| Author |
Message |
    
TomCat
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 9:50 pm: | 
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Ok, I am new to talking on SideBand and all of this "DX" stuff. Right now I just listen and I hear all kinds of people out there, from Cali. to Fla. and once even Ireland, they all are calling out numbers (747, 777...,etc)how do you get these numbers, are they given to you in if you are in a club? I am thinking about getting new equipment, a Galaxy DX77 with a Freq counter, I would be hooking it up in my vehicle to a K40 with a Wilson Short load whip, Due to hieght problems in and out of parking garages for the antenna. With that setup would I be able to talk to any of these folks? Currently I am running a Uniden PC122XL... I have tried to get back to them but I guess I just don't have the right kind of radio so I want to move up to something new.
Hey any good input would be greatfully appriciated.
TomCat... |
ryan
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 11:52 pm: |
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get a good power mic for that pc-122. i got one to swing 30 watts on sideband by running an astatic 636 non-power mic and turning up the SSB pot 3/4 of the way up. forget about getting more than 4 watts out of it on AM though. finals get warm enough at stock power levels. the PC-122 could use some heatsink fins on the back of the radio to disperse heat better from the finals. |
DE
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 12:47 am: |
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RE TC
On the topic of Single Sideband Ryan is partially/mostly correct. You see SSB is not a constant output carrier driven mode like AM. SSB is voice driven. Depending on the mike you use as a general rule DEEP low voices drive harder than HIGH squeeky mouse like voices.
A good piece of equipment, if you can find one is either an equalizer or a compressor. An equalizer lets you fine tune the output of your mike to make it drive stronger and sound better. A compressor does the same thing but in a different way. A compressor takes out the real high parts of your voice and the very very low distored parts. It allows the middle real driving and clear parts to drive the radio resulting in a lot better average power per word than just a plane mic.
Amplification may or may not work. It all depends on your voice. Amp mikes usually work best on middle range vocal people. If you use a preamp mic remember do not yell into the mic. Always speak in a clear normal tone, volume and inflection for best results.
If you want to know why you should not yell into the mike just listen to the people on the intercom at Wal Mart when they yell into the PA system mikes. Let the amp do the work for you while you save YOUR voice. |
Weakeststation
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 5:47 am: |
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The numbers they are calling out are call numbers a.k.a to put it simply there handle, for example, mine is 212, so when im on sideband is when i CHOOSE TO USE IT THEN, it identifies me, and on am it's Weakest-Station or Weak-One.. You can make up any that numbers you want.. Alot of people like me will only use the numbers on ssb, and then our regular handle on am..
When it comes to input on your setup, let me say this,-->> a bad antenna and expensive radio=not so good signal...
-->> a good antenna, and a working radio=ok signal...
-->> a good antenna and a good radio= a good set up..
You said you have a wilson short load, is this the little will.. Just wondering because i can't get out with the little will...
I have another question for you, have you ever had your radio peaked and tunes???
If not, here is what the typical peak and tune is when done, Better TX, Better Rc, Better modulation, and i check the frequency as well to make sure the radio is on frequency, because if it's not, it's a killer os ssb..
Suggestions:
Antenna-> wilson 1000 or 5000
Radio-> Looks like you have the right idea alread.
Amp-> You might want to pick your self up a small amp, it will help you get out better if your system is hooked up right..
Microphone->D104-m6b..
Don't panic fella, in time it will all come together for you... Sometimes thats all it takes is time..
I do wish you well...
From the Weakest-Station in the Nation, 212 Michigan, Sagianw Michigan right by the bay... a.k.a Weak-One.. |
Tinman
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 7:43 am: |
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As for how the numbers go, if your in a club they will give you a number but most people just pick some number they like and thats there call number.
Tinman 645
South Louisiana |
TomCAt
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 9:49 am: |
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Hey Weakstation, Yea I have had the radio peeked and tuned. The Short load isn't a little will, it's a center loaded mast which replaces the mast on the K40 or the Wilson model antennas. I am thinking about the Wilson 5000 but I might wait to see what happens when I get the Galaxy. I have had a "little" power at one time on it as well but that was some time ago, Running barefoot now.
And I defanatly know about.. Bad antenna + good Radio = bad signal... etc. Been there done that you know.....
Thanks For the answers...
TomCat |
Dx431
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
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Weakeststation,
Do you ever get on 475 LSB? Cuz I have heard someone from Michigan with those same numbers stating he is "The weakest station in the nation", but is loud! Wondered if that is you.
431
Eastern Nebraska |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 1:42 pm: |
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Ok ive got a Chalie Michael Number "3885" for that club and ive used it ever since because i liike the way it sounds. easy to pronounce when im on the air too!
Does anyone remember the Oscar Zulu club(OZ club) from Califonia that was popular back in the 1980s and early 1990s? I still have my OZ numbers from then.. |
Leadfoot
| | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 10:51 am: |
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Dx431...
How long has it been since you heard that phrase??
A buddy of mine in Lima, Ohio, wich is close to the indiana/ohio line used to use that phrase several yrs ago, before i got into the radio. |
Weakeststation
| | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 11:21 am: |
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Oooh ok guy, hey if you do get the wilson 5000 and your going to run a amp, don't forget to have the coax changed on the antenna, the 5000's coax can handle about 500watts,the antenna can handle more but not the coax... It may work for awhile but it will catch up with you if you are running power... Just FYI, hey take care, and that 5000 will serve you well... |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 2:02 pm: |
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Leadfoot. I live near the ohio line and have heard it on the air too in my area... |
Leadfoot
| | Posted on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 7:57 am: |
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well he still gets on there everyonce in awhile, probably more now since im not in that area anymore, he went by "One Old Fool" now he goes by "Junkman" |
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