A Diary of Technology Pursuits
I have been using the DXDUSB as the interface for my DX Doublerfor a couple years now, and what I really wanted to do is to have a DX Doubler with the USB interface "built-in." Well, the idea of actually working the DXDUSB into the DX Doubler design died when they decided to pull the... Continue Reading →
I have worked in an industry where we have been developing "digital radios" for many years. Many of the technologies that are finding their way into the great new fad we all call SDR (Software Defined Radios), are not new. What is new is the hardware that makes it feasible to produce small, lower-power, affordable... Continue Reading →
This weekend, I finally got a chance to assemble and test a prototype PC Board for the AntDecoder. The board and the software worked fine. The only issue is that I need to add output buffers to the Arduino lines that drive the two BCD ports for the Antenna Switch. The switch uses 12-volt logic... Continue Reading →
I have been asked about the progress of the AntDecoder project. I have been working with a prototype PC board along with a 2X6 Antenna switch. The antenna switch is a homebrew model made by Mike, K4GMH. Mike was kind enough to provide the switch at minimal cost and also has supported this effort with... Continue Reading →
I just installed the latest version on N1MM+. I have been looking at using the Antenna Data provided by N1MM+ for controlling my antenna switching. In the latest version, the Change Log shows two changes that were made to the Antenna Configuration table: Alt-F9: Fix issue with 1.8 and 3.5 in Antenna table when country/locale... Continue Reading →
I finally decided it was time to update my FTDX-3000 to the latest Firmware. Yaesu has been good about making updates available for this Rig. Recent updates have greatly improved the spectral display including adding a nice waterfall below it, and added access to the 5 MHz Band using the Band buttons on the front... Continue Reading →
I was looking for a new antenna to try this weekend. I will be in the NAQP CW Contest and there will be many stations active across the US, Canada, and hopefully some DX. I have been thinking about a Loop antenna for some time. My main use for it initially will be as an... Continue Reading →
I have had a number of automatic Antenna Tuners in recent years.I have had MFJ tuners, LDG tuners and the built-in tuners in my TS-930s, Elecraft K2, ICOM IC-7600, and Yaesu FTDX-3000. They have all worked pretty well. The first LDG tuner, the IT-1100 has been a real survivor. I put it in my mobile... Continue Reading →
As I have become more interested in Contesting, I have met some top contest operators in my Local Contest Club, and have been looking for some antenna improvements for my modest Station at KG3V in White Stone, VA. My current antennas include an 80m half-wave dipole on all Bands (with an external Tuner), and a... Continue Reading →
The RT-424 is a 4.5 foot tall roof-mounted tower for rotatable antennas. As I have heard, this looks like a nice product but the instructions leave something to be desired - something HUGE. Here are a few notes and warnings from my assembly process. Things you MUST know: There are 28 bolts, and eight of... Continue Reading →
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