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eteily4 · 2 months ago

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RF Antennas for Amateur Radio Enthusiasts: Exploring the Art of Communication

Amateur radio, sometimes known as ham radio, is a thriving pastime that uses the power of radio waves to link individuals all over the world. The radio frequency (RF) antenna is crucial to this goal, as it impacts communication quality, range, and reliability. Understanding and selecting the proper RF antenna is a science as well as an art for amateur radio enthusiasts. This article looks into the world of RF antennas, discussing their various varieties, applications, and recommendations for enthusiasts looking for the best performance.

Understanding RF antennas

An RF antenna is a device that sends and receives radio waves, converting electrical impulses to electromagnetic energy and vice versa. Antennas are the means by which ham radio operators communicate across a variety of frequency bands, ranging from HF (high frequency) to UHF (ultra-high frequency). The type of antenna used has a considerable impact on signal strength, clarity, and the capacity to reach distant connections.

Types of RF Antenna

Amateur radio enthusiasts can select from a variety of RF antennas, each tailored to a specific application and operating environment. Here are some of the most common types:

1. Dipole antennas.

The dipole is one of the most basic and commonly used antennas. It consists of two conductive parts, is resonant at a given frequency, and provides outstanding performance despite its simplicity. Dipole antennas are suitable for novices because to their simplicity of construction and efficacy across all HF bands.

2. Vertical antennas.

Vertical antennas are popular due to their omnidirectional emission pattern, which enables communication in all directions. They are tiny and ideal for small places. Ground-mounted verticals frequently require a radial system to improve performance, making them suitable for both local and long-distance (DX) communications.

3. Yagi-Uda antennas.

Yagi antennas are directional antennas with high gain that are especially effective in the VHF and UHF bands. They include a driving element, reflectors, and directors. Yagi antennas are frequently used for point-to-point communication, such as satellite work or linking to far repeaters.

4. Loop antennas.

Loop antennas, both magnetic and full-wave, are valued for their small size and low noise levels. Magnetic loops are particularly effective for HF bands in metropolitan environments with limited space, as they excel at eliminating interference from local noise sources.

5. Log-periodic antennas.

Log-periodic antennas are versatile, providing wideband coverage and steady gain. They are frequently used for HF and VHF bands, and are perfect for hobbyists that operate over numerous frequencies without changing antennas.

6. Beam antennas

Beam antennas, such as Yagi and quad antennas, guide RF energy in a specified direction, resulting in increased gain and less interference. These antennas are ideal for DXing and contesting, but they demand room and careful installation.

7. Wire antennas

Wire antennas, such as end-fed or long-wire antennas, are practical and affordable options. They are extremely adaptable, making them ideal for mobile operations, field days, and emergency communications.

Factors to Consider When Selecting an Antenna

Several things must be considered while selecting the appropriate RF antenna:

Frequency Band: Make sure the antenna is designed for the frequency band you want to operate in.

room Availability: Some antennas, such as dipoles, require a large amount of room, but others, such as verticals or loops, are more compact.

Decide whether your primary purpose is local communication, DXing, or contesting.

Budget: High-gain antennas can be costly, but wire antennas provide good performance for a modest price.

Portable or field operations benefit from antennas that are lightweight and simple to construct.

Build Your Own Antenna.

Many amateur radio operators love the challenge and satisfaction of building their own antennas. DIY antenna projects are inexpensive and allow for flexibility to meet unique requirements. Popular homemade antennas include:

Wire Dipoles: Easy to build and extremely effective.

Magnetic loops are compact and appropriate for urban situations.

PVC Vertical Antennas are lightweight and portable for outdoor application.

To ensure optimal tuning and resonance when building an antenna, you will need basic tools like a soldering iron, wire cutters, and an antenna analyzer.

Optimizing Antenna Performance

Consider the following tips to optimize the performance of your RF antenna:

Install the antenna as high as feasible and away from obstructions to optimum efficiency.

Grounding: Proper grounding is essential for both safety and performance, especially with vertical antennas.

Tuning: Use an antenna analyzer to fine-tune the antenna to the appropriate frequency.

Cable Quality: High-quality coaxial cables reduce signal loss.

Regularly inspect and maintain the antenna to ensure its durability and dependability.

Advanced Antenna Systems

For experienced ham radio operators, experimenting with innovative antenna configurations can improve communication capability. This includes:

Phased arrays use numerous antennas to create directional patterns.

Rotators enable directional antennas to be focused at specified places.

Remote Antenna Tuners automatically change impedance for maximum performance throughout

Conclusion

Amateur radio is built around RF antennas, which allow enthusiasts to communicate with people all over the world. Whether you're a novice experimenting with a basic dipole or a seasoned operator fine-tuning a Yagi array, the world of RF antennas provides limitless chances for learning and invention. By grasping the fundamentals, experimenting with different designs, and maximizing performance, amateur radio operators can maximize the potential of their communication systems, enriching the ham radio experience for themselves and their communities.

#RF Antenna #RF Antenna manufacture #RF Antenna India #RF Antenna price

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newstv90 · 4 months ago

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When it comes to walkie-talkies, several top brands are known for producing reliable, high-quality devices suitable for various needs, whether for professional, recreational, or emergency use.

Motorola Solutions is widely regarded as one of the best brands in the walkie-talkie industry. Known for its durable, user-friendly designs, Motorola models often feature long-range communication, strong battery life, and advanced technology like weather alerts and hands-free operation. The brand's models, such as the Motorola T600 or Motorola T800, are popular for outdoor adventures.

Cobra Electronics is another top brand, offering walkie-talkies that are compact, affordable, and reliable. Cobra’s devices are often chosen for recreational use, including hiking and camping. Models like the Cobra ACXT645 provide robust performance with up to 35-mile range capabilities, along with water resistance and weather channel alerts.

Midland is another leading brand, producing both consumer and commercial-grade walkie-talkies. Midland models are often praised for their rugged construction and powerful transmission range, making them suitable for construction, security, or outdoor enthusiasts. The Midland GXT1000VP4 is one of their best-selling models, equipped with 50 channels and a range of up to 36 miles.

Lastly, BaoFeng is a well-regarded brand, particularly for ham radio enthusiasts. While more complex to operate than typical walkie-talkies, BaoFeng radios, like the BaoFeng UV-5R, offer great flexibility in frequencies, making them versatile for various communication needs.

Each of these brands excels in specific features, so choosing the best one depends on the user's requirements, from casual communication to more professional-grade needs.

#best brands in the walkie-talkie

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gqresearch24 · 10 months ago

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Discone Antenna: Exploring Its Design, Applications, and Advantages

In the realm of radio frequency (RF) communication and reception, antennas play a crucial role in transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals. One such type of antenna that has gained prominence for its versatility and wide bandwidth capabilities is the discone antenna. In this article, we delve into the design, applications, and advantages of discone antennas, exploring their significance in various fields of communication and technology.

Understanding Discone Antennas:

A discone antenna, short for “disc-on-cone,” is characterized by its unique geometric structure, which consists of a flat disc-like element mounted on top of a cone-shaped structure. This distinctive design enables antennas to achieve broadband frequency coverage, making them suitable for a wide range of applications across different frequency bands.

Design and Construction:

The construction of an antenna typically involves two main components: the disc element and the cone element. The disc, usually made of metal, serves as the radiator and is connected to the feedline or coaxial cable. The cone, on the other hand, acts as the ground plane and provides structural support for the disc.

The dimensions of the disc and cone elements are carefully designed to achieve optimal performance across multiple frequency bands. The disc diameter and cone angle are critical parameters that determine the antenna’s frequency coverage and impedance-matching characteristics.

Applications of Discone Antennas:

Discone antennas find applications in various fields, thanks to their broadband capabilities and omnidirectional radiation pattern. Some common applications include:

Amateur Radio (Ham Radio): These antennas are popular among amateur radio operators due to their ability to cover a wide range of frequencies used in amateur radio bands. They are often used for transmitting and receiving signals in the VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands.

Military and Government Communications: These antennas are employed in military and government communications systems for their versatility and wideband coverage. They are used for monitoring and intercepting signals, as well as for communication purposes in the field.

Spectrum Monitoring and Surveillance: Antennas are employed in spectrum monitoring and surveillance applications to detect and analyze RF signals across a broad spectrum. They are used by regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence organizations for monitoring radio frequency activity and identifying potential interference or security threats.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): Discone antennas are used in RFID systems for tracking and identifying objects using radio frequency signals. They are employed in applications such as inventory management, asset tracking, and access control systems.

Advantages of Discone Antennas:

These antennas offer several advantages over traditional antenna designs, making them a preferred choice for various applications:

Wideband Coverage: Such antennas provide coverage across a broad frequency range, eliminating the need for multiple antennas to cover different frequency bands. This wideband capability simplifies antenna deployment and reduces infrastructure costs.

Omnidirectional Radiation Pattern: Such antennas exhibit an omnidirectional radiation pattern, which means they radiate and receive signals equally in all directions. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications requiring 360-degree coverage, such as surveillance and monitoring systems.

Compact and Durable Design: Such antennas are compact and feature robust construction, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations. Their durable design ensures reliable performance in harsh environmental conditions.

Easy Installation: Such antennas are relatively easy to install and configure, requiring minimal setup and adjustment. They can be mounted on a mast, rooftop, or any elevated structure using standard mounting hardware.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, discone antennas represent a versatile and efficient solution for broadband communication and monitoring requirements. Their wideband coverage, omnidirectional radiation pattern, and compact design make them well-suited for a wide range of applications across different industries and sectors. Whether used in amateur radio, military communications, wireless networks, or surveillance systems, discone antennas continue to play a vital role in facilitating reliable and efficient radio frequency communication.

#DisconeAntenna #RFCommunication #WidebandTechnology #AmateurRadio #WirelessNetworking

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hamradiohub · 1 year ago

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Ham Radio Gifting ideas: Christmas 2023

The article outlines Ham radio gifting ideas for Christmas 2023, highlighting the significance of the holiday as a time for family bonding, shared traditions, and the creation of lasting memories. Emphasizing the act of gifting as a symbol of appreciation and thoughtfulness, the piece encourages selecting meaningful presents that transcend material value, reflecting care for those held dear.

**Gift Ideas Overview:** The article lists seven unique Ham radio gift ideas for the holiday season. These suggestions cater to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts in the Ham radio hobby.

**1. Baofeng UV-S9 Plus Handheld Radio:** Ideal for beginners or kids starting their radio journey, this portable radio offers 8 watts of power, allowing reliable communication in remote areas. It features a compact design and emergency channels, but may be challenging for beginners to operate.

**2. President Lincoln II Plus Base Station:** Geared towards advanced users, this 10-meter amateur radio provides a broad frequency range, SSB modulation, and advanced features, including an integrated echo function for voice effects. However, it’s limited to the 10-meter band, potentially overwhelming for beginners.

**3. Rugged Radio Carbon Fiber Headset:** A high-quality headset designed for ham radio operators, featuring a carbon fiber style, noise-canceling microphone, and comfortable ear cushions. Though it offers excellent audio quality, it comes at a higher price point.

**4. WITZMAN Convertible Duffle Backpack:** A versatile backpack made from high-quality materials, featuring a USB charging port and a convertible design for convenient use as a backpack or duffel bag. While it offers ample storage and charging capabilities, it may lack some padding and dedicated pockets.

**5. Ham Radio Bible — 13-in-1 (2024 Edition):** A comprehensive guide suitable for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts, offering insights into various aspects of Ham radio operation, making the journey enjoyable and enlightening. It’s designed for all levels of expertise without requiring a technical background.

**6. CRIB Notes Tin Sign Board:** An 8x12 inch metal sign containing essential information for Ham radio operators, such as frequency bands, Q-codes, Morse code punctuations, and Phonetic alphabets, serving as a quick reference guide when placed in a radio station.

**7. Ham Radio Exam Prep Classes:** Paid subscription classes from Hamradioprep.com offer different levels based on the license class, aiding beginners in obtaining their Ham radio license more easily.

The varied gift options cater to different needs within the Ham radio hobby, aiming to offer something special and thoughtful to enthusiasts at various skill levels. Whether it’s a handheld radio for beginners or a comprehensive book for deeper insights, these gifts are designed to make the Ham radio experience more enriching and enjoyable.

For more detailed information on these ideas please click below:

Ham radio gift ideas Christmas 2023

#ham radio #hamradiousa #ham radio gifts #christmas gifts

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rfantennaindia · 1 year ago

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2.4 GHz 2.5dBi Rubber Duck Antenna with SMA Connectors

A "rubber duck" antenna, also known as a "rubber ducky" antenna, is a type of omnidirectional antenna commonly used in portable and handheld radio devices, especially in the context of two-way radios and walkie-talkies. These antennas are typically short and stubby, and they are often made of flexible materials like rubber, which is where the name "rubber duck" or "rubber ducky" comes from.

Key characteristics of rubber duck antennas include:

Omnidirectional Radiation Pattern: Rubber duck antennas emit and receive radio signals in all directions around their base, providing a 360-degree coverage pattern. This makes them suitable for applications where the radio needs to communicate with other devices without precise alignment.

Compact and Portable: Rubber duck antennas are short and compact, making them well-suited for portable devices. They are often used in handheld radios, such as those used by first responders, security personnel, or amateur radio enthusiasts.

Broadband or Tuned: Rubber duck antennas can be designed as broadband (covering a wide range of frequencies) or tuned to a specific frequency or band. Some antennas are adjustable or switchable, allowing them to be used across a range of frequencies.

Flexible and Durable: The rubber or flexible plastic covering of these antennas makes them more resilient to bending and rough handling, which is essential for portable devices that might be subjected to various environmental conditions.

Impedance Matching: Rubber duck antennas are often designed to have a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms, which is common in many radio applications. This allows them to be easily connected to radio transceivers without the need for additional matching components.

Limited Range: Rubber duck antennas are typically not as efficient as larger external antennas, so they have a limited range compared to larger external antennas. Their performance may be affected by the surrounding environment and the quality of the radio equipment they are connected to.

Rubber duck antennas are widely used in walkie-talkies, portable ham radios, handheld scanners, and other devices where portability and ease of use are important. They are suitable for short to medium-range communication, making them a practical choice for many personal and professional applications.

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craigshipp · 2 years ago

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Retevis RT95 HAM and GMRS Mobile Radio in 4k UHD from Craig Shipp on Vimeo.

The Retevis RT95 is a compact and easy to use dual band HAM radio that can also be expanded to cover GMRS frequencies. This makes the radio versatile for emergency situations. Also, I added a 12v cigar lighter port adapter so that the radio can easily be moved from one vehicle to another. At 25 watts max power it seems to work fine being powered by my 12v port in my Prius. The screen is easy to read in all lighting conditions and all controls are intuitive and easy to use. Audio is loud and clear both receiving signals and transmitting. For the money it’s hard to top this radio. I’ve used radios that were twice the price and not as good an overall package as this RT95. Also see: retevis.com/ and my Blog post at: areaguides.com/gmrs

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olabanjitech · 2 years ago

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When it comes to ham radio enthusiasts, having a reliable and efficient mobile antenna is paramount. The 2-meter band, operating in the frequency range of 144-148 MHz, is widely used for local communications, emergency services, and even amateur satellite communications. In this blog post, we will explore the world of 2-meter mobile antennas, highlighting their best features and discussing their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Top Best 2- Meter Mobile Antennas 1. Diamond NR770HB: Lightweight and High Performance The Diamond NR770HB is a popular choice among ham radio operators due to its impressive performance and lightweight design. It offers a gain of around 3.4 dB, making it suitable for both short-range and long-range communications. Additionally, its slim and sleek profile minimizes wind resistance, allowing for comfortable use while driving. However, one drawback is that it requires a proper grounding system to achieve optimal performance. READ ALSO: How to Make Wifi Antenna for Android Phone 2. Comet SBB-7: Versatile and Durable The Comet SBB-7 is a versatile 2-meter mobile antenna known for its robust construction and reliable performance. Its fold-over feature makes it convenient for entering low-clearance areas, such as garages or parking structures. With a length of approximately 40 inches, it provides excellent gain and signal coverage. Despite its sturdiness, some users have reported a slight reduction in performance compared to taller antennas. 3. Larsen NMO2/70B: Excellent Signal Reception The Larsen NMO2/70B is a favorite among mobile operators who prioritize signal reception. With its quarter-wave whip design, this antenna ensures enhanced performance, especially for urban and suburban environments. Its durable build quality and compatibility with NMO mounts make it a reliable choice for long-lasting use. However, its shorter length may result in slightly reduced range when compared to taller antennas. 4. Browning BR-180 Amateur Dual-Band: Affordable and Easy to Install The Browning BR-180 is a budget-friendly 2-meter mobile antenna that offers a good balance of performance and affordability. It features a fold-over design for convenience and effortless installation. With a gain of around 2.4 dB, it provides satisfactory coverage for local communications. However, due to its lower gain, it may struggle with long-range transmissions. 5. MFJ-1728B: Compact and Portable For those seeking a compact and portable option, the MFJ-1728B fits the bill perfectly. With a length of just 19 inches, this antenna is ideal for mobile operations in tight spaces or for portable setups. Despite its smaller size, it maintains good signal reception and provides acceptable gain. However, the shorter length may limit its range when compared to larger antennas. Importance of a Good 2-Meter Mobile Antenna A reliable and efficient 2-meter mobile antenna is not just a luxury but a necessity for ham radio enthusiasts on the go. Whether you're communicating during emergencies, participating in local events, or exploring amateur satellite communications, the antenna plays a crucial role in ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication. It acts as the gateway between your radio equipment and the outside world, allowing signals to be transmitted and received effectively. The performance of your antenna directly impacts the range, clarity, and overall effectiveness of your communication. A high-quality antenna maximizes your chances of reaching distant stations and receiving weak signals, extending the range of your mobile operations. It can make a significant difference in emergency situations or when trying to establish communication in remote areas. Not all antennas are created equal, and investing in a good 2-meter mobile antenna pays off in terms of signal strength and coverage. It ensures that your transmitted signals are clear and intelligible, minimizing distortions and reducing the chan

ces of interference. A well-designed antenna optimizes the radiation pattern, directing the majority of the signal towards the desired direction and minimizing signal loss. Furthermore, a reliable antenna enhances the overall performance of your radio equipment, allowing it to operate at its full potential. By maximizing signal reception and transmission efficiency, it enables better modulation, clearer audio quality, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. This, in turn, leads to a more enjoyable and productive ham radio experience, regardless of your location or the environmental conditions. Conclusion: Selecting the best 2-meter mobile antenna depends on your specific needs and priorities. While the Diamond NR770HB offers lightweight and high performance, the Comet SBB-7 provides versatility and durability. The Larsen NMO2/70B excels in signal reception, and the Browning BR-180 offers an affordable option. For those requiring compactness, the MFJ-1728B is a reliable choice. Consider your budget, operating environment, and desired range to find the antenna that best suits your requirements. Happy ham radio adventures.

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imlg0pdz · 2 years ago

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May 2023 144MHz contest

RSGB May 144MHz Contest.

Once again the nomadic Invicta Contest group was very kindly hosted by the Bredhurst Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (BRATS). The BRATS are very fortunate to have a compact but very well-appointed clubhouse & shack with a large field at the rear of a pub high above Medway just off the M2. Thank you, BRATS.

The Invicta Contest Group (ICG) is a loose affiliation of Kent (& out of county amateurs) who wish to participate in VHF & up contesting. We tend to participate in the larger weekend contests. Ian Hope, M5IJH provides high power, legal limit, kit along with various arrays & the means of putting them high in the air. Stuff which most of us could not install or use in our average gardens surrounded by neighbours.

The ICG is a group in addition to & not instead of local clubs, many of whom do not or cannot support VHF contesting. ICG works with local clubs (like BRATS), has supported them with kit at their events or to demo the QRO kit. Whilst we are a contest group & want to do as well as we can in each contest we are not ‘rabid’ in our approach. We are very content to introduce the novice into operating & don’t mind sacrificing the contact rate to give a newcomer of the returning ham the experience of working a contest. Obviously, we have to work within with licencing conditions as well as contest rules, but they are our only hard limits on who operates.

The May 144MHz contest is one of the first ‘big’ weekend contests & with the weather starting to warm up is usually well supported. This year the ICG decided to run a ‘proper’ weekend event. That means the trailer tent to provide the shack, kitchen & sleeping accommodation along with two arrays.

The arrays chosen this time were as below to give us best coverage but manageable with the limited manpower to build & hoist them.

The first array is a pair of 9ele LFA Yagi vertically stacked, put up on a SCAM pump up 12m mast. This array is used as the DX hunter & is fitted above a rotator. This array allows us to focus in on weak signal stations not resolved by or covered the parts of the compass by array two.

The second array is four 3ele LFA Yagi, also vertically stacked, again on a SCAM 12m mast. This array is the ‘UK workhorse’ fixed roughly NW to point up the spine of the country with enough beamwidth to reach out to as low as South Wales across to Essex & with enough gain to hear most of the stations in the southern part of Scotland. The Isle of Man & Ireland are often worked on this array & most stations in the Southeast can usually be worked ‘off the back of the beam’.

Both arrays have a mast head box that contains a relay that switches between the RX & TX feeders. A low noise preamp along with a chosen attenuator to control the amount of gain & bandpass filter are in the RX line.

The station this time consisted of an Icom 7400 on 14MHz driving a Q5 transverter with split RX TX outputs. The TX output is then amplified by a valve amplifier that is adjusted to deliver up to legal limit power at each array via a splitter. Both arrays are driven at the same time. The RX side is chosen via a switch at the operating position. Logging is on a laptop using Minos with a combined database of previous contest contacts to provide an immediate lookup table when data is entered into the log. An entered callsign immediately shows previous locators & bearings from our position, greatly assisting in pointing the beams. If a locator is entered, it shows previous callsigns logged from that square helpfully assisting identifying a potential contact this time. Obviously, these are only an aid & should not be relied on as confirmation of required exchange information. ICG is a prime example, we operate from different sites & so don’t use the same locator each contest, also depending upon the contest we may use a different callsign from a previous contest at the same site.

Saturday morning was thankfully warm & dry which allowed for a quick deployment of the trailer tent, the shelter which permits everything else to happen. Whilst I left Ian & the BRATS members to place out & put up the very heavy SCAM masts, I concentrated on building the 9ele array aided by Paul, G0ILO, running out the two feeders & control cable ready for checking then putting it the mast. This is where we hit our first problem of the weekend. Once all was assembled on the SCAM we attempted to pump up the mast, the mast hardly budged & checks revealed an air leak in the top section. This is often caused by a dry seal, so a very light smear of silicon grease was applied & the section manually lifted & dropped to lubricate the section. Sadly, all to no avail, so the mast sections were manually pushed up & locked off. Hard & slow work for Ian.

This time-consuming process absorbed nearly all the time left before the start of the contest at 1400UTC, so I left the rest to complete the build of the second array whilst I prepared the operating position & started the contest.

The start of the contest was a steady affair calling CQ getting a trickle of contacts rarely getting a run of more than two at a time, that said many of those were very satisfying working a good number of Scottish stations & more Irish stations than usual. As the first hour concluded a very brief interlude was taken as Ian plumbed in the second array & we were fully operational. I hogged the mic for the best part of the next hour to allow the labourers to rest, make a brew & gratefully cook the first bacon bap of the weekend. Fortified I passed the mic on to Paul, G0ILO & later Ian, M5IJH. The three of us then taking about an hour or so in the chair in rotation.

Fairly quickly I noticed that the usual roar of European stations wasn’t present & even when pointing East, we weren’t picking off the usual string of German stations along with the ever-present Dutch & Belgians. When I commented, Ian reminded me that the European contest was no longer coordinated with this one but with the VHF & UHF one earlier in the month. This certainly had an impact upon my operating tactics, spending more time with the 2x9 array pointing SW or N rather than sweeping across Europe. The lack of EU Stations certainly affected our contact rate & it will be interesting to see how well supported the contest was by UK Stations compared to past years. The lack of runs of contacts responding to our CQ calls led to more sessions of ‘search & pounce’ but again in these sessions most stations heard were already in the log. It was certainly one of the hardest contests I can recall gaining contacts for the efforts made.

Saturday petered out at about midnight local time after getting only a couple of contacts over the last hour. All the BRATS members had retreated home hours before & Paul who had pitched his own tent to camp overnight had decided to return home for a warmer bed. The benefit of a nice settled high pressure zone giving a clear, bright, dry & warm day led to a noticeable drop in temperature once the sun had set, resulting in a chilly evening & night. I had packed a buffalo shirt as a just in case but was pleased I did as it kept me operating in comfort. I was also pleased I had grabbed my four-season sleeping bag rather than the summer job, so had a warm comfortable night’s sleep, well until 5am local. My alarm clock was my little Jack Russel dog, Maddie who was in her portable kennel under my sleep pod in the trailer tent. I thought it was the call of nature causing her whine, but I soon realised as I released her it had been the local rabbit population who had started to graze adjacent to the tent. A flurry of cotton tails exploded in all directions towards the hedges as we emerged.

So being up & awake it was back to the operating chair, an initial tune high to low & back again resulted in only hearing one QSO in progress, both stations previously worked. So, with the amplifier fully powered after being left on idle to keep the damp off the tubes the keyer was again fired up. It took nearly an hour before the first contacts started to trickle in. But fortified by first, second (Third?) breakfast bacon baps & my two-pint insulated tea mug the log was steadily filled with contacts, but not at the rate we would really like! The mix of contesters & the Sunday morning casuals who had fired up the rig to find the band full (!) of signals & joining in to give a point away is always enjoyable. We even got a few more EU stations coming on to liven the mix.

We were looking forward to the Backpackers coming on air at 1100UTC to add a fresh source of contacts. Either the hills were sparsely occupied this time or we were unlucky in attracting responses as the contact rate remained fairly slow when calling & it was hard to find new ‘stroke P’ stations when we went search & pounce.

At the contest end we agreed we had enjoyed ourselves; the kit had worked (well the defects hadn’t stopped us!), the lack of EU station was disappointing & something to be considered in our planning for next time & the weather had been kind. A good contest. Now to dismantle.

The beams were rotated to the right direction to lower them & then power cut to the station. The first array to be dismantled was the 2x9, the mast lowered with ease. But then came a realisation that we were short of help, we were just the three (two able & me semi-capable) & lacked the BRATS who had helped with muscle to lift the heavy SCAM with the array from its rest to vertical. A quick brainstorm between the three of us formed a plan of action. Ian& Paul successfully removed the stub mast out of the top of the SCAM & lowered the array to the ground without dropping it or spearing me below in the process. It was then that we noticed what had been a potentially serious problem. The lower rotator clamp to the stub mast had cracked, surely if the wind had blown any harder over the past 24 hours it would have toppled. Luck had been with us this time.

The same process was successfully applied to the second array without incident. It was then just a steady process of dismantling & packing all the kit down under Ian’s supervision into & on the trailer tent as well as his car which does a fantastic impression of ‘the Tardis’ as it swallows kit that it couldn’t possibly fit.

I quick walk of the area of the field to check for litter or other small dropped items was the final task after locking up the BRATS shack & driving home.

Later in the evening Ian messaged the map of our submitted log as well as a photo of the fault on the SCAM, a spacer collar had cracked & as a result of its failure it had shredded the seal. Annoying but readily repairable. The cracked rotator clamp will be replaced, but discussion on merits of this lightweight but vulnerable solution over a safer but heavier rotator cage will be rehashed. We are already discussing nested arrays on the same mast to have fixed but switchable coverage over our main target directions & possibly a lighter rotatable array. All stuff to keep the conversation going between contests.

Again, thanks to BRATS for being such good hosts, to the amateurs who visited the station. Especial thanks to Ian, M5IJH who provides & builds the kit, operates, as well as cooks the necessary bacon baps which fuel this operator. Finally, Paul, G0ILO who provided great company, conversation & most importantly a share of the operating.

ICG https://invictacg.weebly.com/

BRATS https://brats-qth.org

MINOS https://minos.sourceforge.net

73,

Ian, G0PDZ – AG5XD

G5H at BRATS

Maddie (the DX Dog)

Ian, M5IJH operating whilst being supervised by Paul, G0ILO & Maddie the DX Dog.

The failed PTFE collar which destroyed the seal.

The cracked lower rotator clamp that held on long enough!

Map of G5H contacts in the May 144MHz contest.

#rsgb #ham #radio #contest #2m #144 #uk

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fuzzkaizer · 2 years ago

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Wrough Iron Leather & Effects - Surge Wave Compact Spring Reverb Un

“... It's housed inside a vintage "Port-o-Lab" testing unit used in HAM and CB radio fields. This vintage electrical test unit houses a real mini spring reverb tank driven by an original design drive, recovery, and pre-amp circuit. Though it uses almost the same circuitry as our Long Wave Reverb, the filtering is a little different for this obnoxious little guy. It was designed with the idea of sitting beside a pedalboard to connect at the end of your pedal chain and run off an outlet of your pedal power supply. It can run off a 9 volt up to 18 volt output from your power supply and uses less than 100 ma of current. I recommend 9 or 12 volts. The Surge Wave really doesn’t get any extra benefit from 18 volts, unless you are using it as an ultra pristine preamp. The Surge Wave is equally at home in front of your amp or in the effects loop. It handles overdrives and fuzzes in front of it just fine. If you turn the mix and depth down and turn the volume up, it can also make a really pleasant pre-amp in front of your amp. As you pass 2 o’clock on the mix control, the sound goes from subtle thick reverb to bright, metallic clangy craziness. The sweet spot for most music is with the depth between 10 and 3 and the Mix between 9 and 2 o’clock. For surf music, of course, you can crank the mix higher, though surf is not exactly right in the wheelhouse of this unit (that’s our Long Wave territory). Roll the tone way back to tame the brightness as you roll the mix up. The mix control is tuned to allow for a wide range of adjustments, but to keep a lot of it in the commonly used range. Rather than bouncing with the guitar signal, the vintage meter moves with the mix control to indicate relative strength of the Reverb Effect. “

cred: wroughtironleatherandeffects.com/surge-wave-compact-reverb-unit-004/

#wrought iron #reverb #spring reverb #Desktop Unit #rehouse

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fleckcmscott · 5 years ago

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Comfort & Joy

Summary: Arthur & Y/N celebrate their first Christmas together. Not everything goes as planned.

Warnings: Swearing, Angst

Words: 4,645

A/N: A request from the mind of dear, sweet @ithinkimawriter. Special thanks to @sweet-nothings04 for being the wonderful beta she is!

If you have any thoughts or questions, please comment, feel free to message me, or send me an ask. Requests for Arthur and WWH are open!

If you’ve sent me a request and I haven’t responded, it’s because I am working on it and will once it’s posted!

Arthur was on his way to Y/N's apartment when the storefront's window captured his attention. Batting covered the floor, imitating fake snow. A plastic fireplace, painted yellow, orange, and red, was angled against the left wall. The artificial tree, bedecked with multi-color lights and a plethora of wrapped gifts underneath, shone prettily. To the right, a cardboard cutout of a couple wearing Santa hats and embracing stood in front of a brand new refrigerator. The large sign suspended from the ceiling, tied in a red bow, advertised low-interest store credit: "Make all your Christmas wishes reality!"

There was a sweetness to the display. A festive cheerfulness. And it induced in him an ache borne of dejection. With Penny in her parallel universe and their lack of resources, his life had never had a place for holidays. Seven or eight years ago, he'd made his last attempt at doing something special. They'd shared the turkey dinner he'd sprung for at a nearby greasy spoon. She'd been mildly cognizant of the make-up compact he'd given her, one he'd gotten off the clearance rack. Then she'd gone to bed, leaving him alone to watch the television special he'd picked out. It had been one of the rare nights he'd poured himself a drink in an attempt to sleep.

Smoke swirled in Gotham's cold, night air as he exhaled around his cigarette. The heaviness in his stomach, his hint of indignation perplexed him. Why on earth did he feel shitty when he had a chance to have the type of Christmas people wrote about? That Sinatra, Cole, and Martin sang about? The type he'd dreamed of, despite knowing he'd never have it? He frowned as he trudged down the street, hoping he wouldn't fuck it all up.

Y/N's greeting was warm as always; the refuge of her arms, the smile she reserved just for him dulled his sharpest edges. He tried to take pleasure in her simple courtesies. How she hung his tan jacket next to her coat, all the while insisting he get a hat and mittens. The hot mug she handed him, the way it thawed his slender fingers. The taste of cocoa on her silken lips as they kissed and she declared she'd missed him.

There was quiet conversation. She did most of the talking; he did his best to pay attention through the distraction of his anxiety. The cards had to be finished, she said. Just for her colleagues, a couple of family and friends, and, if he didn't mind, Penny. He didn't react to that last name, letting Y/N draw her own conclusions. She moved to sit side-saddle on the floor to work, next to her coffee table. As her hand crossed the cream cardstock, he noticed she was signing both their names. He gaped slightly in shock, delight spiking through him. But then delight twisted into unworthiness, and he averted his gaze to his hot chocolate.

He'd believed he was doing okay, though he still didn't have his medication. Especially since Penny had been transferred from Gotham General to the nursing home he'd chosen two weeks ago, and it had clicked that he'd never have to see her again. There were days he woke up (if he was fortunate enough to sleep) energized and confident. He had slipped into delusion once or twice. A call to Y/N or the feel of her hand had helped ground him and bring him back to lucidity. But his negative thoughts were bearing down on him. It was getting harder to separate what was intrusive and what was Arthur. If only he could find it within himself to be better.

Once she finished addressing the envelopes, Y/N extended a hand his way and smirked. Unsure if she wanted him to help her up or join her, he sat on the plush, cream color carpet. "I can hear you thinking. I'm surprised smoke isn't coming out of your ears," she said, laying a palm on his thigh. "You haven't told me what you want to do for Christmas."

He picked up one of the cards, traced his fingertips along the corners. He was bereft of his own traditions to draw from; all his points of reference were from popular culture. It was difficult to know what he'd actually like doing. He gave it a go, anyway. "I dunno. A tree? Listening to music? Being together?"

Chuckling, she put her head on his shoulder. "Of course we'll be together. And we can do the other stuff, too." Her voice lowered as she continued. The caress on his leg became a massage. "I get out early Thursday - Christmas Eve. How'd you feel about me being your guest for three days?"

"Hm." He loathed the possibility of exposing her to what was going on in his brain, his darker notions and malaise. He wanted to hold on for her. To be the gentle person she claimed he was, the man she claimed made her happy.

The man she was mistakenly convinced deserved her.

A kiss on the sensitive skin of his neck. "I'll bring dinner and everything."

Fuck. She thought he didn't want her, that she had to sell him on the idea of her company. He had to put a stop to that assumption. Didn't she know she'd become a brick, a building block in his unstable foundation? He couldn't deny her - he didn't wanted to deny her. Taking a deep breath, he turned to her. The warmth in her eyes buoyed him enough to use what little confidence he could muster. He took her hand, ran his thumb over the back of it, and he forced the corner of his lips up. "I'd love that."

~~~~~

There wasn't normally a spring in Y/N's step, but Arthur had a habit of causing one. She was smiling like a fool, too, walking with her suitcase and canvas bag. The happiest woman in Gotham. It couldn't be helped, even as she struggled to climb those damned concrete stairs to finally reach his block. This would be the best Christmas in ages.

The holiday had been her childhood favorite. But it had become taxing as her father's dementia had worsened, and her sister and she had grown apart. Not being able to leave her father unattended had forced them to celebrate at his house, which Y/N shared with him. A couple of slow cooker dishes would be made, ones her niece and nephews liked. She would do her best to make the large dining table festive, using a red tablecloth and making a centerpiece out of a wreath. Once everyone had sat around it, she'd alternate between taking a bite herself and trying to feed her father, trying to convince him to eat.

The final year had been the hardest. Distress had been clear in her sister and brother-in-law's faces, in their stilted conversation. The middle child had asked why grandpa wasn't talking. Y/N had never learned to communicate on a child's level, and had waited for her sister to take the lead. That hadn't happened. So she'd tried to explain the most painful, complicated situation she'd ever been in in terms a four year old could understand. When her father had started spitting out his mashed potatoes and crying, everyone had packed up and left.

It was understandable. Handling him was exhausting and she didn't want the kids to be traumatized. But it had left her resentful and grief-stricken. She'd cleaned him up and changed him. Then she'd sipped the nice wine she'd bought for the occasion and taken down the tree, tearing up with each bauble she'd put away while her father stared at the television in his wheelchair.

After dropping off a card at Ms. McPhee's, she hurried around the corner to Arthur's building. He was waiting for her at his door, dressed in the red sweater he knew she loved on him. She pecked his sharp cheekbone as he bent to take her luggage, and watched as he made a show of putting it beside the sofa. "Did you pack your whole apartment?"

"Almost," she said, already digging out the food she'd brought and placing it on the kitchen counter. The ham and pineapple casserole had to be popped in the oven for forty-five minutes. The two pieces of pie were from the diner near her office. Lastly, there were a carton of eggnog and a small bottle of whiskey.

He didn't say a lot, but she had a pretty good notion of what he was thinking: a variation on the refrain that she'd done too much. "Arthur, this is for me, too. Besides, you got the tree." Then she pulled him in for a kiss. Though his lips were soft and returned her affections, she could sense the apprehension in his shoulders, her palms sweeping across them. He was probably excited, she figured. And a little nervous, too. This was a milestone for them, after all. She smiled up at him encouragingly. "We're going to have a great time," she said. His nod was gentle.

Dinner went by quickly, which was a blessing because it was terrible. ("I swear, I followed my mother's recipe.") The apple pie was a good substitute for her favorite, blueberry. There wasn't any nutmeg to add to the eggnog. And Arthur covered the top of his mug when she wanted to spike it. He appeared to like it, anyway, and was soon pouring himself a second serving. GCR was playing Christmas music non-stop instead of news, so she turned on the radio. She led him to the living room and admired the tree he'd gotten.

The fir was maybe four inches taller than he was, probably six feet. There were plenty of branches, but it was slim enough to fit into the rear corner of the room, by the windows. The sharp, fresh scent of pine was wonderful. "You picked a great one." As she got into her luggage and dug out the white mini-lights, Arthur searched for an extension cord. Once the bulbs were in place, she knelt before the tree and handed him one of the tins of ornaments she'd packed.

Arthur tackled the upper half while she took care of the bottom. Her gaze turned up to him and she grew fuzzy all over. Concentration was plain in his squint, his handling of the glass-blown, red bulbs cautious. His fingertips carefully closed the hooks over each bough. How long had it been since he'd last done this? She reached out, giving his leg a reassuring squeeze before going through her own box of baubles. A soft sound stuck in her throat as she discovered what was inside.

"What is it?" he asked quietly.

The shellacked, round cookie was in surprisingly good shape, its ribbon firmly attached. "My sister made this for me when we were little. I'd forgotten about it." She cradled it in her palm, a peal of laughter bubbling up. "One year I got a toy oven. Set the smoke alarms off, scared my mother half to death." Sipping her drink, she shook her head. "Mabel - who's younger than me, remember - decided to show me how it was done. She was always better at that stuff."

The memory prompted Y/N to continue. She mentioned her parents taking them to a department store a few towns over to visit Santa. How she'd been completely boring and asked for a typewriter and doll, which she'd gotten. The milkshake she'd had at the restaurant on the top floor. She felt uncharacteristically wistful. "That was a lifetime ago."

Most of the tree was adorned when she noticed he'd stopped responding. It was as though he was frozen in place, his face turned towards the floor. Y/N stood, taking in the clenching of his fists at his sides, the quiver of his frame, the twitch of his cheek. "Arthur?" She reached out to take his hand.

His arm yanked back as if she'd hit him. Then he marched around the sofa, past the television, and went straight into the bathroom. The locks slid into place as soon as he closed the door.

She was stunned. And, if she was honest, disappointed. All she'd wanted was to share more of herself with him. Gingerly, she walked to the door. No light shone from beneath it. The picture of him sitting alone in the dark on Christmas Eve pained her. She knocked.

Laughter broke up the strain in his voice. "I need a few minutes." After a pause, a hushed plea. "Please don't go."

"I won't."

Her lips pursed. The last few times she'd visited, she'd made a note to check his usual spots for prescription bottles. There hadn't been any. And there'd been no indication he'd used any of the doctor appointments she'd paid for. They'd have to discuss it. But not now. New Years was next weekend. She'd mention it then, as well as her hopes they'd be living together soon, treating it as something positive.

Beyond his laughing, he hadn't yet gone into any level of detail about his afflictions, his diagnoses. Since his appearance on Murray Franklin, she'd read almost the entire "Loving Someone With" series to learn how to handle problems when they arose. It had advised kindness, calm, and providing regularity. Discussion of normal things, plans for the future. That was what she had been trying to do. Why had Arthur reacted so poorly?

Then it dawned on her: the experiences that were normal to her, to most people, hadn't ever been so for him. Her thoughts went to the terrible details in the Arkham file he'd brought over. The unspecified categories of abuse he'd suffered. His severe head injury and its permanent effects. The radiator...

She recalled his reaction to the journal she'd given him for his birthday. He'd tried, in vain, to hide how affected he'd been by it. And it was only a few weeks ago he'd meekly asked if she'd ever stop loving him, as if it was a chore for her instead of bliss. It was tough, knowing how hard he had to work to accept her kindnesses.

Rubbing her eyes, she concluded she'd been an idiot. Well-intentioned, but an idiot regardless. She'd so looked forward to making new memories with Arthur, to being able to spend the holiday with someone who could enjoy it, she'd overwhelmed him. Set him off.

He needed space and, so far, she'd always paid the respect of giving that to him. It wouldn't be easy tonight, however. Every fiber of her wanted to rush in there, hold him, and tell him to confide in her. To allow her to support him. But she needed to listen to her brain instead of her heart (which Arthur made hard to do, being the one who'd helped her unlock it). She checked her watch. Fifteen minutes would be a good compromise. She could give him that.

The music had become deafening. After turning it down, she made her way to the kitchen and put away the rest of the food. Every scrub of the dishcloth on the beige plates they'd used, every wipe as she dried the cutlery, expressed her concern. Ornaments still littered the living room floor. A few more were hung before she put their boxes in her suitcase. She worried her lip when she came across the presents she'd gotten him, wrapped in luscious greens and golds. He'd like them, she was certain. If he was up to receiving them. She placed them under the tree, adjusting the tags so he could clearly read "Arthur," written in her looping cursive.

The clink of the bathroom door being unlocked was barely audible. Not wanting him to think she'd been hovering the entire time, she waited before approaching. Then she stepped forward and slowly opened it.

The light from the hall spilled into the room, sufficient to see Arthur sitting on the pink, tiled end of the bathtub. She took in the slump of his shoulders, his arms slack and folded in his lap. He spoke and his miserable rasp split her heart. "I'm- I'm sorry. I'm ruining everything."

"You're not." She turned on the floor lamp in the corner, then sat down on the closed toilet. "It wasn't fair of me to babble on and on like that. I didn't think abou-"

"Don't." It was clear the harshness of his tone was directed at himself. His dark brows creased in the middle as he wiped his nose, embarrassment clear in every gesture. "I just... I wanna be able to enjoy this like everyone else."

The skin of his hands was pink, likely from wringing. And his nails had been freshly chewed. Her chest tightened. "May I touch you?" she asked. At his curt nod, she smoothed his sleeve up to stroke his forearm. The grimace he wore was tight enough to show his dimples.

She'd learned it was vital to speak to his virtues in these moments. That was an easy thing to do - he had many. The compliments she paid him were true, and reflected what he valued in others. "You're so caring, Arthur." Her fingertips drifted down his laugh line to his thin lips. "And good. And funny." She blinked away the tears that threatened, the news articles from his mother's file fresh in her mind. "And strong. Stronger than anyone should have to be."

A dry, hitched sob left him and he shook his head. "You don't need to tell me lies."

"I'm not. I never will." Her kiss brushed the shallow wrinkles on his trembling chin, and she took his hand between her own. "You don't have to talk about it. But I'm here if you want to." A long silence followed, interrupted only by their soft breathing. Eventually, he trailed lines down her thigh, to her knee, caressing her as if she were gossamer.

She considered how he could have gone through such brutality, yet be the gentlest person she'd ever known.

Releasing a long sigh, he leaned his forehead to hers. "I can't," he whispered, lifting one shoulder.

"It's all right." Her grasp slid up and down his sides comfortingly. "I love you. It's okay."

It was awhile before he stood, pulling her with him and against his chest. She nestled into him and soaked up his heat, carding her fingers through his loose curls. "I- I picked out a movie. I think it starts soon." He held her hand as he walked towards the living room.

The analog TV sounded with bells and strings as Y/N got a blanket from the bed. She scurried to him and saw the names Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire flash on the screen. Of course, she thought. He'd picked a romantic musical. After turning off the lamp, she situated herself next to Arthur and draped the cover over them. The opening credits were rolling, but she could feel him watching her instead of the film. Then his touch grazed her bare ankle. She shifted towards him, a smile spreading across her face at the softness of his features. "What?"

His gaze dropped. "I wish I knew how to say how much I love you. Show you somehow."

The lights from the tree were giving his skin a warm glow, and reflected beautifully in his green eyes. She tipped his chin up and kissed him deeply, until they both had to pull away for air. Pink dusted his cheeks and he grinned bashfully, crooked tooth on display. "I know, Arthur." They snuggled closer under the cover and he entwined their hands. "I know."

~~~~~

Since she'd returned to him after Murray, they'd spent an increasing number of nights together. Arthur usually let Y/N sleep as long as she needed. Insisting she wake up with him wouldn't have been fair. She worked hard and the extra hour or two was helpful. But he couldn't hold back Christmas morning.

He made a valiant attempt to pass the time. Really. He'd already shaven, smoked a couple of cigarettes, retrieved her presents, and plugged in the tree. He noticed she'd placed gifts under it, labelled "Arthur" and elegantly wrapped in paper nicer than what he'd been able to pick-up at the drug store. He glided his fingers over them. The corner of his mouth lifted. Written in her script, his name was beautiful.

Thankfully, he was in better sorts than the night before. Enthusiasm for her gripped him. He tip-toed to the bedroom and watched her sleeping form from the doorway. It was still dark - the sun wouldn't be up for another hour - but he could picture what she looked like. Her wet breathing and slight snore meant her pillow had a spot of drool near her mouth. There was a fifty-fifty chance her nightgown had twisted up just beneath her breasts. The blanket may have slipped below her waist, leaving her hip exposed. He knelt next to the bed and palmed the side of her neck, planting kisses to her face until she groaned.

"Your hair tickles," she mumbled. Her arm went around his back and brought him closer. "What time is it?"

"Early." Before standing, he gave her one last peck on the mouth. "But I couldn't wait any longer." He padded to the kitchen to start the french toast they'd decided on.

He was in the middle of cracking eggs when she sat across from him on the other side of the breakfast bar. "It's nice to have someone to celebrate with again," she said, leaning up and forward to peek in his bowl. "I'm happy it's you." He cocked his head at that. She'd had a family before, a sister and brother-in-law. Nieces and nephews. A father. He asked her to elaborate but she shrugged it off. "Just a few rough years. That's all. Don't waste your time on it."

Learning about her was one of the things he liked about having a girlfriend. As sappy as it sounded, even to himself, it made him feel like she was a part of him, and he a part of her. Dr. Sally said open communication was important. If he was going to be a good boyfriend, Y/N should be able to talk to him without fearing he couldn't handle it. He grasped her hand and borrowed her phrase from last night. "You can talk to me." Their gazes met as he ran the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. "I'm okay today."

A wry grin appeared. "Let's just say we've both experienced difficult family situations." She took his fork and finished beating the eggs for him as he turned on the stove. "This is a big step in putting that awfulness behind me."

The way she seemed to understand him, even if she was talking about herself, prompted him to clear his throat. "Me, too." He dipped the bread in the bowl, then placed it in the frying pan.

When they were finished eating (it'd been so much better than the casserole she'd made, and he'd never had real maple syrup before), Y/N poured them both more coffee and made her way to the living room. Arthur offered to turn on the news, aware she was still waiting for coverage on the Wayne Foundation case, but she waved dismissively. "I don't want to think about that today. God knows I already think about it too much."

They took turns opening gifts, sitting on the floor by the tree, close enough for him to feel the heat she was emanating. Y/N immediately opened her chocolate Santa and broke off a piece for him. The musk oil perfume he'd picked up for her at Helm's Pharmacy had been on sale for $1.79, and he was grateful he'd remembered to remove the price tag before wrapping it. She dabbed it on her wrist. It was different on her than it was in the bottle, a bit stronger than expected. But she was wearing something he'd given her, so it was lovely nonetheless. Her favorite of the three presents seemed to be the old, tapered, white vase he'd found. She needed it, he explained. That time he'd given her a rose, she'd stuck it in a drinking glass.

What he'd given her were simple trinkets, born out of a vague idea of what women were supposed to like. Despite her apparent delight and the kisses she'd bestowed on him after opening each one, they felt inadequate compared to what she gave him. There was a teal sweater, one she claimed would bring out (in her words) his "beautiful eyes." He pulled it on over his thermal shirt, tags and all. She'd gotten him a book on comedy writing. He wasn't sure how to take that - had she decided his jokes weren't very good? But then she told him she expected more material for his next stand-up show.

Picking up the last gift, he studied it with mock seriousness. Its shape and weight gave away it was a record, but he had no idea which one. They often enjoyed quiet evenings with his collection of older standards, but she preferred more modern songs. Maybe it was an attempt to introduce him to what she liked. He'd gladly listen to it, at least once. He peeled the pretty paper back and exhaled sharply. The LP was old, the cover worn. It was the soundtrack to Modern Times, a film he'd caught once or twice and loved the music of. Holding it to his chest, he murmured a quiet, "Thank you." Eagerly, he got up and put it on, letting the orchestra and his love for her wash over him, soothe his battered soul.

Y/N followed and splayed a hand on the small of his back. "Gotham Pops played this at the Wayne benefit last month." Giggling, she tousled his hair. "I spent the evening wishing you were next to me. It would have been nice to show you off, all dressed up and handsome." He stiffened for a second, wondering if he should tell her he had been there. If he should practice the honesty he'd been working on since Murray. Perhaps knowing he'd accompanied her, in his own way, would please her. But she interrupted his thoughts before he could speak. "The Christmas parade starts in an hour. We should go now if you still want to see it. Neither of us are very tall - we need a good spot." Her lips brushed his ear. "I brought an extra hat and mittens for you."

He spun to face her as he nodded, and she nuzzled at his nose and sighed. The wide smile she wore halted his breath. It would have been nice if this hadn't been his only real Christmas. If his first thirty-five years hadn't been a cruel joke, a tragedy. But he was glad to have this taste of happiness with her.

He hadn't longed for a paralegal from another part of the country, a woman who couldn't dance well and never guessed the punchlines of his jokes. But what he was about to say was true all the same. He cupped her face and kissed her firmly. "You're the one I always wanted," he whispered against her. "Merry Christmas, Y/N." The words felt unnatural - he was unsure when he had last said them.

The love in her look let him know he'd done all right. "You're the man I never knew I needed. And I do, Arthur." He closed his eyes at her embrace, laying his cheek against her temple as she cuddled into him. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Fleck." Her next sentence and the touch of her mouth to his jaw made him shiver. "Maybe next year we won't have to choose whose apartment will have the tree."

~~~~~

Tag list (Let me know if you want to be added!): @harmonioussolve @ithinkimaperson @sweet-nothings04 @stephieraptorr @rommies @fallenstarsabyss @gruffle1 @octopus-plasma @tsukiakarinobara @arthur-flecks-lovely-smile

#arthur fleck #arthur fleck fanfic #arthur fleck x reader #arthur fleck x ofc #arthur fleck x female reader #joker 2019 #watchwhathappens

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certainheartrunaway · 4 years ago

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Current Ham Radio News

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ralf Bender, who shares the following notice from Channel 292: A heavy storm that hit us Saturday afternoon, caused severe damage to our antennas. Since Saturday, 1528 UTC we are off air. We hope that we can repair some of the damages on Sunday, and to be back on […]

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Current ham radio news

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest SWLing Post readers. To that end: Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]

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A25RU Team will be active from Botswana, 14 - 26 March 2021.

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March 14, 2021 at 11:09AM

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*Photo : K2FX

“Oggie Harry Rundall, AC3EK, wrote to me about an experience he had setting compression on his Icom IC-7300. That prompted me to investigate some history, show how compression is set on the IC-7300, and provide example voice recordings.”

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The FLEX-6700 is for the most demanding amateur radio operator who desires the ultimate on-air experience. With dual spectral capture units (... Read more

TJ2B 2015 HF SSB CW Handheld Transceiver

January 30, 2015

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New version in production. Scheduled shipment time: Beginning of Mar. 2015 TX:3 Ham band(40m/20m/17m) covering RX:5-25MHz New S m... Read more

The post How to set up Compression on your HF radio appeared first on QRZ NOW - Ham Radio News.

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1. Contest sponsors The “Soyuz Radioljubitelej Rossii” (Union of Radioamateurs of Russia), SRR is pleased to announce 28 International “Russian DX Contest”

2. Contest dates, bands, and modes

1200 UTC 20 March till 1159 UTC 21 March 2021

160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. No contest QSOs on WARC bands;

CW and Phone.

3. Entry categories:

SOAB–MIX – Single Op, All Bands, MIXED

SOAB–MIX-LP – Single Op, All Bands, MIXED, Low Power 100 watts

SOAB-MIX-QRP – Single Op, All Bands, MIXED, QRP 5 watts

SOAB–CW – Single Op, All Bands, CW

SOAB–CW–LP – Single Op, All Bands, CW, Low Power 100 watts

SOAB–SSB – Single Op, All Bands, SSB

SOAB–SSB-LP – Single Op, All Bands, SSB, Low Power 100 watts

SOSB – Single Op, single band, MIXED (6 different band entries, separately 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 m)

MOST – Multi Op, All Bands, Single transmitter, MIXED

MO2T – Multi Op, Two transmitters, MIXED

MM – Multi Op, Multi transmitters, MIXED

SWL – MIXED

3.1 The participant can operate and submit the log for two different single band categories to be eligible for awards, for instance, 10m and 80m as per 11.3.

3.2 SOSB entrants may operate on other bands during the contest and are encouraged to submit their entire logs to help in the log cross-checking process. These contacts will not affect the SOSB score but will be credited to other stations.

3.3 Results will be listed separately for European Russia, Asiatic Russia and by each continent.

4. Intentionally left blank

5. General Rules 5.1. All transmitters, receivers, and amplifiers must be within a single 500-meter diameter circle. Antennas must be physically connected by RF transmission lines to the transmitters and receivers, except as described in 5.1.5.

5.1.1. Remote operation is permitted if the physical location of all transmitters, receivers, and antennas are at one station location as described in 5.1. A remotely operated station must obey all station license, operator license, and category limitations. The call sign used must be one issued or permitted by the Regulatory Authority of the station location.

5.1.2. The use of QSO finding assistance (DX cluster, CW Skimmer etc) is allowed for all entries.

5.1.3. The use of any calls other than participant’s for any reason including keeping the run frequency on any band, making schedules, DX-spotting, moving the multipliers is prohibited.

5.1.4. Self-spotting or soliciting contacts by any means other than amateur radio is prohibited.

5.1.5. The use of one and only one remote receiver located within 25 kilometers of the main transmitter site is permitted, in addition to the receiver at the transmitter site is allowed for all entries.

5.1.6. The use of any remote receivers other than described in 5.1.5 are prohibited. Violators will be subject to disqualification.

5.2. Single Operator participants may change bands and modes without restrictions. Only one signal can be transmitted at any given time.

5.2.1. Single Operator categories: one person (the operator) performs all operating, logging and spotting functions. Any assistance will result in reclassification into the Multi Operator category or disqualification at the discretion of the contest committee.

5.3. MOST stations are subject to a 10 minutes band change rule. Mode change within current band is allowed without limitations.

5.3.1. Start time is determined by the time of the first QSO made on the band. The band may be changed after 10 full minutes have elapsed.

5.3.2. Only one signal can be transmitted at any given time. Exception: two signals on two different bands are allowed if (and only if) the station on another (and only one) “multiplier” band works a new multiplier.

5.3.3. The “multiplier” transmitter is subject to its own 10 minute rule for band changes as described in 5.3.1.

5.3.4. Contacts which violate band change rules, should be clearly marked in the log with an X-QSO: key (as per 11.11 ). They will neither be counted nor penalized for an entrant, but will be counted for the station contacted.

5.3.5. Tampering with the QSO time to comply with the 10 minute rule (“rubber clocking”) will result in disqualification.

5.4. MO2T (Multi Op, Two transmitters): A maximum of two transmitted signals at any time on different bands. Each transmitter may make a maximum of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). For example, a change from 40 meters to 80 meters and then back to 40 meters constitutes two band changes. Both transmitters may work any and all stations. A station may be worked twice per band (CW and SSB) regardless of which transmitter is used.

5.5. MM (Multi Op, Multi transmitters): A maximum of six transmitted signals, one per band at any one time. All equipment (transmitters, receivers, amplifiers, antennas, etc.) must be located in same DXCC entity, including remotely controlled equipment. Six bands may be activated simultaneously. Use a separate serial number sequence for each band. Limits in 5.1 do not apply.

5.6. All MIXED categories entrants can work the same station twice per band (CW and SSB).

6. Exchange: 6.1. Non-Russian stations: signal report + QSO number, starting with 001.

6.2. Multioperator (MOST, MO2T, MM) may alternativley use separate serial numbers for each band.

6.3. Russian stations: signal report + oblast code as per attached list.

7. QSO Points. 7.1. Russian stations:

QSO with your own country (Russia on your continent) – 2 points,

QSO with Russia on another continent – 5 points,

QSO with a different country on your continent – 3 points,

QSO with another continent – 5 points.

7.2. Non-Russian stations:

QSO with Russian station – 10 points,

QSO with your own country – 2 points,

QSO with a different country on your continent – 3 points,

QSO with another continent – 5 points.

7.3. Kaliningrad (UA2F), Franz Josef Land (RI1FJ) and Russian Antarctic stations (RI1AN) each count as a separate DXCC entity and a separate Oblast (double multiplier) with Kaliningrad counts as European Russia for scoring purposes.

7.4. Maritime mobile (“/MM”) stations do not count as multipliers and score 5 points for all participants.

7.5. SWL points are calculated along the same principles as described in 7.1 and 7.2.

8. Dupes 8.1. Dupes are contacts made with the same station on the same band and mode. If the first contact between stations is valid, dupes have 0 points value. If the first contact is not valid, then second (dupe) contact is accepted.

8.2. Dupe contacts are not penalized; they do not have to be marked in the log. All entrants are strongly recommended to leave DUPES in the log.

9. Multipliers There are two types of multipliers:

One multiplier for each different oblast contacted on each band, including UA2F, RI1FJ and RI1AN as per 7.3.

One multiplier for each different country (DXCC entity list + WAE multipliers list) contacted on each band.

10. Final Score 10.1. The final score is the result of the total QSO points multiplied by the sum of oblast and country multipliers.

11. General Log Submission Requirements 11.1. Logs are accepted in CABRILLO file format only.

11.2. Filename of your log should be yourcall.log or .cbr. Example: UA1AAA.log.

11.3. If a competitor claims two separate bands in the SOSB category (as per 3.1 ) these two bands should be clearly marked. Example: CATEGORY-BAND: 10m, 15m.

11.4. Russian stations will include their RDA in the LOCATION: field.

11.5. Web upload is the only method of log submission. Web upload of logs is available at: http://www.rdxc.org/asp/pages/wwwlog.asp.

11.6. All QSO times must be in UTC.

11.7. All sent and received exchanges must be clearly shown in the log.

11.8. The header of the electronic log must specify entry category and your full mailing address to receive the awards.

11.9. Multioperator logs (MOST and MO2T) must identify which transmitter made each QSO. For MOST entries RUN =0, MULT =1. For MO2T entries RUN1 = 0, RUN2 = 1. Alternative identifcation is not allowed. The logs without such identification will be reclassified to Check Log.

11.10. Logs aiming for the top 3 position in any contest category (excluding SWL entry) must indicate the frequency of every QSO made (using transceiver CAT) with a minimum resolution of 1 kHz.

11.11 Any QSO marked with the key X-QSO: will be ignored in your log and credit will be given to the other station.

12. Log Submission Deadline 12.1. Logs must be submitted to the contest sponsors within 14 days after the end of the contest (until 23:59 UTC on 04.04.2021).

12.2. Receipt of the log is confirmed on the “Logs received” page on RDXC Website.

12.3. Logs submitted after the deadline may be listed in the results, but are not eligible for awards.

13. Awards 13.1. pecial plaques for continental winners in the SOAB-MIX and SOAB-MIX-LP. For the complete list of sponsored plaques please visit http://www.rdxc.org/asp/pages/trophy.asp.

13.2. Every participant from Russia will receive a souvenir subject the terms below:

All-band entries confirmed at least confirmed 1,000 QSOs,

Single-band entries confimed at least confirmed 500 QSOs,

MIX-QRP entry confirmed at least confirmed 250 QSOs.

13.3. European participants will receive a souvenir for at least 750 confirmed QSOs with the Russian stations.

13.4. Non-European participants will receive a souvenir for at least 250 confirmed QSOs with the Russian stations.

13.5. All participants who have submitted the log will receive PDF participation certificates.

14. Contest-Related Information 14.1. Every participant who sends his electronic log will receive personal UBN-list with his claimed/confirmed results separately by bands/modes and QSO list, containing his errors and errors of worked stations. Confirmed Oblasts list for “Russia” award will be sent separately.

14.2. Russian Disctricts Award (RDA). All confirmed QSOs with the Russian stations will be atomatically accepted by the RDA without paper QSLs.

14.3. Any RDXC related questions should be sent to e-mail [email protected].

15. Judging The Russian DX Contest Committee is responsible for checking and adjudicating the contest entries which is done electronically. Participants are requested to follow the rules and best amateur radio practices. Violation of the rules of the contest or unsportsmanlike conduct may lead to disciplinary action by the Committee in its sole discretion.

16. Penalties Penalties are worth two times the QSO point value for the contact.

16.1. Penalty is appllied if:

incorrectly logged calls (Bad Call);

incorrectly logged exchange numbers;

16.2. QSO neither counted nor penalized for the following:

QSO time difference of more than 3 minutes (except systematic computer errors);

QSO bands or modes difference (except systematic computer errors);

10 minute rule violation for MOST (as per 5.3.1 and 5.3.3 above);

Band change violation for MO2T (as per 5.4).

16.3. The log will be reclassified into Check Log in case of more than 50% score reduction after checking.

16.4. RDXC Contest Committee decisions are final.

RDXC Contest Committee invites all the radio amateurs from Russia and foreign countries to take part in 28 Russian DX Contest, which became one of the most popular contest in the world. http://www.rdxc.org/asp/pages/news.asp

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The post RUSSIAN DX CONTEST – 2021 appeared first on QRZ NOW - Ham Radio News.

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March 14, 2021 at 11:09AM

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Current ham radio news

Marius, FM/OQ3R will be active from Martinique Island, IOTA NA - 107, 23 May - 5 June 2021.

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March 14, 2021 at 04:09PM

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Current ham radio news

Marius, ON4RU hopes to be QRV from Martinique during May 23 to June 5, 2021. (QTH: FM5BH). Participation in the CQWPX CW contest as TO3F. Outside of contest active as FM/OQ3R on 160-10m, CW only. QSL via H/c.

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FM/OQ3R & TO3F – Martinique

first appeared on

DX-World

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March 14, 2021 at 04:09PM

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Current ham radio news

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 0700Z-1100Z, Mar 21

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March 14, 2021 at 09:09PM

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WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 2300Z, Mar 21 to 0100Z, Mar 22

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March 14, 2021 at 09:09PM

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digilink33nano-blog · 5 years ago

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‍DigiLink Nano is a very compact digital mode Ham Radio interface to connect your rig to a computer or tablet and run virtually any digital mode like PSK31, RTTY, FT-4/FT-8/JT-9/JT-65, Olivia etc.

#digilinknano

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121distractions · 6 years ago

Text

22- BANLIEUE (housing estates)

My years in college are of no use to me. I do not like what I am learning, I do not like the people I am learning with and I do not understand what I am doing there. All I want is to fuck, dance and get well dressed. I let others decide for me and I ended up with an economy bachelor’s degree and now I am trying to learn law. The law (except the history of law) and the economy, are boring me to death. I like to draw women’s shoes, pants or hats; but even for that, I do not take myself seriously, it is a hobby, it is not a job. One must do law when one do not know what to do because it leads to everything. Lawyers, clerks of notaries, bailiffs, they are characters from Balzac novels, it is not my future. The students, there, behave like fascists and are homophobic. They are surprised that I do not want to do “military preparations”. They spend every weekend at the barracks and when they will do their military service, they will already be officers. No, I will not be a just a stupid soldier, because my military service, I will not do it. The faith in which I grew up forbid to do military service, non-violence was basic. Objectors of conscience must spend twice as much time in prison as they would have spent in military service. When a “brother” went off to do his two years in prison, there was a farewell party, gifts and a lot of prayers. We were all very proud. Some made the effort to visit them in Fleury-Mérogis and had to share their experience on the stage with the microphone at the desk. Even if the speech was spontaneous and would not be judged, it was necessary to pay attention to the gesture, the contact with the auditory and the construction of the message. The prisoners’ letters were read in front of the whole congregation. New prayers would follow. I have never been to Fleury, I was too young. Faith has become superfluous to me, but disgust for the primitive male universe has remained. The uniforms are beautiful and the adventures of Jeff Stryker in prison are very exciting but nothing works, I would do anything to be discharged, P4, psychologically disturbed!

The lesson is really too annoying, Nathalie offers to go to her home to listen to records. Nathalie was Catherine’s best friend at the Émile Dubois High School. They wanted her to repeat her 11th grade so her parents put her in an expensive private school. Catherine partied too many with me and did not get her baccalaureate; I had it in extremis and so did Nathalie. We are now together studying law. Nathalie’s world is very different from Catherine’s. She also lives in a recent building of the 13th arrondissement, but not in a project. It is a residence with intercom. Nathalie uses only her particle for her name but on the bell, there is her full name “Brugerolle de Fraissinette” It does not leave much room for first names. I finally understand why sometimes she initials with a BdF. I never dared to ask. So chic! The apartment is huge but with low ceilings. It is dark, the Venetian blinds are just slightly open, Chinese furniture in black enamel occupy all the space. Nathalie’s mother is Eurasian of Vietnamese origin. She is very typical. Very skinny with a lot of very black hair, she is doing her nails with a small YSL bottle. She really looks like Eartha Kitt! She does not get up to say hello, she does not want to ruin her nail polish. Nathalie teaches me the word “quadroon”, Nathalie Brugerolle de Fraissinette is very proud to be quadroon. For me it sounds more like a descendant of Crusaders knights, but it just means she is a quarter Asian. Nobody could imagine it. Nathalie is a little round and very white, there may be in her eyes a little sign of bridle but you really have to know. The father is an engineer on an oil platform in Abu Dhabi and is never there. We head giggling down the hall. Eartha Kitt understands right away that it is not today that her daughter will finally have a boyfriend. Nathalie’s room is tiny, but she has, for herself, a compact Philips Hi-Fi with record player, FM radio and “auto-reverse” cassette player. She loves “Mad World” from Tears for Fears. I had the feeling that last week when I told her that I did not have the money to buy it, that she had never heard of it, I am intrigued. Will she offer it to me? No, she offers me to share her “Ham-mashed potatoes.” There are so few, I leave her the only calories that she is allowing herself. It is time to go to the Luco. I say it is a good idea but what is the Luco exactly? I keep that silly question for myself. “Au revoir Madame”. Eartha Kitt has a nail that worries her a lot and launches a “Goodbye, Philippe” without lifting her head. We prepare our orange cards, the metro pass for the zones 1 and 2. We have “the ticket chic and shock” as the advertisement says and we leave for the garden of the Luxembourg; the “Luco” in student lingo.

The cheapest orange card is always zone 1 and 2. Zone 1 is Paris “Intra Muros”, zone 2 is the very near suburbs. I know that the real Zone is Malakoff and everybody in the suburbs are zonards. Less than 50 years ago, the former site of the fortifications of Paris was a gigantic wasteland covered with shantytowns. The border of Malakoff had nothing to envy to the Brazilian favelas. I read Celine’s “Journey at the End of the Night” (but in the edition of the Pleiades) and the hell he describes is my suburb, it is Malakoff, gloomy and sordid. Malakoff is in Zone 2, what a luck, nothing differentiates me from real Parisians. Zone 3 is too much of shame! Zone 4, it may be well if you live in Versailles or Le Vésinet but zone 5 is again the horror. Anyway, I also know that leaving Malakoff means having to provide for myself, and I am not ready for it yet. I must still endure the stepfather.

In zone 3, there had been the year before Gilles. Gilles was only 16 years old, and I was not adult yet, we met in The Broad. He lived with his parents in Noisy-le-Sec. We waited until nine in the morning to have no one at my house in Malakoff. I was super tired but Gilles was very cute and a slut in bed. It was worth staying awake, three hours of fucking before having to go off again. I just had a single bed and it is in pretty jolly mood that I was driving Gilles in the big parental bed, the ultimate blasphemy. A bed made of rosewood with floral inlays, a legacy of Granny, the stepfather’s grandmother. After adding positions to the Kama-sutra, the sheets were not always very clean. We were leaving to the bathroom looking for a sponge, hot water and a hair dryer and it looked like nothing happened. It made us laugh so much. Gilles adored me, I think I was his first love. After a few weeks of our insomniac loves, I had to meet his best friends in Noisy. It was far but how to resist the curiosity to discover his home. Arriving in his housing estate, I had already the feeling that despite our identical proletarian social origins, our environments were very different. The north of Paris was much more “violent” than the south. My religious education had been very strict but had been an education. I had learned to read, alone, in conversation or in speech before an assembly, I had a vocabulary. Having read the Bible three times from top to bottom had eventually changed my view of the world. The representation of the blinds of Jericho by Nicolas Poussin in the Louvre, that was fascinating for me. Gilles’ 5 friends listened to rap that I never heard, … in French. They had looked at me, dismayed, I was just clean on me and a little classy. They wanted to shout, “Shit, what are you doing with a bougie?” but had only asked how we had met. It had not been a question, it had been an accusation. Gilles had tried to come out with me, but it was not going as planned. I had seen their universe collapse before their eyes, their childhood friend had just become a fag. Only the curvy girlfriend seemed a little interested in my presence and ready to adopt me. I had invented an excuse to slip away, … forever. It was really too complicated. If I had decided to disappear from Gilles’ life, he had not said his last word. I had found him back recently, more beautiful than ever, successively at the door of The Broad and then of Les Bouchons. He had seen me, talked in a low voice with the other bouncer and left a little while before allowing me to go inside. Was I dreaming? Another time, while Yves the door guy was alone, he told me he liked me but that I had not been nice with Gilles at all. He had been kicked out of his house after coming out, tried to reach me but I ignored him and he had very difficult moments. Now everything was better, but he was mad at me for it. I did not know yet that it would go even further. Two years later, he would have the main role in Jean-Daniel Cadinot’s new X movie “Under the sign of the Stallion” with, as a commercial, a beautiful picture of him in bleached blonde. I would watch the movie, but I would not recognize his cock, it was as if he had a stunt for the sex scenes. I knew his cock well enough! Later, he would die of AIDS, like everyone else. I DID NOT KILL GILLES! The suburbs killed Gilles.

Malakoff is still communist but more and more annexed by the capital. The Theater 71 is supposed to attract all the Parisian intelligentsia, the National Institute for Statistics has the largest building since 74 and the law section of the famous medical school Paris V is overflowing since 1976. Yes, I find myself in college 10 minutes walk from my home. Each train of the Métro delivers its hundreds of beautiful speakers apprentices but I arrive from the other side. I did not cross the ring. I hate not being Parisian. Jimmy Sommerville sings: “Run away, turn away, run away …” But how to survive? I think I am a suburbanite but I am wrong, I am already the worst Parisian. I suffocate as soon as I see these lamentable little pavilions and want to throw up in front of the projects. That is why, Gilles was not possible. My world is civilized, I do not get thrown out, it is me who decides when I go!

The stepfather, he works for TF1, the national television, in Paris rue Cognacq-Jay. He is a kind of a storekeeper. One day he brings back an ad from the collective notice board. A film director exchanges an independent room, not under the attic, in the 15th arrondissement for some hours of babysitting. Mom does not cry, Mom never cries, but she is sad. She did not see much of me anymore, but I was still living there. The former communist woman was so proud to have a son who was studying. Jimmy continues to sing: “You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case, Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face”. I am not on the platform of a train station, but on the Métro platform and I am leaving only 3 kilometers away. I will come back for the Friday night dinners, those with the snails and the beautiful porcelain.

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