Nearing Completion! 4K UHD Monitor – 021618

Finally it’s beginning to feel like the station is nearing completion. The LG 32UD59-B 4K UHD monitor has arrived, and it looks amazing. Almost everything is connected and working.

LG 32UD59-B my first ever 4K UHD monitor
The LG 32UD59-B monitor looks great!

The AT-AUTO is the last piece of equipment remaining to be connected, and is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday 2/20/18. Today I ordered the remaining cables needed to install the tuner (two coax jumpers and an FTDI USB Serial cable)

Testing today at 1KW output did not produce any noticeable RFI in the shack! More testing will be required once all the PC monitors are in place and connected. The linear amplifier now delivers full output with 5 watts less drive It may be possible to lower the drive power even further after more testing is completed.

The rack is in the operating position and the desktop sides have been restored. The 4K monitor has been mounted and the remodel could be finished tomorrow if all goes well..

SPECIFICATIONS
32UD59/32MU59/32UD60
LCD Screen Type: TFT (Thin Film Transistor)
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Screen
Pixel Pitch: 0.181 mm x 0.181 mm
Maximum Resolution: 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
Recommended Resolution: 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
Video Signal Horizontal Frequency: 30 kHz to 135 kHz
Vertical Frequency: 56Hz to 61 Hz
Input Connectors: HDMI IN1, HDMI IN2, DP(DisplayPort) IN, H/P(Headphone) OUT
Power input
19 V 3.3 A
Power consumption (Typ.)
On mode: 39 W Typ. (ENERGY STAR® standard)*
50 W Typ. (Outgoing condition)**
Sleep Mode ≤ 0.5 W
Off Mode ≤ 0.3 W
AC/DC adaptor
Type DA-65G 19, Asian Power Devices Inc. production
Or type LCAP39, LIEN CHANG ELECTRONIC ENTERPRISE production
Output: 19 V 3.42 A
Environmental Conditions
Operating Condition
Temperature: (32 °F to 104 °F); Humidity: < 80%
Storing Condition
Temperature: (-4 °F to 140 °F); Humidity: < 85%
Dimension
Monitor Size (Width x Height x Depth)
With Stand
28.67 inches x 18.04 inches x 9.32 inches
Without Stand
28.67 inches x 16.72 inches x 1.96 inches
Weight (Without Packaging)
With Stand
15.65 lbs
Without Stand
11.68 lbs
Product specifications shown above may be changed without prior notice due to upgrade of product functions.
* The power consumption level can be different by operating condition and monitor setting.
* The On mode power consumption is measured with ENERGY STAR® test standard.
** The On mode power consumption is measured with LGE test standard ( Full White pattern , Maximum
resolution).

Unfortunately, after putting everything in place today I found the W10 PC has no power. I might have forgotten to connect the power cord, or I may have turned off the power switch on the PC power supply by mistake. I’m going to try to wiggle one hand back there and see if I can restore power without having to take the desktop apart and pull the rack out. If its not as simple as connecting the power, and the W10 PC has to be pulled, it will be postponed until after the March 2018 ARRL HF Contest. I’m curious to see what the 4K UHD Monitor will look like once connected to the Display Port output on the W10 PC.

I’m finally in the home stretch, as only a few more items remain to be completed:

  • Reconnect SAT Rotors
  • Install the Second AT-AUTO
  • Reinstall Audio Mixer (or replace with something smaller)
  • Resolve Power Issue on W10 PC
  • Put all PC Monitors Back in Place
  • Finish High Power Testing
  • Check Loss of Sync On GW PC Monitor
  • Check TNC/Radio Cable for Possible Short  (also reposition TNC for visibility)
  • Buy / Cut / Install  Plexiglass Window Above AC Unit

By clicking here you can get more information!

ARRL SSB 2018 Contest Results

The remodeled station performed well today during the ARRL SSB 2018 Contest. The station got a thorough high power workout today on 15, 20, and 40 meters. The results were very exciting to say the least!

There were a few tuner training issues, but the AT-AUTO’s caught up on the fly, after that, it was smooth sailing everywhere I went. As usual, I was able to work everyone I could hear. In spite of my compromise 40m antenna, I was able to work all the Hawaiian contesters along with KL7RA on 40.

The only glitch was the HF rotor azimuth indicator stopped working! Of all times for a rotor to fail! Actually the rotor still turns AOK, but the control box no longer indicates its position. If I’m really lucky, I’ll find pin 2 is not making contact at the back of the controller. Worst case: the position potentiometer in the rotor will have to be repaired or replaced. Not a big deal for now. The rotor in question has been in service for 14 years. So I worked this ARRL SSB 2018 Contest with the antenna fixed at 90 degrees.

ARRL SSB 2018 Contest Battle Station!
Contest Battle Station!

Objective: To encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations.

W/VE amateurs: Work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.

DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.

Have you been here yet? Click through the link to learn more about the contest station.

ARRL DX SSB Results – 030418

The ARRL DX SSB Contest went great! Everything performed well, as expected.

Once again, I was able to work every station I heard. Using a Flex 6300, I worked S&P while utilizing a “3 click” zoom level which makes finding the ‘little pistols’ much easier. I then proceeded to rake the bands for all the tiny, in-between signals I could find, resulting in some great contacts. We’re talking about DX contacts at the RX noise level, in between two stations, (often ‘big guns’) blasting away. Very challenging play today! Very impressive TRX performance from the 6300. I can only imagine what an upgrade to a 6700 will be like. For this contest I used a 4K monitor for the first time. The added resolution made finding the ‘tiny’ guys that much easier.

What makes working the ‘tiny’ signals possible is the Flex ability (no pun intended) to place a custom width passband anywhere you need it. In this case, I place a 1.3khz passband in between the opposing stations. This allows me to pull the DX right out at the RX noise floor. The passband filter is sharp enough to sufficiently isolate these minute signals and render them listenable. Amazing. Next time, I’ll capture video. I made great contacts this way throughout the contest. Of course I work all the big guns as well, working them early (6am Local) and then hearing them in pile-ups later on!

By the end of the contest I found it difficult to find anyone that I had not already worked! After adding a 6700, the only other REAL improvement I could make would be the addition of a tower and full size antenna. Since I can work everybody I can hear, it only makes sense that I acquire “bigger ears”.