đź’¬ OT The official Amateur (ham) Radio thread - and GMRS
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I did some HT antenna testing, though not too scientific. Wanted to see how a few different antennas compared to each other. I set the HT down and didn't move it, and used NOAA as the source. I wanted one of stations that was not full strength, so I could see an applicable difference...
Using a Yaesu FT5DR, which has really good sensitivity. First did the stock antenna, then a Nagoya 701 (2m/70cm, not the 701G which is GMRS), and a Signal Stick, which is 19" (VHF 1/4λ, UHF is 3/4λ). Interesting results. I knew/expected the Signal Stick would be superior to the shorter antennas, no question there. What is surprising is how poorly the stock antenna did, even compared to a $15 Nagoya.
I might try to reproduce this using my TinySA, so that I can get actual dB values. Will then come up with a testing process for TX. Since it is an HT I'll need a counterpoise as a control.
Using a Yaesu FT5DR, which has really good sensitivity. First did the stock antenna, then a Nagoya 701 (2m/70cm, not the 701G which is GMRS), and a Signal Stick, which is 19" (VHF 1/4λ, UHF is 3/4λ). Interesting results. I knew/expected the Signal Stick would be superior to the shorter antennas, no question there. What is surprising is how poorly the stock antenna did, even compared to a $15 Nagoya.
I might try to reproduce this using my TinySA, so that I can get actual dB values. Will then come up with a testing process for TX. Since it is an HT I'll need a counterpoise as a control.
I just tried the same with my FT60 for shits and giggles. A tick under S5 with the stock rubber ducky - full quieting with a 16" whip antenna I bought from somewhere years ago. Same Frequency.
In other news, I passed the General exam back on the 6th. I'm looking to get a 40m EFHW set up, similar to the one you and your buddy put together. I have 75' from the chimney to the back fence.
In other news, I passed the General exam back on the 6th. I'm looking to get a 40m EFHW set up, similar to the one you and your buddy put together. I have 75' from the chimney to the back fence.
Congratulations! You'll have a few options for the EFHW then. Can buy one, like MFJ (Mighty Fine Junk), which will come with everything. Or you can buy a kit and make one, which is what my friend did. Feed it with some LMR240 and send it.
Got an EFHW balun kit and a 4:1 (dipole/inverted V) coming from Chyna. 
I need to get the wire cut to length for the EFHW, probably 20M I think although 40 isn't out of the question. Have some wire already cut for the basic dipoles. I'll hook the NanoVNA to it at some point and see what it looks like.
I need to get the wire cut to length for the EFHW, probably 20M I think although 40 isn't out of the question. Have some wire already cut for the basic dipoles. I'll hook the NanoVNA to it at some point and see what it looks like.
The astronauts on the ISS were talking on the 2M radio today. This is the clearest I've ever heard them come in with my current antenna.
I've been wanting to build a tracker and a yagi antenna for satellite stuff for years. There's some pretty cool software out there that will do everything - show the approaching satellites, aim the antenna, control the radio for frequency and doppler shift, etc.
I have used nova for windows in the past nor sure on hardware integration. I was playing with NOAA for a bit there, need to up my antenna game.
OK Boomer. I'm not saying there's no place for CW but the world has left him behind.
I just love that elitism they have:
Really? Memorizing a basic set of dots and dashes is the 'true knowledge' behind radio? "You're not a true IT guy unless you memorize ROT-13! Rah!"
What's sad is that about 75% of the guys I hear on the radio, whether it's VHF/UHF or HF, feel the need to tell everyone how long they have been licensed. I'm not sure why, since that doesn't mean that you're smarter than anyone else, or that you're right. Most of the time they're rehashing old practices or wives tales about stuff that doesn't matter, or are passively condescending if you don't do things exactly how they say it should be.
Funny because I just heard two guys get in a dick measuring contest on a repeater over how long they've lived in Downers Grove. If I'm still living in a Chicago suburb even 10 years from now, I'm gonna suck-start a shotgun.
Played around with FT8 on 10m today for a little bit. My first ever contact was with a guy in Italy, which was surprising. Made a handful of other contacts in the US and Brazil. More surprising was how many people heard me, even with my little wire dipole that's about 8' off the ground in my garage:
By the way, I heard that MFJ is closing it's doors sometime in mid-May supposedly. Kind of a shame if true - I know they have QC issues, but I've had good luck with their power supply and now the 939 tuner.
I thought MFJ was the parent company to a bunch of smaller ones that they swallowed up.
MFJ - Mighty Fine Junk
Their older stuff all seems pretty good. I have a number of their tuners/matchers/meters. Some of the newer stuff we have bought have had quality issues. An EFHW's box had broken solder joints and screws missing.
MFJ - Mighty Fine Junk
Their older stuff all seems pretty good. I have a number of their tuners/matchers/meters. Some of the newer stuff we have bought have had quality issues. An EFHW's box had broken solder joints and screws missing.
Yeah I know they bought Ameritron, Cushcraft, etc.
Could be just a rumor for all I know:
But I also found this thread from November where they were talking about the owner of MFJ trying to find a buyer:
So, we'll see what happens.
April 25, 2024
Dear Fellow hams and Friends,
It is with a sad heart as I write this letter.
As many of you have heard by now, MFJ is ceasing its on-site production in Starkville, Mississippi on May 17, 2024. This is also the same for our sister companies: Ameritron, Hygain, Cushcraft, Mirage and Vectronics.
Times have changed since I started this business 52 years ago. Our product line grew and grew and prospered. Covid changed everything in businesses including ours. It was the hardest hit that we have ever had and we never fully recovered.
I turned 80 this year. I had never really considered retirement but life is so short and my time with my family is so precious.
I want to thank all of our employees who have helped build this company with me over the years. We have many employees who have made MFJ their career for 10, 20, 30, 40 and more years.
We are going to continue to sell MFJ products past May 17, 2024. We have a lot of stock on hand. We will continue to offer repair service work for out-of-warranty and in-warranty units for the foreseeable future.
Finally, a special thanks to all of our customers and our dealers who have made MFJ a worldwide name and a profitable business for so many years. You all are so much appreciated.
Sincerely Yours, 73s
Martin F. Jue, K5flu
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