TGIF - Choke and a New Radio

 

I still need to test it, but I made it.  RG8X cable, a couple PL-259 connectors, and a F240-31 Toroid. The 240 is the overall diameter of the core and the 31 is the material type.  This seems to be the right type to get based on various sources so I went with it.  I got these from Palomar Engineers who seem to have a good reputation.  There are a lot of ways to make a choke.  I went with this because I didn't want a box and I had the materials.  I have a couple more toroids so I'm going to make a couple more with various methods.  The general recommendation is at least one choke so this is what I figured I'd start with.  Like I said, I still need to test this to see if I built it right and also how well it works.  This will be one of my portable ones.  I'll build one into a box for my permanent installation at home.  

The other thing I want to point out is figuring out what connectors you want to use.  I went with the PL-259's and probably should have gone with one male and one female.  It really depends on where you are going to put the choke.  Most of the premade antennas like the EFHW types you can get like the one I got from Xtenna make use of bnc connections on the antenna.  My coax that I got came with PL-259 on both ends but it also came with a PL-259 to BNC adapter so I can plug that right into the antenna.  But if I want to put the choke there, I would want PL-259 to BNC ideally to reduce the amount of adapters needed.  If I want to put it right off my radio, then Female to Male PL-259 would be what I need.  But I only had the parts I used at this time.  I'll keep adding to my parts inventory and the next one will be different.

Basic Instructions for wrapping the toroid

Take 3-4 feet of RG-8X coax and make sure you leave about the same amount on each end so you can attach the connectors
Pull some of the coax through the center of the toroid and using a zip tie, secure it to the toroid.  Make sure you don't make it too tight.  That is one thing you want to make sure, don't pull too hard when you are wrapping especially if you are using thinner cable as you don't want to damage the cable itself.  You want it snug.
Wind the cable around the toroid 6 times counter-clockwise then cross over and wrap the opposite direction clockwise until you get back to where you started leaving you with a total of 12 turns.
Use another zip tie to secure the exit from the toroid.
Finish the ends of the RG-8X line with your PL-259 connectors.

KG-XS20H

Today my newest radio showed up.  A Wouxun KG-XS20H.  This is going to be my portable 2m/1.25m/70cm radio that will go between my car and my bag when I travel.  For example, I'm heading out of town soon for work and I plan on taking this with me.

This one is small.  2.16 in × 4.72 in × 4.7 in (55 mm × 120 mm × 119.5 mm).  Basically fits in your hand.  So it is perfect for travel.  It will 144–148 MHz (2m), 222–225 MHz (1.25m), and 420–450 MHz (70cm) with up to 20w of power.  That should be more than enough for a mobile radio.  

It has its own programming software that also has a Mac version so that was nice.  It is easy to use and is similar to Chirp (and probably most other programming software out there).  I had already staged all my local channels as well as those for the 2 locations I'll be traveling to this year.  Super easy.  The only thing that was annoying is it has a voice that talks to you telling you the channel and other nonsense and a beep both of which were extremely annoying to me.  Through the menu they were easy to turn off.  The one thing that annoyed me about this is that every time I upload the config from the software it resets those items and I can't find where I can set that in the software.    Also, this thing can be powered by a laptop power supply brick.  

Bioenno Power

Last but not least, my batter showed up.  This will be the first of two that I will ultimately have. This is a 12V 20Ah 240 Watt-hours that supports 20A Max continuous/40A Max Peak.  This should be more than enough to handle my POTA setup.   I completely forgot to make sure I had the connectors and wire to go from it to my radio.  I have what I need in my list for a go box but don't think I ordered anything.  Quick look and I have all but one thing and that is easy to get so no worries there. 

Anyways, tomorrow the local Be-HIP group that I joined will be going out to one of the local parks to get on the air.  (HIP = Hams In Park) Similar to POTA except it is in local parks and just for fun and education...which I need.   I'll be sure to take some pictures of whatever monstrosity I end up doing.  Hopefully I'll be successful and make a contact or two.  If not, there is always another day.  

Sunday is my birthday so I'll definitely be setting something up in the backyard to play.  I definitely have everything I need to do that.  

That's it for now.