Does anyone know if there are frequency adjustments in the “hidden” menus for the 8*7 family? There are a number of unlabeled items in the menu but I don’t think any of the labeled items shift the frequency.
I remember somewhere about 1970 Tom G3BA (SK) was the first in the Midlands to show up on 2m with SSB, in those days we were all on AM on 2m, and while our receivers were quite adequate for AM they were useless for SSB. It was not just that the BFO injection was too low so we had to back off the RF gain, the radios were hopelessly unstable for SSB, so we had to listen to his overs with one hand on the BFO to counter the drifting. Many of those that followed him were using homebrew phasing exciters and the stability of some of them left a lot to be desired! Nobody cared, though, it was new and exciting, and only a decade or so after the open hostility between the “Ancient Moders” and the “Donald Duck Brigade” as SSB appeared on the HF bands.
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This!
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You were very slightly off with me yesterday too, my dial was 144.310.12
I did try using the RIT function on the radio, but due to the positioning and ergonomics or where I have the radio, I ended up catching the main tuning dial more than once which obviously made the issue worse. It wasnt really an issue to me though, but being a strong signal helped with the clarity of the audio anyway.
Doesnt the IC-705 have GPS, which should lock the frequency? Or is it an option?
I have an old FT-290 which last time I tried it was a full 3khz off which is great fun as you chase someone up and down the band with it. Yes I should fix it, but it would still get used as much as it does now (which is not at all).
Ian
Happy days!
Looking in my old paper logbook, my first 2m SSB QSO was on 12/07/73 with local op Don G3UQH (SK) who had an entirely home brew solid state rig based on a DL6HA design, and was an inspiration in many ways. I was using a Trio TS510 HF transceiver and home brew transverter. First QSO with Tom G3BA on 2m SSB 15/09/73. I still have his old 6 ele 4m Yagi, but that’s another story.
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Variation between the displayed ‘dial’ and the actual tx frequencies in a 10–25-year-old FT817 is mainly due to aging of the reference oscillator, thermal instability of components, and the optional high-stability TCXO unit not being installed [Did anyone buy one?].
In very early 817s – like mine - crystal oscillators and IF transformers especially can shift over time, leading to significant, temperature-dependent frequency inaccuracies, especially on 2m and 70cm.
The PA gets hot regardless of the ambient temperature on summit and the heat will transfer quickly to the rest of the rig especially if the rig (with its heatsink) is inside a rain-protecting bag.
Even if there were ‘hidden’ menus – without the optional TCXO – it’s likely the tx frequency will drift from the new setting during the activation.
IMO the ‘solution’ is to make the SDR-only generation of operators aware that this is normal, and to read their rig’s UM how best to use the RIT, i.e. NOT to keep moving their SSB tx frequency to match the other station (which in turn, would make the other op having to tweak his RIT again).
Newcomers to VHF/UHF SSB/CW will discover it’s all part of the fun and the challenge (lowercase ‘c’) of non Just-press-the-PTT FM style of 2m/70cm operating.
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Ahh, yes it does have GPS, I will to check it has a GPS lock, when I am out tomorrow.
I use Bluetooth headphones and just reading the IC705 manual, it does say that some Bluetooth devices can effect the GPS signal.
Edit: after a bit more research, apparently the IC705 doesn’t use GPS to lock frequency
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yes, I have one in my 817. Also after-market versions were available on the usual websites until recently anyway. But even though it is more stable, it still drifts a bit and has to be set to an average frequency after warming up a bit. the 817 gets very hot in the sun, so you just don’t expect it to be right on frequency. This is where having stable and accurate beacon signals helps a lot. we have a beacon in vk1 but its modulation is a hodge podge of various modes and I don’t know how stable the 1 wpm callsign fsk is anyway. The alternative that I use is to check the receiver against the local dxers who are using reference oscillators locked to GPS, several are. Then, knowing the rig is say 300 hz high on 2m means it is 900 hz high on 432. mental calculations are good for you on cold hilltops… it all comes down to being familiar with the equipment you use and knowing what approach to take when someone is “off frequency” - is it you or them or both of you? add to that the tendency of many ops to tune so voices are high pitched.
73
Andrew vk1da
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