SolderSmoke Podcast #190: Pilgrims, Junkbox rigs, BANDSWEEP, Matching xformers, On the Air with HB, MAILBAG

SolderSmoke Podcast #190 is available:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke190.mp3

Pilgrims' Progress:  Inspiring words from G3RJV

BENCH REPORTS on JUNKBOX RIGS:

Pete describes his beautiful 40 meter blue transceiver (video above)

Bill describes his "Armand HROish" receiver

BANDSWEEP!

Bill needs small (yellow slug) 455 kc transformers.

We need a good user-friendly 40673 SPICE model.

SEND US YOUR BENCH REPORTS!

The BD139 transistor

Ferrite Core Matching Transformers

QSO Reports:  Getting on the air with HB rigs

Bill's new FeelTech Signal Generator

MAILBAG

QRPp Back Issues (and some new ones too!)

Here's an index: 

http://www.k7qo.net/qrpp_toc_de_k7qo.pdf

And here are lot of the back issues:

http://www.ncqrpp.org/

And I see there are August and September 2016 editions available in the Files section (KI6DS)  of the qrp-tech Yahoo group.  Did I see articles there from Steve "Snort Rosin" Smith?

My New Chinese Signal Generator

More amazing low-cost test gear from China.  Elisa gave me this device on the occasion of my completing another solar orbit.  Amazing capability for less than $90.  The video above gives you a good sense of what this thing can do.

I have already had success with the freq generator function.  The frequency counter also works great.  The sweep function looks very useful for filter checking.  And the ability to generate square waves at different phase relationships will be very useful in phasing receiver and transmitter projects.  

This little box should help me eliminate a lot of clutter on the work bench.  And it looks good next to the Rigol 'scope.  

Mine came from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A8S4TZK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They come with a variety of different brand names:  I ordered a Jinwen but got a FeelTech.  They are obviously the same device.

Be sure to begin your Amazon shopping on the Amazon search link on the SolderSmoke blog (upper right).

QRP Wisdom from George Dobbs, G3RJV

This video makes me want to destroy my amplifier...

Alan Wolke Talks 'scopes on "The Workbench" Podcast

George KJ6VU is a long-time supporter of the SolderSmoke podcast.  He has recently teamed up with another ham and launched a podcast called "The Workbench."  This morning I listened to Part I of their interview with the legendary Alan Wolke W2AEW.   It was great.  As I was listening to Alan I was soldering together a crystal filter for my new receiver, and using my RIGOL 'scope to check the results.  

I liked Alan's description of how they made images of 'scope patterns in the days before the advent of Digital Storage Scopes (Polaroid!).  I also liked Alan's scorn for those who use the "Auto" switch on the 'scopes.  The host's reaction to Alan's description of a $300,000 Tektronix 'scope was also fun: "For that price I want to be able to drive a car into it and put a swing set behind it!"  Indeed.

Recommended listening:   
http://hamradio360.com/index.php/2016/08/30/ham-radio-workbench-5-oscilloscopes-part-1/