Amateurs and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence

Interesting article.   The author mentions a connection between SETI and the Homebrew Computer Club:

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/aliens-in-the-backyard-how-amateur-astronomers-will-help-find-et

We had a SolderSmoke "SETI at Home" team.  Anybody know how are we doing?   

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 Curiously Strong Altoids Tin Frequency Counter

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

Pete is Having Antenna Project Problems -- Can you Help?

Our friend Pete, N6QW, has run into some difficulties in his antenna project.   The push-up/tilt-over mast he is working with doesn't seem to be up to the task.  Just look at what this is doing to him!  

Does anyone out there have suggestions on how Pete might easily get his 2 element beam up to about 30 feet without spending kilo-bucks?

The project is described on Pete's blog:

http://n6qw.blogspot.com/

You could leave suggestions or ideas on Pete's blog, or in the comments section here, or e-mail them to soldersmoke@yahoo.com

Thanks.

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 Earlier Use of "Basta!" (MUCH earlier)

It turns out that Pete and I may not be the first homebrewers to make use of the word "basta!"  At lunch time, while sitting near the Einstein memorial in Washington, I found a short article in SPRAT 83 (Summer 1995).  In it, Robert PA3BHK presented some ideas for reverse polarity protection, and noted that his friend Peter PE1MHO had discovered an interesting phrase from antiquity:

"SPIRITUS TRANSISTOR BASTA"

According to Peter this was the diagnosis of a classical Roman engineer when checking a transistorized PA that went dead after an accidental reversal of the polarity of its supply. Above we see that same engineer, obviously setting up a 2 meter Moxon.  

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

Pete Noodles a New Antenna

Big doings at the Newbury Park Lab of N6QW.  A new antenna is in the works.  Lots of noodling underway.   Much tribal knowledge is being dispensed (FREE!) via Pete's blog:

http://n6qw.blogspot.com/

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

A "Curiously Strong" Frequency Counter

I got a six digit San Jian frequency counter for use with my BITX20.  I was trying to figure out how to put it in a box and mount it on the rig when I realized that the counter fits almost perfectly in an Altoids tin.  THE RADIO GODS HAVE SPOKEN. 

I found the counter on Amazon.  I use an eight digit version with my BITX17.  But I think the six digit version is better (it fits in an Altoids tin!)

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

Pete has a Blog!

Check out the new blog from Pete, N6QW.   We hope he continues to post.   Please link to his blog and help spread the word.    Here it is:

http://n6qw.blogspot.com/

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