286
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Re: RPi Ethernet question
« on: July 01, 2020, 1405 UTC »
PiFinder is a handy bit of software.....
Shortwave Pirate Radio In North America And Around The World, And Other Signals That Go Bump In The Night
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287
SDR - Software Defined Radio / Chinesium "msi sdr" (Blue dolphin)
« on: July 01, 2020, 1403 UTC »
I got one of these to compare to the RSP1 they're supposedly similar to. First thing I noticed is that something was rattling inside the blue anodized case.
I took it apart (4 small screws on each end) and the board slides out of its extruded aluminum case.
That's nifty BUT what it means is there's zero electrical connection from the board to the case.
I soldered a small piece of solder wick to the ground plane, filed off the anodizing from the mating surfaces of the housing, pinched the solder wick between one end plate and the case and tightened everything down tight. Now there's a good ground connection between the board and the case.
As usual, the Chinese ALMOST get things right.... but....
Now, to see how it works with openwebrx.
I took it apart (4 small screws on each end) and the board slides out of its extruded aluminum case.
That's nifty BUT what it means is there's zero electrical connection from the board to the case.
I soldered a small piece of solder wick to the ground plane, filed off the anodizing from the mating surfaces of the housing, pinched the solder wick between one end plate and the case and tightened everything down tight. Now there's a good ground connection between the board and the case.
As usual, the Chinese ALMOST get things right.... but....
Now, to see how it works with openwebrx.
288
The RF Workbench / Re: dumb soldering question of the day
« on: June 25, 2020, 1240 UTC »
I have a Metcal with 20+ tips for electronics that I use daily (and have for 20+ yrs)
For CONNECTORS, there's no substitute for thermal mass. The Metcal is not nearly as effective on large connectors as a large iron. I can get on and off a large connector in a few seconds, and quench it before affecting any of the dielectric.
For CONNECTORS, there's no substitute for thermal mass. The Metcal is not nearly as effective on large connectors as a large iron. I can get on and off a large connector in a few seconds, and quench it before affecting any of the dielectric.
Those irons sound awful, maybe ok for plumbing pipes and such but no use in any electronic environment!
METCAL, the one and only. Yes there were probably over $1000 new but you're going to buy a second hand one anyway.
They pop up on eBay quite often, just get one, you won't regret it.
Str.
289
For Sale / Wanted / Barter / Re: WTB: KiwiSDR
« on: June 23, 2020, 1543 UTC »
They're very much still an active product, and are selling well.
Signing up for the Kiwi forum is a good way to keep up to date with their status.
I love mine.
Signing up for the Kiwi forum is a good way to keep up to date with their status.
I love mine.
290
The RF Workbench / Re: dumb soldering question of the day
« on: June 23, 2020, 1220 UTC »
I'll second the recommendation to get a big soldering iron.
I have picked up two--- the first is a 500+ watt monster which was probably used for duct work. I paid a dollar for it at a garage sale. This thing (after 5 min of warm up) solders even big connectors like PL259's like a boss, with little damage to the cable. I can reflow solder on a PL259 in 10 seconds or so.
Likewise, I got a 300 watt American Beauty for a couple bucks at a hamfest. Same same.
With all cable connectors (unless you've purchased REAL silver plated stuff from Amphenol, etc), file off the plating in the area you're about to solder. The junk plating put on most cheap connectors is tough to get solder to flow to.
Also: Cheap connectors have cheap dielectrics which melt easily.
I have picked up two--- the first is a 500+ watt monster which was probably used for duct work. I paid a dollar for it at a garage sale. This thing (after 5 min of warm up) solders even big connectors like PL259's like a boss, with little damage to the cable. I can reflow solder on a PL259 in 10 seconds or so.
Likewise, I got a 300 watt American Beauty for a couple bucks at a hamfest. Same same.
With all cable connectors (unless you've purchased REAL silver plated stuff from Amphenol, etc), file off the plating in the area you're about to solder. The junk plating put on most cheap connectors is tough to get solder to flow to.
Also: Cheap connectors have cheap dielectrics which melt easily.
291
FM Free Radio / Re: I/Q recordings of fm pirates
« on: June 22, 2020, 0029 UTC »
What could be more festive??
292
FM Free Radio / Re: CZE-7c for broadcasting
« on: June 22, 2020, 0028 UTC »
I suspect it would work just fine for that purpose.
Waaay better than being off the air (and much easier to get, as you mention)
Waaay better than being off the air (and much easier to get, as you mention)
293
Equipment / Re: RFI from Recent Installation of Metal Rain Gutters?
« on: June 20, 2020, 1735 UTC »
Agree!
Turn the RF gain down a hair and you're back to where you started
Turn the RF gain down a hair and you're back to where you started
294
Equipment / Re: New T2FD Antenna Construction and Performance
« on: June 20, 2020, 1734 UTC »
Thanks Chris. How high up is the 120' T2FD (tilted?) I'm really impressed at its s/n even with stormy wx here in SE
295
Equipment / Re: RFI from Recent Installation of Metal Rain Gutters?
« on: June 20, 2020, 1342 UTC »
Interesting question!
The gutters are going to act as an antenna just like any other conductor, so for sure it will affect any antenna that is nearby it. It sounds like its coupling more RF into your mag loop just like putting a large wire in the vicinity would
It might be easier to move the antenna than to pay for the re-guttering.
The gutters are going to act as an antenna just like any other conductor, so for sure it will affect any antenna that is nearby it. It sounds like its coupling more RF into your mag loop just like putting a large wire in the vicinity would
It might be easier to move the antenna than to pay for the re-guttering.
296
Equipment / Re: New T2FD Antenna Construction and Performance
« on: June 20, 2020, 1227 UTC »
Zombie thread I know but antenna discussion are always undead!
Chris, I notice that your Kiwi is noted as a 120 T2FD ... did you change from the short one to the big version ? I've been using your kiwi on and off for the last week or so and am really impressed with the results. I have an acre of trees out back , some of which are probably pushing 100'. The usual issue is there's too many trees and it's a struggle to find an antenna path. On the other hand, I own a Stihl chainsaw......
WIth your 59 foot version of this antenna, did you scale the wire to wire spacing to the new shorter length? I'm guessing yes, but I wanted to confirm before I get out the soldering iron and tape measure.
Chris, I notice that your Kiwi is noted as a 120 T2FD ... did you change from the short one to the big version ? I've been using your kiwi on and off for the last week or so and am really impressed with the results. I have an acre of trees out back , some of which are probably pushing 100'. The usual issue is there's too many trees and it's a struggle to find an antenna path. On the other hand, I own a Stihl chainsaw......
WIth your 59 foot version of this antenna, did you scale the wire to wire spacing to the new shorter length? I'm guessing yes, but I wanted to confirm before I get out the soldering iron and tape measure.
297
22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: WV vy strong 13553.48
« on: June 19, 2020, 1425 UTC »
Any station owner info for WV? Tried searching for it on LWCA but that didn't work...
I'd like to send a report. It was loud enough for a CW qso easy. Disappeared about 30 min later.
Never mind! Found it there.....
I'd like to send a report. It was loud enough for a CW qso easy. Disappeared about 30 min later.
Never mind! Found it there.....
298
22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / WV vy strong 13553.48
« on: June 18, 2020, 2349 UTC »
Chris's Kiwi has great copy on this station right now. Easy 5-7 9 signal
299
The RF Workbench / Re: HF Beacon, design questions
« on: June 18, 2020, 0052 UTC »
You might try replacing the output filter (Pi?) with a 47 ohm resistor to ground. Then test at both frequencies and see what the result is.
300
22 Meter Band HiFER Beacons / Re: Beacons circa 1415 UTC 17 Jun 2020
« on: June 18, 2020, 0050 UTC »
CW mode?
I just got a screen grab sent to me by a friend...there's a fair amount of QRSS activity there as well.
I just got a screen grab sent to me by a friend...there's a fair amount of QRSS activity there as well.
