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Testing starts Again !

oh6bi
 

Hello All after long winter !

Yesterday I put my boat to sea and today goeing to summer
cottage with FT897 and FC40..
If you dont know about me, just read some earlier messages
from oh6bi in this group.

OK, last messages during autumn I told to start testing
FC40 and OCF dipole, yes I will do that.

During this winter I spent 3 months in Zambia (9J2BI)
and I didnt get good contacs to Europe with 23m long Wire.
I installed The Wire four times to different directions
to get better EU signals, but no good success, only some
QSOs to Europe, none to OH. JA and UA9 where the best.
Also local QRM and QRN where strong with The Wire.

After that I did some tests with 7 MHz deltaloop and that was much
better. QRN and QRM where lower and receiving signals better.
Unfortunately work was disturbing The Hobby and not enough
time for the loop. That means I will start this summer experiments
with 7 MHz Delta Loop.

You will see what happens..

By the way, does anyone have information how FC40 really works ?
I mean would be nice to build "universal control box" same way
as many has done with Icom AH4(and AH3, what I am using with IC706).
Check in AH4 section from
AA7OL Niko Takahashi: "AH4 connetion to any Radio".

Best Regards and 73s de rami, oh6bi


FC-30 question

Irvin
 

Have FC-30 which meets my needs with my mobile FT-857D.
The tuner can be used for receive signals. Looking for commnents for
the advantages of using this option.

TNX
Irv
N0NOB


Re: fc-40 and feeder?

peterschrader2
 

Hi Colin,
Exactly what I do when operating portable, 300 ohm transmit grade
feeder about 15 metres long, feeding a longish doublet (60 metres
total I think, I must measure it some day). I hang it in some trees
when camping. Loads up on all bands 160 to 6 metres, and seems to
radiate quite well if I can get the wires up flat and high.

I tried using the FC40 with a vertical, pretty poor performer compared
to the screwdriver I use now while mobile (Codan 9350).

73,
Peter
VK4TGV



--- In YaesuTuner@..., "colin" <kinggreene2003@...> wrote:

well i have got a Ft-40 that came with the bundle of radio's that i
got a short while ago, i am wondering weather i could feed a "off
center dipole" with some 300 ohm feeder, something like a 33/66Ft
ratio?
i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limited
to about a 20 Ft vertical. any ideas?
colin KB3PNE


Re: fc-40 and feeder?

wb0m
 

--- In YaesuTuner@..., "colin" <kinggreene2003@...> wrote:
well i have got a Ft-40 that came with the bundle of radio's that i
got a short while ago, i am wondering weather i could feed a "off
center dipole" with some 300 ohm feeder, something like a 33/66Ft
ratio?
i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limited
to about a 20 Ft vertical. any ideas?
colin KB3PNE
Hi Colin,
Yes, you can connect the FC-40 to your OCF with twin lead. However,
I use 450 ladder line and have read that 300 sometimes is not the best
because of the spacing between the leads wires.
I am unsure about your "don't use coax" comment. You need to use
coax between the tuner and radio, of course, but coax between the
tuner and antenna is a no-no. The loss will be much to great.
I also use a I.C.E. lightning suppressor for twin lead wire between
the coupler and my OCF.
GL & 73, Jeff/wb0m


fc-40 and feeder?

colin
 

well i have got a Ft-40 that came with the bundle of radio's that i
got a short while ago, i am wondering weather i could feed a "off
center dipole" with some 300 ohm feeder, something like a 33/66Ft ratio?
i know it says dont use coax but if i just connect a wire i am limited
to about a 20 Ft vertical. any ideas?
colin KB3PNE


lindy cables

 

O.K. I have the 5mts long lindy cables. I want to be able to use the tuner from a longer
distance. How should I connect the cables? I believe the lindy cables are not 1 to 1, 2 to 2, 3
to 3, etc. Can anyone help?, thanks from N1mxb, Carlos.


I am gettting

Gerald Gaule
 

This is KE7GGV...Albany Oregon..I am getting a YAESU FT-707 and looking
at the FC-707 Antenna Tuner....does anyone own one out there...I need
any information,tips,ideas,quirks...any info will help..Thanks for your
time...DE KE7GGV...73

ke7ggv@...


take care


www.qrz.com/callsign/ke7ggv


Re: Control Cable revisited

wb0m
 

--- In YaesuTuner@..., "dj5hd" <jurgen@...> wrote:

I made several control cables for me and my friends using CAT-5 cable,
20m long, all work fine. The shields were connected to the metal parts
of the mini-DIN connectors.

73, Jurgen, DJ5HD
Hello Jurgen,
Tnx fer taking the time to reply. I've decided to replace the CAT-5
cable I now use with 8 conductor rotor wire. I cut the cable that
Yaesu gave me and will splice the wire in between. At the tuner end
I'll use a terminal strip and place it in a waterproof container and
on the radio end I'll use a 9-pin molex connector so I can disconnect
during storms.
Tnx agn & 73, Jeff/wb0m


Re: Control Cable revisited

dj5hd
 

I made several control cables for me and my friends using CAT-5 cable,
20m long, all work fine. The shields were connected to the metal parts
of the mini-DIN connectors.

73, Jurgen, DJ5HD

--- In YaesuTuner@..., "wb0m" <wb0m@...> wrote:

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this group, but not with couplers like the AH-4. I'm
replacing my Icom AH-4 with the FC-40 since I've upgraded to the Yaesu
FT-950. I've looked through the previous posts, but haven't read
anything about what materials to use for the replacement. I already
have CAT-5 cable (eight strands of wire) run to the present antenna,
but it's pretty light gauge. Has anybody used CAt-5 cable for an
extension? I will probably hack the current cable in two pieces and
splice to the cable already there. Any thoughts? Tnx & 73, Jeff/wb0m


Control Cable revisited

wb0m
 

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this group, but not with couplers like the AH-4. I'm
replacing my Icom AH-4 with the FC-40 since I've upgraded to the Yaesu
FT-950. I've looked through the previous posts, but haven't read
anything about what materials to use for the replacement. I already
have CAT-5 cable (eight strands of wire) run to the present antenna,
but it's pretty light gauge. Has anybody used CAt-5 cable for an
extension? I will probably hack the current cable in two pieces and
splice to the cable already there. Any thoughts? Tnx & 73, Jeff/wb0m


Corroded 8-Pin Female DIN Connector

David
 

Hi all, my 8pin din pigtail on my FC-40 has become corroded, and I am
dithering between trying to replace it with a homebrew pigtail;
running the control cable from the radio straight to the connector on
the board and eliminating the pigtail; or getting the part number and
ordering an OEM replacement pigtail from Vertex.

Is there a service manual for the FC-40 (with part numbers) available
anywhere?

Opinions are welcome.

73 de va3ae


Random Wire Antenna (Experiences, Performance Tips)????

agusta109amkii
 

Hi Folks...

I have an FT-857 with a FT-40 antenna tuner... My home is located below the surrounding area and my property is heavily wooded... I installed a random wire antenna about 375 feet long oriented basically North <> South...

I would be interested in anyone's experience with long-wire antennas using the FT-40 tuner...

Here are some images:

Thanks...

?

?

?


FC40 works funny

oh6bi
 

Hi All !

Last weekend I tried again OFC dipole.
It didnt work as well as I was thinking, Maybe I have to change
position of the antenna itself but here in Finland cold season
is starting (on Sat morning I found ice from my boat), this OFC
project will continue when the spring comes...

After disappointed to OFC testing I changed back to 23 m long wire.
Before that I added one ground rod to my system, I wanted to do that
because the ground gets frozen soon.

FT897 was on 3,510 and I started tuning, FC40 didnt tune that, radio
was telling HIGHSWR, then I changed freq to 3,530 where FC40 was
earlier tuned (with the old ground system). FC40 took new settings
automatically from its memory and system was perfectly tuned.
Then I changed back to 3,510 and FT told HIGHSWR again, pushed tuning
button, no change. After that I went up to 3,560, I tuned and
everything was ok., then back to 3,510 and tuning again.
Now FC40 did it well.
I dont understand this, maybe FC40 needs total resetting..

73s es GL DX de rami, oh6bi


Re: OFC Dipole and FC40 + CAT

 

Hi Sami, yes the mic works still in CAT mode, you just lose FST and UP / DOWN controls, but PTT is still good!
cheers
Clive

- original message -
Subject: [YaesuTuner] OFC Dipole and FC40 + CAT
From: "oh6bi" <oh6bi@...>
Date: 08/10/2007 11:33 am

Hi All !

In my last message I told to start new tests with OFC Dipole and FC40.
Last weeks not enough time to testing but yesterday I made first test.

Antenna was same as in VK2DQ writings, longer leg 38,9m and shorter
leg 12,9m connected to FC40s ground. Results where not good, no tune
in 80m either 40m. I think my setup needs some works.. continuing the
test.

Then another thing:
I am not sure if this is already in our messages but I put it here:

From the FT897 manual:
****
MENU MODE No?059 [MIC SEL]
Function: The choice of the equipment which connects to the MIC jack.
Available Values: NOR/RMT/CAT
Default: NOR
NOR: Normal Microphone.
RMT: Not available at this time.
CAT: CAT system: if you are using the optional FC-30 antenna
tuner, you can still use the CAT system by connecting
the serial Data cable to the MIC jack.
****

I have not tested this, but goeing to prepare serial cabel to see if
it works. Microphone connectors down=TXD and up=RXD. Ground is same.
Maybe it is possible to use the mike for speaking when connector is
in CAT mode ?

In my manual RMT is not available is it in use with FT897D ?

Any Comments ?

73s de rami, oh6bi


OFC Dipole and FC40 + CAT

oh6bi
 

Hi All !

In my last message I told to start new tests with OFC Dipole and FC40.
Last weeks not enough time to testing but yesterday I made first test.

Antenna was same as in VK2DQ writings, longer leg 38,9m and shorter
leg 12,9m connected to FC40s ground. Results where not good, no tune
in 80m either 40m. I think my setup needs some works.. continuing the
test.

Then another thing:
I am not sure if this is already in our messages but I put it here:

From the FT897 manual:
****
MENU MODE No?059 [MIC SEL]
Function: The choice of the equipment which connects to the MIC jack.
Available Values: NOR/RMT/CAT
Default: NOR
NOR: Normal Microphone.
RMT: Not available at this time.
CAT: CAT system: if you are using the optional FC-30 antenna
tuner, you can still use the CAT system by connecting
the serial Data cable to the MIC jack.
****

I have not tested this, but goeing to prepare serial cabel to see if
it works. Microphone connectors down=TXD and up=RXD. Ground is same.
Maybe it is possible to use the mike for speaking when connector is
in CAT mode ?

In my manual RMT is not available is it in use with FT897D ?

Any Comments ?

73s de rami, oh6bi


Re: Extended Control Cable

nickcollova
 

Had custom cable made to 125ft lenth and it works fine!

--- In YaesuTuner@..., "oh6bi" <oh6bi@...> wrote:

Hi All !

Finally I bought FC40, I have used Icoms AH3 many yers and because
of
good results with it I decided to by FC40 for my FT897.

FC40 will arrive to day and first I need to extend the control
cable.
Anyone experience ? Is it needed to be shielded or not ? How long I
can
make it ? How much FC40 needs Voltage and Current for the tuning.
With
IC AH3 I have had up to 20m long cable with wire size 2x0.5 mm.

What about Ground connection ? Is it necessary to use separate
ground
cable between rig and tuner when the distance is longer than 5 m ?

First I am goeing to test FC40 with my existing inv L antenna,
vertical
part 21 m and horisontal part 41 m , total 62m (204 ft).
To compare existing IC706/AH3 and new FT897/FC40 with same wire +
Gnd.

I am goeing to use Yaesy system at my summer cottage with long
wire ,
length more than 100 meters .

Any addvises before starting the tests ?

Best Regards es 73s de rami, oh6bi


Re: 23m Project done, next OFC Dipole Project

Jon Pellant
 

Good information-- Thanks Rami!

jp, w1jp

--- In YaesuTuner@..., "oh6bi" <oh6bi@...> wrote:

My 23m wire test is done, it took 6 weekends at cottage.
<snip/>


23m Project done, next OFC Dipole Project

oh6bi
 

My 23m wire test is done, it took 6 weekends at cottage.
( HI, I didnt do that all the time..)
I started with abt 40m length wire then abt 20m then abt 11m and 15m.
Finally 23m which I found best for my needs.
The exact length for my wire is 23,2 m, first goeing 3,5 m straight
up and then rest horisontal so that the end is abt 10m up.

It works 160 to 10m but not 18 MHz. Some narrow areas at 28 MHz not
working. "It Works" means that FT897 get tuned. Really working and
radiation is another point.. depens of many other things.
The ground is one 10 ft Copper rod and 50cm deep 20m long Copper loop.

As I have earlier told that I am using also IC706/AH3 system.
My opinnion is that AH3 is better unit than FC40. AH3 has bigger
coils but FC40 has memories, it depens what you need, if you like
more lower bands AH3 is better but if you like higher bands and you
are often changing FRG then FC40 is more handy...

OK now for that

Coming weekend is to start OCF Dipole project.
What is OCF Dipole? OCF means Off Center Feed !!
There are some wery intresting writings abt OCF and after reading
those I decided start OCF Project. Please check VK3APP writing:


option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=9

The plan is to put FC40 up instead feeder and balun.
Wire will be abt 40m long, a bit longer than VK3APP is using in his
article, to get it better working at 3,5 MHz(I like more CW than ssb).

I did one windom test at my cottage five years ago. It was IC706/AH3
connected to 8m long vertical line. That was connected to 42m long
horisontal part 1/3 from the end. As I member that system was quite
good but I have lost test records .. it worked 160 to 10m, one band
was not working I dont member what it was..

Best Regards es 73s de rami,oh6bi


Photos of FC-40 with Fiberglass pole

dj5hd
 

Hi all,

I added photos of my setup in Mauritius, 3B8 from February 2006.
The antenna was a "Spiderbeam"-fiberglass pole, 12m tall, fixed at an
old construction. The radial system consisted of about 8 wires, 5 to
15m long. The antenna wire was about 11m long, fixed at the top of the
pole and ran down to the tuner.
The FC-40 tuned well on 40m, 20m and up, but no 160m, 80m and 30m.
Signals reports on 40m were quite well from around the globe.
I had 800 QSOs in 10 days during the 1-2 hour evening openings on 40m.

Would be nice to see how you set up your FC-40.

73, Jurgen, DJ5HD


NO problems anymore

oh6bi
 

Hi All !

It was my fault, there was one bad connection.
I did new tests to day, here are the results:

1842 kHz OK
1873 kHZ OK
3520 kHZ +++++
3785 kHz +++++
7003 kHz OK
7098 kHz ++
10116 kHz ++
14030 kHz ++
14330 kHz ++
18079 kHZ NOT
18100 kHz NOT
21030 kHz OK
21370 kHZ OK
24945 kHz ++
28510 kHz ++
50000 kHz OK

OK means some SWR but very low
+++++ means perfectly matching
++ means good matching

Only 18 MHz was not working.

Wire is abt 23 m long and from the FC40 wire is goeing first 4 meters
straight up and rest of it horisontally up to 10 meters at the end.
I will take it down next weekend and measure it carefully..

Grounding as I told earlier is not very good:
there is 20 meter loop 35 sqmm copper abt 10 to 30 cm deep in the
ground and in this summer I added 3 m long groundig rod abt 45
degrees angle and some other copper wires.

Not yet counterpoises , that will come later.
I have never used that 18 MHz band, but because it is not working
I have to try something for it ...

73s es GL DX de rami oh6bi