Hayden.. I'll swap you.. Fly here and change the guy lines on the mast, add the radials to the 4-Square (& cut the phasing lines and tune each vertical). Change out the 8 port Ubiquiti to a 16-port switch (in a box waiting for me!), add the remote control to the G-450, sort out the new pulleys, pull some new coax through the "pipe", tidy the field cabinets with custom patch leads, add 2 and 70 to the mast, instal heaters and thermostats to the cabinets, build a the quad, add main OFF switch for the 12V system.. and more! BA business class ticket in the post!
First, organize the shack and get stuff off the workbench. Use all that blank wall space for wall mounted shelves and parts bins. Add some tall bookcases or shelving units for bigger stuff.
@@HamRadioDXPossibly use some used systems furniture panels for the ultimate ham shack cubicle? Usually can get pretty inexpensive. Either way, wish you luck!
I vote for the SDR switch. I don't think a lot of hams realize that you can use a VERY inexpensive SDR receiver as much more than just a panadapter to show you signals across a band. But in order to get the best use of an SDR you need to have it connected in your receive signal path in a matter that DOES NOT compromise the incoming signal strength. Many people use the IF or RX out tap of their radio to feed the SDR and this SEVERELY limits it's effectiveness as a receiver. It is REALLY REALLY true that most SDR switches actually DECREASE your RX ability ESPECIALLY on frequencies 6m and up. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Would be interesting to see the SDR Switch installation and testing. I'd also like to see you measure the loss through the ports with your VNA. Thanks!
Hayden! Good to see you. Glad I got to meet you at the hamfest a while back. I watch your videos all the time, get lots of good ideas from you, and hope to see more. Keep 'em coming. 73 de Bill
First off, you need to get your shack/project items organized. Get some shelving units and some clear plastic boxes....and/or drawer units. Put them together and arranged around the walls of the shack. Clean off your table tops, floors, and other places you have project items laying around on and put them in the clear boxes and/or shelves. Label everything using postcard pieces of paper and write with a thick marking pen. Coil up all the cables you have laying around and secure them with tie-wraps. Label them and then store them away. You have lots of very interesting projects you can do, but you must get your surroundings organized first. After all the cleaning and organizing is done, then you can make a priority list, based on your viewer comments. Do one project at a time and don't switch mid-stream to another project. Good luck and and as always....this is just my opinion.
I bought a FT-8900 at the Gold Coast Hamfest a couple of months ago. Now my favourite radio. Kicking myself I didn't buy the second one they had at the same table.
I used to own two. One stayed in my car. Then I missed the 2nd one that I used in my shack, so I found another used one. I just need to fix the little 6m gremlin
Best project is to stop buying things. Hams are silly about thinking all this junk goes anywhere except the shelf. That said, Id love to see the 7610 go head to head against the AirSpy or another cheap sdr dongle.
Another vote for the SDR switch. Recently got an SDRPlay, so it’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts of running an SDR along side your transceivers. Thanks for all the helpful info over the years and letting us follow along on your many projects 👍
Hi Hayden, Really keen to see how the SDR switch works as I would love to use an SRD receiver along with the FT-710. Be safe Happy holidays to you, your family and friends. David
It's all interesting projects, but the repeater with voting board installed at site would be great. The SDR switch needs to happen soon too! And go and help Callum while you are at it 😉
I got many projects in the works as well. just not all ham radio. Just dealing with NY snow ! Just has 3FT snow storm and getting another one now ! I was going to do a POTA but the NY cold wind put a stop to that. Girlfriends projects coming first . Manly the car and keeping snow cleared so she can get to and from work. Love your ham radio projects ! That common mode tester looks like fun. I have saved that link. I want to get one as well. Once a break in weather i will throw up a T2LT antenna for 10 meters do some FT8 and some outher digital modes. 12 meters as well. With a fold back at top end I can tune 10/11/12 meter bands. Easy set up in snow ! 73
Before you put the SDR switch in-line check your RX signal from a local beacon (or better still a sig gen) to your radio, then check it again with the switch in-line. It may surprise you how much it attenuates the RX of your radio. The 2 SDR switches I've tried reduced the rx signal to my 7300 by nearly 2 S points on 10m. The claimed insertion RX signal attenuation wasn't even close to the real loss. I could have just been unlucky but that was my experience.
Nice to see your repeater work, I also have a 10, 6 and 2 meter repeaters multi coupled on one feed. I used to work in television transmitters , microwave to 10 ghz. Also big power 500 kw shortwave tx’s in the Marianas islands. Your voting system is interesting, with the multiple transmitters on same frequency. I was trying that in the 90’s linking via microwave but no gps at that time available to sync. I moved shortly after. I have 3 of the tyt 9800 quad band radios not great rejection. Like you , wish Yaesu would have a replacement . Love your enthusiasm. Trying to find and reduce noise and interference on my 10 and 6 meter repeaters is my interest. Thanks for your videos. Jeff VE3JLR.
Thanks Jeff, My 6m repeater doesn't seem to get that much interference (it runs open carrier squelch). The 10m repeater runs CTCSS because it does open on random noise all the time. Also the effective sensitivity of 10m is a lot lower due to the higher band noise, but it still works. Interested in your multi-coupled feed. I gather you have combiners with cavity filters at the TX's end and have diplexers at each end of the feedline to split between transmitters and antennas?
Thanks for replying Hayden , I have made my 6 and 10 meter duplexers. The 6 is part of an old channel 2 (tv) sideband filter modified, three 6 inch , one 10 inch , copper and the 10 I built using 8 inch irrigation pipe aluminum (6 cavities) . I’m using Comet dupexers to combine the 10 and 6 , CF-360, then fed into a Comet CFX-514 to allow my 2 meter mmdvm repeater and also my 70cm linking radio. I have a Comet duplexer on the tower to split the high and low into a Diamond CP-610 dual band and a Comet GP9. My 2 and 6 meter are the old Motorola Micor cabinets.My 10 meter is Motorola PM1200’s (VX6000 Vertex Standard same) 120 watt output , RX is deaf unless you do a little mod which I should put on RepeaterBuilder. Hope to do a 220 , at least start over our winter. Thanks again . Good stuff, I’ll keep watching 73 de Jeff, VE3JLR.
well done, you are certainly very fortunate to have such a choice. one radio on my bench is enough for me, but any videos in the future which encourage folk to try cw is always good for the hobby, as especially qrp gear is cheap for new op,s. cheers : Brian zl3xdj.
My vote is for microwave stuff and then sdr. Yaesu rcv issues are a pain due to the varactor tuned filters. I've had a couple now with the cpu being the problem rather than any of the active/passive components. Control voltage remaining constant (or 0) regardless of tuning.
Hi Hayden, Always start with the hard stuff first, I have always believed this as an electrician, then things get relatively easier... Make yourself a list of projects and think what is going to take the MOST time, by number of priority, get them out of the way and then the way forward is simple,. Cheers, Mike ZL3XD.
I own an FT-8900 and would love to see what you make of yours. I love this radio. If it had sideband and am, it would be more useful, as 10 meter fm and 6 meter fm is basically useless at least in Canada and in many parts of the USA, where there are zero repeaters and there is zero simplex FM traffic on 10 and 6 meters.... we have lots of 2m/70cm repeaters only, in most parts of Canada. If it could be mars-modded to or unlocked to work on "11 meters" as we call it in the US and Canada, it would be amazing. As it is, it's sad that it's discontinued and no real successor exists. Everyone's first project really should be a proper Shack Tidy, that's my next job.
Yes sounds very familiar. Currently working on a microwave (1.2GHz - 10GHz) QRP capability with my new Icom 905. Before that it was a pelican bug out kit, portable diagnostic kit (incl pocket oscopes, antenna analyzers and signal generators) and Starlink Mini setup and before that it was a gator bug out kit and meshtastic and vintage ham radio collection (1930's-1970's). Always something. 73 de KI1Y, Cocoa Beach FL.
Wow, like all of us out here dude. I have 5 Meshtastics on my work bench with and without solar, batteries and large antennas. I then have my 991A in need of the UHF/VHF final replaced and I still haven't figured out how to get the antenna unsoldered without destroying the board or components near it and yes, aluminum foil and other heat sink tricks have been tried so there has to be a specific process Yaesu uses but damned if they will share that. I also need to replace the wire on my end fed and seem to have missed the seasonal warmth. So yeah I got a lot of open projects and as typing this I almost forgot about my Arduino and PI5 projects that are still on the other side of the bench. The kicker? I have the time but I am so damn lazy its degusting.
1 vote for the 2M duplexer. Although their price here in the US will probably jump up soon. Next project would be an az/el rotor. Anything besides the Yaesu 5500? 73 de n0km
Just curious - Is the 6m band popular in Oz? I've been scanning it lately and seldom hear anything. Anyway, do the SDR switch project, that looks cool. Or the tower.
Hi Hayden I hope you tell a lot more about your new project with sg.lab new transverter for 5.7 Ghz and a little more about the transverter Vy 73 de OZ1IOM Allan
Hayden.. I'll swap you.. Fly here and change the guy lines on the mast, add the radials to the 4-Square (& cut the phasing lines and tune each vertical). Change out the 8 port Ubiquiti to a 16-port switch (in a box waiting for me!), add the remote control to the G-450, sort out the new pulleys, pull some new coax through the "pipe", tidy the field cabinets with custom patch leads, add 2 and 70 to the mast, instal heaters and thermostats to the cabinets, build a the quad, add main OFF switch for the 12V system.. and more! BA business class ticket in the post!
Haha! I'm keeping track of your progress mate, it's coming together well!
A video of your installation on your SDR Switch plus test equipment measurements would be great.
First, organize the shack and get stuff off the workbench. Use all that blank wall space for wall mounted shelves and parts bins. Add some tall bookcases or shelving units for bigger stuff.
One of the constraints is, I live in a rental. So I can't wall mount anything :(
A few bookshelves may be on the cards though.
@@HamRadioDXPossibly use some used systems furniture panels for the ultimate ham shack cubicle? Usually can get pretty inexpensive. Either way, wish you luck!
I vote for the SDR switch. I don't think a lot of hams realize that you can use a VERY inexpensive SDR receiver as much more than just a panadapter to show you signals across a band. But in order to get the best use of an SDR you need to have it connected in your receive signal path in a matter that DOES NOT compromise the incoming signal strength. Many people use the IF or RX out tap of their radio to feed the SDR and this SEVERELY limits it's effectiveness as a receiver. It is REALLY REALLY true that most SDR switches actually DECREASE your RX ability ESPECIALLY on frequencies 6m and up. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Thanks, Hayden, for inviting us into your shack. My vote for the next project is the SDR switch. 73 de W8RD
Thanks Ray, it will be a very interesting project and comparison with my main shack radio
Would be interesting to see the SDR Switch installation and testing. I'd also like to see you measure the loss through the ports with your VNA.
Thanks!
Exactly what I was thinking. From the box to fully operational, what was needed and how does it compare to the big box radios.
Great suggestion!
Hayden! Good to see you. Glad I got to meet you at the hamfest a while back. I watch your videos all the time, get lots of good ideas from you, and hope to see more. Keep 'em coming. 73 de Bill
Thanks Bill! Hope you have been well mate. I hope to catch up again with you soon.
“I bought it and it became a project” - I know the feeling…
"I bought it, put it aside to do, look at it for a few months, pick it up, put it back down" 😂
First off, you need to get your shack/project items organized.
Get some shelving units and some clear plastic boxes....and/or drawer units. Put them together and arranged around the walls of the shack.
Clean off your table tops, floors, and other places you have project items laying around on and put them in the clear boxes and/or shelves. Label everything using postcard pieces of paper and write with a thick marking pen.
Coil up all the cables you have laying around and secure them with tie-wraps. Label them and then store them away.
You have lots of very interesting projects you can do, but you must get your surroundings organized first.
After all the cleaning and organizing is done, then you can make a priority list, based on your viewer comments. Do one project at a time and don't switch mid-stream to another project.
Good luck and and as always....this is just my opinion.
Love that idea, I also need some stuff organized in my Shack!
I have my shelves already full of projects, but people keep giving me their old radios to fix….
I need more storage space!
@@HamRadioDX Floor to ceiling shelving units pushed up against your shack walls will give you more storage space!
Bu _that_ is just another project...
The Common Mode Test Rig - you want to put that together. That is a heck of a time saver.
Yeah, it arrived recently, I’m looking forward to putting it together
SDR Switch -- I have this on my IC 735 but instead use the internal relay of the radio for switch of the SDR instead of a external relay.
Looking forward to seeing the 5.7 GHz video! I've got the Halibut choke tester too but still haven't used it yet.
I was so excited that the transverter showed up today!
First preference is SDR Switch.
Second is Common Mode Choke Tester.
I know shorter-than-33cm is your passion, but the above will get more engagement.
I bought a FT-8900 at the Gold Coast Hamfest a couple of months ago. Now my favourite radio. Kicking myself I didn't buy the second one they had at the same table.
I used to own two. One stayed in my car. Then I missed the 2nd one that I used in my shack, so I found another used one. I just need to fix the little 6m gremlin
Best project is to stop buying things. Hams are silly about thinking all this junk goes anywhere except the shelf. That said, Id love to see the 7610 go head to head against the AirSpy or another cheap sdr dongle.
Another vote for the SDR switch. Recently got an SDRPlay, so it’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts of running an SDR along side your transceivers. Thanks for all the helpful info over the years and letting us follow along on your many projects 👍
Cool - looking forward to seeing the results on the SDR myself!
Hi Hayden,
Really keen to see how the SDR switch works as I would love to use an SRD receiver along with the FT-710.
Be safe
Happy holidays to you, your family and friends.
David
Thanks Hayden. I'm keen to see the SDR project.
It's all interesting projects, but the repeater with voting board installed at site would be great.
The SDR switch needs to happen soon too!
And go and help Callum while you are at it 😉
I got many projects in the works as well. just not all ham radio. Just dealing with NY snow ! Just has 3FT snow storm and getting another one now ! I was going to do a POTA but the NY cold wind put a stop to that. Girlfriends projects coming first . Manly the car and keeping snow cleared so she can get to and from work. Love your ham radio projects ! That common mode tester looks like fun. I have saved that link. I want to get one as well. Once a break in weather i will throw up a T2LT antenna for 10 meters do some FT8 and some outher digital modes. 12 meters as well. With a fold back at top end I can tune 10/11/12 meter bands. Easy set up in snow ! 73
Before you put the SDR switch in-line check your RX signal from a local beacon (or better still a sig gen) to your radio, then check it again with the switch in-line. It may surprise you how much it attenuates the RX of your radio. The 2 SDR switches I've tried reduced the rx signal to my 7300 by nearly 2 S points on 10m. The claimed insertion RX signal attenuation wasn't even close to the real loss. I could have just been unlucky but that was my experience.
I'm most interested in the Kenwood repeater, but it would also be cool to see you work on the dishes.
I'm especially interested in the 5.7 GHz Transverter. Thanks for this update and the tour of these interesting projects. ~ 73 ~ AC7WH
Thanks. Will be a video on that for sure!
@@HamRadioDX Awesome! 😎👍
The SDR Switch for sure !
Hi Hayden, I would vote for the SDR switch installation. I have one that I want to set up on 6 Mtrs. Thanks!
I'm going to use mine to monitor FT8, WSPR & SSB all at the same time on 6!
🔴I'm currently listening to your voice on my Apple TV in SPANISH 🇪🇸, and it's amazing! , GRACIAS DIOS:
Wow, is that RUclips's new dubbing feature?
Not many videos out there on tuning cavity filters - that would be educational.
AirSpy and SDR switch would be preferred! 👍🏽
Sdrswitch for sure then the cmc video . Probably the two easiest to get out the way 😅
I got into ham radio via your channel by your SDR ISS video, so you know where my vote is :)
Nice to see your repeater work, I also have a 10, 6 and 2 meter repeaters multi coupled on one feed. I used to work in television transmitters , microwave to 10 ghz. Also big power 500 kw shortwave tx’s in the Marianas islands. Your voting system is interesting, with the multiple transmitters on same frequency. I was trying that in the 90’s linking via microwave but no gps at that time available to sync. I moved shortly after. I have 3 of the tyt 9800 quad band radios not great rejection. Like you , wish Yaesu would have a replacement . Love your enthusiasm. Trying to find and reduce noise and interference on my 10 and 6 meter repeaters is my interest. Thanks for your videos. Jeff VE3JLR.
Thanks Jeff,
My 6m repeater doesn't seem to get that much interference (it runs open carrier squelch).
The 10m repeater runs CTCSS because it does open on random noise all the time. Also the effective sensitivity of 10m is a lot lower due to the higher band noise, but it still works.
Interested in your multi-coupled feed. I gather you have combiners with cavity filters at the TX's end and have diplexers at each end of the feedline to split between transmitters and antennas?
Thanks for replying Hayden , I have made my 6 and 10 meter duplexers. The 6 is part of an old channel 2 (tv) sideband filter modified, three 6 inch , one 10 inch , copper and the 10 I built using 8 inch irrigation pipe aluminum (6 cavities) . I’m using Comet dupexers to combine the 10 and 6 , CF-360, then fed into a Comet CFX-514 to allow my 2 meter mmdvm repeater and also my 70cm linking radio. I have a Comet duplexer on the tower to split the high and low into a Diamond CP-610 dual band and a Comet GP9. My 2 and 6 meter are the old Motorola Micor cabinets.My 10 meter is Motorola PM1200’s (VX6000 Vertex Standard same) 120 watt output , RX is deaf unless you do a little mod which I should put on RepeaterBuilder. Hope to do a 220 , at least start over our winter. Thanks again . Good stuff, I’ll keep watching 73 de Jeff, VE3JLR.
well done, you are certainly very fortunate to have such a choice. one radio on my bench is enough for me, but any videos in the future which encourage folk to try cw is always good for the hobby, as especially qrp gear is cheap for new op,s. cheers : Brian zl3xdj.
I'm interested in the sdr switch most and seeing that common mode diagnostic tool
My vote is for microwave stuff and then sdr. Yaesu rcv issues are a pain due to the varactor tuned filters. I've had a couple now with the cpu being the problem rather than any of the active/passive components. Control voltage remaining constant (or 0) regardless of tuning.
Hi Hayden,
Always start with the hard stuff first, I have always believed this as an electrician, then things get relatively easier...
Make yourself a list of projects and think what is going to take the MOST time, by number of priority, get them out of the way and then the way forward is simple,.
Cheers,
Mike ZL3XD.
I own an FT-8900 and would love to see what you make of yours. I love this radio. If it had sideband and am, it would be more useful, as 10 meter fm and 6 meter fm is basically useless at least in Canada and in many parts of the USA, where there are zero repeaters and there is zero simplex FM traffic on 10 and 6 meters.... we have lots of 2m/70cm repeaters only, in most parts of Canada. If it could be mars-modded to or unlocked to work on "11 meters" as we call it in the US and Canada, it would be amazing. As it is, it's sad that it's discontinued and no real successor exists. Everyone's first project really should be a proper Shack Tidy, that's my next job.
I once got told that mess was a sign of productivity.... I don't think that's entirely true ;)
Yes sounds very familiar. Currently working on a microwave (1.2GHz - 10GHz) QRP capability with my new Icom 905. Before that it was a pelican bug out kit, portable diagnostic kit (incl pocket oscopes, antenna analyzers and signal generators) and Starlink Mini setup and before that it was a gator bug out kit and meshtastic and vintage ham radio collection (1930's-1970's). Always something. 73 de KI1Y, Cocoa Beach FL.
How do you enjoy the 905? Do you have it fully kitted out and what dish sizes do you use?
Get your tower up already! ;-)
I really want to! Once I get my own house where I can put it up, it will be all go 👍
Extremely interested in the SDRswitch/Airspy combo on 6m. With a side by side against the 7610 especially.
"May pet fish, Eric - ee's an hhh alibut."
Wow, like all of us out here dude. I have 5 Meshtastics on my work bench with and without solar, batteries and large antennas. I then have my 991A in need of the UHF/VHF final replaced and I still haven't figured out how to get the antenna unsoldered without destroying the board or components near it and yes, aluminum foil and other heat sink tricks have been tried so there has to be a specific process Yaesu uses but damned if they will share that. I also need to replace the wire on my end fed and seem to have missed the seasonal warmth. So yeah I got a lot of open projects and as typing this I almost forgot about my Arduino and PI5 projects that are still on the other side of the bench. The kicker? I have the time but I am so damn lazy its degusting.
1 vote for the 2M duplexer. Although their price here in the US will probably jump up soon. Next project would be an az/el rotor. Anything besides the Yaesu 5500? 73 de n0km
SDR and APRS!
Glad you have one of my Kenwood 10 metre radios !We also have the 6 metre version !73 Andy VK3AS
This one came from Tim in VK3 - absolute legend. I need to add some fans to it and get it installed as the transmitter on the repeater
@@HamRadioDX Yup I imported a pile of them , Tim programmed them up.
I guess the 8900 has some common issues with Tx.
Just curious - Is the 6m band popular in Oz? I've been scanning it lately and seldom hear anything. Anyway, do the SDR switch project, that looks cool. Or the tower.
50.110 MHz USB has voice activity on it, especially over the next few weeks.
50.313 USB is full of FT8 too
Take it easy.
The repeater stuff please. Robert KD4YDC
Thanks Robert!
APRS is not well utilised in vk so the digi would be cool. Thanks great vid.
APRS digipeater and igate setup
1st the FT-9800 (Im after one myself). next the 2m cavities.
I’d like to see you working 6m it’s such a cool band that’s far too underutilized
6m is awesome! The Magic Band!
Let's do the SDR or the tower.
I vote the tower! But my landlord might say otherwise :D
Good day Hayden , I’d like to know more about the Chinese duplexer.
VE1DN
It's a very interesting design! Took me a while to find it (whole story behind it)
hmm tough choice , but the sdr project would be my first choice , Please do the sdr first. 73
Coming up!
@@HamRadioDX nice !!!it will be good to watch.
SDR then 10m repeater fer me please. I enjoy ur channel
I've watched several of your videos; unfortunately, they mostly seem rushed and never complete..no real beginning and end with a resolution!
Gday Hayden, lets do an EME revisit using 1.2GHZ,,, Have 70 element beast im pressing into a Lunacy project ;-)
Hi Hayden I hope you tell a lot more about your new project with sg.lab new transverter for 5.7 Ghz and a little more about the transverter Vy 73 de OZ1IOM Allan
Thanks! There will be a video coming soon Allan