1. main@4SQRP.groups.io
   Date   
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 #cal-notice

main@4SQRP.groups.io Calendar <noreply@...>
 

Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
8:00pm to 9:00pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
40 and 80 Meters

Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on 7.122 +-.
NCS will be Bill KV6Z.

Wednesday evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday (8:30PM Central Time Wednesday). 
The net will be called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.



Net control operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.

Re: BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Retired Doc
 

Ray,

What is the type of transistor tester that you are using?  I have an old M3 Tester but it does not indicate capacitance.  That is really cool!  I had a 77WS  IRF-510 and when I replaced with another I got output.

Best Regard,

Kent KC9LIF
Re: Bayou Jumper--What a Hoot!

Frank Artieta
 

I agree :) The Bayou Jumper is a great rig !


On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 2:55 PM, Clark WU4B <clark.macaulay@...> wrote:
Just finished the BJ I bought at the end of 2017.  No, I'm not that slow, but could start on it until now.  

I've built several of the 4SQRP kits over the years and I have to say this is one of the highest quality kits you guys have done.  Some of the design features required someone to think in 3D--a quality I don't have.  The receiver is hot:  receiving 40m CW on a dummy load.  Transmitter output (measured by a QRPoMeter) was 4.75w.  But the best part is that this kit promises to be a blast to operate.  Can't wait to make Q's and tell people "Rig Hr is BJ" and have them ask "What??".  Final step: fitting it into the wood box from Hobby Lobby.  What a hoot to show at our next meeting of NOGA QRP here in Atlanta. 

Well done, guys.  


Re: Cricket 30 loud buzzing

Jess None
 

Update

Hooked up to an antenna and heard a signal. It was weak but it was there. Buried in the buzz.

On May 2, 2018, at 3:45 PM, Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@...> wrote:

I have done some more testing and with my crummy little scope.

I have only run the radio on a 9 volt battery. I did some poking around. Touching the antenna center pin produces loud scratching in the audio. Attaching the ground of the scope probe increases the buzzing. Not really 60 cycle hum, but kind of like that. Sorta like the buzz you get when first plugging a guitar into the amp.
I know it is oscillating right, I can hear it on my FT817.
If I touch the scope probe to the side tone, I see a clean signal. If I touch the scope probe to the amplifier output on pin 8, I get in increase in buzz and the sound changes. Same thing on the input pin 4.
If I transmit with my FT817 into a dummy load, I can hear it LOUDLY in the Cricket. I hear no hiss or band noise on receive connected to an external antenna. Nothing but the buzz. It sounds like a path to ground killing the input sensitivity? But getting loud scratching in the audio touching various point in the audio and RF chain? You would think that would not be the case. 
Thoughts?
Jess AE0CW

On Apr 30, 2018, at 2:21 PM, Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@...> wrote:

I’ll do some more testing. I have several other QRP radios that I run on the same antennas as well as the BJ and none of the others exhibit this symptoms.

On Apr 30, 2018, at 12:38 PM, WA0ITP <wa0itp@...> wrote:

Jess, Sri I came late to the conversation.

Does the humm/buzz occur when running on a battery? 
That 60 cycle stuff could be riding in on your antenna too.  If so it's a neighborhood problem. 

In any event, it sounds like you might be a candidate for the BuzzKill  http://www.4sqrp.com/buzzkill.php
72 WAØITP
I love this radio stuff.
Back to the bench, Winter is too valuable to waste.
www.wa0itp.com
www.4sqrp.com
On 4/30/2018 1:06 PM, Jess None via Groups.Io wrote:
Gotcha will try

On Apr 30, 2018, at 11:06 AM, Don Pitchford <donw9ebk@...> wrote:

Jess,
I would start by looking at the output of the audio stage with your scope and see if an identifiable pattern shows up. Then move your hand around the board to see if shielding a certain point on the board affects the buzz. I have a LCD TV near the shack that generates a 12kHz pulse that can mess with receivers all the up through 10 meters. I have some Crickets and Pixies that suffer issues similar to what you describe if that TV is plugged in. A well shielded and grounded case fixed part of the problem,  and unplugging the TV fixed the rest.

On Mon, Apr 30, 2018, 10:43 AM Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@...> wrote:
Well,
I verified all components and placement on the board confirmed that all solder joints are good and no solder bridges or shorts.
I have confirmed that when the unit is powered up the oscillator is running. I get .9 or so Watts out. Transmit tone is clean. So having said all that, where do you all think I should start looking? I have not verified operation of the audio chain. A lot of the radios that I have built with a similar problem was a bad ground somewhere. I have a 25 KHz scope (yeah I know not enough band width) and a couple of good DVMs.

Jess AE0CW
Re: Cricket 30 loud buzzing

Jess Gypin
 

I have done some more testing and with my crummy little scope.

I have only run the radio on a 9 volt battery. I did some poking around. Touching the antenna center pin produces loud scratching in the audio. Attaching the ground of the scope probe increases the buzzing. Not really 60 cycle hum, but kind of like that. Sorta like the buzz you get when first plugging a guitar into the amp.
I know it is oscillating right, I can hear it on my FT817.
If I touch the scope probe to the side tone, I see a clean signal. If I touch the scope probe to the amplifier output on pin 8, I get in increase in buzz and the sound changes. Same thing on the input pin 4.
If I transmit with my FT817 into a dummy load, I can hear it LOUDLY in the Cricket. I hear no hiss or band noise on receive connected to an external antenna. Nothing but the buzz. It sounds like a path to ground killing the input sensitivity? But getting loud scratching in the audio touching various point in the audio and RF chain? You would think that would not be the case. 
Thoughts?
Jess AE0CW

On Apr 30, 2018, at 2:21 PM, Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@...> wrote:

I’ll do some more testing. I have several other QRP radios that I run on the same antennas as well as the BJ and none of the others exhibit this symptoms.

On Apr 30, 2018, at 12:38 PM, WA0ITP <wa0itp@...> wrote:

Jess, Sri I came late to the conversation.

Does the humm/buzz occur when running on a battery? 
That 60 cycle stuff could be riding in on your antenna too.  If so it's a neighborhood problem. 

In any event, it sounds like you might be a candidate for the BuzzKill  http://www.4sqrp.com/buzzkill.php
72 WAØITP
I love this radio stuff.
Back to the bench, Winter is too valuable to waste.
www.wa0itp.com
www.4sqrp.com
On 4/30/2018 1:06 PM, Jess None via Groups.Io wrote:
Gotcha will try

On Apr 30, 2018, at 11:06 AM, Don Pitchford <donw9ebk@...> wrote:

Jess,
I would start by looking at the output of the audio stage with your scope and see if an identifiable pattern shows up. Then move your hand around the board to see if shielding a certain point on the board affects the buzz. I have a LCD TV near the shack that generates a 12kHz pulse that can mess with receivers all the up through 10 meters. I have some Crickets and Pixies that suffer issues similar to what you describe if that TV is plugged in. A well shielded and grounded case fixed part of the problem,  and unplugging the TV fixed the rest.

On Mon, Apr 30, 2018, 10:43 AM Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@...> wrote:
Well,
I verified all components and placement on the board confirmed that all solder joints are good and no solder bridges or shorts.
I have confirmed that when the unit is powered up the oscillator is running. I get .9 or so Watts out. Transmit tone is clean. So having said all that, where do you all think I should start looking? I have not verified operation of the audio chain. A lot of the radios that I have built with a similar problem was a bad ground somewhere. I have a 25 KHz scope (yeah I know not enough band width) and a couple of good DVMs.

Jess AE0CW
Re: Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder

ussv dharma
 

Cant make it after all...finally got maint to let me on the 8th floor roof...lots of corrosion on antenna fittings. took antennas down. and replacing them

If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!!
 
MSGT. Susan Meckley, USA (Ret.)
W7KFI-5  & AFZ4SM
 

--------------------------------------------

On Wed, 5/2/18, main@4SQRP.groups.io Calendar <main@4SQRP.groups.io> wrote:

Subject: [4SQRP] Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder
To: main@4SQRP.groups.io
Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 4:00 PM

Reminder:

Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:


Wednesday, 2 May 2018

8:00pm to 9:00pm


(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago




Where:

40 and 80 Meters



Description:

The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on
7.122 +-.
NCS will be Bill KV6Z.

Wednesday
evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday
(8:30PM Central Time Wednesday). 
The net will be
called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.



Net
control operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.



View
Event.
Bayou Jumper--What a Hoot!

Clark WU4B
 

Just finished the BJ I bought at the end of 2017.  No, I'm not that slow, but could start on it until now.  

I've built several of the 4SQRP kits over the years and I have to say this is one of the highest quality kits you guys have done.  Some of the design features required someone to think in 3D--a quality I don't have.  The receiver is hot:  receiving 40m CW on a dummy load.  Transmitter output (measured by a QRPoMeter) was 4.75w.  But the best part is that this kit promises to be a blast to operate.  Can't wait to make Q's and tell people "Rig Hr is BJ" and have them ask "What??".  Final step: fitting it into the wood box from Hobby Lobby.  What a hoot to show at our next meeting of NOGA QRP here in Atlanta. 

Well done, guys.  
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder

main@4SQRP.groups.io Calendar <main@...>
 

Reminder:
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
8:00pm to 9:00pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
40 and 80 Meters

Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on 7.122 +-.
NCS will be Bill KV6Z.

Wednesday evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday (8:30PM Central Time Wednesday). 
The net will be called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.



Net control operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.

View Event.

Test

WA0ITP
 

test sri to clutter your inbox
-- 
72 WAØITP
I love this radio stuff.
Back to the bench, Winter is too valuable to waste.
www.wa0itp.com
www.4sqrp.com
Re: Bayou Jumper?

Jim, N5IB
 

The two output pins of the NJM2113 audio amp chip (U1) are each biased at about 6 volts DC. That's why they can't be allowed to be grounded - it shorts out the bias voltage and zaps the output stage.

So you are correct - if you are using polarized capacitor(s) for DC blocking, the positive lead(s) should be connected towards the chip's pin(s)

You might get away with just one capacitor - in series with the ring terminal. That's the terminal that's likely to get grounded if using a powered speaker, or a speaker with a mono plug that has a ground path. But you have to be sure that the tip terminal of your external device doesn't have a DC path to ground somehow. Many powered speakers or audio filters already have a blocking capacitor in series with their input. Check their schematic or physically inspect the device if possible. If you're not sure, put caps in both leads.

Value depends on what is to be connected. Many powered speakers or audio filters have a fairly high input impedance, so a smaller capacitor is sufficient.
For example - suppose the input impedance is 100K. At 300 Hz, even as small as a 0.1 uF cap has a reactance of only about 5K. So it would not introduce very much voltage drop. But if the input impedance were like that of a normal speaker or headphone (a few tens of ohms), very little signal would get through.

This is why putting the capacitor in the external cable can be a convenience. You won't interfere with the normal use of your headphones, and only a smaller value capacitor(s) will probably be needed.

If the capacitor(s) get installed between the PC board and the headphone jack, and if you still intend to use headphones on occasion, the the capacitor(s) will need to be much larger - probably at least 10 uF, but need not be larger than 50 uF or so.

N5IB
Re: BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

ussv dharma
 

What is a tx that wont swing?


If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!!
 
MSGT. Susan Meckley, USA (Ret.)
W7KFI-5  & AFZ4SM
 

--------------------------------------------

On Tue, 5/1/18, Jess Gypin <ontarget1911@gmail.com> wrote:

Subject: Re: [4SQRP] BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing
To: main@4SQRP.groups.io
Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 9:54 AM

It has been brought up in the
group in the last week or so.

> On May 1, 2018, at 7:41 AM, Raimund Reh
<raimund.reh@web.de>
wrote:
>
> Hi Dave
-no it's not your brain...
> and I
did it my way... not like Franky but take a look at the
fotos I add...
> I also think we are not
alone with this expereance of none oscillating Q4 and we
wonder why none is asking...
> ... cheers
to you all guys - Ray
>
>
>
> <IMG_20180501_WA0001.jpg>
> <IMG_20180501_WA0009.jpg>
Re: BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Duane Brayton
 

You are definitely not alone on no crystal osc. I found after many hours of work, that the bias of the oscillator of
is very important.  It needs to be at least 3.00 volts. Check my report in the database. 
Good luck & 72
Duane Brayton KE0IUV

Sent from TypeApp

On May 1, 2018, at 6:53 PM, Jeff Fein <jeffrey_travers@...> wrote:
I am sure some of us like me just assumed we blew it and replaced it on our own.  They are not expensive and in my case I could get them much faster locally.
Cheers Jeff
Vk3GMO

-----Original Message-----
From: main@4SQRP.groups.io [mailto:main@4SQRP.groups.io] On Behalf Of Raimund Reh
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 11:42 PM
To: main@4SQRP.groups.io
Subject: Re: [4SQRP] BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Hi Dave -no it's not your brain... 
and I did it my way... not like Franky but take a look at the fotos I add...
I also think we are not alone with this expereance of none oscillating Q4 and we wonder why none is asking...
... cheers to you all guys - Ray
Re: Bayou Jumper?

Bob Parr
 

Darn. no 'c'. Well still like the way you guys think! The manual said at least 1 uf. would 10 be better? Also it says if using electrolytic with polarity, Positive side to the tip and or ring of the headphone jack. Assuming I put these caps in the board as opposed to making a cable, I would put the positive side to the board and negative to the tip and ring of the jack?

Bob
KG5GTE

JP2 and JP3 are only on the rev A(c) boards.
You can find that "revA(c)" designation on the silk screened
legend just above the L5 and L6 on the top side of the main board.
The earlier green panel main boards are just "revA"

N5IB


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Re: Bayou Jumper?

Jim, N5IB
 

JP2 and JP3 are only on the rev A(c) boards.
You can find that "revA(c)" designation on the silk screened legend just above the L5 and L6 on the top side of the main board.
The earlier green panel main boards are just "revA"

N5IB
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder

main@4SQRP.groups.io Calendar <main@...>
 

Reminder:
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
8:00pm to 9:00pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
40 and 80 Meters

Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on 7.122 +-.
NCS will be Bill KV6Z.

Wednesday evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday (8:30PM Central Time Wednesday). 
The net will be called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.



Net control operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.

View Event.

Re: Bayou Jumper?

Bob Parr
 

Where are JP 2 and 3? I only see JP1 on the manual. I know mine is a rev A but I am not sure if it is an A(c).

Bob

The Soup'er does NOT provide any DC isolation on the speaker lines.
So you still need to make sure that neither audio output lead has a
DC path to ground, as you saw in the Appendix of the manual.

If you have one of the newest, rev A(c), circuit boards, there
are some extra pads provided (JP2 and JP3) where the appropriate
blocking capacitor(s) can be mounted. Then you cut the exposed
trace(s) between the pad(s) on the bottom side of the board to put
the cap(s) into the circuit.

A powered speaker with a self-contained battery supply can be used
without needing a DC block. But if either of the external speaker
connections has a DC path to the same ground as the BJ (like back
through a wall wart power supply) it would short out and damage
the audio chip.

N5IB


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Topic: https://groups.io/mt/18106835/795296 New Topic:
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Please plan to attend the Ozarkcon QRP Convention April 6-7, 2018
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Re: BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Jeff Fein
 

I am sure some of us like me just assumed we blew it and replaced it on our own. They are not expensive and in my case I could get them much faster locally.
Cheers Jeff
Vk3GMO

-----Original Message-----
From: main@4SQRP.groups.io [mailto:main@4SQRP.groups.io] On Behalf Of Raimund Reh
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 11:42 PM
To: main@4SQRP.groups.io
Subject: Re: [4SQRP] BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Hi Dave -no it's not your brain...
and I did it my way... not like Franky but take a look at the fotos I add...
I also think we are not alone with this expereance of none oscillating Q4 and we wonder why none is asking...
... cheers to you all guys - Ray
Re: Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder

ussv dharma
 

I will be there...boob tube be dammed


If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!!
 
MSGT. Susan Meckley, USA (Ret.)
W7KFI-5  & AFZ4SM
 

--------------------------------------------

On Tue, 5/1/18, Michael McEwen <michael.t.mcewen@gmail.com> wrote:

Subject: Re: [4SQRP] Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder
To: main@4sqrp.groups.io
Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 1:36 PM

I'm trying guys...
can't get my antenna up  due to physical issues. Have
40 EF wire... what is the best height for an inverted V
?On Mon, Apr
30, 2018, 8:00 PM main@4SQRP.groups.io
Calendar <main@4sqrp.groups.io>
wrote:Reminder:
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:

Wednesday, 2 May 2018
8:00pm to 9:00pm

(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago




Where:
40 and 80 Meters



Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on
7.122 +-.NCS will be Bill KV6Z.Wednesday
evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday
(8:30PM Central Time Wednesday).  The net will be
called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM. Net control
operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.



View
Event.
Re: Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets - Wed, 5/2/18 8:00pm-9:00pm #cal-reminder

Mlike McEwen
 

I'm trying guys... can't get my antenna up  due to physical issues. Have 40 EF wire... what is the best height for an inverted V ?


On Mon, Apr 30, 2018, 8:00 PM main@4SQRP.groups.io Calendar <main@4sqrp.groups.io> wrote:

Reminder:
Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
8:00pm to 9:00pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
40 and 80 Meters

Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central or 0100 UTC on 7.122 +-.
NCS will be Bill KV6Z.

Wednesday evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at 0130 UTC Thursday (8:30PM Central Time Wednesday). 
The net will be called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.



Net control operators are Johnny AC0BQ or Paul N0NBD.

View Event.

Re: BJ build - TX Xtal doesn't swing

Jess Gypin
 

It has been brought up in the group in the last week or so.

On May 1, 2018, at 7:41 AM, Raimund Reh <raimund.reh@web.de> wrote:

Hi Dave -no it's not your brain...
and I did it my way... not like Franky but take a look at the fotos I add...
I also think we are not alone with this expereance of none oscillating Q4 and we wonder why none is asking...
... cheers to you all guys - Ray



<IMG_20180501_WA0001.jpg>
<IMG_20180501_WA0009.jpg>
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