aa5wg
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« on: July 01, 2012, 01:48:58 PM » |
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Hello to all:
Is there a digital readout hardware/software program that allows one to use the computer for digital readout with a boat anchor?
Chuck
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2012, 04:02:04 PM » |
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One way to do it is to use a Flex 1500 as the receiver and use its RF output as the VFO to drive a buffer/driver stage of a boatanchor transmitter. You have stable digital frequency control of your transmitter and a receiver that has great flexibility, noise reduction, filter controls that blow away any boatanchor receiver, a panadapter, computer control, and a host of other features. If having a boatanchor receiver/transmitter combo operating position is important to you, just feed the audio output of the flex into the audio amplifier of the boatanchor receiver.
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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ke7trp
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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2012, 12:12:25 AM » |
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Maybe filter controls but not on real world performance Pete. Did you read the recent article about Triplexers on HF? The SDR'S wont take it even with the bandpass filters.
Almost any standard HF transciever will work, even the models that show less blocking on the lab tests.
Interesting article and probably explains why my SDR gets trashed by a nearby ham when he has the beam pointed my way.
C
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2012, 02:56:17 AM » |
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Maybe filter controls but not on real world performance Pete. Did you read the recent article about Triplexers on HF? The SDR'S wont take it even with the bandpass filters.
Almost any standard HF transciever will work, even the models that show less blocking on the lab tests.
Interesting article and probably explains why my SDR gets trashed by a nearby ham when he has the beam pointed my way.
C
What's real world performance? What article? You said, "Almost any standard HF transciever will work," - Not every transceiver has a direct computer connection.
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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WBear2GCR
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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2012, 09:25:08 AM » |
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You don't want to just use a digital frequency counter??
I am presuming you are looking at the transmit side?
_-_-bear
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KZ5A
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« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2012, 12:47:15 PM » |
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I'm guessing that you are wanting to have your boat anchor frequency available to the computer for automatic frequency logging. If so, I share your interest.
Unfortunately I haven't run across any product that serves that function. There are a number of boxes that will digitally display a BA's frequency, but none that I know of that also speak one of the common rig to PC protocols to support logging.
73 Jack KZ5A
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73 Jack KZ5A
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aa5wg
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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2012, 02:33:46 PM » |
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I have seen various digital readout boxes but they have small digital readout.
It would be nice to have clean and larger or adjustable size digital readout that could sit on top the radio (receiver, transmitter or both).
Utilizing a small led or lcd screen with the computer could provide these features.
Any entrepreneurs out there?
Chuck
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2012, 05:02:02 PM » |
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Buy/build one of those typical digital readout boxes and mount it behind this:
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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aa5wg
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« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2012, 09:31:15 PM » |
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W1RKW/Bob:
Looks like an interesting box. I will read up on this. Thanks.
Chuck
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2012, 10:26:55 PM » |
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The channel inputs are two different ranges for starters. And, the inputs require digital inputs which would require you to design or acquire an 8 bit analog to digital interface. The interface would have to take into account the oscillator/mixer design and IF offset of the receiver, whether it's single or dual conversion (now two mixers), BFO oscillator if you plan to also use it for CW or SSB. Now, it might be possible to use one of the on the market digital readouts designed for receivers and, depending on how they designed it, extract the necessary digital signals to drive the $300 box.
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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aa5wg
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« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2012, 10:50:17 PM » |
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Pete:
My skill level is not high enough to get this box to work.
Chuck
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KF1Z
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Are FETs supposed to glow like that?
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« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2012, 11:54:01 PM » |
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No, it does not require a digital input. It's a frequency counter. The trick is to see if the "logging" software can utilize the data directly, or if you'd have to write an intermediary program.
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Opcom
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« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2012, 01:59:21 AM » |
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For those little readouts in boxes, maybe a large LED readout can be subbed or attached. bright LED digits are avail. in sized like 2-3" tall. does not fix a logging problem. I don't like LCD's as much as LEDs but they seem to be more popular with manufacturers.
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W1RKW
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« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2012, 08:27:17 AM » |
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Or there is this lesser expensive option. Uses PC sound card. Requires a little building. Schematics included. The software is free too. http://opend.co.za/hardware/freqmeter1/index.htm
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Bob W1RKW Home of GORT.
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2012, 03:17:51 PM » |
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You would still have to build an interface to take into account the oscillator/mixer design and IF offset of the receiver, whether it's single or dual conversion (now two mixers), BFO oscillator if you plan to also use it for CW or SSB. Properly a similar interface would be required for the transmitter.
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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WBear2GCR
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« Reply #17 on: July 05, 2012, 11:24:27 AM » |
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Ok, so you put a regular freq counter on the TX. Now you take a webcam and aim it at the freq counter Next you look at the screen... Cheep and derty Or you could use a cheapo digital video camera too... same idea. _-_-bear
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W1RKW
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« Reply #18 on: July 07, 2012, 03:56:24 PM » |
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Revisit Chuck's original question. You would still have to build an interface to take into account the oscillator/mixer design and IF offset of the receiver, whether it's single or dual conversion (now two mixers), BFO oscillator if you plan to also use it for CW or SSB. Properly a similar interface would be required for the transmitter.
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Bob W1RKW Home of GORT.
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Pete, WA2CWA
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« Reply #19 on: July 07, 2012, 04:18:56 PM » |
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Revisit Chuck's original question. You would still have to build an interface to take into account the oscillator/mixer design and IF offset of the receiver, whether it's single or dual conversion (now two mixers), BFO oscillator if you plan to also use it for CW or SSB. Properly a similar interface would be required for the transmitter. I see nothing that changes my previous response.
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Pete, WA2CWA - "A Cluttered Desk is a Sign of Genius"
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aa5wg
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« Reply #20 on: July 27, 2012, 02:12:46 PM » |
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Maybe I could build a unit with larger digits and use the guts of another box like this one.
Chuck
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Patrick J. / KD5OEI
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« Reply #21 on: September 08, 2012, 11:38:11 PM » |
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If the display driver is adaptable, there are LED digits 2 or 3" tall. The local surplus store keeps some 2" ones including some that are a full matrix for alphanumeric. Should be easy to find things like that
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aa5wg
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« Reply #22 on: September 09, 2012, 08:13:05 AM » |
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Very good.
Thank you.
Chuck
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