K2 SSB Testing

I have a challenge with my:
K2+KSB2+K160RX+KIO2+KAT2+K60XV+XV144+XV222+XV432+IMA rework module

Initially I was noticing that my CW power levels on my transverters was spot on but when I switched over to SSB that my power was really low. Don suggested that I should test K2 on 40m (forget the complexity of the tranverters for a minute to baseline the system.)  After I did that I noticed on 40m my LSB signal was about -3dB compared to my CW signal. I then send a note to Elecraft reflector to get some feedback.

Geoff GM4ESD made the suggestion to run the same test at 28mhz (IF freq for the transverters) and see if I had similar (linear) results.  I liked Geoff's suggestion so much that I decided to test all of the major bands and then graph it out. I ran the test twice. I used my Ubuntu laptop to generate an audio signal at a fixed frequency to help improve the reproducibility of the test.

The K2 is connected to a 20dB directional coupler then another 20dB then into my Booton microwatt meter. (My original test used my Booton meter and an oscope to confirm that SSB audio was low)

Test 1: I connected the audio out of the laptop into the radio with a patch cable

Test 2: I played the audio (very loud) over the speakers and placed an Icom HM-36 microphone near the amplified speaker at a fixed distance.

Both tests produced similar results.  I then normalized the results with the CW level being referenced to zero and built the graph above.

Initially I was thinking that maybe I had an issue with the microphone bias but I think that I have disproved that by using the audio out of the computer. --Still looking for answers.

Good Code

http://xkcd.com/844/

SI570 DSPLL VXO

A link that Jason NT7S sent me a while back....
http://g4oep.atspace.com/si570/si570.htm

It has some good info on interfacing a Si570 + PIC 16f62x

World According to Americans

http://xkcd.com/850/

Click on the link to open a larger version... very funny stuff!

Complex Conjugate

http://xkcd.com/849/

ATS4 Day 2

Lots of small parts.....




I have today off as a holiday prior to leaving on a business trip tomorrow morning. In between my other chores for today I paid the workbench a visit. I just soldered down approximately 104 surface mount capacitors, resistors, and inductors. Most of the parts today are 805 sized components.

I would estimate that I probably spent close to three hours on these parts. I lost a couple and had spares on hand in my parts boxes. I was short one part as well and was lucky that it was a standard value component that I had on hand.

Overall the project is starting to take shape. It will be at least next weekend before I will be able to work on this again as I will out of town on business for the remainder of the week.

73 de NG0R

3D

http://xkcd.com/848/

ATS4 Night 1

The project has begun....






Tonight I soldered about 20 surface mount components. Most of them are on the bottom side of circuit board. Most of them are not too hard to work with but there are several that are pretty tiny. I am using a 1/64" tip for my iron and that is pretty magical for some of this small pitch work.

While I do own solder paste I am use conventional solder on a roll. I am using a paper clip mount to hold the multi-pin parts in place while I tack down the first two pins.

I figure that I probably spent about 70 minutes on the project tonight.

73 de NG0R

ATS4

I decided to open up the box.....




I am about ready to begin the ATS4 kit. It is a HF backpack rig designed by Steve KD1JV. There is quite a bit of SMD construction in this kit.

My goal with this is specific. I would like to have a small HF rig to take with on camping and out of town trips. This rig should work nicely for a small portable system

73 de NG0R

WSPRing

I am busy working all day but I decided to turn on the radio and computer on the side of the room. I am letting the computer decode and post spots to the internet while I am working.




It appears that 20m is pretty busy with signals from North America and Western Europe.

73 de NG0R