August 7, 2024. If you homebrew you need this stuff!

 If you do the homebrew, then this is a must tool to have. Behold the Digital Microscope. Once I chased a problem for two days until I found a hairline short on a circuit trace to ground. This would have aided finding the short much quicker. Lauren Sanchez's boyfriend has them for about $70.

This microscope has two principal uses with the first being during the fabrication of circuits using surface mount devices. The digital microscope lets you see the parts and as a huge aid in the soldering process. The second use of course when you have to look for the needle in the haystack when there is an issue.

Not only good for checking solder bridges and hairline shorts -- but to read the Teeny Tiny laser print on components.

Several years ago, I homebrewed something similar using a webcam on a not so sturdy mount that had a fixed focal length. One of the 1st uses was to find a steel splinter in my finger from some steel wool I was using. 

If you are a paranoid politician with small hands, placing them under the microscope will make them look bigger!

This $8 MCU running at 240MHz is available from Bezos. 

The unit programs with the Arduino IDE but of importance is the number of I/O pins. Plenty of flexibility to handle displays and lots of I/O requirements. This looks ideal for use with many of sensors and controlling the Si5351. 

Caveat Emptor as programming this device may be on par with being an expert Olympic gymnast* on the pommel horse without having really great vision. See the following link www.acebott.com before you buy this jewel.

The very 1st Chinese station, BA3KY, worked today on FT-8 at 1400 GMT (7 AM)  on 20M where the band was flat lined on the SDR except for FT-8.

TYGBNYBNT

73's

Pete N6QW

* A Mechanical Engineering graduate from Penn State.

August 6, 2024. If you did know stuff you could do stuff!

 The Common Colon (Symbol :) did me in! No, we are not talking about the Common Cold but Common Colon! That leads me to ask why does one word have two decidedly different meanings? This could get real deep real fast, but one colon is typically at the front end while the other colon is at the back end. The front-end Colon did me in!

If you have been religiously following my blog you know I created a new operating position in my garage shack that has three rigs, with two local and one remote. The remote rig the Hermes Lite 2.0 (about 100 feet away via CAT6 cable) has some super features like seeing the activity on the whole 20M band where I can bask in the lack of Cycle 25 signals plus afford me FT-8 access. 

This set up has been in place for about a week, but the successful activation of WSJTX eluded me. The Hermes Lite 2.o is a DDC machine (Direct Digital Conversion) and thus a bit different in set up than my homebrew I/Q SDR.   This in some ways is rocket science, but I have been doing this setup for many years so not brand new.

Last night at 2000 PDST, 0300 GMT I fired up the Hermes Lite 2.0 to see all the DX from Cycle 25. A pretty flat line except for FT-8 which of course was not functioning in this setup. More proof -- that FT-8 has become the mode of operation, more to come.

2000 PDST 20M ~ 1 Blip @ FT-8

BTW I now have a 27-inch Samsung TV as the monitor -- big improvement over the 16-inch monitor. That 50-inch sure would be nice!

So, the press is on to get FT-8 working. The Hermes Lite 2.0 uses the HamLib Rig Control Protocol for interconnection between WSJTX and the radio. When you do not have it right you get this annoying message. Within QUISK (SDR Software) are settings for remote operation identifying the Port Number where HamLib should go -- kind of like an I2C address. The default is Port 4575 on the localhost (HL2/RPi4). 

In the WSJTX set up pages you have to either identify the radio you are using like the Kenwood TS2000 or identify the generic HamLib Rig Control. You also must select CAT control and the Localhost Port (4575). It wasn't until I used the bigger screen that I spotted the issue with FT-8. My entry was localhost 4575. Then it hit me it has to be localhost:4575. 

The missing colon was the issue and hard to see it was missing on the 16-inch screen. Now no longer error messages and FT-8 was working. 

The operational FT-8 confirmed that it is the preferred DX mode. I called CQ twice using the software and just look what happened.

CT2HEX in Portugal at 2026 PDST on 20M

Also in the mix are other DX stations all operating on 14.074 MHz using FT-8. The band appeared totally dead but look what is out there.

The lack of a front-end colon sure made the back-end colon pucker just a bit.

TYGNYBNT

73's

Pete N6QW

August 5, 2024. It is 90F outside but summer is over

When I was a kid (last century) I always dreaded August as I knew in just a few weeks --- back to school.  As an adult, today, I see Halloween stuff is on display in stores -- another sign of summer is over.

Yet the weather sure says its summer as we hit 90F temperatures every day. But it is inevitable that summer will be over and time to think Ham Radio and projects. But also, time to think about innovation. 

Yesterday I was reading a back issue of the G-QRP Club SPRAT (Spring 2023) and suddenly it hit me between the eyes. The Covid19 Pandemic caused many worldwide hams to practice SITS (Stay In The Shack, a phrase from N2CQR) but also gave rise to some creative projects. One project from Covid19 was a WiFi controlled Magnetic Loop Antenna using an ESP8266 as the device to control two stepper motors tuning the loop.  Another Covid19 spawned project in that issue was a superhet receiver made from the junk box parts.

Bravo Franco, IK2NJV the Mag Loop author who of course is from Italy, joining the ranks of other Italian visionaries like Michael Angelo. See if you had SPRAT on a Stick you could search for Issue #194. There is also a fact check that the Stockton Bridge Kit from W8DIZ has the FWD REV terminals mislabeled.

OK, so I am suggesting as you think about winter projects that you have a microcontroller or single board computer in your headlights. On my phone I spotted that Digi Key is selling the 4GB Raspberry Pi 5 for $60. Sanchez's boyfriend wants $68 for that same SBC. 

R Pi 5

Hang on to this -- the RPi5 is a 2.4GHz, 64Bit SBC with 4GB of RAM for $60 and the 8GB is $80. I would recommend the 8GB as future applications will demand the extra RAM. You can have 4K dual monitors which is kind of fun to have as you watch the FT-8 signals appear on your screen. 

[Following my disparaging remarks on the current Solar Cycle, that while the white lab coat guys praise Cycle 25, the bands are empty because the FT-8 craze has sucked up all of the activity and DX is concentrated and not spread out.  I also forgot an important fact, in large measure a result of the ARRL meddling, only 1/2 the US hams can operate on all HF bands. While the ARRL proudly points out we have 750, 000 hams -- only half have full HF privileges -- their data not mine. BTW more proof the experts must explain if Cycle 25 is so good then why no signals. Typically, prime DX time at 7AM and not much difference at 1300. The Cycle 25 proponents are trying to bamboozle us with flashy charts -- but the Spectrum tells the tale.

In the Mid-70's almost daily at 7AM you could hear 9V1OI (Singapore), Bud, on 14.240 MHz talking to the gang here on the left coast -- including me once running the Atlas 180 while on my way to work in Long Beach. That was cycle 20.]

7AM Left Coast time 20M and the only blip FT-8

1 PM Left Coast time and FT-8 is still the Leader!

BTW it was in the 1600's during the Great plague, while in self-isolation, that Sir Issac Newton invented Calculus and worked on theories involving optics and the laws of gravity. 

Another important reason for ham projects now -- to avoid the political scene for the next 100 days. 

TYGNYB nor the Pixel 7.

73's

Pete N6QW

August 4, 2024. Some of the Good Stuff!

This posting is not about Weed or Irish Whiskey! It is however some "good stuff" I found while searching through Lauren Sanchez's boyfriend's (Bezos) website.

I do not think this is a problem unique to N6QW, but in general all hams have this issue. Simply put, where to plug in the devices. (Not about Mary Jo either.) 

All of our "stuff" has to have a power source and as more plastic is flashed -- the need for more outlets. It is not just more outlets but given our electronic goodies, they must be surged protected. 

Boom a quick problem arises with the surge protectors of the old design, which typically have 6 or 8 NEMA parallel blade with ground sockets stacked next to each other. The added issue it is an assembly about a foot long. 

Because of its size and shape the old-style surge protector is hard to tuck just anywhere and the second issue the sockets are too closely spaced. If you are just plugging in a cord with a plug, you are OK. But often that plug-in at the end is also a switching power supply and because of its physical width you lose the use of a socket.

I have recently set up a second operating position that will have three rig choices: The Drake C Line, The KWM-1 and The Raspberry Pi4 Remote console for the Hermes Lite 2.0. The RPi4 needs two sockets (Monitor, RPi4 Power Supply). These two sockets must house switchers. Then there is the DSO (standard plug) and the Signal Generator with a really FAT plug. One socket is needed for the overhead light and another for the 12VDC supply (both standard plugs). The count is six so far. Now add in the Drake C Line and the KWM-1 yields a total of 9 sockets. Whew --we counted properly. The 125VAC at 13Amp capability should be sufficient to have everything powered on all at the same time.

You got to love design innovation and a designer who thinks about the end user. The product.

Behold a 9-socket surge protector with wide spaced sockets. It takes up less space than my 4-socket unit.

 

Yes, it does have an on-off/reset circuit breaker switch so you can soft power on various hardware. It is good for 1625 watts of load and 900 joules. The bonus -- less than $10. The earlier link will call up the Bezos page. Now there are similar devices with added features like more outlets and USB C charging ports, but cost 2X as much. My goal was the added sockets (9 ports), capable of taking the wider plugs, the small footprint and the least cost. Less than a cheap hamburger meal at Mickey D's!

TYGNYB nor the Pixel 7

73's

Pete N6QW

August 3, 2024. Cycle 25 where does it stand?

 So, what are the excusiasts saying? First a definition of my newly contracted word, excusiast. This contraction combines excuse with enthusiast and by definition are those who get enthused making excuses. 

You know it was the radio, it was the antenna, it was the time of day, it was the band all explaining why the Logbook Of The World (LOTW) is pretty thin.

We had some early predictions by those who predict such things that Cycle 25 would be worse than Cycle 24. This dire prediction even caused a schism amongst the predictors. A dissent group formed that said Cycle 25 will be greater than Cycle 24. 

The sunspot counts in recent months suggest better than Cycle 24 and the upstart dissents may be on to something. So, what is it? The Red Line is the prediction, and the blacklines are actuals -- so the dissidents appear to have been vindicated.

I liken both groups who are forecasting sunspots much like the weather guys and their predictions. Forget what the experts say (both groups) and reflect a bit of what you hear in the bands. Yes, bring the umbrella as your bones tell you it will rain but the forecast says sun all day. 

Having personally experienced Cycle 19 I have a benchmark of a really hot cycle.

Even squinting, indeed Cycle 19 > Cycle 25.  We may be caught up in the scientific pissing contest of 24 versus 25 but the real proof is Cycle 25 is puny compared to Cycle 19.

I have a bit of distrust with the guys in the white lab coats and my evaluations are based on sitting in front of the radio and listening. The true test is what do I hear which then if you believe in you can hear them you can work them will result in DX contacts 

Unlike many hams I do not have a Tiny SA to hook to my antenna, but I do have some pretty good receivers that tell me the God-awful truth about Cycle 25.

One of the most useful receivers is my Hermes Lite 2.0 SDR. I set the spectrum to 384 kHz and call up 20M. Just by looking at the blips I can see the activity across the whole band. The antenna is a 40M Delta Loop and I test the band at various times of the day. The blips do not abound as you might expect from a hot cycle.

A 384 kHz slice of 40M

But more importantly is I have some mental benchmarks of the stations I do hear. EA3JE is typically heard here on the left coast, and I have been hearing only one Russian station R5AJ. Missing in action are the powerhouse stations from Kuwait, Israel, Germany, South Africa and the Scandanavian countries. Let us not forget the Italians or those from the UK. On 40M I do hear VK's and the JA's and of course South America. Toward the right side are the Shortwave broadcast stations.

A dead zone appears to be India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Then again FT-8 has seriously siphoned off many DX stations. Noteworthy 7.074 MHz always has a large blip on the SDR. Look at the large blip near the left side of the photo.

But my benchmark, again Cycle 19, was 24/7 and with low power on 10M -- work the world. Many times, (in 2024) during the daytime -- 20 and 40M are like graveyards and you have to whistle to hear a noise. 

So, the escusiasts will say they are working lots of DX and it is me but likely they have no Cycle 19 experience. Turn on 20M and what do you really hear besides CQ POTA?

TYGNYB nor a Pixel 7.

73's

Pete N6QW

August 2, 2024.Technology has done me in!

 

A story today of what happens when technology has gone awry. I am totally tethered to my Google Pixel 7 communicator and now I am in a pickle. 

Given the health situation of the XYL the Pixel 7 is more than watching Tik Tok videos. It is a critical and necessary piece of equipment. My Pixel 7 has made no less than five 911 calls and has logged many hours of telemedicine with her primary care provider. It also is my link to the Board and Care facility when I am personally not there. Given all of the hacking and scam stuff it is needed as a part of two step verification for many services.

The Pixel 7 was a Christmas present from my offspring who knew how critical the communications part of my life had become and better than the $95 phone I bought on eBay. 

All worked well although most of the features were like the 3000 menus on an ICOM 7300. There were many things I do not like about the Pixel 7 like the keypads are incompatible with FFS (Fat Finger Syndrome). But the voice recognition and type the message does help. I realize now that my voice must sound like I grew up in the south as some words appear like I grew up in Alabama. 

But for the Basic stuff like making and receiving calls it was OK. Text messaging worked, as well as email. I do have You Tube TV on it so I can watch the politics in play.

Then several days ago a malady appeared. It does not receive phone calls. It doesn't even go to voice mail. You can call out and all other features appear to work OK. So, the 1st step is to restart the communicator as I always have the unit on and charged given its criticality. That did not fix the issue. Fortunately, my kids text me when I do not directly answer the communicator.

Some would do the happy dance as getting calls may be a problem issue on the other end. Receiving calls however is critical for me. 

Next was an Internet search and suddenly 2 + 2 = 4. There are a lot of things that will prevent you from receiving calls on a Pixel 7 -- like Airplane Mode -- it was off. Then there is battery saver and call forwarding -- both off. Clearing the cache was another -- did nothing.

But the best was the posting from a Pixel 7 user citing the very same problem where a recent update caused the problem. My phone was updated less than a week ago -- automatically and I couldn't stop it. So today a trip to T Mobile.

TYGNYB nor the Pixel 7.

73's

Pete N6QW

August 1, 2024. A move from DEI to DEA. Toilet Bowl Update

This posting is not about The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) but about Deliberative Engineering Assessment.

Thank You to the many who responded to my inquiry about my Toilet Bowl ring. Suggestions included using a pumice stone (one reader even had Bezos send me some) all the way to using muriatic acid. 

At this point (just like with homebrew ham gear that has gone awry) we first come up with a list of the possible scenarios to follow. (DEI part.) But critical to those possible solutions is the secondary impacts. Thus, our DEA is a risk assessment of the proposed solutions. How many times have we said let's just apply power only to see a mushroom cloud over the workbench and quickly following the smell of burnt parts. 

Scraping the bowl with pumice stone may clean the ring. However, will this scar the ceramic coating so that subsequent ring build up will appear as black mold. I would classify this as High Risk to several critical parts of your anatomy when seated at the bowl. The muriatic acid presents that same scaring problem but likely needs hazmat gear during the application including breathing apparatus and now that becomes a risk to life.

My DEA is telling me to get another piece of paper and to fully assess the risks of each of the proposed solutions. Suddenly the baking soda and vinegar appears the least risk as a starting place and the muriatic acid as the highest risk.

I will keep you posted. But we at least have a process to start our toilet bowl cleaning adventure.

TYGNYB

73's

Pete N6QW