Ham Radio
This is (PART 1). Links to all parts: (PART 1), (PART 2), (PART 3), (PART 4), (PART 5)
A friend has a Kenwood TS-520S HF (high frequency) ham radio. He does not have the optional DG-5 frequency display and calibrating the dials between bands is not much fun. He gave me some information about the DG-5 and through some review I believe I can make a substitute for the DG-5 using an Arduino, LCD Shield and hand full of chips.
He could buy a DG-5 but that would cost more than he paid for the whole rig and it really is not necessary to use the radio, just more convenient.
This is part one so watch this video which covers my idea and some pre-testing. All looks good so far and I’m already working on part two.
I got the Arduino frequency library from this site:
http://interface.khm.de/index.php/lab/experiments/arduino-frequency-counter-library/
In the video I just use the library example scketch so I have no code to share in part 1.
I also followed some circuit examples shared at these two sites which both built HF frequency counts and were great sources of information to help me on my way to building an Arduino derivative HF frequency counter. My counter is for a single custom application and so doesn’t incorporate all the features these other builds include.
http://aade.com/DFD2inst/DFD2inst.htm
http://www.avr-asm-tutorial.net/avr_en/fcount/fcount_m8.html
Arduino website to get development software and sample code:
I got my Arduino and LCD shield from Adafruit.com
http://www.adafruit.com/products/50
http://www.adafruit.com/products/714
Some chips and data sheets I have used in part one:
CD74HCT93
Used in 3 bit binary ripple counter mode for divide by 8 with input at CP1 and output at Q3
http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/cd74hc93.pdf
CD74HC153
Dual 4 to 1 Line Selector/Multiplexer
http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/cd74hc153.pdf
Here are some photos of what I covered in part one. CLICK ON PHOTO for hi-resolution image.
The (SARC) Superstition Amateur Radio Club of Mesa, AZ needed to replace their UHF/VHF repeater antenna and repair the hard feed line which had a large dent in it from years back. This video shows the club taking down the tower, replacing the antenna and fixing the hard line.
One member volunteered to climb the tower to connect the strap and tow cable. This tower’s base is on a hinge so to bring it down you only need to remove some large bolts.
A local towing company volunteered their crane truck and a driver for a couple of hours. Thanks Apache Sands towing it was greatly appreciated. Some more volunteer members pulled on a counter rope and the tower is on its way down at the command of the tow truck operator.
The tower is lying down nicely on some old tires.
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This is footage of the (SARC) Superstition Amateur Radio Club’s tower in Mesa, AZ.
Our ham radio club has used this tower and antenna for many years but it is now in need of repairs. The club wanted some footage to help plan the repairs. The buzzing in the shack is an over voltage alarm which will be fixed with the repairs along with a new antenna.
More information on the SARC website at: http://wb7tjd.org/wiki/Superstition_Amateur_Radio_Club,_Inc._147.12