Articles
Technical information
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Class E Notes
There is a lot of misunderstanding about how a Class E amplifier works. As the result of studying the literature and experimenting, I thought I'd share what I have learned over the past several years. Below is an example of a test amplifier I used to optimize my 2 watt wspr transmitter boards. It can be visualized as ... READ MORE |
ranickels 06/06/2020 |
Technical |
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Communications Associates Inc. SSB-125 marine radiotelephone
What can I say, I like oddball radios! There was already a different version of this CAI SSB-125 on my shelf but it had the remote control head, and this one was cheap, well under $100 including shipping, and I'm easily amused. VIDEO DEMO HERE Communications Associates Inc. was a supplier of commercial, military, and marine radios based in Hu... READ MORE |
ranickels 05/14/2020 |
Technical |
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"B" Bench update
Like most of those reading this, I've upgraded and added to my test equipment inventory over the years, starting with the Heathkit VTVM I built when I was 15 or so. There's no "right" piece of equipment, just personal preferences, and while I'd be the first to say my work habits are anything but "right" they are what they are, and I'm... READ MORE |
ranickels 02/03/2020 |
Technical |
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The best cleaner/degreaser on the planet!
I have no interest or affiliation with the company and discovered this product when I was looking for a good degreaser to clean my jukebox. IT IS THE BEST! I like data, so I put confidence in the test results that can be viewed in the infographic below. I also like RESULTS and this stuff delivers. Greasy dirt and grime are instantly dissolved and wipe away.&... READ MORE |
ranickels 12/09/2019 |
Technical |
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My experience with the Nouveau 75
Mini-review of the Nouveau 75 by W9RAN I like it, warts and all! OK, maybe not quite that "mini". ..here's a few of my impressions of this innovative kit from the 4 State QRP Group. I've been interested in amplitude modulation of a class E PA for some time and after Dave Cripe said to stay tuned for the next 4SQRP offering, I wasn't too surprised to see ... READ MORE |
ranickels 11/12/2019 |
Technical |
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Phasing SSB transmitter alignment - the easy way!
Equipment manuals and handbooks of the 1950s and 60s were filled with complex oscilloscope screens and discussion of ripple and as a result proper alignment of a phasing rig eluded most hams. But a clever New Zealand ham, Fred Johnson ZL2AMJ was able to see what everyone else had missed, and published a short note in the NZ ham magazine in 1972 that makes the process simple and... READ MORE |
ranickels 07/20/2019 |
Technical |
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Bearing puller for pennies
Finding myself in need of a tool to remove a bad bearing on a blower from a linear amplifier I first tried the usual automotive type gear puller but it wasn't able to get underneath this small 5/8" OD bearing. So I improvised a tool that took 10 minutes to make, cost a few cents, and had the job done in no time at all The secret is wedges sold at the hom... READ MORE |
ranickels 07/16/2019 |
Technical |
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W9RAN Field Radio
In the early days of aviation radio, transmissions originated from the ground using the longwave transmitter also used for homing, and pilots acknowledged by wagging their wings. It didn't take long to realize the benefits of having transmitting capability onboard the plane as well, and the first generation of aircraft radio used the low HF band. Given today'... READ MORE |
ranickels 05/11/2019 |
Technical |
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Using rectifier diodes as varactor/varicap substitutes
As anyone who likes building radios knows, it's getting harder and harder to buy RF components. One of the last casualties was the 3-section pi-wound RF chokes made by Hammond, a company that has done more than most to support the vintage radio and audio hobbies. The Toko variable inductors long favored by QRP enthuisiasts have become all but unavailable, and va... READ MORE |
ranickels 03/02/2019 |
Technical |
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The Case of the Phantom Voltage
A Heathkit HW-12 gave me a troubleshooting challenge the likes of which I've not seen before - or even heard of! A few days ago the transmitter wouldn't produce output, and in checking voltages and I measured -75 volts on the ALC line which should be -20. But it corrected itself and I figured it must have been a solder splash or something that cleared by itself. ... READ MORE |
ranickels 02/08/2019 |
Technical |
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