HFU HF Underground

Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: joczo on November 06, 2017, 0827 UTC

Title: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: joczo on November 06, 2017, 0827 UTC
Hi guys,in the last couple of days I was thinking about setting up and HF beacon,but I couldn't really find anything useful on google about them.And then the qrp pixie cw transceiver came to my mind,as they are dirt cheap and simple,and with the couple hundred mW's is perfect for this purpose.
But my problem is,as a beginner in electronics,how could I key it automatically?Is it possible to do it from a pc without complicating it too much,or should I get something like an arduino nano?
Also on the pixie,how far can I go from the original 7023kHz by changing the crystal?
Thanks in advance! :)
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on November 06, 2017, 1246 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: Rob. on November 06, 2017, 1515 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...

Been looking for something like this. Any advanced specs yet?

Please keep us informed.
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: joczo on November 06, 2017, 1522 UTC
That would be awesome!But please keep the costs low if possible,I don't want to spend a fortune :D Good luck in the project,we are waiting for more infos!
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: jFarley on November 06, 2017, 2237 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...

Stocking Stuffers!!!!
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on November 06, 2017, 2258 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...

Stocking Stuffers!!!!

You could hide the stocking, and make them DF it to find it!
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: Stretchyman on November 07, 2017, 1517 UTC
http://www.g4jnt.com/bcnkeyer.htm

Sorry Chris!

You can use this to key the driver on one of my Tx's

Never tried it but will work fine.

You can 'Tune' the O/P from 20W down to whatever....

Str.
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: Strange Beacons on November 07, 2017, 1523 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...

I may be interested in one of these. What frequency range are you planning to offer?

Curt / W9SPY
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on November 07, 2017, 1853 UTC
I'm working on some beacons that I plan to offer as simple kits. Including a built in keyer. Stay tuned...

I may be interested in one of these. What frequency range are you planning to offer?

Curt / W9SPY

The first one will be for 22 meters (13560 +/-) although it could certainly be used on other bands with an appropriate crystal, and changing the number of turns on the output filter inductors and the capacitors.  Then something with a bit more power (maybe a watt or so?) for the various ham bands.
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: ThaDood on November 07, 2017, 2318 UTC
    You may already have one, and don't even know it. I'm not a big Yaesu fan, but I did have the FT-857D transceiver that came with a programmable beacon feature. I used it to TX at 5W on 6M my call and grid square when I had an inkling of E-skip coming open. However, you can program it to CW ID whatever you want, and at what speed you want. Bum side is the MIN low power being 5W, but you could attenuate that by -20dB, or more, externally. Passing thought there. I got rid of that rig since it sucks on AM, but that beacon feature was a nice added treat fo' sure!
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: Finman on November 14, 2017, 1604 UTC
Then there's this for only $33!  http://qrp-labs.com/ultimate3/u3s.html (http://qrp-labs.com/ultimate3/u3s.html)

Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on November 25, 2017, 2023 UTC
The PCBs arrived. There's always the question when building the first board... was the PCB layout correct? Will it work?  And yes, it does!

(https://i.imgur.com/M1xZ69Q.jpg)
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: KaySeeks on November 26, 2017, 1919 UTC
The PCBs arrived. There's always the question when building the first board... was the PCB layout correct? Will it work?  And yes, it does!

 8) :)
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: QRP on November 27, 2017, 1636 UTC
It seems to be a good project that we are interested in and we wonder how many will be manufactured and what the unit price will be?

//QRP
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: Rob. on November 27, 2017, 1735 UTC
<waiting patiently for the PayPal "buy now" link>

 :D
Title: Re: QRP Pixie rig as CW beacon
Post by: joczo on December 29, 2017, 2011 UTC
By the way,the 2 pixies that I ordered just arrived today.I'm gonna get some 6900ish kHz crystals,and find them a good purpose to operate.
Is there any way,to give them some unique ID?not keying them,but periodically turn on-off with something.for example with a capacitor and a resistor,would it be possible?