Here you will find some nice graphics for the awesome Meter-System in Thetis introduced by Richie, MW0LGE in version 2.9.0.8 (see also the info in the apache labs community https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4554).
Good NEWS!
All meter-skins are also available via Skin-Server (created by Richie, MW0LGE) in Thetis (Setup > Appearance > Skin Servers)!

Magic Eye:

The post Meter graphics – Thetis 2.9.0.8 and newer first appeared on OE3IDE.

Recently I replaced my manual Palstar AT2K with an fully automatic antenna tuner from mAT. It is the model mAT-1500.

Unfortunatly this tuner does not support 160m (my fault). Also it makes some noise, while transmitting with high power. The hardware seems to be good quality and the price is fair. A little drawback is also, that there is only one button (short press toggles tune/bypass, long press starts a tuning cycle)…

At GB-Antennes I found a used Palstar AT-AUTO (2017 model) in perfect mint condition for a very fair price 🙂

The Palstar AT-AUTO is a fully autonomous, fully automatic antenna tuner that employs an embedded microprocessor to position a conventional roller inductor and a split-stator variable capacitor. It provides continuous coverage tuning from 1.8 – 54 MHz and is rated for 1500 W continuous carrier operation.

In automatic mode it is possible to connect the tuner via RS232 to the radio. The tuner follows the frequency of the radio and operates completely automatic. In my case I used a USB-RS232 converter and “connected” it to Thetis.

No more relay-clicking noise in my shack 🙂

The post new antenna tuner Palstar AT-AUTO (Kessler) first appeared on OE3IDE.

This rig is simply amazing 🙂

At the moment I have connected my audio rack to the PC via the PreSonus 24c USB audio interface. The plan is, to remove the audio rack, and do all the audio processing inside the PC…

Audio-Chain current: Beyerdynamics DT297 => Behringer PreAmp => DBX 1231 EQ => Aphex 204 => Behringer Composer => PreSonus Studio 24c => PC => Voicemeeter Potato => Thetis

As “mixer” and audio-interface I am using Voicemeeter Potato. Switching audio-sources, mute audio-sources, change volumes, etc. … all that is done via the software from Elgato Streamdeck. But I am not using the StreamDeck itsself, instead I am using an 10″ android-tablet as touch-interface.

I always have PureSignal activated (using the 0-dBm output on my Gemini HF-1K)

The post New rig !! Apache Labs Anan 7000 DLE MKII first appeared on OE3IDE.

The post New SDR Airspy HF+ discovery first appeared on OE3IDE.

Recently, I came across the products of Pablo, EA4TX. His RemoteBox replaces the original Ameritron controller, automatically switches the antennas via Banddata and can be operated via software (thus also from remote).
Absolutely fantastic piece of equipment!
Thanks Pablo!

Update June 2021:

I replaced now also the Ameritron switchbox with the 6×1 Switchbox from EA4TX.  Since I am not running the Yaesu FT-2000 (I replaced it 3 weeks ago with an Apache Labs Anan 7000 DLE MKII), I also do not use the band-data input of the control-box. All is controlled now via OmniRig. Works like a charm 🙂

The post remote antenna switch upgrade – RemoteBox EA4TX first appeared on OE3IDE.

New player in the shack: LinearAmp Gemini HF-1k

Since 17.9.2019 I have a new amplifier in the shack. It is a LinearAmp Gemini HF-1K (distributed by The DX-Shop UK). Predecessor was an Alpin 200 (2x GU74b)

The following requirements should be met by the new amplifier:
* at least 1kw output power
* clean signal
* quiet, ie. good cooling concept
* solid state (no warm-up time, no manual tuning, …)
* remotely operable
* reasonable price

It took me about 6 weeks to come to my final decision. There are a lot of solid state amplifiers on the market right now. Many of them are only announced and not yet available. Some even have a very good cooling concept (water cooling).
But for some communicating with the manufacturer is a bit cumbersome, others are noisy like vacuum cleaners or are not remotely operable.
Some amplifiers are designed for portable operation and cause a lot of fan noise due to the small case.

Ultimately, only the Gemini HF-1K and the Acom 1200S are left on my list. The conservative construction (2 pieces BLF188 for 1kw output), predistortion output, reasonable price convinced me then.

The communication with The DX-Shop is fantastic and very fast (thanks to Roger, GW4WND). All my questions were answered promptly and completely.
The amplifier arrived at the appointed time (no delays, no long waiting lists), was very well packed and after opening the box I was on air about 15 minutes later.

Thanks also to Simon (G4ELI) for the excellent software!

Here are some facts about the new showpiece in my shack:

Technical Specifications

• Frequency coverage: 460khz – 54 Mhz
• Power output: >1 kW at 1dB gain compression (200W+ on 460-479KHz)
• Power input: 5, 10, 50W customer specified (50W standard)
• Load VSWR tolerance: <1.5:1 for best performance with  2.5:1 high VSWR trip
• Input VSWR: better than 1.5:1
• 11^th order IMD distortion: better than -70dB at 1kW
• 3^rd order IMD distortion: better than -30dB at 1kW
• Harmonic suppression: better than 70dB (all harmonic products)
• 1kW Output
• High Spectral Purity
• Touch Screen Full Colour LCD Display
• Full Diode Switched QSK
• Fully automatic Band switching
• Network and remote capability
• Multiple antenna outputs
• 0dBm SMA predistortion output
• Advanced Cooling
• DUAL NXP BLF188XR LDMOS with Full Protection
• 100-260V 50-60Hz power input
• Weight 19Kg

The post new linear pa – Gemini HF-1k by LinearAmp UK first appeared on OE3IDE.

I changed my old headset (Radiosport RS-60 CF) to a brand new Beyerdynamic DT-297 PV MK II 80 Ohm headset.

The main reason was, because the Radiosport’s headphones starting @ ~200 Hz and going up to ~8000 Hz… very good for radio, but not good for listening my favorite songs (if the bands are lousy 😉 )

I also want to listen the full range off SSB transmissions, many operators running a superb audio-equipment with a nice and punchy bass… no way to hear that with the Radiosport RS-60.

So far, I got great audio-reports with the new Beyerdynamic headset 🙂

Headphones:

• Dynamic, closed
• Circumaural
• Nominal impedance: 80 Ohm
• Frequency range: 10 – 30,000 Hz
• Sound pressure level: 100 dB

Microphone:

• Condenser microphone
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 40 – 20,000 Hz
• Nominal impedance: 300 Ohm
• Phantom power: 12 – 48V

The post New headset Beyerdynamic DT-297 PV MKII 80 Ohm first appeared on OE3IDE.

Previously I ran the SDRPlay RSP1 via the IF-out (delivered by the RFSpace IF-2000, 10,55 Mhz). But there are a couple of disadvantages (switching pre-amp, att, etc. affects also the SDR, so you have always adjust the gain on the sdr too). Luckily for most of the Yaesu FT’s (and for some Icom’s) there is an easy solution: I use now RX-in/RX-out from the FT-2000 in combination with a simple splitter. So I can now listen on SDR and FT-2000 independently via main antenna. The SDR is connected to the RX ANT OUT of the FT-2000. On activated RX-Button, this output has the signal from the antenna during receive. In order to feed both the FT-2000 and the SDR with signal, I use a Diamond SS500 splitter. The RX ANT OUT signal is split in two. Half of the signal is fed to the RX ANT IN and half of the signal is fed to the SDR. This way both radios have an identical copy of the signal. With the splitter the rx-signal is attenuated, but with a simple button-press (“RX”), i can disable this “loop”, and have the normal signal on the FT-2000 from main-antenna. For the RSP1 I use the fantastic Software SDR Console V3 and Omnirig. Omnirig is connected to Yaesu’s CAT-Com-Port. So with this setup click & tune is very easy 🙂   back to ‘my station’

The post SDRplay RSP1 & FT-2000 first appeared on OE3IDE.

Infos about fieldday: http://www.fieldday.at

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