{"id":50831,"date":"2021-11-16T09:02:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T13:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=50831"},"modified":"2021-11-16T09:02:10","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T13:02:10","slug":"radio-waves-build-a-ham-radio-voice-keyer-sony-tfm1000-decrustification-shift-at-rthk-and-rfe-cold-war-thriller-gloria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/radio-waves-build-a-ham-radio-voice-keyer-sony-tfm1000-decrustification-shift-at-rthk-and-rfe-cold-war-thriller-gloria\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio Waves: Build a Ham Radio Voice Keyer, Sony TFM1000 Decrustification, Shift at RTHK, and RFE Cold War Thriller “Gl\u00f3ria”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio<\/h2>\n

Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s<\/em> Radio Waves<\/em>, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0<\/strong>Enjoy!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em> contributors Marty, Dennis Dura, Dave Zantow, Al Holt, and Rich Cuff for the following tips:<\/p>\n

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Build a ham radio voice keyer for the backpack (Nuts and Volts)<\/a><\/h2>\n

I have an MFJ-434 voice keyer that has saved a lot of wear and tear on my vocal cords over the years. It has been a big asset during ham radio contests and when I\u2019ve been calling CQs with reduced power (QRP) transceivers.<\/p>\n

One of my new favorite pastimes has been operating QRP radios from remote off-the-grid locations. Most of the time, it\u2019s important to pack only the bare essentials for these mini-DXpeditions. I have never taken the MFJ keyer, primarily due to its size. An \u201caccessory\u201d measuring 6-1\/2 x 7 x 2-1\/2 inches fills up a lot of backpack. It also weighs a pound and a half. On the other hand, I\u2019m absolutely positive the lack of a keyer has resulted in fewer radio contacts. I always run out of voice before I run out of battery.<\/p>\n

Last winter, I was packing a QRP \u201cGo Box\u201d for a trip to Florida. Since that stay was planned to last longer than my normal field trips, I decided to take my MFJ keyer for its first outing. What a difference that keyer made! In less than three months, I worked stations in 31 countries and five continents running a 10 watt transmitter and a dipole antenna!<\/p>\n

The enormous number of contacts warranted a closer look at a keyer for shorter field trips. The MFJ-434 has 11 buttons to push, three potentiometers to turn, and two LEDs to show me the keyer is doing what I told it to do. Could I get by with fewer amenities and shrink the size, weight, and power requirements to something more backpack friendly? It was worth an investigation.<\/p>\n

The MFJ keyer stores five messages. For field operation, I could live with a single CQ. I found a 20 second record-playback module on eBay for $2.59.<\/p>\n

I also found a repeat-cycle timer (variable on and variable off delays) on eBay for $2.38. I could use it to \u201cturn on\u201d the playback message, then turn it \u201coff\u201d for a predetermined period of time before turning it on again.<\/p>\n

A relay could be added to key the transmitter\u2019s PTT circuit every time my CQ message was played. The receiver would automatically listen for any replies between messages. (This might actually work!) [Continue reading…<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Sony TFM1000 AM FM SW Vintage Radio Decrustification (YouTube)<\/h2>\n