The OP has one particular advantage. My university bought three kits for student projects, so they are effectively free. My ham radio mentees are generally not able to spend $125 for a Bayou Jumper at this point. Also, I'm attempting to get them excited, first. Hopefully, they will then be inclined to save up for a more practical station.
Ross
?
Build and see what you get. My own experience with the OP is that it's an exceptional AM signal receiver. At least one builder has added medium wave broadcast band reception. I imagine the designer achieved what came with the affordable variable capacitor.?
?
If you really want to receive ham cw and ssb signals, there are better designs for this. Examples include the Bayou Jumper, WBR and kd1jv paraset. But exercise your OP to see if you concur. Meanwhile maybe you inspired me to revisit my own OP. I would be interested in anyone's comparison to more vintage transistor and tube shortwave regens. I was amazed at the OP quality in receiving AM signals and minimizing impact of fading.?
?
Curt
?
|
Ross
?
Build and see what you get. My own experience with the OP is that it's an exceptional AM signal receiver. At least one builder has added medium wave broadcast band reception. I imagine the designer achieved what came with the affordable variable capacitor.?
?
If you really want to receive ham cw and ssb signals, there are better designs for this. Examples include the Bayou Jumper, WBR and kd1jv paraset. But exercise your OP to see if you concur. Meanwhile maybe you inspired me to revisit my own OP. I would be interested in anyone's comparison to more vintage transistor and tube shortwave regens. I was amazed at the OP quality in receiving AM signals and minimizing impact of fading.?
?
Curt
?
|
Re: Help aligning VFO (Ozark Patrol regen)
I picked a random? T50-2 toroid out of the bag and wound 20 turns
#26 with about 3/16" spacing on the ends. On the DE-5000 at 100
kHz test it measures even higher than toroids.info predicts--2.175
uH.????? :)
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 2:50 PM, Steve Ratzlaff
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Ross,
My experience with all iron powder toroids is there are always
variations from toroid batch to batch, and actual? inductance
can vary quite a bit--one measures the final inductance and
adjusts turns and spacing to give the desired inductance.
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 1:49 PM, Ross Tucker
(NS7F) via groups.io wrote:
Thanks for the feedback! Also, btw: the
schematic says L1 is 1.5 uH but 20 turns on a T50-2 is
supposed to be 1.96 uH. Any thoughts on that?
On Sat, Apr 5, 2025 at
11:30 Steve Ratzlaff via <ratzlaffsteve= [email protected]>
wrote:
Hi
Ross,
On mine, the Low band tunes 3.90-5.24 MHz; High band tunes
5.46-- ~19
MHz, as you note at least the High band is very wide
tuning. Your scheme
would probably work but I predict it will take a lot of
experimentation
to achieve it. Good luck and please let us know how it all
turns out.
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 8:10 AM, Ross Tucker (NS7F) via wrote:
> I am building an Ozark Patrol regen. The stock tuning
range is very large and I would like to limit it. By
default, there is a SPDT switch that adds a parallel
capacitance for a second range. My goal is to align the
two ranges with the 20 and 40 m bands.
>
> Math shows that I need two fixed capacitors (one in
series with the tuning, one in parallel with that) for
each band. My thought is to replace the SPDT with a DPDT.
I would build the circuit for 20 m and the switch poles
would select in the appropriate differences to each fixed
capacitor.
>
> Does this seem reasonable? Is this how it's done?
>
>
>
>
>
|
For a business, sure makes perfect sense. I agree. For us hobbyist, does not matter. Can't tell the difference between what I recently bought new or the stuff that is many decades old. You think my Hallicrafters S40-B I'm working on now will feel better with the very old stuff? Hi Hi. 73, Richard AG5M
On Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 01:55:52 PM PDT, Jon Edwards via groups.io <edwardsj455k@...> wrote:
I think it would be for liability reasons. A company that experiences a catastrophic disaster will endure investigations and inquires on their practices. Even if there's no evidence solder is degraded in quality after its shelf life date, most people would form an opinion with half the truth and the company's reputation would be forever tarnished. Business leaders would view that as an unacceptable outcome versus having to shitcan a few thousand dollars worth of solder. Jon AE7TE
Well... I have been licensed for 62 years now, and have lots of old rolls of 60/40 solder going back many decades. As far as I can tell none of it has gone bad, it all still works just fine. Just used some purchased 40+ years ago and working like new. I'd not worry about it. IMHO 73, Richard AG5M
On Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:18:27 AM PDT, Albert Marsh via <hitekgearhead= [email protected]> wrote:
In the post earlier today about tariffs there was mentioned the pricing of solder. ? I have had good luck with picking up mostly full rolls of solder at garage sales or when the shop at work has to dispose of it because it "expires". I am sure many of you are familiar with similar industrial practices that adhere to strict shelf life requirements. ? I have used and or tested many of these rolls of solder, and they often work just fine. ? So the question is: Does it really expire, or more precisely, go bad? ? And yes, I am certainly familiar with the rosin vs acid core varieties and the leaded vs lead free. I do pay attention to that fact when picking up said items at garage sales. Sometimes I do want the acid core solder?because I use it in the garage for different things. ? -Albert KI4ORI
|
Re: Help aligning VFO (Ozark Patrol regen)
Hi Ross,
My experience with all iron powder toroids is there are always
variations from toroid batch to batch, and actual? inductance can
vary quite a bit--one measures the final inductance and adjusts
turns and spacing to give the desired inductance.
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 1:49 PM, Ross Tucker (NS7F)
via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks for the feedback! Also, btw: the schematic
says L1 is 1.5 uH but 20 turns on a T50-2 is supposed to be 1.96
uH. Any thoughts on that?
On Sat, Apr 5, 2025 at 11:30
Steve Ratzlaff via <ratzlaffsteve= [email protected]>
wrote:
Hi
Ross,
On mine, the Low band tunes 3.90-5.24 MHz; High band tunes
5.46-- ~19
MHz, as you note at least the High band is very wide tuning.
Your scheme
would probably work but I predict it will take a lot of
experimentation
to achieve it. Good luck and please let us know how it all
turns out.
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 8:10 AM, Ross Tucker (NS7F) via wrote:
> I am building an Ozark Patrol regen. The stock tuning
range is very large and I would like to limit it. By
default, there is a SPDT switch that adds a parallel
capacitance for a second range. My goal is to align the two
ranges with the 20 and 40 m bands.
>
> Math shows that I need two fixed capacitors (one in
series with the tuning, one in parallel with that) for each
band. My thought is to replace the SPDT with a DPDT. I would
build the circuit for 20 m and the switch poles would select
in the appropriate differences to each fixed capacitor.
>
> Does this seem reasonable? Is this how it's done?
>
>
>
>
>
|
I think it would be for liability reasons. A company that experiences a catastrophic disaster will endure investigations and inquires on their practices.
Even if there's no evidence solder is degraded in quality after its shelf life date, most people would form an opinion with half the truth and the company's reputation would be forever tarnished. Business leaders would view that as an unacceptable outcome versus having to shitcan a few thousand dollars worth of solder.
Jon AE7TE
Well... I have been licensed for 62 years now, and have lots of old rolls of 60/40 solder going back many decades. As far as I can tell none of it has gone bad, it all still works just fine. Just used some purchased 40+ years ago and working like new. I'd not worry about it. IMHO 73, Richard AG5M
On Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:18:27 AM PDT, Albert Marsh via <hitekgearhead= [email protected]> wrote:
In the post earlier today about tariffs there was mentioned the pricing of solder. ? I have had good luck with picking up mostly full rolls of solder at garage sales or when the shop at work has to dispose of it because it "expires". I am sure many of you are familiar with similar industrial practices that adhere to strict shelf life requirements. ? I have used and or tested many of these rolls of solder, and they often work just fine. ? So the question is: Does it really expire, or more precisely, go bad? ? And yes, I am certainly familiar with the rosin vs acid core varieties and the leaded vs lead free. I do pay attention to that fact when picking up said items at garage sales. Sometimes I do want the acid core solder?because I use it in the garage for different things. ? -Albert KI4ORI
|
Re: Help aligning VFO (Ozark Patrol regen)
Thanks for the feedback! Also, btw: the schematic says L1 is 1.5 uH but 20 turns on a T50-2 is supposed to be 1.96 uH. Any thoughts on that?
On Sat, Apr 5, 2025 at 11:30 Steve Ratzlaff via <ratzlaffsteve= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Ross,
On mine, the Low band tunes 3.90-5.24 MHz; High band tunes 5.46-- ~19
MHz, as you note at least the High band is very wide tuning. Your scheme
would probably work but I predict it will take a lot of experimentation
to achieve it. Good luck and please let us know how it all turns out.
73,
Steve AA7U
On 4/5/2025 8:10 AM, Ross Tucker (NS7F) via wrote:
> I am building an Ozark Patrol regen. The stock tuning range is very large and I would like to limit it. By default, there is a SPDT switch that adds a parallel capacitance for a second range. My goal is to align the two ranges with the 20 and 40 m bands.
>
> Math shows that I need two fixed capacitors (one in series with the tuning, one in parallel with that) for each band. My thought is to replace the SPDT with a DPDT. I would build the circuit for 20 m and the switch poles would select in the appropriate differences to each fixed capacitor.
>
> Does this seem reasonable? Is this how it's done?
>
>
>
>
>
|
Re: The end of inexpensive printed circuit boards and parts
For those who consider just about any conversation as "political" --
?
I wasn't giving any political views. I was keeping it politically neutral. Not that I have to ask anyone's permission, however.?
?
We are all concerned about this issue. If we can't discuss what's important to us, what's dear to our hearts, then what is the point of a discussion board?
To summarize what I said in my last post: something's gotta give. We QRP hams are not the only ones in trouble, if these tariffs continue. There is going to be BI PARTISAN PAIN and *both* political parties are going to be forced into action.
America is in no position to build up electronics component MFG from nothing, after having no such facilities for decades. The same goes for MANY other products. Americans are NOT prepared for decades of reduce/reuse/do-without and general pain. Not in 2025.
You might convince me to tough it out for the greater good -- but I know for a fact I'm outnumbered in present-day America.
THEREFORE, this whole economic tariffs "nuclear option" has got to be short lived in duration. I think if we can ride out this disturbance, we'll all be fine.
|
On Sat, Apr 5, 2025 at 07:21 AM, hcarter3333 wrote:
Dave, I QSO'ed you from the Pony Express Trail across the Bay!
?
I've also be working on video qsl cards just to experiment. I suppose they won't count for anything contest or logging-wise. Also, I'm still evlolving the audio system. Here's our QSO with the audio from my headphones. Mostly, the other stations nearby on the band are audible.
?
Haha, that's great Hamilton! Yes, I remember that QSO. Got you in the log here. I had been wanting to work you for a while, ever since I read about the Toucans project (on the Soldersmoke blog, at https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2024/03/kd0fnrs-amazing-san-francisco-toucan.html). Such close range QSO's are a bit challenging on 20M, but we did it!
?
73,
?
Dave
AA7EE
|
Re: Help aligning VFO (Ozark Patrol regen)
Hi Ross,
On mine, the Low band tunes 3.90-5.24 MHz; High band tunes 5.46-- ~19 MHz, as you note at least the High band is very wide tuning. Your scheme would probably work but I predict it will take a lot of experimentation to achieve it. Good luck and please let us know how it all turns out.
73,
Steve AA7U
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 4/5/2025 8:10 AM, Ross Tucker (NS7F) via groups.io wrote: I am building an Ozark Patrol regen. The stock tuning range is very large and I would like to limit it. By default, there is a SPDT switch that adds a parallel capacitance for a second range. My goal is to align the two ranges with the 20 and 40 m bands.
Math shows that I need two fixed capacitors (one in series with the tuning, one in parallel with that) for each band. My thought is to replace the SPDT with a DPDT. I would build the circuit for 20 m and the switch poles would select in the appropriate differences to each fixed capacitor.
Does this seem reasonable? Is this how it's done?
|
Well... I have been licensed for 62 years now, and have lots of old rolls of 60/40 solder going back many decades. As far as I can tell none of it has gone bad, it all still works just fine. Just used some purchased 40+ years ago and working like new. I'd not worry about it. IMHO 73, Richard AG5M
On Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:18:27 AM PDT, Albert Marsh via groups.io <hitekgearhead@...> wrote:
In the post earlier today about tariffs there was mentioned the pricing of solder. ? I have had good luck with picking up mostly full rolls of solder at garage sales or when the shop at work has to dispose of it because it "expires". I am sure many of you are familiar with similar industrial practices that adhere to strict shelf life requirements. ? I have used and or tested many of these rolls of solder, and they often work just fine. ? So the question is: Does it really expire, or more precisely, go bad? ? And yes, I am certainly familiar with the rosin vs acid core varieties and the leaded vs lead free. I do pay attention to that fact when picking up said items at garage sales. Sometimes I do want the acid core solder?because I use it in the garage for different things. ? -Albert KI4ORI
|
Re: The end of inexpensive printed circuit boards and parts
I would like to add a couple of thoughts:
?
1. Yes, this is pretty horrible. We can't buy critical equipment, parts, tools, etc. which (let's face it) are made in China. Such is the reality in 2025. A non-existent manufacturing sector takes time to build up from zero.
?
2. Ham Radio is a small community. Homebrew Ham Radio is even smaller. That being said, I doubt we're the only ones to feel this kind of pain.
?
3. I would be shocked if there wasn't some blowback from this, on BOTH sides of the aisle. At the thought of no more electronics (at decent/cheap prices), I'm wondering "Maybe when the Democrat gets elected in 2028..." and I am as conservative as you can imagine. But even Trump supporters have to be chafing over this one. Come on, anyone over 50 with a 401K has to be freaking out. If Social Security is a "sacred cow", crucial to the Senior voting bloc (which, let's face it, seniors are more active than any other age group) why would 401Ks not be similar? And homebrewing Hams are NOT the only ones dependent on imports from China!
?
My point: this suicidal political move will rectify itself, sooner rather than later. We just have to hang in there for a few days, or weeks, months -- but until January 20, 2029 at the latest. There is no universe in which this tariff stays in place permanently -- regardless of whether the Rs or Ds win the White House in '28.
|
Here's what I was talking about re the tradition of QSLing..?
?
https://youtu.be/rYNPBiaTh2Y?feature=shared
?
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
General info...?
?
The Avery 5689 110# laser cut postcard stock is available on Amazon at $17 for 200 cards. (50 8x11 sheets.) Also, Avery has downloadable templates for Word and those are usable by Libre Office (on Linux).?
?
Your QSL cards can even be designed online by features on the Avery website. Here is a YouTube video..?
?
?
As I mentioned, creating or implementing a QSL routine is so easy these days with computers and printers that weren't around back last millennium.?
?
Also, the suggestion of commercially sold post cards is a great idea as well.?
?
Never did take to the log the world or digital QSLing but then didn't chase a lot of DX nor hunt counties or do POTA. As a novice (initially in 1960 and then again 1976) and still like receiving those cards by mail.?
?
How ever it's done, QSLing is one of the nicest traditions in our pastime. We?
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
I am building an Ozark Patrol regen. The stock tuning range is very large and I would like to limit it. By default, there is a SPDT switch that adds a parallel capacitance for a second range. My goal is to align the two ranges with the 20 and 40 m bands.
Math shows that I need two fixed capacitors (one in series with the tuning, one in parallel with that) for each band. My thought is to replace the SPDT with a DPDT. I would build the circuit for 20 m and the switch poles would select in the appropriate differences to each fixed capacitor.
Does this seem reasonable? Is this how it's done?
|
If someone sends me a card in the post I use a postcard of the local castle and write out my details in the address part and the details of the contact in the message area. Then I put it in an envelope and post it back.
For cards I receive by email I made up a template with a photograph that I took of the castle, to avoid any copyright issues, and I use that with details of the contact. I create a PDF and email it back.
However, I have noticed that some emailed cards from one particular email card provider seems to have a number of issues.? Such as getting the date wrong, one came with a contact date the day after the contact took place and the year as "0001".? The same system also seems to always put the report that I gave to them as their report to me.? I know, because I can see it in the log.? Personally, I put their report to me as well as my report to them with the appropriate label.? If people can't do basic error detection on the system that they use to automatically send a QSL, then I'll not return a QSL. It's rarely from any country I've not already worked anyway.
|
Dave, I QSO'ed you from the Pony Express Trail across the Bay!
?
I've also be working on video qsl cards just to experiment. I suppose they won't count for anything contest or logging-wise. Also, I'm still evlolving the audio system. Here's our QSO with the audio from my headphones. Mostly, the other stations nearby on the band are audible.
?
Best Regards,
Hamilton KD0FNR
415-799-1629
?
|
Re: The end of inexpensive printed circuit boards and parts
I would think that politics really should not be referenced here as it is off-topic.
?
I have hope that the Chinese PCB fabrication businesses will find a way around this mess.
They are facing a significant? revenue loss otherwise.
Yes, the board blanks may double or triple in price, but that would still be good value for money
?
Steve
WA6ZFT
|
Chuck,
I use Genaddy in Ukraine, very satisfied.
| |
Richard AG5M
Matthew McDevitt N3AZ
k6whp
David Ackrill
hwstar
David Wilcox K8WPE