I first tried WSPR out in 2009, with a Signalink USB interface attached to my FT-817 and PC. For anyone interested in QRP and QRPp, the process of being able to decode a signal that is up to about 34dB below the noise level is quite fascinating. Morse code, sent by way of CW, engages […]
I haven’t been building much at all, for quite a long time now. However, the urge occasionally returns. When it does, it’s wonderful to have a small stash of parts on hand, so I can pull the soldering iron out and start building before the desire dissipates. I’ve been interested in beacons for a while, […]
In this post from May of last year, I detailed the construction of a 1mW solar-powered HiFER beacon. I named it the Boris Beacon, in tribute to my neighbor’s cat. The beacon was never mounted permanently outside. I kept it indoors, powered from a small solar panel in the window, and feeding an “antenna” of […]
Back in May of this year, Sheldon N6JJA began sending me information and details of his version of N1BYT’s WBR regenerative receiver. It went through several iterations, before ending up at the final version as shown here. Even this version is still a work in progress – as all good products of experimentation are. Sheldon […]
To many, this will be just another Si5351 VFO project, with nothing to distinguish it from the others. In fact, that’s exactly what it is. The “how to” of connecting an Arduino board to an Si5351 board, wiring up a display, and loading the firmware, is straightforward, and well established. To me though, it was […]
My build of the K7TMG HF Morse Code Thermometer was fun, and it inspired me to use the same circuit to create a new HiFER beacon to honor my neighbor’s cat Boris. With some of my indoor cat-owning neighbors in the past, I have acted as caretaker when their parents are out of town or […]
This was a fun little project – and it gave me an idea for a future one. Sometimes, I find that the more complex undertakings, which require more planning, can get to the point that they “take me over” somewhat. At that point, for me, some of the fun starts getting squeezed out and that, […]
Note – lots of photos, so please allow time for them to load! In a previous offering, I posted a few photos and a brief description of a QCX 5W CW transceiver from QRP Labs that I recently assembled for Fred, a ham friend. It was fun, because I got to assemble and experience first-hand, […]
The original intention wasn’t to write a post about this, but seeing that I’ve been absent from blogging for a while, I thought there was no harm in putting up a few pictures of the kit I just assembled for a friend. He’s been having a rough time recently with his health. As an experienced […]
Bob W3BBO and I have been communicating via e-mail for a couple of years now, and I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite a long time. I’ve been on hiatus from home-brewing, and expect to be in the future too. The brief run of Manhattan projects I built was really fun, but I […]
Dave Richards AA7EE 