Tonight at EARS discussion turned to GM6JIL (Ron) antenna creations and their potential performance. For non-standard antennas it can be difficult to visualise the far-field polar diagram and GM6JIL has some interesting antenna ideas to try. To help with this the free version of MMANA-GAL antenna modelling software was installed and many simulations made. MMANA-GAL… Read More »
GM1VYG was fortunate to attend the anual RSGB Convention this year. This was held in Kent Hills Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, from 10-12Oct 2014. Two days of Amateur Radio lectures and conversation with like minded amateurs is a great way to keep up to date with developments in the hobby. One such conversation was with … Read More »
If you like to take to the hills now and then and enjoy low power (QRP) h.f operating, why not combine the two? Not only do you benefit from exercise,great views and fresh air, but h.f operating can be improved. A remote location can be free of much of the man-made electrical noise (QRM) that… Read More »
For the intermediate license exam it is necessary to remember and apply the resistor colour code. The colour code for 5% and 10% resistors The basic colour code for 5% and 10% tolerance resistors contains 4 colour bands. From left to right the first 3 bands indicate the resistance value. The 4th and last band… Read More »
Tonight, (Thursday 29May 14) WSPR mode was tried in the club shack once again. There was a good measure of success in receiving, but not yet in transmission. The detailed reports of the stations received were automatically uploaded to the WSPR data base. These are knows as ‘Spots’ and the receiving station known as the… Read More »
Last night at the club ( Thursday 22May 14) we took a quick look at WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter). This is just one of K1JT, Joe Taylor’s weak signal modes. WSPR (pronounced ‘Whisper’) is a digital mode which provides automatic worlwide propagation reports for your station. These are uploaded to the web by all… Read More »
With the 2n3819 JFET fitted, it was time to test the receiver once again. Final Tuning PSK31 on the 20m band operates on USB. The dial frequency is 14.070 MHz. The shack transceiver was tuned to 14.070 MHz. The tip of a short coax cable, from it’s antenna socket, was held close to the PSK31… Read More »
A recent email issue was the result of an ‘infection’ received and passed on initially by GM1SXX (Al). It has propagated via ‘bogus’ emails containing a link. Do NOT click on the link. When activated this malware automatically emails everyone on your contact list. GM1SXX has cleared the issue on his machine now. Everyone who has received one of the… Read More »
Testing of the PSK31 Receiver has shown that the audio output section is satisfactory. White noise is clearly heard on headphones inserted in the output jack socket. The level is easily controlled by preset resistor R8, the gain control for IC2 (LM386) [1] . With an antenna connected to the board however the PSK31 tones were not… Read More »
The RSGB 20m PSK31 Centenary Receiver Project is nearing completion now. MM6LKG (Arthur) has completed the build. Testing is underway . This project forms part of the practical assessment for MM6LKG’s Intermediate License training. The completed board is shown below. An update on the project will follow soon.