Steve,

Don't believe Tom for a minute.  He's just waiting for me to visit him in
Colorado so I can put it in for him.  He's just being lazy.  <BIG GRIN>

Take care all and see you tomorrow.  Very 73 


 
Kevin :)
Amateur Radio:  K7RX
 

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of tom behler
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 07:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Net controls needed for Sunday's Cross-country Blind Ops Net

    Steve:

I may just try your idea with the counterpoise wire for 17 meters tomorrow. 
... It sure sounds simple enough and, as you say, it's low cost.

Right now, I don't have any ground connections for anything--just the coax 
connections to the rig, tuner, and amp.  I had thought at one time of 
connecting them all to the common ground lug on my feed-through window panel

here, but figured it would not be of any real value, since there is no real 
ground connection on the other side of the window to true ground.

The XYL is gone this week-end, but she and I have talked about doing the 
ground rod thing maybe next week-end, time and weather permitting.  I need 
to get the ground rod, and would like her to at least be around to be sure 
I'm putting things in straight, not getting into any unforseen trouble, 
etc., but hopefully, I'll at least have something soon.

I can't speak to RFI problems when using a dummy load, because I don't have 
one.  That's another item I'd like to obtain sometime soon.  There is a swap

in our local area in the beginning of April, and it is on my list.

Thanks for the advice, Steve, and I'll see what I can do here, at least in 
the short term.

Have fun in the DX contest if you get the chance to get on the high bands 
later.

73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 6:52 AM
Subject: Re: Net controls needed for Sunday's Cross-country Blind Ops Net


Tom,

I know there has been a lot of talk about  the RFI problems you and Junior
have been having recently.  This may not be practical for  75 or 80 meters,
where you both seemed to have problems, but  may be worth a try for 17.

Cut a quarter wave counterpoise for 17 meters (about 12 feet, 11 inches) and
attach it to the ground lug on the amp.   Use insulated wire and tape the
far end, since it will be RF hot.   14, 16,  18 gauge, or whatever you have.
Lay it around the perimeter of the room, and if it works, tuck it under the
carpet or under the baseboard or whatever.

May not work, or may even make things worse, but it's a 5 minute,  no cost
project that just may help.

Also, just curious:  I know you don't have a real ground system, but do you
have the rig, tuner, and amp grounded together, or to a common point, or  no
connections other than the coax between the gear?  Also wonder if you have
the same RF problems while transmitting high power into a dummy load?


BTW, I did work a few Europeans on 40 last night, but the  band was jammed
and deafening.  Hope to get on the higher bands sometime today.  Have fun.

73, Steve KW3A