Our simple one transistor Michigan Mighty Mite creates a CW (Continuous Wave) signal simply by powering on and off the circuit. Involving less than a dozen components, this is truly a spare design. Without some attention to the keying (Keying Shaping) and the type of crystal being used or how it is tuned for maximum smoke (TFMS) it could and will sound like crap. Crap here does not mean Cool Radios And Projects!
The letter "K" ( _._ ) might look like this sent in CW. But this is pretty idealized waveform and given the items mentioned earlier might not be so clean.
Given the long stretches at the Board and Care where I am just sitting there while the XYL naps, my mind wanders to thoughts of CW generation using other topologies.Β
Those with SDR radios who operate CW -- ever wonder how you generate CW using I/Q or DDC. Well, I am not totally sure how it is done but it certainly more than keying a single 2N2222A.
Most likely the CW generation in SDR involves a generated audio tone that with filtering appears like a brick wall square wave which is then translated in a mixing process to the operating frequency.Β
Then I thought about Modulated CW and in an attempt to be accurate looked up MCW. Here is what Wikipedia said.
Modulated continuous waveΒ (MCW) isΒ Morse codeΒ telegraphy transmitted using an audio tone to modulate aΒ carrier wave.
Continuous wave (CW), by contrast, does not use a subcarrier, so there is no emission at all between Morse code symbols.
MCW can be generated by any AM or FM radio transmitter with audio input from an audio oscillator or equivalent audio source.[1][2]Β When an SSB transmitter is modulated by Morse code of only a single audio frequency, the resulting radio frequency emission is J2A or J2B and therefore is CW by definition, not MCW.[3]
Using a divining rod as a magic decoder ring, this I think is saying were you to modulate an AM signal with an audio tone, when no audio tone is present then you still have the carrier present. Whereas if you use SSB (no carrier) then on key up no carrier so true CW. I would think this might extend to a DSB transmitter that has no carrier. So, using DSB would not be MCW but CW.
When I built the MC1496 Direct Conversion Receiver using the Motorola (On-Semi) data sheet there was a schematic for a DSB Transmitter.Β I tried my hand at a DSB transmitter using the MC1496.
So, what if we built another MC1496 configured as a DSB transmitter and introduced an audio tone of around 600 Hz into the circuit and then we would have CW (by our Wikipedia definition). The Arduino Code for the DCR could be modified for the DSB transmitter with the necessary control circuits and generating an audio tone already exists.Β
This could be yet another way to do the CW transceiver. As of now this is just a brain message sent to me at 3AM this morning. It is not ready for prime time -- just yet.Β
More thought is needed on this approach but HAS a huge advantage if it can be pulled off. You would have both a CW and SSB (well DSB) transceiver with no Filter to be fiddled with using a questionable Nano VNA.
The RSGB Convention is just eight weeks away and the programme is shaping up to be a fantastic mix of interesting presentations for every radio amateur, regardless of experience. There will also be practical sessions and time to chat to representatives from RSGB committees and groups. For a reminder of the wide range of RSGB [β¦]
Ofcom has released a new step-by-step video on its YouTube channel to assist radio amateurs in the process of revalidating a UK amateur radio licence using the online licensing portal. Ofcom does note that whilst it is a requirement to revalidate your licence every five years, it is recommended to do it annually. Make sure [β¦]
For all the details. please go toΒ https://www.qsl.net/w2lj/ - Skeeter numbers will be handed out right up until Midnight Saturday/Sunday EDT. After that, the roster is closed. Thanks to all of you who have signed up so far. As of this morning, as I type this, we have 209 Skeeters waiting to take wing.
W2LJ will most likely be working from the shack this year. The weather outlook for Sunday in NJ is still terrible. Rain showers all day with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. I was going to set up in the backyard, but unless a weather miracle occurs, that's not going to happen. I do enough stuff that merits God hitting me with a lightning bolt. No sense in making it easier for Him. LOL!
Oh wait! There are "other" contests this weekend? I guess so. LOL!
Aug 16-Aug 17, 1020Z-0920Z, W0DBQ, Dubuque, IA. The Great River Amateur Radio Club. 7.282 14.282 17 meters 15 meters. QSL. GRARC, POB 12384, Dubuque, IA 52004. Come and have a pick-up game with us on the air. w9upk@arrl.net or https://www.w0dbq.org
08/17/2024 | Celebrating Gene Senti's Birthday
Aug 17, 1400Z-1800Z, W0CXX, Cedar Rapids, IA. Collins Amateur Radio Club. 14.263 MHz. QSL. Brice AntonJensen, 1110 Lyndhurst Dr, Hiawatha, IA 52233. https://www.qrz.com/db/W0CXX
08/17/2024 | International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
Aug 17-Aug 19, 0001Z-0000Z, T44IJ, Isla de la Juventud, CUBA. Radioclub Isla de la Juventud (CO9DAA), Cuba. 7.091 10.131 14.090 21.091. QSL. Vasiliy, P.O. Caja "8" , g. Novopavlovsk, distrito de Stavropol, RUSIA 357300, CUBA. La estaciΓ³n estarΓ‘ activando el Faro de Carapashibey al sur de la Isla de la Juventud, Cuba, con nΓΊmero de Isla NA-056 https://www.qrz.com/db/T44IJ
08/17/2024 | International Lighthouse Weekend 2024
Aug 17-Aug 18, 0001Z-2324Z, W7FLO, Florence, OR. Oregon Coast Emergency Repeater Inc.. 14.265.000. QSL. COCARC, PO BOX 254, Florence, OR 97439. info@w7flo.com
08/17/2024 | International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend
Aug 17-Aug 18, 1700Z-1500Z, N6L, La Honda, CA. SC4ARC. 7.030 CW, 7.270 SSB 14.030 CW, 14.270 SSB 21.030 CW, 21.370 SSB. QSL. SC4ARC, P.O. Box 237, La Honda, CA 94020. Please do not send QSL card. Logged contacts will be sent QSL after event. www.SC4ARC.org/events/lighthouse
08/17/2024 | Nuclear Ship Savannah Maiden Voyage Anniversary
Aug 17, 1300Z-2100Z, K3S, Baltimore, MD. Nuclear Ship Savannah ARC. 7.1 14.1 21.1 28.1. QSL. K3LU, 980 PATUXENT ROAD, Odenton, MD 21113. Single transmitter SSB and CW aboard N/S Savannah. Please check spotting networks for frequencies. Info on QRZ.com www.qrz.com/db/k3s
08/17/2024 | Port Clinton, OH Lighthouse activation on Saturday, August 17th, 2024
Aug 17, 1500Z-2100Z, W8GNM/8, Port Clinton, OH. Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservency. 14.335 21.440 28.615 7.235. QSL. Geoff Mendenhall, 4720 E. Terrace Cir, 4720 E. Terrace Cir, Port Clinton, OH 43452. W8GNM/8 will be QRV from the Port Clinton Lighthouse during the Port Clinton Lighthouse Festival at Port Clinton, OH (ARLHS USA-922). Grid Square: EN81mm (http://arlhs.com/events/) International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend Aug 17, 2024 at Port Clinton, OH. (US 0228) (https://wllw.org/index.php/list-3) Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy (http://portclintonlighthouse.org/) Check web clusters for specific frequencies. Typical 40m frequencies 7.200 or 7.235 Typical 20m frequencies 14.285 or 14.335 Typical 15m frequencies 21.350 or 21.440 Typical 10m frequencies 28.600 or 28.615 QSL via LoTW only to W8GNM/8. Operators: Geoff - W8GNM, Jay - K8CJY, Tom - KZ8ZZ, and Jon - KB8SRQ https://portclintonlighthouse.org
08/17/2024 | Shiremanstown Sesquicentennial
Aug 17-Aug 18, 1500Z-0300Z, K3K, Camp Hill, PA. South Mountain Radio Amateurs. 7.290 21.290 14.290 28.390. QSL. See K3K , on QRZ, Shiremanstown. Electronic QSL card provided through email and/or eQSL.cc. Fill out form on N3TWT.org to get email with Electronic QSL card. Additional information available on QRZ under K3K special events call sign n3twt.org
08/17/2024 | Thunder on the Plains
Aug 17, 1400Z-2100Z, WB5EMR, Levelland, TX. Hockley County Amateur Radio Club. 7.260 14.260. QSL. Whitney Owens, N5QNS, 332 Pecan, Levelland, TX 79336. See website for details. www.wb5emr.org
And lastly ...... overnight I got an e-mail from QRP Labs that my QMX has been shipped! Another e-mail from FedEx shows the probable delivery date? You guessed it! Monday ..... the day AFTER the Skeeter Hunt! Oh well, I'd want to take the time to go through the manual quite thoroughly anyway, so I don't destroy the radio the first time I turn it on.
I have been on 10m FT8 with my 2.5W for about 2 hours. So far (at 1104z) I have been spotted by 195 stations and here I have spotted 280 stations with the furthermost Western Australia.
UPDATE 1153z:Β Spotted VK0DS (14844km) in Antarctica. 314 stations spotted here and I have been spotted by 216 stations.
Just crossed 55,000 logged at QRZ.com: Confirmed at QRZ.com is 71.6% A new country, if evenly spaced out, would be one out of every 256 QSOs (every 233 QSOs if the 21 unconfirmed DX Countries were confirmed at QRZ.com) Domestic QSOs account for 75.6% (so DX contacts average just under one-fourth) 73 Steve K9ZW
Meetings of Bolsover Amateur Radio Society take place every other Tuesday starting at 8pm at the Bainbridge Hall, Bolsover, S44 6PX. Further information and reminders for meetings can be found on the Societyβs Facebook page @bolsoverars Β Contact Vin, G4KSY on 01246 827135 for further information. Bromsgrove and District Amateur Radio Club meets every Friday from [β¦]
Barnsley and District Amateur Radio Club has a meeting from 7pm every Wednesday. On Thursday, there will be a net on 144.5625MHz FM from 7pm. David, G4TMZ, g6aj@outlook.com Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club will be meeting at the Village Hall, Stanley Crook on Thursday evening from 7.30pm. Please visit the Clubβs website at barac.org.uk Β for [β¦]
Antrim and District Amateur Radio Society has 2m nets from 9pm on Tuesday and from 8pm on Saturday. adars.co.uk Bangor and District Amateur Radio Society meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the Marquis Hall, Abbey Street, Bangor, BT20 4JE from 7.30pm. For more information visit the Societyβs Facebook page. Bushvalley Amateur Radio [β¦]
Today, the 18 August, members of Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society are operating from Todhead Lighthouse during International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. Thursday sees a direction-finding activity from 7pm. aars.org.uk Ayr Amateur Radio Group meets on alternate Fridays at Prestwick Community Centre from 7.30pm. For details of club activities and nets visit gm0ayr.org Derek, MM0OVD, 0742 [β¦]
On Wednesday, Aylesbury Vale Radio Society is visiting RAF Halton Museum. For more information about the Society visit avrs.org.uk Banbury Amateur Radio Society has a net most evenings on 144.5125MHz FM. Members are meeting for a club night on Wednesday. For more information visit banburyares.co.uk On Monday Bishopβs Stortford Amateur Radio Society has a meeting [β¦]
If you are of a certain age, you started with something like WordStar (or WordPerfect) most likely. Well those who want to continue have built archives to keep you going: https://sfwriter.com/blog/?p=5806 Anyone can have WordStar for DOS 7.0 up and running on a Windows computer in a matter of minutes using this archive; with just [β¦]
by Anthony (M7TAW) Introduction After the success that was my first ever activations at Devilβs Punch Bowl, Iβd earmarked another close by POTA spot for my second activation. This one had an unusually low number of activations, given the local activity in surrounding parks. I just figured maybe itβs a bit out the way and β¦ Continue reading Climbing an old hill and struggling to get ten in the logs!β