HAM Radio

Don't believe I know him!

On the original post I made about the Harris radio. I got it up and running today! I spent part of the morning using it on 3923 LSB. It works fabulously on 75M. There's some frequencies/bands the tuner doesn't like, but I know it should work them! After all, my 706 MKIIG & the same antenna works them, so this one should, too. But,after all, this set-up is new to me and more reading is required. It's got something to do with the antenna,I'm sure.

 

It’s an impressive device to be sure. I hope it works as well as you wish.

(David Ferrie a fringe part of some JFK murder conspiracies. Convincingly played by Joe Pesci in a movie).

In that better America of yesteryear, it wasn’t hard to run into guys I’d known in Boy Scouts who were now CAP members. My family is full of pilots (son is a Herk driver).

I distinctly recall my WWII Navy pilot fathers dismay on the 1970s CB craze. The complete lack of discipline. Much of the fun of accurate communications lost (message relay over distance, that sort of thing).

 

I have a bit of a problem with that NOW! You see, my first exposure to radio was in CAP. Since I was taught to observe strict 'phone protocols and military voice procedures, when I experimented with CB as a kid, tho I DID use it for awhile, the rollicking lack of discipline...well, just turned me off. I couldn't get used to adults acting like children. That's when I began to study for my amateur license. I messed with CW (you had to pass that element in those days)
but since I was only 16, Dad thought the license was frivolous! Wouldn't take me to the FCC examiner's in Norfolk, VA. WE only lived 50 miles away, but Pop said "no". And when I hear hams sending test signals on top of nets, making loud noises while others are talking, it just grates on my nerves. I fail to see the humor in such antics.

BTW, I think I know why the radio is not turning some frequencies. I need some more ground radials under the antenna, and it should do dc to daylight!

 

Slowmover1, I found out why my Harris wasn't working on some frequencies. Had to do with the ladder line feed line! I suspected something was going on up there, so I went out and looked at the antenna system. I found that the ladder line portion of the feed was wrapped around the VHF hardline going up to the tower--which is metal. You don't WANT ladder line up against metal (siding, nails, towers, etc), so I unwrapped the portion of the line and cleared it away from the 2 meter beam feed. I also added a couple ground radials (to be buried in the lawn later) and shortened direct ground from the auto coupler to the 5' ground rod. When that was done, I checked the tuning. Works like a charm! Any frequency I choose between 1.6 and 30 MHZ now tunes right up via the auto coupler (tuner)! My first DX contact with the change? RZ3AH, Moscow, Russia!

 

What a machine!

 

Gadfly, I didn't want to comment until I figured out what you had. So I asked my go to guy for all things complex RF/military and he has two, one is the desktop model and the other is the T version of it with a complete kit. He loves both of them and uses the T version on Field Day because it has everything he needs in a nice case.

Good catch.

Now I have see if I can add that to my collection. Don't know if the wife would allow me to have any more radios, I am now storing them in her spaces in the house. I have two Harris units in storage, a 1.8 - 30 mhz transmitter that came off a cruse ship and a large transceiver that came off a fast frigate that I worked on in the late 80's, I ran across that in a ship yard sale not knowing it came from that ship, just a coincidence.

 

Awesome! I missed another one on Ebay just a couple days ago. It had the remote head that goes with the RF-3200. IF I had seen it and won the bid, it would've been in my truck! Daggone it, its gone!

Slowmover1, getting one's antenna right is the key. An antenna system will make or break your station. You can have the best, most expensive radio on earth and a lousy antenna and it will slap you down. Or you can have a sorry radio and a good antenna and work the world. Some guys, including hams, think they have to have BEEG power and a BEEG radio, or they won't "get out". I don't even currently own an amp, and I've snagged Russia, France, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and the Pacific islands. Others, too! There's even a net on 75M called "A Hundred Watts and a Wire" group!

73

 

I saw that and didn't have time to put in a bid, long story.

100 watts and a wire - 7.188 Sundays.

By the way, 1 watt, random wire, lots of contacts. It not only can be done but can be fun!

 

With regard to the radios and the XYL.... you can always tell her you "holding it for a 'friend'". They are just letting you use it until they can pick it up!!!!!!

 

I haven't tried that one, I'll see if it works with the next radio purchase.