The original? Tuna Helper T/R switch says it is compatible with TT2, but is it compatible with Super Tuna ][+ 2-W levels???
I swear I remember reading that it could do 1-W but my eyes couldn't find that again no matter where I looked.?
The newest version with the larger can & circuit board does say it is Super Tuna ][+ compatible, but again the exact data escapes my eyes.?
I might build another T/R Switch of the newest layout. It has an RF Probe built into it with the Peak-n-Hold circuit that is great for checking how much power is being generated.
I want to ohm out the bare board as I go along like I used to do when I would build my "Golden" boards to use against the Test Equipment I built so I could release my software for production to run a batch of boards & the Union Test Operators to troubleshoot for found assembly errors.?
Anyway, if someone has the newest layout that they haven't built yet and are interested in parting with it, give me a private email. In the meantime I am going to finish winding toroids for my Super Tuna ][+ that I assembled last summer before I got too busy having fun activating 4 parks for POTA about a dozen times QRP. I had to get out on my days off or I would get roped into working. Soldering and POTA offer equal enthusiasm to me so an activation using the Super Tuna at ~2-Watts would be ducky x2.
Cheers,
Davey - KU9L
|
Rex,
I will send it to your email. In the meantime I have built a new Tuna Tunah ][+ and the older version (3" can?) of the Tuna Helper ][ that both work wonderfully.?
Problem #2: I paused with the Tuna Tunah ][+ as I removed the relay and the RCA connector, but still have the short on the board on the MUTE side of the relay.?
Problem #1: When I discovered the transistor does not have to be reversed on the newest version, I replaced the PN2222A correctly with one of my spares, however, the transistor still does not switch. I was about to replace the 1N4148 that I may have damaged with the transistor being backward, but still looking in my junk box for one. In the meantime, the older version of the TH T/R switch is working great. I want to get the newer version working for the Super Tuna ][+ which will be online here in a few more weeks when I have a chance to finish it.
Thanks,
Davey -- KU9L
On Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 11:37:09 AM EST, Rex Harper <tunacankits@...> wrote:
Davey,
Hey, send me your phone number and a good time to chat and I'll
solve ALL your problems...
Rex? ??? W1REX
On 1/28/2024 7:47 PM, David Knapp via
groups.io wrote:
My?Tuna Helper ][+ is experiencing issues with the T/R
switching & after mucho troubleshooting my board looks a bit
hacked as I touched up quite a few solder joints & changed
out Q1, etc. I have the PN2222A pin out so I know it goes
backwards to the silkscreen layout, but I changed it anyway
since the first time around I installed it the other way
automatically (never transmitting until this weekend), even
though I read the instructions saying otherwise. Basically I
seem to loose signal switching after the intersection of the 1K
& 47K resistors. I measured with my RF probe, then removed
the 47K part to doublecheck as the 2.2uF cap influences the
measurement big-time.
How much transmitter power is needed for the T/R switching to
work? I should hear the relay click & return depending on
the Fast or Slow jumper settings, but Q1 is not switching at
all. I measure 0.8 volts B to E, & 12.45 volts at the
collector. I assume 300mw is enough TX power, but that could be
an issue also that I did not consider. The PWR/OP SPDT switch
works great as that is how I measured TX power originally.
I knew I had an issue as the Mute function on my Tuna Helper
seems to mute my Icom comm. receiver all of the time when I plug
in the RCA jumper. I could easily reverse the logic on the relay
once I get it to switch with real QRPp TX power. But first I
need Q1 to switch so that one side of the relay coil goes low to
cause it to click over.
I have an older non-+ version of this kit unbuilt, I might
build it up as well for comparison. Then take RF probe readings
to compare.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L?
![]()
|
Davey,
Hey, send me your phone number and a good time to chat and I'll
solve ALL your problems...
Rex? ??? W1REX
On 1/28/2024 7:47 PM, David Knapp via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
My?Tuna Helper ][+ is experiencing issues with the T/R
switching & after mucho troubleshooting my board looks a bit
hacked as I touched up quite a few solder joints & changed
out Q1, etc. I have the PN2222A pin out so I know it goes
backwards to the silkscreen layout, but I changed it anyway
since the first time around I installed it the other way
automatically (never transmitting until this weekend), even
though I read the instructions saying otherwise. Basically I
seem to loose signal switching after the intersection of the 1K
& 47K resistors. I measured with my RF probe, then removed
the 47K part to doublecheck as the 2.2uF cap influences the
measurement big-time.
How much transmitter power is needed for the T/R switching to
work? I should hear the relay click & return depending on
the Fast or Slow jumper settings, but Q1 is not switching at
all. I measure 0.8 volts B to E, & 12.45 volts at the
collector. I assume 300mw is enough TX power, but that could be
an issue also that I did not consider. The PWR/OP SPDT switch
works great as that is how I measured TX power originally.
I knew I had an issue as the Mute function on my Tuna Helper
seems to mute my Icom comm. receiver all of the time when I plug
in the RCA jumper. I could easily reverse the logic on the relay
once I get it to switch with real QRPp TX power. But first I
need Q1 to switch so that one side of the relay coil goes low to
cause it to click over.
I have an older non-+ version of this kit unbuilt, I might
build it up as well for comparison. Then take RF probe readings
to compare.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L?
|
My?Tuna Helper ][+ is experiencing issues with the T/R switching & after mucho troubleshooting my board looks a bit hacked as I touched up quite a few solder joints & changed out Q1, etc. I have the PN2222A pin out so I know it goes backwards to the silkscreen layout, but I changed it anyway since the first time around I installed it the other way automatically (never transmitting until this weekend), even though I read the instructions saying otherwise. Basically I seem to loose signal switching after the intersection of the 1K & 47K resistors. I measured with my RF probe, then removed the 47K part to doublecheck as the 2.2uF cap influences the measurement big-time.
How much transmitter power is needed for the T/R switching to work? I should hear the relay click & return depending on the Fast or Slow jumper settings, but Q1 is not switching at all. I measure 0.8 volts B to E, & 12.45 volts at the collector. I assume 300mw is enough TX power, but that could be an issue also that I did not consider. The PWR/OP SPDT switch works great as that is how I measured TX power originally.
I knew I had an issue as the Mute function on my Tuna Helper seems to mute my Icom comm. receiver all of the time when I plug in the RCA jumper. I could easily reverse the logic on the relay once I get it to switch with real QRPp TX power. But first I need Q1 to switch so that one side of the relay coil goes low to cause it to click over.
I have an older non-+ version of this kit unbuilt, I might build it up as well for comparison. Then take RF probe readings to compare.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L?
|
Re: Power vs. Supply Voltage comparison
Davey's right. It can be done. Patience and persistence are key factors. I've made a number of contacts (including QRP-QRP) at the 1/4W on level using low (18ft) dipoles on 40m and a few on 20m under similar conditions. 40m QSOs were TT2.?
One TT2 contact was with a QCX out near Phoenix, if I remember correctly, also with a less-than-stellar antenna. I'm in the Joplin, MO area.
I find that at around 2W-5W, one often has a really reasonably good shot at working loud stations. ?In fact, I prefer about 1W-2W for casual QRP. DX is quite possible.
It's a real kick to see where your TT2 or Rockmite signal goes on the RBN. You might be surprised.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 26, 2024, at 9:23?PM, David Knapp via groups.io <renewables@...> wrote:
?
The Tuna Helper T/R Switch has a peek-n-hold circuit at the dummy load, I forgot to add in the voltage drop of the 1N5711 diode for better accuracy. The data sheet says:?1N5711 Diode. This Schottky diode is used in amplifier wattmeters for the characteristic of a low forward voltage drop. 70V 15mA, Forward Voltage Drop: 0.41V at 1mA
So I need to add about 0.41 volts to my voltage measurement in the calculation:?Peak Envelope Power is usually measured in a resistive load, and in that case, it is simply given by?PEP=V2/2/R?(where V is the peak RF voltage) or PEP=VRMS2/R.
So in my case, I measured 5.21 volts + 0.41 volts = 5.62 volts. 5.62 volts squared = 31.5844. 31.5844/2=15.7922 15.7922/49.6 (D.L. Resistance in Ohms) = 318mw at a supply voltage of 12.1 volts.
A supply of 13.2 volts therefore yields ~367mw. In reality, the supply voltage difference will make no real difference in the received signal on the other end.
So, what can be worked with 300 and 2/3 mw of power? In 1987 I casually worked all 50 states on 40 and 15 meters with 1-watt output from my Heathkit HW-9 CW QRP rig into a 40M rotatable Dipole mounted up at 50 feet and a 3 ele yagi for 15 M mounted at 50 feet. Like anything else, getting the antenna as high as possible was like adding a 10-watt amplifier to my signal from N. IL. If you grab several different 40M crystals for the popular POTA frequencies the contacts will be made. QRP takes skill and patience on both ends, but I am very impressed with the POTA folks who tolerate QRP VERY WELL. In 1987 I was accused of making the QRO operator's life a living Hell, LOL.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L & Sheila --KB9YYI
|
Re: Power vs. Supply Voltage comparison
The Tuna Helper T/R Switch has a peek-n-hold circuit at the dummy load, I forgot to add in the voltage drop of the 1N5711 diode for better accuracy. The data sheet says:?1N5711 Diode. This Schottky diode is used in amplifier wattmeters for the characteristic of a low forward voltage drop. 70V 15mA, Forward Voltage Drop: 0.41V at 1mA
So I need to add about 0.41 volts to my voltage measurement in the calculation:?Peak Envelope Power is usually measured in a resistive load, and in that case, it is simply given by?PEP=V2/2/R?(where V is the peak RF voltage) or PEP=VRMS2/R.
So in my case, I measured 5.21 volts + 0.41 volts = 5.62 volts. 5.62 volts squared = 31.5844. 31.5844/2=15.7922 15.7922/49.6 (D.L. Resistance in Ohms) = 318mw at a supply voltage of 12.1 volts.
A supply of 13.2 volts therefore yields ~367mw. In reality, the supply voltage difference will make no real difference in the received signal on the other end.
So, what can be worked with 300 and 2/3 mw of power? In 1987 I casually worked all 50 states on 40 and 15 meters with 1-watt output from my Heathkit HW-9 CW QRP rig into a 40M rotatable Dipole mounted up at 50 feet and a 3 ele yagi for 15 M mounted at 50 feet. Like anything else, getting the antenna as high as possible was like adding a 10-watt amplifier to my signal from N. IL. If you grab several different 40M crystals for the popular POTA frequencies the contacts will be made. QRP takes skill and patience on both ends, but I am very impressed with the POTA folks who tolerate QRP VERY WELL. In 1987 I was accused of making the QRO operator's life a living Hell, LOL.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L & Sheila --KB9YYI
|
Power vs. Supply Voltage comparison
Over the years I built several evolutions of the TT2 transmitters. The 40th Anniversary goes together very quick once I got my cataract surgery & 5x jewelers magnifier.
My uncalibrated Fluke 79 III agrees with my Harbor Freight Cen-Tech & very close to my Lowes cheapie (the one I loan out when needed). The point is my measurements are anywhere from 5-20% accurate, but what really counts is my on the air reports which is how I test my antennas once I lay down my Rig Expert antenna analyzer to get real world results.
*** Funny note, all three of my VOMs tell me my commercial 20w 50 ohm dummy load is 53.9 ohms, while Rex's Tuna Helper ][+ T/R switch 50 ohm dummy load measures 49.6 ohms. It makes a 14 Hz difference in the transmit frequency of my TT2 at 7.030 MHz, so if you are using a very long wire antenna swinging in the breeze suspended from a tree or carbon fiber mast you may incur slight differences in transmit frequency shifts. I mention that only as I occasionally see that happening on homebrew QRPp radios that are out doing POTA activations & now can say I probably know it's due to changing antenna impedance in the wind more that the previous thought I had of it being due to changing supply voltages.
My 7.030 crystal measures 7.029184 according to my Icom R-75 VFO ears into a 49.6 ohm dummy load, 7.029126 at 53.9 ohms. The TX is very stable into a dummy load.?
The peak-n-hold circuit of my Tuna Helper measures 271mw output at 12.1 volts supply voltage. Changing the supply to 13.2 volts only netted 313mw output.?
The Tuna can on the right is my 40th anniversary TT2 TX with 40m circuitry.?
The can on the left is my Tuna Helper ][+ RF sensing T/R switch with built-in 50 ohm dummy load.?
Tomorrow later afternoon I will throw up my 49:1 QRP EFHW antenna to see if I can scrape up a few signal reports from Winter Haven, FL. This weekend is Winter Field Day, but due to my extended & beloved wife care activities I can only dabble here & there before she yells for me on .52 with her Yaesu FT-25 HT, lol.
More testing to come, I look forward to the Buildathon.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L & Sheila --KB9YYI?
|
Re: QRPme LIVE streamed Buildathon update...
Yeah, kit(s) made their way to Winter Haven, FL today. --Davey --KU9L *** 307 Chicken can not included, lol.
|
QRPme LIVE streamed Buildathon update...
Gangue,
Only 1 more shipping
day to maybe get the Buildathon kit before the
1st session on Sunday. I am shipping them via Priority Mail
and USPS is saying 1-3 day delivery in the US. Of course, the
Sunday session is informational and not not much building.
There is the straight key, dummy load and RF probe accessories
but you could build them anytime until you need them after
the TT2 kit is completed on Wednesday. So there is still time
to order and receive the kit(s) by the Wednesday night build.
Builders need to have
some tools and supplies so I posted a "Homework" assignment up
on the web page with instructions on what needs to the on hand
for the build.
I mailed all orders
received by 1/20 on 1/20 and all orders after that on the day
of order or the next day depending upon time of arrival and
closing time of the post office. I would have mailed them
earlier but right after my announcement of the Buildathon, I
came down with Covid-19-? for the second time. I was firmly in
bed for several days with no energy to pack or ship anything.
Anyway, I just passed 3 days of tests with negative results so
I'm back in business again. I see tracking on many packages
shipped on Monday arriving by the 25th: sampled Walla Walla
WA, San Marcos CA, Nampa ID, Midland TX and Winterhaven FL.
So stay tuned to the
webpage for future postings....
Rex? W1REX
|
Re: Polarity - magic smoke
good policy for ANY cable you didn't make yourself- and even those are good to double check too.
|
Please be extra careful when using pre-made Chinese-sourced RCA cables with pigtails on the opposite end. I was crimping Anderson Power Pole pins to the pigtail end when my continuity checks revealed reverse polarity on the wiring colors. It's a simple task for me to reverse my pins into the housing, but one can't be too careful in preserving the lifetime warranty of containing the magic tuna smoke upon power up.
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L
|
Re: Rockmite ][ - 10M ---> antenna counterpoise
This was my original inspiration to try it on my own, but Michael has multiple videos on this subject. Michael builds and designs antennas for a living, but part of the fun is test, test, test in the real world. Yes, most of us do POTA on 40-17 meters. If I ever do 80M it isn't with a vertical since I do quick deploys and takedowns. Often my state parks campsites don't have the room for an 80M antenna 1/2~ wire. Okay, back to QRP building ...
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 07:05:53 PM EST, David Knapp via groups.io <renewables@...> wrote:
Oh, I agree 100% David & over 30 years got a belly full of creating such documentation in aerospace. There is a time and place for it indeed which is what I will put into the QRPer.com article I am writing. I just know that instead of fighting with the antenna analyzer, additional ground stakes for the 2-3 counterpoises, and tune/check/tune/check/tune/check cycles endlessly I am now up and running in 5 minutes and have doubled the number of log entries into my activations for that quick hour I get before I have to muster up my two maintenance men to start handing out weedeaters, chainsaw, TP (camp host supplies), and generator fuel as they head out to the campgrounds. That hour I can spend playing radio more than compensates for the 12+ hour days we spend daily running our assigned 13 USFS campgrounds over a 65-mile-wide valley, w/lakes, and day-use areas. I had planned to play radio all day, but post medical bills & drained 401K we get to diversify our daily activities,
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 04:11:44 PM EST, David Ryeburn <a3a05603@...> wrote:
On 2024-01-16 12:13 p.m., David Knapp via groups.io wrote:
> For those hating to install radials for a counterpoise to their portable vertical or EFHW antenna, I have had good luck throwing two 48"x 84" aluminum window screens on the ground connected via two alligator jumpers. I am also testing a version that uses a Faraday cloth of similar dimensions, easier to fold into a bag and throw out quickly for a POTA activation. Since I hate to use more than one or two counterpoise radials during an activation, I was pleasantly surprised that the aluminum screens presented a much better VSWR bandwidth than 2 radials, depending on the ground conductivity.
SWR isn't everything. Antenna + ground system efficiency is more important than SWR. You should measure the RESISTIVE component of your antenna + counterpoise (or window screen) system, not just the SWR, with each ground return system. (Reactance can be tuned out with whatever antenna coupler you may be using.) An antenna analyzer will do this measurement properly. Suppose the antenna plus radial wire combination measures a lot less than R = 50, and I suspect it will, with a short antenna. (To a first approximation, the radiation resistance of a short monopole is proportional to the square of its length, and it doesn't get up to 36 ohms or so until the length is a quarter wave.) And suppose the resistance using a window screen measures closer to 50 ohms. The window screen is going to give a better SWR. And the difference in resistances is made up of ground losses, so your distant signal is going to be a lot weaker with the window screen (provided your antenna coupling scheme will tolerate the lower input impedance with the radials). Another way to find out what is going on: have a friend measure your signal strength, both ways. This should be done at a good distance, a number of wavelengths away from the antenna so as to be out of the near field, perhaps a few blocks away, but close enough that you are looking at the ground wave to avoid normal ionospheric variation. Maybe the window screen will do a good job up on 10 m, but at lower frequencies I'll bet longer radials will win (unless your ground conductivity is very high, as in a salt marsh). David? VE7EZM and AF7BZ
|
Re: Rockmite ][ - 10M ---> antenna counterpoise
Oh, I agree 100% David & over 30 years got a belly full of creating such documentation in aerospace. There is a time and place for it indeed which is what I will put into the QRPer.com article I am writing. I just know that instead of fighting with the antenna analyzer, additional ground stakes for the 2-3 counterpoises, and tune/check/tune/check/tune/check cycles endlessly I am now up and running in 5 minutes and have doubled the number of log entries into my activations for that quick hour I get before I have to muster up my two maintenance men to start handing out weedeaters, chainsaw, TP (camp host supplies), and generator fuel as they head out to the campgrounds. That hour I can spend playing radio more than compensates for the 12+ hour days we spend daily running our assigned 13 USFS campgrounds over a 65-mile-wide valley, w/lakes, and day-use areas. I had planned to play radio all day, but post medical bills & drained 401K we get to diversify our daily activities,
Cheers,
Davey --KU9L
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 04:11:44 PM EST, David Ryeburn <a3a05603@...> wrote:
On 2024-01-16 12:13 p.m., David Knapp via groups.io wrote:
> For those hating to install radials for a counterpoise to their portable vertical or EFHW antenna, I have had good luck throwing two 48"x 84" aluminum window screens on the ground connected via two alligator jumpers. I am also testing a version that uses a Faraday cloth of similar dimensions, easier to fold into a bag and throw out quickly for a POTA activation. Since I hate to use more than one or two counterpoise radials during an activation, I was pleasantly surprised that the aluminum screens presented a much better VSWR bandwidth than 2 radials, depending on the ground conductivity.
SWR isn't everything. Antenna + ground system efficiency is more important than SWR. You should measure the RESISTIVE component of your antenna + counterpoise (or window screen) system, not just the SWR, with each ground return system. (Reactance can be tuned out with whatever antenna coupler you may be using.) An antenna analyzer will do this measurement properly. Suppose the antenna plus radial wire combination measures a lot less than R = 50, and I suspect it will, with a short antenna. (To a first approximation, the radiation resistance of a short monopole is proportional to the square of its length, and it doesn't get up to 36 ohms or so until the length is a quarter wave.) And suppose the resistance using a window screen measures closer to 50 ohms. The window screen is going to give a better SWR. And the difference in resistances is made up of ground losses, so your distant signal is going to be a lot weaker with the window screen (provided your antenna coupling scheme will tolerate the lower input impedance with the radials). Another way to find out what is going on: have a friend measure your signal strength, both ways. This should be done at a good distance, a number of wavelengths away from the antenna so as to be out of the near field, perhaps a few blocks away, but close enough that you are looking at the ground wave to avoid normal ionospheric variation. Maybe the window screen will do a good job up on 10 m, but at lower frequencies I'll bet longer radials will win (unless your ground conductivity is very high, as in a salt marsh). David? VE7EZM and AF7BZ
|
On 2024-01-16 12:13 p.m., David Knapp via groups.io wrote: For those hating to install radials for a counterpoise to their portable vertical or EFHW antenna, I have had good luck throwing two 48"x 84" aluminum window screens on the ground connected via two alligator jumpers. I am also testing a version that uses a Faraday cloth of similar dimensions, easier to fold into a bag and throw out quickly for a POTA activation. Since I hate to use more than one or two counterpoise radials during an activation, I was pleasantly surprised that the aluminum screens presented a much better VSWR bandwidth than 2 radials, depending on the ground conductivity. SWR isn't everything. Antenna + ground system efficiency is more important than SWR. You should measure the RESISTIVE component of your antenna + counterpoise (or window screen) system, not just the SWR, with each ground return system. (Reactance can be tuned out with whatever antenna coupler you may be using.) An antenna analyzer will do this measurement properly. Suppose the antenna plus radial wire combination measures a lot less than R = 50, and I suspect it will, with a short antenna. (To a first approximation, the radiation resistance of a short monopole is proportional to the square of its length, and it doesn't get up to 36 ohms or so until the length is a quarter wave.) And suppose the resistance using a window screen measures closer to 50 ohms. The window screen is going to give a better SWR. And the difference in resistances is made up of ground losses, so your distant signal is going to be a lot weaker with the window screen (provided your antenna coupling scheme will tolerate the lower input impedance with the radials). Another way to find out what is going on: have a friend measure your signal strength, both ways. This should be done at a good distance, a number of wavelengths away from the antenna so as to be out of the near field, perhaps a few blocks away, but close enough that you are looking at the ground wave to avoid normal ionospheric variation. Maybe the window screen will do a good job up on 10 m, but at lower frequencies I'll bet longer radials will win (unless your ground conductivity is very high, as in a salt marsh). David VE7EZM and AF7BZ
|
The P&E mod is basically swapping moulded RF chokes for self-wound toroids instead. The values needed for 10m means that toroids is the only way to go really.
The keyer chip should be included in the kit, but to be honest there isn't much difference between versions of firmware, only a few tweaks. The current firmware version will probably be supplied in any case.
The RM][-10 isn't really a kit for the first time RockMite builder, I'd recommend having a bit of knowledge how the circuit works. The RockMite][ 10 kit could probably be classed as 'experimental' as it stands at the present. The oscillator feedback capacitors need to be fairly small to avoid chirp.
The link should provide all that you need, although I'm not sure if the oscillator feedback capacitors are supplied as per 20m (like the documentation suggests- those values don't work).
73, Colin
|
From a Rockmite newbie, does the current version of the?Rockmite ][ - 10M come with the????I would say no, but after a good 10-minute search, the ?is the only PwrEff Mod that doesn't show up in the side menu as the 80-15M versions do. I thought I'd ask the question before I asked about which enclosure and keyer chip was available and/or recommended, etc. A one-button to-order all of the above would be nice as well, but I won't keep over-taxing my welcome. ;-)
For those hating to install radials for a counterpoise to their portable vertical or EFHW antenna, I have had good luck throwing two 48"x 84" aluminum window screens on the ground connected via two alligator jumpers. I am also testing a version that uses a Faraday cloth of similar dimensions, easier to fold into a bag and throw out quickly for a POTA activation. Since I hate to use more than one or two counterpoise radials during an activation, I was pleasantly surprised that the aluminum screens presented a much better VSWR bandwidth than 2 radials, depending on the ground conductivity. Another limitation is that the antenna feed-point is best within 17" of the ground surface, but more testing is needed. Happy to comply, when I can. I am testing a new cloud-based video editing software so I do not have to use the clunky MindMovies software anymore. Looking forward to playing more radio ...
Cheers,
Davey - KU9L
|
Since WM is a 2 minute walk from our snowbird RV campground, I am in charge of the groceries. Since I have been ordered to provide plenty of salads, an alternative to the 5oz tuna can appears to not be carried in the form of the pineapple variety at WM. I did find diced Ham & White Chicken though, so no worries. The big worry is where to store them all in the RV until they go into a deserving project.
|
Re: LIVE streamed Buildathon
Mike,
This is not through any other entity. I will be broadcasting it
using my YouTube broadcast account and Red sill be streaming out
of his RedSummit RF podcast. The TT2 is crystal controlled so no
VFO.
REX
On 1/14/2024 4:49 PM, Mike - KG0P
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hey Rex,
1. Is this
going to be during a QSO Today Academy?or a virtual HAM Expo
or is it in another format.
2. Is this
Xmtr output freq crystal controlled or does it include some
sort of VFO?
Thanks,
Mike
KG0P
On Sun, Jan 14, 2024 at
2:07?PM Rex Harper < w1rex@...>
wrote:
Gangue,
QRPme 2024 LIVE
Stream Buildathon #1
W1REX & friends will be
hosting a LIVE streamed BUILDATHON...over 3
nights....starting at the end of January. Sunday January
28, Wednesday January 31 and the following Sunday
February 4 are the nights scheduled for the 3 sessions
centered around building a Tuna Tin 2 40th
Anniversary kit. In previous LIVE streamed BUILDATHONS,
we have been limited in trying to cram an entire
BUILDATHON in a 2 or 3 hour time slot. The builds were
done in a rather quick pace in order to get everything
into the single session with not much time for in depth
discussion on the what and why. This BUILDATHON will be
much different. Each session will focus on a different
aspect of the process.
Sunday January 28 5PM EST
Objectives: WHY QRP, TT2
circuit operation, parts identification & sorting,
soldering techniques and practice.
We will be talking about all
the above stuff then ending with soldering practice
building a couple of elementary pieces of QRP test
equipment useful after your successful completion of the
40th Anniversary Tuna Tin 2 kit. Lots of time
to cover these topics with Q&A encouraged. Additions
to the 40th Anniversary kit will include
parts & pcb for a simple straight key, dummy load
and RF Probe. These 3 items are much simpler than the
actual TT2 transmitter so easier to build. They will
make good starting points for those learning to solder
YET very useful when checking out your completed Tuna
Tin 2 transmitter.
Wednesday January 31 8PM
EST
Objectives: BUILDING a QRP
kit!
Since you now know
'everything' about the Tuna Tin 2 design and how to
solder, we get to work and actually BUILD the kit. With
37 total parts, this TT2 kit is a relatively simple to
build and should be able to be completed in one evening.
We will take it slow and since this session is not in
another event's time window, we should be able to take
it slowly so that everyone should be able to keep
up....now that you are ALL experienced solderers....
Sunday February 4 5PM EST
Objectives: Getting
everyone's kit up & running and testing its
performance.
We will have the whole
session devoted to getting EVERYONE's kit completed and
running as expected. We will learn how to use the key,
dummy load and RF Probe to debug and check transmitter
performance.
We will be LIVE streaming
this BUILDATHON from Stephen, N1SH, Houser's QTH and
will have plenty of time each evening to get through the
objectives. It will be broadcast on my YouTube account
(Rex Harper) and on Charlie ¡°Red¡± Brown, NJ7V, (Red
Summit RF) Podcast channel. All 3 sessions will be
archived on those sites immediately after their
broadcast so latecomers will be able to review any
missed material.... Times will be 4PM EST on the Sunday
sessions and 8PM EST on the Wednesday session. All kits
will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail so US and Canada
orders should have ample time to arrive on time. DX
orders are a little iffy unless they are ordered ASAP.
Stay tuned to this product
page for more information as I will be posting lots of
pre-Buildathon information before the 1st
session.
Website:
Buildathn page:
Hope to see you there!
Rex W1REX
|
Re: LIVE streamed Buildathon
Rex,
Are you including a 7.030 or 7.060 Or 7.112 MHz crystal? No worries, I have an abundance of each & I saw you may be including the 3-pin socket so we can swap them out.
I have had my Super Tuna II 95% assembled for some time now & was looking forward to finishing it this winter, but my Ham XYL took a tumble in the RV to obtain a spiral fracture of her right humorous. Mostly now we only go outside to go to the SSA, Drs, or the Surgery center, otherwise it's 24/7 tending to her basic needs since she isn't left handed unfortunately. Learning to cook & do the housework & laundry has me just where she wanted me in the first place, lol. She pulled the ole For Better or For Worse, clause. But, she said I can do the online Buildathon since I have been a Saint for 8 weeks now. She is exaggerating of course.
Whether 250mw, 350mw, or 500mw output, I plan to pair it up with my IC-75A communications RX with 250Hz 455Khz IF filter to drive my 66' 49:1 EFHW before we leave FL in April. If I remember right, this circuit pulls a couple Khz down in Freq so putting it on 7.058 MHz? actually is close to my typical POTA QRP 40M hangout. Cheers, Davey & Sheila --KU9L & KB9YYI
|
Re: LIVE streamed Buildathon
Hey Rex, 1. Is this going to be during a QSO Today Academy?or a virtual HAM Expo or is it in another format. 2. Is this Xmtr output freq crystal controlled or does it include some sort of VFO? Thanks, Mike KG0P
On Sun, Jan 14, 2024 at 2:07?PM Rex Harper < w1rex@...> wrote:
Gangue,
QRPme 2024 LIVE Stream
Buildathon #1
W1REX & friends will be hosting
a LIVE streamed BUILDATHON...over 3 nights....starting at the
end of January. Sunday January 28, Wednesday January 31 and the
following Sunday February 4 are the nights scheduled for the 3
sessions centered around building a Tuna Tin 2 40th
Anniversary kit. In previous LIVE streamed BUILDATHONS, we have
been limited in trying to cram an entire BUILDATHON in a 2 or 3
hour time slot. The builds were done in a rather quick pace in
order to get everything into the single session with not much
time for in depth discussion on the what and why. This
BUILDATHON will be much different. Each session will focus on a
different aspect of the process.
Sunday January 28 5PM EST
Objectives: WHY QRP, TT2 circuit
operation, parts identification & sorting, soldering
techniques and practice.
We will be talking about all the
above stuff then ending with soldering practice building a
couple of elementary pieces of QRP test equipment useful after
your successful completion of the 40th Anniversary
Tuna Tin 2 kit. Lots of time to cover these topics with Q&A
encouraged. Additions to the 40th Anniversary kit
will include parts & pcb for a simple straight key, dummy
load and RF Probe. These 3 items are much simpler than the
actual TT2 transmitter so easier to build. They will make good
starting points for those learning to solder YET very useful
when checking out your completed Tuna Tin 2 transmitter.
Wednesday January 31 8PM EST
Objectives: BUILDING a QRP kit!
Since you now know 'everything'
about the Tuna Tin 2 design and how to solder, we get to work
and actually BUILD the kit. With 37 total parts, this TT2 kit is
a relatively simple to build and should be able to be completed
in one evening. We will take it slow and since this session is
not in another event's time window, we should be able to take it
slowly so that everyone should be able to keep up....now that
you are ALL experienced solderers....
Sunday February 4 5PM EST
Objectives: Getting everyone's kit
up & running and testing its performance.
We will have the whole session
devoted to getting EVERYONE's kit completed and running as
expected. We will learn how to use the key, dummy load and RF
Probe to debug and check transmitter performance.
We will be LIVE streaming this
BUILDATHON from Stephen, N1SH, Houser's QTH and will have plenty
of time each evening to get through the objectives. It will be
broadcast on my YouTube account (Rex Harper) and on Charlie
¡°Red¡± Brown, NJ7V, (Red Summit RF) Podcast channel. All 3
sessions will be archived on those sites immediately after their
broadcast so latecomers will be able to review any missed
material.... Times will be 4PM EST on the Sunday sessions and
8PM EST on the Wednesday session. All kits will be shipped via
USPS Priority Mail so US and Canada orders should have ample
time to arrive on time. DX orders are a little iffy unless they
are ordered ASAP.
Stay tuned to this product page for
more information as I will be posting lots of pre-Buildathon
information before the 1st session.
Website:
Buildathn page:
Hope to see you there!
Rex W1REX
|
David Knapp
Bruce Beford N1RX