diff --git a/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/00_waytogo.jpg b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/00_waytogo.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e0be9a1 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/00_waytogo.jpg differ diff --git a/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/01_setup.jpg b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/01_setup.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a761913 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/01_setup.jpg differ diff --git a/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/02_plugdetail.jpg b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/02_plugdetail.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..62bb594 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/02_plugdetail.jpg differ diff --git a/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/03_plugfinished.jpg b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/03_plugfinished.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ffed69f Binary files /dev/null and b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/03_plugfinished.jpg differ diff --git a/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/index.md b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6cf796e --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/2023-02-17-an-attempt-to-operate-portable/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,72 @@ ++++ +title = "An (other) attempt to operate portable" +summary = """A short story of another failed attempt on a portable operation + from January 2023.""" +date = "2023-02-17T21:27:11+0100" +categories = ["amateur radio"] +tags = ["portable", "tx500"] + ++++ + +This is me with the usual luck that I have (which is not limited to amateur +radio). + +## The plan + +I actually wanted to go way higher, but I did not felt like it so I decided +on my way to stop at a nice place and setup my 20m dipole at a clearing. + +There is a nice view over Längenfeld (looking south, south-west). + +![view to S/SW over Längenfeld](00_waytogo.jpg) + +## The setup + +After a few minutes of just sitting there and relaxing, enjoying the view +and nature, as is, I setup the antenna. I had to re-adjust the length a bit +to get it down to somewhat 1.1-1.3:1a. I usually just put a leg on the mast +and put the other one on the ground, which works ok most of the time. + +![my actual setup and view](01_setup.jpg) + +## Listen, listen, listen (and listen if you can't transmit) + +I usually listen for a while before I start calling CQ and most of the time +I first answer others people calls---but when I tried to call a station from +EA I wasn't very successful. Yeah, move on, my setup is just crap and he won't +hear me. Tried another station but my call was interrupted by the other station +whilst I was still talking, that made me a bit suspicious. Another try and this +time I looked at the power meter of the TX-500: 0W. On a second view I saw the +transceiver was not switching to TX. Tried a few times more, power off, power on +but nothing really happened. + +I finally gave up and spent probably half an hour with SWL :) + +## Back at home + +Back home, I already thought it might be the mice (it actually doesn't look very +sturdy) so I went into my all-purpose-room and cut off the plug, opened it and +I quickly saw the faulty white wire. + +That white wire belongs to the pin in the middle, so I decided to remove all the +other pins too to get better access to that pin. + +![detail view of the plug, cord already cut off](02_plugdetail.jpg) + +The plug is small and I already wanted to throw everything away but somehow I +got all the wires soldered to the plug and it worked. + +Finished with some shrink tubing (which I usually have mixed feelings about +using them) and it is now able to TX again. + +![view of the finished plug](03_plugfinished.jpg) + +## Fin + +The mic works again, but meanwhile (it is now mid of February already) I got +another nice replacement for the mic: I ordered a clip-on microphone that I can +use with the adapter set made by [W2ENY](https://w2eny.com/tx500/). + +I can just recommend the adapters made by Robert, W2ENY. + +I think the original PTT adapter only works mono, Roberts delivers stereo sound.