View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject: N9MXQ-15
|
|
|
Decided to split this off the other topic..
N9MXQ-15 will be moving to a new location this weekend. It will, however, still report it's OLD location until I get a new chip with the proper info on it.
Anybody need a good commercial VHF antenna???? Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
N9MXQ-15 is at it's new home. It's running 60 watts at 380 feet.. I will probably drop the power back a bit.
Will be sending for the new chip tonight and should have it installed later this week. Until then it will report it's old location north of Belvidere..
Any and all signal reports are, as always, welcome... Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9yty
Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Where is the new location? As you probably have seen, I got tired of the black hole, but also just wanted to see how a station at my location would perform, so I put up a temp node at the home location. It hears pretty good, but because of the antenna being just above the roofline it's TX coverage isn't the best. For a reporting (RF->Internet) IGATE it seems to be working pretty well.
For now, I just set up the node using the AGW sound card packet engine connected to my TS-2000. However, I just found an updated EPROM for my KAM to 8.2 and may either use that or pick up a Tracker2 if I were to keep the node up. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
It's on the same tower as the WB9TFX 440 repeater.. Near Owen Center and Latham.
I've had a digi there before and coverage was spectacular. Had regulars from Freeport using it...
If you plan to keep your fill in digi, and I would be the last to tell you to turn it off, make sure it's only passing WIDE1-1 traffic (and doing callsign substitution). Anything beyond that and we'll get collisions and loops...
Ron, N9SZV is also acting as a fill in up in South Beloit, and sounds like he's going to leave his up also.. (Always been a dead spot up that way)
You can look here: http://aprs.fi/heard/N9MXQ-15 to see the coverage of the new digi.. (And change to your call to see your digi's coverage.) Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9yty
Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
n9mxq wrote: | If you plan to keep your fill in digi, and I would be the last to tell you to turn it off, make sure it's only passing WIDE1-1 traffic (and doing callsign substitution). Anything beyond that and we'll get collisions and loops... | Done, thanks for the tip. The last thing I want is to provide problems. I am leaving the IGATE active, there is no reason not to report anything it hears, the APRS-IS servers will sort out dupes.
Right now it's not gating Internet->RF. Do you think there is a reason to? Is your node just a digi, or is it an IGATE as well? If there is no other IGATE in the area, then perhaps there may be some value in my kicking the internet back to RF so your digi can rebroadcast it to the wider area. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Ron is a gate, my home is a gate (I pass all the severe weather watches and warnings from Inet to RF) and W9TMW is a gate.. So, if you want to leave your gate open, that's your call.. If a station makes it to the digi, it'll be heard by a gate no problem...
N9MXQ-15 is only a digi. It has no connection to the internet. And there are NO plans to make it into a gate, since my home station is already set up to do it. Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:23 am Post subject:
|
|
|
From APRS.FI
Quote: | Stations which heard N9MXQ-15 directly on radio over the last 48 hours
callsign pkts first heard - UTC last heard longest (tx => rx) longest at - UTC
N9MXQ 67 2009-09-18 12:02:39 2009-09-20 11:18:27 EN52NH > EN52OF 5.0 miles 137? 2009-09-18 12:02:39
K9ESV-3 36 2009-09-18 12:46:40 2009-09-20 12:19:54 EN52NH > EN52SI 23.6 miles 83? 2009-09-20 12:19:54
W9TMW 20 2009-09-18 13:32:42 2009-09-20 10:20:52 EN52NH > EN52JG 16.7 miles 262? 2009-09-18 13:32:42
K9ABC-1 3 2009-09-18 15:46:54 2009-09-19 20:47:14 EN52NH > EN53TB 59.3 miles 26? 2009-09-19 20:47:14
KC9FWE-10 1 2009-09-19 13:19:38 2009-09-19 13:19:38 EN52NH > EN53IT 105.3 miles 348? 2009-09-19 13:19:38
AB9PJ-1 1 2009-09-19 14:49:55 2009-09-19 14:49:55 EN52NH > EN54TX 187.9 miles 8? 2009-09-19 14:49:55
W8MAI-4 1 2009-09-20 01:17:46 2009-09-20 01:17:46 EN52NH > EN62VB 137.3 miles 96? 2009-09-20 01:17:46
N9QIP 1 2009-09-20 02:46:28 2009-09-20 02:46:28 EN52NH > EN53HI 75.7 miles 341? 2009-09-20 02:46:28
WB0BBM 1 2009-09-20 06:18:43 2009-09-20 06:18:43 EN52NH > EN41SR 90.7 miles 244? 2009-09-20 06:18:43
KB8VEE-1 1 2009-09-20 07:18:42 2009-09-20 07:18:42 EN52NH > EN73BL 171.3 miles 61? 2009-09-20 07:18:42
K9NYX-1 1 2009-09-20 07:20:48 2009-09-20 07:20:48 EN52NH > EN51SJ 68.2 miles 159? 2009-09-20 07:20:48
N9LKH-1 1 2009-09-20 07:48:48 2009-09-20 07:48:48 EN52NH > EN63BB 74.6 miles[ 43? 2009-09-20 07:48:48
WB8NLS 1 2009-09-20 10:31:50 2009-09-20 10:31:50 EN52NH > EN81HQ 285.0 miles 97? 2009-09-20 10:31:50
WA9LT 1 2009-09-20 13:11:42 2009-09-20 13:11:42 EN52NH > EN41UL 89.2 miles 232? 2009-09-20 13:11:42
|
Yea, I think I need to dial the power down a shade.... Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:21 am Post subject:
|
|
|
WB9TFX has given me exclusive use of the antenna at 380 feet. No more splitters inline..
I talked to Len N9QIP the other day and he says the new chip should be done and on it's way this week.
I still plan to drop it from 65 watts to 25 watts when I go to replace the chips.
It's doing a wonderful job seeing packets from as far west as Freeport, south to Mendota, north to Edgerton WI, and east to Downers Grove.
(data taken from:http://aprs.fi/heard/N9MXQ-15) Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9yty
Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
n9mxq wrote: | I still plan to drop it from 65 watts to 25 watts when I go to replace the chips. |
I know you don't wanna talk too far, but at the same time, the previous post you had only showed one packet heard by most of the stations. Could be a band opening and 5W would do that for you....
n9mxq wrote: | It's doing a wonderful job seeing packets from as far west as Freeport, south to Mendota, north to Edgerton WI, and east to Downers Grove.
(data taken from:http://aprs.fi/heard/N9MXQ-15) |
Why the big black hole covering most of Rockford? Contrast with what my puny station is hearing around town:
http://aprs.fi/heard/N9YTY-15 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
n9yty wrote: | I know you don't wanna talk too far, but at the same time, the previous post you had only showed one packet heard by most of the stations. Could be a band opening and 5W would do that for you....
|
Yea, but it's repeatable. I've seen distances like that several days in a row.
25 watts will be more than enough
n9yty wrote: |
Why the big black hole covering most of Rockford? Contrast with what my puny station is hearing around town:
http://aprs.fi/heard/N9YTY-15 |
I hardly ever see anyone IN Rockford, not that I'm around much to watch the screen.. But I guess you don't get the concept of a FILL IN digi.. It fills in where the big one doesn't and yours does a WONDERFUL job for Rockford..Mine does great in Belvidere. Rons does spectacular in South Beloit.
I could say, "Why doesn't N9MXQ-15 see me in N9MXQ-9 everywhere I go in Belvidere.. Hell, at 380 feet I should be able to hit it on a fishing leader....
At that point lets take MXQ-15 offline and only use the fill ins.. I think I hit K9ESV in McHenry County reliably from home... If not.. Oh well... Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:
|
|
|
I forgot to mention W9TMW.. His fill in does it usual great job also..
I cannot explain why MXQ-15 doesn't see in Rockford.. I've not modeled the antenna and feedline. I don't have the software.
But, as usual people only comment on the negative. Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9yty
Joined: 31 Aug 2009 Posts: 5
|
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:
|
|
|
n9mxq wrote: | I forgot to mention W9TMW.. His fill in does it usual great job also..
I cannot explain why MXQ-15 doesn't see in Rockford.. I've not modeled the antenna and feedline. I don't have the software.
But, as usual people only comment on the negative. |
And thanks for your personal attack in a private message, Gene. Much appreciated. Questions are asked because maybe sometimes there are things that aren't what they should be, but I guess it's easier to attack than to find an answer. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:59 am Post subject:
|
|
|
The new eeprom arrived in the mail today. Hopefully I can get out tomorrow and install it. Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
n9mxq
Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 160 Location: Belvidere IL
|
Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:53 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Apparently the new chip is the same as the old...I have an email into Len to find out what happened.. Signed Gene Young N9MXQ
"If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all." -Thumper |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ka9vnv Site Admin
Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 152 Location: Woodstock, IL
|
Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:
|
|
|
You mean you didn't hold them up to the light to compare them first?!? Signed Jeff Brenton KA9VNV
---
"It is not at all simple to understand the simple." - Eric Hoffer |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|