7dB Pad

This "pi" attenuator is for my Yaesu FT-450D transceiver. I wanted to be able to output at QRP levels but the Yaesu only goes down to 5W. This pad will handle up to 10W input and give me an attenuation factor of 5.

To test for proper operation, I attached a 50 Ω dummy load to the output connector and then applied 11.95VDC to the input connector.  The output side measured 5.36VDC which corresponds to 6.97dB of attenuation.  Pretty darn close!   Now I'll be able to operate in the 1-2W range.

New Radio and First QSO!!!

I'm now the proud owner of a Yaesu FT-450D transceiver (purchased as a birthday gift to myself).  It covers all the HF bands plus 6M and will output up to 100W. Only plan on using CW so will put the microphone in storage...😊

Had my first QSO on 5/22/16!!! Talked with Ed (W8NLZ) from Virginia Beach, VA. Got a little flustered to say the least. Started receiving and managed to pick out my RST but suddenly got overwhelmed and found I could not keep up. Asked him to slow down but still had problems so decided to end transmission early. Felt like I was able to send pretty well, however. Need MORE PRACTICE receiving.

Technician License...Finally!!!

I finally earned my Technician's license!!! Only took about 50 years (literally).  Was into electronics and radios as a young teen way back in the 60s, first building a Knightkit shortwave receiver (with plugin coils for each band) and later moving on to Heathkits (too many kits even to mention).  I learned Morse code as a Boy Scout so that was no problem. Just never got around to taking the exam.  There is no longer a code requirement so passing was a cinch.  My call sign is KM4RIO.  All I need now is a radio!   With my birthday approaching (April 20th), I've got my eye on a Yaesu FT-450D...

Pixie II QRP Transceiver

I scratch built the "famous" (perhaps "infamous" is more appropriate) Pixie II QRP transceiver using an etched PCB of my own layout. I focused on the 40m band for this project and may build another in the future with plugin filters (using toroids this time) for both 40m and 80m. A combination of discrete and SMD components was used, allowing it to fit snugly into an Altoid’s tin. It definitely works, but the receiver is very sensitive (as expected) with lots of microphonics and if I hook up my scope probe to the base of the mixer/PA stage I can pick up our local AM station. Using a slightly worn 9V battery (~8.3V), the output was measured with my basic RF power meter at a whopping 108mW! I’ll have to wait until I get my ham license (hopefully this spring) before trying it out but I don’t expect a flood of contacts. Still, it was a good experience and gave me a chance to better understand Colpitts and audio oscillators. (Note - I plan on adding an RC phase shift oscillator to generate a sidetone when in transmit mode).