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Re: Cricket VFO
Hi Terry (and all other interested parties). I had tried driving the Cricket with a DDS VFO (N3ZI DDS) that works somewhat with the Bayou Jumper but I was driving the Cricket through the crystal input and doing it that way, it did NOT work. It would transmit okay, but no band noise was heard and the receiver was pretty deaf so I abandoned that research at the time. Not seeing the forest for the trees, I never tried removing C8 and driving Q2's base directly so when I saw Terrys mention of it this morning, I quickly removed C8 and ran a micro coax from the C8 hole closest to Q2 with the coax ground going to ground at the bottom of R3. With the DDS I'm using, you can set the RIT to whatever receive offset you want and (through a keying adapter) when you key the rig, that offset is removed and you get TX on the frequency shown in the DDS display. This allows for applications like the Cricket where you need the offset to hear a station that's exactly zero beat (or very close) with your TX signal. My results were encouraging. I set the DDS output to MAX which in this case is roughly 5 volts peak to peak and I was pleasantly surprised to hear 80 meter band noise in the headphones. There are birdies caused by mixing products of local garbage signals from my computer power supply with the DDS signal, but I put my calibrated signal generator (-73 dBm output) through a step attenuator to the ant input of the Cricket. It doesn't meet the stated -110 dBm figure for MDS but I got a measured -118.5 dBm for a readable signal and I'm not 100 percent sure of the accuacy of my test equipment right now. It IS usable and if band conditions were to be decent, one could probably get decent range out of it. Also, the 5V P-P drive to Q2 produces .98 watts into a 50 ohm dummy and that checks out as well into a 1:1 SWR on the antenna as well. Considering the cost of the DDS though ($80 shipped) and the parts to build up a buffer to get the 5V P-P out of 200mV along with a shielded metal case to put it in, you have over 1.5 times the cost of the Cricket in the first place. If I make it permanent, I will put an RCA connector (maybe an SMA since I have a few) on the Cricket's circuit board and rig a jumper assembly to switch the input of Q2 between the DDS and C8 from the on-board crystal oscillator. I need to play with a few 2N7000 and BS170 transistors @ Q2 and see if the mixing performance can be improved to give a tad better RX sensitivity. The answer to Terry's question is that it's now been tried and at least works. Whether or not anyone winds up satisfied with the RX sensitivity or finds a way to improve it remains to be seen. IMO it IS worth the try though. Jim, W0EB
------ Original Message ------
From: "WA0ITP wa0itp@... [4sqrp]" <4sqrp@...>
To: "4sqrp@..." <4sqrp@...>
Sent: 5/31/2017 8:54:42 AM
Subject: [4sqrp] Cricket VFO Wondering if anyone has tried driving the Cricket with a VFO. Pulling C8 and driving Q2 directly with 3 to 4 Vpp might work. Would need to devise a way to get the offset tho.
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Re: Cricket VFO
Wayne Dillon
Might be interesting to try that with an Arduino DDS? Wayne - NQ0RP
On Wed, May 31, 2017 at 8:54 AM, WA0ITP wa0itp@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
--
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
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Cricket VFO
WA0ITP
Wondering if anyone has
tried driving the Cricket with a VFO. Pulling C8 and
driving Q2 directly
with 3 to 4 Vpp might work. Would need to devise a way to get the offset tho.
Just thinking out loud, the circuit begs for experimentation. -- 72 WAØITP I love this radio stuff. www.wa0itp.com www.4sqrp.com
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Test Equipment and Station Gear from the Estate of Jerry, W5JH
John Stevens (K5JS)
The following is a partial listing of what is available from the estate of Jerry, W5JH. All equipment is represented correctly to the best of my knowledge. All equipment is in very good condition and was in frequent use in a Non-smoking environment. It was well maintained and not abused. More items will be released in separate lists as I am able to go through them. Waiting in the wings are an ICOM-R70 receiver and refurbished SB-200.
Please reply directly off list and reference W5JH in the subject line to minimize the chance of your reply being overlooked. All manuals and accessories that are associated with each item will be included if I am able to locate and identify them all. Chances are good since the area is not excessively large nor cluttered. Original boxes will be used if available. Prices are less shipping. Pictures of most gear can be seen at <https://www.qrz.com/db/w5jh>. I have additional photos upon request. If you are interested in building a fully equipped test bench, this list is for you... It's ALL here. Jerry was very particular about the test equipment on his bench. The HP8640B Signal Generator and Fluke Digital Multimeter in the photos are already spoken for. Wavetek Model 164 30 MHz Sweep/Function Generator. Commercial laboratory quality. Extremely versatile. $275 Tektronix 2213 Dual Channel 60 MHz Oscilloscope $!00. Kenwood TS-590s Transceiver. LIke New $825 Dentron Clipperton-L Amplifier. Very clean with tubes. $600 MFJ-962 Versa Tuner III 1.5 KW Tuner $150 LP-100A Digital Vector RF Wattmeter w/optional dual coupler. Like New $425 More info at <http://www.telepostinc.com/ AADE DFD4 Frequency Counter $35 AADE LC Meter $85 LDG Z100 Auto Tuner $90 So here we go... 73 John K5JS
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Re: testing
John Raynsford
Oh no. Ya'll do " pop quizz " here on this forum ? During the geomagnetic storms and aurora displays is when the weird stuff happens up north hr.
On Monday, May 29, 2017 11:50 AM, "'dekle' dekle@... [4sqrp]" <4sqrp@...> wrote:
You should at least give us some time to study.
And the dog ate my homework.
Bill
KV6Z
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Re: AADE LC meter
KD4OBQ
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Re: testing
dekle <dekle@...>
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
You should at least give us some time to study.
And the dog ate my homework.
Bill
KV6Z
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Bayou Jumper with Baby Bunnell Key
Here's how I mounted the Bunnell model 6B ("Baby Key") on my Rev A
version of the Bayou Jumper in place of the normal built-in key components that come with the kit. I was lucky enough to obtain 2 of the Baby Bunnell keys at a reasonable price off eBay several months ago. They appear to have gotten scarce again though some do show up from time to time. The 6B was originally mounted in groups of 4 on some Western Union telegraph test sets so the person doing the testing could test 4 telegraph circuits nearly simultaneously and send/receive messages on any of the 4 circuits without having to plug/unplug the key to do so. As small as these keys are, they are remarkably easy to send good CW with which attests to the superb quality that Bunnell manufactured into them in the first place. First, you have to remove the built-in key components including the aluminum post used for the fixed contact on the main PC board. Put the key strap mounting screws back in their holes to cover them for aesthetic purposes. Temporarily disassemble the Bunnell key's rear contact (ground) assembly. Be careful you don't lose any parts in the process as they are not standard size/threads. Position the key in place with the long insulated contact screw through the big hole in the BJ's front panel and slightly ream out the contact hole in the main PC board (not the front panel) ever so slightly so that the contact screw JUST fits. Next, while the key is sitting in the proper position, mark the panel where the rear (ground) contact screw needs to go and after removing the Bunnell key from it's position, carefully drill a hole big enough to fit the ground screw at the place you just marked. Now, reassemble the key and carefully shorten the rear screw to protrude about a half inch below the panel when the key is in place. Next, using one of the two nuts that are attached to each screw, along with a large fiber, or plastic washer and a metal washer for support loosely attach the front of the key to the large knob hole in the top panel. As you are doing this, take the extra nut from the front screw and thread it partway up that screw. Now, adding a #6 lockwasher to the front screw above the main PC board, place it down through the hole vacated by the aluminum spacer you removed from the main PC board earlier. Now, tighten the front and rear nuts on the underside of the front panel board to lock the key in position making sure it's aligned square with the edge of the panel board to make it look good. Finally, run the nut you threaded partway up the front screw down against the lockwasher and top of the PC board. Using the last extra nut and a #6 flat washer on the underside of the PC board, secure the contact screw to the bottom of the board. Using the nuts on both sides of the PC board, adjust them so they are tight, make good contact and don't put a bow in the PC board. You're done and have a nice little "real world" key on your Bayou Jumper. Good luck finding and mounting a Bunnell 6B key to the Bayou Jumper. Jim Sheldon, W0EB
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testing
Wayne Dillon
testing 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
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Re: TenTec 4030 for sale
Bill VanKirk
The TenTec 4030 has sold.
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TenTec 4030 for sale
Bill VanKirk
Bill W0PT
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Re: Obituary(s) To A Filter Cap And A 6X4 Rectifier Tube
Curt
Sam,
I wired two 47uF 450VDC in series with each having 47k dropping resistor parallel. Result was ~20uF @ 900V with ~ 100k load resistance. Was concerned after observing the output of my Rectifier was nearly 430 VDC. Also used a 5Y3 rectifier instead of the 6X5. Hope to catch you on 40 with your AC-1 Clone when you get it fixed. 72, Curt KB5JO
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Obituary(s) To A Filter Cap And A 6X4 Rectifier Tube
Sam Neal
Hello,
I sadly report the passing of two QRP radio transmitter components. ( #1 ) Passing ( Suddenly! ) of a 22 mFd/450 Volts DC Filter capacitor. Born approximately 2007 in China ( The People's Republic There-of ) Passed ( suddenly ) just before the 4 States QRP Group Net, 0130 Z - 7122 kHz - 24 May, 2017 at 01:15:05Z Born in People's Republic of China to operate continually at 450 VDC. Passed suddenly and in a spectacular manor while operating at approximately 380 VDC We also sadly report the associated passing of two 1 Ampere fuses and one 6X5 Tube. ___________________________________________________________________________ ( #2 ) Suddenly, 01:15:06 Z one 6X5GT/G CHS/Jan rectifier tube. 6X5/GT/G/JAN/CHS served proudly during the World War 2 conflict assigned to the United States Navy. Two innocent 1 Ampere fuses lost their lives as a result of the above incident. Services will be This coming Wednesday by the P&H Garbage Pick-up Service Company Pall-bearers will be Cooter and Bubba. Internment will be shortly there-afterwards at The Liberty County Texas Landfill ========================================================================================= ========================================================================================= This is the first failure I have had with these small sized fiter caps. I suggest operating these imports will below heir rated Voltage limits. The above components were in the built-in power supply of a clone-kit of an Ameco AC-1, with a Ken-Rad 6V6 tube as a crystal oscillator. The transmitter was not being used when the filter cap failed, just minding it's own business, awaiting net time. The current rush took the 6X5/G/GT with it, and it's rolling off the desk top and playing Humpty Dumpty didn't help it any at all. So far, no problems with the replacement 22 mFd. 450 VDC cap. All kidding aside, have any of you had problems with these type capacitors, operating well below their operating Voltage, failing? The value and Voltage ratings are well marked, but no manufacturer's info is shown. I either bought them in small lots off of E-Bay purchases, or the filter cap was supplied with the kit - I forget. Due to failure with 50+ year old paper filter caps in older boat anchor rigs, I routinely replace the filter caps and also add a fuse before ever transmitting the first dot with them. I had hoped that operating well below it's Voltage rating would help, but it didn't. Any comments on similar incidents would be appreciated. 73, Sam Neal N5AF Celebrating 60 Years In Amateur Radio -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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KC9ON Cricket Experiments
WA0ITP
GM John,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks vy much for the info, and the time spent experimenting. Your efforts will help those who wish to use crystals other than 3579. Enjoy your Summer. 72 WAØITP I love this radio stuff. www.wa0itp.com www.4sqrp.com On 5/27/2017 12:22 AM, jwc123@...
[4sqrp] wrote:
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Bayou Jumper in K9YA Telegraph
WA0ITP
In this month's K9YA Telegraph, there is an excellent Bayou Jumper article by Paul Ross, W3FIS. Paul is member #1097. Thank you Paul!
There are other FB spy articles in the Telegraph this month as well as the ongoing saga of Rose and Charlie. If you don't receiver the free Telegraph PDF, you can sign up here http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/k9ya_telegraph It's always a good read. -- 72 WAØITP I love this radio stuff. www.wa0itp.com www.4sqrp.com
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Re: Possible new kit
John Clements
Reminds me of the old Star Fleet Technical Manual (yup, I'm a nerd!). In there on page T0:03:02:01 is a schematic for the "20th century terran early development" 3 transistor communicator using PNP Transistors and 27/49MHz channels. Even a parts list is included but it's missing the info for 3 inductors and I'm not sure where now days you can pick up a 7PDT momentary switch for T/R. Might be the start of a project and good for a 10M or 6M AM QSO at 100'. Even as a kid I was amused they threw a semi-real schematic into that book.
72 John kc9on
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Re: The Cricket Transceiver Futuristic Design
John Clements
>Does the oscillator run ok
with an HC49S, and with
180p at C9 and470 at C10? Does it start ok
both at 3580 and 3560?
So far it's working with 3535 3550 3560 and 3579 - all HC49/s small cases, have not seen any startup issues. Putting the 2 pin headers in those cap positions really helped out. >How much power does it make with the small crystal? Power is much lower, about slightly less than 1/2W. Currently using an MFJ949 for measurement but really need to swap it out with my Autek meter as the MFJ accuracy is horrid in the low range. >Does Q2 get hot? I will leave that with a "it all depends". If you do about 60 seconds of normal keying at 10WPM, such as calling CQ, I have not felt any heat. Probably the duty cycle is enough to keep it cool. But if you drop your shoe on the key it starts to get hot to the touch after about 10 seconds into a dummy load. I haven't left my shoe on the key any longer than that but would assume by 30 seconds full key down magic smoke will appear. >Does it stay in Class E? Probably not (see above). Someone told me of a mod to one of the bias resistors around Q2. I have not tried this mod yet and don't know if it's better or worse. I'm off the bench for summer activities so it may be a while before I starting playing around again. Another thing I have not done yet is to measure the signal sensitivity. Overall it's an interesting, but challenging, circuit. I know the manual states it was a minimalist design and built for a specific purpose but us hackers will be hackers :) For the headers/sockets........ I don't plan on re-selling them as they are very cheap (penny candy). However, when someone asks I do drop a few samples in an order when I have extras (usually do). I get them from TaydaElectronics.com Their shipping costs are pretty reasonable as well. I think they are also on Ebay as Tayda2009. Below are the part numbers: 40 pin breakway header A-197 $.15 - One is enough for 13 crystals. 3 pin straight female header A-1069 $.04 3 pin Right Angle female header A-1028 $.09 (A header and 10 sockets comes out to around $2.07 shipped from them - hard to beat!) The clear Mini-Yack enclosure was a gift from VE3FWF. He does not produce them commercially but his local library is lucky enough to have a laser cutter he has occasional access to. He has also done ones for the Chinese Pixie and Super RM Rockmite. The software is from www.makercase.com and his current enclosures are available from several places on my web site but here is a direct link to the zip file: http://kc9on.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/VE3FWF-Enclosures.zip If anyone is interested I have a Super RM Rockmite enclosure made from hardboard I promised to give away and will send to the first U.S. person to e-mail me off list (Foreign shipping starts at a whopping $9.50 and up.... Ouch!). You can see a picture of the hardboard version here: http://kc9on.com/ham-radio/qrp-radios/chinese-qrp-kits-2/chinese-super-rm-rockmite-aka-octopus/ 72 John kc9on
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Re: AADE LC meter
Bob Nelson
If y'all will permit one more opinion: For MY money, the Peak Atlas LCR40 is a dynamite product. I wouldn't be without mine. And I have been building electronic devices since 1954. And in the way of formal education, I have an MSEE degree from a big-name university. I fiddled with the AADE machine for awhile a couple years ago. IMHO, the Peak Atlas (made in England, IIRC) is a far more useful instrument. And not very expensive. Whenever I want to ascertain the value of almost any passive component, it's the Peak Atlas that I reach for first, and almost 100% exclusively. 73 to all - Bob, K6KL
On Friday, May 26, 2017 7:22 PM, "Jim Sheldon w0eb@... [4sqrp]" <4sqrp@...> wrote: Thanks to all who responded to my request regarding an AADE model IIB LC meter. I've located one.
73, Jim, W0EB
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AADE LC meter
Thanks to all who responded to my request regarding an AADE model IIB LC meter. I've located one.
73, Jim, W0EB
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Re: Possible new kit
James Vroman AC0BN
How about a new version of the HF test set in a tricorder form? I also love the idea of a simple receiver in a communicator form.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
James "Chewy" Vroman
On May 25, 2017 9:29 PM, "William Wood ke9xq@charter.net [4sqrp]" <4sqrp@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
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