Frustrations with Audio

Frustration with Linux Audio System is getting the best of me.

I have been working with Large UNIX Systems for more than 30 years - I have specified, configured, installed and managed many multi-multi-million dollar UNIX systems and nothing is as frustrating as "audio set up and configuration" on a simple Linux system - currently I am using Ubuntu 8.10 with many (maybe conflicting) audio subsystems. I started out using Linux when it was still called Minx.

My problem is there does not appear to be a simple solution to this simple problem. I do not like MS Windows, but at least the sound system on most Windows systems - just WORKS.

Several years ago, with an older Linux (Red Hat) system - sound was not easy to configure, but it was not HARD either. Now, everything about a Liunx sound system is just plain HARD.

Currently, I would grade the XP Windows Sound System with an "B+", and would grade the Linux Sound System (Ubuntu 8.10) with an "F".

I have OSS, ALSA and PulseAudio all installed which maybe the problem, but nothing suggests that another configuration is more correct.

One minute the Linux sound system appears to work, then the next nothing works, a reboot is necessary to correct the problem, restarting the daemons does not seem to fix the problems. Simple configuration change do not take place when you expect, they may take effect sometime later, when you are not expecting changes. It is difficult to keep up with what is happening to the sound system.

The Linux Sound system is all magic, there is nothing that I have found that diagrams the sound system and attempts to provide help when things do not work.  The forums describe the Linux sound system as delta's on previous information - it is hard to collect enough information to configure the sound system - when it does not work as published.

I would like a simple app that diagrams the sound system from input jacks, to kernel, to application and onto output jacks, with diagnostics showing where sound is coming from and going to.

I am sure for new Linux users, this is as frustrating as anything.  It will cause users to return to MS Window. From what I have seen, the Linux Sound System is the most effective externally generated advertisement for Microsoft that exists to date.

Sorry for the Rant, - - - - maybe I will figure this thing out - someday.

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WSPR 2.0 Working at Remote Location

Success!

I now have WSPR 2.0 working on my remote Data Centre Direct Conversion Receiver.

The DC receiver is used as both a QRSS ARGO Grabber and now a WSPR spot database reporter, both at the same time.

The audio is decode by the two programs, both running on Ubuntu 8.10, WSPR runs native on the console window, while ARGO runs under "wine" in a virtual (xvnc4server) window.  The virtual window is necessary as ARGO uses screen scrapes (or captures) to obtain images, that are used for the Web Server Grabber presentation. A non-virtual window application would often be covered by pop-up's or other normal window elements that obliterates the resulting Grabber image.

WSPR 2.0 supports CALLs with a suffix, for my remote receiver I use WA0UWH/R as it's ID, as shown near Seattle on the WSPR map.

My goal is to also report PropNet spots via the same systems.

While I was setting up WSPR (as described above), I did an experiment. I inserted a amall transformer into the computer sound card input line - the "hum bars" seen on the ARGO and WSPR console windows went away! I think a ground loop exists between the computer and the antenna. The coax is grounded at the base of the antenna.

Now I need to redesign the receiver output circuit to include proper ground loop isolation (a fix to be done another day).

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PCB Software Review

I just did a quick review of AutoTRAX for my potential use to make Hobby Toner Transfer PCB's.

It was looking good until I looked at the copper pour implementation.

See previous reviews.

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November 2009 - eBuild-A-Thon and BBQ

WOW, the November 2009 - eBuild-A-Thon and BBQ has come and gone, we had several projects being worked in different parts of the Shop at the same time -  I could not keep up with all of the very interesting projects, activities and chats. Sorry, photos were not taken.

The QRSS "Beac-in" (not talk-in) beacon was not found, no one brought DF equipment - therefore the prize will be saved for the next event in December.

By my count, there were 22 people that came by to work on projects or just chat throughout the day. Unfortunately, I did not get a complete list of names and calls, forgive me if I don't mention your name or project. Next time I will try to have a official "meet and greeter", to help with names, notes and project photos.

Roger K7RXV brought his network analyser, but I think he worked mostly on a PCB case for an Intermod Meter.

John KC7NVE brought is Transceiver, Portable Antenna and Laptop, to demonstrate station operations in; SSB, CW, and WSPR modes.

Doug W7RDP brought his Lineman Crimping tool for demonstration and use, Doug brought  a section of very small (1/8 inch) hard-line. It will be used for future project intra case connections.

Lyle KK7P worked on a PCB case for one of his  projects, by the count of the accumulated  punched circles at the base of the punch he was a very busy person. I am looking forward to see the resulting case and finished project.

The Next Day Photo

I love the evidence of intent work

Thanks to Lyle, we will now have many large "manhattan style" PCB construction components.

Alan K6ZY worked on repair of a watt meter via meter replacement and face plate adaptor.

For a while, there was competition for the punch access with so many PCB projects needing holes punched. Die changes were coordinated for best overall effective use.

Thanks to my sister, Carolyn, Lunch was served adhoc and projects were continued though out the day.

Tess (my dog) thought it was great - she had so many people that were willing played ball with her - she was exhausted by the end of the day, but she loved every minute.

Thanks to all for a enjoyable event.

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Small DPDT Switches

I have several projects needing very small configuration switches (611-AYZ0202AGRL) , which arrived today.  The switches are much smaller than I had thought, even though I had the specs. These switches will be fun to use and will be seen in future projects.

It is interesting to note that the new small DPDT SMT switch on the right has almost the same terminal spacing as the old large SPDT switch on the left, yet the switch body is maybe 1/10th the overall size.

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WSPR 2.0 is Now Available

The new version of WSPR 2.0 is now available.

With the new version, proper support for station CALL suffixes are supported. I my case this means that I can run one (receive only) version at my Web Server Site 24x7 as WA0UWH/R and another at my home QTH (receive/transmit) adhoc as WA0UWH. I will use the "/R" as an indicator for Remote - until someone has a better idea.

Also, this version is available native on Linux, which was a cludge via wine before.  My Web Server is Ubuntu therefore I will beable to use the Linux version on that system.

WSPR is available at:

http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html

Or, just check out the WSPR map at:

http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/map

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Printed Inductors - Continued

To learn more information about Printed Inductors (see previous post) I decided to check the self-resonate frequency - by disconnecting the capacitors. This experimental coil is self resonate at 22.2mHz.

Scale = 1 to 41mHz
 Resonate at 22.2mHz

Above 60mHz all kinds of strange minor resonate modes occur.

Note: Flat-topping on the graph is over range.

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A Balloon QRSS Idea - Continued

To support a QRSS Beacon Balloon effort (see previous post), I checked with the local Welding Gas Supplier, a large standing tank of Helium is about $110 plus tank rental.  The tank can be rented for about a week (used at parties) for a few dollars, or by the month for commercial accounts at $20 / month.  To purchase a tank it is about $450 with refills at the same $110 rate.

I think the rental rates includes a regulator.  But, to buy a tank would require an additional $45 for a regulator.

I need to do some more Beacon Balloon planning before investing in Helium.

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