AmateurRadio.com

The Arduino platform has struck a bit of a chord with me. It is very well supported with both hardware and software, which makes it ideal for people like me who don’t have the background or skills to get a project off the ground. There are plenty of resources around the internet that off either ready made projects (just add hardware) or Books that explain the concepts and procedures in detail. Even the books tend to be supported by websites that have the code available for download if you wish.I came across a new(?) book by Leigh Klotz Jr, WA5ZNU titled ‘Ham radio for Arduino & Picaxe’ seems to be available through the ARRL but not the RSGB at the moment.

The book is supported by a website which has forums, code and links to the various projects that are presented. The links include the almost ubiquitous Sparkfun website, which has been supplying bits and bobs to US based hobbyist’s as well as those internationally for some time. The Sparkfun site is also a good place for technical data and resources such as libraries for Eagle.

Anyway, as usual I digress. The book is currently available through the ARRL and possibly in the future through the RSGB. The contents page looks like it has a whole heap of projects that will keep us busy for a long time. If its your cup of tea then I hope you can get a copy and enjoy the projects.

Martin Harrison, G3USF has provided another 6 and 10 report. Its a bit shorter than usual but we’re all blaming the conditions. It can be downloaded here

The end of this month see’s the end of work based madness so I’m getting a few bits and bobs sorted out.

With the demise of the trusty (read rusty…or at least corroded in the special way that aluminium does) vertical I have order a hardware kit for a Cobwebb to go outside. it may get here by the weekend. I’ve been given a rather sorry looking mast that will polish up into a rather staely looking mast once I’ve spent some time on it and a few plastic bits and pieces from Seeedstudio for some of my bits and bobs that need tidying up.

Hopefully this Saturday it won’t be freezing cold or raining, although I’m told the time I’ll be running my part of our Red Nose Day 24 hour relay it will be chucking it down, so I can assess what needs to be done to get myself back on the air on HF and get my 50Mhz yagi up and ready for the season. Looking forward to some time on the rig Excellent!

“What have you done to my play set?”  This gym made a convenient place to string wires, etc.  Two poles in the photo form part of the EWE RX antenna here at K8GU that was hastily erected before the NA Sprint CW.  One of the poles is ty-wrapped to the play set.  Doing my best to keep it klassy and impress the neighbors.

And, we’re up in the air!  The M2 9M2SSB is a little bit out of alignment due to the hex getting tangled in one of the antennas that it was due to replace.  I have already realigned that.  So far, the antenna seems to have useful front-to-back.  Gain is hard to tell since I took down all of the antennas it was to replace.  But, it does seem to work.  I’m suffering from high SWR (above 3) on both 21 and 50 MHz.  G3TXQ warns of interaction between 18 MHz and 50 MHz.  Do not yet know the cause, but I’m looking into it.

Although the antenna is relatively easy to handle, I don’t plan to make a habit of taking it down for work.  Speaking of taking down, the 40m dipole whose center insulator is just visible behind the reflector of the 2-meter beam will be replaced by an as-of-yet-secret antenna.

December seems a long time ago. I had a different job and radio was still up there on the ‘things I do when I’m not at work’ list. Since then I haven’t stopped at my new job, its nice to be busy but its really interferring with my radio stuff! The cycle race I marshalled at last May (with my trusty Yaesu VX8-GE) has me as an entrant and my MSF reciver project has yet to be turned into a PCB.

its not looking good

but

Winter is almost over. I’m getting out on the bike in the mornings and evening going to and from work, which means, the evenings are free(er), which means I’ve uploaded my MSF receiver to circuits.io and there is progress with getting a PCB made up, it’s almost warm enough to think about re-cabling the minor antenna farm. The salty air is a continual problem with my antennas and it may be time to go ‘full stealth’ the aluminium ( note correct spelling ).

All this points me in the direction of thinking about radio. If I’ve got time to think about it then I’m not far of ‘doing’ it. Very positive steps. Spring is on its way

Construction project:  G3TXQ hex beam built from scratch.  K4KIO directions with K8GU modifications (and reverse-engineered square coaxial center post).  Details to follow once I determine it works to my satisfaction.

Heard this on the radio the other day on my way to work.  Does it explain, at least in part, the popularity of Elecraft products?

In other news, the blog has been silent for a while, but that doesn’t mean things haven’t been happening.  I have a couple of challenging projects that have been taking up the usual blogging time.  Stay tuned!