Feb. 1, 2021
This evening before my CW traffic net, I decided to try to calibrate the Knight V44 VFO I got running again and connected with my Knight T-60 transmitter.
There are two trimmer caps that are accessible thru two holes in the side of the cabinet that are intended to calibrate the VFO; one of the trimmers is for 80, the other trimmer covers 40/20/15/10 meters.
The Knight VFO had a great signal! The problem was that when you had the VFO set for 3.550 MHz, the VFO had to be set for 3.780 MHz. I’m guessing that the VFO was never properly calibrated after it was built — or the builder used it as is and just never went thru the steps to calibrate the VFO.
It isn’t a difficult process and the manual spells it out; but what the manual doesn’t tell you is that the trimmer caps are very touchy — a very small adjustment can zip the VFO output straight out of the band. After a little time, I had both the band settings calibrated. The “other” band selector that covers 40/20/15/10 meters and a single adjustment since the band is basically harmonics that can be used for the appropriate band.
DIGITAL MODES REDUX … Since the local Goof Patrol mowed down my mail box, I’ve had to go to the post office to get my mail. Today I received my Signalink cable and jumper block to use my Signalink with my IC-756PROII.
The kicker is that I’m fairly certain I have this cable and jumper block already — probably in that great mysterious pile of lost stuff called “somewhere.” Usually, once you purchase a duplicate item to replace one believed to be “lost”, you’ll soon find the original. So far it hasn’t happened, but I won’t be very surprised when it does.
I thought I might get to operate digital modes tonight, however I couldn’t get the computer (running Windows 7!) to recognize the Signalink was plugged in — despite the fact it was receiving power.
I didn’t stay upstairs to troubleshoot the issue, but the simplest solution is simply to take my laptop upstairs — I know the software works on all of my laptops, which are all Windows 10 machines.
HPM-300MkII. My new-to-me Hallicrafters HPM 300 MkII arrived today and the radio is up in Studio C. I haven’t put it in the operating position yet, however — simple reason is that the rig is not a very good CW rig. The rig has no CW filtering, and it basically is like MCW on FM — you transmit a 1750 cycle tone over USB for your CW signal. If you zero beat the guy you’re listening to, you’ll have to hear him at 1750 cycles — not exactly anyone’s ideal sidetone!
On YouTube, one ham created a station accessory for his HPM300MkII; he had a CW filter, RIT and some other features. With the RIT, you could tune your received CW signal for your ideal tone, say 600 or 650 Hertz! This particular ham had added the Cambria X-Lock VFO stabilizer, which locks the VFO down and prevents drift. I bought one of the X-Locks and have never assembled. Since I only have one, I’m debating which rig to use it with …. the HW-99 probably drifts more than any HF rig I have; the SWAN 350 is a close second, hi hi.
73 es CUL … de KY4Z …. SK …. SK …. (dit dit) …