K2KI's Blog

Saturday, January 10, 2015

SkyPi-40 is a fully synthesized SDR transmitter that works with the Raspberry Pi.

Just saw this flit across my FB timeline. A QRP Transmitter that interfaces to the Raspberry Pi Ver B and higher. The software is open source of course and will allow one to create scripts for various modes. It looks promising. 73... Bob de k2ki

SkyPi-40 is a fully synthesized SDR transmitter that works with the Raspberry Pi.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Fritzing, a wonderful electronic development platform!

I stumbled upon this site a few days back. I believe it is a great program to help one to create circuits in their computer, test them and then build them in the real world.

The program is called Fritzing and it is fun and a joy to use. Plus it's FREE!

You can creat parts that are not in its library and upload them to their site for others to use. You can also download addon parts that others have created. Oh... Did I mention that it's FREE?

You can also upload your finished projects for others to use or you can peruse through their extensive library of user uploaded circuits! Plus...The program is FREE!!!

A quote from their site says:"Fritzing is an open-source hardware initiative that makes electronics accessible as a creative material for anyone." Did I forget to mention that it's FREE?

I would encourage anyone who wants to learn more about electronics in general and also how to put together a circuit on your computer to download this program. In case I didn't mention it, The program is FREE!

You can then breadboard a circuit and test it out. You can also design & develop Arduino "Shield" add-on boards. Plus... The program is FREE!

Have fun my friends...
73...
Bob de k2ki
Oh... One more thing... IT'S FREE!!!

Here is the link to their site:

http://fritzing.org/home/

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas

From me and my family to You and yours Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Alexanderson Alternator SAQ Transmission Set for Christmas Eve

The Alexanderson Alternator 200KW station will be transmitting on 17.2KHz this Christmas Eve from SAQ at the World Heritage Grimeton site in Sweden. Click the link below to read more:

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/alexanderson-alternator-saq-transmission-set-for-christmas-eve?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Christmas Carols from McMurdo Station in Antarctica on HF this Christmas Eve...

This Christmas Eve, the folks at McMurdo Station in Antarctica will be caroling on HF. Read more on this link:

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/christmas-caroling-in-antarctica-via-hf-set-for-december-24?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Another recent purchase AD9850 DDS

Hi again folks,

I found another interesting board on Ebay the other day. It's called "AD9850 DDS DSP Signal Generator Module Ad 9850 for Arduino Test Equipment".

This will hopefully integrate into my Multi Softrock v6.2 RXTX SDR project. I do have the I2C and an SI570 that works okish but I do like to tinker and winters are long here in Vermont! :-)

I have seen several blog entries from other hams that are utilizing this exact same board for similar purposes and other applications.

I have a couple of older Arduino clone boards and am looking to use this to control the frequency of my Softrocks. This one of course is coming from China so it might take a few weeks to arrive. I'll post updates after I receive it and test it out.

73...

Bob de k2ki

Monday, December 15, 2014

Suggestions needed for Latching Relays

Hi folks,

I am looking for any suggestions for latching relays that will work for two projects I an thinking of.

A relay that will work at the 100 - 150W power level at HF frequencies. 2PDT is preferable 5 - 15V coil voltages are preferable.

I am in need of quite a few for two projects; a Multi-switcher for the 100 - 150W power range. I want to run this to allow me to select what transmitters/receivers & transceivers will connect to any of my HF antennas.

The second application would act as a switcher that will allow me to select one of multiple Softrock SDR Transceivers and switch the active SDR to the antenna output. These relays do not need to be a robust as they would be passing only QRP (1-5W power levels). Again 2PDT is needed.

All need to be latching variety.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks es 73...

Bob de k2ki

About Me

Hi all,

Bob de K2KI here in Vermont reporting in.

I just wanted to say hi and let you know that I will start blogging soon.

I live in Highgate Center, VT up in the NW corner of the state. I can probably spit across the Canadian border. My Grid Square is FN34LW.

I am a member of the St. Albans Amateur Radio Club (STARC). I held the office of President for a few months until health issues forced me to step down.
You can visit their web page at http://www.starc.org or their FB page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Albans-Amateur-Radio-Club-Inc/121423174606245?ref=br_tf

My daughter Sarah got her ticket at the age of 12. Her call is KB1LJV. She is very interested in getting her General but refuses to test for it until she can copy 13 WPM. She knows that code is no longer a requirement but says "I want to do it the right way" I could not be more proud of her! She has about 80% of the code memorized and has helped out duping during the many Field Days that we have participated in. She presently works 12 hr shifts so CW practice has taken a back seat for the moment.

I am more of a tube rig kind of guy but have a favorite or two that are solid state. I love the warmth of tube rig audio and the distinctive smell of the patina warming on the tubes! :-)

I am extremely interested in CW & AM, Field Day, QRP, Softrock SDR Radios, AM Boatanchors, APRS and of course Kenwood Radios.

My Kenwood gear:

TS-430S (Primarily a Field Day Radio).
TS-520 w/ SP-520 & VFO-520.
TS-830S.
TS-690SAT (One of my favorite rigs even though it's Solid State).
TS-940SAT (Its VBR is a joy to operate CW with).
TS-700.

My Other Hybrid Transceivers:

Yaesu FT-101E Transceiver.
Swan Cygnet SS-16 Special Transceiver.
Swan Cygnet 1200-X Amplifier.

My AM Boatanchor gear:

Heathkit DX-100 Transmitter (Heavy with TimTron inspired mods).
Johnson Viking Ranger Transmitter.
Johnson Viking II Transmitter.
Collins TCS-14 Transmitter.
Hammarlund BC-779 Receiver.
Hammarlund SP-600 JX17 Receiver.
National NC-183 Receiver.

My Softrock SDR's are older RXTX 6.2's and cover the following bands:

160&80M
40M
30M
An unbuilt 15&17M. (I would like to find one for 20M &12M).

I have all of the Softrock's put together in one enclosure and control & switch them with an Arduino and an S!570 (Inspired by Javier KC2QII) (this setup is a work in progress).

My Winter Projects:

An original RXTX Ensemble with enclosure that I plan to put together this winter.
A 40M Rockmite with enclosure, Pico-Keyer and NesCaf Filter which all need to be put assembled. (Another winter project).
Heathkit HW-101 (Came to me as a Basket Case).
Heathkit SB-101 (Needs some VFO work).
I have 2 Drake TR-3's one is in rough shape and the other seems to be ok (I still need to bring it to life slowly) I only have one actual Drake PS for these. I have a couple of other no-name PS's that might work with these.

My antennas are:

G5RV in inverted V configuration with the Apex up at 60Ft.
80M Doublet up at 60Ft.
TH6-DXX Tri-Bander up at 62Ft.
CushCraft 13 Element 2M Yagi up at 65Ft.
Diamond 2M/70CM Omni up 65Ft.
An "Americanized German Quad" in a Horizontal NVIS configuration up at 12Ft.

So there ya have it. My station is in a constant state of flux.
Check back later to see if I have posted anything else.

73...
Bob de k2ki