Author Archives: Dave
MixW Quickstart
This document will provide information for starting MixW for the first time. It will cover the initial setup and configuration of MixW. You can click any image for a larger version. I am using an Icom 756 Pro III, and the the settings here are what is working for me. My computer is using COM 1 for the serial connection via a Rigblaster Pro. Continue reading
Review of West Mountain Radio’s Rigblaster Pro
West Mount Radio has a device called the Rigblaster Pro. This device is designed to connect your radio, to your computer in a safe and effective way. This device does exactly what it says! The Rigblaster Pro comes with a truly amazing set of cables, and is quite intimidating upon unpacking. Fortunately the manual is written clearly, and concisely. If you try and second guess the manual you will find that things don’t go well… If you just turn off your brain, and do exactly what the manual tells you to do it works. I know because I tried to get ahead of things and not read the manual. Continue reading
MixW V3.0.1 Contest Setup
MixW has a mode which the user can select where it will aid you in contesting. MixW must be in contest mode to use contest mode. Once in contest mode, MixW will show the log differently, allow a separate set of macros for each contest, keep a running score, (and in some cases other data), and in general make your contesting life simpler. If you couple this mode with a custom set of macros, you can make some impressive scores, as long as you have a good signal.
MixW uses a set of files called DLL’s, and DOM files to configure itself for each contest. You get these files from the contest page, located at the MixW site. There are a few other sites with contest DLL’s, such as Victor N. Kosobokov’s site, Victor has a number of DLL’s available there, and has done a wonderful job of adding functionality to MixW. A DLL file controls how MixW works, and a DOM file contains the list of which countries and prefixes are available for the contest in question. You MUST have a DLL file for a contest in order to get stats, but you MAY NOT need a DOM file for a contest. If no DOM file is specified, then MixW will assume a base set of countries. Continue reading
The Mitigation of Radio Noise from External Sources at Radio Receiving Sites
Radio noise from sources associated with hardware on distribution power lines was the
primary kind of radio noise affecting the signal-reception capability of radio receiving sites for many years. Only a very few remote sites that did not obtain power from overhead distribution lines and did not have distribution lines within line of sight of the uppermost part of antennas were free from the noise problems described in this document. Continue reading
Review of N3FJP’s Amateur Contact Log 3.0
Amateur Contact Log version 3, has been in use here at NK7Z for many years. ACLog is a general purpose Amateur (Ham) radio logging program. It is designed to perform just a few functions, and perform them well. The author has selected the needed functions carefully, and the logging program does those functions well. Overall it is a good logging program for general use. If you want a contest logging program, get one of those, if you want general logging, get ACLog.
Many years ago I decided I needed an electronic log, I wrote a few, downloaded and tested many, and selected ACLog. Amateur Contact Log seemed to fit the bill for my needs. I do not want a contest logging program, (I use MixW for that), and the author has correctly decided to not make ACLog a contest log. He has created twenty other logging programs designed for twenty different contests, thus not attempting to make ACLog all things to all people. Continue reading
Review of MixW Multimode Software V3.x
MixW is a multimode digital decoding/logging/contesting software package. MixW was initially released in the year 1998. It has gone through many revisions, and still continues to be useful today. Although the updates have been sparse over the past few years, the software may be coming back to life with updates coming from the authors recently. Continue reading
Review of ARRL Log Book of the World
The ARRL is currently sponsoring a program for exchanging QSL information in a secure way for use in obtaining various awards from the ARRL. This program is called “Logbook of the World”. The ARRL was late to the blocks in implementation, eQSL.cc was first, however the ARRL decided to implement a tighter security model than eQSL. Hence eQSL ended up being on line earlier than LOTW. Continue reading
Review of Kenwood’s TH-F6 Handheld Radio
The TH-F6 is very compact handheld three band transciver for radio amateurs. It can be MARS modified, allowing extended transmit ranges. The radio is NOT type accepted for commercial use. The radio comes with a reasonable sized battery pack, a wall charger, and no case. I’d recommend getting a larger Battery Pack, there are some really large packs available, some last days. Continue reading
Solar Wind
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DX Maps News:- 17-May 0730 144 MHz animated sporadic-E maps 2024 available
- 23-Dec 1700 144 MHz EME calendar 2024
- 04-Dec 1130 144 MHz EME calendar 2023
- 18-Nov 1200 VE7BQH 50, 144 and 432 MHz antenna charts updated
- 11-Sep 1700 New version 3.1 (build 717) of VQLog
- 09-Apr 1000 New version 3.1 (build 708) of VQLog
- 11-Sep 1700 New version 2.14 of WSJT DX Aggregator
- 09-May 1530 144 MHz animated sporadic-E maps 2023 available
- 06-Feb 1200 VE7BQH 50, 144 and 432 MHz antenna charts updated
- 01-Feb 1200 New version 3.1 (build 704) of VQLog
- ARRL News:
- 2024 ARRL National Convention Kicks off at Dayton Hamvention
- ARRL Systems Service Disruption
- The K7RA Solar Update
- 2024 ARRL Field Day gear is now shipping!
- ARRL Learning Center Features Two New Emergency Communication Training Courses
- Focus on Public Safety Relationship Building at the 2024 ARRL National Convention
- ARRL Volunteers Obtain Ham Exemption to Pennsylvania Handsfree Law
- Dick Rutan, KB6LQS, Record-Setting Pilot, SK
- Armed Forces Day Crossband Test Scheduled for May 11
- Storms and Tornadoes: Amateur Radio Ready
- DX Zone:
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2419
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2418
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2417
- MFJ Announces the End of an Era: Ceasing Production After Decades of Service to the Ham Radio ...
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2416
- Amateur Radio Clubs
- A Compact, DIY Multi-Band Antenna for HF Without an ATU
- Chester & District Radio Society
- SV1OCA QSL Collection
- AutoEZ
- ARRL News
- 2024 ARRL National Convention Kicks off at Dayton Hamvention
- ARRL Systems Service Disruption
- The K7RA Solar Update
- 2024 ARRL Field Day gear is now shipping!
- ARRL Learning Center Features Two New Emergency Communication Training Courses
- Focus on Public Safety Relationship Building at the 2024 ARRL National Convention
- ARRL Volunteers Obtain Ham Exemption to Pennsylvania Handsfree Law
- Dick Rutan, KB6LQS, Record-Setting Pilot, SK
- Armed Forces Day Crossband Test Scheduled for May 11
- Storms and Tornadoes: Amateur Radio Ready
- DX-World News:
- DX Zone:
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2419
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2418
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2417
- MFJ Announces the End of an Era: Ceasing Production After Decades of Service to the Ham Radio ...
- Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2416
- Amateur Radio Clubs
- A Compact, DIY Multi-Band Antenna for HF Without an ATU
- Chester & District Radio Society
- SV1OCA QSL Collection
- AutoEZ
- DX Robot alerts:
- Amateurradio.com:
