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Power Modification Photos Uploaded
Bruce Beford
I have just added two photos showing how to modify the power input of
the SoftRock. This is one way to provide power if you do not want to run it from the USB port. Some have reported a lower noise-floor when isolating the radio's power from the PC. Q1 is replaced by 78L05 5 volt regulator. R1 is not installed. In it's place, a higher voltage version of C2 is used. I recommend something with a rating higher than the 16volt cap supplied for C2 in the kit. I used a 35volt tantalum cap. The original position for C2 is filled by a jumper wire. This makes a convenient ground poit for testing. In the close-up photo, you can also see C8, the coupling cap from the local oscillator, has been mounted in a 2 pin header. This makes it easy to disconnect the onboard oscillator. This way, you can use an external clock source, like a DDS, in place of the crystal oscillator. 73, Bruce N1RX |
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Photos uploaded to N1RX folder
Bruce Beford
Hello everyone.
I have uploaded two pictures to show the changes needed to put the SoftRock on 30 meters. Those of you who are waiting on 40.500 Mhz crystals from me are going to need two 33pF caps to replace C6 and C7 in the local oscillator. Most of the crystals that have been ordered shipped today. Let me know if there are any questions. -Bruce N1RX |
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Re: Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers
KY1K
The custom solder mask isn't necessary and they are expensive. For users who are putting one softrock together, they are a bad investment.
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For people who are putting them together in mass production, the solder mask is invaluable. The solder mask allows one to deposit just the right amount of paste solder in the right location in just a few seconds. The mask is then (carefully) removed after the paste is applied and the components are placed. After the components are placed, they can be soldered all at once by placing the board in a toaster oven and heating the oven to the right temperature. A small toaster oven will solder 3 softrock-40 boards all at once. The paste is pricey and the toaster oven has to be dedicated for soldering only (no food is safe to consume after the oven has been used for soldering in this manner). I hope to assemble mine using paste, but will solder it with a pyropen, which is a butane hot air source with a twist. In the tip of the pyropen, there is a special catalyst screen that removes oxygen from the hot air output stream. This means the solder can't oxidize as it is heated. So, the finished product is much higher in quality. There was a recent discussion on the PICLIST about soldering using advanced methods. Regards, Art At 10:56 AM 9/26/2005, you wrote:
The custom solder mask is not necessary. --
No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 9/23/2005 |
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Re: SoftRock40 - Update on 30M crystal availability
Bruce Beford
I'll set one aside for you, Bob. You can either use PayPal, or send me
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a check to my address listed at QRZ.com. Let me know. 73, Bruce. --- In softrock40@..., "wb2srf@j..." <wb2srf@j...> wrote:
Hi Bruce, |
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Re: Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers
KD5SSJ
The custom solder mask is not necessary.
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-----Original Message-----
From: softrock40@... [mailto:softrock40@...] On Behalf Of KY1K Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2005 8:03 AM To: softrock40@... Subject: Re: [softrock40] Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers WOW, Good deal. The message says you're continuing'. But, this is the first time I've seen the offer and I've been a pretty avid reader of the SDR and related groups. Hey Tony, what a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! You could do it for the other kits as well and make a full time occupation of it, not sure if it pays well enough. But, with a production line and a solder paste/toaster oven soldering unit and a custom solder mask, you could put out some semi large quantities in a short period of time. Anyway, have a great day. Art At 08:03 AM 9/25/2005, you wrote: Good Morning All, your QTH.) In the last few days I have shipped ten built/tested -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 9/23/2005 Yahoo! Groups Links |
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Sound cards
Richard Gagnon
Hello All
This is probably basic to most of you but how do I find the sampling rate of my sound card? I have a 1.3g cpu motherboard with the sound card part of the motherboard. W98SE. I know the sound works but that is about it. I do not like messing with what works. Below is from the documentation and I have the mobo cd. The mobo is a M810LMR. AC97 Codec Compliant PC97 2.1 specification Supports 18-bit ADC (Analog Digital Converter) and DAC (Digital Analog Converter) as well as 18-bit stereo full-duplex codec I suppose I could feed in an audio signal but there must be a way using the software to figure this out. After all, it is a computer. Thank you. Richard |
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MSdotNet S/W to Share [Redistributable]
Chuck Carpenter
Folks,
According the to MS dotNet Website, Framework v1.1 is Redistributable. I verified this with my favorite MS licensed MIS person yesterday. It's permitted as a convenience so users of licensed developer software don't have to go to the website for a lengthy download. This statement appears to be incorrect in this instance... <quote> I would respectfully point out that the .net framework and SP1 are, while</quote> Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, Point, TX -|- Rains Co. -|- EM22cv -|- 72 <oo> 50 years -- 19 - K2OFN, 31 - W5USJ -|- Most fun = QRP since 1984 www.w5usj.com hosted by Hamnutz.com -|- www.netxqrp.org |
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SoftRock-40 arrives in Europe
Leon Heller
My SoftRock-40 kit has just materialised, here in the UK. 8-)
73, Leon -- Leon Heller, G1HSM leon.heller@... -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 23/09/2005 --- [This E-mail has been scanned for viruses but it is your responsibility to maintain up to date anti virus software on the device that you are currently using to read this email. ] |
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Re: SoftRock40 - Update on 30M crystal availability
KD5NWA
We should thank you for making these crystals available for such a low price.
Thanks At 09:02 PM 9/25/2005, Bruce Beford wrote: Hello everyone,Cecil Bayona KD5NWA www.qrpradio.com I fail to see why doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results every time is insanity: I've almost proved it isn't; only a few more tests now and I'm sure results will differ this time ... |
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SoftRock40 - Update on 30M crystal availability
Bruce Beford
Hello everyone,
I have had a very strong response to my offer for crystals to put the SR40 on 30M. As of this writing, Sept 25 @ 10:00pm EDT nearly 80 crystals have been spoken for. I have packaged and will be shipping out 34 orders containing a total of 64 crystals. If you paid via PayPal, and received a confirmation email from me, your crystals are going in tomorrow's mail. I am holding crystals for others who are sending checks. At this point, I can accept orders for about 15 more crystals. PLEASE email me to check availability BEFORE sending any payment. I am working on obtaining more crystals, and will post another message when I am certain of my ability to restock. Thanks once again to all who have expressed interest. 73, Bruce N1RX |
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Re: [Flexradio] SDR1000 IQ Signal Recordings
KD5NWA
I came to a similar conclusion last night, the radio was acting like it's RF gain was way down. I discovered that by turning up the AGC gain I could hear the crud between signals. At first I turned it way up, but after a while it got old hearing all that noise, so I started turning it down a little bit at a time, until I arrived at a value that would let me hear weak signals yet barely hear the constant crud.
That is a pretty nice feature, I have a FT-817 and one of it's failings is that the AGC cranks up the gain so high when there is no signal, that it drives crazy with all the noise. I resort to manual gain and you get a much nicer result. I've been playing with the settings on the software and cranked up the DSP buffer to 2048, that makes the filters really much sharper, yet it doesn't seem to eat too much more CPU time. The two displays are the ones that eat up the CPU. One more question; the ASIO4all has setting for using DMA for the transfers, I have not seen anything on it, it seems to cut down CPU usage by a few %, Is this recommended, using DMA on the sound card transfers? Thanks At 03:31 PM 9/25/2005, you wrote: Cecil, --Cecil Bayona KD5NWA www.qrpradio.com I fail to see why doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results every time is insanity: I've almost proved it isn't; only a few more tests now and I'm sure results will differ this time ... |
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Re: Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers
KY1K
Apologies to Tony and the list. I didn't mean for the message I sent to Tony to be for public distribution, and didn't realize the list default for reply was to the list and not to the sender.
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Some lists default replies to the sender directly. I hit the send button too quickly. Art At 11:03 AM 9/25/2005, you wrote:
WOW, --
No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 9/23/2005 |
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Re: Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers
KY1K
WOW,
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Good deal. The message says you're continuing'. But, this is the first time I've seen the offer and I've been a pretty avid reader of the SDR and related groups. Hey Tony, what a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! You could do it for the other kits as well and make a full time occupation of it, not sure if it pays well enough. But, with a production line and a solder paste/toaster oven soldering unit and a custom solder mask, you could put out some semi large quantities in a short period of time. Anyway, have a great day. Art At 08:03 AM 9/25/2005, you wrote:
Good Morning All, --
No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.6/111 - Release Date: 9/23/2005 |
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[SR-40] MSdotNet S/W to Share
Chuck Carpenter
SR-40 folks,
Through the generosity of one of our list members, PowerSDR-v1.4.4 for the SR-40 is now running on my Dell 8100 laptop and XP Pro OS. That after installing MSdotNET Framework and SP1. Now to build the kit and see if it all really works...[g] If anyone who lives in the sticks like me or elsewhere with only a slow dial-up, or other download problems, would like a copy let me know and I'll send a CD in exchange for a blank CD-R and postage. (I'm retired on a limited income.) The CD will include MS .NET Framework and it's SP1. If downloading the PowerSDR-v1.4.4 software and Bill, KD5TFD's SR-40 overlay is also a problem, that can be included too. Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, Point, TX -|- Rains Co. -|- EM22cv -|- 72 es <oo> 50 years -|- 19 - K2OFN and 31 - W5USJ -|- Most fun = QRP since 1984. www.w5usj.com hosted by Hamnutz.com -|- NeTxQRP www.netxqrp.com |
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Built/Tested SoftRock40 receivers
kb9yig
Good Morning All,
I am continuing to offer built/tested v4.0 SoftRock40 receivers in trade for your kit plus a $15 check. (The $15 includes postage back to your QTH.) In the last few days I have shipped ten built/tested SoftRocks and have another ten ready for immediate shipment. If you would like to save the three hour plus build time, just send your kit to me at: Tony Parks 1344 E 750 N Springport, IN 47386 Thanks and 73, Tony KB9YIG |
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Re: SoftRock40 on 30M- Success! Crystals available now.
Bruce Beford
Yes, Tony. You may still order crystals. I am posting here, because
I don't have you direct email address. 73, Bruce. --- In softrock40@..., "Tony Parks" <raparks@c...> wrote: MessageHi Bruce,if I am in time and I will send the payment via Paypal. softrock40@... ; 'Alex' ; 'Bill Tracey' ; 'Stan Rife' ; 'Steve Miller' ; 'Jim Giammanco' ; 'Chuck Carpenter' ; 'KD5NWA' ; w9ya@a... ; 'Don' ; 'david feldman' ; 'Curt Knight' ; 'Brian B. Riley (N1BQ)' ; 'Pete Barth' ; 'Don Johnson, KD8UA' Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 5:56 PMavailable now. capacitors need to be changed from their original values, and a new oscillator crystal installed. Capacitors C6 and C7 are changed from their original 100pF to 33pF. The crystal is changed from its original 28.224 to 40.500 Mhz. The original crystal still works with the new capacitor values (in two units here). (I had tried this before, and didn't think it worked, but my experiment was flawed. It is working now.) band change is as easy as swapping the crystal. A switch could also be wired in to select different crystals. The receiver input band pass filter is wide enough to allow good operation on 30M. When using the PowerSDR software, just go to Setup, and select the SoftRock tab. Uncheck "Fixed HW Osc" and enter 10.125 in the Freq box. Then, recheck the "Fixed HW Osc" box. That's it. PowerSDR will now display the correct frequencies. Please note that these crystals are fundamental mode, HC-49 size crystals, 100 ppm. The actual center freq on 30M will be +/- 1Khz or so. A slight tweaking of the image reject settings may be needed for best performance when changing bands. These allow nearly full coverage of the Amateur 30M band with the SoftRock receiver. As I announced earlier, I am making these available to all. The price for US delivery is $2.00 for one crystal, $1.50 each for quantities of two or more. For foreign addresses (including Canada) the price is $2.50 for one, $2.00 each for two and up. You may send payment via PayPal to bruce.beford@v... I will fill orders on a first-come, first served basis. ----------- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKSof Service. ----------- |
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SDR1000 IQ Signal Recordings
kd5nwa
I have a couple of simple questions to the group.
I'm awaiting a SR-40 radio to come in, in the meantime I have setup several PC's to hook up the the radio, and I have installed the software. I noticed something funny last night, my other four PC's do the same thing. While listening to a IQ recording there is practically no noise at all, this a particular recording is of a 40 meter CW contest. Even when I tune in-between signals there is no noise. I played with the squelch settings, no change, the filters are off. My question is, when someone with a SDR1000 radio makes a recording does it record the raw band data, or does it record it after whatever filters the user has applied? I have several recordings and they are all the same, no noise. The funny thing is on the scope you can see noise and sometimes weak signals that rise about 4 to 7 db above the noise level and when you tune them you get nothing, no audio out, even when you can see a weak signal there. I'm using the version 1.4.4 with the Soft-Rock modifications, is there a bug where the squelch is on all the time? Setup; Dell Precision 220 2X Pentium III 512 Meg Ram Win2K SP4 .Net V1.1 SP1 DirectX 9 MDAC 2.8 SP1 Flex software with Soft-Rock patch V1.4.4 ASIO4All V1.8 (Latest), I tried ASIO and MME drivers, do difference. SB Live 24 (Pci), SB Live, SB Audigy 2 Zs, Built in SoundMax Digital Audio, I tried all these cards. The System is patched up with all the latest security patches from Microsoft. -- Cecil Bayona KD5NWA <www.qrpradio.com> I fail to see why doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results every time is insanity: I've almost proved it isn't; only a few more tests now and I'm sure results will differ this time ... |
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Re: SoftRock40 on 30M- Success! Crystals available now.
Tony Parks
开云体育Hi Bruce,
?
Very good!!? I would like two of the
crystals.? Please let me know if I am in time and I will send the payment
via Paypal.
?
Thanks,
Tony KB9YIG
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SoftRock40 on 30M- Success! Crystals available now.
Bruce Beford
开云体育Hello
all.
?
I have successfully
converted a SoftRock40 for use on 30M. Two capacitors need to be changed from
their original values, and a new oscillator crystal installed. Capacitors C6 and
C7 are changed from their original 100pF to 33pF. The crystal is changed from
its original 28.224 to 40.500 Mhz. The original crystal still works with the new
capacitor values (in?two units here). (I had tried this before, and didn't
think it worked, but my experiment was flawed. It is working now.)
?
By using a
machined-pin socket (or similar) for the crystal, band change is as easy as
swapping the crystal. A switch could also be wired in to select different
crystals. The receiver input band pass filter is wide enough to allow good
operation on 30M. When using the PowerSDR software, just go to Setup, and select
the SoftRock tab. Uncheck "Fixed HW Osc" and enter 10.125 in the Freq box. Then,
recheck the "Fixed HW Osc" box. That's it. PowerSDR will now display the correct
frequencies. Please note that these crystals are fundamental mode, HC-49 size
crystals, 100 ppm. The actual center freq on 30M will be +/- 1Khz or so. A
slight tweaking of the image reject settings may be needed for best performance
when changing bands.
?
I have available a
quantity of the 40.500 Mhz crystals required. These allow nearly full coverage
of the Amateur 30M band with the SoftRock receiver. As I announced earlier, I am
making these available to all. The price for US delivery is $2.00 for one
crystal, $1.50 each for quantities of two or more. For foreign addresses
(including Canada) the price is $2.50 for one, $2.00 each for two and up. You
may send payment via PayPal?to bruce.beford@... I will fill
orders on a first-come, first served basis.
?
Any questions? Email
me direct, and I'll answer as best I can.
?
73,
Bruce
N1RX |
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