Category Archives: Ham Radio

❝ Calling CQ CQ CQ
Hello CQ CQ CQ
Here is Kilo three Kilo Bravo Foxtrot
K 3 K B F
Calling CQ and Listening ❞

My adventures in Amateur Radio as I progress from my FCC Amateur Radio Technician (originally KO4ZSY, now vanity as K3KBF) and General Class licenses. I’m hoping to become proficient and active with my Technician license.

My radios include ICOM, Baofeng, Yaesu, Uniden, and Software-Defined Radio (SDR) using HackRF One, CubicSDR, and SDR#.

Ham Radio

QotD for Monday, 22-Aug-2022 0700 EDT

K3KBF (Sterling, VA) — QotD for Monday, 22-Aug-2022 0700 EDT

WA4TSC (147.300 MHz, Bluemont, VA)
K3KBF (Sterling, VA) — QotD for Monday, 22-Aug-2022 0700 EDT

QUESTION:

In what year was the Cadillac Automobile Company formed, and who was it named after?

ANSWER:

Cadillac was founded in 1902 by Henry Leland, who named the company after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who happens to be the founder of Detroit.

Just six short years later, Cadillac brought the idea of interchangeable parts to the automotive industry and laid the groundwork for modern mass production of automobiles.

As a result, Cadillac became the first American car to win the prestigious Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club of England. After earning such high praise Cadillac adopted the slogan “Standard of the World.”

As an Aside, Gaming, Ham Radio, Social Media

Updating my Banner Pictures (Social Media)

1500×500 pixels at 72ppi is the current “optimal size” for banner pictures in Facebook, Twitter, and Mastodon, so these are the current three pictures I’m rotating between for:

The intent is capturing my current interests in the banner picture, trying to include our Shelties, my amateur radio operations, and my love of gaming.

K3KBF (Loudoun County, Virginia, US)
K3KBF (Loudoun County, Virginia, US)
Gaming on the Valve Steam Deck
Ham Radio

K3KBF — Morning net and QotD on WA4TSC

K3KBF — Morning Net with WA4TSC (Bluemont, VA)

Joined the morning Net on WA4TSC (147.300MHz, Bluemont, VA) as they discussed the current heatwave, SOTA (Summits on the Air), and the Question of the Day (QotD).

Today’s QotD:

How many times was Hank Aaron selected to play for the MLB All-Star games during his 23 MLB seasons?

25 times in 23 years?! … Explain, please?

Hank Aaron was voted to, or selected for, his league’s All-Star team 25 times during his 23-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Perhaps you are wondering how he managed that in a 23-year career. This: MLB played two All-Star Games each season for four years, 1959–62. The rosters were compiled separately for both Games (though there was a lot of common overlap), so being named to both teams (as Aaron was) in a single season counted as two selections.

He had additional opportunities. Between 1959–1962 (4 seasons), MLB, trying to generate more money for the player’s pension fund, played 2 All-Star games per year. Thus, Hank played 8 All-Star games in the 4-year period, rather than 4 games.

Stan Musial and Willie Mays also took advantage of the extra games, ranking second to Aaron, each playing 24 All-Star games.

Musial holds the MLB record for most home runs (6) in All-Star games. This includes the 1955 ASG, where Stan won the game for the NL with a walk off HR in the 12th inning.

Ham Radio, Technology

Updating the HackRF One with PortaPack H2+ (Mayhem 1.5.4)

Updating the HackRF One with PortaPack H2+

The HackRF One with PortaPack H2+ is truly an outstanding handheld Software Defined Radio (SDR) with an incredible amount of features and support.  Since many of the vendors are Russian or Chinese, I see that a number of people are having difficulty with the hardware, firmware updates, or support.  Here is what I used to research, update my firmware from Havoc/Mayhem 1.4.0 (stock/OEM) to Mayhem 1.5.4, and document mine:

For a much better in-depth explanation, review, and detailed step-by-step instructions for updating the firmware or using the HackRF One with PortaPack H2+, check out MAYHEM Firmware for the HackRF Portapack Installation / Overview – YouTube.

I highly recommend the Diamond SRH320A 144/220/440 MHz Tri-Band Handheld SMA Antenna for the best use and reception with the HackRF One when using it for HAM Radio.

“WARNING” / NOTE:

Seeing a black screen on reboot or power up of your HackRF One with Portapack H2+ …me too!

  1. Press the UP button on your H2+ while it powers up so it loads LCD Driver 1 and configures your H2+.
  2. Wait a few seconds (up to 10 seconds), the LCD driver will load and you’ll see the Mayhem 1.5.4 boot screen or GUI.

GALLERY:

Updating the HackRF One with PortaPack H2+
Updating the HackRF One with PortaPack H2+

See More Flipper Zero Goodness! for news and updates about the Flipper Zero, which I also updated today…

Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Ham Radio, Technology

More Flipper Zero Goodness!

Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac

Continuing the earlier Travels with Flipper (“my Cyberdolphin friend”), Flipper Zero has more updates, discussions, and apps.  Flipper Zero now supports MacOS and iOS, with wireless Bluetooth pairing in addition to USB-C wired.

LINKS:

GALLERY:

Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
Updating Flipper Zero using a Mac
iOS app for Flipper Zero (using Bluetooth)
iOS app for Flipper Zero (using Bluetooth)
Ham Radio

K3KBF — morning net for Thu 23-Jun-2022

1 Comment
K3KBF — morning net for Thu 23-Jun-2022

K3KBF — morning net for Thu 23-Jun-2022

Listening to WA4TSC discuss the QotD as they ask “who was the first nation to create vehicle license plates, and in what year?” as I enjoy my coffee.

Photo Gallery (Thu 23-Jun-2022)

K3KBF — morning net for Thu 23-Jun-2022
K3KBF — morning net for Thu 23-Jun-2022

Seeing LZ2CFW’s bootscreen that includes his callsign, I really need to come up with a graphic that includes my callsign and a picture of one of our Shelties.

Bootscreen for LZ2CFW’s HT
Bootscreen on BTech DMR-6X2
Ham Radio

22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf” (Update 2)

22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf”

 

K3KBF — Starting my first “Radio Shelf”

I’m waiting on the new Uniden Bearcat SDS200, new antenna arrays, and cables to arrive. I’m planning to rack, stack, and cable (neatly through conduits, of course!) all of my radios on this shelf next to the window.

The Uniden, Icom, Yaesu, and Baofeng all have IP addresses and can be accessed online. I’m working on a new website and likely a new domain to host remote access, call logs, and QSOs (contacts) from all my radios.

THIS will be VERY cool once it’s complete!

73,
K3KBF (Ken Foreman)
Sterling, Virginia, USA [FM19HA]

“Radio Shelf” — Photo Gallery (Weds 22-Jun-2022)

22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf”
22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf”
22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf”
22-Jun-2022 — Building “Radio Shelf”
Ham Radio

My First ̶R̶a̶d̶i̶o̶ ̶S̶h̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶ “Radio Shelf”

K3KBF — My First ̶R̶a̶d̶i̶o̶ ̶S̶h̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶ “Radio Shelf”

Building a “Radio Shelf”

Since Victoria remarked a few times “Ken, you have radios everywhere!”, rather than building a “Radio Shack”, I’m building a “Radio Shelf” to rack, stack, cable, and run antennas to my shortwave radio, ICOM IC-705, Uniden Bearcat SDS200, and various handheld transceivers.

Expect this shelf to look much more impressive later this weekend as I rack, stack, and cable my new gear.

73,
K3KBF (Ken Foreman)
Sterling, Virginia, US

Photo Gallery (our growing “Radio Shelf”)

Kiyomi beside our window and “radio shelf”
Setting up Uniden Bearcat SDS200
Building a “Radio Shelf”
Building a “Radio Shelf”
Building a “Radio Shelf”
Building a “Radio Shelf”
Nixie Tube Clock, Plasma Lamp, Vex’ahlia
Ham Radio

Callsign Change (KO4ZSY → K3KBF)

Callsign Change (KO4ZSY → K3KBF)

I got an email this morning from the FCC granting my vanity callsign request. My original (auto-assigned) callsign of KO4ZSY is now changed to my requested vanity vallsign of K3KBF.

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=4602660

❝ Calling CQ CQ CQ
Hello CQ CQ CQ
Here is Kilo three Kilo Bravo Foxtrot
K 3 K B F
Calling CQ and Listening ❞

Time to update all of my radios, call plugs, and online accounts (QRZ, hamQTH, LotW, etc)

KO4ZSY     K3KBF
Ham Radio

Antique-Reproduction FCC Technician License (KO4ZSY)

FCC Technician License for KO4ZSY

I ordered this on antique paper with this font, typography, and my FCC license information.  While it’s not an Official License to Transmit, it’s a beautiful recognition of my FCC Technician License that I intend to frame and display alongside my Honorable Discharge from the US Air Force (DD-256).

Ham Radio

First Radio Contact over 200 miles!

Using the ICOM IC-705 with my new antenna!

KO4ZSY — FIRST 200+ MILE CONTACT!
(Research Triangle Park, NC)

With the new 2m/70cm NMO mount antennna on the ICOM IC-705, I got my first 200+ mile contact!

Had a crystal clear connection from Sterling, VA, to Research Triangle Park, NC. We talked on FM simplex (147.300 MHz) between my ICOM IC-705 and his Kenwood tranceiver.

Scenes from Today:

ICOM IC-705 SDR Control on the Mac
Sachiko as my designated Radio Operator on the ICOM IC-705
Sachiko as my designated Radio Operator on the ICOM IC-705
Using the ICOM IC-705 with my new antenna!
2m / 70cm portable antenna with counterpoise
First Contact over 200 miles on 2-meter band!
ICOM IC-705 SDR Control on the Mac
Ham Radio, HOW-TO

KO4ZSY — Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex Repeaters

Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone

To quickly set Duplex Repeater with PL Tone on the YAESU VX-8DR:

(As an example: I’m using WA4TSC on my Yaesu VX-8DR at 147.30000MHz downlink, 147.90000 uplink, +0.6MHz offset, 146.2Hz uplink tone.  You can find this information using RepeaterBook.)

  • Tune VFO to desired Frequency (of the Repeater, eg 147.300MHz)
  • Press FW key on left side, [F] lights up on the Display
  • Press MODE on keypad
  • Rotate the dial on top to choose TONE as your Squelch Type
  • Press PTT to confirm Squelch Type
  • Press FW key again, [F] lights up on the Display
  • Press 2 on the Keypad for Code (which is a PL Tone for this selected Squelch Type)
  • Rotate the dial on top to choose the correct Tone Frequency of the Uplink Tone expected by the Repeater (eg 146.2Hz)
  • Press 2 on the Keypad again to confirm Uplink Tone.
  • You are now able to listen and transmit as Duplex on the Yaesu VX-8DR
    • to confirm, you should now see:
      • the Repeater frequency as the VFO,
      • TN [+/i] NFM  from the Right Display,
      • [A]HI  from the Left Display
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone

The Yaesu VX-8DR, Baofengtech DMR-6X2, and ICOM IC-705 are each quite different radios with very different learning curves.

The ICOM IC-705 is proving the easiest to program/use, Yaesu as most “old school” in setting each configuration item, and the Btech DMR-6X2 absolutely requires a PC to program a “code plug” for use if you want to set the Radio ID, talk groups, and contacts to make it useful.

I’ll document each so that others can have an easier time of it. 🥰✌️

References:

Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Ham Radio

KO4ZSY — FIRST CONTACT (QSO)!

ARRL – First Contact Award

Many thanks to W8ANT, KO4SSD, and K3EZY for making my First Contact possible!

Once I cleaned up my ground plane and increased my transmitter to 10W, my ICOM IC-705 got a clear signal from Sterling, VA, to Bluemont, VA, on 147.300 MHz.

I was so ecstatic to be heard loud and clear, and to get clear replies from W8ANT and KO4SSD!

ICOM IC-705 control and logging on the Mac
It took me a couple of tries today, first after misconfiguring my Repeater settings on the ICOM for uplink/downlink/tone, and then for getting the ground plane correct, but I dropped my SWR from 3+ to 1.1 and got a crystal-clear signal at 10W to Bluemont, which W8ANT (Larry) and KO4SSD (Jeremy) answered.
I was SO ECSTATIC! I flubbed remembering to repeat my ID every 10 min, and it was pretty obvious I was excited when I said “this is K O 4 Z S Y, signing off, clear.” I could practically hear them grinning.
I’m told that the next ARRL Field Day is June 25th to 26th, and that I’m welcome to join them. I’m hoping to attend if my health allows! 
Ham Radio

KO4ZSY — Building my Mobile Radio Rig (ICOM IC-705)

Using an ICOM IC-705 transceiver with a 2m-band Signal Stalk with 19″ 26AWG counterpoise, Peovi Tactical Carry Cage, an ICOM BP-307 3150mAh battery, and an OmniCharge 20c+ as a power supply seems to be the ideal setup for a mobile radio rig.

So far, I’ve been using indoors (by my side as I work from home), but I’m ready to put it to the test outdoors during my travels and my first ARRL Field Day.✌️

My “mobile radio rig” (from all angles):

ICOM IC-705 with Peovi Tactical Carry Cage
ICOM IC-705 with Peovi Tactical Carry Cage
ICOM IC-705 with Peovi Tactical Carry Cage
Ham Radio

K04ZSY — DAY FOUR, COUNTERPOISES AND CODE PLUGS

HackRF One with Portapack H2+, Yaesu VX-8DR, BTech. DMR-6X2, Ulefone Armor 9

With the help of KO4SSD and KE8MJL on WA4TSC (144.730MHz), I’ve been listening, learning, and studying. I upgraded my Diamond RH77CA to a Super-Elastic Signal Stalk ½ wave and built my first counterpoise for the ICOM IC-705.

Below are scenes of my HT and field radios… I’ve been actively listening on the WA4TSC and K4IAD repeaters. Once I have my radio tuned and setup the way I’d like, I’ll be actively transmitting and hoping to join their next Field Day.

What I’m working on today:

HackRF One with Portapack H2+, Yaesu VX-8DR, BTech. DMR-6X2, Ulefone Armor 9
My DX Engineering gear (cables, connectors, tools)
Toshiro, Sachiko, and the ICOM IC-705
Toshiro, Sachiko, and the ICOM IC-705
Sachiko and the ICOM IC-705
Building my first counterpoise for the 2-meter band!
Building my first counterpoise for the 2-meter band!
Ham Radio

KO4ZSY now with APRS!

KO4ZSY on APRS using my ham radios

Many thanks to KO4SSD for his help yesterday.  I got APRS (Automated Packet Reporting System) working on all 3 of my radios (Icom IC-705, Yaesu VX-8DR, Baofeng DMR-6X2)

You can see where my radios are in real-time from http://aprs.fi as KO4ZSY on APRS.fi

NOTE: I’m updating my APRS config to use a dog icon instead of a Mac apple icon, working on changing the Comment dynamically based on which radio I’m transmitting from, not sure if I’ll include weather data (which I have from my backyard weather station as KVASTERL93)

References:

Ham Radio

KO4ZSY — Day Two with the ICOM IC-705 (QotD with WA4TSC)

Using Theodolite with the ICOM IC-705
Using Theodolite, Ephemeris, and ISS Detector with my ham radio so I can prep for my first bounce off the space station. I’m also learning APRS today, hoping to use APRS on each of my radios.
Joining the 0700 QotD on WA4TSC (147.300 MHz)

QO4ZSY — “Trivia Question of the Day”

❝ Who was the person who coined the word “Radioactivity” and name two discoveries they are credited with? ❞

— WA4TSC, Tue Apr 19 2022 0715 EDT (UTC-4:00)

I was guessing Röntgen or Giger as well, completely forgot it was as old as Marie Curie with her discovery of Radium. 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

— KO4ZSY

Scenes from this Morning:

Using Ephemeris with the ICOM IC-705
Joining the 0700 QotD on WA4TSC (147.300 MHz)
Using Theodolite with the ICOM IC-705
Using Theodolite with the ICOM IC-705
Using Theodolite with the ICOM IC-705
Using Theodolite with the ICOM IC-705
Joining the 0700 QotD on WA4TSC (147.300 MHz)