including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as previously reported on these pages, and the traditional public kiss, updated this time to TWO kisses (the first having been too brief to satisfy)...
...-.- de mr0xpd
Friday, 29 April 2011
The Balcony Kiss(es)
The final staged events of this unusual day played out at Buck House, climaxing with a fly-past from the Royal Air Force ...
including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as previously reported on these pages, and the traditional public kiss, updated this time to TWO kisses (the first having been too brief to satisfy)...
Perhaps life can return to normal now!
...-.- de mr0xpd
including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as previously reported on these pages, and the traditional public kiss, updated this time to TWO kisses (the first having been too brief to satisfy)...
...-.- de mr0xpd
The Bells Ring Out!
As the Happy Couple emerge...
... propagation to on5ex's QRSS grabber in Zevergem, Belgium JO10ux, droops somewhat (though fellow Warrington royalist, gr4vss, is still ringing out his peals of celebration as far as Belgium).
...-.- de mr0xpd
... propagation to on5ex's QRSS grabber in Zevergem, Belgium JO10ux, droops somewhat (though fellow Warrington royalist, gr4vss, is still ringing out his peals of celebration as far as Belgium).
...-.- de mr0xpd
Let no man put asunder...
The solemnization of matrimony is under way, with Rowan at the helm...
Simultaneously, the multi-mode beacon is being received, including by Luc, on7kb, who reports reception of the WSPR emissions at the moment of solemnization.
...-.- de mr0xpd
Simultaneously, the multi-mode beacon is being received, including by Luc, on7kb, who reports reception of the WSPR emissions at the moment of solemnization.
...-.- de mr0xpd
Beacon by Royal Appointment
Today, the multi-mode beacon (Blogs passim) is proudly waving the "mr0xpd" flag on 40m - all reception reports gratefully received.
Latest News from Westminster:- Her Madge and Phil the Greek have bolted down their Shredded Wheat(s) and are ready for the ceremony...
...-.- de mr0xpd
Latest News from Westminster:- Her Madge and Phil the Greek have bolted down their Shredded Wheat(s) and are ready for the ceremony...
...-.- de mr0xpd
mr0xpd and THAT Dress
British Hams have been given the opportunity (WHY ?!?!) to apply for a "Notice of Variation" to their license, allowing the secondary locator "R" (for Royal) to be used, in "celebration" of The Royal Wedding. So, today and for the next few days I am become mr0xpd - deep joy!
Just for the record, I am mildly pro-monarchy (although by nature I am more comfortable in Roundhead garb than the lacy, foppish excess of the Cavaliers and The Oxford Movement).
In addition to the exciting news of the call sign, I am able to bring you a special scoop from the paparazzi - pictures of THAT Dress, fully two hours before the rest of the world's media.
Just for the record, I am mildly pro-monarchy (although by nature I am more comfortable in Roundhead garb than the lacy, foppish excess of the Cavaliers and The Oxford Movement).
In addition to the exciting news of the call sign, I am able to bring you a special scoop from the paparazzi - pictures of THAT Dress, fully two hours before the rest of the world's media.
Here's Kate...
Doesn't she look radiant!
More news to follow throughout the day,
...-.- de mR0xpd HI HI
Doesn't she look radiant!
More news to follow throughout the day,
...-.- de mR0xpd HI HI
Saturday, 23 April 2011
H/B WSPR Rx
I found an ABS box in "stores" and put the pa0klt VFO kit into it...
Stores didn't have a dc socket in stock, so power currently passes through a hole in the case. I opted to leave out the LCD backlight as my contribution to measures to slow down climate change!
I decided to try out the new VFO by using it to drive my WSPR receiver module, seen here on the bench with a bandpass filter (which previously featured in the multi-mode beacon until it was rendered obsolete by the arrival of the multi-band bandpass) in the antenna path. This allowed me to run the receiver on 30m whilst the multi-mode beacon was transmitting on 40m (without it, the "open" front end of the direct conversion receiver was swamped by the transmitter output).
It was nice to do some WSPR receiving again - something of a payback for all those times I've been just transmitting! Here's the decode screen doing its stuff...
But the real beauty was running a h/b WSPR receiver whilst simultaneously working mu h/b multi-mode beacon. Here's a map showing a snapshot of both Rx on 30m and Tx on 40...
Great fun - I think I'll make some kind of box for the receiver system next.
...-.- de m0xpd
Stores didn't have a dc socket in stock, so power currently passes through a hole in the case. I opted to leave out the LCD backlight as my contribution to measures to slow down climate change!
I decided to try out the new VFO by using it to drive my WSPR receiver module, seen here on the bench with a bandpass filter (which previously featured in the multi-mode beacon until it was rendered obsolete by the arrival of the multi-band bandpass) in the antenna path. This allowed me to run the receiver on 30m whilst the multi-mode beacon was transmitting on 40m (without it, the "open" front end of the direct conversion receiver was swamped by the transmitter output).
It was nice to do some WSPR receiving again - something of a payback for all those times I've been just transmitting! Here's the decode screen doing its stuff...
But the real beauty was running a h/b WSPR receiver whilst simultaneously working mu h/b multi-mode beacon. Here's a map showing a snapshot of both Rx on 30m and Tx on 40...
Great fun - I think I'll make some kind of box for the receiver system next.
...-.- de m0xpd
Friday, 22 April 2011
pa0klt VFO Synth
Last year at the G-QRP Mini-Convention I purchased a VFO synth kit from fellow sailing enthusiast Jan, g0bbl at SDR-Kits. The system was designed by Ton, pa0klt and uses the same Si570 used in my beacon's DDS to make a very nice, flexible, fully-featured synthesizer. Today I decided it was about time to make up the kit...
Like all Jan's kits, the quality, presentation and instructions are exemplary and it didn't take more than a couple of hours to assemble.
Here's the completed board, showing the Si570 (lower right), the controlling ATMEGA88 and the conspicuous connectors which interface to the display, the switch array and the all-important rotary encoder...
There are a number of surface-mount capacitors in the kit which, together with the Si570, will be a challenge for anybody used only to leaded, through-hole components. However - as I've said before, if I can do it (with my imperfect vision, intention tremor and general cack-handedness) anybody can. Don't be put off - give it a go.
Here's the underside of the board, on which some of the SM capacitors are visible...
I knocked up a temporary set of switches, connected the rotary encoder and plugged it all together on the desk for a test flight - worked perfectly...
This is a great kit and an elegantly designed and executed system - thanks to both Jan and Ton.
Now all I need is to put it in an enclosure - a perfect Bank Holiday Weekend project!
...-.- de m0xpd
Like all Jan's kits, the quality, presentation and instructions are exemplary and it didn't take more than a couple of hours to assemble.
Here's the completed board, showing the Si570 (lower right), the controlling ATMEGA88 and the conspicuous connectors which interface to the display, the switch array and the all-important rotary encoder...
There are a number of surface-mount capacitors in the kit which, together with the Si570, will be a challenge for anybody used only to leaded, through-hole components. However - as I've said before, if I can do it (with my imperfect vision, intention tremor and general cack-handedness) anybody can. Don't be put off - give it a go.
Here's the underside of the board, on which some of the SM capacitors are visible...
I knocked up a temporary set of switches, connected the rotary encoder and plugged it all together on the desk for a test flight - worked perfectly...
This is a great kit and an elegantly designed and executed system - thanks to both Jan and Ton.
Now all I need is to put it in an enclosure - a perfect Bank Holiday Weekend project!
...-.- de m0xpd
Thursday, 21 April 2011
g1dva Beacon Reports
Well - I got a replacement crystal for my g1dva QRSS beacon (thanks Dennis!) and put it on the air last night via my 1/2 g5rv with inductors and extensions for 80m...
I'm afraid I announced the event with an error on KnightsQRSS. I had my rig in CW mode when setting up, rather than USB - so I had accidentally included the CW offset. Don't tell anybody, but I think I may have squirted out some RF below the 80m band before realising my dumb mistake and tuning to 3.50002 MHz! Anyway, despite the bum steer on QRG, the Knights soon tracked me down and the reports came in...
First to arrive was a report from fellow FISTS member, Paul, m0bmn in Wolverhampton. I had met Paul at the NARSA rally a couple of weeks back where, like me, he purchased a g1dva beacon kit from Kanga (m0bmn's beacon is on 40m).
Maik, dl4dtl, kindly put his 'part-time' QRSS grabber onto 80m for the night in an attempt to copy me in JN49IH, South Germany. I captured a screen shot of my signal (both FSKCW and CW) on Maik's grabber...
and Maik kindly sent what he thought was the best grab of the night...
The 80m QRSS band segment certainly seems less densely populated than 30 and 40!
Les, g3vyz, sent images of my CW...
and FSKCW...
received at his QTH in Whitley Bay.
Keith, g6nhu, who also runs an occasional QRSS Grabber spotted me in Essex...
and Steen Erik, LA5GOA, confirmed that my signal was "clear and readable in jo29oi".
Many thanks to all who sent in reception reports - the g1dva beacon is now off-air and I'm back to my multi-mode beacon (Blogs passim), which currently is struttin' its stuff on 40m.
...-.- de m0xpd
I'm afraid I announced the event with an error on KnightsQRSS. I had my rig in CW mode when setting up, rather than USB - so I had accidentally included the CW offset. Don't tell anybody, but I think I may have squirted out some RF below the 80m band before realising my dumb mistake and tuning to 3.50002 MHz! Anyway, despite the bum steer on QRG, the Knights soon tracked me down and the reports came in...
First to arrive was a report from fellow FISTS member, Paul, m0bmn in Wolverhampton. I had met Paul at the NARSA rally a couple of weeks back where, like me, he purchased a g1dva beacon kit from Kanga (m0bmn's beacon is on 40m).
Maik, dl4dtl, kindly put his 'part-time' QRSS grabber onto 80m for the night in an attempt to copy me in JN49IH, South Germany. I captured a screen shot of my signal (both FSKCW and CW) on Maik's grabber...
and Maik kindly sent what he thought was the best grab of the night...
The 80m QRSS band segment certainly seems less densely populated than 30 and 40!
Les, g3vyz, sent images of my CW...
and FSKCW...
received at his QTH in Whitley Bay.
Keith, g6nhu, who also runs an occasional QRSS Grabber spotted me in Essex...
and Steen Erik, LA5GOA, confirmed that my signal was "clear and readable in jo29oi".
Many thanks to all who sent in reception reports - the g1dva beacon is now off-air and I'm back to my multi-mode beacon (Blogs passim), which currently is struttin' its stuff on 40m.
...-.- de m0xpd
Sunday, 17 April 2011
g1dva Beacon Kit
Having splashed out on a g1dva beacon kit from Kanga-UK last weekend at the NARSA rally, I thought it would be politic to make it before seeing the man himself at our WARC meeting on Tuesday...
The build instructions are available from the Kanga website. I followed them and ended up with a working beacon - but not until I realized that the crystal was dead. I've never killed a crystal before by soldering it in place, but I guess there's a first time for everything.
Here's the made-up kit (now sporting a socket for the xtal and a temporary 3.579... colour-burst crystal for testing)
The beacon worked first time (second time, if you count the dead crystal), announcing its presence with a QRQ version of my call (note to self: that's a good idea - must work it into the multi-mode beacon). Here's the FSKCW signal from the beacon, locally captured...
Here's the QRSS CW output too...
I guess (given similar experience with my own beacons) that a small enclosure will help the frequency stability.
Once I have a replacement 3.5 MHz crystal, I'll put the beacon on the air and tell you of any reception reports.
...-.- de m0xpd
The build instructions are available from the Kanga website. I followed them and ended up with a working beacon - but not until I realized that the crystal was dead. I've never killed a crystal before by soldering it in place, but I guess there's a first time for everything.
Here's the made-up kit (now sporting a socket for the xtal and a temporary 3.579... colour-burst crystal for testing)
The beacon worked first time (second time, if you count the dead crystal), announcing its presence with a QRQ version of my call (note to self: that's a good idea - must work it into the multi-mode beacon). Here's the FSKCW signal from the beacon, locally captured...
Here's the QRSS CW output too...
I guess (given similar experience with my own beacons) that a small enclosure will help the frequency stability.
Once I have a replacement 3.5 MHz crystal, I'll put the beacon on the air and tell you of any reception reports.
...-.- de m0xpd
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Another Birthday in Blackpool
Rushed back from holiday to participate in the annual NARSA Rally in Blackpool.
Regular readers may recall that this event marks the anniversary of my involvement in amateur radio.
This year, my multi-mode beacon (Blogs passim) was featured on the WARC stand. I made a transparent lid so the great unwashed could see in and I could keep their fingers out!
Here's the beacon in her tantalising see-through clothes...
Mike, g4vss, Paul, g1vda and I had worked up a QRSS theme for the Warrington display this year. Here's my beacon on the stand...
where she shared the limelight with the excellent new g1vda QRSS beacon kit, developed as a WARC project and now available from Kanga UK.
I dusted off the m0xpd wallet and got one of the beacon kits for 80m (chosen as my beacon won't operate on 80m). I also got a year's supply of single-sided, copper-clad fibreglass board at a great price and one of the Czech keys frequently advertised in SPRAT...
Of course, I chose to buy one of the cosmetically imperfect "B grade" keys at 25% discount. Despite the blemishes the key feels great - first QSO was with John, g4oyc.
My "Birthday Celebration" was crowned by finally meeting some people in the flesh who previously had been contacts at the end of various electronic links - very nice to meet you (you know who you are!)
...-.- de m0xpd
Regular readers may recall that this event marks the anniversary of my involvement in amateur radio.
This year, my multi-mode beacon (Blogs passim) was featured on the WARC stand. I made a transparent lid so the great unwashed could see in and I could keep their fingers out!
Here's the beacon in her tantalising see-through clothes...
Mike, g4vss, Paul, g1vda and I had worked up a QRSS theme for the Warrington display this year. Here's my beacon on the stand...
where she shared the limelight with the excellent new g1vda QRSS beacon kit, developed as a WARC project and now available from Kanga UK.
I dusted off the m0xpd wallet and got one of the beacon kits for 80m (chosen as my beacon won't operate on 80m). I also got a year's supply of single-sided, copper-clad fibreglass board at a great price and one of the Czech keys frequently advertised in SPRAT...
Of course, I chose to buy one of the cosmetically imperfect "B grade" keys at 25% discount. Despite the blemishes the key feels great - first QSO was with John, g4oyc.
My "Birthday Celebration" was crowned by finally meeting some people in the flesh who previously had been contacts at the end of various electronic links - very nice to meet you (you know who you are!)
...-.- de m0xpd
Pisces in Pickering
Just back from the annual vernal "pilgrimage" to Whitby.
Apart from the usual delights, I enjoyed another day's fishing at Pickering Trout Lake, just at the end of the NYMR line. I landed thirty fish, on buzzers and goldheads, the best of which (in fact, the last of which) is seen here...
The top of the net frame is 24 inches wide...
so you see this was no minnow!
I took the FT817 and Walkabout whip and tried /p working from the east side of the harbour, emulating Juan, ea5blp's seaside exploits. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy much success (perhaps due to being in the "shadow" of the nearby cliff, on top of which sits the Abbey) but I did enjoy a FB QRP chat with Tony, g3yho.
Happy Days,
...-.- de m0xpd
Apart from the usual delights, I enjoyed another day's fishing at Pickering Trout Lake, just at the end of the NYMR line. I landed thirty fish, on buzzers and goldheads, the best of which (in fact, the last of which) is seen here...
The top of the net frame is 24 inches wide...
so you see this was no minnow!I took the FT817 and Walkabout whip and tried /p working from the east side of the harbour, emulating Juan, ea5blp's seaside exploits. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy much success (perhaps due to being in the "shadow" of the nearby cliff, on top of which sits the Abbey) but I did enjoy a FB QRP chat with Tony, g3yho.
Happy Days,
...-.- de m0xpd
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