Thanks. Very interesting. I restored a very old receiver. The failing component was a quadrature coil. Located in the receiver of an old two meter portable called a Spectrum 560 which was a 2 Meter Transceiver. Had to order the coil from New York. I was in college at the time 1979 studying transceivers. My father.... who is one of the last Apollo Mission to the Moon designers sold that radio to me. I remember that he requested a 100 dollar bill from me for it. I had to go to the bank at 15yo and I handed it to him and he handed me the radio. I did not have my ham license, but I plugged in the little 1/4 inch whip antenna and had a blast listening to all the Los Angeles 2M Repeaters in that crystal set in 1975. But then I found the bad quadrature coil in 1979 while doing a receiver alignment which showed very low rcvr sensitivity. And that quad coil fixed it. Today, I still have that fixed Spectrum 560 2M Radio in the garage, and I have my Father down stairs. He is 92 fighting dementia. But he remembers being responsible while on the US Navy Aircraft Carrier Mindoro to keep those Teletype Systems going. And he remembers his HAM shack in the garage in the 1960's where he had purchased a few teletype systems and had them running and hooked into his ham radio set sending sending and receiving pictures long before the internet. I remember standing next to him at 7yo and listening to him give signal reports to allot of other HF stations. He also was able to tell those stations how far off frequency they were, because he had setup a crystal oven on his local oscillator crystal which kept his receiver frequency extremely accurate. I have an IC-7300 in the closet and I am going to set it up as soon as I get other thing fixed here. Need to get that antenna up before my body begins to break down. Some HAM's do not understand... If your antenna is not resonant, you are going to pull more noise into your receiver and S-meter.
I've been a ham for 22 years, and this has been an issue for a long time. Thanks Jim. This is probably the best explanation of a signal report I've seen. Well thought out.
Thanks Jim for the video. I have the 7300 and even though it is my first radio, I found understanding the s meter to be difficult. Often when checking into a net, the static crashes or even the noise floor will show 55 to 59. Occasionally i have had +10 over noise. Even with the high reading o the s meter I can hear most stations just fine. On the net i check into the minimum report is 21 and max is 59. Well the s meter is not of much use when the noise floor or static crashes are the same level as the stations. Most stations i hear are so close to the same reading weather i can hear bits and pieces or if they sound like they are next door. So basically I give my signal reports based on what your saying in your video. If i am barely hearing bits and pieces of their voice and the volume of their voice is way down in the noise I will give a 21 minimum or 22. If they sound very clear and I hear their voice as if we were talking in person, and the volume is much higher than the noise floor or static I will give a 59. I had been sticking with numbers i felt other stations could hear such as 21, 22, 33, 44, 55, and 59. But I will try to give more accurate reports like you were saying if i understand what they are saying very well but the signal is level is low they should get maybe a higher number for legibility but a lower number for signal strength and other reports accordingly.
Hi Jim, Thanks for this video. I'm new to the hobby and I did not understand signal reports. Your video explained very clearly what a signal report means and how to respond to it.
Glad to hear you're doing better. Rest up and listen to your e Dr that's is now you have one that has properly diagnosed you. I for one am greatful for your teachings and eagerly awaiting your next. Get well soon. ..RjL
Hi,Thank you for writing. I am sending this same response to many. On Tuesday, November 2nd in the morning at 0300 I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital with severe shortness of breath. I had been having a problem breathing for more than a year. A blood test in the Emergency Room showed my D-Dimer score of 12,281. A D-Dimer of over 500 is considered high. I was told that I set a new record in the ER at 12K. My oxygen level was about 82%. A CT scan showed I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism with almost total blockage. I was close to dying. A powerful blood thinningmedication was injected many times over the next several days. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was sent home Saturday evening. I was on oxygen full time for a few days and mostly at night. I must use a walker. I can only walk a short distance on a level surface. Treatment for the blood clots is 6 months. It will take that long for some of them to go away. While in the hospital many came by to ask me questions about how I was able to live the last few months. I had been to 3 doctors recently and not correctly diagnosed. The outlook is good. I must follow the doctor's orders carefully. I do not feel strong enough to have vistors and don't want to risk infection at this time. My wife is taking excellent care of me. I will beuploading a video about Pulmonary Embolism soon. All of us who sit for a long time are at risk. Again, thanks for your message. 73, Jim W6LG
Hope you recover and get back to the airwaves Jim. I believe that is the highest I've ever seen a D-dimer in my professional career. You are very lucky. Rest but also remain mobile. Do not just slouch in the couch the entire day. As we age, pneumonia is not a good thing to let develop while your body recovers. Wishing you a fast and speedy recovery. Great channel. Rob
I'd sure like to get my hands on the 7300 I bought!!! Just wanted to let you know that I just bought a 7300 at DX Engineering @ 3:00AM this morning for $899.xx, charged transaction to my VISA! Now at 10:00AM I get a call from DXE saying ICOM won't let them honor the sale! I said then let ICOM know that the 7300 was my second ICOM HF Base purchase from you (and them), previously having purchased a new 7200. They said sorry, but they can't fulfill the transaction!!! I said...well, you're not yet sorry enough! I'll rate the product higher if the marketing and sales folks can just get their heads on right and deliver it as purchased.I'll rate the product & companies involved higher if the marketing and sales folks can just get their heads on right and deliver it as purchased. 73's K4WWK
I don't understand. I do know Ray Novak at Icom and Tim Duffy at DXE. Contact them using their email addresses. Explain without emotion what transpired and the timeline. Tell Ray and Tim that you made contact with me and I recommended that you contact them. Ask for an explanation and that you will post the explanation here and that I will, if this all makes sense to me, cover it in video. I do have almost 30K subscribers and some might be interested in how that all happened. If the posted price was a mistake or a typo, then that is the answer. Also, Gigparts has a much lower price than DX Engineering. Let me know what happens. 73, Jim Heath W6LG
Hello Jim. Wow, what a find! Your videos are highly informative. I've subscribed, and now include your channel along with KE0OG (David Casler), K7AGE (Randy), and VE3TWM (Tracy - Outdoors on the Air). Please continue sharing your knowledge and experience. It is very much appreciated! 73... Roger / NQ8RP
Thanks Roger. Randy used to be my neighbor and he has excellent videos. Randy is a very nice guy. Also, Dave Casler has done an good job explaining a lot of the technical aspects. We've met on 20 meters a few months ago. Tracy I don't know and I will go look. If he is like Dave and Randy, I will subscribe. I am working on improving the focus, color balance and audio. I am sort of new at this and I have a lot to learn. I have a few requests via email for topics that I hope to do in the next month. Thanks again Roger & 73, Jim W6LG
Thank you thank you thank you, I thought i was losing my mind, I am new to ham and i cant count how many videos i have watched were the person recording the video has to repeat himself a dozen times but the person on the other end gives him a 57, I was thinking to myself. "how can that ever be a 5 its more like a 37 just based on the fact that the guy sending had to repeat himself 12 times". I am was getting so confused, I though i was losing my mind, I am new to ham and realized something was wrong, why is it so many people do not understand how to give the correct information in a report
Jim, Thanks for an (as always) great presentation. Two comments: Re the IC7300; that 3dB vs 6dB jumps out at me. That is exactly the difference between a power and a voltage measurement, and that seems to me unlikely to be just a coincidence. I see another comment saying the 7300 matches a different radio. I wonder if something like this may have happened. A manual writer, perhaps not fluent in English and specifically electronics technology English, maybe asks a colleague or reads a schematic or an internal document of specifications, and confuses whether voltage or power is being read. For that matter, although I started in ham radio in the 1950's and could certainly have quoted you that 50 uV and 6 dB spec (although I learned from your video whom to attribute it to, I have always heard it referred back to the great Collins receivers as defining it!), I could easily get confused: The 50uV for S9 is clear enough, but is the 6dB change a change in voltage, or is it power, at the antenna terminals? I have not seen that clarified in any equipment manual: Does the reference you pointed to clear it up? It might well be, and this would agree with that other comment, that the 7300 uses "standard" measurements for the display, but the manual misstates it. We need more data before we can be sure. Other point: I was away from radio for a while and just got active again not quite a decade ago. I joined a Yahoo group for my new transceiver, and I posted a question as to how its S meter was calibrated. I got unanimous response that nobody cares, we just say 5 by 9 always! I did not get into a fight over it, but that seems to me to be lying. Of course when we say to someone "you're looking great today" it may be a lie or at least an exaggeration, but if someone actually asks me how they look I will try to be more accurate. We treat giving a signal report as a standard part of most QSOs. I want the RST or RS report to be a genuine report of real information, to the extent I can give it. Is that "always 5 by 9" idea at all widespread? Thanks for your informative shows! Bob Wilson, WA9D
I, 100% agree with everything you said. You're clearly a skilled writer. Thank so much for the information. I have friends who work at Icom and they are not about to fudge S meter readings. It is an honest company with great products and some really bright individuals like Ray Novak. We're lucky to have Icom producing amateur radio products for us. Thanks Bob! 73, Jim W6LG
Using 2m repeaters, theres no real way to give the RST of the contact as the repeater signal would be what either side is seeing? U can still sorta give the audio part of the RST, correct?
Hi Jim I really learned so much with this video and how to change what "me" as a operator is saying on to the other station and how to help them out. How are you feeling these days and I hope the fires are steering clear of Wolf Mountain 73's Happy Holidays Don
KA6TVX thanks for the explanation. I see videos of Qso’s that the signal report. Is 51 that drives me crazy and even on air have gotten 519. I run QRP CW most of the time and like you will repeat information if they give me certain signal reports. Thanks for your videoa
Hello, The MFJ-259B has nothing to do with S meter readings. It is an antenna analyzer that can do a number of tests on antennas and coax (and other functions). I believe that any transceiver with a meter of some kind, has the "S meter" function. You will rely on an S meter for strength readings. So, an S meter is a good thing to have. If the transceiver does not have an S meter you might want to buy a different transceiver. 73, Jim W6LG
I have heard that from several others. They, Icom, are brilliant at marketing their gear. It would not surprise me if the S meter was more than generous. Also, they recommend 10 to 20db of audio compression. Ten is often way too much. Twelve is usually really distorted with flattoping, harmonic, distortion, crap. Twenty db is crazy! I try to use about 3 to 5db on the K3 and other rigs. 73 at 0db of compression, Jim
Love your videos, I actually can understand some of the subjects now. I just realized you are High Sierra Communication, funny to mean because for some reason I quit getting your emails. I don't buy much, my budget, but its nice to buy from reputable resources. I have question though: When are you going to do the video on the magic box you keep hinting at? I miss the part that Ham Radio is a service and not just a hobby. Ralph, AJ4GR
Hi Ralph, Benchmark.com forwards my emails and they are a pain to work with. If it appears that emails are not being opened by the customer (4 times in a row), then the email address is deleted. Please do go to www.hamcq.com and subscribe again. I have had some good sales on tools. A yes, the magic box and when will I do it. Well, it has been way to hot for me to go outside and set it up. Right now it is 103 and there is a lot of smoke. It is unsafe to be outside at this time; so perhaps in the fall. The magic box is a copy of a commercial product that is useless as an antenna. But the SWR is very good! The next video in the works is on linear amplifiers that I built. I am at this time fixing one of my amps. The timer relay quit working. Thanks to Amazon, I have a new timer to replace the defective one. Thanks Ralph! 73, Jim W6LG
Jim, Thanks for getting back, Already been to the site, wire tool is in wish list. I have been on of those ham radio vacations were its the last thing on your/my mind. Good to be back. I knew you were having heat issues. Its been mid 90s here with Heat Indexes 105+ We get the high humidity makes for tough times in the shack. New ham here only 10 years, still don't feel like I know much of anything, so I really appreciate the clarity of your videos. Stay cool and watch the smoke. 73, Ralph AJ4GR
I really hate the fact that with contesters the report is always 59! I assume out of laziness! I would much prefer to have a real signal report! As for the method, SINPO would be the best. Back in my SWL/DX days that was how we reported to stations about their signal. Signal Strength - Interference - Noise - Propagation - Overall 1-5 for each
Well don't be too upset. Hate is a bit strong. Contests are about making contacts as fast as you can. I would really like it if guys would understand the system. For example, yesterday on 20 meters I heard a guy give a 5 by 5 report and then comment, right after that, that he was missing about half of what the other guy was saying! I also heard a guy give a report of 5 by 9 to a another guy who had terrible RF feedback. The reporting guy kept asking for a repeat of the callsign because he could not understand it due to the RF. Yet, he gives an R of 5. So contests don't concern me at all. Regular contacts do. Let's try to understand the system and get it right. It is so easy just to tell someone that "hey, I think you have RF feedback and I thought you would like to know that". Thanks John. 73, Jim
Thankfully this radio can be easily modified via software updates, so maybe Icom will give us a choice on how the S meter works. Also, I get a lot of hams picking on me when I use “over” after a transmission instead of QSL, They accuse me of using chicken band slang. Are they right?
Another fantastic video Jim! You’re a natural! Question: can a person be 5X9 and you ask him to repeat himself because he speaks broken English? Would that maybe be the exception?
Thank you! You are being very generous. At this time, I am packing to move. Health issues are forcing me to relocate closer to my oldest son and his wonderful wife. I had massive pulmonary embolism, heart damage, lung damage, brain damage and now osteoporosis in my spine. I have shrunk 2 inches in the last 2 years. I am working on doing another video this week. Then perhaps some on how to buy a house that is ham friendly. I have an extensive background in RE and have testified as an expert in Superior Court. Thanks again for the kind words. I hope we can chat sometime via email as shown elsewhere. 73, Jim...thanks!
Jim sorry for the long “novel“ I wrote you here… I’m sorry to hear about your health buddy, you take care of yourself here OK? Moving is stressful on its own. Don’t complicate it by trying to “do too much.“ You know, you and I share a similar history. You fell off a roof and I fell off a set of stairs that weren’t “locked down.“ In my case, it destroyed my lower back. I’ve wanted to get into Ham radio now for 41 years! V you got into radio in 1963, which was the year I was born. I’m finally now going to take the plunge. Working by watching your videos to learn more about things and thinking about doing an online course to go all the way through to the “extra.” Your videos are done very very well. To me, it’s like having a conversation with someone. That’s hard to accomplish when you’re not talking to someone else but you do it very well. I am on my way now to try and take a look at ham radios. It’s my first time going to a ham radio store. It will take me a while probably because I’m on Social inSecurity lol, or, I’ll have to sell a few of my DX radios which I really don’t want to do because I was very careful in selecting the right ones I think but it’s time to finally speak on the radio and said of just listening to it! I believe I can hopefully get close enough to buy a new one. I’m thinking about the ICOM 7300 to start with. But prices for used ones I think are crazy compared to what you can buy a new one for! I’m kind of starting out on my own here, I have a neighbor who is a ham operator but he’s not really very friendly and helpful. So I’m trying to learn this on my own while taking care of a mentally disabled brother with stage four cancer who lives with me. He’s my best friend man, I love him so much. Radio is my way of “getting away from the worries of the day.” Doctors don’t give much hope but I am a retired youth pastor and I know there’s a better physician. God will heal him. In the meantime, it’s time to stop just “listening“ to radio… I pray God gives me the opportunity to find a rig that I can afford and that works. I figured if I bought a new one, even if I have to get rid of some of my radio collection at least I have a warranty. Jim, you be careful with your move. Make sure to let the strong guys do all the carrying and lifting! You just take it easy and “supervise.“ I’ve had enough for Trinity to see your property on QRZ… Wow! What a set up! Will you be able to replicate some of that where you’re moving to? My wife Karen moved up here about two years ago from Citrus Heights. Beautiful area. I love Northern California. It would be really wonderful for me to someday be able to contact you on the air! Gosh, I would think that would be the coolest thing ever, well, maybe not as cool as speaking to someone overseas somewhere but pretty darn close LOL I’ll be praying for you my new friend,
By the way Jim, I pray you’re a Christian man. I won’t go any farther than that. Once a youth pastor, always a youth pastor. I’d love to be able to talk with you. You’re intelligent and have an incredible amount of knowledge to share. I really like what you’re doing very much. You’re giving another generation history and most of all important technical knowledge. I try to do the same with my shows on the medium wave band but my hat is off to you my friend! Well done!! I said, my hat is off to you LOLc
Hi, Just by using the PTT as if were VOX. Switching to receive between phrases or words (when possible). If the other guy transmits, I am likely to hear him. I have done it that way for about 50 years now. I never use VOX. I just sort of imitate it with the PTT. 73, Jim W6LG
Jim W6LG some radios have keyed VOX setting, meaning your radio will stop transmitting when you stop talking and turn on the receiver with the ptt engaged.
Great Talk about BIRD meter , and the explanation on qso report Totally agree lastly i want to know the Icom 7300 in the end is it worth buying , Cos Im planning to buy one . Maidin,West Malaysia call s: 9M2DU
Jim, Nice informative video. Do you have an idea why Icom would change the dB steps for the S meter? Just getting back into the hobby after a 25 year absence. Picked up a Flex1500 off Ebay and really like the waterfall for spotting signals. I need to perform maintenance for all that I had installed many years ago when I was spry. Finding out it is taking much longer to get things done now that I'm near retirement age. I have a T2X driving a Wilson TT-45 crank up tower that I just refurbished with new wire cables and winches. Sunday night tested the T2X and it still works, but the coax run from inside to outside has a problem. It runs through the crawl space and I won't be able to get there, so need to find another way to get another coax run outside. I bought a spool of CQ Flexi 4XL way back, but that is not the coax running through the crawl space. I'm kicking myself now that I didn't change out that piece of cable. It's the only run not the 4XL. Another difficulty is the summer weather we are experiencing here near Philly. Hot and very humid. Was outside for just a few hours in the morning and still had a soaked T shirt. Guess it's just going to take a few more weeks before I can finally get back on the air. 73 WB3BJU
Hi Don, Did you see the bulkhead coax connectors that I have on my website at www.hamcq.com ? I have various lengths up to 12 inches. Maybe one of those would work for you through an exterior wall. I don;t know why the 3 dB. Someone else may have an answer. In any case, be careful. The SDR boxes from Flex are amazing. Gerald Youngblood and his staff have produced some great innovations. 73, Jim W6LG
Jim, Yes, I know of your bulkhead connectors. The problem is I'm not as flexible as in my youth and can't run more coax in the same location, however I do have another run of 4XL that was used for some two way radios during our dump truck company days that ends right at the tower. I'm going to locate the end inside and see if I can tie into that. I did watch your video about how insignificant to number of connectors was to the power through put. :-) 73, Don WB3BJU
A nit pick. 3 DB doubles or halfs power (if negative). 6 db doubles or halfs voltage (if negative). It's that squared term in power V^2/R or I^2/R and how it screws with logs... So a six db change doubles the voltage vice three... thus you have to double the power twice to get an additional s-unit on the receiving end... no fair, stupid logarithms and squared terms So each s unit (6 db) doubles the received voltage. You have to double the recieved power, twice, to get a six db (or 1 s-unit) change. Decibel = 10 log(Pout/Pin) P=V^2/R Substitute Decibel = 10 log[(Vout^2/R)/(Vin^2/R)] The Resistance simplifies out Decibel = 10 log[Vout^2/Rin^2] Decibel = 10 log(Vout/Vin)^2 and finally Decibel = 20 log(Vout/Vin) For sanity check, 10log(2/1)=3db and 20log(2/1)=6db It's a royal pain in the but switching though 'em. I think you have it right in your mind, but you switched from talking about voltages to talking about received power abruptly and , perhaps, a few folks could get lost in the switch. For 99% of ham work, I'd refer anyone I've confused to your DB video. Just keep in mind the three becomes a six when talking about voltages or currents. Been home sick binge watching your videos. Love 'em. Have learned a lot and you have a natural gift for explaining things. 73
