[ardf] Transmitters and Fox Boxes...

[Freyra at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/13/2003 9:14:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
aa9yh at hotmail.com writes:

> 
>   I haven't looked at the two articles in 73 regarding Fox Box 
> Construction, but I'm working on it.  (It looks like I need to send in a 
> subscription...)
> 
>   I've got a few more questions, and they all seem trivial, but here they 
> are anyway:
> 
>   1.  Do you use bulkhead connectors for piercing the ammo can, or just 
> RTV the coax in a hole, or something else? I drilled holes and mounted BNC 
> connectors.  On the bottom RG58 to the recevivers. In the 80M units I used 
> RG174 U to the transmitters

> 
>   2.  Do you use different connectors (e.g., BNC, SO-259) for the 2m and 
> 80m antennas?  Where do you have disconnects?  I was thinking soldered coax 
> at the 80m TX, BNC at the HT, and then disconnects at the box bulkhead, 
> inside and out, and then soldered joints the rest of the way. All 
> connentions are BNC to the top of the Ammo boxes.
> 
>   3.  For 80m do you use coax or twinlead from the box to the antenna 
> (e.g., SO-259 or binder posts).  BNC pigtails about 2 foot long
> 
>   4.  Do you have a way to measure and adjust SWR in the box, or do you do 
> that at home and assume everything is the same at the transmitter site? 
> Nope, just tuned the antennas
> 
>   5.  If you use HTs for control of an 80m transmitter, what kind of 
> antenna do you use for the 2m link?  (Probably not a turnstile?)
> 
>   6.  Do you try to eliminate the ON7YD oscillator noise on 80m?  How?
> 
>   7.  Have you had any trouble with RF on feedlines or power cables?  Do 
> you use Ferrite or loops of the cable/coax (common-mode chokes)?
> 
>   8.  Did you try to keep the CG underneath the handle?  It seems like you 
> have to put the battery in the middle of the ammo can to make it balance 
> right.  Foam padded in the middle of the 30MM and 50 MM boxes.
> 
>   9.  How do you select 80m or 2m or both?  Switches?  Solder?  Change 
> plugs at the Controller?  (Can a Pic-Con do both at the same time?)  (For 
> PicCon users with remote control: How do you switch off or otherwise 
> disconnect the 80m TX when set up for 2m?)
> 
>   Today I went to three different stores looking for ammo cans.  (One place 
> advertised 50cal boxes for $2.99.)  They were all out.  *sigh*  Well, 
> Tomorrow is another day.  Keep shopping $3 to $5 is normal. I got mine at 
> the surplus store in Fairliend, Route 4.
> 
Bob, WA6EZV