<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<title></title>
</head>
<body>
<div name="messageBodySection">
<div dir="auto"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size: 18px">Jaye,</span><span style="font-size: 18px"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 18px"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size: large">I'm curious with that Diamond antenna being directional, do you orient it in any particular direction, e.g. toward one of the repeaters?</span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size: large">I've got a diamond antenna on my car and it's great.</span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size: large">I've been using an Ed Fong J pole antenna. It seems to be fine, but I'm not certain how you guys are hearing me. At $30 it was pretty cheap. But then you're just down the street from me.</span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size: large">I was practicing/learning Fldigi from Phil Shaver this weekend and he couldn't hear me very well down at Humboldt Hill. So, I'm wondering… maybe I need a better antenna, hmm.</span><span style="font-size: large"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div name="messageSignatureSection"><br />
<div dir="auto">--
<div dir="auto">73,<br />
Rus Gustavson, NQ6F</div>
</div>
</div>
<div name="messageReplySection">On Jul 5, 2020, 11:21 PM -0700, MJ Inabnit via Harc <harc@humboldt-arc.org>, wrote:<br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="border-left-color: grey; border-left-width: thin; border-left-style: solid; margin: 5px 5px;padding-left: 10px;">Hi Cliff,<br />
<br />
Good questions. First, why limit your antenna gain to an x50? Do you<br />
want to make sure your signal is marginal?<br />
<br />
I'm on a very small lot, but I maximized my VHF/UHF signal by using a<br />
very high gain vertical. My point is, DON'T be afraid of gain! It's a<br />
little more money going in, but my god, the pay off is 10-20 years of<br />
really great signals. My antenna is a Diamond X510NJ.<br />
<br />
We recently shared in a money pool to help one of our Net Control<br />
stations get a better antenna up. This stations signals were night and<br />
day. The new antenna is a moderate gain antenna <Diamond ZDM-X300A>.<br />
Again, it was NIGHT and day difference from his old antenna to the new<br />
antenna.<br />
<br />
LMR400 is a good choice, however, a good RG213 or RG214 will also do<br />
well for you (30' is a very short run of coax and signal losses will be<br />
minimal.) https://www.dxengineering.com can probably supply any length<br />
of coax with factory connectors for you.<br />
<br />
I use solar here. I went through 3 power supplies the first year I was<br />
on HF. This made me angry, so I switched to an automotive battery, then<br />
to larger deep cycle type batteries. My entire radio shack is powered<br />
by the sun today. This is why my station and my UHF repeater were on<br />
the air during all the blackouts. But this is probably more than most<br />
hams are willing to invest in. So, I think a good LINEAR power supply<br />
would serve you well. If you buy a 30 amp supply, it will power both<br />
your VHF/UHF rig plus an HF rig. My advice here is to avoid the<br />
cheaper/smaller switching power supplies.<br />
<br />
I think your Kenwood suggestion is good. I think that radio will serve<br />
you well.<br />
<br />
Good work asking all these questions Cliff. Advice, once simmered, can<br />
yield a fine cup of ham chocolate!<br />
<br />
73<br />
<br />
<br />
On 7/5/20 3:44 PM, Cliff VanCott via Harc wrote:<br />
<blockquote type="cite">Hello again! <br />
<br />
Thanks to all for the great recommendations and personal insights. The<br />
experiences you've shared help me a lot and I've zeroed in on a Kenwood<br />
TM-V71A and either a Comet GP-3, or (most likely) the Diamond x50...<br />
mounted on the peak of the roof.<br />
<br />
What I'd like to follow up with is this... What Power Supplies do you<br />
use? I'm leaning towards something with power poles on the front (I do<br />
intend to move the radio from my house to the car often enough to make<br />
easy dis-re-connecting a consideration), and am not ready to build my<br />
'ammo can' go-box yet, so a 120vac to 13.8vdc 30-amp (peak) power supply<br />
of some kind seems reasonable. (vice the Bioenno with charger option) <br />
(BTW... There are a couple of LARGE ammo cans listed on Craigslist today!)<br />
<br />
What power supply do you use and what do you like/dislike about it? <br />
Where do you find that you shop for things like this the most? Am I<br />
missing something?... I encourage your input!<br />
<br />
<br />
Also... I figure I'm gonna need a ~30 foot feed line, and am leaning<br />
towards LMR 400. Where do you find the best source for genuine coax<br />
(with fittings already attached)? I realize this is one thing that some<br />
counterfeit poorly, so I don't want to substitute for a faulty product. <br />
Any good ideas on how recognize the real thing... or what acceptable<br />
substitutes you've found effective? This will be installed once and<br />
left in place, so I'm okay with a solid vice stranded core, not sure if<br />
there's other considerations I need to think about.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, thank you to all who have responded earlier, and to all who are<br />
willing to share your experiences. I feel like I'm starting down a path<br />
MANY here have already traveled, and am always grateful for advice. <br />
<br />
Thank you... Cliff KN6CEJ<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
wishing you well<br />
Jaye, ke6sls--via the toshiba w/thunderchicken<br />
<br />
--<br />
Harc mailing list<br />
Harc@humboldt-arc.org<br />
http://mail.humboldt-arc.org/mailman/listinfo/harc_humboldt-arc.org<br /></blockquote>
</div>
</body>
</html>