Posted	Category
	DIY DEG - Homemade Droplet Energy Generator works! I'm not ready to publish a description of exactly HOW it works, but 20 minutes effort with scissors and tape produced a prototype  Droplet Energy Generator that allows me to say for sure that IT WORKS!I duplicated the design shown in this video.   I wrapped a scrap of plastic in aluminum foil, then applied a strip of double-sided tape and to that attached a piece of PTFE thread-...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/30/2022	Technical
	Ceramic Loading Capacitor Replacement Old style mica capacitors were used in the pi-net matching sections of several vintage transmitters and the combination of age, heat, and high RF currents have made them likely failure items.   My Collins 32V-2 transmitter was to the point where it would not properly load to full power on 75 meters so something had to be done.   Mica capacitors are no longer made but fortunately new...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/19/2022	Technical
	Universal Frequency Converter I found myself wanting to convert various frequencies to other frequencies and wanted a cheap and easy solution, so I designed a simple "universal converter" using the NE-602 and a programmable oscillator from Epson.  I'd used the same combination in hundreds of "RANVerter" SDR Upconverter projects since my Dec. 2013 QST article and knew that while there were limitatio...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/17/2022	Technical
	Magnetic PCB holder It's always a challenge to hold PC boards during assemly and testing.  After purchasing a magnetic holder from Amazon  I realized I wanted more and could easily make as many as I wanted using inexpensive 3 mm hardware from eBay and some strong "fridge magnets".     All that's needed is to epoxy a standoff to the magnet - both tapped and threaded ...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/09/2022	Technical
	Si5351 Quadrature Mode The Si5351 has been the biggest boon to homebrewers since the invention of the NE-602, especially now that quartz crystals are essentially obsolete.   But it's redundant to run the output of the 5351 through a johnson counter to develop the quadrature signals required for QSD/QSE SDR front-ends when there are three clock outputs available and the IC allows for phase offsets. &nb...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/09/2022	Technical
	Some tips on the Johnson Pacemaker It's pretty well accepted that the Pacemaker was not EF Johnson's finest effort.   In fact it was the first of several failed attempts by the King of the AM Transmitters to make the transition to SSB.    In the end, it was the rise of CB popularity that kept the company viable, along with its component business, while their ham business gradually faced away. &...  READ MORE	ranickels 03/03/2022	Technical
	Radio Belts Some things you can improvise around, others - no way!   And drive belts for radios are one of the latter, when one is broken or stretched to be unusable you need a new belt - but where to get it? Here's the answer:   RADIO BELTSMany standard belts are shown but custom belts are no problem, just send them the information needed.   A great service to the hobby...  READ MORE	ranickels 02/14/2022	Technical
	The 8122 Story The following information is attributed to Jim Liles, K9AXN.  Jim a long time user and expert on the Hallicrafters SR-2000 "Hurricane" with involvement going back to it's original production.   His website www.k9axn.com contains a lot of valuable information and is recommended.  RCA developed the 8122 which was also built by Burle, and later, Eimac (as you wi...  READ MORE	ranickels 01/22/2022	Technical
	Elvis Mic fix How'd it get that name?  The photo pretty much says it all...One of mine had a problem - the guts could be heard rattling around loosely insdie.  The "capsule" as it's called nowadays at least is held in position by three rubber "socks" that fit over metal tabs to provide acoustic isolation from the mounting provisions in the housings.  Not surprising aft...  READ MORE	ranickels 01/13/2022	Technical
	Where is the thing?  Looking for a tool?   Important papers?   Parts you just had your hands on minutes ago?   READ MORE	ranickels 12/04/2021	Technical