Archive for the ‘Radio’ Category

6m season

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Posted 21 May 2013 — by Alex
Category Radio

 

 

Guess what?  Its sunny and there’s Es to be had about. After several months of not really touching the radio at home because of the various commitments I made to a certain cycle sportive I took a week off work and decided to catch up on the family and my hobby. After a nice long weekend away with the kids in Centre Parcs (If you don’t have kids then it’ll be hell on earth, otherwise I can recommend it, especially the security at Sherwood after our friends bike was pinched. The Muppet got nicked at the gate and is now at her majesty’s pleasure)

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Back to radio though…A few quick fire contacts on 6m soon had me back in the swing although an attempt at FSK was a step too far today. Still nice to work a few stations and to see the sun out. The Powabeam is doing the business on a Moonraker mast. Not an ideal set up but useful.

 

 

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March 2013 6 and 10

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Posted 08 Apr 2013 — by Alex
Category Radio

It seems that whilst 6m is still a bit low on the G7KSE listening list (Nothing to do with it still being freezing cold here and me thinking its still winter) but others have had a bit more success. The latest 6 and 1o report has been uploaded here and is available.

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Ham radio for Arduino & Picaxe

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Posted 25 Mar 2013 — by Alex
Category Arduino, Radio

The Arduino platform has struck a bit of a chord with me. It is very well supported with both hardware and software, which makes it ideal for people like me who don’t have the background or skills to get a project off the ground. There are plenty of resources around the internet that off either ready made projects (just add hardware) or Books that explain the concepts and procedures in detail. Even the books tend to be supported by websites that have the code available for download if you wish.I came across a new(?) book by Leigh Klotz Jr, WA5ZNU titled ‘Ham radio for Arduino & Picaxe’ seems to be available through the ARRL but not the RSGB at the moment.

The book is supported by a website which has forums, code and links to the various projects that are presented. The links include the almost ubiquitous Sparkfun website, which has been supplying bits and bobs to US based hobbyist’s as well as those internationally for some time. The Sparkfun site is also a good place for technical data and resources such as libraries for Eagle.

Anyway, as usual I digress. The book is currently available through the ARRL and possibly in the future through the RSGB. The contents page looks like it has a whole heap of projects that will keep us busy for a long time. If its your cup of tea then I hope you can get a copy and enjoy the projects.

Ham Radio for Arduino and Picaxe (c) 2013 ARRL

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New 6 and 10 reports

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Posted 16 Mar 2013 — by Alex
Category Radio

Martin Harrison, G3USF has provided another 6 and 10 report. Its a bit shorter than usual but we’re all blaming the conditions. It can be downloaded here

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News from the shack

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Posted 13 Mar 2013 — by Alex
Category Radio

The end of this month see’s the end of work based madness so I’m getting a few bits and bobs sorted out.

With the demise of the trusty (read rusty…or at least corroded in the special way that aluminium does) vertical I have order a hardware kit for a Cobwebb to go outside. it may get here by the weekend. I’ve been given a rather sorry looking mast that will polish up into a rather staely looking mast once I’ve spent some time on it and a few plastic bits and pieces from Seeedstudio for some of my bits and bobs that need tidying up.

Hopefully this Saturday it won’t be freezing cold or raining, although I’m told the time I’ll be running my part of our Red Nose Day 24 hour relay it will be chucking it down, so I can assess what needs to be done to get myself back on the air on HF and get my 50Mhz yagi up and ready for the season. Looking forward to some time on the rig Excellent!

 

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