CW keyer

I have built a CW keyer. I can not copy CW very well but the main use for this one is for a beacon. I also added the 'paddles' to the circuit, but that is just for testing it out and not so practical to use. I searched around a bit to try to find a suitable software. I wanted it to be open source software and use an Atmel MCU. So I found http://lategahn.2log.de/index.php?yack-yet-another-cw-keyer . It is basically just a few components, Attiny45, voltage regulator and a piezo buzzer . Here is a video:

The user interface is via CW and I have not yet programmed it for beacon use. When I put it that service I can just move the chip over. We will see when that happens. So many interesting projects going on at the same time. This is a fun hobby!

Equipment Update

Just a small post about two recent purchases. First a 3 Ampere lab power supply and then an oscilloscope: Rigol DS1052E 50 MHz digital scope. And if you wonder, the black box between them are the QS1R SDR, 0-62 MHz receiver and spectrum analyzer. I starting to feel quite well equipped.. :-)

Building Ham Radio Subway style

I saw the above video by Tom AK2B where he shows what he calls subway style of building. I wanted to try it so I bought a drill bit that is supposed to be used for wood and modified it a bit so that when making the 'islands' the drill bit will not go through the PCB. Below is an image of the latest project, an audio amplifier where I tried this. The image is taken in the middle of the build  process so you can see some unused pads.

The result was very good and I will probably continue to use it. Here is a video with the audio amp is being tested:

BTW, the music is Motor City Drum Ensemble with Stuttgart Nights!

PCB holder kit

I just got this kit in the mail. It is a simple and quite handy PCB holder from Ken WA4MNT. Get more information and buy at http://qrpbuilder.com/ .