Category Archives: The VA1DER Project

The VA1DER Project, the project to establish myself as a ham radio operator.

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 →

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

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 →

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

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

This is hard work…

Posted on 22 Aug 2015 by Kurt

In my last post, I talked about how I came to the idea of applying proper project management principles to my amateur radio hobby to add focus.  It was a great idea, but I’d forgotten just how much leg work … Continue reading →

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Eureka Moment

Posted on 6 Jun 2015 by Kurt

I have been a little unhappy with the progress I’ve made to date towards getting my ham shack operational.  It’s not the lack of progress per se, which is to be expected given circumstances, but the haphazard nature of it.  Things are … Continue reading →

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