Purpose of this Group
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Welcome! We hope this group becomes a clearing house for all types of software as it relates to amateur (ham) radio. The topics are left to the members and Dennis Kidder (W6DQ), Farrukh Zia (K2ZIA), and I (W8TEE) will follow the lead of the members.?
To give you an idea of what we have in mind, one ham built the Forty-9er xcvr that we presented in the March issue of QST. They suggested that we modify the code so that the frequency increment could be changed by rotating the encoder in lieu of repeatedly pressing the encoder switch to advance to the next increment. The idea is that the encoder would change state with a shaft press and the encoder would then scroll through the increment options. When you see the increment you want, press the encoder shaft again to select it and return the encoder to the "tune" state. Unless someone else wants to run with it, I'll try making that modification after my current project (discussed below) is finished.? Another change that I have made is a "fast tune" feature for the VFO. As the software stands now, if you want to make a large frequency change, you likely change the frequency increment to a higher rate, tune to the new frequency, and then reset the increment back to a smaller increment so you can "zero-in" on a frequency. I've been experimenting with a feature I call fast tune where the software monitors the speed at which you are rotating the encoder shaft. If you are rotating it at a relative high rate of speed (software defined), the increment automatically increases to a higher rate. My preference is to have a "fine tuning" increment of 100 Hz and, if I start rotating the shaft quickly, it jumps to 100 KHz. As I approach the new target frequency and my tuning rate slows down below the user-defined threshold, the increment automatically falls back to the fine tuning rate.? Finally, I'm working on an antenna analyzer using a board similar to the Nano/VFO board in the Forty-9er project. I've been working on the software while I was waiting for some hardware to come in. (See the photos I made using mock data until the hardware is done.) The analyzer should cover all the HF hams bands, features a 3.95" 262,000 color display, and will be completely portable. The display can be seen here: ? Depending on the feature set, it will have the ability to measure and plot SWR data and save it for later downloading, if desired. The expected cost will be around $50 to build. I am using a relatively unknown graphics library from: ? It is a zip file that is an attachment to the Arduino post. I would like to get this library to work with the Teensy 3.2 processor because of its huge memory resources and 72MHz clock speed. Any help with getting this library to compile on the Teensy would be greatly appreciated.? So, let's start making this group useful to its members! 73, Jack Purdum, W8TEE |
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Hi Dave: I was not aware of the analyzers by the other, but will contact them to see if they will share ideas. No reason not to. I'm happy to hear that you have your Frog Sound up and running. Was there anything different in the conversion? It appears they are pretty similar designs. I did send your email on to them and they found out that it was a club in Sweden where it all started. They are in contact with the club, but haven't said anything further to me, other than they will keep me informed. I did a double-take when I saw your call. I was a prof at Creighton University back in the '70s and my call was W0ODF...pretty close at first glance! I did tons of phone patch traffic between Guam and the Marshall Islands and the spouses at Offutt AFB, SAC headquarters...very rewarding endeavor. 73, Jack, W8TEE From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@... Sent: Friday, April 8, 2016 4:35 PM Subject: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group Hi Jack,
Regarding the antenna analyzer project, our local QRP club (SLQS- St. Louis QRP Society) currently has an antenna analyzer project underway using the AD9850 DDS, a NANO and a NOKIA 5110 display.? N0SA, Larry, is the brains behind this one and I just finished kitting up the parts this morning for distribution April club meeting, pending delivery of the PCBs. We are only building enough for club members and will not be offering kits.? Also, I'm sure you are aware of the Austin, TX group that is building and offering kits of an analyzer they call VIA, software being done by Milt, W8NUE.? I mention these only on the possibility that you may find some things in them to consider when designing your kit. I am interested in what your analyzer will do and will be following your posts in this group.? I do prefer the TFT display over the NOKIA. I have the DDS VFO and 49-er (Frog Sound) project completed and operational.? Thanks to you and Farrukh for designing and offering the PCB and partial kit.? It was a lot of fun to build.? I'll post pictures soon. Do you know if McGraw Hill was successful with getting the website shut down that I emailed you about? 73 Dave Fine, W0DF? |
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Hi Dave: As I recall, I was doing all my phone patch work on 15M back then, but was part of a net. I enjoyed it and probably checked in at least twice a week. Every Christmas I would have more pies, cookies, cakes, and booze than I could ever consume myself. The wives really appreciated it. I met Glen last year at the FDIM conference that takes place just before the Dayton hamfest. It's a QRP group and was a great time. We talked at length about various topics.? You might want to take a look at the keyer in the Arduino Projects book. It's a little different, as I adapted it to run on a capacitive touch principle, which means you can use almost anything conductive for the paddles. I used two solder lugs, which makes it very portable and rugged. Also, the code is pretty simple. Keep the group posted. Jack, W8TEE From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: "SoftwareControlledHamRadio@..." Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2016 10:49 AM Subject: Re: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group Jack, The
Frog Sound kit that I used was identical to the 49er in your QST
article.? I had actually started building it for another DDS VFO project
that I had received preliminary info for from Glen Popiel.? I think he
is planning on including it in his next Arduino book, which he will
probably be devoting more time to now that his MESH network book is
complete and being advertised by the ARRL.? The preliminary software
that he had sent me for his version includes a keyer, which I would like
to incorporate into your 49er/Frog Sound software.? I'm not much of a
software writer, but might take a shot at mashing it together with yours
when I get the time. I
have had the W0DF call since about 1976, was first licensed in 1962
with novice call sign WN0CWH, then WA0CWH before the W0DF.? I was on the
other end of the phone patches while serving in the US Navy, 1968
through 1971 as a Morse intercept operator, thus the love for CW.? I
appreciated all the phone patch operators that would hang out on the
Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.313 Mhz. I've bent your ear long enough.? Thanks for replying to my emails and for starting this group. Dave, W0DF On Friday, April 8, 2016 8:48 PM, "Jack Purdum jjpurdum@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]"
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Hi Dave: I was not aware of the analyzers by the other, but will contact them to see if they will share ideas. No reason not to. I'm happy to hear that you have your Frog Sound up and running. Was there anything different in the conversion? It appears they are pretty similar designs. I did send your email on to them and they found out that it was a club in Sweden where it all started. They are in contact with the club, but haven't said anything further to me, other than they will keep me informed. I did a double-take when I saw your call. I was a prof at Creighton University back in the '70s and my call was W0ODF...pretty close at first glance! I did tons of phone patch traffic between Guam and the Marshall Islands and the spouses at Offutt AFB, SAC headquarters...very rewarding endeavor. 73, Jack, W8TEE From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@... Sent: Friday, April 8, 2016 4:35 PM Subject: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group
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Hi Jack,
Regarding the antenna analyzer project, our local QRP club (SLQS- St. Louis QRP Society) currently has an antenna analyzer project underway using the AD9850 DDS, a NANO and a NOKIA 5110 display.? N0SA, Larry, is the brains behind this one and I just finished kitting up the parts this morning for distribution April club meeting, pending delivery of the PCBs. We are only building enough for club members and will not be offering kits.? Also, I'm sure you are aware of the Austin, TX group that is building and offering kits of an analyzer they call VIA, software being done by Milt, W8NUE.? I mention these only on the possibility that you may find some things in them to consider when designing your kit. I am interested in what your analyzer will do and will be following your posts in this group.? I do prefer the TFT display over the NOKIA. I have the DDS VFO and 49-er (Frog Sound) project completed and operational.? Thanks to you and Farrukh for designing and offering the PCB and partial kit.? It was a lot of fun to build.? I'll post pictures soon. Do you know if McGraw Hill was successful with getting the website shut down that I emailed you about? 73 Dave Fine, W0DF? |
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Yes, I'm already signed up ?and will stay at the hotel, even though I only live a little over an hour away. I'm also one of Rex's volunteers at his build. From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: "SoftwareControlledHamRadio@..." Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2016 11:17 AM Subject: Re: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group OK, I'll check it out.? Thanks for the tip. I was at FDIM last year and sat and talked with Glen for a while, he's quite a character.? Perhaps our paths crossed there. I really enjoyed the show last year but I haven't decided whether I am going back this year yet.? Would like to but this is a busy time of the year for me.?? I retired from Boeing about three years ago but I have a Boat and RV Storage Lot of 160 spaces that keeps me busy during the good weather seasons, and supports my hobbies.? Might still try to get away though, and if so, I'll try to look you up if you are going to be there. Dave, W0DF On Saturday, April 9, 2016 9:57 AM, "Jack Purdum jjpurdum@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" wrote:
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Hi Dave: As I recall, I was doing all my phone patch work on 15M back then, but was part of a net. I enjoyed it and probably checked in at least twice a week. Every Christmas I would have more pies, cookies, cakes, and booze than I could ever consume myself. The wives really appreciated it. I met Glen last year at the FDIM conference that takes place just before the Dayton hamfest. It's a QRP group and was a great time. We talked at length about various topics.? You might want to take a look at the keyer in the Arduino Projects book. It's a little different, as I adapted it to run on a capacitive touch principle, which means you can use almost anything conductive for the paddles. I used two solder lugs, which makes it very portable and rugged. Also, the code is pretty simple. Keep the group posted. Jack, W8TEE From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: "SoftwareControlledHamRadio@..." Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2016 10:49 AM Subject: Re: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group
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Jack, The
Frog Sound kit that I used was identical to the 49er in your QST
article.? I had actually started building it for another DDS VFO project
that I had received preliminary info for from Glen Popiel.? I think he
is planning on including it in his next Arduino book, which he will
probably be devoting more time to now that his MESH network book is
complete and being advertised by the ARRL.? The preliminary software
that he had sent me for his version includes a keyer, which I would like
to incorporate into your 49er/Frog Sound software.? I'm not much of a
software writer, but might take a shot at mashing it together with yours
when I get the time. I
have had the W0DF call since about 1976, was first licensed in 1962
with novice call sign WN0CWH, then WA0CWH before the W0DF.? I was on the
other end of the phone patches while serving in the US Navy, 1968
through 1971 as a Morse intercept operator, thus the love for CW.? I
appreciated all the phone patch operators that would hang out on the
Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.313 Mhz. I've bent your ear long enough.? Thanks for replying to my emails and for starting this group. Dave, W0DF On Friday, April 8, 2016 8:48 PM, "Jack Purdum jjpurdum@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" <SoftwareControlledHamRadio@...> wrote:
?
Hi Dave: I was not aware of the analyzers by the other, but will contact them to see if they will share ideas. No reason not to. I'm happy to hear that you have your Frog Sound up and running. Was there anything different in the conversion? It appears they are pretty similar designs. I did send your email on to them and they found out that it was a club in Sweden where it all started. They are in contact with the club, but haven't said anything further to me, other than they will keep me informed. I did a double-take when I saw your call. I was a prof at Creighton University back in the '70s and my call was W0ODF...pretty close at first glance! I did tons of phone patch traffic between Guam and the Marshall Islands and the spouses at Offutt AFB, SAC headquarters...very rewarding endeavor. 73, Jack, W8TEE From: "dfine100@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@... Sent: Friday, April 8, 2016 4:35 PM Subject: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Purpose of this Group
?
Hi Jack,
Regarding the antenna analyzer project, our local QRP club (SLQS- St. Louis QRP Society) currently has an antenna analyzer project underway using the AD9850 DDS, a NANO and a NOKIA 5110 display.? N0SA, Larry, is the brains behind this one and I just finished kitting up the parts this morning for distribution April club meeting, pending delivery of the PCBs. We are only building enough for club members and will not be offering kits.? Also, I'm sure you are aware of the Austin, TX group that is building and offering kits of an analyzer they call VIA, software being done by Milt, W8NUE.? I mention these only on the possibility that you may find some things in them to consider when designing your kit. I am interested in what your analyzer will do and will be following your posts in this group.? I do prefer the TFT display over the NOKIA. I have the DDS VFO and 49-er (Frog Sound) project completed and operational.? Thanks to you and Farrukh for designing and offering the PCB and partial kit.? It was a lot of fun to build.? I'll post pictures soon. Do you know if McGraw Hill was successful with getting the website shut down that I emailed you about? 73 Dave Fine, W0DF? |
jjpurdum