Monthly Archives: May 2014

Latest Version 5 HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) Download

I used to host the last free version of HRD version 5.XXX however I had a (VERY) polite note from Dr Michael Carper (WA9PIE) explaining that the version I was hosting here, was actually compiled by the new HRD team, after they purchased /acquired the rights from Simon Brown.

Michael was at pains to explain that he wasn’t being heavy handed, he just wanted me to know that technically, I was giving away *his* product.

Silly me!

That download has now been removed – but I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Michael on his tone, friendliness and professionalism. In this modern fast-paced world, it’s becoming a rare trait.


 

But WAIT! The latest version of HRD is actually better and has amazing support too. Version 6 is awesome and has a number of enhancements including a wider selection of rigs, FSK keying etc etc.

Suggest you check the HRD guys out here – and there’s a 30 day free trial!

 

Converting a 40m vertical to run on 80m / 75m band

Recently, I created a slightly loaded 40m vertical with 25 ground radials. It seems to work very well although the receive noise is pretty lousy compared to my loops and dipoles, however on transmit, it does seem to work as planned; a typical 1/4 wave pattern that outperforms regular dipoles at low angles of radiation.   Continue reading

ACOM 600s automatic HF linear amplifier

James (M0YOM) and I are pretty excited about a new automatic, solid state linear amplifier from the ACOM stable. 160m through 6m with continuous duty rated at 600 watts. Well, when I say portable, I mean it’s more portable than say the ACOM 2000 – but still heavier than say an AL811. But hey, it’s super sexy, automatic and has that amazing legendary ACOM metering and inbuilt protection.

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Multi-banding 10m long 1/4 wave 40m vertical antenna for 15m band

I’m always curious to discover if a mono-band antenna will work efficiently (or otherwise) on another band. I recall that when I first studied antennas, it was explained that a dipole antenna will be resonant on every third harmonic. That means a dipole for 7.1 MHz should also work on the frequency three times bigger, in other words 21.3 Mhz. Actually, experience tells me that the real resonant frequency will be a little higher.

58 -vs- 14

1/4 wave vertical for 40m band can also be a 5/8th for 15m band

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