开云体育

Hi Phil;
I find what you are doing VERY interesting. indeed. I can look and see what the LF cores and the windings are. I may have them in my small stock. I have one RX ensemble unbuild and 5 other RXTX ensembles not built, and one RXTX built. I had plans to make a whole QRP gaggle of rigs to use that I built. I am just now getting back to it.. as I had 2 strokes, right cerebral. I taught myself to walk and walk with a cane.. my mind is clearing although dizzy still and foggy after 2 years.. I had to go on disability. I am 67 healthy otherwise.

Let me look and see. LF interests me greatly. and there was another individual Roger Graves, VE7VV that specialized in using the RXTX as a LF transmitter at 160m.

I need to look up ndbs to see what their freq range is to see if I have the torrids.
Guy

--
guy (at) eastroad (dot) org

-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. .
\|%|///
| ~ ~ |
^( @ @ )^
---------o000o--_/-o000o---------
N1GMM

Have a good day!

Hi Zack,

Thank you for the info.? Yes, I have a Airspy Discovery HF+, as well as an SDRplay, both being good receivers.?? A couple problems for the task I typically use them for though.? Except when using a Perseus (I sold it) my program of choice for overnight recordings of the NDB band (~200-530KHz) is HDSDR (yes, I know it's old, but I'm used to it and at 80yrs old new software doesn't come as easy as it used to). ? Problem is I've never been able to get a reasonable size recording from either of those two receivers in HDSDR.? A 2GB file only holds about 4.5 minutes, meaning that an 8 hour night creates about 215GB of files, eating up hard drive space rapidly (though I have about 120TB of drives on this machine most of it is occupied by movies, TV shows, music, comics etc (ALL Old) that I share on the hubs.? I don't just record the NDB's and then toss the files when the CLE (Coordinated listening session) is finished, I archive them for posterity.? I have files of NDBs going back to 2016 (they are rapidly being decommissioned).? The Softrock recordings I have going way back (and used a 192K soundcard) would give me about? 43 minutes per 2GB file.

So, that's why I want to get another Softrock, seems like I go through receivers about as often as some folks change their socks ;-)

<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,

(\__/)
(=’.'=)
(”)冲(”)

EQUIPMENT:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
SDRs: Airspy Discovery HF+, SDRplay RSPdx
Scanner: Uniden SDS200
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
HOMEBREW Tunable LF-MF Pre-Amp.
Ratzlaff 440Hz, 6.5Hz BW Audio Filter
Autec Research QF1 Audio Filter.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element).
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Discone at ~35 Feet AGL For Scanner
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh

I have the HF and the LF Ensemble II and a third that I was going to build.
The HF version has one 74AC74 divider in it. The LF version has an
additional 74AC74 divider in it. If I remember correctly, the HF version
would tune down to about 900 kHz and the LF version would tune down to
about 180 kHz. An additional divide by 16 board was supplied by Tony on
request that would allow the unit to tune down to the tens of kHz range, if
I remember correctly. That's the one I was building but never got around to
finishing it.

By the way, the Airspy Discovery HF+ is an outstanding SDR receiver that
goes down to 5 kHz (!). It's the best I've seen in the LF/VLF range.

73, Zack W9SZ

<>
Virus-free.www.avg.com
<>
<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 12:38?PM Philip Atchley via groups.io <ko6bb=
[email protected]> wrote:

Guy,

Thank you, I ordered the RX kit and the 16X board (16x board only
5.00). I seem to remember that the Softrock LF Receivers that I built
in the past all had the 16X divider already on the PCB, just had to use
different jumpers. Of course they came with toroid cores for the LF
bands instead of HF. Not sure what I'll do for that. . .

Now, I just hope I'll be able to build it well. I have built a
gazillion things since I first got interested in Electronics at age 10
(about 1953). But I have pretty severe "RA" (Arthritis) in my hands
now, especially the right one. Fingers are stiff.

By the way, I had an Uncle on my mother's side who was named "Guy" (last
name Surber). But we all just called him "Uncle Bud".

<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,

(\__/)
(=’.'=)
(”)冲(”)

EQUIPMENT:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
SDRs: Airspy Discovery HF+, SDRplay RSPdx
Scanner: Uniden SDS200
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
HOMEBREW Tunable LF-MF Pre-Amp.
Ratzlaff 440Hz, 6.5Hz BW Audio Filter
Autec Research QF1 Audio Filter.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element).
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Discone at ~35 Feet AGL For Scanner
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh

On 9/28/2023 2:54 PM, Guy Mengel N1GMM wrote:

Hi Phil,
You can get one here:

and will have to
get the /16 board too I think. There are many that have modded this to
their needs.. there exists an RXTX also for low frequency.

Best
Guy

Guy,

Thank you, I ordered the RX kit and the 16X board (16x board only 5.00).? I seem to remember that the Softrock LF Receivers that I built in the past all had the 16X divider already on the PCB, just had to use different jumpers.? Of course they came with toroid cores for the LF bands instead of HF.? Not sure what I'll do for that. . .

Now, I just hope I'll be able to build it well.? I have built a gazillion things since I first got interested in Electronics at age 10 (about 1953).? But I have pretty severe "RA" (Arthritis) in my hands now, especially the right one.? Fingers are stiff.

By the way, I had an Uncle on my mother's side who was named "Guy" (last name Surber).? But we all just called him "Uncle Bud".

<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,

(\__/)
(=’.'=)
(”)冲(”)

EQUIPMENT:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
SDRs: Airspy Discovery HF+, SDRplay RSPdx
Scanner: Uniden SDS200
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
HOMEBREW Tunable LF-MF Pre-Amp.
Ratzlaff 440Hz, 6.5Hz BW Audio Filter
Autec Research QF1 Audio Filter.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element).
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Discone at ~35 Feet AGL For Scanner
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh

Hi Phil,
You can get one here: and will have to get the /16 board too I think. There are many that have modded this to their needs.. there exists an RXTX also for low frequency.
Best
Guy

--
guy (at) eastroad (dot) org

-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. .
\|%|///
| ~ ~ |
^( @ @ )^
---------o000o--_/-o000o---------
N1GMM

Have a good day!

I would check the band filter settings, if you have an oscilloscope great ,
otherwise If you have a spare receiver you could use that as a signal
tracer.

On Thu, Sep 14, 2023 at 4:15?PM Philip Yuengling via groups.io <pyuengling=
[email protected]> wrote:

Hi everyone,
I recently pulled out the old RXTX and connected it up. RX is fine, but
it would seem my TX is not. Any suggestions for troubleshooting? I figure
I could put a dummy load on it and work backwards from the antenna output.
Cheers,Phil N3YHF

Hi,

Sorry, I've been out of touch with this group for a long time. But I have a question.

Is the Softrock LF (Longwave) receiver still available and if so where do I go to order it, and how much.? Built a couple or so in years past. . .

--
<>< 73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair" ><>
Specializing in DXing NDBs (Longwave Beacons)
Phil, KO6BB,

(\__/)
(=’.'=)
(”)冲(”)

EQUIPMENT:
YAESU: FTDX-101MP Xceiver, Dual SDR Receivers (~2020)
YAESU: FTDX-3000 Xceiver, DSP IF, 300Hz Roofing filter (~2019).
Portables: Eton Elite 750 (2), AKA Grundig Satelite 750 (2020)
Sangean ATS-909X2 (2021), Tecsun PL-990 (2021)
SDRs: Airspy Discover HF+, SDRplay RSPdx
Scanner: Uniden SDS200
ACC: MFJ-993B Auto Antenna Matcher.
HOMEBREW 4 Port Antenna Multicoupler, Feeds 4 RX's.
HOMEBREW Tunable LF-MF Pre-Amp.
Ratzlaff 440Hz, 6.5Hz BW Audio Filter
Autec Research QF1 Audio Filter.
ANTENNAS: 88 foot Long Ladder-line fed dipole, ~35 feet AGL for MW/HF.
Top Loaded Tee (Dipole fed as single element).
Butternut HF-6V 6 Band Vertical, ~12 Feet AGL for 75-10M
Ratzlaff Active whip, 5 Foot Long, ~22 Feet AGL For LF/MW/HF.
Wellbrook ALA1530LN Loop For LF/MW/HF at ~17 Feet AGL
Discone at ~35 Feet AGL For Scanner
QTH: Merced, California, 37, 18, 37N 120, 30, 6W CM97rh

I don't know anything about the software, but the T/R switching on the RXTX is a kind of flip-flop using a feedback loop. It should be controlled, but I had some trouble with it. I could trigger T vs R by touching the board in certain places.

On 14/09/2023 16:15, Philip Yuengling via groups.io wrote:

Hi everyone,
I recently pulled out the old RXTX and connected it up.? RX is fine, but it would seem my TX is not.? Any suggestions for troubleshooting?? I figure I could put a dummy load on it and work backwards from the antenna output.

Phil

I'd start the other way.
Does it go into TX mode?
Is it being fed TX audio?
Does it get to the mixer?
Does RF come out the mixer?

73 Alan G4ZFQ

Hi everyone,
I recently pulled out the old RXTX and connected it up.? RX is fine, but it would seem my TX is not.? Any suggestions for troubleshooting?? I figure I could put a dummy load on it and work backwards from the antenna output.
Cheers,Phil N3YHF

Hi folks,
It has been ages and ages since I posted due to recovering from second stroke 10/2021. I am much much better!
I have a LOT of existing softrock stufff.. some built some not.. but I have plans to use what I have!
This picture from an album I created from a now retired installation by NR5NN


Wow.. Anyway I have gotten further inspiration from an article by W6IBC about a Multi-Band HF Phasing Receiver Using Softrock Ensemble II and Arduino Uno.. and the audio processor in EMRFD from NN7B.. See July/August issue of QEX 8/2022 from W6IBC (must be ARRL member).

So why not use what I have on hand and start conversations here. I have always loved phasing receivers and xceivers..

I did not really want to have a computer attached to use the RXTX using Rocky or Quisk.. there are cables everywhere!
I also love CW and wanted to get this working as well as I possibly can.. I know this has been discussed a lot here before. Some here have set many CW records using this little rig and a nice antenna.

So.. I am starting. I will try to create a folder and not re-invent the wheel.. should be fun! (I like the idea of building your own! I don't have to.. I have an FTdx10 to play with.. although at only 5 watts.. ;-). But.. building and using are two vastly differnent things!

Best to all!
Guy N1GMM (trying to get my old original call back KA1MWV.. strokes will teach you quickly what is important and love what you have)




guy (at) eastroad (dot) org

-.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. .
\|%|///
| ~ ~ |
^( @ @ )^
---------o000o--_/-o000o---------
N1GMM

Have a good day!

I have a Behringer UMC222 usb interface which sells for about $30. It works well with any computer. It is stereo in and 2 chan out on USB. It is 16 bit and samples at e.g. 44k or 48 K. It is much more portable than a fancier Behringer interface. It is good enough that I can use it with a softrock RXII for nuclear magnetic resonance and not just ham radio. You will probably need a stereo 3 mm to RCA adapter cable.
David
K0IMH

See the links at the bottom of every message. Find several links including one to leave the group. Click or tap on that link to leave the group. You might still get a few messages before that request gets processed.

Bye. Have a good life.

73,

Bill KU8H

Can I be excluded from this group thanks.
________________________________
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Roland Turner via groups.io <roland@...>
Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 12:31 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [softrock40] Getting started

On 1/8/23 17:13, Shirley Dulcey KE1L wrote:

It's best to turn off mic bias if you can. But it won't actually matter to
the Softrock because it has blocking capacitors on its I/Q outputs, so that
bias won't reach the rest of the circuit.

So... why bother?

If you use a fancy interface with
phantom voltage support, turn that off; it's a much higher voltage,
nominally 48V, that could cause issues.

Sure. This is comparable to Power-over-Ethernet, which a friend learned
the expensive way when connecting a cable tracing aid to a socket which
had a PoE-enabled switch behind it.


- Roland 9V1RT

Alan,

On 3/8/23 15:13, Alan G4ZFQ wrote:

My understanding is that if there is a polarising voltage then the mic
input is mono.

Oh!

OK, that explains why there's an issue. Many thanks for persisting.


- Roland 9V1RT

On 03/08/2023 04:23, Roland Turner via groups.io wrote:

With respect to those sound cards which *do* provide mic bias, it would appear that it's a non-issue for Softrocks anyway;

Roland,

Maybe things have changed.

My understanding is that if there is a polarising voltage then the mic input is mono.
In the older laptops this same socket could be switched to a stereo input with no voltage.
Some "professional" sound devices have the 48 volts, usually switchable.

As mentioned often newer devices have a single headset jack with mono input. I do not know if there are any that may be set to stereo input.

These circumstances may be avoided by using a USB sound device, just be certain it has a stereo line input.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

On 1/8/23 17:13, Shirley Dulcey KE1L wrote:

It's best to turn off mic bias if you can. But it won't actually matter to
the Softrock because it has blocking capacitors on its I/Q outputs, so that
bias won't reach the rest of the circuit.

So... why bother?

If you use a fancy interface with
phantom voltage support, turn that off; it's a much higher voltage,
nominally 48V, that could cause issues.

Sure. This is comparable to Power-over-Ethernet, which a friend learned the expensive way when connecting a cable tracing aid to a socket which had a PoE-enabled switch behind it.


- Roland 9V1RT

Alan,

On 1/8/23 16:20, Alan G4ZFQ wrote:

On 01/08/2023 08:00, Roland Turner via groups.io wrote:

Is the "mic bias" issue written up somewhere?

Roland,

I'm sure it is written somewhere but you simply avoid any mic input that
has a polarising voltage on one contact.

I'm not sure about stereo on current laptops but older ones I've used
can have dual mic or line inputs on one socket, controlled by the
installed sound settings.
Always the problem is finding the settings, most manuals do not help.

Thanks. It appears that I misread Evan's message, in particular he was simply pointing out that while the dongles in question are missing the bias voltage required by some microphones, Softrocks don't require a bias voltage so its absence is *not* a problem. (I misread it as indicating that it is a problem.)

With respect to those sound cards which *do* provide mic bias, it would appear that it's a non-issue for Softrocks anyway; the blocking capacitor in the Softrock I/Q output path would appear to mean that it makes no difference at all whether a bias voltage is present or not. Quite apart from concerns about finding the setting, or whether there is one, or whether there is one but it doesn't work, is there any particular reason to avoid mic bias on a sound card used with a Softrock? Surely that's just one of dozens/hundreds of settings that can be safely ignored?


- Roland 9V1RT

I've been using a Creative Soundblaster 1085. This works great with the
Softrocks.

73, Zack W9SZ

On Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 3:00?AM Roland Turner via groups.io <roland=
[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Evan,


On 22/6/23 04:10, Evan Hand wrote:

Remember that SoftRock puts out a stereo audio signal to allow for

separate I and Q channels. Very few laptops have stereo inputs. There are
USB dongles with stereo inputs. Those do not have the mic bias that is not
needed for SoftRock. They also have separate in and out jacks.

Is the "mic bias" issue written up somewhere? (Or, can you provide a
precis?)


Thanks,


- Roland 9V1RT

Alan,

You are correct that some laptops (most?) can configure the 3.5mm jack. You need 4 connections (two input and two output) if you want a transceiver. The TRRS 3.5mm jack only has three connections. Here is a USB dongle that meets the requirements: