This is the guy who has done all the amazing videos on the Apollo communications systems. And a lot more. This look at his lab is inspirational.
There is so much to see here. But a couple of things really caught my attention:
All of the RF electronics in the Apollo spacecraft was made with discrete components -- the only chips in the spacecraft were in the computer. And in the Apollo systems, they welded the discrete components in. No soldering. Welding. That's hardcore. That is how they got to the Moon.
Wonderful progress from Rick N3FJZ. Having completed the PTO, Rick went on to build the diode ring mixer and diplexer. (See video above.) He then connected these to boards to a band pass filter and an AF amp from previous project. And wow, the resulting receiver sounds really great! I think it sounds better than the ones Dean and I have built.
-- It will be interesting to see how Rick's receiver sounds with the very simple AF amplifier that we are using.
-- We need to get Rick a coil form for the PTO variable inductor! And getting him the PTO form will allow him to dispense with the varactor circuit (which, I must say, is pretty cool).
-- In the PTO, for the coupling capacitor (C15) , I now have a 260 pF NP0 cap. But your .1 uF ceramic disc seems to be doing just fin. So maybe we don't need the NP0.
-- I'm glad that Rick grounded the brass screw. Without that, the hand capacitance effect is bad.
-- I think results will be much the same with the dual tuned circuit bandpass filter that we use. But it will be interesting to see if Rick's triple tuned circuit helps with AM breakthrough (I think I heard Radio Marti when Rick tuned to the top of the band).
-- I haven't had a hum problem and I don't think Dean has either. Dean is running his on two 9V batteries. Maybe that would take care of the hum. Our PTOs are completely Al Fresco!
"The Electrical Experimenter" sent to me by Nick M0NTV reminded me of Hugo Gernsback. Many of the radio books I have on my shelf have his name on them. He played a big role in early radio and television, and in science fiction. Check out the Wikipedia article on Gernsback:
When I saw this, I found myself thinking two things:
1) Those really are "rigs."
and
2) I am not alone!
Years ago, I was having a tough day on 40 meters. The Waterfall Policemen were gleefully attacking my admitedly less-than-perfect SSB signal. Unbeknownst to me, someone out there was listening, and listening with a homebrew receiver. A receiver with a PTO. It was Rick N3FJZ. He made my day when he sent this video:
Oh this is really phenomenal. Nick "the Vic" M0NTV is on the mend from some routine surgery. While mending he found this 1915 issue of Hugo Gernsback's "The Electrical Experimenter." I just spent a few minutes quickly going through it and I can see that this is a treasure trove that could keep us -- the modern day electrical experimenters -- busy for a long time.
-- We see Signor Marconi in Italian military uniform (I never saw that before).
-- There is mention of successful DX reception of the station in Arlington Va. (just down the road from me).
-- There is a an article about the radio station of T.O.M -- Hiram Percy Maxim.
-- There are detailed maps of Mars, complete with the canals.
And there is a lot more.
Above all, I think what stands out from this magazine is the homebrew spirit, the notion that we can and should build our rigs ourselves, and seek to understand them.
Below is the whole magazine. Please take a look and use the comment section below to point us to passages of interest to the electrical experimenters of today.
Thanks Nick. Your e-mail came during a discouraging period filled with a few "tales of woe." The magazine really lifted my spirits.
