BoatAnchor Digital ReadOut With Computer

[aa5wg]

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

[Steve - K4HX]

Don't know of any sw off the top of my head, but the link below might provide some of the hardware.

http://www.aade.com/Universal/a_universal_interface_for_tube_t.htm

[Pete, WA2CWA]

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.

[ke7trp]

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

[Pete, WA2CWA]

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.

[WBear2GCR]

You don't want to just use a digital frequency counter??

I am presuming you are looking at the transmit side?

                        _-_-bear

[KZ5A]

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

[aa5wg]

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

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Buy/build one of those typical digital readout boxes and mount it behind this:

[W1RKW]

Here's an inexpensive PC based setup: http://www.precisegauge.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=368

It has 2 channels so you can monitor TX and RX or VFO signals.

[aa5wg]

W1RKW/Bob:

Looks like an interesting box.  I will read up on this.  Thanks.

Chuck

[Pete, WA2CWA]

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.

[aa5wg]

Pete:

My skill level is not high enough to get this box to work.

Chuck

[KF1Z]

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.

[Opcom]

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.

[W1RKW]

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

[Pete, WA2CWA]

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

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.

[WBear2GCR]

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

[W1RKW]

Revisit Chuck's original question.

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

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.

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Revisit Chuck's original question.

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

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.

[aa5wg]

Maybe I could build a unit with larger digits
and use the guts of another box like this one.

Chuck

[Opcom]

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

[aa5wg]

Very good.

Thank you.

Chuck