Ham Radio Workbench Podcast

The BITX40 is a $60 Arduino controlled 7 watt QRP SSB 40 meter transceiver designed and built by Ashar Farhan VU2ESE.  They are available as a “kit” from http://www.hfsigs.com/ .  The assembly only involves soldering wires for things like speakers, power, and microphones and also finding a suitable case.  We originally spoke about the BITX40 back in Episode 26 (http://hamradio360.com/index.php/2017/06/20/ham-radio-360-workbench-26-the-bitx40-transceiver-an-introduction/) Mark “Smitty” Smith KR6ZY is back with us again to share with us the modifications and upgrades he’s made to the original BITX40 over the summer.  In this episode, we discuss adding upper sideband capabilities, adding an IF shift, and even multibanding the radio!  Smitty shares lots of great resources and ideas in this episode of the Workbench. Smitty KR6ZY can be found online on twitter @smittyhalibut (https://twitter.com/smittyhalibut) and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/SmittyHalibut Cale K4CDN is taking a much deserved break fo

Curious about what the “10 MHz” connector on the back of your test equipment is?  Interested in calibrating an SDR to reduce tuning error?  Do you want an accurate frequency source for tuning radios?  How about a super accurate sense of what time it is?  This week, Dr. Frank Howell K4FMH joins Jeremy and George to talk about GPS Disciplined Oscillators and Frequency References for your workbench. News Hurricane Watch Net - https://www.hwn.org/ Icom IC-9700 - http://qrznow.com/icom-ic-9700-vhfuhf1-2ghz-prototype-transceiver-shown-at-tokyo-hamfair-2017/ Circuit Board Printer - Voltera - https://www.voltera.io/ Circuit Board Printer - BotFactory - https://www.botfactory.co/page/homepage Workbench KF7IJZ’s Workbench Remote Airspy Server w/ ASUS Tinkerboard Airspy SDR Receivers Airspy R2 - 24Mhz - 1.8Ghz 10Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver - $169 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy/ Airspy Mini - 24Mhz - 1.8Ghz 6Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver - $99 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/ SpyVerter HF Conve

This week, Jeremy is back and he’s brought along John Jacobs, W7DBO, host of the new Field Radio Podcast!  John introduces his show and talks about the skills that he uses as a maker to build field portable gear including design and 3D Printing. Airspy Mini Software Defined Radio - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/ MPD Digital Custom Coax Cables - https://usacoax.com/ Pine64 Rock 64 Single Board Computer - https://www.pine64.org/?page_id=7147 Times Microwave Coax Loss Calculator - http://www.timesmicrowave.com/calculator/ Spyserver on Pi (or ODROID or Tinker Board)- http://photobyte.org/running-spyserver-raspberry-pi-3/ HamRadio360 - ADS-B with Nick KK6LHR - http://hamradio360.com/index.php/2017/06/13/ham-radio-360-ads-b-with-nick-kk6lhr/ NOAA Weather Satellites Double Cross Antenna - https://www.rtl-sdr.com/instructions-for-building-a-double-cross-antenna-great-for-noaameteor-weather-satellites/ http://w7dbo.net/MARTES_Double_Cross_Antenna.pdf Wideband Preamp - https://v3.airspy.us/product/upu-

This week we are joined by Michael VA3MW from FlexRadio Systems to deep dive on remotely operating your station from just about anywhere you have internet access. George also breaks down his new KX3 Portable Enclosure and discusses the wiring and placement of equipment. Unfortunately Jeremy experienced severe technical difficulties and was unable to join the call. Wago 221 lever connector blocks-tech specs./mfg site Wago 221 kit at Amazon FlexRadio Systems PST Rotator AZ Elecraft W2 watt meter Remote QTH control systems TX Factor   ht N4MN   Don’t forget to order your BitX40 7 W QRP Transceiver kit today! –http://www.hfsigs.com/  

This week, George and Jeremy discuss their summer workbench projects.  George has been busy trying to build the ultimate portable Field Day setup around his Elecraft KX3 and Jeremy has been busy learning more about Software Defined Radios with Airspy devices and accessories. PowerFilm 30W Foldable Solar Panel Giveaway - http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/workbench Elecraft KX3 QRP Transceiver - http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm Elecraft PX3 Panadapter - http://www.elecraft.com/PX3/px3.htm Elecraft KXPA100 Amplifier - http://www.elecraft.com/KXPA100/kxpa100.htm Airspy Mini - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/ Airspy R2 - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy/ Airspy Spyverter - https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-spyverter/ SDR Sharp and SpyServer Downloads - http://airspy.com/download/ Powerfilm Solar 60W Foldable Panel - http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/?f163600_60w_foldable_solar_panel&show=product&productID=271511&productCategoryIDs=6578,6579 Buddipole PowerMini solar charge co

This week, George and Jeremy talk with Brian Yee W6BY, about building and operating ham radio gear for the microwave bands. There is a surprising amount of activity in the microwave spectrum and getting on the air is easier than you might think. Micro:Bit Microcontroller platform  www.microbit.org George does a webinar about designing the Workbench power management PCB project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEQvaXnt7Bo&t=2430s Order your BitX 40 QRP 40M radio kit - http://www.hfsigs.com/ The perfect Ham Radio Computer?  The Asus Transformer Mini T102HA - https://www.asus.com/2-in-1-PCs/ASUS-Transformer-Mini-T102HA/ Brian Yee W6BY presents “Amateur Radio in the Bands Above 1 GHz” at BayCon 2017 http://www.bay-net.org/docs/baycon2017/microwave_ops.pdf Brian works on an old earth station written up in CQ VHF http://www.jamesburgdish.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=MxX1eY3BIK8%3D&tabid=544&mid=1040 Brian Yee W6BY on microwave comms for ham radio – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGIzYZQKGA M

This week, George and Jeremy take a look back at Field Day 2017 and the things that we made to make it a great one. We also spend some time with Jason K6DGN to talk about his USB HT Battery Charger and some of his other interests. Order your BitX 40 QRP 40M radio kit - http://www.hfsigs.com/ The perfect Ham Radio Computer?  The Asus Transformer Mini T102HA - https://www.asus.com/2-in-1-PCs/ASUS-Transformer-Mini-T102HA/ Dewalt TSTAK boxes - http://www.dewalt.com/products/gear-and-equipment/tool-storage/tstak Making your own external HT battery pack by Jason K6DGN - http://www.bay-net.org/docs/baycon2017/ht_charger.pdf Yeeco 5V to 12V Regulator - https://www.amazon.com/Yeeco-Converter-Regulator-Stabilizer-Adjustable/dp/B011EBSKK0 K6DGN’s YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/helidragon510/ RC Flight and Amateur Radio with K6DGN on the Everything Ham Radio Podcast - http://www.everythinghamradio.com/2017/05/remote-controlled-vehicles-jason-k6dgn-eth070/ George’s Blog - http://www.kj6vu.com/ Ohio Vall

This week on the Workbench Podcast; Smitty KR6ZY joins George and Jeremy to talk the BitX40. The BITX40 is a popular $60 40M 7W SSB transceiver “kit” available from http://www.hfsigs.com/ .  Smitty gives a great general introduction on the radio, its capabilities, and its opportunities.  We encourage our listeners to order theirs now as we will be doing a series of segments over the next few episodes to highlight opportunities for this little radio! Antenna Analyzer Boards – Here with less than 50 now in stock Posted rev 1.0 of the Power Board firmware by Ed W6ELA on www.360workbench.com Interview on 3D Printing Today – 191_3DPrinting_Today SDR – AirSpy – http://www.airspy.us SDRSharp – Software Links Diamond D220R – Discone Antenna FM Broadcast Band Filter – Broadcast FM Block Filter (88 – 108 MHz Block) by RTL-SDR Blog – AM Broadcast Band Filter – Broadcast AM Reject High Pass Filter (2.6 MHz HPF) by RTL-SDR Blog ADSB Filter – https://v3.airspy.us/product/fp-1090-ha5s/ Lego Saturn V – sold out from LEGO, av

George and Jeremy are joined by Beric K6BEZ, David W6DTW, and Kenneth W6KWF. The gang debriefs us on the 2017 Maker Faire Bay Area and the role and presence of Amateur Radio. We also talk about our Field Day 2017 plans. Maker Faire Bay Area – http://makerfaire.com/bay-area/ Weird Stuff – http://www.weirdstuff.com/ Travis Goodspeed’s MD-380 Tools – http://www.md380.org Beric’s DIY Test Equipment using RTL-SDR Dongle SDR – http://www.bay-net.org/docs/baycon2017/rf_test_gear.pdf SDR Noise Source and Directional Coupler – https://v3.airspy.us/product-category/other-tools-and-accessories/ Python RTL-SDR Library – https://github.com/roger-/pyrtlsdr Dayton Mini Maker Faire – http://dayton.makerfaire.com Bob Pease – http://www.ti.com/ww/en/bobpease/ Pyle 4 Channel Headphone Amplifier – https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Pro-PHA40-4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B003M8NVFS  

Take a front row seat for our Saturday talk at the 2017 Dayton Hamvention Forums. George and Jeremy explain why It Has Never Been a Better Time to be a Ham (Especially if you like to build things). We also check in with Travis Goodspeed, Michael Ossman, TAPR, Linux in the Ham Shack, Siglent, and Rigol! Link to the Presentation Slides (PDF) - http://traffic.libsyn.com/workbench/Dayton_2017_HR360_Workbench_Forum_Presentation.pdf Travis Goodspeed https://twitter.com/travisgoodspeed http://www.md380.org https://github.com/travisgoodspeed/loraham   Michael Ossman / Great Scott Gadgets https://twitter.com/michaelossmann https://twitter.com/GSGlabs https://greatscottgadgets.com   Siglent https://twitter.com/Siglent_Tech http://siglentamerica.com   Linux in the Ham Shack https://twitter.com/lhspodcast http://lhspodcast.info   TAPR https://twitter.com/TAPRDigital https://www.tapr.org   RIGOL https://twitter.com/RigolTechUSA https://www.rigolna.com

This week, George and Jeremy explore the treasure trove of Dayton through the eyes of the builder! They layout the parts, tools, test equipment, and components that you can find at Hamvention to outfit your workbench. Hamvention Vendor List http://info.pcboard.ca/ Workbench Build Projects http://www.360workbench.com/ Raspberry Pi Boot Modes https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/bootmodes/README.md  

This week, George and Jeremy are joined by Kenneth Finnegan W6KWF and Mark Smith KR6ZY to talk about Ham Radio’s role in the “Making” hobby/community and the role of community in the “Making” portion of the Amateur Radio hobby. Kenneth Finnegan, W6KWF http://Blog.thelifeofkenneth.com https://twitter.com/KWF https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKzaXL9_V1qxGj5lzIyLBpw   Mark Smith, KR6ZY https://www.youtube.com/user/SmittyHalibut https://twitter.com/smittyhalibut/   NTP: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=120&products_id=272 http://ntpsec.org   Temp sensors: https://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/DS18B20.pdf http://esp8266.net/   Asus Tinker Board https://www.asus.com/us/Single-Board-Computer/Tinker-Board/ https://twitter.com/KWF/status/854737858724220928   Ultibots D300SV Delta Printer Kit https://www.ultibots.com/d300vs-3d-printer-diy-kit/   NRF24L01: http://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/2.4GHz-RF/nRF24L01 http://www.ebay.com/itm/281281200941 With PA: http://www

Join Jeremy and George as they discuss future Workbench Build projects currently under development including the Power Monitor/Low Voltage Disconnect/Power Switch and the Arduino enabled 25W Smarty Load. Jeremy Midwest RepRap Festival after action report Midwest RepRap Festival - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-midwest-reprap-festival-mrrf2017-aka-mrrf-tickets-28382784673RepRap 3D Printers - http://reprap.org 3D Printing Today Podcast - http://threedprintingtoday.libsyn.com 3D Printing Nerd YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_7aK9PpYTqt08ERh1MewlQ Barnacules Nerdgasm YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/barnacules1 New 3D Printer - Ultibots D300SV - https://www.ultibots.com/d300vs-3d-printer-diy-kit/ Pocket Micro Router - http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5506_TL-WR802N.html TV Hacking - https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/01/smart-tv-broadcast-security-exploit/      

This week, Jeremy heads to the Midwest RepRap Festival - a 3D printing gathering in Goshen Indiana. We continue our interviews with three listeners who are building interesting ham radio and electronics projects. Rex KE6MT builds a digital doorbell, Jeff KK9JEF builds a 40m CW transceiver and Don KG5IWL builds a Bit-X transceiver and a custom case. Midwest RepRap Festival (3D printing event) https://www.facebook.com/midwestreprapfest/ https://hackaday.com/tag/midwest-reprap-festival/ Icom ID-4100A https://www.icom.co.jp/world/news/170217/ID-4100_pre.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC_a8YSJ87U   Icom IC-7610 http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/ic7610/main.html Jeff KK9JEF - 40M 3W CW TRX https://kk9jef.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/qst-forty-9er-with-dds-vfo/ Rex KE6MT - Digital Doorbell http://www.ebay.com/itm/433Mhz-RF-Transmitter-and-Receiver-Module-link-kit-for-Arduino-USA-seller-/122345523978?hash=item1c7c5c8b0a:g:24kAAOSwHaBWlXJ8 BITX40 Radio - Work the world on 40 meters ($59 USD) http://www.hfsigs.com/ Ashhar

This week Jeremy spends time with some of our listeners to talk about what’s on THEIR workbenches. We spend time with Mike KM4VKR to discuss his upgrades to the Antenna Analyzer, Vance N3VEM to talk about building his own digital mode interface for his iPhone, and Smitty KR6ZY to learn about his multi-band WSPR experiences. More interviews were recorded and will be available in a future episode.   Mike KM4VKR OLED Display - https://www.adafruit.com/products/2719 OLED Graphical Display for the HamRadio360 Antenna Analyzer - http://hamradio360.com/community/build-discussion/oled-display-with-graphing/ QRP Labs WSPR Beacon - https://www.qrp-labs.com Desktop CNC Project - https://www.millrightcnc.com K3NG Arduino CW Project - https://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/ QRP Labs SI5153 Module - http://www.qrp-labs.com/synth Arduino Zero - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardZero Arduino MKR1000 - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoMKR1000 Arduino MKRZERO - https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoar

George takes us to 2017 BayCon, the Silicon Valley’s Bay-Net annual convention. Bay-Net - http://www.bay-net.org Bay-Net Presentations/Articles - http://www.bay-net.org/articles.html    

George and Jeremy bring all of the Microcontroller knowledge together to a practical application as they break down the building of the Sierra Radio Systems Bay-Net Repeater Groups Remote Site Monitoring System. Yaesu Announces two new Handhelds FT-25R - http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=79E6683CC766565D2CB197C293AB6219&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0 FT-65R - http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=82DE38083B3DFC155A6A472F7FEFA8C7&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0 RTL-SDR.com AM/FM Broadcast Band High Pass Filter – http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-com-broadcast-block-high-pass-filter-now-sale/ Prebuilt Raspberry Pi Image for using an RTL-SDR as a receive iGate - http://www.rtl-sdr.com/a-pre-built-raspberry-pi-image-for-using-an-rtl-sdr-as-an-aprs-rx-igate/ KF7IJZ AGM / Bioenno LiFePO4 / NEC LiFePO4 Battery Comparison – https://youtu.be/psjQ-FT6KY0 Bay-Net articles - http://www.bay-net.org/articles.html Dupo

In this episode of the Ham Radio 360 Workbench, George and Jeremy continue the conversation on communicating with Microcontrollers and Single Board Computers. They deep dive on wireless ways of communicating from direct RF links to WiFi. Autodesk Eagle has moved to a subscription based license - http://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/overview News on Autdesk Eagle Subscription Terms - http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/eagle-forum/a-path-forward-for-the-make-license-a-step-up-for-standard/m-p/6823182#U6823182 West Mountain Radio Powergate - http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=pg40s Low Loss Powergate - http://ki0bk.no-ip.com/~pwrgate/LLPG/Site/LLPG.html KF7IJZ’s Test of the rev 1 DC Power Board - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgGJoE9QDCQ Point to Point RFM69: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12823 Ax.25 for RFM69/Arduino: https://github.com/kicksat/ax25 Adafruit RFM69 Devices: https://www.adafruit.com/?q=rfm69& SparkFun RFM69 Devices: https://www.sparkfun.com/search/results?term=

George and Jeremy explore how to connect microcontrollers and single board computers to circuits and sensors to interface with the real world.  They discuss both analog and digital inputs and outputs as well as the most common ways of interfacing with components such as sensors. Antenna Analyzer 3D Printed ABS Cases from Rocket City 3D - $15 - https://rocketcity3d.ecwid.com/#!/Antenna-Analyzer-Case/p/77824858/category=21090241 EEZ H24005 Open Source Lab Power Supply - $400 - 2 Channels, 155W/channel (0-40V, 0-5A) - https://www.crowdsupply.com/envox/eez-h24005 KB6NU is streaming his Ham Classes and making them available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvMiYkXm3RDjj9UVvmE-HdA Dayton Update - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tunp5dCIHkI&feature=youtu.be Congratulations to Curtis (K5CLM) at the Everything Ham Radio podcast for making it to episode 50! - http://www.everythinghamradio.com QRP Labs WSPR/QRSS - https://www.qrp-labs.com BayCon 2017 - http://baycon.us Dayton Hamvention 2017 - http://h

George and Jeremy explore some basic passive electronic components and parts and where to find them. LoRaHAM by Travis Goodspeed- https://github.com/travisgoodspeed/loraham Ted Okada TAPR DCC Talk- https://www.hamradionow.tv/episodes/2016/10/23/hrn-273-fema-go-big-from-the-2016-dcc Kenwood TH-D74 Firmware Updated to 1.05 - http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/thd74_update_e.html QRP Labs Ultimate3S Slow Speed Atmel based 200mw transmitter - http://www.qrp-labs.com WSPRLite - http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/wsprlite-antenna-tester/ Aoyue INT 852++ Hot Air Rework Station = http://www.sra-solder.com/aoyue-852a-smd-digital-hot-air-rework-station-with-vacuum-pickup Digikey - https://www.digikey.com Newark - http://www.newark.com Mouser - http://www.mouser.com eBay - http://www.ebay.com Deal Xtreme - http://www.dx.com AliExpress - https://www.aliexpress.com BangGood - http://www.banggood.com Adafruit - https://www.adafruit.com SparkFun - https://www.sparkfun.com Voltage Divider - https://learn.sparkfun.com/