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Author Archives: Steve Netting OH3SPN
Vertical vs Horizontal – HF Monopole vs Dipole
This article should perhaps be titled ‘HF Quarter Wave Ground Mounted Vertical Monopole With Radials vs Horizontal Half Wave Dipole at Quarter Wavelength Height’ but that seemed a little wordy. Having recently resolved my noise issues (which is probably worthy … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged antenna, dipole, dipole vs vertical, gain, MMANA-GAL, model, radials, vertical
4 Comments
An Introduction to JS8CALL
Most introductions to JS8CALL cover configuration and calling CQ. Whilst this is useful I feel it overlooks the power and flexibility of the mode. In this article I hope to jump straight to the more interesting capabilities. Firstly, the very … Continue reading
Configuring Hermes Lite 2 SDR, Quisk, Direwolf and Hamlib
After multiple failed attempts to trigger Quisk PTT via CAT on a virtual serial port, I discovered later Direwolf versions include support for Hamlib. This itself was also not straightforward as by default, Direwolf is not compiled with Hamlib support. … Continue reading
GridTracker; a JTAlert for Linux?
As a Linux user I’ve never used or understood the advantages of JTAlert. Attempts to explore this have also failed due to JTAlert not playing well in WINE. However, I recently saw comments online suggesting GridTracker is JTAlert for Linux, … Continue reading
70W HF Linear Amplifier Project
Whilst very happy with the performance of the Hermes SDR, I’ve been considering a matching HF linear to provide a moderate (6-9dB) increase in output power. I have ideas about operating portable using battery power; ~50W seems a nice balance … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged amplifier, battery, hermes, linear, PA, protection, SDR, SWR
2 Comments
Hermes Lite 2 SDR Transceiver
The Hermes-Lite is a low-cost direct down/up conversion software defined amateur radio HF transceiver based on a broadband modem chip and the Hermes SDR project. It is entirely open source and open hardware, including the tools used for design and fabrication files. Over … Continue reading
OH3SPN FT8 Activity
I’m now active from Tampere, Finland using the call OH3SPN, primarily FT8 on 30/20/17m due to antenna restrictions; FT817 (typically 2.5W out), G4ZLP MinoProSC interface, indoor SPX-100 antenna or short wire connected to LDG Z100 Plus. I’m very happy to report … Continue reading
CQ DE OH/M0SPN
As of April 2018 I’m now located in Tampere, Finland, Locator: KP11UL. You may see my call appearing in various logs with an OH prefix whilst I’m awaiting my official Finnish callsign. I’m currently maintaining both (M0SPN and OH/M0SPN) callsign … Continue reading
Over Voltage Protection
I recently re-homed several cheap 13.8V linear PSUs from rallies, ranging from 3 to 10A. My intention is to power smaller items of equipment; TNCs, FT817s and similar. However, after inspection it became apparent that all lacked any form over over … Continue reading
