Keyboard Shortcuts
ctrl + shift + ? :
Show all keyboard shortcuts
ctrl + g :
Navigate to a group
ctrl + shift + f :
Find
ctrl + / :
Quick actions
esc to dismiss
Likes
- BITX20
- Messages
Search
|
Re: A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE
Jack Purdum
Wow...nice looking board. How much is the board? Jack, W8TEE From: Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 12:19 PM Subject: Re: [BITX20] A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE Here is the RF end of the remote switch. |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
John P
Two ideas I can think of. One, a disc with a hole in it and a led and optical sensor or a disc with a cam lobe on it to trip a microswitch. The 2nd approach is how the old clunk-clunk rotators (AR-22 and Alliance) keep track of where they are pointing (currently building a smart controller for the AR-22).
As or the capacitor feeling like it is coming apart at one end of it's travel, it is! If you keep turning the shaft past where the capacitor innards have hit the end stop, the shaft will just unscrew itself out of the cap. At least that's how the Jennings caps I have behave. At the other end, the shaft will stop turning and that could cause you to burn up a motor. -- John - WA2FZW |
||
|
Re: A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE
John P
On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 08:21 am, Mike Bryce wrote:
A bit off topic, but I'd like to show a project that started while I look for a cabinet for the BITX40 project.What Jack said! Writing code isn't all that hard once you learn the language. The important part is being able to define the problem to be solved and then think through how to solve it in a logical step by step manner. Once you've done that the rest is simply a language problem. Whenever I was teaching someone to program, I always told them to assume that the computer can do anything you want it to do; you just need to figure out the right thing to say to it. ? -- John - WA2FZW |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýWell you can just count in software knowing there is not enough
resistance to miss steps. Once the 3D printer starts on a part,
there is no feedback of position, but the do start at home with
micro switches. I found arrow shaft on ebay from China of course.? 30" x 6 mm Fiberglas ones ( I would worry about carbon fiber?). I will order them next.? I can make parts out of 3D printer plastic to couple them and a U joint. I am working on turning a 10T pot with about 2:1 ratio.? The 10T
pot even may work with a tight Rubber O Ring instead of geared
belt? My loop is big (taller than I am), I probably will have to make a 2x4 wood stand, maybe all the drive stuff can be mounted below. I think for RF, the bottom middle of the loop is ground
(symmetry)?? So down there is the best place.? Up near the Vac Var
would seem to be the worst? I am going to try the DC geared motor and see if it is too fast?? I may be able to PWM the DC, it is a 6V motor 180 RPM, but runs down to a few volts. Mike, WA6ISP On 10/3/2017 8:30 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýGreat Fun Project. Watch out, Jack will tell you to use a Case
Statement! So are there pictures of how you switch the antennas? The Action end?? Relays and stuff? Mike, WA6ISP On 10/3/2017 8:21 AM, Mike Bryce wrote:
A bit off topic, but I'd like to show a project that started while I look for a cabinet for the BITX40 project. -- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
Jack Purdum
What about a Hall Effect sensor fixed to the fiberglass shaft? That way you wouldn't have to contend with figuring out microsteps, but only shaft revolutions. Jack, W8TEE From: Michael Hagen <motdog@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 11:02 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] Yet another magnetic loop antenna Of course McMaster has it all!? And
Polycarbonate.
On 10/3/2017 7:53 AM, Michael Hagen
wrote:
Yes, but without a reset position (sensor or
micro switch for home or end points) it could get lost.
eBay has the 3D printer gears and belts.? I
found a 15T pulley and a 28T one.?? I have a small DC geared
motor.
Put the small one on it and the big one on a
10T pot.? Then you could make a freq vs pot resistance look up
table?
This would not even need a stepper if you could
get a slow enough motor??? The robot ones like at Pololu?
I will get some fiberglas arrow shafts with a
type of U joint and put all this stuff at the bottom and
behind the loop.?
I may be able to make the pulleys with gear
teeth on the 3 D printer so they are not metal?
Mike, WA6ISP
On 10/3/2017 7:38 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... -- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE
Jack Purdum
Very nice!! It really makes me happy when I see others jumping into the fray and trying their hand at programming. Few things are as satisfying as getting a bunch of hot sand to do what you want. There's plenty of room on the Mega 2560 for the code, so box it up with the BITX, throw it in a (big) box, and have at it! Jack, W8TEE From: Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 11:21 AM Subject: [BITX20] A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE A bit off topic, but I'd like to show a project that started while I look for a cabinet for the BITX40 project.
It's a remote antenna switch. Jack, W8TEE, inspired me to try my hand at Ardunio coding. I suck, but this is the result. The board in the middle is the current limit and error board piggy backed to a switch board. The board to the left is the antenna port voltage divider. It also serves as an interconnect to the remote antenna RF switch, and provided BCD output as well. When you select an antenna, the Nano reads the resultant voltage and through a series of 8 (it's a 8 position switch) IF statements finds the one that meets the IF statement. The result is displayed on the LCD. I got inspired and added some more code that would display the rigs used on the LCD. I could switch up to 8 different transceivers/antennas. Got way over my head on that one as the LCD would flicker. I narrowed it down to my use of LCD.clear statements. So trashed the rig select and put in a RTC that on the very bottom line. Sure wish I knew what I'm doing. I'm Mike, WB8VGE |
||
|
A bit OT, blame it on W8TEE
Mike Bryce
A bit off topic, but I'd like to show a project that started while I look for a cabinet for the BITX40 project.
It's a remote antenna switch. Jack, W8TEE, inspired me to try my hand at Ardunio coding. I suck, but this is the result. The board in the middle is the current limit and error board piggy backed to a switch board. The board to the left is the antenna port voltage divider. It also serves as an interconnect to the remote antenna RF switch, and provided BCD output as well. When you select an antenna, the Nano reads the resultant voltage and through a series of 8 (it's a 8 position switch) IF statements finds the one that meets the IF statement. The result is displayed on the LCD. I got inspired and added some more code that would display the rigs used on the LCD. I could switch up to 8 different transceivers/antennas. Got way over my head on that one as the LCD would flicker. I narrowed it down to my use of LCD.clear statements. So trashed the rig select and put in a RTC that on the very bottom line. Sure wish I knew what I'm doing. I'm Mike, WB8VGE |
||
|
Re: Hendricks BITX20A kit
Hello,
I also have the same kit and am using the supplied VFO circuitry with the Pacific antenna's digital dial. I get great reception and have transmitted 1300-2000 miles using a Carolina Windom in the attic and also a LNR 40/20/10 end fed at about 10 watts.? However I get signal reports of "off frequency" or "distorted audio".? Im still having trouble with the digital dial interfering with the freq. (i use it to get approximately to desired frequency, then disconnect and tune so my audio sounds good.? Maybe switching to the DDS is the answer. I would thing that comparing the Hendrix 20 schematic to the Bitx40 schematic would give you clues as where to tie in. Andy? KM4TRT |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýOf course McMaster has it all!? And
Polycarbonate.
On 10/3/2017 7:53 AM, Michael Hagen
wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: preview: Raduino v1.25 with capacitive touch CW keyer
Good job, Allard! ?I'm impressed!
You are adding a lot of functionality to the Bitx40 with a minimum of hacks. It's all quite polished and well documented, better than some commercial rigs. Very elegant capacitive touch solution, something I had been planning to add using the AT42QT1011 as per M0UKD. ?Looking forward to playing with your hack. From the video, looks like it works well enough for my purposes. One possible issue, best make sure your finger doesn't somehow short the keyer contact to rig ground. ?Wouldn't take much to overpower those 470k resistors, perhaps just the other hand hanging on to the rig, or slightly soggy shoes. ?Not something you want to count on if tapping out a plea for help in the freezing rain. ? May work better with moderately large keyer surfaces (a square cm?) covered with thin insulating tape (kapton?). ?Perhaps PCB material with soldermask? Also, in an overly dry environment your finger can carry quite a pop in electrostatic charge. Perhaps two 1k series resistors between the keyer finger contacts and the rest of the circuitry would be in order. Will be interesting to see how fast can you key it before response time becomes an issue. Now out of Nano pins. ?As someone previously posted, could save a few pins by having any switches not requiring a fast response be integrated into a single analog pin, using resistors to encode which switch is pressed into the voltage presented. That would work for Function, Spot, and PTT. |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýYes, but without a reset position (sensor or micro switch for home or end points) it could get lost. eBay has the 3D printer gears and belts.? I found a 15T pulley and a 28T one.?? I have a small DC geared motor. Put the small one on it and the big one on a 10T pot.? Then you could make a freq vs pot resistance look up table? This would not even need a stepper if you could
get a slow enough motor??? The robot ones like at Pololu? I will get some fiberglas arrow shafts with a
type of U joint and put all this stuff at the bottom and behind
the loop.? I may be able to make the pulleys with gear teeth
on the 3 D printer so they are not metal? Mike, WA6ISP On 10/3/2017 7:38 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
Jack Purdum
Mike: Is there a way to track the number of turns the VVC has made and, when it reaches a certain count, it won't advance the stepper any further? It might get a little messy with micro-stepping, but it should be doable. Jack, W8TEE From: Michael Hagen <motdog@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 10:21 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] Yet another magnetic loop antenna These Stepper Drivers are used a lot for 3D
printers.? I got spares, but never have blow one up.
They are real inexpensive on eBay.
The is a lot bigger problem driving a Vacuum
Variable on the Loop Ant than a Capacitor.
I am wondering how to come up with some "end
stops" for turning the shaft.? They take about 18 or so turns
end to end.
In fact mine feels like is is coming apart at the
end in one direction, gets loose feeling.
And this stuff is near the RF field of the loop.?
You sure don't want a bunch of metal stuff there.
Right now I just have to reach over and peak it
for noise during receive since I have it near the BitX.
I turn the volume up and peak it.? I am going to
put a piece of wood dowel on it temporarily.
Maybe it is not a real problem since if it stays
tuned it never goes near the ends.
I am just worried about the stepper taking off
and hitting the ends.
I wish it had a clutch arrangement built into it,
but it feel like it is coming apart when I get near one end.
I have thought about a small belt to a 10 Turn pot,
then it could be like a Servo and be driven to a pot position?
This is the first Vac Variable I have had in over
50 years of Hamming.? Its Cool!
Mike, WA6ISP
On 10/3/2017 6:24 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýThese Stepper Drivers are used a lot for 3D printers.? I got spares, but never have blow one up. They are real inexpensive on eBay. The is a lot bigger problem driving a Vacuum Variable on the Loop Ant than a Capacitor. I am wondering how to come up with some "end stops" for turning the shaft.? They take about 18 or so turns end to end. In fact mine feels like is is coming apart at the end in one direction, gets loose feeling. And this stuff is near the RF field of the loop.?
You sure don't want a bunch of metal stuff there. Right now I just have to reach over and peak it for noise during receive since I have it near the BitX. I turn the volume up and peak it.? I am going to
put a piece of wood dowel on it temporarily. Maybe it is not a real problem since if it stays tuned it never goes near the ends. I am just worried about the stepper taking off and hitting the ends. I wish it had a clutch arrangement built into it, but it feel like it is coming apart when I get near one end. I have thought about a small belt to a 10 Turn pot,
then it could be like a Servo and be driven to a pot position? This is the first Vac Variable I have had in over
50 years of Hamming.? Its Cool! Mike, WA6ISP
On 10/3/2017 6:24 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
-- Mike Hagen, WA6ISP 10917 Bryant Street Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 (909) 918-0058 PayPal ID "MotDog@..." Mike@... |
||
|
Re: W8TEE Software Release 1.07-09
Jack Purdum
In the Files section of the group home is the assembly manual. I posted this on Sept 30. Look for my call. Jack, W8TEE From: Rodger <rodger_hanson@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 12:38 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] W8TEE Software Release 1.07-09 Hello, where can I get the build document(s) for this display please?
|
||
|
Re: W8TEE Software Release 1.07-10 to Remove digitalWriteFast library
Jack Purdum
Mike: This is a kludge, but try this (new lines in yellow): at line 1574 add: ?? static int passCounter = 0; add these lines between 1593-1594: ??? 1593????? if (encoderDirection) { ??????????????????? passCounter++;??????????????????????? // Got a speedbump ??????????????????? if (passCounter < 2) {????????????????// Double-speedbump yet? ??????????????????????? break;????????????????????????????????????// Nope... ??????????????????? } else { ??????????????????????? passCounter = 0;????????????????? // Yep... ??????????????????? } ??? 1594 ?????? if ((unsigned long) (fasttuneStart - fasttuneEnd) < DEFAULTTRIGGER) {??? // They're spinning fast... I can't test this right now, but give it a shot and see what happens. Jack, W8TEE From: Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 12:47 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] W8TEE Software Release 1.07-10 to Remove digitalWriteFast library Jack, put in a new encoder and no joy. I feel two 'clicks' and with every two clicks, the display moves on digit. 7.021.6 turn two clicks 7.021.5 push the switch button, and I can step though the menus, change keyer speed (it's jumpy, too) and back to freq display mike, wb8vge |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
Vince Vielhaber
I found the Polulu to be the least dependable. This is the one I use - I
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
bought the last ones from someone other than Banggood tho: Vince. I've used both the EasyDriver and this one from Polulu: --
Michigan VHF Corp. |
||
|
Re: W8TEE pending software release and port(?)
#w8tee
Jack Purdum
I used to have a cabin in Canada and I mailed a package to myself in the States. Even the Canadians make fun of their postal service, saying that 90% of their relatively high postal rates is for storage. Still, after several weeks it had not shown up. It finally did show up, 9 months later! The envelop was covered in "floor oil", like you had slid it across the floor of a Jiffylube garage. I'm sure that when it was being sorted someone missed a bag and it slid across the floor and under a desk or something. Jack, W8TEE From: "paul@..." <paul@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 5:18 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] W8TEE pending software release and port(?) #w8tee I inquired at two post offices and at the second discovered that the package had arrived there about 1.5 hrs before I got there! I couldn't pick it up as it had already been sorted for delivery. I should get it later today if this info is correct. If so, that would be 38 days since it left Mumbai. I would love to know where it passed though along the way but USPS doesn't seem keen to reveal that information for some reason.? Paul KG6QGE |
||
|
Re: Yet another magnetic loop antenna
Jack Purdum
I've used both the EasyDriver and this one from Polulu: I found the Polulu to be a more robust driver. Jack, W8TEE From: "paul@..." <paul@...> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 5:40 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] Yet another magnetic loop antenna Excellent write up. I've recently finished building an air variable cap and the next project is integrating the stepper and building a controller.? Could you use relays to control your driver micro stepping with the Arduino? Also, you might want to look at the Sparkfun EasyDriver. It has logic pins broken out that can set the stepping from full to 1/8 and also an enable/disable pin. I also have a Chinese EasyDriver clone which was a fraction of the price of the original but I haven't tested either yet.? Regards, Paul KG6QGE |
to navigate to use esc to dismiss