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WM3T Station Notebook
I will update as I build the New WM3T. Check back.
Update 21 October 2006:
Since the last update, I have added Dunestar Model 600's to both radios with Top Ten Band Decoders to control them. I have also added an Ameritron AL-1200 to the line up and it plays great. It's fun to hold a frequency.
Yesterday I installed a shunt feed to the tower for 160 in preparation for the ARRL 160 contest. It was fun getting it tuned and ready to rock. In testing last night, it played great without no problems. After the installation, I was having problems with getting it to resonate from the shack with RF. As it turned out, the shunt wire had arced to the tower due to poor routing at the feedpoint and was arcing over. I think it would have been fine with low power, but 1500 watts caused a nasty arc burn on the tower!
Update 29 May 2006:
With WPX CW behind me, some station changes need to be made. I noticed how awkward it was to tune the rigs with the keyboard out. I had to reach to tune the rigs. The antenna switch is too high to be easily reached while operating. These observations weren't apparent during regular dx'ing, only in the heat of battle. The rigs can be moved forward on the desk to hopefully solve the problem of tuning. I am looking for a good spot for the antenna switch.
Update 1 May 2006:
Preparation for CQ WPX CW has started. I spent some time out at the tower yesterday laying radials for an 80M sloper. I got three down, with many more to go. I used sod staples to hold the radial to the ground so the mower won't catch them. I hope to have about 20-30 down by the end of the month, along with getting the sloper installed.
Update 23 April 2006:
While working the SP RTTY DX Contest, there was problems with running 80 Meters. When I transmitted on 80, the software and both rigs would freeze, with the rigs sending a constant tone. I didn't have this problem in the other RTTY Contests. I was using N1MM instead of Writelog, so I will have to test with Writelog before working on the fix. I did get SO2R RTTY going last night with both rigs running FSK, which is the reason I worked a little of this contest.
Update 17 April 2006:
Received and installed Array Solutions Six Pack Antenna Switch. Boy does it make it nice to be able to switch antennas to either rig. I am looking at band decoders now for automatic selection.
Update 2 April 2006:
My sincerest appreciation to John, W4JAM for coming over today and helping with tower work. My beams, both are now on top of the tower at 75 feet!! Pictures later.
Update 30 March 2006:
Station Construction is well underway. The tower seeds have sprouted and currently stands at 55 feet. With the nice weather coming, it should grow another 20 feet soon! After that, I think I am going to stop watering it. :-)
The XM240 is fixed to the side of the tower at 30 feet. It seems to play well, but I am sure it will be better at 75 feet. The A3S is ground mounted, aka sitting on the ground for now. It should go up this weekend.
Update 21 October 2006:
Since the last update, I have added Dunestar Model 600's to both radios with Top Ten Band Decoders to control them. I have also added an Ameritron AL-1200 to the line up and it plays great. It's fun to hold a frequency.
Yesterday I installed a shunt feed to the tower for 160 in preparation for the ARRL 160 contest. It was fun getting it tuned and ready to rock. In testing last night, it played great without no problems. After the installation, I was having problems with getting it to resonate from the shack with RF. As it turned out, the shunt wire had arced to the tower due to poor routing at the feedpoint and was arcing over. I think it would have been fine with low power, but 1500 watts caused a nasty arc burn on the tower!
Update 29 May 2006:
With WPX CW behind me, some station changes need to be made. I noticed how awkward it was to tune the rigs with the keyboard out. I had to reach to tune the rigs. The antenna switch is too high to be easily reached while operating. These observations weren't apparent during regular dx'ing, only in the heat of battle. The rigs can be moved forward on the desk to hopefully solve the problem of tuning. I am looking for a good spot for the antenna switch.
Update 1 May 2006:
Preparation for CQ WPX CW has started. I spent some time out at the tower yesterday laying radials for an 80M sloper. I got three down, with many more to go. I used sod staples to hold the radial to the ground so the mower won't catch them. I hope to have about 20-30 down by the end of the month, along with getting the sloper installed.
Update 23 April 2006:
While working the SP RTTY DX Contest, there was problems with running 80 Meters. When I transmitted on 80, the software and both rigs would freeze, with the rigs sending a constant tone. I didn't have this problem in the other RTTY Contests. I was using N1MM instead of Writelog, so I will have to test with Writelog before working on the fix. I did get SO2R RTTY going last night with both rigs running FSK, which is the reason I worked a little of this contest.
Update 17 April 2006:
Received and installed Array Solutions Six Pack Antenna Switch. Boy does it make it nice to be able to switch antennas to either rig. I am looking at band decoders now for automatic selection.
Update 2 April 2006:
My sincerest appreciation to John, W4JAM for coming over today and helping with tower work. My beams, both are now on top of the tower at 75 feet!! Pictures later.
Update 30 March 2006:
Station Construction is well underway. The tower seeds have sprouted and currently stands at 55 feet. With the nice weather coming, it should grow another 20 feet soon! After that, I think I am going to stop watering it. :-)
The XM240 is fixed to the side of the tower at 30 feet. It seems to play well, but I am sure it will be better at 75 feet. The A3S is ground mounted, aka sitting on the ground for now. It should go up this weekend.
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Jerry/K1SO
WM3T, where you been? Have not had a sound out of you in a while. Hope all is well?
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