Advice? Take your time and follow the instructions carefully. Double check each component before soldering. Don't rush the build. Relax and enjoy it. The qcx is a fantastic little radio that performs well above what its price would lead you to believe.
Good luck Mike M. Ku4qo
On Tue, Dec 31, 2019, 10:56 AM Michael Johnson < mike@...> wrote: Hi All,
Newish to the group and not so technically oriented.? Done a couple of smallish kit builds, but the QCX really caught my eye.? So, in the spirit of the season, any advice????
The package looks pretty straight forward.? Been through the manual and will do so once more before warming up the iron.??
I have not decided on a case just yet.? The gallery has some excellent ideas but I think I'll wait until I get the board up and running.? One question:? is there a good source for header pins and plugs for remoting the inputs, rotary's and plug-ins?
Have a happy new year.? Most of the discussion on this group is beyond me, but I stumble along none the less.
Vy 73
MJ, WO9B
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Incidentally...I got a hold of a RS-232 to TLL converter ($5) ?and got my elecraft W1 talking to my “Arduino” board. ?It isn’t the final SWR and power feedback solution I’m going for in the low cost setup in the long term, but I I can now start coding my main project.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 31, 2019, at 9:24 PM, Jerry Wolczanski <jerrywolczanski@...> wrote:
?Kurt:
As part of a project for an upcoming FDIM talk, I built about six different versions of SWR indicators.? The
micro-strip-line has a lot going for it...but sensitivity isn't one of them.? The Stockton bridge like W8DIZ offers
have terrific sensitivity and very low insertion loss.? Just saying....
good luck
Jerry W
KI4IO
Warrenton, VA
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Kurt:
As part of a project for an upcoming FDIM talk, I built about six different versions of SWR indicators.? The
micro-strip-line has a lot going for it...but sensitivity isn't one of them.? The Stockton bridge like W8DIZ offers
have terrific sensitivity and very low insertion loss.? Just saying....
good luck
Jerry W
KI4IO
Warrenton, VA
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Take it one step further...use 300 ohm twin lead overlapped with
a heavier gauge wire.
On 12/31/19 11:51 AM, Kurt Loken wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
True...might be worth an experiment.
?
Instead of PCB Strips, maybe try parallel wires?
One main RF wire and two pickup wires
Just a thought...and very simple...and CHEAP
-Diz
On 12/30/19 9:52 PM, Kurt Loken
wrote:
Thanks everyone. ?Great stuff. ?I am very
enamored by the micro strip design though. ?There is a
simple elegance to it and it isn’t really power limited
like the qrp bridge kit...but hard to beat the price on
that for sure. ? I saw a board from Bulgaria on eBay like
what I want, but it would be $25 and I am intentionally
trying to keep the price down on the project as a design
requirement.
I may end up getting my xacto knife out and
carving my own board for the micro strip for a prototype,
but I was hoping a cheap $5 to $10 kit was floating around
out there. ?
I am really enjoying Arduino boards...they
really are a revelation...makes it easy to do cool stuff.
Thanks again,
Kurt-ae6uj
?Kurt, i think you will like this
project:??
It looks like just what you wanted.? Regards, Dale KS4NS
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
True...might be worth an experiment.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 31, 2019, at 5:05 AM, w8diz <w8diz@...> wrote:
?
Instead of PCB Strips, maybe try parallel wires?
One main RF wire and two pickup wires
Just a thought...and very simple...and CHEAP
-Diz
On 12/30/19 9:52 PM, Kurt Loken wrote:
Thanks everyone. ?Great stuff. ?I am very enamored
by the micro strip design though. ?There is a simple elegance to
it and it isn’t really power limited like the qrp bridge
kit...but hard to beat the price on that for sure. ? I saw a
board from Bulgaria on eBay like what I want, but it would be
$25 and I am intentionally trying to keep the price down on the
project as a design requirement.
I may end up getting my xacto knife out and carving
my own board for the micro strip for a prototype, but I was
hoping a cheap $5 to $10 kit was floating around out there. ?
I am really enjoying Arduino boards...they really
are a revelation...makes it easy to do cool stuff.
Thanks again,
Kurt-ae6uj
?Kurt, i think you will like this project:??
It looks like just what you wanted.? Regards, Dale KS4NS
|
Hi MJ,
I recently built the 20M version...great kit and great radio. ?
I’m partial to see through cases (acrylic) if a case is even wanted at all. ?The circuits built are beautiful and look better than any mono color case in my opinion. ?I think it is a shame that a project isn’t done until you have hidden all that makes it actually great. ?Imagine if our world had more of the inner workings of our daily electronic devices visible as part of the art of packaging...would be more interesting to my taste.
Also...if I remember the manual right...I think you don’t need to mount the connectors to the board...you can just wire them to your case instead.
Good luck,
Kurt-ae6uj
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 31, 2019, at 9:56 AM, Michael Johnson <mike@...> wrote:
?Hi All,
Newish to the group and not so technically oriented.? Done a couple of smallish kit builds, but the QCX really caught my eye.? So, in the spirit of the season, any advice????
The package looks pretty straight forward.? Been through the manual and will do so once more before warming up the iron.??
I have not decided on a case just yet.? The gallery has some excellent ideas but I think I'll wait until I get the board up and running.? One question:? is there a good source for header pins and plugs for remoting the inputs, rotary's and plug-ins?
Have a happy new year.? Most of the discussion on this group is beyond me, but I stumble along none the less.
Vy 73
MJ, WO9B
|
Hi All,
Newish to the group and not so technically oriented.? Done a couple of smallish kit builds, but the QCX really caught my eye.? So, in the spirit of the season, any advice????
The package looks pretty straight forward.? Been through the manual and will do so once more before warming up the iron.??
I have not decided on a case just yet.? The gallery has some excellent ideas but I think I'll wait until I get the board up and running.? One question:? is there a good source for header pins and plugs for remoting the inputs, rotary's and plug-ins?
Have a happy new year.? Most of the discussion on this group is beyond me, but I stumble along none the less.
Vy 73
MJ, WO9B
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Instead of PCB Strips, maybe try parallel wires?
One main RF wire and two pickup wires
Just a thought...and very simple...and CHEAP
-Diz
On 12/30/19 9:52 PM, Kurt Loken wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks everyone. ?Great stuff. ?I am very enamored
by the micro strip design though. ?There is a simple elegance to
it and it isn’t really power limited like the qrp bridge
kit...but hard to beat the price on that for sure. ? I saw a
board from Bulgaria on eBay like what I want, but it would be
$25 and I am intentionally trying to keep the price down on the
project as a design requirement.
I may end up getting my xacto knife out and carving
my own board for the micro strip for a prototype, but I was
hoping a cheap $5 to $10 kit was floating around out there. ?
I am really enjoying Arduino boards...they really
are a revelation...makes it easy to do cool stuff.
Thanks again,
Kurt-ae6uj
?Kurt, i think you will like this project:??
It looks like just what you wanted.? Regards, Dale KS4NS
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Thanks everyone. ?Great stuff. ?I am very enamored by the micro strip design though. ?There is a simple elegance to it and it isn’t really power limited like the qrp bridge kit...but hard to beat the price on that for sure. ? I saw a board from Bulgaria on eBay like what I want, but it would be $25 and I am intentionally trying to keep the price down on the project as a design requirement.
I may end up getting my xacto knife out and carving my own board for the micro strip for a prototype, but I was hoping a cheap $5 to $10 kit was floating around out there. ?
I am really enjoying Arduino boards...they really are a revelation...makes it easy to do cool stuff.
Thanks again,
Kurt-ae6uj
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 30, 2019, at 6:23 PM, Dale Hardin <joe.dale.hardin@...> wrote:
?Kurt, i think you will like this project:??
It looks like just what you wanted.? Regards, Dale KS4NS
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Kurt, i think you will like this project:??
It looks like just what you wanted.? Regards, Dale KS4NS
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Check eBay.? Here's one (item #352819501278) but there are several offered there.
Best of luck and
73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
|
Re: micro-stripline SWR meter
Diz, W8DIZ still sells his universal SWR bridge kit
?
$12.00
Not stripline but does work well for HF and may work in your application
cheers, Graham ve3gtc?
Hello All,
I'm looking for a low cost, high quality SWR meter solution I can use with an Arduino project.? Anyone made this "stripline" solution?? Looks interesting.
I would rather not etch my own board or hunt down the parts as time is money...anyone have a kit of the thing or know where I could find one?? I really just want the board and non-meter parts...I don't need the analog meter.
Thanks,
Kurt-ae6uj
|
micro-stripline SWR meter
Hello All,
I'm looking for a low cost, high quality SWR meter solution I can use with an Arduino project.? Anyone made this "stripline" solution?? Looks interesting.
I would rather not etch my own board or hunt down the parts as time is money...anyone have a kit of the thing or know where I could find one?? I really just want the board and non-meter parts...I don't need the analog meter.
Thanks,
Kurt-ae6uj
|
QRP Guys regen rx build (Was: Tube Regenerative Receiver 12SN7/12V6)
Tomorrow (Mon.) may be the "big day" for me and Alex.? Together we are assembling the QRP Guys K8TND Regenerative Receiver Kit <?, a 4.5 to 12.7 MHz Hartley circuit.
There are only about a dozen components left to install, both electronic and mechanical before the proverbial "smoke-test".
The most difficult step will be winding the toroidal transformer (only because he's never done it before).? I decided to wind the main winding to show him how to do it then let him do the Antenna and Tickler windings.??
This morning, I checked his soldering under high magnification and didn't find any joints that weren't acceptable.? Not perfect but absolutely -much- better than my soldering when I was 10 Y/O (he's 9).? Until I reviewed the photographs I shot, I didn't notice that he wasn't holding the iron handle at the balance point (I think I may have spooked him when I told him that past the handle insulator it was very hot).? He was holding it way back near the end where the cable enters.? ?Now I'm even more amazed at how well he did.
More tomorrow after the end of our session.
73.......Steve Smith WB6TNL
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? "Snort Rosin"?
??
|
On 12/28/2019 9:28 PM, Michael Maiorana
wrote:
Straight from the horse's mouth.
Thank Jim!
You are welcome Mike.
Can you clarify if the stated gain
includes the audio pre-amp stage consisting of Q14?
The gain figures did not include Q14.? That stage adds another 10 dB
of power gain.
I'd like to build it as designed,
but those audio transformers are tough to find.
Try this:
Any of the nominal 1K primary transformers to 8 Ohms will work
fine.? I've used 500, 800, 1K, and 1.2K primaries in various
incarnations of that push-pull amplifier.? 800 Ohm primary was used
in the simulation circuit that produced the output levels that I
quoted in the previous email.? We used the 500 Ohm version in the
NorCal 2N2/XX rigs.
Thanks again and best 72
Mike M.? KU4QO
72 and keep having fun;? Happy New Year to all,
Jim, K8IQY
On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 10:57
AM Jim Kortge < jim.k8iqy@...> wrote:
On 12/28/2019 7:58 AM, Michael Maiorana wrote:
Can
someone tell me what the expected voltage or power
gain should be in the audio amp circuit in the 2n2/40+
receiver? The other receiver stages are clearly marked
in the schematic with their expected gains. I'm trying
to understand?the gain distribution in the receiver.
Mike,
That audio amplifier has a voltage gain of 60 dB, and a
power gain of 83 dB.? The input impedance is 1700 Ohms and
the output impedance is 8 Ohms as designed.? It can supply
125 millwatts of output power into 8 Ohms with a drive level
of 1 millivolt.? It is also dead quiet with no input
signal.? You won't know that it is "on" until it has an
input signal.? No hiss at all.? Anything else you would like
to know?
72 and keep up the good work,
Jim, K8IQY
|
Straight from the horse's mouth. Thank Jim!
Can you clarify if the stated gain includes the audio pre-amp stage consisting of Q14?
I'd like to build it as designed, but those audio transformers are tough to find.?
Thanks again and best 72 Mike M.? KU4QO
On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 10:57 AM Jim Kortge < jim.k8iqy@...> wrote:
On 12/28/2019 7:58 AM, Michael Maiorana
wrote:
Can someone
tell me what the expected voltage or power gain should be in
the audio amp circuit in the 2n2/40+ receiver? The other
receiver stages are clearly marked in the schematic with their
expected gains. I'm trying to understand?the gain distribution
in the receiver.
Mike,
That audio amplifier has a voltage gain of 60 dB, and a power gain
of 83 dB.? The input impedance is 1700 Ohms and the output impedance
is 8 Ohms as designed.? It can supply 125 millwatts of output power
into 8 Ohms with a drive level of 1 millivolt.? It is also dead
quiet with no input signal.? You won't know that it is "on" until it
has an input signal.? No hiss at all.? Anything else you would like
to know?
72 and keep up the good work,
Jim, K8IQY
|
Jim,
Thanks for jumping in to help us out!
The 2n2xx is an interesting design, especially these days when so much is hidden in large IC's and DSP code.
There's much to be learned from going back to basics.
Jerry, KE7ER
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 07:57 AM, Jim Kortge wrote:
On 12/28/2019 7:58 AM, Michael Maiorana wrote:
Can someone tell me what the expected voltage or power gain should be in the audio amp circuit in the 2n2/40+ receiver? The other receiver stages are clearly marked in the schematic with their expected gains. I'm trying to understand?the gain distribution in the receiver.
Mike,
That audio amplifier has a voltage gain of 60 dB, and a power gain of 83 dB.? The input impedance is 1700 Ohms and the output impedance is 8 Ohms as designed.? It can supply 125 millwatts of output power into 8 Ohms with a drive level of 1 millivolt.? It is also dead quiet with no input signal.? You won't know that it is "on" until it has an input signal.? No hiss at all.? Anything else you would like to know?
72 and keep up the good work,
Jim, K8IQY
|
Re: 7 MHz Oscillator Ideas - good enough
Not meaning to hijack but ask question, I have both a rx/tx 40m and a 20m transceiver ?kitted by Ramsey so if I use my regulated power supply my kits won’t drift badly. Also I was told by friend to Band pass Filter upgrade for FCCcompliance... should I build it’s own box attached to output or? Thank you for your time.Mark kc0mh
|
On 12/28/2019 7:58 AM, Michael Maiorana
wrote:
Can someone
tell me what the expected voltage or power gain should be in
the audio amp circuit in the 2n2/40+ receiver? The other
receiver stages are clearly marked in the schematic with their
expected gains. I'm trying to understand?the gain distribution
in the receiver.
Mike,
That audio amplifier has a voltage gain of 60 dB, and a power gain
of 83 dB.? The input impedance is 1700 Ohms and the output impedance
is 8 Ohms as designed.? It can supply 125 millwatts of output power
into 8 Ohms with a drive level of 1 millivolt.? It is also dead
quiet with no input signal.? You won't know that it is "on" until it
has an input signal.? No hiss at all.? Anything else you would like
to know?
72 and keep up the good work,
Jim, K8IQY
|
Can someone tell me what the expected voltage or power gain should be in the audio amp circuit in the 2n2/40+ receiver? The other receiver stages are clearly marked in the schematic with their expected gains. I'm trying to understand?the gain distribution in the receiver.
Thanks! Mike M. KU4QO
|
Dale Hardin KS4NS
Jim Kortge, K8IQY