new post (Jan 2023)

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.