Down the Rabbit Hole
An unexpected journey into frequency measurement after purchasing a mixed lot on eBay. Initially discovering a vintage frequency counter, they later enhance it with a GPS Disciplined Oscillator for exceptional accuracy. This upgrade transforms their testing capabilities, merging classic equipment with modern technology to create a GPS disciplined frequency counter for their workshop.
This site contains affiliate links. Please read Disclaimer for more information. The Symptoms We recently traveled to Omaha to visit a high-school friend and fellow…
I learned in early March, 2024 of Bob Heil’s passing. Although I never got to meet Bob Heil in person, I feel his influence in my own enjoyment of the Amateur Radio hobby. Let’s see if I can build Bob Heil’s classic microphone equalizer!
It’s been about a year since my last post on the Mac, FT8 and the Ten Tec Omni 6 Plus. Since then I’ve learned a few things, made some refinements in my setup and developed a better idea of how I want to use my station. It’s time to talk about integrating MacLogger DX with WSJat-x and GridTracker. Plus, there’s an FLDigi Bonus!
Building a solid state DC converter to power a 1950’s era mobile tube transmitter. The build uses an NOS Triad TY-83 toroidal transformer and high-power germanium transistors – the best available power conversion tech in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
I’ve been using MacLogger DX (MLDX) for several years now, and would like to have it connect with my antenna rotator. It supports several models, and can automatically command a rotator to a bearing based on a ham’s QRZ location. An Arduino can be used to connect MacLogger DX to an inexpensive antenna rotator.
I was recently asked about the power switch on the Ten Tec Triton IV transceiver. Was it capable of switching the 12-volt line used to power the radio? The short answer is no. Co-located on the volume control, it was intended to switch an external power supply like the Model 252 or 262. Switching the 15 or so amps of 12-volt power needed for the 100 watt transmitter would destroy the switch.
Over the last year and a half, I’ve been restoring a Ten Tec “Closet Kilowatt” from the late 80’s for a solar powered station. It consists of a model 253 Automatic Antenna Coupler, model 420 Hercules II amp and model 564 Omni VI Plus.
That left how to spot weld. There are many YouTube videos showing how to do it with a commercial tool, but one vid showed a homemade welder that was little more than a motorcycle battery, push button, horn relay and some leads. I could do that.
With the Ten Tec Argonaut 509 restored and working well, it was time to try it out. The Anderson Power Pole made it easy to connect an 8 amp hour gel cell. I hooked it up to my end-fed half-wave antenna and listened around 20 meters. There were plenty of CW signals and I quickly realized a CW filter was going to be needed.