Minima - Damage Report

After returning home from Salmoncon 2014, where I had my Minima Transceiver Modules on display and for demonstration, I decided to again add some more functionality to my Minima Alternate Tuning Method software.

My Minima Transceiver Modules
This photo was taken at Salmoncon 2014,
Thanks to Linda - AB7YL

But at home, when I turned the Minima ON, it ran for a short time and then went blank. A second attempt at Turn ON, was equally as bad, the LCD presented large black-blocks for the top row of characters.

My Minima CPU Board has Died!

The Problem

The voltage on the 5.0V Rail was measured at 7.8 Volts. The regulator was fried, which I am sure that voltage cooked the ATMEGA328P-MU Microprocessor as well. I knew the regulator was under rated for the increased load that I had put on it, but it had worked so far, even though it would get very warm.

The Attempted Repair

For repairs, I first replaced the 5 Volt Regulator.

Now the 5 volts Rail is correct, but the microprocessor is still toast!

My attempt to replace the microprocessor was NOT so successful, some traces were damaged while removing the micro. The micro had been solder through the back side of the PCB as a heat sink. De-soldering the heat sink heated the board and small traces TOO much, damage was almost inevitable. In hindsight, it would have been better to Hot Air reflow the part off. But I do not have Hot Air tools.

Dead Microprocessor

This of course is one of the pitfalls of using very small quad-flat-pack version of the microprocessor, if it were the large DIP, replacement would be a quick chip replacement. But, I like to use the smallest chips that I can find.

My software modification testing will have to wait until I replace the board, but I am NOT looking forward to re-building this Homebrew board with its 85 via's.

The Solution

I decided to pay the bucks, and have OSHPark.com manufacture a set of boards for me. The boards will be in hand in about a week. I will continue working on the Minima Software additions, but software testing will have to wait.

Maybe, this may provide time for me to finish my Homebrew Audio boards for the Minima.

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Salmoncon 2014

This years Salmoncon is approaching fast, it will be on July 12 and 13.

Last Year

Last year I put up a 40m Bottom Fed Delta Loop between two tall trees near my camp site. The results were Impressive. With a little effort, we worked all of the stations the we could hear on all HF bands with my FT-817 (at 5 watts).

(last years photo to be inserted here)

The top of the Delta Loop was at 90 feet AGL (some very tall trees) and was fed from the bottom with 450 ohm ladder line via a balun. We used the formula: "1005/Freq" to calculate the length of wire, which was folded in thirds to fine the corners.

In practice, the antenna resonated on a slightly higher frequency than I expected, but still within the 40m band. The LDG Z817 tuner on the FT-817 was able to match it on all HF bands. I may be wrong, but I think the impressive performance is due to the massive capture area of that much copper high in the air.

This Year

Because space and hight is available, I plan to double last years wire length, and put up an 80m Delta Loop. I am expecting good things, and will report the results.

There is a third tall tree that I might be able to use to convert the Vertical Delta Loop to Horizontal. It would be really fun to use an 80m Horizontal Loop at 90 feet AGL (I may need to splice in some more feed line).

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Salmoncon 2012

Salmoncon 2012 has come and gone. The weather was overcast and a little light rain, but no one seemed to notice.

There were three days of great presentations, demonstrations and wonderful Ham Radio conversations.

One of many Technical Conversations

On Friday the SOTA group activated Little Mt Si.

The main events were on Saturday and Sunday, but many of the die-hard's were on site Thursday through Monday. I think the sign-in-sheet only listed about 60 attendees, but I think there were more.

Saturday Morning Parking

The long distant traveler was John - N0AR and his family from Minnesota.

John's Family

The following are only excerpts from Salmoncon, there are just too much to report and I may have some events out of order as reported here.

Jeff and I were up early on Saturday to set out the Fox for the Fox Hunt (see below).

Early Saturday, 
Jeff with the Fox Hanging Stick

We had planned to set them out late Firday night, but too many late activities prevented the effort.

Saturday Morning was started with Curt - WR5J cooking a wonderful breakfast (with a little help from John's Boys). I remembered Curt's breakfast from last year, so I made sure I was up on time.

Curt Making Breakfast

About Ready to Eat

The Crew is Ready to Eat

After Breakfast and Introductions, the first event was the Fox Hunt - thanks to Jeff - KO7M. The instruction for the Fox Hunt were deliberately vague as scoring was based on the Factoids Collected during the hunt. The hunters ware also instructed to "Expect the Un-expected" for the hunt.

Bob and Ben Team Up for The Fox Hunt

DF Loop and Ready to Hunt

Jacob with the KX3 and a Wire Loop

The only detail that was provided; was the approximate frequency used by the Fox - about 10.1395MHz. It as also shown that the Fox can be heard on simple one wire loop antenna and portable radio (the KX3 and FT-817 receivers were a very good choices).

Doug, Alan, and Jacob
Trying to get the First Fix on the FOX?

After about a half hour, many hunters realized there were more than one Fox, in fact there were three, each sending it's own CW ID in coordinated time sequence with the other Foxes. Jeff and I created the Foxes using the Propeller Microprocessor, therefore anything and everything devious was done in software. Other details of the hunt will be left out of this blog, to encourage others to attend next year.

Wayne and Sandy Getting Their First FIX
A Fox Hunting with one Radio is like Canoeing.

Later that day, awards were given to the Hunters with the most facts about the Hunt.

After the Fox Hunt, Jeff - K07M, gave a presentation on the Propeller Microprocessor showing its architecture and how it could be used in Amateur Radio - the Fox Hunt was a good example.

Jeff - Getting Ready for Presentation

Jeff's - Propeller Presentation

Lyle - KK7P and Rich - AC7MA presented an update on the KX3, Note with at least three, the KX3 was well represented in the Fox Hunt.

Lyle and his KX3 on the Fox Hunt

Bob - AD7PB, gave a presentation on his Homebrew Mag Loops and had several examples for demonstrations. He demonstrated how tuning was as simple twist of the knob near the center hand-hold of the loop. He went through the design process for the loop, picking the dimensions for a particular group of bands. I enjoyed the insight, and now plan to create a Mag Loop for my use.

Bob and His Homebrew Mag Loop

Charlie - N7KN and Roger - K7RXV, gave a presentation on building Tennis Ball Launcher and a demonstration/shootoff followed.

Charlie and Roger - Tennis Ball Launchers

After the Shoot Out

Rich, Roger, myself and Tess

Tess can not wait for the next shot

Jeremy - NH6Z gave a interesting presentation and update on the Open SDR project.

Jeremy Demos Open SDR

There were other presentations, many more short demonstrations and technical discussions that continued through out the weekend.

With John - N0AR's three boys attending Salmoncon, Tess was in "Boy Heaven". She had lots of Ball and Play Time.

Joe, Tess and a Ball
What could be better!

Play Hard, . . . then Rest Hard,
Tess Is In Little Boy Heaven!

Now, . . . only 364 more days until next Salmoncon!

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Salmoncon 2012 - Fox Hunt

This is the Salmoncon 2012 Fox Hunt Invitation/E-mail sent to the Puget Sound QRP (pQRP) Group.

UPDATE: I added some selected follow-up.

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Hello All,

This is a survey of people who are planning to attend Salmoncon 2012, and interested in a HF Fox Hunt.

If interested, please respond with the type of portable HF Receiver(s) that you will use for the Hunt?

Salmoncon Pavilion - MAP: http://goo.gl/6DywX


Our Current Plans:

The current plan is to hold the Main Fox Hunt Events on Saturday July 14th.

We may also hold several warm-up events.

For the Hunt, you may find; a loop antenna, camera, headphones, portable GPS, and/or compass, very useful for some of the events.

Rules, Frequency and other details will be provided the day of the events.

Prizes will be awarded !

Several event reminders will follow on this list.


BTW: Hardware or Item Donations for the Event Prizes are encouraged.


Regards,
Eldon Brown

72 - Eldon - WA0UWH

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Eldon,

I would really enjoy a fox hunt, but have neither an antenna or (I don't think) an appropriate receiver.

Sounds like we might solve the antenna problem as a group. A great project!

Maybe you could give us an idea as to what band(s) your looking at to do this on???? I'm thinking right now that my IC-706 would work but be rather heavy and awkward. Maybe a homebrew rx is in the cards.................

Alan K6ZY

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Alan, and ALL

For the HF Fox Hunt, we will be in Near Field area of the FOX, and therefore shielding is almost more important than a good Antenna. Although with a well shielded Rig and a Loop Antenna, and using triangulation obtained from the Null (through the center of the Loop) should help provide good directional information, and using field strength as a indicator of proximity. Another suggestion would be use something like a KX3 or FT-817 with a dummy Load at the antenna, using your body for shielding to get direction and proximity.

Personally, I would use a cheap (or small) radio within an Aluminum Foil wrap, with a very short exposed antenna, which could be shielded with my body. Others may have better suggestions.

Some of the most successful Near Field Hunters, use the least sophisticated gear, others that are real "DF Hounds", use very extensive gear on Long Distant Driving Hunts. This is a short, near field hunt.

We will have several FOX Hunt events, so different techniques can be tried.

This is a "HF" FOX Hunt, but I would plan for maybe something around 20, 30, 40 meters. Most P&C and Salmoncon attendees have seen how small and low power my transmitters can be, and therefore should maybe expect some very weak signals.

To be fair, I can not provide any more details until the event.

Happy Hunting !

BTW, with all of my talk and preparations, Tess has become very interested in this event. She can not wait to see the FOX, maybe it will be as exciting as her Ball. Unfortunately, I think she will be disappointed :-)

Regards,
Eldon Brown

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Salmoncon VI

The Puget Sound QRP (pQRP) Interest Group Salmoncon VI Event has come and gone - July 9th, 10th and 11th, 2011.

There were about 44 people in attendance, the weather was great, there were many good conversations, good presentations, good radio contacts, and good food.

Free Part Swap tables were set up for exchange of parts for personal projects.

There were many; activities, projects, helpers, YLs, supporters, attendees and some young Harmonics, only a few details are recorded here. For more complete details see Wayne's Yahoo Group write-up.

Wayne - NB6M, performed the Master of Ceremonies (MC) function and kept us all on schedule for special events.

In the past, Dean - N7XG has provided Solmoncon Name Badges, and new ones this year for everyone that requested them.

Time was allocated for spontaneous group discussions and radio operation.

Conversations in the Warm Morning Sun

Roger, Rich, Curt, and Alan
in a Technical Discussion

Rod - KE7X provided the launch for some of the antenna in the trees.

Rod - Ready for Launch

Lyle and Steve - with the KX3

Lyle - KK7P and Rich - AC7MA were there with the Elecraft KX3, for presentation, demonstration and available for anyone to try.

Steve - wG0AT was there; with an interesting presentation and previously unseen videos of the Rooster and Peanut. Steve put the KX3 to good use, on the air, as reported by Dave - AA7EE on his blog.

Chris with my BuddiPole

Chris - W6HFP, the owner of BuddiPole, was there and spent time with me configuring and adjusting my BuddiPole for a non-standard Vertical Configuration on 20 and 40 Meters with two Ground Plane Whip Elements at 22.5 Degrees. Chris lent me his TRSB (Triple Range Switch Balun) which provided a perfect 1:1 match.

Taps are set for 20 (red) and
40 (yellow) Meters Vertical

John - KC7NVE took this photo of my
Vertical BoddiPole Configuration

Curt - Fixing Breakfast

The two breakfasts were Provided and Cooked by Curt - WR5J (of West Seattle Amateur Radio Club) and Bill - N7AOB of our local pQRP group.

Very good food and drink the first thing each morning!

Salmon Burgers were Provided and Cooked Bar-B-Que Style by Doug - W7RDP.

Most other meals were potluck style, with lots of choices and snacks.

Good Food

Doug also arranged to have K7S as our special event call sign.

Doug, Rich, and Thom were the big contributors to the Free Parts Swap tables, some parts were from; industry, personal collections, and other from local SKs.

The Technical Presentations and Several Group Discussions were enjoyed by all.

Roger - K7RXY at the Mic in Group Discussion
on Surface Mount Soldering and
De-soldering Techniques

Thom - k7FZO and Teena of Valley Camp helped with most of the Activities.

Our Thanks To: Thom and Teena
(A Toner Transfer PCB Plaque was made with the above image)

Some Toner Transfer Examples
PCB Projects, Front Panels, and Plaques

For my part, I provided Soft Drinks, and then did a Toner Transfer Demonstrations, with the help of unsuspecting volunteers; Alan - K6ZY, Thom - K7FZO and Rich - AC7MA. Note: the upper right of the photo, the second Surface Mount (very old, 500 watt) Soldering Iron !

Example
Toner Transfer Front Panel

My Tent, Radio Station and BuddiPole Set Up

At my tent, Jeff - KO7M and Bob - AD7BP - helped me setup and configure a new Signalink-USB Adapter for some FT-817 fun.

The IC-730 and FT-817 Stations were powered by a single deep cycle 12 Volt Auto Battery.

Tess on Camp Alert !
Or, is she just looking for her Ball ?

And of course, Tess (my dog) provided Security and Leash Line Entanglement around my camp site.

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Salmoncon 2010

This is a late posting of our Puget Sound QRP SalmonCon weekend of July 9th, 10th and 11th.

I went to Salmoncon with the idea of working some QRSS and WSPR on my IC-730 in the fresh air and camping environment. Most attendees were there to work SSB and CW with a little PSK, and attend the technical lectures. There were two or three K3's, an SDR, many other commercial rigs and some HomeBrew equipment all available for use.

I also, took the parts and projects of my QRSS and Marker Beacons along with my intended project to put together - a "Softrock RX Ensemble Kit". My goal was to get it started, finished and tested before leaving the event - Boy, was I wrong! - I should have known better.

The technical talks where very interesting, entertaining and occupied most of the day. Afterwards, chatting with friends about HAM Radio occupied the evening. There were too many great conversation to enjoy and with so many people with ideas and experiences to attend.

I finally settle down to do some real "Kit" building. The "Softrock RX Ensemble Kit" represents the project that I have had on my minds drawing board for several month as a HomeBrew project. When this Kit was found and revieled it's block diagram and schematic, I just had to have one! The HomeBrew Project I was planning was the same, only I did not have all of the parts and values worked out - this Kit is Great!

Well, . . the first part went in, the second, third and forth. Then I noticed the first part was in backwards - a 1N4007 Diode! - What was I thinking! - It had to come out!

I worked for the next hour taking that one part out, I did not want to damage the board - so I worked very carefully. Unfortanatlly, I did not take my PCB vice with me on this trip. Removal of the "one" part was difficult - holes are small and I wanted to salvage the part. The part was removed and the board was not damaged or marred.

Afterwards, I decided to plan on a new replacement as the top of the diode hairpin loop is a test point that will be used later. The old cut part would not work and provide the test point in the right part of the circuit. Note: the photo shows the correct installation from the manual page.

This set back, dampened my spirits and killed all hope of getting this Kit on the air during Salmoncon. I decided to abandon the effort, and wait until I return home with more time to work the problem.

This is now July 20th - I have not returned to the Kit yet, but maybe soon.

BTW: I now recommend that you read ahead in a kits construction instruction manual - I wonder if I can follow my own advice!


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