Discussion of radio transmitting and receiving equipment. http://www.frn.net/vines/list.php?9 Sun, 12 Jul 2026 02:35:09 -0400 Phorum 5.2.19 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11461,11461#msg-11461 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11461,11461#msg-11461 www.nesselectronics.com]
Never had this antenna, but I knew a couple friends that did, and out-did my 6 element FM beam & my Archer VU-190 antennas. Still, I logged lots of past VHF / UHF stations with them. So, get this, and kick some VHF FM DX ass!]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:59:49 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11460,11460#msg-11460 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11460,11460#msg-11460 www.rigpix.com] Looks like a neat little rig. Question is, will this ever see a USA FCC Approval? Probably not... Heck... This is small enough to make almost another form of a CB Multi-Mode Packpack rig. I haven't seen that since 1980.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:58:25 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11439,11439#msg-11439 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11439,11439#msg-11439 coil32.net] I always seem to need help to determine 'L' when designing filters and winding my own inductors. So, this site is pretty cool.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 29 May 2026 22:34:47 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11436,11436#msg-11436 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11436,11436#msg-11436 ThaDood The Workshop Sat, 23 May 2026 12:57:03 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11417,11417#msg-11417 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11417,11417#msg-11417 www.elecevolve.com] Neat... Looks like table-top SDR features in a slim portable. I want one.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:02:12 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11411,11411#msg-11411 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11411,11411#msg-11411 www.rigpix.com] Looks neat... I just hope that it won't be such a let-down, like the Uniden 980SSB, with a bad, known, display and useless Noise Blanker.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:44:04 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11406,11406#msg-11406 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11406,11406#msg-11406 www.hackster.io] Huh... Looks neat, but is it anything like the Grace Digital wi-fi Radio that I use for that purpose? The Grace Digital has a much better D/A converter, and sounds much smoother, warmer, and way less harsh, than the D/A converters heard in smart phones and many computers. Passing contemplation, but neat to see what's out there to dedicate an internet streaming source for programming on your station. (Thanks again, Boomer!)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:53:32 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11383,11383#msg-11383 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11383,11383#msg-11383 pu2clr.github.io] Certainly, some neat ideas to check out. (Thanks, Boomer!!!)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:36:26 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11380,11380#msg-11380 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11380,11380#msg-11380 www.kennetron.com] Now, if there was only someone who could figure out how to rebuild Amateur level tubes. Those 3-500's are pretty pricey today, and 572's are certainly getting there.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:04:46 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11378,11378#msg-11378 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11378,11378#msg-11378 atsmini.github.io] Looks like a really neat package of a radio. Anyone try one of these yet?]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:55:08 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11377,11377#msg-11377 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11377,11377#msg-11377 www.radioworld.com] Ya know, you'd think that a Kiwi-SDR would be seen as another neat tool for the broadcast engineer. Now, if I can only get mine to work.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:23:31 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11364,11364#msg-11364 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11364,11364#msg-11364 vb-audio.com] Huh... Boomer is already trying this. Somehow, I could see going portable, or mobile, in operations, this can be handy from a laptop & netbook. So, neat...]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:08:48 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11352,11352#msg-11352 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11352,11352#msg-11352 github.com] Hey, I'm for more choices out there for automation on-air for us to use. (Thank you Boomer!)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:19:34 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11346,11346#msg-11346 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11346,11346#msg-11346 www.radioworld.com] Um, yeah... That's a way bigger collection of microphones than what I've got. Hey, the microphone is pretty much where it all starts, right? (Thank you Boomer!)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:10:14 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11339,11339#msg-11339 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11339,11339#msg-11339 www.circuits-diy.com] Hmmmmmmmmmmm... 700kHz from their example? Perfect, to boost like a 100mW for an AM Carrier-Current setup. (FWR by Boomer to me.)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:22:34 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11337,11337#msg-11337 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11337,11337#msg-11337 www.hfunderground.com] , reminded me of another project in the works, an 11M transmitter for Part 15 levels from the FREQ of 25.670MHz - 26.100MHz. If, I finally get around to doing this project, I'll put it up on my Archive page. So, stay tuned!!!!!!
ADDITIONAL 12/21/2025: Upon looking up the permissible Field Strength Emissions for Part 15 use in the 11M INT BC Band, it appears to be a measly 30uV @ 30M, 30 mircovolts measured at 30 meters away. (Or, several "S" units to a portable at around 100ft.) This does indeed seem like a ridiculously low Field Strength, where maybe the signal would reach a couple close back yards. However, on the receive side of things, consider that of all the bands that listeners would be using outdoors antennas, this band appears to to have some nice prospective. On the 11M INT BC Band, listeners would most likely be using Ground Planes, like 1/4-wave, 1/2-wave, and 5/8-wave, antennas, as well as Beam Antennas. Given these possible considerations to extend the range, at the receiving end, Part 15 operations may have some possibilities after all. Certainly, would make for an interesting experimental transmitter. Passing contemplation...]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:31:17 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11336,11336#msg-11336 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11336,11336#msg-11336 www.ebay.com] And, Radio Jay Allen covers this more in depth [radiojayallen.com] For around $200.00 USD's, what used to cost thousands of $$$$'s to do and take-up a rack? Heck yeah!!! (Thanks to Boomer and Tybee for the updates.)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:05:27 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11332,11332#msg-11332 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11332,11332#msg-11332 ganymedeham.blogspot.com] That schematic is kind of vague, but that feedback loop, with 10uF CAP in it is from pins 1 and 8. Output is pin 5. And, pin 2 is Audio IN. Pins 3 and 4 are tied to Ground. And VCC is +12VDC on pin 6. Pin 7 is N/C. Still, I like the simplicity of this. (Boomer, helped fill-in the pins on this one.)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:30:00 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11330,11330#msg-11330 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11330,11330#msg-11330 radiojayallen.com] So, for around a C-Note, car stereo performance in a shirt pocket portable? Heck, yeah!!!! Question is, is this portable readily available now?]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:21:08 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11326,11326#msg-11326 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11326,11326#msg-11326 aa7ee.wordpress.com] Let's talk about gear, like AM Radio Audio Processing. This, is a good write-up. Someday, I hope to upgrade the audio on-air processing better here. However, until that day comes, where I can afford to do so, if ever, what we have works, for now. Anyway... Thanks, to Tybee & Boomer for FWR this INFO!]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:24:03 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11317,11317#msg-11317 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11317,11317#msg-11317 www.spectrumcomms.co.uk] Scroll to the FMD455 FREQUENCY MOD-DEMOD. I've bought two of these, since I have enough CB's as it is, I don't need to shell-out a C-Note for a newer AM / FM CB. So, here's how you could roll your own. You tap the 455Khz IF on the Receive side. On Transmit, tap the 10.240MHz master crystal, on the vari-CAP. BTW, how I came upon this is searching for a replacement VCO board to recondition an RCA SSB Co-Pilot #14T302 CB, and this place had that. So, if you don't want to sell-out money for a newer CB, with FM, this can be a way to go, kit-wise]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:16:16 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11310,11310#msg-11310 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11310,11310#msg-11310 www.incbtech.com] Seems simple enough.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:58:12 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11297,11297#msg-11297 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11297,11297#msg-11297 www.radioworld.com] COOL!!!! Today, I still flip between a ZOOM H2, and a portable MiniDisc recorder, with stereo mics. In the early 1990's, it was a Sony WM-D3 cassette field recorder, with stereo mics. (BTW, recently used by my sister & bro-in-law to capture EVP's at haunted sites.) And, in the early 1980's, I lugged around a Pioneer SK-650 manual boombox. (Try and find one of those today, let alone in well working order.)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:04:04 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11294,11294#msg-11294 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11294,11294#msg-11294 internetwork.com] I don't have an SSTRAN AM Part 15 transmitter, yet, but for those of you that do, here's a link, that was FWR'ed to me, of a lot of great INFO here. And, bonus INFO on AM modulation and testing as well.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sat, 15 Nov 2025 03:52:11 -0500 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11285,11285#msg-11285 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11285,11285#msg-11285 www.ebay.com] and [www.ebay.com] To me, these look like near-copies of the Ramsey AM-25 transmitter on steroids. The seller, supplies the transmitter board & components kit, you supply the power supply, heatsinks, chassis, and Carrier-Current Coupler. Hey, the prices look decent to try these out.]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 10 Oct 2025 23:24:00 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11275,11275#msg-11275 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11275,11275#msg-11275 www.mark-rodgers.com] To get on MURS, back in 2003, myself, and several friends, went and bought-out these rigs from local Radio Shack stores. Average price was dropped to around $40.00 each, but some stores unloaded these at $20.00. To permissively get on the new VHF 5-Channel MURS Band, at the time, they were perfect. (Albeit, they were only 2-Channel capable radios.) Also, is INFO on the BTX-127 VHF HT, to MURS. Still, very viable INFO to have and know, while these sites are still up. Oh BTW, if you want a perfect VHF mobile / base rig that barely sips power consumption from 12VDC batteries, and could stay ON for days of operation, these radios are very ideal for that and draw less current than many HT's and most 27MHz CB's. Nice to have, if you are some place running alternative power. One more thing, the eham reviews: [www.eham.net]]]> ThaDood The Workshop Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:23:37 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11272,11272#msg-11272 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11272,11272#msg-11272 www.rigpix.com] Hmmmmmmmmmmmm??? Will this replace my current TM-741A, that I currently use for FM tri-banding, 2M, 222MHz, and 440MHz? Um, probably not anytime too soon. It wasn't, until like 2008, that I was able to afford a 2nd-hand TM-741A, from 1995. But hey, some day???]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:43:09 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11271,11271#msg-11271 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11271,11271#msg-11271 www.kk5jy.net] Boomer and I were kicking around the topic of front-end protection to Kiwi-SDR's. Me??? I've used back to back 1N4148's on several rigs' antenna inputs. Boomer, found that preceding link that KK5JY wrote up. So, cool!!!]]> ThaDood The Workshop Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:39:39 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11270,11270#msg-11270 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11270,11270#msg-11270 www.wb6nvh.com] It's my understanding that these VHF rigs could do 2M Amateur Radio, but I don't know if the UHF ones could go down to 440MHz. One thing that has to be observed is to be very careful of that damned, fragile, ribbon cable from main board to keypad. If successful, you can have 20W VHF High Band rigs, and about 15W for the UHF rigs. You may have to retweak both the TX & RX tuned circuits, for better receive sensitivity, (Around .35uV.), and to get the MAX out of the transmitter sections. Good luck!!!
Awh yeah... While you are there, you might as well check-out the rest of WB6NVH site. [www.wb6nvh.com]]]> ThaDood The Workshop Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:37:45 -0400 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11269,11269#msg-11269 http://www.frn.net/vines/read.php?9,11269,11269#msg-11269 www.radioworld.com] Huh... Probably, one of the most seen mics used in TV & Radio Broadcasting field operations, and more. When WBGT-LP-TV40, 1st went on-air 2/1998, the station owner still used this mic, and his old Marantz PMD-222 recorder, to do the voice-overs for commercials, ID's, promos, PSA's, etc. All went to digital recording a couple years later. I've heard these mics used in Amateur Radio as well, especially for AM Mode QSO's. Makes me think that I'm probably the only one who doesn't have one of these mics. (Got to thank Boomer for seeing this one.)]]> ThaDood The Workshop Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:25:00 -0400