OK, I was not ready for the thrill of a foreign contact, had not really thought much about it. But tonight I had two short Venezuela contacts PSK31 5 watts, G5RV antenna up abt 20 ft. WOOT
Sunday, August 31, 2008
DX!!
OK, I was not ready for the thrill of a foreign contact, had not really thought much about it. But tonight I had two short Venezuela contacts PSK31 5 watts, G5RV antenna up abt 20 ft. WOOT
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Cleaning off the work bench.
A project I had tucked away was a VE3DNL marker generator kit. I put this together yesterday in about one hour.
I also put together a Rainbow AC Line Voltage monitor kit.
I mounted this into a radio shack project box. There is room to spare, so I will probably add a headset amp or desk microphone switch later.
Then I started constructing a Norcal BLT tuner kit that I also had sitting around the bench.
This is Pittsburgh style (as apposed to Manhattan or islander similar styles) construction with the solder pads carved into the copper clad board.
Next will be a Arizona ScQRPion Paddle Kit that I have had sitting in a parts bin for some time.
The last remaining project will be the AMQRP 908 antenna analyzer kit I ordered when they first came out several years ago. Like I said I needed to clean out the workbench. The smaller projects will hopefully prepare me for the 908 - a lot of SMT components on that one. Once that is done, perhaps I will tackle an Elecraft K1....
- - - - - -
Finished troubleshooting the T-1 antenna tuner today.
I hooked it up to a G5RV and watched it tuneup on five different bands. Not sure what was the problem or whether I was not holding my mouth right, but it really works well. Really excited to have that done and working FB. The FT -817 cable for the T-1 is really sweet.
Made one contact today with a gentleman just down the road. We figured it had to be less than a quarter mile this on 20 m PSK 31. This was on the Yaesu FT -817 on the G5RV antenna. QRP is tough with the current conditions.
Stay tuned….
De N8MAC
I also put together a Rainbow AC Line Voltage monitor kit.
I mounted this into a radio shack project box. There is room to spare, so I will probably add a headset amp or desk microphone switch later.
Then I started constructing a Norcal BLT tuner kit that I also had sitting around the bench.
This is Pittsburgh style (as apposed to Manhattan or islander similar styles) construction with the solder pads carved into the copper clad board.
Next will be a Arizona ScQRPion Paddle Kit that I have had sitting in a parts bin for some time.
The last remaining project will be the AMQRP 908 antenna analyzer kit I ordered when they first came out several years ago. Like I said I needed to clean out the workbench. The smaller projects will hopefully prepare me for the 908 - a lot of SMT components on that one. Once that is done, perhaps I will tackle an Elecraft K1....
- - - - - -
Finished troubleshooting the T-1 antenna tuner today.
I hooked it up to a G5RV and watched it tuneup on five different bands. Not sure what was the problem or whether I was not holding my mouth right, but it really works well. Really excited to have that done and working FB. The FT -817 cable for the T-1 is really sweet.
Made one contact today with a gentleman just down the road. We figured it had to be less than a quarter mile this on 20 m PSK 31. This was on the Yaesu FT -817 on the G5RV antenna. QRP is tough with the current conditions.
Stay tuned….
De N8MAC
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
FT-817 Dial Encoder
I bent the shaft on the rotary dial soon after I got the radio (long story).
It did not work right after that, I was fine tuning with the mike buttons instead of the encoder.
So I ordered a replacement from Yaesu USA and received it back within a few days.
The FT-817 comes apart fairly easily, anyone who has looked into adding the Collins filters has been there. The front panel comes off by moving four tabs.
The encoder unplugs and the nut on the shaft is all that holds it in place.
Quick, easy repair, FB!!
It did not work right after that, I was fine tuning with the mike buttons instead of the encoder.
So I ordered a replacement from Yaesu USA and received it back within a few days.
The FT-817 comes apart fairly easily, anyone who has looked into adding the Collins filters has been there. The front panel comes off by moving four tabs.
The encoder unplugs and the nut on the shaft is all that holds it in place.
Quick, easy repair, FB!!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Success!!
Friday, my psk31 modem from AMQRP club -NUE-PSK showed up.
It hooked up fine as instructed and I set it up, read the mail a bit and was able to make 5 contacts on 40 meters. This is a fun little machine and keeps with the QRP profile and weighs little.
I used the T-1 auto tuner with a G5RV antenna up 30 sloping to 20 feet (tree to a painter's pole) in the back yard.
The T1 seems to work, but I need to verify one last QC check.
Stay tuned .-.-.-
It hooked up fine as instructed and I set it up, read the mail a bit and was able to make 5 contacts on 40 meters. This is a fun little machine and keeps with the QRP profile and weighs little.
I used the T-1 auto tuner with a G5RV antenna up 30 sloping to 20 feet (tree to a painter's pole) in the back yard.
The T1 seems to work, but I need to verify one last QC check.
Stay tuned .-.-.-
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Update
Well, the Tenna Dipper is finished, but not working just right. I suspect some trashed parts, I will trouble shoot that one later.
.-.-.-
I am done with the T1 as far as construction goes with a replacement smt capacitor installed. I am in the troubleshooting mode now. At first it would not power on, I tweaked some solder joints and now it comes on and starts properly. It failed the power measure test, the info function works, so I will finish tracing that down hopefully tomorrow.
.-.-.-
I seem to have hit a wall with morse code again. I plan to switch to on air copying and practice sending to got over this plateau.
.-.-.-
NUE-PSK31
this is the next toy to add to the shack
in keeping with portable battery operation
stay tuned...
de N8MAC
.-.-.-
I am done with the T1 as far as construction goes with a replacement smt capacitor installed. I am in the troubleshooting mode now. At first it would not power on, I tweaked some solder joints and now it comes on and starts properly. It failed the power measure test, the info function works, so I will finish tracing that down hopefully tomorrow.
.-.-.-
I seem to have hit a wall with morse code again. I plan to switch to on air copying and practice sending to got over this plateau.
.-.-.-
NUE-PSK31
this is the next toy to add to the shack
in keeping with portable battery operation
stay tuned...
de N8MAC
Sunday, August 3, 2008
N8MAC/AE
Woot!
Passed the Extra element four test yesterday. I took several practice tests prior to, but the actual seemed tougher for some reason, not as many formulas though. Missed 6 questions.
What better way to brush up on theory than to upgrade? Mainly those gaps in available frequencies not available to General class in HF bugged me....
BTW I used Ham TestOnline to cram for this in a compressed time frame. I little pricey, but it provides focus study and testing that works for me. Also the Extra exam just changed last month, and I had an older study guide, so wanted to make sure I was up to date.
'-'-'-
Not much operating lately other that 2 meters.
Still waiting on a part for the T1, must have gotten lost in the mail.
I finished the tenna dipper, but no audio from the little pezio speaker, the led lights fine. More troubleshooting, or maybe start over, I may have cooked it.
Still working on code. I seemed to have hit a plateau. I need to work on sending more, I can copy about 12 - 15 wpm. Not having a permanent shack or antenna up, I miss out on just listening to actual qso's at night etc.
Passed the Extra element four test yesterday. I took several practice tests prior to, but the actual seemed tougher for some reason, not as many formulas though. Missed 6 questions.
What better way to brush up on theory than to upgrade? Mainly those gaps in available frequencies not available to General class in HF bugged me....
BTW I used Ham TestOnline to cram for this in a compressed time frame. I little pricey, but it provides focus study and testing that works for me. Also the Extra exam just changed last month, and I had an older study guide, so wanted to make sure I was up to date.
'-'-'-
Not much operating lately other that 2 meters.
Still waiting on a part for the T1, must have gotten lost in the mail.
I finished the tenna dipper, but no audio from the little pezio speaker, the led lights fine. More troubleshooting, or maybe start over, I may have cooked it.
Still working on code. I seemed to have hit a plateau. I need to work on sending more, I can copy about 12 - 15 wpm. Not having a permanent shack or antenna up, I miss out on just listening to actual qso's at night etc.
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