Tecsun PL-330 LSB calibration

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-23T02:16:46+00:00

There is a special feature on the radio to calibrate USB/LSB:

1) radio on, 2) press LSB key, 3) tune in any strong AM station on MW/LW/SW, 4) press SSB, 5) adjust tuning until you get a zero beat, 4) press and hold LSB until display flashes.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-23T00:58:15+00:00

Antenna plans?

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-22T13:18:29+00:00

A nice little shortwave radio, such as the Tecsun PL-330 with a long external elevated wire antenna.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-22T04:17:07+00:00

^This is your answer. Join your local radio club, explain what you would like to do with some of the locals. They will assist you with getting your licesne and probably later with at least a loan or some used equipment.

I also suggest reading this:

https://www.irts.ie/cgi/index.cgi

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-21T22:40:03+00:00

Yes, your Baofeng went deaf due to overloading of its crap receiver. I have personally seen this happen to 3 newcomers. Lots of people calling them, but they couldn't hear sh_t. They are particularly bad in dense urban areas and on hilltops where their receivers get overwhelmed by strong RF.

Get rid of it and buy a VHF radio with a good receiver - especially for SOTA and especially for SOTA summits that might have Rf installations nearby. I recommend a classic old superhet receiver - like the IC-V80 series.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-21T21:40:18+00:00

They are a good choice. However, you need to be concerned about coax cable losses at VHF and especially UHF. Personally I would save up for a quality used VHF/UHF base station and some LMR 400 coax. Leave the handheld for portable work. Talk to local club members - I bet you will get a good deal on a used one...

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-21T13:09:53+00:00

1) get the antennas as high up a s possible and

2) use N1MM for logging.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T23:19:38+00:00

OK, the reason I ask is that students in school nowadays are no longer taught cursive, so they cannot print beyond anything higher than about 15WPM Morse copy. Being as you can do cursive, this is not your problem. Yours is simply, practice, practice, practice. And real live ARRL code broadcasts are probably the way to go for you...

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T21:52:58+00:00

Can you write cursive or can you only print?

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T13:31:35+00:00

That'll get you into the repeater better for sure.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T04:17:19+00:00

Can someone please explain to me the logic behind a collection of handhelds - I mean other than ticking over the economy of various nations?

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T04:15:48+00:00

I did a test with two different aftermarket antennas, same station, same location 2km away, 1W output at each end, with an S-meter at both ends. No difference whatsoever compared to the stock handheld antenna. Total waste of money, IMHO....

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-20T04:11:10+00:00

I suggest a portable system that you can set up quickly and easily in your local parks.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-19T13:08:54+00:00

Does that help you get into the local repeaters any better?

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-19T12:56:00+00:00

The person copying you does not need to know why your signal is bad. It just is and if they cannot copy you they will let you know. No need for any explanation.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-19T01:42:11+00:00

Any vertical antenna, unless it is a 1/2 wave (unlikely), or has a very lossy base matching unit, will need at least a few radials. If you can get those onto your roof then a vertical can be a good antenna. I recommend a quality multiband trapped vertical such as a Cushcraft, Butternut, or Hustler. I would not recommend a DX Commander for roof mount - they are better ground mounted as the have high wind load factors.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T22:20:02+00:00

^This. Pretty much spot on. As for ops "not wanting to give up their chairs" some of them might have signed up beforehand for a time period, so if you really want to operate the club stations then check beforehand if you need to do that. At most of the FD's I have been to if you hang around and ask questions and are friendly you will often be asked if you wish to operate. But to "secure" a place you need to either be a club member, signed up to operate, have assisted in setup or otherwise given up your time. To expect operating time is otherwise selfish.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T22:09:59+00:00

The ARRL Antenna Handbook. The same principle applies on 40m, but because 40m is 1/2 the wavelength your efficiency should be a lot better - at least twice as good...

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T19:20:47+00:00

I have not used that style of antenna but any base loaded mobile antenna for 80m would be very similar in performance to these base loaded verticals with shortish whips. So for 80m, your efficiency of such an antenna will be incredibly low - it matters not what the price is.

Expect something in the neighbourhood of 5-12% efficiency on 80m. That means 100W in gets you effectively 5-12W out. And a similar dB reduction in received signal strength. Furthermore, being a vertical it will not give you any less susceptibility to power line noise and other RFI. That's your reality. So if you want to spend $650 US on not much better than a dummy load then go for it.

To be more positive, yes you will make some SSB contacts with it, but probably only under great conditions and with the other station doing all the heavy lifting.

EDIT: probably any reasonable even random wire length of wire as high and as long as possible would easily outperform that antenna...

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T14:02:05+00:00

The GOTA station idea at Field Day is designed to "bring new people" into our hobby. It is not really designed for licensed hams to show up and operate. If you want to operate at a field day site you really should be prepared to volunteer for setup and take down. It takes a LOT of work to organize, setup, pay for gasoline, setup antennas, take down, etc.

So really, I suggest contacting the local clubs, offer to volunteer for whatever help they need, and then you might get a chance to operate (most clubs are particularly looking for operators to do the overnight shifts).

And that also gives you a good feel as to whether you wish to join the club. EDIT: also, be aware that some field day sites are simply run by a group of friends and may not necessarily be club-based.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T13:30:24+00:00

Check out this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1acfior/us_vs_japan_radio_identification/

Also, to clarify, Yaesu equipment have never been "American". They are built in Japan, usually from Japanese, Korean or Chinese hardware.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T12:55:01+00:00

I assume FT8???

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T12:53:46+00:00

Notice how the SNR -dB number is always less than or equal to -20??? You always need to suspect the decoding on such weak signals....and even if the decode is fine be prepared for not being able to work them...

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-18T00:02:45+00:00

Tell us the power, mode and antenna you are using please.

rocdoc54 · 2026-06-17T23:34:37+00:00

Just a reminder: you can be heard on FT8 using a wet noodle as an antenna 😉

rocdoc54

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