A couple of weeks ago I received a computer from Wayne VA6AWR so that I could use it in the ham shack, for digital communications on 2m FM Packet. I was interested in using Linux for this project and so I set about to install it on this computer. Since this is an older computer a Celeron 900Mhz with 300 some megabytes of RAM I needed a lightweight OS. In discussion with a friend he suggested to use Xubuntu as it is ideal for that application.
I downloaded Xubuntu 9.10 on my other computer burned the LiveCD and put it in the computer. The first time it booted off of the disk into loader prompt, so I decided to check the memory. There was a few bad sectors, so I went back into Windows and did a scan disk and corrected that. When I went back to reboot the computer it would no longer recognize the CD and would boot to Windows. I tried to use a USB key but the bios would not recognize it to boot off of.
From here I went with AFU Knoppix 6.04 as this was a ham build and had the software that I was looking for preloaded. I found that this was a little bit sluggish on this machine so I downloaded the Xubunut 8.04 LiveCD and installed that onto the computer. Being that I am not a Linux guy I am learning as I go. I had a programming class on a linux machine 5 years ago and I was very capable with DOS, but I do not know any of the terminal codes so that I can install the program that I want to us, which is FLDigi.
So here I am googling how to install this program, I am starting to see a pattern now of how things are done.
./configure
make
make install
Hopefully I shall have it done tonight so that I can test it on the air tomorrow.
Ben
VA6KAZ
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Radio Tuned
Yesterday evening I was able to get the radio tuned with the help of Wayne, VA6AWR. There was really only one slight glitch, the tuning wands that he had brought were the wrong size, so we had to run down to Active Electronics to get some, luckily they had the ones that fit.
On the way back from Active we stopped in at Wayne's house and he showed me his 20m and 40m antenna as well as his NVIS antenna. It was a pretty slick set up with his antennas. Maybe once I move from my current location I will be able to put up some HF antennas and make some contacts.
Hopefully, i have some time during reading week next week that I will be able to case the radio, but who knows since school is getting busy right now.
On the way back from Active we stopped in at Wayne's house and he showed me his 20m and 40m antenna as well as his NVIS antenna. It was a pretty slick set up with his antennas. Maybe once I move from my current location I will be able to put up some HF antennas and make some contacts.
Hopefully, i have some time during reading week next week that I will be able to case the radio, but who knows since school is getting busy right now.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Going to Tune the Receiver
Today, I am off to go see Wayne, VA6AWR to help me tune my radio receiver. As I do not have all of the equipment and cannot justify the expense or the space to get it at the moment I need to seek out those that have it. One of the great things about Amateur Radio is that most people within the hobby are willing to help out where they can. As this is a hobby that attracts those that build things it is good for me who doesn't have a lot of equipment yet, as well as I lack a lot of experience. I have a little bit of knowledge of how the fundamentals are supposed to work, but I am willing to learn and gain new experience. Isn't what building new things is all about.
Ben VA6KAZ
Ben VA6KAZ
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
First Post
I love to build, and I thought that I would share my progress.
My current project is building an amateur radio transmitter hunter. I have done considerable research on the topic, and the most popular type in the region is 2m fm. I do not currently have a handheld transceiver and I am on a budget as a student I needed the most economical choice.
I decided to build a Vectronics VEC-1002K 2m fm receiver.
http://www.vectronics.com/Product.php?productid=VEC-1002K
I needed an attenuator to mitigate the signals at close range, so I will be using the following circuit.
http://www.homingin.com/joek0ov/offatten.html
The receiver has no signal strength meter, so I found an LED circuit that I could add to the radio. I have modified the circuit designed by N9ZIA.
http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/wireless/appendixF.html#8
After that it is all built I will likely build a tape measure yagi.
http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm
I have completed the construction phase of the receiver and will be going over to VA6AWR to get his help to tune the receiver so that I can add the attenuator and signal meter circuits. Pictures will come soon.
VA6KAZ
My current project is building an amateur radio transmitter hunter. I have done considerable research on the topic, and the most popular type in the region is 2m fm. I do not currently have a handheld transceiver and I am on a budget as a student I needed the most economical choice.
I decided to build a Vectronics VEC-1002K 2m fm receiver.
http://www.vectronics.com/Product.php?productid=VEC-1002K
I needed an attenuator to mitigate the signals at close range, so I will be using the following circuit.
http://www.homingin.com/joek0ov/offatten.html
The receiver has no signal strength meter, so I found an LED circuit that I could add to the radio. I have modified the circuit designed by N9ZIA.
http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/wireless/appendixF.html#8
After that it is all built I will likely build a tape measure yagi.
http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm
I have completed the construction phase of the receiver and will be going over to VA6AWR to get his help to tune the receiver so that I can add the attenuator and signal meter circuits. Pictures will come soon.
VA6KAZ
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