Diversity and Working Split - stack slices

Al_NN4ZZ

When using the Diversity option on the 6700 and working split on a third slice the B & C slices overlap. 

In the example below: 
Slice A is the primary slice on the DX frequency (Ant 1)
Slice B is the diversity slice (Ant 2) 
Slice C is the TX slice up 1 for Transmit ( Ant 1)

 Display is a bit confusing, especially if you are trying to adjust the settings on Slice B.





Would it be better to stack the Diversity slice below the primary  slice?



I've just started experimenting with the diversity option and splits so if there is a better way to set it up, let me know. 

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Tim - W4TME

You can always minimize the DIV child slice once you have the proper antenna selected too.

Mike_N1MD

I use the minimization scheme aggressively in this setting.
I click on the "B" to reduce the diversity antenna slice to a single letter and chord.
I usually click on the "A" to reduce the primary receive slice to a single letter and chord.
I keep the transmit slice flag open.

At other times I might switch these around depending what I am trying to do but generally I find reducing the slices to chords cleans up the screen nicely.

I seldom tweak the diversity antenna slice much during split operation.

Mike N1MD

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Tim,
Only thing is I like to adjust the volume so need to keep the DIV slice open.   Can't get to the diversity slice volume any other way that I've found.  

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Tim - W4TME

OK.  That is a very valid point.

Rob N4GA

If you need diversity reception to pull out a signal, the guy on the other end probably can't hear you anyway.

Looks like much to do about nothin'

Plus, when is the last time something important was transmitted on a HF amateur radio band?

(monday morning cynic here, sorry)

Dan -- KC4GO

Don't have a 6700 but sometimes I think it would have been worth the wait. 
I do a lot of listening utility, shortwave etc... so it's only RX only at that point. 
Consider you have a  full legal power station with a big beam and the rare DX is running 100 watts and a long wire.
He may hear you but you won't hear him. 
Just a though... BTW your cell phone wouldn't work with out diversity. Same problem as above Base Big power Big Gain 
mobile low power and small antenna.
Dan --- KC4GO

Rob N4GA

Well if you're going to compare the importance of a cell phone to HF Amateur Radio, then I'm going to drop out right here.

Just because a cell phone has "diversity reception," does not mean we need it in HF amateur radio and there's suddenly a need for it.

Just a though... BTW your cell phone wouldn't work with out diversity. Same problem as above Base Big power Big Gain mobile low power and small antenna.

That's incorrect, it's not the same problem as above. The problem with cell phones which requires diversity reception is that all the frequencies are ~1Ghz+ and there are lots and lots of reflections and time shifts in the received signal. Thus the need to look at every reflection and choose the best one.

And I believe it's a form of comb filtering, or comb receiver (can't remember exactly what they call it), not "diversity reception."

Regardless, this is almost nothing like what we face in small signal HF reception.

And wow, how important is working that "rare DX?"

Ha ha

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Rob,
Like Dan/KC4GO said, if the guy on the other end is either QRP or has a compromise antenna, he may be able to hear you when you can barely  hear him.   And there can be another advantage for  diversity when there is multi-path or fading.

So far in my limited testing, diversity seems to help in just a small number of cases.  But that will also vary depending on your antenna setup.  In my case for 20-10M I'm using a 3el quad and a hexbeam that are only about 150 feet apart.  For 80-30M my antennas are about 500 feet apart. 

As far as how important is working that rare DX? --- That's one of my main interests and probably is for some others as well.  That's what I really like about out hobby, lots of different interests and room for them all.  So even it diversity only helps me 0.1% of the time, I'm glad to have the option. 

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

 

Rob N4GA

November November Zulu Zulu

Agreed! Investigating this technology is interesting! And yes, there are many different facets to this hobby - each appealing to different people.

What I don't get is justifying diversity reception by saying "well it's important in cell phones."

The technology in cell phones and all other commercial communications gear left us WAAY behind....a looonnng time ago.

It's not like we are the cutting edge, finding, developing or refining new technologies for the PROs.

That's all I'm saying. It gets a little old hearing people trying to justify Amateur Radio in creative ways, usually comparing us to something far more relevant.

Walt - KZ1F

Al, where you have a lot of screen real estate, would +'ing the panadapter to essentially bring those three slices to occupy the screen serve your purpose.

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Walt,
Yes if you have room and zoom in enough it's not a problem.   The downside is you won't see much of the split traffic.   (maybe 6-7 KHZ).   If you set it to see a wider section of the band (e.g. 10-20 KHZ) that is when there is an overlap problem.    

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Ed - W2RF

Did anyone mention the option of putting DIV on slice C, and the B (split) slice in a separate panadapter? Works great!

73 Ed W2RF

Al_NN4ZZ

Yes, tried that and it works.  I was just looking for a solution for when using only one panadapter and all three slices together. 

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Ed - W2RF

Another way is to use Stu K6TU's iPad app. It keeps all the slices separate.

Al_NN4ZZ

My old iPad is a GEN 1 so can't try it yet but I'm going to get one of the new 12" IPad PROs when they come out later this year.    

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com