Category: SolderSmoke Podcast

Links Fixed, Podcast Version of Hamfest Presentation

Armand, WA1UQO, with BITX 17

Using Dropbox to post the video of my BITX presentation at the hamfest didn’t work out too well, so I put it on Vimeo:

https://vimeo.com/87725154

The slideshow is here: http://soldersmoke.com/winterfest.pptx

I stripped out the audio for those who would like to dispense with the video.

Audio only is here:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmokewinterfest.mp3

73

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #158: BITX 20/40, Farhan’s “Minima”, BITX Bandsweep

SolderSmoke Podcast #158 is available:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke158.mp3

January 20, 2014
MLK Day. Tough winter. Shack heated by Heathkit.
BITX 20/40 Almost done:
Bandswitching arrangement.
VFO construction using spreadsheets.
2N2222s wired in backwards! (CBE not EBC! Who knew?)
Other amusing building errors.
Crystal filter evaluation — the G3UUR method.
Sweeping a filter with an Arduino DDS.
Building a BITX in LTSpice.
New Rigol ‘scope (now 100 MHz).
Tek 465 REBORN!
QRP HATERS — They are out there!
MAILBAG.
BITX 20/40 dual band bandsweep

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #157: Peter Parker on Phasing Rigs

SolderSmoke Podcast #157 is available for download.
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke157.mp3

December 27, 2013

— Santa Report: Rigol Scope at SolderSmoke HQ. Kites at VK3YE.
— Project updates: Bill’s BITX 40/20 build.
— Peter finishing up BITX40 (in a big box)
— BITX 17 (5 watts SSB) works JA, ZD7, ZS!
— The mystery, elegance, and gentleness of phasing SSB
— Phasing explained in 1970 ARRL SSB book
— Phasing SSB: From Hallicrafters HT-37 to SDR
— The SP5AHT Phasing Rig
— I & Q for you: The Binaural Experience
— Direct Conversion receivers and Software Defined Radios
— Simple DC receivers plugging into sound cards
— The joy of receiver building
— 144 MHz aircraft bounce (Melbourne to Sydney)
— VHF Across The Great Australian Bight

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #157: Peter Parker on Phasing Rigs

SolderSmoke Podcast #157 is available for download.
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke157.mp3

December 27, 2013

— Santa Report: Rigol Scope at SolderSmoke HQ. Kites at VK3YE.
— Project updates: Bill’s BITX 40/20 build.
— Peter finishing up BITX40 (in a big box)
— BITX 17 (5 watts SSB) works JA, ZD7, ZS!
— The mystery, elegance, and gentleness of phasing SSB
— Phasing explained in 1970 ARRL SSB book
— Phasing SSB: From Hallicrafters HT-37 to SDR
— The SP5AHT Phasing Rig
— I & Q for you: The Binaural Experience
— Direct Conversion receivers and Software Defined Radios
— Simple DC receivers plugging into sound cards
— The joy of receiver building
— 144 MHz aircraft bounce (Melbourne to Sydney)
— VHF Across The Great Australian Bight

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #156 — Special Echolink Interview

Podcast #156 is available:
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke156.mp3

Special hour-long interview with Peter Parker, VK3YE
— Early experiences with radio
— CW
— DSB Gear
— Simple gear, and gear that is TOO simple
— VXOs, Super VXOs and Ceramic Resonators
— Building receivers
— Chips vs. Discrete
— Making the leap to SSB
— The Knob-less wonder and the BITX
— No need for a sophisticated workshop
— Advice for new phone QRPers

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #155 BITX17, TEK465

Podcast # 155 is available for download (or you can listen by clicking on the button above):
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke155.mp3

October 14, 2013 (Delayed Back-to-School edition)

Topics covered:

— BITX Beauty — Building a BITX17

— VFO woes, and the wisdom of Doug DeMaw’s love for crystals

— Why does a 55 year old man NEED clear nail polish varnish?

— How the VFO KILLED the Tek 465

— Trying to fix the Tek 465 (not for the faint of heart)

— New products: Justin Beiber Duct Tape, bifocal safety glasses,
magnetic reading glasses, Ward Silver’s new book

— Backwards British Bike Brakes

— MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #154

SolderSmoke Podcast 154 is available for download!

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke154.mp3

August 11, 2013

— Alligators! Real Alligators! (see picture below — look closely)

— Ten meter beacon project (with Arduino and Reverse Beacon Network)

— Telescope repair: Chap Stick as lubricant, and the perils of macular pucker!

— HW-101 saved from cannibalism!

— The Wonders of WSPR and our need for instant feedback and gratification.

— QST Review of SolderSmoke, The Book.

— MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #153 — SPECIAL FDIM PODCAST

SolderSmoke Podcast #153 is available for download:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke153.mp3

June 22, 2013

Manassas Hamfest
Building a Balanced Modulator in LTSpice
Peter Parker’s Minimalist SDR receiver
Alberto I2PHD’s SDRadio program
My Arduous Arduino Adventure: Sig Generator
MAR-1 amplifier chip
WSPRing again (the sound of WSPR)
Broadening my Barebones Superhet for phone
Cliff Stoll on Kludge vs. Kluge
FDIM INTERVIEWS:
G3RJV on one and done projects, Sodder vs. SoLder, Regens
G3VTT plays SolderSmoke for his students
NM0S on new Four States PTO rig
K0NEB on kit building techniques
NH6Z on high performance SDR
KK7B on hard rock rigs, modular construction and understanding
I2RTF Saluti a tutti!
W7EL on EZNEC, Dilbert, and escaping the Cube Farm
W1REX on QRP as a creative outlet, Knack to the Max!

SPECIAL THANKS TO SOLDERSMOKE’S DAYTON CORRESPONDENT:

BOB CRANE, W8SX

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #152 Special Digital Edition

SolderSmoke Podcast #152 is available at

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke152.mp3

May 18, 2013

— SolderSmoke’s WWV Advertising Campaign!
— Bands Better — Working DX!
— Shack and Shed reorganization
— Arduino Madness! CW Beacon Machine! DDS Sig Generator! (see video above)
— Breaking and Fixing an Arduino
— Reverse Beacon Network
— The Cult of Arduino: QRP Computing with Italian Charm
— PSK-31 and JT65 with Homebrew DSB Rig
— SolderSmoke Book Corner: Hollow-State Design! Getting Started With Arduino!
— Massimo Banzi has THE KNACK!
— MAILBAG: AA1TJ, G3RJV, AL7RV (now W8NSA), others…

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #151


SolderSmoke Podcast #151 is available.

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke151.mp3

April 1, 2013

Topics:
— Spring not yet sprung
— Dominican nostalgia wave hits SolderSmoke HQ
— Rebuild of my first transmitter
— Dusting off the Barebones Superhet
— SolderSmoke Book Corner:
Ben Franklin by Walter Issacson
How Arthur C. Clarke handled his Mailbag
“The New Cool” Dean Kamen’s house/shack
Transistor Radios by Ronald Quan
— New SolderSmoke Advertising Campaign
— QRP vs. QRO:
Put 40 milliwatt “Shark Fin” QRSS rig on the air
Being lured into QRO amp construction projects
— Reverse Beacon Network
— Looking for my Elmer (or his son)
— MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #150

SolderSmoke Podcast #150 is now available:

http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke150.mp3

March 6, 2013

— SolderSnow!
— Winterfest Hamfest report
— N2CQR WINS ARRL INTERNATIONAL DX DSB CONTEST!!!!
— Homebrew Direct Conversion RX meets PSK-31 and FLDIGI
— Kludge Controversy II
— More Q Killing
— Fixing up old cassettes
— Pat Hawker, G3VA, SK
— Mailbag


Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #149

Podcast #149 is now available: http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke149.mp3

17 February 2012

IGY intro
Cappuccio turns off TV on New Year’s Eve
Pre-inaugural day on the National Mall
The importance of audio bandwidth in DSB rigs
On 15 meters with the HT-37 and the Drake 2B
Q Killing and Swamping
Adding a Filter the Mighty Midget Receiver
Italian lessons via Echolink
Billy and the Raspberry Pi — Three Cheers for Ada Fruit
Translate Button on the Blog page (upper right)
C.F Rockey SK
Mailbag: Kludge or Klooge?

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

High Pitched Audio QRM in SS #148

Two listeners blessed with good high frequency hearing alerted me to the fact that the latest podcast had some annoying high pitched noise in the background. Peter, VK2TPM was the first to report it — he sent along the above spectral analysis of a gap between words. Steve, W1KF, also heard it, and provided a clue that I think solved the mystery.

Steve noted that the noise was not present during the sponsor ads that were included in this episode.
That let me figure it out. On Saturday when I was recording this, I got through about half the show when the power went out (that happens a lot here). The battery in the laptop I was using to record the podcast saved the day and no data was lost. The power came back on within a few minutes, but the outage had turned off the main PC in the shack. That PC (AND ITS FAN) remained off when I was recording the ads. I did the same kind of noise removal processing that I always do, but this time the noise sample that I used was taken from the mic with the main PC (AND ITS FAN) turned off. My guess is that the whine from the fan (which I can’t hear due to tinnitus) didn’t make it into the noise sample, and thus didn’t get removed from the podcast audio. I went back and did a couple of rounds of noise removal and low pass filtering. I think (I HOPE) I got rid of the offending noise.
I have uploaded a new and hopefully improved version of the podcasts. Audio reports will be appreciated.

One of my New Years resolutions is to improve the technical and substantive quality of the podcast.

Thanks Peter, Thanks Steve.

Happy New Year to all!

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #148

SolderSmoke Podcast #148 is available:
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke148.mp3
December 30, 2012

 SPONSORED BY usedradiomall.com

 — Hurricane Follow-up
— Subliminal Mind Control to Encourage Homebrewing (beep-beep)
— The Shortcomings of the All American Five Receiver
— Solid-Stating a Heath SG-6 (with Farhan’s circuit)
— VK3YE’s Beach DSB Rig
— Tek ‘scope connection to frequency counter
— Mod to W7ZOI/W7PUA power meter
— JBOTing my 20 meter DSB Rig — A Tale of Woe
— LU1AR “The Most Interesting Ham in the World”
— Billy’s Raspberry Pi
— Latest QST, SPRAT, Hot Iron
— Videos: Landfillharmonica, Knack in Sierra Leone
— Santa delivered a Soldering Station
— MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Solder Smoke Podcast #147 — Hurricane Sandy Edition

Hurricane Sandy backup station at N2CQR

SolderSmoke Podcast 147 is available for downloading:
http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke147.mp3
October 29/30 2012
Hurricane Sandy on the way
Thanks for birthday wishes
Einstein — a very nice fellow with a bit of the Knack
Rocket project update
808 key chain cameras (thanks for the Amazon support!)
Audio output transformer for Barbados Barebones RX
Mighty Midget RX — breaking it, fixing it (with help from friends)
Freq counter connection to Tek scope
Halli S-38E — How to avoid electrocution?
The HQ-100’s anti-drift alarm clock
Book Review: “Instruments of Amplification” by H.P. Friedrichs (5 Soldering Irons!)
BANDSWEEP: 20 meter SSB via DC receiver on hurricane day
Report on outcome of the hurricane — inverter saves the day (really the night)
MAILBAG (a big one).

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #146

SolderSmoke Podcast #146 is available.
Sponsored by: SMT Solutions: http://www.smt–solutions.net/

September 23, 2012

 Trip to the Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata and Samana
Evading Hurricane Isaac
Honda Accord as an emergency generator
On the air on 75 and 40 AM
17 Meter Azores rig works…THE AZORES!
Working (STILL!) on 20 meter DSB rig. Soon to be JBOTed
Building model rocket with Billy
Book review: “Martian Summer”
Einstein on staying young
Primo Levi on QRP
HOT IRON: G3ROO’s Regen wins West Country prize
Commodity Investment Opportunity: SILVER MICA!
MAILBAG:
SolderSmoke is on 478 THz in Salt Lake City
WA3EIB’s HT-37
Radio-Erotica in Hallicrafters Ad

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #145

SolderSmoke Podcast #145 (July 29, 2012) is available


http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke145.mp3

— Derecho Storm hits Northern Virginia

— Cappuccio impersonates a Pitt Bull
— July 4 Fireworks
— A 17 Meter QSO with W5JAY (QRP Hall of Famer)
— Rules of Thumb for Decoupling Caps (.1 uF now suspect)
— Heathkit: Mic jack? Or Mike jack? (Who is this Mike guy?)
— On the air with the K2ZA DX-100
— Saturnian Sidewalk Astronomy
— NJQRP “Chat With The Designers” — Mandatory Listening!
— Back with the ARRL: Goodwill Transmitters and Herring Aid Receivers
— Billy’s computer build and Arduino adventures
— Fixing up NE602 20 meter DC rig
— Join G-QRP! Support our SPRAT!
— MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics”http://soldersmoke.com/book.htmOur coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmokeOur Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #144 FDIM SPECIAL!

Venus glides across the sun’s face during its previous transit, seen from Flagler Beach Pier in Florida.

Photograph by Jim Tiller, Daytona Beach News-Journal/AP

June 13, 2012


SolderSmoke podcast #144 is available for download:


http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke144.mp3


–A CQ from the Rolling Thunder!
–The Transit of Venus.
–JA DX on 17
–Kick Panel Finale:
–Workin’ on the Workbench (and test gear)
–Billy’s Computer Project: Success!
–SPECIAL REPORT FROM FDIM
–MAILBAG: Urban legends, Hot Iron, Dry Joints
–Bluegrass Music

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

SolderSmoke Podcast #143

SolderSmoke Podcast #143 is available:


http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke143.mp3


Cappuccio the Flying Retriever
Kite Flying (no injuries this time!)
April 1 getting more and more difficult
Turtle Wax and Telescope Maintenance
Titan’s Orbital period
NJQRP’s Amazing “Chat with the Designers”
QRP-Tech and A-QRP
Billy’s workbench and computer build
Sony Vaios goes toes up (really)
Digi modes make me grumpy
Kick Panel rig gets a receiver
The Joy of Belden 1671A
I want to bulild a BITX 75/20!
Solar Flux when I was born (300+)
SPRAT 150! Congrats!
Jason NT7S and his new OpenBeacon QRSS kit
BONANZA!
MAILBAG

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20

Kick Panel Progress; Podcast Delay

I’m kind of behind on podcast production, but once again I have a good excuse: I’ve been melting solder. I decided to finally finish the Kick Panel DSB rig that I started building back in London. It is built on a kitchen cutting board purchased in a Dyas store in Windsor. The cabinet is fashioned from an aluminum kick panel for a door (a pub door!).

I originally intended this to be just a transmitter (for use with my trusty Drake 2-B) but it is so easy to add a direct conversion receiver to a DSB rig that I just threw together a version of the NE-602 LM386 Neophyte receiver and hooked it up to the 75 meter VFO. It sounds great. I love DC receivers. They seem to connect you directly to the ether. And now I’ll have a complete 75 meter DSB station in one box.

This morning I tested the balanced modulator (singly balanced with two diodes). DSB is being generated. All I have to do now is put a little 6 db pad between the modulator and the amplifier chain, then work on the antenna a bit and I should be on 75. The amplifier chain dates back to the period when Mike, KL7R, and I were using LTSpice to design amps….

I was very pleased to include in this rig a part that Michael, AA1TJ, sent me: I have a little 10.7 MHz IF can in the front end of the RX. A cap allows it to tune in 75 meters. Thanks Mike!

I hope to get a podcast out this weekend (if the computers cooperate — the Sony Vaios “light bulb-repaired” laptop finally gave up the ghost last weekend.)

Our book: “SolderSmoke — Global Adventures in Wireless Electronics” http://soldersmoke.com/book.htm Our coffee mugs, T-Shirts, bumper stickers: http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke Our Book Store: http://astore.amazon.com/contracross-20