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Re: Testing a 30M grabber

"pa0tab-Johan"
 

Hi Philip
If you send me a direct mail, I will send you a copy

'73 Johan- PA0TAB



----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Van: Philip Aan: QRPLabs@... Verzonden: vrijdag 7 oktober 2011 9:33
Onderwerp: [QRPLabs] Testing a 30M grabber


Morning folks
Decided to get my head around setting up a grabber on 30M
Early days but getting there.
Homebrew simple DC receiver into an 80 meter dipole converted to
a doublet tuned to 30 by a homebrew Zmatch.
Using Argo and Argo upload but does anybody know where to get the
version of Argo which shows a larger frequency range?
Had it once but can't find it now...

Anyhoo, a basic start and it should be on most of today for testing...



Regards Philip
G4JVF


Testing a 30M grabber

"Philip"
 

Morning folks
Decided to get my head around setting up a grabber on 30M
Early days but getting there.
Homebrew simple DC receiver into an 80 meter dipole converted to
a doublet tuned to 30 by a homebrew Zmatch.
Using Argo and Argo upload but does anybody know where to get the
version of Argo which shows a larger frequency range?
Had it once but can't find it now...

Anyhoo, a basic start and it should be on most of today for testing...



Regards Philip
G4JVF


Re: Toroids - a note of caution./ mini ring core calculator

"pa0tab-Johan"
 

Stephen,
Have you ever used "mini ringcore calculator" from DL5SWB? Works fine

'73 Johan- PA0TAB


----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Van: Stephen
Aan: QRPLabs@...
Verzonden: zaterdag 27 augustus 2011 12:19
Onderwerp: [QRPLabs] Toroids - a note of caution.



If you can it is always worth measuring the inductance of a toroid core rather than relying on the various charts and on line calculators that tell you how many turns equate to an particular inductance.

I was making an LPF for 20 meters the other day and discovered that the chart I was using told me I needed 17 turns for a particular inductance, however when I measured the inductance I only needed 15 turns. With the extra turns the LPF would not have performed as required....

73s Steve G0XAR


Re: Crystals for 20 and 10 meters

"Facility 406 DM09"
 

: We now stock crystals for 14.000 Mhz and shortly will stock some for
28.000.

Do you have transmitter kits for 10m? Anyhting for 6m?

I'd really like to find a universal kit, something with major components, or
not, but at least a universal board and a chart for calculation to scale to
any frequency from MF to 6m.

Kurt


Toroids - a note of caution.

"Stephen"
 

If you can it is always worth measuring the inductance of a toroid core rather than relying on the various charts and on line calculators that tell you how many turns equate to an particular inductance.

I was making an LPF for 20 meters the other day and discovered that the chart I was using told me I needed 17 turns for a particular inductance, however when I measured the inductance I only needed 15 turns. With the extra turns the LPF would not have performed as required....

73s Steve G0XAR


Crystals for 20 and 10 meters

"Stephen"
 

Hi Guys,

We now stock crystals for 14.000 Mhz and shortly will stock some for 28.000.

73s Steve G0XAR


30 meter crystals/kits

"Stephen"
 

Guys,

My apologies for the delay in the production of the 30 meter kits. The reason was that my normal supplier of 30 meter crystals could not supply any more. However, thanks to the efforts of my good friend Paul AK1P, we got some custom made in the US. This took a while but I am happy to say we now have stock. There is no need to rush, we have plenty and, thanks to Paul, we got a really good price so there will be no price increase.

I will be sending out kits for those of you who ordered 40 meter kits and asked for them to be changed to 30 meters next week. Tomorrow, I'll be stuffing parts in bags for 30 meter kits and you should be able to order kits and crystals from the shop from the beginning of next week...

73s Steve G0XAR


Re: would like a dialog on packaging of qrss high stability transmitters

Arv Evans
 

开云体育

Steve G0XAR

Once outside a country's territorial limits the regulations on unattended beacon transmissions
might be different.??? :-)

The US also has 2-liter soft-drink bottles.? They are handy for a number of ham related projects,
from using the plastic to make capacitor dielectric, to use as housings for electronics that need
to be protected from water, insects, and small children.

Since it is relatively easy to generate hydrogen at mains water pressure by using a sealed
U-shaped electrolysis vessel, there is also the possibility of using very thin plastic bags as balloons
for lifting your own atmospheric beacon into the path of birds and flying insects.? This has
potential for traversing both land and oceans while emitting QRSS signals advertising it's location,
altitude, and other environmental information.

Arv
_._


On 08/01/2011 02:41 AM, Stephen Farthing wrote:

?

Hi Stan,


That is a very interesting proposition you have there.?

On our kits we get great stability without using any ovening of the crystals. If you are burying the whole plot in the back yard I suspect you are going to subject it to more temperature variation than the average shack. So some sort of ovenisation might be required. The only other problem i can think of is with all that packaging and paint how will you get the thing on frequency? I suspect the packaging will affect the output frequency so you need some way to tune it without removing it from the package.?

It sure will puzzle any?archaeologists who dig up your garden in a few hundred years time if it is still there.?

Arv is not the only one who was thinking about a QRSS marine beacon. A friend and I were thinking of one. The case was going to be a 2 liter (not sure what that is in American) transparent coke bottle. Power as many C Cells as we could get into the bottom to act as power/ballast. Possibly solar panel top up, GPS linked to microcontroller to TX location using QRSS.Antenna some sort of loaded vertical. I did ask our equivalent of the FCC if we could do this but they said no as unatteneded beacons are not allowed. May be?be you guys have different rules...?

73s Steve G0XAR



--
It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less.


Re: would like a dialog on packaging of qrss high stability transmitters

Stephen Farthing
 

Hi Stan,

That is a very interesting proposition you have there.?

On our kits we get great stability without using any ovening of the crystals. If you are burying the whole plot in the back yard I suspect you are going to subject it to more temperature variation than the average shack. So some sort of ovenisation might be required. The only other problem i can think of is with all that packaging and paint how will you get the thing on frequency? I suspect the packaging will affect the output frequency so you need some way to tune it without removing it from the package.?

It sure will puzzle any?archaeologists who dig up your garden in a few hundred years time if it is still there.?

Arv is not the only one who was thinking about a QRSS marine beacon. A friend and I were thinking of one. The case was going to be a 2 liter (not sure what that is in American) transparent coke bottle. Power as many C Cells as we could get into the bottom to act as power/ballast. Possibly solar panel top up, GPS linked to microcontroller to TX location using QRSS.Antenna some sort of loaded vertical. I did ask our equivalent of the FCC if we could do this but they said no as unatteneded beacons are not allowed. May be?be you guys have different rules...?

73s Steve G0XAR



--
It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less.


Re: would like a dialog on packaging of qrss high stability transmitters

"w9ifz"
 

A floating unit sounds like it could be fun Arv. I have been experimenting with using a PicAxe for control. I have one running as a battery monitor and it also generates a beacon string message.

I live near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri river so would be a perfect place to test a floating beacon.

stan

--- In QRPLabs@..., Arv Evans <arvid.evans@...> wrote:

Stan AK0B

Some time ago a couple of us were discussing something similar, but
using QRSS beacons with GPS
for launching in ocean currents to see where they go. Our approach was
to use 3 inch diameter
PVC drain pipe as the chassis with 3 inch pipe caps glued onto each
end. Adding a battery pack
at one end would keep them floating upright so an antenna on the
opposite end would be above
water most of the time. With a reducer fitting the antenna could be
installed inside a length of
smaller PVC pipe for a fully water-tight system. This discussion
progressed to talking about wave-
action charging and possibility of sending commands to an accompanying
receiver for remote
control, including wave-action propulsion and associated navigation.
This then led to the absurd, like making a geo-cache that floated around
in the ocean.

Your glass bottle might lend itself well to battery charging via an
internal solar cell if you leave
one side exposed to the sun. With microprocessor control you could make
it sense battery
charge and turn on only when there is adequate power for at least one ID
sequence. ID could
also include telemetry information like temperature, battery state,
solar intensity, wind speed,
and so on.

Arv K7HKL
_._


On 07/31/2011 01:47 PM, w9ifz wrote:

I would like to share ideas on packaging.

I am in the process of building a qrss transmitter which I will put
into a square glass bottle I obtained from Lobby Hobby. The bottle
mouth is 2 inches and the holding area is 3 inches high. It has a
combination aluminum and plastic lid.

I plan to use an F fitting for the antenna connection. Much cheaper
than BNC or UHF and they work very well it crimped correctly.

I have mixed feeling about if I will use a heater on the xtal or not.
Since the entire board would not be in any draft condition.

I am also thinking about filling the bottle with glass beads after I
install the transmitter. Makes a good heat sink I think.
Can not decide if I will paint the inside of the bottle black or not.
I am considering the inside black with the outside silver.

All power supply components will be outside the bottle and may or may
not be on the top of the lid. Initially will not be on the lid.

I will add a wood box with the pink foam installation between the
bottle and the wood.

I long term goal is to build something super stable and to bury it in
the yard.

Interested in your thoughts and suggestions,

Thanks, Stan AK0B


Re: would like a dialog on packaging of qrss high stability transmitters

Arv Evans
 

开云体育

Stan AK0B

Some time ago a couple of us were discussing something similar, but using QRSS beacons with GPS
for launching in ocean currents to see where they go.? Our approach was to use 3 inch diameter
PVC drain pipe as the chassis with 3 inch pipe caps glued onto each end.? Adding a battery pack
at one end would keep them floating upright so an antenna on the opposite end would be above
water most of the time.? With a reducer fitting the antenna could be installed inside a length of
smaller PVC pipe for a fully water-tight system.? This discussion progressed to talking about wave-
action charging and possibility of sending commands to an accompanying receiver for remote
control, including wave-action propulsion and associated navigation.
This then led to the absurd, like making a geo-cache that floated around in the ocean.

Your glass bottle might lend itself well to battery charging via an internal solar cell if you leave
one side exposed to the sun.? With microprocessor control you could make it sense battery
charge and turn on only when there is adequate power for at least one ID sequence.? ID could
also include telemetry information like temperature, battery state, solar intensity, wind speed,
and so on.

Arv K7HKL
_._


On 07/31/2011 01:47 PM, w9ifz wrote:

?

I would like to share ideas on packaging.

I am in the process of building a qrss transmitter which I will put into a square glass bottle I obtained from Lobby Hobby. The bottle mouth is 2 inches and the holding area is 3 inches high. It has a combination aluminum and plastic lid.

I plan to use an F fitting for the antenna connection. Much cheaper than BNC or UHF and they work very well it crimped correctly.

I have mixed feeling about if I will use a heater on the xtal or not. Since the entire board would not be in any draft condition.

I am also thinking about filling the bottle with glass beads after I install the transmitter. Makes a good heat sink I think.
Can not decide if I will paint the inside of the bottle black or not. I am considering the inside black with the outside silver.

All power supply components will be outside the bottle and may or may not be on the top of the lid. Initially will not be on the lid.

I will add a wood box with the pink foam installation between the bottle and the wood.

I long term goal is to build something super stable and to bury it in the yard.

Interested in your thoughts and suggestions,

Thanks, Stan AK0B


would like a dialog on packaging of qrss high stability transmitters

"w9ifz"
 

I would like to share ideas on packaging.

I am in the process of building a qrss transmitter which I will put into a square glass bottle I obtained from Lobby Hobby. The bottle mouth is 2 inches and the holding area is 3 inches high. It has a combination aluminum and plastic lid.

I plan to use an F fitting for the antenna connection. Much cheaper than BNC or UHF and they work very well it crimped correctly.

I have mixed feeling about if I will use a heater on the xtal or not. Since the entire board would not be in any draft condition.

I am also thinking about filling the bottle with glass beads after I install the transmitter. Makes a good heat sink I think.
Can not decide if I will paint the inside of the bottle black or not. I am considering the inside black with the outside silver.

All power supply components will be outside the bottle and may or may not be on the top of the lid. Initially will not be on the lid.

I will add a wood box with the pink foam installation between the bottle and the wood.

I long term goal is to build something super stable and to bury it in the yard.

Interested in your thoughts and suggestions,

Thanks, Stan AK0B


Kit Availability/Orders

Stephen Farthing
 

Hi Guys,

I am sorry that some kits have been out of stock for a little while and that some orders have gone missing in the post. A rush of orders from Sweden depleted stocks and I had to go away at short notice on family stuff which delayed restocking. My apologies for this.?

The good news is that 200 PCBs arrived this morning and I have sufficient stock to kit 40 and 80 meter beacons within the next couple of days. I am awaiting 1,000 30 meter crystals from a supplier in the USA. I hope they will be here in the next 2 weeks then I'll kit 30 meter beacons and send out the kits for those people who changed their orders to 30 m beacons.?

The postal service here is normally pretty reliable. But just lately some orders have been lost. If your order does not arrive please get back to me and I'll ship you a new one and seek compensation from them here.?

Hans is currently working an 80 hour week so has little time to devote to developing the RX kit. Watch this space for future announcements about it.?

Thanks for your patience.

73s Steve G0XAR



--
It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less.


Re: Logging software

"Philip"
 

Sorry folks
Posted this on the wrong group...

Senior moment

--- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" <pcteee@...> wrote:

Hi folks
Just getting back into ham radio after a 16 year break.
Having fun using my recent build of an MKARS80 into a half wave dipole.

Not familiar with most of the ham radio software but need a decent virtual logbook...

Any recomendations or what do you use?

Thanks

Regards
Philip G4JVF


Logging software

"Philip"
 

Hi folks
Just getting back into ham radio after a 16 year break.
Having fun using my recent build of an MKARS80 into a half wave dipole.

Not familiar with most of the ham radio software but need a decent virtual logbook...

Any recomendations or what do you use?

Thanks

Regards
Philip G4JVF


Re: looking for a couple of 10.140 MHz xtals

Stephen Farthing
 

Hi Stan,

If you can wait for a few weeks I hope to have stock in the ?shop at a reasonable price. I am having 1000 made in the USA. I ordered them a while back and i hope they will be shipped soon.

Expanded Spectrum Systems in the USA sell them but they are quite expensive. Nick at Genesis Radio in Oz mat have some left. I used to buy from him but he was also having problems sourcing them.?

Hope this helps,


73s Steve G0XAR?

--
It is vain to do with more that which can be done with less.


Re: looking for a couple of 10.140 MHz xtals

cvest@...
 

ESS has them at :


Usual disclaimer , just a satisfied customer .

Charlie , W5COV
---- w9ifz <w9ifz@...> wrote:

can anyone point me to a source?
Thanks, Stan ak0b


looking for a couple of 10.140 MHz xtals

"w9ifz"
 

can anyone point me to a source?
Thanks, Stan ak0b


Re: QRSS grabber network?

Clayton G
 

Hi All,

Thank you to all those that responded. It sounds like there is an interest in the idea and some people willing to contribute.

I'm working on some more sample server software, and will then sort out the magazine article. I will put the system onto my website so that those interested can see the system details and we'll see where we can go from there. I'll try to get this done by mid July.

I think everybody's questions are actually covered in the design contest documents (), but if you have a question not covered here, please ask.

Again, thank you for the interest ?;-)

Clayton
VK1TKA/ZL3TKA


On 7 June 2011 21:21, Clayton G <clayton@...> wrote:
Hello Knights!
?
I didn't get much response to my email last month, but I'll try another tact before giving up.
?
For a while I've had an idea of developing a server system with remote 'thin' receivers around the world. These receivers would send in their sample data of a narrow QRSS band to the server, which would then generate a worldwide view of the signals being grabbed. Data could also be logged and overlays generated etc etc - it is kind of like the WSPR net but for visual MEPTs. At minimum it would allow for a worldwide instant display of activity with the ability to roll back in time.
?
Anyway I implemented the 'thin' receiver for a design contest, and got among the winners. Subsequently the magazine (Circuit Cellar) has asked if I'd like to turn my project into a published article. As I'd get paid for this, it could be a source of seed funds to make the QRSS network a reality.
?
The real question though is do the Knights think such a network is of value, or do you find the aggregators and ad-hock grabbers sufficient? Personally I found it inadequate when I was running my MEPT, but this is in part due to the solar power and low duty cycle of my MEPT - I had to watch at just the right time to see it.
?
The other benefit of the network is the ability to expand the grabber base. As the receivers will be cheap (I think the component cost can be as little as $50) and not require a PC or anything (only a power source, antenna and internet connection) more operators should be able to install them.
?
What do you think???
?
Clayton
VK1TKA/ZL3TKA
?
----- Original Message -----
From: Clayton G
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 10:52 AM
Subject: QRSS grabber receiver & server project

I recently entered a design project with a QRSS application. I was luck to get amount the winners with my entry. See:


The project was a small (and hence cheap) receiver (a SDR) and DSP processor + ethernet interface. The idea is that with these receivers doted around the world sending their small bandwidth of sample data to a central server we could get a central webpage to a worldwide network of grabber receivers (much like the WSPR network manages the WSPR spots). My project was the receiver end of the project only - the server itself was beyond the scope. The receiver used a cheap GPS module to calibrate its internal?oscillator?and hence obtain frequency accuracy (with the central server doing the necessary calculations and managing this).

The hope was to be able to build the receiver for < $100, with the only need beyond that being the power supply, antenna, and ethernet connection (ie no radio or computer required). I got the basics working, but there is still plenty of scope to improve the receiver (such as reduction of the amount of data transferred - currently it would use about 3.5GB/month), sort out the receiver design PCB etc, and to get the server operating to accept the data and manage the receivers.

Anyway, the details are in the entry documents on the website above. I would love this project to move beyond just this contest entry. Is anyone interested in being part of such a project. The main need at present is someone to take on the server side, and a suitable place to host it; although receiver work is also required. Anyone interested? I'm a bit tied up with other project at present, but can do some more work on the receiver.

Regards
Clayton
VK1TKA/ZL3TKA





QRSS-3 on 1014004 Mhz de IK6ZEW TESTING 100mW

"Fabrizio"
 

Now I'm on air for a few days, I'm testing the station. Reception reports are welcome, you can e-mail me a screenshoot of the reception and other information about your radio station. I thank you very much for your information about my weak signals.Actually position towards dipole is N-S, at power tx is 100mW +/-!!
ik6zew@...