Tuesday, July 14, 2020
I successfully checked in on my CW traffic net tonight — but not with my SB-102. I was in my regular shack on my Yaesu FT-2000. I didn’t get a chance to check my dipole that serves Studio B and C, but I’m thinking that there’s something wrong somewhere.
The feedline that runs from upstairs to the window behind me looked fine on inspection today. I’m going to have to take the antenna down and check to make sure both legs of the feedline are still attached to the antenna.
I successfully swapped out a broken mini DPDT toggle switch on the ERC SL-56 audio filter I picked up on eBay recently. The seller said the switch was stuck in the “on” position; when I gently tried to persuade it, well, you can guess the rest, which is why I had to replace the switch! I was delighted when the new switch worked perfectly and the filter works well. I tried it out briefly on the SB-102, and it works as advertised. The SB-102 has a 400 Hz CW filter, so the audio filter isn’t really needed there.
Why did I buy the SL-56? Because I mislaid the #$(@*($% audio filter kit I bought on eBay. I started the kit and stopped work because I lacked an appropriate sized soldering iron. I still haven’t found the kit … it must be under a chair or behind a couch or something.
GHOST IN THE MACHINE? Once I completed my check-in on my CW net, I decided to try the power button to shut off the FT-2000. And it shut off. WTF?? I don’t know what changed, but the rig shuts down correctly now. I won’t look a gift gremlin in the mouth, hi hi!
I’m going to move both Yaesu rigs here in Studio B — the FT-950 and FT-847 — and put them thru the paces upstairs in Studio C where I’ll get photos and video of the rigs in operation prior to listing them on eBay.
73 es CUL …. de KY4Z … SK … SK … (dit dit) ….