Post by 15wblumpkinpirate on Jun 27, 2019 11:59:16 GMT -6
So I got this and know very little about it, I've transmitted on 5w and 15w for some short 30 min sets - seems to stay on frequency with little bleed over, antenna is kinda wobbly/cheap.
Does anyone want to share their experiences and info with this box?
I'd be very wary of using that antenna with it as it's only a whip and needs to be on a flat metal surface if it's anything like a magnet mount antenna. Going to guess your SWR is pretty bad with it and at 15w it would probably kill the transmitter output transistor in short time. Be far better off with a properly tuned dipole or other antenna. I am judging off the picture though.
And you'll do best with an SWR meter. They aren't too expensive.
If you don't have an SWR meter, then when you make/buy a better antenna be sure to place your antenna free from obstacles. About 10ft free in all directions. If you don't do this, even if the antenna has the right length, the SWR could still be bad.
I'd be very wary of using that antenna with it as it's only a whip and needs to be on a flat metal surface if it's anything like a magnet mount antenna. Going to guess your SWR is pretty bad with it and at 15w it would probably kill the transmitter output transistor in short time. Be far better off with a properly tuned dipole or other antenna. I am judging off the picture though.
I do have it on a paint can, but yes both of you are right, this antenna is wobbly and feels cheaply made. I also need to get an SWR meter (and embarrassingly admit, learn how to use it.)
I think I'll leave it off air til I can get a better antenna, and space to put it in.
I'd be very wary of using that antenna with it as it's only a whip and needs to be on a flat metal surface if it's anything like a magnet mount antenna. Going to guess your SWR is pretty bad with it and at 15w it would probably kill the transmitter output transistor in short time. Be far better off with a properly tuned dipole or other antenna. I am judging off the picture though.
I do have it on a paint can, but yes both of you are right, this antenna is wobbly and feels cheaply made. I also need to get an SWR meter (and embarrassingly admit, learn how to use it.)
I think I'll leave it off air til I can get a better antenna, and space to put it in.
This antenna might be a little flimsy, I don't know, but the advantage of this one is you can change the length easily for tuning.
When you get your SWR meter, you just turn the transmitter on low power. I'm pretty sure these things have a high and low or even variable power. Use that. If you have a variable voltage power supply that would be ideal.
Then with it on low power, check the reflected power needle on the meter and turn off transmitter...lengthen or shorten antenna...turn on...check reflected power...did increase or decrease?...if decrease turn off and do more of that direction (shorter or longer)...else other direction...repeat until you have lowest reflected power and most forward power.
Post by 15wblumpkinpirate on Sept 25, 2019 3:34:50 GMT -6
I switched to a Ramsey FM25B with a ground plane antenna - not near the distance, but better setup - the 1st transmitter that the thread started about started making my computer screens get staticy when it was turned on so I stopped using it!
I switched to a Ramsey FM25B with a ground plane antenna - not near the distance, but better setup - the 1st transmitter that the thread started about started making my computer screens get staticy when it was turned on so I stopped using it!
Yeah, that happens. It doesn't necessarily mean the transmitter is putting out spurious. Very clean transmitters can do the same thing if the antenna is located too close to the computer. I've even had keyboard and mouse malfunctions. Just make sure your antenna is not at the same height as the computer and it's 50ft or more away. You could also try a yagi.
I understand that you're using the ramsey and might be happy with it, but just in case other people read this, I thought I'd say it anyway.
"HighMountainRadio" offers a yagi antenna for FM. I think he's left the forum though.
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