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Practical Wireless 02 2024

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Practical Wireless 02 2024

Practical_Wireless_02_2024

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gugusli2005

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®

For a Reliable, Fast, Friendly Service

Portable HF Antenna & Mast specialists

www.nevadaradio.co.uk
023 9231 3090 @NevadaRadio www.facebook.com/nevadaradio https://www.instagram.com/nevada_radio/
• Deethe Farm Industrial Estate • Cranfield Road • Woburn Sands • Milton Keynes • MK17 8UR
Keylines
A
Incorporating lthough I’m writing this before Christmas,
you will be reading it in the New Year, so
Happy New Year! Hopefully HF conditions
February 2024 Vol. 100 No. 2
On sale: 11th January 2024
will continue to improve, and the weather too!
Next issue on sale: 8th February 2024 (Here in Somerset, we seem to have had nothing
ISSN 0141-0857 but rain for the past several weeks – a number
of roads across the Somerset Levels have been
Practical Wireless
Warners Group Publications plc impassable – the worst for well over 20 years
The Maltings, West Street apparently.)
Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH
www.warnersgroup.co.uk There should be plenty to look forward to, radio-
Tel 01778 391000 wise, with most clubs more or less back to ‘normal
Editor service’ these days, plenty of activity on the bands,
Don Field G3XTT
[email protected] all being well, rallies and other events gradually
Designer starting to pick up again and maybe even some
Mike Edwards new gear to learn about – it’s very quiet at the
[email protected]
moment but there are usually announcements with contests and awards. The reason seems to be
Advertisement & Production Manager
Kristina Green
as we move towards the US Dayton Hamvention the fear by Ofcom of a legal challenge relating to
01778 392096 and other major trade shows. And, of course, some sort of discrimination. Time will tell although
[email protected] there’s always plenty that we can be doing by way I suspect most amateurs will continue to air their
Marketing Manager
Sophie Thornton of station improvements, whether by building callsigns in accordance with the existing RSL
[email protected] some new piece of kit, installing a new antenna structure.
Marketing Executive
Charlotte Bamford
or whatever. Certainly, the hobby has managed to The new rules are expected to come into place
[email protected] keep me amused for well over 50 years now and in February 2024 when Ofcom have completed
Publisher there are still aspects that I have yet to explore! the licence variation process. Meanwhile the
Claire Ingram
[email protected] overview document states “Licensees can provide
Ofcom consultation representations on these proposed changes by
Photocopies & Back Issues
We can supply back issues, but we only keep them Following the recent consultation, Ofcom 5:00pm on 22 January 2024. Ofcom will consider
for three months. If you are looking for an article published its ‘Statement: Updating the amateur all representations that have been provided after
or review that you missed first time around, we can radio licensing framework’ on 11 December. See this date and decide whether to go ahead with our
still help. If we don’t have the actual issue we can
always supply a photocopy or PDF file of the article. our News pages for more details although as the proposals. We may decide to vary the licences
Technical Help Statement runs to three documents, the first of in accordance with our proposal, or with some
We regret that due to Editorial timescales, replies which is over 100 pages, you will almost certainly modifications. We will publish our decisions on the
to technical queries cannot be given over the
telephone. Any technical queries are unlikely to
want to read it online when you have the time to Ofcom website no later than February 2024...” So,
receive immediate attention so, if you require do so. there is still time to have your say.
help with problems relating to topics covered in Along with the main documents, Ofcom have also
PW, please either contact the author of the article
directly or write or send an email to the Editor and published the responses, both from individuals Active or not?
we’ll do our best to reply as soon as we can. and from Essex Ham and the RSGB. As far as I am I referred in the last section to ‘active’ amateurs.
aware, responses were received from about 1.5% It’s an interesting question as to what proportion
of the UK amateur radio population, although the of UK amateurs are ‘active’ at any one time. Many
percentage of ‘active’ amateurs responding was get a licence, go through a period of enthusiastic
presumably considerably higher. Nevertheless, operation and then fall away, perhaps to come back
the number is disappointing – does it suggest that to the hobby later in life (after marriage, children,
most amateurs are apathetic about the way we are career, etc). Others may even get the licence to
regulated, or maybe just feel that responding is challenge themselves but with little enthusiasm for
pointless because Ofcom’s mind is made up? actually operating. Some want to build equipment
In fairness, most of the changes are fairly and the licence is simply a way of allowing them,
innocuous and, indeed, to be welcomed. The one when the gear is finished, to undertake on-air tests.
that seems to have generated most controversy Times have certainly changed from when I was first
is making Regional Secondary Locators (RSLs) licensed, when most newcomers were in their teens,
optional. This means, for example, that you can often pursuing A levels in maths and science, and
drive around the UK operating mobile or portable, keen to be active on the bands! But that particular
while signing your base callsign (G, GM, whatever). demographic nowadays seems to be more
Or, even more confusing perhaps, if, say, a Scottish interested in computers, the internet and so on –
amateur moves to Wales, he can continue to use understandably so but a loss to the hobby.
his GM callsign. At least, this is my understanding.
This certainly has potential to confuse overseas Don Field G3XTT
amateurs working the UK, and will cause havoc Editor, Practical Wireless Magazine

47 The new SDRconnect software

Georg Wiessala discusses the development history of the
popular SDRconnect software.
14
50 Vintage Television & Radio
6 News Keith Hamer and Garry Smith continue the special series
PW’s monthly roundup of news from the UK and looking back at the BBC’s coverage of Coronations since
internationally, including new products, club news and 1937. There is also a Coronation vintage television
recent events. advertisement from the archives, including a detailed
description of the ‘Pye’ company. There are more unique
7 Rallies details about Roland Pièce, the pioneer of Swiss radio
Locate a rally or event near you; we have our usual broadcasts. The series charting the rise and fall of BBC
comprehensive list. 198kHz transmissions focuses on the Droitwich Station.
They also continue their series about the development of
8 Book Review 20 Swiss Radio and Television since 1922.
For the Record, David Harris reviews a book celebrating
Piccadilly Radio’s 50th anniversary. 54 Portable military radio
24 Transmit Quality Among Modern communications of WWII
9 Archive CDs Transceivers, Part I Graham Caldwell begins a series of articles on WWII
Check out the PW archive CDs available from our publisher. Frank Howell K4FMH discusses issues of transmit quality. portable military radio equipment, including their
collecting potential, beginning with the British Army.
10 Gospell GR-228BP DRM receiver 28 Airband News
Kevin Ryan looks at a handy DRM receiver. David Smith has the latest news on developments in the 59 Remote Antenna Switch Box
world of aviation. Edward Jones G3ZLX offers a design for an antenna
14 A visit to Mauritius switch using reed switches.
Don relates the tale of his recent trip to Mauritius for the 30 More on the Quansheng UV-K5
CQWW CW Contest but also has a look at the amateur
Keith Rawlings G4MIU revisits the UV-K5, describing the
62 The World of VHF
radio scene on the island. The most notable VHF event this month, as Tim Kirby
options available with the new firmware.
GW4VXE reports, was a widespread F2 opening on the
16 The SkyKing TXHF-6 – a very 32 Data Modes 6m band.
different Discone
Mike Richards G4WNC introduces the Hermes Lite 2 and
Richard Constantine G3UGF says “You can never have too 65 The Morse Mode
explains how to get it up and running.
many antennas!” Roger Cooke G3LDI has another selection of Morse
related topics.
18 Control the Controller 38 HF Highlights
Billy McFarland GM6DX has an Arduino-based project to With lots of expeditions and some excellent propagation, 66 Amateur Radio on a Budget
control a Yaesu rotator from your PC. Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX has another full postbag. Daimon Tilley G4USI gets all nostalgic, recreating a
project from his past.
20 The restoration of an Admiralty 41 What Next
Pattern X2113A Transmitter Type 5G Ready to focus on a particular niche activity with the 70 Readers’ Letters
Peter Russell G8FWY undertakes a fascinating hobby? Colin Redwood G6MXL looks at some of the groups This month’s Letters relate to two earlier contributors
restoration. contributing to such activities. to PW.

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4 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
News

Newsdesk
Have you got something to tell our readers about? If so, then email [email protected]

Telonic introduces MALTBY & DISTRICT AMA-

TEUR RADIO SOCIETY: Maltby
SIGLENT’s SDS7000A Series & District Amateur Radio Society

oscilloscope to the UK
was reformed in August 2023,
having closed in 2019. It meets
at the Centenary Hall, Bateman
SIGLENT has introduced a new range of high-performance oscilloscopes Road, Hellaby, Rotherham, South
to the UK with the help of Telonic Instruments Ltd. The SDS7000A Yorkshire. The Maltby & District
oscilloscope range has been developed for dynamic markets, such as Amateur Radio Society does not
telecommunications, wireless technologies and high-speed digital just do radio, they also branch out to Raspberry PI, Arduino, Electron-
technology. In these industries, oscilloscopes are required to provide ics and Construction (Radios, Electronic circuits, Antennas etc
expanded functionality to meet not just the increasing demands for Bletchley Park is primarily known for being home to the WW2 Secret
acquisition and analysis of high-frequency, complex signals but to meet Code Breakers and is well worth a visit. It is also home to the National
the growing needs of modern applications. Radio Centre, which is a showcase for radio communications technol-
ogy. On a recent visit, members of the Maltby & District Amateur Radio
The SDS7000A is just such an oscilloscope range, offering 12-bit vertical
Society were able to operate the GB3RS radio station. Contacts were
resolution that not only enables the precise imaging of high-frequency
made with several other radio amateurs across the UK, conditions
signals, but also offers fine differentiation in vertical detection.
having been impacted by sunspot activity.
More information at: After visiting the National Radio Centre, members of the Society
https://tinyurl.com/542x6k8w visited other areas of Bletchley Park. Members who attended said that
it was an excellent day, and they would all like to go back.
In a live linkup between Maltby & District Amateur Radio Society and
UPDATING THE AMATEUR RADIO LICENSING FRAMEWORK: Ofcom have RT Systems (Georgia, USA), members took part in an interactive expe-
published the results of their recent consultation on amateur licensing, with rience and learned about RT Systems software, and how their support
implementation of the changes to take place in three phases. Full details are on differs from other vendors. This was followed by a Q & A session
the Ofcom website (see URL below). Phase 1 relates to new callsign rules and facilitated by Karin from RT Systems.
greater flexibility in respect of several areas of operation, such as removing the Members said that they had enjoyed the presentation and Q & A and
requirement for Notices of Variation for a number of activities for which they had learned a lot about the software.
were previously needed. Phase 2 relates to new Intermediate callsigns, special RT Systems has been at the forefront of amateur radio programming
event callsigns and the number of licences an individual may hold. Phase 3 will software since 1995 when they introduced their first Radio Pro-
give more flexibility in choosing and changing callsigns. Phases 2 and 3 are gramming software for the Yaesu FT-11. Each of their programming
dependent on the implementation of a new licensing platform, expected to be software has an easily used interface that makes the radio more
ready later in 2024. understandable. The picture shows Karin from RT Systems on the
https://tinyurl.com/mu2rtb3a video linkup.

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6 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
News

Rallies & Events

All information published here reflects the situation up to and including 18th December 2023. Readers are advised
to always check with the organisers of any rally or event before setting out for a visit. The Radio Enthusiast website
www.radioenthusiast.co.uk has the latest updates, please check it regularly. To get your event on this list, e-mail the
full details, as early as possible, to: [email protected]

28 January 20 April
LINCOLN SHORT WAVE CLUB WINTER RADIO RAL- 2024 YEOVIL ARC THIRTY-EIGHTH QRP CONVEN-
General Rallies Information
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar
LY: The Festival Hall, Caistor Road, Market Rasen, LN8 TION: The Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AA,
http://www.g4rga.org.uk/All.html
3HT. Doors open at 09.00. Admission £2. Indoor event, 9.30am to 1.30pm. Admission £3. Talks, Traders, https://hfdxarc.com/calendar-3/radio-rally-calender
ample free car parking. Hot refreshments including our Bring and Buy, club stalls, cafe, parking. Supported by https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies
now famous bacon butties. Tables £10 each. Contact RSGB, G-QRP & Rafars. Contact M0WOB. (BB, CR, CS, www.radioenthusiast.co.uk
Steve M5ZZZ for tables and details: At 14.00 after the https://www.hamhub.uk/content/rallies (pictures)
FP, RSGB)
Rally there will be a Used Equipment Auction items for
http: //Yeovil-arc.com
the auction will be booked in from 13.00. (BB, CR, FP)
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07777699069
Key To Acronyms
12 May BA Buildathon • BB Bring-and-Buy • CBS Car Boot Sale
DARTMOOR SPRING RADIO RALLY: Yelverton War CR Catering /Refreshments • CS Club Stalls
3 March
memorial Hall, Meavy Lane, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 D Disabled visitors • FM Flea Market
EXETER RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY: Open FP Free Parking • L Talks, Lectures and Demos
10.00 - 13.00. America Hall, Pinhoe EX4 8PX. Details 6AL. Doors open 10am, Admission £2.50, Free Park-
1'1NHJSXJI'FWѬ282JJYNSL8UFHJXѬ7+7FK‫ܫ‬J
from Pete G3ZVI ing. Contact Roger:
RSGB (RSGB) • RU/PW RadioUser/ PW in attendance
Email: [email protected] Tel: 07854 088882 SIG Special-Interest Groups • TI Talk-In (Channel)
Tel: 07714198374 Email: [email protected]

NEWS FROM THE RSGB: The RSGB Examina- tion, contact Beyond Exams Coordinator Mark Following four weeks of deliberations, the
tions Standards Committee has published its Burrows 2E0SBM via 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference
annual report, covering the operation of the [email protected] concluded in Dubai on Friday 15 December with
amateur radio exams during the calendar year At the RSGB 2023 Convention, Brian Coleman the signing of the ‘Provisional Final Acts’ and
of 2022. You can read the report on the RSGB G4NNS outlined the plan for the second phase a closing ceremony. The numerous changes
website. Go to: of the UK Meteor Beacon Project. A network don’t formally take effect until 1 January 2025
rsgb.org/esc of receivers will be developed, streaming their and preparations are already underway to agree
and click on Minutes, Papers and Reports in the data via a central server for detailed study of the agenda for future WRC events. The RSGB’s
right-hand list. individual meteor events. This is a coopera- special focus pages have the final news report
Following feedback from the amateur radio com- tion between the ‘worlds’ of amateur radio and and photos. To view these, visit:
munity, the RSGB’s Learning Team is launching a astronomy. You can watch Brian’s presentation rsgb.org/wrc-23
revised Discovery Scheme in the New Year. This on the RSGB YouTube channel. This is supported The results will be reviewed by the Spectrum Fo-
will be a revamp of the Individual Scheme from by the RSGB Legacy Fund, more details about rum after the Christmas break, alongside IARU
the Beyond Exams initiative and consists of which are at: and domestic changes. (See also this month’s
three levels of participation. For more informa- rsgb.org/legacy World of VHF column regarding the 23cm band)
Review

David Harris
[email protected] For the Record
T
he 50th anniversary of commercial radio David Harris reviews a book looking back at the long and
in Great Britain passed without much
distinguished history of Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio.
celebration on 8 October 2023, which
was the date when LBC first began broadcasting
in the London area. LBC was followed on in 1970. Piccadilly became very popular
16 October 1973 Capital (London) and in because it was focussed on the Manchester
December 1973 by Clyde (Glasgow). In February area and had a lot of local presenters. It
1974 BRMB (Birmingham) began broadcasting seemed to be a very inclusive employer who
followed on 2 April 1974 by Piccadilly would at least give an interview to anyone who
(Manchester). A total of 19 Independent Local wanted to work there regardless of whether
Radio (ILR) commercial stations were rolled out they had any previous media experience.
between 1973 and 1976. In 1987 the station, which had broadcast
This book, which is published by a Manchester simultaneously on 103MHz FM and 1152kHz
company, celebrates the golden years of AM, split into two different stations. They were
Piccadilly Radio from 1974 up until 1988. In Key 103 FM, which was a contemporary music
1988 Piccadilly was taken over by Transworld station, and Piccadilly Magic AM an oldies/talk
who were then bought by EMAP who in turn station.
were sold to Bauer (in 2008) who now operate The book ends in 1988 when Piccadilly
the station as Greatest Hits Radio. The authors, ceases to be an independent local station and
Brian Beech and Tony Ingham, were both began its descent into corporate ownership and
part of Piccadilly Radio from its early days. frequent rebranding.
Beech, a former teacher, was a researcher and The book will certainly provide anyone who
producer for the station before he embarked lived in Manchester from 1974 - 1988 with a
upon a career in public relations. Ingham joined feast of nostalgia. It is very well illustrated with
as promotions manager and rose to become many colour photos of presenters. I felt that
programme controller. He later worked for Radio the book could have benefited from an extra
City (Liverpool) and also made a career in public chapter that looked at the business model of
relations. This is their first book. Celebrating Piccadilly Radio’s 50th anniversary ILR and whether Piccadilly could have been
Piccadilly was founded by Philip Birch who 1974 -2024 by Brian Beech and Tony Ingham. saved as a truly local station. It is disappointing
had run the financially successful offshore i2i Publishing. £11.95. 173 pp. Pbk. that the 50th anniversary of commercial radio
station Radio London from 1964 - 1967. ISBN 9781914933608 in the UK has gone relatively unnoticed by
Piccadilly began on 2 April 1974 and the first www.i2ipublishing.co.uk both the media and academia. Today we have
announcer was Roger Day (formerly with Radio a situation whereby almost all commercial
England, Radio Caroline, Radio Luxembourg, music stations in the UK are owned by just two
etc). Roger stayed with Piccadilly until 1979 and radio station playing music to the workers at corporations, Bauer (Absolute, Greatest Hits,
he has subsequently worked for BRMB, Invicta biscuit factories. Several well-known radio Hits, Jazz FM, Kiss, Magic, Scala and some
and Radio Kent. He is currently a presenter presenters, including Dale Winton, Roger Scott local brands) and Global (Capital, LBC, Heart,
with oldies station Boom Radio. Many other big and Nicky Horne, began their careers with this Classic FM, Radio X, Gold and Smooth). These
names in radio worked for Piccadilly in its early station. Piccadilly quickly established itself stations with their bland mix of pop and dance
years, including Chris Evans, Mark Radcliffe, and attracted up to 1.5 million listeners, which music have little local content apart from the
Gary Davies, Timmy Mallett and Andy Peebles. was very impressive as the population today of odd traffic bulletin and some perfunctory local
Nick Robinson, the BBC political journalist, the Greater Manchester area is only 2.8 million. news. PW
started his media career in the newsroom of These listening figures enabled the station to
Piccadilly Radio. sell advertising at premium rates, which in the Further reading
The early Independent Local Radio commercial early years were sufficient to enable the station • Local Radio, Going Global by Guy Starkey,
stations were very heavily regulated and were to cover its huge operating costs. The station Palgrave Macmillan.. 2015. 202 pp. £18.99.
also restricted by needle time agreements to provided a full news and sports service and pbk. This book was originally published in
the amount of recorded music they could play attracted many famous people such as Sophia hardback in 2011 and remains the only serious
each day. The station had to provide a varied Loren, David Attenborough and Margaret study of commercial radio in the UK. Dr Starkey
general service programming, including news, Thatcher, who all appeared on the station when (1959 - 2018) had a distinguished career in
features and talk programmes. In addition to the visiting the Manchester area. media and academia which began in 1977
running costs of the station they had to pay over Much of the book is given over to quotes from when he was a presenter with Voice of Peace,
£100,000 p.a. (the equivalent of £1.25 million listeners testifying to how much they enjoyed an offshore station broadcasting to the Middle
today) to the government in licensing fees. the station and what an important part it played East.
The station initially employed 40 staff and had in their lives. The radio landscape in the UK • The Piccadilly Story: Piccadilly Radio 261,
premises in central Manchester at Piccadilly prior to the launch of commercial radio was Manchester by Philip Radcliffe, Frederick
Plaza (after which the station was named). dominated by the BBC with its national stations Muller. 1979 (out of print). Beech and Ingham
The station recruited several presenters from Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus its local stations, acknowledge the role this early book played in
United Biscuits Network, which was an internal including BBC Radio Manchester, which started their own research.

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8 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
ARCHIVE

Available to Order
All issues of Practical Wireless published from selected
years are now available on a handy CD-ROM.

Available from just £23.99 plus postage

and packing

To order visit
www.bit.ly/pawi_archive23
or call 01778 395161
Review

Kevin Ryan
[email protected]

D
igital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a digital so-
lution for the AM and FM bands, is very
much alive, especially in Asia. Unusually
Indonesia is also going to use it in Band III from
174 to 202MHz with the rest allocated to DAB.
The fate of DRM on shortwave is mainly in the
hands of the international broadcasters although
there may be a growing interest among the low-
powered European broadcasters such as SE-TA2.
I’ve used several DRM capable receivers over
the many years since DRM broadcasts have been
available. China is currently the leading manufac-
turer of DRM receivers after production of porta-
ble DRM receivers faltered in India. Gospell is the
leading manufacturer of AM/FM/DRM receivers
but with limited production runs.

Gospell GR-228BP
The GR-228BP is one of the many DRM receivers
produced by this company. The specification is
available on the Gospell website, including de-
scriptions of the rear connections and the eight
function keys on the top of the radio. The GR- Practical Wireless Rating
228BP has the same facilities as many DAB/FM
receivers. Instead of DAB the digital decoder is
DRM and the DRM radios usually have an external A good buy for DRM enthusiasts.
antenna socket for AM broadcasts.

Gospell GR-228BP
The Quick Start Guide included with the ra-
dio is the only documentation available and it
is a basic user guide. My radio shipped with a
European style two-pin wall adaptor and also in-

DRM receiver
cluded was a five metre long wire antenna meant
for indoor use. The radio uses a micro-USB plug
(5V@700mA) so many mobile phone or tablet
chargers will work.
https://tinyurl.com/ytwajdzm
https://tinyurl.com/5n8m4ykv Kevin Ryan looks at a handy DRM receiver.
Power the two TORX type ones for the carrying handle. Off air testing
The radio has an internal chargeable battery rated Undoing them didn’t seem to release the control I found that the 660mm telescopic antenna didn’t
at 3.7V 2600mAh according to the plate on the panel from the chassis but I was only applying a provide enough signal for consistent reception of
receiver. This is the same overall capacity as the gentle pressure. The main body of the receiver is the DRM broadcasts. All my DRM listening tests
NiMH batteries I use in my Pure DAB radio and circled by a band of loudspeaker type cloth, Fig. used the multi-band antenna in the loft to provide
seems minimal to me. Fully charged they provide 1, securely held in place obscuring any recessed a higher level of signal.
about 20 hours of listening time so I expected screws.
the same from the GR-228BP. However, it doesn’t Two-line display
last anywhere like this time in the DRM mode. I DRM mode The 16-character two-line LCD display is limited
checked that the radio was at 100% charge in the The Quick Start Guide advises the listener to con- in the amount of information it can provide. When
morning, used it to decode DRM for an hour and tinually press the Mode button, Fig. 2, until DRM starting to decode a DRM service the display
then switched to standby. In the afternoon bat- shows on the display. It takes two presses to move shows the frequency and the word ‘Tuning’. It will
tery capacity was down to 39% with the radio giv- from one mode to the next. The ‘Skip Rotary’ knob show this status even when there is no signal pre-
ing a ‘Low Battery’ warning. There seems to be a now tunes the radio to a desired frequency. This sent. A strong signal will light up the basic signal
threshold in battery mode below which the DRM rotary is the type you have to turn many times to strength indicators.
decoder is not enabled. move forward in frequency. I discovered that by
using the Band button, Fig. 2 again, the radio has a Technical menu
Making repairs pre-programmed list of broadcast bands starting All my other DRM receivers had a ‘hidden’ techni-
There is no obvious way to open the receiver to at FM and MW and will tune to the start frequen- cal/engineering menu that showed many of the
make any repairs such as replacing the battery cy for each of the shortwave bands. This feature DRM transmission parameters. The GR-228BP
pack. The only screws anywhere on the case are works in the DRM mode. menu is opened by long-pressing the Service but-

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10 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Review

1
2

Fig. 1: Note the layout of the top panel and the

wrap-around fabric cover on the body of the
receiver. Fig. 2: The eight buttons on the top panel
of the receiver. Fig. 3: Typically, the SNR needs to
be about 12dB for an MSC using 16QAM and 17dB
for 64QAM encoding.

ton and it has several screens of information. The

tuning knob moves forward and back among the
various screens.
Screen one, Fig. 3, has the tuned frequency, sig-
SFQXYWJSLYMNSI'ਐ;YMJ837NSI'XFSIYMJ'*7
(Bit Error Rate) in scientific notation (e.g. 83e-3). I
believe the signal strength is a measure of the RF
power in the RF channel. On an empty frequen- 3
H^YMJXNLSFQXYWJSLYMNXFWTZSII'ਐ;)72NX
a multi-carrier system and the SNR is calculated (see below) as BBC WS JL. Typical content of each press of the Return button opens up the associated
from the average of Modulation Error Rate (MER) screen is listed in Table 1. text as lines of text that flow over the 32 characters
of each of the carriers used for the FAC cells in the of the two-line display. Various characters (À,,,
4.5kHz bandwidth above the nominal carrier fre- DRM tests using RRI ª, Z) delimit the text to help you move up and
quency. Once the data bits are extracted from the I had impressive results with all three morning down the screen. The Settings button moves you
carriers it is possible to derive the Bit Error Rate broadcasts to Western Europe: French at 0500UTC back up the Journaline tree.
as a measure of how many ‘bad’ bits have been on 11740kHz, English at 0530UTC on 11960kHz The Journaline data decoded more quickly on the
received. and German at 0600UTC on 11620kHz. They have receiver than usually happens in the DReaM based
Screen two, Fig. 4, details the status of the slightly different beams and different encoding software decoders. Journaline used to carry three
Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) for FAC (Fast schemes. As a comparison, using the DRM decod- feeds but 3955kHz only had the news from Europe
Access Channel), SDC (Services Description er plugin in the SDR Uno console I had trouble de- and that probably helped with performance.
Channel) and MSC (Main Services Channel) as coding the English transmission, possibly because
either ON, OFF or N/A. For decoding of audio and it typically uses 64-QAM instead of 16-QAM for the AM performance
data to happen all three need to be ON. I’m assum- other two. RRI DRM transmissions have since been The AM mode covers the extended medium wave
ing that ON means that the CRC tests true, OFF is reduced in number. band (522 – 1710kHz) and shortwave from 2.3 to
available but testing false and N/A means the re- 26.1MHz. Reception on MW is quite noisy com-
ceived data is too damaged to begin the checking Journaline pared to the SDRPlay RSP1A using its 6kHz filter
process. The GR-228BP decodes Journaline, the digital text and with the noise reducer on. The Gospell seems
Screen three, Fig. 5, has the DRM Mode (A-D, system for DRM. Only the BBC WS for Europe and have no noise reduction built into the firmware and
but usually A or B), the transmission bandwidth Funklust use this system. I tested the Journaline it shows. In fact, the GR-228BP magnified the digi-
(BW) and the QAM encoding rate for the SDC and decoder on the European service from the BBCWS tal background noise picked up by my antenna.
the MSC. The FAC is always 4-QAM. Screen four on 3955kHz. The Journaline decoder detected the The radio only demodulates AM-DSB and you can’t
has the data Protection Level and the packet service with the display showing ‘Receiving….’ and select sidebands. The GR-228BP has a better per-
Interleaving rate (usually two seconds but can that quite quickly changed to ‘ B_B_C _N_e_w_s’. formance on shortwave and is on a par with SDR
be 400mS). Screen five has the service label for You open the viewer by hitting the Return button. RSP1A.
Service 0 and the audio encoding scheme. The Journaline takes a few minutes to build up the
other screens will have the details on services S1 list of news headlines and the single sentence Interference rejection
to S3. In the case of the BBC WS the S1 service news article. The Skip knob lets you scroll up and I don’t have any test equipment and relied on an off-
will usually list the Journaline digital text service down the list of news headlines and a second air test in the 19m band. The same antenna is split

Fig. 4: All three status indicators must be ON to

decode DRM audio. Fig. 5: The mode, bandwidth
and encoding information. The FAC is always 4QAM.

and fed to both an RSP1A and the Gospell GR-

228BP. My wanted signal was Radio Free Europe
on 15255kHz in Turkmen from Thailand measur-
ing -74dBm on the SDR RSP1A. The unwanted
signals were CGTN Radio from China aimed at
Europe on 15245kHz at -55dBm and Adventist
World Radio on 15265kHz in Turkish measuring
-65dBm.
My wanted signal was audible but with signifi-
cant ‘splash’, especially from China. Shortwave
signals from transmitters in China are typically
modulated to be ±8kHz, easily spreading into ad- 4
jacent channels. Other tests with three stations
spaced 5kHz apart and with tighter control of the
sidebands than CGTN use were quite pleasant to
listen to.

FM reception
The skip/tuning knob and the scan button work
quite well on this band. The radio supports RDS
that you scroll through using the menu button.
There are a couple of things to note in that the ra-
dio does not display the station name (it just says
FM rather than BBC R2, for example) and relies
on the radio text to scroll the station name on line
two of the display.
On most stations I tuned in the display remained
at <Radio text> but eventually my local station
BBC Radio Berkshire displayed a scrolling band 5
of text. My conclusion was that the RDS decoder
needs a strong signal to work consistently. F : 1 1 9 6 0 k 2 4 d B u V
S N R 1 6 d B B E R 8 3 e - 3
Bluetooth F A C | S D C | M S C C R C
The GR-228 works fine as a speaker. I used the O N N / A O F F
RadioPlayer app on my phone as the audio source
and I could Play and Pause the audio and adjust M o d e : B S D C : 1 6 Q A M
the volume on the GR-228. B W : 1 0 M S C : 6 4 Q A M
A unique thing about this radio is that is has a
P r o t e c t i o n : 0 / 1
microphone and the Enter button can control a I n t e r l e a v e r : 2 s
connected mobile phone. It didn’t work quite as
described in the manual. I could answer a call but S 0 : R R I G a l b e n i T
couldn’t reject it or end the call. That may well t e x t m e s s a g e
be a flaw in the Android software on my mobile. Table 1: typical content of each technical screen.
To be honest I can’t quite see why Gospell imple-
mented this feature. answering a few technical questions. The cost It is true that shortwave broadcasting has been
was £170.85, including a promotion and delivery in decline for many years but new DRM services
USB/SD connect charge of £19.90. The latest list price on Amazon are coming on air, especially from Germany.
Both these options worked as expected. The con- is £158.90 but I have seen it as high as £178.80 Radio SE-TA2 registered a new regular broadcast
trols are basic and the radio has no connections and this continues to vary with the exchange rate. for the B23 broadcasting season, the enigmat-
to uPNP devices that you find on DAB receivers ic Music 4 Joy is exploring the use of DRM and
based on Frontier Silicon modules. I would have Worth buying? there is Funklust and C.M. Obrecht’s occasional
liked to record either audio or DRM I/Q signals to Is it worth the outlay to own a DRM receiver, es- DRM broadcasts.
the USB device. pecially when shortwave seems to be in decline DX possibilities are there from RNZI, WINB and
again? As an enthusiast my answer is yes, mainly China National Radio with the latter being report-
Buying options because the convenience of a receiver hasn’t yet ed on a more regular basis. It is worth remem-
I purchased the GR-228BP on Amazon’s UK been beaten by apps and PC based solutions. The bering that DRM needs a good signal level and
website. I couldn’t fault the service provided by GR-228BP is a ‘no frills’ receiver limited mainly by you really need an external antenna for the best
Fuzhou Gulou Ltd. in terms of shipping and later its two-line display. results. PW

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12 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

Don Field G3XTT

[email protected]

I
have been four times previously to
Mauritius but always to travel on to another
(DXpedition) location, so I was delighted
this year to be invited to join Olof G0CKV and
others for a contest operation from Mauritius
itself. Olof has been going to Mauritius for this
contest (CQWW CW on the last weekend of
November) for several years and has built up
quite a stockpile of equipment and antennas,
so it promised to be a great operation. I try to go
somewhere outside the UK most years for this
one –the pre-eminent CW contest worldwide.
There were seven of us on the team: Olof,
Jamie M0SDV, Alan K0AV, Dave WD6T, Denny
KX7M, Ranko 4O3A and myself. We arrived at
various times and by various routes but were all
at the contest location a week before the contest,
in plenty of time to set up all the antennas, the
station equipment and the software to control 1
it all (including logging). And what a location! A

A visit to Mauritius
rental villa on what is essentially a private island
on the north coast of Mauritius, accessed by a
short causeway. Seawater all around!
We quickly settled into a routine of putting up
antennas early morning and late afternoon, the
Don relates the tale of his recent trip to Mauritius for the
midday heat being somewhat overwhelming (yes, CQWW CW Contest but also has a look at the amateur
I know the weather in the UK was terrible at the radio scene on the island.
time! That’s why I go elsewhere for the November
contest!). We had phased VDAs (vertical dipole output of each amplifier. You can never have too bands tend to drop out at night, albeit the 20m
arrays) for 10, 15 and 20m, a vertical dipole many filters! band is open for much of the night. 160 and 80m
for 40m, a quarter wave vertical for 80m and a During the contest ‘spots’ are delivered from don’t really come into their own until a couple
loaded vertical for 160m. Plus omnidirectional the worldwide RBN and Cluster networks but, of of hours after sunset, again because daytime
verticals for 10, 15 and 20 given that the VDA course, they can be from anywhere in the world absorption has to dissipate. The best time for
arrays were aimed at Europe/North America and so there is no guarantee that the spotted stations north-south propagation on the low bands tends
we wanted to be able cover other directions too, will be audible in Mauritius. So, in addition, we to be when it is local midnight halfway between
and also a K9AY receive loop for 160/80/40m, had several SDRs, receiving locally and feeding us and the distant station. But for the longest
shared between those stations. into our network – a guarantee that anything they paths to the west, into the USA, the best time
Next came station build – five Elecraft K3 spotted would actually be audible with us. is close to or at our sunrise. However, the first
transceivers plus a Flex 6700, and a variety of By way of an experiment, Ranko 4O3A was also night of the contest low band conditions were
linear amplifiers, though mainly SPE 1.3K and determined to run a second, in-band station on very poor and, to make matters worse, there
1.5K models, chosen for their light weight. So, 15m. This involved installing an omnidirectional was a CME (coronal mass ejection) that passed
we had a complete station for each of the six antenna well away from the main 15m antenna earth around 0835UTC on the Saturday, which
contest bands 160 through 10m. But that is just (about 250m was what we were able to manage, impacted all the bands to some extent.
the start. PCs have to be set up using the DXLog with locally sourced coaxial cable), and, due Generally speaking, the signals on the higher
contest logging software, with the software to the SO2R (single-op, two radio) capabilities bands were strong from all areas, albeit our
configured for a networked environment – of the Flex 6700, having a second operator main 20m operator noted that the band was in
important for seeing which frequencies the scanning the band away from our ‘run’ frequency considerably better shape on the Sunday than
various stations are on and passing ‘multipliers’ and, where appropriate, interrupting the run on the Saturday, presumably as the effect of
between the bands. station to work additional multipliers or even the CME was wearing off by then. Sadly, the low
Once it’s all assembled comes the acid test, previously unworked stations. bands were well down on the previous year –
running all stations at full power (800W is very noisy and with weak signals other than just
allowed in Mauritius) to check whether there The contest before our sunrise.
are any interactions, inter-station problems of As we were four hours ahead of GMT, the On the Sunday afternoon we were visited
various sorts. The good news was that these contest started for us at 0400 local time. by several of the local amateurs, including
were minimal, probably because we had been Propagation from Mauritius, being relatively Francois 3B8HI, Bryan 3B8HO (who gained his
careful to achieve maximum separation between close to the equator, follows a well-known trend, Class A licence just a couple of months earlier,
the main antennas. We were also using bandpass which is that only the highest bands are open having previously been 3B8BBH) and Patrice
filters between each transceiver and amplifier, during much of the day because of absorption 3B8FA who I had worked on 6m FT8 just over
in addition to further (high power) filters on the at the lower frequencies but, of course, the high a year ago. Patrice was telling me that he had

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14 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

Photo 1: Don at one of the operating positions.

Photo 2: During the contest, l to r, Dave WD6T,
Denny KX7M, Ranko 4O3A, Alan K0AV.
Photo 3: Our little ‘island’ with some of the
antennas visible. Photo 4: MARS logo.

previously been active on 2m EME and was now

active through QO-100 (with, I gather, over 100
countries worked).
With seven operators we all had plenty of
operating opportunities and the contest ended
with us claiming a score of 24.6m points from
10,300 contacts. Finishing at 4am left the
operators on the last shift rather tired but we
were all up and about reasonably early on the
Monday to start taking down antennas and
dismantling the stations.

Amateur radio in Mauritius

When I visit new places I like to learn about the 2
local amateur radio situation. Mauritius is a well-
developed island and has an active radio club –
the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (URL below
and they also have a Facebook page).
3b8mars.org
MARS was founded in 1968 although amateur
radio on the island has a distinguished history
going back to pre-WWII years. Radio amateurs
had their equipment confiscated at the start of
the war and some were fined but the authorities
quickly realised they needed competent CW
operators to monitor enemy transmissions and
came cap-in-hand to the radio amateurs to help
out, which of course they did. One amateur,
VQ8AD, was asked by the Admiralty to go to the
Chagos to install and operate a radio station
there. That young man enrolled himself in the
Royal Navy and sailed for Diego Garcia where
he installed, maintained and operated his radio 3
station to signal to Mauritius of any abnormal
shipping movements in the Chagos. Messages currently about 45 permanent licensees on the
were passed to another amateur in Beau Bassin island (as against visitors such as ourselves),
and he would communicate those messages a mix of locals and ex-pats (such as Clive
to the Admiralty radio station in Vacoas by the 3B8CW who worked across the world with Cable
landline via the Beau Bassin Police Station. & Wireless but chose to retire in Mauritius).
Some names associated with the above Interest in amateur radio has increased since
operations are Paul Caboche VQ8AD (later MARS was authorised to conduct licence 4
3B8AD, who became a SK in 2012 at the age of examinations. As in many other countries, the
94), Henri DíAgnels VQ8AE, Volcy de Robillard national regulator has more than enough on its limited space and also because HF antennas
VQ8AS, Raoul Thomas VQ8A?, Lenny Mazery plate without wanting to be too involved in the can be a liability when the annual cyclones hit.
VQ8AB and Jean Regnaud VQ8AA to name just administration of amateur radio. But there is quite a lot of interest in QO-100
a few. One of the stalwarts of amateur radio in operation, which is also convenient insofar as
As a country, Mauriitius includes the inhabited Mauritius for very many years was Jacky 3B8CF. a dish can be set up on a small footprint. There
island of Rodrigues some 560km (350mi) to the Sadly Jacky passed away on 17 November, is also coverage of much of the island with 2m
north-east, and other scattered coral atolls such shortly before our visit. Jacky, born in 1943, was repeaters.
as Cargados Carajos and Agalega. Nowadays first licensed in 1967 as VQ8CF. Other calls he Visitor licensing is relatively straightforward
the callsign prefix for Mauritius itself is 3B8, held were 3B6CF, 3B7CF, 3B9CF, 3B8CF/3B7, via the ICTA website. All the documentation can
while Rodrigues is 3B9, Agalega is 3B6 and St VQ9SM (Diego Garcia) and KB1PR. His son be prepared and sent electronically, although
Brandon 3B7. 3B9 counts as a separate ‘entity’ Ashwin 3B8GL carries on the family amateur the site recommends that it is sent at least three
for DXCC awards, as does 3B6/3B7. radio tradition. months before your visit to allow the necessary
There are two classes of licence, with full Local operators tend to steer clear of HF checks to be made. Visitor callsigns are in the
licensees authorised to run 800W. There are operation, partly because many houses have form of 3B8/homecall. PW

Richard Constantine G3UGF

[email protected]

P
erhaps a sentiment not echoed by your neigh-
bours but as most amateurs have more than
one radio these days, a convenient multi-
purpose second or even third string to the antenna
bow is always welcome. Sometimes you just need
that extra capability to monitor something or make a
quick contact without having to re-route cables, con-
nectors and adapters. I know that I do so does the
discone fit the bill?
I first encountered this type of antenna back in
the 1980s at the height of the wideband scanning
receiver boom, just before the emergency services
and mobile phones went digital and spoiled the fun
of eavesdropping.
Before the days of online, ‘buy it now’ my company Practical Wireless Rating
commissioned and sold hundreds of VHF/UHF dis-
cones and scanning receiver packages, retail and
mail order. Initially, I didn’t see how these strange Well made, good value for money.
devices could work but spotting rugged VHF/UHF
discones on navy ships and military vehicles con-

SkyKing TXHF-6 –
vinced me that they must do.
The discone dates back to a patented 1945 design
by the wonderfully named Armig G Kandoian who

a very different Discone

worked for the forerunner of the ITT Corporation,
in New York. The design was first conceived for fu-
selage mounting in a protective dome on aircraft.
The lower part can be a true metal cone or radial
elements representing an equilateral triangle. The Richard Constantine G3UGF says “You can never have
length of the longest element determining the low-
est frequency of operation. Later design param-
too many antennas!”
eters also recommend that element legs be joined
together by a wire ring at the bottom of the cone to mit capability on 3.5/7/14/21/29/50MHz, which is For a permanent installation I would suggest using
enhance the cone effect, not something you see in unusual. Plus, it has the option to substitute 14MHz something like copper-slip or conductive grease for
modern commercial designs. The angle of the cone, for 10MHz and 21MHz for 18 MHz resonators if you longevity and easy future removal.
the distance between the cone shape and the up- prefer, more later. Each of the three lower elements is of identical
per disc is critical, as is the distance between them. length at 83cm (19in). If my memory serves me cor-
Everything needs to be calculated correctly for the On arrival rectly, this is around a quarter wave at 144MHz. The
intended frequency range. In a true discone the up- It arrived tightly packed in one of those now ubiqui- antenna isn’t designed to operate above 50MHz but
per disc diameter insulated from the lower cone, tous clear view yellow plastic sleeves and the only I guess the rods were readily available from the mak-
should equal 0.7 of the diameters of the base of the tools I needed to fully assemble it being a 10mm er’s other antennas.
cone shape. spanner and a crosshead screwdriver as a 2.5mm
According to the ARRL Antenna Handbook, a dis- Allen key is included for tuning adjustments. What’s different?
cone is capable of good impedance characteristics The 75cm (29.5in) polished alloy 32mm (1¼in) Unlike a conventional array the six horizontal ele-
over a 10:1 frequency range. The handbook also diameter support tube side mounts to a mast of any- ments are what you might call base loaded, adjusta-
contains formulae and dimensions to build a full- thing up to 57mm (2¼in) in diameter by means of ble whips, covering the various amateur bands. Each
size practical HF version covering 7-30MHz using bespoke cast alloy brackets and U-bolts. However, I inductor is approximately 15mm in diameter and de-
an 11m (36ft) mast, 24 x 11.5m (38ft) wires form- wouldn’t recommend it. I discovered later just how signed to accommodate an adjustable length ground
ing the cone and 8 x 8.1m (26ft 7in) wires in a star much this type of antenna is affected by its sur- stainless steel whip, secured by a grub screw.
shape forming the top, quite a beast but I’d love to roundings. A mast of half the maximum diameter is Larger diameter inductors would have a higher Q
have a go! to be preferred. factor. Perhaps chasing a small increase in perfor-
Lots of interesting discone stuff is now more read- The clever part is the custom chrome finish cen- mance might lead to greater interaction between in-
ily available than ever before on the internet and it’s tre, shown in Fig. 1. It’s similar to other Skyking ductors and diminishing returns as the whole thing
worth a look even if it’s just out of curiosity. Knowing designs but has only three lower elements forming would need to be scaled up to accommodate the ad-
all this peaked my interest when I was offered the the cone. ditional weight.
chance to review the latest Skyking TXHF-6. By com- Harking back to the design parameters I men- The 80m coil is something of a potential bird perch
parison, to the full-size equivalent, a diminutive load- tioned earlier, three is just enough to form an equi- at a whopping 49cm in length with an inductance of
ed discone strikes me as something of a hybrid. lateral triangle. All of the elements, Fig. 2, attach to 297μH – a quick CQ would likely see them off.
The TXHF-6 combines a receive capability be- the centre by means of pre-tapped threaded stud- Assembling the TXHF-6 is straightforward. It’s
tween 3.00-1000MHz and a 200 watts PEP trans- ding and secured by 10mm securing locking nuts. best done by first removing the central hub from its

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16 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Review

Fig. 1: Central hub.

Fig. 2: Elements ready for assembly. 2

support tube, held in place by a single bolt, so as to better the quoted average VSWR and indeed I did, messed up the whip lengths and started again, this
connect a PL259 terminated coaxial cable. Doing it just about. On the higher bands I measured 1.32 for time using a VNA. It’s fair to say that having taken a
this way avoids getting poked in the eye when the el- a spot frequency and 1.4 overall, but the two lowest lot of time previously I was slightly cheating as I al-
ements are in place. As for attaching the elements, bands were definitely 1.5 at best. ready knew the correct answers. The VNA was much
the only real way to do this is with the support tube On behalf of readers, I always like to start any exer- more straightforward. It also gave a better informa-
already fixed to the intended mast. cise of this type with the maker’s written instructions tion as to the overall bandwidth range. Treat yourself
There’s a single A4 instruction sheet included in so all of the whips were set to the recommended to a VNA or put it on your next present list.
the pack. It gives recommended lengths for the ini- lengths. Not everyone has a Chinese Vector Network
tial set up of the band elements, calculated from the Analyser (VNA) in their back pocket, although they Performance
grub screw fixing to the tip. In addition to the six ap- are becoming much more available and competitive- I was under no illusions that a discone would replace
propriate whips already installed on the band coils, ly priced these days. For that reason, I like to start my other antennas and expected it to be way down
two additional whips are included. These are re- with the good old VSWR meter readings across each in signal strength. Not so, as it did provide creditable
placements for use with the optional bands, 10MHz band, just as a clue as to where the natural reso- results on an SDR receiver, especially when a few dBs
and 18MHz. Personally, I would be tempted to use nance is or isn’t. of preamplifier were added, and was also usable for
these in preference to the non-WARC ones as they This proved harder than usual, particularly on the general coverage reception.
make a nice monitor for band condition/activity, two lowest frequencies. They were way out of band Transmit wise, it definitely works reasonably well
avoiding the ever-growing contest clashes. at the initial whip lengths. The higher the frequency in conjunction with an autotuner, but don’t expect
There’s no information given as to which resona- the closer they were to the band. The reason was strong signal reports with QRP power levels. It has
tor goes where on the top radius. For that reason, I somewhat obvious when I stopped to think about it. potential for data modes and beacon monitoring. My
used my time-honoured method employed when in- The radiating elements were parallel to the ground local 50MHz repeater isn’t line of sight and is around
stalling earth/counterpoise radials. I placed 3.5MHz beneath the mast, making the test height critical. 15 miles away over the hills. It was workable but not
opposite 7MHz and 14MHz opposite 28MHz so as Fortunately, my test gear includes a telescopic very strong, presumably due to cross polarisation.
to minimise mutual coupling. The remaining two mast. The higher it went, the better the readings be- SSB mode would likely be better as most stations
bands were then placed opposite each other, on the came. use horizontal polarisation. Shame I couldn’t find
diagonal. For a permanent installation it’s preferable to anyone to contact.
sleeve several ferrites over the coax and mount it
Setting up atop a mast, rather than close to a chimney stack What’s in a name?
Two things I expected to find were narrow band- etc. The TXHF-6 needed to be at least 7m above In the true sense of the word and reading the original
width and higher average VSWR for transmission ground to give acceptable results. What followed design; is it a true discone? Perhaps not quite…
purposes. I was not disappointed. Indeed, the de- this revelation was a pleasant afternoon of upping/ Can you say than an Electric Vehicle is a car? Of
sign of not just this model but discones in general downing and whip adjusting. course, you can … It looks like one, it performs like
is a typical VSWR of 1.5. This is not as bad as it ap- one so it is one. On that basis the TXHF-6 is a, ‘hybrid-
pears in power loss/reflection terms at around 44%. What did I learn? discone’ and that makes it not only interesting but
It’s OK but not ideal for 21st century, solid-state There were small interactions with other elements useful.
power amplifiers. but my original decision on element placement It’s well made and an innovative design. Provided
Compact discones are not usually used as main seemed to pay off. Height and definitely clear space it’s mounted high and clear of its surroundings and
station devices at HF. At the outset of this review I are absolutely essential to achieve a decent match. some time is taken to optimise things, it represents
indicated that’s not where I see them best used as Bandwidth on the highest band was around an aver- value for money.
they have other benefits. Using an antenna match- age 30kHz but down to a few kilohertz on 3.5MHz. My thanks to Moonraker for the kind loan of
ing unit can easily keep a power amplifier happy I’d recommend prospective users decide and record the TXHF-6, extended somewhat due many rainy
while broadening the usable frequency range. which part of any band they prefer. November days! TXHF-6 is available at £129.95 at
Back to the story …. I was looking to see if I could After a lot of self-debate and coffee I bit the bullet, time of press. PW

Billy McFarland GM6DX

[email protected]

I
was looking to interface my Yaesu rotator
controller with PC control and I found a
few options available online. I worked my
way through them looking for a simple low-cost
option and came across the K3NG Arduino-
based controllers. Like all PC rotator controllers
I needed some software and for that I used PST
rotator. Having made the decision to make the
Arduino based controller I ordered up some parts.
• 1 x Arduino R3 (or similar)
• 1 x G5500 Shield (I got lots of these made up
when ordering some other PCBs but you can
order them from Libre Space Foundation)
Ѭ]PȹWJXNXYTWX
Ѭ]PȹWJXNXYTWX
• 4 x transistors (2N2222 or similar)
• 6 x 103 capacitors
• 1 x enclosure
• 1 x 8 pin din socket and connector
1
• 1 x 8 pin JST connector or small amounts of
24awg wire.
Before I proceed with the description on how
to make this I recommend that you read up on
Control the controller
how to program an Arduino or at least on how to
send/write a program to the Arduino R3. Also, Billy McFarland GM6DX has an Arduino-based project to
you need to ensure that your Yaesu controller has control a Yaesu rotator from your PC.
a 6-pin mini din or 8-pin din socket which allows
connection to an interface. The controllers that the k3ng_rotator_controller.INO file. Upload completed interface unit.
this was tested on were the G1000DXC and the this file onto your Arduino board and that is the Once complete we need to make up a cable
G5500. The first stage is to take your PCB/G5500 programming stage complete. in order to make a connection between your
Arduino shield and start to add the components. Take your programmed Arduino and place interface unit and the controller. To start on the
Looking at Fig. 1 the group of four resistors the shield on top, making sure the pins line cable, get a pre-made 6-pin mini din cable and cut
\NYMNSYMJWJIHNWHQJNX\MJWJYMJ]PȹWJXNXYTWX up with the sockets. Now you need to fit the off one connector. Take an 8-pin din plug and fit
get placed. The yellow circle highlights the pin assembled Arduino into an enclosure. I used a this to the end that you have just cut off. Ensure
numbers for which the wires get connected black metal enclosure as I found metal works the pin wiring is as follows (for most Yaesu
between the shield and the 8-pin din socket. best for RF issues. However, you need to ensure controllers which have a 6-pin din socket on the
Luckily there are not too many other components the Arduino R3 is isolated from the base of controller). Pins from the 8-pin din plug going to
XTXNRUQ^FIIYMJWJRFNSNSLPȹWJXNXYTWX the metal enclosure preventing any electrical the 6-pin mini din as follows:
capacitors and transistors. Fig. 2 shows these shorts occurring. As well as having access to 2 goes to 1, 4 goes to 2, 6 goes to 4, 8 goes to 5
items being added. Once all the parts have been the USB-B connector you also need to fit an 8-pin and finally connections 3 and 6 of 6-pin mini din
added it is time to add the pins to the underside din socket, which I recommend as being placed get connected together.
of the shield, which allows the connection of the at the back of the enclosure. Fig. 5 shows my For the G5500 rotator it is a straight-through
shield to the actual Arduino board. This can be a enclosure under construction with the 8-pin din 8-pin din cable. The final step is to connect it all
pain in the backside and I have found it easier to socket on the rear panel. Once the enclosure is up physically and set up the PST rotator program.
use an old Arduino clone, hot glued into a plastic just about finished we need to wire up the 8-pin This project is very simple to do and does not
case, to act as a holder of the pins, which then din socket with our shield. Pin 1 on the shield require a lot of skill. Having said that, it does take
allows me to solder the pins in place onto the goes to pin 1 on the din socket and continues in a bit to set up with the software, which to discuss
shield easily. Fig. 3 shows this set up. To finish a ‘straight through’ order, pin 2 to pin 2 etc. Fig. would be a complete article on its own. To help
off this shield you need to add eight wires to the 6 shows the position of each pin numbers from you out I have created a step-by-step guide on a
front of the PCB. I used an 8-pin JST connector looking into the connector as well as what each PDF which can be found here:
that I had lying about but you can solder direct pin is for. This is useful for when wiring a cable https://shorturl.at/zFOPS
onto the board. Fig. 4 shows the complete board. to suit your model of Yaesu controller. When it This details the PST rotator software and how
Now that our shield has been assembled it is comes to wiring up the 8-pin socket, the use of to check the calibration of the rotator. In addition,
time to flash/program our Arduino R3. Open up multi-coloured wire makes the job a lot easier. you can see a short demo of my custom Arduino
the Arduino writing program (Arduino IDE) and Fig. 7 shows the socket wired up. Complete the controller working here:
visit my files at this link: assembly of your interface, double-checking you https://shorturl.at/gyTZ8
https://shorturl.at/mwHS1 can insert a USB cable into the R3 board and also As always any questions please email me at
Save this folder onto your desktop and open access the 8-pin socket freely. Fig. 8 shows the [email protected]

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18 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Practical

3
2

3
4

Fig. 1: Location of resistors and capacitors. Fig. 2: Adding the components.

Fig. 3: Board soldered to Arduino shield. Fig. 4: The finished board.
Fig. 5: Enclosure under construction. Fig. 6: Pin locations and functions.
Fig. 7: Wiring of the socket. Fig. 8: The completed unit. 6

7 8

Peter Russell G8FWY

[email protected]

F
irst, an explanation. I think it was in
October that my daughter said to me
“Dad, do you want an Army morse code
thingy for Christmas?” Well, as you might guess,
I hadn’t a clue what she was talking about – and
neither did she! So, of course, I said yes.
A little while before Christmas and she arrives
with a rather hefty looking item in a carrier
bag and says “Happy Christmas, Dad”. Out of
the bag comes a very rusty metal cased ‘thing’
about 10 inches cubed. It had obviously had a
hard life, probably languishing in a damp shed
for several years, the meter was broken and its
paint peeling.
OK, so this was going to be a project that
would take some time and I had a few others
on the go, so in my ‘spare’ time I did a bit of
research.
Turned out this was a WW2 portable CW 1
transmitter, used mainly by the Marines. Using
three valves; 5Z3 (rectifier), 6V6 (oscillator)
and 807 (PA), it was capable of about 30
watts and covered 2.9 to 22MHz. Normally
Restoring an Admiralty
Pattern X2113A
accompanied by a CR100 receiver and a petrol
generator. Some portable setup!
I thought I was reasonably familiar with most

Transmitter Type 5G
WW2 wireless sets – I started my short wave
listening on a 19 set that cost me £2/10 (that’s
£2.50 to you young ‘uns) and followed that with
an R1155 – but this one I’d never heard of.
Finding the information about this set took a
Peter Russell G8FWY undertakes a fascinating restoration.
bit of time and I could find very few references
to it. I only found two museums that had
examples of it, so I assume it must be quite two-pin round plug, which could be put in either
rare. I did manage to find an instruction book way round. And no earth connection.
with the circuit, components list and operating Certainly not up to current standards, but it
instructions, so that was a good start. is 70 years old and it was designed to run off a
Now, I’ve watched enough Repair Shop to portable generator. In the interests of safety, I
know that the proper thing to do would be a decided to change it for a three-pin miniature
sympathetic restoration, not scrub all the rust Bulgin plug and socket but, of course, the
and paint off and re-paint, but to try to preserve Bulgin was slightly smaller in diameter. I cut
its history. Also, to try – where possible – to off the bezel from the original socket and
use original components for repairs. turned a ring of aluminium to the same outer
I made a start about the end of January, first diameter. I mounted the new socket on the ring
removing the set from its case. Someone had and mounted the whole thing using the original 2
been in there before me and had done a bit of bezel.
re-wiring, thankfully easy to undo and put right. Another obvious problem was the aerial applied some power. All three valves lit up and
Now for a close inspection. A word of warning ammeter. This was a thermocouple device, no smoke!
here for anyone thinking of working on old valve measuring up to 0.5A. Try as I might, I could As the transmitter normally runs at around
equipment. Valves were powered by very high not find a replacement. I eventually had to 750V HT, it should not be a problem to apply a
DC voltages – in this case about 750V – more settle for another thermocouple type, this 500V megger to the HT line. It measured fairly
than enough to kill you. being a 0.35A one. As you might guess, it was high.
But before you can power it up there are too small to fit the hole! As the original was A further visual inspection indicated
several checks you need to make. Whoever had too far gone to even contemplate a repair, I that there might be a problem with a large
been in there before me had unsoldered the cannibalised it. I fitted the new meter inside wirewound resistor. Sure enough it was open
high voltage supply to the rectifier and taped the casing of the old one with a bit of epoxy HNWHZNYFSINY\FXXZUUTXJIYTGJPȹ9MNX
up the wires. I had to wonder why – and I soon putty and even if I do say it myself, it looks was a 10W resistor supplying HT to the 807
found out. Now, a little more looking around pretty good. and it was badly overheated. Working down
and I homed in on the mains input connector. A After further inspection of the mains wiring, I the chain and I found a 4000pF silvered mica

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20 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Restoration

4 5

Photo 1: The set on arrival OK, two problems solved. I did some more capacitor was a large can, about 2½ x 1½ x
Photo 2: Three-pin mains connector fitted. checks on various components and couldn’t 4in and it was a devil to get out. I think the set
Photo 3: A look inside, showing the replacement find any more. had been built around it! Now I had it on the
PȹWJXNXYTW5MTYT4QIFSIWJUQFHJRJSY When it came to restoring the transformer HV bench I tested it again. This time the tester
aerial ammeters. Photo 5: The new meter fitted. leads I found that the insulation was starting to gave me a constant reading of 2μF. It had to
crack up. I installed some new sleeving along be replaced.
capacitor was almost a full short. the full length of the wires and rewired them Once again, a trawl of the internet and the
The resistor wasn’t a problem. I found one of to the rectifier. Powering up and the HT came only one I could find (at a reasonable price)
appropriate rating and mounted it across the up nice and slowly (you wouldn’t get that with was in Greece. I ordered it and it duly arrived
terminals of the original. The 4000pF was a bit transistors!) and settled at 750V. No bangs, – in a plastic bag swimming with oil. I got
more of a problem. Inspection of the circuit smoke or sizzles. a refund and was assured by the supplier
diagram indicated that it was an RF bypass on Now, the HT smoothing capacitor was that the oil was not PCB! The only suitable
the HT line. The only replacement I could find supposed to be a non-polarised 4μF, but my capacitors I could find were electrolytics.
was a Russian one of 3900pF, which I bought little component tester didn’t quite know what I eventually decided to use 2 x 16μF and 1
from Romania. to make of it, sometimes indicating 2μF. This x 8μF, all 500V working, in series to give 4μF

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22 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

Frank M. Howell, PhD K4FMH

[email protected]

W
hen Rob Sherwood NC0B’s article in the
November 2019 issue of QST appeared,
it set a mental benchmark for amateur
radio operators and manufacturers [1]. The
paper, It’s Time to Clean Up Our Transmitters,
identified the performance element left behind
by transceiver manufacturers: transmit noise. He
outlined three key elements of transmitter output
that can be problematic.
One is broadband transmitter noise. This is
most noticed during times of multiple operators
in a common vicinity (such as Field Day or any
group operating activity). It’s the composite noise
that receivers detect from the airwaves. Often,
composite noise is called phase noise in ARRL
Lab’s graphics summary but it is the AM noise
component that is more important to reception 1
rather than purely phase noise. The roll-off of

Transmit Quality
composite noise after a specified bandwidth
offset is what is best measured.
A second element of transmitter performance

Among Modern
is key clicks from CW carriers. The rise time
in modern transceivers can be adjusted but
default settings often produce terrible key clicks

Transceivers (Pt I)
(Sherwood 2019: 39). Once again, it’s the offset-
specific performance in rise time that can be
associated with as much as 25dB difference
in key clicks. This can create significant
interference for the reception of frequency-
adjacent weak CW signals.
Frank M. Howell K4FMH discusses issues of transmit quality.
A third element is SSB splatter. No doubt that
readers have heard the wideband splatter of SSB the measured transmit purity of Rob’s venerable surprisingly concluded that money tends to buy a
odd-order intermodulation on a conventional Collins 32S-3. He thus demonstrated the long- ‘dirty’ transmitter and that poor CW performance
radio. It is especially visible when directly viewed standing nature of the transmit purity problem ‘runs in families’ (manufacturers). Jim also called
on a modern SDR-based waterfall receiver. These emanating from manufacturers. for an improvement in how the ARRL tests radios,
are caused by non-linearity in the amplifier stages A corollary issue is that many bench test especially in SSB testing and in the need for more
which, while present in most modern transmitters, reviews – the ARRL QST reviews are a prime direct wording in reviews. Jim’s directive was
can exceed the nominal 2.1 to 3kHz transmit example – only present graphics of summary simply, “If a rig transmits phase noise 20dB louder
bandwidth. How much (‘splatter’) depends on data, presented in what some have called obtuse, than competing radios, the ARRL review should
several factors. Operators can be oblivious to and do not yield explicit comparisons to other say that in plain English, and state that such radios
the speech processor settings or use too much radios. Jim Brown K9YC (2014), for instance, should not be used to drive a power amplifier.”
drive that is needed into an RF amplifier. Even with obtained some of the spreadsheet files from There have been others who have called for
judicious operator behavior, splatter bandwidth (former) ARRL Lab Manager Bob Allison to changes in how the ARRL tests, or presents test
can be excessive. Many 100-watt radios have construct more meaningful representations of results, in their Laboratory. Leif Åsbrink SM5BSZ
higher odd-order intermodulation at their top transmitter performance. He began that paper also raised similar issues with example test
power output than at much lower levels. The with this proviso: data back in 2005 and again in 2014. The clear
lower settings are what amplifier manufacturers “Meanwhile, transmitters have largely been need is for more independent reviews where no
frequently caution users about but many exceed ignored; the result is a mess on our bands, advertising is attached to the testing organisation
the recommendations. What’s put into the air especially during contests. The work presented or individual.
waves is more than many hams realise! here is part of an effort to correct that situation.
While Sherwood’s article set a mental Let’s begin by studying plots ARRL lab test data New data and comparisons
benchmark for hams, it is not known how much for the keying spectra 5kHz either side of a CW While there are not as many transceivers as in
impact it has had on manufacturers. It was also signal.” the Sherwood Receive Table, a team of European
not the first admonition calling for improved Brown concluded that the data analysed amateurs and Rob Sherwood have tested many
transmitter performance. As Sherwood’s popular therein documented the ‘RF trash’ commonly modern transceivers for transmitter purity. Their
bench test suite has demonstrated, receiver heard on the ham bands that is produced by the results have been curated by Rick Westerman
performance has significantly improved over transceiver. DJ0IP on his website:
the last decade or so (see Howell 2021a,b). But But what of the manufacturers’ response in www.dj0ip.de/transceivers/tx-noise
transmitter performance does not even meet the eight years since K9YC’s well-read study? He They are presented in tabular and graphical

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24 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

2 3

Fig. 1: Ordered Dot Plot of Transmit Composite com [2]. the most desirable characteristics displayed in
Noise Index in Rank Order (upper), Scatter Plot The strength of this research design is the graph.
Fig. 2: Scatter plot matrix of transmitter noise internal validity [3]. Each transceiver was tested Measurements of transmitter composite
measurements. Fig. 3: Box plots of transmit by procedures disclosed to the public and noise, Fig. 1, were taken using 100W (or less
noise components. comparable to common testing standards. The for a few radios) as described at the DJ0IP
weakness is external validity. It represents a website [8]. Tests were made using the 20m
form. These represent the only public set small portion of the modern transceivers being band. I use all three frequency offsets to best
of transmitter tests that directly respond to manufactured today. The reader should bear in compare differences across transceivers (10, 20
Sherwood’s three elements of transmitter quality. mind that this is ‘speculative reasoning’ using and 100kHz). The radios tested included in my
I have extracted several segments of those bench the best publicly-available bench test data for analysis include the Elecraft K4D and the Yaesu
tests covering 20 modern transceivers, coupled transmit composite noise. But it is the only such FTdx10 and FT-710 from Sherwood (private
with data from Sherwood NC0B, including recent study that both examines transmit and receive communication). Table 1 contains the list of
entries into the market (Elecraft K4D, Yaesu performance as well as market entry price and radios and their composite noise measurements
FTdx10 and FT-710). Due to the smaller number satisfaction by hams in modern transceivers. at three frequency offsets. Because the specific
of radios on which SSB splatter and CW key As Sherwood lamented (2019), it is past time measurements correlate so highly, Fig. 2, I used
clicks were measured, I only utilise transmit that more focus be placed on transmitter principal components analysis (PCA) to create
composite noise here. For each transceiver, I measurements to match those for receivers. a linearly-weighted index reflecting all of the
match it with the Sherwood Receiver Table data But starting with what is available is just that, measurements of composite noise (see Howell
and my composite Sherwood Performance Index a start. Even with limited generalisability to all 2021a for details on this procedure). Note that
of those nine measurements (see Howell 2021a,b manufacturers and all transceivers in release since noise is undesirable, a lower score on this
and foxmikehotel.com). These are supplemented today, the results are telling with regard to index refers to lower transmit noise.
with year of product release, price at market Sherwood’s argument. To assist the reader in comparing each radio,
entry, and average eHam rating from my research I’ve added the average noise figure and a
published in the ARRL National Contesting Journal Data and results measure of how each radio varies across offset
(and curated at foxmikehotel.com). The bench measurements are mostly from frequencies, the standard deviation [9]. Sherwood
This is Part I of a three-part series in amateurs affiliated with the TK0C DX group noted that differences in this measurement are
Practical Wireless. I provide a description and a in Corsica, led by Robi Vilhar S53WW. Rob important (Sherwood 2019: 39). For instance, the
visualisation of which transceivers perform better Sherwood NC0B also contributed to those difference between the lowest (Apache 7000DLE)
than others on transmit composite noise. This measurements as outlined on the DJ0IP and highest (Flex 1500) composite noise is
is fundamentally new information for amateur website [4]. The results are organised by the 29dB. Even if the second highest radio is used to
operators. In Part II, I compare transmit quality to description of composite noise using various equalise the transmit power (Yaesu FTDX3000),
Sherwood’s receive performance measurements, statistical and graphic visualisations. The main since the Flex 1500 is a QRP radio, the difference
transceiver price and year of entry into the tools are tables listing the various data; a dot is still 27dB.
marketplace, and how hams evaluate the plot [5] ordered on the metric of the underlying Comparing the offset frequency measurements,
transceiver as consumers. In Part III, I provide a transmit measurement; and a scatter plot [6] the noise does fall off as the offset gets larger
summary grouping of these HF transceivers so with additional characteristics identified through for every radio (higher frequency away, less noise
that amateurs can see which ones are similar color glyphs (e.g., manufacturer) and labels (e.g., heard). But not so much for some! The standard
on transmit noise, receive performance, price transceiver). A linear regression line [7] is used in deviation column captures this (lack of) variation.
at market entry and general satisfaction among the scatter plots to give the reader a sense of the The lowest values are 0.47 for the FTDX3000 with
amateur operators. This is the data-driven association between the two plotted variables. not much better for the K3S. However, it’s key to
outcome of this study. In several aspects of Reference lines in each scatter plot are used to keep the average in mind as the K3S has a much
the research, additional extended and user- frame the data into halves or quadrants, assisting lower composite noise level at all three offsets.
interactive results are available at foxmikehotel. the reader in visualising transceivers that have The highest variation across offsets are observed

Anan Apache 7000DLE -145 -147 -151 -147.67 2.49 72.61

Elecraft K3 -133 -140 -149 -140.67 6.55 85.12
K3S -141 -142* -143 -142.00 .82 82.63
K4D -137 -141 -151 -143.00 5.89 81.05
Flex Flex 1500 -116 -119 -120 -118.33 1.70 124.71
Flex 6400 -122 -127 -139 -129.33 7.13 105.42
Flex 6600 -118 -123 -141 -127.33 9.88 109.15
Flex 6700 -143 -148* -148 -146.33 2.36 74.81
Icom IC-705 -121 -122 -128 -123.67 3.09 115.40
IC-7300+ -121 -121 -124 -122.00 1.41 118.30
IC-7600 -122 -130 -142 -131.33 8.22 101.80
IC-7610 -128 -130 -142 -133.33 6.18 98.35
IC-7851 -129 -135* -138 -134.00 3.74 96.83
Kenwood TS-590SG -119 -133 -139 -130.33 8.38 103.29
TS-890S -119 -127 -139 -128.33 8.22 107.14
Yaesu FT-1000MP -123 -129 -133 -128.33 4.11 106.94
FT-2000 -117 -127 -130 -124.67 5.56 113.36
FTdx101D -137 -138 -141 -138.67 1.70 88.62
FTdx101MP -134 -136 -139 -136.33 2.05 92.75
FTdx3000 -120 -120# -121 -120.33 .47 121.21
FTdx10 -130 -131 -135 -132.00 2.16 100.50
FT-710 -129 -131 -136 -132.00 2.94 100.51
Note: Each TX noise measurement is at a specified bandwidth in dBc/Hz. An average of the three transceiver measurements is shown along with the variation across bandwidths
expressed as the standard deviation. The TX Noise Index is a T-Score based upon principal component analysis with a mean of 100, SD of 15. A lower score is better since less
noise is desirable. It comes from a linear composite index of the three individual measures. + measured at 30 watts. * Measurement taken from Sherwood reports on the trans-
ceiver. # Interpolated in consultation with Rob NC0B.
Table 1. Transmit Composite Noise Components and Index

for the Flex 6600 (9.88) and TS-590SG. Thus, I compare transceivers on the composite of composite transmit noise. The 6600 model
some transceivers have significantly varying roll- index in Fig. 1 using a ranked dot plot in the scores worse than their entry-level 6400 radio,
off values across these offsets. upper panel where each transceiver on the left whereas their top model, the 6700, was nearly the
The set of box plots in Fig. 3 illustrate the is sorted in order of the composite noise index best. Kenwood’s latest transceiver, the TS-890S,
overall decline in median composite noise along the bottom. There is significant variation falls above the median (100) with higher noise,
across larger frequency offsets. This is between across radios tested, something that Sherwood even higher than their older mid-range radio, the
all transceivers rather than within them as the expressed clear and critical concern about (as TS-590SG. The very popular Icom transceivers,
standard deviation represents. But the variation did Brown and Asbrink). The ordered dot plot the 7300 and the newer 705, have among the
across all transceivers does not decline with demonstrates how a simple ranking of radios highest measured transmit composite noise in
offsets, which makes the specific numbers on bench tests can mask significant gaps in the these radios. The highest is the Flex QRP rig, the
in Table 1 important to examine in detail for actual continuous data from the test. 1500 (no longer in production).
each transceiver. The variation within each The transceivers with the lowest composite
transceiver across the frequency offsets shows transmit noise are the Apache 7000DLE and the Conclusions on Part I
how consistent the realised engineering design Flex 6700. Third place is held by the Elecraft K4D Rob Sherwood’s mental benchmark (2019) for
turned out to be in bench testing. It is important but there is a 12-point gap between the 6700 and how transmit purity fits into manufacturing
not to confuse the two ways of examining these K4D. This is almost one standard deviation of 15 design and production served as my point of
data within each radio as a characteristic versus points, a large gap. All of the Elecraft transceivers departure. I’ve added here how transmit noise
comparisons across all of them. fall into rank order, followed by the Yaesu fits into a consumer’s paradigm of measured
The final column contains the transmit FTdx101 radios (the D and MP versions). Icom’s receive performance, price and satisfaction
composite index score, which has a mean of 100 recent flagship transceivers, the 7851 and 7610, with transceivers. These results place a finer
and standard deviation of 15. Using the standard rank next, showing that the later 7851 had lower point on these issues than previously available.
deviation as a guide, comparing transceivers noise than its immediate predecessor. Several key findings are worth noting from this
in terms of fractions of a standard deviation The new Yaesu HF radios, the FTdx10 and FT- investigation.
is a common and useful practice. The scatter 710, are next and have almost the exact same Consistent with Sherwood’s concerns, there is a
plot matrix in Fig. 2 shows how each offset’s measured noise. As one follows this rank- significant variation among modern transceivers
measurement is highly correlated with the other ordering, the next break in the continuous index in transmitter composite noise. This was true
two, suggesting that the index validly represents is after the Flex 6600 and the Yaesu FT-2000. even within the same manufacturer’s radios. The
rig-to-rig differences in overall transmit noise. Note that two Flex radios differ on this index single exception to this might be those made by

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26 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

Elecraft. They have had a nominal continuous as a part of extending my earlier work that he
improvement in the measures observed in these published as NCJ Editor.
data. Further evaluation of transceiver particulars [2] See http://tinyurl.com/4v536t38. Additional Further reading
is left to the reader for which I provide additional results and interactive tools are also available
interactive tools at foxmikehotel.com there. • Leif Asbrink SM5BSZ. Real life dynamic
In Part II, I will compare the transmit noise [3] See http://tinyurl.com/33hbrb9e. range of Modern Amateur Transceivers: The
measured on these HF transceivers to Sherwood’s [4] For the transmit composite noise data, some correct way to measure transceiver quality.
receive performance tests, their year and price measurements for the 20kHz frequency offset CQ VHF Fall 2005: 25ff. See also:
at market-entry and the overall satisfaction with were not reported on the DJ0IP.de website for a http://tinyurl.com/2mbh9k9t
them as rated on the popular website, eHam.net. few transceivers. As denoted for each relevant • Jim Brown K9YC. A Comparison of ARRL
There are surprises for the reader that will be entry in Table 1, these measurements were Lab Data for Selected Transceivers.
made clear as to how in modern HF transceivers obtained either through Sherwood’s additional September 7, 2014. Online resource:
cost is related to performance, in which the test reports at Sherweng.com (often also http://tinyurl.com/mupptvdc
transmit performance is best, and how well others contained at the DJ0IP website (http://tinyurl. • Frank M. Howell K4FMH. Price Versus
Performance and Satisfaction in an HF
say they enjoy them. com/yt93288h) or by interpolation in concert
Transceiver, Part 1. National Contesting
with Rob Sherwood (private communication)).
Journal (Vols 49, 1-2, 2021a).
References Where both Vilhar and Sherwood contributed
• Frank M. Howell K4FMH. Price Versus
[1] The advice of Rob Sherwood NC0B is gratefully measurements, the Sherwood ones were used
Performance and Satisfaction in an HF
acknowledged. He has been a terrific amateur here. Transceiver, Part 2. National Contesting
radio colleague and superb Elmer of the RF [5] See http://tinyurl.com/ys77a67p. Journal (Vols 49, 3-4, 2021b).
measurement of transceivers and receivers. [6] See http://tinyurl.com/bddvw97b. • Rob Sherwood NC0B. It’s Time to Clean Up
Any errors of fact or interpretation should be [7] See http://tinyurl.com/3653ffw3. Our Transmitters. QST November, 2019: 38-
attributable to the author alone. The comments, [8] http://tinyurl.com/5y5x6ryh. Sherwood (2019: 41.
suggestions and encouragement of Dr. Scott 39) notes that also testing at 30-40 watts would • Rob Sherwood, NC0B. Private
Wright K0MD are also acknowledged. The genesis be very useful as this represents the typical Communication. August 23, 2022.
of this paper owes to his urging me to pursue the output power level used to drive a linear amplifier.
inclusion of measurements on transmit purity [9] See http://tinyurl.com/2bm526r8.

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28 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Airband News

helicopter that made the first powered, controlled Photo: 100 Years of ATC book cover. 2030s – an increase of 61% on 2019 numbers –
flight on another world. To commemorate the oc- with an annual limit of 386,000 commercial air
casion, ICAO assigned the ‘Marsport’ the special traffic movements.
code JZRO. London Gatwick’s plan to become A number of USAF aircraft have been seen re-
The book does not aim to be an all-encompass- a dual-runway airport cently not showing any Mode-S at all. The flight
ing, detailed account but looks at key events that Gatwick is said to be world’s busiest single runway, tracker websites were not at fault; the pilots have
shaped the way ATC is today. Although sub-titled achieving up to 55 movements an hour. It has, how- just turned off their Mode-S transponders. C-17s,
‘An Incomplete History’, it covers a huge amount ever, reached maximum capacity and the airport C-130s and KC-135s have been noted doing this.
of material in its 384 pages and 652 illustra- operator has proposed to bring the existing parallel It appears to be a logical extension of the removal
tions. The sections comprise ‘The Pre-History of northern runway into routine use for departures. It of the serials painted on the aircraft. It will be inter-
ATC’, ‘1922-1940 The Need for ATC’, ‘1940-1960 currently serves as a standby when the main runway esting to see how this develops, as most modern
The Second War Dividend’, ‘1960-1980 Jet Age, is blocked or needs work done to it. ATC calculates conflictions based on the Mode-S
Safety & Conflicts’, ‘1980-2000 Reality Strikes’, The problem is that to meet international safety rates of climb/descent. The calculation without
‘2000-Present Capacity Vs Crises’, ‘Around the standards and enable simultaneous use, the north- Mode-S is not as accurate.
World’, followed by an Epilogue. ern runway’s centre line must be moved by 12 me-
The authors write that they have tried to identify tres. The considerable work required will take place Frequency & operational news
pivotal points, sadly, too often accidents, that trig- within the existing airport boundary, making the Contributed by reader Godfrey Manning G4GLM.
gered changes or improvements. These were cop- project not only innovative, but also low impact. A At Liverpool, ‘Radar in the Tower’ will be imple-
ied by others and eventually made into standards or government decision whether or not to permit the mented at times of low traffic. This is where just
recommended best practices. They also note that plan is expected in 2024. If is approved, the northern one controller operates both the Approach Radar
some of the procedures still in use today are rooted runway should be ready for routine use by the end of and Aerodrome functions, resulting in the radar
in a distant past, sometimes even before 1922. As the decade. service being restricted.
a retired controller, I found this book highly interest- By bringing the existing northern runway into use, Edinburgh ATIS (Aerodrome Terminal
ing and I recommend it to anyone who would like Gatwick will be able to add additional hourly aircraft Information Service) remains on 131.355MHz but
a comprehensive overview of the subject. See the movements in peak times, using existing flight- to listen to the information via the ‘phone, note
website for ordering details. paths. It is predicted around 75 million passengers that the number has changed to 0131-348 4823.
www.atc100years.org will travel through the airport each year by the late Pilots must consult official promulgations. PW

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350 pages. 12,700 entries with all broadcast and professional utility stations worldwide. Latest
schedules for 2024. Clearly arranged and really user-friendly. 28th edition!
6XSHU)UHTXHQF\/LVW&' - EUR 30 = £ 26
4,000 shortwave broadcast frequencies. 8,700 frequencies of utility radio stations, plus 24,200
formerly active frequencies. 900 fascinating new digital data decoder screenshots. 30th edition!
*XLGHWR8WLOLW\5DGLR6WDWLRQV - EUR 55 = £ 48
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550+16 pages. 9,300 frequencies and 240 digital data / SDR screenshots. Frequencies, stations,
call signs, codes, abbreviations, meteo/NAVTEX/press schedules, and much more. 32nd edition!

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Keith Rawlings G4MIU

[email protected]

I
n the October 2023 issue of PW I gave
a brief summary of the Quansheng UV-
5K. This little hand portable is a dual-
band VHF/UHF handheld transceiver with a
stated maximum power output of 5W within
the amateur bands and also AM airband
reception. However, airband reception was
found to be very poor and transmit harmonics
could have been a lot better. Nonetheless
the radio is cheap and easy to use. See the
October PW issue for further details.

Enter the Quansheng UV-K5(8)

At the time of writing there is considerable
interest in a new model of the UV-K5, the UV-
K5(8). The ‘new’ radio, Fig. 1, seems identical
to the earlier model but is claimed to have
some improvements.

Differences?
The UV-K5(8) is the same size, and has the
same general layout, as the UV-5K but the
speaker housing is now slightly different as
is the LCD surround. The LCD itself has been
changed from a white background to a gentler
amber colour. The speaker has apparently
been improved but I found the audio is still
piercing, especially when the volume is set to
a high level. The A/B rocker switch on the UV-
5K has been replaced with separate buttons
and that seems to be it. Band coverage is still
the same too:
• 50.0000-76.0000MHz (RX only)
• 108.0000-135.9750MHz (RX only)
• 136.0000-173.9750MHz (TX and RX both)
• 174.0000-349.9750MHz (RX only) Practical Wireless Rating
• 350.0000-399.9750MHz (RX only)
• 400.0000-469.9750MHz (TX and RX both)
• 470.0000-600.0000MHz (RX only) A bargain!
1
• A document on the FCC website seems to

More on the
confirm the radios are, electronically at
least, identical!
http://tinyurl.com/yx9sf92p

Quansheng UV-K5
A replacement
As I had given my UV-K5 to my son I replaced
it with a UV-5K(8), which was ordered directly
from the AliExpress website and arrived
within five days. It came with an antenna,
belt clip, drop-in charger, wrist strap and user Keith Rawlings G4MIU revisits the UV-K5, describing the
manual. options available with the new firmware.
I did not order a package that included a
programming lead as I already had one for the
UV-K5. I just went for the cheapest offering I the popular CHIRP programmer can be used. By simply upgrading the radio’s firmware
could find on the website, which was £10.28 Unfortunately, in the new radio AM airband with a suitable ‘User Generated Firmware’
inc VAT delivered! reception is just as poor as with the UV-K5 file better quality AM reception becomes
Both radios use the same CPS programming thus is pretty much unusable in this mode. possible. There are a number of firmware
software, which can be downloaded from However, for airband listeners the good news files online, which have kindly been made
the manufacturer’s website or, alternatively, is that a freely available fix exists for this. available by fellow enthusiasts. I chose to use

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30 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Review

2 3

the popular Egzumer file on my radio, which on your computer. Click ‘Connect’ and then It is possible to open up the transmit side so
is presently running at V0.19. Full details may ‘Update’ and the file will be loaded to the that the radio is capable of radiating outside
be found here: radio. of the amateur bands. However, caution
http://tinyurl.com/yzz6hpp2 This program may be found in the files is needed here as it has been found that,
There are different ways to get the new section of the Quansheng UV Series Radio although the fundamental frequency output
firmware into the radio. One way is to directly User & Modification Group Worldwide can be very low outside of the standard
select the various parameters found on the Facebook Group files section. bands, harmonics can be seen to mimic a
webpage below to select just the features you porcupine with multiple spurs all along the RF
want and then send the changes to the radio: A tip! Spectrum! A quick check with the UV-K5(8)
http://tinyurl.com/y3k646zy Make a copy of your original firmware, or transmitting low power into a dummy load
There is a similar site here: download a copy off the manufacturer’s on 50MHz while feeding a TinySA Ultra via
https://uvmod.leechermods.com website, and the radio can be easily restored a 40dB tap demonstrated almost identical
Another way is to go to the following to its original configuration if needed. levels on the 3rd, 4th and 5th harmonics as
webpage, reading the instructions on this Note that ideally you will still need the CPS the fundamental.
page first: software to program the memories and key Should you wish to wideband the transmit
http://tinyurl.com/ypa7xjvt functions on the radio. then you need to access the ‘Hidden Menu’.
Then click onto ‘Egzumer firmware releases’ In the case of the Egzumer firmware To do this hold PTT + Side Button 1 and then
and click on the latest release ‘flash with a you will now have a radio with a number turn on the radio but do so with caution.
browser’ caption. You should see a box with of added features with, as my son calls it, The new firmware offers a number of
‘Flasher’ in the top left corner and the latest ‘a cool looking’ Spectrum Scope, Fig. 2, features, many more than can be described
Egzumer file in the ‘browse’ window (If you USB reception, backlight dimming, RSSI here, but you do also lose some of the
have another firmware file saved on your meter, long press button instead of F+, and, standard features. For example, I have not
computer you can instead load and use this importantly for airband monitors, a working found a way to now clone the two radios, so
here if you wish). AM receiver with 8.33kHz steps, Fig. 3, I recommend you thoroughly read and digest
Next select ‘Flash Firmware’. A box will among other improvements. the wiki page first before deciding to make
appear and here you select the correct I have found reception in the civilian airband any changes, which are at your own risk.
Comport for your interface. Click ‘Connect’ is now perfectly OK considering the cost of As stated the UV-K5 and the UV-K5(8) are
and the new firmware will be sent to the the radio and for those that do, Mil airband identical so if you already have the UV-K5 I
radio. Switch off and on then EGZUMER v0.19 reception is also improved. can confirm the Egzumer firmware also works
should be displayed on the bottom of screen, The receiver does still have a tendency on that model, including the improvements to
assuming you have used this file. to overload on strong local signals. As it is AM reception.
Yet another method is to use a small possible to inhibit the transmitter the radio If you want a cheap VHF/UHF handy that
application called Portable Radio Update also makes for a cheap general-purpose also doubles up as a wideband scanner, then
Tools. Put the radio into programming mode scanner for the unlicensed listener which now the UV-K5 family look like they are a bargain.
as before, run this program, select the correct covers the frequency range 18 ~ 660MHz I bought my one here but I advise to shop
Comport, load the appropriate firmware and 840 ~ 1300MHz in AM, FM, USB and also around as prices seem to vary with the wind:
file, which will previously have to be stored WBFM from 88-108MHz. http://tinyurl.com/bdp2mymf

Mike Richards G4WNC

[email protected]

R
egular readers will know I use a Hermes
Lite 2 transceiver when operating data
modes. Whenever I mention it at club
talks, I often get asked my opinion on the rig and
how I utilise it. As a result, I thought it might be
helpful to run through some of the details here.
I’ll start with some background on the
development of the transceiver. The Hermes
Lite 2 is an offshoot of the High-Performance
Software Defined Radio (HPSDR) project that’s
been running for some time. The project aimed
to produce a high-performance SDR design
for home construction. The project has gone
through many iterations, and the most well-
known outcome has been the ANAN series
of high-performance transceivers. While
the HPSDR project began using a modular
approach, the Hermes sub-project sought to 1

Hermes Lite 2
combine the best of the HPSDR modules into a
single-board QRP solution. It was the Hermes
sub-project that directly evolved into the ANAN
range. However, the Hermes was still a relatively
expensive and complex project due to the
choice of Analogue-to-Digital converter (ADC) Mike Richards G4WNC introduces the Hermes Lite 2 and
and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The explains how to get it up and running.
Hermes Lite project was based on the original
Hermes architecture but utilised a broadband N2ADR designed the Hermes Lite 2 filter board, is virtual audio cables, commonly known as
modem chip (AD 9866) from Analog Devices. and it’s an ideal match for the Hermes Lite 2 VACs, that route the audio signals.
This versatile chip contains both the ADC and main board. MakerFabs also have an enclosure Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the
DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) stages and endplates available to complete the project. interconnections used for my data modes
required for a direct digital down conversion The total price for the two boards, enclosure operation. Whereas traditional data mode
(DDC) SDR transceiver. As it’s produced in bulk and express shipping from China is currently setups require a USB or internal soundcard to
for the broadband market, the chip is relatively around the £300 mark, which is a tempting price handle the transmit and receive audio, digital
cheap at around £30 each in small quantities for what is an excellent QRP (5 watts) DDC SDR SDR stations can almost completely avoid the
instead of around £100 each for just the LTC- transceiver, Fig. 1. NB: It’s important to note analogue conversion. We can maintain the
2208 ADC, used in many high-end SDRs. that the Hermes Lite 2 remains a homebrew highest fidelity by routing the demodulated
The downside of the AD9866 is a lower bit project, so any problems will need to be audio in the digital domain. There are several
depth with 12-bit ADC and DAC instead of the resolved with the help of the Hermes Lite user VACs out there, but I prefer the VAC by Eugine
16 bits of the full Hermes. However, this is not group. You should expect minimal support from Muzychenko that you’ll find here:
a problem in practice and can be managed MakerFabs. https://vac.muzychenko.net/en
with good software, firmware and hardware I’ve been using this VAC for many years, and
design. Due to the lower bit depth, the Hermes Using the Hermes Lite 2 it’s always been a reliable option. The software
Lite can use a less powerful and thus cheaper The Hermes Lite 2 transceiver is a network- can create multiple VACs, and the associated
FPGA to handle the high-speed data processing. connected device, so all communications with control panel, Fig. 3, lets you configure the VAC
Despite all these changes, the Hermes Lite is the SDR software flow via the Ethernet. As a characteristics where necessary. However,
a sophisticated transceiver and an advanced result, the rig doesn’t need to be in front of you the default settings are fine for regular data
home-build project. I started building one from and can be tucked away close to the antenna. modes operation. I only need analogue audio
component level, but handling the tiny SMD Several SDR software packages support the when I want to listen to the signal. From Fig.
components was difficult. The solution for the Hermes Lite 2, including Thetis, Power SDR and 2 you will see that I use an audio repeater
Hermes Lite team has been to work with a PCB Quisk. However, I prefer to use Simon Brown’s application. This helpful utility is bundled with
assembly house to create a part-built project SDR Console because Simon provides excellent the VAC package and lets you route any input
with all the SMD components pre-assembled. support for the Hermes Lite 2 and the optional source to any output device, Fig. 4. In my case,
This solution has been very successful and the Hermes IO board. The IO board is a recent the output device is my Mackie Producer USB
developers have a good working relationship development that can switch external devices audio interface. This interface is a bit OTT for
with MakerFabs to produce fully assembled such as my HARDROCK-50 PA and 50MHz monitoring data modes, but I also use it to
main circuit boards. These boards are currently transverter. SDR Console also features excellent process a microphone input when I’m giving
available for $269 (£220). spectrum displays and offers a vast range of Zoom talks as, when combined with a Rode
In addition to the main board, you will also customisation of the interface appearance and microphone, it produces excellent audio with
need a filter board and a case. James Ahlstrom signal processing. One area that often confuses my voice. For most data modes installations,

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32 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Data Modes

Fig. 1: Hermes Lite 2 transceiver.

Fig. 2: Block diagram showing virtual audio and
serial port connections for SDRs.

Fig. 3: Virtual Audio Cable control panel.
Fig. 4: VAC audio repeater control panel.
# #
$%
a simple £15 USB audio interface or your !%'(
)
computer’s internal soundcard will suffice for "*
! "
monitoring.
$&

Virtual Serial Port
While most data modes can be operated without "
direct control of your rig, for some, like VarAC,

rig control makes operation so much more
convenient. In the same way we can use VACs
to route our audio digitally, we can use a virtual
serial port (VSP) to handle the rig connection 2
entirely in the digital domain. VSPs are also
known as null modems because they behave like
a pair of modems connected back-to-back, Fig.
5. Several VSPs are available, but I have found
the free com0com VSP to be very reliable for
data modes operation. The software is available
here:
http://tinyurl.com/5b67frn6
Once installed, you must change the com0com
setup before the ports will be visible in your data
modes software. To do this, open the com0com
Setup panel and tick the “use Ports class” box
for both installed ports, Fig. 6. This will change
the names to begin with COM. The ports should
be visible if you close the setup software and
restart your data modes and SDR software. The
installed VSPs are bi-directional, but you must 3
use them as a pair. For example, you could use
COM3 in the Data modes software, but then you Lite. First, ensure your SDR is powered up and
must use its partner, COM4 in the SDR software. connected to the network. Next, you click the
Data signals will pass in both directions from Definitions box in Radio Definitions followed by
COM3 to COM4 and vice versa. The next stage in the Search button and choose Hermes-Lite from
rig control is to set the rig emulation. Most SDR the drop-down menu, Fig. 8. If all is well, your
software packages include the ability to mimic rig will be found, and you’ll see the option to add
a popular rig type and respond appropriately. In the Hermes Lite. You can select the Hermes Lite
the case of SDR-Console, it emulates a Kenwood on the following menu and click Start to transfer
TS-2000 and responds to those commands. It control to SDR-Console. You should see activity
doesn’t support the full range of commands, but in the spectrum display to indicate all is well.
all the basics are covered. In most cases, we Ensure the Receiver DSP panel is showing on
will only use rig control to change frequency and the left of the display by choosing the Receive
handle Tx/Rx switching. tab at the top and clicking DSP under the View
section, Fig. 9. This will toggle the Receive DSP
Configuring SDR- Console panel on/off. This panel is required to control 4
SDR-Console is a complex application, so you the receive mode and to route the receive audio.
might need help to get started, Fig. 7. The first For our application, we want the receive audio Hermes Lite. The first step is to select the Tools
step is downloading the software from the sent to our data modes software using a VAC, tab at the top and choose Controllers from the
following site: so use the drop-down menu just below the Program Options panel. Here, you can set the
www.sdr-radio.com/download frequency display to choose your VAC. Next, we COM port for rig control, Fig. 10. Remember that
The site carries many adverts, so you need to need to display the transmit DSP panel by using the VSPs operate in pairs, so use one half of the
scroll down to near the bottom, where you’ll see the Transmit tab at the top and toggling the DSP pair here and the other half in your data modes
options to download (V3.3 at time of writing) button on/off. With the transmit panel open, software. SDR-Console includes a helpful tool
from Dropbox or OneDrive. Once downloaded, select the desired VAC with the drop-down next that monitors the commands flowing on the
run the installer and follow the prompts to to the mic symbol. serial port. This tool is invaluable for solving
complete the installation. When you first run We can now move on to configure the rig rig control problems. The tool is called I/O
SDR-Console, it needs to find your Hermes control link between SDR-Console and your Monitor and is available from the CAT menu

Fig. 5: Virtual Serial Port or Null

Modem. Fig. 6: com0com control
panel. Fig. 7: SDR-Console in use
with Hermes Lite 2 transceiver.
Fig. 8: Searching for Hermes-
Lite. Fig. 9: SDR Console Rx
Panel. Fig. 10: SDR-Console rig
control panel.

in SDR-Console. The final step is to open your and Tx drive slider to adjust the drive level in the
data modes software and ensure you have the data modes application. SDR-Console includes
transmit and receive audio routed correctly. You useful transmit metering in the Tx DSP panel.
can also check the rig control settings, which There is also a critical Tx overload indicator
should use the other half of the VSP pair with toward the bottom of the Receive DSP panel.
the rig set to TS-2000 and a baud rate of 57600. I’ve found the Hermes Lite 2 to be an excellent
When using VarAC, there isn’t a TS-2000 option QRP rig and an interesting homebrew project.
in the built-in rig control, but I have found that The support from the user groups is excellent
selecting TS-850 works well. If all appears to be and there is plenty of active development
working, the final step is to set the transmit drive that’s refining the performance and adding
levels. The Hermes Lite usually requires quite new features. There’s even a version of the
high drive levels, so I set the drive and Mic gain FPGA gateware that supports ten concurrent
in SDR-Console to 90. I then use the Tune control receivers! PW 10

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34 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
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HF Highlights

Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX

[email protected]

O
fcom issued a statement ‘Updating the
amateur radio licensing framework’ on
the deadline day for this column, 11
December; almost all their original proposals will
be implemented, beginning in February. Those
with the greatest impact on HF operating were
discussed in the September 2023 HF Highlights.
The Space Weather Prediction Center, part
of the US government’s National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, recently issued a
revised prediction for Solar Cycle 25, suggesting
that activity will peak between January and
October this year, rather than in mid-2025 as had
previously been predicted.
A new trend seems to be for DX stations
to supplement the operators physically at
the location with one or more stations being 1
operated remotely. The VP6A Ducie Island
DXpedition last June had only one ‘local’ station
but three more run by 34 operators from all over
the world. In November, PR0T (Trindade and
Another busy month
Martim Vaz, Fig. 1) had three operators on the With lots of expeditions and some excellent propagation,
island plus an additional station run by 10 more Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX has another full postbag.
operators in Brazil and Europe. And in the 2023
CQ World Wide CW contest, PJ2T had seven the team did a great job. experienced operators will use CW, SSB and FT8
operators at the station in Curacao, Fig. 2, plus 9L5M was a one-man DXpedition from Sierra on all bands.
one more who operated remotely from Seattle. Leone by Shabu M0KRI between 26 November intrepid-dx.com/h40wa
Look for this trend to become more common on and 5 December. Shabu made nearly 21,000 The annual RSGB FT4 contest series
forthcoming DXpeditions! QSOs on FT8 and CW and was worked here on all recommences on 26 February at 2000 to
bands from 7 to 28MHz. 2130UTC. This year the 10 and 15m bands have
The month on the air VU7A, operated by Krish W4VKU, was been added, so the contests take place on all
It’s been another really busy month on the air. another one-man operation, this one from the five contest bands between 3.5 and 28MHz. Eva
4W8X seemed to be absolutely everywhere! Lakshadweep Islands. He started on 4 December PJ4EVA and I, operating under my callsign, won
Timor-Leste is the other side of the world from and was worked first call by myself and also Eva the overall 100W Non-UK section in 2023, Fig. 4.
Bonaire, around 18,500km away, yet were easy to PJ4EVA. The full rules are at:
work here on all bands from 3.5 to 50MHz. T32TT from Christmas Island (this time the one rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2024/r80m_ft4.shtml
With 7O8AD and 7O8AE still active, RA9USU in the Pacific Ocean, not the Indian!) started on
arrived on Socotra Island: 7O73T was on FT8 and 5 December and was scheduled to be on the air Readers’ news
CW from 11 November for two weeks. for about three weeks. This was another activity Tim Kirby GW4VXE uses the GW4VXE call on
VK9XY on Christmas Island (the one in the by the Rebel DX Group, which stated it would be FT8 and GW4MM on CW. His station is shown
Indian Ocean, not the Pacific) was another FT8/ a “90% digital activity” with 12 digi stations (FT8 in Fig. 5. Tim wrote “There have been so many
CW operation. YL2GM and EA5EL were active and FT4) plus two on CW and one on SSB. expeditions to chase, it was sometimes hard to
from 15 to 27 November, after which they moved know which to go for first. Occasionally, chaos
on to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, from where What to look for in February ensued as one expedition’s pile-up merged into
they operated as VK9CY until 7 December. The TX5S Clipperton Island DXpedition (see another! Although I prefer to work new countries
H44WA on the Solomon Islands was on the air January HF Highlights) is scheduled to be on the on CW, I’m not proud and am very happy to pick
from 15 to 29 November using CW, SSB and FT8 air from 17 January until about 2 February. them up on FT8. This was particularly useful with
on all bands 1.8 to 28MHz. You wait years for an operation from Yemen some of the busier and more distant expeditions
PR0T (see above) was a brief operation from and then four come along almost at once! like PR0T, VK9XY and ZL7A. I was away from
the rarely activated Trindade and Martim Vaz Following hot on the heels of 7O8AD, 7O8AE home for most of the CQWW CW weekend,
Islands, 1100km off the coast of Brazil. The team and 7O73T, Vlad OK2WX is planning activity as although I managed a few hours towards the end
(or should that be teams?) made over 18,500 7O2WX between 25 January and 12 February. He of the contest. During the ARRL 10m contest
QSOs between 16 and 20 November. has said his focus will be on 1.8 – 7MHz. weekend the winds were very strong here on
Five experienced French amateurs put XW4DX The Intrepid DX Group is scheduled to operate the Pembrokeshire coast, so I’d taken my DX
on the air from Laos, Fig. 3, between 18 and as H40WA from Temotu Province (Solomon Commander vertical down – but I built a shorter
26 November. They made over 43,000 QSOs, Islands, but a separate entity for DXCC) from vertical for 10m on a fibreglass pole, which
almost equally divided between SSB, CW and 22 February until 7 March (this operation was survived the storm and seemed to work all right!”
FT8. Working Laos is really tough from here but originally scheduled for October – November Jim Bovill PA3FDR reckoned that “November
I eventually made QSOs on three bands, so I felt 2023 but had to be postponed). Eight got off to a good start with three DX QSOs

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38 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
HF Highlights

Fig. 1: Trindade Island, home of PR0T (photo:

Simone Marinho, Wikipedia). Fig. 2: Antennas at
the PJ2T contest station on Curacao.
Fig. 3: Typical street wiring in Laos: it’s no surprise
that local noise levels are often a problem in the
Far East! Fig. 4: The 2024 RSGB FT4 contest series
begins on 28 February. Fig. 5: The HF station of
Tim GW4VXE / GW4MM. Fig. 6: The well-disguised
magnetic loop used by Mike EA7KIP.
5
(VK8DR, BD7ISO, HI8DAR) during the first 10
minutes of the first day of the month. The rest of
the week followed better than I could have hoped
for with contacts with New Caledonia (FK8HM),
Uzbekistan (UK8OM), Botswana (A25R, operated
by yet another Russian DX team), Tajikistan
(EY8MM) and the remote South Atlantic island 5
of St Helena (ZD7CTO). Highlights later in the
month were Suriname (PZ5MA), Norfolk Island 4
(VK9DX), Jordan (JY4CH), Kyrgyzstan (EX8MLE)
and Greenland (OX7AKT). Despite being very moved to a new permanent QTH near Estepona
scarce for most of the month I did manage a few in Spain where he “recently added an MFJ-1786
QSOs with Japan towards the end of the month; magnetic loop on the terrace. However, the 6
normally these are by far the most abundant of residents’ association decided that they no longer
my DX contacts. All in all a satisfactory collection wanted satellite dishes attached to terraces and Reg Williams G0OOF wrote that “For some time
of QSOs, so I am rather content with my simple if they can’t have a dish why should I have an I had been trying to work VK9XY Christmas Island.
antenna consisting of about 25m of wire stretched antenna? This called for measures to make the It was the very last day of operation there, where
around the garden at 8 to 10m above the ground, new loop ‘disappear’ (Fig. 6). The results with the I worked them in the early evening on 7MHz FT8.
connected directly to my IC-7300 via an Icom AH4 hidden loop running 35W have been good, and on They then moved to their next location, Cocos
ATU.” 10m in particular this month, with contacts with (Keeling) Islands, where they operated as VK9CY.
Carl Mason GW0VSW wrote “I managed an 228 stations in the first three weeks of November, Strangely enough, I worked them on their very first
entry in the CQ WW CW contest using my Xiegu the best DX being Japan (JI6IHG and JH3JRC) at day of operation, 7MHz FT8 in the early evening.
G90, 5W and my new inverted G5RV. Conditions 11,000km followed by several Brazilian stations The Timor-Leste DXpedition, 4W8X, was heard on
were reasonable and contacts were made on all with PY5JO at over 8000km and HC1M in Ecuador 7MHz SSB mid-month but I was unable to work
bands 160 – 10m. I used one half of the G5RV to on FT8 and a few contacts in the USA on CW. them though fortunate enough to work them later
work 160m by making a simple adapter and was “I was also recently visited by a team from in the month on 10MHz FT4 in the early evening
surprised to make 28 QSOs. My output must have Channel 5 TV who were filming for the ‘Bargain- and on 14MHz FT8 later in the month.
been OK or the other stations had good ears! I loving Brits In The Sun’ show where they spent a “The DX Clusters are very useful for spotting
copied CN3A and D4C but was unable to make few hours filming me demonstrating the hobby in the DX stations. One of my favourites is DXHeat
contact.” action whilst operating on FT8 and DMR. This is where I can enter search callsigns for particular
Mike Wilson EA7KIP/G4GOU says he has now likely to be shown in early 2024.” stations and still have the main cluster form

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40 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
What Next

Colin Redwood G6MXL

[email protected]

W
elcome to the first What Next of 2024.
I last looked at a number of Special
Interest Groups in May 2020. At the
time I was conscious that I hadn’t covered them
all, so this month I am going to look at several
that I didn’t cover in May 2020.

CDXC
If you enjoy DXing or contesting, then the CDXC
might well be of interest to you. The CDXC is
the UK’s premier DX Foundation, with just over
700 members, and is dedicated to encouraging
excellence in DXing and contest operating. It
began in the 1980s and was formed by a small
group of keen UK DXers based in the Chilterns.
Since then, CDXC has grown substantially
with members sharing a common interest in
HF DX and contesting, drawn together by their
shared values of high standards of operating
and DXing skills, becoming one of the largest
and most respected DX groups in the world.
Members include the majority of the UK’s top
DXers and contesters, plus an increasingly large
international membership. Characterised by
a supportive and encouraging approach to all
members, CDXC is an influential organisation,
which develops and enriches the world of
HF amateur radio for its members and DXers
worldwide.
Membership is open to anyone in the world,
including shortwave listeners. As a guideline,
CDXC expects members to have worked or
heard 100 DXCC entities before applying to join.
Although evidence is not required, I’d suggest
that a screen shot of your DXCC Award Account
from Logbook of The World (LoTW) would be
an easy way of demonstrating your interest in
DXing.
CDXC counts a number of Foundation and
Intermediate callsign holders among its 1

Special Interest Groups

membership. Your membership application also
needs support from two existing members. If
you do not know an existing member, or have yet
to meet the guideline for DXCCs, please do not
be discouraged! Send your application anyway, Ready to focus on a particular niche activity with the hobby?
with a covering letter, and CDXC will give it
serious consideration. Colin Redwood G6MXL looks at some of the groups
CDXC publishes a quarterly magazine, Fig. 1, contributing to such activities.
back numbers of which can be downloaded by
members from its website. A major aspect of to the club member who contacts the greatest CDXC organises a number of social get-
CDXC activity is sponsoring of HF DXpeditions, number of countries on the LF bands during togethers such as the annual dinner and
ranging from donations and provision of March each year. The RSGB CDXC Cup is awarded DGM while also attending events such as
equipment for smaller operations, to large- to the leading single operator UK/ Channel Friedrichshafen and the RSGB Convention.
scale logistical support, including for example, Islands/ Isle of Man entrant in the CQ Worldwide These events are well supported – the CDXC
by accommodating DXpedition team members SSB Contest High Power, Single Operator Section. stand at the RSGB Convention in 2023 was
during their UK stopovers on the way to some The club issues Merit Awards recognising certainly very busy! CDXC also attends several
exotic DX location. outstanding contributions to HF DXing and also of the major UK rallies and there are also the
CDXC also issues a number of achievement supports the Geoff Watts Memorial Trophy for the
awards, including the Penallt Trophy awarded annual RSGB IOTA Contest. Fig. 1: The CDXC Digest.

Fig. 2: The RSGB ARDF book. Fig. 3: The

quarterly magazine, Signal, from VMARS.

‘unscheduled’ meetings with visiting overseas

DXers as and when opportunities arise.
Subscriptions to CDXC are £18 per annum for
UK members, and £24 per annum for overseas
members. CDXC has a useful website with
information about its awards, merchandise etc.
Back issues of Digest are also available, with
the most recent issues only available to paid-up
members:
https://cdxc.org.uk
Oh, and last but not least, the current CDXC
President is none other than our editor, Don
G3XTT!

ARDF
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) is a
radio-based orienteering activity. It involves
competing with others to locate hidden
transmitters, known as foxes. While speed is
of the essence (running) if you want to try to
win, it is perfectly feasible to walk between the
various transmitters and still have a great sense
of achievement of finding all the transmitters. As
the competitors are only using receivers, there is
no need to even have an amateur radio licence to
participate.
Most ARDF activity takes place on either the
80m or 2m bands. Many amateurs design and
build their own ARDF equipment. Many find a
simple non-channelised AM receiver used in
conjunction with a lightweight antenna works
well. This is certainly the preferred setup
for most competitors, although a modified
amateur band handheld radio will get you
started. Building a simple ARDF receiver can
be a good beginner’s construction project. The
2m band can be more technically challenging
as competitors have to deal with signals being
reflected from trees and other obstructions.
During the year, the RSGB run a number of 2
‘Taster’ sessions, often held in the Midlands.
These sessions typically will include some suitable for walking in the woods (waterproof if VMARS
tuition and practical exercises to help build the weather looks likely to be inclement). The Vintage & Military Amateur Radio Society
confidence in using ARDF receivers. The event The ARDF groups within the RSGB are trying to (VMARS) is based in the UK, but with an
starts with a session to find out about an 80m get more ARDF events happening in the various international reach. It was set up in 1999 with the
direction finding receiver, and then using it to regions of the UK, as ARDF is a minority interest aims of encouraging the conservation, restoration
locate a single transmitter. and few clubs will have sufficient members and use of ‘classic’ electronic equipment,
The session then moves on to finding two interested in ARDF to organise and run ARDF with a principal focus on wireless techniques,
transmitters that transmit one after the other, events within a club. whether applied to communications, RADAR
before moving on to a 5-transmitter course. There is an excellent book available from the or other pulsed signalling systems – but not
80m receivers are loaned to newcomers. Other RSGB on ARDF, Fig. 2. The RSGB also have a neglecting line communication, audio recording,
equipment needed includes a compass with a great video on ARDF as part of their Tonight at 8 mine detecting and so on. In addition, VMARS
rectangular base, a whistle for safety purposes, series. The main presenter is Bob Tittertington encourages the recording of electronics related
a spirit-based red pen and a lightweight A4 board G3ORY who is the RSGB’s ARDF Chair and one of history and the preservation of the knowledge
to which the map can be attached with plastic the authors of the book. and skills needed for using traditional modes
tape. https://tinyurl.com/38zysmkj of communications, such as analogue AM,
You might also prefer to use your own If ARDF appeals to you, I’d suggest contacting analogue FM, and Morse Code by radio amateurs.
headphones fitted with a 3.5mm jack plug. In Bob by email: VMARS encourages the use of traditional types
addition, you’d be well advised to wear clothing [email protected] of components, such as valves and leaded

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42 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
What Next

spares. VMARS members can also buy some

of the substantial quantity of valves which the
society holds for members who are restoring or
repairing equipment.
Annual membership subscriptions to VMARS
are £28 for UK amateurs, £31 for those in
Europe and £32 elsewhere. Benefits include
the quarterly journal Signal, Fig. 3, by post and
monthly news sheet via the internet. Members
can pay extra for the monthly news sheet to be
posted to them.

RNARS
If you currently work or have previously worked
in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines or the
Merchant Navy, then the Royal Naval Amateur
Radio Society (RNARS) may be of interest
to you. Not only does it promote and foster
amateur radio activity within the Royal Navy, the
Royal Marines and other Naval services such
as the RNLI, it liaises with the radio societies
of the other UK Services and with other Navies
throughout the world. RNARS was founded in
1960 and has a current membership of over
600 worldwide. It has an excellent leaflet which
describes the RNARS:
https://tinyurl.com/bdhk6e7s
RNARS publish a quarterly newsletter, which is
available electronically or by post. Subscriptions
are currently £5 per annum for electronic
delivery of the newsletter or £15 by post. The
current Headquarters of the Society is in HMS
Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire. Membership
is open to all radio amateurs with an interest
in maritime affairs, including EN52. Besides
individuals, clubs and societies can also join.
The RNARS has an annual open day each year at
HMS Collingwood.
www.rnars.org.uk
RNARS has a comprehensive list of regular
skeds on a variety of bands and modes, which
members are encouraged to join in.
3 www.rnars.org.uk/schedules%20frequencies.html

components and the maintenance and restoration locations in order to enable access for the RSARS
of earlier styles of construction. The main VMARS maximum number of members to attend. Sales Full membership of the Royal Signals Amateur
website can be found at: are usually catalogued with illustrations and the Radio Society (RSARS) is open to those who
www.vmars.org.uk details circulated with the monthly News Sheet are either a serving or retired member of Royal
VMARS has a growing archive of manuals, prior to auction day. In some instances where Signals (the Royal Corps of Signals), including
circuit diagrams, magazines and other historic very large quantities of equipment are being Royal Signals TA. Associate membership is open
literature with about 10,000 items physically sold, items are sold un-catalogued and as seen to others who are serving in or retired from the
stored in an archive held at the Thorpe Camp on auction day. Some VMARS auctions have Army or territorial Army, cadets, Commonwealth
Museum in Lincolnshire. An ongoing programme also been carried out online using ZOOM. These forces, NATO forces with close links to the Royal
of document cleaning, scanning and digitising auctions remain for VMARS registered members Signals etc. Mercury is the name of the society’s
is undertaken by Society volunteers who then only and full details are published in the regular journal, which is published three times a year.
catalogue and index the documents before monthly News Sheet and online in the VMARS The society’s website contains more information
placing them onto the website (below) for free forums. about the society, and contains links to a variety
open access to anyone who wants to use them. There is a VMARS online trading site for of antenna designs and a few other construction
www.vmarsmanuals.co.uk members. A wide range of equipment and spares projects. One on a battery box and charging
One of the benefits of membership of VMARS can be bought and sold on here. The monthly circuit for a Yaseu FT-817 particularly caught
are auctions of vintage and military equipment. News Sheet also contains member’s sales my eye.
These are generally held at various Midland advertisements for their surplus equipment and https://rsars.org.uk

Keith Rawlings G4MIU

[email protected]

I
mentioned last month that many years ago
I had a homemade two-element 10m Yagi.
This was based on a design by Orr W6SAI
presented in the Beam Antenna Handbook, Fig. 1.
It was constructed using 1in diameter x 10swg
aluminium tube for the elements and sections of
2x4in timber to support the antenna. The timber
was formed as an ‘H’ with the centre of the H be-
ing the boom and the ‘legs’ of the H were the sup-
ports for the elements. The matching section for
the design, as taken from the book, was made
ZUKWTRXTRJY\NSRFNSXQJFIYTFHYFXȹY\NS
QJFIFSIXTRJ7,ȹHTF]9MJT[JWFQQIJ
XNLS\FXJ]YWJRJQ^XTQNIFSIVZNYJMJF[^
<NYMRGJNSLFHYN[JFYUWJXJSY.KJQYF^JSYT
make another one so, this month I will begin de-
scribing the construction of my new two-element 1

A simple lightweight
beam.
I did consider a Moxon Rectangle, but settled on
the beam, for now at least, as it would be slightly
easier to make. This time around though, the
beam would need to be much lighter as it would
be mounted on my LMA telescopic mast. I would
stick with two elements due to the fact that when
two-element beam for 10m
the mast was down anything larger would likely
foul on the roof of my garage. Keith Rawlings G4MIU starts to build a 10m Yagi and also
In addition, I wanted to use materials that I had has a further update on AN-SOF.
lying around so once again timber would be used.
I had a length of modestly sized 25x25mm timber \FSYJIFLTTI;8<7GFSI\NIYMYTHT[JWFXRZHM far back as the mid 70’s (no, I don’t throw anything
for the boom and to support the elements I had of the band as possible. away and these tubes are now sitting in their fourth
some 65x10mm flat timber. For the elements I For a two-element beam it will be found that \TWPXMTU9MNXYZGJMFXF\FQQYMNHPSJXXYMFY
had a quantity of 8mm diameter aluminium tube JQJRJSYXUFHNSLTKFWTZSIɃ\NQQUWT[NIJF QJF[JXYMJ.)YMJHTWWJHYYFUUNSLXN_JKTWF'&
and I could 3D print the standoffs needed for sup- KJJIUTNSYNRUJIFSHJFWTZSIȹFSIFQXTLN[JF thread, which is 0.1575in.
porting the elements. The photo, Fig. 2, shows KF[TZWFGQJ+'WFYNTGZYFYYMJJ]UJSXJTKXQNLMYQ^ So not only is the tube quite strong while still be-
the beam under construction. lower forward gain. ing light, it has an internal bore that can easily be
With a target frequency of 28.4MHz I started off opened up to 4.2mm (0.165in) to accept an M5
Design by using the formula of reflector length in metres thread and this would be useful to attach connec-
.ITSѣYMF[JYMJMFSIGTTPFS^RTWJGZYNY\FX "KIWN[JSJQJRJSYQJSLYMNSRJYWJX"K tions at the feedpoint.
a simple matter to Google and find the formula FSIFSJQJRJSYXUFHNSLTKɃYTTGYFNSYMJIN As the total element lengths were longer than the
needed to calculate the beams dimensions. It is RJSXNTSX9MNXLF[JRJFYTYFQQJSLYMTKR RQJSLYMXTKYMJYZGJX.\TZQIMF[JYTZXJKTZW
NRUTWYFSYYTSTYJYMFYYMJWJHFSGJRFS^[FWNF KTWYMJWJKQJHYTWFSIRKTWYMJIWN[JSJQJ lengths and cut them to size. Two tubes were cut
YNTSXTKF>FLNJ[JSFXNRUQJY\TJQJRJSYTSJ ment with a spacing of 1.689m. KTWYMJIWN[JSJQJRJSYRFPNSLY\TXJUFWFYJUFWYXYT
Do we want maximum forward gain, best Front- I entered the dimensions into AN-SOF to see form a dipole, Fig. 6.
YT'FHP7FYNT +'\NIJXYGFSI\NIYMFȹ what it thought of the design. With the antenna 9MJWJKQJHYTWMT\J[JWNXGJXYRFIJKWTRTSJHTR
RFYHMTWFHHJUYYMJSJJIKTWFRFYHMNSLIJ[NHJ simulated at 8m calculated dimensions looked plete section, which in this case is 5.37m, clearly
\MJWJNRUJIFSHJXFWJTYMJWYMFSȹTWFHTR ok with a simulated 10.2dBi of forward gain at QTSLJWYMFSYMJRRFYJWNFQYTMFSI(TSXJVZJSYQ^
bination of all of these? rJQJ[FYNTSI'+'FSIFS8<7TK I took two lengths of tube, cut them to half of the re-
These factors are affected by the spacing be- FY2-_\NYMFKJJIUTNSYNRUJIFSHJTKȹ quired dimension and made up a coupler to join the
Y\JJSJQJRJSYXYMJQJSLYMTKWJKQJHYTWFSIIWN[ .SYJWJXYNSLQ^&384+JXYNRFYJIYMFY.\TZQIMF[J two together. The coupler was made from a length
en elements and also the height of the antenna F;8<7GFSI\NIYMKWTRYT2-_Figs of 16mm diameter aluminium rod, which was cut to
FGT[JLWTZSI(TSXJVZJSYQ^YMJWJ\TZQIXJJR 3, 4 and 5, which surprised me a little considering 100mm long and drilled though 8.5mm to clear the
to be an unending number of dimensions to be the small diameter of the tube being used. It was tube. The coupler was then cross drilled and tapped
had. Understandably there may be some compro- noted the simulated radiation pattern remained to M6 to take stainless steel grub screws to secure
mise between the highest gain, the highest front- \JQQGJMF[JIT[JWYMNX;8<7WFSLJ the elements, see Fig. 7.
to-back ratio, adequate operating bandwidth, and The flat timber was cut to two lengths of 600mm
feedpoint impedance. Construction and drilled through the centre line to take the ele-
For my new beam I decided on a reflector and The elements are made from 8mm diameter thick- ment standoff spacers. Along with the boom this
IWN[JSJQJRJSYHTSKNLZWFYNTSKTWXNRUQNHNY^F walled aluminium tubes, which are 4m long. These was then treated with a few coats of Sadolin wood
KJJIUTNSYTKHQTXJYTȹ\FXIJXNWFGQJFSI. were a special type of tube that I had made up as stain for weather proofing.

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44 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Antennas

3 4

Standoff spacers an M5 threaded hole axially through centre. Fig. 1: The original W6AI design (taken from the
The elements would need fixing to the timber sup- The printer was set up with a 0.8mm nozzle. editor’s copy of the book). Fig. 2: Two-element
ports and for this I needed some spacers. I did This is rather coarse, which meant the standoffs beam under construction. Fig. 3: AN-SOF
think about making them from some nylon 66 rod MF[JFXQNLMYQ^WTZLMJWKNSNXMYTYMJRYMFSSTWRFQ predicted VSWR plot. Fig. 4: AN-SOF predicted
.MF[JNSYMJ\TWPXMTUGZYYMNX\TZQIMF[JRJFSY I used PET-G filament and after printing a first off Elevation at 8m 2D plot.
machining them. Being lazy I considered it easier YTRFPJXZWJJ[JW^YMNSL\FX40.WFSTKKFKZW-
to 3D print them instead. YMJWSNSJYTLN[JRJYJSNSYTYFQYMWJJJFHMKTWYMJ work satisfactorily in this application.
9MJ^\JWJIJXNLSJIZXNSL+WJJ(FI9MNXUFHPFLJ IWN[JSJQJRJSYXFSIKTZWNSYTYFQYTXZUUTWYYMJ I decided to 3D print a box to mount the BALUN
will also create the .stl file needed for the slicing reflector. in and this would then simply be cable-tied to the
software, the output of which is loaded into the 3D boom. A common mode choke using some RG174
printer, in my case an Ender 3 Max. Freecad makes Balun \TZSIT[JWFKJWWNYJHTWJRF^FQXTGJFIIJIQFYJW
it a simple job of designing parts for 3D printing &XYMJKJJIUTNSYNRUJIFSHJTKYMJIWN[JSJQJ- I will continue with the final dimensions found
FSI.YMNSPNYYTTPRJSTRTWJYMFSKN[JRNSZYJXYT RJSY\FXSJFWYTȹFXNRUQJ'&1:3HTZQI after tweaking the design, assembly, adjustment
MF[JFKNSNXMJIIJXNLS be used to match what is a balanced dipole to and testing of the beam next month.
I chose to make the standoffs round, mainly be- the unbalanced coaxial feeder. In my junk box I Timber can be sourced from the likes of B&Q,
cause I still had in my mind the use of the round had a BALUN as described by Moxon G6XN in HF Wickes etc. Google brought up one source for
3^QTSWTI.HTZQIMF[JIJXNLSJIYMJRFXWJH- Antennas for all Locations. It has ten trifilar wound 8mm x 4m thin-walled tubes but at £17.64 each
YFSLZQFWGQTHPXFSINSWJYWTXUJHYYMJ^RF^MF[J turns of 22swg enamel wire, which are wound on QJSLYMUQZXXMNUUNSLYMJ^FWJSTYHMJFU
been better had I done so. They measure 25mm dia a short piece of ferrite rod from an old transistor http://tinyurl.com/mnxue8fu
by 30mm high with a cross hole of 8.5mm diameter radio, as per Moxon’s description. The design has +ZWYMJWWJFINSL
to clear the elements at 15mm (half way). There is GJJSUWT[JSHFUFGQJTKMFSIQNSL<XTXMTZQI http://on5au.be/content/a10/yagi/beam2.html

Fig. 5: AN-SOF predicted 3D plot looking down.

Fig. 6: Feedpoint detail and BALUN.
Fig. 7: Reflector element coupler detail.

and current sources.

6. Import and Export of ‘LD 4’ Command:
9MJѢ1)ѣ KN]JIQTFINRUJIFSHJ3*(HTRRFSI
can now be imported and exported, complement-
NSLYMJJ]NXYNSLXZUUTWYKTWѢ1)ѣ 71(NRUJIFSHJ
FSIѢ1)ѣ \NWJHTSIZHYN[NY^HTRRFSIX
6a 7. Performance Enhancements:
The algorithms for obtaining current distribution
MF[JGJJSTUYNRNXJIKTWKFXYJWWJXZQYX\MNQJRFNS-
taining the high accuracy that AN-SOF is known for.
https://antennasimulator.com

EMF compliance and AN-SOF

simulator
.MF[JRJSYNTSJIUWJ[NTZXQ^YMFY&384+FSYJSSF
XNRZQFYTWHTZQIGJXZNYFGQJYTJ[FQZFYJFSYJSSFIJ-
signs that are not in the RSGB EMF calculator. Tony
from AN-SOF was kind enough to write brief details
for me to include in the column on how this may be
5 FHMNJ[JIFSIUWTRNXJIYTQTTPKZWYMJWNSYTYMNXNS-
[TQ[JIXZGOJHY
As promised, he has now completed part one of
Evaluating EMF Compliance: A guide to Far Field
RF Exposure Assessments, the details of which
FWWN[JIOZXYFX.\FXHTRUQJYNSLYMNXRTSYMѣXRNX-
XN[J
This is a significant paper for the amateur
because it looks not only at criteria from the
&RJWNHFS+((GZYFQXT:04+(42.SFIINYNTSYMJ
FRFYJZWUJWXUJHYN[JNXHTSXNIJWJIFX\JQQFXYMJ
UWTKJXXNTSFQ[NJ\.YNXFLTTIJ]FRUQJTKFHTR-
UWJMJSXN[J^JYZSIJWXYFSIFGQJIJXHWNUYNTSTKYMJ
6 7 subject. A model of an amateur 17m two-element
Delta Loop is used as an example and a model is
AN-SOF;further upgrades ferent scaling factors, facilitating deformation by F[FNQFGQJKTWIT\SQTFI
and using the simulator XYWJYHMNSLTWHTRUWJXXNSL\NWJXNS[FWNTZXINWJH- The key elements of this article include.
to evaluate EMF compliance tions. Recognising EMF compliance assessment is es-
Version 8.90 has been released. This Version fea- 3. TL Command Import and Export: sential for ensuring RF exposure safety.
YZWJXXJ[JWFQJSMFSHJRJSYXFSISJ\KJFYZWJX Added import and export functionality for the ‘TL’ That EIRP is a crucial parameter in EMF compli-
where, thanks to user feedback, the focus has HTRRFSINS3*(KNQJXJSFGQNSLYMJYWFSXRNXXNTS ance assessment.
GJJSTSNRUWT[NSLZXFGNQNY^J]UFSINSLKZSHYNTSFQ- line descriptions to be seamlessly integrated into • Antenna configuration and feedlines influence
ity, and optimising simulation capabilities. the simulation. Transmission lines can also be im- *.75[FQZJX
ported in ‘Bulk Simulation’, and exported to Scilab • The near-far field boundary determines the ap-
New Features: KNQJXKTWXHWNUYGFXJIUFWFRJYJW[FWNFYNTS propriate methodology for EMF compliance cal-
1. Segments per Wavelength: 4. Transmission Line Manipulation: culations.
.SYWTIZHNSLYMJѢ8JLRJSYXUJW<F[JQJSLYMѣTU- (TRRFSIXKTWRT[NSLWTYFYNSLFSIXHFQNSLST\ • AN-SOF can be used to model antenna configu-
YNTSFQQT\NSLKTWJKKNHNJSYHTS[JWLJSHJFSFQ^XNX J]YJSIYTYWFSXRNXXNTSQNSJXUWJXJW[NSL\NWJ rations and perform accurate EIRP calculations.
by adjusting the number of wire segments based transmission line connections during transforma- The first part of this two-article series focuses
TSYMJNWQJSLYMXRJFXZWJINS\F[JQJSLYMX:XJYMJ tions. This streamlines the editing process for en- on far-field RF exposure assessments. The second
‘Selection Box’ tool to enclose the wires you wish MFSHJIZXJWHTS[JSNJSHJ part will look into near-field assessments and
YTRTINK^FSISF[NLFYJYT*INY#2TINK^KTWJFX^ 5. Fixed Load Impedance (R+jX): exclusion zone HFQHZQFYNTSX\MNHM\NQQUWT[NIJF
implementation. A new load type, ‘Fixed Load Impedance’, has HTRUQJYJZSIJWXYFSINSLTK*2+HTRUQNFSHJJ[FQZ-
2. Enhanced Scale Wires Command: been introduced, where the reactance (X) does ation techniques.
The ‘Scale Wires’ command now offers two op- not scale with frequency. This feature is useful for .MF[JSTYMFIYNRJYTKZQQ^INLJXYYMJIJYFNQXTK
YNTSXўѢ8NSLQJ+FHYTWѣFSIѢ&I[FSHJIѣѢ8NSLQJ quick antenna tuning by adding an opposite reac- the paper but will report back on it in due course.
Factor’ enables uniform scaling along the X, Y, and tance to the antenna input reactance. Fixed inter- http://tinyurl.com/3thr6rk2
?F]JX\MNQJѢ&I[FSHJIѣFQQT\XZXJWXYTFUUQ^INK- SFQNRUJIFSHJ 7O=HFSFQXTGJXJYKTW[TQYFLJ 9MFYѣXNYKTWFSTYMJWRTSYMPW

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46 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

Georg Wiessala
[email protected] The new
A
little more detail came through recently
about SDRconnect, the much-talked-about
new SDR and server5 software suite by
SDRconnect software
British makers SDRplay. When SDRplay introduced
its first SDR (the RSP1) a decade ago, the team
Georg Wiessala discusses the development history of the
could see the need for a wideband SDR receiver, popular SDRconnect software.
which overcame the basic limitations of the
relatively cheap 8-bit dongles then available. ‘scanner’ and ‘scheduler’ functionalities. The RSP on say a Raspberry Pi. The preview version
The company’s beam of innovation focused on specialised hardware of the RSPdx and RSPduo led seems stable. There will be regular updates adding
the use of a 12-bit (and later 14-bit) analogue- to features such as an ‘HDR mode’ (below 2MHz) features, such as, once again, the ‘scanner’ and
to-digital conversion (ADC) technology and an and Diversity Reception (RSPduo). ‘scheduler’, as well as the first migrated plugins
extensive set of filters to curtail both ‘phantom’ A diversity system is a communications from SDRuno.
signals and intermodulation products. At that infrastructure with two (or more) paths or By the way, any additional plugin applications
time – it seems an age ago now – HDSDR, SDR channels. The outputs of these are then combined will be named ‘modules’ in SDRconnect. In the
Console and SDR# (‘SDR Sharp’) were among the to give a single received signal and thus reduce new SDRconnect software, you can visualise up
freely available SDR software packages for radio any effects of fading (Oxford Dictionary of to 10MHz of spectrum and select a signal just
enthusiasts. By 2016, Airspy had also introduced an Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 2018: 157). as though it were connected directly to your
SDR of their own. Since Airspy developed the SDR# This comes into play when an optimum signal computer.
suite, the firm understandably restricted the SDR’s impulse is selected automatically from among the
use to its own hardware. available choices. A first road test:SDRconnect in use
Against this backdrop, it became obvious that However, there were perceived limitations with I was allowed to take a look at SDRconnect in
SDRplay was going to need to provide some SDRuno – it is restricted to Windows, and it does November/December 2023. As I usually do, I
proprietary SDR software in order to achieve not support remote operation. The architecture attempted to achieve optimum reception with
optimum performance. Following a collaboration could take a bit of getting used to. Therefore, as many signals, and on as many modes as was
with the author of the Italian-based ‘Studio 1’, SDRplay developed a completely new solution: possible in my modestly-equipped shack.
SDRplay developed that software, naming it SDRconnect. Therefore, the screenshots on these pages are
SDRuno. meant to demonstrate a wide range of signals
A preview version and modes experimented with over the last few
Modes and functions From August 2023, SDRplay then released the weeks. It was also good to try out the software’s
SDRplay has developed this line for its range of ‘preview’ version, which runs on Windows, MacOS basic facility to have several windows (‘instances’)
RSPs ever since. RSP owners have enjoyed regular and Linux. SDRconnect comes with server open at the same time for monitoring and tracking
additions to SDRuno over recent years, including software making it ideal for running a remote purposes. This can be useful on both HF and

Fig. 1: Airband. Fig. 2: Allouis (162kHz).

Fig. 3: AM MW. Fig. 4: DCF77.
Fig. 5: DWD 147.3kHz.

VHF and can provide clues as to propagation

conditions and transmission times.
I tested the software on, among others, the
following transmissions (see screenshots
attached):
• Time Signal Stations on VLF and LW (e.g. 60 and
77.5kHz, Allouis, 162kHz)
• LW European DWD weather information on
around 147.3kHz
• Dutch ‘Pirates’ on the European X-Band
(1600kHz)
• Some Non-Directional Beacons (NDB)
• LW and MW UK Broadcast Stations (e.g. 198 and
909, 1026 and 1368kHz) 4
• A few radio amateur transmissions (e.g.
21.237kHz)
In all these areas, and on many more bands
besides – for instance, Airband and, of course, FM,
I was more than happy with the results, and I found
the software to be both flexible and user-friendly.
It also invites experimentation and education, in
terms of citizen science and, perhaps, colleges.
On the HF bands, I used the new Chameleon
CHA RXL and PRO models, since I had these in the
shack for another review (The Spectrum Monitor,
October and December 2023) as well as the
Wellbrook ALA-1530LN – now out of production
– with comparable, and excellent, performance
results. In other areas, such as Airband, I
connected a standard Discone antenna, and one of
my favourites, the Diamond RHS1000.

In conclusion 5
It’s early days for this remote server/SDR
software, and some much more in-depth testing of users and radio enthusiasts. I am looking The RSP family of SDR receivers are available
will, no doubt, be undertaken by enthusiasts and forward to more functions being added and to directly from SDRplay Ltd. (See URL, below) and
specialists alike, especially on the remote server other future developments of this software suite. a global network of resellers.
facilities of the software, I would guess (see next There are step-by-step video guides for My sincere thanks are due to Jon Hudson
page for specifications). However, in my humble installing and running both the SDR and the server at SDRplay for the loan of the SDRplay RSPdx
view, SDRplay have, once again, confirmed their software in the video guides at the URLs below. review receiver.
innovative potential here, as well as their market- Note you will need Windows 10 and a 64-bit www.sdrplay.com/purchasehome
leading position in the SDR field. system. SDRconnect is happy with SDRuno on the www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnect
I feel that SDRconnect will appeal to a wide range same PC. www.sdrplay.com/sdrconnectvidguides

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48 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Feature

6 7

8 9

Fig. 6: EU X-band. Fig. 7: LW. Fig. 8: Many windows

on MW. Fig. 9: MSF. Fig. 10: NDB. Fig. 11: Saudi
Arabia. Fig. 12: SW. Fig. 13: Ukrainian amateur.
Fig. 14: VLF on SDRconnect. Fig. 15: Warton BAE
beacon (337.5kHz).

SDRconnect: Basic
Specifications (A-Z) 10 11

• Ability to allocate the Aux SP to different tuners in

Dual-Tuner mode for the RSPduo and for additional
VRXs
• Band framing
• Built-in support for all model RSPs except the
original RSP1
• Calibrated power meter and S-meter
• HDR mode support for the RSPdx
• Headless server command line options
• Manual Diversity Control for the RSPduo
• Multiple VRXs with basic radio controls
• Remote server with two streaming modes across 12 13
both LAN and WAN (internet): a) Full IQ and b) Audio
– a streaming mode which provides a very efficient
way of displaying a large spectral bandwidth across
a network with limited data throughput.
• Saving and reloading settings
• SNR measurement
• Support for RSPduo Single and Dual Tuner mode
(two tuners) within a single instance of SDRconnect
• Support for un-docking and re-docking of panels.
(Source: SDRplay website:
https://tinyurl.com/4pn7pk4f)
14 15

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50 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Vintage Television & Radio

Fig. 1: The specially constructed Central Control

Room for the 1953 Coronation, housed just outside
Westminster Abbey. Fig. 2: The special control
room in Broadcasting House.
Fig. 3: An advertisement, dated 3 April 1953,
for the new 14in Pye television receiver with
Automatic Picture Control. Fig. 4: The experimental
long-wave station at Chelmsford in 1924.

called it. Just as an aside, the authors’ school in

Derby was also named after him.
William Pye initially started his business to pro-
duce scientific instruments for use in research
and teaching and sold his devices to universi-
ties and schools. The company was known as
W. G. Pye & Co. Limited and manufactured a vast
array of specialised equipment, including ioni-
sation gauges, thermocouple galvanometers,
electrostatic voltmeters, Kelvin, Kohlrausch and
Wheatstone bridges, plus cathetometers. The
latter device is an instrument for measuring verti-
cal distances between two points with great ac- 2
curacy where it’s impractical to use a standard
physical scale. but later progressed to electronic scanning.
At the outbreak of World War One in 1914, Pye When the Duke of Kent visited the Pye facili-
had 40 employees manufacturing instruments ties, he was heard to say the following comment
for teaching and research. The war increased about television: “It will never replace cricket!”
demand for their precision instruments and the Peter Goldmark left Pye and joined the Columbia
War Office needed experimental thermionic Broadcasting System (CBS) in the USA. He was
valves. The manufacture of such components acknowledged as being responsible for inventing
gave the company the technical knowledge re- the LP record and the sequential colour television
quired to be among the first to develop a wire- system. Perhaps not too surprisingly, he later be-
less receiver when public broadcasts began from came Director of CBS Labs, but remained in con-
the British Broadcasting Company Limited in tact with Pye.
1922. Instruments continued to be designed and With the advent of television from the Alexandra
manufactured by W G Pye & Co. Limited, located Palace transmitter, which had a nominal 25-mile
in York Street, Cambridge. A separate company radius service area, the Pye company discov-
was formed to produce wireless components in ered that one of their premises in East Anglia was
a factory called Cambridge Works at Church Path, about 50 miles from the transmitter. Work imme-
Chesterton. diately commenced to build a high-gain receiver
3
In 1924, William Pye was encouraged by that could pick up these transmissions. In 1936,
Charles Orr Stanley to produce complete wire- when the BBC began regular television broad-
less receivers rather than simply components. casts, Pye marketed a nine-inch receiver. In 1937, well as developing a proximity fuse. The basic
C.O. Stanley was born in Cappoquin, County Pye released a five-inch television receiver, which design of the fuse was completed in 1941, but
Waterford, Éire on 15 April 1899. Being heavily in- cost 21 guineas (£22.05). the highly sensitive technology was placed under
volved in telecommunications, he was employed Encouraged by their 1937 success, which used the control of Sir Henry Tizzard GCB AFC FRS
by Pye to manage their radio division. In 1926 he a novel Tuned Radio Frequency (TRF) design, Pye for final evaluation. He was a British chemist and
devised a system for producing radios in kit form. wanted a higher quality valve than they could pro- inventor who helped to develop radar during the
At that time, the vast majority of listeners were duce on their own. Following discussions with War. He also devised the concept of toluene num-
using crystal sets. Mullard and the research department of Philips in bers, which later became known as octane rat-
In 1928, he purchased W. G. Pye & Co. Limited the Netherlands, plus some innovative modifica- ings, used to classify petrol. In 1944, the ‘proxim-
with a down-payment of £60,000 and established tions by Pye’s Baden John Edwards and Donald ity fuse’ destroyed many enemy ‘flying bombs’. In
a new company called Pye Radio Limited, which Jackson, which included the addition of a metal later life, he led the first serious studies of UFO’s!
later became Pye Limited. A chain of small com- shield, the resultant valve was the EF50 pentode, Meanwhile, Pye concentrated on developing air-
ponent-manufacturing factories was established which was vital for the Pye 45MHz TRF design. borne radar systems, ASDIC (Anti-Submarine
across East Anglia. The new valve produced a stable television set Detection Investigation Committee) and light-
When Pye Radio Limited wanted to establish that was able to receive transmissions at up to weight, low-power radios for troops.
their Television Development Department in 1931, five times the distance of any of Pye’s competi- In 1948, Pye produced a variety of broadcast
they recruited Peter Goldmark, a 27-year-old tors. Within two years, the company had sold over television equipment, including cameras, which
Hungarian engineer. He initially started work on 2,000 sets. were popular with the BBC. The first practical tel-
30-line mechanically-scanned television based During World War Two, as part of the ‘war effort’, evision camera was the Mk.1 Photicon. This was
on the principle invented by John Logie Baird, Pye began manufacturing military equipment as fitted with a special miniature Image Iconoscope

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52 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Vintage Television & Radio

sound quality comparable with that from the re-

gional transmitters.

Service information:
Switzerland,part XII
In 1938, the two separate SRG-SSR orchestras that
had previously been assigned to the Lausanne
and Geneva studios were disbanded and replaced
by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR) un-
der the Swiss-born conductor, Ernest Alexandre
Ansermet. This was his own orchestra which he
formed in 1918, together with Paul Lachenal. The
change to the OSR orchestra was not initially very
popular with listeners.
The OSR began to perform concerts on a regu-
lar basis for Swiss radio. The orchestra also had
a long-standing contract with Decca Records and
made over 300 recordings for the company, be-
ginning in 1947 with La mer, composed by Claude
Debussy. In May 1954, Decca produced several
discs featuring the OSR. These were acknowl-
edged as being the first commercial stereophonic
recordings to be made in Europe.
Ernest Ansermet was born in Vevey on the
5 shore of Lac Léman (usually, and incorrectly, re-
ferred to as ‘Lake Geneva’) on 11 November 1883.
took place in October 1921. The aircraft left Paris was chosen in the civil parish of Dodderhill, just Originally, he was a mathematics professor, teach-
but had to return mid-flight to have a damaged ra- outside the village of Wychbold, three miles north- ing at the University of Lausanne, but his main pas-
diator repaired. The Goliath eventually continued east of Droitwich in Worcestershire. Construction sion was music and he was one of the first in the
its journey with an overnight stopover in Dijon. The work for the new transmitter began in 1933. Over field of classical music to take jazz seriously. He
aircraft landed safely at La Blécherette on Friday 900 tons of concrete were poured into deep exca- also became one of the greatest conductors of
28 October 1921, with a number of personalities vations to form a monolith block to carry the trans- his era.
on board who were welcomed by the municipal mitting mast, Fig. 5. In 1912, he was appointed as conductor of
councillor, Monsieur Boiceau. The provisional The new station was installed to provide a far the Kursaal Orchestra in Montreux (the munici-
radio and telephone link was provided by Jean more robust service to all the existing listen- pal Casino). Last August, while the authors were
Lugeon (1898-1976), who later became the direc- ers who previously tuned into the Daventry 5XX strolling along the beautiful flower-bedecked
tor of the Swiss Central Meteorological Institute in Station. However, there were additional advantag- promenade near the Kursaal, they discovered a
Zürich. es with the new Droitwich transmitter. The signal tribute to the conductor of the OSR, which became
quality from the Daventry 5XX long-wave station the official orchestra of SRG-SSR, Fig. 6.
The rise and fall of 198kHz,part III was not as high as those from the smaller regional Ernest Alexandre Ansermet remained the music
Following experimental long-wave broadcasts medium-wave transmitters located in large cities. director of the OSR for 49 years, from 1918 until
from the station at Chelmsford in 1924, Fig. 4, and There were certain special difficulties in connec- 1967. He died in Geneva on 20 February 1969, at
the subsequent opening of the world’s first perma- tion with quality when using a long wavelength the age of 85.
nent LW transmitter at Borough Hill, near Daventry, because a cut-off of the higher frequencies could
on 27 July 1925, the BBC began to search for a arise from the design of the aerial, which had noth- Stay tuned!
new location to erect a mast that would serve a ing to do with the low-frequency circuits of the All photos this month are by Keith and Garry or
much larger geographical area. Once permission transmitter. This, however, was rectified in the new from their archive collection. Please send archive
had been obtained from various government de- long-wave station at Droitwich and listeners ex- photographs, information or suggestions for fu-
partments, in particular the General Post Office, perienced not only a stronger signal, which meant ture topics via the email addresses shown at the
and following exhaustive engineering tests, a site less interference but, in addition, overall better top of this column. PW

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54 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
History

3
2 3

Fig. 1: Wireless Set No.11 (overleaf) was introduced in 1939 for use
in tanks and AFVs, plus it was used by the Long Range Desert Group
in the Western Desert from 1942 (mapleleafup.net). Fig. 2: Wireless
Set No.19 is one of the most common WWII radios found for sale and
continues to be popular with amateur radio enthusiasts. From 1941 it
was the main set fitted to tank and AFVs (image wftw.nl).
Fig. 3: The easily removable Wireless Set No.19 to be set up as a
ground station, is seen here being operated inside a Sherman tank
in 1943 (nam.ac.uk). Fig. 4: Introduced in 1940, Wireless Set No. 18
was the standard WWII British Army short wave man-pack in Mk’s
II and III. It was used throughout North Africa, Italy, S.E. Asia and
North-West Europe (image wftw.nl). Fig. 5: British infantry operating
a Wireless Set No.18 man-pack radio in 1944. One man operated the
4 set while the other carried the spare batteries and accessories.

on eBay for £24.95. and N.W. Europe, including at Arnhem, with marked improvements in the radio’s netting
more than 76,000 sets produced. A complete and tuning abilities and was ‘tropicalised’
The infantry WS No.18 set is currently for sale on eBay for using a diecast aluminium and hermetically
WS No.18 was introduced in 1940 and became £1,300. sealed casing for jungle operations, but its low
one of the army’s widely used portable radio WS No.38 was another important man-pack production numbers meant that it’s now very
sets. It was a man-pack set weighing 16kg that radio of WWII, which was developed in 1941. rare to find one. On eBay there are currently
operated in the high frequency (HF) band of Its frequency coverage was 7.3-9MHz, with a several No.38 Mk II’s available for between
6-9MHz providing short range voice and Morse range of two miles, using a sectional rod aerial £250 and £310 with most requiring various
communication between infantry units. It was and was very light at 10kg, yet small enough amounts of restoration.
housed in a pressed steel case, embodying a to be carried on the left breast secured by a
rucksack canvas frame and was carried by a brace-hook and ring to the webbing equipment. Airborne operations
two-man team, so that one operated the set Size 22.8 x 16.5 x 10.0cm. Over 100,000 Mk. II WS No.22 is a short-wave wireless set that
while the other carried the spare batteries and sets were produced and a No.38 AFV was later was in standard use during WWII by airborne
accessories. Size: 26.7 x 27.9 x 44.5cm. It was developed for use in military vehicles. Late in troops and anti-aircraft units and was one of
extensively used in North Africa, Italy, S.E. Asia the war a Mk. III was introduced, which saw the principal general purpose sets dropped

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56 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
History

10 11

12 13

totally portable. The first operational use of Fig. 10: One of the numerous portable man-pack radios that 1st Airborne Division took to Arnhem was
WS No.76 was with the 1st Air Landing Brigade Wireless Set No.68R/T and its variant No.68P. Illustrated is the lower-frequency 68P (image wftw.nl).
during the 1943 Sicily landings. WS 76 sets are Fig. 11: Wireless Set No.76 was developed especially for the British Airborne Forces in 1942 to provide
scarce, but on eBay there is an R109A Radio long-range radio communication to base from parachute battalions hundreds of miles away in the
Receiver for the 76 being offered for £290. field (image wftw.nl). Fig. 12: The R109 Reception Set was part of the WS No.76 system, allowing
Also on eBay is an original WWII British Army communication to flow both ways (image wftw.nl). Fig. 13: Wireless Set No.46 was a lightweight,
wireless headset, DLR No.1 4035A (webbed waterproof sender/receiver developed in 1942 for communications during beach-assault landings by
headband) for £49.95. Combined Operations Command (image wftw.nl).

Combined Operations Command very strongly built, waterproof and lightweight 3.4-9.1MHz with a range of ten miles. Its metal
WS 46. Soon after Combined Operations was man-pack sender/receiver, weighing only 10.9kg case was contained in a canvas back-pack (or
formed in 1940, which used air and naval units and sized 19.1 x 11.4 x 31.8cm, was accepted pouch). A WS 46 set complete in its pouch with
to deliver army Commandos to the continent for operational use in 1942. It was crystal separate canvas battery back-back, headphones
to raid selected German targets, it became controlled to avoid time consuming tuning when and box of accessories, will cost you €2,350
necessary to develop communications for quickly establishing communications during (£2,020) from Westland.nl in the Netherlands.
beach-assault landings. Wireless Set No.46, a landings and beach recovery. Frequency was

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58 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Practical

Edward Jones G3ZLX

[email protected]
Remote Antenna
A Switch Box
long time ago when first licensed I bought
a bunch of unusual glass tubes called
reed switches at a rally. For want of
anything else to do with them, I made a 3-port
antenna selector, which has been in operation Edward Jones G3ZLX offers a design for an antenna
for several decades since (yes, that long!). switch using reed switches.
As the reeds are magnetically operated, the
antenna selection could be placed remotely and used. After all, the impedance of SO239/ coil former, Fig. 2.
operated electrically by switch, rig or computer. PL259 connectors is hardly reliable or constant The manufacturer’s datasheet quotes an
Since then, more antennas have appeared and the size of the switch box is very small operational sensitivity of 60At (ampere-turns)
at this QTH so a replacement four-port box compared to the wavelength of HF signals on minimum, leaving the choice of operating
became necessary and was an opportunity to the coax transmission line, so offers negligible voltage, current and coil turns as a compromise
build a new one. While the reed switches are still discontinuity. choice to be made by the designer. The
available in distribution [1], it seems there are no relationship is:
cost-effective actuating coils on the market any The design
Coil_Turns = Ampere_Turns / Operating_Current
more. Happily, the manufacturer’s data sheet The antenna selector box is based on the circuit
gives enough information to wind one, but that’s shown in Fig. 1. Construct one copy of this In my case, I decided to use a typical relay
for later. circuit for each antenna output port required, in current of around 35mA so, to give a slightly
At times, I’ve heard quite disparaging my case four ports; join the common RF inputs higher drive of 63At, this implies a coil made of
comments on the use of reed switches versus together. A port is activated by supplying a DC 1800 turns. The coil size depends on the wire
common relays for antenna switching, even at voltage to the relay coil with LED1 + R3 used to used as:
HF frequencies, quite unjustifiably I think. In RF show this at the box. Diode D1 is used to quench Turns_per_Layer =
terms, the switches have ideal characteristics reverse voltage on the coil at switch-off and R2 (Former_Length / Wire_Diameter)
for the task. They are physically 50mm long, limits the current through the coil; C1 decouples
the connecting points are at opposite ends any RF pick-up on the DC wiring. Resistor R1 Layers = Coil_Turns / Turns_per_Layer
and the contacts are encased in glass so can provides a static voltage leak when the switch Using the smallest diameter enamelled copper
withstand high voltages. The contacts can carry is open and being very high resistance has wire available in the ‘spares’ box, 0.2mm
up to 5A with an open-contact capacitance of negligible effect on line impedance. (32swg), over a 30mm length gives 150 turns
only 0.8pF, which gives a very high isolation Designing the actuation coil is more per layer resulting in 12 layers on the coil
at HF frequencies. Switching speed is only a interesting. Although reed switches are more former. As the number of turns is not so critical,
couple of milliseconds, which could handle commonly used with small bar-magnets, they counting layers while winding is much easier
automatic switching for cross-band or separate work just as well with a solenoid coil. The than counting turns – just be neat! See the
Tx/Rx antenna operation. Usefully, the antennas suggested reeds are the largest available and photo, Fig. 3, for the final coils alongside a reed
can be automatically disconnected when at 7mm diameter fit nicely inside a plastic switch before wrapping in insulating tape. As
shack power is turned off, reassuring when drinking straw. The tube length was kept to you can see, I got better at winding the coils!
the lightning storms pass by. Measurements 30mm to avoid the coil getting too close to the Looking at wire resistance tables and
(see later) show no adverse effects on SWR connection tags. The addition of some thin ABS calculating the total wire length suggests that
as long as good construction methods are end plates at 10mm square makes a convenient number of turns has a resistance of about

Fig. 1: Antenna switch port circuit.

Fig. 2: The switch coil former.
Fig. 3: The completed solenoid coils.
Fig. 4: Conductive ground plane in place.
Fig. 5: Switch box layout CAD drawing.

ȹXTZXNSLF;FSIR&IWN[JFHZWWJSY
QNRNYNSLWJXNXYTWTKFGTZYȹNXSJJIJI
1NRNYD7" )WN[JD;TQYX4UJWFYNSLD(ZWWJSY
Coil_Resistance
9MJSJFWJXYQT\JWUWJKJWWJI[FQZJTKȹ\NQQ
be acceptable, yielding the slightly higher drive
current of 40mA, increasing the magnetic field
on the switch a little, which improves switching
force.

Construction
Naturally, being RF, the switches are assembled
into a diecast steel box 150 x 110mm. The input
socket is placed centrally on one side with the 4
output sockets on the opposite side. To provide
a good quality conductive path through the box,
a sheet of double-sided copper circuit board
is used to line the base of the box, connecting
to the SO239 socket shells via solder tags and
mounting bolts, Fig. 4. The reed switches and
coils are mounted on a fibreglass carrier board
to which strips of copper board are glued to
form the contact points; see Figs 5 and 6. This
method avoids any strain on the switches when
plugging / unplugging coax cables later on. Be
very careful not to stress the glass when bend-
ing the connection tags on the reed switches as
breaking the glass will ruin the switch. The car-
rier board is supported on plastic adhesive PCB
mounts, 3mm high. As the intended frequency
range is up to 50MHz, no special screening was
used between the coils/switches.
The choice of multi-pole connector for the
selector DC inputs is not critical, I used a 5-way
180° DIN socket. Do make sure the DC wiring
NSHQZINSLYMJHTRRTS;\NWJNXHTRUQJYJQ^
isolated from the metal case to avoid RF ground
QTTUUWTGQJRX IT349ѢLWTZSIѣYMJ;\NWJ
to the case. When the copper baseboard and 5

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60 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Practical

6 7

Frequency MHz VNA Output dBm Port Signal dBm Isolation dB

3.65 -3.5 -95 -92
7.15 -3.0 -95 -92
14.15 -2.9 -89 -86
21.15 -3.3 -86 -83
29.15 -4.2 -84 -80
50.15 -5.3 -77 -72
70.15 -4.8 -67 -62
75.15 -4.8 -66 -61
103.00 -1.9 -49 -47
145.00 -5.5 -55 -50

Table 1: port isolation test

carrier board are fitted into the box, the SO239

sockets can be connected up using thick copper
wire; the coil wiring and supporting components
can be mounted, dead-bug style, on a small piece
of board and placed to one side. See Fig. 7 for
the final constructed appearance.
8
Analysis
Two types of test were done before the switch Fig. 6: Switches assembled on the baseboard.
box was put into service – SWR into a dummy Fig. 7: Completed assembly wired to the sockets.
load and port isolation with one port activated Fig. 8: Testing SWR against a dummy load.
into a dummy load. The equipment used to make Fig. 9: SWR readings with active switch in circuit.
YMJRJFXZWJRJSYX\FXF2JYWT;3&SJY\TWP
FSFQ^XJWF9NS^8&XUJHYWZRFSFQ^XJWFSIFȹ excellent isolation up to 50MHz with a reduced
dummy load, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows the isolation around 100MHz; this improved again
SWR to a dummy load through the activated port at 145MHz, suggesting it could be used on that
for six key amateur bands; none was worse than band too and adding some internal screening
1.05:1 and almost identical values were obtained may well improve that. 9
\MJSHTSSJHYNSLYMJ;3&INWJHYQ^YTYMJIZRR^
load, omitting the switch box entirely. Conclusion provide isolation during lightning storms,
+TWYMJNXTQFYNTSYJXYYMJ2JYWT;3&\FX For the bands intended, the isolation is instead of repeatedly unplugging the coaxial
used as a signal generator, providing about considerably better than values quoted for cables. This design naturally includes that
-4dBm signal level, which was connected to the simple, mechanical antenna switches with no function too; with no power, all switches are
common port. A dummy load was attached to increase in transmission line SWR noted. This open. The flexibility of this circuit design
an outer port and that port activated, similar was a much better performance than originally permits as many or as few ports as required to
to Fig. 9. The Tiny SA was connected to an anticipated and a reassurance that it would be be combined to suit the circumstances.
adjacent antenna port and the signal level noted safe to use as a multiple rig selector instead,
on each key amateur band. Table 1 shows the even at higher power levels. Reference
values measured; the noise level on the TinySA There has also been interest recently in [1] Farnell order code 2409186, 3A/5A reed
showed as -100dBm. The measurements show automatic antenna disconnection boxes to switch. PW

Tim Kirby GW4VXE

[email protected] F2 propagation
A
lthough we have been seeing F2
propagation (often in combination with
Es) for a little while, most of the paths we
on 50MHz
have experienced, from the UK at least, have had
a fairly large North – South component to them.
The most notable VHF event this month, as Tim Kirby GW4VXE
It has not been until recently that we have seen reports, was a widespread F2 opening on the 6m band.
some East – West paths open up. Of course, this
is to be expected as we head towards the peak of Auroral E? only to FM DXers, but also to 70MHz enthusiasts.
the sunspot cycle, but it is always exciting when With the increased solar activity, auroral activity Auroral E can extend to the 144MHz band on
it happens. has picked up. Another event was visible here occasion, although I think I can only recall one
Here at GW4VXE I had started to think about in Pembrokeshire on 1 December, Fig. 1. The occasion when I’ve heard it (a station in Northern
taking the 6m beam down, as it’s a bit vulnerable previous weekend, Justin G4TSH, one of the Finland from my parents’ house and first QTH
to the winter storms and there hadn’t been any DX team at the M6T contest station in Suffolk for in Cheltenham), though perhaps I have not been
for me in a few weeks. Although I missed it, there CQWW CW, was able to see the aurora with the listening at the right times.
was an opening from Western Europe to the East naked eye. It’s debatable whether or not it was
Coast of the USA on 28 November. Forewarned a welcome sight during a major HF contest, Good news for 1296MHz
is forearmed and the next day, I had the beam of course. Interestingly, though Les Rayburn During the WRC-23 World Radiocommunication
pointing to the west from around midday onwards N1LF noticed some Es on the FM band on the Conference a new footnote to the 23cm amateur
and was rewarded with three North American evening of 1 December and we speculated that band has been added, which draws attention
stations around 1400UTC. As you’ll see in the perhaps this was Auroral E. Auroral E can be to a recommendation providing guidance for
band reports section, there have been other distinguished from ‘regular’ auroral propagation radio amateurs to avoid interference to radio
openings, around the same time, with some because a CW note will be T9, ie not distorted. I navigation systems. On the IARU website, IARU
excellent signals. mention this possible Auroral E as a prompt not President Tim Ellam VE6SH, noted “This is a

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62 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
The World of VHF

Fig. 1: The Aurora on 1 December, captured at

GW4VXE. Fig. 2: Patrick WD9EWK out and about
operating on the satellites.

very good result for the amateur services. The

decision reached at WRC-23 on this agenda item
makes no change to the table of allocations nor
incorporates by reference M.2164 into the Radio
Regulations. The addition of a footnote that
provides guidance to administrations in the event
of interference to the RNSS is a good regulatory
outcome for amateurs and the primary users of
this band.”
Particular thanks should be directed to Barry
Lewis G4SJH who has led much of this work.
It seems that 23cm enthusiasts can probably
breathe a sigh of relief, although it’s possible
that there may be some changes recommended
to the bandplan. I have seen some possibilities
mentioned online and once the position
becomes a little more certain, I will include
details in the column.

FT8 and Windows update – beware! 2

I was recently engaged in calling ZL7A on FT8
on an HF band. I was keen to work the expedition Kevin Hewitt ZB2GI uses an IC-7300 and a 5m prevalent signals but I also worked into Germany,
so I had the amplifier on. I called for a couple wire connected via a 9:1 balun to receive signals Poland, Czechia, the Slovak Republic and the
of periods and suddenly saw a message on on the band and heard 4X1BG (KM72), PJ4MM Netherlands.
my screen ‘GW4VXE Idiot’. Slightly affronted, I (FK52) and ZR1ADI (JF95). “There were so many stations calling that at
wondered what I had done to incur someone’s 1409 I decided to QSY to FT4 to speed things up
wrath (the problem with this sort of message The 6m band a bit. On 50.318 FT4 I worked the Netherlands,
is that you can’t tell! Perhaps an email would It’s good to hear from Peter Taylor G8BCG (Looe) Belgium, Poland, Sweden as well as GM7PKT
have been better). I tried to work it out. I was who has recently moved house, although his and Rob GM3YTS. However, it soon dried up:
calling on the right period, so it wasn’t that. I shack is staying where it was! He hasn’t had it is a pity more people do not use FT4 during
wondered what the signal was like. Oh! A quick too much time to operate on 6m, but writes, such openings, signals are almost always strong
check showed that the computer was seriously “After several days of failing with 4W8X on EME enough to make the contact and twice as many
overdriving the rig and no doubt doing ghastly with a single 6M8GJ I hoisted my 4 x 8el array QSOs can be made in the limited time that the
things to the signal. The thing was, that I hadn’t and worked them ‘first call’ on Q65A for DXCC band is open.
left it like that! I can only assume that a recent #268. They were on EME from 144 to 1296 and “Back on FT8, the band was still wide open
Windows update had reset the audio level and I think Bernie ZS4TX worked them on all bands. to Scandinavia and Germany. OZ3MC gave me
left me overdriving the rig. ‘GW4VXE Idiot’ 4W8X was a BIG DXpedition. In contrast, Shabu the almost ridiculous report of +20dB and the
indeed! I mention this as a gentle warning that Ramakrishnan M0KRI was a one-man band as waterfall display was looking like 20m on a
it may be best to check your audio levels after 9L5M in Sierra Leone in memory of Fred Curtis good day. I was on the point of QSYing to 6m
running a Windows update on your computer. G3SVK. Shabu was an easy QSO on 50.313 FT8”. SSB when in the middle of all those Europeans I
Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX reports that he saw 4W8X calling CQ and not getting any takers.
The 8m band found conditions on 6m to be generally poor Despite having worked the station in November,
Roger Lapthorn G3XBM (Cambridge) writes, “I during the second half of November, with only I could not resist calling again, if only to let him
am being spotted in the Caribbean most days the occasional DX contact, although one was know he was being received in the Caribbean.
on 8m FT8 despite my 2.5W and low dipole. I spectacular: on 16 November he worked 4W8X, He came back first call, a duplicate contact
have worked all the Caribbean stations active on a 6m All Time New One for Steve. “Timor-Leste but a justifiable one I think. I spotted him on
8m FT8 and have been spotted one way in the is over 18,400km from Bonaire, so I was really the DX Cluster and I saw he worked a few other
USA and Canada several times. Activity may be pleased with this one, DXCC number 154 on Six”. Caribbean stations plus several Indonesians that
quieter until February and March. I must say, I He says the rest of the month was also poor, but were totally inaudible here; such are the vagaries
have been impressed with 8m. When the F2 MUF on 1 December he caught a spectacular opening. of propagation on Six. Shortly after the QSO with
is high enough, 8m behaves like 10m. Hopefully “It started at 1330UTC (9.30am here) with 4W8X the band started to fade and this great
we will see a small 8m Es opening around New VE1CHL and VE1SKY coming in. Nothing too opening ended as it had begun, with a string of
Year”. unusual there, but VE1SKY gave me a great report OZ stations.
Paul Farley G7PUV (Sussex) who operates as of +15dB so I figured that the band might open “From 2 to 6 December I did not make any QSOs
G9PUV on the band says that he has been able to up well. Ten minutes later it did open, to Europe, at all on Six, but starting from about 2130UTC
work the Caribbean and South African stations starting with OZ, then SM. At 1344 I worked Chris on the 7th there was a good opening to VK and
on a daily basis! He writes that he was delighted G4IFX, followed a little later by M0CTP, GM4WJA ZL. VK3BD, VK3DUT, ZL3RJ, ZL3NW and ZL3RC
to be heard by N3IZN (DM13) on 29 November. and EI4KF. The Scandinavians were the most were all worked within about 15 minutes but

although signals were reasonable there seemed

to be a lack of activity from VK and ZL. What was
interesting is that most openings to VK from here
are either to Queensland or New South Wales,
VK4 and VK2, or – if the band opens to Indonesia
– to Darwin in the Northern Territory, VK8. This is
the first time I have worked any VK3 stations in
Victoria on Six.”
Don G3XTT (Wells) was on for the opening on
1 December and says that the propagation was
amazing. He writes that there were several HC
stations all at +20 or so on FT8, along with TI,
TG, HP, J3, YS, V3, 9Y, PJ4, HI, KP4, W and VE.
Costa Rica was a new country for Don.
Although here at GW4VXE, I was in the shack
at the time of the opening, I was engrossed in
trying to save some money on my car insurance.
It was not until that this was done that I looked
across to the 6m screen and saw it full of DX!
Sadly, the opening was on the way out, but I was
delighted to work HC2FG for a new country – 3
Ecuador had always eluded me in the summer
openings – along with contacts with K1TO
(EL87), K4WI (EM62) and NN4X (EL98) and an
old friend of the column, Jim GM4FVM (IO85) 3
on backscatter. Looking back through the WSJT.
all file, after the opening, I could see that TI2CC, for a couple of hours. After I finished working Fig. 3: The QO-100 system used at GB2BD in
in particular, had been a huge signal along with those passes, I drove back to Flagstaff on the Aberdeen.
HR2DDL and some others. Next time, perhaps! I-40 freeway. Snow was still falling, and had
Kev ZB2GI worked EA7/YL3GS (IM76) and accumulated along the road. from a Covid wipes container and glued into
V51JH (JG77) on the band over the month, using “Instead of lingering in Flagstaff, I started place with hot melt.
his whip antenna poked out of the window using to head home, making a stop about 20 miles “In the black wheelie box is the modulator
a broomstick. south of Flagstaff inside grid DM44. I worked a unit and the power amplifier with some power
TEVEL-5 pass from here, logging Endaf N6UTC distribution. I cut a hole in the side of the black
The 2m band (also MW1BQO) on FM and D-STAR. I also box and used a tank plumbing fitting so I had
Roger G3XBM reports being active during the worked a couple of other stations in FM from this a 45° downward entry pipe to prevent water
UK Activity contest using 10W and his big-wheel stop. I made a short video of this TEVEL-5 pass, ingress. Through this pipe passes the mains
omnidirectional antenna. He uses the same which includes the QSOs with N6UTC on both power, Cat 5, LNB and Helical feed cables.
setup successfully on 70cm. D-STAR and FM: “The key to this setup is using the Adalm Pluto
https://youtu.be/B-bvbpFx_Yg with its ability to connect to a Cat 5 cable using
Satellites “After the TEVEL-5 pass, I drove back to a USB to Cat 5 adapter. I mounted an old router
Peter G8BCG writes that M0KRI had been Phoenix, where temperatures were around in the same box as the Pluto and its chain of
persuaded to take a small 30cm dish to Sierra 72°F/22°C, compared to the below-freezing amplifiers along with a bias-T to power the LNB.
Leone as part of his 9L5M activity. Shabu temperatures in northern Arizona”. The modulator box also has the PSU for the
worked quite a few stations on FT8, many of Andy Britton MM0AGB (Aberdeen) kindly amplifiers and router. The amplifier box contains
whom thought that a 9L popping up out of sent some details of the Aberdeen Amateur a re-used Nokia amplifier with temperature
nowhere must have been a pirate! Peter missed Radio Society’s activity as GB2BD, celebrating monitoring and cooling, controlled by an Arduino
Shabu’s FT8 activity but caught him on SSB for 100 years of the BBC in Aberdeen, Fig. 3. Andy board along with PSUs required.
Peter’s country number 159 on satellites. writes, “Aberdeen Broadcasting House looked “The big advantage of packaging the portable
Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK (Phoenix) writes, nearly impossible to get a signal at due to a kit this way is that you can locate the dish a
“On 24 November, ‘Black Friday’ – the day after line of very old very large trees. The only place long way away from the laptop that runs your
the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA – I avoided we could see the satellite was near the end of favourite SDR software, in my case SDR console.
the crowds in the stores looking for bargains. the driveway, which meant a cable run to the At the laptop end you only need power for the
Instead, I made a drive to northern Arizona to operating position of around 80 metres. laptop and a USB headset and a comfy chair!”
activate three grids on some satellite passes “The dish setup is a three-turn helical antenna Jef Van Raepenbusch ON8NT (Aalter)
[Fig. 2]. I went west of the city of Flagstaff about set onto a piece of PCB material with a hole monitored the ARISS QSO on 17 November.
25 miles to the DM35/DM45 grid line along cut in it the same diameter as the LNB front A bit of a quieter month this time. If you
old route 66 (the highway that once connected aperture. This is secured with screws to a plastic have any news that you’ve been meaning to
Chicago to Los Angeles) in a national forest. pipe clamp made by Stauff that had the correct send in for a while, it could be a good time to
From this spot, I worked a couple of AO-91 diameter for the LNB. To reduce the weight I do it. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed
passes as snow started to fall. I had hoped to abandoned the metal plates either side of the to the column this month – please keep the
avoid snow, but it was a light snowfall that went plastic clamp itself. The white cover was made information coming. PW

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64 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
The Morse Mode

Roger J Cooke G3LDI

[email protected]
A Morse miscellany
A
s this is my first column of 2024, a very
happy and Morsey 2024 to all CW opera- Roger Cooke G3LDI has another selection of Morse
tors. May the sunspot cycle stay at maxi- related topics.
mum for a few years more!

Morse Telegraph Club

A recent request for some information on
Railway Morse piqued my interest and I followed
the thread. It led me to the Morse Telegraph Club.
I had never heard of it before. It’s no wonder re-
ally as it is a US-based organisation. However,
it has a lot of members and a regular newsletter
called Dots and Dashes. It deals essentially with
historical information and accounts of those em-
ployed in the telegraph industry and information
about the evolution of telegraph technology.
MTC is the World’s leading authority on tel-
egraph history and has played a large part in the
making of documentaries and films that include 1 2
anything to do with Morse Code.
There are some sample Newsletters that can right hand. That would apply way back in the Fig. 1: The Morse Code Mysteries and Missives
be viewed. Most of the articles are Railroad re- days of ‘no computers’ of course. book. Fig. 2: Key found at the Isle of Wight Radio
lated, but they are very interesting to read. Take In the days of my youth, being a pianist I had Society.
a look: very supple hands. I never even thought about
http://tinyurl.com/yyhr67d3 learning to send as a lefty. I would hold the pen Morse key identification
normally and when sending I would just slide the I had a reply to my request for a Morse key iden-
Are you amphibious? pen up between my first and second finger. I was tification (see December PW and the photo-
Well, I never did learn to swim, being ducked bad- really fast with that method so did not need an graphs in Morse Mode). It was from Annabel
ly when I was 11 years old I was always scared alternative solution. Edgar: “Morse Key Set: LMK Manufacturing Co
of the water. I played tennis right-handed but I played rugby Ltd 1940 An original 1940 code tapper key and
However, I guess you have realised now that I with my left foot to convert a try, drop kicks etc. case. Manufacturer and date engraved on base of
meant ambidextrous. This is interesting in that, I hated the game by the way! Rafael Nadal uses tapper. Metal case quite worn with original paint
as a pianist, of course I am ambidextrous, with his left hand to play tennis even though he is chipped in places and some corrosion though
left and right hands playing different music. right-handed. He was taught to use his left hand looks fairly superficial. Bakelite bits in good condi-
However, I never even conceived of trying to send because his coach thought it would be an advan- tion and metalwork would probably clean up nice-
with both hands. Chris G4CCX, one of our local tage. Robin Haase is left-handed but uses his ly. Seems to be in working order, though not tested
tutors, now an SK unfortunately, was able to do right hand to play tennis. wired up. Have not opened case to inspect inside
this. He spent some time practising this and was components. Key action seems smooth to this
quite adept with either hand. Bottom line non-expert. Has a lovely ‘feel’ to the tapper action.
In an article found on the internet, an abstract I guess it is up to the student to decide which Braided cable worn in places. Weight 1kg”.
can be read here: hand he would like to use with a Morse key, but I love the reference to the Morse key as a
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2286193/ it is less important these days so just use which- ‘Tapper’. Unfortunately, most of the general pub-
It mentions those of us that use both hands for ever one you feel more comfortable with. lic seem to think that ‘tapping’ a Morse key is the
various activities, typists, pianists and so on and correct way of using it.
makes very interesting reading. Sending Morse is Morse Code Mysteries and Missives: I also received another request for identifica-
peculiar to using ONE hand, but at the same time three tales in Morse code tion of a Morse key, Fig. 2: “The Isle of Wight
it is possible to train the other hand to also send Morse Code Mysteries and Missives, Fig. 1, in- Radio Society has recently had a fairly serious
Morse. I am not sure if it helps to change the pad- cludes three stories, each one of which is first shack tidy up/rearrangement and, in the process
dle contacts or not. presented in printed Morse code, then audio of doing that, we rediscovered the key shown in
One comment from Doug N4IJ states: “I am links are given to listen to the Morse code, then the attachments.
left-handed and learned to send dashes with my the stories are repeated in clear English text at “It works well enough as an ordinary key plugged
thumb, dots with other fingers. I don’t know if I the back of the book. The purpose of this book into any of our HF rigs, but does seem overly com-
would have been faster or more accurate the other is not to teach you Morse code; it is to let those plex for that function alone. We wondered if you
way. What I have found is when I operate Field who have basic coding skills and experience might be able to shed any light on what all the in-
Day, for example, I don’t usually have to change with Morse code practice decoding on some- ternal gubbins, and the external ON-OFF switch,
anything if using another person’s paddle”. thing more interesting than short phrases, kids were designed to do? Rod Angel G4ZUP”.
Some amateurs when they first trained for their books, and dry practice manuals. It can also be Please send all your comments, offerings, infor-
licence decided to learn to send with their left great fun for fans of puzzles and cryptography. mation and especially pictures to: roger@g3ldi.
hand so that they could write up the log with their https://tinyurl.com/46pxms5w co.uk 73 and May the Morse be with you! PW

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66 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
Amateur Radio On A Budget

Fig. 1: Circuit of the ZN414.

Fig. 2: Layout of the original PW design.
Fig. 3: The FG Rayer design from Everyday
Electronics. Fig. 4: The EE circuit.
Fig. 5: TA7642 pinout. Fig. 6: Final schematic.

Figs 3 and 4, are from this magazine. This full

article can be viewed here:
https://tinyurl.com/4catwhpr
Fast-forward another seven years, to May 1982, 4
and Elektor magazine featured their Miniature
MW Receiver project, based on an earlier design blades for at least 20 years and moved house
in the March 1981 magazine. It is interesting with me three times! The TA 7642 can be brought
that nearly ten years had passed since the chip in a number of places, including Kanga, but I got
featured on Tomorrow’s World and in PW, and mine from the G-QRP Club shop for 75p. The pin- 5
here in Elektor is almost the identical circuit to out is shown in Fig. 5. Polyvaricon capacitors
that in Everyday Electronics. I guess that must are thankfully still available, and mine cost performance was poor. Sensitivity and audio
say something about the pace of change at the £1.75 from G-QRP Sales. The final tricky thing to levels were far too low and only one station, BBC
time, where miniaturisation may have reached source was a ferrite rod, now not at all common. Radio Wales, could be heard at all.
a temporary plateau, which clearly has now While I had a few old 70s transistor radios, I had Hoping that this poor performance was
been surpassed. Elektor also built this radio into none I wished to wreck! Thankfully a friend at my due to the inherent lengthy jumper wires and
a matchbox, and it is this circuit that I built in local club came to the rescue with one from his breadboard tracks leading to stray capacitance
1982. I would love to include a picture of their junk box. and inductance, as well as reducing the already
layout, but as Elektor is still published, they have Everything else I needed I already had in the small signal strength, I went ahead and played
withdrawn their old magazines from the World shack, so the cost to me was £2.25 – pretty good with components to optimise them on the
Radio History archive and back issues can only for an On a Budget article, but if you needed to breadboard, Fig. 7, hoping those changes would
be accessed with a subscription. I am lucky buy everything from scratch, I reckon you could translate positively on the finished design.
enough to have a copy of this article and can say do it for a fiver or so. In playing around with components I
that the design used the same modified audio So, next to decide upon was the circuit to discovered that changes to C4, from an original
jack to act as on-off switching as the EE article. use. This was not too difficult as they are all value of a non-polarised 150nF capacitor to
All three articles used a 1.3V Mercury button cell just variations on a common theme. In the end, 100nF, improved volume, but then I tried a 220μF
as the power source and it is interesting to note I opted for a combination of the circuit from electrolytic and this brought a substantial benefit
that Elektor claims such a battery would deliver Elektor that I built originally, replacing the audio in volume, but of course would take up a much
between 400-500 hours of listening. amplifier with a 2N2222, as used in the circuit greater space in the box. I then omitted R5
At some point in history (I could not find out from Kanga. I did not include the LW or RF Gain completely. I believe R5 is there to assist with
when) the ZN414 ceased production. Thankfully facilities from the Kanga circuit as these were the load provided by the headphones. Various
an almost identical chip, the TA7642, was prohibitive in a matchbox case. My final circuit is circuits advise playing with this value. The
produced and is still available today. There shown in Fig. 6. For the ferrite rod, I began with internal resistance of the headphones I used
was also a chip called the MK484. During my 100 turns of 30 SWG wire, but more of that later. KWTRFSTQIUMTSJ\FXFGTZYPȹFSIWJRT[FQ
research, I did come across a really interesting I decided to build the prototype on breadboard, of R5 made no perceived difference in the circuit.
website that outlines some of the history of and here both the benefits and disadvantages of Incidentally, a mono jack is shown in the
these two chips and their incorporation in the breadboard were apparent. On the positive circuit. In practice I used a stereo one, merely
different designs. The website can be found side, I was able to make component changes wiring the tip and ring connections together to
here: easily to assess impact, but on the negative side, get audio in both earpieces.
https://tinyurl.com/mfds7sfs
A further more recent circuit can be found here:
www.petervis.com/Radios/ta7642/ta7642.html
This one uses an LM386 amplifier stager. I
also noticed that Kanga Products do a kit based
on this chip, which also covers Radio 4 Long
Wave (due to cease in 2024) and has an RF gain
control. The kit costs £17.50 and includes all
components and a PCB. It is available here:
https://tinyurl.com/ya6d3mpm

Building it 50 years later!

So, with some interesting history out of the way,
it was time to build my own, for the second time.
My first task was to find a small matchbox and
the components. Small matchboxes are much
less common these days, but then I spied one
in my garage – it had been storing craft knife 6

Fig. 7: Breadboard prototype.

Fig. 8: All crammed in!
Fig. 9: The completed project.

The final note on the circuit is the inductor or

ferrite rod antenna. How many turns of wire you
need depends on the value of your capacitor.
Typically, people tend to aim for a 300μH coil
with a 300pF capacitor. You can mess around
with this by trial and error if you wish. I used 30
SWG wire, the smallest I had, and started with the
Elektor magazine recommendation of 100 turns
on my 9mm ferrite rod, but when measuring its
inductance found it to be 413μH. Using an online
calculator:
https://tinyurl.com/mrxrnj69
I was able to enter my known 280pF of
capacitance and determine I needed an
inductance of 326μH, which I achieved by
removing turns (I didn’t count how many, but
ended up with between about 15 or 20 turns less 9
than I started with).
Commercially, ferrite rod antennas were left available really was quite tiny! we walked, tuning around the band as we went.
wound using special Litz wire as it gives better Nevertheless, with great care and some It was becoming dusk, and here (12 miles West
performance. However, at nearly £10 for a 50m heatshrink tubing judiciously placed on some of Taunton) I had good signals from BBC Radio
reel, it didn’t seem worth it, and I am happy component leads, construction was soon Wales, TalkSport and BBC Radio Somerset.
with the performance I have. It would be really underway. I ended up soldering wires to the So, almost 51 years after the first PW article,
interesting to do a side-by-side comparison LR44 battery and to the circuit permanently for and 41 years after making my first version, I
though. testing, un-soldering on completion to preserve had made a lovely little matchbox radio – and
Then began the removal of the components the battery. I now need to find a really tiny slide I was delighted! The sheer joy of re-living my
from the breadboard to be re-used in the switch – mine are small, but not small enough! early ventures in radio, combined with the never-
matchbox base. As small matchboxes are The photo, Fig. 8, shows the packed construction ending amazement that I am using something I
uncommon now, rather than wreck my fragile in the base of the case and Fig. 9 shows the built myself, came together to put a really broad
cardboard one I decided to 3D print one, so matchbox sleeve two-thirds of the way closed. smile on my face.
careful measurement and a quick CAD design The moment of truth arrived! Soldering on the I wonder how long versions of this little marvel
followed. A couple of hours later I had 3D printed positive wire from the battery into the circuit of a chip will be around? I think I might buy a few
matchbox base and case. Having drilled the brought it to life, with good strong signals and more and try to build a more refined set for the
holes for the polyvaricon capacitor and installed good audio levels. It was time to walk the dog shack – it should be fun. Why not give it a go
the ferrite rod and stereo jack socket, the space in the fields, so the radio went in my pocket as yourself? PW

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68 PRACTICAL WIRELESS February 2024
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By email Firstly email your advert’s wording to [email protected] and then call 01778 392096 to make your payment. By POST Send your advert to: Bargain
Basement, Practical Wireless, Warners Group Publications plc, West Street, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH Please write your advert in BLOCK CAPITALS up to 30 words, plus 12
words for your contact details and send it together with your payment of £5 (subscribers can place their advert free of charge as long as they provide their subs number
or mailing label). Cheques should be made payable to Warners Group Publications plc, credit card payments also accepted. Advertisements from traders or for equipment
that it is illegal to possess, use or which cannot be licensed in the UK, will not be accepted. No responsibility will be taken for errors and no correspondence will be entered
into on any decision taken on any of these conditions. The Publishers of Practical Wireless also wish to point out that it is the responsibility of the buyer to ascertain the
suitability of goods offered for purchase.

DISCLAIMER Some of the products offered for sale in advertisements in this magazine may have been obtained from abroad or from unauthorised sources. Practical Wireless advises readers contemplating mail order to enquire whether the products are
suitable for use in the UK and have full after-sales back-up available. The publishers of Practical Wireless wish to point out that it is the responsibility of readers to ascertain the legality or otherwise of items offered for sale by advertisers in this magazine.

February 2024 PRACTICAL WIRELESS 69

Letters

Your Letters
Send your letters to: Practical Wireless Letters, Warners Group Publications plc
West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH E-mail: [email protected]

Tony Smith G4FAI,SK Electronics for more than a decade and also
Dear Don, wrote a regular spot in Amateur Radio. The last
I’m the daughter of Tony Smith G4FAI. I’m writ- article he wrote for Practical Wireless appeared
ing to let you know that very sadly, my dad died in the January 2024 issue.
yesterday. I know he has been a contributor to Jane Smith
Practical Wireless for some time. Here is a short
obituary: (Editor’s comment: Our thanks to Jane for sharing
Gordon King Regular Practical Wireless contributor Tony this. Tony did indeed write regularly for PW and,
Dear Don, Smith G4FAI died on 30 November 2023. He was quite literally, his most recent article had only just
I am the son of the late Gordon J King, he 91. Tony’s first articles were published when he gone to press when I received this sad message.
wrote many articles for Practical Wireless. was working as an NHS hospital administrator: Our condolences to Jane and the family)
I thought it might be of interest to your read- he was a health and safety expert and his writ-
ers that on 18 November 2023 a blue plaque ing regularly appeared in the Health Services
was unveiled at 6 New Road, Brixham, Devon Journal and other specialist magazines. When he
in memory of Gordon. I have attached a pic- turned 50, in 1982, he retired from the NHS and
ture of the plaque that was taken by me. I have launched a new career combining his writing and
also had a family run of his memoirs Kingcups research skills with his interest in amateur radio,
and Dynamos published and there is a copy in and particularly Morse Code.
Brixham library. He was editor of the English language edition
Michael King of Morsum Magnificat (‘for all Morse enthusi-
asts’) from 1986 to 1990, then consultant edi-
(Editor’s comment: Thank you Michael. Gordon tor for another nine years (PDFs of all copies
was licensed as G4VFV and wrote extensively available at www.n7cfo.com/tgph/Dwnlds/mm/
for PW over a number of years as well as writ- mm.htm). He wrote both technical and histori-
ing something like 40 technical books. He was cal articles for many specialist radio publica-
born in 1922 and died in 2010. An obituary ap- tions and was published in translation all over
peared in the October 2010 issue of PW) the world. He was a columnist for Everyday
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Practical Wireless 02 2024

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Portable HF Antenna & Mast specialists

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47 The new SDRconnect software

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Telonic introduces MALTBY & DISTRICT AMA-

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Rallies & Events

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Available from just £23.99 plus postage

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Fig. 1: Note the layout of the top panel and the

ton and it has several screens of information. The

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Fig. 4: All three status indicators must be ON to

and fed to both an RSP1A and the Gospell GR-

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Don Field G3XTT

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Photo 1: Don at one of the operating positions.

previously been active on 2m EME and was now

Amateur radio in Mauritius

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Richard Constantine G3UGF

a very different Discone

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Fig. 1: Central hub.

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Billy McFarland GM6DX

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Fig. 1: Location of resistors and capacitors. Fig. 2: Adding the components.

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Peter Russell G8FWY

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Frank M. Howell, PhD K4FMH

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Anan Apache 7000DLE -145 -147 -151 -147.67 2.49 72.61

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6KRUWZDYH)UHTXHQF\*XLGH - EUR 45 = £ 39

3D\PHQWE\0DVWHUFDUG9LVDEDQNFDVK (85RQO\ 1RFKHTXHV:RUOGZLGHSRVW

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Keith Rawlings G4MIU

Enter the Quansheng UV-K5(8)

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Mike Richards G4WNC

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Fig. 1: Hermes Lite 2 transceiver.

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Fig. 5: Virtual Serial Port or Null

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Steve Telenius-Lowe PJ4DX

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Fig. 1: Trindade Island, home of PR0T (photo:

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Colin Redwood G6MXL

Special Interest Groups

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Fig. 2: The RSGB ARDF book. Fig. 3: The

‘unscheduled’ meetings with visiting overseas

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spares. VMARS members can also buy some

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Keith Rawlings G4MIU

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Fig. 5: AN-SOF predicted 3D plot looking down.

and current sources.

EMF compliance and AN-SOF

6KRUWZDYH)UHTXHQF\*XLGH - EUR 45 = £ 39

3D\PHQWE\0DVWHUFDUG9LVDEDQNFDVK (85RQO\ 1RFKHTXHV:RUOGZLGHSRVW