This R7100 is over my head

[shortride]

Originally Posted by W9RXR

It could be your antenna or just a lack of activity in your area. Do you live near a major highway or a truck stop? Yes, CB is AM with some SSB.

Yes, your radio should be able to receive the 10m amateur radio band. Activity on 10m is generally sparse unless propagation is good.

If your interest is 10 or 11m, a dipole antenna (which has horizontal polarization) or a vertical antenna like an Antron 99 would be better than the discone you said you ordered. Most 10m amateur radio activity is horizontally polarized while most CB activity is vertically polarized.

Maybe we should take a step back. What exactly do you expect to use this radio for? What are you interested in hearing? The radio covers 25 to 2000 MHz, but no one antenna is going to be effective over that entire range.

I'm not really sure what I want to listen to. I'm not familiar with this type of receiver.

Am I to understand that the D3000N I just ordered is not going to cover all of the frequencies of this receiver? The description of the D3000N states that it covers 25-3000 MHz. 1000 MHz more than the R7100 operates at.

Am I going to need more than one antenna to be able to monitor this receiver to its capabilities?

[danieldad]

First off, Thank you for your service and your sacrifice for our country;
- I too, recently obtained a beautiful IC 7100...Ive been a comms guy for years, but I'll admit, it is a little intimidating. Its far above the scope of your standard tabletop scanner. Its an excellent v/uhf communications reciever; but dont let it become a hinderence- Squad 10, W9RXR, & some other folks have provided you (& I )with some very very helpful, useful info...thanks guys, -much better info then the manual supplies.
Its a great rig, practice with it and play around with some of its functions as you become more comfortable with it, and you will be very VERY pleased with that radio!...I agree with Ridgescan- try & get that discone outside & high up, it'll work magic
Semper Fi brother, USMC (2/8) 1982

[shortride]

Originally Posted by danieldad

First off, Thank you for your service and your sacrifice for our country;
- I too, recently obtained a beautiful IC 7100...Ive been a comms guy for years, but I'll admit, it is a little intimidating. Its far above the scope of your standard tabletop scanner. Its an excellent v/uhf communications reciever; but dont let it become a hinderence- Squad 10, W9RXR, & some other folks have provided you (& I )with some very very helpful, useful info...thanks guys, -much better info then the manual supplies.
Its a great rig, practice with it and play around with some of its functions as you become more comfortable with it, and you will be very VERY pleased with that radio!...I agree with Ridgescan- try & get that discone outside & high up, it'll work magic
Semper Fi brother, USMC (2/8) 1982

Thanks for the input. The R7100 has been a bit intimidating so far. Now I have to come up with some sort of a mast to mount the antenna on. How high does the antenna need to be?

[ridgescan]

A d130j would do fine also. The diamond discones have such a low wind surface, you could just clamp a 2-3' pipe to a firm ventpipe on your roof and attach the discone's supplied mast on that. I've used inch&a half conduit here before for a short mast and it worked fine. As long as you got it up on the roof you'll be ahead. Like danieldad indicated above, up high is always better because most of your signals are line-of-sight and you want to clear most obstacles/buildings/hills, especially nearest you. But the roof is a good start. If you want to go higher than 4-5' off the roof, you should get a proper mast and tripod or you could brace a mast to the side of the house. Just a few suggestions for starters.

[shortride]

Originally Posted by ridgescan

A d130j would do fine also. The diamond discones have such a low wind surface, you could just clamp a 2-3' pipe to a firm ventpipe on your roof and attach the discone's supplied mast on that. I've used inch&a half conduit here before for a short mast and it worked fine. As long as you got it up on the roof you'll be ahead. Like danieldad indicated above, up high is always better because most of your signals are line-of-sight and you want to clear most obstacles/buildings/hills, especially nearest you. But the roof is a good start. If you want to go higher than 4-5' off the roof, you should get a proper mast and tripod or you could brace a mast to the side of the house. Just a few suggestions for starters.

I appreciate the suggestion but something I failed to mention is that I've got an 90' Pecan tree that covers the entire roof of my house. I may be able to attach a telescopic mast on one end of the house but that's only a maybe. There is a 30' tall utility pole with nothing on it in my yard about 50's from my house. I would have to figure out some way of getting a mounting apparatus attached to the top of it and find someone to climb. Is there such a thing as an mounting bracket to attach an antenna to a utility pole? I’m sure I would need to run a ground wire right?

[ka3jjz]

Originally Posted by shortride

I'm not really sure what I want to listen to. I'm not familiar with this type of receiver.

Am I to understand that the D3000N I just ordered is not going to cover all of the frequencies of this receiver? The description of the D3000N states that it covers 25-3000 MHz. 1000 MHz more than the R7100 operates at.

Am I going to need more than one antenna to be able to monitor this receiver to its capabilities?

That's a distinct possibility depending on what you want to hear.

A discone really isn't very efficient below 100 Mhz or so (it will work, just not well) so if you want to hear things below that, a better antenna is called for. You already know about some antennas for CB and 10 meter ham...

Let's start by saying there's no one perfect antenna - physically impossible to make something with a flat response across such a range like the 7100 hears. So what to do?

Consider that this is not a scanner - it's a receiver that happens to scan (albeit very slowly). Most folks that I know that have the R7xxx series use them as fixed receivers, monitoring a single channel (or sets of channels, if they can stand the slow scan rate). It's an excellent receiver for milcom purposes - satellites, too (although if you do get heavy into satellites, there are very specialized antennas for that). A discone will serve you well in the milcom world, although it may fall short for satellite monitoring (it will work, just not optimally).

It will also hear the various conventional public service stuff, civil aircraft, hams (not just on 10 meters - we have many other bands that may be active, but this is very regional in nature - some areas may have little or no activity simply because there's no interest there), FM broadcast (although why you would use this radio for that...), maritime and probably a lot more I didn't mention.

Time, I think, to make some decisions as to what you want to hear - that will play a big role in the kind of antenna(s) you will need to make that happen, assuming that there is such activity in your area. Get familiar with your state's forum, and any scanning email group(s) for your area. Our wiki collaboration area can help you with that. Get familiar with your county's database entries.

Answer a simple question, so locals can help guide you - where are you (county/state is fine)? That will help determine what activity is in your area...then go make like a gopher and dig...Mike

[shortride]

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

That's a distinct possibility depending on what you want to hear.

A discone really isn't very efficient below 100 Mhz or so (it will work, just not well) so if you want to hear things below that, a better antenna is called for. You already know about some antennas for CB and 10 meter ham...

Let's start by saying there's no one perfect antenna - physically impossible to make something with a flat response across such a range like the 7100 hears. So what to do?

Consider that this is not a scanner - it's a receiver that happens to scan (albeit very slowly). Most folks that I know that have the R7xxx series use them as fixed receivers, monitoring a single channel (or sets of channels, if they can stand the slow scan rate). It's an excellent receiver for milcom purposes - satellites, too (although if you do get heavy into satellites, there are very specialized antennas for that). A discone will serve you well in the milcom world, although it may fall short for satellite monitoring (it will work, just not optimally).

It will also hear the various conventional public service stuff, civil aircraft, hams (not just on 10 meters - we have many other bands that may be active, but this is very regional in nature - some areas may have little or no activity simply because there's no interest there), FM broadcast (although why you would use this radio for that...), maritime and probably a lot more I didn't mention.

Time, I think, to make some decisions as to what you want to hear - that will play a big role in the kind of antenna(s) you will need to make that happen, assuming that there is such activity in your area. Get familiar with your state's forum, and any scanning email group(s) for your area. Our wiki collaboration area can help you with that. Get familiar with your county's database entries.

Answer a simple question, so locals can help guide you - where are you (county/state is fine)? That will help determine what activity is in your area...then go make like a gopher and dig...Mike

I live in a fairly small town of about 9,000 citizens. There are at least 6 amateur radio operators in the area and I may just look them up and have a conversation on the subject. Thanks!

[ridgescan]

Originally Posted by shortride

I appreciate the suggestion but something I failed to mention is that I've got an 90' Pecan tree that covers the entire roof of my house. I may be able to attach a telescopic mast on one end of the house but that's only a maybe. There is a 30' tall utility pole with nothing on it in my yard about 50's from my house. I would have to figure out some way of getting a mounting apparatus attached to the top of it and find someone to climb. Is there such a thing as an mounting bracket to attach an antenna to a utility pole? I’m sure I would need to run a ground wire right?

You have the perfect circumstances for a top notch listening station. That pole seals it. I hope you can employ a trustworty installer to utilize that pole. You will IMO, need a good safety ground if you use the pole. Easy. After install, ground the coax braid to a cold waterpipe, or electrical service condiut near the coax entry point at the house Like Mike said-you may want to run another antenna if you're interested in the microwave stuff-that pole can accomodate quite an antenna array if you wanted
let the sickness begin!

[shortride]

I'm a little slow at understanding the instruction manual. I've been able to save a series of frequencies in the 11 meter band (channels 01-40) just for practice but I haven't figured out how to make the R7100 scan those channels.

[Squad10]

The R7100 offers many scan types. I've only used the Memory scan (Instruction manual pg. 23)

After you make certain the "AL" is set, you will NOT need to set it every time you want the R7100 to scan, you will only need to press the SCAN then MEMO buttons to start scanning.

1. Make certain one of the frequencies you programmed is displayed.

2. Push and hold BANK button for 2 sec. to display BANK.

3. Push SCAN button to display SCAN.

4. Push and hold MEMO button then roate the main (big round) dial until AL is displayed. Release the MEMO button and the R7100 should start scanning. If scanning does not start, Start at step 1 and repeat the steps until it does.

To stop scanning push the [UP] {STOP} button.

You now only need to press the SCAN then MEMO buttons to start scanning.

[shortride]

Originally Posted by Squad10

The R7100 offers many scan types. I've only used the Memory scan (Instruction manual pg. 23)

After you make certain the "AL" is set, you will NOT need to set it every time you want the R7100 to scan, you will only need to press the SCAN then MEMO buttons to start scanning.

1. Make certain one of the frequencies you programmed is displayed.

2. Push and hold BANK button for 2 sec. to display BANK.

3. Push SCAN button to display SCAN.

4. Push and hold MEMO button then roate the main (big round) dial until AL is displayed. Release the MEMO button and the R7100 should start scanning. If scanning does not start, Start at step 1 and repeat the steps until it does.

To stop scanning push the [UP] {STOP} button.

You now only need to press the SCAN then MEMO buttons to start scanning.

That helped a lot. I actually did it. Thanks!

[LZ56]

Originally Posted by shortride

I live in a fairly small town of about 9,000 citizens. There are at least 6 amateur radio operators in the area and I may just look them up and have a conversation on the subject. Thanks!

Obviously I can't speak for them, but some of them may be willing to help you erect an antenna.

As others said, the R7100 is a superb radio, although as you've discovered it can be clumsy and counter-intuitive to program and operate. I've had mine for many years but I still need to keep the instruction manual handy.

Unless your local police and fire are using a trunked system and/or digital, the R7100 should be perfect for hearing them.

P.S.: This USAF vet salutes you!

[Squad10]

Hey shortride, what's the installation status of the D3000N you ordered and the utility pole in your yard?

I've seen the pic of your R7100 and utility pole, been waiting for a picture of the pole with a D3000N.

[LZ56]

Forgot to mention ... many ICOMs run hot when powered from standard 120 volt AC, and the R7100 is no exception. I run mine off a 12 (13.8) volt external DC power supply and it runs nice and cool, which supposedly extends component life.

[shortride]

Originally Posted by Squad10

Hey shortride, what's the installation status of the D3000N you ordered and the utility pole in your yard?

I've seen the pic of your R7100 and utility pole, been waiting for a picture of the pole with a D3000N.

I've received the D3000N but that as far as it's gotten. Still looking for some help getting the antenna mounted. I've also got 150' of R213-U coax and N adapters.

[shortride]

Originally Posted by LZ56

Forgot to mention ... many ICOMs run hot when powered from standard 120 volt AC, and the R7100 is no exception. I run mine off a 12 (13.8) volt external DC power supply and it runs nice and cool, which supposedly extends component life.

In our early command and control missile systems the huge power supplies were inside of the cabin with no air conditioning. Now the power sources are external of the manned cabins with AC. It's a lot more comfortable for the equipment as well as personnel. The newer technology has been much better but the heat is still hard on equipment. Heat is still one of the major reasons for systems failures.

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by LZ56

Forgot to mention ... many ICOMs run hot when powered from standard 120 volt AC, and the R7100 is no exception. I run mine off a 12 (13.8) volt external DC power supply and it runs nice and cool, which supposedly extends component life.

Well that stands to reason. it is because when your on 12 volt dc you are not using the internal power supply. sounds like it could use a little fan for some air flow.


K3CFC

[maalox]

this radio looks awsome i am sure you will defin enjoy it...once you get it running.

[shortride]

Originally Posted by maalox

This radio looks awsome. I am sure you will defin enjoy it...once you get it running.

I was told my uncle bought it new and hardly used it. The R7100 spent the last 10 years in a box. The carrying handle and rubber feet are still in the box. I don't know it they were ever mounted. I have no idea how old this model is.

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by shortride

I was told my uncle bought it new and hardly used it. The R7100 spent the last 10 years in a box. The carrying handle and rubber feet are still in the box. I don't know it they were ever mounted. I have no idea how old this model is.

The only dc plug i can find is this one from ebay. i would not waste time getting this if you really want to operate this on dc.



350499247828
Item number:


K3CFC