I managed to get my hands on a few of the latest (2020) QCX Plus kits from QRP-Labs and as usual I had no difficulty finding homes for the extra kits, obviously keeping one for myself to build in the wee hours of the morning when it is quieter. It was – as always –…
You are currently browsing the Homebuilt category
LED Lamp Behaviour
So I got my hands on some of these 12 volt LED lamps (chips / modules / lights / whatever) and since I had enough to burn one or two “by accident” I thought I should spend a few minutes to get to know them better. I’m not referring to your regular little round 1.2…
The QCX – a Nifty Little Gadget
So yesterday (it was a Sunday) I had a lot to do, but nothing more important than to cut open the wrappings of the 20m QCX kit that I purchased from QRP-Labs a few months ago. Yes, it was still lying in its protective wrappings after all this time. Work is seriously interfering with my…
Sizing of a Solar Charging System for a QRP Beacon
When you run a small low power beacon like the Ultimate3S from QRP-Labs it is attractive to consider powering it from batteries with a solar panel. But how long will it last? A number of things are conspiring to make our lives as amateur radio experimenters difficult. On the one hand the cheap Chinese imports…
Beaconing Five Modes in Twenty Minutes
![Argo SlowHell callsign](https://zr6n.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Argo-SlowHell-callsign-120x42.jpg)
While WSPR’ing across multiple bands (“band hopping”) has been done before, I thought it might be interesting to do five different modes on the same band. It was easier done than said! I was sitting with a customer’s QRP-Labs Ultimate3S beacon on my bench, all built up and ready to test. It was a single…
No Sound from my SDR
And in other news, I’m trying to play with this cute little SDR receiver (the cuteness which I am sharing with you in another post), but I’m having mega problems. Don’t get me wrong: The issue is not SDR or this cute little Rx. I own and operate a Flex-1500 which has quietly become my…
Comments are off for No Sound from my SDR
Measuring the QRPp’s Isn’t Easy
Interesting how a development in one area of this hobby can force a sudden change of direction to explore some new areas. I’ve been happily experimenting with my Hans Summers Ultimate 3S kit when I realised that I could band-hop and get a picture of propagation conditions updated every 30 minutes or so. Cool idea.…
Comments are off for Measuring the QRPp's Isn't Easy