VK Logger Ham Radio Forum Archive

Great stuff guys! I was lucky enough to be portable in Sydney today, and was able to have a great contact with a couple of guys. Good to meet you Glenn VK4DU mobile in Cairns!

Well done, guys, thanks for sharing the details.
73 Dan VK2GG

Hi Guys,
bloody fantastic Dave! Well done to both of you. Can't wait to get one!
Dan VK2GG

Having lots of trouble uploading a picture!!
Dan VK2GG

Hi all, just upgraded my 47GHz transverter with one of Kuhne's Pre amp/PA. Tricky fitting the manual change-over switch, but great result! My crappy WR42 powermeter head says 24dbm!!
Wow!!

Hi Ben,
just look me up when you come up to Newcastle..I'm at Morisset, just to the south,
Dan VK2GG

Hi all, very new to digital modes. I have been playing with 2 X 817's and Signalinks in WSJT7. I am seeing correct decodes, in that they have an "*" in the correct place, but no callsign or message data displayed in the decoded line. What am I doing wrong? Even in sample .wav files I see t...

Brilliant article Peter!
Thanks

Latest News!
The little diodes have been glued on!
Now to test if a DB6NT/DL2AM system will rival a VK3XPD system and actually work!
Dan GG

I have just completed 2 X IF boards more-or-less as per Philipp's photo. It even works, thanks to the stand-alone design, it can be tested using a weak 144mhz signal and a power meter. One surprise was the configuration of the PTT relay; I must confess to not having studied the circuit diagram very ...

Thanks Roger,
I've bought a pin diode switch from Ebay, but I'll probably be able to key the high performance multiplier by switching it's three power supply rails (+5, -5 and +8) that should leave the oscillator undisturbed.
Good to hear from you Roger, wish me luch at 76GHz!
Dan VK2GG

Hi all,
looks like I'LL HAVE TO EITHER KEY THE MULTIPLIER (+8, -5, +5), OR ELSE APPLY A PIN DIODE TO SWITCH THE OSCILLATOR OUTPUT.
Kuhne have said that their ocxo and their X 96 oscillator/pll can't be keyed.
Dan

Great Rob,
My icl-7660 problem is solved - just got a new chip, all is ok. Great little chip too!
Also bought 2 of those Futurlec boards, there're great too!
Dan

Thanks Justin, for the little dc-dc blighter.
Also thanks Steve fore the tip re Futurelec - have 2 X of these+5/-5 little critters, very cheap at US$9 ea.
Still can't get more than -4v out of the 7660, so I have given it up.
Good to meet up with you, Rob, at Wyong. How's the 2.4 ATV going?
Dan VK2GG

Hi all, probably a silly question..... DB6NT make very fine crystal oscillators. They also market beacons for some bands. Their site suggests that one may use an MKU12 as a 24ghz beacon. How would one modulate this? Their ordinary range of beacon transmitters have a key input via a feed-thru cap. Th...

More news on the microscope front - Peter YGM has acquired a lower power scope which should be ideal - plus it's image is NOT upside down. He just needs to fashion a solid plate - that part was missing! Pete has also made a couple of Procom dish feeds for 76ghz. Same method will be utilised on 122 a...

Matt, I found I did have some reverse-action tweezers. I "weakened" them in a vise so as not to damage the little chip diode. Then I gave them a bit of a touch up with a file. They work brilliantly to pick up little chip cappies, etc. I even had a practice placing the diode on to the track...

Thanks guys,
Justin - that would be nice if you are up near my way.
I have tried removing the 300ohm load, which does help somewhat. I even put the chip in with pin 5 out of the socket - still only -3.5v. I will check the 10uF cap.
Mark - the 7660's are available from Farnell.
cheers,
Dan

That would be handy Trash......
I now have a microscope and can see the little diode blighter. Haven't had much luck manouvering the little thing with tweezers - gets caught on rough bits on the track and skips away - just like SMD's do.
Need practice.
Dan

Hi all, has anybody had experience with this marvellous chip to generate -5v from a positive rail? I am using the ICL7660, whic is supposed to have +8 max input and I get -3.5 only. I can get an un-reliable -5 when I hit it with +12. I am using the circuit below: I am thinking of using an iocl7660A,...