RTTY RBN Spots
Posted Jan 07, 2025
Inspired by the great analysis done by Tomi OH2BBT in the past and shared on the RBN-OPS groups io.
I had ChatGPT plot the number of RTTY spots by each skimmer over this past weekend during the ARRL RTTY Roundup.
Update Jan 08, 2025
After posting this Tomi OH2BBT provided his great analysis available at: ARRL RTTY Roundup 2025 | Tableau Public
New Year's Resolution
Posted Jan 06, 2025
I have two ham radio resolutions this year.
First: Is to be more radio active. My goal is to make time for at least 1 QSO every weekend.
Second: Is to break-up with FT8. I find it extremely boring, but there is so much activity there I feel obligated to keep trying it.
I can't explain why, but I always feel dirty (like I did something wrong) after operating FThate. It's time for me to end this toxic relationship.
Merry Christmas
Posted Dec 23, 2024
Wishing all my ham radio friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
PD SDR Update
Posted Dec 15, 2024
I had a chance to assemble the PD SDR and try it out this week. It works great! It's a direct drop-in replacement for the $720 Red Pitaya.
I still believe the Red Pitaya is a awesome product. But it's great to have a more economical option if you're willing to assemble the parts.
I had it up and running for 24 hours in place of my Red Pitaya. While not a direct comparison, there was no preservable difference of the spot count between the two.
I'm looking forward to adding another skimmer to the network. It's new home will be six miles to my east at my brother's QTH.
The total cost to of the project was $265, this could be lowered to around $200 if you do a group buy and modify the parts selection.
Pavel Demin's SDR
Posted Dec 7, 2024
About a week ago I started ordering all the parts to assemble one of the PD-SDR's announced back in May on the RBN-OPS groups-io.
I ordered the QMTECH ZYNQ7000 XC7Z020 board from AliExpress Link.
I ordered 5 assembled ADC boards from JLCPCB.
I ordered a 3D printed case from Craftcloud. Using the pre-built STL file designed by Simon S53ZO.
I ordered all the remaining parts from Mouser:
SMA
50 pin f header
50 pin m header
Adhesive heat sink
40mm fan, for a quieter Noctua fan
I hope to have it assembled by Christmas. This will be a new RBN node going to my brother's QTH.
Station Changes
Posted Nov 18, 2024
Over the last several weeks I've been repairing a few thing around the shack, and swapping some equipment.
I replaced the damaged 1/2" HELIAX that was feeding my doublet with a new 75' run of LMR-400. The HELIAX was damaged recently while having a French drain installed.
I actually found a second spot where it was damaged (I could see the center conductor!) this may have been damaged for several years...
I replaced the 200' of quad-shield RG6 feeding my W6LVP loop, and added a DXE-RXFC-75 receive feedline choke at each end.
I swapped my old Palstar AT2K with a new LDG Electronics RT-100 remote antenna tuner. I've been wanting to try a remote auto-tuner for awhile.
I decided to try a different balun at the feed-point of my doublet. I'm now using a Balun Designs Model 4116 4:1 Hybrid Balun.
I added a 3" copper strap to the back of my operating table. Going to start using it as a common ground point.
I added a few more common-mode choke's to the station. I'm getting a little obsessed with having a choke on everything!
I replaced both the batteries in the station UPS, one failed and the other was weak. They were 4 years, 3 months old.
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