Hammo Can 2.0 PART II: Two

How many twos can I put in the title? This post will be more notes and observations than a full-blown blogpost.

Hammo Can 2.0 PART II

 Okay so the previous post in this series may have been a bit TOO ambitious.

ASL Success Part 3

This just keeps getting better and better! Love this thing already.

FM Radio in a Mint Tin

If you know me, you know I like to build electronics. It doesn't always have to be radio-based, as I've built many things using Arduinos and Raspberry Pis. Today, I want to put something together that is both practical, fun and creative! And one day, it could even be useful in emergencies when information is crucial.

Part 2 ASL Success

Back again with another update, this time, with good news! Still fighting a few things but it IS useable!

AllStarLink Success!!!

Well Happy New Year to me! (and to you reading this, of course...)

Hammo Can 2.0

The project that was supposed to be but evolved into something else.

If you recall a few years ago, I built a portable battery box using a $5 plastic ammo can. It works phenomenal with my CB and ham radios. If I need a 12V source to test circuits with, I can also use it as a portable power supply. But what about my original idea?

Collapsible 17ft 20-10m antenna (PLUS 80 and 40)

 Another antenna plan, this time on a bit of a budget.

After doing so much reading on the Rybakov antenna, I thought it was time to give a go for the lower bands. There are many options for 80 and 40 meter antennas, but a loaded vertical seems to be what I'll be going for. Two custom made coils and a collapsible 18.5' antenna is all you'll need for this project. The result? An antenna that would most definitely be suitable for DX. If Chameleon antennas can make it, then so can you.

Quick Fix: Broken Membrane Keypads

 I'm sure many of you have some radios laying around that need the membrane keypad fixed on them. Lucky for you, I might have just the solution, and it's with things you probably have around the house.

The Rybakov: Fishing for DX

In the past few days, I've been looking at building another antenna. My random wire is nice, but it's just not cutting it on the HF bands for DXing. 80 meters is a no-go for DX constantly and while I can get it to tune, it just has too much NVIS propagation. Time for something different, and I may have found the answer.

GPS on a Chromebook: Yes it can be done

One very important piece of equipment to have with any APRS or packet radio setup is the capability of GPS. This provides tracking of your station in real time as well as an accurate clock fix. As you sit and read this, there are literally dozens of satellites above you right now that provide these services not only for you but for the government and businesses alike.

BBS Packet Radio PART II

Okay everyone, we are just a few connections and solder blobs away from putting the packet radio node on the air! It's been quite the adventure, so let me tell you all about it!

Radioless ASL Node: Putting it ALL Together

Now that my Motorola is the candidate for a UHF APRS node, I am going to construct my AllStar node to function as a personal, radioless node. Stick around for the final build!

Yet ANOTHER Way to Convert from CB to 10 (CB to CW Part V)

Yep, another way. Just found it out today.

If you want a 10 meter radio that's channelized or if you don't want to try your hand at computer science, try this modification instead! The cost: Well below $10 or even $5. The candidate: A Midland 13-866 (or the 853 if it gets fixed).

Dusting off the crystal scanner

Do you have a crystal scanner that you just can't find a crystal for? Perhaps you have one that has your area's old analog public safety frequencies. Not sure what to do with it except throw it in the trash? Well today, I might just have the solution to keep it out of the landfill.

CB to CW Part 4: Wireless UI

Let me ask you something...

What is the number one thing that you have with you at all times? A pencil? Earphones? How about your cellphone?

In today's post, I'm going to be simplifying my CW CB radio to take away the OLED and rotary encoder to provide you with an easier user interface accessible via a web browser. After this, you should have a roughly-speaking software defined radio!

CB to CW Part 3: The Final Installation

 I graduated college!!! Now what am I going to do?

Radioless AllStar Node

In my previous post, I discussed the possibility of building a personal AllStar node instead of a community-wide one. This would not only be easier to make but would also be less time-constraining and could more than likely be done in a day.

BBS Packet Radio

 Okay, so my AllStar node was a bit too...ambitious. Therefore, Project AllStar has been cancelled :( I might make a personal radio-less AllStar node just for me.

That's okay, though, because I have a better and easier project that even YOU can do! And this should still benefit my community too!

Balancing the Unbalanced Truth

Today and after many years of operating with an end fed antenna, I have learned that these antennas give off lots and lots of unwanted radiation, also known as common mode currents. So what's the answer? New antenna? More coax, less coax? Read on and I'll hopefully answer these questions!