You were lucky to have a Dad who was skilled in these matters. Nobody in my house had ?a clue about any of that stuff, and my only words of encouragement were , 'Don't you bloody well electrocute yourself with that.' So I got out an ancient library book probably from about 1930 and internalised the plan. Then I turned up in 1962 at a shop in Newcastle upon Tyne called Payne and Hornesby and asked the guys for a cats whisker and crystal (me about 4 foot six and just about nose level with the counter. Bunch of men in brown coats fell about laughing and when they'd recovered plonked an OA91 on the counter. 'That's not it,' says I. 'I's like a rock in a thimble with a curly wire sticking out of it.'?
Happy days. I can still remember the excitement, but the waiting for weeks for the pocket money to stretch to the bits was a pain. I built mine on a plank of wood, with nails knocked in to wind the joints around and make connections, thus setting the trend of my manual skills to this day - unlike Philip, who probably made his first crystal set in an immaculate enclosure.
bzb ?:))
|
Re: Arduino Shield - WSPR Software?
Hi Mark,
Take a look at W3PM's website, QRSS and WSPR designs using both Arduino Uno and Mega boards along with the code for both AD9850 and 9851 DDS boards.
The AMQRP DDS-60 can easily be substituted with the far Eastern cheap DDS modules.
73, Bob G8VOI
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., "Mark" <mark.g0mgx@...> wrote:
Hi Gang
My Arduino shield configured for a simple FSK callsign TX has simply amazed me with the reports I have received from my 50mW and 30M dipole. What I would like to do now is try some very low power WSPR.
Has anyone already written the code to do this with the Arduino shield kit?
I have a good starting point myself if I need to generate the code , and I also have the mark 1 ultimate here - but recall some issues over firmware and never got the new version.
Any pointers on the path of least resistance for Arduino or other WSRP generation?
Thanks guys
Mark.
G0MGX (next week 9H3JM, week after A71/G0MGX)
|
Arduino Shield - WSPR Software?
Hi Gang
My Arduino shield configured for a simple FSK callsign TX has simply amazed me with the reports I have received from my 50mW and 30M dipole. What I would like to do now is try some very low power WSPR.
Has anyone already written the code to do this with the Arduino shield kit?
I have a good starting point myself if I need to generate the code , and I also have the mark 1 ultimate here - but recall some issues over firmware and never got the new version.
Any pointers on the path of least resistance for Arduino or other WSRP generation?
Thanks guys
Mark.
G0MGX (next week 9H3JM, week after A71/G0MGX)
|
|
|
beginnings => was: Re: Re: 2nd U2 kit build
It was nearly 55 years ago I built my
first crystal radio set. I was four or five at the time and had
discovered a wonderful book in the local library. I had sneaked
into the adult section and stumbled upon a book on making crystal
radio sets that caught my imagination. After much pleading, my
father checked the book out.
It wasn't more than a couple of days later I was pleading again
with my dad to help me build one of the radios I found in the
book. He scrounged all the needed parts and when he wasn't looking
I managed to assemble a working crystal radio from that pile of
parts. Part being able to follow along in the book and part dumb
luck no doubt. My dad was impressed that it worked.
I spent many hours listening to that collection of parts stuck on
a piece of wood using fahnestock clips. And like many others, here
I am today still tinkering away. I guess I had the "knack".
For those who don't know, this short video will tell you pretty
much all you need to know about the "knack" and it isn't the
musical group to which I refer:
cheers, Graham ve3gtc
On 13-06-29 08:27 PM, Tony Volpe wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
LOL = I made my first crystal set when I was
eleven. I did it on my bedroom floor, but first it took me weeks
to buy the parts. The most expensive bit was the brown 500pf
variable with brass vanes. I think that cost two weeks pocket
money. It was 4shillings and ninepence. When it was finished,it
wouldn't work, because I hadn't scraped off the laquer on ???the
coil ends. Once I did that, I got a stack of stations all on top
of one another. I had of course used the low q circuit where you
tap the diode off the top of the coil instead of from a tap a
few turns down. I had loaded the tuned circuit to the extent
that its selectivity was all ruined. It was a long tome before I
understood why the tuning was so bad, bit I fell asleep many a
night listening in an old WW2 earphone to a jumble of stations.
:))
|
LOL = I made my first crystal set when I was eleven. I did it on my bedroom floor, but first it took me weeks to buy the parts. The most expensive bit was the brown 500pf variable with brass vanes. I think that cost two weeks pocket money. It was 4shillings and ninepence. When it was finished,it wouldn't work, because I hadn't scraped off the laquer on ?the coil ends. Once I did that, I got a stack of stations all on top of one another. I had of course used the low q circuit where you tap the diode off the top of the coil instead of from a tap a few turns down. I had loaded the tuned circuit to the extent that its selectivity was all ruined. It was a long tome before I understood why the tuning was so bad, bit I fell asleep many a night listening in an old WW2 earphone to a jumble of stations.
:))
On 29 June 2013 20:45, Philip <pcteee@...> wrote:
?
Fun times though Tony...
Strange to think that nearly sixty years ago I was sat at the table
making crystal sets and stuff and here I am, still doing it!
I blame Hans..
If it wasn't for him, I would have been out today cleaning the
windows and cutting the lawns as instructed by Mrs JVF...
Now I'm in trouble.....Hans's fault ;)
> but do you remember how the frequency ran away when you went anywhere near
> the thing Philip?
>
> I had some kits marketed under the name 'HAC' - Hear All Continents. And
> you're right, they were ridiculously expensive and still are if you look on
> Ebay. It was handy though that you could just plug in a different coil and
> jump from Top Band receiving to Twenty Meters. Tuning in SSB on one of them
> was a lark though wasn't it?
>
>
> On 29 June 2013 19:47, Philip wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Tell you what Tony, those Denco coils were expensive...
> >
> > A lot of my pocket money went towards buying a couple when I was a lad.
> >
> > Loved the idea of them coming in screen cans and that folded up paper
> > with circuits on...
> >
> > Them were the days :)
> >
> > Philip G4JVF
> >
> >
> > --- In QRPLabs@..., Tony Volpe wrote:
> > >
> > > Is that a 'Denco' filter?
> > >
> > > :))
> > >
> > > Do you remember the Denco plug in coils? long ago, I had a regenerative
> > > receiver kit that handled band changes just like that. They were really
> > > terrible things, they could jump several kilohertz if you moved your hand
> > > to the tuning knob or off it after you'd tuned something in.
> > >
> > > Bzb
> > >
> > >
> > > On 29 June 2013 19:11, Philip wrote:
> > >
> > > > **
> >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
> > > >
> > > > Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
> > > > These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without
> > > > opening the box.
> > > >
> > > > A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect
> > them..
> > > >
> > > > Picture here...
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> > > > Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
> > > > Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and
> > stable
> > > >
> > > > Philip G4JVF
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
> > > > >
> > > > > I had a box ready prepared for it.
> > > > > This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
> > > > > filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
> > > > >
> > > > > MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
> > > > > Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
> > > > > shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
> > > > > say 200mW or whatever.
> > > > > This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
> > > > > The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to
> > the
> > > > > PA when in transmit..
> > > > >
> > > > > Using external switchable LP filter box...
> > > > >
> > > > > Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
> > > > >
> > > > > Much fun tinkering to come :)
> > > > >
> > > > > Photos in this link...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Philip G4JVF
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
|
Fun times though Tony...
Strange to think that nearly sixty years ago I was sat at the table
making crystal sets and stuff and here I am, still doing it!
I blame Hans..
If it wasn't for him, I would have been out today cleaning the
windows and cutting the lawns as instructed by Mrs JVF...
Now I'm in trouble.....Hans's fault ;)
Philip G4JVF
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., Tony Volpe <tony.volpe.1951@...> wrote:
but do you remember how the frequency ran away when you went anywhere near
the thing Philip?
I had some kits marketed under the name 'HAC' - Hear All Continents. And
you're right, they were ridiculously expensive and still are if you look on
Ebay. It was handy though that you could just plug in a different coil and
jump from Top Band receiving to Twenty Meters. Tuning in SSB on one of them
was a lark though wasn't it?
On 29 June 2013 19:47, Philip <pcteee@...> wrote:
**
Tell you what Tony, those Denco coils were expensive...
A lot of my pocket money went towards buying a couple when I was a lad.
Loved the idea of them coming in screen cans and that folded up paper
with circuits on...
Them were the days :)
Philip G4JVF
--- In QRPLabs@..., Tony Volpe <tony.volpe.1951@> wrote:
Is that a 'Denco' filter?
:))
Do you remember the Denco plug in coils? long ago, I had a regenerative
receiver kit that handled band changes just like that. They were really
terrible things, they could jump several kilohertz if you moved your hand
to the tuning knob or off it after you'd tuned something in.
Bzb
On 29 June 2013 19:11, Philip <pcteee@> wrote:
**
Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without
opening the box.
A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect
them..
Picture here...
Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and
stable
Philip G4JVF
--- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" <pcteee@> wrote:
Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
I had a box ready prepared for it.
This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
say 200mW or whatever.
This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to
the
PA when in transmit..
Using external switchable LP filter box...
Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
Much fun tinkering to come :)
Photos in this link...
Philip G4JVF
|
but do you remember how the frequency ran away when you went anywhere near the thing Philip?
I had some kits marketed under the name 'HAC' - Hear All Continents. And you're right, they were ridiculously expensive and still are if you look on Ebay. It was handy though that you could just plug in a different coil and jump from Top Band receiving to Twenty Meters. Tuning in SSB on one of them was a lark though wasn't it?
On 29 June 2013 19:47, Philip <pcteee@...> wrote:
?
Tell you what Tony, those Denco coils were expensive...
A lot of my pocket money went towards buying a couple when I was a lad.
Loved the idea of them coming in screen cans and that folded up paper
with circuits on...
Them were the days :)
Philip G4JVF
--- In QRPLabs@..., Tony Volpe wrote:
>
> Is that a 'Denco' filter?
>
> :))
>
> Do you remember the Denco plug in coils? long ago, I had a regenerative
> receiver kit that handled band changes just like that. They were really
> terrible things, they could jump several kilohertz if you moved your hand
> to the tuning knob or off it after you'd tuned something in.
>
> Bzb
>
>
> On 29 June 2013 19:11, Philip wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
> >
> > Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
> > These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without
> > opening the box.
> >
> > A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect them..
> >
> > Picture here...
> >
> >
> >
> > Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
> > Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and stable
> >
> > Philip G4JVF
> >
> >
> > --- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" wrote:
> > >
> > > Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
> > >
> > > I had a box ready prepared for it.
> > > This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
> > > filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
> > >
> > > MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
> > > Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
> > > shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
> > >
> > > I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
> > > say 200mW or whatever.
> > > This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
> > > The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to the
> > > PA when in transmit..
> > >
> > > Using external switchable LP filter box...
> > >
> > > Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
> > >
> > > Much fun tinkering to come :)
> > >
> > > Photos in this link...
> > >
> > >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Philip G4JVF
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
|
Tell you what Tony, those Denco coils were expensive...
A lot of my pocket money went towards buying a couple when I was a lad.
Loved the idea of them coming in screen cans and that folded up paper
with circuits on...
Them were the days :)
Philip G4JVF
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., Tony Volpe <tony.volpe.1951@...> wrote:
Is that a 'Denco' filter?
:))
Do you remember the Denco plug in coils? long ago, I had a regenerative
receiver kit that handled band changes just like that. They were really
terrible things, they could jump several kilohertz if you moved your hand
to the tuning knob or off it after you'd tuned something in.
Bzb
On 29 June 2013 19:11, Philip <pcteee@...> wrote:
**
Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without
opening the box.
A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect them..
Picture here...
Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and stable
Philip G4JVF
--- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" <pcteee@> wrote:
Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
I had a box ready prepared for it.
This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
say 200mW or whatever.
This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to the
PA when in transmit..
Using external switchable LP filter box...
Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
Much fun tinkering to come :)
Photos in this link...
Philip G4JVF
|
Is that a 'Denco' filter?
:))
Do you remember the Denco plug in coils? ?long ago, I had a regenerative receiver kit that handled band changes just like that. They were really terrible things, they could jump several kilohertz if you moved your hand to the tuning knob or off it after you'd tuned something in.
Bzb
On 29 June 2013 19:11, Philip <pcteee@...> wrote:
?
Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without opening the box.
A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect them..
Picture here...
Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and stable
Philip G4JVF
--- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" wrote:
>
> Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
>
> I had a box ready prepared for it.
> This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
> filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
>
> MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
> Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
> shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
>
> I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
> say 200mW or whatever.
> This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
> The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to the
> PA when in transmit..
>
> Using external switchable LP filter box...
>
> Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
>
> Much fun tinkering to come :)
>
> Photos in this link...
>
>
>
>
> Philip G4JVF
>
|
Done a mod today to make use of Hans pluggable LP filters...
Mounted the filter sockets on some PCB on the lid of the case.
These are coax wired internally and I can just swap out filters without opening the box.
A small metal box then clips over the filter to screen and protect them..
Picture here...
Running a test on 10 meters WSPR today into a loft dipole..
Conditions are poor but I'm getting spotted and the U2 is nice and stable
Philip G4JVF
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., "Philip" <pcteee@...> wrote:
Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
I had a box ready prepared for it.
This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
say 200mW or whatever.
This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to the
PA when in transmit..
Using external switchable LP filter box...
Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
Much fun tinkering to come :)
Photos in this link...
Philip G4JVF
|
I love the way you build things Philip.
That stuff looks great.
G0bzb Tony
|
Received my second kit this morning....thanks Hans
I had a box ready prepared for it.
This large box is designed so I can tinker with things like
filters power supplies and PA stages hence the roomy interior.
MK1 test bed is using a separate PA stage (no FETs on the kit board).
Driven from the DDR, this PA transistor gives me the output powers
shown scribbled in the circuit diagram.
I'm going to add a drive pot so I can set the output on all bands to
say 200mW or whatever.
This PA can drive a simple IRF510 to 3 or 4 watts if needed.
The kit board switches a relay which switches the 12 volt supply to the
PA when in transmit..
Using external switchable LP filter box...
Rear panel has a 5 pin DIN socket for the external GPS module....
Much fun tinkering to come :)
Photos in this link...
Philip G4JVF
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
Good morning Hans (and all),
I am still working towards getting my U2 kit built and on the air
and I have been taking note of the discussions around GPS and new
versions of firmware.
At the moment I am hesitant to order new chips as I am waiting to
see where things fall. However, I have to ask, is the hex file
available of the new versions for those of use capable of
programming a new cpu to be able to do so?
cheers, Graham ve3gtc
On 13-06-27 10:13 PM, Hans Summers wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
All
As some of you know, I have what I call a "GPS
Simulator" which is an ATmega88 I programmed to send a NMEA
string with the $GPRMC sentence, and it also has a realtime
clock which updates correctly in the $GPRMC, and produces a
1pps signal output. Using this I can model different settings,
baud rates, and 1pps pulse widths.
From the comments on which GPS modules worked and
which didn't, there seemed to be a consensus opinion that GPS
modules having very short (microseconds) pulse widths on the
1pps signal, do not work properly in v2.02a. So I have set my
simulator with a very short pulse width, less than 1us. Using
this setting I can see the seconds jump sometimes in 2 second
jumps. So I am able to reproduce the same problem some GPS
modules show.?
Next I printed out my code and stared at it all
week on the train to and from work. ?I came up with a strategy
for fixing it. This evening I tried the strategy. It works! In
my simulator at least! Everything is ticking away here nicely
with 1 minute frame, message "E" in FSK/CW with speed 006, GPS
on, and < 1us pulse width. Heartbeat is beating nicely and
125MHz calibration has occurred, as have time setting and
Maidenhead locator.
I will now send a v2.03 chip (as it will be
called) to Eddie G3ZJO (proud Trimble owner) and Andy G0FTD
(UP502 GPS) and Tony G0BZB (EM406). If you three can try it
and it works on all three then I think this will be excellent
progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will
be over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS
modules.?
Fingers crossed...
73 Hans G0UPL
?
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
Well done Hans....
Will be nice to get my Trimble unit working again...
Great stuff
Philip G4JVF
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., Hans Summers <hans.summers@...> wrote:
All
As some of you know, I have what I call a "GPS Simulator" which is an
ATmega88 I programmed to send a NMEA string with the $GPRMC sentence, and
it also has a realtime clock which updates correctly in the $GPRMC, and
produces a 1pps signal output. Using this I can model different settings,
baud rates, and 1pps pulse widths.
From the comments on which GPS modules worked and which didn't, there
seemed to be a consensus opinion that GPS modules having very short
(microseconds) pulse widths on the 1pps signal, do not work properly in
v2.02a. So I have set my simulator with a very short pulse width, less than
1us. Using this setting I can see the seconds jump sometimes in 2 second
jumps. So I am able to reproduce the same problem some GPS modules show.
Next I printed out my code and stared at it all week on the train to and
from work. I came up with a strategy for fixing it. This evening I tried
the strategy. It works! In my simulator at least! Everything is ticking
away here nicely with 1 minute frame, message "E" in FSK/CW with speed 006,
GPS on, and < 1us pulse width. Heartbeat is beating nicely and 125MHz
calibration has occurred, as have time setting and Maidenhead locator.
I will now send a v2.03 chip (as it will be called) to Eddie G3ZJO (proud
Trimble owner) and Andy G0FTD (UP502 GPS) and Tony G0BZB (EM406). If you
three can try it and it works on all three then I think this will be
excellent progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will be
over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS modules.
Fingers crossed...
73 Hans G0UPL
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 27 June 2013 23:13, Hans Summers <hans.summers@...> wrote:
?
All
As some of you know, I have what I call a "GPS Simulator" which is an ATmega88 I programmed to send a NMEA string with the $GPRMC sentence, and it also has a realtime clock which updates correctly in the $GPRMC, and produces a 1pps signal output. Using this I can model different settings, baud rates, and 1pps pulse widths.
From the comments on which GPS modules worked and which didn't, there seemed to be a consensus opinion that GPS modules having very short (microseconds) pulse widths on the 1pps signal, do not work properly in v2.02a. So I have set my simulator with a very short pulse width, less than 1us. Using this setting I can see the seconds jump sometimes in 2 second jumps. So I am able to reproduce the same problem some GPS modules show.?
Next I printed out my code and stared at it all week on the train to and from work. ?I came up with a strategy for fixing it. This evening I tried the strategy. It works! In my simulator at least! Everything is ticking away here nicely with 1 minute frame, message "E" in FSK/CW with speed 006, GPS on, and < 1us pulse width. Heartbeat is beating nicely and 125MHz calibration has occurred, as have time setting and Maidenhead locator.
I will now send a v2.03 chip (as it will be called) to Eddie G3ZJO (proud Trimble owner) and Andy G0FTD (UP502 GPS) and Tony G0BZB (EM406). If you three can try it and it works on all three then I think this will be excellent progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will be over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS modules.?
Fingers crossed...
73 Hans G0UPL ?
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
I can see it now... Ultimate 3 including a real time clock like this one... Tell the new U3 your 10 character grid and watch it keep the transmitter on time...
Paul KE7HR
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In QRPLabs@..., Hans Summers <hans.summers@...> wrote:
All
As some of you know, I have what I call a "GPS Simulator" which is an
ATmega88 I programmed to send a NMEA string with the $GPRMC sentence, and
it also has a realtime clock which updates correctly in the $GPRMC, and
produces a 1pps signal output. Using this I can model different settings,
baud rates, and 1pps pulse widths.
From the comments on which GPS modules worked and which didn't, there
seemed to be a consensus opinion that GPS modules having very short
(microseconds) pulse widths on the 1pps signal, do not work properly in
v2.02a. So I have set my simulator with a very short pulse width, less than
1us. Using this setting I can see the seconds jump sometimes in 2 second
jumps. So I am able to reproduce the same problem some GPS modules show.
Next I printed out my code and stared at it all week on the train to and
from work. I came up with a strategy for fixing it. This evening I tried
the strategy. It works! In my simulator at least! Everything is ticking
away here nicely with 1 minute frame, message "E" in FSK/CW with speed 006,
GPS on, and < 1us pulse width. Heartbeat is beating nicely and 125MHz
calibration has occurred, as have time setting and Maidenhead locator.
I will now send a v2.03 chip (as it will be called) to Eddie G3ZJO (proud
Trimble owner) and Andy G0FTD (UP502 GPS) and Tony G0BZB (EM406). If you
three can try it and it works on all three then I think this will be
excellent progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will be
over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS modules.
Fingers crossed...
73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: Exciting news re GPS...
That's great news Hans.
I solved the problem with my Up501 gps by adding ferrite beads on every lead connected to the gps. It would seem that gps modules do not like being close to rf fields. It may be worth mentioning this on the site in case some still experience problems with modules that are U2 compatible.
73's
de Andy
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On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 3:13 PM PDT Hans Summers wrote: All
As some of you know, I have what I call a "GPS Simulator" which is an
ATmega88 I programmed to send a NMEA string with the $GPRMC sentence, and
it also has a realtime clock which updates correctly in the $GPRMC, and
produces a 1pps signal output. Using this I can model different settings,
baud rates, and 1pps pulse widths.
From the comments on which GPS modules worked and which didn't, there
seemed to be a consensus opinion that GPS modules having very short
(microseconds) pulse widths on the 1pps signal, do not work properly in
v2.02a. So I have set my simulator with a very short pulse width, less than
1us. Using this setting I can see the seconds jump sometimes in 2 second
jumps. So I am able to reproduce the same problem some GPS modules show.
Next I printed out my code and stared at it all week on the train to and
from work. I came up with a strategy for fixing it. This evening I tried
the strategy. It works! In my simulator at least! Everything is ticking
away here nicely with 1 minute frame, message "E" in FSK/CW with speed 006,
GPS on, and < 1us pulse width. Heartbeat is beating nicely and 125MHz
calibration has occurred, as have time setting and Maidenhead locator.
I will now send a v2.03 chip (as it will be called) to Eddie G3ZJO (proud
Trimble owner) and Andy G0FTD (UP502 GPS) and Tony G0BZB (EM406). If you
three can try it and it works on all three then I think this will be
excellent progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will be
over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS modules.
Fingers crossed...
73 Hans G0UPL
|
Re: Exciting news re GPS...
On 27/06/2013 23:13, Hans Summers wrote: If you three can try it and it works on all three then I think this will be excellent progress indeed, maybe finally the Ultimate2 GPS issues will be over and we'll have widespread compatibility with most GPS modules. Yey, that will be fun.I shall mug every passing Postman for the next few days.:-) Indeed that would be excellent progress, I do hope that widespread compatibility is achieved. 73 Eddie G3ZJO
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