ACØCW/AL7

I’ve returned another project to my current slate. Despite some controversial views on 10-meter beacons (mostly some people think there are too many of them), I’m once again planning to build and operate a beacon for 10. I did this while I was in Colorado, modifying an old Kraco Citizen’s band transceiver for operation on 10, but it had a few problems. This time, I might repeat the conversion (and fix the problems) or I might design and build from scratch.
Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t like math. In fact, most of my life, I’ve severely hated, reviled, and despised math. It is evil, incomprehensible, and I would say it must be destroyed, except that the Universe would then fall apart, and I don’t think I could live with that.

My next statement may cause the Universe to fall apart, anyway: I love math!
Read the rest of this entry »

After thinking about it and doing some math during a long, boring day at work, I’ve decided on some changes to the 30M transceiver project. Starting with…
Read the rest of this entry »

I tend to get glassy-eyed when reading texts like Transistor Circuit Design (From Texas Instruments). But I read them anyway, because occasionally, I learn something. Usually something obvious.

I’ve always accepted that swamping resistors prevent thermal runaway. I never really got it, but that’s what they taught me, and everyone else accepted it, so that was good enough for me. Now, after reading a passage of the aforementioned text, I understand. Eureka!
Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been doing some research into my 30-meter transceiver project, specifically looking for information leading to a tube final that will produce the intended 200 watts out. I think I found my base design, and also come to the conclusion that I really want this project to be completely tube-based. Partly to be different, and partly because it’d be a neat taste of the way things were “back when.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, a pretty simple design. Two LEDs to light up the meter on the MFJ-941D VersaTuner. This design includes a potentiometer to vary brightness.
Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t have a current image of my operating position, but here’s my station equipment.

Kenwood TS-120S
Pretty decent HF transceiver, covering 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters, up to about 100 watts out, with USB, LSB, and CW modes. Mine has been upgraded with the YK-88C narrow filter for CW. Purchased used on Ebay. Later supplemented with the VFO-120, also purchased used on Ebay.

Astron RS-20A
A basic 20-amp power supply. Runs the TS-120S, and sometimes a couple other accessories. I would much rather have a 30-amp power supply… someday. Purchased either new or used on Ebay.

MFJ-941D Tuner
Okay, so, this is not the world’s best antenna-system matching device. However, it does work, and fairly decently. Purchased used on Ebay. Currently the subject of a project to add meter lights.

Lionel J-38 straight key
Okay, it’s a straight key. But it’s my favorite one. It’s smooth, it’s attractive, and I bought it used on Ebay. Plus, it was made by a train company!

Vibroplex Original Bug
My other favorite key. A pleasure to send with, even though it bottoms out at about 22 wpm. Purchased used on Ebay. (Noticing a pattern here?)

Icom IC-T7H dual-band handheld
My first (and only) purchased-new radio. Satisfactory for monitoring frequencies and getting into local repeaters with certain antennas. Supplemented with a Larsen through-glass antenna on the car, and a Radio Shack handheld mic.

Assorted other equipment includes a couple of computers; a 24 hour, WWV-synchronized clock (with the WWV receiver disabled so it will show UTC); the CPO from an MFJ-557 practice key/CPO; a homebrew rig-to-computer interface box for PSK31 and suchlike; and a few dozen cables.

MFJ-941 Mod
Add meter lights. Probably yellow LEDs, 12VDC nominal supply. Pretty simple.

30-meter transceiver
Build from scratch, based on existing designs and/or original research and development. Primarily interested in CW on 30M, so probably not going to include a SSB modulator, although I might for the sake of digital modes. Ideally, tube finals rated for a full 200W PEP. Most likely a simple receiver design, although I might try something interesting.

28 MHz Beacon
I actually had this built already, from a modified CB transceiver. It had some serious key clicks and spurs, however, and I never did get around to correcting them. That unit is currently located in Colorado with a bunch of other stuff. I may redesign this one from scratch. In any case, I’ll likely use the same beacon controller: N0XAS picokeyer. Handy device, that.

2M Cubic Quad Antenna
Pretty much self-explanatory.

20M Cubic Quad Antenna.
Also pretty much self-explanatory.

James Davis, known on the air by his call sign ACØCW, is an Amateur Radio operator located in Fairbanks, Alaska. He has held an Amateur Extra class ticket since July of 2005, but his interest in radio and electronics goes back to 1995, when he first discovered Amateur Radio existed.

He was formerly an Air Traffic Control Equipment Repairer (MOS 35D, then 94D) in the U.S. Army, working on radars, communications systems, navigational aids, and Play Station® game consoles. After a little more than seven years in the Army, he transitioned back to civilian life, and returned to the Fairbanks locale, where he had been previously stationed at Fort Wainwright.

He lives with a torby (tortoiseshell/tabby mix) cat named Rooney, who may or may not be a no-code cat; although she doesn’t scratch or bite when she hears cw, she does occasionally jump onto the desk in the middle of a message. He enjoys homebrewing; working HF cw and PSK31, particularly on the 40 and 20 meter bands; and has an interest in microwave and satellite communications. Club/organization memberships include ARRL and FISTS. He was formerly a member of the Enterprise Amateur Radio Society, where eating always ranks supreme. (HI, Gary).

Other hobbies include photography, computer programming, writing fiction, playing guitar (or trying, anyway), shooting sports, and teasing Rooney with a laser pointer.

I’ve decided to start a blog instead of the more maintenance-intensive website I was using for my amateur radio stuff. However, after fiddling around with this thing for several hours, it doesn’t really seem that much less maintenance-intensive. Blame it on the web host; that’s what I do.

So, anyway, I’m back in Alaska as of November 2007, and while I haven’t been on the air much, I’ve been getting my act together for Field Day 2008.
Read the rest of this entry »