Video of Homemade Moxon Rectangle and Uniden 980

[hobie102]

This is the first in a series of DX'ing videos and I have to apologize up front that I sound like such an idiot! I just can't believe how well this cheaseball setup works so I figured I'd share it. I'm pretty sure I'll be taking down the 102" whip soon. never use it anymore. The receive on the Moxon is at least 2 to 3 times better as well than the whip. Just static on the whip with the Moxon boomin' in. Really a great cost effective setup to get out barefoot. There will be more dx'ing videos coming later so if interested check my YT channel tonight or tomorrow. 73's everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ppm0ZN3koU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waL-MLtAXYg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Ao2bKcqOk&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQlDPK6OAds

 

[w9cll]

Nice videos.... based on your location you might want to look into NVIS antennas.

P.S. listening to the noise and people talk over each other I don't miss 11 meters but nice contacts regardless.

 

[357magnum]

Good job Hobie ! Where the soldering tips for me ? Haaa !! More guide wires to mow around , better put some Christmas lights on them !

Sent from my NB09 using Tapatalk

 

[hobie102]

Nice videos.... based on your location you might want to look into NVIS antennas.

P.S. listening to the noise and people talk over each other I don't miss 11 meters but nice contacts regardless.

Thanks W9! Not sure if it would really be a benefit to my situation based on what I read here: Near vertical incidence skywave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I do hear folks from NY all the time and can't get them. They are usually in a 150 mile radius so that antenna might help.

Good job Hobie ! Where the soldering tips for me ? Haaa !! More guide wires to mow around , better put some Christmas lights on them

Sent from my NB09 using Tapatalk

I'm working on how to get you soldering. There's gotta be a way using vices and such. The quide wires will be replaced with cable and will be near invisible when done as I don't trust the ropes. That should be really fun when mowing at dusk!

 

[357magnum]

I talked to Mark 1305 today usually talk to him once or twice a week lately , wait til the next time I talk to him an tell him we have mutual friends . Dx is strange we both talk to him yet can't talk to each other .I have to check my log an see what time I talk to him .

 

[hobie102]

I talked to Mark 1305 today usually talk to him once or twice a week lately , wait til the next time I talk to him an tell him we have mutual friends . Dx is strange we both talk to him yet can't talk to each other .I have to check my log an see what time I talk to him .

I'll mention it to him next time we chat. it's usually every day in the afternoon. make sure you mention me to him. He'll prob' say; "yea, I know him! he's that idiot in VT"! LOL He gave me his e-mail address and I forwarded him the vid of the qso. Banged Germany about an hour ago and he said I was 57 coming in. I'll tell ya, that friggin' Moxon rocks. Again, couldn't believe I was barefoot. I could barely hear him so it was a little difficult. I think the folks in Germany are so cool. it's a part of the world I have always been fascinated with.

 

[357magnum]

I talk there in the morning in the afternoon I get to much UK an Scotland an like you said they don't come in to strong . I did finally get Dave 212 in Grenada @ 0;730 today been trying for him for a while in the early morning they are still sleeping in Texas ! Haa !!

 

[hobie102]

I talk there in the morning in the afternoon I get to much UK an Scotland an like you said they don't come in to strong . I did finally get Dave 212 in Grenada @ 0;730 today been trying for him for a while in the early morning they are still sleeping in Texas ! Haa !!

It's so frustrating to hear the stations in Texas like Needlebender and TC254 and not be able to get them. needlebender has the best audio I think I've ever heard. Been toying with the idea of picking up a Behringer mic preamp and using one of my studio mics on the base. But, everything I've read, the audio section in radios would only cover about 300-3000hz. Still would be cool though even with one of the Shure SM58's I have downstairs. I have looked at how to wire it and am a little miffed as to how to do it. Need to look again and maybe this weekend I'll have another project. I hate to go to all the work when the setup I have works well enough. The Ranger SRA-198 NC mic I'm using is really sweet. Great reports and picks up nothing as far as background noise, even with the windows down in the car. Keeps it nice and quiet with just my voice. Plus, you could hit someone with it and it would damn near take their head off. It's HEAVY!

 

[357magnum]

Maybe w9cll has some idea on those where Shure MIC's the ham guys really try to customize their audio , an since you have all that stuff why not give it a try . I talk to both of those guys but I also have a little extra back up . Your doing it all stock an having great results considering a month or so ago you were worried about making your first contact out of that " God Forsaken Hell Hole " Haaa !!!

Sent from my NB09 using Tapatalk

 

[w9cll]

Just get one of these and you will be happy with the audio. I am not big fan of the outboard audio stuff.

 

[hobie102]

Maybe w9cll has some idea on those where Shure MIC's the ham guys really try to customize their audio , an since you have all that stuff why not give it a try . I talk to both of those guys but I also have a little extra back up . Your doing it all stock an having great results considering a month or so ago you were worried about making your first contact out of that " God Forsaken Hell Hole " Haaa !!!

Sent from my NB09 using Tapatalk

You're like my wife....just trying to keep me busy so I stay off her back! hahahahaha

Just get one of these and you will be happy with the audio. I am not big fan of the outboard audio stuff.

I gave that a look. That is neat and cheaper and easier than buying a preamp and hassle with wiring! Thanks!

 

[Grinder74]

I bought an SM58, EQ and Preamp dirt cheap last year and planned on hooking it up to my 2k. I will do the direct inject when I get time to mess it. I can't wait to move so I can put up a homemade moxon or beam. Glad it's working for you!
Chris

 

[AL567]

Great DX videos with the 980. Even though the galaxy has more features and frequencies the 980 is better quality. it makes me want to retire the galaxy and put the 980 back in the car.

 

[w9cll]

I gave that a look. That is neat and cheaper and easier than buying a preamp and hassle with wiring! Thanks!

Much cheaper.. Don't get me wrong if done right the outboard audio processing can sound very good but it will cost you and take time to get set up correctly. A mike like I linked to is a good option and can make a huge difference over the stock mike that was provided with the unit. I search ebay to find a Astatic 1104c but none are listed and the Turner Super Side Kick is the next best option.

 

[hobie102]

I bought an SM58, EQ and Preamp dirt cheap last year and planned on hooking it up to my 2k. I will do the direct inject when I get time to mess it. I can't wait to move so I can put up a homemade moxon or beam. Glad it's working for you!
Chris

I know you would be thrilled with a moxon. it's basically the equivalent to a 3 element Yagi with better F/B ratio. I looked at the Sirio Yagi's but they are HUGE! It was at about 18-20 feet and now about 30 feet. Some I have talked to said they didn't perceive any difference going to 40 feet over 20. I did just going up another 10 feet. I will be adding one more length of tubing to the bottom section going up to 40 in a few weeks.
BTW, What is a "direct inject"?

Great DX videos with the 980. Even though the galaxy has more features and frequencies the 980 is better quality. it makes me want to retire the galaxy and put the 980 back in the car.

I guess if you're content with just leaving the radio stock the 980 is great. I guess there is only so much oomph you can get out of the 980. That's what an amp is for I guess. I kept hearing people say; "antenna, antenna, antenna"! They were right. I could have the fanciest, most souped up radio money can buy but if the coax and/or antenna is crap, it's nothing but a boat anchor. Thinking about it, with all the parts of the antenna, mast, rotator and coax, I have more $ into the antenna setup than the radio.