I was able to get in on the 410 net the other night(Tuesday).
Apparently, my signal was much better and I wasn't having problems with the mic. I'm not sure, but I might have had a bad connection with the antenna last week.
I was talking to Carl WA0RLY today about Quad Antenna's and think that that might be a good project to work on this spring/summer.
2008/01/31
2008/01/22
First Contact
I finished off the 10 meter dipole today at work in hopes of getting on the Austin 410 Shotgun Net (28.410.0 MHz), unfortunately things did not go my way. I was able to listen in, but my transmissions weren't getting anywhere. Eventually I was able to make a couple partial transmissions which where picked up, but nothing that I could maintain.
I called Net Control, John (KB0SPM), who figured that the problem was either with my mic or that the power supply just wasn't up to the task. He offered to loan me a 7 amp power supply and another mic to test out and see if either was the root of the problem.
I first tried the mic but had the same result.
Hooking up the 7 amp power supply, I was in business. John was able to copy my transmissions, but says that it wasn't the clearest audio. Adjusting the mic gain on the TS-440 helped a little, but not much. I could hear how bad I sounded, and figure that there might be something inside the case that may need fixing.
I should also check the volume nob--it seems to be a bit temperamental--and see if there is supposed to be a back-light on the power meter. If so, I'll have to replace it. Good thing there were two spare lights in the box when I bought it.
For John (KB0SPM). I found the link to the .pdf of the 440's manual:
Kenwood TS-440S Manual
I called Net Control, John (KB0SPM), who figured that the problem was either with my mic or that the power supply just wasn't up to the task. He offered to loan me a 7 amp power supply and another mic to test out and see if either was the root of the problem.
I first tried the mic but had the same result.
Hooking up the 7 amp power supply, I was in business. John was able to copy my transmissions, but says that it wasn't the clearest audio. Adjusting the mic gain on the TS-440 helped a little, but not much. I could hear how bad I sounded, and figure that there might be something inside the case that may need fixing.
I should also check the volume nob--it seems to be a bit temperamental--and see if there is supposed to be a back-light on the power meter. If so, I'll have to replace it. Good thing there were two spare lights in the box when I bought it.
For John (KB0SPM). I found the link to the .pdf of the 440's manual:
Kenwood TS-440S Manual
2008/01/17
Success!
Silly knobs.
I checked over the manual a bit more and found that the problem was with the knobs. I had the SQL and AF knobs mixed up so my volume was all the way down and squelch was all the way up. Not going to hear much that way.
Once I had that figured out, and turned off all the fluorescent lights in my apartment, I was able to tune in a few signals. I've found that the keypad on the front is a bit sensitive on a few numbers (8 especially) making manual entry a bit troublesome, but not totally impossible.
There's still a lot for me to learn about this radio.
I still need to think about how I'm going to set up an antenna (and what kind) I can use for broadcasting. With a Tech license the bands we can use is pretty limited, so my choices should be pretty limited as well. Carl (WA0RLY) suggested a G5RV antenna, but that thing is over 100 feet from end to end and my apartment is only ~50 long. There's got to be a better, and more compact, option...
I checked over the manual a bit more and found that the problem was with the knobs. I had the SQL and AF knobs mixed up so my volume was all the way down and squelch was all the way up. Not going to hear much that way.
Once I had that figured out, and turned off all the fluorescent lights in my apartment, I was able to tune in a few signals. I've found that the keypad on the front is a bit sensitive on a few numbers (8 especially) making manual entry a bit troublesome, but not totally impossible.
There's still a lot for me to learn about this radio.
I still need to think about how I'm going to set up an antenna (and what kind) I can use for broadcasting. With a Tech license the bands we can use is pretty limited, so my choices should be pretty limited as well. Carl (WA0RLY) suggested a G5RV antenna, but that thing is over 100 feet from end to end and my apartment is only ~50 long. There's got to be a better, and more compact, option...
2008/01/16
No Signal
I hooked up the power supply from Carl (WA0RLY) last night and my old shortwave antenna, but wasn't able to get any reception.
I'm hoping it's only a problem with my choice of antenna and not a problem with the radio.
I'm hoping it's only a problem with my choice of antenna and not a problem with the radio.
2008/01/15
Kenwood TS-440S
Welcome to my inaugural posting for my new blog for my adventures in amateur radio!
I've had my Tech Class license for two years, using a Kenwood TH-78A. It's been a very nice radio, but I have really been wanting something with a little more power!
So I bought a Kenwood TS-440S from Linton (KB0UCO) this past weekend during our Holiday Party. Unfortunately it came with a pungent ashtray odor--I'll have to do something about soon, but did not come with a power supply. Carl (WA0RLY) says I might be able to use an old computer power supply instead. That would be cheaper, but I'm not all that sure that's the way I want to go.
I will also need to get an antenna. I should be able to use the copper wire I'm using for my Shortwave radio, with the right connector, but I'd only be able to use it for receiving.
I've had my Tech Class license for two years, using a Kenwood TH-78A. It's been a very nice radio, but I have really been wanting something with a little more power!
So I bought a Kenwood TS-440S from Linton (KB0UCO) this past weekend during our Holiday Party. Unfortunately it came with a pungent ashtray odor--I'll have to do something about soon, but did not come with a power supply. Carl (WA0RLY) says I might be able to use an old computer power supply instead. That would be cheaper, but I'm not all that sure that's the way I want to go.
I will also need to get an antenna. I should be able to use the copper wire I'm using for my Shortwave radio, with the right connector, but I'd only be able to use it for receiving.
Amateur Radio Today (2003) - hosted by Walter Cronkite
Amateur Radio Today (2003) - hosted by Walter Cronkite
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