Amateur Licence. - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Skywave · 27th Jul 2016, 8:52 pm

This 'noise cancelling speaker': I do not wish to sound pedantic, but I feel that that description is a bit misleading. It's not a 'speaker' as such: it's an audio processing unit (a DSP) with an analogue audio amplifier to drive the speaker which is contained in the unit's housing. On that basis, calling it an 'audio processor' seems a bit more apposite.
Anyway, I did play the You Tube video as presented here by Lawrence - and yes, this item's performance was impressive. One Q. arises, however: how effective would this little gizmo be at reducing the QRM generated by PLT?
Any ideas / experience, anyone?

Al.

m0cemdave · 27th Jul 2016, 9:14 pm

The BHI units can be useful under some conditions but, on phone with severe QRM, the processing has to be turned up so much that the person sounds like they are talking underwater and blowing bubbles. This can make the intelligibility worse instead of better, and you might also suffer from an odd effect similar to what some people experience when they hear the sound of a knife being scraped across a plate.

Consequently it is essential that, rather than buying one on spec (or in hope), you trial it first with your own radio setup.

I don't know how good they are with the "clattering hooves" noise from BT's nasty power line computer interconnections, having only used them with amateur band radios.

I wouldn't buy one. I have a variety of analogue audio filters that I have acquired over the years and can usually render a signal intelligible with a combination of high pass and low pass (a lab standard 48dB/octave unit), plus a tunable peak/notch or preferably a fully parametric equaliser.

Radio Wrangler · 28th Jul 2016, 12:19 am

I've got one of those speakers.... won as a prize at a rally!

What I don't have is, thank (insert name of preferred deity here), any PLT noise to try it out on. So I've never tried it out. One of those things sitting waiting for a reason.

David

Restoration73 · 28th Jul 2016, 3:32 am

The presence of modern QRM is leading to a move to digital modes (e.g. Fusion) particularly on vhf/uhf, where analogue telephony has largely died out.

Skywave · 28th Jul 2016, 10:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0cemdave

I don't know how good they are with the "clattering hooves" noise from BT's nasty power line computer interconnections, having only used them with amateur band radios.

I am aware that filters have been fitted in PLT hardware to reduce the QRM that falls into the Amateur Radio bands. However, such is the intensity of PLT QRM here, only moderately strong AmRad signals are 'readable' here. Outside of those bands (1 - 25 MHz, approx.), the racket is deafening.

Then there is non-PLT interference I have to live with. If I sit in my front garden with my portable FM/MW/LW Sony portable radio, reception of 198 kHz is totally out of the question, on account of the very high level of interference radiated by nearby overhead power lines.

Al.

Junk Box Nick · 28th Jul 2016, 12:04 pm

I have terrible QRM from one neighbour but only in the afternoon and evening so I assume it's the large TV I can see in their sitting room. I know when they are on holiday as the QRM abates for a fortnight!

I am considering a stealthy transmitting antenna just above my roof and a Wellbrook Rx antenna at the far end of the garden. The alternative is to hide a vertical behind a tallish fir tree at the bottom of the garden. (I have no one at the rear of me so it would be fairly well hidden and I put in a copper wire mat ground when I relaid the lawn.)

HamishBoxer · 28th Jul 2016, 1:43 pm

Tempted to say stick a pin through the coax!No,I would not do that so possibly approach said person with a few ferrite cores for the mains lead etc and see if that would help.

Failing that the answer is to report through the correct channels.

Peter.N. · 29th Jul 2016, 10:10 am

Iv'e seen that done.

Peter

HamishBoxer · 29th Jul 2016, 10:28 am

The pin trick was done by reps when customers would not pay there tv rental when I worked at DER.
It raised a service call and of course the set needed to go in the workshop, not to be returned without payment of debt.

Apologies here for drifting o/topic.

G4YVM David · 29th Jul 2016, 11:26 am

I'd have thought drifting was fully appropriate for this forum.

D

HamishBoxer · 29th Jul 2016, 12:02 pm

Good point,not what we want though on our sets!

Paul Stenning · 29th Jul 2016, 4:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4YVM David

I'd have thought drifting was fully appropriate for this forum.

D

I think you are confusing us with VRAT. I believe drifting is acceptable there, but it isn't here.

Andy - G8MNM · 29th Jul 2016, 4:45 pm

Well the OP has just moved to France!

Will be checking out what the situation is here in SW France.
I now have a rig, it needs repair etc.
Just cane across it today in the final move from our rented accommodation a few KM away.

Andy

G4YVM David · 31st Jul 2016, 10:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

I think you are confusing us with VRAT. I believe drifting is acceptable there, but it isn't here.

I must tell my 1155

D

Wendymott · 31st Jul 2016, 10:45 am

THe "Pin" trick was used locally in my day (1963 - 1970) in Ilkley but with care...we had a coaxial relay system... some of which had 56V AC on the coax to power far reaching valve amps (Teleng)..to tap the signal.. and Isolating tap was used... but on the isolated side it was ok to pin... especially if the subscriber was behind in payment.

BottleMan · 31st Jul 2016, 1:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamishBoxer

Tempted to say stick a pin through the coax!No,I would not do that so possibly approach said person with a few ferrite cores for the mains lead etc and see if that would help.

Failing that the answer is to report through the correct channels.

OT? PLT QRM is radiated from the set, isn't it? If so, and if I remember from my odd days working with EMC, radiated frequencies below 30 MHz are not tested as part of the CE requirements. Please let me know if this is wrong and then I can go and sort out my neighbours that are swamping my Wellbrook aerial.
Graham

AC/HL · 31st Jul 2016, 2:29 pm

This thread was started to discuss amateur licences, so it has drifted off topic. We've had many threads discussing the unfortunate situation nowadays regarding interference, but that's the reality in many places. Restoration has a point in post 44, if you can't beat them, join them!

HamishBoxer · 31st Jul 2016, 6:19 pm

Getting back to interference I believe it should be dealt with by the correct authorities not us who don't wish to having revert to other modes.

Jon_G4MDC · 31st Jul 2016, 11:00 pm

Agree this topic has gone all over the place - mostly harmless.

My problem (or beef), having such a license since 1978...

I used to have to pay for it and back then I would never have considered not renewing it.
Lately I wonder why I have it at all - except that what I build I can test.

Top Cap · 31st Jul 2016, 11:57 pm

Shame the hobby has died so much, I tuned around 20/15 and 10 tonight - nothing.
Kids today just want to play with keyboards and the PC, none are interested in building anything unless it uses an Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Analogue does not exist in their vocabulary and how I lust to hear someone on the HF bands talking about their latest RX or TX they are building. Not anymore, the Jap, now Chinese, Black Box reigns supreme. When I do get a QSO with someone it is like a contest contact, "You are 59 nice to work you bye" I fully agree with Jon G4MDC's comments and I also so much miss the AM diehards as we were called on 160m on Sunday morning :-( G4CNH

27th Jul 2016, 8:52 pm	#41
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Amateur Licence. This 'noise cancelling speaker': I do not wish to sound pedantic, but I feel that that description is a bit misleading. It's not a 'speaker' as such: it's an audio processing unit (a DSP) with an analogue audio amplifier to drive the speaker which is contained in the unit's housing. On that basis, calling it an 'audio processor' seems a bit more apposite. Anyway, I did play the You Tube video as presented here by Lawrence - and yes, this item's performance was impressive. One Q. arises, however: how effective would this little gizmo be at reducing the QRM generated by PLT? Any ideas / experience, anyone? Al.

27th Jul 2016, 9:14 pm	#42
m0cemdave Octode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,219	Re: Amateur Licence. The BHI units can be useful under some conditions but, on phone with severe QRM, the processing has to be turned up so much that the person sounds like they are talking underwater and blowing bubbles. This can make the intelligibility worse instead of better, and you might also suffer from an odd effect similar to what some people experience when they hear the sound of a knife being scraped across a plate. Consequently it is essential that, rather than buying one on spec (or in hope), you trial it first with your own radio setup. I don't know how good they are with the "clattering hooves" noise from BT's nasty power line computer interconnections, having only used them with amateur band radios. I wouldn't buy one. I have a variety of analogue audio filters that I have acquired over the years and can usually render a signal intelligible with a combination of high pass and low pass (a lab standard 48dB/octave unit), plus a tunable peak/notch or preferably a fully parametric equaliser. Last edited by m0cemdave; 27th Jul 2016 at 9:28 pm.

28th Jul 2016, 12:19 am	#43
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,864	Re: Amateur Licence. I've got one of those speakers.... won as a prize at a rally! What I don't have is, thank (insert name of preferred deity here), any PLT noise to try it out on. So I've never tried it out. One of those things sitting waiting for a reason. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

28th Jul 2016, 3:32 am	#44
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Amateur Licence. The presence of modern QRM is leading to a move to digital modes (e.g. Fusion) particularly on vhf/uhf, where analogue telephony has largely died out.

28th Jul 2016, 12:04 pm	#46
Junk Box Nick Octode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,571	Re: Amateur Licence. I have terrible QRM from one neighbour but only in the afternoon and evening so I assume it's the large TV I can see in their sitting room. I know when they are on holiday as the QRM abates for a fortnight! I am considering a stealthy transmitting antenna just above my roof and a Wellbrook Rx antenna at the far end of the garden. The alternative is to hide a vertical behind a tallish fir tree at the bottom of the garden. (I have no one at the rear of me so it would be fairly well hidden and I put in a copper wire mat ground when I relaid the lawn.)

28th Jul 2016, 1:43 pm	#47
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Amateur Licence. Tempted to say stick a pin through the coax!No,I would not do that so possibly approach said person with a few ferrite cores for the mains lead etc and see if that would help. Failing that the answer is to report through the correct channels. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

29th Jul 2016, 10:10 am	#48
Peter.N. Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK. Posts: 3,601	Re: Amateur Licence. Iv'e seen that done. Peter

29th Jul 2016, 10:28 am	#49
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Amateur Licence. The pin trick was done by reps when customers would not pay there tv rental when I worked at DER. It raised a service call and of course the set needed to go in the workshop, not to be returned without payment of debt. Apologies here for drifting o/topic. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

29th Jul 2016, 11:26 am	#50
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: Amateur Licence. I'd have thought drifting was fully appropriate for this forum. D

29th Jul 2016, 12:02 pm	#51
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Amateur Licence. Good point,not what we want though on our sets! __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

29th Jul 2016, 4:45 pm	#53
Andy - G8MNM Hexode Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Perigord Noir, France Posts: 352	Re: Amateur Licence. Well the OP has just moved to France! Will be checking out what the situation is here in SW France. I now have a rig, it needs repair etc. Just cane across it today in the final move from our rented accommodation a few KM away. Andy __________________ Member BVWS https://www.lushanda.com/

31st Jul 2016, 10:45 am	#55
Wendymott Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,795	Re: Amateur Licence. THe "Pin" trick was used locally in my day (1963 - 1970) in Ilkley but with care...we had a coaxial relay system... some of which had 56V AC on the coax to power far reaching valve amps (Teleng)..to tap the signal.. and Isolating tap was used... but on the isolated side it was ok to pin... especially if the subscriber was behind in payment. __________________ Should get out more. Regards Wendy G8BZY

31st Jul 2016, 2:29 pm	#57
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Amateur Licence. This thread was started to discuss amateur licences, so it has drifted off topic. We've had many threads discussing the unfortunate situation nowadays regarding interference, but that's the reality in many places. Restoration has a point in post 44, if you can't beat them, join them!

31st Jul 2016, 6:19 pm	#58
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Amateur Licence. Getting back to interference I believe it should be dealt with by the correct authorities not us who don't wish to having revert to other modes. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

31st Jul 2016, 11:00 pm	#59
Jon_G4MDC Nonode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 2,015	Re: Amateur Licence. Agree this topic has gone all over the place - mostly harmless. My problem (or beef), having such a license since 1978... I used to have to pay for it and back then I would never have considered not renewing it. Lately I wonder why I have it at all - except that what I build I can test. Last edited by Jon_G4MDC; 31st Jul 2016 at 11:06 pm. Reason: awkward use of the double negative!

31st Jul 2016, 11:57 pm	#60
Top Cap Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,270	Re: Amateur Licence. Shame the hobby has died so much, I tuned around 20/15 and 10 tonight - nothing. Kids today just want to play with keyboards and the PC, none are interested in building anything unless it uses an Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Analogue does not exist in their vocabulary and how I lust to hear someone on the HF bands talking about their latest RX or TX they are building. Not anymore, the Jap, now Chinese, Black Box reigns supreme. When I do get a QSO with someone it is like a contest contact, "You are 59 nice to work you bye" I fully agree with Jon G4MDC's comments and I also so much miss the AM diehards as we were called on 160m on Sunday morning :-( G4CNH __________________ Whether the Top Cap is Grid or Anode - touching it will give you a buzz either way!