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Re: NEAR-Fest Reports!
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There was, actually, one large building open, with commercial vendors
inside, although no HRO. It was the large white building that overlooks the
lower l...
1 hour ago
I have one on order. I am thinking of using it as a basis of a class on "how radios work". Instead of a single board and "stuffing and soldering", this breaks down the radio into understandable blocks. The student can identify andunderstand what each block does. In the "stuff and soldering" approach, all we learn is electronic assembly.
ReplyDeleteThis is a game-changer, especially for teaching. The way each module is mechanically uniform, these could be tested on Break-Out-Boxes (BOB's). A single "BOB" could be configured for several of these modules, with some switching going on inside the "BOB" or just dedicated "BOB's" .
ReplyDeleteStudents can then compare measurements on a VNA,etc to those from a simulator, like QucsStudio,etc. Very well thought-out!
I agree with WA6ARA and WN2A, MDRF's P3ST Modular Transceiver Kit is is a significant milestone. True - there are many excellent transceiver kits, semi-kits and scratch build projects out there that can be built to yield a working transceiver, but many of these are targeted to hams with some homebrewing and or RF experience and bountiful junk boxes. I believe Todd's work here is a little different because it is simple enough to be easily understood, but sophisticated enough to produce a good performing rig.
DeleteThis project should provide amateur radio enthusiasts who have always wanted to build their own transceiver from scratch, but are hesitant to invest significant time and resources into something that may not work, with a clear and reliable path to success. By breaking down the rig into individual well defined modules with a sure source of components, this project aims to make homebrewing a transceiver more accessible and achievable for everyone.
I'm excited about the possibility of some of our Elmer influencers, such as Bill (N2CQR), Dean (KK4DAS), Nick (M0NTV), Peter (VK3YE), Alan (W2AEW), Charlie (ZL2CTM), Paul (VK3HN), and others, creating instructional YouTube videos that explain the technical fundamentals of each module and how they contribute to a working transceiver. I can even imagine more advanced modules being developed that can be added to the base rig to extend its capabilities to other bands and modes.
Another exciting possibility is to have amateur radio enthusiasts who have built this or other homebrew rigs (or those who are simply curious about scratch-building rigs) participate in a weekly or monthly on-air homebrew-to-homebrew net. This would be a great opportunity for hams to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and showcase their skills. It would also foster a sense of community and collaboration among homebrewers. I can imagine this being a fun and educational event for everyone involved.
Todd (K7TFC) should be applauded for bringing Pete's (N6QW) P3ST rig to a wider maker audience. Thank you Todd.