72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Showing posts with label Hans Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hans Summer. Show all posts
Thursday, December 03, 2020
Monday, July 27, 2020
Some good news ..... some bad news
First the good news. I got more capacitors soldered in to the QCX 40 Meter kit.
They're almost all in. Just a few more to go and then I move on to other passive components.
The other good news is that this arrived in the mail today:
The 20 Meters QCX+ kit arrived!
The bad news is that I ordered a QCX enclosure from BaMa Tech over the weekend. The bad news is NOT that they are no longer available. The bad news is that DHL has suspended shipping outside of Europe because of Covid. So I will get the enclosure ...... eventually, but only God knows when at this point.
Lastly, the magnifier lamp arrived from Banggod last Friday. I hooked it up today before soldering tonight and it really made a big difference for me during my build session tonight. It's great to have the extra light and the magnifying lens does a fantastic job.
72 de LarryW2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
They're almost all in. Just a few more to go and then I move on to other passive components.
The other good news is that this arrived in the mail today:
The 20 Meters QCX+ kit arrived!
The bad news is that I ordered a QCX enclosure from BaMa Tech over the weekend. The bad news is NOT that they are no longer available. The bad news is that DHL has suspended shipping outside of Europe because of Covid. So I will get the enclosure ...... eventually, but only God knows when at this point.
Lastly, the magnifier lamp arrived from Banggod last Friday. I hooked it up today before soldering tonight and it really made a big difference for me during my build session tonight. It's great to have the extra light and the magnifying lens does a fantastic job.
72 de LarryW2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Monday, July 20, 2020
This thing is a life saver!
I began the process of building my 40 Meter QCX kit tonight. It's been a while since I have attempted to build a complex kit. One thing that became apparent is that my eyes are not what they used to be. Granted, the light here in the dining room table is not the best. One chandelier hanging above the dining room table really isn't up to the task, but I went with what I had. While the main build will be done down in the shack, I wanted to inventory the parts up here because there is more space and less of a chance that anything would get lost.
Another big difference is the manual. No doubt that Hans Summers went out of his way to produce a SUPERB building manual .........but. It's on the computer and not a printed out hard copy. I do not have the ink to print out a 141 page manual. So I am going to have to get used to not "checking off" each step as I go along, like I used to in Heathkit and Elecraft Manuals.
Welcome to the 21st Century, W2LJ!
The good news is that everything that's supposed to be there, is there. There were a few extra capacitors of values that were not listed in the parts manual, but they're not going anywhere just in case.
And speaking of capacitors ....... the print on them is infinitesimal! It was not too long ago that I was able to read those tiny characters with only occasional help from a magnifying glass. That's not the case anymore, so thank God for the person or persons who came up with this concept:
Due to the glare, you can't see the capacitor on the surface of the white board, but look how nicely the numbers printed on the cap pop out on the screen of the magnifier. This made a potentially frustrating chore a relative breeze!
Again, due to failing eyesight and less than ideal lighting, I had to resort to using a VOM to measure the resistors. The colors were hard to distinguish and the meter made that chore relatively painless, as well. The magnifier/microscope thing would probably have worked well here also, but I didn't think of bringing it upstairs until faced with identifying the capacitors.
I filled four egg cartons with parts in the order as they appeared on the parts list of the manual. Of course, being as OCD as I am, I will re-check each value before I install it. But I am looking forward to melting solder - maybe as early as tomorrow evening!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Another big difference is the manual. No doubt that Hans Summers went out of his way to produce a SUPERB building manual .........but. It's on the computer and not a printed out hard copy. I do not have the ink to print out a 141 page manual. So I am going to have to get used to not "checking off" each step as I go along, like I used to in Heathkit and Elecraft Manuals.
Welcome to the 21st Century, W2LJ!
The good news is that everything that's supposed to be there, is there. There were a few extra capacitors of values that were not listed in the parts manual, but they're not going anywhere just in case.
And speaking of capacitors ....... the print on them is infinitesimal! It was not too long ago that I was able to read those tiny characters with only occasional help from a magnifying glass. That's not the case anymore, so thank God for the person or persons who came up with this concept:
Due to the glare, you can't see the capacitor on the surface of the white board, but look how nicely the numbers printed on the cap pop out on the screen of the magnifier. This made a potentially frustrating chore a relative breeze!
Again, due to failing eyesight and less than ideal lighting, I had to resort to using a VOM to measure the resistors. The colors were hard to distinguish and the meter made that chore relatively painless, as well. The magnifier/microscope thing would probably have worked well here also, but I didn't think of bringing it upstairs until faced with identifying the capacitors.
I filled four egg cartons with parts in the order as they appeared on the parts list of the manual. Of course, being as OCD as I am, I will re-check each value before I install it. But I am looking forward to melting solder - maybe as early as tomorrow evening!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Friday, July 10, 2020
Sent in my log
To Ken Villone KU2US for my 13 Colonies certificate. Actually, I like the way they have it set up. Fill out a form, generate a pdf, print it out and mail it in. What can be easier than that?
If I was a coding genius, or even a coding simpleton, I'd figure out a way to do something similar for the Skeeter Hunt. But alas, my computer skills are only rudimentary. I can surf the Web, send and receive e-mail, work and manipulate spreadsheets and a few other things. Other than that, I'm a fish out of water.
This spring and summer have been dry. In fact, the lawn has gone brown and crunchy in spots and has for the most part gone dormant. Today may make up a bit for that. We've been visited by Tropical Storm Fay and we've gotten a whopping 2.80 inches of rain today. That's probably more than we've had in the last couple of months.
On another note, I've decided that for when we head up to Lake George this year, I'm going to go minimal. Instead of dragging the knapsack along with everything in it, I'm just going to bring my day bag along containing the KX3, battery, ear buds, extra key, and clock. The antenna will be the Alex Loop. Maybe I can give it a real workout that week and really see what it's capable of.
My good friend Bob W3BBO received his QCX+ kit yesterday. I think I'm going to be putting in an order for one myself, soon. I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering one for 20 Meters to go along with my 40 Meter QCX kit. I don't have much time for melting solder lately, but I need to make time.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
If I was a coding genius, or even a coding simpleton, I'd figure out a way to do something similar for the Skeeter Hunt. But alas, my computer skills are only rudimentary. I can surf the Web, send and receive e-mail, work and manipulate spreadsheets and a few other things. Other than that, I'm a fish out of water.
This spring and summer have been dry. In fact, the lawn has gone brown and crunchy in spots and has for the most part gone dormant. Today may make up a bit for that. We've been visited by Tropical Storm Fay and we've gotten a whopping 2.80 inches of rain today. That's probably more than we've had in the last couple of months.
On another note, I've decided that for when we head up to Lake George this year, I'm going to go minimal. Instead of dragging the knapsack along with everything in it, I'm just going to bring my day bag along containing the KX3, battery, ear buds, extra key, and clock. The antenna will be the Alex Loop. Maybe I can give it a real workout that week and really see what it's capable of.
My good friend Bob W3BBO received his QCX+ kit yesterday. I think I'm going to be putting in an order for one myself, soon. I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering one for 20 Meters to go along with my 40 Meter QCX kit. I don't have much time for melting solder lately, but I need to make time.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
QRP and non-QRP Events this coming weekend
As I've mentioned before, this coming weekend in the US of A is Memorial Day weekend. In addition to the true meaning behind Memorial Day itself, the weekend is the unofficial kick off to the Summer season.
My good friend Jim W4QO put this post on the new qrparci.io reflector. He has some good advice here:
I know many of you could care less about entering a contest but there are two in the next few days that you should consider. Go to: https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php Notice that there does not seem to be much going on this week, but
1. WPX is Saturday and Sunday. This is a great contest for the QRPer as you work anybody anywhere. It is a CW contest and this is a chance to test our your equipment, if nothing more. Get on and look for someone calling CQ. I'll tell you, by Sunday afternoon, they will be begging for your QRP signal. If your callsign is somewhat different (not a simple W or K like mine) that makes you even more valuable.
2. The QCX Challenge (http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html). Please note that you do not need a QCX to operate in this one; heck, you do not even have to be QRP (yikes!). It is a bit different as it has 3 separate periods during the day on Monday. The first session is 9 to 10 AM Monday morning in the east US. If nothing else, let's honor Hans who gave a very nice talk at FDIM by getting on in
record numbers!
Jim W4QO
This Sunday in Central NJ is looking to be partly sunny/cloudy with a high of 87F (31C). A nice day to either get out to one of the local shady parks; or perhaps just operate from the backyard patio. I got the table and chairs cleaned last weekend and got the umbrella up. It makes for a nice operating position with quick access to a lot of ice cold water in the fridge!
Keep in mind - we are currently about two weeks away from the 75th Anniversary of Operation Overlord - D Day. I'm sure there will be plenty of Special Event stations on the air to commemorate the history of that very significant day. As I find them, I'll try to post them here. Here are two from the ARRL listings:
06/01/2019 | W2W D-Day Commemoration
Jun 1-Jun 9, 1300Z-2200Z, W2W, Baltimore, MD.
The Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum (K3NEM). 14.244 14.044 7.244 7.044; 80 meters (3.544, 3.844) and digital modes possible.. Certificate & QSL. W2W D-Day, P.O. Box 1693, MS 4015, Baltimore, MD 21203.
Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum (ARCNEM) will operate W2W in commemoration of the anniversary of D-Day and the role of electronics in WWII. Primary operation will be June 1-June 2 with additional operation possible during the June 3-9 period, as operator availability permits. Frequencies +/- according to QRM. QSL and Certificate available via SASE; details at ww-2.us
06/06/2019 | 75th Anniversary D-Day Invasion
Jun 6-Jun 9, 1200Z-1700Z, WW2DDM, Bedford, VA.
Old Dominion Chapter 202 QCWA. 3880 KHz AM, LSB 3585 KHz CW 7285 KHz AM, LSB 14.245 MHz USB. QSL. WW2DDM c/o H. A. Boaz, Jr., 1389 Budd Lane, Montvale, VA 24122.
Bedford, VA is the location of The National D-Day Memorial. Bedford was the home of the "Bedford Boys". These were the nineteen young men from Bedford that died that day and four others died during the rest of the Normandy campaign. The town of Bedford had proportionately suffered the greatest losses that day. That is why the US Congress established the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
My good friend Jim W4QO put this post on the new qrparci.io reflector. He has some good advice here:
I know many of you could care less about entering a contest but there are two in the next few days that you should consider. Go to: https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php Notice that there does not seem to be much going on this week, but
1. WPX is Saturday and Sunday. This is a great contest for the QRPer as you work anybody anywhere. It is a CW contest and this is a chance to test our your equipment, if nothing more. Get on and look for someone calling CQ. I'll tell you, by Sunday afternoon, they will be begging for your QRP signal. If your callsign is somewhat different (not a simple W or K like mine) that makes you even more valuable.
2. The QCX Challenge (http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html). Please note that you do not need a QCX to operate in this one; heck, you do not even have to be QRP (yikes!). It is a bit different as it has 3 separate periods during the day on Monday. The first session is 9 to 10 AM Monday morning in the east US. If nothing else, let's honor Hans who gave a very nice talk at FDIM by getting on in
record numbers!
Jim W4QO
This Sunday in Central NJ is looking to be partly sunny/cloudy with a high of 87F (31C). A nice day to either get out to one of the local shady parks; or perhaps just operate from the backyard patio. I got the table and chairs cleaned last weekend and got the umbrella up. It makes for a nice operating position with quick access to a lot of ice cold water in the fridge!
Keep in mind - we are currently about two weeks away from the 75th Anniversary of Operation Overlord - D Day. I'm sure there will be plenty of Special Event stations on the air to commemorate the history of that very significant day. As I find them, I'll try to post them here. Here are two from the ARRL listings:
06/01/2019 | W2W D-Day Commemoration
Jun 1-Jun 9, 1300Z-2200Z, W2W, Baltimore, MD.
The Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum (K3NEM). 14.244 14.044 7.244 7.044; 80 meters (3.544, 3.844) and digital modes possible.. Certificate & QSL. W2W D-Day, P.O. Box 1693, MS 4015, Baltimore, MD 21203.
Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum (ARCNEM) will operate W2W in commemoration of the anniversary of D-Day and the role of electronics in WWII. Primary operation will be June 1-June 2 with additional operation possible during the June 3-9 period, as operator availability permits. Frequencies +/- according to QRM. QSL and Certificate available via SASE; details at ww-2.us
06/06/2019 | 75th Anniversary D-Day Invasion
Jun 6-Jun 9, 1200Z-1700Z, WW2DDM, Bedford, VA.
Old Dominion Chapter 202 QCWA. 3880 KHz AM, LSB 3585 KHz CW 7285 KHz AM, LSB 14.245 MHz USB. QSL. WW2DDM c/o H. A. Boaz, Jr., 1389 Budd Lane, Montvale, VA 24122.
Bedford, VA is the location of The National D-Day Memorial. Bedford was the home of the "Bedford Boys". These were the nineteen young men from Bedford that died that day and four others died during the rest of the Normandy campaign. The town of Bedford had proportionately suffered the greatest losses that day. That is why the US Congress established the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Friday, May 03, 2019
This is just too cool - QCX 3d!
Posted by Eugene Kovalchuk on Facebook
https://skfb.ly/6KnvN?fbclid=IwAR2j7VZupHe7yXdP-BEWnBj7UVCifpUD_8J7LdJyd2WwFRYBvNf9XmAvEYM
This allows you pan, tilt and rotate and look at the QCX from just about any angle.
Wish I was smart enough to do stuff like this!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
https://skfb.ly/6KnvN?fbclid=IwAR2j7VZupHe7yXdP-BEWnBj7UVCifpUD_8J7LdJyd2WwFRYBvNf9XmAvEYM
This allows you pan, tilt and rotate and look at the QCX from just about any angle.
Wish I was smart enough to do stuff like this!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
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