1. main@4SQRP.groups.io
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Re: Speaking of nets... Thursday morning net?

W0IIT
 

Wayne,

The Thursday morning net went dark almost a year ago. I miss it and wish someone would step up to call that net. I would volunteer, however, in my present condx of recovery from an operation to give me an colostomy and learning to live with that device, I fear I might have to miss too many of them due to doctor appointments.

If your query doesn’t turn up another volunteer I might be in favor of giving it a go. I must do something to get back into making contacts. I haven’t had my rig fired up in some time. I might also have to twist some arms to talk someone into doing a bit of antenna work to get a good 40 meter antenna working.

If I call the net I would like to keep with the day and time as before.

cu es 72, Bart W0IIT
Pittsburg, KS
Re: A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

Johnny AC0BQ
 

Here is a link to the author's article that did the write up  on the resonant speaker for QST.
I found it on Google.
Very simple and easy to build.
72
Johnny AC0BQ 


On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 4:08 PM 'Sam Neal' n5af@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
 

Hello,

Where can I find a " hopefully virgin " cuspidor/spittoon at? It adds class to
the appearance of the housing of this speaker.



Sam Neal N5AF
Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio
_____________________________________________

------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 05 May 2017 03:40:11 PM CDT
From: Charles Powell <doctorcwp@...>



To: 4sqrp@..., Sam Neal <n5af@...>
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

I made a pair of these Dixie Cup resonant speakers today. Remarkably, they
have a very sharp peak at 600 Hz (my preferred center frequency). I opened up
the filter on the KX3 and found that the speakers were better than tightening
down the filter on the radio. It is the equivalent of about a 100 Hz filter,
but much better sonic quality. I am impressed! Now I have extra Dixie cups
for summer as well. (I made two because the KX3 needs “stereo” to work
“Dual Watch” mode.

One suggestion that was not shown in the YouTube video: After attaching the
speaker to the cup, place another cup underneath it, up against the bottom of
the speaker, and hot glue it in place. I found this narrows the bandwidth
considerably, and fortunately at just the right frequency (for me, anyway).

72,

Charles - NK8O

> On May 3, 2017, at 9:22 PM, 'Sam Neal' n5af@... [4sqrp]
<4sqrp@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I made it's el-cheapo little brother ( some old issue of Popular Electronics
)
> out of a Pringles potato chip can and the speaker out of an old CB radio.
That
> sounded very good, so I can imagine that it's big brother from QST will be
> much better.
>
> 73,
>
> Sam Neal N5AF
> Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio
> _______________________________________________________
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> Received: Wed, 03 May 2017 05:36:31 PM CDT

> From: "Charles Moizeau w2sh@... w2sh@...> [4sqrp]"
<4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>>
> To: "4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>"
<4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>>, "wa0itp@...
wa0itp@...>"
> <wa0itp@... wa0itp@...>>
> Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket
>
> By all means have a look at the February 2017 issue of QST, pages 43-45, "A
> Resonant Speaker for CW", for good ideas and a nicely crafted result.
>
> 72,
>
> Charles, W2SH
>

> From: 4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>
<4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>> on behalf of WA0ITP
> wa0itp@... wa0itp@...> [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...
4sqrp@...>>


>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 3:10 PM

> To: 4sqrp@... 4sqrp@...>; Charles Powell;


Walter - K5EST
> Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket
>
> Lets build one!
>
> A hunk of pvc pipe works very well, and is plenty stiff enough. I built one
> some years back, and if I could find it, I'd use it. The volume of the pipe
> doesn't matter, only the length, so I'll let the size of the junk box
speaker
> dictate the diameter of the pipe. Easy calculation too, length of
> pipe=1100/2f. Think I'll build one specifically for the Cricket, but it
will
> need a little outboard amp (tape it to the filter) to drive the speaker.
This
> thing could be built similar to a trombone, so I may include a sliding
insert
> (or an outside tube) that changes the resonant freq from abt 800 cycles
(8.5")
> down to 400cycles (16.5"). It will work for any rig that will drive a
> speaker.
>
> I'm off to the junque box to find a speaker, anyone else want to build one
> too? Anyone have some good construction hints?
>
> 72 WAØITP
> I love this radio stuff.


<http://www.wa0itp.com/>>
>
> WAŘITP Home - Promoting QRP operating and


> Welcome To WAØITP's Ham Radio Web Site Promoting QRP operating and
> Construction. Pacific Mountain Central Eastern GMT
>
> On 5/3/2017 12:44 PM, Charles Powell

> doctorcwp@... doctorcwp@...>doctorcwp@...


doctorcwp@...>> [4sqrp] wrote:
>
> I had forgotten about this. I made one years ago when I first started in
> radio, and used it with my FT-101EE. As i recall, it worked quite well and
> the video bears this out. I have a boatload of small speakers around here
> somewhere. I made a tuned speaker from PVC that also works very well -
almost
> as well as the filters on my K2.
>
> 72,
>
> Charles
> NK8O
>
> On May 3, 2017, at 12:34 PM, Walter - K5EST
> walter.k5est@...

walter.k5est@...>walter.k5est@...
walter.k5est@...>> [4sqrp]
> <4sqrp@...
4sqrp@...>4sqrp@...


4sqrp@...>>> wrote:
>
> Keeping in the minimalist fashion, my old friend the Red Solo Cup Resonance
CW
> filter does a great job at nearly no expense. The design has been around for
a
> long time. The URL is to a U-Tube video.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8FUr0m1Po
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8FUr0m1Po>
>
> or if can get away with a scavenger hunt in the kitchen.....
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_giOx8SNnY&t=134s
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_giOx8SNnY&t=134s>
>
> Happy CWing........de... Walter - K5EST
>
>
>

--
Check out the 4SQRP website at 4sqrp.com
Re: Cricket Parts Alert

John Daly
 

Gary:

I believe I was one, I received the two washer that fit under the Morse key but only had one smaller aluminum spacer in my kit. So if you could mail me one or advise that would be great. Are the two aluminum spacers used with the optional plug to the external key? Just curious. Build the kit with my 13 year old grandson. Great first kit for him.

73 - John

John L. Daly w4usf
1539 Coppersmith Ct.
Lutz, FL 33559

Thanks, John

Sent from my iPad

On May 4, 2017, at 9:27 AM, gary.w0gx@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

I've received recent reports that at least some kits were shipped with one part missing: only 1 small aluminum spacer vs the 2 required.

I've been packaging kits in batches of 25 with individual inventories for each kit. However, it appears that some kits were missing that one part (and I've discovered the root cause). Unfortunately, I do not know how many kits were affected.

If you are one of the unfortunate kitters missing the part please contact me and I will mail it to you the same day. The email address, and my call, are on the Cricket kit page and my signature line below

72,
Gary/w0gx
CricketMaster
4sqrpcricket@...




Case for my Cricket

Jim Sheldon
 

Hi Gang,
I went to Home Depot and picked up some Poplar trim wood they have in 4"
X 1/4" X 2' pieces and used that to frame up the inside of the box a
bit. The one I saw in Branson had the Cricket right up on the front edge
so he had to inlet the cover to clear the earphone jack and part of the
key knob. Using some of the 1/4" thick Poplar, I set a shelf back by
1/4" from the front of the box and cut it the exact length of the front
of the Cricket's PC board. I mounted another piece flush with the right
side of the Cricket's PC board and rather than glue them, I drilled &
screwed them in place using #2 X 1/2" brass countersunk wood screws. I
removed the stick-on rubber feet from the Cricket and using another
piece of the 1/4" Poplar, made a support that fit flush with the back
edge of the Cricket's PC board. Once I had these made up, I carefully
drilled 1/8" holes right in the 4 corners of the Cricket's PC board just
back of the black border line. For easier measuring, I mounted the back
support to the Cricket (I had to carefully inlet the inner side to clear
the built-in keys rear nut plus some of the soldered bumps for
components along underside of the rear including the battery holder and
BNC connector connections. I actually stole the round head mounting
screws that originally held the handle on the box to mount the cricket
to it's supports and replace those with some nice brass wood screws that
were a little larger in diameter than the originals to make for a better
fit on the handle. There is a compartment on the right side that will
hold my small hand key and extra 9 volt batteries (be sure and put them
in insulated bags so you don't short them out) and another compartment
at the rear of the Cricket that will hold cables and more 9 volt
batteries (Can't never have too many 9 volt batteries with a Cricket -
LOL).

I haven't stained the box yet, but that comes next - I've posted the
pictures in the 4SQRP "Cricket" group if anyone wants to see just what
I'm talking about.

Jim - W0EB
Re: A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

Sam Neal
 

Hello,

Where can I find a " hopefully virgin " cuspidor/spittoon at? It adds class to
the appearance of the housing of this speaker.

Sam Neal N5AF
Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio
_____________________________________________

------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 05 May 2017 03:40:11 PM CDT
From: Charles Powell <doctorcwp@yahoo.com>
To: 4sqrp@yahoogroups.com, Sam Neal <n5af@usa.net>
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

I made a pair of these Dixie Cup resonant speakers today. Remarkably, they
have a very sharp peak at 600 Hz (my preferred center frequency). I opened up
the filter on the KX3 and found that the speakers were better than tightening
down the filter on the radio. It is the equivalent of about a 100 Hz filter,
but much better sonic quality. I am impressed! Now I have extra Dixie cups
for summer as well. (I made two because the KX3 needs “stereo” to work
“Dual Watch” mode.

One suggestion that was not shown in the YouTube video: After attaching the
speaker to the cup, place another cup underneath it, up against the bottom of
the speaker, and hot glue it in place. I found this narrows the bandwidth
considerably, and fortunately at just the right frequency (for me, anyway).

72,

Charles - NK8O


On May 3, 2017, at 9:22 PM, 'Sam Neal' n5af@usa.net [4sqrp]
<4sqrp@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hello,

I made it's el-cheapo little brother ( some old issue of Popular Electronics
)
out of a Pringles potato chip can and the speaker out of an old CB radio.
That
sounded very good, so I can imagine that it's big brother from QST will be
much better.

73,

Sam Neal N5AF
Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio
_______________________________________________________

------ Original Message ------
Received: Wed, 03 May 2017 05:36:31 PM CDT
From: "Charles Moizeau w2sh@msn.com <mailto:w2sh@msn.com> [4sqrp]"
<4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>>
To: "4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>"
<4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>>, "wa0itp@mchsi.com
<mailto:wa0itp@mchsi.com>"
<wa0itp@mchsi.com <mailto:wa0itp@mchsi.com>>
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

By all means have a look at the February 2017 issue of QST, pages 43-45, "A
Resonant Speaker for CW", for good ideas and a nicely crafted result.

72,

Charles, W2SH

From: 4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>
<4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>> on behalf of WA0ITP
wa0itp@mchsi.com <mailto:wa0itp@mchsi.com> [4sqrp] <4sqrp@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>>

Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 3:10 PM
To: 4sqrp@yahoogroups.com <mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>; Charles Powell;
Walter - K5EST
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

Lets build one!

A hunk of pvc pipe works very well, and is plenty stiff enough. I built one
some years back, and if I could find it, I'd use it. The volume of the pipe
doesn't matter, only the length, so I'll let the size of the junk box
speaker
dictate the diameter of the pipe. Easy calculation too, length of
pipe=1100/2f. Think I'll build one specifically for the Cricket, but it
will
need a little outboard amp (tape it to the filter) to drive the speaker.
This
thing could be built similar to a trombone, so I may include a sliding
insert
(or an outside tube) that changes the resonant freq from abt 800 cycles
(8.5")
down to 400cycles (16.5"). It will work for any rig that will drive a
speaker.

I'm off to the junque box to find a speaker, anyone else want to build one
too? Anyone have some good construction hints?

72 WAØITP
I love this radio stuff.
www.wa0itp.com <http://www.wa0itp.com/><http://www.wa0itp.com
<http://www.wa0itp.com/>>
www.4sqrp.com <http://www.4sqrp.com/><http://www.4sqrp.com
<http://www.4sqrp.com/>>

[http://www.wa0itp.com/w8dizcntr2.jpg
<http://www.wa0itp.com/w8dizcntr2.jpg>]<http://www.wa0itp.com/
<http://www.wa0itp.com/>>

WAŘITP Home - Promoting QRP operating and
Construction.<http://www.wa0itp.com/ <http://www.wa0itp.com/>>
www.wa0itp.com <http://www.wa0itp.com/>
Welcome To WAØITP's Ham Radio Web Site Promoting QRP operating and
Construction. Pacific Mountain Central Eastern GMT

On 5/3/2017 12:44 PM, Charles Powell
doctorcwp@yahoo.com <mailto:doctorcwp@yahoo.com><mailto:doctorcwp@yahoo.com
<mailto:doctorcwp@yahoo.com>> [4sqrp] wrote:

I had forgotten about this. I made one years ago when I first started in
radio, and used it with my FT-101EE. As i recall, it worked quite well and
the video bears this out. I have a boatload of small speakers around here
somewhere. I made a tuned speaker from PVC that also works very well -
almost
as well as the filters on my K2.

72,

Charles
NK8O

On May 3, 2017, at 12:34 PM, Walter - K5EST
walter.k5est@gmail.com
<mailto:walter.k5est@gmail.com><mailto:walter.k5est@gmail.com
<mailto:walter.k5est@gmail.com>> [4sqrp]
<4sqrp@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com><mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:4sqrp@yahoogroups.com>>> wrote:

Keeping in the minimalist fashion, my old friend the Red Solo Cup Resonance
CW
filter does a great job at nearly no expense. The design has been around for
a
long time. The URL is to a U-Tube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8FUr0m1Po
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8FUr0m1Po>

or if can get away with a scavenger hunt in the kitchen.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_giOx8SNnY&t=134s
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_giOx8SNnY&t=134s>

Happy CWing........de... Walter - K5EST
Re: A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

Charles W. Powell
 

I made a pair of these Dixie Cup resonant speakers today.  Remarkably, they have a very sharp peak at 600 Hz (my preferred center frequency).  I opened up the filter on the KX3 and found that the speakers were better than tightening down the filter on the radio.  It is the equivalent of about a 100 Hz filter, but much better sonic quality.  I am impressed!  Now I have extra Dixie cups for summer as well. (I made two because the KX3 needs “stereo” to work “Dual Watch” mode.

One suggestion that was not shown in the YouTube video: After attaching the speaker to the cup, place another cup underneath it, up against the bottom of the speaker, and hot glue it in place.  I found this narrows the bandwidth considerably, and fortunately at just the right frequency (for me, anyway).

72,

Charles - NK8O


On May 3, 2017, at 9:22 PM, 'Sam Neal' n5af@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

Hello,

I made it's el-cheapo little brother ( some old issue of Popular Electronics )
out of a Pringles potato chip can and the speaker out of an old CB radio. That
sounded very good, so I can imagine that it's big brother from QST will be
much better.

73,

Sam Neal N5AF
Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio
_______________________________________________________

------ Original Message ------
Received: Wed, 03 May 2017 05:36:31 PM CDT
From: "Charles Moizeau w2sh@... [4sqrp]" <4sqrp@...>
To: "4sqrp@..." <4sqrp@...>, "wa0itp@..."
<wa0itp@...>
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

By all means have a look at the February 2017 issue of QST, pages 43-45, "A
Resonant Speaker for CW", for good ideas and a nicely crafted result.

72,

Charles, W2SH

From: 4sqrp@... <4sqrp@...> on behalf of WA0ITP
wa0itp@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...>

Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 3:10 PM
To: 4sqrp@...; Charles Powell; Walter - K5EST
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] A simple PVC PIPE audio filter for the Cricket

Lets build one!

A hunk of pvc pipe works very well, and is plenty stiff enough. I built one
some years back, and if I could find it, I'd use it. The volume of the pipe
doesn't matter, only the length, so I'll let the size of the junk box speaker
dictate the diameter of the pipe. Easy calculation too, length of
pipe=1100/2f. Think I'll build one specifically for the Cricket, but it will
need a little outboard amp (tape it to the filter) to drive the speaker. This
thing could be built similar to a trombone, so I may include a sliding insert
(or an outside tube) that changes the resonant freq from abt 800 cycles (8.5")
down to 400cycles (16.5"). It will work for any rig that will drive a
speaker.

I'm off to the junque box to find a speaker, anyone else want to build one
too? Anyone have some good construction hints?

72 WAØITP
I love this radio stuff.
www.wa0itp.com<http://www.wa0itp.com>
www.4sqrp.com<http://www.4sqrp.com>

[http://www.wa0itp.com/w8dizcntr2.jpg]<http://www.wa0itp.com/>

WAŘITP Home - Promoting QRP operating and
Construction.<http://www.wa0itp.com/>
www.wa0itp.com
Welcome To WAØITP's Ham Radio Web Site Promoting QRP operating and
Construction. Pacific Mountain Central Eastern GMT

On 5/3/2017 12:44 PM, Charles Powell
doctorcwp@...<mailto:doctorcwp@...> [4sqrp] wrote:

I had forgotten about this. I made one years ago when I first started in
radio, and used it with my FT-101EE. As i recall, it worked quite well and
the video bears this out. I have a boatload of small speakers around here
somewhere. I made a tuned speaker from PVC that also works very well - almost
as well as the filters on my K2.

72,

Charles
NK8O

On May 3, 2017, at 12:34 PM, Walter - K5EST
walter.k5est@...<mailto:walter.k5est@...> [4sqrp]
<4sqrp@...<mailto:4sqrp@...>> wrote:

Keeping in the minimalist fashion, my old friend the Red Solo Cup Resonance CW
filter does a great job at nearly no expense. The design has been around for a
long time. The URL is to a U-Tube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8FUr0m1Po

or if can get away with a scavenger hunt in the kitchen.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_giOx8SNnY&t=134s

Happy CWing........de... Walter - K5EST
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

Mike WA8BXN
 

I don't have a cricket yet (its on order). I put together the oscillator on a test board here to try out some crystals I had. To simulate the load of the final, I used a 10K resistor to ground. I first tried out a number of 3579 crystals of various sizes and could hear all of them in my test receiver and keying sounded good. I then tried a few 3560 crystals of various sizes and could not hear any of the oscillating until I tuned the test receiver down to that frequency.Keying sounded good.  The crystals I used for testing came from a variety of sources including e-bay. 

My plan was to try some different feedback capacitor values if I had some that didn't work, but since they all do I can't. My short test here suggests that other 80 meter rocks should work for the most part. 

73/72 - Mike WA8BXN
A quick reminder

Wayne Dillon
 

Good morning all,
May I please remind all that the QRPSpots page(www.qrpspots.com/) is there to be used. It is a super tool for announcing your presence on a specific frequency/band, right now I'm thinking of Bayou Jumper of Cricket operators. Announce your presence on QRPSpots! Although we all use e-mail it can be a little cumbersome for quick announcements, QRPSpots is ideal.
When I call the net(s) on a Wednesday evening I have one screen open to my logger (N3FJP AC Log, terrific piece of logging software) and the second screen open on QRPSpots. If, as happened this week, you can hear the net but the NCS is sending a little (or a lot) too fast juts put a quick message on QRPSpopts to say "I can hear you but please QRS" or something similar. It is an extremely useful tool and is there for all to use so please avail yourselves of this super facility. I'll try looking for some Cricket ops this weekends, after local sundown.
Be blessed all and have a grand and safe weekend.
Wayne - NQ0RP

--
 
QRP -  EFFICIENCY AND SKILL, NOT POWER. 
 
I'm British by birth but American by CHOICE!

Jesus came to pay a debt He didn't owe because we owe a debt we cannot pay...

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up his contenance upon you and give you peace.

God Bless from Wayne Dillon - NQ0RP

Joshua 24:14-15
2 Cor 5:17
1 Jn 2:17
 
NAQCC MWN NCS
NAQCC Net manager
NAQCC # 0759
Membership Chairman - 4SQRP Group
4SQRP 40m NCS
4SQRP #95
FISTS 17184
FPQRP #342 (Flying Pigs QRP Club)
G-QRP-11504
QRP-ARCI #11505
SKCC #1155T
SOC #848
30MDG#1176
NEQRP #693
GORC #192
DMC (Digital Modes Club) # 06686
Zombie# 1186
SSS is MOAC

dekle@...
 

The Second Sunday Sprint is clearly the Mother of All Contests.


Bill
KV6Z
Re: Speaking of nets... Thursday morning net?

Wayne Dillon
 

Good morning Jeff,
Terry - WA0ITP - used to call the Thursday AM net on 40m but I believe it's been inactive for a while.
Maybe someone else knows something?
Blessings,
Wayne - NQ0RP

On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 8:48 AM, Jeff Logullo jeff@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
 

Yesterday morning at 8 Central I dialed around 7.122 listening for Morning Net activity... and heard nobody. (After scrambling in the rain, umbrella in hand, to connect my feed line, it was a disappointment!)

I realized today that I wasn't seeing any list chatter about band conditions etc. So I was wondering if that net was still active. The 4SQRP web site lists the net, but I wanted to check with the regulars to see if you indeed have that one going.

I'm a net check-in neophyte, but I always give it a try if I'm at home!

Jeff N0MII




--
 
QRP -  EFFICIENCY AND SKILL, NOT POWER. 
 
I'm British by birth but American by CHOICE!

Jesus came to pay a debt He didn't owe because we owe a debt we cannot pay...

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up his contenance upon you and give you peace.

God Bless from Wayne Dillon - NQ0RP

Joshua 24:14-15
2 Cor 5:17
1 Jn 2:17
 
NAQCC MWN NCS
NAQCC Net manager
NAQCC # 0759
Membership Chairman - 4SQRP Group
4SQRP 40m NCS
4SQRP #95
FISTS 17184
FPQRP #342 (Flying Pigs QRP Club)
G-QRP-11504
QRP-ARCI #11505
SKCC #1155T
SOC #848
30MDG#1176
NEQRP #693
GORC #192
DMC (Digital Modes Club) # 06686
Zombie# 1186
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

John Clements
 

I would have to concur with the last few posts.  C10 seems to light to me.  I used up to 470pF for C10 (and 270pF for 40M) and even lowered R2 down to a 330 ohm 1/2W resistor when playing with an SVXO circuit using my crystals.  Of course my schematic is a little different as a PZT2222 transistor is used and tap the output off the emitter area instead of the base.   http://kc9on.com/ham-radio/crystals/svxo/

I'd love to be sitting at the bench tweaking that part of the circuit. Unfortunately I'm down state this weekend with some family care taking.  Maybe later next week when I get back and catch my breath I'll build up the osc circuit and play around.

Does anyone know the specs of the xtal that comes with the cricket or the source?  Would be interesting to put them on my crystal impedance meter and compare them with mine.

72 John kc9on (3rdPlanetSolar).
Speaking of nets... Thursday morning net?

Jeff Logullo N0̸MII
 

Yesterday morning at 8 Central I dialed around 7.122 listening for Morning Net activity... and heard nobody. (After scrambling in the rain, umbrella in hand, to connect my feed line, it was a disappointment!)

I realized today that I wasn't seeing any list chatter about band conditions etc. So I was wondering if that net was still active. The 4SQRP web site lists the net, but I wanted to check with the regulars to see if you indeed have that one going.

I'm a net check-in neophyte, but I always give it a try if I'm at home!

Jeff N0MII
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

Lee
 

Looking at the circuit – the oscillator is not loaded too heavily by the PA (it ‘sees’ a high impedance at the input of the PA), so no changes there. One simple thing to try is to pull the 2N3904 and replace with a 2N2218, 2N5179, or something NPN and metal-canned with a higher alpha….use a transistor tester to pick a suitable one. Another option is to replace R1 with a slightly lower value; this pulls up the voltage at the base of the 2N3904 and may help it kick on…………this is a non-engineers look, but an oscillator is simply an amplifier with at least unity gain and feedback into the input…..

 

Lee KX4TT

 

From: Bob Groh bob.groh@... [4sqrp]
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2017 20:43
To: 4sqrp@...; Jim Sheldon
Subject: Re: [4sqrp] 3560 Crystals from eBay

 

 

Ouch.  Not good news but hopefully someone will find a cure.  Ah, well.  Switching to 3560 is a good idea - we just have some implementation problems.  Thanks for your work.

 

Bob, WA2CKY

 

On Thu, May 4, 2017 at 3:34 PM, 'Jim Sheldon' w0eb@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

I ordered a 10 pack of 3560 crystals (HC/49 style) from 3rd Planet Solar
on eBay. Got them yesterday and finally had a chance to check them out.
NONE will oscillate in the Cricket. The crystals aren't bad (they
oscillate & check good in my crystal checker) they just won't run in the
Cricket. I don't know if it's a feedback problem that needs a component
change or if it's just that there's not enough drive. They will
sometimes try to start and once in a while one of them would run in RX
mode but as soon as you hit the key to transmit (good 50 ohm dummy load
attached). The crystal would stop oscillating and it would be necessary
to cycle power to shock it back into oscillation. Maybe Dave, NM0S
would chime in on this since I'm not an engineer and don't know for sure
which component values to change in an attempt to make these crystals
work.

Jim - W0EB

 

 


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Re: 3560 crystals from ebay

Leland L. Bahr
 

I don't have a Cricket, but I would think by changing the values of C9 and C10 you could get these Ebay crystals to work nicely. Maybe try raising C10 to 220pf and reducing C9. Maybe put a variable trimmer cap in for C9 (5-75pf). Very for best activity and least chirp.
Lee, w0vt
Re: 3560 crystals from ebay

Casey
 

Ouchie..... Anxiously waiting the verdict on the HC49 crystals. I had been planning on putting in 3535 at the minimum, and perhaps 3550, 3560, and 3579. I had been wondering if there might be a problem, but from the aspect that I wanted to put in a freq cap that might not adjust properly, or possibly not oscillate.....

3535 is pretty clear, no PSK yet(a little in MI) - I had submitted it along with a few other freqs a couple years back when kc9on was asking about what freqs to add to what he offers.


I would like to use a Cricket to check into the MI QRP Net
from Northern Illinois, if at all possible.....


72/73 de Keith - KC9IH - QRP/QRPp
Know-Code Advanced-Extra Class Op
NAQCC, MI-QRP, PAARC, NorCal, CQC  
4SQRP, SKCC, QRP-ARCI, 10-X et al
Previously ~ WD9GKA, WB9HCL, K9UCF
Former Operator at WB9FXM and K9DDJ
www.ham-cram.com - W1UL Study Guide
http://hamgallery.com/Tribute/K9EAB/

Member of the ESROM SOCIETY
When you KNOW your Code
Forwards and Backwards
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

Tom Sevart
 

On 05/04/17 19:11, rhulett1@consolidated.net [4sqrp] wrote:


I have the same behavior with my 3560 crystal. Sometimes it works,
sometimes not. I ordered some from the auction site, hope wasn't a
waste of time.
Don't feel bad, I have that issue with my 3.579 crystal. Takes several tries of hooking the battery up to get the circuit to oscillate.


--
Tom Sevart N2UHC
St. Paul, KS
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

Curt
 

I have the same behavior with my 3560 crystal.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  I ordered some from the auction site, hope wasn't a waste of time.

Still trying for first QSO...

72, Curt KB5JO
Re: kit possibilities

Tom Sevart
 

On 05/03/17 20:26, Paul Smith psmith61@cox.net [4sqrp] wrote:


I have seen a post concerning the PSK kit rigs and the HF test set kits.
For what its worth. I like the sounds of both. I built a test set years
ago and it worked on first go. I let it get away from me but it was cool .
I'm finally about to finish my test set after having it stored away in a box for many years. I'll post pics when I'm done.

--
Tom Sevart N2UHC
St. Paul, KS
Re: 3560 Crystals from eBay

wa2cky
 

Ouch.  Not good news but hopefully someone will find a cure.  Ah, well.  Switching to 3560 is a good idea - we just have some implementation problems.  Thanks for your work.

Bob, WA2CKY

On Thu, May 4, 2017 at 3:34 PM, 'Jim Sheldon' w0eb@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
 

I ordered a 10 pack of 3560 crystals (HC/49 style) from 3rd Planet Solar
on eBay. Got them yesterday and finally had a chance to check them out.
NONE will oscillate in the Cricket. The crystals aren't bad (they
oscillate & check good in my crystal checker) they just won't run in the
Cricket. I don't know if it's a feedback problem that needs a component
change or if it's just that there's not enough drive. They will
sometimes try to start and once in a while one of them would run in RX
mode but as soon as you hit the key to transmit (good 50 ohm dummy load
attached). The crystal would stop oscillating and it would be necessary
to cycle power to shock it back into oscillation. Maybe Dave, NM0S
would chime in on this since I'm not an engineer and don't know for sure
which component values to change in an attempt to make these crystals
work.

Jim - W0EB
3560 Crystals from eBay

Jim Sheldon
 

I ordered a 10 pack of 3560 crystals (HC/49 style) from 3rd Planet Solar
on eBay. Got them yesterday and finally had a chance to check them out.
NONE will oscillate in the Cricket. The crystals aren't bad (they
oscillate & check good in my crystal checker) they just won't run in the
Cricket. I don't know if it's a feedback problem that needs a component
change or if it's just that there's not enough drive. They will
sometimes try to start and once in a while one of them would run in RX
mode but as soon as you hit the key to transmit (good 50 ohm dummy load
attached). The crystal would stop oscillating and it would be necessary
to cycle power to shock it back into oscillation. Maybe Dave, NM0S
would chime in on this since I'm not an engineer and don't know for sure
which component values to change in an attempt to make these crystals
work.

Jim - W0EB
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