tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23745558972384975512024-03-29T04:03:02.025-07:00Ham radio blog by OZ1BXMLars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-68768603566811119202023-08-14T09:22:00.005-07:002023-10-28T21:14:40.921-07:00DIY 70 cm yagi 6 elements<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZzjODMxMMhgfPWjomMVnNI2lOluME25IsgcZu6ywQvkgHQ-sSpAZ1tHSdWCQJTpq_A0V0ZdM2qzpCqlEw3mLOXpL4yTA0jeafjhu0iHPKEfVN5PqYa65kJ4-0afjlgNvuonV9Wek0lGuv2lui67HIK-LFaFIh8LtId1GaphIYCSOkulGvpDm28iYODs/s1200/6-ele-yagi-70cm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZzjODMxMMhgfPWjomMVnNI2lOluME25IsgcZu6ywQvkgHQ-sSpAZ1tHSdWCQJTpq_A0V0ZdM2qzpCqlEw3mLOXpL4yTA0jeafjhu0iHPKEfVN5PqYa65kJ4-0afjlgNvuonV9Wek0lGuv2lui67HIK-LFaFIh8LtId1GaphIYCSOkulGvpDm28iYODs/w429-h322/6-ele-yagi-70cm.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><i><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Figure 1.</i></p></i><p></p><p>I needed a short 70 cm yagi for working the LEO satellites. In earlier years, I've had a 6-element yagi and I was satisfied with its performance. So I decided to build such an antenna.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYNsDitw8rWWcSqLD1KWCd2IDMcREu7XzMQlt6TX3BKVBgGMaiZBclJGufoGbxFizIjW08A1fa7JaMt5hqE9UyL-4EIDRbP692pijIXnkCGeRO2JVTDZvceebvjiBd5bO9b0x4mAVa9_tZnRFwlJOc7KBI2x8zu-7iYLhMBwtsr7k9LkvBFcdikqyspI/s987/antenne70.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="987" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYNsDitw8rWWcSqLD1KWCd2IDMcREu7XzMQlt6TX3BKVBgGMaiZBclJGufoGbxFizIjW08A1fa7JaMt5hqE9UyL-4EIDRbP692pijIXnkCGeRO2JVTDZvceebvjiBd5bO9b0x4mAVa9_tZnRFwlJOc7KBI2x8zu-7iYLhMBwtsr7k9LkvBFcdikqyspI/w478-h345/antenne70.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Figure 2.</i> </div><p><a href="https://www.qsl.net/on6mu/schemas/yagi_uhf_antenna.htm" target="_blank">The antenna measurements</a> came from ON6MU. However, I made my own drawing (figure 2). All elements and the dipole were made according to the recommendations by ON6MU. Only the boom is a bit slimmer (15 x 15 mm instead of 20 x 20 mm). I had the tubes and the boom lying around, and assembly was easy. The measurements must be accurate down to the millimeter - and that was a challenge!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG1bw2mHu8DxgUuc3WZHU5A9Zj3rRte9_Z0zfOSsCHKL8b-mhq-Wo5v5NPDibSqCMJFSSx25lJLtTpHepABgnP6xzUYM8VPf0Wd93f4E68z5VAILmrFhYOOp6lGQIZy-x4fXi7zyDnyJyaM_voO6JkEsQyqdwh69Ib087pktToN6puKl4B7oh069LWCw/s1860/balun-foto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1860" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG1bw2mHu8DxgUuc3WZHU5A9Zj3rRte9_Z0zfOSsCHKL8b-mhq-Wo5v5NPDibSqCMJFSSx25lJLtTpHepABgnP6xzUYM8VPf0Wd93f4E68z5VAILmrFhYOOp6lGQIZy-x4fXi7zyDnyJyaM_voO6JkEsQyqdwh69Ib087pktToN6puKl4B7oh069LWCw/w414-h317/balun-foto.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Figure 3.</i></div><p>The black element holders were found in the scrap-box. They were acquired some years ago from hfkits.com (link: <a href="https://www.hfkits.com/product/yagi-element-holder-for-15x15-mm-boom/">Yagi element holder for 15x15 mm boom - HF kits</a>). The balun is copied from innovantennas - they use the same concept. 4-5 tight loops of coax-cable prevents HF-currents running on the outside of the cable. I used 150 cm RG-400 teflon coax, and it was terminated with an N-connector. Figure 3 shows the balun before it was made water-proof. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h4I2doMUtCyNGRmprORgTf6wzghgq20n0AJEbIYBiwaSZvYnWcn70LUn_GGIE6mtSFOOnlAei4PmZwEvb-Bi5n9xY4k1uAdJdtY5KbaRp_rPwbTy6i7cFdmqXLRYQfKU1GFcKvKFs_g_z3Wgqh0BrYdNv7Z539iF3ACIgnUOCC-6N-06lJDFgg1HE5I/s1858/dipol-midten1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1858" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h4I2doMUtCyNGRmprORgTf6wzghgq20n0AJEbIYBiwaSZvYnWcn70LUn_GGIE6mtSFOOnlAei4PmZwEvb-Bi5n9xY4k1uAdJdtY5KbaRp_rPwbTy6i7cFdmqXLRYQfKU1GFcKvKFs_g_z3Wgqh0BrYdNv7Z539iF3ACIgnUOCC-6N-06lJDFgg1HE5I/w447-h286/dipol-midten1.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Figure 4.</i></p><p>Figure 4 shows how the dipole is mounted on the boom using 2 element holders. The dipole is isolated from the boom. The coax-cable center conductor is soldered to the left solder lug; and the coax braid to the right one.</p><p>I did not use stainless screws and mutters for assembly, so I painted all screws/mutters after fitting them to avoid corrosion. Where the coax-cable is connected to the dipole, the cable was secured against moisture. I used PlastiDip for this purpose. Otherwise, the braid may detoriate due to water ingress.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The antenna was mounted on a 1½" steel mast turned by a rotator (Yaesu G-600). From 7.5 meters above ground, the antenna heard two terrestical UHF beacons: OZ7IGY at 227 km (weak signal) and LA8UHF at 322 km (normal signal). I listened for the LEO satellite RS-44, and its beacon was heard at a distance of 4000 km. The antenna works to my satisfaction, and I'll use it from now on!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Antenna SWR is 1.3 between 432-438 MHz, and this figure is satisfactory. </p>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-56564549007902900242023-01-26T02:58:00.007-08:002023-02-11T02:27:13.875-08:00My first DXCC diploma<p>My first DXCC diploma arrived in the mail today. Shipping from USA to Denmark took 16 days. The mode is Mixed because CW and FT8 were used for my QSOs with 100 different entities (countries).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXbTEMmQuU_XzegS-hF-CIuMaz39psQPyvJj8k_fUHp_0aSP_MmQkS4Uz5R1pQCM1HHMNyJWDHbrBOng9rB49BCuCfNhk0hUqTBTeOEJkBTdixoWJeqv-n3ssw5ogYHU1R6Hz6Ngw3thwjBjY7EhsfZHSfTCdN3vMHhG94Hv9rb-zG5UGK4YWwdbw/s1200/dxcc-lars1-1200-72dpi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1200" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXbTEMmQuU_XzegS-hF-CIuMaz39psQPyvJj8k_fUHp_0aSP_MmQkS4Uz5R1pQCM1HHMNyJWDHbrBOng9rB49BCuCfNhk0hUqTBTeOEJkBTdixoWJeqv-n3ssw5ogYHU1R6Hz6Ngw3thwjBjY7EhsfZHSfTCdN3vMHhG94Hv9rb-zG5UGK4YWwdbw/w426-h301/dxcc-lars1-1200-72dpi.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>I have applied for DXCC before. It was around 1994. I sent QSL cards from 100 different countries to ARRL Headquarter in Connecticut. But my shipment newer arrived. It was called for in the postal system, but the envelope newer showed up - it was lost. Replacing 100 QSL cards is difficult, so I gave up DXCC for many years. </p><p>I started with FT8 last year, and after some time, I discovered that DXCC was within reach. Another factor was Logbook of the World (LotW). This tool did not exist back in 1994, and LotW makes QSO confirmations fast, easy, and cheap. Many FT8 stations are using LotW for confirming their contacts. My DXCC diploma was confirmed by LotW for 94 entities, and QSL cards for 6 entities. The cards were checked by OZ1ACB who is the ARRL card checker in Denmark. </p><p>Are there other diplomas in the pipeline? Yes, I am seeking QSOs for the <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/countries/worked.htm" target="_blank">QRP DXCC diploma</a>, where all contacts must take place using a maximum of 5 W RF power on my side. Current status is 97 entities. </p><p>73 from OZ1BXM Lars</p><p>Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk" target="_blank">oz1bxm.dk</a></p>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-68332886379722945202023-01-08T22:50:00.002-08:002023-01-24T00:33:32.022-08:00First QSO via Greencube satellite<p>Greencube is an exciting satellite. The orbit is MEO (Medium Earth Orbit), and the average distance to Earth is 6,800 km. Greencube carries seeds for plants to grow under microgravity conditions.The results of this project will allow production of vegetables in space to support future human space missions. Future astronauts will have access to fresh and nutritious food along their journey! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJkdq9rKaZvQo6zPBpfbmV2zCsJvE3Znc4sVDOgfR2KMqnrRi4oIO_wSLbJ3ygsBR8kO88aUsGrELINZu1bnDv2l7k2bfcTUT12nkzdoLZVlFv576Q1tX3DUFZaLl76z5EnaMieDBWKVpBjVgPaWz6kkMME9iW-d9Zu1Fz-NblFHeNch9Ph_vUWi_/s600/R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Greencube" border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJkdq9rKaZvQo6zPBpfbmV2zCsJvE3Znc4sVDOgfR2KMqnrRi4oIO_wSLbJ3ygsBR8kO88aUsGrELINZu1bnDv2l7k2bfcTUT12nkzdoLZVlFv576Q1tX3DUFZaLl76z5EnaMieDBWKVpBjVgPaWz6kkMME9iW-d9Zu1Fz-NblFHeNch9Ph_vUWi_/w460-h259/R.jpg" title="Greencube in the lab. Photo: Italien Space Agency" width="460" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Greencube in the lab. Photo: Italian Space Agency.</i></p><p>Greencube is a tiny satellite measuring 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm. It was launched by ESA from French Guiana on 13. July 2022. NORAD ID is 53106. AMSAT has designated the <a href="https://www.amsat.org/greencube-designated-italy-oscar-117-io-117/" target="_blank">satellite IO-117</a>. The satellite carries a digipeater for ham radio operating at 435 MHz. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xEhyPW3_427ykHNhBQ3l5b4ixfd8SB0YGR0RtwV6w1pyKLhVAzPHDIgqkkqeHP6JysmIfPoDcZ4H1CSzwwSiMY04-yfqqcftsQ1uYzHbRdKGhSS0-98vOPasJrl0Z266luedlOw88P92rfwRK4zoHZCH1PhlUjvmA9Jlk7FzeTYe84lTKO5afsTs/s808/Greencube-footprint.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IO-117 footprint" border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="808" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xEhyPW3_427ykHNhBQ3l5b4ixfd8SB0YGR0RtwV6w1pyKLhVAzPHDIgqkkqeHP6JysmIfPoDcZ4H1CSzwwSiMY04-yfqqcftsQ1uYzHbRdKGhSS0-98vOPasJrl0Z266luedlOw88P92rfwRK4zoHZCH1PhlUjvmA9Jlk7FzeTYe84lTKO5afsTs/w455-h313/Greencube-footprint.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Greencube footprint (www.</i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>n2yo.com)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">I've decided to operate via Greencube. The footprint is huge compared to the current LEO satellites. I have never tried operating a digipeater before. The distance to the satellite is between 6,800 km and 10,000 km. There are some challenges here!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWfUziGbXnaIBT5vIzObDgVht59JDAaO3u4eOWQ9z0wMy7_OhKL0UM90ySNaPMSadM8AfGxuOybOqOEKPhAkM1JCQU0YqBhoVGZD9yvSjMuxXc7AXlxbtnJrp17atPWGEHLVb-EjlvzoOV1m-WGdhx_joZJivRKd4ad1Awq37kXO74PHENJ6pjwH8/s632/setup.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ground station" border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="632" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWfUziGbXnaIBT5vIzObDgVht59JDAaO3u4eOWQ9z0wMy7_OhKL0UM90ySNaPMSadM8AfGxuOybOqOEKPhAkM1JCQU0YqBhoVGZD9yvSjMuxXc7AXlxbtnJrp17atPWGEHLVb-EjlvzoOV1m-WGdhx_joZJivRKd4ad1Awq37kXO74PHENJ6pjwH8/w400-h251/setup.JPG" title="Ground station" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>OZ1BXM ground station for Greencube.</i></p><p>My ground station for Greencube is a Yaesu FT-847 VHF/UHF transceiver. Greencube software runs on my Windows 10 computer. My antenna is a 9-element X-Quad (vertical polarization) controlled by 2 rotators, one for azimuth and one for elevation.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The challenge was installing the software. There were in total 6 different programs to install and configure. It took me several long days to complete.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I had my first QSO via IO-117 on January 6th with S57NML in Slovenia. It was fun and challenging. Later followed a QSO with W5CBF in Louisiana, USA. There is plenty of DX to chase on this satellite!</p><p style="text-align: left;">Link: <a href="https://www.zr6tg.co.za/2022/11/18/adventures-with-greencube-satellite/" target="_blank">ZR6TG Adventures with Greencube Satellite</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Link: Tracking Greencube: <a href="https://www.n2yo.com/?s=53106" target="_blank">https://www.n2yo.com/?s=53106</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">73 from OZ1BXM Lars, <a href="http://www.oz1bxm.dk">oz1bxm.dk</a></p>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-13781626378247484812022-12-05T03:29:00.004-08:002022-12-05T15:13:38.435-08:00I've worked 100 entities using FT8<p>In July 2022, I challenged myself to <a href="http://oz1bxm.blogspot.com/2022/07/work-100-entities-using-ft8.html" target="_blank">pursuing 100 entities using FT8</a> and wire antennas. The pursuit is over now as I worked entity #100 on the 1st of December. The challenge lasted nearly 5 months.</p><p>The 100 entities are listed here: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/100-lande-ft8.html" target="_blank">http://oz1bxm.dk/100-lande-ft8.html</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhed6mKgGTGYT2ZDpwAHNe-oSNC0RrIcRcU1Mqccqs2cxVhYIo1Md-piHjLndvQkx7Rx69nnnq8T623nxzKEOVDXJjTOzkm9U1ku5hTbRVnnnI30BpSREosPkK0M6UfZe0_XRQ5EP5-Pg0nQIYTLKMQW2PgHAn_5cegvdMXllExT6ASr3iMtQZXWPW/s722/figur-15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="722" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhed6mKgGTGYT2ZDpwAHNe-oSNC0RrIcRcU1Mqccqs2cxVhYIo1Md-piHjLndvQkx7Rx69nnnq8T623nxzKEOVDXJjTOzkm9U1ku5hTbRVnnnI30BpSREosPkK0M6UfZe0_XRQ5EP5-Pg0nQIYTLKMQW2PgHAn_5cegvdMXllExT6ASr3iMtQZXWPW/w400-h276/figur-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 100 entities distributed on continents.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The figure above shows the 100 worked entities distributed on continents. Most entities were from EU (Europe) and AS (Asia). Less frequent were AF (Africa) and NA (North America). SA (South America) and OC (Oceania) contributed with 8 entities. The reason for the EU majority: Living in Denmark makes it easy for me to contact European entities, and there are many of them!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuxZ_YcheijUfETLdA264GAKOMCEF9oYUzK0erfafZHwSJkgc426q_bT4ghw6M9OjBe8SCLo4kP5MS_cAReWRmoHtnKgaimCvjBP7i8HTr3xRkeqYK4KvIjg9Bn03Dn7e7Ikt5JWSWoke6iRwTclrekjhz1YiGMFkgZyUuLxas-2lgeIO1UtgVVTK/s703/figur-16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="703" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuxZ_YcheijUfETLdA264GAKOMCEF9oYUzK0erfafZHwSJkgc426q_bT4ghw6M9OjBe8SCLo4kP5MS_cAReWRmoHtnKgaimCvjBP7i8HTr3xRkeqYK4KvIjg9Bn03Dn7e7Ikt5JWSWoke6iRwTclrekjhz1YiGMFkgZyUuLxas-2lgeIO1UtgVVTK/w400-h326/figur-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My 100 entities distributed on frequency band.</div><div><br /></div><div>The figure above shows the 100 worked entities distributed on frequency bands. I've worked most entities on the 20 meter and 15 meter bands. I've worked only 2 entities on the 80 meter band (the antenna was too short on 80 meters). The remaining bands contributed almost the same number of entities.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've used low output power (20 W or less) for 99 of the entities. Only in one case 80 W was used. My antenna was a dipole (entity 1-70) and a horizontal wire loop 43 m long (entity 71-100).</div><div><br /></div><div>Vy 73 from OZ1BXM</div><div>Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-65214370360139280912022-07-10T04:56:00.045-07:002022-09-05T01:47:48.724-07:00In Pursuit of 100 Entities using FT8<p>I've decided to challenge myself and pursuit 100 entities using FT8. My experience with FT8 is not long as I've had only 25 QSO's in that mode. The goal of 100 entities should be achivable this year as the sunspot level is growing every month and good conditions can be expected on the upper HF-bands. The graph below shows how sunspots are increasing right now. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyUlC3QK1eFwXZyAQp_uD8B9NmxFlmzFGEL-6IkssC4hp-IxgAN3V0Z9wZr5q3F6FUfdDEJwQw2u3cndRaZWBoyoP5jKoKOTSDR4FdoiWpF7kPzGUHNYfR90frM_0jJHfUzcfvTShUMWt7_L6Y7x1pT3WBhMRd-Yfs-IULZf_A0fqkUtTk7M7wKM8/s700/cycle25-700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyUlC3QK1eFwXZyAQp_uD8B9NmxFlmzFGEL-6IkssC4hp-IxgAN3V0Z9wZr5q3F6FUfdDEJwQw2u3cndRaZWBoyoP5jKoKOTSDR4FdoiWpF7kPzGUHNYfR90frM_0jJHfUzcfvTShUMWt7_L6Y7x1pT3WBhMRd-Yfs-IULZf_A0fqkUtTk7M7wKM8/w434-h240/cycle25-700.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Increasing sunspots during 2022. </i></div><p></p><p>My antenna for the FT8 challenge is shown below. It is a centerfed wire dipole measuring 2 x 10 meters. The highest point is 7 meters above ground. The automatic ATU in the attic keeps SWR low on the coax-cable. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyHRDq4tojbxCgcv9LD7yRgJpfeweRSPf1giSmzlHwDeZK_TT6uNVvfuag2BsIyu5slwmBtxi3pTq6uVgLkGKTOAJZoYskLNMAh-dZpYveMV0cLsP88SEdmxLKGSk5nPb9iSqIm3Av_ma2UrqPJj4qPRalenDyy174AKuKTHY9QgkjCIWHWRqHLy8/s750/2x10-dipole2-750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="750" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyHRDq4tojbxCgcv9LD7yRgJpfeweRSPf1giSmzlHwDeZK_TT6uNVvfuag2BsIyu5slwmBtxi3pTq6uVgLkGKTOAJZoYskLNMAh-dZpYveMV0cLsP88SEdmxLKGSk5nPb9iSqIm3Av_ma2UrqPJj4qPRalenDyy174AKuKTHY9QgkjCIWHWRqHLy8/w489-h306/2x10-dipole2-750.jpg" width="489" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Wire antenna at OZ1BXM.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you would like to monitor my progress, you can visit this page where my worked entities are listed: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/100-lande-ft8.html">http://oz1bxm.dk/100-lande-ft8.html</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Vy 73 from OZ1BXM</div><div style="text-align: left;">My homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-8649019684401526582022-04-26T15:10:00.010-07:002022-06-01T15:11:04.154-07:00Operating 144 MHz EME again<p>After some years of non-activity, I've decided to operate 144 MHz EME again. The equipment is in store, and I want continue in this exciting branch of ham radio. Full description of my EME station: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/eme/eme-station.html">http://oz1bxm.dk/eme/eme-station.html</a> </p><p>The different categories within 144 MHz EME stations are shown below.</p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Category<span> </span> Ant-gain <span> </span>Example antenna</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Monster <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>24 dBd<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>16 x 9 element yagi<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Big <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>21 dBd<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>8 x 9 element yagi</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Mid-size<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>18 dBd<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>4 x 9 element yagi</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Small<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>15 dBd<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>2 x 9 element yagi</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">QRP<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>12 dBd<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> <span> </span></span></span>1 x 9 element yagi</span></p><p>I've assembled a small EME station with 15 dBd antenna gain. The antenna array is 4 x 6 element yagi which provides 15 dBd gain. The picture below from 26-april-2022 shows my array. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29nPSq9qPHZnekwJZZ0KH38jiOJINLcSSFZOLvxu70IFhO9wija1JhYGHZ-GkXtb-790uojDMcOOEr4bND9djiPp4hJa2VGTTrSqLaLACuVHBEViO5TyN4gjli0liILjrXEEtmLjCTia05TUcQWEax3uMzoVUHvfplFu6J82Lkw4DmaSieCs5kclh/s1557/4x6-array-26-apr-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1490" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29nPSq9qPHZnekwJZZ0KH38jiOJINLcSSFZOLvxu70IFhO9wija1JhYGHZ-GkXtb-790uojDMcOOEr4bND9djiPp4hJa2VGTTrSqLaLACuVHBEViO5TyN4gjli0liILjrXEEtmLjCTia05TUcQWEax3uMzoVUHvfplFu6J82Lkw4DmaSieCs5kclh/w417-h437/4x6-array-26-apr-2022.jpg" width="417" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>4 x 6 yagi for 144 MHz EME at OZ1BXM.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Azimuth rotor is Yaesu G-600 and elevation rotor is Kenpro KR-550. Both rotors are controlled by <a href="https://www.qsl.net/yo3dmu/index_Page346.htm" target="_blank">PSTRotator</a> running on my Windows 10 PC.</p><p>I'll be a frequent visitor to the <a href="https://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/jt65emeA" target="_blank">N0UK EME chat</a> where EME-amateurs meet and arrange skeds.</p><p>I hope to work many initials in the time to come!</p><p>73 from OZ1BXM Lars Petersen, <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk">oz1bxm.dk</a></p>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-16360539926003575582021-07-01T06:40:00.005-07:002021-12-15T04:37:38.828-08:00Mains power alarm<p>Our refrigerator must run at +5C at all times. But one day, the security relay of the house flipped and cut the power off. The power outage lasted 6 hours, and the temperature within the refrigerator rose to +15C. To avoid this in the future, I decided to build a mains power alarm, so I can take action if the power relay flips again.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIM-ON3O27Dq_pcWpNv_rRg-VPAxdXT9QhObiJODIK8nEDhLCPDUmblan1q9VTYF9a_v-fkyghyphenhyphen-ujWLJCpFTofbqF37VfHO0wtppmvOxsZol-dUbWZRWZdmgLQfeoPWkWVq423B5-vQ/s1040/Mains-pwr-alarm.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1040" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIM-ON3O27Dq_pcWpNv_rRg-VPAxdXT9QhObiJODIK8nEDhLCPDUmblan1q9VTYF9a_v-fkyghyphenhyphen-ujWLJCpFTofbqF37VfHO0wtppmvOxsZol-dUbWZRWZdmgLQfeoPWkWVq423B5-vQ/w575-h221/Mains-pwr-alarm.JPG" width="575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. Mains Power Alarm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The PSU is connected to the mains and generates 12 V which energizes the relay coil. The relay is in position NO. If 12 V is lost, the relay changes to NC and activates the buzzer. SW1 can silence the buzzer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The PSU in figure 1 is an AC adapter which is plugged into a 230 V AC wall outlet. The secondary of the AC adapter delivers 12 V DC. The green 12V lamp is on when 12 V DC (and mains) is present. Relay1 is active and breaks the buzzer circuit. The relay is a 12 V type. Any voltage transcients from the relay coil are bridged by D1 and will not damage the PSU.</div><div> </div><div>The 12 V buzzer sounds when the coil of Relay1 is powered off during a mains power failure. <br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPhD-kmrypiFLOov46_W8D6v9s3St8sXpc6BiRizPzgs-7LejIjCA_k5sJ2Wd1qVL_8OWQcI2YJs0rl4bORgJGM8EUysZ287Hph_uE0J9atjL3X3e98VbdTAgYscmd-5cW3FR1sGl5_8/s1200/oppefra_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1200" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPhD-kmrypiFLOov46_W8D6v9s3St8sXpc6BiRizPzgs-7LejIjCA_k5sJ2Wd1qVL_8OWQcI2YJs0rl4bORgJGM8EUysZ287Hph_uE0J9atjL3X3e98VbdTAgYscmd-5cW3FR1sGl5_8/w511-h318/oppefra_1200.jpg" width="511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. PSU and metal box.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p> The metal box in figure 2 measures 125 mm x 80 mm x 50 mm. The blue relay is taped to the wall. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6ONYVNVWQVW4kkQeoL4kZfNst4jn0qNrElThhJ6nsArwYiCGw8aNMsoObdJIiFBQe7WL5LENl9jo0nu38tcAAHLCkRaHMyIl6_8nRgD74EUdHJysIrGSqvn5ApeQ45oShmlnGAVXj_k/s1200/front_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1200" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6ONYVNVWQVW4kkQeoL4kZfNst4jn0qNrElThhJ6nsArwYiCGw8aNMsoObdJIiFBQe7WL5LENl9jo0nu38tcAAHLCkRaHMyIl6_8nRgD74EUdHJysIrGSqvn5ApeQ45oShmlnGAVXj_k/w497-h371/front_1200.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. Front view.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Figure 3 remarks. Labels are in the Danish language. </p><p>ALARM TIL means "Alarm is on".<br />LYSNET OK means "Mains Ok".</p><p>73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk">oz1bxm.dk</a></p></div></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-9846839648668633142021-06-17T02:38:00.011-07:002021-06-30T09:15:21.961-07:00Reading I2C addressesMany electronic modules are controlled by the I2C-protocol. I2C builds upon the concept of masters and slaves connected via a 2-wire bus. There are two pull up resistors. Each of them should be higher than 1 kohm. Vdd is 3.3 V DC or 5 V DC. The wiring is shown in figure 1.<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebDVPZ87oOzK5ybRqqQ0KmcL6dE7aiWEjrbr9zojnEZKEfiQmNI9qNSZtBmFt9W2FrUIkbZ2287tPlyfM_MWQ5qq_GYvr4Zm9U9M5DrFsswz5LSA6V6a7i20rVmwFqFKiJv7QxMYNilQ/s634/I2C-Wiring.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="634" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebDVPZ87oOzK5ybRqqQ0KmcL6dE7aiWEjrbr9zojnEZKEfiQmNI9qNSZtBmFt9W2FrUIkbZ2287tPlyfM_MWQ5qq_GYvr4Zm9U9M5DrFsswz5LSA6V6a7i20rVmwFqFKiJv7QxMYNilQ/w557-h283/I2C-Wiring.jpg" width="557" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. Wiring of I2C.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I2C bus speeds range from 100 kbit/s in Standard mode, 400 kbit/s in Fast mode, 1 Mbit/s Fast mode plus, and 3.4 Mbit/s in High Speed mode. Each master and each slave has its own, unique 7-bit address.</div><div><br /></div><div>The I2C scanner is shown below in figure 2. The scanner software is running on my Arduino UNO R3. There are 4 wires connected to the slave unit.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">+5V is connected to Vin on the slave</div><div style="text-align: left;">GND is connected to GND on the slave</div><div style="text-align: left;">A4 is connected to SDA on the slave</div><div style="text-align: left;">A5 is connected to SCL on the slave</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The UNO is powered via an USB cable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJQbldSJeiAha8XfNMzv0Ygzfr2Mj0dWMXagrfyXazrM6NP1iM-s-M7skRXmVz44LNHHpwOYMyy6QGMxsV_RacUF4ZBFhCncqIrAu3GwUdPfu9zHxz5ubo0nyNYh-X2peuv9PI3YklMA/s1200/I2C-scanner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1200" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJQbldSJeiAha8XfNMzv0Ygzfr2Mj0dWMXagrfyXazrM6NP1iM-s-M7skRXmVz44LNHHpwOYMyy6QGMxsV_RacUF4ZBFhCncqIrAu3GwUdPfu9zHxz5ubo0nyNYh-X2peuv9PI3YklMA/w576-h315/I2C-scanner.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. I2C scanner with Arduino UNO.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDX-58UM65Sb6CH2pdnccER3ExcqvSKg0BDhpAgieOtr5fbhhqsKF1zf3NCF3-QDke8V6a6fI7ipMxuc9yAXLRiXfgi1fbC-SILoVYBaKT5TsnVAe9pTRmSishNjKVn0CnXZrKYE7Y0/s618/I2C-scanner-output.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="618" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDX-58UM65Sb6CH2pdnccER3ExcqvSKg0BDhpAgieOtr5fbhhqsKF1zf3NCF3-QDke8V6a6fI7ipMxuc9yAXLRiXfgi1fbC-SILoVYBaKT5TsnVAe9pTRmSishNjKVn0CnXZrKYE7Y0/w483-h291/I2C-scanner-output.jpg" width="483" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. Output from the I2C-scanner</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Output from the scanner is displayed in the Arduino IDE. Select Tools > Serial Monitor. An example output is shown in figure 3. <br /><br /></div><div>The Arduino I2C address scanner was created by Arbi Abdul Jabbaar and it is described here:</div><div><div><a href="https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/abdularbi17/how-to-scan-i2c-address-in-arduino-eaadda">https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/abdularbi17/how-to-scan-i2c-address-in-arduino-eaadda</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>73 from OZ1BXM Lars</div><div>Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk">oz1bxm.dk</a></div></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-12562288903880207272021-05-01T00:04:00.007-07:002021-07-15T14:03:31.347-07:00DC-receiver 0.1-100 MHz<h2 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2jU4ohheFsRZnorZ7Z3CGpPOqqjITkmdsTlggU_jKBtEmUnIlsf9YiEYoVgobkLct9sV7plvJXRmNUbV9f6zwMCEUYMjxf89mdbabT7S8Yyo8XUN0uUue1q5AggDJ1_IbIrakObILS8/s2048/figur0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2048" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2jU4ohheFsRZnorZ7Z3CGpPOqqjITkmdsTlggU_jKBtEmUnIlsf9YiEYoVgobkLct9sV7plvJXRmNUbV9f6zwMCEUYMjxf89mdbabT7S8Yyo8XUN0uUue1q5AggDJ1_IbIrakObILS8/w400-h289/figur0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 1. DC-receiver seen from the front.</td></tr></tbody></table></h2><p>Building your own equipment is not difficult if you buy ready-made modules and connect them together. I wanted to to build a DC (Direct Conversion) receiver with a broad frequency range. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HwZEAw105cCaa6q47EBu72d2f-G8th6t3oaUJ8M7HGpSSOemNBQAUQ450oZ-zabdtR9oBOeAA_v8vuuHrFoeB_6w3tL4USPl8mZiOX52PEdBzo_Mvf6pAQc0wwlrTWpSuEcdmEKoeRw/s747/figur1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="747" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HwZEAw105cCaa6q47EBu72d2f-G8th6t3oaUJ8M7HGpSSOemNBQAUQ450oZ-zabdtR9oBOeAA_v8vuuHrFoeB_6w3tL4USPl8mZiOX52PEdBzo_Mvf6pAQc0wwlrTWpSuEcdmEKoeRw/w400-h217/figur1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 2. Direct Conversion concept.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The concept of Direct Conversion is shown in figure 2. Four modules make up a SSB/CW receiver, and all modules can be obtained ready-made!</div><div><br /></div><div><u>HF-filters</u> are usually sold as kits or ready-made. I decided to make my own filter using a piece of Veroboard. The filter's circuit diagram and the Veroboard are shown below. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHhkXR2HJGvTYPQXHMu0inB0ASCOAR2OBVZJ6_-SI0VuVsUkcjuy3EvMcH5ZFa6Ld6Qj657FFuD5nLjit41hKrr0VT7FrCN7rtXPQo-s_1Ph-FZJ95AAxrLlKX4KJ2v6yQTNcdNRcrbQ/s713/figur7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="713" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHhkXR2HJGvTYPQXHMu0inB0ASCOAR2OBVZJ6_-SI0VuVsUkcjuy3EvMcH5ZFa6Ld6Qj657FFuD5nLjit41hKrr0VT7FrCN7rtXPQo-s_1Ph-FZJ95AAxrLlKX4KJ2v6yQTNcdNRcrbQ/w400-h180/figur7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 3. The 7 MHz bandpass filter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkCLYPSotPF-xu5fHirhvHDK6ZPXy1PkPIhqWa97UYJJPxo4_QXS6-gTEbdtleLKdg_URGZXE_fOueLGQzlbXTdxWBAFkgyK_SJfrgpnxlmN_OnFnIR0xn7jQRI6_LDN3Rc_0f_uaxRE/s752/figur8.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="752" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkCLYPSotPF-xu5fHirhvHDK6ZPXy1PkPIhqWa97UYJJPxo4_QXS6-gTEbdtleLKdg_URGZXE_fOueLGQzlbXTdxWBAFkgyK_SJfrgpnxlmN_OnFnIR0xn7jQRI6_LDN3Rc_0f_uaxRE/w400-h226/figur8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 4. The filter is build with leaded components on a piece of Veroboard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The <u>mixer</u> is a ready-made board centered around AD831. AD831 is an active, double-balanced mixer from Analog Devices and it runs on 10 V DC at 100 mA. The required LO level is just -10 dBm and max. input on the RF-port is +10 dBm.</div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNA8CjWx9VnFFlnwZ2GlE_4CVC3Ym2tPUV-Esgut_AfWxuyHEHebh7vprNdeGJu09ecWJrxjEHJadfVIpfmiFkFZscJ9w8IZx8REc33C7tztLki0aFmQ9Ys7iBqZ96Rv98xKPARylXaQ/s547/figur9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="547" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNA8CjWx9VnFFlnwZ2GlE_4CVC3Ym2tPUV-Esgut_AfWxuyHEHebh7vprNdeGJu09ecWJrxjEHJadfVIpfmiFkFZscJ9w8IZx8REc33C7tztLki0aFmQ9Ys7iBqZ96Rv98xKPARylXaQ/w400-h333/figur9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 5. Active mixer 0.1 - 500 MHz.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <u>AF-amplifier</u> is the well-known LM386 having 46 dB amplification. I tried to find a modern substitute, but that was difficult. Many audio ICs amplify something like 26 dB, and that is too low for DC-receivers which require 40 dB amplification or more.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hB_g5S9lulhSo_Mzs9QHvS7lizXHwUnGVRJiBlxAiUVVkE6_z8ntdPp98gerh3c3jcbggYarszaUFzSE37RrK1-6_HGnKTR_EHp8WJykP2_i_UDOmLAbPL_qc7pD_fu1_RNkGMv2mRA/s612/figur10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="612" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hB_g5S9lulhSo_Mzs9QHvS7lizXHwUnGVRJiBlxAiUVVkE6_z8ntdPp98gerh3c3jcbggYarszaUFzSE37RrK1-6_HGnKTR_EHp8WJykP2_i_UDOmLAbPL_qc7pD_fu1_RNkGMv2mRA/w400-h263/figur10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 6. AF-amplifier with LM386.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The <u>VFO</u> is the ARDU-5351 kit sold by <a href="http://qrphamradiokits.com">qrphamradiokits.com</a>. The kit includes an OLED display, a rotary encoder, a frequency generator module (Si5351A), and the Arduino Nano. I soldered all parts onto the motherboard except the Nano, which is fitted using sockets. There was no soldering of SMD-components.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSeJl0dz3mOftxJDGz9KRRoibG88ce4sj0gqLhnCn-NWUPO8caO3rJ25IovwXlv6JbehehZ9gaerH3N4uEFZrv9yvRZHgEL0Lv1IfXJ3J92YGBPUR3eRjG7yDfFDD62fMRcpcQj1jeK0/s2048/figur11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSeJl0dz3mOftxJDGz9KRRoibG88ce4sj0gqLhnCn-NWUPO8caO3rJ25IovwXlv6JbehehZ9gaerH3N4uEFZrv9yvRZHgEL0Lv1IfXJ3J92YGBPUR3eRjG7yDfFDD62fMRcpcQj1jeK0/w400-h263/figur11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 7. The VFO kit.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As the VFO output is 7 dBm, I've added a 20 dB attenuator to lower the output and comply with the LO port level of the active mixer.</p><p>Components for power distribution and the S-meter rectifier are fitted on a piece of Veroboard as shown in figure 8 below.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSMB6CKNez25VJG_5_F_x0Di3ZZ5d_GJkYrfGDuPx73HnSpwybBr7J2NkT6QDB-xZdltK2NqrsBhKsMpH36T_PbpWc51RrHEpRLWaPRplhqK9RNFdsazrH7RuqBwrpRwP3kC52TSxxxo/s2585/figur14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="2585" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSMB6CKNez25VJG_5_F_x0Di3ZZ5d_GJkYrfGDuPx73HnSpwybBr7J2NkT6QDB-xZdltK2NqrsBhKsMpH36T_PbpWc51RrHEpRLWaPRplhqK9RNFdsazrH7RuqBwrpRwP3kC52TSxxxo/w400-h189/figur14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 8. The 10 V power supply and the S-meter rectifier.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E0DqLOFu542Zy4yvEUL2EYIaZOxfWFg3_8gJKHg67NBDwfP8WCfV0tXq2PzwvRXgito63LanLFpyse3iQ-mp9wzEM5BkUkOF_Ww7r-fsuREaPbBJTe9zB1H0mgmP9fwrp5KJt0Xm7yE/s1441/figur5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1441" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E0DqLOFu542Zy4yvEUL2EYIaZOxfWFg3_8gJKHg67NBDwfP8WCfV0tXq2PzwvRXgito63LanLFpyse3iQ-mp9wzEM5BkUkOF_Ww7r-fsuREaPbBJTe9zB1H0mgmP9fwrp5KJt0Xm7yE/w400-h219/figur5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 9. Circuit diagram.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All modules are fitted into a metal enclosure which I acquired from Conrad Electronics (item 522953). The enclosure's front is seen in figure 1 above, and the rear is seen in figure 10 below. Figure 11 shows the open enclosure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp_Ln1Zunt34GUJZAzvjXeuin0r05dDWCtPZmA2sz4PZqbhyq1DS_HSUTost7u7fX6_eTflusgVEocO5LG15wSSmiRMjSYQE7Q2TX4kQd3ado8GSZ_HeLSOPpPTPn0XeewzuZTC96Nlo/s2048/figur18.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp_Ln1Zunt34GUJZAzvjXeuin0r05dDWCtPZmA2sz4PZqbhyq1DS_HSUTost7u7fX6_eTflusgVEocO5LG15wSSmiRMjSYQE7Q2TX4kQd3ado8GSZ_HeLSOPpPTPn0XeewzuZTC96Nlo/w400-h288/figur18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 10. Rear side of the DC-receiver.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsLZm6juS5qumGxbXQ9Z3WAcgLbFJ2FoeQzgkJznpfA3buzvXzWVDVFGGCmKLGC0utURcXHimU1hJyIn2mqVGmeUdVFCAg-OqkuJmKBzHzs99567rpfBeq5oskDR27sM9qZoLy3OAsSA/s2048/figur19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsLZm6juS5qumGxbXQ9Z3WAcgLbFJ2FoeQzgkJznpfA3buzvXzWVDVFGGCmKLGC0utURcXHimU1hJyIn2mqVGmeUdVFCAg-OqkuJmKBzHzs99567rpfBeq5oskDR27sM9qZoLy3OAsSA/w400-h246/figur19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 11. The DC-receiver with lid removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Vy 73 from OZ1BXM Lars</p><p>Homepage: http://oz1bxm.dk/ </p></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-15831443018143348662020-12-29T02:45:00.003-08:002020-12-29T08:18:29.338-08:00One-valve transmitter for 7 MHz<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjJVe2ehEvmMxwmfVbfPOnpGymG82GZhGUihexoDTtld73-6H4Ckj0LnYxyC1ujXlo25RRu4NjWoBVxGu7atk2a6Ud3Y8UPz64W0RkTe6IQgB_4at-IGfz6Y0G1or-6nT2VBDHpz-n-8/s1200/figur1_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1200" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjJVe2ehEvmMxwmfVbfPOnpGymG82GZhGUihexoDTtld73-6H4Ckj0LnYxyC1ujXlo25RRu4NjWoBVxGu7atk2a6Ud3Y8UPz64W0RkTe6IQgB_4at-IGfz6Y0G1or-6nT2VBDHpz-n-8/w540-h397/figur1_1200.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 1. Valve transmitter.</i></div><div><br /></div>Building this transmitter was inspired by an article in "Popular Electronics" 2/1955. The circuit diagram is simple, and the valve (6AQ5) can still be purchased. So I decided to build the project.<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgxz7iSTMyDPpA5xKC3cTj3H7HQ708Fx0KCE1gFHn76mR0vgvJGwHQpAGDi1O8z2crKsb43XgbN8wClEoyM4cNxNLaOi6jIxJHmFdVKTD7x3WsXJuk660-up-zhIcN51qOZma-EeBuiE/s1261/figur4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1261" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgxz7iSTMyDPpA5xKC3cTj3H7HQ708Fx0KCE1gFHn76mR0vgvJGwHQpAGDi1O8z2crKsb43XgbN8wClEoyM4cNxNLaOi6jIxJHmFdVKTD7x3WsXJuk660-up-zhIcN51qOZma-EeBuiE/w584-h356/figur4.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 2. Circuit diagram.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I find the circuit diagram clever. C6 and L3 are mounted on top of the chassis, and may be touched by the operator. However, the B+ voltage is neither available at the variable capacitor C6 nor at the coil L3. This is because C5 isolates the two components from B+, and they are both grounded. This precaution increases electrical safety.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">High voltage is present at the bottom of the chassis. I decided to cover all components with high-voltage by plexiglass to avoid danger of electrical shock. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TDnuWCiCbHeEfzrMbU1VuWsCJ5_hH1ANONIOFQWidH-4zWFr0PJuTjVQ7OOL8PFoRu5YyiT1NJ7AhMM_hNlRwg3FPSJRVLXuudy54Y6IlgzskjBwb1AgPJTevjZ86PWRr5Ngu9kZLao/s1200/figur14_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1200" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TDnuWCiCbHeEfzrMbU1VuWsCJ5_hH1ANONIOFQWidH-4zWFr0PJuTjVQ7OOL8PFoRu5YyiT1NJ7AhMM_hNlRwg3FPSJRVLXuudy54Y6IlgzskjBwb1AgPJTevjZ86PWRr5Ngu9kZLao/w449-h414/figur14_1200.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><i>Fig. 3. Top view.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oCMFsYEZhS_Qf2dhMVq4A_gYraNOP2xxWTvEk-zsMdOqo_9pvqA1QZHJyZkN14Xqm5g3Z2vJS5YnxoNLoDUfTCeF3HGk3Syfu7fQkckv0ZidLdGiEA8b13Ic0WS27-UhQLX-iWeNCy8/s1200/figur11_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1200" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oCMFsYEZhS_Qf2dhMVq4A_gYraNOP2xxWTvEk-zsMdOqo_9pvqA1QZHJyZkN14Xqm5g3Z2vJS5YnxoNLoDUfTCeF3HGk3Syfu7fQkckv0ZidLdGiEA8b13Ic0WS27-UhQLX-iWeNCy8/w450-h395/figur11_1200.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><i>Fig. 4. Bottom view. Note the plexiglass walls. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The power supply is unregulated. When current is drawn during transmit, the B+ goes down from 215 V to 185 V, and this reduces the transmitter output to 2 W.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHYEDjVTXlBe54Tu-Uhvxw0mVg340Jo79ae_9QBxOzGE1HnxHg4YpLV9V4FcSS_I1X7PEz0rxirIMfA0yFczr28dNLg23FXrqX55cyroj866hAeAmapvkRCENoiCZIks4kmQDNL8zDt8/s1352/figur9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1352" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHYEDjVTXlBe54Tu-Uhvxw0mVg340Jo79ae_9QBxOzGE1HnxHg4YpLV9V4FcSS_I1X7PEz0rxirIMfA0yFczr28dNLg23FXrqX55cyroj866hAeAmapvkRCENoiCZIks4kmQDNL8zDt8/w606-h169/figur9.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 5. Power supply for the transmitter.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish you a happy New Year, and hope for better times next year without corona-virus!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">73 OZ1BXM Lars</div><div style="text-align: left;">Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk">oz1bxm.dk</a></div> <p></p></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-20195464428058926692020-10-06T03:13:00.011-07:002020-12-15T02:18:01.624-08:00Replacing Network Time with BktTimeSync<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">I've used Network Time about 6 months. However, the PC clock deviation could be 500 ms or more during a day. This amount of drift is not acceptable - digital modes like JT65 and FT8 require less than 100 ms deviation in order to run smoothly.</p><p style="text-align: left;">A <a href="https://www.n1rwy.org/?p=565" target="_blank">blog post</a> by N1RWY directed me to BktTimeSync by IZ2BKT Capelli Mauro.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Main page and software download: <a href="https://www.maniaradio.it/en/bkttimesync.html" target="_blank">BktTimeSync</a> <br />Alternative page for download: <a href="https://bkttimesync.software.informer.com/" target="_blank">https://bkttimesync.software.informer.com/</a></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxUO2kuU2J08uTmn3DSN2b57Dmvu0Vf68pfGtebC3uWNd9iHxgD3owroc9D-sm9WEh985_JCenhqNmlnrH_hp5k0gEfohTycBTUOwqcw8nyHnM2U7tA9ewl39dCPm0R09K8H_q9XFeIo/s607/BktTimeSync-dump.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="607" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxUO2kuU2J08uTmn3DSN2b57Dmvu0Vf68pfGtebC3uWNd9iHxgD3owroc9D-sm9WEh985_JCenhqNmlnrH_hp5k0gEfohTycBTUOwqcw8nyHnM2U7tA9ewl39dCPm0R09K8H_q9XFeIo/w422-h404/BktTimeSync-dump.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 1. </i><i>BktTimeSync c</i><i>onfiguration. </i></div><p></p><p>My configuration is shown in figure 1. Note that connecting to an NTP-server works only if the PC firewall allows traffic on port 123. "GPS Configuration" is not filled in as I don't use a GPS device as time source.</p><p>BktTimeSync should run automatically when the PC starts up. How to add an app to run automatically at startup in Windows 10 is described by <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4558286/windows-10-add-an-app-to-run-automatically-at-startup" target="_blank">Microsoft support</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38HQgg2EWy62u0JDq7J9JWTe1_y4v4Q1HtAGwweaDQCFFBAkcU1NkuYo8a_eXTQpCcff51GKiRUdMy-aOD3uByfc3UnTTDbohowzSf5smlgu3eIkX-tv63H3IrxVNOQb1RR0mrU1YQX8/s866/eksakt-tid-TIME-IS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="866" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38HQgg2EWy62u0JDq7J9JWTe1_y4v4Q1HtAGwweaDQCFFBAkcU1NkuYo8a_eXTQpCcff51GKiRUdMy-aOD3uByfc3UnTTDbohowzSf5smlgu3eIkX-tv63H3IrxVNOQb1RR0mrU1YQX8/w453-h232/eksakt-tid-TIME-IS.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 2. Message from time.is: You have the exact time!</i></p><p>Checking your PC clock can be done by visiting <a href="http://time.is" target="_blank">time.is</a>. You'll discover if your PC clock is off. Figure 2 shows, that my PC clock has the exact time, and the deviation is just 6 ms.</p><p>I hope BktTimeSync will continue its excellent timekeeping on my PC!</p><p><u>Note december 2020</u>: BktTimeSync is still running on my Win 10 PC. System time is updated every 20 min via europe.pool.nt.org. I am satisfied with it's performance.</p><p>73 OZ1BXM Lars</p><p>Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk" target="_blank">oz1bxm.dk</a></p>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-83960948459757984222020-09-27T02:18:00.004-07:002020-09-28T14:38:38.204-07:00New 23 cm transverter from SG-LABMy new 23 cm transverter comprises a transverter module and a PA module. Both modules came fully assembled and tested from <a href="http://sg-lab.com/TR1300/tr1300.html" target="_blank">SG-LAB</a> in Bulgaria. The transverter version is 2.3. It has an optional input port for a GSPDO (10 MHz).<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUdZxlJJUOmr52u8Ly0RkBQ_0N3TCEkokbbeR54iOnOUliMcBmLPOmH_144wi6XuMly9GMRMr9QDqiLE3bkD9SED-JDesOARfeEx6vyOwskaTvfdiJxPqJugKGkFVZ_0MM_hTkAYaNzU/s1382/23-cm-transverter-blocks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1382" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUdZxlJJUOmr52u8Ly0RkBQ_0N3TCEkokbbeR54iOnOUliMcBmLPOmH_144wi6XuMly9GMRMr9QDqiLE3bkD9SED-JDesOARfeEx6vyOwskaTvfdiJxPqJugKGkFVZ_0MM_hTkAYaNzU/w500-h299/23-cm-transverter-blocks.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Fig. 1. 23 cm transverter block diagram.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The transverter's IF is 144 MHz. RF output is 1296-1298 MHz at 2 W which is raised to 25 W using the PA. Both units have two multi-color LEDs on the front:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Input power LED</li><li>Output SWR LED</li></ul></div><div>When a LED is green, all is well. Yellow means warning, and red means a dangerous condition. Figure 2 below shows "all well" on the PA module to the right. The transverter LEDs display yellow and green. The reason for yellow is low input power. This is necessary not to overload the PA module. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoStgPtOnMccFSivIdb59ylwLqJfWnpfBLNNRc2AXKjBkq890S9M7QjgCiAFykFphIsjD9iSNiWKPAHKa0GpwXbiZ1xPqxADHRbqMXwNhrIlzdRbJKGl4wT-o68wOiizwqX-bL1uXe38/s1200/LEDs_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1200" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoStgPtOnMccFSivIdb59ylwLqJfWnpfBLNNRc2AXKjBkq890S9M7QjgCiAFykFphIsjD9iSNiWKPAHKa0GpwXbiZ1xPqxADHRbqMXwNhrIlzdRbJKGl4wT-o68wOiizwqX-bL1uXe38/w397-h237/LEDs_1200.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 2. LED indications on transverter and PA during transmit.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div>The IF-transceiver is Yaesu FT-847. It has a STBY port on the rear panel which goes low during TX. The STBY port is connected to the transverter's PTT port via a coax-cable. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvTxRAV6h3GA3ZjAX3Po4yIiSx6JyfIykGUIr_dDgyX1B6ZyLUlhZFY2KgYNSg1mQlTA7f_WI01OT4sZPJKPEWGRjUijjSVMDxZM0ffn5tr3DWmc35kuekSh1MSBL7gppJ3OBwBwCPhg/s750/23cm-transverter_ovenfra_750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="750" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvTxRAV6h3GA3ZjAX3Po4yIiSx6JyfIykGUIr_dDgyX1B6ZyLUlhZFY2KgYNSg1mQlTA7f_WI01OT4sZPJKPEWGRjUijjSVMDxZM0ffn5tr3DWmc35kuekSh1MSBL7gppJ3OBwBwCPhg/w391-h249/23cm-transverter_ovenfra_750.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />Fig. 3. Transverter and PA inside the alu-box. </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Figure 3 shows the transverter and the PA mounted inside a Hammond 1550J alu-box. The RF ports on both modules are fitted with SMA-female connectors. The modules are interconnected with short pieces of RG316D cable having SMA-male connectors. </div><div><br /></div><div>The PA module becomes warm, but not hot during transmit. The PA module contains a pre-amp with 10 dB gain and NF 0.8 dB.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGL1kTW-F5vWu4N77pVwIvDUMCtidxBBImPlibZAeujMHQLbvGmKPjWZRYBcDfH_WrFzG8SVYgZkYX58C5nCeeQ2nRHAKFcfUWlooJzm2piDJnWBVMxN5wr0M6ga0wB-62jPVnF1LIXc/s1200/3-antennas-sept-2020_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1200" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGL1kTW-F5vWu4N77pVwIvDUMCtidxBBImPlibZAeujMHQLbvGmKPjWZRYBcDfH_WrFzG8SVYgZkYX58C5nCeeQ2nRHAKFcfUWlooJzm2piDJnWBVMxN5wr0M6ga0wB-62jPVnF1LIXc/w424-h317/3-antennas-sept-2020_1200.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fig. 4. The transverter is mounted below the 23 cm antenna.</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The water-proof alu-box containing the transverter is mounted below the 23 cm antenna (fig. 4). The middle antenna is a 10-element yagi for 70 cm, and the lower antenna is a 6-element yagi for the 2 meter band.</div></div></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-6638508610868337672020-07-16T12:40:00.015-07:002020-07-16T15:23:08.846-07:00Receiving 23 cm beacons portableLast Saturday, I collected my 14 element yagi for 23 cm, my MKU13G2B Kuhne transverter, and my 144 MHz IF radio (Kenwood TR-751E). A rechargable 12 V battery, a camping table and a folding chair was also included.<div>
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I went to Trehoje JO46HE which is 102 m ASL. I wanted to listen for Danish 23 cm beacons. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT7tBVA9OKz9tM5GNhCowRn7y2v6pMZmr1_VzSbxJfPl-guCpHa5tHSEOjHJYB4EA5_onDhe3NggOEoD1PDkToH_tppkHJxlNdYW6RdIR85p_rjZu8VTcEU4vfZqkfHnl3qwe0x_wtJQ/s1600/Portable-Trehoje.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT7tBVA9OKz9tM5GNhCowRn7y2v6pMZmr1_VzSbxJfPl-guCpHa5tHSEOjHJYB4EA5_onDhe3NggOEoD1PDkToH_tppkHJxlNdYW6RdIR85p_rjZu8VTcEU4vfZqkfHnl3qwe0x_wtJQ/s400/Portable-Trehoje.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 23 cm portable rig at Trehoje JO46HE.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The nearest beacon is OZ5SHF in JO45VX, 76 km away. The signal was stronger than I had anticipated: S9. The beacon is at 205 m ASL, and that certainly helps propagating a strong signal! You can hear my audio recording of OZ5SHF:</div>
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<a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/1296/OZ5SHF-2020-07-11.mp3" target="_blank">OZ5SHF audio</a></div>
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Beacon OZ7IGY in JO55WM is 216 km away. The signal was weak, but I could hear the PI4-tones. If I had brought my laptop, I would have been able to detect the PI4-signal using the sound card and the PI-RX program. </div>
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<div>The beacon OZ1UHF 162 km away was very weak. I could hear it, but not read the morse code.</div>
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Next step is to become QRV on 23 cm transmit from my home QTH.</div>
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73 from OZ1BXM <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a></div>
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Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-67465876513187518542020-05-18T04:53:00.001-07:002020-05-18T07:28:26.425-07:00Noisy PC Speakers - and a SolutionMy PC-speakers are pretty standard: A pair of Creative A50 powered with 5 V DC from an USB-port.<br />
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I noticed noise coming from the speakers, when no audio signal was present. Changing USB-port did not help. I seemed like my USB ports were noise polluted! When I connected a power-bank (lithium-ion battery) to the speakers, the noise disappeared, but during pauses in the audio, the power-bank shut itself down!<br />
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I decided to build a noisefree 5 V DC PSU using a transformer with iron core and a 7805 which has 68 dB ripple rejection and low output noise. The 7805 is thermal overload protected and short-circuit protected. I had all parts laying around, so the building cost was nil.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj3p9zEEGfFlzaWP101CV106Gkv9rTmUYfNJ-C7DjUVb4oruUODWo3FXSm10MSDm39Ta6CGMX4Z27S1r3YQZwPaP3xQhUialcQskHnHNH7jjxHoKbww_gnrAn6Gt1GEYcyjFdVAwhDs8/s1600/speakers-PSU1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj3p9zEEGfFlzaWP101CV106Gkv9rTmUYfNJ-C7DjUVb4oruUODWo3FXSm10MSDm39Ta6CGMX4Z27S1r3YQZwPaP3xQhUialcQskHnHNH7jjxHoKbww_gnrAn6Gt1GEYcyjFdVAwhDs8/s400/speakers-PSU1.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figur 1. The noisefree PSU.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2rnjB7LUBNbkuOlsoQ7svPb5alustoyNPwfOH0RwvEv18zpemZb13T70x084rEg1xk_ElyTefwd0YSTBuluUFNNi14YsHvuJZraaYqBl4vGweeZNc7A41dzOffqsfCGlrpY9E3Dq-L8/s1600/PSU-inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1200" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2rnjB7LUBNbkuOlsoQ7svPb5alustoyNPwfOH0RwvEv18zpemZb13T70x084rEg1xk_ElyTefwd0YSTBuluUFNNi14YsHvuJZraaYqBl4vGweeZNc7A41dzOffqsfCGlrpY9E3Dq-L8/s400/PSU-inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. Noisefree PSU with open lid.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBJ3Rtrlczvq3plynGEVlrJJBdUnDjCZfbyiCVZXX4yiZCeOSNcOP4aYD7PyISREtGwo1c5RQo75bo-te7P95v8e8-lpuVZ1-7hnl9ZtF3rO1MrfBOtNV56eUY60d9Ts4eIev1xNG0Yw/s1600/AC-trafo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBJ3Rtrlczvq3plynGEVlrJJBdUnDjCZfbyiCVZXX4yiZCeOSNcOP4aYD7PyISREtGwo1c5RQo75bo-te7P95v8e8-lpuVZ1-7hnl9ZtF3rO1MrfBOtNV56eUY60d9Ts4eIev1xNG0Yw/s400/AC-trafo.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. AC Adaptor. </td></tr>
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Figure 3 shows the transformer which is an old AC adapter with iron core. It is heavier than modern AC adapters! The advantage: no switching technology is involved!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRaGcwHd2sQk-rVA-Fja3dhOP9_UvKfQx95DgmxX0duDxrYgWYE3YtzampkaEbSrwU9j8EkYHlyZ_LqO4XfEYsiE2lr5KjWRE_vcDmiLKfRIekyi0NCpO-1HwqfTy0TRZtL3Tq8Y8fBg/s1600/5V+DC+PSU.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="1240" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRaGcwHd2sQk-rVA-Fja3dhOP9_UvKfQx95DgmxX0duDxrYgWYE3YtzampkaEbSrwU9j8EkYHlyZ_LqO4XfEYsiE2lr5KjWRE_vcDmiLKfRIekyi0NCpO-1HwqfTy0TRZtL3Tq8Y8fBg/s400/5V+DC+PSU.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 4. Circuit diagram.</td></tr>
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The rectifier bridge is an integrated piece, but four discrete 1 A diodes can be used as well. I found C1, C2, and 7805 in the drawer. The circuit board has holes and solder islands, but no tracks. Figure 5 shows how the component wires are connected on the bottom side. The alu-cabinet is Hammond 1590A.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh3345swBX9rUIzhj6Vlhzyks97JrQx-Fvk9veDrGwrxOGVjb1wKWolPaeyfo7WNWKn4ItWbA-RvZwVuBkGmjER7ywNfCdBMM6KrnPMxJRU54jWa6CziPi4MdbsRlJQmINyvS8h4bNYk/s1600/PSU-nedefra1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="655" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh3345swBX9rUIzhj6Vlhzyks97JrQx-Fvk9veDrGwrxOGVjb1wKWolPaeyfo7WNWKn4ItWbA-RvZwVuBkGmjER7ywNfCdBMM6KrnPMxJRU54jWa6CziPi4MdbsRlJQmINyvS8h4bNYk/s400/PSU-nedefra1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 5. The circuit board seen from the bottom.</td></tr>
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The PC speaker's power consumption is low. The noisefree PSU does not get warm at all.<br />
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Now I can enjoy music and speech without background noise - and a good feeling of having improved something!<br />
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73 from OZ1BXM<br />
My homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk</a><br />
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Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-9005107118929600112020-03-24T23:28:00.000-07:002020-03-28T16:59:26.526-07:00Replacing Meinberg NTP with Network Time I purchased a new PC last month with Windows 10 preinstalled. The Windows specs are shown in figure 1.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6QRD3FeYuYjP5h4imlVrBYVGm6PeMgNdtTO_wQ1hFMFX0t3XCB6japxkZ7Hi6ViuVKBe93UMbY2gGS0Emg3xmB959iZSpq65KdxPVRFu4JT0FFcLr14txz5DiBiQEeRu9zwyNy7T9pg/s1600/new-windows10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6QRD3FeYuYjP5h4imlVrBYVGm6PeMgNdtTO_wQ1hFMFX0t3XCB6japxkZ7Hi6ViuVKBe93UMbY2gGS0Emg3xmB959iZSpq65KdxPVRFu4JT0FFcLr14txz5DiBiQEeRu9zwyNy7T9pg/s1600/new-windows10.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Figure 1. My new Windows 10.</i></div>
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I had problems after I installed <a href="https://www.meinbergglobal.com/english/sw/ntp.htm" target="_blank">Meinberg NTP</a>. Whenever I booted the PC, the system clock was set by Meinberg, but then time discipline was lost. After some hours, the system clock could deviate as much as 1 sec. It seemed like Meinberg could not control the system time. I worked with this problem for a while, and then I decided to uninstall Meinberg NTP and try another piece of software for time control.<br />
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I need accurate time keeping because I'm using weak signal digital protocols in amateur radio. A time deviation of less than 100 ms is required with JT65. I use JT65 when I'm bouncing radio signals off the Moon and back to Earth (distance 800,000 km).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfF_07uTw9CtC_Z47SLuCN4cyOhAbztiV00vq1aZg8CgaRD0m9jDHClDV5FviI40tx95mufY5W4v-cHyNzNkw4PxcLnCeJt2A-zlENrRb1qvrzNa-a-o7MqPmCFGDpIXutdXO6-uJBUc/s1600/network-time-screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="509" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfF_07uTw9CtC_Z47SLuCN4cyOhAbztiV00vq1aZg8CgaRD0m9jDHClDV5FviI40tx95mufY5W4v-cHyNzNkw4PxcLnCeJt2A-zlENrRb1qvrzNa-a-o7MqPmCFGDpIXutdXO6-uJBUc/s400/network-time-screen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Figure 2. Network Time.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.timesynctool.com/" target="_blank">Network Time</a> was easy to install, and it worked right away. Under "Settings" I set "Update Interval" to 20 minutes because I wanted frequent updates. Remaining options were left at the factory settings.<br />
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Before installing Network Time I opened UDP port 123 (inbound/outbound) in Windows Defender Firewall. This port is used by the NTP (Network Time Protocol). I named the rule "UDP-port-123-time1", see figure 3.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR_hHHsYiFuwaQ_Ixt68Iqpr0TBQmEAfeGFrbA9zFyZBuYcTUHtYOAY-tgL4J4JFqQ2960CtgbObqonkB17B4hiDwvW2yRjpGYEX6IoggSZsUXLtrYZwiiOptcdOqtAy_Gr7bHx7Tmz0/s1600/UDP-port123-time1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="101" data-original-width="609" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR_hHHsYiFuwaQ_Ixt68Iqpr0TBQmEAfeGFrbA9zFyZBuYcTUHtYOAY-tgL4J4JFqQ2960CtgbObqonkB17B4hiDwvW2yRjpGYEX6IoggSZsUXLtrYZwiiOptcdOqtAy_Gr7bHx7Tmz0/s400/UDP-port123-time1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Figure 3 Windows Defender Firewall (Windows 10).</i></div>
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I changed "Set the time automatically" from On to Off as shown in figure 4. This tells Windows not to use W32time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aZwNykvb3NzDdr5K3wsceV6WGevuu0YVQ4QoXX-VocPKbe6hUuf3_zVY738sbpVk4PafyV7gsPmWQZftVki5S_g0hDFW3-LjbTxl1aczgLdh76jR_SU1DryraUPboYl59Ljpj_x1Lhc/s1600/set-data-time-off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aZwNykvb3NzDdr5K3wsceV6WGevuu0YVQ4QoXX-VocPKbe6hUuf3_zVY738sbpVk4PafyV7gsPmWQZftVki5S_g0hDFW3-LjbTxl1aczgLdh76jR_SU1DryraUPboYl59Ljpj_x1Lhc/s1600/set-data-time-off.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Figure 4. Date and Time (Windows 10).</i></div>
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You can check the accuracy of your computer clock by <a href="https://time.is/" target="_blank">visiting this page</a>.<br />
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Vy 73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/" target="_blank">oz1bxm.dk</a>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-589421821066641052020-02-12T22:19:00.002-08:002021-04-27T11:07:53.789-07:002 GHz Spectrum Analyzer with SDRplaySDRplay RSP1A can be used as a spectrum analyzer between 1 kHz and 2 GHz. "RSP Spectrum Analyser" is free Windows software developed for this purpose. "RSP Spectrum Analyser" can be downloaded from the <a href="https://www.sdrplay.com/" target="_blank">SDRplay website</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm9NNtB-zt-spbxQLbwDp3l1jybe-BDHZru_dAUsXa0PdhwAQstzvvaaS20kdYWCeS-hZAuzmUvfoQ8oDlCfqCHfXK1YZyTvYP_NwoJIMv7mwS3YLee35CmtwCkHHsUF2IyyE23au1Gc/s1600/SDRPlay-med-attenuator_800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="800" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm9NNtB-zt-spbxQLbwDp3l1jybe-BDHZru_dAUsXa0PdhwAQstzvvaaS20kdYWCeS-hZAuzmUvfoQ8oDlCfqCHfXK1YZyTvYP_NwoJIMv7mwS3YLee35CmtwCkHHsUF2IyyE23au1Gc/s400/SDRPlay-med-attenuator_800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. SDRplay RSP1A with a 20 dB attenuator.</td></tr>
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I wanted to test a Pierce crystal oscillator. The circuit diagram is shown in figure 2. I've built the oscillator on a piece of Veroboard using leaded components. The crystal frequency is 7.030 MHz.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX99zkdxiXR2L-vlwWB1NPuZJt059k73EPP1QPtWsX1YTd8i-0lr3QQ0irH7bbyw6cIaClQ7Hklf3jzXRazO0lUv4TKxJKXtARXiFLf5nD5_btef2SP11j-wzFNFks5xSKilgffBvo2c/s1600/Pierce+oscillator+%252B7dBm+out+12V.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="450" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX99zkdxiXR2L-vlwWB1NPuZJt059k73EPP1QPtWsX1YTd8i-0lr3QQ0irH7bbyw6cIaClQ7Hklf3jzXRazO0lUv4TKxJKXtARXiFLf5nD5_btef2SP11j-wzFNFks5xSKilgffBvo2c/s320/Pierce+oscillator+%252B7dBm+out+12V.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. Pierce crystal oscillator.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jdRIi_ahlVmskoLVaG_SHsExsRLqpbdFcuo3eUtWfUE87Fl1dCPyRhLeXdo5v0q4BDmsPNDPgBlHtX11h742TjOQwVsuw38CF9U8yUkeBWkYH2rbYIhTxrHnPukxdjC2d3dnJInWOOs/s1600/maaleopstilling1-800-bogstaver.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="800" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jdRIi_ahlVmskoLVaG_SHsExsRLqpbdFcuo3eUtWfUE87Fl1dCPyRhLeXdo5v0q4BDmsPNDPgBlHtX11h742TjOQwVsuw38CF9U8yUkeBWkYH2rbYIhTxrHnPukxdjC2d3dnJInWOOs/s400/maaleopstilling1-800-bogstaver.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. Measuring the crystal oscillator.</td></tr>
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The different items are connected as shown in figure 3. A is the crystal oscillator. B is an active probe; it has no amplification but Zin is 10 Mohm and Cin is 0.5 pF. C is a 50 ohm coax cable. D is an 20 dB attenuator. E is SDRplay, and F is the USB-cable connecting SDRplay to a Windows PC.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6Q8DZwKdymzC9UysR-8JvoJq-Cu1tp5VzcFZ6OeLddQ8KenwjIV0yt5x7plBJ_Dx5VrBBXhAwh-ZCmf7KUl9jJOYQpj7-YYlzWAg7YXL-ZpU4BC4PNtP420ieyriJrEhnRWlDZZllLM/s1600/5-25-MHz-alle-signaler-markeret.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="698" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6Q8DZwKdymzC9UysR-8JvoJq-Cu1tp5VzcFZ6OeLddQ8KenwjIV0yt5x7plBJ_Dx5VrBBXhAwh-ZCmf7KUl9jJOYQpj7-YYlzWAg7YXL-ZpU4BC4PNtP420ieyriJrEhnRWlDZZllLM/s400/5-25-MHz-alle-signaler-markeret.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 4. Screen-dump from RSP Spectrum Analyzer.</td></tr>
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The screen-dump in figure 4 shows a 5-25 MHz sweep. On the vertical axis, the reference level is 0 dBm and the lowest level is -80 dBm. Spike A is the fundamental frequency, C is the 2nd harmonic at 14 MHz and E is the 3rd harmonic at 21 MHz. The remaining spikes are B, which is a spurious signal, D is a real signal, and F is a spurious signal from the SDRplay clock at 24 MHz. Spike F can be removed be activating "clock spur removal". </div>
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Another example is measuring a band-pass filter for 1090 MHz. I connected a noise generator in front of the filter in order to create an input signal. The RSPplay was connected to the filter's output, and no attenuator was used this time (the noise signal is weak and should not be attenuated). </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZA09Pq4P6KiTKSOTd0sHX0DIy9-IgW8bwkN1cxY88SFzzp3rV0mG5eCXnR-hv1IyMdD1-eWeFKUwYOgg5R18n-4pLZzgLK1fSqp6-VkOzdzcXJijEsBGCNEsjYtbVoa7uIDodsh4ZbU/s1600/ADS-filter-kurve.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="698" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZA09Pq4P6KiTKSOTd0sHX0DIy9-IgW8bwkN1cxY88SFzzp3rV0mG5eCXnR-hv1IyMdD1-eWeFKUwYOgg5R18n-4pLZzgLK1fSqp6-VkOzdzcXJijEsBGCNEsjYtbVoa7uIDodsh4ZbU/s320/ADS-filter-kurve.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 5. Measuring a band-pass filter.</td></tr>
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The reference level in figure 5 is -40 dBm, and the lowest level is -120 dBm. The sweep is 1000-1200 MHz. The filter curve is clearly visible. </div>
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I've had much fun running SDRplay as a spectrum analyzer. The RSP Spectrum Analyzer software works excellently. For the radio amateur and the hobbyist, SDRplay is an acceptable alternative to dedicated (and expensive) spectrum analyzers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Update april 2021</u>: I've had problems running the new Spectrum Analyzer V1.1 software on my Windows 10 Home computer. Going back to release 1.04 solved the problem. You can <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/sandrew_spectrum_installer_1.04b.exe.zip" target="_blank">download release 1.04</a> from my homepage. </div>
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73 from OZ1BXM Lars</div>
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Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a></div>
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<br /></div>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-62322091408981635152019-12-21T11:32:00.000-08:002019-12-21T11:33:09.520-08:00Doublet multi-band antennaFor many years, I've used a lazy loop antenna for the HF-bands, and it has served me well. I've used it for working the difficult zones for WAZ. This antenna has - literally speaking - worked the world!<br />
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Now I've decided to return to an old favorite: The center-fed doublet antenna. From 1991 to 1996 this antenna helped me work many Carribbean stations on CW with 20 W output. In order to complete my QRP-DXCC award, I need QRP QSOs from that part of the world. That is the main reason for reverting to this antenna type. My present lazy-loop antenna is not strong into that part of the world.</div>
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Center-feeding a wire antenna is a big advantage, because it can be forced to work on (nearly) any frequency. Even though the antenna is resonant in the 40 meter band (7.0 - 7.1 MHz), the 80 meter band (3.5-3.8 MHz) can be covered using an antenna tuner.</div>
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The antenna dimensions are those of a 40 meter dipole:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r1wMRcw7fIsn-oZ-MpdCmZHkiq19wgeEkwha5WmDXPco_BmiJoJHr1oINEkbzvlSWKkvdc2F207EJw_2miGJB3McD68g9xOPZUPB_uL6ExQ5wLc3GyUB6NaV0gIiD1fqZ3q_LfXaEpU/s1600/doublet-40m.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="830" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r1wMRcw7fIsn-oZ-MpdCmZHkiq19wgeEkwha5WmDXPco_BmiJoJHr1oINEkbzvlSWKkvdc2F207EJw_2miGJB3McD68g9xOPZUPB_uL6ExQ5wLc3GyUB6NaV0gIiD1fqZ3q_LfXaEpU/s400/doublet-40m.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Doublet wire antenna (resonant in the 40 m band).</i></div>
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I'll let you know how this antenna works.<br />
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Merry Christmas and Happy new year!<br />
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OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a> </div>
Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-572949287762289942019-09-05T00:43:00.001-07:002019-09-05T15:18:12.008-07:00Connecting fldigi to a WebSDR This post explains how I connected Fldigi to a WebSDR on a Windows 10 computer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgK0BODXUdbgsZfTMAQG4Pd1w-_ZWe4jn9rMn2Wp6smOk5X0Hi90fKzIMMMv82QFDuUWW5KKMVIrSMZBHX7952WLlnuyRoNgyR7z1yq1s9tX1mYETf3jmbykPMML9gkRPMtjNCmrmXbk/s1600/Goonhilly-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="98" data-original-width="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgK0BODXUdbgsZfTMAQG4Pd1w-_ZWe4jn9rMn2Wp6smOk5X0Hi90fKzIMMMv82QFDuUWW5KKMVIrSMZBHX7952WLlnuyRoNgyR7z1yq1s9tX1mYETf3jmbykPMML9gkRPMtjNCmrmXbk/s1600/Goonhilly-logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 1. Goonhilly logo.</i></div>
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<a href="https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/" target="_blank">Qatar-OSCAR 100 Narrowband WebSDR</a> is an excellent receiver! It is located at Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, England. This WebSDR offers different modes, variable bandwidth, fine tuning, waterfall display, spectrum display, zoom function, and so on. Why not use this WebSDR for receiving digital signals from the QO-100 satellite and decoding them in <a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/" target="_blank">fldigi</a>?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgxgSA4yeXn7-RIuTpBj-wDdSf9SuwZ76p5MHt4gPxSl3p538kb2LmnWPg8beCJuZq7iHTC8iVpegCHzDHb8GPl5dqIjUswEsZH4BE18xZ-GniGS5UaI_PkgMu7xHMiIc1SFH6LOx4Sk/s1600/fldigi-icon-desktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="84" data-original-width="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgxgSA4yeXn7-RIuTpBj-wDdSf9SuwZ76p5MHt4gPxSl3p538kb2LmnWPg8beCJuZq7iHTC8iVpegCHzDHb8GPl5dqIjUswEsZH4BE18xZ-GniGS5UaI_PkgMu7xHMiIc1SFH6LOx4Sk/s1600/fldigi-icon-desktop.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 2. Fldigi desktop icon.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/" target="_blank">Fldigi</a> is the leading application in digimode. It offers a multitude of digital protocols, from CW and RTTY over PSK31 to DominoEX, Olivia, THOR, and many more. Fldigi was written by W1HJK and is maintained by him and his team. Fldigi is a digital swiss army knife!<br />
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<b>Step 1</b>. Enable Stereo Mix on your Windows 10 computer. This link explains how to do it:<br />
<a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39532/how-to-enable-stereo-mix-in-windows-7-to-record-audio/">https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/39532/how-to-enable-stereo-mix-in-windows-7-to-record-audio/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrRvFT5vH6g06tBxYu20iSCIWCiMjwnd_LDGxDWrS2lzXxODEpEVVwsQyVkdR85pxzZviHYwigfVKkq9e8vK3iBo7If50ohdbtej5cToPs6ydTxVlj89SZ83YMMCRPaYE4TnP6AF6h0U/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="472" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrRvFT5vH6g06tBxYu20iSCIWCiMjwnd_LDGxDWrS2lzXxODEpEVVwsQyVkdR85pxzZviHYwigfVKkq9e8vK3iBo7If50ohdbtej5cToPs6ydTxVlj89SZ83YMMCRPaYE4TnP6AF6h0U/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 3. Sound window.</i></div>
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The <i>Sound</i> window is here: Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound<br />
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Fig. 3 shows how Stereo Mix is enabled on my Windows 10 Home computer. A music video is playing in a browser window, and the audio moves the green bar up and down. The audio level is set to 100%.<br />
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<b>Step 2</b>. Select "Stereo Mix" as input source in the fldigi configuration window. The input source is called "Capture" in fldigi. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qViUcsjTLf1V9wdwMuXsI9cj8zEZ_R1BQ1ckUZsHcHcVPRlTxf4wkra_41APaQYdnjn95gUwrR_82_yKsQRH44PtabBgM2kcxYbiwih1kdqOOr76Uw3HT_KFcMVawnHEjb9We7tY0q8/s1600/fldigi-config-window1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="602" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qViUcsjTLf1V9wdwMuXsI9cj8zEZ_R1BQ1ckUZsHcHcVPRlTxf4wkra_41APaQYdnjn95gUwrR_82_yKsQRH44PtabBgM2kcxYbiwih1kdqOOr76Uw3HT_KFcMVawnHEjb9We7tY0q8/s400/fldigi-config-window1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 4. Configuration window in fldigi.</i></div>
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Fig. 4 shows how Stereo Mix is selected in the fldigi configuration window. The configuration window is opened by selecting Configure > Sound Card.<br />
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Fldigi can now receive audio from a webSDR or another sound source.You can test the function by playing a music video in a browser, and the fldigi waterfall will look like fig. 5!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y7J5rTTMdocP9nyV-G_xAsa18Nrx4mRKNQZsNCpXnSyYisdE9LqHe3yBylnmWSHC5yAtn-NyhUgNs4iwSpr45lV2f2L5QQLBTMl8Egnj78yckdbK4UWS4iy0JRumjezWTOXJU1wn7w0/s1600/fldigi-waterfall-ABBA-music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="943" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y7J5rTTMdocP9nyV-G_xAsa18Nrx4mRKNQZsNCpXnSyYisdE9LqHe3yBylnmWSHC5yAtn-NyhUgNs4iwSpr45lV2f2L5QQLBTMl8Egnj78yckdbK4UWS4iy0JRumjezWTOXJU1wn7w0/s400/fldigi-waterfall-ABBA-music.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig 5. Audio stream displayed in fldigi</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C78GMgqxkXSXc0xOGvLmP2aX0aFFKxPBrsl2LSuw7YHnk_QbNa_ErEV_tMULDTlfUVccI_48rCxZRQYZVREpMorZ1MKdQzadVXCnpivGSIbJMU7av2vZShkIBkRLTT1Zc8pTvrBK61s/s1600/PA1DSB-pic-MFSK16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="700" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C78GMgqxkXSXc0xOGvLmP2aX0aFFKxPBrsl2LSuw7YHnk_QbNa_ErEV_tMULDTlfUVccI_48rCxZRQYZVREpMorZ1MKdQzadVXCnpivGSIbJMU7av2vZShkIBkRLTT1Zc8pTvrBK61s/s400/PA1DSB-pic-MFSK16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 6. MFSK16 transmission from PA1SDB received by Fldigi.</i><br />
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Vy 73, OZ1BXM Lars</div>
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Webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a></div>
<br />Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-75017891388147912362019-09-03T02:17:00.001-07:002019-09-03T02:17:41.771-07:00Help - fldigi won't start<a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/" target="_blank">Fldigi</a> is the leading application in digimode. It offers a multitude of digital protocols, from CW and RTTY over PSK31 to DominoEX, Olivia, THOR, and many more. <a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/" target="_blank">Fldigi</a> was written by W1HJK and is maintained by him and his team. <a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/" target="_blank">Fldigi</a> is a digital swiss army knife!<br />
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Having installed fldigi on Windows 10 Home, I executed the setup wizard and typed call, QTH, locator, and other details.<br />
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<i>Fig. 1. Short-cut on Windows desktop.</i></div>
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The next day, I double-clicked the fldigi short-cut on my desktop (Fig. 1). Nothing happened. I did it again, but still no response from fldigi. PC rebooted. Nothing. Cleaned the Windows registry with Glary Utilities. Nothing. Uninstalled fldigi, rebooted the PC, and installed fldigi again. Still no action.<br />
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The solution came from WO9B in <a href="http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/fldigi-wont-start.489284/" target="_blank">this blog post</a>. One or more files in folder fldigi.files are corrupt. Here is what to do:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Rename c:\users\oz1bx\fldigi.files to c:\users\oz1bx\fldigi-old.files</li>
<li>Restart fldigi. </li>
<li>Fldigi will discover, that fldigi.files is missing, and it creates a new one. </li>
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Setup data must be typed again. Move important files from fldigi-old.files to fldigi.files<br />
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Vy 73, OZ1BXM<br />
Webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-48863648516536998822019-08-27T10:21:00.000-07:002019-08-29T01:26:01.339-07:00Lower SWR on Helix13 from Wimo The QO-100 satellite uplink is in the 13-cm band. I'm using a 21-turns helix antenna (Helix13 from Wimo) for uplink antenna to the NB transponder. This RHCP helix antenna works fine except for bad SWR.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxJ77AV6cmvEvFFPEkHvUmteqxf-LE9f_VoOLQMjGx2HfS5XsirZJ-k9TDWQozROgSa3KPI6kxUo1MT7H3lCdbqqS87s38XQaaXCQ0TpR5yrHC8aq4heVDw-JgpBMkpJwvZKb7ToaP1U/s1600/20-turns-helix-holdt-af-mig800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxJ77AV6cmvEvFFPEkHvUmteqxf-LE9f_VoOLQMjGx2HfS5XsirZJ-k9TDWQozROgSa3KPI6kxUo1MT7H3lCdbqqS87s38XQaaXCQ0TpR5yrHC8aq4heVDw-JgpBMkpJwvZKb7ToaP1U/s400/20-turns-helix-holdt-af-mig800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 1. Helix13 antenna from Wimo (picture from 2009).</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbPAKeFlgGJ1QWcbQ7yxR_00DqQNRXuY3HQ6HPASNcrzHHeEvz5HEe0XT3fG3ogqJhhRDs2BVMJ1JIFsTzAjJ9JoBJ44VECgkXf5jDqf9CsSEfShxZHv6wAKqLQVeETTjgwD6yedMNqo/s1600/impedanstube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbPAKeFlgGJ1QWcbQ7yxR_00DqQNRXuY3HQ6HPASNcrzHHeEvz5HEe0XT3fG3ogqJhhRDs2BVMJ1JIFsTzAjJ9JoBJ44VECgkXf5jDqf9CsSEfShxZHv6wAKqLQVeETTjgwD6yedMNqo/s320/impedanstube.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 2. Remove this alu-tube.</i></div>
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First I removed the alu-tube from the antenne. This tube is intended for impedance matching. It is not needed any more, since I'll use a different matching method.<br />
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An N-connector is fitted where the alu-tube was before. You must drill holes in the helix reflector for the flange of the N-connector.<br />
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<i>Fig. 3. Dimensions of the impedance matching plate.</i><br />
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I made an impedance matching plate for the antenna. The plate is cut from thin copper sheet. The length is 1/4 turn and it is mounted above the helix reflector (see figure 6). This matching plate converts the helix impedance to 50 ohms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWKI5cjAD-Du3j1UaDkQnB6cBWOD7AHajMa3SOHxv8dXM1vecDTfE2rhC4IkvNq6r7ePeSYwKZNOpKN1Ikl7DfG0-kcWv8PSaLMsXTsxBrQ02Z-CgpbfP6K8MEAnCRpwwL5HBrBzi-l0/s1600/kobberbue2_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="116" data-original-width="382" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWKI5cjAD-Du3j1UaDkQnB6cBWOD7AHajMa3SOHxv8dXM1vecDTfE2rhC4IkvNq6r7ePeSYwKZNOpKN1Ikl7DfG0-kcWv8PSaLMsXTsxBrQ02Z-CgpbfP6K8MEAnCRpwwL5HBrBzi-l0/s400/kobberbue2_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 4. Purpose of the holes.</i></div>
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The impedance matching plate extends the helix wire. The plate is soldered to the N-connector's center pin (green hole). The red hole is used for fastening the alu wire. You can use a short bolt for this. I soldered the helix wire to the matching plate using a short brass tube. Before soldering, the brass tube was pressed with a pipe wrench to make it fit the helix alu-wire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4chcagrEe8WvhAEx1bh_G2tkmRzxn6oPz09JP0ah7bpw3KTU3aiyaqIBxdCafFEQhH-mN1UzJAGTYfy7H17CMaT_kzG9Ouzvfq4I0ls4e9QAShwdN7RIiQY85UKJQZn-2t2HStv9Rs68/s1600/helix-bagfra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4chcagrEe8WvhAEx1bh_G2tkmRzxn6oPz09JP0ah7bpw3KTU3aiyaqIBxdCafFEQhH-mN1UzJAGTYfy7H17CMaT_kzG9Ouzvfq4I0ls4e9QAShwdN7RIiQY85UKJQZn-2t2HStv9Rs68/s400/helix-bagfra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 5. The new N connector.</i><br />
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<i>Fig. 6. The impedance matching plate.</i></div>
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<i>Fig. 7. Click picture to enlarge. </i></div>
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Notes to fig. 7: Distance A is 3 mm above the reflector. Distance B is 7 mm above the reflector.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKL37agzJkIdOYxXWLQ7LMhlrzBzoHUZ4UaHCFSEKSelVOgTOat9wKdwV4Gdxu6radySDdAfx8eB3OtTJvP2_-a2VGulY8BUgCS0P1osg0HhXcLgZAWNLkvsFN2UvdKMNbYrfnASE238/s1600/SWR-meter-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1200" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKL37agzJkIdOYxXWLQ7LMhlrzBzoHUZ4UaHCFSEKSelVOgTOat9wKdwV4Gdxu6radySDdAfx8eB3OtTJvP2_-a2VGulY8BUgCS0P1osg0HhXcLgZAWNLkvsFN2UvdKMNbYrfnASE238/s400/SWR-meter-close.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Fig. 8. Measuring SWR.</i></div>
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The graph in fig. 8 begins at 2.0 GHz and ends at 2.7 GHz. The marker (yellow triangle) is at 2.4 GHz.<br />
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The SWR at 2.4 GHz was measured to 1.08 which is an excellent value. All SWR values between 2.0 GHz and 2.55 GHz were below 1.2.<br />
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My antenna analyzer is a hand-held instrument <a href="https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32851613484.html" target="_blank">N2201</a>. It covers 137.5 MHz to 2.7 GHz. The N2201 has a smaller brother: N1201. The difference is that N2201 is equipped with an additional power meter. The less expensive N1201 would be sufficient for this SWR adjustment.<br />
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Vy 73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a></div>
Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-32590768111088029622019-06-19T03:05:00.001-07:002019-06-20T08:47:21.148-07:00The GPSDO makes my LNB rock-stableA consumer-type LNB for Ku-band can receive the QO-100 satellite transponder. A LNB with PLL-oscillator has an acceptable frequency stability after warm-up, but it still drifts. The reason is outdoor temperature changes and a simple oscillator using a cheap crystal.<br />
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Adding a GPSDO will greatly improve the frequency stability in the receive chain. The block diagram below shows how the GPSDO injects a clock signal into the LNB. The clock signal from the GPSDO has superior stability compared to the LNB oscillator. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EGOiHfI7zCDHFiuZ4VDo2uQoWpl3Lxe5k2vawzGYRLKtmjR6UPKF7UyrTlt3jKhxkxUcS4WjtE-p6P8lUhJP1ZMQZK2KvJnXUTEaXxRwSD59fQOiAkq7cmeaRBaxG9YyU8Rv-4RsRqE/s1600/Rock-stable-10-GHz-receiver_stor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="968" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EGOiHfI7zCDHFiuZ4VDo2uQoWpl3Lxe5k2vawzGYRLKtmjR6UPKF7UyrTlt3jKhxkxUcS4WjtE-p6P8lUhJP1ZMQZK2KvJnXUTEaXxRwSD59fQOiAkq7cmeaRBaxG9YyU8Rv-4RsRqE/s400/Rock-stable-10-GHz-receiver_stor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>GPSDO generates a 25 MHz clock signal for the LNB.</i></div>
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I decided to buy a GPSDO developed by 4 danish radio amateurs. The project is named <a href="http://www.rfzero.net/" target="_blank">RFzero</a>. The price of the RFzero board was less than 50% of the Leo Bodnar mini-GPSDO. Another advantage of the RFzero is the possibility of writing your own software using the Arduino IDE. The RFzero board is assembled, and only a few optional pins are soldered by the end-user.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBObOhcWqFwUbfLzYnJu7g9Fgr0iw72z0-gZTdToPiatJQIDDIVdZRMuxCTmju5_VxqPc2du0HkDfC-EOTCc7JqK4SC7VLG1nd_elnuc8zQNuWlxQhqhR69UipqmOh7CJ7zpY8HrCb1o/s1600/RFzero-board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="671" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBObOhcWqFwUbfLzYnJu7g9Fgr0iw72z0-gZTdToPiatJQIDDIVdZRMuxCTmju5_VxqPc2du0HkDfC-EOTCc7JqK4SC7VLG1nd_elnuc8zQNuWlxQhqhR69UipqmOh7CJ7zpY8HrCb1o/s400/RFzero-board.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The RFzero board.</i></div>
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I've mounted the RFzero board in an aluminium box. Power (5 V DC) is supplied via the USB interface. An external PSU can also power the board.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-DWCuXLbkdw_yM4NqECjRSP1dkU9vmUEwCvXQZZAis6tXBM6gc6k0n27-OJvvTlvWCO_7f00AuBnANDqIMMeytP2TU5XZcxw3h_znCevWKuO-hJ5c5adtmPgHq-M-t3ZyZ-P8qVLuJU/s1600/gpsdo1-forfra_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1200" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-DWCuXLbkdw_yM4NqECjRSP1dkU9vmUEwCvXQZZAis6tXBM6gc6k0n27-OJvvTlvWCO_7f00AuBnANDqIMMeytP2TU5XZcxw3h_znCevWKuO-hJ5c5adtmPgHq-M-t3ZyZ-P8qVLuJU/s400/gpsdo1-forfra_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>GPSDO front view.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ4ezQe-sy7VssBUmsbhyphenhyphen45nDo1pXAbjjP6vDJ5GCR3BcSHNkctuIlWvc8Nfu8M2kckuIL3cy6G8Iw1OH4EVfa91DgWDgCh6zk8XsK3dZ42AXJm1S8u5VRF_E9y-ikv2Kht8WrLcyMFo/s1600/RFzero_bagplade_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1200" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ4ezQe-sy7VssBUmsbhyphenhyphen45nDo1pXAbjjP6vDJ5GCR3BcSHNkctuIlWvc8Nfu8M2kckuIL3cy6G8Iw1OH4EVfa91DgWDgCh6zk8XsK3dZ42AXJm1S8u5VRF_E9y-ikv2Kht8WrLcyMFo/s400/RFzero_bagplade_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>GPSDO rear view.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzdI3p537JwcQ0xMUIe4zk3lnMTLRr9Ssn9NokSLwOSPdXQZT9BPqfjedCJmhoYYipHD25NSA-Xpi1KHRcrmMUGijJK-1T1Z42xO2R4AwI9hAEC2jf2r10bCuZqHVLXeYZmdZ9sKS3V4/s1600/RFzero-ovenfra_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1200" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzdI3p537JwcQ0xMUIe4zk3lnMTLRr9Ssn9NokSLwOSPdXQZT9BPqfjedCJmhoYYipHD25NSA-Xpi1KHRcrmMUGijJK-1T1Z42xO2R4AwI9hAEC2jf2r10bCuZqHVLXeYZmdZ9sKS3V4/s400/RFzero-ovenfra_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>GPSDO with lid removed.</i></div>
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Conclusion: Adding a GPSDO has greatly improved my receive chain. The Narrow-Band beacons are now rock-stable regardless of the LNB temperature. </div>
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Vy 73 OZ1BXM Lars</div>
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My webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a> </div>
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Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-27401404082465426952019-05-01T21:05:00.000-07:002019-05-08T15:26:02.570-07:00Transmitting via Es'hail-2/QO-100 geostationary satelliteTransmitting via QO-100 was easier than I thought. The transmit chain is shown below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLWWEhkYti0YR5SqCDvA78JhAatz1O5Pq-puVVubCzylCfzJoXxLmZAiCmXluF3B2AOSnIZqhj4AVtnIPKwxNW0We_qlNS8tuhye5p4W-_ON6KJqR7rmCACrn35M5hMXKCWmO9YpG3bM/s1600/TX-chain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="977" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLWWEhkYti0YR5SqCDvA78JhAatz1O5Pq-puVVubCzylCfzJoXxLmZAiCmXluF3B2AOSnIZqhj4AVtnIPKwxNW0We_qlNS8tuhye5p4W-_ON6KJqR7rmCACrn35M5hMXKCWmO9YpG3bM/s400/TX-chain.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TX chain for satellite QO-100.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A 70-cm transceiver was already in the shack. My trusty old Yaesu FT-847 is still doing well. The FT-847 output was reduced to 3 W on 432 MHz.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECqDk4NDmBHt4elmfsdEKstDTbiW8hf_MBQ9avO46tFOWLbJsMU93kAJ8MOHsy23RQitOFZymTxkHRTKTtiSq5AiN6fdhTni8lRfT8rrvDKWi6Ok3P1IBJwR7HmnBfRYP2h8ZNhqlhA8/s1600/FT-847-picture_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="1200" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECqDk4NDmBHt4elmfsdEKstDTbiW8hf_MBQ9avO46tFOWLbJsMU93kAJ8MOHsy23RQitOFZymTxkHRTKTtiSq5AiN6fdhTni8lRfT8rrvDKWi6Ok3P1IBJwR7HmnBfRYP2h8ZNhqlhA8/s400/FT-847-picture_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaesu FT-847 transceiver.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I needed a 13-cm transverter for the uplink. I choose to buy a ready-made one from <a href="http://www.sg-lab.com/amateur.html" target="_blank">SG Labs</a> in Bulgaria. It was delivered assembled and tested from the factory. Time from order/payment to delivery was 6 weeks. The transverter provides 2 W output at 2400 MHz which is sufficient for making contacts on the satellite.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDARKTpTtJArY_iQNFJr0XrId0n3Ap-sZQH2lDjWtbDQkvwMoRoalRyCeWWr_IJLJ2ik15sVSk68uX2TiNbTioFnA-QHXbe_bpFAW5XSQtYx6difozzPqvza7rZklCmcFlUjW5lfxU7Ts/s1600/SG-Lab-13cm-transverter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1200" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDARKTpTtJArY_iQNFJr0XrId0n3Ap-sZQH2lDjWtbDQkvwMoRoalRyCeWWr_IJLJ2ik15sVSk68uX2TiNbTioFnA-QHXbe_bpFAW5XSQtYx6difozzPqvza7rZklCmcFlUjW5lfxU7Ts/s400/SG-Lab-13cm-transverter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13-cm transverter from SG Labs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The QO-100 uplink signal should be circularly polarized. 3 dB is lost if a linear signal is transmitted. I decided to employ my 10 year old helix antenna with 21 turns. I had to adjust the bracket so the antenna was elevated 24 degrees (this is the elevation of a geostationary satellite seen from central Denmark).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqxYnt-1eC2tCW4HrJsfHuY_U1nUdNcEWyvrTg1BwZXUqOpfDEFRd4u3hIvnDkisGnRr7GvQEeZOsLvIdu7W-MwspOOqnmI14VxnaHPRFbEmnZWNiWLkABewcTRzmH0YgscSNMFT1D9I/s1600/21-turns-helix-2400MHz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1200" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqxYnt-1eC2tCW4HrJsfHuY_U1nUdNcEWyvrTg1BwZXUqOpfDEFRd4u3hIvnDkisGnRr7GvQEeZOsLvIdu7W-MwspOOqnmI14VxnaHPRFbEmnZWNiWLkABewcTRzmH0YgscSNMFT1D9I/s400/21-turns-helix-2400MHz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helix antenna for 2400 MHz. Elevation is 24 degrees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was happy to learn that my transmit signal was visible (and audible) on the waterfall display. I had my first QSO via QO-100 on April 24th. <br />
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The QO-100 narrow-band transponder can be monitored via this web-SDR: <a href="https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/">https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/</a><br />
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73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a>Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-27016530383233993312019-03-02T03:14:00.001-08:002019-05-01T21:06:34.760-07:00Receiving the Es'Hail-2/QO-100 geostationary satellite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPXm9ZF5NrClFTrYJgEKZsLPCIM0WOth-xLSqpvw7Jlw1typr2w69mccTrkKMsbX4idr6GgowvGt_vEA4pMgoTEWK5QUSJ0Gr2c4AjfxHIb44aZTYDEL-5ykY9DcW7qRoGH2HRoUOwaA/s1600/EsHail-2-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="632" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPXm9ZF5NrClFTrYJgEKZsLPCIM0WOth-xLSqpvw7Jlw1typr2w69mccTrkKMsbX4idr6GgowvGt_vEA4pMgoTEWK5QUSJ0Gr2c4AjfxHIb44aZTYDEL-5ykY9DcW7qRoGH2HRoUOwaA/s400/EsHail-2-picture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Es'Hail-2 geostationary satellite (credit: Es'hailSat)</i></div>
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The main purpose of the new geostationary satellite Es'Hail-2 is to provide television services to the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to commercial services, Es'hail 2 includes two linear transponders for amateur radio; one with a bandwidth of 250 kHz and another one with 8 MHz. The uplink for both transponders is 2.4 GHz; and downlink is on 10.45 GHz.<br />
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Es'Hail-2 is called QO-100 in the radio amateur world (i.e. Qatar Oscar 100). Service for radio amateurs was opened on 14-February-2019. The linear narrow-band transponder has been busy since then. Two beacons indicate the upper and lower limit of the passband.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Es'Hail-2 Narrowband Linear transponder:</span></blockquote>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;"> 2400.050 - 2400.300 MHz Uplink</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">10489.550 - 10489.800 MHz Downlink</span></li>
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</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvWadv_gYeunVnO5cjFhKYLvbmTxX8EHminrfWWC7-MFfMLtlywwej-O4oUgVOds3mAJGnBRwVfIdjEmc26pT9qjSCni2W6tPqW5xeCC0_hbDw5Wi25iJYuA7qcTsLrZXHuuJXp2XBwU/s1600/eshail-2-coverage-area1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="662" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvWadv_gYeunVnO5cjFhKYLvbmTxX8EHminrfWWC7-MFfMLtlywwej-O4oUgVOds3mAJGnBRwVfIdjEmc26pT9qjSCni2W6tPqW5xeCC0_hbDw5Wi25iJYuA7qcTsLrZXHuuJXp2XBwU/s400/eshail-2-coverage-area1.png" width="382" /></a></div>
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<i>Es'hail-2 footprint.</i></div>
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The footprint of Es'Hail-2 covers half of the world. That huge pattern offers new opportunities for many hams: DX can now be worked without erecting big HF-antennas. A satellite dish on the balcony is all you need.<br />
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My RX set-up is shown below. It is simple and cheap while still providing a taste of satellite DX. The Win 10 computer runs SDR#<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZEFgt6sE00IWcwiqOOehFZrZFT2dnxJ469fdsjxmglAtPox_NJRiGVol7Aay6XSLPYiDGRB772QCey0YywY_ocKMNa7Ul5p0UQitqLveoJTLheR6KzqIPwKm1glgpd3cK2z7sDTOgSk/s1600/RX-QO-100-diagram5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="983" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZEFgt6sE00IWcwiqOOehFZrZFT2dnxJ469fdsjxmglAtPox_NJRiGVol7Aay6XSLPYiDGRB772QCey0YywY_ocKMNa7Ul5p0UQitqLveoJTLheR6KzqIPwKm1glgpd3cK2z7sDTOgSk/s640/RX-QO-100-diagram5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>Receive chain at OZ1BXM</i></div>
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The satellite dish is Triax TD78 (offset, 70 cm wide, 78 cm high). The LNB is Maximum ST-11 (single port) with PLL and 25 MHz crystal oscillator.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHJgxr6NPRcsUbTFgaEvvzLQzGFM9n_dFdXZguMuk4H-u27gs3WsaYBK-u_HPK9-QMXS4c-MSF31biZ8SwQarWXkoeysDyDq8OIJBXL8h_R2A6eCEz22DFUd5Mu-6zo6rsqilAXeepsY/s1600/Triax-parabol-og-LNB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1065" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHJgxr6NPRcsUbTFgaEvvzLQzGFM9n_dFdXZguMuk4H-u27gs3WsaYBK-u_HPK9-QMXS4c-MSF31biZ8SwQarWXkoeysDyDq8OIJBXL8h_R2A6eCEz22DFUd5Mu-6zo6rsqilAXeepsY/s400/Triax-parabol-og-LNB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Offset dish with LNB.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cOzkOxjmZHcRLaDmSXQ6_HJkRUFsU5XtuTWB-NmDzf7dhk8S595hV-wD1btCMT2-aqQ-_RnXA6ip6ngmzuywKI2vsLskmb8LNB9V9qPnl1rPhyphenhyphenmUUtKOGQQ-Qdmhtq6Xq6Bo9sLq8sU/s1600/bias-tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cOzkOxjmZHcRLaDmSXQ6_HJkRUFsU5XtuTWB-NmDzf7dhk8S595hV-wD1btCMT2-aqQ-_RnXA6ip6ngmzuywKI2vsLskmb8LNB9V9qPnl1rPhyphenhyphenmUUtKOGQQ-Qdmhtq6Xq6Bo9sLq8sU/s400/bias-tee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bias T for 12 V DC.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiA8XgaAY33z1izPOxC-FfzTePwyrrlG0QOg6A5-_ebMgQgrlOHpU-4oJMYm-YHjhJLg3t5VpvzhxXl9CctRQUkeFXyrZIYRC7qqtpYqqhisa6mMIjg4F7wJiFgxQyYLNMIMYXx-Ftk8/s1600/SDR-dongle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiA8XgaAY33z1izPOxC-FfzTePwyrrlG0QOg6A5-_ebMgQgrlOHpU-4oJMYm-YHjhJLg3t5VpvzhxXl9CctRQUkeFXyrZIYRC7qqtpYqqhisa6mMIjg4F7wJiFgxQyYLNMIMYXx-Ftk8/s320/SDR-dongle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>RTL-SDR dongle V.3</i></div>
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The narrow-band transponder can be monitored via this web-SDR: <a href="https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/" target="_blank">https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/</a><br />
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73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Webpage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a></div>
Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-77686797128855292192019-01-05T13:40:00.001-08:002019-01-05T13:40:01.610-08:00uBITX 10 W SSB-transceiver for 10-80 mI've just acquired an uBITX. It is a 10 W SSB-transceiver operating from 10 meters down to 80 meters. The uBITX is <a href="http://www.hfsignals.com/" target="_blank">made in India</a>. The transceiver is not a kit - it is delivered as two assembled PCBs, an LCD-display, and wires.<br />
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The main board is the transceiver module and the smaller PCB contains the VFO. The user's task is to mount the circuit boards into an enclosure and fit terminals and controls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkraX8m8oTkeY75mIaS7ANYfG7dGcSPxrEh1ohgU_zUtyP3Ufo-s1yUd-_LuyTN-cSKpZxLb2t047H0gFt72DYnkPIOAf5ONRM2RQhn52_zFR28yAdaBqi72R0HOsD9-VERmZsiMZwc/s1600/uBITX-block-diagram.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="1361" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkraX8m8oTkeY75mIaS7ANYfG7dGcSPxrEh1ohgU_zUtyP3Ufo-s1yUd-_LuyTN-cSKpZxLb2t047H0gFt72DYnkPIOAf5ONRM2RQhn52_zFR28yAdaBqi72R0HOsD9-VERmZsiMZwc/s640/uBITX-block-diagram.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The uBITX block diagram.</i></div>
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The block diagram above shows the RX-part which is a superheterodyn receiver with two IF stages at 45 MHz and 12 MHz. The TX-part is the same concept, but the transmit signal flows "backwards".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukl55pLV_-G6DvYLAWZACivElXYQZFlbhKhHysv_NP62ioUwDIEds72gy-3H0FHvMzBqfIlkY1eeCHzp5gZ4BpEKWxiqUxw7lR-yUwBaxqMJgNKdoyBvqsh7aeDW6AziDi7y5AyM5f5Y/s1600/de-3-print-uden-kabinet_stor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukl55pLV_-G6DvYLAWZACivElXYQZFlbhKhHysv_NP62ioUwDIEds72gy-3H0FHvMzBqfIlkY1eeCHzp5gZ4BpEKWxiqUxw7lR-yUwBaxqMJgNKdoyBvqsh7aeDW6AziDi7y5AyM5f5Y/s400/de-3-print-uden-kabinet_stor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main board and two digital PCBs mounted vertically. </td></tr>
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The main circuit board measures 15 cm x 14 cm and contains most of the components. There are no adjustments to make as they are set at the factory.<br />
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The VFO comprises an Arduino Nano and a programable oscillator Si5351. The oscillator frequencies are set with an encoder, and the operating frequency is displayed on an LCD. The factory delivered display is a 2 x 16 LCD; however, a larger color touch display can be added.<br />
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I found a cabinet at <a href="http://amateurradiokits.in/">amateurradiokits.in</a>. It has all holes punched and makes the transceiver look "factory made".<br />
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Support group for uBITX: <a href="http://groups.io/g/BITX20">groups.io/g/BITX20</a><br />
Facebook group for uBITX: <a href="http://fb.com/groups/uBITX/">fb.com/groups/uBITX/</a><br />
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Vy 73 from OZ1BXM Lars<br />
Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">oz1bxm.dk</a><br />
<br />Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374555897238497551.post-19552570085487842732018-11-21T09:21:00.002-08:002018-11-24T03:57:41.629-08:00A "small pistol" preparing for the CQ WW CW contestThe <a href="https://www.cqww.com/" target="_blank">CQ WW CW contest</a> runs the last full weekend of November. This event is probably the world's biggest CW contest. As I am a "small pistol" (QRP station with one operator) I choose to participate in the category "Single Operator QRP Assisted". Assisted means that spotting networks are allowed. <b>The main purpose of my participation is working new countries.</b><br />
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My client for the spotting network is <a href="http://www.dxatlas.com/BandMaster/" target="_blank">Bandmaster</a> by Afreet Software (VE3NEA, Alex). There is one particular reason for choosing this client: the Needed List. This is where you can specify the countries you need, and only those will be shown. You avoid spots of countries already worked.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSCY4OKMQw9BKR8fhpuGuqHD6d_sX1UfRLZ597ivJiOhqs_S_qo-IWLI7uva-ZUoop2FfmifdMKFRaSk7ZJ6h3ZmlL9AGVDZmDBFhydl-5LpfO9GvuGqYD-Rq9_WruTUmZycplJHTqXQ/s1600/needed-list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="362" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSCY4OKMQw9BKR8fhpuGuqHD6d_sX1UfRLZ597ivJiOhqs_S_qo-IWLI7uva-ZUoop2FfmifdMKFRaSk7ZJ6h3ZmlL9AGVDZmDBFhydl-5LpfO9GvuGqYD-Rq9_WruTUmZycplJHTqXQ/s400/needed-list.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bandmaster's </span>Needed List</td></tr>
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Another important piece of software is <a href="http://www.dxatlas.com/HamCap/" target="_blank">Ham CAP by Afreet Software</a>. Ham CAP provides real-time info on propagation from your QTH to any country in the world. In the screen-dump below, the propagation from OZ to XE (Mexico) is considered. The red line is MUF, and the optimum QSO time on each band is indicated by a yellow rectangle. The current time is shown by a white vertical line. </div>
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The graph below tells me that 18 MHz is open right now, but it will close shortly, and I have to move down to 14 MHz. By moving the cursor within the window I can tell, that 14 MHz is going to close at 18:00 UTC. I highly appreciate this kind of information!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZj-XWyrxowqRJ1p-WGxLPGh_CKSmFyDoyj5I3iw1aoMtCFAPcbFSH-z2750oD7nSWb4XtAirgdLnrl-4pehi619d_-UhQpWFnAKp69Y00VMMUuTJuyYmt8ledaS24cz9mJf1WE95nMc/s1600/MUF-short-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="379" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZj-XWyrxowqRJ1p-WGxLPGh_CKSmFyDoyj5I3iw1aoMtCFAPcbFSH-z2750oD7nSWb4XtAirgdLnrl-4pehi619d_-UhQpWFnAKp69Y00VMMUuTJuyYmt8ledaS24cz9mJf1WE95nMc/s400/MUF-short-path.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This graph shows propagation between OZ and XE.</td></tr>
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My logging software is <a href="http://www.n3fjp.com/cqww.html" target="_blank">CQ WW DX Contest Log</a> by Affirmatec Inc. (N3FJP). This logging program is easy to operate and it does what I want. Different macros control the transmission via my Winkeyer Lite usb.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrbF0ht11ZRYTml9diHT5XeMbrM0O7zMcWj-ogfbKyvvjGgkYdqeLyEDqeamLBw8GnTu2T4ncJXv-pwG8I5r136sbFoz-oEs2jdpF9Jq4TOECxZSvLN3rYDm5uEKeAI9_pc0Kiq2aoew/s1600/N3FJP-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="500" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrbF0ht11ZRYTml9diHT5XeMbrM0O7zMcWj-ogfbKyvvjGgkYdqeLyEDqeamLBw8GnTu2T4ncJXv-pwG8I5r136sbFoz-oEs2jdpF9Jq4TOECxZSvLN3rYDm5uEKeAI9_pc0Kiq2aoew/s400/N3FJP-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Vy 73 de OZ1BXM Lars</div>
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Homepage: <a href="http://oz1bxm.dk/">http://oz1bxm.dk/</a></div>
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Lars Petersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07281414087308643623noreply@blogger.com0