Web Updated;
16/05/2024
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Latest Update at "the shack" June 2024
Changed the layout of my shack, the only radio in the shack
now is an HF & 6m Kenwood TS590SG. The VHF/UHF has gone and recently last
month I treated myself to a used aging Kenwood TS570D.
These make great CW rigs and purchased it for field day operations. I was
looking at the Yaesu FT991A that has HF VHF and UHF but none were available used
and the new price still greater than the
depth of my my wallet. I was also looking at the Yaesu FTDX1200 which is a great
rig and used prices are still good but alas nearly 250 UK pounds more than the
Kenwood, also the attraction with the
Kenwood was that it worked very sim with the same layout of main buttons and
dials than my newer TS590SG so I trusted Kenwood again with my choice.
Computer control on the TS590SG is via the rigs inbuilt USB
connection and I am running the last copy I have on disk of Ham Radio Deluxe
before it was sold by Simon. (Ver 5.24)
The computer is an old Dell Vostro with 24mb ram on Windows 7 Pro. A very stable
OS and perfect for the aged programmes I am running for Ham Radio.
It all works quite well with all the files being stored on a
portable USB drive.
I have no plans at the moment to upgrade the TS590SG it does everything I could
want and although a waterfall display was quite handy on my old Icom 756 Pro, I don't
miss it.
So, going into Summer 2024 I have the TS590SG in the shack and its older brother the TS570D for portable / Field day use.
Quick Peep at "the shack" ... I've had a clear out!
Well you couldn't really call it a proper shack as it is
situated within the house, however I prefer to call it the "Operating
Desk" which seems more suited.
Shack update at July 2017, I recently took
stock of all my radio's (Yaesu FT2000, Icom IC7200, Yaesu FT897D, Yaesu FT7900
and Kenwood TS590S)
I realised that I was only using the 897D for
portable work and the Kenwood TS590S in the shack, I love the way the TS590
works and could not be more pleased with the results.
I looked hard at my operating usage and I only
used two rigs, one for portable and one in the shack, so I made a hard decision,
had a clear out and saw my good friend Richard at Martin Lynch and Sons
to see
what could be done. I was interested in the new Icom IC7300 which
appears popular however I was swayed by the already smitten operation of the
Kenwood, having played with both the 7300 and 590SG side by side, in my mind
there was no competition so I opted for a brand new Kenwood TS590 SG.
Equipment at July 2017.
Kenwood TS590 SG and Yaesu FT 7900.
 |
Found the cause of the E.M.C.Having conducted some fairly detailed tests and using a directional antenna, I triangulated the interference using a 1/2 mile set points from the QTH. To my surprise, the direction was pinpointed to my next door neighbours property. Having a good relationship with them I knocked the door and described my issues. Working with them and switching various appliances on and off and using a an AM radio with the antenna half extended we isolated the issue to their Plasma TV. The Plasma TV was emitting EMC and voltage spikes across the whole of the HF spectrum. There was nothing to be done and I was not prepared to purchase a new TV for them so waited. After about 18 months the conversation was brought up in random and my neighbours told me their old TV had become U/S and they had updated an purchased a new one, not of plasma design. I checked the radio across the HF bands and to my delight it was clear of EMC. Normal business can resume! It always helps when you are an Amateur Radio Operator to have understanding neighbours. |
Electromagnetic compatibility - the Amateur Radio Operators "nightmare"
Recently I have been exposed to some 20db+ noise! I initially found this at 14.030 however it is local to my location and hits just about every band apart from 40m's.
Here are some of the frequencies I have found the same noise located:-
3.746, 21.051, 21.285, 28.068, 28.302, 28.418, 28.536, 50.174, 50.290 and 50.407.
Here's a link to a you tube video I published recording the noise.
I have isolated the house electrics by running the radio off a car battery and also taken batteries out of every house bound appliance such as smoke alarms, CO2 sensors, the wireless weather station, my digital wireless clock and also removed from the house touch lamps and anything that has rechargeable DC power like the BT handsets and all my testing equipment such as my GDO and any equipment that produces oscillator noise. Guess what? still there! I even disconnected the solar LED garden lights in the garden but again, no change.
Two things have changed in the last 6 months near my QTH, the first was the replacement yellow illuminated street lamp outside my property to an LED and the second the (compulsory) installation of smart RF transmitting electronic water meters.
I shall be doing some investigating locally with my 897D and a loop antenna to see if I can discover the source.
If you recognise the source sound and can enlighten me to the probable device causing the interference please email me with your suggestions.
Meanwhile....Watch this space......