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wg4z wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 2:00 am
Brian, could you provide the dimensions of your EFHW that you use with the TR-35? Thanks. Max - WG4Z
Hi Max,
Sorry for the delay, I was traveling for field day. My EFHW for the TR-35 is cut for 40m, with links for 30m & 17m. I started with the 17m wire only, and cut it to about 27 ft. Then I put it in the air in my normal inverted V, but with the balance of length made up by paracord. Next, I used an antenna analyzer to cut it down in small increments until length was optimum for 18.090 MHz. Then I attached the link and extra wire (about 25 ft) for the 30m band. I put it back up and repeated the trimming process to optimize for 10.125 MHz. Finally, I did the same thing for 40m (extra wire started at 25 ft, and trimmed to optimize for 7.050 MHz).
I have not measured final lengths, but will do so if you wish (it will take me a few days to get to it). Just recognize that lengths are only optimized for the way I put up the antenna, and the soil conditions in my back yard. Let me know.
I guess I should mention that I built the 49:1 unun, but a purchased one should work fine. I used 28 ga magnet wire on a 43 mix, 0.5 inch toroid.
I also connected a 100 pf capacitor across the input wires. I wrapped the toroid with 3 bifilar turns and 18 more turns for a 21:3 (or 7:1) turns ratio.
I really like the TR-35. Listed below are my observations on my TR-35:
WG4Z -TR-35 Notes
Has 2 CW Message memories but no beacon for them to be repeated. Very easy to re-record cw messages.
Separate input for straight Key and Paddle. If you want continuous carrier, plug paddle into straight key input and the dit paddle will key transmitter.
Changing the dark background with white characters to light background with dark characters helps outside in bright sunlight.
Power out is not linear with the power knob. When turning the power knob back to about the 10 o'clock position, the power is reduced to zero.
CW NR is much better than CW WIDE.
Keyer speed is very easy to adjust during QSO.
Volume knob adjusts the side tone volume in addition to overall volume.
A non amplified speaker works but amplified speaker is better.
AE5X at QRZ.com has a good article and activation using the TR-35. He shows the laptop feet which work great at a picnic table.
QRPer.com has good reviews and activations for the TR-35.
Field Day experience yielded good performance using CW NR on several antennas. Worked into Canada from NC.
Blue light is a a good indicator of 599 signal.
RIT works great with the main tuning knob used to move received offset indicated on the display. Found useful when rag chewing with someone that was drifting from transmit frequency.
Stored frequency on each band great for keeping your favorite frequency available on each band. Fast double click moves rig to the stored frequency.
There is NO indication of the Power Out or SWR. However, an LDG Z100Plus works great or probably an Elecraft T-1 should provide an indication of a good match on non resonant antennas.
Interesting commentary on the keys. Like many of us multi-radio operators, I too try to keep dedicated kits and have multiple "sets" for my KX2 (general portable use including POTA), KX1 (gentle occasional use), MX-14s (very gentle occasional use), TX500 (wet POTA), MTR3b (SOTA), SW-3B (mobile back-up) and now need to do the same for my TR-35.
I've found the TR-35 sits beautifully in the Lowepro Viewpoint CS40 case; I might try and find a Lowepro CS60 case for it so that I can put the full kit in it, like I do for the KX2. Fortuitously, I have a spare portable EFHW to accompany the TR-35, My spare battery for the KX2 also works with the TR-35, but I am short of a key. Currently I'm using the Palm Paddle that usually sits with my TX500, I'm looking at another cwmorse.us key in green to match the TR-35, although the GHD CQ Gemini looks rather nice, albeit is a little expensive at around £160 ($190). Having invested a few years ago in a Begali (for use with my base station), I'm reluctant to spend that kind of money again - no matter how wonderful the key! Besides which another key at that price would cover a large amount of a TR-45, which I have so say is rather appealing..... Even the XYL was impressed when she saw the TR-45!
I have to say the AME Porta Paddle does look rather nice and would appear to be a good shape to hold in the hand whilst keying.
Any comments from Porta Paddle users on this? I'm trying to find a key with similar functionality to my Palm key, which I seem to move from radio to radio!
I have only briefly used a Palm Pico, so I don't think I can comment with any accuracy. The AME Ultra Porta Paddle (note Porta Paddle is different model) is a very nice paddle with magnetic return with good adjustability on the spacing and magnets. It should be noted that the forward adjustment screws on the sides (spacing adjustments) need to be avoided while holding or you will make a contact. You can replace those with recessed allen head screws to solve that. But I tend to dual lock mine onto a little field clipboard.
I like the Ultra Porta Paddle quite a lot, though the BamaTech TP-III is my my favorite and well worth the wait to have one shipped from Germany.
When I power up my TR35 on 20 meters it always starts on 14.262 in the phone portion of the band.
The other three bands always start at the bottom of the CW portion of the band. It's not a big deal, but
I was wondering if that is the nature of the beast or if there is a fix, maybe a firmware upgrade ?
I used it this morning on a POTA activation and got good signal reports and had a great time with it.
KB4VU wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 8:56 pm
When I power up my TR35 on 20 meters it always starts on 14.262 in the phone portion of the band.
The other three bands always start at the bottom of the CW portion of the band. It's not a big deal, but
I was wondering if that is the nature of the beast or if there is a fix, maybe a firmware upgrade ?
I used it this morning on a POTA activation and got good signal reports and had a great time with it.
73's Frank KB4VU
Hi Frank,
If you tune a band to a desired default frequency and mode, then "flip the [band change] switch up and hold it for a short while, the current frequency and receive mode will be stored in a semi-permanent memory."
The manual has more detail, but I think this is what you are looking for.