It is official. Rex N4FPW and myself will be operating in the March 14 PBMME "The Full Worm Moon" event. This should be a lot of fun. Britton Hill is the highest point in the state of Florida and not very far from my house. We will be operating from 1600-2200utc on bands 40-20m at the least. We stand a good chance of another operator joining us. His name is Terry K4KJP. Keep an ear out for us. It's not everyday that a state's highest point is on the air (even if its only 345ft)!!! Check out the Polar Bear QRP group. Great group of people!
Steve
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
ABX relocation
Well I completed my relocation of the ABX filter on my Wilderness Sierra. It was previously located on the PCB. When I ordered my 30m module from Bob I also ordered a 10k pot and knob. This allows me to adjust from 1200-150hz without taking the top off of the radio and having to use a flat head screwdriver.
I had a hard time getting the old resistor out and I've done better solder work, but I made it work.
During the job I took the liberty of getting myself a cold beer. When I came back I noticed that Tyler had drawn a special picture for Daddy on the top of my Sierra!!! I was not happy. It took me a few minutes to cool down because nobody wants a pink drawing on the top of their Sierra. Oh well...I looked at it a couple of minutes ago and laughed about it. Guess it could be worse.
Here's a picture of the final product.
If you notice the VFO says 119.5. I made a QSO with Phil V31RW in Belize right out of the gate. I was happy that my 2.1watts got me a 559 into Belize with my new 30m module and panel mounted ABX control! Thanks for the QSO Phil.
72 till next time.
Steve
I had a hard time getting the old resistor out and I've done better solder work, but I made it work.
During the job I took the liberty of getting myself a cold beer. When I came back I noticed that Tyler had drawn a special picture for Daddy on the top of my Sierra!!! I was not happy. It took me a few minutes to cool down because nobody wants a pink drawing on the top of their Sierra. Oh well...I looked at it a couple of minutes ago and laughed about it. Guess it could be worse.
Here's a picture of the final product.
If you notice the VFO says 119.5. I made a QSO with Phil V31RW in Belize right out of the gate. I was happy that my 2.1watts got me a 559 into Belize with my new 30m module and panel mounted ABX control! Thanks for the QSO Phil.
72 till next time.
Steve
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sierra 30m Module Build
Today I built a 30m module for my Wilderness Sierra. This was my first kit build that went well. Previously I built a Tenna Dipper. That build did not quite go so well. I will talk more about that project once I have fixed it and have it working properly.
I started the project at 1200cst. The total build took me about 3 hours. Winding the toroids is what took the biggest bulk of time. First item of buisness as per the owner's manual was to inventory the parts.
Once that was complete I had to figure out just exactly what Bob from Wilderness Radio was trying to tell me with the note that he sent with the kit.
I finnaly figured out that the variable capacitors from the original run of module were different than the new ones. Although the function is the same the part does not layout to the board which caused me to think I had big problem! Turns out I didn't and a second look at his drawing made a lot of sense. Instead of three leads there are only two now.
Fixed capacitors in place.
Variable capacitors and the 18.000mhz crystal in place.
Here's the final product with all components in place to include the toroids.
From there it was time to move into the adjustment phase of the module (and time to see if my project worked). Thankfully the radio and module DID NOT go up in smoke when I powered up the rig.
A little tweaking of the Frequency Trimmer, PMO BPF, XMIT PBF and RCV BPF's. So far so good.
At this point and time I'm measuring 2.1watts out. I feel like I'm still a bit low but I want a break and need to research further what options I have. In the end you have one happy camper!
So thats all great you say, but how does it work? Well one reply to a CQ from Fred N4FG in Annandale, VA yeilded me a 539 and "FB ur 2w Steve". Thank you very much for the QSO Fred.
Lessons learned were 1. Toroids are NOT that bad! 2. Take your time. When something seems to be so mind blowing that you are convinced the end is near, take a break because it's not.
Hope you enjoy, 72 and hope to work you soon (on 30m of course)!!!
Steve
I started the project at 1200cst. The total build took me about 3 hours. Winding the toroids is what took the biggest bulk of time. First item of buisness as per the owner's manual was to inventory the parts.
Once that was complete I had to figure out just exactly what Bob from Wilderness Radio was trying to tell me with the note that he sent with the kit.
I finnaly figured out that the variable capacitors from the original run of module were different than the new ones. Although the function is the same the part does not layout to the board which caused me to think I had big problem! Turns out I didn't and a second look at his drawing made a lot of sense. Instead of three leads there are only two now.
Fixed capacitors in place.
Variable capacitors and the 18.000mhz crystal in place.
Here's the final product with all components in place to include the toroids.
From there it was time to move into the adjustment phase of the module (and time to see if my project worked). Thankfully the radio and module DID NOT go up in smoke when I powered up the rig.
A little tweaking of the Frequency Trimmer, PMO BPF, XMIT PBF and RCV BPF's. So far so good.
At this point and time I'm measuring 2.1watts out. I feel like I'm still a bit low but I want a break and need to research further what options I have. In the end you have one happy camper!
So thats all great you say, but how does it work? Well one reply to a CQ from Fred N4FG in Annandale, VA yeilded me a 539 and "FB ur 2w Steve". Thank you very much for the QSO Fred.
Lessons learned were 1. Toroids are NOT that bad! 2. Take your time. When something seems to be so mind blowing that you are convinced the end is near, take a break because it's not.
Hope you enjoy, 72 and hope to work you soon (on 30m of course)!!!
Steve
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Britton Hill
Here soon I am planning on a QRP/p operation from Britton Hill near Lakewood, FL. Britton Hill is is the highest point in Florida, all 345ft of it! I don't have a firm date as of yet as I am still in the planning stage. I might do it as soon as this upcoming weekend or as late as a month from now. With the Orlando Hamfest this weekend, my mentor and QA specialist will be gone so I will not be constructing the PFR-3 this weekend. Will post more info shortly. If there is enough interest generated it might open the door for future operations there along with a special QSL that I will make up.
Steve
Steve
Monday, February 9, 2009
FYBO 2009
Ann, Tyler and myself made our way up to the Blackwater yesterday to have a fun afternoon in the great outdoors. The XYL had lots of studying to do and the best way for us to give her the peace and quiet that she needs is to go somewhere else.
As far as fun goes, we had a blast! As far as stations logged, well we didn't do so hot. I managed one PB. I heard plenty of stations but this being the first trip to the river this year, the kids were not interested in Daddy being on the radio. More about the radio in a minute.
We left the house at 1400cst headed north. Temps were in the mid 70's with clear skies. The kids were excited. They love being up in the Blackwater. The Blackwater State Forest is where we do most of our outdoor activities. It is over 200,000 acres of longleaf pine and hardwood bottoms. There is lots of space, pretty rivers and room to run. Even better, the kids can yell and scream and there is nobody around to get upset! More info can be found here http://www.fl-dof.com/state_forests/blackwater_river.html.
Ann & Ty ready to go.
W6EOD
Here is a picture of one of the service roads in the forest on our way to "our" spot on the river.
Once we arrived off the kids went. Ty hit the river just to come right out because it was "cold!!!"
Ann decided that she wanted to bury herself (and some help from Tyler) in the sand.
Meanwhile I got my station setup. Station consisted of a Wilderness Sierra, Emtech ZM-2, Te Ne Ke, and GP for 20m.
Overall I made one contact on 20m. Station was wq0rp in MN. I heard lots of CQ FYBO but everytime I'd get ready to go, one of the kids would find a bug, or need some help lifting a log up etc... I don't mind though. Being outdoors with the kids is first and QRP/p is second. I never QSY'd to 40m so I never erected the antenna needed for it.
WQ0RP, 559, MN, Larry, 5w, 41f
In summary it was a great day. I will be looking forward to next years Freeze Your Buns Off event. 72 and hope to work you soon!
As far as fun goes, we had a blast! As far as stations logged, well we didn't do so hot. I managed one PB. I heard plenty of stations but this being the first trip to the river this year, the kids were not interested in Daddy being on the radio. More about the radio in a minute.
We left the house at 1400cst headed north. Temps were in the mid 70's with clear skies. The kids were excited. They love being up in the Blackwater. The Blackwater State Forest is where we do most of our outdoor activities. It is over 200,000 acres of longleaf pine and hardwood bottoms. There is lots of space, pretty rivers and room to run. Even better, the kids can yell and scream and there is nobody around to get upset! More info can be found here http://www.fl-dof.com/state_forests/blackwater_river.html.
Ann & Ty ready to go.
W6EOD
Here is a picture of one of the service roads in the forest on our way to "our" spot on the river.
Once we arrived off the kids went. Ty hit the river just to come right out because it was "cold!!!"
Ann decided that she wanted to bury herself (and some help from Tyler) in the sand.
Meanwhile I got my station setup. Station consisted of a Wilderness Sierra, Emtech ZM-2, Te Ne Ke, and GP for 20m.
Overall I made one contact on 20m. Station was wq0rp in MN. I heard lots of CQ FYBO but everytime I'd get ready to go, one of the kids would find a bug, or need some help lifting a log up etc... I don't mind though. Being outdoors with the kids is first and QRP/p is second. I never QSY'd to 40m so I never erected the antenna needed for it.
WQ0RP, 559, MN, Larry, 5w, 41f
In summary it was a great day. I will be looking forward to next years Freeze Your Buns Off event. 72 and hope to work you soon!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
PBMME FYBO 2009
This weekend (090207) from 1600z-2000z I will be operating my Wilderness Sierra on 40M & 20M in the Freeze Your Butt Off QRP Sprint. If you hear me please give me a call. This is a great group of QRP/p operators that get together during the winter months and enjoy QRP in the field. I will be running 3w and 2.25w respectively so don't count on a huge signal from me. I plan on taking the kids with me to the river for the outing. History shows that I won't spend the entire time on the radio but its a great chance to get outdoors with the family and enjoy QRP at the same time. See you in the trenches...Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Steve
Steve
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W6EOD
Water falls near Gotemba, Japan
