Greetings Flex Radio Community. Well as you can see, with the kickoff of CQWW RTTY last weekend the 2017-18 contest season is upon us. I hope we had the opportunity to log you at ZF1A last week where I operated. This weekend will be the official contest season shakedown, with the 52nd running of the California QSO party. Then they start coming in fast and furious. I would like to encouage all of you to leverage your unprecedented view of the contest playing field that SmartSDR for Windows/IOs/and Maestro provide to give you a competitive edge in this seasons upcoming contests. It should prove quite interesting as the newest members of the 6000 series, the Flex 6400/6600 series add to the 2017/2018 contest season experience. Also dont forget the Power Genius XL will be another tool can can offer an additional, err.. edge. There are lots of Flex Radios QRV out in California on the other end of that QSO this weekend.
Now that this years contest season has started, this is a great time to give newer members a reminder that you have an advocate in myself as pertains to using your Flex 6000 radio as a competitive tool in RadioSport. I am here to help and take feedback, and provide guidance and assistance to you however I can. please feel free to leverage that however you need.
Have a great contest season, good luck and lets hear those flex 6000 radios active out there!
73
Chris
N6WM/ZF2CT
Flex Contesting Champion
Now that this years contest season has started, this is a great time to give newer members a reminder that you have an advocate in myself as pertains to using your Flex 6000 radio as a competitive tool in RadioSport. I am here to help and take feedback, and provide guidance and assistance to you however I can. please feel free to leverage that however you need.
Have a great contest season, good luck and lets hear those flex 6000 radios active out there!
73
Chris
N6WM/ZF2CT
Flex Contesting Champion
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Posted 2 years ago
Thanks Chris, but where ARE the newest Flexradios?
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
I am sure they will arrive soon.. I am waiting for mine as well!
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
I am sure you will do fine Ria.. its better than contesting from W6 ;-). CU in CQP this weekend right?
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Just a little. There is a YL category I heard? Kids birthday weekend so I may not be on the radio much... but I'll look for you guys. N6RO?
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Yes absolutely we have had some good shootouts for the YL plaque. Our call in this will be N6O, and you will likely catch up with my on 15 sideband using my 5 x 5 X 5 propagation generator.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Ken some suggestions.
For WAS -- Sweepstakes and NAQP.
AK on 160, gonna need to do it on CW.. try the CQ 160 test or Stew Perry Top Band Challenge.
Item 2 BIC.. and then BIC.
Item 3, WPX is the bestest of the bestest. a literal run fest. You have a cool call for it as well.
Item 4 is just BIC and experience once you have your SO2R in a box set up.
GL
For WAS -- Sweepstakes and NAQP.
AK on 160, gonna need to do it on CW.. try the CQ 160 test or Stew Perry Top Band Challenge.
Item 2 BIC.. and then BIC.
Item 3, WPX is the bestest of the bestest. a literal run fest. You have a cool call for it as well.
Item 4 is just BIC and experience once you have your SO2R in a box set up.
GL
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Thanks for the encouragement, Chris.
SO2R and Low-band optimization is going to take some realignment of my coax feeders, too. I currently have three runs of LMR400 type Ultra-flex to the tower. Two are going to my crossed yagis on 2 meters. (Which I don't use very often, having fallen in love with HF contesting and DXing) The other goes to an Ameritron 4-way remote switch that feeds my T-11 LP, my OCF Dipole, and my Inverted 'L.'
So I need to cut (!) my 2 Meter feedlines and reassign one of them to feed the Inverted 'L,' and install a simple 2-way switch for 2 meter H/V switching.
Then I can use a switch in the shack to go between the Inverted 'L' on 80 or 160 (whichever I have it set for) and my 40 Meter vertical on the other end of the yard. Feed these into ANT2 of the Flex. Then use the line that feeds the LP and OCF Dipole to feed ANT1 (Since These two antennas are mutually exclusive)
Now I have a Macro in DDUtil that switches between ANT1 & ANT2 so I can change polarity between the dipole and vertical(s) when running 160, 80, 40 & 30.
Add a receive antenna for 80/160 and I am off and running. I had a tuned magnetic loop last year, but it doesn't work any more. I am thinking of a BOG, snake, pennant, or something else that I can do inexpensively.
Just this past weekend, I brought the 40 vertical feedline into the ANT2 port and have been switching between the dipole and vertical on 40/30 running FT8. It has improved things. But I would like to get the Inverted 'L' into the switching mix so I can take advantage of the polarization diversity on 80 as well.
I may put the OCF Dipole back on 160, too. It only takes swapping out the short wire (45 ft.) for a long one (180 ft.). the 90 ft wire can stay the same and it will tune 160 quite nicely. It will also perform better on 30 meters.
Now that the fall temps have arrived, it is cool enough that I can get out into the yard for antenna work in short shifts.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Ken - NM9P
SO2R and Low-band optimization is going to take some realignment of my coax feeders, too. I currently have three runs of LMR400 type Ultra-flex to the tower. Two are going to my crossed yagis on 2 meters. (Which I don't use very often, having fallen in love with HF contesting and DXing) The other goes to an Ameritron 4-way remote switch that feeds my T-11 LP, my OCF Dipole, and my Inverted 'L.'
So I need to cut (!) my 2 Meter feedlines and reassign one of them to feed the Inverted 'L,' and install a simple 2-way switch for 2 meter H/V switching.
Then I can use a switch in the shack to go between the Inverted 'L' on 80 or 160 (whichever I have it set for) and my 40 Meter vertical on the other end of the yard. Feed these into ANT2 of the Flex. Then use the line that feeds the LP and OCF Dipole to feed ANT1 (Since These two antennas are mutually exclusive)
Now I have a Macro in DDUtil that switches between ANT1 & ANT2 so I can change polarity between the dipole and vertical(s) when running 160, 80, 40 & 30.
Add a receive antenna for 80/160 and I am off and running. I had a tuned magnetic loop last year, but it doesn't work any more. I am thinking of a BOG, snake, pennant, or something else that I can do inexpensively.
Just this past weekend, I brought the 40 vertical feedline into the ANT2 port and have been switching between the dipole and vertical on 40/30 running FT8. It has improved things. But I would like to get the Inverted 'L' into the switching mix so I can take advantage of the polarization diversity on 80 as well.
I may put the OCF Dipole back on 160, too. It only takes swapping out the short wire (45 ft.) for a long one (180 ft.). the 90 ft wire can stay the same and it will tune 160 quite nicely. It will also perform better on 30 meters.
Now that the fall temps have arrived, it is cool enough that I can get out into the yard for antenna work in short shifts.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Ken - NM9P
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
8/10ths of the battle is getting that station setup right.. GL. Consider pairing a 160m inverted L with a listening loop, One of my Elmers and fellow N6RO operator Dean N6BV, who also happens to be the former editor of the ARRL antenna manual truly feels verticals are king on 80/160 and his advise has paid off for me 10 fold. Dont forget to pair it with a good common mode choke and a reasonable radial system, above ground is ok.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Another option I am toying with is to change the 80 OCF Dipole into a 80/40/30 tri-band fan dipole and using only the inverted 'L' on 160. The 160 Dipole was only 35 ft at apex and 18 - 10 ft at the ends. It was a real cloud burner, but good close-in.
Another option would be to put a parallel wire up with the 160 Inverted 'L' to resonate on 80 as well -- kind of like a fan dipole, but as an inverted 'L.' I haven't seen anyone publish one of these. I figure I could use thin PVC pipe as spacers, perhaps 6-8 inches up and over until the 80 leg is done.
I did something similar with my homebrew 40 vertical - putting aluminum tubes alongside the main 40 meter element. They were cut for 20 & 10 meters and spaced about 4 inches from the main element. It gave me a 4 band vertical - elevated about 8 ft with 4 sets of radials 8 ft. above ground. I worked a lot of DX with it -- until I got the T-11 LP!
I figure that if it worked for the 40/20/15/10 vertical, then i figure it might work for 160/80. I might even tri-band it with a third element for 60 meters.
The catch is that I only have about 33-35 ft up, then the rest is across to the tree that I used to hang the dipole from before the tower went up. I have room for 35 up and 90 over with enough to spare. I had the 160 'L' up last winter with only two radials (all the room I have) one was elevated about 8-10 ft. above the ground, stretching along the side of the house, down the driveway, and across about 35 ft. of the front yard, all supported by 1/2 inch steel electrical conduit jammed into the ground. It was a temporary winter installation. The other radial was just laid on the ground in the back yard, back to the shed, mostly straight, then about 20 ft around the back of the shed. It worked pretty well, giving me 49 states during the CQ160 CW contest with low power. But as you said, I really need a receive antenna. I think my shielded magnetic loop lost it's varacter tuning diodes with the lightning strike that got my 6500 a year ago. the loop was never the same. I may rebuild it, but am more interested in a larger wire loop, or a terminated pennant aimed at AK and South America, or at Europe. I saw a design that was 25 ft tall and about 20 ft wide. I have a 31 ft fiberglass Jackite pole I could support it with.
Oh well...this is antenna season and the ideas keep coming. I am really starting to lean towards the fan dipole, since I could prune them for best match and may not need the tuner as much. In any case, I am always experimenting with the antennas and trying new things. It's almost as fun as contesting and DXing!
See you in the lists!
Ken - NM9P
Another option would be to put a parallel wire up with the 160 Inverted 'L' to resonate on 80 as well -- kind of like a fan dipole, but as an inverted 'L.' I haven't seen anyone publish one of these. I figure I could use thin PVC pipe as spacers, perhaps 6-8 inches up and over until the 80 leg is done.
I did something similar with my homebrew 40 vertical - putting aluminum tubes alongside the main 40 meter element. They were cut for 20 & 10 meters and spaced about 4 inches from the main element. It gave me a 4 band vertical - elevated about 8 ft with 4 sets of radials 8 ft. above ground. I worked a lot of DX with it -- until I got the T-11 LP!
I figure that if it worked for the 40/20/15/10 vertical, then i figure it might work for 160/80. I might even tri-band it with a third element for 60 meters.
The catch is that I only have about 33-35 ft up, then the rest is across to the tree that I used to hang the dipole from before the tower went up. I have room for 35 up and 90 over with enough to spare. I had the 160 'L' up last winter with only two radials (all the room I have) one was elevated about 8-10 ft. above the ground, stretching along the side of the house, down the driveway, and across about 35 ft. of the front yard, all supported by 1/2 inch steel electrical conduit jammed into the ground. It was a temporary winter installation. The other radial was just laid on the ground in the back yard, back to the shed, mostly straight, then about 20 ft around the back of the shed. It worked pretty well, giving me 49 states during the CQ160 CW contest with low power. But as you said, I really need a receive antenna. I think my shielded magnetic loop lost it's varacter tuning diodes with the lightning strike that got my 6500 a year ago. the loop was never the same. I may rebuild it, but am more interested in a larger wire loop, or a terminated pennant aimed at AK and South America, or at Europe. I saw a design that was 25 ft tall and about 20 ft wide. I have a 31 ft fiberglass Jackite pole I could support it with.
Oh well...this is antenna season and the ideas keep coming. I am really starting to lean towards the fan dipole, since I could prune them for best match and may not need the tuner as much. In any case, I am always experimenting with the antennas and trying new things. It's almost as fun as contesting and DXing!
See you in the lists!
Ken - NM9P
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
I don’t think the parallel wire would work. It might act as a capacitor. Plus if they share a radial field that is not going to work.
If you have a tower and beam you can shunt feed that for 80 and put the 160 antenna up in a tree with some spacing to minimize the interaction.
I used some ideas from Ray, K9RS for low band antennas in limited space. I am not that limited in space but some of these ideas are also cheaper and easier to do than doing it “properly.”
http://www.kkn.net/dayton2008/multi-e...
For receive antennas the K9AY loop works well for limited space. DARA in Dayton uses one and I have a local friend who also uses one. Of course if you can do a 1000’ Beverage, by all means, do.
Ria
If you have a tower and beam you can shunt feed that for 80 and put the 160 antenna up in a tree with some spacing to minimize the interaction.
I used some ideas from Ray, K9RS for low band antennas in limited space. I am not that limited in space but some of these ideas are also cheaper and easier to do than doing it “properly.”
http://www.kkn.net/dayton2008/multi-e...
For receive antennas the K9AY loop works well for limited space. DARA in Dayton uses one and I have a local friend who also uses one. Of course if you can do a 1000’ Beverage, by all means, do.
Ria
Large antennas, such as 1000' beverages, are not better than some of today's RX arrays. A 4 square array of short Hi-Z or passive verticals fits an area of 80 x 80 feet and outperforms most beverages, K9AY loops, etc.
Here's some "required reading" you may want to review as you plan your station improvements strategy. These strategies apply to both contesters and DXers.
Here's some "required reading" you may want to review as you plan your station improvements strategy. These strategies apply to both contesters and DXers.
(Edited)
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
The 1000’ Beverage was a general, but not specific example. The 4sq I have (DXE/W8JI) also doesn’t do better than the phased Beverages, at least in my experience. Tom, W8JI seems to back that up as well. Beverages are also cheaper to run, BOGs are even cheaper. For someone just looking to experiment with low band antennas and have the space they are a good, easy way to get on.
(Edited)
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
why yes there is.. its the same setup doc as SO2R for the 6700. you are just SO2R without full duplex. use the radio to put both slices on one band (the N1MM entry screen wont allow it) but once they are both there all works. If you need a link to the SO2R doc let me know.
When you get a chance the link would be appreciated.
Thanks for posing the question John W9ILY.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
John is in my log many times over the years.. there is the instruction sheet and let me know if you have any further questions..
Oh yes contest season. Those wonderful contesters that think the whole band is theirs and ruin nets and rag chew conversations because they have to be transmitting 500hz away from you and have no radio etiquette what so ever.
I am not picking on anyone in particular and I am not a contester as you can tell.
I am not picking on anyone in particular and I am not a contester as you can tell.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
I will say this. To all flex contesters please be respectful of the KP4/KP2/J7 Hurricane and recovery nets on the bands. they are publicly posted and you and they will be best served by steering clear, this is real emergency business. For other stuff.. you wont hear a contester on any of the warc bands and the contest is over with the weekend... use em! neither are going away so lets work together.
Lets leave it at that, and not start a debate on an OT subject matter.
~C.
Lets leave it at that, and not start a debate on an OT subject matter.
~C.
Yes, I hope those 50 ARRL/ARES (WinLink trained) hams continue their good work of health and welfare reports back to family on the mainland.
Chris, thanks for your encouragement but I'm still not able to do SO2V (or SO2R) with my 6500. The issue concerns operating RTTY on the 6500 using the SO2 (either SO2V or SO2R) in N1MM. I've done all of the configuration as suggested in the document but still am not to get it to work correctly. Either the transmit will revert to slice A or, if it stays on slice B, there is a single MMTTY engine active so I can't decode on slice B unless I change the DAX channel but that then removes the DAX channel from slice A. I am sure I'm missing something but don't know what that might be. If there were a second MMTTY engine active I think all would be OK. Can this be done?
Thanks!
John W9ILY
Thanks!
John W9ILY
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Hi John.. yes that is what you are missing. Need 2 MMTTY directories and decoder 2 in N1MM is pointed to the second instance
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Will post more detail shortly
Similar is true for FLDigi slice A/B RTTY split.
(Just for those in that situation)
Ned, K1NJ
(Just for those in that situation)
Ned, K1NJ
OK, thanks, Chris. Got that working. One last thing. As I toggle between the two silces, the slice that I toggle away from becomes muted even though I have FDX enabled. While that does not mute the DAX channel but when I am trying to audibly tune in a station on slice B I can't hear him unless I unmute the slice.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
~ key
:-)
:-)
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
here is a quick rundown for everyone...
Setup SO2R rtty for Flex 6700/N1mm
Assumes you are setup using the flex SO2R instructions for N1MM
Download MMTTY and install
http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmtty.php
Assumes you put accept the default
C:\ham\mmtty
copy the mmtty directory and name it mmtty 2
Launch SSDR, open 2 slices and place them in RTTY mode
ensure slice 1 has dax channel 1 active and indicated.
ensure slice 2 has dax channel 2 active and indicated.
Launch MMTTY in the first directory and configure the RX audio for DAX AUDIO CHANNEL 1 and select DAX audio TX for the TX and save
Launch MMTTY in the second directory and configure the RX audio for DAX AUDIO CHANNEL 2 and again select DAX audioTX and Save
(you should see you scope working correctly on each instance as you do this)
Now lets configure N1MM. Launch N1MM as SO2R
go to configure, configure ports, mode c......
select digital modes tab
On digital inteface 1 tab select Soundcard. in the mmtty browse to MMTTY first directory and select mmtty
On digital interface 2 tab select soundcard. in the mmtty browse to MMTTY2 and select mmtty
go back to the hardware tab, click set on each flex 6000 instance and ensure you select ptt via radio command in digital mode on each, click ok to save all these settings.
type RTTY in entry window 1 and MMTTY instance 1 should launch with DI1 window 1
type RTTY in entry window 2 and MMTTY instance 2 should launch with DI2 window 2.
that should get you started, there are some additional tweaks I will put in a doc.
Setup SO2R rtty for Flex 6700/N1mm
Assumes you are setup using the flex SO2R instructions for N1MM
Download MMTTY and install
http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmtty.php
Assumes you put accept the default
C:\ham\mmtty
copy the mmtty directory and name it mmtty 2
Launch SSDR, open 2 slices and place them in RTTY mode
ensure slice 1 has dax channel 1 active and indicated.
ensure slice 2 has dax channel 2 active and indicated.
Launch MMTTY in the first directory and configure the RX audio for DAX AUDIO CHANNEL 1 and select DAX audio TX for the TX and save
Launch MMTTY in the second directory and configure the RX audio for DAX AUDIO CHANNEL 2 and again select DAX audioTX and Save
(you should see you scope working correctly on each instance as you do this)
Now lets configure N1MM. Launch N1MM as SO2R
go to configure, configure ports, mode c......
select digital modes tab
On digital inteface 1 tab select Soundcard. in the mmtty browse to MMTTY first directory and select mmtty
On digital interface 2 tab select soundcard. in the mmtty browse to MMTTY2 and select mmtty
go back to the hardware tab, click set on each flex 6000 instance and ensure you select ptt via radio command in digital mode on each, click ok to save all these settings.
type RTTY in entry window 1 and MMTTY instance 1 should launch with DI1 window 1
type RTTY in entry window 2 and MMTTY instance 2 should launch with DI2 window 2.
that should get you started, there are some additional tweaks I will put in a doc.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Makrothen rtty this weekend.. have fun!
Perfect, Chris. The tilde ~ did it.
John
John
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
no problem. now for some advanced rtty contesting config.
dont forget you can have up to 4 additional decoders per DI, they can prove useful in rough copy conditions. Using 2Tone in various configurations is the most popular. make sure you make a copy of 2tone for each configuration instance. you can add them from the N1MM DI interface
Setup > add RX windows. > open additional rx windows. Select MMTTY as window type and browse to the instance of 2tone for that RX window.
Very useful in difficult copy conditions and often pulls one out the others miss.
Doing this is a breeze with the flex virtual audio...
dont forget you can have up to 4 additional decoders per DI, they can prove useful in rough copy conditions. Using 2Tone in various configurations is the most popular. make sure you make a copy of 2tone for each configuration instance. you can add them from the N1MM DI interface
Setup > add RX windows. > open additional rx windows. Select MMTTY as window type and browse to the instance of 2tone for that RX window.
Very useful in difficult copy conditions and often pulls one out the others miss.
Doing this is a breeze with the flex virtual audio...
(Edited)
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
here is a pic with 2 slices setup with MMTTY and 3 instances of 2tone each. 1 spread, 1 flutter and 1 selective
Chris,
Yes, wish my 6600 was here. I have the Maestro but no radio.
Steve WA8Y
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
hang in there.. I know the FRS gang is working super hard to get them out to us... of that you can be sure.
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
I had a chance to see some of them being made at the factory in Austin and believe me when I say they are really working hard to get them finished for the first round of orders.
Ria
Ria
Ahh visual verification, now I feel much better. Thanks!
Ditto
same here waiting for my Flex 6600 , tick .....tick .....Nov 2017 maybe! ordered 25 May.
Hope to see you all in the RSGB DX Contest on Sunday starting 0500 - 2300UTC.
http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2017/rOctoberDX.shtml
This is a new contest with UK and Crown Dependencies as multipliers, anyone can work anyone for points so great fun for all, incentive points for higher band contacts. I think this will be a very popular contest and intend to give out GM on all bands SSB/CW.
I'll be active as MM3T with my 6500/KPA500/80M OCFD setup.
A new contest with loads of categories so a chance to grab a record!
http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2017/rOctoberDX.shtml
This is a new contest with UK and Crown Dependencies as multipliers, anyone can work anyone for points so great fun for all, incentive points for higher band contacts. I think this will be a very popular contest and intend to give out GM on all bands SSB/CW.
I'll be active as MM3T with my 6500/KPA500/80M OCFD setup.
A new contest with loads of categories so a chance to grab a record!
(Edited)
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
Oh! I may try it for a bit. Still prepping for CQWW here, more antennas being installed. Maybe one day I can operate from your side of the pond too.
73
Ria, N2RJ (&M0RAJ)
73
Ria, N2RJ (&M0RAJ)
Look forward to working you on some bands Douglas - I will be ssb only high power as gw9j. Probably starting on top end of 80m Hopefully conditions will be good enough for some dx on the low bands.
73 steve gw9j
73 steve gw9j
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
we were making the shot across the pond from California just this last weekend during JARTS RTTY..
After a very wet weekend, working in the field on both days, we managed to get the 80m inverted v up to 65ft in the biggest tree (lucky first cast with my fishing rod!) and put up my spiderbeam wire yagi on a guyed mast with three elements on 20/15m and four on 10m. 10db snr RBN spot this evening into w7 with just 100w beaming over south America so looking forward to cqww now. Multi two in the ssb leg as gw9j
73 Steve gw0gei / gw9j
73 Steve gw0gei / gw9j
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See you in the scrum this weekend Steve. New SCC is M1C
73 GL
73 GL
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
See you this weekend. I'll be single op. I have 2 elements on 80 beaming Europe, the SteppIR and some other antennas aiming South. We'll see how that plays.
88
Ria
88
Ria
(Edited)
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
Fine business. I probably will be on part time from my hilltop station, may zero in on a single band effort.. 15m is my specialty.. when it plays.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer