Olivia
I just made my first Olivia contact. The biggest hurdle was getting fldigi to work with my IC-7610. When I first ran fldigi, it received just fine, but I couldn’t get it to transmit. One of the problems was that, for some reason, there’s no official fldigi RigCAT XML file for the IC-7610, despite it being a very popular radio.
Fortunately, I was able to find a couple of web pages that helped me get fldigi set up properly:
- fldigi Failures Troubleshooting by N8GD
- Configuring Icom radio for USB operation by SM7IUN
Thanks, guys, and thanks to M1GEO for coming up with a RigCAT XML file that works.
For more information on Olivia, go to the Olivia Digital Mode on HF web page. It has a bunch of information that will help you get started include a list of frequencies, links to videos by NW7US, and a link to join the Olivia Discord.
Antenna efficiency
On the X-6100 mailing list—as on many amateur radio mailing lists—there’s a discussion about the best antenna to use for portable operation. I like my 66-ft. doublet. I’ve had good success with it, and I have to believe that it’s more efficient than loaded verticals and end-fed antennas. I said as much on the list.
Of course, I can’t verify that. Not only am I not an antenna guru, there’s really no instrument that can measure antenna efficiency. Maybe some measurements could be made with a field strength meter to determine relative antenna efficiencies. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Straight Key Night
I’ve never been a big straight key guy, but even so, I dug out my J-45 key (a J-37 mounted on a leg clamp, see above) and hooked it up to the radio last night. The first contact I made was with SP7ASJ, which was nice. I made another contact before I decided to call it quits. I had intended to make a couple more today, but I just never got around to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment