ZS1I Simple Small Projects: Power Supply for Turnigy Accucel-6 Battery Charger (Project 2)

I needed a dedicated power supply for the Turnigy Accucel-6 Battery Charger.  I use this charger to charge the External 18650 Li-ion Battery Pack for the Yaesu FT817.  In the past I had to haul out a bulky power supply that took a large space on my small work bench.  This was not on.  I need to use a dedicated small power supply.  Well I came up with the following solution as depicted in the images.  A cheap Chinese Switch Mode 12v  5A 60W power supply was the answer.  I added what was needed and tested the setup.  It works great and provided the necessary power.  For the price I paid for the Chinese PWS you cannot homebrew one.  (Click on images for larger view.)

Update: 220v Time Switching Relay Unit to prevent equipment damage during loadshedding or power outages.

My previous post dated 24 January 2023 refers.  Click HERE to view the project

This post is an update on how the unit has functioned since build and installation.  All I can say is that it was worth all the expenses and work.  The unit is working flawlessly and provides the necessary protection as described in the post.  

The unit is now also linked to the backup diesel generator.  If the generator starts then the unit will prevent immediate power to the home DB Board.  It will delay the electricity feed for 5 minutes after the generator has been started.   

Finally: It is my humble opinion that this unit is really a necessity that should be installed in every  household irrespective of loadshedding or not.  This unit will protect your equipment and prevent all the paperwork and extra expenses during an insurance claim which might even be declined.

ZS1I Simple Small Projects: Drill Jig Guide (Project 1)

Updated 22 March 2023! 

Homebrew Drill Jig Guide

The function of this Jig is to keep a round object level and true to drill holes through the round object with a press drill.  I plan to build a VHF Quad Antenna from PVC pipe and fittings.  Now the holes for the spreaders must be level and true.  The PVC couplers that I am going to use needed a homebrew Jig with special measurements as I could not find a U shape metal former.  I scratched around my metal junkbox and found two pieces of stainless steel angle iron.  I had to improvise and decided to weld the two pieces together to give me the U shape I need.  It turned out very well the coupler fits snugly in the Jig as can be seen in the images displayed underneath.  (Click on images for larger view.)

UPDATED PHOTOS (22 March 2023)  Click on images for larger view.

Terugvoering "Lippeklap" Net 12 February 2023

Al wat ek kan se is die Net raak net beter en beter en dit is nie aan my te danke nie maar aan almal wat deelneem aan die Net.  'n Besondere woord van welkom aan Johan ZS1AAC wat vir die eerste keer by die net aangesluit het. Gistermiddag was 'n ope net en dit beteken dat jy kon praat oor enige iets wat jy in amateur radio gedoen of nie gedoen het nie die afgelope tyd.  Die opkoms was goed en was dit goed om te verneem dat Koos ZS5KDK weer op die been is na sy olikheid.  Koos ons het jou gemis maar is bly dat jy weer by ons kon aansluit.  Ons vertrou dat jy volkome sal herstel.

Hier volg net 'n kort saaklike opsomming van wat bespreek is:

1. Bouvet Island DXPedition
   
2. Rules when trying to work a dxpedition
3. Radio -  How to use the Split function.
4. Older amateur radio sets like  Yaesu FT680R and FT480.  Fixing of older radios and looking for a crystal for the Yaesu FT480 radio.
5. Radio Test Equipment and availability.  Is it worth buying test equipment if you're not going to repair radios?
6. Dae wanneer dit nie so goed gaan nie en as jy begin sukkel met 'n radio wat nie wil doen wat jy he hy moet doen nie.  Geduld is somtyds baie nodig.
7. Arduino Programering en skryf van kode.
8. Baie geluk aan Christi ZS4CGR en sy LV Marie ZS4??? wat altwee suksevol was om die manne op Bouvet Eiland te werk en dit nogal toe daar menigsverskille was onder verskeie stasies wat hulle wou werk.  Die ou spreekwoord "Twee honde baklei oor 'n been en die derde gaan daarmee heen" is heel van toepassing.  Christi en Marie het besluit om 3Y0J te kontak juis tydens die meningsverskille.  Baie geluk aan beide van julle.
9. Hoe werk jy "split" frekwensie?  Thys ZS1TBP, Koos ZS5KDK en Christi ZS4CGR verduidelik.
10. Installering van rugsteun battery en UPS by een van Koos ZS5KDK se servers in KZN.  Dit voorkom onderbrekings tydens beurkrag.

Baie dankie aan al die stasies wat deelgeneem en gekoppel was tydens die Lippeklap Net.   Onthou om volgende Sondag middag om 15h30 in te skakel by die "Lippeklap"  Net.  Die onderwerp van bespreking sal later in die week bekend gemaak word.  Kom sluit gerus by ons aan!

Hoe skakel ek in by die Net?

• Echolink - Konnekteer aan ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R of ZS5PMB-R Neem kennis as die laaste drie stasies nie gekonnekteer is aan ZS1I-L nie, konnekteer dan via  Echolink aan ZS1I-L om by die net aan te sluit.
• AllStar - Konnekteer aan node 49355 ZS1I of 28052 ZS5PMB-R
• VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in die Mosselbaai area. Onthou die 88.5 khz CTCSS toon.
• Enige ander Echolink, AllStar  herhaler of link stasie wat aan ZS1I-L gekoppel is.
• Gebruik sommer Echolink wat op jou selfoon geinstalleer is.

"Lippeklap" Net onderwerp vir Sondag 12 Februarie 2023 15h30:

 DIT IS AMPER WEER LIPPEKLAP TYD!!!! Dit is more middag 12/2/2023 om 15h30 weer “Lippeklap” tyd. Daar is geen spesifieke onderwerp vir bespreking nie, gevolglik is dit ' n Ope Net. Kom vertel vir ons wat het jy die week in Amateur Radio gedoen nie gedoen nie. Ek hoop om te verneem dat 80% van radio amateurs in Suid Afrika reeds Bouvet Eiland 3Y0J gewerk het. Indien nie is jy van voornemens om die stasie te werk? Sou jy eendag op so ‘n ekspedisie wou gaan. Come join us on the “Lippeklap” Net. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. Hope to hear you on the “Lippeklap” Net this afternoon at 15h30.

Look what I found at a Farmers Market Stall. (Part 2)

The Yaesu FT80C is alive in RX and TX!!  All it needs is a good clean up and some "spook piepie".  I will refurbish the covers and fix the broken head clips.  Otherwise this radio is well worth the money that I paid for it.  And what did I pay for this radio?  R150.00.  You don't believe me?  Well look at the photo displaying the price on the radio. I put the "masking tape" over the price tag just to keep the head of the radio in place to see if the radio works.  There is still some bargains out there today.  You just need to find them.  I will however have to spend some time "working" on this radio to revamp it to my liking.  It will be mainly used for digital modes once it has undergone some TLC.

Here is two videos illustrating the RX working of the radio.  I have not yet made a video of the TX side although the output power reflected on the SWR Meter was good enough at the time. I will post a Part 3 later to illustrate the working of this radio.

Feedback "Lippeklap" Net 5 February 2023 15h30

We had a great discussion relating to amateur radio competitions yesterday afternoon. Here are the list of points that were discussed:  (Some in Afrikaans and some in English)

1.   Hoekom werk jy kompetisies?
2.  Wat hou jy nie van kompetisies nie?
3.  Bly jy op een frekwensie of beweeg jy rond op die band?
4.  QRM and QRN (Man made as well.)
5.  Hierdie is my frekwensie. Ek gebruik dit al 30 jaar. QSY asseblief ek en my vriende wil hier gesels. gaan kompetisie op 'n ander frekwensie.
6.  Is dit eties om oor ander deelnemers te roep?
7.  Ek werk nie meer kompetisies nie want daar is te veel gemoan en gegroan na die tyd.
8.  Slegte verloorders voor hulle nog begin deelneem het.
9.  Is daar iets soos 'n "gentleman" in amateur radio kompetisies?
10.  Hoe krag of lae krag tydens kompetisies?
11.  Neewat die bande is treurig dit is nie die moeite werd om tyd te mors met kompetisies nie.
12.  Kompetisies word altyd deur dieselfde clubs, radio amateurs gewen. Ander staan nie 'n kans nie.
13.  Changing of the rules takes place to frequently.
14.  Completing forms after the contest rather difficult and time consuming.
15.  Giving away of points.
16.  SARL Field Day 11-12 March 2023.
17.  Nobody owns a frequency.
18.  The enjoyment of contests.
19.   Stay on one frequency - hopping around is better
20.   Get help before and after a contest from an Elmer on how to participate and to fill in forms and spreadsheet.
21.  Emosies verskil.  Jy is in kompetisie met jouself.
22.  Talle voorvalle laaste tyd gedurende kompetisies.  Dit is ongenaam en moet stop.
23.  Voorstel Kraguitset:  Drie klasse  - QRP (100 mw to 5 watt), NORMAAL ( 6 watt to 100 watt) and HOE KRAG (101 watt to 1 kw)  Dit sal almal 'n gelyke kans bied.
24.  Sommige deelnemers "loop wyd" wanneer hul versterkers gebruik.  10 khz links en regs van 'n frekwensie.  
25. Contestants should absorb some bashing during a contest.
26. Versending van logstate nie altyd moontlik van een epos adres nie.  Daar moet ander opsies wees vir die instuur van logstate.
27. Wees vriendelik en bedagsaam tydens kompetisies.  Onthou jy moet dalk eendag die persoon in die oe kyk.
28. Before you call on any frequency a good practice would be to ask if the frequency is in use or occupied.
29. Do not try to solve  any differences on the air.  Do this off the air!!  People who argue or "fight" on the air harms amateur radio and spoil the fun of others who listen to the debacle. 
30. Enjoy amateur radio contests!!  After all we must set a good example to new radio amateurs who wants to participate in contests.  We do not want them to learn all the "bad" habits.
    

Unfortunately I do not have the time to provide a full detailed report of the discussions that took place relating to the above topics.  This is where you need to join the "Lippeklap" Net to find out more. 

In the February 2023 Radio ZS there is an interesting article on page 68 called "Amateur radio contests could become science projects" by Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV.  Contestants might find this very interesting and is well worth the read. 

May I just add that many great ideas /comments came from all those who participated in the Net. Many far better than those I provided.  Crux is join the Net and then you will be able to listen to all the comments and suggestions.

The next "Lippeklap"  Net will take place on Sunday, 12 February 2023 at 15h30 SAST. Connect to ZS1I-L via Echolink or 49355 AllStar Node or any of the other nodes connected to the GRHub Network. 

Hope to hear you on the next Lippeklap Net. 

Come join in on the fun!!

 

Down Memory Lane: DIY 3D Printer Projects by Johann Swanepoel ZS2BVD, George

Note: Original article published the 3 May 2020 just before Covid19 started to cause havoc, also in amateur radio.  After the ban was lifted the Reboot Amateur Radio Events were stopped due to various reasons.  Such a pity as this coffee drink sessions were really a source of good information and also very enjoyable outings.  Maybe we should try to resurrect the Reboot Amateur Radio Coffee drink gatherings even if it takes place every second month.

The Reboot Amateur Radio WhatsApp Group is currently very active during the current lock-down period. A wide variety of interesting discussion points are posted daily. 

The latest project discussed is constructing your own 3D Printer from scratch. I will post full detail soon on the Reboot Amateur Radio Blog but here is an appetite teaser:

The original Prusa Mendel that I built from a kit. The blue parts are reprinted replacement parts. Also the original gears I replaced with these printed grey herringbone ones. The direct extruder is for 3 mm filament.

The Delta printer based on the enlarged Rostock but with my own support structure design based on the Dobsonian telescope type of truss tube structure. All the parts were printed with the above first printer. The marine ply top and bottom are leftover cutouts from the 2 20 inch Dobsonians that I had built years earlier. The 6 gold looking thin pipes that support the print platform are from an FM antenna - thin walls and strong.

My current work-horse. An enlarged version of the original Prusa Mendel to give 300x300mm print plate. Parts are exactly the same as the original and were in turn printed on the Truss-tube Delta. Blue on print platform is blue painters tape on aluminium plate. Electronics all mounted on a DIN rail at the top. RPi in front followed by box with Mega and Ramps and then a third box holding a veroboard with external mosfet to switch high printbed heater current. Bowden extruder - also on Delta.

Recently completed printer the same as the enlarged work-horse shown previously.
All images courtesy of Johann Swanepoel, George.

All four printers comes from the stall of Johann Swanepoel a grand master in building his own 3D Printers. A lot of interest is expressed by the Group and talks are currently underway to launch a DIY 3D Printer project for interested group members. Johann will also be our tutor once the project starts. There is still planning to do and with the current lockdown in place, ordering and delivering of parts is rather difficult.

Many thanks to Johann who supplied the information and photos.

"Lippeklap" Net onderwerp vir Sondag 5 Februarie 2023 15h30:

Kom gesels saam oor Amateur Radio Kompetisies:

1. Hoekom werk jy kompetisies?
2. Wat hou jy nie van kompetisies nie?
3. Bly jy op een frekwensie of beweeg jy rond op die band?
4. QRM and QRN (Man made as well.)
5. Hierdie is my frekwensie. Ek gebruik dit al 30 jaar. QSY asseblief ek en my vriende wil hier gesels. gaan kompetisie op 'n ander frekwensie.
6. Is dit eties om oor ander deelnemers te roep?
7. Ek werk nie meer kompetisies nie want daar is te veel gemoan en gegroan na die tyd.
8. Slegte verloorders voor hulle nog begin deelneem het.
9. Is daar iets soos 'n "gentleman" in amateur radio kompetisies?
10. Hoe krag of lae krag tydens kompetisies?
11. Neewat die bande is treurig dit is nie die moeite werd om tyd te mors met kompetisies nie.
12. Kompetisies word altyd deur dieselfde clubs, radio amateurs gewen. Ander staan nie 'n kans nie.

Kom deel jou standpunt met ons die komende Sondagmiddag op die "Lippeklap" Net.

Hoe skakel ek in by die Net?

• Echolink - Konnekteer aan ZS1I-L, ZS1FC-L, ZS6WDL-R of ZS5PMB-R Neem kennis as die laaste drie stasies nie gekonnekteer is aan ZS1I-L nie, konnekteer dan via  Echolink aan ZS1I-L om by die net aan te sluit.
• AllStar - Konnekteer aan node 49355 ZS1I of 28052 ZS5PMB-R
• VHF - 145.550 Mhz Simplex in die Mosselbaai area. Onthou die 88.5 khz CTCSS toon.
• Enige ander Echolink, AllStar  herhaler of link stasie wat aan ZS1I-L gekoppel is.
• Gebruik sommer Echolink wat op jou selfoon geinstalleer is.

DIY Project: Dedicated Sound Card Interface for the Yaesu FT817, FT857 and FT897

 I needed a dedicated sound card interface for my Yaesu FT817 radio.  Pre requisites were :  

• Need to work from the Data and ACC socket.  Microphone socket need to be free.
  
• Had to interface via USB to the computer.
• Need solid PTT switching (RTS signal from the RS232 board).  Vox was not even and option.
• Need CAT to be working from the sound card interface.
• Interface need to be relative small
• Integrated sound card (does not use PC/notebook internal sound card)
• No external adjustments (only through software volume sliders) 
• Compatible with all digital modes software (including HRD) 
• Powered by the USB port
• Provides 2 supplemental USB ports for other usage (ex. a memory stick, etc.)
• Use a single USB port from the PC/notebook (for sound, PTT and CAT)

Scrounging the Internet I found what I was looking for from Dan YO3GGX. 

I am not going to go into the construction details here as Dan's website contains everything you need to know.  For information I am going to publish the schematic diagram of the interface.  Please not I used a different USB Hub, Sound Card Dongle and used veroboard to accommodate the PTT module.

Diagram:

Image:  Dan YO3GGX  (Click on image for larger view.)

Using the interface

You need to connect the interface to the PC/notebook using a standard USB(male)/miniUSB(male) cable.

NOTE: Use a quality USB 2.0 cable (shielded and with ferrite at the PC end) especially if you are working with high power.

Wait for the drivers for the USB/serial module to be installed. If necessary, use the CD provided together with the CAT cable. Check in Computer Management / Device Manager / Ports (Windows XP) to see which port was allocated for the new interface. In the following example is port COM6.

• Check that the USB sound interface driver is installed too.
• Set in the program of choice for CAT the right COM port for CAT.
• Select in the program of choice for digital modes the right sound card and the right PTT mode.

You are now ready to use your new interface.

Comment:  I am very pleased with the working of this Sound Card Interface.  It is really a pleasure to have a unit that works great without any problems.  It was worth all the effort and time spend to build this unit.  Looking back at the project the cabling and hot gluing could have been better but I was in a hurry as DX waits for nobody!!   Maybe one day I will revamp the interface, who knows.

Images of the ZS1I Sound Card Project for the FT817.  Click on images for larger view.