High Power Ham Radio Stations - Your Responsibility

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Lord Callum: Thank you for this important video. Here in the USA a lot of poor quality coax cable becomes evident when you run 1to 3kw through it. A lot of people don't maintain their ground connections thereby causing all types of crazy problems. Callum, take care old Chap, & my best to Wendy + the dogs. TMP, Unit 22 from N.J.

[@g0fvt]

Sage advice, of course a lot of amplifiers currently in use within the UK don't have the headroom for the new limit. Better not to rag them to death for half an extra S-point. 73

[@jamesseyforth938]

Hi Callum, Just got into this fantastic hobby, although only from a listening perspective at the moment. Got my foundation exam Tuesday and think I should be OK after plenty of studying. Love your channel, lots of info and fun stuff. Wish me luck, best wishes, Jim in West Sussex.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK Jim! You'll be fine :)

[@niknak3921]

Can you hear the weak ones ? ..that's a very good point. I'm using a homebrew 4 ele yagi on 15m and around 700w from an Acom 1000,with about 0.5db feeder loss,so roughly 600w at the antenna. My noise floor is S 0-2 and can be a bit of a struggle hearing QRP stations at times,so i would say i'm on the TX power / RX capability limit,so i see no point in running more power and turning me into one of the many stations i hear on the bands that can't hear a a good percentage of the stations calling them ..all mouth and no ears,or Aligator stations as they were known in my old 11m days :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes.. I remember a Russian station a few years ago, he was literally end-stopping my meter.. Calling CQ CONTEST.. I hit him with everything I had. Totally deaf..! He must have been doing 20kW. Not joking.

[@niknak3921]

Unfortunately it happens all the time on all bands :(

[@ivorbiggen9599]

Waw Cal your a joy to watch. A professional at work, regards M7JSG

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow, thank you

[@ve3pcp]

In Canada, as a holder of advanced qualifications, my power limit is 2250W PEP as measured across an impedance matched load.. That is as written in our regulations.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fascinating.

[@ve3pcp]

@@DXCommanderHQ That was just an fyl for comparison. I know if very few people with amps that large here. Maybe a couple that hang out on 160M but that's about it.

[@vicbulbon8821]

What amateur amps can run that kind of power, the big Henries?

[@dennisjoiner3717]

It's no wonder my 100 watts isn't getting through on DX. If I'm hearing a 1 kw station at an S8, or S9. I give up on DX because I can't justify buying an Amp just because everyone else is. Way too much money to spend. Love you videos sir.

[@spaceflight1019]

If you're on 10 meters, here's a hint: if the solar flux is below 160 100 watt DX is nearly impossible. If it goes above 170 the world is your oyster. I use 100 watts and a Penetrator at 25 feet.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I had PLENTY of 100W stations last night. They aren't rolling over.

[@spaceflight1019]

@@DXCommanderHQ Heck, I talked with VK2BY with a TS-430S and the Penetrator from Pittsburgh last night about an hour after my sunset. I turned the radio on and there he was, so I threw out my call and was surprised when he came back.

[@ThumpMaster6]

Cal, responsibility is at the heart of what we all want from our radio 'art! So fun working you for first time - 9:00 de KN4HGI...Alan, but always Your Pal, Thumpy! Keep being YOU!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thumpy!

[@munk0821]

Great to watch Callum very entertaining. You looked like you were really enjoying yourself. It would be interesting if you could point your phased verticals at Australia and New Zealand. If Roly could generate some interest his end you could have a 1Kw VK night? I know it would mean alot of work between Roly and yourself but could be a great giggle 😂.....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Sunds like fun! Watch this space!

[@joeblow8593]

That was fun and the bands were hopping too.

[@jimirvine763]

"With great power comes great responsibility." So glad to have you in my log, with my 0.1 kilo-banana. Cheers Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

0.1 k-Banana! :)

[@adyg6ad73]

Interesting effects so far with QRO here. The TV in the living room turns on from standby when TXing,, a touch control lamp in the hallway flashing like a disco and my wireless keyboard back light comes on. 😮

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha.. OK Ade.. I remember having to reboot the fridge!

[@spaceflight1019]

If you want to find out what RF can do run power. There are things you can do with a 4 watt CB radio but it gets more interesting the farther upscale you go. Let's start with your CB. You can interfere with analog television. Usually making the picture fuzzy and coming through the sound. You can come through the landline telephone if someone is using it. You can be heard on record and tape players. You can come over commercial public address systems if you're close enough. Let's put a 100 watt linear on. Everything above gets worse. You will not only blank out your TV but those of you neighbors. You will start coming through their phones and stereos. If you are in an apartment and using an indoor antenna, picking up a spoon while you're transmitting becomes a shocking experience. Been there, done that. So, we earn our ham license, and go for the maximum amount of power output. Expect to come through phones, TVs, table radios, and all sorts of things even though they are turned off and unplugged! Fluorescent lights will illuminate as if by magic. Family members may be shocked when operating faucets and shower controls. Microprocessor controlled equipment like HVAC systems, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and the refrigerator may stall and stop working. Garage door opener may operate on its own. People wearing jewelry may experience minor burns. Home security systems will begin sending false alarms. The way to avoid this carnage is to mount the antenna as high and as far from any houses as possible.

[@GroundControl204]

I’m more worried about that 100 watts of reflected power coming back in your station. Not good brother. 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Acom 2000 is comfortable with up to 575W of reflected. Nothing wrong with it.

[@commslinktv]

Totally agree with you ground control, you want minimum reflected power in this hobby. Even if producing 1kw there should be no more than 5 watts of reflected power. You always want the best of matches concerning VSWR, reflected power, and of course antenna tuning. 73’s

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

Oh, strange things happen running high power! One time I didn't realize that my balun had become filled with water. Transmitted fine at 100W, but when I went to push about 1kW things went very wrong. SWR jumped all over the place, and tuning was near impossible everywhere. The heat from pumping 1kW into a water filled box desoldered the coax and even melted the center pin. It was late night, so I shut down and found the issue the next day. Water is NOT your friend!

[@ham-radio]

You had an RF powered electric water heater. Good that the amp did not arc something. 73, Jim W6LG

[@DXCommanderHQ]

One way of heating up the coffee!

[@spaceflight1019]

Our radio club inherited a Dentron 2meter amp. We were running a Stationmaster on the 146.61 repeater. It was fine at 100 watts but not at 1500. The higher you go with power the smaller the window of error becomes.

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

@@spaceflight1019 you've got that right! Did you hurt the repeater?

[@spaceflight1019]

@@NovemberOneOscarGrouch It caused the amplifier to fail, long after everyone had gone home. After the second failure we abandoned the amp. We would encounter the problem of the GE Master 2 110 watt repeater amps failing and the "cure" was to replace the antenna. Once we abandoned the Stationmaster and went to a four pole the issue went away.

[@chrispandolfi-ko4dn139]

With the early morning dew. I sometimes start my day zapping a spider web.

[@ham-radio]

My Dear Lord, That is all very good advice my Lord. As with any power level, the feedline, connectors and the antenna are key to a good signal. At this time, I am testing some common connectors for a KZbin Presentation; N, BNC, UHF. The short answer is that the often-maligned UHF male and female are good connectors if they are good quality. Again, the antenna system is of course the key to a good signal on TX and RX. 73, from the State of Kalifornia Kilowatt, Jim PS: I am still toying with getting the new Rapide since I only have a 20 meter homebrew yagi.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Jim, drop me a line and I can build something for you!!

[@mikesradiorepair]

Enjoyed getting you on 3 bands yesterday. 73 Mike KC3OSD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@IBTJn]

Nice working you yesterday Cal. And I concur with the "running QRO points" you made. Hope to do it again soon. W7WX / NW Oregon USA

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks, you too!

[@1958johndeere620]

Yup, high power, things start happening. Computers act up, TV changes channels, touch lamps flick on and off. I have even had fire alarms trigger. A guy I know melted his vinyl siding when a 4 to1 balun overheated.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow

[@kevin_wb0poh]

Glad to know you are not an "Alligator", Cal. I hope I can work you next time you are on.

[@ve3pcp]

Of note, you worked both VE3EI, Dave and VA3XV, Randy when you operated through my station as VA3XXT. I speak with both of them often.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah!!

[@Arndt_DC7OT]

Uncle Ben said to Spiderman: "With great power comes great responsibility". And that's true.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes Arndt! And from wikipedia: On 27 June 1817, the British member of Parliament William Lamb proclaimed that "the possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility"

[@FjHenderson]

You know Callum here in states there's a lot of hams that dont have very good antennas and then dont use power and the receiving awesome but the antenna is junk for transmission. Just my observations

[@roberthopkins8089]

Antennas work exactly the same on tx as rx unless you meaning high tx power is causing the antenna to break down..

[@robertmeyer4744]

That was fun. in the USA we had 1.5 Kw for a long time. with high power on wire antenna have to do a loop back and solder or twist cover with heat shrink. get the right weather and can throw a spark off end of wire. no sharp end . DX wire is good QRO. both the DX 10 and DX 50 easy do 1Kw just fine. also watch your distance running QRO . RF burns can easy happen. it can just jump to you. great fun ! 73's

[@ham-radio]

Sounds like corona discharge. 73, Jim W6LG

[@robertmeyer4744]

@@ham-radio yes ! Cal gives instructions on his antenna's to prevent this off the end of wire on his antenna's . things change at KW RF power levels . 73's

[@cooldad4]

Radio sounds great; I've a long way to go.M7FDJ, 73s

[@mikeraymond6822]

what antenna are you using ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I have a few, verticals and dipoles

[@sasquatchvids]

Not an Amateur yet, but loving the contacts, just wondered, my grandad was a licenced amateur but unfortunately passed away many years ago, my question is how would I go about finding his call sign (uk) 73's

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Interesting.. How do you find a call from a name..? OK, there is a book, it used to be published annually, it's called the Call Book.. Not sure if you can reverse search from a name to a callsign.. Perhaps drop the RSGB a line - even Ofcom. If you have an address and a name, someone might be able to find it. Fun fact: You MIGHT be able to take over that call if / when you pass your ticket! There's some motivation for you!

[@sasquatchvids]

Thank Cal for the reply, will drop them a line, I hadn't thought about taking over his call sign, that'd be really good. I love radio, and do a fair bit of shortwave listening, wife rolls her eyes when i put up yet another long wire lol, going to find out when our local amateur radio meet and start popping along. Love the channel 73's

[@rusticagenerica]

​God bless your grandad ♥️ he would be so proud of you

[@j.p.thearmoredchef]

Thank you for the video sir!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome!

[@jtc1983tx]

I also have an Acom 2000a. What software are you using? I like that setup.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Acom Director (don't use latest version but one before). I also use ARCP 990, N1MM and Camdesk.

[@MrStanwyck]

What coax are you using for your long run to your antenna?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Currently EcoFlex 15.. SImilar to Messi & Paoloni's heavy stuff - but I already had it knocking about.

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

Please.... please.....Cal. Update that coax to 1” or 1 1/2 “ coax. Got to loose that loss in the line. 👍🥃🇦🇺

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Send it! LOL

[@ronjoseph7973]

So now you have the biggest stick in the UK and contributing to an increasing problem with QRM and RFI. If you really knew anything Cal, you know that it’s all diminishing returns after about 600 watts. Now the UK is about to experience what we’ve had to deal with in the USA for decades, a QRO arms race. All it’s done is made many bands completely unusable and squeezed out the majority of stations running 100 watts.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I genuinely don't understand about the QRM issue. If the bandwidth is set correctly, you shouldn't splatter. END OF.

[@bill-2018]

I hear U.S.A. stations 5.9.+20dB. Not surprising, 1.5 kW, 5 el Yagi, 100' tower. I'm glad I don't pay their electricity bill. How loud do they need to be? Recently my 5 Watts got me Sicily at 5.5. report, 1400 miles on 17m on my attic dipole. Readabilty 5 is what matters. G4GHB.

[@roberthopkins8089]

Anyone who knows radio can relate to this...

[@martinpe9tig]

cal youre best comment imo power is useless if you can not here the other one

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good point!

[@bill-2018]

I used to run 100 Watts in the 70's and 80's and that was bad enough. I did start running 25 Watts and still getting out. Breakthrough on three t.v.'s and two hi-fi systems. Our own t.v. was fine, but the company did have a radio amateur working for them, I believe he was on the development side, and they should have pushed the TX4 chassis when C.B. radio came out. A missed marketing opportunity. I hope home entertainment equipment is made better these days with that kind of power. QRP since moving QTH, 33 years and no problems. I still get out. How loud do people want to be? A loudness game. Some U.S.A. amateurs run 1 kW, 5 el Yagi, 5.9.+20dB signal reports. Why? I thought it was written in their licence to run the least power to make a contact. G4GHB.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Difficult if you want DX on 40m. But everything is possible, depends on how much patience you have.

[@bill-2018]

@@DXCommanderHQ Yes, VK3YE does well on the beach. Location, location, location? Not sure how I'll do here as I've been inactive for 8 years 160 to 20m due to internet QRM of S8. It cleared up when they went to fibre optic cable in January. 73, Bill, G4GHB.

[@marcfeakins1158]

Now you got 1Kw I see Roly on FT8 a lot, is it a coincidence? 😃

[@Professzore]

I do have buttons on my pyjamas. So, no excuses. 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha

[@snokones]

I see my callsign!

[@xszl]

I see pink elephants, but hey..

[@GoonyMclinux]

Qro ft8..mmmm 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nooooo!

[@G5STU]

First !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes!

[@msrtinrasmussen7349]

Der Callum Is the stations way Moore far than they use to in your life sreams. OZ1MR