. It features UP-DOWN tuning (on compatible Yaesu transceivers). There is a scan switch, a switch for PTT (push to talk) and also a lock feature. The frequency response is 100 to 5000 Hz. Sensitivity is -75dB (0 dB=1 V/0.1 Pascal). Impedance is 500 ohms unbalanced. Weight is 24 ounces (670 grams).
On the bottom of the mic base there is a High Emphasis switch and a Low Cut Switch. The mic comes with a special "reversible" cable that can terminate to a Yaesu 8 pin mic plug or a Yaesu modular plug (for FT-857/897).
This mic works well with the FT-747, FT-757GXII, FT-840, FT-847, FT-857/D, FT-890, FT-897/D, FT-990, FT-1000 and FT-1000MPV. It does not work on some older Yaesu transceivers such as the FT-736R. Please also note that Yaesu desk mics such as the MD-100A8X will not work on Yaesu mobile radios due to differences in impedance.
Price
My Price: $105 plus $15 shipping and handling. (From a non-smoking, non-pet home.) SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Audio-Technica ATM410 Dynamic Microphone
The Audio-Technica ATM410 cardioid dynamic mic is a workhorse designed for smooth, natural vocal reproduction and low noise. Equipped with a neodymium magnet for high output, and a multi-stage grille design for excellent protection against plosives, this super-durable microphone is built to stand up to life on the road. Its cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, maximizing isolation from other sound sources and minimizing feedback.
This mic is virtually new and still has the warranty card included.
Audio-Technica ATM410 Dynamic Vocal Microphone Specifications:
- Element: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency response: 90-16,000 Hz
- Open circuit sensitivity: 55 db (1.7 mV) re 1v at 1 Pa
- Impedance: 300 ohms
- Weight: 233 g (8.2 oz)
- Dimensions: 170.0 mm (6.69") long, 53.5 mm (2.11") diameter
- Output connector: integral 3-pin XLRM-type
- Accessories furnished: AT8470 Quiet-Flex stand clamp for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch
- Audio-Technica case style: T6
Audio-Technica ATM410 Dynamic Vocal Microphone Features:
- Tailored for smooth, natural vocal reproduction
- Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
- Durable performance for professional applications
- Hi-Energy neodymium magnet for improved output and transient response
- Excellent off-axis rejection for minimum feedback
- Superior anti-shock engineering for low handling noise
- Multi-stage grille design offers excellent protection against plosives and sibilance without compromising high-frequency clarity
- Quiet-Flex stand clamp provides silent, flexible microphone positioning
- Corrosion-resistant contacts from gold-plated XLRM-type connector
- Rugged, all-metal design and construction for years of trouble-free use
Price
My Price: $55 plus $18 shipping and handling. (From a non-smoking, non-pet home.)
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Timewave - ANC-4 Antenna Noise Canceller SOLD!
The ANC-4 was originally developed by JPS, but is now being manufactured exclusively by Timewave. It is an RF device designed to provide cancellation of locally generated noise from signals received by a primary antenna.
The unit is employed right at the antenna connector of the receiver to cancel noise from power lines, computers, TVs or nearby equipment. This device cancels locally generated noise before it reaches the receiver or transceiver. Front panel controls are provided to allow adjustment of both phase and magnitude of the local interference, providing extremely deep cancellation of the offending noise. May also be used with transceivers with RF power under 250 watts PEP. The built-in telescopic whip is used by the ANC-4 to receive the nearby noise it is going to cancel. There is also an RCA jack to connect a larger noise monitoring antenna if desired.
Operational range: 500 kHz to 80 MHz. Uses standard SO-239 connectors for antenna input and output. Size: 6W x 1.7H x 4.3D inches. Requires 12 VDC @300 mA.
Price
My Price: $135 plus $18 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Palstar ZM-30 Antenna Bridge SOLD!
One of the most useful items a ham can own for antenna
work is an Antenna Analyzer. The ability to know what SWR an antenna
exhibits at each frequency, and to know if the reactance is capacitive
or inductive is invaluable in solving antenna problems.
The ZM30 Antenna Analyzer was built to fill the need for a high-quality
antenna analyzer that would feature solid construction and
field-installable, firmware based software updates to facilitate
performance improvements. Unlike some lesser antenna analyzers, the ZM30
automatically determines and displays the inductive or capacitive
reactance (+/-jx).
The ZM30 is also an L/C meter, measuring the values of capacitors and
inductors (within its reactance range of +/-600ΩZ).
The versatility of the ZM30 does not end there. It can also be used as a
high resolution (as small as 10Hz steps) signal generator or VFO (2V p-p
output).
When using the built-in Scan function and downloadable (www.palstar.com)
ZM Plot MS Excel™ Macro software, the ZM30 can plot a Frequency versus
Resistance and Reactance graph of your antenna’s performance on your PC
screen.
Specifications
- Blue backlit digital display, 16 x 2 LCD
- Precision tunable DDS signal generator, processor controlled in 10Hz steps
- Displays SWR & R+/-JX at frequencies from 1 MHz - 30 MHz in 10Hz Steps
- Battery operated (batteries not included) or wall adapter powered (included, US only)
- Serial port for field upgradeable software from www.palstar.com web site
- Powder coated front panel
- Dimensions: 3" wide x 4" high x 2"deep
Price
My Price: $295 plus $22 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Miracle Ducker IL SOLD!
The following is from the manufacturer's web site. In spite of the hype, I was able to use this, and an 8' piece of wire hanging over my balcony, to work South America with 5 watts with the above FT-857D on 15M SSB.Put the Miracle Ducker IL on your broadband-handheld portable, and open up a world of HF receive you never thought possible!
Most popular broadband rigs like the VX1-7, THF6A, IC1-10 and others are just plain dead when it comes to receiving AM, HF ham bands or shortwave with the supplied rubber duck antenna. They say, "Use a large outdoor antenna for these bands." So what's handheld about that?
Now the Ducker IL (inline) gives you all the portable performance you've wanted. The Ducker provides as much as a whopping 30dB gain on low-frequency receive, using the original rubber duck. Ham, shortwave, even AM broadcast comes booming in like you've never heard before!
The Ducker IL plugs right into your radio, with the original rubber duck mounted on top. The exclusive Miracle Whip C-VAT autotransformer tuning system lets you dial in the frequency of your choice with convenient, single knob tuning, peaking up receive signals that you never thought you'd hear on your radio.
And you retain full access to VHF/UHF transmit with just a click of the dial. Imagine - your little handheld now receives everything from AM broadcast up to high UHF, and you can still operate 2 meters, 220 and 450 with the same antenna. Finally your rig lives up to its promise!
Price
My Price: $100 plus $18 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
MFJ - 911 4:1 Current Balun / Unun SOLD!
The MFJ-911 is a true 4:1 current balun/unun that transforms 200 ohm balanced and unbalanced loads to 50 ohms. The response is amazingly flat from 160-10M because it is a true Transmission Line Transformer using 100 ohm characteristic impedance transmission line. Two low permeability ferrite cores are used to easily handle 300 Watts. Chance balanced to unbalanced operation with handy ground post. 2½ x 4¾ x 1 inches.
Note: Unit works fine - but I did a sloppy job of cementing a
Velcro strip on the back to quickly solve a mounting problem.
Price
My Price: $12 plus $8 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Icom World Clock - GC-4 SOLD!
This is the only thing on the page that is not in perfect condition. Needs a little circuit work to get the LEDs to light plus solve an intermittent wire between the batteries and the circuit. This is probably a five minute repair for the right buyer but just guessing.
When it works, will light an LED for the time zone and show both local and other time zone on LCD clock. Have had this for 20 plus years and can't find any info on the web about it. Is about 8.5" tall.
Price
My Price: $10 plus $8 shipping and handling. SOLD!
If you want to win this great stuff with your quick, decisive nature, click on my eyeballs...before someone else does it first!
Name:
Robert
QTH:
Clearwater Beach, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Call is AA5FR/4 when portable in Tennessee.
Locator:
EL87NO - FL,
EM85HS - TN
IOTA - NA34 - FL.
Rigs:
Yaesu FT-897D, usually running only 20 watts. My main HF rig at my base station on Sand Key Island.
Yaesu FT-857D. This is my mobile rig working with the ATAS-120. Amazing result with the two - my first three contacts sitting in my Florida parking lot: Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Ukraine.
I also use the FT-857D as the main component of my "grab and go" "Shack-N-Bag" for easy portable operations.
Typically using a SignalLink USB for all the digital stuff - especially PSK-31. Timewave ANC-4 for noise control. Both are amazing devices worth their weight in DXCC certificates.
Auto antenna tuners: The battery-powered LDG Z-11 Pro for the often portable FT-857D and a LDG AT-200 Pro for the usually stay-at-home FT-897D.
Antennae:
Above auto tuners with "KindaSorta" HF dipoles at 110 feet (35 meters)
Arrow II dual band VHF/UHF satellite yagi. Also use two Advanced Receiver preamps: SP432VDG for 435 MHz and SP144VDG for 144 MHz - both of which greatly improve the reception for most satellite passes and compensate for the low gain of the Arrow II and the LMR-195 feedline loss.
Arrow J-Pole for 144/440.
Yaesu ATAS-120a for mobile and portable operations - which does a surprisingly amazing job for both. Best DX so far: Mobile from the top of the Smokies to VP8, Falkland Islands - with 10 watts - even at the bottom of this sunspot cycle. I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!
Interests:
Everything! including my wife (absolutely my #1 favorite way to spend my time), digital photography, Photoshop, mountain hiking, sailing, biking, scuba diving, computers, writing, helping start up companies really get started and, of course, ham radio!
Previous Calls:
WN4LEJ - Novice
WA4YFH - General
KD5SB - Advanced
AA5FR - Extra
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Don't Waste Another
Sunset!
Now available in paperback, eBook and Kindle editions!
Click the book cover to find out more about my latest book on Efficient Love:
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