Arduino Fun!
I just got my new Arduino Mega micro-controller board. I sure can think up some awesome Amateur Radio related projects that I can make with this little puppy!
The Arduino platform is an open source collection of micro controllers and software. You can read more about them at http://arduino.cc/
There are a TON of YouTube videos that show the possibilities of the Arduino. I really love the idea of the LED cube:
I think I will have to attempt to build one of these!
73! de Nick N9SJA
Heathkit DX-60A by N9IZ!
Here is a great video by my good friend Jeff N9IZ on the restoration of a Heathkit DX-60A transmitter! He just replaced some resistors in the high voltage supply and breathed life back into this classic!
Awesome video Jeff! Look forward to seeing more in the future!
73 de Nick N9SJA
JT65-HF
Today I spent a little time playing with a mode that I have not had much experience with: JT65. There is not a lot of action with this mode and QSOs can take a long time because it takes a while to exchange the messages with other stations. The interesting part however, is that this mode can be used with very low power. I am only using 5 watts for my JT65 QSOs and some would say that is still too much power! Most of the time QSOs are made with between 1-10 watts of RF power. It’s an interesting mode. If you want to find out more about it there are some great videos on YouTube that will help you learn how to configure the software and use JT65-HF.
My first QSO was with station PY9FP, Francisco in Brazil. I also made a JT65 QSO with 2E0TEC, Carl in England. Although this mode used to be more common for EME on VHF, it has come to HF like files to a outdoor barbecue! It is especially popular on 20 and 40 meters.
You can get information and download JT65-HF here: http://jt65-hf.sourceforge.net/
Easter Sunday DX
Today was a great day for DX. Lots of DX from Russia, Ukraine and Belgium.
Here are a few stations that I would like thank for the contact:
IZ8IEV – Francesco in Italy
PB6W – Wilem in the Netherlands near Belgium border
OS8A – Didier in Belgium
UX6IZ – Vlad in the Ukraine
73s and Happy Easter!
de Nick N9SJA
Icom IC-910H
Here is a short video of me using my Icom IC-910H. This radio is a high power VHF/UHF base radio with 2 VFOs. Toward the end of the video you can hear my good friend Craig KB9JDW calling for me on 146.520 USB.
Timewave DSP 9+ with video!
I recently purchased a used Timewave DSP 9+ audio DSP filter. I took a bit of video to demo how it works. I am using this with my Omni VI. The Timewave DSP 9+ is a nice little addition to radios that do not have DSP capability. I plan on using this with my Collins R-390A and my Icom R71-A and Icom R7000 receivers. You can really narrow down the filters to eliminate the noise especially on CW. Here are two videos where I enable and then disable the filter so that you can hear the difference:
Timewave DSP 9+ CW:
Timewave DSP 9+ SSB Voice:
As you can see it is a good little filter. The Timewave DSP 9+ has been discontinued from Timewave and there are newer models available. The DSP 9+ is a basic model that you can pickup used for about $80 on eBay or at a swap meet. More info on the DSP 9+ here: http://www.timewave.com/products/dsp9p.html
73s! de Nick N9SJA
N9SJA – YouTube Vids!
Here are two new YouTube videos that I created, just goofing around in the shack on a lazy Sunday afternoon!
Icom IC-7600 Transceiver with SP-23 Speaker, SM-50 microphone LDG AT-200Pro Tuner, and Bencher BY-1 paddle. There is some DX on 14.199.50, HA7TM Tibi in Hungary is handling the pileup.
My demo of the Icom IC-7600:
My demo of the Ten-Tec Omni VI:
Ten-Tec Omni VI
Last week I received a used HF rig that I purchased off of eBay. The Ten-Tec Omni VI! I got the matching power supply/speaker and also a matching model 238 tuner that handles 2kW.
I have always wanted one of these rigs and found one for the right price. I am doing a bit of work to restore this old girl to greatness!
I added two white LED lamps for the meter since the incandescent bulbs in these things only last about 15 hours before they go out. I have had many inquiries about where these LED bulbs can be purchased. Here is a link to the supplier and specific bulb part number: http://www.bulbtown.com/LM1006MB_W_LED_MINIATURE_BULB_BA9S_BASE_p/lm1006mb-w.htm.
It does have the all the filters that I bought and installed as well.
Still on my to do list:
The speaker in the power supply rattles and this causes problems with audio. I plan on tightening things and seeing if I can end the rattle.
The 238 tuner has no power switch that will turn off the lights which is mucho annoying. I am going to retrofit a matching Omni VI power switch on this tuner to turn off the lights when not in use. Also the 238’s tuning indicator uses an old string method that is worn. I found replacement parts from Ten-Tec and am going to install the new tuner indicator string. Lastly I am going to replace the incandescent bulbs for the tuner lights with long lasting white LED lights. Check out the video I made in the last blog post that shows the upgraded white LEDs that I installed for the meter lamp lights on the Omni VI.
I have made many contacts using the Omni VI and other than the small stuff, everything works great. It’s a great rig for CW especially. I have heard good things about the Ten-Tec receive for SSB, but I find the 2.4kHz only filter a little to tight for broadly listening for SSB stations. I would like to have a 3.5kHz wide filter in this as well, but 2.4kHz is the top-end.
So, a little work to be done, but hey that’s the fun part right?
73s! de Nick N9SJA
WSPR 2.0
Today I had fun playing around with WSPR 2.0. WSPR stands for “Weak Signal Propagation Reporter” and is part of the WSPRnet.org reporting network. Basically a bunch of Amateur Radio OPs run the WSPR software and connect it to their rigs. Using 5 watts of TX power it then broadcasts over set frequencies that are listening for reports. All then data then gets uploaded to the WSPRnet.org site and then is displayed on a map to show propagation.
Check it out here: WSPRnet.org Click map, then plug in my callsign in the entry box below the map to see stations that have heard me, or click on my call to see stations I have heard.
73! de Nick N9SJA
Vive La France!
This afternoon there was a good path between my QTH and France for some reason. This propagation gave me the opportunity to make a few QSOs with French Amateur Radio operators.
I had a nice short QSO with TM0RDR that was a special event station that was commemorating the “La Route Du Rhum” (The Route Of Rum), a race of sailing ships across the atlantic between Saint Malo (France) and Point a Pitre (Islands of the French Antilles).
73! de Nick N9SJA
HF Band Conditions
K9XN 