Sage Advice on Homebrewing from WA3EIB

Bill, Pete,
 
Thanks for the sage advice.
 
You are absolutely right, I should stick to the plan and finish the project before tromping off in a different direction.
Anytime I've ever changed designs before I have completed a task, usually results in something far less than expected.
 
The real joy is completing a project and looking back at what was accomplished.
 
My own personal goals for the Minima Transceiver Construction include...
 
1. Build it from SCRATCH - Manhattan Style.
2. Start with modular construction - so that each circuit can be tested, troubleshot and modified in the future.
3. SMA connectors and coax to every stage so, I can divide and conquer the function of all modules.
4. Document the entire journey so I can actually see where my learning's took me.
5. Provide myself, a basic building block for future transceiver construction and designs.
6. Improve my skills, techniques and knowledge through my mistakes and understandings. 
7. Learn to SLOW DOWN, study, plan and write, in my own words, what the circuit(s) do and how they function.
8. Be a mentor to others and share what I have learned.
9. Be more of an Amateur Radio Experimenter and less of a Ham Radio Operator.
10. Continue to dream and design.
 
Each day should be NEW and EXCITING. There should be a thrill in every step of the way, even in the midst of failures.
 
Thank you both for taking the time to respond.
Thanks for the encouragement and sharing what happens on your own bench.
 
73's
 
Harv -=WA3EIB=-

---------------------

More inspiration from Harv here:
http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-ode-to-old-time-radio-by-wa3eib.html

And here:

http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/search?q=WA3EIB

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Born to Solder: Harv's Knack Story

From Harv, WA3EIB:

I'm an avid follower of Soldersmoke and builder of sorts.  I began as a ham operator in 1965.
My parents claim I was born with my hands wrapped around a soldering iron.
 
As you may have noticed, the Michigan Mighty Mite has become a popular rage thanks to Bill and Pete and the Soldersmoke gang. They have encouraged a great number of individuals to study, build and learn. The basics of a simple one transistor transmitter can be a key element to creating, inventing and pushing the brain to greater understanding.
 
When I was first licensed I was encouraged by a fellow ham. This wise man, was way more senior than myself and out of kindness, he sat me down in front of his workbench and grilled me on the key components and reasons for adding a Low Pass Filter in radio transmission. Following the lecture, he pulled the parts for the filter from his cabinet and said, "Now build it!"
 
Fifty years later, that same nurturing education is still with me and our hobby. When I was in New England in the 1970's & 80s, I became friends with Ted Gent, G3ODG. He was a good friend and a real inspiration to art of build. We have long since lost contact with each other however, Ted helped me along as I ventured into solid-state homebrew receivers. 
 
I have enclosed a  photo of a similar one valve oscillator that I built when I was 15. So much thrill is derived when your hands construct a useful element of your radio shack.
 
 
73's
Keep building, keep enjoying!
 
Harv -=WA3EIB=-
Idaho Falls, Idaho  USA

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

One more on Gagarin

Bill, Pete,

In keeping with historical events, I have enclosed a few snap-shots from the 1961 Pittsburgh Press dated Wednesday, April 12, 1961.
Yes, a few of us recall that very day. I had filed this newspaper in my Scrap Book back then. It was a bitter sweet thing, to read for most, as we hoped the U.S. to be first but none-the-less, we smiled anyway because, it proved a person could go into space and return. (Flight Breaks Barrier to Space Travel). I was very enthusiastic about Rockets, Travel and current events. I built my own capsule in the rafters of my parents home and spent all day up there in the tiny confines as I launched my own secret adventures into Outer-Space.

Hope you enjoy the photos. I can provide a better set of copies if you are interested.

73's

Harv - WA3EIB
Idaho Falls, ID

Harv:   I converted a small closet into what I saw as an excellent simulator of the Apollo 11 Command Module.  Bill


Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Homebrew Hero: Yardley Beers

How's that for a beautiful homebrew rig! Prompted by our discussion of distinctive ham radio names, Harv, WA3EIB, sent us a very nice report on Yardley Beers, W0JF. The rig pictured is Yardley's "Jason" 20 meter QRP transceiver. Yardley had named the rig for his cousin. Harv met Yardley at a Colorado hamfest in 1993:

"On the table in front of Yardley was an Aluminum Box fashioned into a QRP radio named, “Jason”, 2 broken and worn head phones from the 1920’s, a few 1980’s QST and, several odd radio parts. My bulb of brilliance was not working that day. I said, “I don’t know what I’m looking for!" Somehow Yardley must have studied my eyes. I had locked my vision onto his very elaborate QRP rig. He paused for a few moments and said, “You into QRP?” By this time I felt more relaxed because he was now on my wavelength. I said, “Why yes, I would rather work with a homebrew radio that the ones with features that no one seems to know what they do!”

Harv bought the Jason (and everything else on Yardley's table) and established a lasting friendship with W0JF.

There is a nice article about OM Yardley's life in the November 2004 issue of QST.

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Oldest Drake 2B? (now with pictures)

Bill and Soldersmoke readers,

One of the earliest and still surviving Drake 2Bs is owned by Paul Brock (K4MSG) of Hamilton, Virginia.

Paul is very much into Boat Anchor Ownership and Restoration.  

 

If you are interested, look at his write-up titled “The Magic of Boatanchors” http://www.k4lrg.org/Projects/Magic_of_Boatanchors/index.html

 

 

K4MSG’s Drake 2B Receiver s/n 2052

 

In my perspective, this receiver is still an absolute “Keeper.”  

If anyone has a Drake 2B older than Paul’s,  we’d love to see it.

We have all surmised that the first 2B was serial number 2000, from the first production run back in April 1961.

Paul’s radio could have easily been one of the first receivers to hit the market.

 

Interesting sidebar; The early 2B and 2As do not have the red scale log scale adjustor button.  

 

I remember these when they first hit the market. They seemed so small compared to the Hammarlund, Hallicrafters and National triple conversion receivers from the same era.

Most Old Timers felt they were not going to get their monies worth with a tiny receiver sitting next to their big 60 to 100 Lb. transmitter.

In 1962, this was a very modern radio both in style and performance. Coupled with the Q-Multiplier/Speaker you had a superb receiver which worked extremely well on C.W., A.M. and S.S.B.

 

My first experience with the Drake 2 B came at Skyview Radio Club near the Pittsburgh, Pa area back in 1965.

 

 

 

Here is one of those early ads that show the Drake 2B without the Red Scale Slider Button.

 

 

 

 

Happy building and melting solder everyone.

 

73’s De -=WA3EIB=- Harv. Albq., NM

 

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #236 -- Bill's 17-12 Rig, Pea Shooter, VFO Wisdom, Temp Compensation, Need Code for Max2870, Making Enclosures, MAILBAG

ARC-5 R-23 Nav Receiver Parts

SolderSmoke Podcast #236 is available!

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke236.mp3

Winterfest!  Many Boatanchors.  Lots of old good analog test gear.  Talk with Dean KK4DAS.  Met up with Armand WA1UQO and Charles AI4OT. 

Pete's Bench: 

-- Looking for help in software development for MAX2870 board.  

-- Tapped Capacitance Impedance Matching

-- The Pea Shooter (See N2USD's version in videos

 below).

-- Tribal Knowledge on Making Enclosures

Bill's Bench: 

-- 17-12 Band Imaging SSB Transceiver.  It works on both bands. 

-- Plan for Glowing Numerals (N6QW has been there and done that!)

-- WU2D's videos on VFOs.  

-- Temperature Compensation:  HT-37 capacitor.  FT-101 VFO,  even in the ARC-5 receiver! 

-- Trying to get more rigorous about receiver design.  Gain distribution, IMD, Dynamic Range, etc. 

-- Do I need a true RMS audio voltmeter?  Or can I get the same info from freeware audio spectrum analyzer and soundcard?

-- 6EA8s replace 6U8s in MMRX 

SHAMELESS COMMERCE DIVISION:   We have a sponsor!  

PARTS CANDY out of Chicago produces quality test leads for your bench.  The guy who runs the company is Carlos, and he is one of us.  He is an electronic tinkerer. See the ad on the left hand column of the SolderSmoke blog.  Just click on the picture of the test leads and you will be taken to Carlos's ebay store.  Go for it. 

Mailbag

Walter KA4KXX in Orlando -- Diodes in BITX Bilats -- Why?  Farhan says To prevent reverse junction of off transistor from conducting and clipping waveform. 

Tony G4WIF -- Audio test gear and G3ROO paraset

Todd K7TFC Pine boards, TIAs and 12 meters

Dean KK4DAS  Ceramic Variable Oscillators on 40.   Juliano Criteria? 

Mike WU2D   VFOs and Temp compensation. ARC-5s

Chris KD4PBJ   A really nice parts care package -- Thanks Chris! 

Steve M0ECS.  Inspired by SS, moved something off the Shelf or Box of Shame. 

Jason KD2RKN Building a DC receiver.  It is all our fault. 

Chris Mannon in Indiana joining the CBLA

KC4GMH is listening! 

Ed N2XDD has been armed with a 3.579 MHz crystal.  

Harvey Wa3EIB working on his museum 

Tim AG4RZ is BACK IN THE SOLDERSMOKE! 

Fred KC5RT -- an old friend -- recommends Bangood RF sig gen for 88 bucks. 

Shlomo 4X4LF listening and homebrewing from a Kibbutz in Israel. 

Chuck KF8TI was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. 

Harv's Minima

Good Evening Bill & fellow Solder-smoke friends,

 

Well, I’m following the pack. I began gathering items for the Minima Transceiver back in March 14. There had been a good bit of strong back-N-forth discussions on the Minima Blog about what works and what doesn’t work. Some circuit refinements had been agreed upon while other were left to individual preferences. So, I decided to just be silent an learn from the experts. As a result, I did several months of observing before I took the plunge. While my efforts are not nearly as aggressive as others, I decided to forge a much slower path to success.

In my own quirky way of doing things, I kitted each module, measured all the parts statically, laid out the components, and finally built & tested each assembly before going to the next.

As a result, the learning’s were great and the performance of each section equal or better than my expectations.

 

I went the Manhattan Style this time but,  I have purchased several sets of Minima PCBs to use in the future. As I see it, there is a lot more solder melting ahead.

 

Bill, building radios is NOT DEAD yet. That desire to get back to the golden days of home-brewing still lives on.

 

At the end of the Memorial Weekend, this is my current Minima progress…

 

·         Construction of all 3 Audio Stages now complete (see photos)

·         The Microphone Pre-Amp is now awaiting voice testing

·         Audio Amplifier and Final Amplifier have been tested together

·         The results of audio testing has been superb for all stages thus far

·         3 complete sets of Micro Relays have been order and I’m now awaiting their arrival

·         24 – various ferrite and powered iron cores arrived several weeks ago, these are the heart of the front-end RX/TX stages

·         100 - 20 Mhz. crystals have arrived and await characterization

·         25 - 8” Male to Male SMA Cables have arrived this weekend, will need to order 15 – 4” Male to Male SMA Cable Assemblies next

·         5 – 12” X 15” Copper Clad Boards have arrived this weekend

·         25 –J310 N-channel J RF Power FETs were ordered and arrived this weekend, these are used in the Mixer Stage

 

 

Final Audio Stage

 

 

Audio Amplifier Stage

 

 

Microphone Pre-Amplifier Stage (see microphone connector mounted at rear)

 

I’m ready to begin kitting the Side Tone Oscillator and RX/TX Relay Stages.

The largest and most intense modules are yet to be tackled.

The Bi-Directional Amplifier has 34 parts alone.  So far I have installed over 40 parts in the three modules I’ve completed…

I realize it is just a start but, I’m motivated to see this one project through to completion.

 

73’s & Happy Soldering

 

Harv -=WA3EIB=-

Albuquerque, NM.

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Harv's DDS Function Generator

Nice looking DDS function generator Harv!  Glad to see the HT-37 in the background. (And it appears well protected -- is that some sort of digital shielding to protect it from the bits and bytes?) The eraser buttons are a nice touch. Good luck with the Minima!

Hi Bill,

 

Well I have nearly completed my DDS Function Generator as I prepare to construct the Minima.

 

The Function Generator was a necessity for the bench so I can tackle Tweaking and Troubleshooting my work.

It is housed an aluminum box and completely self-contained.

My objective was to have the choice, to either lay the unit flat on the work surface or stand it on a shelf for easy reading while seated.

The Generator has both a  DDS and HF-ECG output.

The buttons are fashioned from White Pencil Erasers since finding proper buttons for the membrane keypad beneath was difficult.

 

I have obtained a set of Farhan’s Boards for the Minima but will begin my effort with a Manhattan Style Construction so I can perfect my choice of parts.

The soldering iron is heating and I’m ready for a new and exciting challenge.

 

Happy Solder Melting Everyone!

 

Harv -=WA3EIB=-

Albq., NM.

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

The Oldest 2-B? (I say it's a 10!)

Harv: Wow, that's a beautiful 2-B OM. I give it a 10. If you compare it to mine, it's a 20! I checked our collection point for 2-B serial numbers and see that we have a couple that may be rivals in the title "Senior 2-B." Thanks for pointing out that they started at #2000.

................................

Hi Bill,

What makes a radio a 10 out of 10?

Good question. A real 10 to me means the radio is flawless, clean, not repainted and the best example possible based upon age and general appearance.

Here is one of my Drake 2B Communication Receivers with the matching Speaker/Q Multiplier.

This one has the S/N 2532 which, places the production of this radio close to early Spring 1961. The radio is not flawless. It has very minor metal edge dings in the paint.

I have the original Owners Manual and lots of special notes. At best my pictured radio above is a 9.5.

In my collection is also; S/N 4226 which was built near the end of 1961. I rate S/N 4226 as a 9.8 radio.

I’m impressed with the AVG recovery, general receiver sensitivity and the combination selectivity afforded by the Q-Multiplier.

I believe the Drake web site is spot on with the dating of the production runs for Drake equipment.

From talking to other Hams, it looks like the 2B started with S/N 2000 on their first full run of production in early April 1961.

It would be interesting to see if others find radios with a serial number less than mine still out there pulling duty.

I’m sure some pilot radios are out there in private collections. Let me know if someone finds an earlier serial number.

Keep up the great work Bill!!!

ENJOY

HARV -=WA3EIB=-

Albuquerque, NM.

-------------------------------------------------------

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Boatanchor Dreams

Greetings Bill and Fellow Solder Melters,

Back in 1965, I bought a brand new HT-37 from a radio store in Pittsburgh, Pa.

It had been tucked away by the owner for his own personal collection.

He finally softened and sold it to me.  The Hallicrafters HT-37 became by Big Dog for many years.

In 2005, I fell on some difficult times and sold it. I regretted the departure moments after the exchange.

Well, finally after lots of searching, the right unit came along.

Here are a few pictures of my excellent E-bay buy.

I will begin to dig into the electrical status of the rig later this week but the unit seems well cared for and not abused. 

I will keep you posted. It will be happily married to my Drake 2B and Q-Multiplier after it passes muster.Yes fellow hams there are still gems out there for your collections. Just wait for the right buy and then go for it!

73’s  Harv -=WA3EIB=-

----------------------------------------------------------

Photo by WA4KCY

Bill,
       I know you would appreciate this. Got an email this morning from a local ham who was getting rid of some "junk" radios, wondered if I or someone else could use them. Once I heard I got over there to pick them up. Among the usual, real junk was a Hammarlund HQ-110C receiver, in the original box and a Johnson Viking Ranger, also in the box. With all the manuals as well. The boxes are showing their age, the Ranger's being not much to look at. I am told neither works and haven't been looked at / turned for at least 20 years. What a find! They are very clean and complete, as far as I can tell.
The plan is to restore them to pristine condition and, hopefully, use them in one of the local museum as a working station.
 
Mike Herr
WA6ARA
DM-15dp

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Harv's Idaho Mighty Mite

Greetings Bill, Pete,
While between tasks, I put a little work in on the LPF for the Michigan Mighty Mite.
I will soon be ready to light this thing up. I fit everything on a copper board 3.5 X 5.
I even put some non-skid rubber feet and fashioned the tank circuit for 40 Meters.
The Color Burst frequency was a bit too low for a practical antenna on this small city lot so, I did the next best thing.
It's like reliving those teen years, routing through boxes of misc parts and soldering them in place one at a time.
The thrill involved kind of brings those days back to future.

I wanting to construct a regen-receiver but, the pile in front of the solder station is urging me to continue on with the Minima.

I love the variety of Mighty Mites that have been built thus far. Each one is like a painting where the artist has left their signature on their work.

Keep building, Keep having fun and Keep learning. 

73's

Harv -=WA3EIB=-
Eastern Idaho

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Harv's Hallicrafters HT-37: A Thing of Beauty

Good Evening Bill,

Well with sore fingers, I’m glad to report that the upper deck of my newly acquired HT-37 is complete. (see enclosed photos)

Mice had a small party in this radio but aside from the numerous corrosion spots and few frayed wires,  the task of restoring was not too over whelming.

I have had my trusty Soldering Iron in high use mode lately.

All but the final tubes have the Hallicrafters logo stamped on them.

I had to replaced the Final Tune Capacitor C55 and have gone through all the modifications done to this radio during its 52 years of service.

The previous owner added an internal Antenna Relay (grey transformer near rear of deck.) and replaced the Mic connector with a Drake style phono jack. (I guess that’s acceptable.)

Now I’m onto the re-capping of the lower deck, De-ox the tube sockets and switches. Finally, the replacement of the rectifiers with solid state devices.

I’m documenting all the details just in case there is another solder melting soul out there that wants to restore their HT-37.

With some tender care, it should last another 50 years.

Bill, Keep on learning, Keep on burning (solder that is!)

73’s & Enjoy

Harv -=WA3EIB=-

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

An HW-7 that Glows in the Dark

Hi Bill,

You are right, there is a lot of disdain for the HW7 out there.

While looking for a reasonable selection of do-able modifications to the HW7, I observed a sentiment that when all boiled down would sound like this: “Yea, rip out the innards and build a new transceiver in the carcass that is left.”

On the flip side, I have experienced relatively good results from my virgin HW7. Oh yea, I did add dial and meter lighting along with A nice set of Radio Shack Knobs but that is about the extent of the changes.

So Bill, I was wondering if any listeners to Solder Smoke know of a good source of reasonable modifications to the HW7 without inducing an implant? Second, is there a way of adding an S-meter to a direct conversion receiver? Are there any mods that can be lifted from the HW8 or HW9 and applied to the Old Senior HW7?

Thanks & 73’s

Harv WA3EIB Albuquerque, NM

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics"http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #212 HDR, Boatanchors, SDR, Antuinos, Spurs, QSX, Mailbag

Dale Parfitt W4OP's  SBE-33 with modern digi freq counter

SolderSmoke Podcast #212 is available: 

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke212.mp3

22 June 2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO PETE:  Licensed 60 years today

Pete Juliano during Field Day, 1959

Sideband Engineers Models 33 and 34 -- Thanks Pete! 
Hans's QSX SDR Rig at Dayton-Xenia and FDIM
W8SX FDIM interviews

Pete's SDR Projects -- Update

The Peregrino SSB transceiver in the summer SPRAT

Why no rare earth cell phone speakers in ham projects? 

My HDR "waterfall" project

Farhan's Antuino
Cubesat origins
RF Lab in an box
SWR, PWR, SNA
Superhet receiver with ADE-1 at front, and log IC at the output
Adapters (SMA to BNC) help
DON'T BLOW UP THE INPUT RESISTORS (LIKE I DID!) 
My dirty DIGITIA -- Denial, then acceptance
FFT 
Useful programs:  SPURTUNE and ELSIE
A better bandpass filter for the DIGITIA 
The importance of a good test set up with Antuino

Manassas Hamfest: WA1UQO, W4WIN, AI4OT

MAILBAG: 
KG7SSB
WA3EIB
VK4PG
W3BBO
Jeff Tucker -- Who owns Drake 2-B #4215? 
KN4BXI
KC5RT
K3ASW

An Ode to Old-time Radio by WA3EIB

I didn’t have much growing up but I still had fun!

Towers of wood and Pipe that reached close to the sun.

Antennas of aluminum and wire seen many blocks away.

C.W. into the wee hours of the night. Hot coffee, now I’m awake to stay.

Many pleasant dreams as the radio cooled and the crickets chirped me to sleep.

Nestled between Foreign Broadcast Signals, and oh my dinner,  I forgot to eat.

But YES, I still had fun!

A cigar box full of crystals and an antique key, I was determined it was one more watt that I need.

Lost them, found them and lost them again but, I still had fun indeed!

Sun rising now, Europe on the line, Shadows short and Africa began to shine.

Orange glow at dusk the ocean islands start to appear, near midnight now and its Russia I hear.

Perhaps these days may all be but gone but my equipment and dreams continue to live on.

And YES, I still have fun!    HH

Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Video of SolderSmoke Podcast #236

SolderSmoke Podcast #236 is available!

Podcast Posted on 1 April 2022:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke236.mp3

Winterfest!  Many Boatanchors.  Lots of old good analog test gear.  Talk with Dean KK4DAS.  Met up with Armand WA1UQO and Charles AI4OT. 

Pete's Bench: 

-- Looking for help in software development for MAX2870 board.  

-- Tapped Capacitance Impedance Matching

-- The Pea Shooter (See N2USD's version in videos

 below).

-- Tribal Knowledge on Making Enclosures

Bill's Bench: 

-- 17-12 Band Imaging SSB Transceiver.  It works on both bands. 

-- Plan for Glowing Numerals (N6QW has been there and done that!)

-- WU2D's videos on VFOs.  

-- Temperature Compensation:  HT-37 capacitor.  FT-101 VFO,  even in the ARC-5 receiver! 

-- Trying to get more rigorous about receiver design.  Gain distribution, IMD, Dynamic Range, etc. 

-- Do I need a true RMS audio voltmeter?  Or can I get the same info from freeware audio spectrum analyzer and soundcard?

-- 6EA8s replace 6U8s in MMRX 

SHAMELESS COMMERCE DIVISION:   We have a sponsor!  

PARTS CANDY out of Chicago produces quality test leads for your bench.  The guy who runs the company is Carlos, and he is one of us.  He is an electronic tinkerer. See the ad on the left hand column of the SolderSmoke blog.  Just click on the picture of the test leads and you will be taken to Carlos's ebay store.  Go for it. 

Mailbag

Walter KA4KXX in Orlando -- Diodes in BITX Bilats -- Why?  Farhan says To prevent reverse junction of off transistor from conducting and clipping waveform. 

Tony G4WIF -- Audio test gear and G3ROO paraset

Todd K7TFC Pine boards, TIAs and 12 meters

Dean KK4DAS  Ceramic Variable Oscillators on 40.   Juliano Criteria? 

Mike WU2D   VFOs and Temp compensation. ARC-5s

Chris KD4PBJ   A really nice parts care package -- Thanks Chris! 

Steve M0ECS.  Inspired by SS, moved something off the Shelf or Box of Shame. 

Jason KD2RKN Building a DC receiver.  It is all our fault. 

Chris Mannon in Indiana joining the CBLA

KC4GMH is listening! 

Ed N2XDD has been armed with a 3.579 MHz crystal.  

Harvey Wa3EIB working on his museum 

Tim AG4RZ is BACK IN THE SOLDERSMOKE! 

Fred KC5RT -- an old friend -- recommends Bangood RF sig gen for 88 bucks. 

Shlomo 4X4LF listening and homebrewing from a Kibbutz in Israel. 

Chuck KF8TI was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. 

Jean Shepherd's Shack Gets Hit by Lightning

Yikes!  This is really good!  Thanks to Harv for sending us this link:  Poor Shep!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akyTVNorXQ8&feature=player_detailpage

Greetings Bill,

Have been loving each Soldersmoke Podcast and Blog Segment recently.
You and Pete have made the program a superb treat while I've been busy with the Radio Room construction.


Building the Radio Room is like constructing an ARK in your Basement. Everything is being done in pairs
and the water keeps rising. (No kidding)...
I encountered two water breaks in the Radio Room while construction was under way but, that is a whole different story.
Fortunately none of my prized boat anchors were damaged.

The project; (The Radio Room), includes operating positions for 14 complete stations.
That wouldn't be too bad except I'm constructing walls, benches and over-head lighting from complete scratch.
While this is going on, I wanted to finish my 3.579 MHz CBLA transmitter and return to the Minima build that I started in April 2014.
However, in September, I retired and moved to another state.  The reality of the latter took awhile to sink in. Most Ham Projects took a back seat to higher priorities. I will soon have the Radio Room I always dreamed of. The Drake 2B fills the space with the sound of 20 Mtr CW and the anticipation of having the HT-37 brewing away is just around the bend.

I'm taking a short sabbatical from the Ham Shack construction to get caught up on some other household projects.
In this notion of taking a needed break, I rediscovered Jean Shepherd's programs on Youtube.
I started to dissect Sheps monologue when I found that familiar path in my own life as a 15 yr. old Ham in the mid-1960s.
I'm sure you too can relate to Jeans' life as a kid.
I really liked his broadcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akyTVNorXQ8&feature=player_detailpage
"Lightning Hits the Ham Radio." Near the end of the program, he mentions that his life was over because his
Dad hammered him over the damage to the house by the lightning strike. I'd love to hear the rest of that story!!!

Please keep up the great efforts with Soldersmoke and bringing us all that good Tribal Knowledge. I think we should all go build something.
Looking forward to what's next. Thanks to You and Pete.

73's
De -=WA3EIB=- Harv
Eastern Idaho 


Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #146

SolderSmoke Podcast #146 is available. 

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke146.mp3

Sponsored by: SMT Solutions:  http://www.smt-solutions.net/

September 23, 2012

Trip to the Dominican Republic:  Puerto Plata and Samana
Evading Hurricane Isaac
Honda Accord as an emergency generator 
On the air on 75 and 40 AM
17 Meter Azores rig works...THE AZORES! 
Working (STILL!) on 20 meter DSB rig.  Soon to be JBOTed
Building model rocket with Billy
Book review:  "Martian Summer" 
Einstein on staying young
Primo Levi on QRP
HOT IRON:  G3ROO's Regen wins West Country prize 
Commodity Investment Opportunity: SILVER MICA! 
MAILBAG: 
SolderSmoke is on 478 THz in Salt Lake City
WA3EIB's HT-37
Radio-Erotica in Hallicrafters Ad



Our book: "SolderSmoke -- Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics" http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20