Re: [Flexradio] Book?

[Tom Thompson]

The ARRL publication:  Experimental Methods in RF Design by Wes 
Hayward, W7ZOI, Rick Campbell, KK7B, and Bob Larkin, W7PUA answers a lot 
of these questions plus chapter 10 deals very well with DSP.  Also, Doug 
Smith's book Digital Signal Processing Technology is another excellent 
ARRL publication that deals with the fundamentals of DSP.


Tom   W0IVJ

Dave Gomberg wrote:
This post has me convinced there is a good market for a book, 
provisionally titled:

SDR basics.

Chapters might be:  Hardware radios, Software radios, PowerSDR,
Hardware considerations, Helper software and addons.

Not really a nuts-and-bolts kind of book, the list is good for that.   
More a conceptual
description so that the meaning of the elements is well understood, 
and there is a
link between buzz-words and acronyms on the one hand and concepts and 
block diagram

functions on the other.

I would think given the target market, e-publishing would be best.   
Comments



At 03:02 AM 8/1/2009, Eddy Van de Velde wrote:
Using HRD v5.0 with com0com and VAC on SDR-1000 here. So, the delay 
on PTT is not an issue for the SDR-1000 only. The problem is not in 
the FlexRadio hard- or software.
Simply use two Virtual Com ports for HRD-DM780. One Vcom port for CAT 
control between PowerSDR and the second Vcom port for PTT control 
configuration in DM780. No delay at all on PTT if configured this way.

Eddy ON5UQ.
- Original Message - From: Steven O'Neal 
se_on...@hotmail.com

To: Flex flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 12:43 AM
Subject: [Flexradio] Anyone using HRD V 5.0
I took the plunge and updated my version 4.0 HRD to version 5.0 and 
wanted to see if anyone else running a Flex has done so and what 
sort of problems they are having.

Problems I have encountered so far:
Long delay going into and out of Transmit   HRD Bug was already 
open, so I added a bit more for the Flex 3000 in use here.
I had a Blue Screen of Death before using an earlier version, 
current one is 2277.
Have not entirely figured out the setup for waterfall settings, 
tricks and tips appreciated.
Olivia operation seems to be somewhat improved, worked a ZL on 20 
the other night with a s/n of around -2 who was running Fldigi, 
which has been slightly problematic in the past.

So anyone else running Version 5 of HRD?



--
Dave Gomberg, San Francisco   NE5EE gomberg1 at wcf dot com
All addresses, phones, etc. at http://www.wcf.com/ham/info.html
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Re: [Flexradio] Book?

[Tom Thompson]

Dave,

I think Hayward's book covers everything you suggested, except 
PowerSDR.  Take a look for yourself.


Tom

Dave Gomberg wrote:

At 08:38 PM 8/1/2009, Tom Thompson wrote:
The ARRL publication:  Experimental Methods in RF Design by Wes 
Hayward, W7ZOI, Rick Campbell, KK7B, and Bob Larkin, W7PUA answers a 
lot of these questions plus chapter 10 deals very well with DSP.  
Also, Doug Smith's book Digital Signal Processing Technology is 
another excellent ARRL publication that deals with the fundamentals 
of DSP.


So this book spends a good deal of time on why SDRs need such 
intensive sw support in the PC?   That doesn't really seem like an RF 
issue to me   And the book I am suggesting has next to nothing on 
DSP.




Tom   W0IVJ

Dave Gomberg wrote:
This post has me convinced there is a good market for a book, 
provisionally titled:

SDR basics.

Chapters might be:  Hardware radios, Software radios, PowerSDR,
Hardware considerations, Helper software and addons.

Not really a nuts-and-bolts kind of book, the list is good for that.
More a conceptual
description so that the meaning of the elements is well understood, 
and there is a
link between buzz-words and acronyms on the one hand and concepts 
and block diagram

functions on the other.

I would think given the target market, e-publishing would be best.
Comments


At 03:02 AM 8/1/2009, Eddy Van de Velde wrote:
Using HRD v5.0 with com0com and VAC on SDR-1000 here. So, the delay 
on PTT is not an issue for the SDR-1000 only. The problem is not in 
the FlexRadio hard- or software.
Simply use two Virtual Com ports for HRD-DM780. One Vcom port for 
CAT control between PowerSDR and the second Vcom port for PTT 
control configuration in DM780. No delay at all on PTT if 
configured this way.

Eddy ON5UQ.
- Original Message - From: Steven O'Neal 
se_on...@hotmail.com

To: Flex flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 12:43 AM
Subject: [Flexradio] Anyone using HRD V 5.0
I took the plunge and updated my version 4.0 HRD to version 5.0 
and wanted to see if anyone else running a Flex has done so and 
what sort of problems they are having.

Problems I have encountered so far:
Long delay going into and out of Transmit   HRD Bug was already 
open, so I added a bit more for the Flex 3000 in use here.
I had a Blue Screen of Death before using an earlier version, 
current one is 2277.
Have not entirely figured out the setup for waterfall settings, 
tricks and tips appreciated.
Olivia operation seems to be somewhat improved, worked a ZL on 20 
the other night with a s/n of around -2 who was running Fldigi, 
which has been slightly problematic in the past.

So anyone else running Version 5 of HRD?



--
Dave Gomberg, San Francisco   NE5EE gomberg1 at wcf dot com
All addresses, phones, etc. at http://www.wcf.com/ham/info.html
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--
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All addresses, phones, etc. at http://www.wcf.com/ham/info.html
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Re: [Flexradio] Apple bashing

[Tom Thompson]

Hey Brian,

How about an Inverter from Radio Shack and run the Mac power supply from 
120 VAC converted from 12 VDC.


Tom   W0IVJ

Brian Lloyd wrote:

OK. You guys know I am am an Apple Fanboi. I will be using my MacBook
Pro to run the Flex for Field Day. But I need a way to power it from
12V as there will be no mains power at our site. No problem, just get
a DC power adaptor, right?

But wait, you *can't* get a DC power adaptor for the new MacBook Pro.
Seems that Apple has changed to their funky (and proprietary)
MagSafe connector that is held in place with a magnet so that, if
you trip on the power cable, it comes unplugged without damaging the
computer. Good idea.

But they own the rights to it so no one but Apple can sell you one and
Apple doesn't make a 12VDC power adaptor. The only solution is to cut
the cable from the Apple-supplied wall-wart to the MagSafe connector
and put a coaxial power connector in there so you can plug in a
third-party 12V switching supply.

Oh, I did find a company that would sell me one. The price was $135
and included a new Apple power supply in addition to the DC supply. If
you just want the MagSafe connector by itself, the price is about $90,
above the street price of an Apple power supply. I guess I would be
paying to have someone cut the connector from the power supply and
install the coaxial power connector for me. Oh, and they get to keep
the power supply.

Bad show Apple. If your stuff didn't work so well ...

73 de Brian, WB6RQN/J79BPL

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Re: [Flexradio] Balanced vs. unbalanced microphone inputs

[Tom Thompson]

With high SWR the losses can easily be determined by TLW found on the CD 
in the ARRL Antenna Book.  The loss can be different depending on 
whether the SWR is caused by a low resistance or a high resistance 
because at HF the losss are largely IR due to the resistive part of the 
load.  At the same SWR with a higher resistance and some reactance the 
losses are less.  As you move up in frequency the losses are determined 
by dielectric losses and IR losses, so things are different.  Play a 
little with TLW using various frequencies and SWRs , and you will get a 
feel for the difference.  Also, make the SWR high by using different 
combinations of resistance and reactance.


Tom   W0IVJ


Lux, James P wrote:


This is what programs like XLZIZL are for.  Put the lengths of coax and
other components in, and see what the losses really are.

Gut feel.. 5 feet of anything won¹t make a big difference at HF.

Even if the VSWR is 20:1 (and the corresponding ISWR is the same) and you¹re
using open wire line because of low loss and high Z.  Iavg = sqrt(
Imax*Imin) Imax=20*Imin, so Iavg is about 4x Imin and Imax is about 4*Iavg.
That is, the current at a maximum is 4 times what it would be in a matched
line.  Losses go as I^2*R, so the loss is 16 times greater.

If the coax is 2dB/100ft at 100MHz, the loss goes as the square root of
frequency.. At 10MHz, it would be 0.6dB/100ft
But, if it¹s 1dB/100ft loss, you¹ve got 0.05dB for the 5 ft chunk (in a
matched line). *16, though, gives 0.8dB.

Mind you 20:1 vswr would be pretty wretchedly bad.. Even an end fed dipole
(or a 40m dipole fed on 20m) probably isn¹t going to be 20:1 fed with 600
ohm line.


Jim


On 1/31/09 7:39 AM, k5nwa k5...@sbcglobal.net wrote:

 


On 1/31/2009 8:47 AM, Ray Andrews wrote:
   


Chris,

The published loss spec for RG-11/U is 2dB/100' @ 100 MHz.  This means that
at 100 MHz, the loss in a 5' run would be 0.1 dB.  At frequencies below 30
MHz, the loss in a 5' run would be TOTALLY insignificant.

73, Ray, K9DUR

 


Those publish losses are with a SWR of 1:1 it's higher when you have a
mismatch, not that is a problem with 5'. People often think that if
their cable has a published 3 dB loss at 100' and that it will be the
same with a 20:1 SWR on the coax and they will be surprised when it's
much higher.

--

Cecil Bayona
K5NWA
www.k5nwa.com www.qrpradio.com
   http://parts.softrockradio.org/

Windows, the most successful software virus ever Don Seglio Batuna


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Re: [Flexradio] What would you like to see in an accessory box?

[Tom Thompson]

I have two homebrew, solid state amps with no alc.  The big amp (1kW) 
has no protection, uses MRF 154s, and takes 15 watts to drive to full 
power.  I have accidently driven it with 100 W with no damage.  The 
small amp (600 W) uses 4 MRF 150s in parallel pushpull.  I built over 
drive protection into that amp.  It will not switch the amp into the 
circuit if the drive is too high.  This amp takes 10 watts to drive it 
to full power.  I have experienced over drive several times on this amp, 
and so far it has faulted correctly.  Having said all of this, I think 
the best protection is an attenuator on the input so the exciter can put 
out full output and not over drive the amp.  With the Caddock  film 
power resitors available today, it should be easy to build a 6-dB, power 
attenuator that could be inserted in the input of the amp.  That would 
be difficult to do on a commercial amp, however.  The Quadra uses 8 MRF 
150s and I believe it uses a 4-way power splitter on the input  which 
should offer some over drive protection with a standard 100 Watt 
exciter.  I believe the Ameritron uses an attenuator in its input.  If 
you wanted to add external protection, you could build an inline sampler 
that prohibited keying of the amp if the drive was too high.  You would 
have to look at the hot key timing of the SDR to see if this would work 
well.


Tom   W0IVJ



Lux, James P wrote:



On 10/14/08 9:21 AM, Lee A Crocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 


My guess is a PTT feedback scheme would be too slow to save your bacon unless
it somehow anticipates the fault.

   



It would also depend on the PTT sensing logic in the software to work.

Crowbar across the RF input?

 


- Original Message 
From: Neal Campbell K3NC [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Bob McGwier [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: Steve Nance [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Lee A Crocker [EMAIL PROTECTED];
Flexradio FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:06:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] What would you like to see in an accessory box?

I think we have come to the same conclusion so there would be a PTT
line pass-thru and we will defeat it if the calibrated voltage is
exceeded (is exceeded t he right word for going too negative!)

Neal Campbell

www.abrohamnealsoftware.com
AIM:nealk3nc






On Oct 14, 2008, at 12:03 PM, Bob McGwier wrote:

   


VERY sound advice.

Bob


ARRL SDR Working Group Chair
Member: ARRL, AMSAT, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats,
NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC.
Trample the slow   Hurdle the dead


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lux, James P
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:04 AM
To: Lee A Crocker; Flexradio
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] What would you like to see in an accessory
box?




On 10/14/08 12:21 AM, Lee A Crocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 


I do like the idea of being able to plug the flex wire into the box
for
   


PSDR
 


connectivity independent of ddutil.  I have at some times had
stability
   


issues
 


with ddutil and would like another path into the box.  Also I would
like
   


to
 


see an output that would be compatable with previous X2 interfaces

Do you really think this will be fast enough to do ALC?  If you are
going
   


to
 


use this to protect your amp it has to be virtually failsafe.
   


Trust not protection to a software implementation on a PC. If you're
really
worried about overdriving an amplifier, then you need a hardware input
limiter of some sort.  There's just too many things that can go
wrong in the
PC environment (oops, it just hung, my protection loop froze..).
Remember
that the dttsp core has to get an input from the ALC signal, and
then go in
and adjust the gain, which then changes the levels of the signals
emerging
from the DAC.

Software is ok for this kind of thing, but you want it running in a
dedicated processor (e.g. That PIC).





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Re: [Flexradio] Is There a Time-Out-Timer For the Flex Radio PTT?

[Tom Thompson]

There is a freeware program that will do a timed shutdown.  I have it 
restart my computer.  You can set an alarm before the time out pereiod 
is up.  When the alarm goes, abort and restart the application.  I have 
used it when running remote.  It can be found at 
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/tshutdown.html

Tom   W0IVJ




Jim Lux wrote:

At 02:57 PM 7/17/2008, Steve Floyd wrote:
  

Greetings All,

I am using the 5000A remote controlled over the Internet using Ultra 
VNC for remote desktop control and Skype with VAC for the 
audio.  Works just great!  I have however lost the Internet 
connection several times due to local wifi problems right in the 
middle of a transmission.  The PTT was then stuck ON forever.  Is 
there a time-out-timer function available in the PowerSDR software 
for the PTT such that if this happens again (which it will) the PTT 
will not be stuck ON until I can reconnect to the PC desktop to release it?




Frankly, for regulatory compliance sorts of reasons, I'd say you need 
to implement an independent watchdog (like the 3 minute timer on a 
repeater).  You cannot depend on a PC (independent of what operating 
system) for this kind of thing.  Or, you'd have to have some sort of 
monitor capability, and an independent way that you can perform the 
function of a control operator.

97.109 says you have to be able to cease operation after 
notification, but there's no time span.

You'd have to watch out, though, that you don't fall into the 
97.221(b) rules about automatic operation.

  

This is a new radio for me and I have not yet discovered this PTT 
feature if it already exists.

Thanks for the help.   I sure to love this radio!!

73' W4YHD





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Re: [Flexradio] Is There a Time-Out-Timer For the Flex Radio PTT?

[Tom Thompson]

I don't know, Jim.  With the SDR-1000, the computer shuts down and does 
a reboot, and I've been able to recover the hung PTT.  When PowerSDR 
comes back, you can either take it out of transmit or kill the 
application.  If the PTT is still activated, I guess you need a hardware 
watchdog.  In my homebrew telephone remote of my TS-450, the hangup 
signal does a hardware reset and turns everything off including the AC 
to the power supply.

Tom


Jim Lux wrote:

 At 04:23 PM 7/17/2008, Tom Thompson wrote:

 There is a freeware program that will do a timed shutdown.  I have it
 restart my computer.  You can set an alarm before the time out pereiod
 is up.  When the alarm goes, abort and restart the application.  I have
 used it when running remote.  It can be found at
 http://www.snapfiles.com/get/tshutdown.html

 Tom   W0IVJ



 But, would this work if you get a BSOD, and the PTT is asserted?  On 
 the SDR1K, the PTT line comes from the printer port, and short of a 
 hardware reset, it won't be deasserted.  On the F5K, there may be an 
 internal watchdog, since the PTT is handled by midi messages, and it 
 would be straightforward for the firmware in the F5K to automatically 
 generate the NOTE OFF message.

 Yes, if the computer freezes, you probably aren't getting any audio 
 out, especially if the firewire stops, so you'll just be transmitting 
 the leakage through the QSE, which is about 20-30dB down from full 
 power.  The SDR1K is AC coupled on the audio path, but if the F5K is 
 DC coupled from DAC to QSE, the DAC could freeze at full scale, and 
 you'd get a fair amount of power out at the DDS output frequency.

 Anyway.. it depends on how you want to manage the failure modes. The 
 FCC rules allow a fair amount of latitude here.. It could be 
 reasonable if you had to jump in your car and drive to the transmitter 
 site.  However, if your Tx is in New York, and you're operating from a 
 hotel room in Los Angeles, that might not hack it.

 If you're radiating any significant power, and there's a human safety 
 issue from the EM fields, then you've got a whole 'nother set of 
 issues to deal with. (i.e. you have to deal with the possibility that 
 someone is in an area where they shouldn't be.. just because they're 
 trespassing and hopped the fence around the antenna doesn't mean that 
 you can expose them to an unsafe level.)

 Back in the day, we used to use things like BSR X-10 phone responders 
 to operate a master power switch for a remote computer site.  You'd 
 call the number, enter the magic code, and the power would be shut off.

 Jim, W6RMK







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Re: [Flexradio] Just how much DC Power Supply sag is acceptable?

[Tom Thompson]

k5nwa wrote:

At 07:30 PM 7/11/2008, you wrote:
  

If your going to run those tests how about biasing to class A and 
measure  What the heck you might as well blow the competition 
completely out of the water while your at it.

73  W9OY




Curious, was the amplifier designed so it could handle Class A 
operations? That is a lot of steady heat compared to AB class.



Cecil
K5NWA
www.softrockradio.org  www.qrpradio.com

Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light. 


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Cecil,

If the transistors are biased according to their data sheet, they should 
have a quiescent current of one ampere per transistor.  If Vcc is 13.8 
volts then that is 27.6 Watts of idle current when the microphone is 
keyed in the SSB mode without any modulation.  The drain efficiency is 
typically 60% which means that for 100 Watts output 166 Watts is 
dissipated in heat in the PA for a steady carrier.  SSB usually runs 
about 30% duty cycle so the heat dissipated would be about 50 Watts.  
The efficiency of class A is typically 30% so the bottom line is that 
class A would require the cooling system to dissipate 100 Watts during 
typical SSB operation.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] TX Audio Quality Help, please!

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Jeff,

I do not have a 5000, but it sounds as if you can set the bias on the PA 
transistors with software.  If that is the case, have you checked that 
the quiescent current is really what it is supposed to be for the 
transistors that are in the PA.  If you have more distortion at lower 
drive levels, it sounds as if it could be cross over distortion which 
would show up more with less drive.  That is corrected by biasing each 
transistor further into class A from class B as you probably already 
know.  Since the problem seems to occur only on 5000's that were made 
before a certain date, maybe it is in the bias measuring circuitry.

73   Tom   W0IVJ






Jeff Anderson wrote:

Hi Brian,

I've run THD (on the analog signals) and IMD (on the RF signals).  What 
I hear correlates strongly with IMD levels at lower powers (where much 
of our voice energy is) when compared between 5K driver, 5K final, and a 
1k.  Correlation does not mean causality, but...no one has yet come up 
with a better idea.

Other notes...

I recalibrated the bias and power (default bias seems to be 1.0A for the 
drivers and 2.0A for the finals).   I can't tell if there's a change in 
distortion or not, but IMD did not change appreciably (a dB or so).  
Will listen again tomorrow - my ears are tired.

Also, I tried 10-band EQ settings from Dale.  No joy.

Does anyone who is familiar with the 5K circuitry (and understands PA 
design - this isn't my field) have any ideas for improving the linearity 
of the PA final stage?  (Apart from adjusting bias, that is.)  This 
would be a great experiment to try.

- Jeff

Brian Lloyd wrote:
  

On Jul 8, 2008, at 12:18 PM, K6JEK wrote:

  


It not just Jeff.   I'm one of the guys who've been listening to the
various audio tests.  We first noticed something funny in someone
else's 5000 before Jeff even got his. We ran experiment after
experiment. This guy finally returned his for a refund.  Then another
fellow (not in the local rag chew group) broke in with his 5000 to
say he's just waiting for someone to figure this out.  His 5000 had
the same problem.  We've been listening and recording with a variety
of equipment ranging from 1000's to direct conversion home brews.

It is subtle.  It might be rare.  But it is not unique to JCA

I think Jeff's nailed it.  The audio up through the driver stage is
perfect.  It gets funky in the final.  Why and what to do about it is
another matter.

  

Has anyone run single-tone and two-tone tests and looked at the  
distortion products? (THD and IMD). If you can hear it you can  
probably measure it. The spectrum will tell you something about what  
might be causing it.

Oh, has anyone looked at the gain of the PA? If the PA uses feedback  
to linearize it, there may be a problem with the feedback loop and the  
PA may be running open-loop.

--

73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com




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Re: [Flexradio] The inelegant Keying solution

[Tom Thompson]

Lee,

Would you place your VOM across the key while plugged into the 5000 and 
measure the current that would normally be flowing through the key when 
it is closed?  On my 1000 the current is about 5 mA and on my IC-7000 it 
is about 200 uA.  I placed a NPN across the keying circuit on the 1000 
and it switched just fine with the emitter connected to ground and the 
collector connected to the key input.  By doing this, you can select a 
base resistor in series with your Begali to a positive voltage and 
control the current through the Begali contacts if that is the problem.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Lee A Crocker wrote:

I normally run my F5K with an external keyer through the serial port, which is 
a hold over from the SDR-1000 days.  It made for an easy way to switch the 
keyer between 3 radios, by merely opening up PSDR SETUP and turning on the 
correct serial port to the radio I wanted to key.  I tried using the internal 
PSDR/F5K internal keyer using my Begali paddles and found some intermittent 
trouble with the keying, dropped elements or the keyer would hang on a string 
of dits or dahs and would not turn off till I hit the paddle again.

I have been working on different solutions to this keying issue with the 
internal keyer.  I have built various circuits, trying to find a simple 
solution.  I have a Begali Graciella paddle and it has gold contacts.  I have 
a Begali Simplex Mono which has non gold contacts, and neither are they coin 
silver.  The problem appears to be that the amount of current pulled from the 
KEY input at the nominal 3 volt voltage on the Key port makes my Begalli keys 
behave as an incompletely forward biased diode and not a conductor, and that 
signal appears to be ambigious to whatever is sensing it inside the radio.  I 
tried using such things as PNP transistor buffers on the KEY input on the F5K 
to no avail.  The junction of the transistor behaved the same as the paddle 
itself.  I tried fooling around with a NE556 to act as a signal 
conditioner/debouncer and didn't like the result of that either.  I wired up a 
couple of 12v reed relays and this seems so far to have
 cured the problem.  I measured about 5ma current drawn through the relay coil 
 using a 9V battery and at that current level the Begali operates in an 
 unambitious way to the relay coil, and the relays thus far have keyed the KEY 
 input flawlessly..  So this maybe a simple yet inelegant way to solve the 
 keying issue.  

I used a couple of relays out of the junk box, but Radio Shack does sell some 
12V reed relays that should work fine.  The circuit is basically V+ or the + 
of the battery goes to the top of each relay coil and then each coil goes to 
either the dit or the dah of the paddle and then the ground of the paddle goes 
to the - side of the battery or ground.  One side of each relay switch goes to 
ground.  The other side of each relay switch either goes to DIT on the KEY 
jack or DAH on the key jack.  For the relays I used polarity is not an issue, 
but some relays have built in protection so you may have to watch that.  The 
battery only draws current when the contact is closed, so that part is 
elegant, and it will cost under 10 bux to build, which beats the hell out of 
some 40 dollar micro-pic solution.  Eventually I will hook it up to the 
station 12V supply and probably rebuild it inside a pill bottle with a 1/4 
inch stereo phone plug but I wanted to make sure it
 was going to work before I went to that trouble.  If you build it the way I 
 describe, the 12V will be dropped through the coils and will be self 
 protecting, so if you get a screw driver across the paddle contacts it wont 
 be like shorting out your 12V 35 amp power supply to ground.   (Mine is 75 
 amps so it would be a hell of a bang)

This may be a nice little project for the 4th.  My final parts list will be 
1/8 stereo phone jack, and 2 x N.O. 12V reed relays and one 9V battery and one 
stereo 1/4 phone plug  a little piece of perf board and a pill bottle to 
stuff int all in,   

V+-|\|\|\|\|-/ .--gnd
bat+ coil paddle ditbat-

F5K dit--/ .--gnd
KEY inputdit  relay

Sorry for my poor attempt at a schematic  This represents the dit side of the 
circuit and will be duplicated for the dah side.  

73  W9OY


  
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Re: [Flexradio] K8RA P4 Paddle with Flex5000

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Guys,

I have been following this thread with some interest because I 
occasionally experience this problem with the SDR-1000.  Since the 
problem seems not to occur on the IC-7000, I made a couple of 
measurements.  I have my paddles connected through the key port on the 
SDR and not through the com port.  The current through the contacts on 
the SDR-1000 is 4.9 mA.  The current through the contacts on the IC-7000 
is 0.2 mA.  Since the oxidation problem would occur with a lower current 
and the current through contacts on the IC-7000 is much less than the 
current through the contacts on the SDR-1000 and the problem does not 
occur on the IC-7000, I have concluded that the problem is not oxidation 
.  The debounce scenario is probably more likely.  One can debounce the 
paddle contacts either in hardware or software.  I have used a very 
reliable hardware debounce circuit for years that uses a one shot, a 
flip flop, and an inverter.  I will be glad to forward this circuit to 
anyone who is interested.  I have verified that a transistor closure 
will work just fine for the SDR-1000.  In software if polling is used to 
debounce a switch, the program should sample the switch closure and set 
a timer if the switch appears to be closed.  When the timer expires, if 
the switch is still closed then a valid closure is flagged.  With 
interrupts, the switch closure triggers an interrupt.  The interrupt 
routine sets a timer.  When the timer interrupt occurs, if the switch is 
still closed, then a valid closure is flagged.  The timers in software 
or the one shot duration in hardware has to bridge the bouncing time of 
the contacts.  With a single switch closure this generally is not a 
problem.  You just set the time to be very long as compared to the 
bouncing time of the switch.  With multiple switch closures, the problem 
becomes more difficult because the bounce timer must be long enough to 
bridge the contact bouncing but short enough to be ready for the next 
contact closure.  At an upper limit of 60 wpm on CW assuming 5 
characters per word, there will be 300 switch closures per minute or one 
closure per 200 milliseconds.  The bounce time of a typical switch is of 
the order of 10 to 20 milliseconds.  This factor of ten generally is 
enough for a hardware debounce circuit.  A software debouncer may run 
into trouble depending on the processor speed or the interrupt latency 
time.  On the SDR-1000, this debounce must be handled with Windows 
code.  On the SDR-5000 it could be handled in the firmware.  If the 
timer, whether in software or hardware, is set too short, and the 
bouncing is still happening when the timer expires, the state of the 
switch could be in either state when sampled the second time.  If the 
switch is in the open state when the time expires the switch closure 
will be missed.  With paddles on CW, you can hold the paddle closed 
indefinitely and nothing will happen.  As soon as you release the 
paddle, you get another chance on the next closure, thus the randomness 
of the problem.

I appologise for the length of this post

73,Tom W0IVJ



Lee Mushel wrote:

Working at Hamlin in the sixties I remember well the problems of dry
contacts.   I think that all we have to do is convince Gerald to put a 6C4
in the Flex5000 close to the mike jack and wire it in the cathode circuit of
the triode.   Probably get rid of all the complaints.   Or you can do like I
did and buy the conditioning cable!

Lee   K9WRU
- Original Message - 
From: Ahti Aintila [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Jim Lux [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: Art Gartner [EMAIL PROTECTED]; flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 2:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] K8RA P4 Paddle with Flex5000


  

On 26/06/2008, Jim Lux [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



The key words when working with relays are debouncing, contact
wetting currents and contamination control of contact materials.
Contrary to the common belief, silver is not the best material for low
voltage contacts (24 V) due to the high breakover voltage  of the
naturally developing silver oxide and silver sulphide layers. Gold
works much better with low voltages and low wetting currents, but is
suspectible to mechanical wear. Use vacuum protected read relay
contacts whenever applicable.


I hadn't ever thought about it before, but devising a rock solid
interface to any sort of contacts that someone might hook up to it is
quite an engineering challenge.  Usually, you're designing for some
small subset, or you actually get to pick the contacts.

I'd guess that you want a fairly decent voltage (12Vish) with a decent
current (10mA), but your input circuit also needs to tolerate
transient voltages, etc.

Something like an Optoisolator diode with an optional pullup
(which is what they use on a lot of industrial PLCs).  That would give
you galvanic isolation, too, which is nice.

Jim

  

Jim,
Optoisolator is a good solution, but even those need some kind of

Re: [Flexradio] How can this be done?

[Tom Thompson]

Hi,

Modern rigs all have several lowpass filters in line that are switched 
according to which band you are using.  Solid state linear amplifiers do 
the same.  Your tube amplifiers generally use a Pi-L network as a 
matching device to the antenna, so I don't think a lowpass filter is 
needed these days.

Tom   W0IVJ



FireBrick wrote:

I think, this will work.
Ever since I started, I was told it's good insurance to keep a low pass filter 
in your line.

I 'normally' keep a low pass filter inline when operating HF.
But obviously this is NOT a good idea when operating on 6 meters.
Right now I use a manual switch.

So if I was to install a relayswitch, that bypassed the low pass filter and 
set the 6 meter 'Antenna module' to activate PTT 2 to energize the relay that 
would bypass the filter.

Or, is the Flex5K so good that a low pass filter is unnecessary?

Inquiring mind want to know. wink



-
Some people manage by the book, even though they don't know who wrote the book 
or even what book. 
-

Bill H. in Chicagoland

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Re: [Flexradio] M Delta 44 and Flex 1000

[Tom Thompson]

; it is attrition.
Pallbearers 'R Us will help seal their fate.

The other side of the coin is the Ham who understands that this is not a
perfect world and really appreciates being treated with respect and honesty;
the first time and every time - Just like a Bic pen's purported reliability.

It is the second customer type that will decide and provide the continuity
necessary for a company's viability in the future.

Flex-Radio has the right idea at the right time as far as design and the way
of the future.  I hope that my suggestions will be considered as a means of
keeping the doors open long enough to help the right idea, at the right time
become commonplace.

And, Tom, this wasn't aimed at you.  I really do appreciate you explanation
and confirmation, as well as the time you took to clear the air with it.  

David
KD4NUE


-Original Message-
From: Tom Thompson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 11:30 PM
To: David Little
Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] M Delta 44 and Flex 1000


David,

As I understand the SDR mic input, the mic slider is a software scaler.  
It does not effect the input to the sound card.  The higher the mic gain 
on the SDR has to be in order to get a given power output, the worse the 
signal to noise of the Delta 44 will be.  In order to get the full 
benefit of the dynamic range of the Delta 44 by using all of its bits, 
the mic gain slider should be set around 10.  By using a preamp, you 
raise the input to the card and increase the signal to noise.  For 
example, my PR-20 mic puts out about 25 mV peak to peak into 600 ohms 
under normal speech conditions.  This requires a setting of about 40 on 
the mic slider for normal power out.  If I put a 1 KHz  tone into the 
mic input at 275 mV peak to peak, the slider can be moved down to 10 for 
the same power output.  Since the slider is lower, the signal to noise 
is better.  A preamp with about 21 db of gain would be needed to let the 
PR-20 work well with a mic slider setting of 10.

I hope this helps.

73,
Tom   W0IVJ



David Little wrote:

  

Having read the recent discussion, and remembering when I asked some of the
same questions on the Flex-Radio SDR-1000 support forum, I have to again
ask: how do you eliminate the inherit noise of the M Delta 44 and Power


SDR?
  

Either the noise is there, or it isn't.

I bought the Break Out Box Eliminator on the suggestion that this would
help, but later discovered the same amount of noise with all cables
disconnected from the M Delta 44, and all cards removed from the computer
but the M Delta 44 and Video Card.

With no cable connected to the M Delta 44 Card, and no other cards in the
computer but the video, nothing but keyboard and mouse connected, when I
turn the Mic audio up all the way, the Mic level on the Power SDR will
fluctuate between -4dB and -1.9dB when the MOX is activated.   After all


the
  

admonishments from everyone on why this doesn't mean anything, I have to


ask
  

the obvious question - why does it show up?

I am using a Heil GM-5, and have a hard time getting above QRP power before
the internal noise overcomes the Mic audio.  When I turn the Mic gain high
enough to get response from the Mic, the noise in the monitor tells me that
the interaction between the sound card and the rig software is making more
noise than the Mic.

I have heard the suggestion that you need to use a preamp or a W2IHY EQ box
with preamp.  I have run one before, the preamp is great for matching mics.
Having said that, the 10 band EQ built into Power SDR should be good for
something, if an outboard one was necessary, it wouldn't have been added to
the software.

Also, if external preamp is needed to mask the internal noise, is this
really the correct solution to provide a clean signal with clear audio?

I have also heard the suggestion that you really need a better sound card
than the M Delta 44 to use the SDR-1000.  Isn't the M Delta 44 the card


that
  

originally shipped with the Flex 1000?  

I don't know the answers to these questions, but common sense would suggest
to me that the card that is recommended be compatible with the software


that
  

runs the rig.  Also, I would believe it would be more desirable to correct
the noise than to try to cover it up with more Mic gain from a preamp.

Again,  I don't know the answers, but would like to know the most direct
route to getting the SDR-1000 to perform with the PowerSDR software using
the M Delta 44 sound card.  I know that some folks out there are having


good
  

luck with this combo, so apparently they have discovered the secret.  

I really would appreciate some direction on this that will provide positive
results.

Thanks,

David
KD4NUE






-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian C
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 12:43 PM
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Min into ch 3 of Delta 44



George, I

Re: [Flexradio] M Delta 44 and Flex 1000

[Tom Thompson]

David,

As I understand the SDR mic input, the mic slider is a software scaler.  
It does not effect the input to the sound card.  The higher the mic gain 
on the SDR has to be in order to get a given power output, the worse the 
signal to noise of the Delta 44 will be.  In order to get the full 
benefit of the dynamic range of the Delta 44 by using all of its bits, 
the mic gain slider should be set around 10.  By using a preamp, you 
raise the input to the card and increase the signal to noise.  For 
example, my PR-20 mic puts out about 25 mV peak to peak into 600 ohms 
under normal speech conditions.  This requires a setting of about 40 on 
the mic slider for normal power out.  If I put a 1 KHz  tone into the 
mic input at 275 mV peak to peak, the slider can be moved down to 10 for 
the same power output.  Since the slider is lower, the signal to noise 
is better.  A preamp with about 21 db of gain would be needed to let the 
PR-20 work well with a mic slider setting of 10.

I hope this helps.

73,
Tom   W0IVJ



David Little wrote:

Having read the recent discussion, and remembering when I asked some of the
same questions on the Flex-Radio SDR-1000 support forum, I have to again
ask: how do you eliminate the inherit noise of the M Delta 44 and Power SDR?

Either the noise is there, or it isn't.

I bought the Break Out Box Eliminator on the suggestion that this would
help, but later discovered the same amount of noise with all cables
disconnected from the M Delta 44, and all cards removed from the computer
but the M Delta 44 and Video Card.

With no cable connected to the M Delta 44 Card, and no other cards in the
computer but the video, nothing but keyboard and mouse connected, when I
turn the Mic audio up all the way, the Mic level on the Power SDR will
fluctuate between -4dB and -1.9dB when the MOX is activated.   After all the
admonishments from everyone on why this doesn't mean anything, I have to ask
the obvious question - why does it show up?

I am using a Heil GM-5, and have a hard time getting above QRP power before
the internal noise overcomes the Mic audio.  When I turn the Mic gain high
enough to get response from the Mic, the noise in the monitor tells me that
the interaction between the sound card and the rig software is making more
noise than the Mic.

I have heard the suggestion that you need to use a preamp or a W2IHY EQ box
with preamp.  I have run one before, the preamp is great for matching mics.
Having said that, the 10 band EQ built into Power SDR should be good for
something, if an outboard one was necessary, it wouldn't have been added to
the software.

Also, if external preamp is needed to mask the internal noise, is this
really the correct solution to provide a clean signal with clear audio?

I have also heard the suggestion that you really need a better sound card
than the M Delta 44 to use the SDR-1000.  Isn't the M Delta 44 the card that
originally shipped with the Flex 1000?  

I don't know the answers to these questions, but common sense would suggest
to me that the card that is recommended be compatible with the software that
runs the rig.  Also, I would believe it would be more desirable to correct
the noise than to try to cover it up with more Mic gain from a preamp.

Again,  I don't know the answers, but would like to know the most direct
route to getting the SDR-1000 to perform with the PowerSDR software using
the M Delta 44 sound card.  I know that some folks out there are having good
luck with this combo, so apparently they have discovered the secret.  

I really would appreciate some direction on this that will provide positive
results.

Thanks,

David
KD4NUE






-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian C
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 12:43 PM
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Min into ch 3 of Delta 44



George, I key my SDR1K using a mic plugged into channel 3 of the Delta 44.
It works fine using a mouse to activate MOX. Also works with a foot switch
wired to the multi-plug at back of SDR. Computer is a Dell Dimension 8400
(3.0 gig dual core processor) with 1/2 gig RAM and latest standard release
of PowerSDR or K6JCA SVN 2173 release. Always keyed SDR1K this way; never
had a problem.
 
Brian
 
 
Subject: [Flexradio] MOX not working with mic plugged directly intochannel 3
of Delta 44To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]Content-Type: text/plain;
charset=windows-1252 Everything I've read on the reflector indicates that a
microphone plugged into port 3 input of the Delta 44 and then keying with
MOX via a mouse should work. It doesn't.I have to key with a hand mic
plugged directly into the 8 pin port of the SDR-1000, then port 3 accepts
the tx audio and transmits it. Am I missing some setup in PowerSDR? Finally
got some decent audio out of the SDR-1000 with a Behinger 802 as a preamp
for the mic. GeorgeN7BUI
_
With Windows Live 

Re: [Flexradio] is there a 'notch' filter

[Tom Thompson]

Lee A Crocker wrote:

I had this happen yesterday.  I was listening on 7001.5 for Antarctica  and a 
few dozen hz down the band was a spur from some electrical noiseI was 
wishing for a sharp manually tunable notch that I could sneak up from below 
and give that carrier hell.  If I turned on the ANF it did a great job on the 
noise went away but so did Antarctica.  I believe that is what Bill is writing 
about




  
 
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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My ClearSpeech Speaker DSP algorithm will take out a carrier but does 
not effect reasonable speed CW.  Maybe the PowerSDR ANF could be 
adjusted to do the same thing.

Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] Popping noise in headphones - More

[Tom Thompson]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Last week I posted this message;

I received my new 5000 on Wednesday and finally got it operating today. 
Everything is running great except for a problem I have with my headphones. 
While listening with my Heil Proset Quiet Phones the audio sounds good in 
the left earphone but I get a rhythmic low-level popping in the right side. 
Is there some setting that I need to change? I bet that I am missing something 
simple but cannot find what it could be. BTW the phones work great when hooked 
up to a portable stereo. And I have the rear panel powered speaker/line out 
going to an external stereo receiver and that audio sounds good too. 

Most replies were to push the stereo headphone plug in all the way. I had 
already done that but it made no difference. BTW, the popping occurs even 
when PowerSDR is NOT running. That is, I hear it when plugged into the rig 
and PowerSDR is not up. As far as PowerSDR I am using v1.10.3 and PowerSDR SVN.

Today I powered up the rig and now the popping is on the LEFT side!. I know 
that this issue has nothing to do with the headphones because when I plug them 
into an audio amp that uses 1/4 plugs I hear stereo audio. BTW, I always put 
the phones on the same way because the Heil mic needs to be on the left so 
that is 
not the issue as far as the noise changing side.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I am more than a frustrated 
because I cannot use the headset. The popping is way too annoying to endure.
Zack
N8FNR
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Zack,

I don't have a 5000, but I believe this popping has to do with the audio 
driver chip's inability to drive the low impedance headphones.  I 
believe the chip actually goes into a shut down mode.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] DSP windows

[Tom Thompson]

Steve Kallal wrote:

I've been playing with the Window selection on the DSP setup screen. I
really can't tell any on the air difference between them in receive. There
are very slight differences in the display. From past searches, I've noticed
comments about differences in reception. In laymen's terms, what do these
Window settings do?
 
73,
 
Steve N6VL
 
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Hi Steve,

Try this with the SDR1000 running:

1)  Go to SETUP -- TESTS.
2)  Select NOISE and INPUTon the SIGNAL GENERATOR.
3)  Set DISPLAY MODE to SPECTRUM and AVG.
4)   Let it run for a few seconds.
5)  Go to STANDBY.
6)  Set DISPLAY MODE back to PANADAPTER.
7)  Go to SETUP -- DISPLAY and adjust the scale so the noise floor shows.

Try this for the various display windowing functions and notice the 
difference while measuring amplitude and frequency.

73   Tom  W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] more midi questions, SysEx, mfr ID

[Tom Thompson]

Is it just a coincedence that the ascii value for A is 41 in hex.

Tom   W0IVJ


It looks like the long messages (aside from simple note on/off) are
 using a standard SysEx type structure.  You've got a manufacturer
 code of 00 00 41, which one source gives as Microsoft, but the MMA
 says Microsoft is 00 01 0A.  No matter, as long as it's consistent, I
 suppose.  Why not apply for a Flex-Radio manufacturer ID (except it
 probably costs a fortune...)




  



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Re: [Flexradio] 2nd receiver option questions

[Tom Thompson]

Dan,

This is very interesting.  It occurred to me that we can now take the CB 
roger beep and put it to good use grin

Tom  W0IVJ



Tayloe Dan-P26412 wrote:

Diversity reception reduces resistance to fades.  For this, we try to
space our cell site antenna 10 wavelengths apart in order to minimize
the correlation of the fades between the two antennas.  However,
diversity is also deployed on a lot of cell phone handsets today and the
antenna spacing they use is much closer than this.  7 of separation at
800 MHz is only about half a wavelength.  Never-the-less we see large
improvements in the throughput capabilities even with this close
spacing.

I guess all I am saying here is that when using diversity, it is best to
spread the antenna apart quite a ways, but that even a half wavelength
spacing provides benefits.

I should note that the new generation of cell phone equipment is not
only making use of receiver diversity (that is kind of old hat), but
that it is now making use of transmit diversity also.  Unfortunately,
that does not work with CW or SSB since sending the same signal out both
antennas causes beam forming.  It only works with data modes that modify
the data from the one antenna so that it is different from the same data
from the second antenna (complex conjugate?) and requires the receiver
on the other end to understand what is going on so that it can put the
two back together. 

I think SDR is an exciting concept.  One of things that we are doing for
the next generation of cell phone equipment is to do beam forming using
feedback from the other receiving end.  We call this precoding.  It
seems feasible that a high tech SSB or cw QSO between a pair of
diversity transmit equipped transceivers could run a separate, slow
speed, intermittent data stream that could feedback to each other
precoding data that would allow phased transmit antennas on both sides
to automatically track and align the beam steered transmit signal to
each other in an optimized fashion.  It could take the form of a small
blip of precoding data on the receive to transmit changeover.

- Dan, N7VE

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim, W4ATK
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:41 AM
To: Lee Mushel; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FireBrick; FlexRadio List; Jim Lux
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] 2nd receiver option questions

AS I remember there is more to diversity reception than just two
receivers.
Back in the war (Korea) we used three rosettes of rhombics fairly
widely seperated with our RCA Diversity receivers (Huge seven foot
racks). Later in my career we used diversity across Lake Ponchatrain on
6GHz, the dishes were spaced several wavelengths apart vertically on the
tower. I doubt that many hams would have the space or antenna farm to
support such activity, but then again I may be wrong. After seeing the
full sized 80M 5 element Yagi the gentleman is Japan had constructed, I
guess all it takes is $$.

Jim, W4ATK

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Lee Mushel
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 8:34 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FireBrick; FlexRadio List; Jim Lux
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] 2nd receiver option questions


OK, Gerald, step up and explain to these kids what dual diversity is all
about!

Lee   K9WRU
- Original Message -
From: Jim Lux [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FireBrick [EMAIL PROTECTED]; FlexRadio
List
flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 8:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] 2nd receiver option questions


  

At 05:37 AM 10/11/2007, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


I understood (Hope ??) that the receiver on the FLEX5k is independent
  


  

of the transmitter. If so then splitband should be possible already, 
and is the software the bottleneck.
Or I am to optimistic and is the hardware not able to cater for that.

Other question
Can the 2nd receiver be used on the sane frequency as the main 
receiver, BUT WITH EXACTLY THE SAME FREQUENCY AND PHASE?
Then you can do nice experiments with 2 small loop arials, 90 degrees
  

crossed.
  

I believe that this came up in early discussions of the F5K design on 
the list.  Here's my recollection.
Yes, the LO to the two receivers is driven from the same reference 
oscillator, so setting to exactly the same frequency is trivial.  The 
latch signal to the two DDSes can theoretically be asserted 
simultaneously, so the phase should be the same (but this detail is 
buried in the firmware of the F5K, perhaps a Flex rep can confirm), 
with perhaps a slight offset due to propagation delay in the wires 
which will inevitably be of different lengths, etc.

So the real question is whether the audio interface brings the data 
across time aligned from all receivers.  There's no reason why it 
wouldn't be so, assuming all the A/Ds are clocked at the same rate.
Again, I suspect that this is under the control of the firmware inside



  

the F5K, so 

Re: [Flexradio] Fw: [Elecraft] Comparison: K3 and SDR 5000A

[Tom Thompson]

Jim,

As you are thinking about this, take another look at John (K2OX) 
Eckert's work at  
http://www.exothink.com/SDR/
His measurements might shed some light on the discussion.

Tom   W0IVJ


Jim Lux wrote:

At 07:39 PM 10/6/2007, Gerald Youngblood wrote:
  

Phil, I am afraid your jitter specs are not accurate.  TI performed custom
measurements for us last November on the SN65LVDT34.  They measured the
additive jitter at 156.25 MHz to be less than 0.5 ps rms over 10kHz to 40
MHz.  They phase noise plots they sent show -140 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset.
It is -130 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz.  I have the plots and jitter measurements on
file.



That's the residual phase noise due to the LVDS driver? (what it 
adds to an ideal input sine) So it shows a 1/f kind of characteristic 
for the phase noise? (which is sort of what I would expect, as 
opposed to the classic resonator 1/f^2 characteristic).

So, the overall characteristics would be the DDS output (which is 
probably dominated by the reference oscillator, which is a 1/f^2, at 
least in the few hundred hertz and out range) plus the 1/f noise of 
the LVDS part plus the effect of the QSD (which I'll have to go 
figure out or read), plus any analog noise at various places.

And, then, there's the A/D clock effects.




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Re: [Flexradio] filter shape factor

[Tom Thompson]

Tom Thompson wrote:

Bob,

In April you wrote the following:

We use Blackman-Harris windows for all the right reasons as the window 
in the filter design.  We care about the ultimate out of band rejection, 
and this can only be accomplished by a (VERY SMALL) sacrifice in shape 
factor.These filters in their worst case,  192000 samples per second 
and DSP set to 512 sample buffers,  BETTER than can be had with any 
traditional analog filtering system.


This is easy for you to do yourself.

Set display to spectrum.  Set filter size.  Go to Setup panel and test 
tab and turn on the noise generator and select input. This will run 
white noise into the receiver and you can measure the filter shape 
DIRECTLY and capture screen shots to demonstrate the filter shape.

Frankly, we are just too covered up with other work to do this now. But 
it is easy to do.

Bob

I understand the directions, but I expected to see the noise spectrum 
follow the filter skirts instead of being flat across the panadapter.  
What am I missing here?

Thanks  73,

Tom   W0IVJ
  


Bob,

In thinking about this a bit more after my post, I understand why the 
noise would appear flat across the panadapter.  I guess my question is: 
How do you get the shape factor of the filter?

Tom   W0IVJ


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Re: [Flexradio] filter shape factor

[Tom Thompson]

Dale,

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, that occured to me and I actually set up a 
tone and tuned across it and did that.  I thought Bob was describing a 
way in which one could actually see the filter shape by using noise, 
much like you could view a filter by exciting it with a noise source and 
looking at the output with a spectrum analyser.

Tom

Dale Boresz wrote:

 Tom,

 You could set up an XG1 or XG2 outside the passband of the filter, 
 then tune the radio so that the signal from the XG1 sweeps into the 
 passband and out the other side, while you write down relevant 
 frequencies (from the VFO display) and dBm amplitudes (from the 
 s-meter). Then do your calculations. It's a bit time-intensive, but I 
 believe it will produce accurate results.

 Dale
 WA8SRA


 Tom Thompson wrote:

 Tom Thompson wrote:

  

 Bob,

 In April you wrote the following:

 We use Blackman-Harris windows for all the right reasons as the 
 window in the filter design.  We care about the ultimate out of band 
 rejection, and this can only be accomplished by a (VERY SMALL) 
 sacrifice in shape factor.These filters in their worst case,  
 192000 samples per second and DSP set to 512 sample buffers,  BETTER 
 than can be had with any traditional analog filtering system.


 This is easy for you to do yourself.

 Set display to spectrum.  Set filter size.  Go to Setup panel and 
 test tab and turn on the noise generator and select input. This will 
 run white noise into the receiver and you can measure the filter 
 shape DIRECTLY and capture screen shots to demonstrate the filter 
 shape.

 Frankly, we are just too covered up with other work to do this now. 
 But it is easy to do.

 Bob

 I understand the directions, but I expected to see the noise 
 spectrum follow the filter skirts instead of being flat across the 
 panadapter.  What am I missing here?

 Thanks  73,

 Tom   W0IVJ
  

 


 Bob,

 In thinking about this a bit more after my post, I understand why the 
 noise would appear flat across the panadapter.  I guess my question 
 is: How do you get the shape factor of the filter?

 Tom   W0IVJ

  

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Re: [Flexradio] filter shape factor

[Tom Thompson]

Dale,

DUHH, I guess I need to learn how to read.  I read spectrum, tanslated 
it in my mind as spectrum analyzer, and promptly set up the pan 
adapter.  Thanks for your patience.  Bob, please ignore my dumb inquiry.

73,

Tom   W0IVJ


Dale Boresz wrote:

 Tom,

 Actually, as Bob noted you can do exactly that, but you must use the 
 Spectrum mode of the display, rather than the Panadapter mode. You 
 may need to optimize the max/min dBm levels displayed via the Setup  
 Display  Spectrum Grid : Max, Min, and Step attributes in order to be 
 able to view enough dynamic range.

 Dale
 WA8SRA


 Tom Thompson wrote:

 Dale,

 Thanks for the reply.  Yes, that occured to me and I actually set up 
 a tone and tuned across it and did that.  I thought Bob was 
 describing a way in which one could actually see the filter shape by 
 using noise, much like you could view a filter by exciting it with a 
 noise source and looking at the output with a spectrum analyser.

 Tom

 Dale Boresz wrote:

 Tom,

 You could set up an XG1 or XG2 outside the passband of the filter, 
 then tune the radio so that the signal from the XG1 sweeps into the 
 passband and out the other side, while you write down relevant 
 frequencies (from the VFO display) and dBm amplitudes (from the 
 s-meter). Then do your calculations. It's a bit time-intensive, but 
 I believe it will produce accurate results.

 Dale
 WA8SRA


 Tom Thompson wrote:

 Tom Thompson wrote:

  

 Bob,

 In April you wrote the following:

 We use Blackman-Harris windows for all the right reasons as the 
 window in the filter design.  We care about the ultimate out of 
 band rejection, and this can only be accomplished by a (VERY 
 SMALL) sacrifice in shape factor.These filters in their worst 
 case,  192000 samples per second and DSP set to 512 sample 
 buffers,  BETTER than can be had with any traditional analog 
 filtering system.


 This is easy for you to do yourself.

 Set display to spectrum.  Set filter size.  Go to Setup panel and 
 test tab and turn on the noise generator and select input. This 
 will run white noise into the receiver and you can measure the 
 filter shape DIRECTLY and capture screen shots to demonstrate the 
 filter shape.

 Frankly, we are just too covered up with other work to do this 
 now. But it is easy to do.

 Bob

 I understand the directions, but I expected to see the noise 
 spectrum follow the filter skirts instead of being flat across the 
 panadapter.  What am I missing here?

 Thanks  73,

 Tom   W0IVJ
  

 



 Bob,

 In thinking about this a bit more after my post, I understand why 
 the noise would appear flat across the panadapter.  I guess my 
 question is: How do you get the shape factor of the filter?

 Tom   W0IVJ

  

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Re: [Flexradio] filter shape factor

[Tom Thompson]

Thanks, Bob


Robert McGwier wrote:

 The only dumb question is the one where you worked at understanding 
 and when you ran into a road block, you did not ask for help and got 
 frustrated.  This was not dumb because I am sure others are making the 
 same mistake and you did work at it and then asked.  That is my 
 description of the optimal use of this group.

 Bob
 N4HY


 Tom Thompson wrote:

 Dale,

 DUHH, I guess I need to learn how to read.  I read spectrum, 
 tanslated it in my mind as spectrum analyzer, and promptly set up the 
 pan adapter.  Thanks for your patience.  Bob, please ignore my dumb 
 inquiry.

 73,

 Tom   W0IVJ






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Re: [Flexradio] ALC

[Tom Thompson]

It just occured to me that the way to do this is to condition the amp 
ALC and sum it with the analog voltage that comes out of the SWR 
bridge.  The SDR will then fold back with either high SWR or high ALC.  
I believe the ALC voltage out of most amps is negative, so it would take 
an op amp to invert it and another to do the summing.  I think it should 
be fairly simple, and then the ALC interaction with the amp would be 
more conventional.

Tom   W0IVJ

Gerald Youngblood wrote:

Both the 1k and 5k fold back with high SWR.  Eric can give the details on
the algorithm in software.

Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR
FlexRadio Systems
Ph: 512-535-4713
Fax: 512-233-5143
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: www.flex-radio.com
 

  

-Original Message-
From: Jerry Flanders [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 9:03 PM
To: Dudley Hurry; Flex Radio
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] ALC

Can you confirm this, Gerald - the 1k and 5k will drop back 
or drop completely (power level) under these conditions?

Jerry W4UK

At 09:58 PM 7/18/2007, Dudley Hurry wrote:


The 1K and the 5K will drop back or drop completely with a High 
SWR in the panadapter.   Of course if the amp is presenting a high 
SWR to the tranceiver,  then that is something wrong with the amp..

73,
Dudley
WA5QPZ


At 06:11 PM 7/18/2007, Jerry Flanders wrote:
  

Hmmm. Might work if I just open the amp's PTT line with a circuit 
controlled by the ALC panic level voltage, rather than 


switching in 


an attenuator pad. Have to think about that. Doesn't protect the 
exciter, though, but at least the exciter is cheaper than 


the amp here.


Jerry W4UK

At 07:00 PM 7/18/2007, Dudley Hurry wrote:


Jerry,

snip

For the high SWR,  you can use like the VFD power/VSWR  meter that 
has the PTT to the amp running through it that so that if the SWR 
hits a pre-set mark and will drop the PTT .


At 04:43 PM 7/18/2007, Jerry Flanders wrote:
  

Hi Tom

How does your exciter know to cut back the drive?  In most 
exciters, the hardware ALC does this, and the amp can 


use that to 


command a cutback. But if the exciter has no hardware ALC (like 
Flex-radio products), then what?

Incidentally, all the non-Flex exciters that I am personally 
familiar with have hardware ALC.

Jerry W4UK






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Re: [Flexradio] ALC

[Tom Thompson]

Ray,
You are exactly right.  With 2 op amps in an 8-pin dip and 4 in a 14-pin 
dip, I have gotten lazy :)
73   Tom   W0IVJ

Ray Andrews, K9DUR wrote:

Tom,

Actually, it could be done with a single op-amp.  Feed one signal into the
- input of the op-amp  feed the other signal into the + input  you
have a subtraction circuit instead of an addition circuit.  Feed the ALC
signal through a series resistor to the - input and connect another
resistor from the - input to the output terminal of the op-amp.  Feed the
SWR signal through a series resistor to the + input  connect another
resistor from the + input to ground.  You just have to juggle the resistor
values to balance the 2 signals properly.  It has been way too many years
since I did any circuit design work (been doing software design for 25 years
or so) to remember the formulas for calculating the resistor values.  I
would have to look them up, but they should be in any op-amp circuit design
reference book.

73, Ray, K9DUR





  



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Re: [Flexradio] [SPAM] Re: thank you SDr

[Tom Thompson]

On my amp, the circuit locks out, lights a LED,  and requires a manual 
reset.  When I get some time I'll sketch out a circuit.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Jerry Flanders wrote:

 Sounds like a good workaround. Does it lockout somehow, or just buzz 
 until you manually shut it down?

 A circuit diagram would be helpful. Maybe it could be placed in the 
 knowledge base for reference.

 Jerry W4UK

 At 07:15 PM 7/18/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 On my SDR-1000, I am using one of the open collector outputs to key 
 the amp.  If you AND a good ALC signal with that open collector 
 output and use the ANDed output to key the amp, then your amp will 
 only key when instructed to by the SDR AND the amp ALC  not trying to 
 shut things down. As soon as the amp ALC trys to shut things down, 
 the SDR will no longer be able to key the amp.  Granted this is not a 
 gradual power fold back like ALC into the exciter gives you, but it 
 should prevent the amp from keying under a bad SWR condition, and the 
 SDR is capable of handling the high SWR condition until you get the 
 problem fixed.

 Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

 Jerry Flanders wrote:

 Agreed that the circuit is trivial, but the interface between that 
 circuit and PowerSDR or SDR-1000 is not.

 Only thing I have been able to think of is an independent attenuator 
 pad between exciter and amp that would be switched in under ALC 
 panic control voltage level. If anyone has a better idea, please 
 speak up.

 Jerry W4UK

 At 05:58 PM 7/18/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 Jerry,

 The exciter does not cut back the drive in my set up.  What happens 
 is the amplifier refuses to key under a fault condition, so it is 
 bypassed and the exciter sees the antenna instead of  the amp input.

 In thinking about this, it might be pretty easy to detect the ALC 
 out of the amp and use it to tell the SDR not to key the amp.  You 
 would have to set a threshold such that only shut down ALC would do 
 this, but the circuit would be trivial.

 Tom   W0IVJ

 Jerry Flanders wrote:

 Hi Tom

 How does your exciter know to cut back the drive?  In most 
 exciters, the hardware ALC does this, and the amp can use that to 
 command a cutback. But if the exciter has no hardware ALC (like 
 Flex-radio products), then what?

 Incidentally, all the non-Flex exciters that I am personally 
 familiar with have hardware ALC.

 Jerry W4UK

 At 05:21 PM 7/18/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 In the homebrew , 600 watt amplifier that I built, I placed the SWR
 bridge before the filters so the amplifier will fault if the 
 antenna is
 wrong or the bandswitch is wrong.  The fault mode just does not 
 allow
 the amplifier to be in line.  If it is a high SWR that causes the 
 fault,
 then the exciter cuts back the power after the amplifier faults and
 takes itself out of the line.  My amplifier also faults with over 
 drive
 and over temperature.  It really should be the amplifier that 
 handles
 these conditions, so that the amplifier can be used with a 
 variety of
 exciters.

 Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

 Robert McGwier wrote:

 FireBrick wrote:
 
 
 Maybe I don't understand but...
 In the Quadra, ALC is also used to cut back ft1000mp power in 
 case of
 wrong antenna selection.
 The high swr, would cause the Quadra ALC to shut down exciter 
 power to
 protect the Quadra finals.
 Especially in dxing or contesting, it's so easy to select the 
 wrong
 antenna.
 And, as you move around in a band the swr varies slightly.
 In my case, the 80 dipole it can vary greatly.
 
 Maybe I need to understand how the ALC in the Flex works to 
 prevent a
 higher swr from overloading the Quadra.
 I know that a high swr/high drive situation will trip out the 
 Quadra.
 
 
 
 Now that is something I had not considered.  There is not a 
 feedback
 mechanism that would allow us to know the Quadra saw a crappy 
 load.  In
 this case, it would see the 50 Ohm input of the Quadra input 
 circuit and
 be happy to rock right along at full power.  That is a valid input.
 Who
 has not contested and hooked up the wrong antenna?
 
 
 
 when I had my MP/Quadra combo, if I errored and my 80 tuner was 
 set for
 cw and I was in ssb, the ALC from Quadra backed down the MP 
 before it
 could trip out.
 
 
 
 
 Bob
 
 
 


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Re: [Flexradio] [SPAM] Re: thank you SDr

[Tom Thompson]

In the homebrew , 600 watt amplifier that I built, I placed the SWR 
bridge before the filters so the amplifier will fault if the antenna is 
wrong or the bandswitch is wrong.  The fault mode just does not allow 
the amplifier to be in line.  If it is a high SWR that causes the fault, 
then the exciter cuts back the power after the amplifier faults and 
takes itself out of the line.  My amplifier also faults with over drive 
and over temperature.  It really should be the amplifier that handles 
these conditions, so that the amplifier can be used with a variety of 
exciters.

Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

Robert McGwier wrote:

FireBrick wrote:
  

Maybe I don't understand but...
In the Quadra, ALC is also used to cut back ft1000mp power in case of 
wrong antenna selection.
The high swr, would cause the Quadra ALC to shut down exciter power to 
protect the Quadra finals.
Especially in dxing or contesting, it's so easy to select the wrong 
antenna.
And, as you move around in a band the swr varies slightly.
In my case, the 80 dipole it can vary greatly.

Maybe I need to understand how the ALC in the Flex works to prevent a 
higher swr from overloading the Quadra.
I know that a high swr/high drive situation will trip out the Quadra.



Now that is something I had not considered.  There is not a feedback 
mechanism that would allow us to know the Quadra saw a crappy load.  In 
this case, it would see the 50 Ohm input of the Quadra input circuit and 
be happy to rock right along at full power.  That is a valid input.  Who 
has not contested and hooked up the wrong antenna?

  

when I had my MP/Quadra combo, if I errored and my 80 tuner was set for 
cw and I was in ssb, the ALC from Quadra backed down the MP before it 
could trip out.




Bob

  



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Re: [Flexradio] [SPAM] Re: thank you SDr

[Tom Thompson]

Jerry,

The exciter does not cut back the drive in my set up.  What happens is 
the amplifier refuses to key under a fault condition, so it is bypassed 
and the exciter sees the antenna instead of  the amp input.

In thinking about this, it might be pretty easy to detect the ALC out of 
the amp and use it to tell the SDR not to key the amp.  You would have 
to set a threshold such that only shut down ALC would do this, but the 
circuit would be trivial.

Tom   W0IVJ

Jerry Flanders wrote:

 Hi Tom

 How does your exciter know to cut back the drive?  In most exciters, 
 the hardware ALC does this, and the amp can use that to command a 
 cutback. But if the exciter has no hardware ALC (like Flex-radio 
 products), then what?

 Incidentally, all the non-Flex exciters that I am personally familiar 
 with have hardware ALC.

 Jerry W4UK

 At 05:21 PM 7/18/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 In the homebrew , 600 watt amplifier that I built, I placed the SWR
 bridge before the filters so the amplifier will fault if the antenna is
 wrong or the bandswitch is wrong.  The fault mode just does not allow
 the amplifier to be in line.  If it is a high SWR that causes the fault,
 then the exciter cuts back the power after the amplifier faults and
 takes itself out of the line.  My amplifier also faults with over drive
 and over temperature.  It really should be the amplifier that handles
 these conditions, so that the amplifier can be used with a variety of
 exciters.

 Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

 Robert McGwier wrote:

 FireBrick wrote:
 
 
 Maybe I don't understand but...
 In the Quadra, ALC is also used to cut back ft1000mp power in case of
 wrong antenna selection.
 The high swr, would cause the Quadra ALC to shut down exciter power to
 protect the Quadra finals.
 Especially in dxing or contesting, it's so easy to select the wrong
 antenna.
 And, as you move around in a band the swr varies slightly.
 In my case, the 80 dipole it can vary greatly.
 
 Maybe I need to understand how the ALC in the Flex works to prevent a
 higher swr from overloading the Quadra.
 I know that a high swr/high drive situation will trip out the Quadra.
 
 
 
 Now that is something I had not considered.  There is not a feedback
 mechanism that would allow us to know the Quadra saw a crappy load.  In
 this case, it would see the 50 Ohm input of the Quadra input circuit 
 and
 be happy to rock right along at full power.  That is a valid input.  
 Who
 has not contested and hooked up the wrong antenna?
 
 
 
 when I had my MP/Quadra combo, if I errored and my 80 tuner was set 
 for
 cw and I was in ssb, the ALC from Quadra backed down the MP before it
 could trip out.
 
 
 
 
 Bob
 
 
 


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Re: [Flexradio] Q35 of the Flex-5000 FAQ and the PDF of the advert

[Tom Thompson]

I am a little confused on this issue, also.  If the QSD does not need 
roofing filters, why was there a 160 meter filter as described below?

Jeff et all, the filter that is supplied with a new Flex Radio is a low 
pass filter. It does not attenuate broadcast band signals. There is a 
problem with the SDR-1000 (many other radios too) when you live in an 
area that has broadcast stations in the area. Broadcast station images 
appear in the 160 meter band. The Flex that I just sold was sent back to 
Flex and had a bandpass filter installed in place of the low pass 
front end filter that is standard. 160 meter operation is flawless with 
this mod! If you normally listen to broadcast stations however, you will 
not be able to do that after the new filter is installed. I am sure that 
Gerald or Eric can supply the information on what is needed to make this 
change. It is a couple of new inductors and caps and can be done by the 
owner without shipping it back if you are handy with the iron. If all 
you have is a blowtorch however ... you might want to send it back!
 
--Larry W8ER

This sounds as if the QSD does need a bandpass filter and not just a 
lowpass filter.

Tom   W0IVJ




Jim Lux wrote:

At 03:04 PM 4/12/2007, Toby Deinhardt wrote:
  

Hi,

I don't want to harp about this, but which is really correct?





You're right about clarifications...

I read the ad as referring to a combination of hardware (LP) filters 
and software (DSP) filters that are optimized for the band...

Jim



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Re: [Flexradio] Help!

[Tom Thompson]

Jim,

The corruption always occurs when I am transmitting.  I have assumed 
that it is the result of  RFI on a SSB signal peak that somehow 
interferes with the control communications between the PC and the SDR.  
I don't know what the methodology of the corruption could be beyond this.

Tom   W0IVJ


Jim Lux wrote:

 At 04:22 PM 3/24/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 Hi RJ

 I have had things like that happen when the data base gets corrupted.


 Over the past year or so, this concept of database corruption seems 
 to crop up occasionally.  What's causing the corruption? Is it worth 
 trying to find the bugs that are causing it, or do we just live with it?

 Jim, W6RMK







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Re: [Flexradio] Help!

[Tom Thompson]

Eric and Jim,

The next time I get what I consider a corrupt .mdb file I will send it 
to both of you for analysis.

Tom   W0IVJ



FlexRadio - Eric wrote:

I have yet to see a truly corrupt PowerSDR database.  Typically it is a case
of the database saving values that either cause problems with the console
(i.e.  or just simply confuse the user (i.e. This doesn't look right.  My
database must be corrupt).

Unfortunately we do not typically recover the offending database files most
of the time and therefore do not get a chance to check out the problems.  We
are ALWAYS willing to check out specific problems that seem to be related to
a database (or otherwise) if we are given a detailed description of both how
to create the problem and exactly how the problem exhibits itself.  Sending
an email with the database file attached can help that process at times.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

  

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2007 11:50 PM
To: Tom Thompson; RJ Harris - W3HP
Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Help!

At 04:22 PM 3/24/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:


Hi RJ

I have had things like that happen when the data base gets corrupted.
  

Over the past year or so, this concept of database corruption seems
to crop up occasionally.  What's causing the corruption? Is it worth
trying to find the bugs that are causing it, or do we just live with it?

Jim, W6RMK






  


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Re: [Flexradio] Grounding Laptop

[Tom Thompson]

 as opposed to the
 initial  permeability of 850 for 43 material.  The 1800 initial
 permeability will yield more inductance per aturn , and a core with
 multiple turns yields inductance as a function of  turns squared 
 whereas
 a ferrite clamp increases inductance linearly with respect to the 
 number
 of clamps.  This difference is due to the mutual inductance effect 
 that
 the multiple turn core has that does not occur with the multiple 
 clamp.

 73   Tom   W0IVJ


 Charles Greene wrote:

  That sounds like a good EMI filter.  Wouldn't a F-140-43 core be
  better?  (more turns, and better performance at HF?  I don't know,
  just asking).
 
  C
 
  At 10:19 AM 3/7/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:
 
  Charles,
 
  Get an FT-114-77 ferrite toroid from Palomar Engineering and 
 wrap as
  many turns of  the USB cable as you can on the core.
 
  Tom   W0IVJ
 
 
  Charles Greene wrote:
 
  Hi,
 
  I am getting some RF feedback when I use a Linear amp that causes
  the USB to Parallel connection to occasionally disconnect. The
  system ground is about as good as I can reasonably get it 
 except for
  the Laptop itself.  It doesn't happen with the SDR-1000 100 watt
  amp.  There doesn't appear any good place to ground the 
 Laptop.  Any
  suggestions?  Also, should I use an EMI suppressor on the
  USB/parallel cable, and if so on which end, computer or 
 SDR-1000, or
  both?
 
  Tnx, W1CG.
 
 
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Re: [Flexradio] Grounding Laptop

[Tom Thompson]

Charles,

The equation is: L = (N2*Al) / 100 where L is in mh or L = (N2*Al) / 
1000 where L is in uh.  Using an Al  = 1270 with one turn, then L = 1.27 
uh.  If N is doubled to two then L = 22*Al/1000 or 5.08 uh.  You have 
two errors in your text.  You switched from mh to uh and you failed to 
square the multiplier of the turns.  Your calculation of 44 uh giving a 
reactance of about 1000 ohms at 3.5 MHz is correct., but normally the 
reactance is from 5 to 10 times the coax characteristic impedance which 
would be 250 to 500 ohms.  Let's assume 300 ohms which would give 13.6 
uh at 3.5 MHz..  Solving for the number of turns on an FT-114-77 core 
would be: N = SQRT(1000*13.6/1270) = 11 turns.  However, we are not 
building a choke to go over the coax here.  We are building a choke for 
the USB cable.  The difference is the common mode current on the USB 
cable is much smaller that the common mode current on the coax shield.  
One has to be careful with high-u ferrites not to saturate the core.  
That is why current baluns are built with low-u ferrites or powdered 
iron cores that have large cross sectional areas.  Typically an 
FT-240-43 core will make a good choke balun for coax.  For the USB cable 
the common mode currents are small enough, so you can put a lot of turns 
on, and use an FT-114-77 core.

I hope this has helped.

73   Tom   W0IVJ



Charles Greene wrote:

 Tom,

 I know that in a coil L is proportional to N^2.  How do you reconcile 
 the fact that, in a F-114-77 core, Al is 1270 mh/1000 turns, or 1270 
 uh/turn.  That would make one turn produce 1270 uhy and two turns 
 produce 2540 uhy.  What is wrong with my logic?  On 1:1 baluns 44 uhy 
 produces approximately 1000 ohms at 3.5 MHz (44 * 6.28 * 3.5) ohms or 
 20X the coax impedance at 3.5 MHz, so it seems the type 77 material 
 doesn't need many turns to be effective.  Also I read up on the -77 
 material, and it states Extensively used for frequency attenuation at 
 .5 to 50 MHz.  I have a bunch of F-140-43 cores and I was wondering 
 how effective they would be  The price ea for a F-114-77 at CWS 
 Bytemark.com is $2.25.  Do you have a better source.  I have bought 
 F-140-43s from Dan's Small Parts for $1.00 ea.

 Chas

 At 11:28 PM 3/7/2007, you wrote:

 Charles,

 You are correct about the F-140 because of its increased size, but the
 77 material has an initial permeability of 1800 as opposed to the
 initial  permeability of 850 for 43 material.  The 1800 initial
 permeability will yield more inductance per aturn , and a core with
 multiple turns yields inductance as a function of  turns squared whereas
 a ferrite clamp increases inductance linearly with respect to the number
 of clamps.  This difference is due to the mutual inductance effect that
 the multiple turn core has that does not occur with the multiple clamp.

 73   Tom   W0IVJ


 Charles Greene wrote:

  That sounds like a good EMI filter.  Wouldn't a F-140-43 core be
  better?  (more turns, and better performance at HF?  I don't know,
  just asking).
 
  C
 
  At 10:19 AM 3/7/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:
 
  Charles,
 
  Get an FT-114-77 ferrite toroid from Palomar Engineering and wrap as
  many turns of  the USB cable as you can on the core.
 
  Tom   W0IVJ
 
 
  Charles Greene wrote:
 
  Hi,
 
  I am getting some RF feedback when I use a Linear amp that causes
  the USB to Parallel connection to occasionally disconnect. The
  system ground is about as good as I can reasonably get it except for
  the Laptop itself.  It doesn't happen with the SDR-1000 100 watt
  amp.  There doesn't appear any good place to ground the Laptop.  Any
  suggestions?  Also, should I use an EMI suppressor on the
  USB/parallel cable, and if so on which end, computer or SDR-1000, or
  both?
 
  Tnx, W1CG.
 
 
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FlexRadio

Re: [Flexradio] Grounding Laptop

[Tom Thompson]

Charles,

Get an FT-114-77 ferrite toroid from Palomar Engineering and wrap as 
many turns of  the USB cable as you can on the core.

Tom   W0IVJ


Charles Greene wrote:

Hi,

I am getting some RF feedback when I use a Linear amp that causes the 
USB to Parallel connection to occasionally disconnect. The system 
ground is about as good as I can reasonably get it except for the 
Laptop itself.  It doesn't happen with the SDR-1000 100 watt 
amp.  There doesn't appear any good place to ground the Laptop.  Any 
suggestions?  Also, should I use an EMI suppressor on the 
USB/parallel cable, and if so on which end, computer or SDR-1000, or both?

Tnx, W1CG.


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Re: [Flexradio] Grounding Laptop

[Tom Thompson]

If you are a open wire feeders are best sort of guy, good luck... The
reason open wire feeders are zero loss is that the feeders themselves
radiate.

The reason open wire feeders radiate is because the current in the two wires 
are unbalanced.  If you balance the currents, the loss remains low and the 
feedline will not radiate.  The loss is determined by the wire size and the 
dielectric material between the conductors.

73   Tom   W0IVJ



Jim Rogers wrote:

   You did not tell us much about your setup there, so this will be pretty
broad. Some likely sources of rfi are the coax cabling if you are
feeding your antennas with coax, and/or the interconnects between your
individual pieces of gear. You must get the rf off the outer shields. RF
isolators are a good choice here.
   I have a 4 port switch where all my hf antennas terminate and one piece
of coax coming to the shack. I have an rf isolator right at the coax
switch. Made a huge difference here and all of my antennas are in the
attic.
   A great place to start is to cool down the rf between the sdr1000 and
that big amp. Put one of the RF isolators with a ground lug there (You
can google Radio Works and check out their products, plus find a great
how to: on RFI).
   If you are a open wire feeders are best sort of guy, good luck... The
reason open wire feeders are zero loss is that the feeders themselves
radiate.
   You can buy some clamshell ferrites at radio shack. I have them
everywhere. 
   Isolation being the key, placing/orienting your antennas can help the
problem. Grounding your computer may not be the best option, Used to be
the shell of an rs232 port was a good spot but how many of us still
have rs232? I have a single point ground here at the op position and a
steel cased computer. Ground the case of the computer did not help, go
figure.
   RFI elimination is trial and error. Sometimes something you think
should help only amplifies the problem.

73 and hope something here helps..
Jim, W4ATK


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Re: [Flexradio] open wire

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff and Jim,

The lines will not radiate if they are balanced, but Jim is correct in 
stating that it is difficult to maintain balance in open wire feeders.  
Ideally, the feeder would run perpindicular to the dipole which would be 
out in the open from other objects.  Also, the open wire feeders need to 
be kept away from other conducting objects. Traditionally, the open wire 
line came right through the roof into a balanced antenna tuner. If the 
feeders are twisted then the impinging field is applied to both lines 
more or less equally which will reduce the common mode currents..  But , 
this condition can also apply to the shield of coax.  It can radiate 
because of an unbalance condition and/or because of external fields.  
The advantage coax has is that it passes through a wall a bit easier 
that open wire.  Jeff, I don't think the SWR has anything to do with the 
radiation.  In fact, traditionally open wire feeders have been used in 
cases where the SWR is very high due to the antenna being used on 
multiple bands.  Open wire feeders are chosen in this case because the 
additional loss due to high SWR is low. To sum it up, Jim is exactly 
right when he states that this is a common mode problem.  Choke baluns 
on the coax will retard the current on the shield of the coax before it 
gets into the operating area.  One can also use a choke balun on 
balanced line by winding a balance line on a large ferrite.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:

This is something I've wondered about (having heard it before).  But even
with a high SWR, why would an open-wire feedline radiate, if it's balanced?

- Jeff, K6JCA

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jim Rogers
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 8:19 AM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] open wire


Tom and Stan,
   Theoretically you are both, indeed correct. Unfortunately those ideal
conditions rarely exist. Most using open wire do it to achieve
multi-band coverage. In these situations it is not unusual to see very
high SWR on the feeders resolved at the transmitter by a good tuner. In
this situation, I could be wrong but, I believe you will find the
feedline will indeed radiate.

73 Jim, W4ATK


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Re: [Flexradio] Grounding Laptop

[Tom Thompson]

Charles,

You are correct about the F-140 because of its increased size, but the 
77 material has an initial permeability of 1800 as opposed to the 
initial  permeability of 850 for 43 material.  The 1800 initial 
permeability will yield more inductance per turn , and a core with 
multiple turns yields inductance as a function of  turns squared whereas 
a ferrite clamp increases inductance linearly with respect to the number 
of clamps.  This difference is due to the mutual inductance effect that 
the multiple turn core has that does not occur with the multiple clamp.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


Charles Greene wrote:

 That sounds like a good EMI filter.  Wouldn't a F-140-43 core be 
 better?  (more turns, and better performance at HF?  I don't know, 
 just asking).

 C

 At 10:19 AM 3/7/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 Charles,

 Get an FT-114-77 ferrite toroid from Palomar Engineering and wrap as 
 many turns of  the USB cable as you can on the core.

 Tom   W0IVJ


 Charles Greene wrote:

 Hi,

 I am getting some RF feedback when I use a Linear amp that causes 
 the USB to Parallel connection to occasionally disconnect. The 
 system ground is about as good as I can reasonably get it except for 
 the Laptop itself.  It doesn't happen with the SDR-1000 100 watt 
 amp.  There doesn't appear any good place to ground the Laptop.  Any 
 suggestions?  Also, should I use an EMI suppressor on the 
 USB/parallel cable, and if so on which end, computer or SDR-1000, or 
 both?

 Tnx, W1CG.


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Re: [Flexradio] spam: Tune question

[Tom Thompson]

Dan,

When working the dx contest on 80, I was moving up and down the band so 
the antenna tuner needed a touch.  It was confusing to me to have to 
interchange A and B to do the tune.  Version 1.8.0 tunes on the transmit 
VFO whether it is A or B.  Svn 917 just tunes on A.  So I listed it as a 
bug, but it might just be a preference.

Tom

Dan Scott wrote:

 Tom,

 When working split (DX - 40) I normally only tune the transmit once, 
 then tweak the receive throughout the QSO.  Having the transmit side 
 be the default for tuning could make me more prone to messing up.  I 
 excel at messing up, so anything the help avoid that is good.

 I do use the AB feature to do the first tune of the transmit 
 frequency.  This allows me to verify that the frequency is available 
 (not in split) on my end prior working the split.  Once the frequency 
 is know clear, I'll swap the A and B VFO and then hit split.  Now my A 
 is receive (default tuning) and by B is transmitting on what should be 
 a clear frequency.

 73,
 Dan

 Tom Thompson wrote:

 John,

 I noticed that when working split that the TUNE function uses the VFO 
 A frequency.  Since the transmitter uses VFO B, shouldn't the TUNE 
 function use VFO B?

 73   Tom   W0IVJ


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[Flexradio] Tune question

[Tom Thompson]

John,

I noticed that when working split that the TUNE function uses the VFO A 
frequency.  Since the transmitter uses VFO B, shouldn't the TUNE 
function use VFO B?

73   Tom   W0IVJ


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[Flexradio] Tune Question

[Tom Thompson]

John,

I noticed that when working split that the TUNE function uses the VFO A 
frequency.  Since the transmitter uses VFO B, shouldn't the TUNE 
function use VFO B?

73   Tom   W0IVJ


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Re: [Flexradio] Preamp issue - Results

[Tom Thompson]

Dana,

The question of sensitivity still remains as far as I can tell.  Can you 
borrow an attenuator and bring the XG1 down to the noise floor on both 
yours and Joe's radio.  The 10 dbm  difference may be a calibration 
issue rather than a sensitivity issue unless you can still hear signals 
on your Yaesu that you cannot hear on your SDR.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


N1OFZ wrote:

Hi all,

I spent some time last night pouring over the ECO's and determining  
which ones were done to my radio.  I did end up taking off the BPF  
board to get a better look at the RFE.  Also during this process I  
reviewed the block diagrams that Peter sent (thanks!).

Today with the help of Joe (AB1DO) I was able to test my radio  
against his radio.  When we hooked up the XG1 my radio was showing  
the XG1's signal at about S3.  It was also quite a bit off frequency  
and suffered from some serious image issues.  After a few runs at  
calibrating it and tweaking it back on frequency we ran it against  
Joe's SDR.  The result were that the calibrating (with a good signal  
source) seems to help significantly.  My radio still seems to be  
about 10 dBm down from his but I believe it to be because his radio  
has the newer preamp (ECO025).  We listened to a signal that was  
showing around -90 dBm on my radio vs. his which was showing about  
-80 dBm.

I guess the lesson learned is that if you own a SDR-1000 you best get  
a XG1 or similar signal source.  Maybe future Flex Radio models can  
incorporate a similar circuit?  Unfortunately, I had to go back to  
work but I'm looking forward to getting it hooked back up in the  
shack tonight.

Thank everyone who responded with suggestions and comments.  And a  
big thanks to Joe for making time today to help me sort out the  
problems.  It's great to have a local fellow Flexer!

'73
Dana  N1OFZ

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Re: [Flexradio] Cross platform development

[Tom Thompson]

Jim Lux wrote:

At 11:16 AM 2/24/2007, Paul Shaffer wrote:

  

I don't think Flex has stated their position as clearly as they could. My
impression is that they would love to have a cross-platform solution
available now that would suit everyone. The problem has to be the cost. If
Flex does this software it would be very expensive for them... guessing 2
very good software developers and a year of time minimum plus ongoing
support costs. It could be  $250K to ship the first version if this were a
normal, efficient software company. I think this is the realism... would
you want the cross platform software development cost reflected in the
radio price?




Must be spring again.. this seems to crop up about twice a year or so..



I think your labor estimate is in the ballpark. It's not a 1 
workmonth effort, nor is it 10 work years.  At work, we developed 
some moderately platform independent software to support multiple 
SDR1000s across multiple Linux machines with some stuff to talk to 
Matlab/Octave. I'd say it took about 3-4 work months, but it had 
almost no user interface, which is always a timeconsuming 
development.  It's hard to separate the SDR interface software out 
from the other work (calibration algorithms, etc.), but the overall 
effort was roughly a $400-500K project over two years (i.e. 1 full 
time equivalent for two years, in bursts), and the SDR interface 
(including all the hassles with hardware, distros, sound card 
drivers, etc.) was probably 20-30% of the overall work.

2 good software developers * 1 year of time $250K, assuming 
they're in the U.S.
($90K/yr + 50% for vacation, benefits, employer's part of taxes, 
etc.  + $50K/yr for the office and utilities + 20% for management  
administrative expenses)

Interestingly, this actually is a task that could be outsourced to 
somewhere with lower labor costs fairly well.. it's fairly well 
defined. (i.e. make the version for platform Y work and look just 
like the version for platform X that you have sitting in front of you)

Of some interest philosophically is what the business model for 
such a development might be...(not necessarily specific to Flex, but 
also for other similar proposals)

1) Volunteer donates cash (or time) for the betterment of mankind, 
releasing all code to the public.  This works real well for small 
chunks, where the contribution required is within the discretionary 
spending of a single individual, somewhat harder for big integrated 
things that require a lot of tedious grunt work.

2) Patron or large organization donates resources for the 
development, presumably for the betterment of mankind, or to meet 
some organizational goal (i.e. we want a showcase for our development 
product). The source of resources isn't personally involved in the 
development.. essentially they're just buying it (paying salaries, 
etc.) and then donating it when they've got it.  (This would be the 
University or Gov't grant model. And one that might be worth 
pursuing, by the way..)

3) Hardware manufacturer funds it, to enable sales to customers who 
want to use platform Y. (this is the device driver model, and, that 
of Flex, for that matter, although I suspect that Gerald started out 
with it in #1, but I doubt Eric works for freegrin)

4) Investor funds it with time or money, but expects return on 
investment so as to be able to pay the rent, feed themselves and 
their children, and so, charges for the software. (EZNEC might be an 
example here..)


Jim, W6RMK





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Jim,

The volunteer concept is interesting.  The Peter I expedition cost about 
$250K and that was mostly donated and all you have to show for it is 
some paper.

Tom   W0IVJ
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Re: [Flexradio] Filter measurements

[Tom Thompson]

Mark and Bill,

I made some measurements and got similar results as Mark.  The one thing 
that confused me was the difference in shape factor between the narrow 
filters and the wide filters, but I think you just cleared that up for 
me, Bill.  It has to be a function of the bin resolution and the bin 
bleed.  Thanks, Mark for bringing this up, and thanks Bill for clearing 
my confusion...very interesting.

Tom   W0IVJ

Bill Tracey wrote:

I'm not a dsp guru, but I think what you're seeing at the smaller filter 
sizes is an artifact of spectrum leakage 
(http://www.dsptutor.freeuk.com/analyser/guidance.html#leakage) from one 
bin to another.The basic FFT bin size is 11hz, so for a filter 30 hz or 
below you've only got 3 bins to work with so I think the effects of leakage 
will be relatively larger than with larger filters since the transition 
zones cover more bins.

I'd think to improve this one would need to band pass filter the signal of 
interest, then decimate and do an FFT  of the decimated signal such that 
you have a smaller bin width.   Might be an interesting hack to try when 
the passband is small.

Regards,

Bill  (kd5tfd)


At 07:01 AM 2/18/2007, Mark Amos wrote:
  

All
Here are some filter measurements I did with the Flex-Radio. I'd be 
interested in anyone else's numbers if there are differences - there may 
be some configuration or setup option




  

Also, I am interested in knowing if the shape factor is designed to be 
wider with narrow filters and get tighter as the filter bandwidth 
increases (or if this is an artifact of my measurements, physics, etc.) 
I've seen that steep skirts on analog filters cause ringing, but that this 
can be avoided with DSP filters. If this is the case, why not use 
arbitrarily steep filters? Is it a computational cost issue, or are there 
other tradeoffs that make this impractical. This isn't a criticism; I'd 
just like to know how it works.
Thanks again to all the suggestions and discussion - I've learned a lot 


from you guys, and I really appreciate it!
  

Mark







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Re: [Flexradio] Filter measurements

[Tom Thompson]

Jim,

Maybe shape factor is the wrong term to use.  All I know is that I took 
a relative low phase noise source, a HP 8640B, and tuned the SDR so that 
the signal was in the bandpass with the filter set to 1000 Hz.  I then 
retuned the SDR so that the signal was 6db down.  I then retuned the SDR 
again so that the signal was 60 db down.  If I divided the 6 db bandpass 
by the 60 db bandpass, the number was about 1.1.  If I followed the same 
proceedure with the filter set to 100 Hz , the number was 2.7.  What 
causes the difference?

Tom   W0IVJ

Jim Lux wrote:

 At 08:18 AM 2/18/2007, Tom Thompson wrote:

 Mark and Bill,

 I made some measurements and got similar results as Mark.  The one thing
 that confused me was the difference in shape factor between the narrow
 filters and the wide filters, but I think you just cleared that up for
 me, Bill.  It has to be a function of the bin resolution and the bin
 bleed.  Thanks, Mark for bringing this up, and thanks Bill for clearing
 my confusion...very interesting.



 This is somewhat confusing because you are using a conceptual model 
 (shape factor) that is really derived from analog filter design in a 
 domain (digital filters with a lot of samples) that it isn't as well 
 suited to.

 In analog filters, we talk about how many sections or poles it might 
 have, and knowing that number tells you what the ultimate rolloff is 
 going to be (12 dB/octave per section, eh?). The close in rolloff in a 
 high q filter (say a crystal lattice) is still determined by combining 
 a relatively small number of tuned circuits (albeit high q ones).. 
 Essentially, you stack up a bunch of stagger tuned sections so that 
 you get a bart's head type frequency domain response. You have to 
 worry about interacctions between the tuned circuits (some deliberate, 
 as in a double tuned IF stage, some not), drifting in component 
 parameters, and non-ideal components, so Q isn't infinite.


 But in the digital domain, you can (easily) build a filter that is the 
 equivalent of 4000 ideal lossless LC tuned networks with infinite Q. 
 Yowza!..  Sure, there are tradeoffs, and there are some peculiarities 
 (roundoff, truncation, etc.) but it's easy to build filters that have 
 desirable properties but which don't fit the usual analog filter 
 metrics and design tradeoffs.  For instance, it's pretty easy to build 
 a linear phase filter in the digital world (one that has the same 
 time delay for all frequencies in the passband, which has minimal 
 pulse shape distortion).. something that is quite challenging with 
 analog filters (as anyone who has agonized over group delay properties 
 has dealt with).

 In the digital world, one could build a dynamically adjusting CW 
 keying envelope that is precisely limited in it's bandwidth to the 
 current keying rate, without ringing.  Heck, in the digital world, 
 one can have non-physically realizable filters (i.e. that have an 
 output before the input is applied, in some senses)


 So the challenge we all face when working with digital filters is that 
 a lot of the traditional measurements and tradeoffs change.  
 Sometimes, a measurement (e.g. swept response) gives results that, if 
 an analog filter were being measured, would mean that the measurement 
 system is broken. Other times, we make measurements that mean 
 something in terms of an analog design (3rd order intercept is a good 
 example) that doesn't necessarily have the same interpretation in the 
 digital world (or more correctly in the hybrid digital analog world).  
 For instance, Spurious Free Dynamic Range is a very different thing 
 when applied to A/Ds than when applied to a LNA and mixer.

 Shape Factor for filters is another such metric.. It's a shorthand way 
 of describing a certain kind of filter (bandpass with symmetric 
 skirts).  A shape factor of 6 is a lot different from 2, but the 
 difference between 1.1 and 1.05 is less so, in terms of practical 
 significance.  if you really want to specify adjacent channel 
 rejection, then that's the spec you should be working with (i.e. 3dB 
 bandwidth of X kHz, 60 dB down at X+Y kHz)

 Also, watch out for stopband bounce.. I work with a variety of analog 
 filters that have fairly steep rolloffs, a deep null at about 2.5-3x 
 cutoff frequency, but that only have 30 dB of rejection far out.  
 Why?  Because other stages provide the far away attenuation, but I'm 
 concerned about suppressing the spur at the clock rate from the glitch 
 energy in the dac.  The filter might have a fair amount of phase 
 ripple in the passband, but I can compensate that in the equalization 
 in the digital data stream going to the DAC.  But, if I were to look 
 at just the digital filter characteristics, it would look terrible.  
 It's the overall system performance that you're concerned about.

 A similar strategy is used in consumer audio DACs.  They take the 
 digital stream at 44.1 kS/s, interpolate it it up to 192k, then run

Re: [Flexradio] Need Help Testing an SDR-1000 Carlsbad, CA

[Tom Thompson]

Mark,

You may have already tried this, but if you haven't, connect your SDR to 
a dummy load and then to the antenna and determine what the increase in 
noise is.  Do the same for the FT-1000MP and see if the relative 
increase is the same.  Also,  if you have an antenna tuner, preferably a 
High Pass T, try tuning up on a higher band and see if that reduces the 
noise.  It might be an intermod problem with some strong AM broadcast.

I hope this is helpful.  73   Tom   W0IVJ

Mark Gang wrote:

I have been using an SDR1000 for about a year.  I recently moved to Carlsbad, 
CA and am temporally living in an apartment. I set up a simple dipole but the 
SDR-1000 is seeing a much higher noise level than my other radio, an 
FT-1000MP.  I have tried all the usual fixes and talked with he folks at 
Flex-Radio.  Before I continuing I would like to eliminate the SDR-1000 
hardware as the source of the problem.  

If there are any SDR-1000 users in the Carlsbad (or San Diego) area I would 
like to do a simple substitution of my SDR-1000 for theirs in working setup to 
see if the results are the same.  I would be happy to bring my unit over to 
their shack for a test.

Please contact me by email at mark6sf(at)yahoo.com or cell 415.336.8024. 

Thanks,
Mark N6SF






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Re: [Flexradio] Tune Step sizes changes erratically with mouse wheel rotation

[Tom Thompson]

Bob,

If you push the wheel in, it will change the tuning increment.  
Probably, in your enthusiasm to turn it fast, you are also pushing it in.

Tom   W0IVJ

Robert Cleve wrote:

I just installed a new M.S. Optical mouse and Intellipoint software that
came with it on the PC I normally use with my SDR1K.  If I rotate the mouse
wheel too fast I loose the incremental change (1 KHz/click) I set it for and
the Tune Step jumps to 5 KHz or 9 Khz.  Has anyone run into this before who
might know what the fix is?

Thanks and 73,
Bob, KW4CQ
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Re: [Flexradio] PA calibration routine

[Tom Thompson]

Peter,

100/90 = 1.

10 * Log 1. =  0.458 db

 at 6 db / s-unit = 0.458 / 6 =  0.076 s-units.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear OM's

 

How many S-points are gained going from 90watt to 100watt ???

 

:-)

 
73
 
groeten Peter
petervn(a)hetnet.nl mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]  ; pa0pvn(a)hetnet.nl 
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   ;
pa0pvn(a)gmail.com ; pa0pvn(a)amsat.org .
 



Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] namens Larry Taft
Verzonden: di 6-2-2007 18:25
Aan: Eric Wachsmann
CC: 'FlexRadio'
Onderwerp: Re: [Flexradio] PA calibration routine



So its a Big Horse Small Horse problem.  If you want the same amount of
poop out of the small horse as the big horse then you gotta feed it more
hay.  The gain number is the size of the horse.
I wonder how Terman would state the problem.

73, Larry  K2LT
snip

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Re: [Flexradio] PA calibration routine

[Tom Thompson]

Peter,

I was sure that the question was just academic, and that you knew the 
answer.  I just thought I would go through the exercise to show how 
little it was. :)

73   Tom   W0IVJ

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 I know Tom,

 Sorry, but I was a bit startled by the discussion that 90 watts

 on 10 meters was not enough output, had to be 100 watts.

 my question was more or less the answer.

 The difference in power in of no use

 Thanks 73 peter

  
 groeten Peter
 petervn(a)hetnet.nl mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ; pa0pvn(a)hetnet.nl 
 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]  ;
 pa0pvn(a)gmail.com ; pa0pvn(a)amsat.org .
  

 
 Van: Tom Thompson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Verzonden: di 6-2-2007 22:49
 Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 CC: Larry Taft; Eric Wachsmann; FlexRadio
 Onderwerp: Re: [Flexradio] PA calibration routine

 Peter,

 100/90 = 1.

 10 * Log 1. =  0.458 db

  at 6 db / s-unit = 0.458 / 6 =  0.076 s-units.

 73   Tom   W0IVJ


 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Dear OM's
 
 
 
 How many S-points are gained going from 90watt to 100watt ???
 
 
 
 :-)
 
 
 73
 
 groeten Peter
 petervn(a)hetnet.nl mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]  ; pa0pvn(a)hetnet.nl 
 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   ;
 pa0pvn(a)gmail.com ; pa0pvn(a)amsat.org .
 
 
 
 
 Van: [EMAIL PROTECTED] namens Larry Taft
 Verzonden: di 6-2-2007 18:25
 Aan: Eric Wachsmann
 CC: 'FlexRadio'
 Onderwerp: Re: [Flexradio] PA calibration routine
 
 
 
 So its a Big Horse Small Horse problem.  If you want the same amount of
 poop out of the small horse as the big horse then you gotta feed it more
 hay.  The gain number is the size of the horse.
 I wonder how Terman would state the problem.
 
 73, Larry  K2LT
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Re: [Flexradio] CPU Percentage question

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff,

I had that happen to me, also.  I could not find the culprit using the 
task manager, so I ran MSCONFIG under the run command and rebooted with 
a minimum configuration, i.e. most of the auto starting applications 
were not loaded.  The problem went away, so I again tried to find the 
culprit.  No luck!  Finally after running SpySweeper and Norton Virus 
remover, I was able to get the computer to boot up in the regular mode 
without the problem.  I guess it was a piece of hidden malware that did 
not show up on the task manager.

I hope this helps.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:

Thanks, Tim  Ken, for your replies.

Yesterday I tried turning off the panadapter (and also
reducing the display's FPS), and, surprisingly, that
didn't seem to change the cyclical nature of the mips
consumption.  (I'll have to experiement again this
evening and see if there's an overall change, though.)

Please forgive my dumb questions, but how does one:
 1) turn off indexing 
 2) ensure the cpu has some L2 cache  
 3) create a large swapfile

Thanks for your help!  I'll try to report back this
evening with results...

73,

- Jeff, K6JCA

 
--- Ken N9VV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  

Jeff, I can echo Tim's comments. The only thing that
seems to help a 
Laptop at my location is:
(a) a 7 FPS display rate
(b) turning OFF the panadapter when I am on freq
(c) turning off Indexing
(d) sample rate at 48Khz (Audio/DSP Buffers = 2048)
(e) making sure the Laptop CPU has some L2 cache. If
you have a Centrino 
or Sempron or some mobile processor you won't be
happy (no matter how 
high the Ghz are, you will still be hitting
interrupts and context 
switching that will drive that % way up).
(f) there are some free utilities out there that can
help you force CPU 
speed to stay up (no good for power saving) but that
is just a bandaid 
and not a good long term solution.
Ken

Tim Ellison wrote:


Check several things.

Hard drive on laptops are notoriously slow and
  

suck up a bunch of system


resources.  Optimize hard drive access by:

- Turning off file indexing
- creating a swap file large enough that windows
  

doesn't resize it


- de-fragmenting the hard drive

Also, most of the CPU taken by PowerSDR is in the
  

running of the


Panadapter.
So you can:
- Update your video driver
- Change the FPS on the display to a bigger number

Laptops also have a mode where they can dial down
  

the CPU speed to save


battery life.  Change your power management
  

settings on the laptop to


full performance mode and do not shut down the
  

hard drive after a


particular amount of time.

-Tim
  





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Re: [Flexradio] CPU Percentage question

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff,

Try running MSCONFIG in the Diagnostic Startup mode.

Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:

Hi Charles and everyone else who has replied.

I've run through a number of the recommendations, but so far, no joy.

 o No (or little) change if turn OFF the panadpter display.

 o No change if I change indexing per the method on N9VV's website (the
directions in the Flex KB didn't work for me).

 o No change if I disabled quite a few of the startup routines in MSCONFIG
(I didn't disable them all, as I was worried that the computer might come up
in an unusable mode.  Perhaps I should live dangerously.)

 o  No change if I increase the size of the virtual memory.

What's weird is that my other computer, a desk 3.2 GHz P4, runs fine.  Go
figure!

Thanks to all for the help, and best regards!  Will continue
experimenting...

- Jeff, K6JCA



-Original Message-
From: Charles Greene [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 2:22 PM
To: Jeff Anderson; Reflector Flex-Radio
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] CPU Percentage question


Jeff,

I'm surprised the 2.8 GHz uses so much CPU time.  Have you optimized
XP per the guide?  I am running a 1.8 GHz Sony VAIO Lap Top with XP
Home and a PreSonus FireBox.  The the CPU runs 6 to 22 percent but
usually stays between 11 and 19 percent, and it updates once every
one to two seconds.  I recently upgraded to 1.5 GB RAM from 512 MB,
primarily because my Grandson plays games on it and there were brief
pauses in the action in which case he would get shot or his plane
would crash.  Before the upgrade when running the SDR, about once per
minute the CPU would hit 100 percent and pause briefly.  Now both the
SDR and the games are happy, and there are no pauses.  The CPU
percent may be a percent or two less, but that wasn't a problem
before.  If fact, the Sony runs faster than my last computer which
was a 2.1 GHz AMD desk top with 512 MB RAM.  I reduced the display
update rate to 12 FPS which is indistinguishable from 15 FPS, and I
optimized XP per the guide.  The Ram upgrade costs about $50 for an
additional 512 MB and $115 for the additional 1 GB and is a 5 minute
installation job.  Well worth it, as the only other thing you can do
is upgrade the CPU which is a tough job in a Lap Top.

73,  Chas W1CG



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Re: [Flexradio] Spur on AM

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff,

What does the bandpass of the isolator look like compared to what we are 
trying to pass?  I am sure that a better transformer could be had if it 
would help.  As far as the hump is concerned, isn't it  just those 
frequencies close to DC that cause it?

Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:

I just made a few more measurements using my Delta 44 and some of my test
equipment.  Adding in the ground-loop isolator to the Line-In path has the
following effects:

Positive:

1.  Noticably reduces the IF hump.
2.  Flattens the display (w/o the isolator, I see a bit of rolloff towards
the display edges when in 0.5x zoom mode.

Negative:

1.  Image rejection worsens at the display edges.  That is, if a strong
signal is in the receive audio passband (I used a -40 dBm signal) and you
null its image down to the noise-floor, if you then shift the frequency of
the received signal (but not the receiver's VFO-A frequency), you'll see the
image begin to reappear.  If the signal is moved in frequency such that the
image is at the edge of the display (again, in 0.5x zoom mode), it appears
to me that the image rejection is about 10 dB worse *with* the line
isolator.  In other words, it's in the mid to high 30's (of dBs) instead of
the mid 40's.  (Note, though, that in either case, the image can be nulled
down to the noise).

I'm not sure that the positives outweigh the negatives, but it raises some
questions:

1.  Can an isolator be designed, in hardware, to maximize the positives
and minimize the negative?
2.  Could a filter be designed so that, when it's convolved with the input
signal, we maximize image rejection across the whole display, and not just
at the frequency for which the image is nulled.  That is, can the bowl
shaped response to image rejection (when viewed across the entire display)
be flattened?  If so, how could this be done.  (And what's the plan
regarding the use of the pulse generator that's in the hardware?)

- Jeff, K6JCA


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tim Ellison
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:29 AM
To: Joe - AB1DO; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Spur on AM


When I added a Jensen line isolator to my system I did notice that the
noise floor dropped by a few dB after recalibrating I/Q along with a
very noticeable decrease in the 0 IF noise hump.

-Tim W4TME
-

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joe - AB1DO
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:03 AM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Spur on AM

Bob,

yes, I did need to redo an image reject calibration. But after that, the

result was as stated.

73 de Joe - AB1DO


Bob N4HY wrote:


  

Are you guys saying that you did not need to change the IQ balance
settings at all?  Amazing.

Bob
N4HY


Joe - AB1DO wrote:


Jeff,

fascinating. I tried it here also and indeed the hump is all but gone
  


  

using the RS 270-054 on line-in. Now I always thought that only a
  

high
  

spec audio isolator (as in handles way above audible frequencies
  

well)
  

would work on the input given the  I/Q spectrum is about 90kHz wide
  

at a
  

sampling rate of 96kb/s (I am using the Delta-44). But I closely
  

compared
  

the panadapter with and without the isolator  and I see no difference
  


  

other than the DC hump. What am I missing?

73 de Joe - AB1DO
  



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Re: [Flexradio] Spur on AM

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for your thorough analysis.  I looked for some specs on the RS 
units but found none.  I did find some 1:1 transformers in the Digikey 
catalog that had a 10K impedance (part # 237-1151 for $17).  These 
transformers had 2-db cut offs at 300 Hz and 100 KHz.  I then looked up 
the Jensen units that Tim uses.  These specs are spectacular with 3-db 
points at 0.1 Hz and 15 MHz and less than 0.5 degrees deviation from 
linear phase from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.  The maximum THD is less than 0.03%.  
They are designed to drive 20 K ohms while being driven from 600 ohms.  
The price is over $100.  I think that the results are going to vary 
depending on the transformer just as Jim predicted.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


Jeff Anderson wrote:

Hi Tom,

I believe the bandpass will depend, in part, on the
input impedance of the device to which it's attached.

Many months ago I measured the passband of one of
these  devices for a friend who had terrible hum with
her stereo and wanted to use one of these, and it was
flat out to 50k (which was the limit of my dsp-based
measurement system) into the fairly-high impedance of
the measurement system and using a low output
impedance white-noise generator as the source.

I just took a look at the low frequency performance on
my sdr1k with the RS isolator and my Delta 44.  I fed
the SDR with white noise (from an old GR noise
generator that I use expressly for this sort of
thing),  and I expected to see a notch on the
display corresponding to the device's low frequency
cutoff.  Suprisingly, even at max Zoom In (6
Hz/pixel?) and with the display shifted so that the IF
0 frequency was centered in the display, I think I
*might* have seen the *hint* of a notch.

Another negative that I did see, though, were some
distortion products that became visible as one sweeps
a generator (I used my 8640b) through the IF 0
frequency.  I did not see these when the isolator was
*not* in-circuit.  But they seemed to disappear pretty
quickly as I moved the generator away from the IF 0
frequency, so these may not be a significant issue,
or, perhaps, only an issue for signals near the (now
much attenuated) hump.  But this raises a point
worth noting: additional devices in the audio path,
such as the gnd-loop-isolator, could add some amount
of distortion to the receive signals.

- Jeff

--- Tom Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  

Jeff,

What does the bandpass of the isolator look like
compared to what we are 
trying to pass?  I am sure that a better transformer
could be had if it 
would help.  As far as the hump is concerned, isn't
it  just those 
frequencies close to DC that cause it?

Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:



I just made a few more measurements using my Delta
  

44 and some of my test


equipment.  Adding in the ground-loop isolator to
  

the Line-In path has the


following effects:

Positive:

1.  Noticably reduces the IF hump.
2.  Flattens the display (w/o the isolator, I see
  

a bit of rolloff towards


the display edges when in 0.5x zoom mode.

Negative:

1.  Image rejection worsens at the display edges. 
  

That is, if a strong


signal is in the receive audio passband (I used a
  

-40 dBm signal) and you


null its image down to the noise-floor, if you then
  

shift the frequency of


the received signal (but not the receiver's VFO-A
  

frequency), you'll see the


image begin to reappear.  If the signal is moved in
  

frequency such that the


image is at the edge of the display (again, in 0.5x
  

zoom mode), it appears


to me that the image rejection is about 10 dB worse
  

*with* the line


isolator.  In other words, it's in the mid to high
  

30's (of dBs) instead of


the mid 40's.  (Note, though, that in either case,
  

the image can be nulled


down to the noise).

I'm not sure that the positives outweigh the
  

negatives, but it raises some


questions:

1.  Can an isolator be designed, in hardware, to
  

maximize the positives


and minimize the negative?
2.  Could a filter be designed so that, when it's
  

convolved with the input


signal, we maximize image rejection across the
  

whole display, and not just


at the frequency for which the image is nulled. 
  

That is, can the bowl


shaped response to image rejection (when viewed
  

across the entire display)


be flattened?  If so, how could this be done.  (And
  

what's the plan


regarding the use of the pulse generator that's in
  

the hardware?)


- Jeff, K6JCA


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf
  

Of Tim Ellison


Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:29 AM
To: Joe - AB1DO; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Spur on AM


When I added a Jensen line isolator to my system I
  

did notice that the


noise floor dropped by a few dB after

Re: [Flexradio] meter freezes Check CPU usage

[Tom Thompson]

Eric,

I don't too much about this, but it seems to me since Windows is not a 
real time operating system, that some process is stealing interrupts and 
not letting the SDR-1000 have the machine.  Didn't someone report a 
network card doing this a while back?

Tom   W0IVJ


FlexRadio - Eric wrote:

My apologies for not getting to this thread sooner.  The meter freezing
issue has been reported for some time now, but has never been reproduced by
the core developers.  Like most bugs, this makes it very difficult to figure
out what is going on.

We have gone as far as leaving multiple machines running for multiple days
without a single hitch.

Short of being able to reproduce the problem or finding a flaw in the
threading logic, we have not been able to come to a resolution.  We do
acknowledge that this is clearly a real issue and something we would like to
resolve.  The challenge is figuring out how to resolve it.

What we know so far is that it is not limited to one type of processor,
motherboard chipset, ram type, or operating system (happens on both XP and
2000).  We know it happens to those with the PAATU, but little other than
that.

Perhaps if everyone could share their information we will find a common
thread that will put this one to bed once and for all.  Please email this
information to me privately to save list bandwidth.

Here is what I'd like to know:

Computer Info: CPU type/speed, Ram type/speed, OS
Radio Info: SDR-1000 configuration (PA?, XVTR? ATU? USB?), Date purchased
PowerSDR: version, frequency of problem, what it takes to bring it back
(power off/on, restart program, reboot, etc).

Thanks to everyone that has already commented on this.  With your help I
believe we will be able to continue to squash tough bugs like this and
improve the radio over time.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

  

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of A.R.S. - W5AMI
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 2:19 PM
To: Gerald Capodieci
Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] meter freezes Check CPU usage



...snip...
  

I really think that someone from Flex should have intervened to stop
the joking and poking at a poster for asking someone for help.  Isn't
that what the list is for?


Sincerely Submitted.

w5ami




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Re: [Flexradio] Keyboard Commands for the PowerSDR

[Tom Thompson]

I have to agree with Tim.  After typing in the Flex URL into my browser, 
I was reading the pdf file with 4 clicks and typing keyboard 
commands.  That is pretty easy.

Tom   W0IVJ

Tim Ellison wrote:

Ken,

No offense taken, but I don't see where you can make an assessment such
as usability is quite poor.  You enter a search criteria, click on Go
and if the content you are looking for is there, it will return a hit.
If it is not, it won't. Granted you have to select logical search
criteria, but that skill is becoming ubiquitous with all of the search
engines on the Internet.

One other point, this tool is a Knowledge Base, not a collaboration
tool.  It was never intended to be one.  And like any tool it has to be
used in the intended manner it was designed for.  It isn't very fun to
drive nails with a hoe.

Also we keep statistics on the KB. It averages over 3000 hits a day
where 90% are repeat visitors.  Since there are only several thousand
SDR-1000 owners, obviously a lot of others do not share your opinion.

I would welcome any constructive recommendations you might have to
share.  Feel free to contact me offline with them.

73 de W4TME
 
-Tim

FRS KB Administrator

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ken Kizzee
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:52 PM
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Keyboard Commands for the PowerSDR

Thanks for that and please take no offense to my opinion that the KB has
a
very very poor interface for searching and collaboration. Usability is
quite
poor.

Ken Kizzee
KF4EOM

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim Ellison
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 3:11 PM
To: Gerald Capodieci; flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Keyboard Commands for the PowerSDR

All of the keyboard commands are... (get ready) ... in the Knowledge
Base!  :-)

A search on keyboard retuens the article,
http://kb.flex-radio.com/article.aspx?id=10253

The KB, it is the Google for all things SDR-1000.  Everyone give it a
try!

(please take no offense due to my comentary, I'm just trying to teach
folks how to fish rather than giving them one)

-Tim

FRS KB Administrator

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gerald Capodieci
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:48 PM
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] Keyboard Commands for the PowerSDR

Special thanks to Tim Ellison for this lead.
  1. Ctrl + m = Press MOX (key the transmitter)
  2. Ctrl + p  = Change Preamp settings
  3. Ctrl + s  = Start Split operation
  4. Ctrl + d  = Change Display Mode
  5  Ctrl + z  = Scroll up the Mode buttons
  6  Ctrl + x  = Scroll down the Mode buttons
  7  Ctrl + z  = Scroll up the Mode buttons
  8  Ctrl + v  = Scroll up the Filter buttons
  9  Ctrl + b  = Scroll down the Filter buttons
  10 Alt + w  = Select the Wave Screen
  11 Alt + c  = Select the CW Mode 
  12 Alt + m  = Select Memory Button
  13 Alt + e   = Select the Equalizer button
  14 Alt + F4 = Shut Down the Rig
  This is all I found so far. If any more are found please let me know.
I'll document them.
  I hope some day we can have a Alt + V to toggle the VOX.
   
   
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Archive Link: 

[Flexradio] Noise Blankers

[Tom Thompson]

I posted this before and only received one responce, so I'll throw it 
out again:

I have a particular type of noise that just occurs on 40 meters with my 
dipole antenna.  I don't hear it when I switch to another antenna, so I 
don't think one of these phase/amplitude noise canceling devices made by 
MFJ or Timewave would work.  Would it be possible to add some code to 
the SDR-1000 that would take the signals received on the sub receiver 
and subtract them from the main receiver?  Assuming that the sub 
receiver is tuned to just the noise, would the phase and amplitude of 
the noise in the main and sub receivers be identical enough to make this 
a noise canceling device?

Thanks,

Tom Thompson   W0IVJ


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Re: [Flexradio] The NonTransportable SDR 1000 (was Was this answered?)

[Tom Thompson]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I have, reluctantly, concluded that my SDR 1000, except for repairs and
ECOs, will never again leave my base station.  Period.

It just isn't a very good idea.

The problem is the Rosanne Rosannadanna effect -- It's always
something.  Disturbing the cabling on the existing SDR 100 product leads
to problems.  Many more than when you move a traditional rig.

I am not, I discover, alone in this assessment.  I will not name names
(not my story to tell), but I am not the only owner of this radio who has
reached this conclusion by now.

In Belize, we did a very good job making it all work, but there were lots
of mysteries.  Not a little of this is caused by the ASIO4ALL software we
were using with the sound card (then and, for me, still, the Creative
Audigy card), but it all counts against transportation of the rig.  It
magnifies the physical problems.

The other mystery often had relates to the parallel cable.  It has various
unobvious failure modes where it can do things like trigger key down to
the CW keyer (rendering CW mode useless) and a host of other things we all
can remember by scanning this listserver archive.  It just seems to never
quite be right the first time I plug it in.  Something happens, I wiggle
or reseat, and it eventually goes away.  Not something you want to be
doing 3,000 miles from home.

And, there are also mysteries related to the audio cables, especially if
they are anything but perfectly placed.  If they wiggle out, even a little
(and they tend to do this once in a while), various problems and mysteries
result, some surprisingly subtle.  I remember getting added mixing
products all over 80 meters one time.

I had a great deal of this when I took the SDR mobile to show off to the
students of the North Dakota State University ham radio club for CQ WW SSB
a week or so back.

Fortunately, none of these things showed up with the students were in the
room.  We got it worked out, first.  While they were there, it performed
flawlessly and was its usual impressive self.  That part was great!

But, it also just failed solid the next day (I will never know why) and me
and my partner just packed up the rig and went home.  My heart should have
been in my throat (it often has been at home when these things happen),
but somehow, I just knew it would go away.  Plugged it in at home and,
after a glitch or two (parallel port again) it's all been fine.

Needful changes:

1.  A D shell for the audio cabling.  Forget the 1/8 inch plugs.  The
D44 card has proven a D shell is well accepted and would be a tighter,
more transportable/reliable connection.  Yes, we'd need a short audio
cable, but we could then pick between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch plugs.

2.  The poor man's UCB supprted by Flex.  Great little gadget.  Might need
a few revisions to ensure everyone's parallel cables fit and a grounded
box to surround it (I don't need that, but I can imagine someone doing
so).

3.  Simple, small, microphone amplifier for the D44 (other sound cards?).

4.  My SDR 497/1497 idea.  The 497 version would be a 500 dollar caboose
to eliminate the sound card and random parallel cables with one, screw it
down tight, well shielded parallel cable.  USB in the front, of course.

Anyone know of a good DXpeditioning rig?  I've got the DXpedition bug,
even if it is North Dakota or maybe a lighthouse, I am liking to spend
some of my hamming time away from home.  I have a QRP rig for the
backpacking piece of it, I just need a 100/150 watt HF rig that runs off
of 12v and is rugged enough to pack in plane, trains, and automobiles
(well packaged, of course).

The SDR, regretably, is not going to be that rig.


Larry WO0Z








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Larry,

This is a very interesting post.  First of all the 1/8 inch connectors 
are a disaster.  If I was going to move my SDR, I would replace all 
those connectors with another better connector like miniature SLRs or 
hardwire the existing cables in and let them dangle.  I know that isn't 
very elegant, but those 1/8 connectors are going to continue to plague 
us.  I believe the control cable whether it is patallel or USB is not 
very robust in an RFI sense.  By placing ferrites on both ends of the 
cable, I believe most of that can be alleviated.

If you decide not to take your SDR on the road here is what I do.  I use 
a Yaesu FT-857 with a small Astron SS-18 switching power supply.  That 
is about 6 pounds total.  I have recently constructed a 600 watt, solid 
state amplifier that is 12 x 12 x 5 inches and weighs 30 pounds 
including the power supply.  I fit the amplifier, transceiver, and 
Astron supply into a carry on bag with wheels that will fit under the 
seat on a Canadian regional jet.  All 

Re: [Flexradio] Teamspeak Audio Town Hall Meeting 11-04-06

[Tom Thompson]

KD5NWA wrote:

Joe - AB1DO wrote:
  

Thank you!

When I click on the link, the audio immediately starts streaming. I would 
rather save the file to disk first and then play it. Anyone know how to do 
that?

Thanks
73 de Joe - AB1DO



I have never understood the idea of giving out a link to a ASP program 
that then downloads the files, how about just giving a link to the file 
itself?

You can't right click it and save it as a ASP link.

  

When I click on the link, my browser gives me the choice of playing it 
or downloading it (Netscape 7.2).

Tom   W0IVJ
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Re: [Flexradio] Sideband problem

[Tom Thompson]

Scott T wrote:

Hello,

I am new to Flex, and am having a problem on transmit.  I seem to be putting 
out a signal on both lower and upper sideband at the same time, while just 
one sideband mode is selected.  Any suggestions would be greatly 
appreciated!

73,

Scotty
N6EDV
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Hi Scotty,

Reset your 3.5 mm connectors going into the SDR box.

Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] list has been quiet?

[Tom Thompson]

Jim Lux wrote:

Just a test..
Jim, W6RMK

James Lux, P.E.
Spacecraft Radio Frequency Subsystems Group
Flight Communications Systems Section
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 161-213
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena CA 91109
tel: (818)354-2075
fax: (818)393-6875 



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Yes, Jim, I thought maybe the reflector was down.

Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] Using a Steppir with the Flex

[Tom Thompson]

Ed,

I have had my SteppIR running with the SDR-1000 for some time.  I plug 
the SteppIR cable into COM1 and set the SteppIR box for Kenwood 
operation at 9600 baud.  I then set the SDR-1000 CAT up for TS-2000 on 
COM1 at 9600 baud.  I set parity to none, data bits to 8 and stop bits 
to 1.  It follows perfectly.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ

Ed wrote:

Hello to all:

I have a SDR 1000 and would like to purchase a Steppir antenna.  They sell a
transceiver interface that allows the antenna to tune itself to the
frequency that the radio is on.  Does anyone know if the SDR 1000 can
accommodate a cable that goes to the Steppir interface and if so what radio
does it emulate as Steppir makes a variety of cables to attach to a
particular radio?

Thanks to all

Ed W3ETC 



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Re: [Flexradio] Help - More

[Tom Thompson]

Kevin,

The Altec Lansing VS2220 speakers are good and seem to be RFI immune.

Tom  W0IVJ

Kevin Hobbs wrote:

Hi All;

 

I would like to thank everyone for their expertise and suggestions in trying
to help me get my SDR running. It is great to get support!

 

For those who care . here is where I am at now. As you may recall . I was
receiving signals, just nowhere near where they should have been in
frequency. I tore the whole thing apart and rebuilt using a 100MHz Precision
Osc and left out the PA and ATU. Everything now receives bang on. I suspect
that there were some ground and power issues with badly crimped lugs.

 

Now I have a new issue. TX seems fine (1W) on HF, except when I switch to
6m. On 6m there seems to a squeal with the mic connected? RF feedback on 6m
but nowhere else . anyone seen anything similar?

 

While I am asking stupid questions . here are some more general ones:

 

Anyone have a recommended powered speaker setup? From what I read, it seemed
powered speakers were the only option. I sorta think most PC amplified
speakers are crap. Opinions / recommendations? Same thing for headphones .
ie: Heil? Drive direct or?

 

 

73 de Kevin, VE3KH

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Re: [Flexradio] Image Null Calibration.

[Tom Thompson]

Build a simple crystal or LC oscillator fom the ARRL handbook.

Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

Jim Lux wrote:

At 12:02 PM 9/14/2006, Tim Ellison wrote:
  

 Eric said:
No typo here.  It is useful to have a stronger signal than -73dBm when
doing the image calibration.

So anyone have a good recommendation for a stable signal generator that
won't break the bank?



I assume the Elecraft unit has a pad to get the level down to sub 
nanowatt levels?  Why not remove or change the pads.

There are a fair number of inexpensive quiet oscillators out 
there.  If you aren't concerned about frequency accuracy, then any of 
the inexpensive low jitter clock oscillator modules would work.  You 
can follow it with a pad, a LC BPF, and a pad.  Minicircuits sells 
inexpensive IF filters for, e.g. 10.7 MHz, and they do quite nicely 
for removing harmonics from a 10MHz source.

If you want good frequency accuracy, low phase noise, and a bunch of 
power, what about a 10 MHz OCXO from someone like Wenzel or surplus 
HP/Agilent unit.




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Re: [Flexradio] SVN653

[Tom Thompson]

José,

I experienced a similar problem with SVN 652 , and I found that under 
Setup-Options my X2 delay was set to 1000 ms.

I hope this helps.

73   Tom   WØIVJ

José Dumoulin wrote:

Hi Friends

I am using SVN 653. When clicking mox or pressing the PTT, I note a 
certain latency before the relay closes. I have not this behaviour with 
previous builds. Anybody ?

73
José F5JD

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Re: [Flexradio] ALC for use with QRO external amp?

[Tom Thompson]

Jerry,

The ALC on an amplifier is a feedback path from the amp to the exciter 
that holds the amp output to a certain level by reducing the exciter 
output and thus the drive to the amp.  ALC will not protect the amp 
from  a high SWR condition.  Most amps these days have over drive 
protection and high reflected power protection.  I am driving a 
homebrew, kilowatt amp that uses a pair of MRF-154's with the SDR-1000 
with no problems.  Your Quadra uses 8 MRF-150's which are very similar.  
Those transistors are very robust.  They are speced at 30:1 SWR at all 
phase angles.  I think you will be fine.

Tom   W0IVJ

Jerry Flanders wrote:

I am considering using an SDR1000 as driver for my Quadra amp.

In looking over the SDR1000 docs, I can't find a way to hook up my 
Quadra's ALC control line to the SDR1000.

My present setup uses a 756PRO, which provides an ALC input jack so 
that an external amp can make the 756PRO cut the drive in case of a 
disaster in the antenna, etc, which might otherwise let the smoke out 
of the amp.

I see ALC referred to in the SDR1000 docs, but apparently only as an 
internal control signal. As far as I can see, that ALC is not used 
with a QRO external amp. Is there any provision for external ALC control??

Jerry W4UK


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Re: [Flexradio] Voltage on X2 pins when SDR1000 is off

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Joe,

I didn't see any replies to your question, so I thought I'd comment.  I 
do not think the open collector driver on X2 will be damaged if it has 
13.8 v on its collector while the SDR is powered off provided the SDR 
and the 13.8 v source share a common ground.  There will be no base 
current into the X2 open collector transistor when the SDR is off which 
is the same condition as when the transistor not being energized.  The 
13.8 v should be applied to the collector through some current limiting 
load, so the current will be ok even if the transistor is turned on 
which is the normal turn on state.

Hope this helps...73   Tom   W0IVJ

Joe Barger wrote:

A quick question.  Is it OK to have voltage (+13v) applied to the open 
collector control signals on X2 when the SDR1000 is powered off?  Or will that 
fry the open collector output since it's not biased correctly?  Should I use 
the +5v on X2 pin 14 to control a relay that enables the +13v so no voltage is 
applied to the X2 pins if the SDR1000 is off?

Thanks

joe N6KK
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Re: [Flexradio] Flex announces collaboration with K6JCA

[Tom Thompson]

I, also, use Jeff's console exclusively, and am pleased to here the good 
news.

State of the art ?  Hummm... I think Jeff is being very straightforward
about all this. He designed the interface for his own personal use. It is
not a fully windows compliant interface. Flex needs to be very carful about
this when they approach implementing parts of it in the existing (commercial
product). Issues such as aspect ratio, screen resolution, and dot pixel size
are not implemented to operate on any desktop but the one on Jeffs desk.
(for example try chaning your Display Properties/Advanced/DPI setting/ to
120DPI and see what happens..)

Don't get me wrong here, I think all the bells and whistles are great, and
I am a firm Flex fan and support the project 100 per cent, so no flames
please. I am just pointing out some things that need to be considered so the
release version of the Flex Consol works across all platforms.

73s -Dan

And I believe that is why it will be a collaboration.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ





[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  

Jeff did  a marvelous RD job. Jeff used to tell us that he is
really a hardware engineer and he was just hacking on the
console. Well Jeff, your just hacking has become the
state-of-the-art!  Jeff, thank you for listening to Alan K2WS and



State of the art ?  Hummm... I think Jeff is being very straightforward
about all this. He designed the interface for his own personal use. It is
not a fully windows compliant interface. Flex needs to be very carful about
this when they approach implementing parts of it in the existing (commercial
product). Issues such as aspect ratio, screen resolution, and dot pixel size
are not implemented to operate on any desktop but the one on Jeffs desk.
(for example try chaning your Display Properties/Advanced/DPI setting/ to
120DPI and see what happens..)

Don't get me wrong here, I think all the bells and whistles are great, and
I am a firm Flex fan and support the project 100 per cent, so no flames
please. I am just pointing out some things that need to be considered so the
release version of the Flex Consol works across all platforms.

73s -Dan


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Re: [Flexradio] peak power 12 volts dc

[Tom Thompson]

Bill,

The peak current should be equal to the steady state current at 100 
watts.  At 13.8 volts and 100 watts the current is about 7 amps.  If you 
figure the efficiency at about 50% that would be about 14 amps.  My 
Astron current meter measured it at 10 amps so, either the efficiency is 
better than 50% or the meter is wrong.  By the way, my Kenwood TS-450 
measures 15 amps.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Bill Nagle wrote:

does anyone know the peak current at 13.8vdc that the flex uses at full 
power through its 100 watt amp?


Bill Nagle
[EMAIL PROTECTED]




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Re: [Flexradio] Audio Amp for receive

[Tom Thompson]

Brian,

I tried several, but the one that worked the best (no RFI because no 
wallwart) were the Altec Lansing VS2220.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

John Basilotto wrote:

I actually use my Pansonic SA-AK22 CD stereo system. I plug the output from
my D44 sound card into the AUX jack and have  incredible sound coming from
the speakers, and no RFI. May be overkill but sure sounds great.

John P. Basilotto
W5GI
Marketing and Product Manager
FlexRadio Systems
Office 512-250-8595
Mobile 512-663-6727

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Radio Station W5AMI
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 12:47 PM
To: Flex Radio
Subject: [Flexradio] Audio Amp for receive

I wanted to ask the list members for a recommendation on an outboard
audio amp to drive a pair of nice speakers that has proven to be
resistant to RFI before I went out and bought something.  I have
considered building a tube amp using a pair of 6V6's, or 6AQ5's in
push-pull output, but after pricing some good inter-stage and P-P
output xfmr's, I've had second thoughts.

I really want something to give me the freq. response the SDR1K can
deliver when I choose to listen in that mode.

Good speaker suggestions are also very welcome.  My main concern is RF
getting into the amp if I run the legal limit power.  Any suggestions
or recommendations will be much appreciated.

By the way, I'm using the Delta 44 on my Flex, but I figure most any
consumer or pro level audio amp would work fine with the output on the
D-44 with proper adustment from -10 to +4 dB in the M-Audio console.

TIA
Brian / w5ami

--
There is nothing more uncommon than common sense. -- Frank Lloyd Wright

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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Jeff,

I tried reducing the dma buffer size to 512, but it did not help.  What 
did help was to reduce the X2 delay from 60 to 30.  I think Bob and 
Frank are still working on this.  Bob placed a new version (1.6.3 svn: 
560) on the server.  It had the pop problem solved, but there were some 
other issues with audio motor boating and buffer sizes.  Knowing this 
community, a good solution will be forthcoming soon.  Thanks for the 
suggestion.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


Jeff Anderson wrote:

Hi Tom,

Are you using the Delta 44 card?  If so, try changing its DMA Buffer size to
512 samples.  Note:  you *cannot* access this third buffer (the other two
being the SDR1K Audio buffer and DSP buffer) from the SDR1K Console Setup
menues.  Instead, you must launch the M-Audio Control Panel from your
computer's Task Bar (on my computer this is the bar at the bottom of the
screen, and the M-Audio Control Panel is a small icon on its right-hand
side).  You'll find this buffer under Hardware Settings in this control
panel.

I'd had exactly the same problem on my computer, and this fixed it.

Best of luck!

- Jeff, K6JCA


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tom Thompson
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:33 PM
To: Robert McGwier
Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] audio pop


Bob,

I downloaded 1.6.3 svn 560 and the pop is gone with  the dma buffer set
to 2048, the audio buffer to 1024, and the dsp buffer to 2048 with the
sampling rate at 96000.  When I set the dsp buffer to anything smaller
than 2048, the audio motorboats.  However, if I set the audio buffer to
2048, the dsp buffer can be set all the way to 256 without
motorboating.  I just do not understand the relatioship between these
buffers well enough to know if this is really a malfunction or not.

On the X2 delay issue, I thought the delay was to enable one to key an
external amplifier before the SDR put out any RF and then to turn the
SDR off before the external amplifier was switched  from the antenna,
and the delay was in milliseconds.  It appears that that is exactly what
is happening when the SDR is keyed.  When the SDR is unkeyed, the RF and
X2 relay keying drop off together, but the tone during tune remains for
the delay time.  I set the X2 delay to one second so I could better tell
what is happening.  Under normal operating conditions this is not a
problem.  The only reason I mention it is maybe that is not the way you
intended it to be.

Thank you for all the effort on this.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ




  



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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

Bob and Eric,

I reduced the dma buffer size on the Delta 44 to 512 as suggested.  This 
fixed the flutter, but the pop is still there on all audio tab settings 
except 2048 and 48000.  None of this occurs on svn 537 even with the dma 
buffer set to 2048.

Tom   W0IVJ

Robert McGwier wrote:

 In the task bar,  on the bottom right,  there is a little black 
 trapezoidal looking M for your M-Audio control panel.  It should on 
 the task bar over by the clock.  Double click on it.  There is a DMA 
 buffer size setting there.   If it is larger than 512,  please 
 decrease it to 512 and try this again.

 This all probably needs better documentation than we currently have.  
 We really did do major league surgery on the way things worked by 
 removing a few unnecessary lines of protection.  This in turn revealed 
 other levels of poor coding on our part.   There may still be a 
 easter egg or two we need to remove!

 Bob



 Tom Thompson wrote:

 Bob,

 I am using the Delta 44 card with the buffer size on the audio tab 
 set to 2048.  The sampling rate is 96000 and the manual latency is 
 unchecked.  My dsp buffer is 2048.  I found that on the new release 
 that if I decrease the buffer size on the audio tab below 2048 the 
 audio flutters.  If I decrease the sampling rate to 48000 the flutter 
 frequency halves.  The only combination of sampling rate and buffer 
 size that I get no pop and no flutter is 48000 and 2048.  I get audio 
 flutter on any buffer size below 2048 at either 96000 or 48000.

 On 1.6.2 svn 537, the audio never flutters, and I have to decrease 
 the buffer to 256 at 48000 for the pop to occure.  It will not pop at 
 256 with the sample rate at 96000.

 I hope this helps.

 73,   Tom   W0IVJ







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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

Bob and Eric,

Under careful scrutiny, the pop is there with the new release with 
settings of 48000 and 2048, but it is reduced.  I think that it is so 
fast that the 48000 sampling rate does not catch it all the time or at 
least at as great an amplitude.

Tom

Tom Thompson wrote:

Bob and Eric,

I reduced the dma buffer size on the Delta 44 to 512 as suggested.  This 
fixed the flutter, but the pop is still there on all audio tab settings 
except 2048 and 48000.  None of this occurs on svn 537 even with the dma 
buffer set to 2048.

Tom   W0IVJ

Robert McGwier wrote:

  

In the task bar,  on the bottom right,  there is a little black 
trapezoidal looking M for your M-Audio control panel.  It should on 
the task bar over by the clock.  Double click on it.  There is a DMA 
buffer size setting there.   If it is larger than 512,  please 
decrease it to 512 and try this again.

This all probably needs better documentation than we currently have.  
We really did do major league surgery on the way things worked by 
removing a few unnecessary lines of protection.  This in turn revealed 
other levels of poor coding on our part.   There may still be a 
easter egg or two we need to remove!

Bob



Tom Thompson wrote:



Bob,

I am using the Delta 44 card with the buffer size on the audio tab 
set to 2048.  The sampling rate is 96000 and the manual latency is 
unchecked.  My dsp buffer is 2048.  I found that on the new release 
that if I decrease the buffer size on the audio tab below 2048 the 
audio flutters.  If I decrease the sampling rate to 48000 the flutter 
frequency halves.  The only combination of sampling rate and buffer 
size that I get no pop and no flutter is 48000 and 2048.  I get audio 
flutter on any buffer size below 2048 at either 96000 or 48000.

On 1.6.2 svn 537, the audio never flutters, and I have to decrease 
the buffer to 256 at 48000 for the pop to occure.  It will not pop at 
256 with the sample rate at 96000.

I hope this helps.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ



  





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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

Sergey is correct.

Settings:
Card:  Delta 44
DMA buffer: 2048
Audio Buffer: 2048
Sample rate: 96000
X2 Delay: 30   60
Result:  No Pop   Pop

Tom   W0IVJ

Sergey Abramov wrote:

Hi,All.
My observations (svn 560)
1. Buffer Delta 44 - does not give change for audio pop.
   I continue to use 2048 for more smooth of the sound.



2. Buffer Audio - greater importance 2048 reduces time pop. Exactly so.

  

3. Buffe DSP - smaller importance completely avoids pop, 1024 and less.
   2048 suffers audio pop.
4. Big time X2 Delay - big audio pop.
I use new driver for Delta 44 v.5052



  

SDR1k 1W + Home Made PA
Pentium 4 D820(Dual) 2.8GHz, Delta44, WinXP Pro SP2



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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

OOPS,

DSP Buffer: 2048

Tom


Tom Thompson wrote:

Sergey is correct.

Settings:
Card:  Delta 44
DMA buffer: 2048
Audio Buffer: 2048
Sample rate: 96000
X2 Delay: 30   60
Result:  No Pop   Pop

Tom   W0IVJ

Sergey Abramov wrote:

  

Hi,All.
My observations (svn 560)
1. Buffer Delta 44 - does not give change for audio pop.
  I continue to use 2048 for more smooth of the sound.
   

  

2. Buffer Audio - greater importance 2048 reduces time pop. Exactly so.

 



3. Buffe DSP - smaller importance completely avoids pop, 1024 and less.
  2048 suffers audio pop.
4. Big time X2 Delay - big audio pop.
I use new driver for Delta 44 v.5052
   

  

 



SDR1k 1W + Home Made PA
Pentium 4 D820(Dual) 2.8GHz, Delta44, WinXP Pro SP2
   

  


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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

The X2 delay is certainly the key.  My svn 537 that was working had the 
X2 delay set to zero.  When I set it to a larger number the tone can be 
heard when switching from tune back to receive.  I appologize for the 
misleading with svn 537.

Tom,   W0IVJ


[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Frank,

I think you are on the right track here.  A working example of the problems
can be seen by setting X2 Delay to (say for example ) 200ms and then
pressing the TUNE button. You will notice that when you toggle OFF the tune
button you hear the CW side tone for whatever that delay amount is set to.
Also, when in SSB,  you can notice the last sylable of spoken words into
the mic, if you keep talking past exact point when you toggle off the PTT..
So something isn't quite right there..

-Dan

- Original Message -
From: Frank Brickle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] audio pop


  

Where is the value of top.swch.fade -- that's essentially the TRX
crossfade time, in samples -- being set? In the PowerSDR code I
can trace it back through setup_switching() to setup() but haven't
been able to find the call to setup() :-)

73
Frank
AB2KT

Tom Thompson wrote:


Bob and Eric,

Under careful scrutiny, the pop is there with the new release with
settings of 48000 and 2048, but it is reduced.  I think that it is so
fast that the 48000 sampling rate does not catch it all the time or at
least at as great an amplitude.

Tom

Tom Thompson wrote:


  

Bob and Eric,

I reduced the dma buffer size on the Delta 44 to 512 as suggested.  This
fixed the flutter, but the pop is still there on all audio tab settings
except 2048 and 48000.  None of this occurs on svn 537 even with the dma
buffer set to 2048.

Tom   W0IVJ

Robert McGwier wrote:






In the task bar,  on the bottom right,  there is a little black
trapezoidal looking M for your M-Audio control panel.  It should on
the task bar over by the clock.  Double click on it.  There is a DMA
buffer size setting there.   If it is larger than 512,  please
decrease it to 512 and try this again.

This all probably needs better documentation than we currently have.
We really did do major league surgery on the way things worked by
removing a few unnecessary lines of protection.  This in turn revealed
other levels of poor coding on our part.   There may still be a
easter egg or two we need to remove!

Bob



Tom Thompson wrote:




  

Bob,

I am using the Delta 44 card with the buffer size on the audio tab
set to 2048.  The sampling rate is 96000 and the manual latency is
unchecked.  My dsp buffer is 2048.  I found that on the new release
that if I decrease the buffer size on the audio tab below 2048 the
audio flutters.  If I decrease the sampling rate to 48000 the flutter
frequency halves.  The only combination of sampling rate and buffer
size that I get no pop and no flutter is 48000 and 2048.  I get audio
flutter on any buffer size below 2048 at either 96000 or 48000.

On 1.6.2 svn 537, the audio never flutters, and I have to decrease
the buffer to 256 at 48000 for the pop to occure.  It will not pop at
256 with the sample rate at 96000.

I hope this helps.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ








  

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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

Bob,

I downloaded 1.6.3 svn 560 and the pop is gone with  the dma buffer set 
to 2048, the audio buffer to 1024, and the dsp buffer to 2048 with the 
sampling rate at 96000.  When I set the dsp buffer to anything smaller 
than 2048, the audio motorboats.  However, if I set the audio buffer to 
2048, the dsp buffer can be set all the way to 256 without 
motorboating.  I just do not understand the relatioship between these 
buffers well enough to know if this is really a malfunction or not.

On the X2 delay issue, I thought the delay was to enable one to key an 
external amplifier before the SDR put out any RF and then to turn the 
SDR off before the external amplifier was switched  from the antenna, 
and the delay was in milliseconds.  It appears that that is exactly what 
is happening when the SDR is keyed.  When the SDR is unkeyed, the RF and 
X2 relay keying drop off together, but the tone during tune remains for 
the delay time.  I set the X2 delay to one second so I could better tell 
what is happening.  Under normal operating conditions this is not a 
problem.  The only reason I mention it is maybe that is not the way you 
intended it to be.

Thank you for all the effort on this.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ


Robert McGwier wrote:

 Please let me know if the code I checked in fixed the problem.  Thanks 
 for the hint Frank.

 Bob



 Tom Thompson wrote:

 The X2 delay is certainly the key.  My svn 537 that was working had 
 the X2 delay set to zero.  When I set it to a larger number the tone 
 can be heard when switching from tune back to receive.  I appologize 
 for the misleading with svn 537.

 Tom,   W0IVJ


 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  

 Frank,

 I think you are on the right track here.  A working example of the 
 problems
 can be seen by setting X2 Delay to (say for example ) 200ms and then
 pressing the TUNE button. You will notice that when you toggle OFF 
 the tune
 button you hear the CW side tone for whatever that delay amount is 
 set to.
 Also, when in SSB,  you can notice the last sylable of spoken 
 words into
 the mic, if you keep talking past exact point when you toggle off 
 the PTT..
 So something isn't quite right there..

 -Dan

 - Original Message -
 From: Frank Brickle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
 Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 2:05 PM
 Subject: Re: [Flexradio] audio pop


  



 Where is the value of top.swch.fade -- that's essentially the TRX
 crossfade time, in samples -- being set? In the PowerSDR code I
 can trace it back through setup_switching() to setup() but haven't
 been able to find the call to setup() :-)

 73
 Frank
 AB2KT

 Tom Thompson wrote:
   
   





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Re: [Flexradio] audio pop

[Tom Thompson]

By the way, Bob, I am giving a talk and demonstration of the SDR-1000 
next month to the Madison, WI radio club.  I am giving the talk from 
Boulder using VNC and phone patching my audio and the SDR audio through 
a speaker phone.  I will not fail to mention that in only a few hours 
from when I mentioned this bug, not only was there discussion from hams 
all over the world, but there was a fix to download.  Hell, you can't 
even get through to most help desks in that amount of time, much less 
get a fix!  Keep up the good work.

Tom   W0IVJ


Tom Thompson wrote:

Bob,

I downloaded 1.6.3 svn 560 and the pop is gone with  the dma buffer set 
to 2048, the audio buffer to 1024, and the dsp buffer to 2048 with the 
sampling rate at 96000.  When I set the dsp buffer to anything smaller 
than 2048, the audio motorboats.  However, if I set the audio buffer to 
2048, the dsp buffer can be set all the way to 256 without 
motorboating.  I just do not understand the relatioship between these 
buffers well enough to know if this is really a malfunction or not.

On the X2 delay issue, I thought the delay was to enable one to key an 
external amplifier before the SDR put out any RF and then to turn the 
SDR off before the external amplifier was switched  from the antenna, 
and the delay was in milliseconds.  It appears that that is exactly what 
is happening when the SDR is keyed.  When the SDR is unkeyed, the RF and 
X2 relay keying drop off together, but the tone during tune remains for 
the delay time.  I set the X2 delay to one second so I could better tell 
what is happening.  Under normal operating conditions this is not a 
problem.  The only reason I mention it is maybe that is not the way you 
intended it to be.

Thank you for all the effort on this.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ


Robert McGwier wrote:

  

Please let me know if the code I checked in fixed the problem.  Thanks 
for the hint Frank.

Bob



Tom Thompson wrote:



The X2 delay is certainly the key.  My svn 537 that was working had 
the X2 delay set to zero.  When I set it to a larger number the tone 
can be heard when switching from tune back to receive.  I appologize 
for the misleading with svn 537.

Tom,   W0IVJ


[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 

  

Frank,

I think you are on the right track here.  A working example of the 
problems
can be seen by setting X2 Delay to (say for example ) 200ms and then
pressing the TUNE button. You will notice that when you toggle OFF 
the tune
button you hear the CW side tone for whatever that delay amount is 
set to.
Also, when in SSB,  you can notice the last sylable of spoken 
words into
the mic, if you keep talking past exact point when you toggle off 
the PTT..
So something isn't quite right there..

-Dan

- Original Message -
From: Frank Brickle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] audio pop


 

   



Where is the value of top.swch.fade -- that's essentially the TRX
crossfade time, in samples -- being set? In the PowerSDR code I
can trace it back through setup_switching() to setup() but haven't
been able to find the call to setup() :-)

73
Frank
AB2KT

Tom Thompson wrote:
  
  
  





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Re: [Flexradio] Improved CW Performance SDR 1000

[Tom Thompson]

Lee,

Is there a problem with creating IMD products withe the 1N4007's at the 
input of the receiver, or are they too slow to cause a problem?

73,   Tom   W0IVJ

Lee A Crocker wrote:

I reviewed the K-2 100W PA diode switching circuit. 
It's a very clever idea, but it still would be quite
expensive and complicated compared to a simple relay
substitution.  The cost and complexity is not in the
1n4007 diodes, but in the surrounding control
circuitry and the +150V power supply you need to make
it work.

I was told the relays in the SDR were 3ms relays
except the relays in the PA.  Ten Tec uses relays in
its QSK T/R scheme even up to its high power amps and
they are not vacuum relays, so I can't see the
advantage of a $50+ 1N4007 diode circuit over a ten
bux substitution of fast drop-in relays.

73  W9OY 

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[Flexradio] SVN 531 meter problem

[Tom Thompson]

Eric,

In SVN 531 the S-meter will not return as an S-meter after pushing the 
MOX button.  It stays in the ALC mode.

Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] SVN 531 meter problem

[Tom Thompson]

You're right, Tim.  After I sent the email, I discovered that.

Tom   W0IVJ

Tim Ellison wrote:

Actually, it stays in what ever mode the TX meter was in prior to
transmitting; mic, forward power, etc

-Tim
---
Tim Ellison ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] )
Integrated Technical Services ( http://www.itsco.com )


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Thompson
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2006 7:51 PM
To: FlexRadio - Eric
Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] SVN 531 meter problem

Eric,

In SVN 531 the S-meter will not return as an S-meter after pushing the 
MOX button.  It stays in the ALC mode.

Tom   W0IVJ

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Re: [Flexradio] S-Meter calibration

[Tom Thompson]

Personally, I agree with Bob.  Having been a ham for 50+ years and an 
engineer for almost 40, I have always felt cheated when I left my lab at 
work where a measurement meant something and hooked my various receivers 
up to the same antenna and got drastically different readings.  Art 
Collins certainly must have felt some of the same frustration when he 
set out to standardize what S-9 meant in terms of signal level at the 
antenna teminals.  Measuring AGC voltage was the best that those radios 
and a lot of the newer radios could do.  When I first got  my SDR and 
discovered that switching the preamp in did not change the S-meter, my 
reaction was... FINALLY!  Now, when someone complains about a non 
inflated S-meter reading, I just give them their signal strength in dbm, 
and tell them exactly what S-9 means on my radio and that it follows my 
HP 8640B perfectly on the panadapter.  I have to admit, however, most do 
not appreciate this feature as much as I do.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Bob McGwier wrote:

I respectively disagree and have no plans to change it.  We are 
attempting to have the world's most accurate receiver S meter and what 
we want to measure is the SIGNAL PRESENT ON THE ANTENNA,  not the signal 
after the antenna and preamp or attenuator.

Basically  with me,  this is an OMDB situation.

Apologies for the disagreement,
Bob
N4HY




Radio Station W5AMI wrote:
  

On 6/6/06, FlexRadio - Eric [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  


Mike is right.  We take care of the Preamp setting in the calibration.  :)


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

  

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I've been thinking about the
S-Meter/Pre-amp calibration issue.  To me, it makes no sense to
calibrate to S-9 with a 50uV signal TO all four settings of the
pre-amp.



BTW, a 20 dB attenuator would in every case I've ever seen, drop the
S-meter readings by 20 dB.

w5ami





  


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of Mike Naruta
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 8:46 PM
To: Brian Sherrod
Cc: flexradio
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] S-Meter calibration

I think I recall that the routine calibrates at
the different settings of the preamp sequentially.
See if you can catch the preamp changes.

What a fun rig!


Mike - AA8K



Brian Sherrod wrote:
  


Howdy Flexers,

I just had a thought about calibrating my S-Meter and wondered if I
should turn off the preamp first, or does it do this during
calibration?  Seems to me that the S-Meter should be calibrated with
no preamp, but maybe I'm wrong.  That happens to me as I get older ;)

TIA

Brian / w5ami


  

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Re: [Flexradio] Does anyone have harold Bissonett's phone number.

[Tom Thompson]

John,

QRZ.com has his address listed as [EMAIL PROTECTED]  .

73   Tom   W0IVJ

John Basilotto wrote:

I'm trying to reach Harold Bissonett KD5RD and would appreciate contact
info. I cant seem to get through on email.Kd5rd

John P. Basilotto
W5GI
Marketing and Product Manager
FlexRadio Systems
Office 512-250-8595
Mobile 512-663-6727




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Re: [Flexradio] Controlling Steppir with SDR1000

[Tom Thompson]

Jim,

You are correct.  I meant RS485 instesd of  RS432.

The ethernet idea is a good one.  Netmedia  ( http://netmedia.com ) 
makes a small 24-pin chip that looks like ethernet on one side and RS232 
on the other.  They, also, include some software that makes it look like 
a web server on the internet side.  That might make a nice easy 
interface for a lot of devices.  I believe some of the Remote guys are 
using something like this as I recall from a QST article some time ago.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


Jim Lux wrote:

 At 07:08 AM 6/6/2006, Tom Thompson wrote:

 Joe,

 When you order the SteppIR, specify the Kenwood cable unless you want to
 build your own.  Building your own is very simple and certainly
 cheaper.  Also, when I first hooked my SDR to the SteppIR, I was trying
 to run it at 4800 baud.  The CAT was not reliable at that rate back
 then.  It would not reliably get all the characters out of its buffer.
 Setting the baud rate at 9600 baud works just fine.

 With more and more equipment working from the computer, RS232 is not the
 answer.  A bus structure like Yaesu and I believe Icom uses is better.


 Except that CI-V, etc. are very slow.. and require interfaces that 
 aren't common (granted, you can build an inexpensive adapters, but off 
 the shelf, they're more expensive).

 I would advocate using something like ethernet.  Multimaster, very 
 inexpensive ($20) to include in hardware these days with modules from 
 a variety of sources, and for those things that need adapters, at 
 least you're adapting to a worldwide standard.

 At least an RS432


 (422,485, I would think)

 is needed because more than one talker on the bus is
 allowed.  Even then some sort of bus arbitration is needed.  Eventually,
 there will be a simple, uniform protocal for this, but if it is out
 there, I don't know about it.


 There are a variety of standards for multidrop control buses (often 
 using RS485 as the electrical standard).. There are also faster 
 electrical interfaces like CANbus (which is a bit pricey for hacking 
 use, although since cars are using it more and more, there are 
 inexpensive hobby friendly implementations coming out.  Try googling 
 for CANbus CarPC


   When that happens, the CAT control can be
 made to conform to this protocal, and all of our devices like antennas,
 SteppIR, rotators, etc, wil be easy to control.


 Well, at least you'll have a place to start.

 Jim





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Re: [Flexradio] Controlling Steppir with SDR1000

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Joe,

The SDR-1000 can definitely be interfaced with the 3-el SteppIR.

73   Tom   W0IVJ

Joe - AB1DO wrote:

Hi all,

I know this has come up before, but I couldn't find it in the searchable 
archive. So apologies in advance.

I am considering purchasing a 3 el steppir and was wondering if the steppir 
control box with transceiver interface can be interfaced with the SDR-1000 (I 
know it can to conventional rigs) and if so then could someone explain to me 
how this is done? 

I assume that it is possible given that FlexRadio and Steppir combined 
forces recently at the Visalia DX Convention.


73 de Joe - AB1DO

Configuration:
Dell Dimension 4700 /w 3GHz P4 HT + 1GB DDR2 SDRAM + Intel 915G Express + 
XPHomeSP2
SDR-1000 + RFE + 100W PA + USB Adapter
Delta-44 + Break-out kit
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Re: [Flexradio] Controlling Steppir with SDR1000

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Joe,

The SteppIR control box needs a hard serial connection from the 
transceiver for control.  I connected the SteppIR to a hard serial port 
in the computer and then configured the CAT in the SDR to look like a 
Kenwood at 9600 baud using the COM port that I had the SteppIR control 
box connected to.  I then set up the SteppIR control box to interface to 
a Kenwood at 9600 baud.  That was all there was to it.  The SteppIR 
control box sends an IF command once a second and the SDR CAT responds 
with frequency information (among other things) and the SteppIR adjusts 
the elements accordingly.  The SteppIR control box is set to the General 
Coverage mode.  This results in a continuous resonate Yagi for all 
frequencies between 13.5 MHz and 50 MHz.  It is really fun to listen to 
foreign broadcast with this capability.

I hope this helps.

73   Tom   W0IVJ


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Re: [Flexradio] Time out?

[Tom Thompson]

Richard,

I have had the same problem.  I found a free timer that will reboot your 
computer at time out.  I set it for 10 minutes and if I knock myself off 
the internet, the computer just reboots which restores control and you 
can then reset the SDR1000.  The url is:

http://www.zen85473.zen.co.uk/T_Shutdown.exe

Hope this helps,

73,   Tom   W0IVJ


richard allen wrote:

Eric,

Is there still a timeout in the transmitter/  I am having a problem with
my remote operation.  When I run on 80 meters where my swr is a bit high
and sometimes the rf gets into my cable modem and shuts down my remote
control.  This has happened several time when I had my key down and I
lost control with the transmitter running.

I seem to remember we had a time out at one time.  Do you remember it or
was it in the old VB version?

Regards,
Richard


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Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff,

Occasionally I have been transmitting SSB but what comes out is DSB.  
This can be cured by reseating the 3.5 mm connectors on the SDR.  This 
may be causing your intermittent CW problem.

Tom   W0IVJ


Jeff Anderson wrote:

I recently came across a CW Transmit problem while running the official Flex 
1.6.1 code, and Eric at Flex has tried to replicate it but has not had any 
luck.  And I'm wondering if anyone else has seen it, or could keep a lookout 
for it occuring.
   
  The problem is this - sometimes (infrequently) when transmitting CW, the 
 Transmit RF envelope will look as though it has AM modulation on it, rather 
 than being a nice, clean continuous-wave envelope.
   
  Why is this a problem, you may ask?
   
  What seems to be happening is that, whenever the CW RF waveform appears to 
 have modulation on its envelope, what's really occuring is that the Line Out 
 Audio I  Q channels from the soundcard to the SDR1K radio no longer have a 
 90 degree relationship.  The phase delta is something other than 90 degrees 
 (and this new phase value appears to be random). 
   
  The result is that I'm not just sending at one frequency, but two!  For 
 example, if my CW Pitch is set to 600 Hz, I end up transmiting on both the 
 intended frequency and one 1200 Hz (i.e. 2 * 600) away.  That is, I 
 simultaneously transmit on CWL and CWU, rather than on only one or the other. 
  
   
  Clearly this is not a good thing to have happen. 
   
  When it occurs, this envelope-type effect will continue as long as the unit 
 is in Transmit mode (affecting dots and dashes alike), but, if the SDR1000 
 then returns to receive, chances are, when I transmit again, it'll be back to 
 normal.
   
  For example, I just ran a test on my radio.  From the time I left Standby 
 mode, it took me 53 transmit-receive cycles (in which a cycle consists of 
 going completely back to receive before retransmitting) before the problem 
 occured.  It then occured again after another 34 cycles, and then again after 
 another 83 cycles.
   
  Later it occured twice within 22 cycles, and once after only 5 cycles -  its 
 occurance seems to be random.
   
  But it does occur, and because of that, it's keeping me off CW.
   
  I've also replicated this problem with the 1.6.0 release, but have not seen 
 it with 1.4.4.
   
  I'm running a stock Dell computer that I purchased from Flex along with my 
 SDR1K last October.  The only other software that's running is my wireless 
 network software.  And I'm using the Delta 44 card.  So there's nothing about 
 my system which would appear to me to be out of the ordinary.
   
  The radio itself is setup as follows:
   
  Audio:
Buffer:  2048
SoundCard:  Delta 44
Sample Ratte:  96 Ksps.
   
  DSP:  
Buffer Size: 2048 (but this doesn't seem to matter).
   
  Keyer:  
Primary:  SDR
Secondary:  None
   
Semi-Breakin:  Enabled
Weight:  50
Ramp:  5 ms.
   
  My paddles are plugged into the back of the SDR1K, and I've unchecked 
 Iambic so that I can use them as a handkey.
   
  The only reliable way to observe if the problem is occuring is to monitor 
 your RF with an oscilloscope (although you may also be able to see the 
 problem if you have a good spectrum analyzer (or a second SDR1K)).   
   
  If you don't observe your RF waveform, you may never know if this problem is 
 occuring !
   
  If you can monitor your transmit waveform, if/when this problem occurs 
 you'll see what looks like AM modulation on the CW envelope.  (The depth of 
 this modulation varies with the incorrectness of the phase delta between 
 the I  Q signals.)
   
  I'm stumped as to what could be the cause of this problem.  I find it hard 
 to imagine that it's something specific to my system, given that the system 
 is stock, but then again, who knows!  
   
  Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.
   
  Thanks, and 73,
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA

   
   
   
  
 
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Re: [Flexradio] Best speakers for SDR1K

[Tom Thompson]

Stan,

I have used several amplified speakers with the SDR1000.  Most have 
required ferrite cores (F114-77 from Palomar or Bytemark) on the power 
and signal leads to get rid of the RF when using high power.  Currently 
I am using the Altec Lansing VS2220 speakers available from Office Max 
for $30.  These speakers have the AC power supply built in instead of 
using a wall wart and seem to be immune to high RF fields with no 
ferrites needed.


Hope this helps.
73   Tom   W0IVJ

Stan C. wrote:


Hi gang.
  Just tried to run the SDR with some power (1KW or so) and got lots of feedback through the PC speakers. I then tried it with headphones.not as bad but still there. 
  
  So...anyone else have RF issues? What is a good speaker(s) to use with the rig? I am using the FireBox by the way. I know it says to use amplified speakers in the manual, but it seems to me that amplified speaker would pick up more RF
  
 Thanks for input,Stan

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Re: [Flexradio] New - 23 April WA6AHL Console

[Tom Thompson]

Jeff,

I think your console is superb.  It is easy to use and is well 
engineered, especially from the human interface standpoint.  It is my 
default console at this point.  Considering that you are a hardware 
engineer, you have come a long way in the software field.


You have indicated that you desire feedback on the operation.  When you 
try to type a frequency in directly, an unhandled exception is generated 
with the following details:


** Exception Text **
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Index and count must refer to a 
location within the string.

Parameter name: count
  at System.String.Remove(Int32 startIndex, Int32 count)
  at PowerSDR.Console.set_UpdateVFOAFreq(String value)
  at PowerSDR.Console.Console_KeyDown(Object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnKeyDown(KeyEventArgs e)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ProcessKeyEventArgs(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.ProcessKeyPreview(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ProcessKeyMessage(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmKeyChar(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message m)
  at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, 
IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)



By the way...one suggestion, if you think it is worthwhile, would be to 
provide a means to get back to a given profile after transferring the 
receive filter to the transmit filter.  Also, the new transmit filter 
maybe should be indicated in the setup tab after transferring it.


Keep up the good work...you are doing a fine job!!

73 Tom   W0IVJ

Jeff Anderson wrote:


I've received some great suggestions regarding Console features.  I've been 
picking the low-hanging fruit and have implemented those.  (Some of the other 
suggestions I'd love to also implement, but...nout sure if I yet know how).
  
 Anyway...I've just placed on www.hamsdr.com a PowerSDR.exe file (dated 23 April 06) with the following new features:

 Fixed a bug which caused the Snap Line to not appear unless you first 
changed its color in the Setup menu.
  
 Front Panel RF Slider (and the RF up/down control) now also controls the FIXED RF gain level whenfixd AGC is selected.
  
 In the Display, the labels for the Vertical Grid can be set to show their actual frequencies (rather than the offset from the vfo), and, in this mode, the grid can either remain static, or it can move as you tune. Go to Setup-Appearances.
  
 The Band Edges are identified (and their color can be set). Go to Setup-Appearances.
  
 TX Filter Limits (when show filter is checked) now move with XIT and when SPLIT is selected.
  
 The cursor when in VFO B mode can have a different color than the normal color. Go to Setup-Appearances.
  
 The three Least Significant Digits of both VFO A and VFO B are now a different size from the other digits.
  
  
 Before installing this new .exe file, you should already have the 19 April 06 version up and running.  Then just replace the 19 Apr 06 version of PowerSDR.exe with this latest (23 Apr 06) version.
  
 Let me know if you find any bugs!
  
 73,
  
 - Jeff, WA6AHL


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Re: [Flexradio] Linux Wishes

[Tom Thompson]

Bob,

Since I hear Linux pronounced L-eye-nux and L-i-nux, I want to get off 
on the right foot :)  How do you pronounce the African word Ubuntu?


Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

Robert McGwier wrote:


w2agn wrote:
 

I see all the Linux discussion, which is interesting. I run both Linux 
and Win2000. About the only thing I run Windows for any more is the SDR 
Console. What I would like is to be able to run my SDR-1000 from Linux, 
just as I do from Win2000. I set up Jack at one time and dTTSP, but 
never could figure out how to get it to work with the SDR-1000. At the 
risk of being considered an idiot, I would just like a nice GUI that 
would run my SDR-1000 without having to leave Linux.
 
   


Then you can be an idiot with the rest of us because we would like that too!

Bob N4HY

 

Re: [Flexradio] Am I Missing Something? Or Is Everyone?

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Dan,

Don't cancel your order.  What I understand from Gerald is that he is trying to 
hit a happy medium between the tinkerers and the users.  I have heard several 
people who have read the reflector say that the radio has too many bugs for 
them.  I think the open discussion on the reflector sometimes gives the wrong 
impression, and Gerald is trying to mitigate this and hit a happy medium.  I 
think that the Alpha versions will be on the SVN server, but the Beta versions 
will still be public.  Quoting Gerald in his email:

We will publish Beta on our public site
when sufficient features warrant and when we have rung it out with those of
you who want to Alpha test.

73,

Tom   W0IVJ




[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I have a Flex on order,.. It is due to ship in a couple of three weeks.

Part of my purchasing decision was to have ready access to source and Beta
releases.

I'll call Gerald Monday moring and explain that he can cancel my order if I
have to deal with SVN.

So there!  IS that a simple enough business decision for Gerald?

-Dan  K6KDK


- Original Message -
From: Dale Richardson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Don AE5K [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2006 8:35 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Am I Missing Something? Or Is Everyone?


  

I must agree with Don on this. I really like using and playing with the
beta versions. It is the joy of experimenting that makes the SDR unique.
There needs to be an easier way to download and use the beta versions. I
also agree with Gerald along the lines of business sense. One has to
present the SDR as stable and ready to go to the majority of operators.
That being said, I still like the idea of easy downloads of beta versions.
73,
Dale AA5XE

Don AE5K wrote:



At the risk of getting my hands slapped (yes, this list now has a bunch
of Thou Shall Nots... which are hard to keep up with)...

In a recent communication to this list, Gerald wrote:



  

That is to publish BOTH the source and the executable code on
the SVN server and you will have access.  You do NOT need to compile any
code to get and run the latest.




Sounds good!

So, I believed Gerald and decided to try out the very latest alpha.  I
am sorely unexperienced with Subversion, but have TortoiseSVN installed
on my Windows 2000 machine that I've been using in the past to run
PowerSDR.  Briefly, here are my experiences last evening:

1. Made a directory to hold the svn stuff and clicked on the only thing
I could find that would download from the URI given by Tim E. the other
day.  Lucky I have a DSL connection out here in the boondocks of the
Ozarks ... it took more than several minutes.  Ended up with 95.9 MB
(with 172 MB of disk space taken up) in the directory, including 5660
files and 714 folders!

2. Made my way to the release folder under trunk-bin and found a
powersdr.exe.  Clicking on it started up the wisdom program for a
few minutes.  Then, instead of starting up the PowerSDR console, it told
me of a fatal error: File or assembly name
Microsoft.DirectX.DirectInput of one of its dependencies was not found

3. Copied powersdr.exe into it's own folder and started it.  Now I
consistently get a fatal error which starts out: The system cannot find
the file specified ... at
System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEX (ProcessStartInfo
startInfo) and continuing with 4 more lines similar.

Even though I might be considered a software type, my expertise is not
in the area of svn or MS Windows.

It used to be simple to try a new beta version.  Just download a couple
megabyte file and go.  Gerald, it just isn't that way any more!

What am I missing? (besides some files)  Maybe some good directions on
how to use subversion and to properly execute the latest alpha?  Or do
those who wish to try out the latest need to become software gurus?

I can accept the shift ... but I feel many of us are now left out.

73,
Don AE5K


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Re: [Flexradio] New member

[Tom Thompson]

Hi Brian,

Welcome to this most interesting adventure.  I am  glad to have you 
aboard.  This is one journey where the trip is everything since no one 
knows where we are going.  Enjoy.


73,

Tom   W0IVJ


Brian Sherrod wrote:


Hello All,

I am a new member of this reflector and soon to be a new SDR-1000 owner when 
the unit arrives.  I have been completely out of radio for about 5 years and 
decided to come back in with a totally new (to me) technology.  Being a 
collector of vintage gear for many years, this will be an interesting turn 
for me, however I am not new to computers as that is where my profession 
lies.


Anyway, I just wanted to drop a note to the group and say hello!  I live on 30 
acres north of Vilonia Arkansas.  Hope to work many of you in the near future 
on HF or VHF and above.  I operate mainly SSB, AM, and CW.  Have done some 
digital in the past, but not much.  Also interested in radio astronomy, in 
particular Solar and Jovian noise bursts in the area of 20MHz.  I think the 
SDR1K will really be handy for this application.


I should have my SDR1K w/D44 in a few weeks, and if there are any hints or 
things I should avoid on start-up, I would sure appreciate hearing from you.  
Of course I have been reading the manual over and over.


73
Brian / W5AMI

www.arksky.org


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Re: [Flexradio] RFI in SDR1000

[Tom Thompson]

Bill,

I had some RFI problems that I cured by wrapping the lines going into 
the SDR box around an F117-77 core using it as a common mode choke.  
Larry's solution is easier, so I would try it first.  Also, I have found 
that the 3.5 mm connectors will cause an echo if not seated correctly.

73,   Tom   W0IVJ

Larry Taft wrote:

If you are running the mic through the black box try doing it externally 
direct into the D-44.  I had the same problem until I wired up an 
amplified D104 (genuine chicken choker) direct to the D-44 input and 
hooked the PTT to the X2 connector.

If you have TWO L-4Bs I'm jealous!

Net on 14329 +/- KHz this afternoon at 1900 UTC.
73, Larry  K2LT

Bill Nagle wrote:
  

I am experiencing some severe r-f problems with the flex at any external 
linear amp power above 100 watts carrier (AM). When the rf feedback starts 
it causes a repeating echo in the listeners end receiver. The first echo is 
the normal flex delay but then it builds on itself into multiple echos.


There is no problem with my other setup in the same location using an 
ft1000d into a similar L4-b linear.

I have used the TDK ZCAT2035 clamp on rf chokes profusely around all of 
the cables in and out of the flex but the problem still exists.  Does anyone 
have a suggestion for a better choke than the tdk or other suggestions?

Setup is delta44 on a 2.8gig w/512m ram.


Bill Nagle
[EMAIL PROTECTED]




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Re: [Flexradio] TX Echo

[Tom Thompson]

Brian,

I have that occasionally, and reseating the 3.5 mm connectors on the SDR 
cures it.


Tom   W0IVJ

Brian Fredrickson wrote:

I have recently been receiving reports of a slight echo on my tx 
signal.  I can reduce the problem by turning off the leveler and winding 
back the microphone audio gain.  The problem with winding back the audio 
gain is of course that it reduces my power output.  Echo comes into play 
at the -25 Db level with the Tx meter set on Mic. I have reduced the 
audio buffers to 256 which makes a slight improvement but I cannot get 
rid of the echo completely. The echo is audible when I listen to my 
signal in a separate receiver.


Anybody have any ideas on where to next?  Running PowerSDR 1.6 SDR-1000 
100w, D44 card and Heil goldline microphone. 2.3 Ghz P4 PC.


Thanks

Brian ... VK1BF

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Re: [Flexradio] bandwidth, filters, CW keying speed, etc.

[Tom Thompson]

I may be way off base on this, but fools often wade in where angels fear 
to tread.  It seems to me that the limiting factor in the latency from, 
when  the last character is sent and the other station is heard, is the 
sampling rate of the sound card.  In order for the radio to start 
working on it's DSP routines, at least one buffer must be filled from 
the A/D.  All of the calculations then begin, and finally the buffer for 
the D/A must be filled for the transmitted tone to go out. Assuming a 
100 kHz sampling rate and a 1024 sample buffer, 20 ms is used up just 
for the two buffers.  I am assuming that all the DSP calculations can be 
done during one buffer time.  If not, double buffering must be used 
which adds even more time.  Gerald mentions in his original paper that 
double buffering was done on the A/D input and triple buffering was done 
on the D/A output.  Since Windows is not a real time operating system 
multiple buffers may have to be used to compensate for Windows is off 
doing something else.


Tom ThompsonW0IVJ



Lee A Crocker wrote:


I perceive the variability in TR as well.  I think the
way to think of this is to not consider QSK.  The way
to think of this is to consider how to control semi
break-in very precisely.  The reason designing for QSK
is a waste of time is because of the buckets and
buckets.  The ability to turn around between
characters or individual dits is not in the cards.  I
think rather what we should concentrate specifically
on the transition from T to R.  Shortening this time
is the essential need to keep the tick-tick nature of
a CW QSO going.  I worked many fine CW QSO's with a
TS-820S.  It never burped QSK in its life.  


Bob has an interesting solution.  He apparently uses a
K1EL keyer that sends 2 signals, one to run the PTT
and one to send the code and generate the side tone. 
I reviewed the K1EL literature on the K-12 keyer and

it has 3 output modes one that is normal and 1 that
has PTT control and audio (AFK) and one that has PTT
and CW output with no side tone.  


The ideal keyer to run this software would be one that
does PTT control very precisely sends out a variable
pitch side tone adjustable from say 250hz to 1khz so
you can match your side tone to your offset freq, and
a signal that actually makes the character, and some
means to make the software precisely understand these
signals and behave accordingly.  For side tone duties
you could just mix the side tone from the keyer into
the sound card.  I do this already with my firebox. 
To use the firebox to mix all you have to do is open
up the software mixer and turn on the correct inputs. 
I had to put an isolation transformer in my keyer

because the firebox didn't like a DC bias on its
input.  No big deal.

I do not believe that problem in the present system is
in any way due to mechanical limitation.  All of the
other radios cited use relays to go from T to R and
the switch is typically 6 to 10 times faster in the
other radios.


Once precise external software control is imp lamented
the limiting factor would then become the mechanical
factor and I believe the CW experience though not QSK
would be excellent.

73  Lee W9OY
 


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Re: [Flexradio] Problem

[Tom Thompson]

Mike wrote:


Fellow SDR users,

Here is a little quirk that popped up which you may file for future 
reference if needed.   Coincidently after installing ver15, I began having 
no transmit audio on 10 m, and only distorted audio output on 15 meters. 
Also only intermittent rx on those two bands, coming in and out.  Other 
bands 20, 40, 80, 160 were all operating as normal.  This behavior continued 
today.  Finally, I discovered that connectors on the back of the SDR, when 
removed and reinserted cured the symptoms.  So, even erratic partial failure 
can be caused by improper insertion of connectors and /or flaky connectors 
or plugs.


So, I hope no one else encounters this situation, but if so, perhaps this 
experience will come to mind.


73,  Mike K5NU 




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Mike,

When I talk to my friends on 40 m, they all know to tell me to wiggle my 
connectors when the audio is bad.  Those 1/8 connectors are a real weak 
link in the SDR-1000.  At some point I will replace them.


73,   Tom   W0IVJ

Re: [Flexradio] SDR CW/receive problem

[Tom Thompson]

Ken Klein wrote:


Eric and others;

Well, I have one other really interesting thing to report vis a vis my
radio.  With the SDR, 40 meters, as well as everything else including a.m.,
is all but dead.  I hooked up a SoftRock V5.0, changing only the Line In
cable from the SDR to the SoftRock and the antenna.  I also clicked the
Setup menu of the software (Beta Preview 15) to SoftRock40.  Forty meters
was hopping.  Go figure!  This is with a radio that worked perfectly when Ed
fired it up on his desk yesterday.  


I think this must mean that my s/w is installed correctly, and that at least
the Line In cable and Delta44 is working fine.  I am very, very confused.

Any ideas, anyone?

Ken






Ken Klein
2211 W. North Loop Blvd. Apt 251
Austin, Texas 78756
512 517-4646


-Original Message-
From: Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:13 AM

To: 'Ken Klein'; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: RE: [Flexradio] SDR CW/receive problem

Ken,

Double check the settings on the Setup Form.  Specifically, make sure
that on the Audio Tab, you have the M-Audio Delta 44 selected (the left
side should be grayed out and should read Driver/Input/Output -
ASIO/M-Audio Delta ASIO/M-Audio Delta ASIO.  Also, make sure that on the
General Tab, Hardware Config Sub Tab that the PA and ATU checkboxes are
marked.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

 


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
radio.biz] On Behalf Of Ken Klein
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 7:26 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] SDR CW/receive problem

Everyone;



Please bear with me as this is my first submission to the reflector;
   


I
 


may
not know the protocol, but I sure would like some help.



A couple of weeks ago I bought the 1W version of the SDR/Delta44 and
   


have
 


had a great time setting it up and using it.  I'm getting to know it
better
every day, and as everyone agrees, it's pretty much fantastic.  Two
   


days
 


ago
I received the 100W amp and ATU upgrades and installed them yesterday.
Now
I have no output power when I tune or hold the key down.  The red
   


light on
 


the ATU blinks, indicating no output power.  The transmit power meter
shows
0W.  At that time, I hadn't tried SSB.



Luckily, I live in Austin, and work a few blocks from Ed and Eric.  So
   


I
 


took the radio over to them and Ed immediately put it on the bench and
tried
it out.  (Try to get that kind of service from one of the BIG THREE!
Kudos
to Gerald, Eric, and Ed, of course, for all their help.)



It worked perfectly.  He worked through the whole suite, showed me a
   


lot
 


of
things I didn't know, but it worked.  I even got a compliment on the
   


amp
 


and
tuner installation (as if it was difficult.)



I brought the radio home.  No output power in TUNE or CW.  What's
   


more,
 


the
receive channel seems dead pretty much across the all bands.  Even the
   


AM
 


stations aren't coming in, and the panadapter display hardly
   


indicates;
 


certainly not what I saw when Ed tuned up an AM station on his bench.



So I completely removed all the Delta44 and PSDR s/w and reloaded from
scratch.  No change, except that I found a cheap pc microphone and
   


tried
 


SSB.  It worked perfectly.  Good looking signal on the panadapter and
   


good
 


output power! (???)



Still low receive signals and almost no WWV, which is unusual to say
   


the
 


least.  It won't show any power out using either the tune or CW
   


functions.
 


I've checked everything, even reseating the Delta44 card and all the
connections.



Does this problem sound remotely familiar to anyone?  I'd sure like
   


some
 


suggestions to try.



Thanks a million,



Ken  WR5H







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Ken,
I am wading in on this as a late comer, but I have had my SDR-1000 
appear dead when the data base is corrupted.  If  this has already been 
suggested, please ignore this .

73,   Tom   W0IVJ

Re: [Flexradio] [EMAIL PROTECTED] virus

[Tom Thompson]

Thanks, Bob.

I had a real sinking feeling when I saw my email address in those 
postings, especially since I am out of the country.


Sigh is right,

Tom

Robert McGwier wrote:


Tom:

What typically happens is that SOMEONE ELSE,  who has your email 
address in THEIR address book gets nailed.  The beagle then takes all 
those email addresses and uses them.


Sigh. . . .

Bob






Tom Thompson wrote:


Hello,

My email address has been associated with the [EMAIL PROTECTED] virus 
on the reflector.  Currently I am in Costa Rica, but I was able to 
connect to my home computer via VNC.  I downloaded the fixes for the 
contamination, but found no signs of the virus files or registry 
entries on my machine.  My only conclusion is that my email address 
has been spoofed.  If anyone has any ideas, I am open.


73,   Tom Thompson   W0IVJ


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[Flexradio] [EMAIL PROTECTED] virus

[Tom Thompson]

Hello,

My email address has been associated with the [EMAIL PROTECTED] virus on 
the reflector.  Currently I am in Costa Rica, but I was able to connect 
to my home computer via VNC.  I downloaded the fixes for the 
contamination, but found no signs of the virus files or registry entries 
on my machine.  My only conclusion is that my email address has been 
spoofed.  If anyone has any ideas, I am open.


73,   Tom Thompson   W0IVJ

Re: [Flexradio] CW tone wavering

[Tom Thompson]

Tom Thompson wrote:
Kurt,
Sound cards are just begging for RF interference.  They have high 
impedance inputs and high gain, and as a result, they are subject to 
fundamental overload.  I have used F114-77 toroid cores from 
http://palomar-engineers.com extensively on my Delta 44 leads and 
computer leads with good results.  Wrap as many turns as you can of each 
lead close to the card and the SDR-1000 using two toroids.

Good luck and 73,
Tom   W0IVJ

Kurt Vangsness wrote:

I'm finally starting to play around a little bit with CW and in 
preparation I'm trying things out with my radio putting  1 watt out 
into a dummy load (I have an external amp which is off for these tests) 
and am monitoring my transmission from another receiver. I'm noticing 
that my transmitted CW tone is not steady - almost as though the 
transmitted frequency is wavering. I don't notice this with other CW 
signals received on the radio I'm using to monitor so I have to assume 
it is my transmitted signal... The resulting effect is almost like a CW 
transmitter with a very unstable LO.


I tried an experiment monitoring the LO from the sdr-1000 (while the 
sdr-1000 was in receive) from the same receiver and it does not exhibit 
the same variations in tone.


One (possibly unrelated) thing I've noticed on my sdr-1000 is that I 
appear to be getting fairly strong interference from a local AM station 
on the sound card input. In the panadaptor display I can see the carrier 
at the bottom of the display (when tuned to the lowest frequency before 
the radio retunes the DDS). With my radio connected to a dummy load 
(noise floor is down at the bottom of the display), the carrier shows up 
around -85 dBm! I've made a wave capture of the IQ and tuned to the 
carrier and verified that it is a local AM station. I'm wondering if it 
is possible for a strong signal like this on my audio cables to somehow 
cause the tone/frequency changes I'm observing on my transmitted CW 
signal. Any ideas (both on the CW instability and in getting rid of the 
AM signal on the sound card)?


  73 and Happy Holidays,

Kurt KC9FOL

Configuration details: P4 2.4 Ghz, 1GB RAM, Delta 44.

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