November 4th, 2009
A couple of weeks ago the ATS-3B I posted about a while back became available again, and for the last time. Mine arrived in the mail today. I’m very excited about it. It really is the coolest little kit going right now. I count 19 toroids to wind. Yikes. One on the main board and three on each of the six band modules. Maybe it’s time to invest in an L/C Meter?
While I’m very excited about the ATS-3B, I’m going to force myself to leave it alone until I finish my Softrock Lite II 30m software defined receiver and my Small Wonder Labs SW-40+ 40m CW transceiver.
I’m not sure I’ve even mentioned my Softrock Lite II on the blog before. I’ll have to do a proper post on it soon. I have mentioned it over on Twitter. It is done, as in all the parts are installed. However, I’m not able to receive any signals. The helpful guys on the mailing list tell me it needs a proper 50-ohm antenna. I was trying to use a small piece of wire as an antenna for testing purposes.
I have ordered and received everything I need to build a 30m dipole antenna that will be installed in my attic, at least for now. I’ve even cut the wire to length. I just need to solder everything and put it in the attic. I’ll probably borrow an SWR meter from one of the local hams to ensure it’s resonant on the 30m band. Hopefully the Softrock Lite will just work once it has a proper antenna. If not, I’m confident I can troubleshoot it with the help of the guys on the mailing list.
The SW-40+ is mostly done. All the components are installed on the board. However, I still need to align it, integrate the K12 keyer, and put it in the enclosure. I’ll also need to learn Morse Code before I can get much use out of it. I’ve been practicing occasionally, but I’ll have to put a lot more time into learning it before I’m good enough to try an on-air contact.
I’ve also been tinkering with AVR microcontrollers, but that’s a long-term project, so I’m content to let that sit while I build the ATS-3B.
I hope to get up a post about the backpacking trip soon. Two things are holding it up. Mostly, I’ve been insanely busy since I got back. Secondly, the memory card that has the pictures from the trip on it seems to be corrupted. I’ve ordered a card reader so I can attempt to recover them.
Posted in Amateur Radio, Backpacking, Electronics | 1 Comment »
October 21st, 2009
Most of my free time this week has been spent getting ready for our backpacking trip this weekend. It can be quite involved if you haven’t done it in awhile and you’re anal-retentive like me. I have a large order of goodies coming from REI tomorrow.
Luke and I went for a hike in the Bailey Woods near Rowan Oak yesterday. I haven’t used my hiking boots in quite a while, so I wanted to take them for a spin. For eleven year-old boots they are holding up quite well. We arrived at Rowan Oak less than thirty minutes before sunset. It was already getting dark, and Luke was initially a little concerned about going into the woods. Once I got him in there he did fine though. We’ll definitely have to go back soon.
The forecast currently calls for a low of 39 degrees Saturday night. My sleeping bag is rated for 30 degrees, but it’s about 12 years-old, and I haven’t always taken care of it. So, last night, I gave it a little test run in the backyard. Initially I was quite toasty, but around 4:30am I woke up and was a little on the cool side. I have another sleeping bag that’s rated for zero degrees, but I use it so little it’s at my parents’ house, an hour and a half away. Luckily, someone was already headed this way, so it’ll be arriving tomorrow.
I bought a 2GB micro SD card for my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS. Saving my position every second, the card will fill up after approximately 197 days on continuous use. Overkill? Absolutely, but any computer scientist worth his salt loves a large data set.
More tomorrow…probably. There’s lots left to do.
Posted in Backpacking | No Comments »
October 14th, 2009
One of the Oxford traditions we enjoy is going to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to pick out some pumpkins for Halloween. Click on the link or the picture for more pictures.
We had tried to go last Wednesday, but Luke fell asleep on the way. On Thursday we tried again, even though Liam was sick and sleepy.
We didn’t get any good pictures of the two of them together, but some with Luke by himself aren’t bad. I’ve also included some "outtakes" showing what kind of mood Liam was in.
I apologize in advance for the corny titles and captions. Apparently corniness is a symptom of sleep deprivation.
Posted in Family, Photography | 1 Comment »
October 8th, 2009
The backpacking trip to Big Hill Pond State Park is on. James has agreed to go with me. We’ve decided to go October 23rd, 24th, and 25th. If you’re interested in going with us, let me know.
Posted in Backpacking | No Comments »
October 1st, 2009
I love backpacking, but somehow, between school, family, and work, I’ve managed to go nine years or so since my last trip. Back in high school I went on a few multi-day trips on the Appalachian Trail and a couple of two week trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northeastern New Mexico. These days I’m in nowhere near as good of shape as I was back then, but I’m ready for another trip, regardless.
I think I’ve found my destination. Big Hill Pond State Park is near Pocahontas, Tennessee and is less than two hours from Oxford. It has several miles of relatively flat trails, perfect for the out of shape backpacker. Even better, it has four shelters, lessening the need for carrying a tent. I’ve never been, but I hear it’s a very nice place.
I’m looking for some guys to go with me. I’ve got a backpacking stove, first aid kit, and that sort of stuff. All you’d need is a sleeping bag and some appropriate clothes.
I was thinking the weekend of October 16-18th, leaving Oxford midday on Friday and returning Sunday afternoon. That should put us in the peak of the fall foliage with cool, but not too cool weather. Of course, I’ve let that date get awfully close, so I’m flexible.
Anyone interested?
Posted in Backpacking | 5 Comments »
September 23rd, 2009
Even though it seems like I’m always running late, I’m anal about keeping my watch accurate to the second. Thus, I’m a big fan of NTP and radio-controlled clocks. In fact, I’m considering getting one of those “atomic” Casio watches.
Last month NIST updated WWVB Radio Controlled Clocks: Recommended Practices for Manufacturers and Consumers (PDF), its guide to making and using WWVB-controlled clocks. WWVB operates at 60kHz, way down in the low frequency band. A half-wavelength antenna for WWVB would be a little over a mile and a half long. NIST also operates WWV, which broadcasts at 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 25MHz.
Building a WWVB-controlled clock is on my list of electronics projects, but it’s not one I intend to get to anytime real soon.
Posted in Amateur Radio, Electronics, Technology | No Comments »
September 17th, 2009
I’ve got too many electronics projects going, but I’ve already got my next one picked out. It’s KD1JV’s ATS-3B, billed as “the world’s smallest, lightest, six band HF CW rig.” Steve Weber, KD1JV, is a serial designer of QRP radios and accessories. The whole thing fits in an Altoids tin and puts out four watts on all bands. (My SW-40+ only puts out 2-2.5W.) It also has a DDS VFO and a built-in keyer. Band switching is done using removable band filter modules. The whole thing is controlled by a PIC microcontroller, which some people have reprogrammed for additional capabilities. It seems to be very well though of by those that have one.
The ATS-3B was designed by Steve to be the ideal radio for backpacking. He lives in New Hampshire and backpacks the Appalachian Trail often. (ATS stands for Appalachian Trail Sprint.) I haven’t done much backpacking lately, but I’m looking to get back into it soon.
Most ham kits use through hole parts, which are easier for some people to handle. The ATS-3B uses lots of surface mount parts, allowing it to be very small. I’ve used surface mount parts on a couple of projects and actually prefer them. I’ve always soldered them by hand. Steve seems to prefer the solder paste/warming plate/embossing gun method. I’m not sure if I’d give that a try or stick with soldering by hand. Here’s a YouTube video of Steve doing it both ways.
Steve only offers ATS-3B kits periodically. I believe he’s offered them about three different times now. He’ll be offering them again sometime in late fall, and I’ll be ready. This will also be the last time Steve will offer this kit, as some of the parts he uses are being phased out. He’s already working on the ATS-4, which looks to be a very nice (though somewhat larger) radio.
Posted in Amateur Radio, Electronics | 1 Comment »
September 13th, 2009
Ole Miss didn’t play this weekend, but I had planned a “what happened in college football this weekend” post anyway. Alas, I have a class to prepare for tomorrow night and numerous other things to do, so you’re going to have to fend for yourselves. Top 25 scores. SEC scores. James, considered yourself spared.
Posted in Sports | 4 Comments »
September 7th, 2009
Ole Miss fans were hoping for a blowout, and we got one, but not the one we wanted. We looked pretty rough the first three quarters. It was only 17-7 going into the fourth quarter. Snead threw two interceptions and our defense looked a little porous at times against a relatively weak Memphis offense.
On the other hand, we did score 28 points in the fourth quarter. But, then again, we’re still talking about Memphis here. A lot of Ole Miss fans would have been very depressed if not for that flash of hope in the fourth quarter. I was a little pessimistic before the game, and I haven’t seen anything to calm my fears yet. Our next game is Southeastern Louisiana in two weeks.
Elsewhere in the SEC, Florida dominated Charleston Southern, Kentucky looked impressive against Miami (Ohio), South Carolina won, but looked weak against NC State, Tennessee blew out Western Kentucky, Vanderbilt blew out Western Carolina, Georgia lost to a tough Oklahoma State, Alabama looked sloppy at times, but beat a good Virginia Tech team, Arkansas beat Missouri State, Auburn looked a lot like us against Louisiana Tech, LSU looked sluggish against Washington, and Mississippi State looked decent against Jackson State.
Nationally, No. 6 Ohio State just barely beat Navy at home. No. 3 Oklahoma was beaten by No. 20 BYU, and their QB, Sam Bradford, was injured. No. 14 Boise State beat No. 16 Oregon at home and everyone is acting surprised. Boise State, you’re obviously pretty good. Could you perhaps join a real conference so I don’t have to listen to people be surprised when you win?
Finally, if you haven’t heard about the punch, please get out from under your rock. Blount was suspended for the year. Too much? Maybe, but not by much.
Posted in Sports, University of Mississippi | 2 Comments »
September 7th, 2009
Below is a picture of Luke and Liam’s “new” playset. My dad and I actually built it back in late May, I just haven’t gotten around to posting about it. I’m pretty impressed with it. It’s a very nice playset for a reasonable price. It’s made by Rainbow, and we got ours at Wal-Mart. Luke has gotten quite a bit of use out of it already (Liam not so much).
By the way, my lawn looks much better now than it does in the photo. It’s amazing what a little fertilizer can do.
Posted in Family | No Comments »