KD5TKR's TechBlog

2017-10-01T01:37:00.003-07:00

Once you have a way to get your two tone audio into the radio, either via injection to the microphone port, or by transmitting an audio file, you can check your linearity. If you have a good double sinusoidal pattern, then you can expect that your transmitter is running in the linear region. Otherwise you can adjust your transmitter, or amplifier and test again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NapPt2sxBVE

2017-10-01T01:34:00.003-07:00

In some cases, you may want to transmit an audio file from your PC on the IC-7300. In this instance, I need to be able to transmit a two tone wav file, to be able to perform a linearity test. This video details what you need to do to be able to build a file that is compatible with the IC-7300.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsWXcqnrEgk

2017-10-01T01:31:00.002-07:00

In one of my previous videos, I covered installing WSJT-X and reconfiguring the radio to talk to WSJT-X. Bob Stothfang in the Icom IC-7300 group on Facebook mentioned that he handles this by using saved settings files on the SD card. This video deals with executing that method. Many thanks to Bob Stothfang.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvbwBivmTmI

2017-09-30T22:47:00.003-07:00

Installing WSJT-X and configuring the software to talk to the Icom IC-7300. Includes information on setting CI-V baud rate, data bits, stop bits, AGC, Noise Blanker, Noise Reducer, and more. Also covers setting sound devices and audio levels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iBpNU94Rpo

2017-09-30T21:36:00.004-07:00

The first step to using the Icom IC-7300 with software such as RS-BA1, Ham Radio Deluxe, N1MM or others, it to install the Icom USB Driver. I'm using Windows 10, but the process is similar for other versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6tjsb40u8

2017-09-30T20:45:00.003-07:00

The first step to using the Icom IC-7300 with software such as RS-BA1, Ham Radio Deluxe, N1MM or others, it to install the Icom USB Driver. I'm using Windows 7, but the process is similar for other versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DOcUCQIxI

2017-09-30T20:39:00.002-07:00

An introductory video covering the MFJ-993 Intellituner. This small automatic tuner covers 1.8MHz to 30MHz at up to 300 watts. Capable of tuning up to a 32:1 mismatch at full power, or up to 64:1 at 150 watts. The tuner has two switchable antenna jacks, and a 4:1 current BALUN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUCreYx94UM

2017-09-30T20:38:00.001-07:00

How to delete frequency and mode information from memory locations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gITaY6LlrnE

2017-09-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

A quick tutorial on how to store frequency and mode information into memory locations, using the 5MHz / 60M North American channels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1329GysY2cY

2017-09-30T20:13:00.002-07:00

A brief introduction to the metering functions on the IC-7300, and how to switch between half and full screen waterfall displays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dug0GSIXE8

2017-09-30T20:08:00.003-07:00

An introduction to the Kenwood SM-220 Station Monitor. A viewer asked for a video that goes more in depth with the SM-200, pertaining to hook up and control usage. The first in a series about envelop displays, trapezoid displays, how to set your microphone gain, and how to check your linearity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1qNmwxMGg0

2017-09-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

How to resolve a couple of common issues with connecting your PC to the IC-7300. Quick information on setting CI-V parameters, like baud rate, and port. Also, some details on how to prevent the radio from going into transmit as soon as the PC is connected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLqc3YrMqdk

2017-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Do you have an Icom IC-7300, and a manual tuner, but no CW key? If so, here is a quick way to get the IC-7300 to transmit CW, using only the mic. This method does not require the use of a dongle for the tuner connection, leaving you with the ability to use an automatic tuner between the radio and amplifier, and still be able to use the manual tuner after the amplifier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3JESy8t9co

2017-09-30T19:12:00.004-07:00

Getting to the band scope, setting the band scope to full screen, configuring band edges, and how to display your transmitted signal in the waterfall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkrqb4ATfH4

2017-09-30T19:06:00.003-07:00

This video covers recording and naming voice TX memories. Also how to transmit a voice memory once, how to loop the voice memory, and how to change the delay between transmissions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EacgVQY4FLQ

2017-09-30T19:04:00.001-07:00

There are some common issues with the Icom IC-7300, that are easily resolved, if you know what settings have been modified. This video covers some of the common issues and presents solutions on how to resolve them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43M-CJgnuGk

2017-09-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I have posted... so here we go. I have been creating and posting some videos on YouTube, with regard to using the Icom IC-7300 HF+6m transceiver. I'll post up the individual videos as I go, but I have also made a playlist, which I will keep updated, that also contains the IC-7300 videos. Please check it out, and let me know if you have any questions or comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUi31OrTzYw&list=PLYR-r5X6rVA4w2tcfanfoXLnoHB5Ep8wk

Fermentation chamber for under $10

2011-08-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last post and there have been some big changes. We moved to a bigger house, so I have an enclosed garage that I have laid claim to as a brew space. I was also able to get a small chest freezer, from my parents when they retired and moved out of state, that I have since converted to a keezer/fermentation chamber. All of the conversion work was done on the cheap by scravenging and cobbling things together. First I built the collar out of some 2x4s left by the previous owner.

Then I built a temperature control using a remote bulb thermostat from a busted windows unit A/C. I built the control into some electrical boxes that came out of the house when it was rewired prior to us moving.

Here is a picture of the setup inside with two fermenters in place.

At the time of the post, I currently have 5 gallons of AHS Cream Ale and 5 gallons of Ed Wort's Apfelwein fermenting and the freezer is keeping a stable 65F.

Internet Repeater Linking and the PC-based Repeater Controller

2011-03-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

In the past, amateur radio repeaters have been controlled by dedicated controllers, whether commercial or one-offed. Linking has been carried out by radio or wireline/telephone. This works well and is proven technology, but today there are alternatives in the PC-based controller and VOIP linking.

I recently became involved with a project to use PC-based controllers with voice over IP linking to connect three to four repeaters in three separate cities that are roughly in a line and each separated from the next by about 60-90 miles. There wouldn't normally be any issue in linking these repeaters by RF, if they were at hilltop tower sites, but these repeaters are what is commonly referred to as "backyard repeaters." Since these repeaters don't have a clean line of sight to each other, the conventional alternative would be to use a phone line, but as you know, phone lines are expensive and inflexible. So in this case, since the repeaters are at homes and businesses, we decided to leverage the ubiquitous broadband Internet connection for linking.

The software that we are using both as a repeater controller and VOIP end point is thelinkbox. There is also a Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thelinkbox/) dedicated to thelinkbox, and this is the best place to find both the latest version and information on how to setup and configure thelinkbox. Once I complete my node of the system, I will be documenting how to build and interface circuit and how to configure thelinkbox. Until then, here are some pictures of the PC that we are using, the interface circuit and my repeater node.

From top to bottom, there is a Micor 75W power amplifier, two GE MP-A handhelds in vehicular chargers, a Micor power supply, a Decibel Products band pass / band reject duplexer.

This is my homebrewed repeater interface board, there are transistor inverters, audio isolation transformers, a pull up resistor and some current limiters. There is also a DC blocking and bypass capcitor to keep the preamp voltage from the transmitter out of the PC soundcard. This is very important because applying voltage to the PC soundcard inputs and outputs could damage the ports.

Backside view of the interface board. Not shown in this picture is that both sides of the PC audio out must be connected, because repeat audio is on one channel and tones / ID are on the other channel.

This is the carrier operated relay that I added to switch the receiver audio on and off with the COS signal that is also being sent to the PC. I had to do this because thelinkbox, unlike dedicated controllers, doesn't seem to handle muting this input audio. If we were using speaker audio or audio from before the speaker amplifier this wouldn't be an issue, but we are using discriminator audio so that the audio profile is flat. This keeps us from having to mess with the de-emphasis algorithms. It is important to note the diode in reverse across the coil terminals on the relay. This is so that when the COS goes low and the magnetic field in the coil collapses, the generated voltage spike is dissapated and cannot damage sensitive transistors and integrated circuits in the receiver or PC.

There is quite a mess with all of the connections to the prototype interface board, but that will be resolved soon because we are going to create a circuit board layout and have some of these made up with standard connectors so that we can deploy new nodes easily.

The PC that we are using is the EES-3610, also known in the tlb community as the "Little Blue", a fanless VIA based single board computer with two serial ports, two network ports, two USB ports, a parallel port and a built in sound card. It is a good PC for this application but it does require some tweaking to get everything working.

Testing requires the usual repeater test equipment, plus a way to watch logic signals and some headphones are useful for tracing the audio path. Also a PC with the ability to access the web interface and SSH are necessary as well.

Sealed up and working, this repeater is in the process of being programmed to id by CW, voice and Text To Speech. Timed IDs are programmed using the tlbcmd utility and the Unix style cron program on the little blue. Once I receive coordination this repeater should be on the air.

Vintage Refrigerator Kegerator Conversion

2010-11-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

In the process of getting ready for brewing a batch of beer, I've decided to set up a kegerator/keezer/fermentation chamber. My parents contributed a 5 cubic foot freezer and my father in law contributed a 50's vintage General Electric refrigerator. In the future, I will have articles on the conversion of both of these items, but for now here are some pictures of the GE refrigerator in the as found condition with a ball lock keg for scale.

Polishing Corny Kegs

2010-11-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is more information on how to polish stainless steel. Mostly the process is the same as for any polishing, but there is one gotcha, so read on to the end. When you pick up used corny kegs, they are usually dented, scuffed and covered in decals. I spoke a little last time about removing the decals, but there is always glue and gunk left behind. Last time I mentioned Goo Gone, but if the gunk is stubborn, I have found that mineral spirits or paint thinner will work too. Be careful with this because if you get it on the top and bottom rubber bumpers it may damage them, although careful, gentle rubbing with mineral spirits can remove black scuffs from red and blue upper bumpers. Here is a good example of what your used corny will probably look like when you get it.

I started with an 80 grit SandBlaster pad from 3M, moving in a small circular motion and periodically checking the pad to make sure it wasn't clogged. I then moved to a 320 grit SandBlaster pad, following the same procedure I used with the 80 grit pad. Then I worked the entire stainless steel surface of the keg with 1000 grit wet/dry paper. Keep the paper wet with just enough water to make the paper easy to move, this will soften the cut and keep the paper from clogging. At each step, make sure you work out the scratches made by the previous cut. You could also use opposing cuts at 90 degrees, since this will help you see when you have removed all of the scratches from the previous cut.

Once you have completed all of the above steps, wash the keg with water and then dry with a soft cloth. You should now have something that looks like the picture below.

If you wish to continue polishing to a mirror finish, you could now work the keg with a buffer and various rouges, but I like to leave it at an even, rough finish so that future scuffs and dings don't show as much. Now here is the gotcha, after stainless steel is polished at the factory, it is then passivated. Without passivation, the exposed iron atoms in the metal surface would begin to oxidize, and you would soon see rust discoloration in the metal. Passivation is normally carried out with any one of several strong acids. In our case we can use oxalic acid to passivate the stainless steel. My favorite source for oxalic acid is Bar Keeper's Friend. This household cleanser is available in many places, I purchased mine at Home Depot, but I understand it is also found in most stores that sell cleaning supplies. A word of warning regarding oxalic acid and Bar Keeper's Friend, beside being a corrosive, it can also cause kidney damage if you ingest, breathe or adsorb any of it. Please consider wearing protective equipment when you use this stuff. I use PVC forearm length gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask when I polish my kegs. If all goes well, you will end up with a clean, nice looking long lasting finish of which you can be proud. Here is a before and after shot for comparison.

That's it for now, but there will be more soon.

Keg cleaning and repair

2010-11-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

When you get used corny kegs, they are usually scratched, dented, filthy and quite often still partially full of soda. After emptying them out, rinsing them with hot water and drying them, the next step is to remove any labels, gunk and grime from them, so that the stainless can either be sanitized for use or even better, polished back to a mirror finish. I find that a razor blade, Goo Gone and Brasso work great to remove labels and gunk on the tanks. You may also need to use a scrubbing pad, such as a Scotchbrite, but keep in mind that this may scratch the stainless even further.

Some attention also needs to be paid to replacing the o-ring seal and any weak poppet or relief valves. The corny kegs design is quite simple, with gas in, liquid out, dip tube, pressure relief and tank access o-rings and/or valves. The gas and liquid valves does unscrew in the standard fashion, counter clockwise, but may be stubborn because of their original tightness and residual cola causing stickiness. If you have pin lock kegs, as I do, you should get a pin lock keg socket, which is a socket with slots cut into it for the locking pins on the connectors. If you are (brave, foolish, careful) you can remove them with a 9/16ths open end wrench and a small mallet. Be careful if you do this, because you don't want to damage the fittings (round off, break off locking pins, etc).

Once you get the fittings off, you can access the poppet valves, dip tubes and o-rings inside. Some corny kegs have straight dip tubes (Firestone, Spartanburg, Hoover Universal), and some have a curved liquid line dip tube(Cornelius). I have a mix of both. Be sure to keep the parts seperate and only work on one keg at a time, since some parts don't interchange.

It also appears that some poppet valves are free floating and some are locked into place with tabs. Don't force the poppet valve out of the fitting if is it held into place with tabs, since you may break the valve. I believe there may be a tool for removing them properly, but I have not seen it yet.

When you reassemble the corny keg, you should use a good quality keg lube to keep the seals pliable, which will make the seal at a lower pressure. Next time, we'll hopefully take a closer look at polishing and cleaning the exterior of the kegs to make them look great.

Brewing and Kegging

2010-11-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start brewing and kegging my own beer as a diversion from the computers and electronics in which I normally dabble. I have several friends involved in the homebrew scene, and it seemed like a natural hobby for me once I researched into it some more. Homebrewing is a nice combination of technology, science and art plus it seems like yet another thing I could do with very little expense.

For more information about homebrewing, I recommend the works of Charlie Papazian:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Papazian

The first thing that I acquired was some old equipment that a friend of mine was throwing away. This included a bottling bucket, 20qt bucket, two cappers and some unused bottle caps.

Now at this point, most people would purchase a plastic or glass fermenter or two, some accessories, some supplies and then start brewing. I don't have any spare cash to be able to buy any of this, so I decided to macgyver most of my kit together and then worry about how to get the malt and hops later.

I started looking around town at thrift stores, army surplus shops, the recycle center and anywhere else I could think of. I called the beer distributors to inquire if they were getting rid of anything I could use. I asked both Coke and Pepsi delivery drivers if they knew of where I could find the old premix soda kegs. These are ideal for storing and dispensing beer and can also be used as fermenters and lagering tanks. Unfortunately none of the drivers knew of where I could find any. The idea occured to me, on Friday, to walk around the old Coke bottling plant and see if there were any kegs sitting around. I ended up getting chased out of the area by a crazy homeless person, but while driving past the delivery truck parking area, I spotted some cornelius kegs sitting in the back of the lot, inside a fenced in area. I decided to call the bottling plant in Abilene and see if I could have a few of them.

After playing phone tag with personnel in both Abilene and San Angelo, I was able to get all 14 kegs and the promise of more if they find them for the low low price of $0.

After bringing the kegs home, venting them, dumping 50 gallons of stale pre-mix cola down the drain, and washing them, I have a nice assortment of stainless steel vessels. I will probably convert two for fermenting, use two for lagering, and use some for storing and dispensing beer. Some of my friends in town have asked about getting some of them for their brewing operations, so I hope to stubble across more soon.

Heatsink Lapping

2010-10-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Maintaining a good thermal interface between your CPU and Heatsink is of critical importance, as is well known throughout the computing world. Many articles have been written on the theory of heat transfer and why you should lap or smooth out processors and heatsinks, so I won't be going into depth on the more esoteric points here. If you want to know the theory, there are many other resources on the web. This is going to be a hands-on explanation of how the actual lapping process works and the tips that I have found from experience work well for me.

Here is a typical example of a heatsink after being removed from a computer and being cleaned. I normally use PrintKote Solvent to remove heatsink compound residue, but in this case I scraped the residue to replicate normal abuse. I have also removed the fan to prevent damage. Note the very low reflectivity of the metal, this means that the heatsink compound is having to fill in a large amount of surface area and that lowers thermal transfer efficiency.

The first step is to wet sand using a 400 - 500 grit paper. This creates a rough, hazy surface, but removes any gouges and scratches. This will also remove the milling marks, from when the heatsink was made. This is the foundation of all of the rest of the finishing work, and needs to be consistent. I find that moving the sand paper in small circles creates a fine grain hash pattern that is easy to remove in the next step.

Once you have a consistent fine grained circular hash pattern, move to wet sanding with a 1000 grit sand paper, this will remove most of the roughness from the work piece and will leave a smooth, almost reflective but somewhat hazy finish.

Now, here is where most instructions either end or become very vague. What I do at this step is add a small amount of polishing compound to the heatsink and them polish with a detail sander with Scotch-brite pad. You could also use anything with a fine liquid abrasive at this point, such as toothpaste, but it will be much slower. Hand polishing is also an option, but in my experience takes way too long.

If you have removed the fan assembly, you can now wash the heatsink in tap water and then allow to dry before re-assembly. You should be left with a highly reflective surface like the one below.

Next week, I will cover lapping the CPU.

Ajaxterm Setup Guide

2010-10-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm using Ajaxterm to access my Debian Lenny server command line remotely from places where I don't have the No Machine client installed. In it's default configuration, it would be great to use in a private network, but it is by no means secure enough to make Internet facing. Configuring SSL on Apache2 can be a real bear, but it is really worth the effort. The big advantage, in my mind, is that Ajaxterm can be configured to require SSL authentication with htpasswd and then it uses SSH authentication to get to the CLI. After fighting through the process for several days I was going to write the whole process up, but I found an article over at mewbies.com that lays out all of the steps and provides fixes for the known issues.

http://mewbies.com/how_to_install_ajaxterm_tutorial.htm