ATU-100 by N7DDC

Couple of days ago I receive my ATU-100. Interesting automatic tuner for a little of money. It has extended board in it (7*7) and a display. I tested it almost on all bands even on 160m and I can say it can handle my 8.2m long wire antenna with swrlower than 2:1. It works only in auto mode and I suppose it does not memorise settings for each band. But it tune fast ;) . It can handle up to 100w and I tested it with digi modes also work with about 35w output. According to seller it could possibly handle around 50-70w but I would not risk so much power at this moment, and as far as I know digi modes are designet to be used with low power :). Anyway, here is pics of it. Case is 3d printed and need additional finishing for good looking impressions.

I did not have much time to buy it in a kit, so that is why I bought it assembled.

Setting WSJTX and CQRLog

World pandemia make lot of people stay at home these months. It gives you time to do and done jobs that has been left for months before due to lack of time and willing to do them :)
Digimodes were on of them, left for better times mostly because of my dissapoint while working with Icom 706MKII.
Kenwood TS480HX is much more easier to set up to work with digi.
I made my digi cable using IU2MEH's guidance:  if you have old ps/2 keyboard there is chance to have enough wires in the cable to use it as a data cable for it. I tried with cable from ps/2 mouse but 3 out of 4 wires were correctly connected and the last one was connected to other pin. So, I use simple CAT5 cable, miniDin 6p and two 3.5mm stereo jacks. Do some tricky soldering of  miniDIN 6p and adter one destroyed miniDin jack, I made it :)
Here is link to manual: IU2MEH's SAT480 digi cable manual
I managed to set WSJTX and start work on digimodes.
I made lot of contacts and what I found litle bit tricky was importing every contact of WSJTX's adif log file to CQRLogm my program I use to work since I have HF radio.
So, I decide to find a solution how to make direct logging in to CQRLog. I know there is a option to use wsjtx but it is tricky to find it on the net. There is short instruction from OH1KH on Youtube so you can watch it there: WSJTX and CQRLog proper setting

In short: In WSJTX you have to choose HAMLIB rigctl given under radio option. Set Network Server to: Set LocalHost: xxxx , where xxxx is a port from a radio defined in CQRLOg radio settings.

Also in WSJTX in reporting tab you have to check boxes also where UDP is mentioned.

In CQRLog you just have to define WSJTX launch (in Ubuntu it is /usr/bin/wsjtx) path and check Run WSJTX efter entering.... option. This means that when you under File option choose remote mode for wsjtx, WSJTX will be automatically started. So take a note not to start WSJTX before entering remote mode from CQRLog. Also, please take a note that when you work like this, CQRLOg is in offline mode (that it should be) so do not worry.

When WSJTX started, minimize CQRLog and work normal with WSJTX. Every confirmed QSO in WSJTX is automatically logged in CQRLog also.
When you plan to end with your work, just close WSJTX and turn off enable remote mode for wsjtx in CQRLog under File option (previously choosen). Now you can continue your work with CQRLog and other modes with your radio.

That is it. Video guidance and above written is enough to start working digimodes.

73

My new home and radio shack

Well it has been past 6 months since I moved to a new apartment. It is bigger than previous one so I have my own space for me :) . Unfortunately I  still at lower floors of the building (3rd fllor, around 13m above ground) and with a not so good options for my new antenna. Putting it on a roof require abot 30-40 meters of cable either Rg58 or Rg213, and a acceptance for mount of antenna, signed from 50% + 1 of neighbors living in my building. So I decide to temporarily put longwire (short, just 6.5m) from my balcony in orther to work. Got Kenwood Ts480HX as a base station and put my Icom 706mk2 in a suitcase for portable use. Helped by a friend, also a ham operator, that made for me noice cancelator, required for those ugly street led lights just below my window. Got used but good linear power supply 22amps and kept the old one, electronic-pulse, power supply for a backup. Have another two, one is halogen 30amps power supply and other is also linear but only 7amps, but due to limited space I am forces to keep them packed. 

For start it is not so much for a new shack. But it works :) and I started making qso's.  

Unfortunately lot of noise on 40m band due to some foreign radar interfere and also bad propagations, but it's satisfactory.

73

My new shack.

Good oldie but goldie Icom :)