Curious about what the “10 MHz” connector on the back of your test equipment is? Interested in calibrating an SDR to reduce tuning error? Do you want an accurate frequency source for tuning radios? How about a super accurate sense of what time it is? This week, Dr. Frank Howell K4FMH joins Jeremy and George to talk about GPS Disciplined Oscillators and Frequency References for your workbench..
News
Hurricane Watch Net – https://www.hwn.org/
Icom IC-9700 – http://qrznow.com/icom-ic-9700-vhfuhf1-2ghz-prototype-transceiver-shown-at-tokyo-hamfair-2017/
Circuit Board Printer – Voltera – https://www.voltera.io/
Circuit Board Printer – BotFactory – https://www.botfactory.co/page/homepage
Workbench
KF7IJZ’s Workbench
Remote Airspy Server w/ ASUS Tinkerboard
Airspy SDR Receivers
Airspy R2 – 24Mhz – 1.8Ghz 10Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver – $169 – https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy/
Airspy Mini – 24Mhz – 1.8Ghz 6Mhz Bandwidth SDR Receiver – $99 – https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-airspy-mini/
SpyVerter HF Converter – $49 – https://v3.airspy.us/product/a-spyverter/
ASUS Tinkerboard
I Used a Tinkerboard because I had one, but I would recommend an ODroid device instead – http://www.hardkernel.com/main/main.php
Tinkerboard Hardware – https://www.asus.com/us/Single-Board-Computer/Tinker-Board/
Tinkboard Linaro Linux Distro available on that page under Downloads
Armbian Distro for Tinkerboard – https://www.armbian.com/tinkerboard/
Good review of Tinkerboard – https://forum.armbian.com/index.php?/topic/4614-asus-tinker-board/
Software
Spyserver for ARM 32 Bit – http://airspy.com/download/
Airspy on ARM Instructions (do this first) – http://photobyte.org/running-spyserver-raspberry-pi-3/
Arduino MIDI Mute Button
Hardware
Adafruit Pro Trinket 5V – https://www.adafruit.com/product/2000
Adafruit 24mm LED Arcade Buttons – https://www.adafruit.com/product/3430
Adafruit MIDI Jack – https://www.adafruit.com/product/1134
Arduino MIDI Wirting and Communication Guide – https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Midi
Use “Debounce” Example code from Arduino IDE
Arduino MIDI Message Guide (code is deprecated, but message formats are relevant)- http://little-scale.blogspotcom/2011/08/simple-examples-of-sending-midi-data.html
Eagle Best Practices
1/16” Margin around the edge of the board
Avoid acute angles on circuit traces
Vias should be at least 0.04” in size
Traces should be at least 0.03” in size
Keep good space between signal lines and ground planes/traces
Other Links
Perseus SDR – http://microtelecom.it/perseus/
SDR Console Software – http://sdr-radio.com/Software/Download1/Download
RF Space – http://rfspace.com/RFSPACE/Home.html
Cloud SDR – http://www.cloud-sdr.com/
SDR# Tuner from Mouse – https://www.rtl-sdr.com/building-a-tuning-knob-for-sdr/
KJ6VU’s Workbench
RIDGID Toolbox for KX3 Project – http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Organizer-Black-222571/205440492
BBC Micro:Bit – http://microbit.org/
K4FMH’s Workbench
Trimble based GPS GPSDO 10Mhz / 1PPS Clock – http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trimble-GPS-Receiver-GPSDO-10MHz-1PPS-GPS-Disciplined-Clock-sine-and-square-wave-/252162780444?hash=item3ab612ad1c:g:o2IAAOSw1WJZHdMY
PCTEL GPS (L1) 26dB Timing Antenna Kit – http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCTEL-GPS-L1-26dB-TIMING-ANTENNA-KIT-GPS-TMG-26N-W-Mount-Kit-/263159662203?epid=1209248913&hash=item3d4589c67b:g:KU0AAOSw8gVX3BPx
Six Output Video Distribution Amplifier – Sigma Electronics VDA-100A – https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=SIX+Output+Video+Distribution+Amplifier+Sigma+Electronics+VDA-100A&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XSigma+Electronics+VDA-100A.TRS0&_nkw=Sigma+Electronics+VDA-100A&_sacat=0
Leo Bodnar Precision 2 Output GPSDO (450Hz – 800Mhz) – https://v3.airspy.us/product/lb-gpsdo-1/
HP 3586A Selective Level Meter – http://ve2zaz.net/HP3586_AD5962/HP3586_AD5962.htm
Show Links
K4FMH’s Blog – http://k4fmh.com
WWV – https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/radio-stations/wwv
EEVBlog Frequency Reference Videos
Lady Heather Disciplined Oscilator Control Program – http://www.ke5fx.com/heather/readme.htm
U-Blox GPS Receivers and Timing Devices – https://www.u-blox.com/en
Gerry Sweeny on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/gezzasw
WGUR “The Noise” – http://www.gcsuradio.com/
K4FMH on Linux in the Ham Shack – http://lhspodcast.info/2015/10/lhs-episode-155-interview-with-frank-howell/
K4FMH on Twitter – https://twitter.com/frankmhowell
Podchaser is the ultimate destination for podcast data, search, and discovery. Learn More