SolderSmoke Daily News

SolderSmoke Homebrew Direct Conversion Receiver Hall of Fame Update: 125 Completed, 118 + 7 Honorable Mentions: (As of March 6, 2026, 1406Z)

2026-03-06T11:39:00.002-05:00

N7PHR's Group

One of the 10 Receivers They Built

Please let us know if you spot any errors, or if we have inadvertently missed anyone. Don't worry about being late to the game -- the challenge continues. All of the info is still available.

As of March 6, 2026 1406Z:

So far Total Receivers Built: 125. 118 plus 7 honorable mentions. Total Count: 125. Receivers built in 17 countries.

NE3U (KY4EOD) Matt

KQ4AOP First ham signals ever heard!

N9TD Derek

AC3NG Ryan

VK3TPM Peter Marks

W4KAC Ken

W4KAC Ken built a second one!

N2EPE Erik

VA3NCA Wayde

KI5SRY Mark -- Gears on PTO screw

KA1MUQ Frying pan receiver

AA1N Adam

ZL1AUN Aaron -- Using SSB transmitter -- New Zealand

W8UC Never before homebrewed.

VK4PG Phil -- Nice case, "really pleased"

G7LQX Working well, video of CW and SSB. -- England

KE2AMP John Spring on PTO screw -- great

N9SZ Steve nice receiver

KD9NHZ Piotr Nice one

KE8ICE Calvin, Very cool receiver.

WV3V Jayson! Got it done!

GM5JDG Martin. -- Scotland

KF8BOG Jim: A long struggle, but success.

Chris Wales Fantastic video. -- Wales

YD9BAX Wayan! Homebrew transformer! Indonesia

N0NQD Jeff

WN3F Roy -- Made new stickers!

AB5XQ Bill
KB7ZUT Andy
AA1OF Jer

VictorKees Holland
KC9OJV John -- Manhattan-style convert
WZ5M 1, 2 or maybe even 3 receivers!
K1KJW Jim in Vermont
KC5DI Dallas -- friend of WZ5M
Gary Australian -- Wooden PTO form
LU2VJM Juan in Argentina -- Argentina
K1OA Scott "Most fun in 50 years"
KC9DLM Ben -- Had EFHW problems
PH2LB Lex Yellow, Glue Stick -- Netherlands

AI6WR David
G6GEV Dave (It was a blast!)
KC1ONM Wayne MakerLabs NH
KB1OIQ Andy MakerLabs NH
KA1PQK Jay MakerLabs NH
W1TKO Mike MakerLabs NH
K5KHK Karl
SM0TPW Mikael -- Sweden
KI7LKB Brian (coat hanger tube)
M6CRD Chris

W2DAB Dave in NYC
W4JYK Wes of VWS
KA4CDN Mike of VWS
M7EFO Adrian
VK5RC Rob
KD8KHP Dave
VK1CHW Chris
KA0PHJ Brian
W0IT Louis
W1PJE Phil

W2AEW Alan
KN6FVK John (Barkhausen-Be-Gone Spray)
VU2JXN Ramakrishnan -- India
AA0MS Doug
9V1/KM7ABZ Paul -- Singapore
VK2BLQ Stephen -- Australia
N3FJZ Rick
Daniel VE5DLD -- Canada
Student 1 Student of VE5DLD
Student 2 Student of VE5DLD

Student 3 Student of VE5DLD

K7WXW Bill

NK3H Mitch

KN4ZXG Ted

WA1MAC Paul

N4AVC Chuck

K3IY Kevin

N6ASD Ashish in Bangalore

W1DSP Rick

WD4CFN Steve

KM5Z Mike

KF5DAN Dan

Fritz Fritz

N9OK Joe

WA5DSS Bill

K0GDB Grant

G0JNR Shane Glow-in-Dark Coil Form

KK7BCO Tobias

K2BVR Bob

Robert Sutton

K5YFO Dave (Texas)

KD4PBJ Chris

KN4GAH Chris -- EE perspective

F1GMA Philippe -- France

W2TEF Todd

EI9ITB Karl -- Ireland

VU2TUM Puneit Singh

AA7EE Dave Richards

KI5VIR Jay

CT7AXD Graham -- Promoted from Honorable Mention!

G3MOT Josh

KW4H Steve

NJ7V Charlie (RedSummit)

N2ETZ Denny

AB9LM James

W9XT Gary

G0PJT Alex

Ohio Tyler

N7HPR Steve (Instructor) (N7HPR Group)

Clark (N7HPR Group)

KQ4ZHO Kurt (N7HPR Group)

KQ4OBR Brian (N7HPR Group)

KR4CUF Justin (N7HPR Group)

Amanda (N7HPR Group)

David (N7HPR Group)

KM4AED Jamey (N7HPR Group)

KN4MVH Larry (N7HPR Group)

N5GVW Dick (N7HPR Group)

-------------------------
Honorable Mentions:

*AA7U Steve No PTO

*VK7IAN Ian -- No Manhattan boards -- Tasmania

*KC1FSZ Bruce's build on a PC board

* DL1AJG Andreas -- Germany

* Matthew Student of DL1AJG

* Arash Student of DL1AJG

*KA4KXX Walter -- FB 20 Meter version

Rex Harper on the 50th Anniversary of the Tuna Tin 2 -- DONATIONS NEEDED!

2026-03-03T06:56:00.003-05:00

I was really pleased to see Rex Harper W1REX on a special edition of the RedSummitRF video podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQE4OvkAtU

Rex provides a lot a great background info on the Tuna Tin 2. We are approaching the 50th Anniversary of the publication in QST of the Doug DeMaw article that launched the TTT revolution. Rex has the original TTT in his possession, and is organizing a 50th Anniversary tour. We can only hope that much Mojo will be dispensed.

I built one in a real tuna can: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2014/05/fdim-midnight-mojo-ceremony-tuna-tin-2.html I still have the board!

And above you can see Rex allowing the Mojo of the original TTT to flow into my homebrew 17 meter BITX (2014). Rex and Charlie talked about this ceremony in the video cast. Very cool.

Rex is making available a 50th Anniversay edition kit of the Tuna Tin 2. Get yours here:

https://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=50A

Also, Rex needs some help in financing a Tuna Tin 2 world tour. YOU CAN HELP! No need to limit your donation to 1 dollar. Donate here! https://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=WWT

Thanks Rex, thanks Charlie!

Stuart Brand

2026-02-25T09:39:00.001-05:00

A couple days after I announce that I don't want to help Jeff Bezos make any more money, it might come as a surprise that I am linking to this article about a guy who seems to LIKE Bezos (and also Musk!). But I do like Stuart Brand. I have a copy of the Whole Earth Catalog, and it had a lot of good ham radio content in it:

https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/search?q=Whole+Earth+Catalog

Anyway, here is the article. I found it very interesting.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/25/tech-legend-stewart-brand-on-musk-bezos-and-his-extraordinary-life-we-dont-need-to-passively-accept-our-fate

SolderSmoke Podcast 263: DR-PR, UM, DCRX, SKN, Design, PSSST, W7ZOI, FT-101, HW32A, VK, HST, AMP, MAILBAG

2026-02-23T10:49:00.002-05:00

Pete Juliano N6QW

February 23, 2026

SolderSmoke Podcast #263 is available for download:

Audio: http://soldersmoke.com/soldersmoke263.mp3

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn164glxQ6s

Opening

May 26, 2014, coming up on 12 years! That was the 1^st podcast where Pete N6QW was interviewed by Bill in Podcast #161, which means 102 podcasts ago. 12 Years of Julian-ismo. Thanks Pete!

What to build? Question faced by VWS Makers Group and by Charlie of RedSummit RF. Regen? Test Gear? Simple oscillator?

But did you DESIGN it yourself? What does that even really mean? Barrie Gilbert in Jim Williams' book: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2025/12/homebrew-you-say-but-did-you-design-it.html

Grayson KJ7UM on a podcast -- Make it your own way. Copper Clad and Glue! Manhattan style! "BUILD SOMETHING!: Tube testers not necessary. OK to call thermatrons "vacuum tubes." No ruling on calling them "valves" yet.

Pete:

-- When hams were hams -- Turning a Heath monobander into a tribander

-- Simple SSB

-- W7ZOI rigs

-- The Yaesu FT-101

SHAMELESS COMMERCE DIVISION: Mostly DIY RF! Patreon! But no more Amazon. We do not want to help Bezos make more money. Even if this will cost us. So please, consider a donation or a Patreon sponsorship instead. But no more Amazon through SolderSmoke.

Bill:

-- Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico on 2 meters -- status report.

-- Working Australia on 20 meter SSB in the morning.

-- The SpiderWeb net.

-- The Hubble Space Telescope -- an old friend

-- One contact on Straight Key Night (Dean reminded me). I worked NB1U on 20 meters with QCX from KD4EBM.

Dean:

-- The University of Michigan ant the Direct Conversion receiver project.

-- Boxing up the amplifier. A tale of woe. Identifying oscillations. A QSO with the Dominican Republic: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2026/02/a-qso-with-dean-kk4das-northern.html

Travails with other homebrew gear... Trying to find a working transceiver.

AI assisted repair of Bitx40 PA in my Mythbuster

VWS club station update, tendency of Flex and other SDR makers to not release even basic technical information.

MAILBAG:

Ian VK3MO Huge antennas, big signal, friendship with WA3O https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2025/11/vk3mo-and-wa3o-brotherhood-of-ham-radio.html

Bob KD4EBM 2 meter propagation info

Todd K7TFC -- Mostly DIY RF

Mike K6STR Worked Pete on 40, building for CW and SSB on 2 meters

Grayson KJ7UM German Avionics, MMM Origin. Old Steampunk Homebrew rig: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-very-interesting-old-steam-punk.html

Phil W1PJE Forrest Mims III Mims's sad denial on climate change.

Ciprian YO2DXE Heard the SAQ Alternator see: https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2025/12/alexanderson-alternator-on-172-khz.html

Tom NS6T: Very useful azimuth map with grey lines: https://ns6t.net/AzShadowMap/experimental.html

Walter KA4KXX -- 20 meter Direct Conversion Receiver. FB Walter!

WN2A Mike Dos Equis man is BACK! https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2026/01/hes-back-dos-equis-man-most-interesting.html

KB4HG Rhett: On USB on the Old Military Radio Net with a PRC-74. Want one!

Saw the Hubble Space Telescope Again this Morning

2026-02-15T05:49:00.004-05:00

Skies were brightening at 0626 local. And there were a lot of clouds. But HST appeared right on schedule, and I saw it between the clouds as it passed overhed. There should be even better passes in the morning during the next two days.

The Mahbood Radio Service Company of Hyderabad, India

2026-02-13T10:16:00.000-05:00

Our friend Farhan sent this today. It is really beautiful and captures very well the magic of radio. Thanks Farhan. and thanks too to Mohammad Moinuddin of the Mahbood Radio Service.

“Before television and smartphones, Hyderabad listened to the world through radios. And in those days, my father ensured that the city stayed tuned in.

My father, the late Shaik Mahboob, founded Mahboob Radio Service in 1933 in Dabeerpura. At a time when radio was still a luxury, he began selling and repairing sets for households across the Old City. In 1948, after Hyderabad’s accession to the Indian Union, he shifted the shop to its present location in Chatta Bazar, where it continues to stand even today.

Interestingly, he did not begin with radios. In the late 1920s, he was involved in the PVC pipes trade. But as radio technology slowly entered Indian homes, he recognised its future and transitioned into the business of radio sales and repairs. That decision shaped our family’s destiny.

Like my father, my brother and I grew up surrounded by valves, wires, and wooden cabinets. After school, we would sit beside him, carefully observing how he handled brands like Murphy, Philips, Bush, Marconi, and later Sony. Those were the golden years of radio in Hyderabad.

Among our customers were prominent families of the city. We even serviced radio sets for the palace of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Payments would arrive in a sealed lifafa — a gesture that felt both formal and special. In those days, radio wasn’t just entertainment; it was how people heard news, music, cricket commentary, and the world beyond their homes.

Over time, technology changed. Transistors replaced valve sets. Then came television. Now, smartphones have taken over. Radio sets are no longer common in households. Many shops that once repaired them have shut down.

My brother, who shared this passion with me, is no more. But I continue to open the shutters of our shop every morning. People still travel from different parts of the country — some carrying radios that are older than me — hoping to restore a memory. I repair them not just as machines, but as pieces of someone’s past.

Today, in my late seventies, I sit at the same wooden table where I learned this craft as a boy. Because this is not merely a business, it is continuity. It is a responsibility.

On World Radio Day, my only wish is that people remember the warmth of gathering around a radio set. I also hope today’s radio jockeys continue to create thoughtful and meaningful programming. Because radio is not outdated — it is timeless. As long as I am here, Mahboob Radio Service will remain tuned in.”

– Mohammad Moinuddin, Mahboob Radio Service

A QSO with Dean KK4DAS (Northern Virginia to Dominican Republic)

2026-02-10T08:26:00.005-05:00

Dean KK4DAS was checking out his new homebrew solid state 100 watt amplifier. We were talking about it on the phone, then we decided to give it a try on the air. Above is the Dominican end of the QSO. It was great to talk to Dean on the air. Below is how the QSO looked and sounded from Dean's QTH in Northern Virginia:

Next we need to bring Pete into the conversation so that we can have an All-SolderSmoke QSO.

Early Hacking with an IMSAI 8080 -- "War Games" (1983) Scene with Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy

2026-02-04T08:58:00.001-05:00

Some computer history here, and it is old enough (1983) to fit into the SolderSmoke theme. Plus it appears that the young fellow has a shack (of sorts) and uses it to impress a girl from his biology class. Finally, we know the IMSAI guy has an important YouTube channel...

Attempting 2 meter contact, Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico

2026-01-29T09:08:00.000-05:00

It is about 100 miles across the Mona Channel. That is a longshot on 2 meters, but I got the idea when, this past summer, I regularly heard WIDI 99.5 FM in the Dominican Republic from western Puerto Rico. So over the fall I gathered 2 meter gear, and got a directional antenna and sent all of this gear to the DR.

Here is the antenna. Seven elements. I got it through Amazon. It came kind of incomplete and without any written or on-line instructions. AI told me to do exactly the WRONG thing with what they assumed was a reflector. Fortunately I ran into this YouTube video and learned that it was in fact a "ZL Special" antenna, and that it has, in fact, TWO driven elements. It was through that video that I learned how to assemble this thing.

My "station" consists of a Heathkit HM-2109. It is a VHF wattmeter/SWR meter that I bought by mistake. But I kept it, and it proved very useful in this 2 meter Mona Channel project. There is a Baofeng UV-5R (boo! hiss!) and a Yaesu FT-470 that KD4EBM gave me. I have a Communication Concepts 2 meter amplifier -- I must have picked this up at a hamfest. It promises 35 watts with 5 watts of drive. The old CCI amp gives the rig good juju.

This morning I wrote to the hams of western Puerto Rico:

--------------------------------------------------------

Saludos desde el otro lado del canal de la Mona!

Soy radio aficionado: Hi7/N2CQR. Vivimos en República Dominicana en Cap Cana seis meses cada año.

He notado que puedo escuchar WIDI 99.5 FM aquí. Parece que hay Tropospheric ducting.

Como radioaficionado, me gustaría averiguar si podemos hacer contacto en 2 metros usando la misma propagación.

Tengo:

Dos transceptores de FM

Un amplificador a 35 vatios. \

Un antenna directional de 7 elementos con un gain de 11.5 db.

Estoy a una elevación de 7 Pisos. Puedo ver el canal de Mona.

Hay alguien en la costa oeste de PR (tal vez cerca de Mayagüez) quien puede hacer un schedule para probarlo?

O hay un repetidor en la zona que puede usar para averiguar si puedo -- por lo menos -- "kerchunk" el repetidor?

Gracias por su ayuda!

73 Bill Hi7/N2CQR

-----------------------------------------

Greetings from the other side of the Mona channel!

I am a radio amateur: Hi7/N2CQR. We live in the Dominican Republic in Cap Cana six months every year.

I've noticed that I can listen to WIDI 99.5 FM here. There seems to be Tropospheric ducting.

As a radio amateur, I would like to find out if we can make contact in 2 meters using the same propagation.

I have:

Two FM transceivers

An amplifier at 35 watts. \

A 7-element directional antenna with a gain of 11.5 db.

I am at an elevation of 7 Stories. I can see the Mona's channel.

Is there someone on the west coast of PR (maybe near Mayagüez) who can make a schedule to try it out?

Or is there a repeater in the area that you can use to find out if I can -- at least -- "kerchunk" the repeater?

Thank you for your help!

73 Bill Hi7/N2CQR

-------------------------------

Stay tuned!

Watching the Hubble Space Telescope (an old friend) from the Dominican Republic

2026-01-21T04:57:00.001-05:00

A recent article about the possibility of an early demise of the Hubble Space Telecope caught my eye. I first saw HST as it came overhead (a lot) during my first stay in the Dominican Republic (1992-1996).

Here is an entry from my observation log showing one of my first sightings of HST from the DR:

2 February 1995: (message placed on COMPUSERVE board) I got a really nice look at the HST this morning (2 February) from my perch here in Santo Domingo. I woke up early and checked the computer for any satellites that might be in the neighborhood. (I'm a ham and have been trying to communicate through the new Russian Hamsat RS-15). I noticed that HST would be visible starting at around 0935 UTC (0535 local); I scrambled up onto my roof with binoculars in hand and began to scan the southern sky. There she was, right on time! I first spotted the satellite when it was in Centaurus (with the Southern Cross glimmering off to the right) and followed it through Scorpio, below Venus and Jupiter until it vanished in the east. Great way to start the day! Yet another benefit of southern latitudes! 73 and Clear Skies, Bill (N2CQR/HI8)

I am back in the DR now; I decided to look for it again.

The Heavens-Above web site gave good info on the orbit. So did the N2YO site. There were a couple of morning passes in January that didn't work out because of local cloud cover, but last night (January 20, 2026) I managed to see it on an evening pass. It was fainter than I remember, peobably because I saw it at 1930 Local, near zenith, as it was getting ready to fly into the darkness. But I saw it. My old friend, HST.

Here is the pass that I watched last night:

There is another good pass tonight. I will give it another try. Stay tuned.

He's Back! The Dos Equis Man -- The Most Interesting Man in the World -- RETURNS!

2026-01-18T05:21:00.008-05:00

Memes with this guy appeared in many SolderSmoke posts.

Examples:

https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2022/10/worlds-most-interesting-man-on-ptos-and.html

https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2017/06/stary-thirsty-my-friends-very.html

https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2022/11/watching-shortwave-broadcast-stations.html

And now he is back!

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/16/food/dos-equis-most-interesting-man-ads

Background info on The World's Most Interesting Man:

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/02/most-interesting-man-world-friends-barack-obama-215215/

"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards."

Stay thirsty my friends!

Here is another new one:

MIT Technology Review on Why AI LLMs are So Strange and So Alien

2026-01-16T05:31:00.003-05:00

Until recently, I thought that the AI LLMs were just sort of fancy, souped-up search engines. Google on steroids. But then they started getting simple things wrong. And they seemed to understand that that our April 1 stories were just sarcasm. There seemed to be more to them than fancy search engines.

This MIT article explains what is going on with the LLMs.

https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/12/1129782/ai-large-language-models-biology-alien-autopsy/

What do you folks think of this?

Why is it that AI-provided electronic circuits often don't work in the real world?

2026-01-13T11:19:00.001-05:00

Like many, I have turned to AI for circuit ideas. And like many, I have been surprised by how many of these ideas just don't work. I have found relatively simple circuits that don't work when built in the real world, and don't work when built in LTSpice. I have already described how AI failed when I asked it a simple question about how many 330 ohm resistors to put in parallel to get 50 ohms. Mike WU2D had found that a lot of AI provided circuits just don't work. (Go to the 10 minute point in his video. )

I was wondering why this is so. So... I asked AI! For those who are sure that their AI is smarter than my AI, let me specify: I just wrote the question into the Google search box and looked at the "AI Overview" in the response.

Here is what AI said:

AI-recommended circuits often fail in the real world due to gaps between simulation and reality, such as a lack of real-world data (noise, rare conditions), AI's inability to grasp complex physical nuances like heat dissipation or component aging, and poor integration with physical prototyping, leading to brittle designs that don't account for manufacturing tolerances or environmental stresses, despite being mathematically sound.

Key Reasons for Failure:

Data Limitations (Garbage-In, Garbage-Out): AI relies heavily on training data; if it's incomplete (missing extreme temperatures, noises, aging effects) or biased, the AI generates designs that work in simulation but not in messy real-world conditions.

Brittleness & Lack of Context: AI struggles with "edge cases" or novel situations not in its training, leading to fragile designs, much like an AI failing to recognize a rotated bus. It lacks human intuition for subtle physical interactions.
Physical Nuances Ignored: Simulations often miss crucial real-world physics like heat hotspots from component imperfections, electromagnetic interference, or subtle signal integrity issues, which become critical in physical prototypes.
Manufacturing & Prototyping Gaps: AI designs might be theoretically optimal but impractical to build (e.g., impossible tolerances, complex layouts). The gap between virtual design and physical assembly (poor connections, wrong components) causes failures.
Validation Challenges: AI-generated circuits need extensive, real-world testing (SPICE simulations, breadboarding, PCB builds) to catch issues, but AI can't perform physical troubleshooting like soldering a damping resistor or witnessing ground bounce in a lab.
Probabilistic vs. Deterministic: AI works on probabilities, whereas electronics often need deterministic precision. A small error tolerable in some AI tasks can be catastrophic in sensitive circuits.

How Engineers Address This:

Iterative Feedback Loops: Combining AI's speed with human expertise and physical testing to refine designs.
Hybrid Approaches: Using AI for creative exploration but relying on established physics models (like SPICE) and human judgment for final validation.
Focus on Integration: Ensuring AI tools work seamlessly with existing engineering workflows and physical constraints.

SolderSmoke Homebrew Direct Conversion Receiver Hall of Fame Update: 108 Completed + 7 Honorable Mentions: Total Receivers Built: 115 (As of February 20, 2026, 1503Z)

2026-01-10T05:26:00.009-05:00

Please let us know if you spot any errors, or if we have inadvertently missed anyone. Don't worry about being late to the game -- the challenge continues. All of the info is still available.

As of February 20, 2026 1503Z:

So far 108 completed receivers, and 7 honorable mentions. Total Count: 115. Receivers built in 17 countries.

NE3U (KY4EOD) Matt

KQ4AOP First ham signals ever heard!

N9TD Derek

AC3NG Ryan

VK3TPM Peter Marks

W4KAC Ken

W4KAC Ken built a second one!

N2EPE Erik

VA3NCA Wayde

KI5SRY Mark -- Gears on PTO screw

KA1MUQ Frying pan receiver

AA1N Adam

ZL1AUN Aaron -- Using SSB transmitter -- New Zealand

W8UC Never before homebrewed.

VK4PG Phil -- Nice case, "really pleased"

G7LQX Working well, video of CW and SSB. -- England

KE2AMP John Spring on PTO screw -- great

N9SZ Steve nice receiver

KD9NHZ Piotr Nice one

KE8ICE Calvin, Very cool receiver.

WV3V Jayson! Got it done!

GM5JDG Martin. -- Scotland

KF8BOG Jim: A long struggle, but success.

Chris Wales Fantastic video. -- Wales

YD9BAX Wayan! Homebrew transformer! Indonesia

N0NQD Jeff

WN3F Roy -- Made new stickers!

Student 3 Student of VE5DLD

K7WXW Bill

NK3H Mitch

KN4ZXG Ted

WA1MAC Paul

N4AVC Chuck

K3IY Kevin

N6ASD Ashish in Bangalore

W1DSP Rick

WD4CFN Steve

KM5Z Mike

KF5DAN Dan

Fritz Fritz

N9OK Joe

WA5DSS Bill

K0GDB Grant

G0JNR Shane Glow-in-Dark Coil Form

KK7BCO Tobias

K2BVR Bob

Robert Sutton

K5YFO Dave (Texas)

KD4PBJ Chris

KN4GAH Chris -- EE perspective

F1GMA Philippe -- France

W2TEF Todd

EI9ITB Karl -- Ireland

VU2TUM Puneit Singh

AA7EE Dave Richards

KI5VIR Jay

CT7AXD Graham -- Promoted from Honorable Mention!

G3MOT Josh

KW4H Steve

NJ7V Charlie (RedSummit)

N2ETZ Denny

AB9LM James

W9XT Gary

G0PJT Alex

Ohio Tyler

-------------------------
Honorable Mentions:

*AA7U Steve No PTO

*VK7IAN Ian -- No Manhattan boards -- Tasmania

*KC1FSZ Bruce's build on a PC board

* DL1AJG Andreas -- Germany

* Matthew Student of DL1AJG

* Arash Student of DL1AJG

*KA4KXX Walter -- FB 20 Meter version

Artificial Intelligence Not So Intelligent! AI Flunks the Parallel Resistor Test!

2026-01-09T11:50:00.002-05:00

So this morning I asked this of AI:

How should I make a 50 ohm dummy load capable of handling 5 watts from 330 ohm 1/4 watt resistors?'

Here was the answer:

Oops. Nope. That makes a load of about 20 ohms, not 50.

Wow, this seemed like a fairly simple request. AI got it wrong. If AI (LLM) can't get a simple question like this right, you have to wonder how many other things it is getting wrong.

More on Spark Transmission and Reception -- From Germany. Spark Transmission using a Piezo Fire Starter

2026-01-03T03:55:00.001-05:00

More spark today. I really liked how Robert Dalby demonstrated spark transmission and reception. He used a simple Piezoelectric flame starter (like the one that many of us have in our shacks) as the transmitter, with a homebrew coherer connected to an LED and some batteries as the receiver. Ingenious. As with CuriousMarcs video of yesterday, you can see how Marconi's system really worked. Brilliant.

This demo also shows how many devices can generate part of the noise we hear in our receivers. We see and hear the noise generated by a nearby electric fence, and the noise made by a simple electric motor. Many new builders have trouble accepting the reality of noise. Noise happens.

The entire YouTube channel is very interesting. Check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/@deutscheavionik7211

It is based on the amazing collection of Dieter Beikirch (I think he is DJ5RS) and is presented by Robert Dalby. Here is how they describe the channel:

German avionics in the era of the vacuum tube. Join us as we investigate the most critical period in the rapid development of electronics, especially airborne electronics, from the first spark-gap radios of WW1 to the advances in radar technology in WW2.

Spark Gaps and Coherers demonstrated and Measured by CuriousMarc

2026-01-02T04:48:00.001-05:00

CuriousMarc provides a good demonstration of how spark transmitters work with coherer detectors. His measurements are really illuminating. His device just needed a "tapper" to de-cohere the metallic filings. We see the tapper in this wonderful "Secret Life" video by Tim Hunkin:

https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2021/06/remastered-secret-life-of-radio-with.html

Walter KA4KXX's Innovative 20-meter SolderSmoke Direct-Conversion Honorable-Mention Receiver

2026-01-01T06:54:00.003-05:00

It is a thing of beauty. We were really pleased to see our old friend Walter KA4KXX take on the SolderSmoke challenge, and we weren't a bit surprised to see him do so using some real twists in the design. You see, Walter is a very experienced homebrewer. He has built many, many rigs over the years. Just check out his QRZ page and you will see what I mean:

https://www.qrz.com/db/KA4KXX

Walter supported our original high school effort by offering the students a $500 prize for any student who used our receiver (and a similar transmitter) to check in to the 40 meter Sunrise Net. Sadly, there were no takers. But we really appreciated the attempt.

We have listed Walter's receiver in the Honorable Mention category, only because his build is so innovative: 20 meters instead of 40. An IC in the audio amplifier. There were differences, but even a quick look at the above picture above shows that Walter's receiver is very much a SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver.

Here are some additional photos from Walter.

Congratulations Walter. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

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From Walter's QRZ page

Let's Start the New Year with... THE KNACK!

2026-01-01T05:18:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Our friend Rogier PA1ZZ sent this to me. I'm sure there are parts of it that people will disagree with, but the overall message (BUILD THINGS!) is, I think, right for this group. Thanks Rogier!

Is the Veritasium Guy Retiring? Google says SolderSmoke is "Low Value Content."

2025-12-31T11:13:00.004-05:00

I have been a fan for many years. His comments on the vile influence of the algorithm and AI are right on target.

Google recently informed me that the SolderSmoke blog has "Low Value Content." Well, consider the source!

Click for a better view (better than the one provided above by GOOGLE!)

I think Veritasium has made a good choice.

Three cheers for Veritasium!

The Coastwatchers -- Their Rigs and Their Islands

2025-12-27T13:52:00.003-05:00

AWA Teleradio 3BZ used by coastwatchers during the war Source: Australian War Memorial (P01035 .006)

Here is a great site about the AWA 3BZ Wireless set:

https://www.qsl.net/vk2dym/radio/3BZa.htm .

AWA 3B SET

Here's a good article about the Coastwatchers:

https://www.military.com/daily-news/investigations-and-features/2025/12/22/former-school-teacher-led-guerrilla-army-behind-japanese-lines-solomon-islands-and-helped-us-win.html

Guadalcanal 1943

I've been interested in the Solomon islands lately because my wife and I have been watching a YouTube video channel about a family living on Uepi island:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheIslandLifeofUs

Uepi is right on "the slot," near New Georgia.

There are WWII remnants still visible (underwater) at Uepi:

AI Overview

Uepi Island in the Solomon Islands is famous today for its World War II history, particularly its abundant, accessible WWII wreck dives (aircraft & ships) in Marovo Lagoon, a key battleground during the Solomon Islands Campaign, offering divers a tangible connection to the fierce fighting between US and Japanese forces. The area, near major WWII sites like Guadalcanal, features underwater artifacts like Japanese Zeroes and US Corsairs, with the modern Uepi Island Resort preserving these historical relics within its dive operations.

Uepi's WWII Significance

Location: Uepi is situated in the Marovo Lagoon, part of the Solomon Islands, which were central to the brutal Pacific Campaign of WWII.
Wreck Dives: The waters surrounding Uepi are a "treasure trove" of sunken WWII aircraft (like P39 Air Cobra, Japanese Zeroes) and shipwrecks, making it a prime destination for historical diving.
Preservation: The Uepi Island Resort actively manages and promotes responsible diving at these sites, emphasizing that removing artifacts is illegal.

Key WWII Sites & Wrecks Near Uepi

Wickham Harbour: Located near Uepi, this area contains significant WWII wrecks, accessible via boat trips from the island.
Aircraft: Divers can find Japanese Zeroes, American Corsair fighters, and potentially B24 bombers, often in challenging conditions, with efforts to move some to cleaner areas.
Marovo Lagoon: As one of the world's largest saltwater lagoons, it holds numerous historical remnants from the intense fighting.

Alexanderson Alternator on 17.2 kHz Copied by YO2DXE in Romania

2025-12-25T12:27:00.000-05:00

On December 1st 1924, the 20kW Alexanderson Alternator with the call sign "SAQ" was put into commercial operation with telegram traffic from Sweden to the United States. 101 years later, the transmitter is the only remaining electro-mechanical transmitter from this era and is still in running condition. On Christmas Eve morning, Wednesday December 24th 2025, the transmitter is scheduled* to spread the traditional Christmas message to the whole World, on 17.2 kHz CW.

You can listen to the CW from Ciprian's setup above. I listened to it carefully and clearly heard the "KW ALTERNATOR" words at around the 3:30 mark in Ciprian's video. I wondered if this was in fact the SAQ Alternator (but then again, who else would be on 17.2 kHz on Christmas Eve?). I looked at the video from Sweden (below) at around the 49.37 mark we see the operator send "200 KW ALTERNATOR." Through Ciprian's video, I copied "KW ALTERNATOR." So Ciprian's operation was a success. Congratulations Ciprian!

Merry Christmas to all!

The AN/PRC-74 -- A Covert Contact, An Analog Synthesizer, A Benefit of Channelization, and a Good Thing about Band Noise

2025-12-25T05:18:00.001-05:00

I have a sentimental tie to this older military transceiver, for several reasons:

-- This was probably the transceiver that we hauled into the Uwharrie national forest when I was in the army in 1983. I made one 40 meter CW contact with it. It was interesting for me to see Ray tune the rig up on 40 meter CW.

-- I like the crude, early, non-digital synthesizer.

-- This is a good example of the use of an old military rig on 5357 kHz in the 60 meter band. This is the only one of the chanelized frequencies on that band that is on a whole interger of kHz frequency. It fit well with the 1 kHz tunability of the transceiver. Thus we had the "Moose and Squirrel" net on 5357 KHz.

-- I like how Ray uses the band noise to peak the receiver. Band noise, you see, has its uses.

A VERY Interesting Old "Steam Punk" Homebrew Thermatron Rig -- Can You Suggest A Home for this Rig? (Video)

2025-12-24T05:38:00.006-05:00

Oh man. They got me at the breadboard, but there was so much more:

-- A mercury switch

-- A homebrew variometer

-- A reading lamp

-- A specially made (and stored!) tuning tool and a mechanical pencil

-- A CQ paper tape and tape reader!

-- A front panel clock

-- Space for QSL cards on the front panel

This is a really cool homebrew radio! Can someone find a good home for this amazing device? The video was posted only 1 month ago.

Pete N6QW Asks Copilot about Homebrew vs. Store Bought

2025-12-23T04:23:00.002-05:00

Copilot is remarkably perceptive. This AI-generated message really explains very well the differences between homebrew and store bought gear.

Check out Pete's blog: https://n6qw.blogspot.com/2025/12/mostly-ai-generated.html

Homebrew vs Store Bought

There’s a moment every homebrewer knows: you shove aside the archaeological layers of past projects on the bench, uncover a few resistors stuck to a solder blob, and declare, “Yep, this is going to be a radio.” To the untrained eye, it looks like the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. But to the enlightened? It’s the beginning of greatness — or at least something that won’t catch fire too quickly.

Buying a radio is easy. Too easy. You click a button, a box arrives, and suddenly you’re the proud owner of a rig that has more menus than a chain restaurant. You spend the first week scrolling through settings trying to figure out why the audio sounds like a kazoo trapped in a tin can. But building a radio? That’s where the real fun begins. It’s where you learn that “datasheet recommended values” are merely suggestions and that toroids exist solely to test your patience and your vocabulary.

Commercial radios are sleek, polished, and packed with features you’ll never use but will brag about anyway. They’re also sealed tighter than a politician’s tax returns. You can’t poke around inside without voiding the warranty, the warranty’s warranty, and possibly a few federal regulations. Meanwhile, a homebrew rig practically begs you to poke it with a screwdriver. It’s the difference between owning a sports car you’re not allowed to open the hood on and owning a jalopy you can rebuild with duct tape and optimism.

And let’s be honest: building a radio is an act of rebellion. In a world where everything is prepackaged, preprogrammed, and pre‑approved, choosing to melt solder and wind toroids is basically saying, “I reject your consumerist convenience and substitute my own chaos.” It’s a declaration that understanding matters. That learning matters. That the journey — the mis-wired stages, the smoke tests, and the moment you realize you soldered the IC in backwards — is part of the joy.

There’s also something deeply personal about a homebrew rig. When you build it, you know every quirk. You know why the VFO drifts when the cat walks across the table. You know why the audio chain hisses like an angry snake. You know the exact moment when the rig came alive for the first time, pulling a faint signal out of the ether and making you shout, “It works!” loud enough for the neighbors to wonder if you’ve finally snapped.

And that first QSO? Pure magic. When someone hundreds or thousands of miles away responds to your signal, you feel a surge of pride no store‑bought rig can match. You didn’t just operate a radio. You created one. You made electrons dance to your tune. You built a bridge across the airwaves using nothing but determination, caffeine, and parts that probably came from a cardboard box labeled “misc — maybe useful someday.”

Homebrewing also keeps the spirit of amateur radio alive. The hobby wasn’t built on buying the latest rig because the brochure said it had “enhanced DSP algorithms.” It was built on people who asked, “What if?” and then went to the bench to find out. When you build a radio, you’re participating in that legacy. You’re keeping the flame lit — even if the flame occasionally comes from a resistor, you accidentally overheated.

And let’s not forget the best part: when something breaks, you can actually fix it. No shipping it back to the manufacturer. No waiting six weeks for a repair estimate. No customer service rep telling you to “try turning it off and on again.” You grab a meter, poke around, and mutter, “Well, that shouldn’t be glowing,” and you fix it. That’s power.