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Tech Corner

Tech Corner Summary Post date Author
Linux sound, for applications such as FLDIGI, WSJT and WSPR

You want a USB sound device to dedicate to radio,
system sounds to go to the motherboard soundcard

Actually, since most USB sound cards only have mono mic input,

02/03/2013 VK2ZIW
Software Defined Radio (SDR) for Linux, with a RTL2832 based USB TV stick

Which Linux to load

All the pre-compiled binaries need GLIBC 2.15 so, we need:
Fedora 16 or later i686 or x86_64
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Long Term Support, stick with this

PC or laptop must have USB 2

Easy GUI receiver Software

GQRX

From http://sourceforge.net/projects/gqrx/files

02/03/2013 VK2ZIW
FM Repeaters on 23cm

A new 23cm repeater is active at Chatswood on 1273.200MHz +20MHz offset, with no tone required for access. The repeater produces a 91.5Hz tone at the output during operation.

01/02/2013 VK2TIM
Locking the Icom IC-910 to a Rubidium Standard

If you want to gain high stability and high frequency accuracy for your IC-910 or any Icom radio that uses the 30.2Mhz as its local oscillator then this article is for you.

20/12/2010 VK2XTT
VK2TIM's online Blog site

I've created my own website (based on Drupal, just like this one).

19/12/2010 VK2TIM
A subtone encoder for allowing older radio's to use repeaters

This is a simple subtone encoder that anyone can build, which will generate 123Hz (default), 91.5Hz -or- both at the same time, for convenient repeater access. I have to advise, that I am not sure of the legality of running both 91.5Hz and 123Hz at the same time, but it does work :)

01/08/2010 VK2TIM
A simple 30w class C PA unit for 2m use

This is a power amp that is great for giving your 2m HT a bit more grunt.

30/05/2010 VK2TIM
A GPS driven "No need to set" clock/compass/speedo

A GPS based clock using a 16F628A PIC, and a EM406A GPS Module - Hardware by VK2TIM, Original Firmware, design and concept by Ken, VK7KRJ

21/01/2010 VK2TIM
Audio Function Generator with Frequency and P-P voltage display

This is an audio signal generator that does sine or square wave, operates from 20Hz to just over 30Khz, has a frequency display with 1Hz resolution, and a P-P output voltage indicator with a resolution of 100mV.

04/12/2009 VK2TIM
Building a Dummy Load and Measuring Power Accurately

The title says it all. This article is published with the permission of the author, Ken Kemski K4EAA.

13/11/2009 VK2ERP
Roger Beep Unit by Peter VK2PJZ

This unit is designed to run in line with your microphone so requires no modifications to your transceiver.

12/11/2009 VK2VG
A 16F88 PIC Based Clock and Calendar using a Dallas DS1307 RTC Device for battery backed up timekeeping

I've been at it again, this time, I have coded for a clock that shows time and date, will keep time accurately with no DC applied as it is interfaced to a Dallas DS1307 timekeeper.

02/11/2009 VK2TIM
A compact 1:1 Choke Balun with decent power handling, for less than $50

Here is a simple weatherproof choke balun, capable of 100w+ power handling, compact in size, neat looking and low cost.

17/10/2009 VK2TIM
Checking the Calibration of your SWR meter and constructing a dummy load.

There is a simple way to check if your SWR bridge is working correctly.

You will need a 5 watt resistor, not wire wound, of 75 ohms and 100 ohms.

16/10/2009 VK2XTT
Suppressing RF Interference

Ferrite is your friend, and more often than not, the simplest solution to RFI problems.

29/09/2009 VK2TIM
PIC based digital clock

A "Vanity" LCD clock that displays the current time and -your- callsign, using a 16F84A PIC Microcontroller

29/09/2009 VK2TIM
RT-85

Converting an AWA RT85 LOW BAND Transceiver to 6 Metres

19/09/2009 VK2VSV
FM900

Information about modifying a Phillips FM900 for Amateur use

19/09/2009 VK2VSV
CTCSS Board

Circuit diagram and PCB layout for Tait Electronics TA-500 CTCSS Encoder

19/09/2009 VK2VSV
Attenuator

An attenuator suitable for foxhunting and other equipment testing

19/09/2009 VK2BOS