WA8RTC
Last updated on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 08:59:54 AM Mountain US Time Zone

IC-7300, Power Supplies, Auto-Antenna Tuner,
Antenna Analyzer, Remote Software, Digital Radio

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QSL

UTC near real-time Solar-Terrestrial band propagation data.

Band Chart   International Call Sign Series
Alpha Codes   Q-Codes   Morse Code Chart
Amateur Radio USA Prefex Map
Amateur Radio World Prefex Map
QRZ.com   eHam.net

Icom IC-7300

Icom IC-7300 HF/50MHz SDR Transceiver (Japan).
Across an entire given band, the waterfall display
shows a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), over time.
Icom IC-7300 Brochure   Icom IC-7300 Full Manual
Icom IC-7300 Basic Manual

The Icom SP-38 Speaker that matches the IC-7300.

   Icom SM-30 Microphone Instructions

Power Supplies (PS)

Samlex SEC-1235 (USA) desktop switching power supply.
Input: 120 VAC/230VAC internally set. Output: 13.8 VDC, 30 A.
I have this fan-cooled PS for emergency mobile & backup.
My generator is, in part, for emergency radio comunications.
SEC-1235 Instructions

Astron Corp (USA) VS-35M-AP linear PS.
Variable, 35A at 13.8VDC peak output; 25A
continuous. Precision regulation, adjustable
from 2 to 15VDC. Adjustable current limiting.
Separate lighted voltage and current meters.
Short circuit & crowbar over-voltage protection.
Low peak-to-peak ripple of less than 5mv.
High surge capacity. Fold-back current limiting.
Front panel Anderson Power Pole Connectors.
Large heat sinks for cooling; no EMI or fan noise. 
Grounded power cord. External fuse access.
VS-35M-AP Instructions

Vectronics DL-300M Dummy Load

Iambic-S paddles 
Keyer cable made from a heavy-duty audio stereo patch cord.
The right-angle 1/4" stereo jack fits up against the
rig's back. The cover fits nicely on the iambic base.
Vibroplex   Vibroplex Iambic Diagram
Vibroplex Iambic Parts List   Vibroplex Iambic Adjustments

Icom AH-4 Automatic Tuner

The Icom AH-4 very quickly tunes to lowest possible SWR. It
seamlessly integrates with the IC-7300's internal tuner controls. In
the box: 17' of antenna coax, 17' of 4-wire+grounded shield remote
control cable, SS mast hardware, PL-259s, AH-4 unit, & instructions.
Icom AH-4 HF+50MHz Automatic Antenna Tuner instructions

Inside the Icom AH-4 auto tuner.
Icom AH-4 Auto Antenna Tuner Design & Operation

Icom AH-4 undesirable wire lengths calculation .xls spread sheet

Comtek current feed-line choke, in-line 1:1 balun, 50 ohms,
1.8-54 MHz, mix of 75 ferrite beads on PTFE coax, PL-259s.
Placed where the coax exits through the outside wall. Used
to limit tuner's counterpoise to 17' & lower RF in the shack.
In my case, this combo yields very low SWRs on all bands
(except 160m) using an end-fed, 45' inverted-U, 26ga wire.
8 gage ground wire was also connected to a 33' steel railing
for a larger ground plane. SWRs dropped lower on 80m-6m;
many 1:1. This antenna design is due to space restrictions.

Antenna Analyzer
   
RigExpert AA-55ZOOM-BT. The frequency range is 0.06 to 55 MHz,
320×240 color TFT display, 6x3 keys using a water-proof keypad,
USB cable, Bluetooth, 310g (10.9 oz), case, AntScope2 software.
RigExpert AA-55ZOOM-BT Manual
RigExpert Software Downloads

Open-Load-Short (OLS) Calibration Set Manual

Antenna Analyzer software Antscope2 measuring the
SWR of a tuned MFJ-1699 10-band HF/VHF mobile antenna.

Icom Remote Software

Icom RS-BA1 Version 2 Remote Software
Icom Remote Software RS BA1 Quick Guide
Icom Remote Software RS-BA1-v2 Manual
It is important to upgrade to the latest version after
installing from disk. Started working after updating
info in the Option>Connect Setting box (left). You have
 to (dis)Connect the Remote before it will allow editing.

  
Remote waterfall display is a separate window (right).

Digital Radio

WSJT-X is a computer program designed to facilitate
basic amateur radio communication using very weak signals. 
The next generation HF Software Defined Radios (SDRs) e.g.,
the Icom IC-7300, use their USB digital data interfaces to
implement WSJT-X. WSJT-X communication protocols or
"modes" called FST4, FST4W, FT4, FT8, JT4, JT9, JT65, Q65, 
MSK144, & WSPR, as well as one called Echo for detecting &
measuring your own radio signals reflected from the Moon.
These various modes were designed for making reliable,
confirmed QSOs under extreme, weak-signal conditions.
Nestled in the Rocky Mtn foothills & using my modest, compact
antenna system, I easily make 20m contacts from Golden CO.
WSJT-X can also map a transceiver/antenna system's efficacy.
WSJT-X User Guide

Using multi-hop Sporadic E propagation, FT8 FSK
modulation can complete communications -21dB below
the noise floor. CW would have to be 10 to 15dB higher.

GridTracker   GridTracker User's Guide

SDR Dongle

Nooelec NESDR SMArt XTR SDR
RTL-SDR w/extended tuning range

SDR Specs: RTL2832U Demodulator/USB interface,
ICE4000 tuner IC 0.5PPM, ultra-low phase noise TCXO,
2 RF-suitable voltage regulators, Shielded primary inductor,
Integrated custom heatsink, Female SMA antenna input,
Frequency capability approximately 65MHz-2300MHz
with a small frequency gap near 1100MHz .

TCXO Specs: Frequency stability 0.5PPM (max),
 Phase noise @1kHz offset: -138dBc/Hz (or better),
Phase noise @10kHz: -150dBc/Hz (or better),
Phase noise @100kHz: -152dBc/Hz (or better).

Airspy SDR# software can be used with the NESDR dongle.

High Definition Software Defined Radio (HDSDR) can be used with the NESDR dongle.

My first license, followed by WB8CBV then WA8RTC.

1960's retro QSL card.

My first rig, a used National NCX-3. $200 circa 1967.
National NCX-3 Brochure
National NCX-3 Transceiver Manual
NCX-A Power Supply Manual

My first bug, a used Vibroplex Blue Racer Deluxe. $10 circa 1965.
Vibroplex Bug Adjustments   Vibroplex Blue Racer Diagram
Vibroplex Blue Racer Parts List

Klein Tools self-adjusting wire stripper/cutter (Taiwan).

PWRcrimp with a die set for insulated terminals.
Additional die sets shown at photo top, left-to-right:
a) Non-insulated terminals; 22-18, 16-14, 12-10.
b) Non-insulated open barrel terminals.
c) Anderson Powerpole terminals 15, 30, 45A.
The plastic guide orients the terminal correctly.
Anderson Powerpole Crimp Manual

45A Anderson Powerpole connectors.