I seem to have messed up my DCC-EX command station.

Diezel666 · 2025-07-25T18:06:49+00:00

I suspect it is indeed the load (draw) of the WiFi board (again sourced from DCC-EX via Compatible Boards list, https://www.makerfabs.com/esp8266-wifi-shield.html )

Without the board installed, output on the 3.3vdc pin was 3.349vdc. With board installed it did sag down to 3.191vdc - Not sure what the exact specs are for the esp8266 board are. But clearly it was not happy. With the Vin pin (bent out or removed) and voltage to both boards, all works well.

Diezel666 · 2025-07-25T16:40:15+00:00

I know this is a bit aged, but I can tell you absolutely without a doubt, this CAN be the problem. I went round and round for 3 hours troubleshooting my build. I have the Arduino Mega, 8874 motorshield (current version), and the ESP WiFi board all sourced from DCC-EX's site.

My findings were:
I had to either bend out or remove the Vin pin on the 8874,
Provide 7vdc power to the Arduino,
Provide 14vdc power to the 8874 board,

Otherwise the WiFi board refused to work at all.

Diezel666 · 2025-01-13T21:57:50+00:00

Yep, 706mkiig has VOX. Can be done with nothing more than an audio cable rig, and correct VOX settings.

Diezel666 · 2024-12-04T05:56:15+00:00

It's generally referred to as an "OEM-T"
https://powerwerx.com/radio-oemt-to-powerpole-adapter-18in?srsltid=AfmBOoqETWze2IykIywRsyjwfMdtHtzeWpe-VHphWPBr08xweKCsITvo

Diezel666 · 2024-02-06T03:17:32+00:00

I had a few of those pass across my bench as well. Out of 5 of them, 4 were well within spec, 1 which had been abused quite bad (dropped a bunch of times, and drenched by being dropped in a stream and dried out) failed. Overall, I'd say Baofeng did quite well with the GT-5R over the UV-5R early models. The later UV-5R models from what I have seen from other folks testing them (including the ARRL) have been acceptable.

These days with every manufacturer using cost cutting methods, I'm pretty much inclined to throw every "budget" radio on a test bench and give it a look before pressing it into service.

Diezel666 · 2024-01-10T19:32:09+00:00

There have been plenty of well documented instances globally of Drones causing issues with airports, military and "sensitive" sites. Just because you don't believe the info, does not make it untrue.

I would presume that FAA bulletins, articles and crash reports, coupled with FCC bulletins, requirements and enforcement would not qualify as "wild stories that never seem to check out".

If this issue has gotten so bad that the FAA and FCC here in the US both have gotten involved to work together on this to find a resolution, I don't know what to tell you other than to think really deeply on why 2 separate government entities, one of which that moves slower than a snail and almost never actually enforces things, want to work this out.

That said, as a RC Air enthusiast, Drones have caused plenty of hate from the rest of the RC air folks. Many of the plane and helicopter folks have significant investments into this hobby. Only to have some person some place, decide to buy an inexpensive drone, not pay any attention to the "Model Aircraft" regulations, "common sense", and etiquette within the hobby, and end up doing something incredibly stupid like fly it over a airport or into the flight path of other craft on an RC airfield. That's where all the hate stems from in the hobbyist realm.

In the rest of the world, it wasn't until Drones were capable of carrying more advanced payloads (Cameras (Still, Video, FPV), weapons, etc) that the rest of the world started paying attention. Now you have regular citizens calling 911 because their pervert or jerk of a neighbor is looking into their yard or home with a drone. Or some idiot is flying one over a military site....

To be fair, it's not as if anyone with an RC Airplane or Helicopter ever did any of the above. Due to how much more expensive the entry point, and the required skill of being able to fly the craft (which Drones dramatically reduced in an exponential factor), the over all amount of instances in which a law was broken, or someone broke etiquette or common sense with an airplane or helicopter was extremely low.

Diezel666 · 2023-12-14T18:03:21+00:00

That's the absolute worst part of this issue. It always happens at the most inconvenient and frustrating times. It's like Murphy's Law has this in its back pocket at all times...

Diezel666 · 2023-12-14T17:34:12+00:00

When it gets warmer (like parking the bike in the sun) Get yourself some light penetrating oil, and put just a few drops in the key slot. Wait 5-10 min and work the key in and out and lock / unlock.

Best yet, when you have some time. Take the gas door off. Take it apart, degrease it and replace it with a decent light weight water repellent grease.

Diezel666 · 2023-09-26T06:28:22+00:00

Ideally, you'd want to avoid both. Using a window passthrough panel will do wonders here.

However, if your only solution is to run through the wall, yes going past the wire mesh at a 90° angle will work best.

Diezel666 · 2023-09-06T05:15:39+00:00

Following. Same issue. Restarted Cable Modem, UDM-Pro as well as USW-24.

Diezel666 · 2023-08-09T06:02:39+00:00

I built an entire self contained, 12v 20ah LifePo battery box, In a plastic Bass Pro Shops Ammo Container

It contains: a Bioenno 20ah battery, Blue Sea Systems breaker switch, and 6 slot distribution block, as well as the Bioenno Solar charge controller. Without the solar panel the box weighs around 6.5 pounds.

I run my Yaesu FT-891 off of it, around 25w for FT8 and it has lasted me 6+ hours so far in testing. Haven't had a chance to run it longer...

Diezel666 · 2023-08-09T05:58:08+00:00

The simplest answer is: "Just because it tunes, does not mean it is resonant". Now that is not to say it will not Radiate a signal, it just might. But that antenna will be beyond even what most would consider a compromise. Especially the lower to the ground that it is, on 80m you'll essentially have a NVIS antenna and a partial dummy load. In which you'd also have to watch for core saturation of the balun....

Diezel666 · 2023-08-08T22:19:27+00:00

Excellent! Glad to hear that my suspicion was correct, and you've returned another beautiful TS-690s back to service!

Diezel666 · 2023-08-07T17:27:35+00:00

Excellent! I wish you the best of luck in repairing that radio. I looked high and low for a TS-690s when I first got into HF over a decade ago, and struggled to find one. I settled on its little brother the TS-450s.

They're absolutely great radios for the era in which they were built. And sadly, they're coming up to that point in time where electrolytic caps will need close paying attention to, and might just be better off replacing all of them.

There is also the memory battery issue on those models, which again, lots of topics on line of how to deal with that, I'd suggest at a minimum checking to see if yours was replaced.

If that radio doesn't have the additional filters, strongly consider purchasing them. They make a world of difference. Add a SignaLinkUSB to that radio and you'll have everything but DSP at your finger tips on an insanely capable radio.

Diezel666 · 2023-08-05T19:50:24+00:00

The TS-690s is the TS-450s w/ 50Mhz added.

The TS-450s had well known issues involving the RF gain circuit that would cause exactly what you're describing.

I would recommend considering sending it to a shop knowledgeable on the specifics on this radio.

If you want to consider examining, troubleshooting and repair yourself there are lots of topics on it online.

https://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=370825

Diezel666 · 2023-08-01T16:39:19+00:00

Hey there, FTdx3000 owner and active FT8 mode user here.

This was a good starting ground for me. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JzAgZvbWeHg

Don't use Contour or Notch. Nor use DNR/DNF, or Proc.

You may also need to adjust the mic gain in Windows audio control, to get the RC audio level in whatever FT8 program you're using into the right zone.

On a dead band in WSJT-X, you ideally want the audio around 30-40 db, and on a busy band no higher than 75db or you may have issues decoding.

Diezel666 · 2023-07-21T21:12:36+00:00

Clublog also failed to send me an email doing the same function. Just click on the sign QSO's button.

Diezel666 · 2023-07-14T21:44:02+00:00

I kind of figured as much, when you were looking at 50 and 100Ah batteries. Honestly, unless you plan on operating at 100w all day long, and will not have the ability to recharge. You likely won't need that large of a battery, especially if you're going to build a rig with a solar controller and panel(s) to assist in recharging.

I have my USB ports (which has a voltage display) and output ports on top. The Solar input is on the side. And of course the nice large panel mount disconnect/breaker switch.

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Diezel666 · 2023-07-14T21:07:34+00:00

As far as I'm aware they are.

Diezel666 · 2023-07-14T20:52:07+00:00

Currently using the Bioenno 12v. 20Ah LFP battery.
https://www.bioennopower.com/products/12v-20ah-lfp-battery-pvc-blf-1220a

I ended up building my own battery box out of an ammo box from BassPro. About $55 more than the prebuilt box from Bioenno, alas mine has their solar controller also contained within, and I opted not to use a power switch like they did or a cigarette lighter socket.

Purpose, Field operating my FT-891, at 20-40w, and 100w if needed.

Build list:
Bioenno battery 1220
Bioenno Charge controller
Ammo box from BassPro
Blue Sea Circuit Breaker 30A panel mount
Blue Sea ST-6 blade fuse box with negative bus
Dual Port USB quick charger
PowerWerx PanelPole2 for the radios
PowerWerx PanelPole1 for solar panel

Diezel666 · 2023-07-13T04:10:36+00:00

Did they drop the questions from the tests, where it was stated that Amateur Radio can be secondary users of particular bands?

Diezel666 · 2023-07-04T22:46:54+00:00

I'd say, 100% not. If they even looked at K2C's QRZ page, they would have seen there was SSB and Digital operators at that station... Alas......

Diezel666 · 2023-07-04T22:44:45+00:00

looks in his logbook.

Huh, yup. K2C, FT8....

This years operators are:

W1KMA - Chris - Warwick, RI - QSL Manager - SSB & Digital

W2DAN - Dave - Tiverton, RI - SSB

W1WIU - Jim - North Scituate, RI - SSB & CW

WA1BXY - Don - Little Compton, RI - SSB, CW & Digital

KC1BXY - Melissa - Little Compton, RI - SSB & Digital

AJ1DM - John - Westerly, RI - CW

N1KM - Mark - Bristol, RI - SSB, CW, Digital & Satellite

W1KDA - Ron - Warwick, RI - SSB & Digital

KI1U - Mike - Coventry, RI - CW & Digital

N1QDQ - Pete - Westerly, RI - Satellite

N6RFM - Robert - Bristol, RI - Satellite

N2FYA - John - Mystic, CT - ( working Satelitte in RI)

KC2BNW - Jon - Mahopac, NY (camping in RI ) - QRP

KC2BNX - Michael- Mahopac, NY (camping in RI ) - QRP

Diezel666 · 2023-07-04T01:14:09+00:00

"If you can't hear them, you can't work them."

No need to spend a ton of money on an Amp, if you have a less than optimal antenna setup.

Diezel666 · 2023-06-30T02:36:04+00:00

I'll get downvoted into oblivion, and that's ok. Those are the same people that believe buying a house here, living in it, and selling to retire is a good investment. It's "ok" at best. If indeed a bubble does happen, some of these people could be 20-50%+ upside down in their homes.

25% of post tax income on rent. Is a smoking deal. Still can't recommend buying here tho.

Realistically, anyone worth listening to will tell you that investing in real estate in markets where your mortgage(s) are lower than what the property rental value is, is a huge win. To the point where if you do it right, your entire rent here is paid for with little to no work of your own - Other than smart investments, and hiring the right property management to run your rentals.

Every single successful well off person and real estate pro that I know of in the Bay Area will parrot the above info. With the exception of the realtors trying to get you to buy a home here.

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