RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set pluged into
the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It seems like processes in
the computer are causing the interuptions. Is this common? Is there something
that can be done to prevent this from happening? I am ready to build a external
transmitter to get around that.
Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard realtek and
same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very disturbing since I am a
100% only cw op.

Robert, KH2BR

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

From: jeff29754

To: softrock40@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 10:28 PM

Subject: [softrock40] Re: Yaesu FT-902DM .. How ?

 

I don't know if it responds to CAT or not, how can i find out ?

Jeff
M1BCM

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, Tony Estep <esteptony@...> wrote:
>
> On Sun, Apr 1, 2012 at 6:51 PM, jeff29754 <jeff.worthing@...> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> > ... how i can incorporate SDR into my 902, i've been told i can take the
> > IF output from the rear panel into a softrock
> >
> =========
> Yep, if the 902 responds to CAT signals, you should be able to. The
> software for this is PSDR-IF, which is designed for this purpose. You can
> download the program and documentation at the LP-Pan website. If the
> softrock covers the 902's IF frequency, you can substitute it wherever the
> info there refers to the LP-Pan. To make it work, you need the program,
> plus LP-Bridge, which serves to route the needed CAT commands.
>
> Tony KT0NY
>

HDSDR 2.13 released with TX.

for details and changelog see http://hdsdr.de/

Don't forget to put the ExtIO_Si570.dll in the folder.
But I have a problem, before I report it could someone else try.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

Can I buy here in the UK, or are they only available from the US?
   Can someone point me to a link from which I can order please?
   thanks.I feel building one is pushing my "newbie" staus to the limit,
   but about to try for my intermediate UK amateur exam, so I might as
   well try and build something both taxing and useful ;)

--
Best regards,
  Chris Wilson                          mailto:chris@...

On Mon, 2 Apr 2012 10:47:06 +0100
Chris Wilson <chris@...> wrote:

>
>
>   Can I buy here in the UK, or are they only available from the US?
>   Can someone point me to a link from which I can order please?
>   thanks.I feel building one is pushing my "newbie" staus to the
> limit, but about to try for my intermediate UK amateur exam, so I
> might as well try and build something both taxing and useful ;)
>

There are but, they are grossly greedy, W&S details in Radcom or google.
When I say greedy US$1=GBP1 X2 + p+p GBP 5.

I'm sure someone may have one of the earlier kits unbuilt they could
sell you at a fraction of the price, Good luck with the 2E0


--

--
Best wishes / 73
Richard Bown

e-mail: richard@...

nil carborundum a illegitemis
################################################################################\
##
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Fedora FC16 x86_64 on a Dell Insiron N5030 laptop
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
################################################################################\
##

On 02/04/12 10:47, Chris Wilson wrote:
>
>    Can I buy here in the UK, or are they only available from the US?
>    Can someone point me to a link from which I can order please?
>    thanks.I feel building one is pushing my "newbie" staus to the limit,
>    but about to try for my intermediate UK amateur exam, so I might as
>    well try and build something both taxing and useful ;)
>
Waters and Stanton used to advertise very old softrock RX kits, may
still do but I haven't checked for a very long time.

The Softrock gear is designed, kitted and supplied by Tony (KB9YIG). The
only source is kb9yig.com.

This is not a commercial outfit, Tony does all this as a hobby and when
kits are available you get some warning on this list but the best hope
is to check his site regularly as kits never stay around very long -
sometimes they are gone within an hour.

Alternatives are the SR63ng from yoyodyneconsulting.ca - an all SMT
clone of the no longer available SR v6.3 from Tony.

Dave (wb6dhw.com) describes the UHFSDR transceiver, an all SMT board 1 -
700 MHz. Supplied by the Silver Fox, see Dave's site.
73 ... Sid.

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

>
> On Mon, 2 Apr 2012 10:47:06 +0100
> Chris Wilson <chris@...> wrote:

>>
>>
>> Can I buy here in the UK, or are they only available from the US?
>> Can someone point me to a link from which I can order please?
>> thanks.I feel building one is pushing my "newbie" staus to the
>> limit, but about to try for my intermediate UK amateur exam, so I
>> might as well try and build something both taxing and useful
>>

> There are but, they are grossly greedy, W&S details in Radcom or google.
> When I say greedy US$1=GBP1 X2 + p+p GBP 5.

> I'm sure someone may have one of the earlier kits unbuilt they could
> sell you at a fraction of the price, Good luck with the 2E0

> --



02/04/2012 11:40

For sure if someone has a kit unbuilt they wish to move on I would be
interested. Please e-mail me at chris@... if a reply here
is not deemed etiquette. If I buy direct from the US has someone got a
link to the sellers site please? Thanks for the info and good luck
message! Cheers Richard.

--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris
Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?



All info here. <http://www.wb5rvz.com/>
No problem getting from Tony, except being there when they appear, sell out
VERY quickly.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris
> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?



> All info here. <http://www.wb5rvz.com/>
> No problem getting from Tony, except being there when they appear, sell out
> VERY quickly.

> 73 Alan G4ZFQ



> ------------------------------------

> Yahoo! Groups Links





02/04/2012 12:37

Thanks, I see how this works now. I might be safer building a Softrock
Lite IF first and using it as a panadaptor for my old Yaesu FT-902DM
boat anchor. I need to check its IF, but what are the chances of me
finding one of these in kit form? Can you use the receiver kit as a
panadaptor for another rig, or do you specifically need the Lite IF
kit? Is the Lite IF kit much simpler than the full receiver kit?
Thanks.

--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.

I had this happen when I was running GenLog at the same time as Rocky on the
same CPU (a dual core Atom).  When I killed GenLog, Rocky returned to good CW. 
Seemed to be some interaction from the other processes/application running at
the same time affect Rocky's timing.

Tony
W2HWW


--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "kh2br" <rholsti@...> wrote:
>
>  RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set pluged into
the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It seems like processes in
the computer are causing the interuptions. Is this common? Is there something
that can be done to prevent this from happening? I am ready to build a external
transmitter to get around that.
> Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard realtek and
same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very disturbing since I am a
100% only cw op.
>
> Robert, KH2BR
>

On 02/04/12 12:40, Chris Wilson wrote:
>
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Chris
>> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?
>
>
>> All info here.<http://www.wb5rvz.com/>
>> No problem getting from Tony, except being there when they appear, sell out
>> VERY quickly.
>> 73 Alan G4ZFQ
>
>
>> ------------------------------------
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> 02/04/2012 12:37
>
> Thanks, I see how this works now. I might be safer building a Softrock
> Lite IF first and using it as a panadaptor for my old Yaesu FT-902DM
> boat anchor. I need to check its IF, but what are the chances of me
> finding one of these in kit form? Can you use the receiver kit as a
> panadaptor for another rig, or do you specifically need the Lite IF
> kit? Is the Lite IF kit much simpler than the full receiver kit?
> Thanks.
>
IMHO go for the ensemble RX kit,
I did the older Lite kit first and didn't realise what I was missing.
Assuming you get exactly the right crystal and the I.F. is in good shape
you get a small fraction of the features of the larger kit.
The work is probably 40% of the full kit for about 15% functionality.

The kits are built in steps with good error checking tips, the danger
doing a lite kit first is rushing to get it done (it's a small PCB how
long can it take?!) and at the end finding it's fine but not exactly the
full SDR.
Maybe we should coin the term SDIF to denote one foot nailed to the floor.
Don't get me wrong I loved my 40M kit (later tweaked for FT-102 IF) but
didn't realise how being frequency agile the RX could do all that and
more for a bit more work.

If you want to check a Ensemble RX II try sdrspace.com (download the
full program) and if there is not one available I'll put mine on for a test.
I could also give you the option of trying a Creative X-Fi USB, Xonar,
or Roland USB sound card. You will need a decent sound card to make the
most of SDR.

73
Stu M0AQY

----- Original Message -----
Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?



> IMHO go for the ensemble RX kit,

Then you are in at the deep end with Si570 and regulator coming towards the
beginning of construction.
If someone has NO SMD soldering experience then maybe a Lite is best,
certainly if there is a projected use for it.
Nothing difficult to solder, fewer coils to wind, a few less steps with file
manipulation and software.
And good results are possible with ordinary soundcards, make your mind up
about that later.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

I'm not quite sure why people talk up this SMD stuff, it's not like it's
0402 or .5mm pitch blindfold.
To me a decent pair of tweezers and angle the board so that your wrist
is at the right angle so its not straining, bluetack the pcb to a tray
and move around when required. Magnifying glass or webcam if the
eyesight is a bit lacking.

Unless someone is out in the woods and can't talk to someone who has
been in electronics some time in the last 20 years there is help out there.
If you really think it's that much of a big deal I'll stick the Si570
bits on and test for him. Or Skype with webcam some build tips,
Teamviewer the PC to watch drivers are installed.

OK a 96kHz sound card is a luxury but a a half decent soldering iron
isn't - why don't we be a bit more positive and recommend some things
learnt from all this combined enthusiasm?

Stu

On 02/04/12 14:21, Alan wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?
>
>
>
>> IMHO go for the ensemble RX kit,
> Then you are in at the deep end with Si570 and regulator coming towards the
> beginning of construction.
> If someone has NO SMD soldering experience then maybe a Lite is best,
> certainly if there is a projected use for it.
> Nothing difficult to solder, fewer coils to wind, a few less steps with file
> manipulation and software.
> And good results are possible with ordinary soundcards, make your mind up
> about that later.
>
> 73 Alan G4ZFQ
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

I would be interested to see how SDRSharp performs on Atom netbooks, especially
revision 175. Can someone give it a try and tell me please?


--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "w2hww" <aploski@...> wrote:
>
> I had this happen when I was running GenLog at the same time as Rocky on the
same CPU (a dual core Atom).  When I killed GenLog, Rocky returned to good CW. 
Seemed to be some interaction from the other processes/application running at
the same time affect Rocky's timing.
>
> Tony
> W2HWW
>
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "kh2br" <rholsti@> wrote:
> >
> >  RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set pluged
into the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It seems like processes
in the computer are causing the interuptions. Is this common? Is there something
that can be done to prevent this from happening? I am ready to build a external
transmitter to get around that.
> > Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard realtek and
same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very disturbing since I am a
100% only cw op.
> >
> > Robert, KH2BR
> >
>

 

HDSDR 2.13 released with TX.

for details and changelog see http://hdsdr.de/

Don't forget to put the ExtIO_Si570.dll in the folder.
But I have a problem, before I report it could someone else try.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 7020 (20120402) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

 

Alan,

I can't click the checkbox in options to allow TX. Mine says this version of ExtIO doesn't support TX.Changing the init model does no good.

John

KC9OJV

 

---

From: Alan <alan4alan@...>
To: softrock40@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 4:16 AM
Subject: [softrock40] new HDSDR

 

HDSDR 2.13 released with TX.

for details and changelog see http://hdsdr.de/

Don't forget to put the ExtIO_Si570.dll in the folder.
But I have a problem, before I report it could someone else try.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 7020 (20120402) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

Nice testimony, Stu, and accurate!

bet

On 4/2/2012 8:07 AM, Stu Capon wrote:
> On 02/04/12 12:40, Chris Wilson wrote:
>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Chris
>>> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?
>>
>>> All info here.<http://www.wb5rvz.com/>
>>> No problem getting from Tony, except being there when they appear, sell out
>>> VERY quickly.
>>> 73 Alan G4ZFQ
>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>> 02/04/2012 12:37
>>
>> Thanks, I see how this works now. I might be safer building a Softrock
>> Lite IF first and using it as a panadaptor for my old Yaesu FT-902DM
>> boat anchor. I need to check its IF, but what are the chances of me
>> finding one of these in kit form? Can you use the receiver kit as a
>> panadaptor for another rig, or do you specifically need the Lite IF
>> kit? Is the Lite IF kit much simpler than the full receiver kit?
>> Thanks.
>>
> IMHO go for the ensemble RX kit,
> I did the older Lite kit first and didn't realise what I was missing.
> Assuming you get exactly the right crystal and the I.F. is in good shape
> you get a small fraction of the features of the larger kit.
> The work is probably 40% of the full kit for about 15% functionality.
>
> The kits are built in steps with good error checking tips, the danger
> doing a lite kit first is rushing to get it done (it's a small PCB how
> long can it take?!) and at the end finding it's fine but not exactly the
> full SDR.
> Maybe we should coin the term SDIF to denote one foot nailed to the floor.
> Don't get me wrong I loved my 40M kit (later tweaked for FT-102 IF) but
> didn't realise how being frequency agile the RX could do all that and
> more for a bit more work.
>
> If you want to check a Ensemble RX II try sdrspace.com (download the
> full program) and if there is not one available I'll put mine on for a test.
> I could also give you the option of trying a Creative X-Fi USB, Xonar,
> or Roland USB sound card. You will need a decent sound card to make the
> most of SDR.
>
> 73
> Stu M0AQY
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 7020 (20120402) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
>

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, Stu Capon <powernumpty@...> wrote:
>
> I'm not quite sure why people talk up this SMD stuff, it's not like it's
> 0402 or .5mm pitch

From my time in this group fears of SMD is the problem.
Many posts are aimed at overcoming this fear. The Lite version is always
recommended to beginners, many who have no experience or connections with the
electronics trade.
I am not suggesting it is difficult but I do not think those two components are
going to be child's play for a beginner. They comes before any of the easy ICs
in Robby's construction scheme.
Offering to do it for someone seems to be somewhat negative, just let them get
some experience. A functioning Lite is a good way to get that experience.

Next comes all the posts saying how easy it is to reflow SMDs.....

73 Alan G4ZFQ

 

I would be interested to see how SDRSharp performs on Atom netbooks, especially revision 175. Can someone give it a try and tell me please?

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "w2hww" <aploski@...> wrote:
>
> I had this happen when I was running GenLog at the same time as Rocky on the same CPU (a dual core Atom). When I killed GenLog, Rocky returned to good CW. Seemed to be some interaction from the other processes/application running at the same time affect Rocky's timing.
>
> Tony
> W2HWW
>
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "kh2br" <rholsti@> wrote:
> >
> > RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set pluged into the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It seems like processes in the computer are causing the interuptions. Is this common? Is there something that can be done to prevent this from happening? I am ready to build a external transmitter to get around that.
> > Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard realtek and same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very disturbing since I am a 100% only cw op.
> >
> > Robert, KH2BR
> >
>

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 7020 (20120402) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Tanner <bet110@...> wrote:
>
> John, I get the same result.
  John Greusel wrote:
> > Alan,
> > I can't click the checkbox in options to allow TX. Mine says this
> > version of ExtIO doesn't support TX.

Yes, that's what I found. I wondered if it was me.
It worked when I tested it for Mario a few months ago but the release version
seems to have grown a bug.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

Any sdr should work ... just need to set the lo to the proper freq - UHFSDR is
X2 the IF and the Lite would be X4 .... and maybe buffering if the IF output
gets loaded too much ...

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

From: Chris Wilson
Sent: 2 Apr 2012 11:40:07 GMT
To: Alan
Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?




> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris
> Subject: Re: [softrock40] Any UK resellers of the Softrock kits?



> All info here. <http://www.wb5rvz.com/>
> No problem getting from Tony, except being there when they appear, sell out
> VERY quickly.

> 73 Alan G4ZFQ



> ------------------------------------

> Yahoo! Groups Links





02/04/2012 12:37

Thanks, I see how this works now. I might be safer building a Softrock
Lite IF first and using it as a panadaptor for my old Yaesu FT-902DM
boat anchor. I need to check its IF, but what are the chances of me
finding one of these in kit form? Can you use the receiver kit as a
panadaptor for another rig, or do you specifically need the Lite IF
kit? Is the Lite IF kit much simpler than the full receiver kit?
Thanks.

--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.



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

Yahoo! Groups Links

> I'm not quite sure why people talk up this SMD stuff, it's not like it's
> 0402 or .5mm pitch blindfold.
> To me a decent pair of tweezers and angle the board so that your wrist
> is at the right angle so its not straining, bluetack the pcb to a tray
> and move around when required. Magnifying glass or webcam if the
> eyesight is a bit lacking.

> Unless someone is out in the woods and can't talk to someone who has
> been in electronics some time in the last 20 years there is help out there.
> If you really think it's that much of a big deal I'll stick the Si570
> bits on and test for him. Or Skype with webcam some build tips,
> Teamviewer the PC to watch drivers are installed.

> OK a 96kHz sound card is a luxury but a a half decent soldering iron
> isn't - why don't we be a bit more positive and recommend some things
> learnt from all this combined enthusiasm?

> Stu


I am certainly willing to give it a go. I would like to practice on
some SM components first though. I am unsure how to go about that
though. I am happy to buy some cheap surface mount devices to
"sacrifice", but I would need a suitable PCB board to solder them to.
Anyone got any tips for cheap ways to practice? i couldn't TIG weld 2
years ago, but am now so so with aluminium and reasonable on
stainless. I remember when a BMC "A" series engine seemed complex and
re-building one was a fearful undertaking. I now tackle F1 engines
without any great concerns. Practice makes perfect and all that.... ;)

02/04/2012 15:46



--
        Best Regards,
                    Chris Wilson.

Thanks for the replies. Right now the softrock is put away and will give it one
more shot today. My PC does not have pci slots. I thought it would be a good
idea to get rid of the big box. :)
Is SDRSharp ready for TX now? Is the file ready to download?
I wonder if setting rocky priority to high in task manager as well as the sound
cards to high would would end the break-up of the cw tone.
If you hear a lousey cw signal today, it could be me.

Thanks and 73's
Robert KH2BR

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Tanner <bet110@...> wrote:
>
> I have one and will give it a go a little later, Yussef.  Maybe someone
> will be quicker, if so, I will be the back up player.
>
> bet
>
>
> On 4/2/2012 9:58 AM, sdrsharp wrote:
> >
> > I would be interested to see how SDRSharp performs on Atom netbooks,
> > especially revision 175. Can someone give it a try and tell me please?
> >
> > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:softrock40%40yahoogroups.com>, "w2hww" <aploski@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I had this happen when I was running GenLog at the same time as
> > Rocky on the same CPU (a dual core Atom). When I killed GenLog, Rocky
> > returned to good CW. Seemed to be some interaction from the other
> > processes/application running at the same time affect Rocky's timing.
> > >
> > > Tony
> > > W2HWW
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:softrock40%40yahoogroups.com>, "kh2br" <rholsti@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set
> > pluged into the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It
> > seems like processes in the computer are causing the interuptions. Is
> > this common? Is there something that can be done to prevent this from
> > happening? I am ready to build a external transmitter to get around that.
> > > > Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard
> > realtek and same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very
> > disturbing since I am a 100% only cw op.
> > > >
> > > > Robert, KH2BR
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> > signature database 7020 (20120402) __________
> >
> > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
> >
> > http://www.eset.com
>

Not yet. Only RX for the moment, but I'm working on it.
How much cpu does Rocky use on that pc? Just to be sure of the nature of the
problem, try to get two cpu measures: one with visible main window and one when
reduced. Rocky not being known as CPU hog, I'm suspecting the graphics.

--- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, "kh2br" <rholsti@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the replies. Right now the softrock is put away and will give it
one more shot today. My PC does not have pci slots. I thought it would be a good
idea to get rid of the big box. :)
> Is SDRSharp ready for TX now? Is the file ready to download?
> I wonder if setting rocky priority to high in task manager as well as the
sound cards to high would would end the break-up of the cw tone.
> If you hear a lousey cw signal today, it could be me.
>
> Thanks and 73's
> Robert KH2BR
>
> --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Tanner <bet110@> wrote:
> >
> > I have one and will give it a go a little later, Yussef.  Maybe someone
> > will be quicker, if so, I will be the back up player.
> >
> > bet
> >
> >
> > On 4/2/2012 9:58 AM, sdrsharp wrote:
> > >
> > > I would be interested to see how SDRSharp performs on Atom netbooks,
> > > especially revision 175. Can someone give it a try and tell me please?
> > >
> > > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com
> > > <mailto:softrock40%40yahoogroups.com>, "w2hww" <aploski@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I had this happen when I was running GenLog at the same time as
> > > Rocky on the same CPU (a dual core Atom). When I killed GenLog, Rocky
> > > returned to good CW. Seemed to be some interaction from the other
> > > processes/application running at the same time affect Rocky's timing.
> > > >
> > > > Tony
> > > > W2HWW
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In softrock40@yahoogroups.com
> > > <mailto:softrock40%40yahoogroups.com>, "kh2br" <rholsti@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > RXTX Ensemble cw note is breaking up on Rocky. With the head set
> > > pluged into the line out on the computer I hear the same thing. It
> > > seems like processes in the computer are causing the interuptions. Is
> > > this common? Is there something that can be done to prevent this from
> > > happening? I am ready to build a external transmitter to get around that.
> > > > > Memory is 2GB, cpu is a 3.2 g pentium, sound card is motherboard
> > > realtek and same thing with external sound blaster XFI. This is very
> > > disturbing since I am a 100% only cw op.
> > > > >
> > > > > Robert, KH2BR
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> > > signature database 7020 (20120402) __________
> > >
> > > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
> > >
> > > http://www.eset.com
> >
>

It's just plain a bad idea to cook PCBs with lead solder in an oven
you use to cook food with.

At 09:54 AM 4/2/2012, you wrote:


>Chris,
>
>You can get a board by finding an older computer board or consumer
>electronics.  The older stuff used larger size components.  Hit it
>with a heat gun and shake the parts off.  You might also be able to
>use the oven at 500 F and then shake.  Just don't let your wife see you.
>
>Dave
>KB2YWT
>
>On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 10:50 AM, Chris Wilson
><<mailto:chris@...>chris@...> wrote:
>
>
> > I'm not quite sure why people talk up this SMD stuff, it's not like it's
> > 0402 or .5mm pitch blindfold.
> > To me a decent pair of tweezers and angle the board so that your wrist
> > is at the right angle so its not straining, bluetack the pcb to a tray
> > and move around when required. Magnifying glass or webcam if the
> > eyesight is a bit lacking.
>
> > Unless someone is out in the woods and can't talk to someone who has
> > been in electronics some time in the last 20 years there is help out there.
> > If you really think it's that much of a big deal I'll stick the Si570
> > bits on and test for him. Or Skype with webcam some build tips,
> > Teamviewer the PC to watch drivers are installed.
>
> > OK a 96kHz sound card is a luxury but a a half decent soldering iron
> > isn't - why don't we be a bit more positive and recommend some things
> > learnt from all this combined enthusiasm?
>
> > Stu
>
>
>I am certainly willing to give it a go. I would like to practice on
>some SM components first though. I am unsure how to go about that
>though. I am happy to buy some cheap surface mount devices to
>"sacrifice", but I would need a suitable PCB board to solder them to.
>Anyone got any tips for cheap ways to practice? i couldn't TIG weld 2
>years ago, but am now so so with aluminium and reasonable on
>stainless. I remember when a BMC "A" series engine seemed complex and
>re-building one was a fearful undertaking. I now tackle F1 engines
>without any great concerns. Practice makes perfect and all that.... ;)
>
>02/04/2012 15:46

--
Cecil - k5nwa
http://www.softrockradio.org/  http://thepartsplace.k5nwa.com/

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.