++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: Cc: "Elecraft" Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 08:53:46 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Noise Generator Boards Hi The Noise Generator Kit is $15 send check or money order to: Don Brown 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint, Texas 75762 I now have a new batch of the circuit boards. Kit includes building instr= uctions and all parts for the board. You supply a box, switch, 9 volt bat= tery and BNC connector. Instructions for use are on the Elecraft website. Other kits: K2 upgrade kit - parts for the SSB 2nd xtal filter flattening mod (both v= ersions), parts for the side tone sine wave mod and grill cloth mod kit. = $5 includes parts and instructions. K1 upgrade kit - Bourns 3540 precision metal shaft VFO pot, 100K resistor= for VFO linearization, 2 1UF caps for AGC speed up, 100uH choke for atte= nuator pop mod and grill cloth mod kit - $20 includes parts and instructi= ons. Solar charge controller kit - to control battery charging with 5 to 200 w= att solar panels 12 or 6 volt versions. Circuit board, instructions and a= ll parts on the board $30. Speaker grill cloth mod includes 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch grill cloth and instr= uctions. Number 10 size SASE + $1 or free for the asking with any other k= it. All kit prices include US postage. Don KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Noise Generator When I used Spectrogram to do my filters, I used my old Palomar Antenna Noise Bridge for the rf noise source. Worked fine. If you have an antenna noise bridge by anybody, give it a try. 73, Bob N6WG +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 00:45:31 -0600 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] noise generator Jason: >Does anyone have any ideas (as if that isn't like chumming for sharks) >about a low cost noise generator kit that could be used for a K2? How low cost do you want? I offer the PC board, etched and drilled, plus DOCs, for $3 ppd to your door. Cost of the parts is another $2-$4 and you're done. If you are interested, take a look at the PDF (DOCs) on my web site at: http://home.earthlink.net/~n0ss/noise_source.pdf If you wish to order a board, please remit $3 to: Tom Hammond N0SS 5417 Scruggs Stn Rd Lohman MO 65053 Be sure to include your MAILING ADDRESS _and_ your E-MAIL ADDRESS (for an acknowledgement of receipt of your order). PC boards usually go out the first workday following receipt of your order. Even if you don't want to order a PC board, the DOCs are FREE (from my web page) and you can build the noise generator directly from them. 73 - Tom Hammond N0SS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:39:01 -0600 To: "Timothy A. Raymer" , Dave Benham , elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 160M low sensitivity problem? Dave: I no longer have PC boards available for the noise source, BUT it's apple-pie simple to build using just about ANY assembly technique you might wish to use... excluding dropping blobs of solder from a height of 6', that is! For an idea of a possible building format, take a gander at how N0RC built his using Manhattan-style construction: http://www.radioactivehams.com/~n0rc/noise_gen/noise_gen.html Note the the component values are pretty flexible... esp. the zener diode... anything between 5.2Vz and 6.8Vz should work great. If you might have any questions, just shout? 73 - Tom Hammond N0SS At 11:01 AM 1/2/02, Timothy A. Raymer wrote: >Dave, > >A broad band noise generator may be the best thing to give you a >quantifiable amount of noise to judge against. Tom, N0SS, has constructed >one that the Arizona Scorpions had as a kit for a while. I think they ran >out, but Tom may have boards or documentation available. > >That will give you a source of noise that is uniform in terms of strength >across a wide range of frequencies, and will allow you to do more accurate >comparisons. > >Tim Raymer >73 de KA0OUV >At 15:14 12/31/2001 -0500, David A. Belsley wrote: >>Dave: >> I guess there is a bit of difference in the noise between 80 and 160 ... > > > >>I've been playing around re-aligning my K2 after adding the version 2 >>>upgrade tonight [2 nights ago, now]. Using Spectrogram, I noticed >>>something I've suspected with the 160M module I added quite a while back. >>>(I haven't operated any 160 with the K2, yet). If I have no antenna on >>>the K2, and am receiving just noise on 80M, and set the peak of the >>>waveform to -40db, then switch to 160M, the waveform drops at least 5 db >>>on the Spectrogram screen (preamp on in both cases) -- this drop is quite >>>noticeable to the ear. Is this normal? > > > >Timothy A. Raymer >Missouri Department of Health >and Senior Services ++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 07 Apr 2002 09:56:49 -0500 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] KD5NDB solar charger Don Brown, KD5NDB, wrote: -- snip -- I also have one of Don's noise generator/source kits. The PC board is well laid-out and should be very easy to assemble. This should be a big benefit to those using Spectrogram for filter alignment, or those wanting to do some RX signal-path signal tracing. I'm glad someone picked up the basic design and will continue to offer it to Elecraft builders (and others). I might suggest that, instead of adding a "power-applied" LED, you might just want to consider using a MOMENTARY pushbutton switch to activate to noise source. This helps to ensure that you don't leave it running and may lessen the chances of accidental activation as well. 73, Tom N0SS +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 08:18:35 -0500 To: Bob Schreibmaier , elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Noise Generator Bob Schreibmaier (K3PH) writes: >Hi Tom, > >I recently got an Elecraft K2 completed (base 80-10 CW model) >and have seen an article on aligning the filters with >Spectogram (got it!) and a wideband noise generator >(a la N0SS). I know I'm a day late and a dollar short, >but is there any chance you have any boards left for >building the noise generator? Hi Bob: After having sold about 200 of the Noise Source PC boards, and then the Arizona ScQRPions ARC having sold at least another 200 (kits) as well, I have found that the thought of (hand) drilling the holes in another large batch of PC board(s) was more than I could enjoy. As a result I no longer offer the PC boards for this device. HOWEVER, SALVATION IS AT HAND! Don Brown (KD5NDB) , now offers a kit containing the PC board (etched, drilled, solder masked AND silk-screened) and all PC board-mounted components, plus a 4-page (2 pgs, front & back) of directions for (if I recall) $10. The PC board is TOP QUALITY (quite a bit nicer than the ones I made), as is the quality of the components. The only items you will want to add are 9V battery, battery connector, on/off switch, 18" of RG-174 or some sort of cable for connecting the noise source to the radio, an appropriate connector (usually male BNC) for the connecting cable, and a case (I used a 50-card clear styrene plastic 'trading card box', available at any trading card collector's store for c. $0.50). The Noise source is quite handy for a number of other uses as well, and I suspect you'll find it quite useful even after you have completed the alignment of your CW and SSB filters. 73, and thanks for your note. Tom Hammond N0SS +++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 17:28:18 -0500 To: "Kenneth E. Harker" , elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] Re: noise source Hi Ken: Congrats on the new callsign! Neat. Ken Harker, WM5R, wrote: >I've downloaded the noise source schematic from the elecraft website, >and I was wondering if the PC board and/or parts were available as a >kit/semi-kit? I'm sure I can wire it up on a perf board, but if something >were already handy... I'm afraid I no longer make PC boards, BUT "Don Brown KD5NDB" offers a $10 (I think) kit, including PC board and board-mounted parts. Otherwise, the circuit is really QUITE easy to breadboard using any number of different constructions techniques, the cost of parts is small, and most component (cap/resistor) values are NOT terribly critical... +/- 10%-20% will probably suffice. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS +++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: Cc: "Elecraft" Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 08:53:46 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Noise Generator Boards Hi The Noise Generator Kit is $15 send check or money order to: Don Brown 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint, Texas 75762 I now have a new batch of the circuit boards. Kit includes building instr= uctions and all parts for the board. You supply a box, switch, 9 volt bat= tery and BNC connector. Instructions for use are on the Elecraft website. Other kits: K2 upgrade kit - parts for the SSB 2nd xtal filter flattening mod (both v= ersions), parts for the side tone sine wave mod and grill cloth mod kit. = $5 includes parts and instructions. K1 upgrade kit - Bourns 3540 precision metal shaft VFO pot, 100K resistor= for VFO linearization, 2 1UF caps for AGC speed up, 100uH choke for atte= nuator pop mod and grill cloth mod kit - $20 includes parts and instructi= ons. Solar charge controller kit - to control battery charging with 5 to 200 w= att solar panels 12 or 6 volt versions. Circuit board, instructions and a= ll parts on the board $30. Speaker grill cloth mod includes 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch grill cloth and instr= uctions. Number 10 size SASE + $1 or free for the asking with any other k= it. All kit prices include US postage. Don KD5NDB +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 14:00:21 -0500 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] N0SS Noise Generator for K2/K1 filter alignment Hi Folks: Ron D'Eau Claire, AC7AC, just sent me a copy of a PDF he's prepared to assist builders who wish to construct their noise generators, but who don't have a PC board. Apparently, Ron (like myself) has been receiving a number of queries, asking about possible construction schemes for this small project. Ron's PDF is now resident on my web site (Gawd, I HOPE I can type the URL correctly THIS time...!) at: http://home.earthlink.net/~n0ss/download.html The file is down about 1 screen from the top of the page, under "General Elecraft K1/K2 Building Files". PLEASE READ (AND FOLLOW) THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECTLY DOWNLOADING THIS FILE TO YOUR PC, RATHER THAN DOWNLOADING IT TO SCREEN FIRST. As always, if this URL fails (as all too many have in the past 24 hours, sigh!) drop me a note. 73, Tom N0SS +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "JAKidz" , , =?iso-8859-1?Q?Tom_Hammond_N=D8SS?= Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 12:01:24 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: [Elecraft]Noise generator was Spectrogram - Again Hi If you have built one of my noise generator kits and want a low level output to drive your K2, you can tap off the signal right from the 2N3904 noise source. Just connect a .01 UF cap to the junction of the 2.2K resistor and the emitter of Q3. Connect the other end to the center pin of a BNC connector and ground the outside of the BNC. Now you have a high level (about 2 volts) for troubleshooting and signal injection and a low level output for alignment that will not overdrive the front end of the radio. You can use the low level signal to pre-align the receiver and get all of the tweaks peaked up before doing the final transmitter alignment. Connect the low level out to the antenna connector and peak each coil or capacitor for maximum noise on each band. You can use this signal for spectrogram also. In fact I should not explain this as it will reduce my sales of the noise generator kits but that is OK. The 2n3904 transistor will make enough noise to drive spectrogram by itself the amplifiers are really not needed. So if you need a noise source for spectrogram just build this circuit. Connect the base of a 2n3904 (or 2n2222) to the negative side of a 9 volt battery (this will be ground). Connect a 2.2K ohm resistor to the emitter and the other end of the resistor to the plus side of the battery. Connect a .01 UF cap to the emitter and resistor junction and connect the other end of the cap to the center pin of a BNC connector with the outside of the BNC grounded. The collector is not connected. This circuit uses the emitter base junction as a zener diode noise source and capacitively couples the noise to the antenna connector of the K2. The noise level will only be a few milivolts but that is plenty to drive the K2 for Spectrogram. Don Brown KD5NDB If you still want a noise generator kit they are $15 check or money order to Don Brown 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint, Texas 75762 +++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 09:34:05 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Solar controller and Noise generator kits Hi I have had several requests for more info on my solar controller. I do not have a web site set up but I will describe them here. The solar controller is designed to charge a gel cell or wet cell 12 volt battery with a solar panel. Panels from 1 to 200 watts can be used and I have used one with 3 panels equaling 150 watts total with no problems as well as a small 3.5 watt panel charging a small 2.8 amp battery. The kit comes with a 2x3 fiberglass silk screened and solder masked circuit board. All parts for the board and instructions and app notes. The price is $30 The Noise Generator is a wide band noise source for use in aligning the K2 or K1. The kit comes with a 1 1/4x2 fiberglass silk screened and solder masked circuit board. All parts for the board and instructions and app notes. The price is $15 To Order please send check or money order to: Don Brown 19132 Falls Creek Drive Flint Texas 75762 Sorry I do not have credit card of paypal accounts. Thanks Don ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Mike Walkington" Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Dummy Load Noise Generator Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 07:55:49 -0500 Hi You should be getting a S9+ signal out of the noise generator on all bands up through at least 440 MHz. If the voltages on the collectors of Q1 and Q2 are ok then you may want to try another Q3. Some of the transistors do not generate as much noise as others. Q3 is the noise generator. Also check the battery. If it is below 8 volts then the noise output will be low. This circuit eats batteries. A 9 volt will only last a few hours so remember to turn the noise generator off when not needed. I included a LED and limiting resistor in the kit to use as a power on indicator. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Walkington" To: "Don Brown" Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2003 11:37 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Dummy Load Noise Generator > Hi Don, > > You were spot on, the 680 ohm resistor had gone and taken out the one next > to it. The two amplifying transistors had gone as well. All replaced and > the noise generator seems to be working well now, although only generating > about S2 at 80m and the signal starts to fall off at 20m. Plenty enough to > align the filters after I had done the 2nd crystal filter mods, but any > suggestions on why the signal would be down? I'm tempted to believe that > the K2 S meter is a bit stingy, and it and the AGC are the next things I > need to look at. I'm quite happy with the shape of the filters now. > > Mike > K2 - #2599 ++++++++++++++++