Category Archives: Equipment

Automating PCB Construction – Part 0

Posted on 29 Aug 2017 by Kurt

(Author’s Note: This is the “zero’th” part of what will be a three part series on printed circuit board milling.  This article is where I decide on what milling machine to get and the reasoning behind it, so there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, VA1DER's Shack | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Welcome to the family – Drake TR-7A

Posted on 30 Aug 2016 by Kurt

I finally found one!  Now sitting on my shelf is a beautiful Drake TR-7A, serial number 12195, and I am in love.  Welcome to the family! When I was conducting research for my initial HF radio purchase, I had narrowed … Continue reading →

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SB-104A Talkback

Posted on 12 Aug 2016 by Kurt

My SB-104A has been on my workbench for the last week as I work on the talkback and the 60Hz line noise appearing on the transmit audio.  I received a report that my transmit audio was almost unreadable due to the … Continue reading →

Posted in HF Eqipment, Project "HUFF" | Leave a comment

Face, Meet Egg

Posted on 3 Aug 2016 by Kurt

So, as I wrote in my last post, I had taken my Heathkit SB-104A radio offline due to suspected power supply problems.  Under load it appeared to be sending AC directly through to the radio.  It turns out this wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Radio Offline – Capacitor Woes?

Posted on 31 Jul 2016 by Kurt

I’ve taken my HF radio, a Heathkit SB-104A, offline for now.  I had noticed some 60Hz line hum through the speaker when transmitting, however I didn’t really think much of it.  I just assumed the audio pre-amp was picking up … Continue reading →

Posted in HF Eqipment, VA1DER's Shack | 2 Comments

Antenna Analyzer On the Way

Posted on 19 Jul 2016 by Kurt

My 80m off-centre-fed dipole antenna has been up for a few days now.  It’s up but I’m sort of shooting blind when it comes to knowing if I’ve got it right.  I hate shooting blind.  I had to make some … Continue reading →

Posted in HF Eqipment, Project "RADIANT", Test Equipment, VA1DER's Shack | Leave a comment

Antenna Rises!

Posted on 7 Jul 2016 by Kurt

As of Mon, 4 Jul 2016, I became the proud owner of a new multiband off-center-fed dipole that should be resonant on most bands from 80m down.  Is there a formal project document for it?  No.   Will there be, most … Continue reading →

Posted in HF Eqipment, Project "MAESTRO", VA1DER's Shack | Leave a comment