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Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

 

Sorry to hear about your ongoing health issues. Hope that will? be resolved soon!
Sorry if you know that already but you can use if you need to find Hammond boxes (or any other electronics part) by a part number. It's a great special search engine that will return results from Mouser, Digikey, Newark and many other parts online stores...
Best Regards,
Simon


On Thu, Aug 8, 2024, 10:36 AM wn4isx via <wn4isx=[email protected]> wrote:
On Thu, Aug 8, 2024 at 01:01 PM, rfsam wrote:
Some choices for polycarbonate here:
Thank you! These are exactly what I'm after. I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and try to upgrade or wait until after I'm fully mobile. I had total right knee replacement in early June and will go in at the end of August for my left. Three weeks and a bunch of? things to do and think about.
?


Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

wn4isx
 

On Thu, Aug 8, 2024 at 01:01 PM, rfsam wrote:
Some choices for polycarbonate here:
Thank you! These are exactly what I'm after. I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and try to upgrade or wait until after I'm fully mobile. I had total right knee replacement in early June and will go in at the end of August for my left. Three weeks and a bunch of? things to do and think about.
?


Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

wn4isx
 

On Thu, Aug 8, 2024 at 11:02 AM, Simon wrote:
Ask Chris himself on ccw group?
I'd be concerned he'd think I was intruding on his patch.?
I have zero inclination in going into business but Chris might feel threatened or insulted I was modifying one of his products. Engineers can get twitchy over such things.?


Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

 

Some choices for polycarbonate here:
?
?
Simon


Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

 

Ask Chris himself on ccw group?

Simon


Re: Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

 

Most use cheaper ABS, but it doesn't last.
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Find enclosures made from Polycarbonate.
?
Regards,
?
Martin
?
On Thu, Aug 8, 2024 at 12:31 PM, wn4isx wrote:

I think I've had my unit outside and operational for 5 years.


Re: A quick report on the Multi-function Tester (TC-V2.12k)

wn4isx
 

I hate replying to myself but I wanted to apologize for the mixed font size. I wrote it in MS word in dyslexie font all in size 14. Sorry it's difficult to read.


A quick report on the Multi-function Tester (TC-V2.12k)

wn4isx
 

I thought this deserved it's own thread.

A quick report on the Multi-function Tester (TC-V2.12k)

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/content/430516/csi-tc1.pdf

They is very functional, it quickly allows one to ID bipolar/fet NPN/PNP N-channel/P-channel.

The Hfe function is pretty good, the Idss less so because the bias current is too low.

It showed all of my test samples of ~1980 Ti 2N3819 as being closely matched where as the

JFET-matcher-rullywow.com-Build-Doc-v1.01.pdf is much more picky and probably more relevant because of the higher bias.

Having said this, the TC-V2 is a very useful test device, well worth the cost.

?

?


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

I have used many schematic capture and PCB layout programs professionally over my 40+ year career. (In fact I started with a drafting board and tape on mylar on a light table in the 70's LOL). For my own personal use now that I'm retired, I use DipTrace. It's free (for hobby size projects), quite easy to use, and installs fully on your own computer. So even if the company discontinues it for some reason, you will never lose your work. If you are only interested in schematics you should be up and running and have your first small 6 transistor or IC schematic done in an hour or two even with the learning curve. Good PCB layouts can take much more time to learn with any software as there is a whole skill set to master. But schematics only are fairly straight forward. There are a bunch of mini youtube tutorials available too.?
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diptrace.com
?
Regards Tom


Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?

wn4isx
 

Does anyone know what cases CCW uses?
I've decided to "recase" my dual HF polarity CCW active dipole.
Originally it used Ethernet cable but, given the difficulty of complying with the NEC and my need to extend beyond the length of the supply cable, I've decided to switch to coax. I've done a crude butcher kludge that works but I have zero faith on the weather tightness of my hatchet job.
CCW cases are perfect for antenna becuase the plastic doesn't degrade in direct sunlight.?
I think I've had my unit outside and operational for 5 years. A quick cleaning with some baby wipes and the plastic looks as good as the day it was new.
?
And no I am not going into the antenna (or anything) manufacturing business.
Thank you


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 09:46 PM, <tardivat@...> wrote:
Consider using Sprint Layout 6 by Abacomm. You can layout a board the moment you install it without even reading the manual.
Sprint Layout 6 is a rudimentary PCB Board editor. No schematics! No frills!
To draw a circuit diagram, you need separate Sprint Software: S-plan 8.0
Demo versions available.
?
The Abacom/Sprint solution is indeed easy to handle - "just draw it", but for 100 bucks for both Editor components (S-plan and Layout) you get 5 % of the functionality of KiCad, which is for free. (and is developed and supported by more than one author).
?
regards
Fred


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Another good program if you just want to make simple 2 sided boards as? fast as possible and you are new to PCB design.
Consider using Sprint Layout 6 by Abacomm. You can layout a board the moment you install it without even reading the manual.
?
Regardless of what PCB software you use, the libraries are always the issue if you have no patience.
?
?
Its not free. The support from the author is excellent.
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Henry


Re: LZ1AQ: iMDs from local AM stations in Dipole mode

 

Looks like massive amount of FT240-31 cores with as many turns as possible do really solve this problem. I used a stack of 2xFT240-31 on CAT cable with about 8 turns right next to antenna and 3xFT20-31 stack next to control board. Even have one single core in the middle of my CAT cable (although I'm not sure if that's FT240-31 or FT240-43). Also some on 50 Ohm coax that goes to my receiver (next to control board) and a core on control cable (next to control board) that goes to mode switches/power. I have control board in a separate box sitting outside of my "shack", so I only have 50Ohm and "control lines" coming into the shack.
?
So, my initial thoughts about Hi-Z amp being power overloaded by local AM stations were wrong. And thinking more about that I see where I was wrong initially: if Hi-Z amp was overloaded (in saturation) it should produce quite a high level at the output that should overload my SDRPlay but that wasn't happening!
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I must say that almost anywhere Loop low-Z amp still outperforms "Dipole" Hi-Z amp. I haven't tried 10m band as I see almost zero activity there but 80m - 20m Loop mode works just better (better SNR) in most cases. But then again I live in Silicone Valley noisy environment.
?
Regards,
Simon
KM6MUL


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Hi Martin,
That's good to know, thank you! :) Will definitely consider KiCad for
personal use if I need to do any PCBs.
Regards,
Simon

On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 11:10?AM Martin - Southwest UK via groups.io
<martin_ehrenfried@...> wrote:

KiCad is very similar to Eagle, with a few "quirks".

A couple of my friends have migrated from Eagle, after it was acquired by Autodesk, and they are pleased they made the change.

Regards,

Martin


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

KiCad is very similar to Eagle, with a few "quirks".
?
A couple of my friends have migrated from Eagle, after it was acquired by Autodesk, and they are pleased they made the change.
?
Regards,
?
Martin


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Thanks everyone for KiCad info! I came across this name before but
never used it personally. When the company I work for was small we
(including me) used Eagle paid license (it also exist in Free version,
although limited). It's not very complicated but there is definitely a
learning curve and it's not super intuitive but it also became
somewhat a standard for hobby/small company PCB layout IMO. After
company I work for was acquired by a big company we now have Altium
huge commercial package. But big company also have a PCB design team,
so I almost stopped doing it myself and haven't learned Altium much.

Anyone here had a chance to use both Eagle and KiCad? How do they compare?
Best Regards,
Simon

On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 8:59?AM Martin - Southwest UK via groups.io
<martin_ehrenfried@...> wrote:

Hi Fred,

I think the learning curve is true of all but the very simplest design tools, schematic, PCB, technical design or 3D / CNC.

I've spent far too much time learning proprietary tools, only to find that once you have, you tend to be locked in to using them. Until they become unsupported, or too expensive for small scale commercial production, as many former users of some well known products will understand only too well.

If you have previously used any form of CAD, schematic or PCB layout tool. I estimate it would take just a few days to learn the basics of KiCad, as there are several good videos available on-line, and maybe two weeks to progress from an initial design, through various iterations and refinements, that could then be successfully manufactured. However, like most technologies, the first experience always seems daunting, but the more you use it, the easier it becomes.

Regards,

Martin

On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 03:37 PM, Fred M wrote:

It is very powerful, but you have to go throug a learning curve, to get used to it


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Hi Fred,
?
I think the learning curve is true of all but the very simplest design tools, schematic, PCB, technical design or 3D / CNC.
?
I've spent far too much time learning proprietary tools, only to find that once you have, you tend to be locked in to using them. Until they become unsupported, or too expensive for small scale commercial production, as many former users of some well known products will understand only too well.
?
If you have previously used any form of CAD, schematic or PCB layout tool. I estimate it would take just a few days to learn the basics of KiCad, as there are several good videos available on-line, and maybe two weeks to progress from an initial design, through various iterations and refinements, that could then be successfully manufactured. However, like most technologies, the first experience always seems daunting, but the more you use it, the easier it becomes.
?
Regards,
?
Martin
?
On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 03:37 PM, Fred M wrote:

It is very powerful, but you have to go throug a learning curve, to get used to it


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Another Kicad user here. I have used it for over 10 years and laid out quite a few (small) 2-layer boards. Make sure you run the DRC checks on the schematic and the PCB. I have had unconnected pins on boards in the past. The DRCs catch those and many more issues.
--
===================================================================
Mike M


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

On Wed, Aug 7, 2024 at 06:02 AM, Martin - Southwest UK wrote:
KiCad - Free Open Source and becoming an industry standard.
?
?
KiCad in its Version 8, now with forward and backward annotation between schematic and board is a professional level PCB CAD Software. It is very powerful, but you have to go throug a learning curve, to get used to it. But the best is: it is absolutely free! No hidden costs.
?
An easier to learn freeware alternative would be EasyEDA. It is a chinese Software, which could be used online and as Desktop version. It is directly connected to a cheap but good chinese PCB manufacturer. A growing community is sharing circuits and provides support.
?
?
The Threadopener asked for a "schematic design software". Does this mean that it should only be used to edit circuit diagrams and not for the layout of printed circuits?
?
regards
Fred


Re: Schematic & PCB design software

 

Chris,
?
Tell me what boards you want, as i will sell, tried and proven, loop amp boards. I have been designing PCBs now for about 6 years and still make mistakes. Some of the boards that I have designed I have gone through 10 to 15 different versions on many boards, for either design mistakes, better layouts, or osculation issues. So the long and short of it is I have spent a lot of money, time, shipping cost and boards to get to the final design.
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Most boards I charge $20 for and the larger boards, $35, which includes shipping. I can also supply the hard to find transistors. Most of my board designs can be built with leaded (through hole), or SMD parts.
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Everett N4CY

In a message dated 8/7/2024 7:13:48 AM Central Daylight Time, sentancec@... writes:
?

Hi everyone
?
I wondered what schematic design software other members use.? I've tried one or two free downloads but struggled to get good results and so I wondered if there was some free or very low cost design software that members could recommend that doesn't have too steep a learning curve.
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Thanks in advance
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Chris Sentance