The Conar Information Page - I quick and dirty webpage for collecting information on the NRI/Conar kits. This is a work in progress.
I have debated wether or not I am a collector of Conar gear. I really don't consider myself a collector, but I sure do seem to constantly search eBay for them. Currently I have the Twins (400/500), a 212 V/Ω meter and a 251 Oscilloscope.
I might mention that I first encountered these at the age of 8. My father was taking the NRI Electronics course and he had built and tested many of the Conar kits. I might try to piece together his old work bench kits just for nostalgia.
DD-520 - (Currently on hold) What is that you ask? Well, it's my homebrew version of a DG-5 Digital Display for the Kenwood TS-520s. It is Arduino based using the Mega2560. This is really in the experimental stage (proof-of-concept). I don't have a well stocked parts bin, so I will have to order a few parts. Until then, I am cheating a little bit and only measuring the VFO output from the rig. I am using base-line (published as opposed to measured) frequencies for the HET and CAR and change them as needed when I switch bands or modes.
While discussing this project with others attempting the same thing, I convinced myself to include data output to a pc for logging (non-control) purposes. I use the DxLabs Suite and would love to have my frequency and mode automatically inserted into my logs. Since the Arduino already has serial on-board, both hardware and software, it was very easy to send the needed character strings to the USB port and let Commander (DxLabs rig control module) grab the data and process it.
So far, everything I have tried is working. I have been trading info with Todd Harrison, KF7NBI, who started an identical project (minus the logging), and together maybe we can finish this. Todd has the benifit of a well stocked test bench, and hopefully he will be able to tackle some of the the needed measurements and circuit design. Please check out his wonderful website at http://www.toddfun.com. See the video on my Home page.
17 AUG 2013 - Proof-of-Concept in progress on a digital display for the Kenwood TS-520s. This is the early stage of a digital display for the Kenwood TS-520s using an Arduino Mega2560 and some supporting circuitry. The DG-5 display normally used for this family of rigs can be hard to come by in good shape and/or expensive. Additionally I included the ability to send the frequency and mode information via the USB serial to a computer for logging. It is emulating a Kenwood TS-50 for the communication to the logging program. I am working with Todd Harrison, KF7NBI, who started an identical project earlier this year.Dare I say I have very few of these? LOL. My wife says I love to START projects... emphasis on the "START". No, realy, I do have a few. I will detail them here shortly.
Heatkit HM-102 - repaired and sold.
NRI Conar Twins - repaired.
Heathkit SB-200 - repaired and sold.