September 2022 ERIN NET SOI

[igonianarg]

Good net tonight. There was a bit of static crashes here and there and a bit of bleed over from just up the band but I could hear everyone just fine. My radio has 3 filters and I only had to turn on the 1st one now and then.

PK,
Would you explain what your filters do for you please.

On my portable system, should I use filters?

I can definitely see headphones in my near future.

[Jackalope]

Mostly decent copy on everyone, once I found the net.

[igonianarg]

 

[pkveazey]

igonian.... On the ICOM 7300, there is an icon top center of the screen. Filter 1 is pretty much normal width. If you touch the icon it will change to filter 2 which is fairly narrow and the audio gets pretty crisp but splatter from above and below gets supressed. if you touch the icon again it goes to filter 3 and then the audio gets really pinched. When one of the weaker stations comes on and there is a bunch of splatter covering them up, I can just punch the filter and turn the volume up a little and then I can understand them. Now, with all that said, I think I can go into the MENU and SETTINGS and possibly change the width of those 3 filters. So far, I like the factory setting so I don't plan on trying to change them. I also have stacked knobs for the IF SHIFT that works great for filtering out side splatter.

[igonianarg]

PK, thank you for that explanation, that makes perfect sense to me.

 I'm using my FT-891 in its stock form.  So, without filters, I get what I get. Having said that, I have a lot to learn about the 891 and everything concerning amateur radio.

Do any of you have any suggestions regarding a headset for the FT891? I noticed last Tuesday, that I tend to have the volume turned up.When I'm set up as a portable unit, I would prefer not to leave any noise signature in my environment. Is there a particular type of headset for the budget
conscious prepper, or will any headset or earbuds do?

After the net wound down, I was getting such good signal that I turned the dial enough to reach Nebraska, Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois... There may have been others but I can't remember. Is it customary for people to talk at length about random topics? There were 2 gentlemen talking about vinyl versus digital audio. I was tuning up-and-down the bands and these guys had to have been talking for over an hour.

Those are my comments/questions,

igonia

Thanks

[JohnyMac]

OBH and FeedingFreedom both own 891's. You may want to drop them a PM for advise or to answer questions. Does anybody else out there run a 891?

As a side note, DXEngineering sells Heil headphones. which are good medium priced muffs. Make sure you buy the right cable for muff to radio hookup. Each manufacture is different.

Also, if you want to use the boom mic that comes with the muffs, you need to decide if you are going to get a PTT switch or foot pedal.

The folks at DX are great, so do not hesitate sending them questions via email.

Last, I only use headphones when I QSO on HF. This helps to minimize outside noise. VHF/UHF not so much.

[cooter]

Igon;
To answer your other question: It is common for people to talk at length and some qso's are very brief with anything in between.  The subject can be anything under the sun.
It is a fun pastime.  Enjoy.
And check the manual for your 891, there are a lot of options in the setting menus.  Maybe they have some filter settings.
Mike

[pkveazey]

I'm not sure if the 891 comes with built in filters. My ICOM 718 has no filters but when I had bleed over from nearby stations, I just used the IF SHIFT knob to calm them down. My ICOM 7300 has every bell and whistle known to man. Now, as to headphones: My 718 has a 1/4" headphone jack and it is Mono so I just cut the stereo plug off and soldered the left and right wires together and installed a 1/4" mono plug. My ICOM 7300 has a 1/8" Stereo jack and I just plug a set of Stereo headphones in and I'm set to go. As to price and quality..... I've tried high price and cheap ones and it made no difference. Just make sure you find some that cover the entire ear. Those little earbud type and small puff type aren't with a crap. Now, just for info purposes only: If you watch old WW2 movies, you'll often see the radio operator using a headphone with just one side or even shoving the second side up away from his ear. They do that so they can hear the radio and also any thing else going on around them.

[cooter]

I didn't mention IF shift because PK had already done so.  I use it a lot on my Alinco.

[Obh]

Both me and FF have the 991A. The filtering is the same on the 891 and 991.

Feel free to reach out with questions, although FF probably knows better than me.

[igonianarg]

Copy that guy's, thanks for the info. I'm glad I asked those questions because you all put out quite a bit of information for me to look into. Much appreciated.

 I will definitely crack open my manual and touchbase with some of you guys with with the 891, to ask for some tips. Joining this group has already benefited me in my learning phase.

I'll be tuning in same time same place. I'll be taking notes and responding here for who I hear on the net, but I won't be transmitting.


igonia out

[JohnyMac]

CLEAN AIR ON 7.248 MHZ MEET YA' THERE

[igonianarg]

Hey guys, I got home too late to throw my antenna together. I hope ya'll had good conditions.

Any ears on Puerto Rico?

Be safe.

[JohnyMac]

Good morning folks.

Poor digital net with only 2-participants and one rely. Phone was much better with eight participants.

On the phone net folks checked in from FL. north to the NY/PA border. As far west as OH. and east to NJ. Good coverage for sure.

Thanks to all that joined both nets.

New SHTF ERIN SOI coming shortly. Stay tuned.

[JohnyMac]

Digital on Freq 3.588

[pkveazey]

Please post the phone frequency for tonights ERIN net.

[JohnyMac]

YUPPER.
 I am on 7.248 but there is a rag chew goimg on.

[JohnyMac]

7.250 Mhz

[JohnyMac]

7.250.50

[JohnyMac]

moved to 7.243

[pkveazey]

Small net tonight but a good one. I could hear everybody very well.

[JohnyMac]

Poor net both on digital and phone.

Digital, only had 2 + me. I am thinking of dumping the digital as participation continues to be poor.

Phone, was fine until every frequency seemed to explode with ragchews going on across the country - LOL. hey, it is what it is. With that reported we had 3 checkins plus me.

I will look at the propagation report and see when it is time to switch to 75/80-meters. I do think that October may be a bit early.

With that quick AAR, thank you all that participated. You will be ready for when the SHTf while others will struggle.

73 & God Bless
JohnyMac clear!