2m WSPR

Yesterday evening was quite successful with spots exchanged with several stations on 2m WSPR. G8OFA (189km) was the best DX.

I am thinking of buying a Chinese TCXO for the FT817. Reports of these are good and it should give frequency accuracy and stability to 432MHz. At less than £10 shipped, one can hardly go wrong. It should be good for digital modes with the FT817.

Low cost Chinese TCXO for FT817

In a recent email from Steve G1KQH he brings to our attention a very low cost TCXO for the FT817 from China:

"Greetings!

You still standing after the winds?

Did you see that mention in PW about that Chinese TCXO for the 817 at a 1/4 of the price of the Yaesu one:

http://zl2bkc.com/2014/10/29/stability-of-chineese-tcxo-9-in-ft817/

I searched TCX0-9 on ebay and quite a few came up his is the best price so far, if I find better I will let you know

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Compensated-Crystal-Components-Module-for-FT-817-857-897-TCXO-9-22-625MHZ-/281537625385?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones_Communication_Radio_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418cf33d29

Now who is going to try one first?

73 Steve G1KQH"

TCXO-9 fitted

This afternoon I fitted the (loaned) TCXO-9 into my FT817. A sign of how my stroke is making me clumsy still, getting the screws back in to the FT817 cover was really hard work, when it should have been easy. TCXO calibration seems spot on. Tonight I am trying to decode G3WKW on 2m WSPR, so far without success even though Bob's signals are clearly visible on the WSPR screen.

UPDATE 2045z:  a solid decode of G3WKW (134km) at -24dB S/N no doubt aided by planes over N.London. At least with a warmed up rig fitted with a TCXO-9 my calibration on 2m is spot-on now.

Someone, asked me to measure RX current before/after fitting TCXO-9. Sorry,but I forgot and will not now do this because of my stroke and issues with fitting screws to the FT817 case - at present some things are just too hard for me.

TCXO-9

Yesterday,  I have received a TCXO-9  0.5ppm TCXO to fit inside my FT817. This has come from G3WKW, an old colleague, on loan. He may need it back.

In the next few days I hope to fit this to see what difference it makes, particularly on 6m and upwards. Stability should be much better ( x2).

I think it just plugs into a socket on the FT817 but may need to be netted against WWV or a GPS locked VHF beacon, after giving it time to stabilise first.

Has anyone tried this TCXO?