The Rybakov: Fishing for DX

In the past few days, I've been looking at building another antenna. My random wire is nice, but it's just not cutting it on the HF bands for DXing. 80 meters is a no-go for DX constantly and while I can get it to tune, it just has too much NVIS propagation. Time for something different, and I may have found the answer.

More on Packet Radio

 Navigating packet radio can be very hard, especially if you're just starting out in the hobby. You may have questions like "What's the difference between APRS and packet?" or "Why can't I use X software for packet?" Heck you may even wonder how can you set up your own packet radio operation. Today, I hope that this blog post can put some of those wonder and questions to rest. So follow me as I delve into (hopefully) helping you get your start in the internet of amateur radio - packet radio!

BBS Packet Radio PART II

Okay everyone, we are just a few connections and solder blobs away from putting the packet radio node on the air! It's been quite the adventure, so let me tell you all about it!

RIP NOAA 18

 Today, we gather to mourn the loss of yet another milestone in my amateur radio adventures.

Radioless ASL Node: Putting it ALL Together

Now that my Motorola is the candidate for a UHF APRS node, I am going to construct my AllStar node to function as a personal, radioless node. Stick around for the final build!

April 17th, 2025

Almost one year later, southwest Iowa was the target of another Tornado Emergency.

Midland 13-857: An Unexpected Joy

 After the initial failure of the 13-853, I decided that I needed to send it off to a local CB shop for repair. In the meantime, I purchased 3 more 23-channel CBs for conversion - just in case :). One of them is a Midland 13-857 - the coolest CB radio I've ever owned.

CB to CW Part 3: The Final Installation

 I graduated college!!! Now what am I going to do?

I DID IT!!!

 I FINALLY DID IT!!! After 6 years of off and on practice, I now can say that CW is my new favorite mode.

Radioless AllStar Node

In my previous post, I discussed the possibility of building a personal AllStar node instead of a community-wide one. This would not only be easier to make but would also be less time-constraining and could more than likely be done in a day.

Balancing the Unbalanced Truth

Today and after many years of operating with an end fed antenna, I have learned that these antennas give off lots and lots of unwanted radiation, also known as common mode currents. So what's the answer? New antenna? More coax, less coax? Read on and I'll hopefully answer these questions!

Welcome to the Shack crib!

Happy 2025 everyone!

After a solid year of HF inactivity, I am proud and happy to say that my FT-891 is back on the air in a rather permanent matter! The minute our basement was finished up (and I discovered, despite being old, our house is properly grounded!!! Hooray!!!), I began brainstorming ideas on how to build my HF station in the lower dwellings of my house.

A Life Update as of Fall 2024

 Hi everyone...

HamDashboard de VA3HDL

 Jason, KM4ACK, has done it again. He's shown another really cool ham thing on his YT page - a ham-friendly dashboard!

If you're looking for a way to have ALL your ham radio internet-linked things at your fingertips, look no further than VA3HDL's Ham Radio Dashboard. All you need is a web browser to get started.

APRS Digipeater Update

I am happy to announce that the digipeater project is coming along slowly but surely. I have run into some major hiccups along the way, moreover with the many USB devices I have been using and the poltergeist of RFI.

Andy's Ham Radio Linux update

 Hi guys and gals!

Recently, I put AHRL on my grandpa's old laptop. This may replace the Dell Inspiron - I updated it with a new SSD, and it runs much faster! It is less than 10 years old, too. I have also come up with some modifications, tips, and tricks to the pre-existing system to best meet your needs.

Easter Activity 2023

 Hi everyone, long time no see as usual.

Well, the semester is winding down finally, I've got about 2 or 3 weeks of school left. And boy, do you know what I'm doing once I get out of here... at least for the summer.

Over the Easter weekend, I thought I'd take my FT-891 and Chameleon TD LTE antenna out for some activation. We had Easter at my dad's family's in Bethany, Missouri (if you don't know where that's at, it's east of my QTH off of I-35). My young and curious cousin, Alex, also tagged along. He is into CB radios right now so I figured I'd expose him to ham radio while I was over there.

Alex seemed pretty interested while setting up my antenna and putting together my radio. While setting up, he asked how big the antenna was, and I told him 120 feet. Surprise was an understatement - he couldn't believe that there was an antenna that long! My grandparents had an old windmill about 10 feet high, so I mounted the center near the top using some paracord. It seemed to work fine and I might use it again if needed.

Yaesu FT-891: Best for the Budget?

Okay, so maybe my base rig needed an update too. I get it; there are not enough options for someone on a budget like me, and unfortunately, ham radio isn't a budget hobby. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my TS-660, but there's just something about not having 80, 40, or 20m access that makes hams grumble when you're trying to set up a sked or a QSO. Building QRP equipment is great, but 9 times out of 10 you'll be limited to CW-only designs (in addition to Feld Hell, too!). Most hams don't do CW or even Feld Hell, so you're left calling CQ for ages if you use those modes.

In 2016, a miracle happened. Yaesu unveiled a new radio capable of producing 100W out on SSB, CW, and FM (and 40W on AM, if you care!). The best thing about this rig was its size - anyone could take it anywhere, no matter the circumstances, and even if you had a bare minimum wage-paying job, HF would be within reach. Thus, the FT-891 was born. Styled like its predecessors, the FT-817/818, it packed more punch than any mobile rig of the same size could. And if you're worried about being badged "Made in China," don't worry - it's actually made and imported from Japan, where electronics of quality are born.

I remember when I got licensed in 2018, just 2 years after the reveal. I can vaguely remember me trying to save money for a bigger and badder radio than any other ham out there. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, but I did get my TS-660 and prior to that, I was given a SK's Yaesu FT-2200, one of the best 2m radios I've owned. There is no comparison between it and the Baofeng. Period.

Background on the Purchase

For a little under $700, I went ahead and took the plunge and bought the FT-891. Before I bought it I read through the reviews and every website gave it 4.8/5 stars. The number one complaint (minimal complaint) was the controls - the radio has a lot of menus to go through but I don't think I'll find it a problem.

I ordered from Ham Radio Outlet again since I have had nothing but excellent service. The MSRP was $639.95 without tax - even with tax, it still didn't break the bank like I thought it would. The package arrived within two days, which is REALLY fast although it came from the HRO store in Milwaukee. 

Initial Thoughts and Unboxing!

I went ahead and unboxed the radio which I must say was packaged pretty well! In the box, I got the radio, the faceplate, the microphone, the power cables, and some hardware for mobile mounting. I did have to resurrect my Pyramid 30A PSU, which actually wasn't too bad for the little rig! The moment I turned it on, I noticed little to no switching noise - obviously this has a built-in PSU filter. 

I actually didn't mind having to step through the menus, and after enough practice, I think I know my way around this radio already! Unfortunately, I did run into some problems.

The FT-891 does not have a built-in sound processor like some of the higher-model radios, but it does have CAT control. I also realized that in order to use my LDG auto-tuner, I needed a special 3.5mm plug - oops. But in all reality, I don't mind. I still have my Easy Digi board and I can choose to control the rig via CAT or an RS232 breakout board. Looks like a custom interface is in the works for the future!

I tried using the SignaLink, but to my dismay, it only transmitted audio - it did not have any sound going to the computer. Yaesu did put a data interface on the back of the radio. It is a 6-pin, mini-DIN connector, like what you'd find on old computer mice or keyboards. If you have any old ones laying around, consider scrapping the cable - it should work! Below is the pinout:

Facing the back of the radio, the only pins we need to focus on are the DATA Out (Audio TO Radio), PTT (or if using the built-in CAT, ignore this!), DATA In (Audio FROM Radio), and GND (Ground). While I won't go into detail, KM4NMP has an excellent write-up on making your own interface, minus the PTT/CAT control. Just plug in the radio via the USB port in the back, configure your software, and go! Make sure to also adjust ALC levels so you're not overdriving the radio! 

Closing Thoughts and Recommendations

I absolutely love this radio and to be unbiased and honest, I have no critical complaints. I think that this radio would be an excellent starter radio. It can also be used as a base station or you can go portable, much like its predecessors, the 817, 818, 857, etc. With 100W of output, you are more than guaranteed to work the world wherever you are.

I would certainly recommend this radio to someone who's on a budget. It's a good radio whether you're new to the hobby or an operator who's seen some action. If QRP just isn't cutting it for you or you're constrained to only 2 or 3 bands, consider getting this radio. With some extra circuitry, this radio can run FT8, PSK31, Feld Hell, RTTY, etc. On the flip side, if you do enjoy QRPing, this radio can lower power levels down to 5 watts.

Conclusion and updates

For the record, I STILL cannot get RBN spots in the south despite putting out significantly more power. I'm trying to get to Alabama, but no cigar. I am clear from coast to coast, but it appears that no one down there reports me or can't hear me. It may be time for a new antenna setup, particularly one that points south. Better yet, I NEED MORE SPACE! Do you know how horrible it is to have your entire station antenna set up on less than a tenth of an acre, let alone indoors???

The weather up here in Maryville is starting to get warmer (hopefully it continues to!), and today the temp is about 52 degrees. I'm starting to get back into the swing of things at school and summer can't come soon enough! 

Once I get an extended break (in about 4 weeks or so), I plan on taking my radio out to the university and will hopefully make some contacts. Until then, I'm bound to the books for now...

A Great Day for Ham Radio

Yesterday couldn't have gone any better than it did - I made two SSB contacts using only 10W of power and a wet noodle!

The first station I called was a special station. K3S is based on the world's first nuclear-powered boat, the Savannah. Savannah is currently docked and decommissioned near Baltimore, Maryland, and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. According to the K3S QRZ page, January 28th is a significant day:

"Radio Operator Jack Binns sent a CQD (former SOS) message from [the] RMS Republic on January 23, 1909, after Republic was rammed by the Italian liner SS Florida. Republic subsequently sank, but Binns' CQD and continuous wireless work [resulted in] a successful rescue of all aboard except two killed in the collision."

It took me 3 tries to get through to K3S. The station's operator was Ted and he gave me a much-improved signal rating of 5x3. He was coming in around 5x8 or so. It was really amazing to work this station due to the special occasion, but at the same time, I also was just scanning around the bands. K3S held a QSO with me on 21.3137.

Later, towards the end of the day, I called CQ on 15m again. As soon as I sent out my third CQ call, N1IIC came right back. Fortunately, he told me that I was extremely modulated, which means my mic gain was too much. It's not very nice to overmodulate, so I turned it down. I guess you really don't need that much mic gain even for 10W. He came in at a 5x5. N1IIC QSOed with me on 21.3680. We had a good talk, I told him where my QTH was at and that I had been hearing RTTY on every band I was on. January 28th was also when the British Isles were hosting a RTTY contest, which took over almost every band. It's so beautiful to hear so many RTTY stations.

In addition to this, I will be updating my station (again!) with another radio provided by HRO - the Yaesu FT-891. If you haven't heard the news already, Yaesu is discontinuing the FT-817/818 line of radios. This looks like a good replacement for the cost as you will get 100W out in a smaller package. 

Until then, stay tuned for a review!

A Word Of Caution When Making PCBs

I had a bit of a health scare today but I think I'm alright.

I had to re-mix some copper chloride etchant since my old stuff wasn't strong enough and had lost its potency. Since I was in a hurry, I bypassed wearing a mask and it may have cost me big time. The minute I opened the muriatic acid, I was greeted with some chlorine fumes, and needless to say, I panicked for quite a bit. I actually fell backward out of fear of poisoning myself. I bet I must've looked stupid!

Luckily, I was doing this outside, but I still caught a whiff of the fumes. I am okay right now, just a bit concerned that I may have done some damage.

If you are making PCBs in this way, PLEASE wear the proper PPE. This includes a mask, eye protection, long-sleeved clothing, and gloves. You could actually poison yourself without realizing it, at which point it may be too late. 

And as always, don't rush production. It's how mistakes like this are made.

This friendly PSA was provided by KE0SBX's ham shack. Stay tuned for more and stay safe out there! Hopefully, I'll return with my Feld Hell interface up and running on the Cub...

One other thing about this solution: This stuff really starts to lose potency after a week or so of sitting in a plastic tub. Despite putting copper in it to agitate it, I think the best solution would be to use a small water pump, like what's in an aquarium. Amazon sells mini ones for under $10. If you have a strong arm, you can also stir it using a plastic fork or spoon, but this may take forever. Once the solution has oxygen introduced to it, it will start to regain its potency.