John,

My Softrock is driving the amp with the MoBo 4.3 which puts out 2 - 3 watts
average on PSK31.  It can drive the amp to over 20 watts but I think the IMD
suffers a bit at that level.  According to other reports, with 5 watts of CW
drive the maximum output varies from 38 watts up to 50 watts depending on the
band.  I have found 10 watts to be sufficient to make contact with almost
everyone I can hear.  Since the QRP-PA2008 amp has two gain stages, it can
easily be driven to 10 watts output with the Softrock.

One of the keys for making contacts for me has been to watch for CQs with S/N >
+5dB to +10dB.  Most digital software reports S/N which will enable you to
estimate whether it will be likely for them to hear you.  Since PSK31 decodes
well down to a little less than -10dB S/N and most people are running at 25 to
50 watts, then when receiving a station that shows S/N >= +10dB, it is likely
you will be heard by that station with 1 watt output (14dB below 25 watts) -
assuming the noise level is the same at both locations.

I do have a bit of an advantage with the QTH on top of a small hill and beam
antenna for 20/15/10M at 40 feet.  However many of the contacts have been made
with a dipole (30/17/12M at 45 feet) or a G5RV (80/40) that slopes down to near
the ground at both ends.

Operating with 1 watt can be challenging - it does require a bit more patience -
but it can also be very satisfying to make QSOs with a homebuilt radio at very
low power.

Ed
WB6YTE

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, John Williams <KE5SSH@...> wrote:
>
> Ed,
>
> Have you considered using this PS2008 amp or another design as a RF
> preamp to the WA2EUJ amp to drive it to a full 50W for SSB? Should only
> need around 10db of gain to take 500mW to 5W.
>
> Your results on PSK31 at 1W are better than mine. I have yet to get a
> QSO with either PSK31 or JT65-HF at 1W. I get excellent results on WSPR
> regularly getting spots from Europe and Australia on 20M.
>
> John
>
> On 3/30/2011 8:15 AM, wb6yte wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > I have been using one of these since last Dec with an SR RXTX
> > V6.3/MoBo 4.3 with excellent results. It comfortably runs 10 watts
> > output with PSK. With 10 watts I can work almost all stations I can
> > copy. With 5 watts on 15 meters last weekend I made many QSOs into
> > Europe. For pictures and log reports:
> >
> > http://members.cox.net/ehekman/HamRadio/Softrock.htm
> >
> > With digital modes you will be very surprised at the number of
> > contacts that can be made with 1 watt or less. The reaction you get
> > when you tell the other station that you are running 1 watt is quite a
> > thrill.
> >
> > I just bought one of the QRP-PA2008 kits. It is a small fraction of
> > the size of the WA2EUJ PA - but doesn't include the output LPFs - and
> > it does have much more gain so you should be able to get the 10 watts
> > out with much less than 1 watt drive.
> >
> >
http://www.qrp-shop.de/200/cgi-bin/shop.dll?SESSIONID=0437892540358007&AnbieterI\
D=1
> >
<http://www.qrp-shop.de/200/cgi-bin/shop.dll?SESSIONID=0437892540358007&Anbieter\
ID=1>
> >
> > Ed
> > WB6YTE
> >
> > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:softrock40%40yahoogroups.com>, John Williams <KE5SSH@> wrote:
> > >
> > > And there are some nice features - 5 lpfs for broad band coverage,
> > led's
> > > for power/swr readings, cor/ptt mode, RF FETs. According to
> > designer, 1W
> > > in will yield around 20W out, depending on band. Depending on mode,
> > > drive and heat sink cooling can go higher than 50W.
> > >
> > > Take a look, revised schematic, gerbers and BOM posted today. Kit is
> > > being priced now.
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > > On 3/28/2011 4:57 PM, Joel Black wrote:
> > > >
> > > > There is a new run starting of the WA2EUJ amps featured in the ARRL
> > > > Homebrew Challenge. You can find out more info at:
> > > >
> > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ARRLHBC/
> > > >
> > > > Amp will come as a kit - no enclosure. Cost is ~$100. Output is ~50W.
> > > >
> > > > 73,
> > > > Joel - W4JBB
> > > >
> > > > On 3/27/2011 1:42 PM, Bernie Hunt wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> I'm approaching completion of the Ensemble TX/RX and I'm wondering
> > > >> what are the options for increasing the TX drive. What are guys
> > using
> > > >> for PSs? Is there a general consensus on a good solution?
> > > >> I'm not looking for legal limit but I would like more than the 1
> > watt.
> > > >>
> > > >> Bernie
> > > >> K2YO
> >
> >
>
> --
>
> John Williams
> WQKA523
> KE5SSH
>

Thanks all. I use isoprofile to dilute some solid oil based flux and
use it as paint to give a protective layer for my home eitched copper
tracks for radios, both before and after soldering. And the copper
never turns green, or the solder black. (here greenery is killing)
LOL.       And what ever chemmical we use have to scrub. When it's
necessary  Better just scrub on flux residue with appling anything
just with a fine twizer of soft metal copper/wood or plastic while dry
and blow.  And it 100% removed without leaving a fine transpalent
film.    73's   VU3SXT.

On 31/03/2011, Gordon JC Pearce <gordon@...> wrote:
> On Thu, 2011-03-31 at 19:23 +0000, dan wrote:
>> Hi Joel
>>
>> Cheap-o Wal-Mart generic Carburetor Cleaner works for me.
>>
>> 73, w5xz, dan
>
> El-cheapo de-icer.
>
> Gordon MM0YEQ
>
>

Or simply confuse  pregnant womens.  For bottles of nailpolish
removers.   Ha heaa   LOL.

On 01/04/2011, Sandeep Lohia <sandeeplohia12@...> wrote:
> Thanks all. I use isoprofile to dilute some solid oil based flux and
> use it as paint to give a protective layer for my home eitched copper
> tracks for radios, both before and after soldering. And the copper
> never turns green, or the solder black. (here greenery is killing)
> LOL.       And what ever chemmical we use have to scrub. When it's
> necessary  Better just scrub on flux residue with appling anything
> just with a fine twizer of soft metal copper/wood or plastic while dry
> and blow.  And it 100% removed without leaving a fine transpalent
> film.    73's   VU3SXT.
>
> On 31/03/2011, Gordon JC Pearce <gordon@...> wrote:
>> On Thu, 2011-03-31 at 19:23 +0000, dan wrote:
>>> Hi Joel
>>>
>>> Cheap-o Wal-Mart generic Carburetor Cleaner works for me.
>>>
>>> 73, w5xz, dan
>>
>> El-cheapo de-icer.
>>
>> Gordon MM0YEQ
>>
>>
>

Be careful with some aggressive solvents, such as Carb or Brake cleaners,
Acetone etc.

We had a "bad" experience at work some years ago, where a customer with
some smoke damaged equipment (a fire in another part of their building)
had it "profesionaly cleaned", by people well experienced in such
matters.

Oddly, a short while (a few weeks) after the cleaning, all the OpAmp IC's
from one manufacturer (well known to us all, but I'm not going to say
who) died...

Long story very shortened...

It seems the cleaning agent that was used (a common, but mildly agressive
de-greaser) difused through the chip packageing, and contaminated the die
and bond wires inside.

Replacing all the chips (1448 dual OpAmps, 100's of them!) was the only
way to fix things.

The upshot of that is in our context is, use water soluable or "no clean"
flux's.

If you *Have* to use solvents, use as others have said, I.P.A.  Or even
"Methalated Spirits" to remove flux.  Both evaporate readily with minimal
hazard risk (except Fire!)  If using Meth's, the remaining dusty film can
be removed with a damp (water) cotton bud.

As to dishwashers.  I've cleaned small engine parts, and some ceramic RF
Power Tubes in them in the past.  They come up lovely!  :-)

73.

Dave G0WBX

Hi,

Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?

If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?

--
73
Dan
YO3GGX
WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro

Hi Dan!

I buit a magnetic loop for my 40/30/20 ans used it for wspr with 100 and 500mw
with Great succes.

I suggest you to build the following antenna, which i did two Days ago.

It is much smaller, easy to build and performs much much better.

See the link to a description and the results.

http://dl6kbg.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-can-antenna-for-20-meter.html

Total length 20cm, 1 Hour build time

Good luck!

73, Oliver, DL6KBG

Von meinem iPhone gesendet

Am 01.04.2011 um 12:14 schrieb Dan <danto@...>:

> Hi,
>
> Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
> loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>
> If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
> Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
> still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
> for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>
> --
> 73
> Dan
> YO3GGX
> WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Hi Joel,

It sounds like you have not calibrated the Si570 with Fred's CFGSR utility.  I typically zero beat the 10 MHz WWV signal with Rocky's center frequency offset 10 kHz from10 MHz.  Rocky will indicate what frequency it is receiving the WWV signal.   The calibrate tab on Fred's utility may then be used to calibrate the Si570 so that WWV comes in at exactly 10 MHz with Rocky.

73,

-- Tony Parks kb9yig@... http://www.kb9yig.com

On Thu, 2011-03-31 at 21:47 -0500, Joel Black wrote:

 

Yeah,

I've done that - multiple times.

Right now, I'm listening to 7.1345MHz LSB on my FT-847.  To hear the same thing on the Ensemble, I have to tune to 7.133MHz LSB.  This would be correct if it's a USB to LSB thing.  BTW, the FT-847 is good to go.

Tired of screwing with this for now...

w4jbb

On 3/31/2011 9:37 PM, Dave Matthews wrote:

On Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 10:12 PM, Joel Black <w4jbb@...> wrote:

 

Ok, I am at my wit's end. I have completed the Rx Opamps stage of the
build. All tests were good and I receive fine except for one thing,
everything is in the opposite sideband of where it should be. I'm using
PowerSDR (SV1EIA version) and an E-MU 1212.

Reverse the lines to the sound card or flip them in your software if it supports it.  I had the same problem with my RXTX 6.3 in Rocky.  I couldn't figure out why nobody was in the PSK31 frequencies but there was lots of PSK31 up a few khz.


Dave

 

---

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1209 / Virus Database: 1500/3543 - Release Date: 03/31/11

-- 
Joel

"Common sense is like deodorant...
Those who need it most don't use it."
--Unknown

---

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1209 / Virus Database: 1500/3543 - Release Date: 03/31/11

-- Joel
"Common sense is like deodorant...
Those who need it most don't use it."
--Unknown

Whilst not Ensemble specific, I have used magnetic loops for many years.
The first one was a 1m diameter 3/" soft copper loop tuned with a
standard capacitor that was only capable of handling the RF voltage at
7W. With that loop indoors I worked all over Europe with excellent reports.

My next loop was 28mm copper tube with 45 degree elbows (13' diameter)
tuned with a vacuum capacitor that accounted for all my 80m Stateside
contacts running 100W. Sadly it got smashed, vacuum capacitor and all in
60+ MPH high winds but I'm hoping to put it together again with better
support.

The current loop for 80m/40m is made from 22mm copper tube with 45
degree elbows (8' in diameter) with the vacuum capacitor mounted at the
bottom in a 4" diameter PVC tube, ends filled with foam, done so as to
lower the wind resistance. Currently using it with a SR v6.3 + Mobo v3.6
for wspr.
I haven't seen anyone spotting me so far, but I'm receiving all over
Europe on 80m/40m/20m and a number of USA stations on 20m. I have
successfully used it on TX with my IC-7200 on 40m SSB running 100W.

I've found my loops work best with Gamma matching, I never seem to get
good matching with the faraday loop across all covered bands.

The outdoor loops use remote tuning, a 12V motor from maplin.co.uk with
an insulated coupler to the vacuum capacitor controlled by a LM317 motor
controller in the shack, a DPDT switch for changing motor direction. SWR
measured for the desired frequency with a MFJ-259B.

I have another 40m loop in the garage that's yet to be tested outdoors,
it uses a home brewed copper butterfly capacitor, tuning was difficult
when I tried it indoors perhaps due to the threaded shafts being
magnetic, so I plan to solder copper strip across all the plates. The
capacitor is wide-spaced calculated to take 100W.

I'll pass on the advice given to me on the air when I joined a
discussion on magnetic loops - build one. Two days later and an hour's
work and I was working all over Europe with 7W.
73 ... Sid.


On 01/04/11 11:14, Dan wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
> loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>
> If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
> Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
> still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
> for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>
> --
> 73
> Dan
> YO3GGX
> WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro
>
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

That's one I just have to try sometime, looked at it a few months back
but haven't had time to work on it.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 11:39, Oliver Goldenstein wrote:
> Hi Dan!
>
> I buit a magnetic loop for my 40/30/20 ans used it for wspr with 100 and
> 500mw with Great succes.
>
> I suggest you to build the following antenna, which i did two Days ago.
>
> It is much smaller, easy to build and performs much much better.
>
> See the link to a description and the results.
>
> http://dl6kbg.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-can-antenna-for-20-meter.html
>
> Total length 20cm, 1 Hour build time
>
> Good luck!
>
> 73, Oliver, DL6KBG
>
> Von meinem iPhone gesendet
>
> Am 01.04.2011 um 12:14 schrieb Dan <danto@...
> <mailto:danto%40clicknet.ro>>:
>
>  > Hi,
>  >
>  > Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
>  > loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>  >
>  > If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
>  > Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
>  > still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
>  > for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>  >
>  > --
>  > 73
>  > Dan
>  > YO3GGX
>  > WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > ------------------------------------
>  >
>  > Yahoo! Groups Links
>  >
>  >
>  >
>
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

That should have read 3/8" diameter soft copper.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 12:19, Sid Boyce wrote:
> Whilst not Ensemble specific, I have used magnetic loops for many years.
> The first one was a 1m diameter 3/8" soft copper loop tuned with a
> standard capacitor that was only capable of handling the RF voltage at
> 7W. With that loop indoors I worked all over Europe with excellent reports.
>
> My next loop was 28mm copper tube with 45 degree elbows (13' diameter)
> tuned with a vacuum capacitor that accounted for all my 80m Stateside
> contacts running 100W. Sadly it got smashed, vacuum capacitor and all in
> 60+ MPH high winds but I'm hoping to put it together again with better
> support.
>
> The current loop for 80m/40m is made from 22mm copper tube with 45
> degree elbows (8' in diameter) with the vacuum capacitor mounted at the
> bottom in a 4" diameter PVC tube, ends filled with foam, done so as to
> lower the wind resistance. Currently using it with a SR v6.3 + Mobo v3.6
> for wspr.
> I haven't seen anyone spotting me so far, but I'm receiving all over
> Europe on 80m/40m/20m and a number of USA stations on 20m. I have
> successfully used it on TX with my IC-7200 on 40m SSB running 100W.
>
> I've found my loops work best with Gamma matching, I never seem to get
> good matching with the faraday loop across all covered bands.
>
> The outdoor loops use remote tuning, a 12V motor from maplin.co.uk with
> an insulated coupler to the vacuum capacitor controlled by a LM317 motor
> controller in the shack, a DPDT switch for changing motor direction. SWR
> measured for the desired frequency with a MFJ-259B.
>
> I have another 40m loop in the garage that's yet to be tested outdoors,
> it uses a home brewed copper butterfly capacitor, tuning was difficult
> when I tried it indoors perhaps due to the threaded shafts being
> magnetic, so I plan to solder copper strip across all the plates. The
> capacitor is wide-spaced calculated to take 100W.
>
> I'll pass on the advice given to me on the air when I joined a
> discussion on magnetic loops - build one. Two days later and an hour's
> work and I was working all over Europe with 7W.
> 73 ... Sid.
>
>
> On 01/04/11 11:14, Dan wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
>> loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>>
>> If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
>> Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
>> still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
>> for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>>
>> --
>> 73
>> Dan
>> YO3GGX
>> WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro
>>
>>
>
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

Joel, You're getting good information all around. Set PSDR aside for a moment, set the jumpers/audio cables/IQ settings on Winrad so that USB is correct and then calibrate via ExtIO so the SI570 is zero beat on 5,10 or 15mhz WWV. If you can do that and go back and forth USB to LSB (20 to 40 meters say) then it is working correctly. The fact that switching the audio cables mutes receive is not good though. Try unplugging one and the other audio cable when you can hear and see if it makes any difference. Remember software configurations are usually more daunting than building the radio! John KC9OJV --- On Thu, 3/31/11, Joel Black <w4jbb@...> wrote: From: Joel Black <w4jbb@...> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Ensemble RXTX Rx I / Q To: softrock40@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011, 9:47 PM   Yeah, I've done that - multiple times. Right now, I'm listening to 7.1345MHz LSB on my FT-847.  To hear the same thing on the Ensemble, I have to tune to 7.133MHz LSB.  This would be correct if it's a USB to LSB thing.  BTW, the FT-847 is good to go. Tired of screwing with this for now... w4jbb On 3/31/2011 9:37 PM, Dave Matthews wrote: On Thu, Mar 31, 2011 at 10:12 PM, Joel Black <w4jbb@...> wrote:   Ok, I am at my wit's end. I have completed the Rx Opamps stage of the build. All tests were good and I receive fine except for one thing, everything is in the opposite sideband of where it should be. I'm using PowerSDR (SV1EIA version) and an E-MU 1212. Reverse the lines to the sound card or flip them in your software if it supports it.  I had the same problem with my RXTX 6.3 in Rocky.  I couldn't figure out why nobody was in the PSK31 frequencies but there was lots of PSK31 up a few khz. Dave   No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1209 / Virus Database: 1500/3543 - Release Date: 03/31/11 -- Joel "Common sense is like deodorant... Those who need it most don't use it." --Unknown

---

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1209 / Virus Database: 1500/3543 - Release Date: 03/31/11

-- Joel
"Common sense is like deodorant...
Those who need it most don't use it."
--Unknown

Hi Sid,

Very encouraging your mail.
Tomorrow I'll go shopping for the parts ...:-)
I have two RXTX Ensembles (40-30-20) and (15-12-10) which I intend to
dedicate to WSPR using 2 magnetic loops.

--
73
Dan
YO3GGX
WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro


On 4/1/2011 2:19 PM, Sid Boyce wrote:
> Whilst not Ensemble specific, I have used magnetic loops for many years.
> The first one was a 1m diameter 3/" soft copper loop tuned with a
> standard capacitor that was only capable of handling the RF voltage at
> 7W. With that loop indoors I worked all over Europe with excellent reports.
>
> My next loop was 28mm copper tube with 45 degree elbows (13' diameter)
> tuned with a vacuum capacitor that accounted for all my 80m Stateside
> contacts running 100W. Sadly it got smashed, vacuum capacitor and all in
> 60+ MPH high winds but I'm hoping to put it together again with better
> support.
>
> The current loop for 80m/40m is made from 22mm copper tube with 45
> degree elbows (8' in diameter) with the vacuum capacitor mounted at the
> bottom in a 4" diameter PVC tube, ends filled with foam, done so as to
> lower the wind resistance. Currently using it with a SR v6.3 + Mobo v3.6
> for wspr.
> I haven't seen anyone spotting me so far, but I'm receiving all over
> Europe on 80m/40m/20m and a number of USA stations on 20m. I have
> successfully used it on TX with my IC-7200 on 40m SSB running 100W.
>
> I've found my loops work best with Gamma matching, I never seem to get
> good matching with the faraday loop across all covered bands.
>
> The outdoor loops use remote tuning, a 12V motor from maplin.co.uk with
> an insulated coupler to the vacuum capacitor controlled by a LM317 motor
> controller in the shack, a DPDT switch for changing motor direction. SWR
> measured for the desired frequency with a MFJ-259B.
>
> I have another 40m loop in the garage that's yet to be tested outdoors,
> it uses a home brewed copper butterfly capacitor, tuning was difficult
> when I tried it indoors perhaps due to the threaded shafts being
> magnetic, so I plan to solder copper strip across all the plates. The
> capacitor is wide-spaced calculated to take 100W.
>
> I'll pass on the advice given to me on the air when I joined a
> discussion on magnetic loops - build one. Two days later and an hour's
> work and I was working all over Europe with 7W.
> 73 ... Sid.
>
>
> On 01/04/11 11:14, Dan wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
>> loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>>
>> If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
>> Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
>> still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
>> for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>>
>> --
>

Hi Dan !

Dan my answer was a bit short, because i was on mobile.

We have the 1st of April. This was not a joke with the can Antenna.
This little thing works great and you have much fewer noise, when u
have the chance to put this little thing outside?

I guess you will have everything at home for it.

Good luck, Oliver, DL6KBG

On 1 April 2011 14:11, Dan <danto@...> wrote:
> Hi Sid,
>
> Very encouraging your mail.
> Tomorrow I'll go shopping for the parts ...:-)
> I have two RXTX Ensembles (40-30-20) and (15-12-10) which I intend to
> dedicate to WSPR using 2 magnetic loops.
>
> --
> 73
> Dan
> YO3GGX
> WebSDR http://yo3ggx.1p.ro
>
>
> On 4/1/2011 2:19 PM, Sid Boyce wrote:
>> Whilst not Ensemble specific, I have used magnetic loops for many years.
>> The first one was a 1m diameter 3/" soft copper loop tuned with a
>> standard capacitor that was only capable of handling the RF voltage at
>> 7W. With that loop indoors I worked all over Europe with excellent reports.
>>
>> My next loop was 28mm copper tube with 45 degree elbows (13' diameter)
>> tuned with a vacuum capacitor that accounted for all my 80m Stateside
>> contacts running 100W. Sadly it got smashed, vacuum capacitor and all in
>> 60+ MPH high winds but I'm hoping to put it together again with better
>> support.
>>
>> The current loop for 80m/40m is made from 22mm copper tube with 45
>> degree elbows (8' in diameter) with the vacuum capacitor mounted at the
>> bottom in a 4" diameter PVC tube, ends filled with foam, done so as to
>> lower the wind resistance. Currently using it with a SR v6.3 + Mobo v3.6
>> for wspr.
>> I haven't seen anyone spotting me so far, but I'm receiving all over
>> Europe on 80m/40m/20m and a number of USA stations on 20m. I have
>> successfully used it on TX with my IC-7200 on 40m SSB running 100W.
>>
>> I've found my loops work best with Gamma matching, I never seem to get
>> good matching with the faraday loop across all covered bands.
>>
>> The outdoor loops use remote tuning, a 12V motor from maplin.co.uk with
>> an insulated coupler to the vacuum capacitor controlled by a LM317 motor
>> controller in the shack, a DPDT switch for changing motor direction. SWR
>> measured for the desired frequency with a MFJ-259B.
>>
>> I have another 40m loop in the garage that's yet to be tested outdoors,
>> it uses a home brewed copper butterfly capacitor, tuning was difficult
>> when I tried it indoors perhaps due to the threaded shafts being
>> magnetic, so I plan to solder copper strip across all the plates. The
>> capacitor is wide-spaced calculated to take 100W.
>>
>> I'll pass on the advice given to me on the air when I joined a
>> discussion on magnetic loops - build one. Two days later and an hour's
>> work and I was working all over Europe with 7W.
>> 73 ... Sid.
>>
>>
>> On 01/04/11 11:14, Dan wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Anyone on this list with some success stories about using a magnetic
>>> loop antenna with a Softrock RXTX Ensemble?
>>>
>>> If yes, can he provide some details about the setup and the results?
>>> Considering the very high Q of a magnetic loop, the supplemental LPF is
>>> still required for the lower bands of the specific RXTX model (ex. 80.40
>>> for 40-30-20 RXTX Ensemble model)?
>>>
>>> --
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>



--
Oliver, DL6KBG, JO61UB
Blog: http://dl6kbg.blogspot.com

Hello all…

My name is Mark and my callsign is NB1U.

I am attempting to modify my SoftRock40 v4.0 (the original) for use as an 8.83
Mhz IF panadapter with my Kenwood TS-850.  After researching past posts it
appears all that is required is a change of the 28.224 MHz xtal.  I installed a
35.2512 MHz Series,SMD,fundamental xtal from Digi-Key and now there is no
oscillation.  I ordered 2 of them and neither work.  I reinstalled the original
xtal and the SoftRock is again operational.

What am I missing here?  Should I use a 3rd overtone xtal?  Is there a
modification to the SoftRock that I should perform besides this?  Should I
select a different frequency for the xtal?

Any help is much appreciated.

73, Mark  NB1U
W. Greenwich, RI/USA

They work quite well. I even heard one guy say that when his beam blew
down he used one  and was able to maintain his daily sked UK to ZL.

One other positive is that they don't need the height. Tony (G4OGP) who
first sold magnetic loops in the UK said that he had used one on top of
Blackpool tower and at ground level with no difference in performance.

Usually at the then Leicester show which was in a large steel hangar,
all the vendors could only show you their gear and say that antennas
couldn't work at that location, while Tony had one of his loops on the
air, pulling in European stations at 59+ and making QSO's.

It was much much later before MFJ produced their magnetic loop.

They are a number of Windows and DOS calculator programs on the net,
mloop, mloop31, etc. so you can play with different parameters ahead of
ordering any hardware. Also if anyone is interested in playing with
different sizes and shapes of magnetic loops, these programs give you a
good idea. I start off with inputting different sizes of copper, tubing
lengths and shapes and when I come up with something that I like, I buy
the materials and put it together.
I use a Gamma match for lowest SWR, usually close to 1:1 and fire it up.

Though copper is best, Tony's loops were made from aluminium tube, his
customers were not only hams but Embassies and other government
agencies. I've seen some made of aluminium curtain track.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 13:11, Dan wrote:
> Hi Sid,
>
> Very encouraging your mail.
> Tomorrow I'll go shopping for the parts ...:-)
> I have two RXTX Ensembles (40-30-20) and (15-12-10) which I intend to
> dedicate to WSPR using 2 magnetic loops.
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

Frustration is when you wind a tiny bifilar binocular twice, because you
broke a wire while tinning on the first try, get it right on the second
try, then proceed to solder it into the wrong position... argh...

--

John Williams
WQKA523
KE5SSH

That's the sort of thing you do especially while happily breezing along
in the late hours of a long day.
I completed the build of SR63ng number 2, wired it up to 13.8V via a
chocolate block connector and spent ages trying to find out why it
didn't work. After checking it over many times with the DMM, the -0.36V
reading at the output of the input Schottky diode suddenly registered,
at the chocolate block Red --> Black and Black --> Red.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 20:14, John Williams wrote:
> Frustration is when you wind a tiny bifilar binocular twice, because you
> broke a wire while tinning on the first try, get it right on the second
> try, then proceed to solder it into the wrong position... argh...
>
> --
>
> John Williams
> WQKA523
> KE5SSH
>
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

On Fri, 2011-04-01 at 20:09 +0100, Sid Boyce wrote:
>
> They work quite well. I even heard one guy say that when his beam
> blew
> down he used one and was able to maintain his daily sked UK to ZL.
>
> One other positive is that they don't need the height. Tony (G4OGP)
> who
> first sold magnetic loops in the UK said that he had used one on top
> of
> Blackpool tower and at ground level with no difference in performance.
>
> Usually at the then Leicester show which was in a large steel hangar,
> all the vendors could only show you their gear and say that antennas
> couldn't work at that location, while Tony had one of his loops on
> the
> air, pulling in European stations at 59+ and making QSO's.
>
> It was much much later before MFJ produced their magnetic loop.
>
> They are a number of Windows and DOS calculator programs on the net,
> mloop, mloop31, etc. so you can play with different parameters ahead
> of
> ordering any hardware. Also if anyone is interested in playing with
> different sizes and shapes of magnetic loops, these programs give you
> a
> good idea. I start off with inputting different sizes of copper,
> tubing
> lengths and shapes and when I come up with something that I like, I
> buy
> the materials and put it together.
> I use a Gamma match for lowest SWR, usually close to 1:1 and fire it
> up.
>
> Though copper is best, Tony's loops were made from aluminium tube,
> his
> customers were not only hams but Embassies and other government
> agencies. I've seen some made of aluminium curtain track.
> 73 ... Sid.
You can also make them out of expensive heliax cable such as LDF4-50,
once water gets in it its pretty usless and gets thrown away.
But you only use the outside solid ( corrugated ), copper and its self
supporting within reason, AND its an interference fit to 15 mm Cu
tubing, 1/2" will be very close as well.
I've a 6 mtr diameter loop in the garden I use on 160 & 80 Mtrs.
Two wood cross members and the whole thing is on a fibreglass pole.

I'd be interested in how broadband your gamma match is Sid ?
I use a loop and its gone a bit higher than normal.

--
Best wishes / 73
Richard Bown

E-mail: richard@...

nil carborundum a illegitemis
########################################################################
Sent by Evolution 2.32.1 on Fedora FC14 x86_64 Dual core AMD Athlon 4400
Ham Call:G8JVM
Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38:LAT. 52 39.720':N LONG. 2 28.171 W (degs,mins )
QRV HF + VHF Microwave 23 cms:140W,13 cms:100W,6 cms:10W & 3 cms:5W
########################################################################

The bandwidth is around 2.7 KHz for the loop made of 22mm copper tube.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 20:43, Richard wrote:
> On Fri, 2011-04-01 at 20:09 +0100, Sid Boyce wrote:
>>
>> They work quite well. I even heard one guy say that when his beam
>> blew
>> down he used one and was able to maintain his daily sked UK to ZL.
>>
>> One other positive is that they don't need the height. Tony (G4OGP)
>> who
>> first sold magnetic loops in the UK said that he had used one on top
>> of
>> Blackpool tower and at ground level with no difference in performance.
>>
>> Usually at the then Leicester show which was in a large steel hangar,
>> all the vendors could only show you their gear and say that antennas
>> couldn't work at that location, while Tony had one of his loops on
>> the
>> air, pulling in European stations at 59+ and making QSO's.
>>
>> It was much much later before MFJ produced their magnetic loop.
>>
>> They are a number of Windows and DOS calculator programs on the net,
>> mloop, mloop31, etc. so you can play with different parameters ahead
>> of
>> ordering any hardware. Also if anyone is interested in playing with
>> different sizes and shapes of magnetic loops, these programs give you
>> a
>> good idea. I start off with inputting different sizes of copper,
>> tubing
>> lengths and shapes and when I come up with something that I like, I
>> buy
>> the materials and put it together.
>> I use a Gamma match for lowest SWR, usually close to 1:1 and fire it
>> up.
>>
>> Though copper is best, Tony's loops were made from aluminium tube,
>> his
>> customers were not only hams but Embassies and other government
>> agencies. I've seen some made of aluminium curtain track.
>> 73 ... Sid.
> You can also make them out of expensive heliax cable such as LDF4-50,
> once water gets in it its pretty usless and gets thrown away.
> But you only use the outside solid ( corrugated ), copper and its self
> supporting within reason, AND its an interference fit to 15 mm Cu
> tubing, 1/2" will be very close as well.
> I've a 6 mtr diameter loop in the garden I use on 160&  80 Mtrs.
> Two wood cross members and the whole thing is on a fibreglass pole.
>
> I'd be interested in how broadband your gamma match is Sid ?
> I use a loop and its gone a bit higher than normal.
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

On Thu, 2011-03-31 at 21:47 -0500, Joel Black wrote:
>
>
> Yeah,
>
> I've done that - multiple times.

Right, okay, here's a bit of lateral thinking for you:

Get a 3.5mm stereo jack and a 3.5mm stereo line socket.  Wire the plug
and socket together crossed over.  Use this to switch between crossed
and uncrossed without constantly pratting about with the links.

I'm sure someone said a while back that the Windows software was easier
to use.  I definitely heard that somewhere... ;-)

Gordon MM0YEQ

 

 

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: R. R. (Robby) Robson

To: softrock40@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, April 01, 2011 3:52 PM

Subject: Re: [softrock40] Frustration Definition

 

Frustration is opening up your new Ensemble RX II kit and finding SO MANY toroids!

On Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Sid Boyce <sboyce@...> wrote:

That's the sort of thing you do especially while happily breezing along
in the late hours of a long day.
I completed the build of SR63ng number 2, wired it up to 13.8V via a
chocolate block connector and spent ages trying to find out why it
didn't work. After checking it over many times with the DMM, the -0.36V
reading at the output of the input Schottky diode suddenly registered,
at the chocolate block Red --> Black and Black --> Red.
73 ... Sid.

On 01/04/11 20:14, John Williams wrote:
> Frustration is when you wind a tiny bifilar binocular twice, because you
> broke a wire while tinning on the first try, get it right on the second
> try, then proceed to solder it into the wrong position... argh...
>
> --
>
> John Williams
> WQKA523
> KE5SSH
>
>

--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks


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

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/

<*> Your email settings:
   Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/join
   (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
   softrock40-digest@yahoogroups.com
   softrock40-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   softrock40-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
   http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

--

Cheers,

Robby

 

Richard R. (Robby) Robson

Amateur Radio Station WB5RVZ

www.wb5rvz.com

OMG yes!

I'm very good at winding toroids but I've never enjoyed it. :)


--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "R. R. (Robby) Robson" <rrrobson@...> wrote:
>
> Frustration is opening up your new Ensemble RX II kit and finding SO MANY
> toroids!
>
> On Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Sid Boyce <sboyce@...> wrote:
>
> > That's the sort of thing you do especially while happily breezing along
> > in the late hours of a long day.
> > I completed the build of SR63ng number 2, wired it up to 13.8V via a
> > chocolate block connector and spent ages trying to find out why it
> > didn't work. After checking it over many times with the DMM, the -0.36V
> > reading at the output of the input Schottky diode suddenly registered,
> > at the chocolate block Red --> Black and Black --> Red.
> > 73 ... Sid.
> >
> > On 01/04/11 20:14, John Williams wrote:
> > > Frustration is when you wind a tiny bifilar binocular twice, because you
> > > broke a wire while tinning on the first try, get it right on the second
> > > try, then proceed to solder it into the wrong position... argh...
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > John Williams
> > > WQKA523
> > > KE5SSH
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
> > Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
> > Specialist, Cricket Coach
> > Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Robby
>
> Richard R. (Robby) Robson
> Amateur Radio Station WB5RVZ
> www.wb5rvz.com
>

Hi all,
how can i check whether the Line in of the laptop is correctly dialed with the
SR-40 softwares(power SDR, Rock)!!;because i have a problem with the signal
appeared on the software whether it from the SR-40 or from the mice of the
laptop itself!!!......

And how can i rewrite the code of these softwares to do extra things; like make
these softwares to scan automatically over the frequency range of the SR-40 kit
and detect the unused channels!!!....is it possible??

Thanks for you all, i love this group.

----- Original Message -----
Subject: [softrock40] SR-40 Softwares!!


> how can i check whether the Line in of the laptop is correctly dialed with
> the SR-40 softwares(power SDR, Rock)!!;because i have a problem with the
> signal appeared on the software whether it from the SR-40 or from the mice
> of the laptop itself!!!......
>

Mohammad,

If you disconnect the Line In then is interference seen on the SDR screen?
It is possible that noise from the mouse can interfere by getting into the
Softrock through the antenna or another connection.
Can you describe the signal you see?

> And how can i rewrite the code of these softwares to do extra things; like
> make these softwares to scan automatically over the frequency range of the
> SR-40 kit and detect the unused channels!!!....is it possible??
>

I do not know how to write Software. The waterfall shows the whole spectrum
so you can see unused frequencies.

I do not think any SDR software includes scanning.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

Hi all,

The biggest problem is people do not take the time to actually read or
understand how the SDR gear works in its most basic way. A few minutes spent
doing that would help no end in setting up and configuring both the hardware and
software.

For the I/Q signals there are simply only two choices on receive and transmit as
far as the hardware is concerned. The most basic understanding will allow
someone to easily determine whether what they are seeing and hearing is right or
wrong, sidebands swapped over or spectrum display reversed high to low.

I gave a talk at my local radio club just 6 weeks after first reading about SDR
and acquiring a SoftRock kit from Tony. Although that was well over 5 years ago,
the basic information is still valid and hopefully still of some use in helping
explain the basics at a beginners level, which I certainly was myself at that
time.

http://home.ict.nl/~fredkrom/pe0fko/g8voi/

Alan, G4ZFQ has started to refine the information on his web page and produced
new pages specific to issues that seem to be the areas many have problems with
and questions frequently arise. For the sound card and I/Q problems take a look
at:

http://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/sdr-with-soundcard-basic-faults

There is only so much those offering assistance can do to help, the rest is down
to the individual themselves. After all, part of the process is or should be
'self learning'. Thats what amateur radio is all about, isn't it?

73, Bob G8VOI

Hi all Linux and SoftRock users!

I'm using Quisk 3.5.1 with SoftRock Ensemble RXTX on Fedora 14 with the latest
updates. It works fine (at least for RX), thank you very much for this wonderful
software!

There is one small problem though: If I close the Quisk window by clicking the X
on the upper right-hand corner (is there any other way to exit Quisk?), I must
reboot before I can use Quisk again.

If I re-start Quisk without rebooting, the window opens, but the waterfall does
not show anything, and the window is not responsive. The window is not updated
if I open and close another window (such as a terminal window) on top of the
Quisk window. Killing the unresponsive process and restarting yields the same
situation again. Un-plugging and re-plugging SoftRock USB cable does not help.

73 de OH1FSS

That shouldn't happen.
After you close quisk, see if there are left-over softrock processes
still running .
Post the output from "ps fax|grep python" and "ps fax |grep usbsoftrock".
Cut and paste the output so we can see if there is probably a "Z"
(Zombie) process hanging around.
73 ... Sid.

On 02/04/11 12:15, juhani.jaakola wrote:
> Hi all Linux and SoftRock users!
>
> I'm using Quisk 3.5.1 with SoftRock Ensemble RXTX on Fedora 14 with the
> latest updates. It works fine (at least for RX), thank you very much for
> this wonderful software!
>
> There is one small problem though: If I close the Quisk window by
> clicking the X on the upper right-hand corner (is there any other way to
> exit Quisk?), I must reboot before I can use Quisk again.
>
> If I re-start Quisk without rebooting, the window opens, but the
> waterfall does not show anything, and the window is not responsive. The
> window is not updated if I open and close another window (such as a
> terminal window) on top of the Quisk window. Killing the unresponsive
> process and restarting yields the same situation again. Un-plugging and
> re-plugging SoftRock USB cable does not help.
>
> 73 de OH1FSS
>
>


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks