[W5SFA] QRP Labs U3S kit report

Mon Jun 26 19:48:47 CDT 2017

Roger,

I think a little more power would be helpful.  I don't really know what I
am putting out.  I'm listing it as 200 mW.  It is really amazing what it
does!  .5 W might be nice.

I'm thinking about it.  I think antennas are what I need to concentrate on
now.

-- Gil

On Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 6:41 PM, Roger Klein <rwklein at katyweb.net> wrote:

> Gil,
>
>
>
> I only built with one transistor to keep it simple, but I'm planning to
> add the other two.  Instructions say this will require more voltage to the
> transistors, so I'm going to try powering with 12v and use a 7805 voltage
> regulator chip to step down the voltage to 5V (so as not to fry the
> processor!).
>
>
>
> I got a 10-pack of BS170 transistors, so if you or anyone else wants to
> try this I have plenty of extras.  Hopefully I will not release the magic
> blue smoke doing this - but someone has to be first :-)
>
>
>
> Roger
>
>
>
> *From:* w5sfa [mailto:w5sfa-bounces at w5sfa.org] *On Behalf Of *Gilbert
> Franke
> *Sent:* Monday, June 26, 2017 4:42 PM
> *To:* Mail List for the W5SFA Radio Club
> *Subject:* Re: [W5SFA] QRP Labs U3S kit report
>
>
>
> Thanks, Roger!  Did you build yours with three transistors right away, or
> just one to begin with?  I'll check out that antenna site.  Thanks.  Yes,
> that is what the manual seemed to indicate could  happen if only one string
> was received -- or both received, but not connected at the receiving end.
>
> Dan, I know you will enjoy it when you get it done.
>
> -- Gil
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 3:03 PM, Roger Klein <rwklein at katyweb.net> wrote:
>
> I thought I'd share my U3S experience, after taking it along on a recent
> trip down to Rockport.  I used a Par End Fedz 10-20-40
> <https://www.lnrprecision.com/store/#!/EFT-10-20-40-Trail-Friendly/p/39885475>
> lightweight antenna, and had it strung haphazardly up in some trees about
> 15' high.  I transmitted for 4 days on 20m and 40m without a hitch, and was
> being heard - maybe not as good as the better antennas back home but
> getting lots of reports.
>
>
>
> When I started up at the new location, my grid square was automatically
> updated by the GPS to be in grid EL17.  The wsprnet.org map shows the
> location as the center of the grid square, which in this case was out in
> the Gulf of Mexico!  I then changed to sending two successive frames, so I
> could send my 6 character grid square.  As expected, I got a much more
> accurate map posting (EL17kx).  Not every spot showed the 6 character grid
> square though - only those stations that received both frames.  The
> stations that received only one of the frames only posted the 4 character
> grid square.
>
>
>
> I think for a multiband antenna, the myantennas.com EFHW-8010 or
> EFHW-4010 could work well.  See http://myantennas.com/wp/
> product-category/antennas/efhw-multi-band/
>
>
>
> You could also scratch build one of these types of antennas using a 9:1
> balun.  But even with a poorly tuned antenna, I think we'd get some spots,
> and with the low power I doubt there would be any danger of blowing the
> transistor because of high SWR.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Roger N5RWK
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* w5sfa [mailto:w5sfa-bounces at w5sfa.org] *On Behalf Of *Gilbert
> Franke
> *Sent:* Monday, June 26, 2017 1:35 PM
> *To:* SFAustin Radio Club
> *Subject:* [W5SFA] QRP Labs U3S kit report
>
>
>
> I'm having a good time with my QRP Labs Ultimate3S QRSS/WSPR Transmitter.
> The GPS receiver works very well to give my location and frequency
> calibration.  I am heard on the WSPR network and posted on their map with
> almost every beacon, at 10 minute intervals.  I haven't seen any reports
> outside Canada and USA, but that is with a nominal 200 mW on 30M with an
> end fed halfwave antenna about 20 feet, north / south, and SWR of 1.3:1.
>
> You can see me on the WSPRnet.org map. Select 30M filter from lower left
> corner.  Because of the slow speed (it takes about 110 seconds to transmit
> my callsign, 4 character Maidenhead locator, and power!), sending the 6
> character Maidenhead locator is not encouraged.  The four character locator
> put me between Halletsville and Shiner.  (If it had taken me all the way to
> Shiner, I would have been happy!)  When I re-configured for the full 6
> character locator, I show up about 1 mile outside of Bellville!  As the
> manual says, this is a limitation in the WSPR protocol, not the U3S. Does
> anyone know what mode the APRS system runs? Do you think the U3S could
> handle that?
>
>
>
> I have low  pass filters for 40, 30, and 20 M, but I don't have a well
> tuned antenna for 40 or 20.  I guess that is the next project!
>
>
> --
>
> 73, de Gil WB5RFQ
>
>
>
> ----
>
> Gilbert A Franke <http://www.gilbertfranke.com>
> (361 442 6008 <(361)%20442-6008> - cell)
> 130 N Harris Street
> Bellville TX  77418
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
> --
>
> ----
>
> Gilbert A Franke <http://www.gilbertfranke.com>
> (361 442 6008 <(361)%20442-6008> - cell)
> 130 N Harris Street
> Bellville TX  77418
>
>
>
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>

-- 

----
Gilbert A Franke <http://www.gilbertfranke.com>
(361 442 6008 - cell)
130 N Harris Street
Bellville TX  77418
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