VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

Well I took the plunge and purchased an IC-9700 at Mt Gambier Most of my observations have been made earlier but here goes. I did the 110 firmware upgrade before any on air tests. Later I did the 111 firmware install. No problems. The 110 install did reset all the radio settings but I had saved them...

Worth a few comments why would you put a $2500 radio on wspr? VK5GF and I and 7HH only ones on anyway so my $350 IC910A fromTokyo ham fair is all that mode is worth. APRS tells me more about 2M prop than WSPR As for good luck I work my backside off in middle of night fixing tv stations because we c...

I am amazed that there has been almost no discussion about the short (TX) and long term drift on the IC-9700. Other forums have discussed it at length. . . . The external reference lock facility is poorly implemented as it is a one time calibrate and not a continuous lock. Good luck to the early pu...

I am amazed that there has been almost no discussion about the short (TX) and long term drift on the IC-9700. Rex 7MO was testing this. I haven't heard his full results but was seeing close to what you have reported. The issue seems to have plagued some Icom radios in the past such as the IC7000 (a...

I am amazed that there has been almost no discussion about the short (TX) and long term drift on the IC-9700. Other forums have discussed it at length. I don't have an IC-9700 and may never get one until it can be used on all bands an WSPR. Max drift during TX for WSPR to decode is about +/-5hz in t...

Some interesting opinions Colin. I noted the poster was more than happy to use FT8 to work FO5QB this morning. Probably supports my point about "horses for courses". The speed of FT8 vs JT65 resulted in MANY more contacts being made in the relatively brief opening to FO5. That says it all ...

Just a few comments. FT8 was not a "total failure" as contacts were made. I worked WA6OSX and others made contacts too. It is well known that JT65 has better weak signal performance than FT8. No surprise there. Local test done here with very weak signals over a 100km path indicated that JT...

Surely this subject has been flogged to death. It seems to me that some folk just type what ever they are thinking at the time. Just get on and enjoy Amateur Radio as you choose instead of ranting about this, that and the other about this mode or that. Give it a rest please. HNY to all, Garry VK5ZK

Finally some news on the JTDX home page regarding V2.

"JTDX FT8 77bit
implementation currently in progress, updates and step releases will be notified and posted when ready."

No timeframe given.

A few minutes ago I did a test on 14074 FT8 running both V1 and V2 decoders (WSJT 2.0.0 and JTDX) In a 5 minute period using an omni antenna I decoded 118 V2 signals and only 37 V1 signals. This is the highest V2/V1 ratio I have seen on 20mx. The change is accelerating. On 6mx in VK/ZL it seems to b...

Fortunately I do remember my licence renewal date but that's not the point. ACMA have not sent some renew notices this year and that's not good enough. This sort of stuff up is why I do a lot of monthly direct debits these days. I do my Vehicle rego, Insurance, Telstra, electricity, and others. I fi...

Hi John, Interesting times. I just hope, with all the delay's, that your licence hasn't expired!!!!! In over 50 years of being licenced this is the FIRST time I have not received a renewal notice. That's progress for you. What chance a refund for "lack of service." Not much I reckon. Cheer...

[quote="VK5NQP"]I never received a renewal notice so I rang them up & they emailed me the renewal that enabled me to pay online & a week of so later I received an invoice that said it had already been paid, then a few days later the licence came in the post.[/quote This is almost e...

Russ, Good luck on getting your THP amp repaired. You have received several suggestions to get that done. To be told in one reply to "repair this yourself" is hardly helpful and, I feel, a bit of a putdown. To suggest that if you don't attempt to fix it your self you are really just a CB'e...

My 6mx expectations. ZERO. For me operation on 6mx has been ruined by a few individuals that seem to think they have the right to tell us all how to use the band. I have had enough of it as have many others. I rarely call CQ now and only contact those who I choose to have a chat with. No more to say...

Hi Matt, My suggested system would combine the ACT-Wagga, ACT-Goulburn, Goulburn-Central Coast, Illawarra, and St George networks to form a single linked network consisting of the following sites (south to north): Wagga Mt Ginini Mt Gray High Range Maddens Plains Kurrajong Horsley Park GPT Mt Penan...

Brian, Thanks for highlighting details of Norman's E51E operation. This is one that we have some chance of working. Hopefully Norman will be operational soon and has many contacts on 6mx. This is the best time of year for contacts to E51 unlike many DXpedetions that are just wishful thinking from mo...

3 non arrivals in VK5 that I know of. Waiting.

The bottom line is that you don't actually make a contact with WSPR.

JT65-HF has similar weak signal performance and you get a contact on the log.

WSPR has it's place but for the time I have moved on to JT65-HF.

What amazes me about this thread is that most seem to think that all they get for their WIA membership is AR magazine. With all due respect this is an absurd position. It completely ignores the miriad of other services that the WIA provides to Australian Amateurs. Not the least being the constant c...