What's New?


Summer 2010

In Spring-Summer, I don't do much bench experimentation or web page updating. Time is spent adding brief content to the Junk Box web page, editing the site and answering emails. On June 8, 2010, I had 68 emails.

June 28, 2010 — Web subtitle change : Amateur Radio Electronic Design to shorten the name and reflect the site's main purpose.

Effective May 17, 2010 — 8-bit images (schematics) now use the png format. I have abandoned the gif format

May and June 2010: The pops.net net control crew rest up for the next big wind storm. The servers lost power for many hours on May 4 and June 12 due to bad weather. Severe storms arising from the Pacific Ocean threaten our AC power lines each Spring.

March 2010

  1. Wide Range L-C Oscillator added to Hobbyist 2010 page. Link  March 7
  2. JavaScript Applet K added to the QRP Tools page March 11
  3. RF Workbench Page 2 added. Link  March 15

February 2010

  1. JavaScript Applet J added to the QRP Tools page Feb 6
  2. Editing of the Low Noise Crystal Oscillator web page Feb 22
  3. RF Workbench Page 1 added. Link  Feb 18

January 2010

  1. Experiment #6 added to the Hobbyist page Jan 2
  2. New content Low Noise Crystal Oscillator Jan 10
  3. 2 photos added to the bottom of the Ugly Construction web page. Jan 12
  4. 1 photo added to the Broadband Transformers page Jan 12
  5. New content Hobbyist Page 2010 Jan 13
  6. New content: Supplement to JavaScript Applet G which is located on the QRP Tools page Jan 11
  7. Additions to the Low Noise Crystal Osc page: the DSO versus CRO essay, plus 5 MHz crystal oscillator added Jan 31
  8. JavaScript Applets H and I added to the QRP Tools web page Jan 31

December 2009

  1. It has been brought to my attention that the email replies I am sending are not compatible with some of the latest email software such as Thunderbird etc. The reason was that I was using a homebrew email program written over 10 years ago. It is now obsolete. A new email platform is now in place along with a completely new email address. Consult the email web page for more information. Dec 30
  2. Experiment #5 added to the Hobbyist page  FAQ updated and edited. Dec 30
  3. Experiment #4 added to the Hobbyist page Dec 26
  4. Experiment #3 added to the Hobbyist page Dec 23
  5. What does the output of a diode ring mixer look like in your oscilloscope? This has become a FAQ. The question is answered in a contribution by Wes, W7ZOI. Big thanks to Wes for this content. Dec 22
  6. I am very pleased to present the Mike, KL7R Memorial Receiver Experiments. Click here  Dec 19
  7. New bulleted list format added to this page to improve readability Dec 19
  8. A minor addition was added to the bottom of the Ugly Construction web page. Flux pen photo and text. Dec 19
  9. Minor updates to the VFO 2008 "Stacked Toroids" web page under Epilogue - December 19, 2009
  10. Update to JavaScript applet Item E: Calculate Cut off Frequency for an RC Low Pass Filter. Now has a capacitor range from 0.1 nF to 1500 nF. QRP tools page. Dec 19
  11. Editing plus a photo added to the broadband transformer page. This page was improved to support an upcoming project. Dec 17
  12. Drafting errors on this schematic corrected (fuse position+ negative rail LED polarity). From this web page. Thanks to Paul, K0EET and Tom for the good eyes and their emails. Dec 16
  13. VFO Experiments 2009 updated again; 3 images added. Supplemental web page added and updated Dec 13
  14. New JavaScript applet added to QRP Tools page; Item F: dBm calculator. Dec 12

Nov 22-27, 2009

1 Hertz Precision Time Base added to the Hobbyist Page.
VFO Experiments 2009 added
The top level menu item "Java Tools" was renamed QRP Tools. This menu provides a link to my Webmaster's page and some basic JavaScript applets. Some new material will appear on the Junk Box page during this time.

Nov 20, 2009

Finally; Fall-Winter experiments begin. A small update on the VFO 2008 web page under A 3.5 MHz VFO for Diode Ring Mixers was added.
The RF Preamp page was updated with some content  that was first presented on the Junk Box web page. I have received a lot of email about these amps and decided to permanently add them to the site.
The W7ZOI file linked on this page is now in pdf format.

Nov 1, 2009

The Ugly Construction web page was augmented and re-written. 2 new photos were added. This term actually came from Wes and Roger Hayward.
A new Electronic Hobbyist page was added to the drop down 2009 menu.

Oct 25, 2009

Some small updates to the Junk Box page were made. I don't ever think I have been so excited about upcoming Fall and Winter experiments as there are a number of cool, new ideas in my notebook. Extra work and travelling have kept me off the bench, but this will cease in mid November. After that, it's back to the work bench. The Fall-Winter experiments will include some HAM, SWL, general electronics and tube guitar amp experiments. Thanks for your feedback and ideas!

Oct 19, 2009

RSS feed. Click on the orange RSS icon above to establish a feed. I will only show 1 item; the latest addition of major new content to the site. Additions to the Junk Box page will occasionally be counted as "new content" and will be included on the feed.

Can anyone guess what brand of beer is in the tool box ?  Yes.... its

Oct 12, 2009

Fall weather has come to Western North America! Thanks to Cor, PA3COR for debugging the JavaScript code on this page.  Apps number D and E now work in Firefox. Rediscover the fun and learning of scratch homebrew electronics!


Coilguy