TS570D RS232 Fault.

I have been trying to get my Kenwood TS570D to work via the PC for sometime. Having tried more than one lead, computer and operating system I had come to the conclusion that there must be a fault with the radio. A prod about with the scope on the RS232 serial port seemed to back this up.
So basically I have changed chip IC900 (ADM232L) and all works great now. Happy Days.
Thought this may be useful if anybody is having similar problems. This is an ESD sensitive device.

QRP portable

Over time I have been gathering items together to build up a portable kit for HF operation.
Pictured below is my latest item, a paddle and integrated pic keyer (VK1OD) .The whole thing is cloned yet again from Radio Projects for the Amateur vol 4 by Drew Diamond VK3XU. Only real difference is a built in battery supply.
Rotary control is for speed (10-40wpm) and switch is for auto spacing.
Great fun to build. All we need now is good weather :-)

Paddle and GQ-40

Unfinished Project : Bitx20 ver3

Here is my Bitx20 ssb transceiver, on my list of things to do. Should be OK when finished but want to look at alternative PA stages as I would like a full 10w QRP output. It's also turned out a bit bigger than hoped. May use case and frequency counter for a future multi-band rig and rebuild bitx into a smaller case.
Perhaps putting it on here will inspire me to complete, though phone is not really my thing at the moment.

VK1OD PIK Morse Keyer

Yet another Pic based keyer at MW0IAN.
This one caught my eye due to the feature of auto-spacing between characters.
After building the keyer by following an article in "Radio Projects Vol 4" by VK3XU, which is based on the original article by VK1OD . The problem was I could not load a 12F508 Pic with the HEX file supplied on the website. After a couple of days getting no where I decided to order a couple of pre-programmed chips from the authors website.
After only 4 days the chips arrived, wow that was quick !! I quickly inserted the chip into the ready built and waiting hardware - Bingo worked first time.
The Keying is very nice but slightly different to what I am used to but easy to adapt slightly.
Very pleased.

Typically , I have since figured out the pic hex loading situation but that's another story...
The Radio projects vols 2,3 and 4 by VK3XU are available in the UK from the GQRP club, highly recommended .

Mains Filter - Good Housekeeping ?

After reading an article in Radcoms 'In Practice' by GM3SEK sometime ago (May 2009) making reference to a filtered mains supply. This is based on a Belling Lee mains filter which filters line, neutral and earth. It is capable of passing 16 amps so well up to supplying the whole shack including computer.
Pictured is the unit mounted in a plastic box with plastic cable glands as strain relief. This unit then feed a strip of six sockets to supply the shack bench. obviously the lid must go on as there are exposed terminals with mains power.

The theory is that this unit should help prevent any RF currents going back into the house mains wiring possibly causing RFI issues. Another option is winding the mains cable on a stack of large ferrite cores.

GM3SEK's website

Attic Doublet on Topband

Bit of fun really. Just wondered if my Attic Doublet would put any kind of signal out on 160m Topband.
You couldn't make a qso but WSPR reporting shows:

WSPR on Topband

Terrible on receive though. May try some experiments with topband in the future.

MW0IAN Mobile Station

Just a quick look at my VHF / UHF mobile installation, consisting of a Yaesu FT7800 dual band with mobile whip.
The main problem in my opinion these days is installing a mobile rig in the car without it standing out like a sore thumb.Mag mount aerials are good because they can be easily removed but this can be inconvenient. The alternatives are hatch mounts or drill mounts.Hatch mounting was not possible for me, due to plastic spoiler-trim on the upper side of the hatchback.
This is my solution: remove the broadcast AM/FM factory fitted aerial and fit a PMR type mount in the same position . This saves drilling any new holes. Onto this mount is a Garex electronics dual band whip which is painted satin black to blend in (normally shiny stainless steel).No one has even noticed, including XYL !!

Garex whip on Pmr base

For the broadcast radio I installed a window mount active aerial onto the back window which is powered by the original DC feed to the factory broadcast band aerial.

Active window AM/FM antenna

To power the Radio in the car I fitted a direct (Fused) feed to the vehicle battery (supplied with radio). This meant drilling a hole into the bulkhead from inside the car ( carefully checking other side of hole) and feeding the wires through a sturdy grommet . These were then carefully routed around the car, under trim panels etc making sure nothing could rub causing damage to the cables. **12v dc car batteries carry high current and can melt cables easily if shorted out causing a potential fire risk ** see here for advice on mobile installations http://highfields-arc.co.uk/vehicles/vehindex.htm

Battery feed in engine bay

DC feed through under dashboard (passenger side)

The main body of the radio was mounted under the passenger seat with a remote external speaker.

The control head was mounted on the main console in front of the gear change and under the heater controls for the car.

Remote head in centre console

Just need to look for a hands free arrangement, now. I have a couple of ideas , more to follow..