I feel forced by site visitors to include the following advisory : Please note that I do NOT supply PCBs, short form kits or built-up versions of my projects, PCB layout files, project source code or Picaxe codes... This is an IDEAS site where I have had an idea - and implemented it - and (generally) enough guidance is given for others to emulate the process - or know that it can be done. If you have an expectation that by contacting me directly that you will get significantly more detail than is available on the topic page, you are mistaken. If you are looking for clarification of some points in an article, by all means use the Contact Me link from the menu at left. 19 May 2015
Note : Please do NOT send actual QSL cards these days, only electronic versions via eQSL, QRZ logbook or LOTW.
I do not chase awards requiring cards and have 50+ years of accumulated QSL cards here ! I don't need/want any more.
Paper cards are NOT being processed into my log or cards returned.
I know I should do something about this but I have little time to do so. So many other things in my life have higher priority.
Apologies in advance.
RECENT WEB PAGES ON THIS SITE :
September 2022 : BandView software project page added, where BandView is an add-on to WSJT-X for digital modes users. It processes data from the main package and presents it in reverse order but with user-defined filtering options including highlighting by received signal level, plus selection by prefix or callsign, grid square, ... It's role is to make your digital mode operations easier.
There has been lots of other activity in the VK4ADC shack in the last year or two but none of it has been documented on this web site....
24 April 2021 : Need to find out where the Australian amateur beacons and repeaters are ? How about amateurs near to you ? Amateur radio related KML files to operate with Google Earth can be found on this web page : Australian amateur radio licences data with the data extracted directly from a download of the ACMA's RRL database. A raw text-format beacon and repeater list is also available although the KML files will probably be more useful..
27 August 2020 : The FCC Trial Test software has been updated to cover the 2020 Extra Class FCC tests, while retaining 2019 General and 2028 Technician Class support. The version available for download is now V 1.1.0.2, only about 1500KB in size, and runs on Win32 or Win64 systems.
18 August 2020 : The VK4ADC 'Contact Me' email address was reported as faulty - but how long it has been that way is unknown. The issue was resolved within minutes. Apologies to anyone who tried to contact me through at email address.
5 Feb 2020 : The VK4ADC web site now resides on a shared host server in a Sydney Datacentre and I am hoping that it will give faster and more reliable access for the site's visitors. The VK9NU pages are still available after the move. Contact email remains unaltered.
24 October 2019 : My plans to move my WSPR beacon operations across to an Icom transceiver resulted in antenna complexities. My solution was to create an antenna switching unit that runs using the Band Voltage pin on the Icom's accessory port. Two PCBs were used : a PICAXE controller plus a relay RF switching board : Icom Transceiver Antenna Band-switching Project
4 June 2019 : My (free) software to help you SWOT for the three FCC (/USA) amateur licence grades was placed on the site, mainly to help others who want to do these tests - anywhere in the world that they are available. It is labelled as "FCC Trial Exam Software" - but that is only part of the story. It helped me score 100% across all three exams (Tech, General, Extra) and obtain the USA Extra call KX4SX. Visit this web page to find out more.
5 January 2019 : I wanted to use my SDR dongle at HF - but it doesn't work there. I built this SDR Up-Converter to check the spectrum at the WSPR-Pi transmitter output at 10, 14, 18 and 21MHz. A little project that promises to be a lot of help in the future..
27 December 2018 : "My Slice of 'Pi' - a WSPR Beacon project" started off as small low-cost WSPR beacon for 50MHz / 6M at 200mW of RF power but extended into a multi-band device transmitting WSPR on 30M, 20M, 17M and 6M with the option of adding 15M too. This is the story of the path I ended up taking in the creation of this project...
23rd October 2018: My WSPRView for Windows software was introduced today as an initial release but more options will be added and refined over time. For WSPR enthusiasts, it may be the very tool you need to process reported activity across the MF, HF and VHF bands. Check back often for new versions. *** FREE ***
4th July 2018: My involvement in operating on FT8 led me to the PSKReporter.info web site but I wanted a simple Windows application to see my signal reports rather than use the maps and then drill down for log info using that site. There wasn't an app that I could find so I wrote my 'PSKRepView' software. More details and a download link is on the page PSK Reporter Viewer.. Win32/64 and Win7-10.
15 June 2018: The earlier WSJT-X Viewer software has been revamped into LogView for WSJT-X, runs faster than the original while using the same support files plus has an optional mapping display. Requires WSJT-X 1.9.x or later to function. Win32/64 and Win7-10.
1st June 2018: The Squid Pole Wire Antenna Re-Visited - again... UN-UN heating issues during a recent portable operation forced a review of the squid pole as a portable antenna, particularly when operating on the FT8 mode. New UN-UN construction info plus a 'porcupine' style coil to help trim the impedances to get the auto-ATU to provide a better match to the radio.
21 April 2018 : PfxLookup is a utility that allows a quick lookup of country name plus approximate bearing and distance if the user's grid locator is provided. The article's full title is Quick Amateur Radio Prefix Lookup Software and it uses AD1C's (updateable) CTY.DAT for the prefix to country lookup source. Win7+, 32 or 64 bit.
12 April 2018 : GPS2Time - a means of sync-ing your computer clock using a GPS Receiver. Free software that will work under Windows 7+ and allows GPS data to set your computer's clock within 1 second - with an auto-update period option if wanted. Great while operating on digital modes while portable and where cellular coverage is not available.
27 March 2018: I recently started operating using FT8 but the not-readily-available list of who I had worked became an issue for me. I wrote a simple application to display the basic callsign details from the WSJT-X log file. My WSJTX Log File Viewer fits my needs - and it might help you too.
1 September 2017: My web pages for the 2016 Norfolk Island activation as VK9NU were moved to the VK4ADC web site as the VK9NU.NET domain name was allowed to lapse. All content was transferred...
11 Aug 2017 : My Portable HF antenna options page shows a few ideas as to proceed when out and about with the caravan - or even just out portable - and wanting to put up some sort of HF antenna.
12 July 2017: Access restrictions for a number of countries is now in place. Countries rejected through IP Bans : hackers describes why.
10 July 2017: The Forum at Ozlogger.net has undergone a domain name change. The ozlogger name was a variant of the demised vklogger forum but now it is time to move forward. The new domain name is AHRDF.NET to reflect the content: the Australian Ham Radio Discussion Forum.
2 June 2017: 160/80/40 metre trapped dipole/V antenna construction details, great for contests like the Trans Tasman Low Bands Challenge.
22 Jan 2017: Ozlogger forum undergoing changes shortly with new forum software coming on line to replace PHPBB3 : www.ozlogger.net - it will function much the same but different face appeal.
29 November 2016 : 2016 Spring VHF/UHF Field Day report , a little bit further south this time around, near Byron Bay, and a brief operation while towing the caravan back north.
2 Sep 2016: VKLogger forum gone.... 27 August 2016
27 July 2016 : I recently modified my Cushcraft A3S triband yagi by interspacing two more trapped elements to provide coverage on the 18 and 24 MHz bands. Some details of the traps, dimensions and photos are available in my writeup about this project.
24 July 2016: The SARS 28MHz beacon sequencing has been updated, along with some of the hardware, but is still operating on 28.211.5 under the callsign VK4ADC/B for now. The beacon now does a fast CW ID followed by a number of downward power steps. Full sequence details are at the beacon project page.
7 June 2016: The batch of new 'blank' QSL cards arrived today from UX5UO print ( www.ux5uoqsl.com ) so I now have cards available to return. Unfortunately I have a lot of VK4ADC cards on hand (some years of them) that are a backlog so it will be a while before they are completed and sent out via the bureau.
17 May 2016: My holiday activation on Norfolk Island as VK9NU is now finished and I am back on the VK mainland. The website at VK9NU.NET is being updated as time permits and as QSL cards arrive. For other impending DX-peditioners, read the page at http://vk9nu.net/web/index.php/ni-op-summary for what went both right and wrong during the trip.
10 April 2016: Fake semiconductors - have you been caught yet ? I just found out that I had bought some fake RD16HHF1 devices out of China via eBay. Remember to always read others' negative feedback comments before placing your order.
3 April 2016 : Extending VKCL software for easy logging of microwave contacts -OR- a TOP16 Compatible Module: The VK4ADC Method.
31 March 2016 : Preparations are well under way for the forthcoming trip to Norfolk Island on the 23rd April as VK9NU, the antennas have been tested and are resonant close to the desired frequencies. The IC-7000 and the C-IV control module are working together with both the N1MM+ and VKCL logging software, the ATU and power supply are ready and tested. It is now mainly a matter of packing it up as small as possible to fit in the suitcase.
31 March 2016 : A lot of work (weeks!) has been involved in preparing this web site for transition to a new server so that the graphics all work (etc) under the revised structure. The actual cause was a major version upgrade of the Content Management System (CMS) on the new server and non-compatability with the earlier version. Those issues have now been resolved and, while the new site does not look exactly as previously, all of the relevant content has been transferred. It was made active on a local server on 31st March. If you find broken or incorrect links on web pages or menus, please email me the details of the error & page title using the Contact Me from the menu at left.. (I think I have found most of them but you never know....) Some of the links to web page content have changed under the re-worked data structure but eventually the search engines will catch up to the changes.
February/March/April 2016 : The 10 metre beacon operating from my home QTH under VK4ADC/B on 28.2115 will be off-air intermittently while changes are made to the hardware and software and then evaluated. This status message will be removed after the completion of the work.
27 January 2016: Summer VHF/UHF Field Day report - for the activity on 9 Jan 2016.
14-19 January 2016 : The Icom Memories Manager software has had a number of changes made and is now at Version 1.1.0.6
11 January 2016 : I currently have a 10 metre beacon (28.211500 - previously on 28.220) running under the callsign VK4ADC/B from my home QTH. I realise that it is probably a little unusual to be running a beacon in this way so I have created a web page detailing the beacon, some photos plus some of the technical aspects. More details are available here...
2015:
27 December 2015: This web site will be relocated to another web server on a date to be advised during 2016. Hopefully there not be any real loss of access during the changeover period. All content is expected to transfer so articles should be available into the future.
22 December 2015: I have a holiday trip to Norfolk Island coming up in April 2016 and have now received a licence to operate under the callsign VK9NU while there. Yes, I know that I could have done it under my normal VK4 call but why not add a little bit of excitement to the trip. It will not be a true DX-pedition but it should prove an interesting trip. The website VK9NU.NET has been created and will be updated with the trip dates closer to the time and will subsequently have the log files uploaded to it. Expected bands are 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28 and maybe 50MHz. Operation is possible on 10, 18 and 24 MHz but unlikely.
There have been lots of projects and happenings during 2015 that have not been documented on this web site so far but I will endeavour to add the content as time becomes available to create it.
10 April 2015 : Squid Pole Use for HF Antennas - A Topic Revisited : a review of how the squid pole can be used for a vertical HF whip, measurements and suggestions.
1 April 2015 : Updated the Bearing Info application to cope with revised data captured from the VKLogger OP Info Page
24 March 2015 : Report on the 2015 John Moyle Field Day
10 January 2015 : Report on the 2015 Summer VHF/UHF Field Day
2014 :
27 November 2014 : Report on the recent Spring VHF/UHF Field Day
18 September 2014 : Low Cost Antenna Traps - how to make low-cost LC traps for a 40m/80m dipole - with materials mainly readily available from a good hardware store and your junkbox - plus a few tools.
4 September 2014 : My Icom Memories Manager software is now available for download from this web site. It will allow you to load and save the memory contents in most Icom model radios from and to disk files. It allows you to cross-load the memory contents between models too eg IC7000 and IC7400, IC706 and IC718, IC7000 and IC706MK2G,... with some in-place editing available.
Supported includes: IC-7000, IC-7100, IC-7200, IC-7400/746Pro, IC-746, IC-756Pro, IC-7410, IC-7600, IC-7700, IC-7800, IC-9100, IC-706Mk2G, IC-706Mk1, IC-718, IC-910H, IC-970, IC-R7100 - or for Google's sake : IC7000, IC7100, IC7200, IC7400/746Pro, IC746, IC756Pro, IC7410, IC7600, IC7700, IC7800, IC9100, IC706Mk2G, IC706Mk1, IC718, IC910H, IC970, R7100. Basic memory support is available for virtually all Icom models having CI-V support and other models can be added as released. A few more like the 756Pro2/3 series just required to have details updated before they are fully supported.
It has been tested on the following models to date: IC-706Mk1, IC-706Mk2G, IC-718, IC-7400, IC-7000 and IC-R7100.
It is still a software project under development but I am at the stage where I need more people to trial it so I can find out what 'bugs' remain.
16 July 2014 : Icom CI-V : Memory structure info for the IC-7000 and IC-7400/IC746Pro
30 June 2014 : Winter VHF/UHF Field Day report
20 January 2014 : Summer VHF/UHF Field day activity report
January 2014 : "Bug fix" update to my Bearing Info software that utilises a data grab from the VKLogger Op Info data. Download the new EXE or ZIP files from near the bottom of the article.
2013 :
September 6 : Noise sources affecting the radio shack.
June 22 : 2013 Winter VHF/UHF Field Day report
June 9 : The new home QTH is New Beith, Q'ld, 4124, grid locator is QG62LG51EV.
April 21 : 2013 Brisbane Microwave Test/Tune/Antenna Day
March 16/17 : 2013 John Moyle Field Day
February 24 : 2013 Brisbane Microwave Activity Day
January 12 : 2013 Summer VHF/UHF Field Day.
2012:
Nov 24 2012 : 2012 Spring VHF/UHF Field Day.
Oct 27 : Brisbane Microwave Activity Day.
Oct 21 : Update to the Homebrew Microwave Power Meter
Sep 16 : SEQ Microwave Test/TuneUp Day
July/Aug : refurbishing a caravan for family holidays....
June 25 : 2012 Winter Field Day report
May 27 : A 'Fast' FD Yagi mounting method
May 16 : A PICAXE-based Audio Tone Generator.
May 6 : Brisbane/SEQ Microwave Activity Day - May 2012.
April 25: Brisbane VHF Groups talk : The European Microwave Scene 2012
March 19 : The John Moyle Field Day 2012
February 24 : A Low-Cost 10MHz TCXO
January 18 : A PICAXE-based Rotator Controller :
January 16 : Summer VHF/UHF Field Day report
2011 :
December 30 : Field Day Antenna Rotation
November 29 : 2011 Spring VHF/UHF Field Day report.
October 25 : New format web site launched. Comments welcomed.
October 23 : The 2011 Brisbane Microwave Field Day
October 12 : A Homebrew Microwave RF Power Meter
September 30 : 2 Metre Troppo - FNQ to SEQ 29 Sep 2011
September 25 : Brisbane VHF Group's Microwave Tune-Up Day
September 15 : A 13cm / 2403 MHz Power Amp Stage
August 18 : 2010 Oceania Contest results
August 15 : 2011 Remembrance Day Contest
August 10 : A Low-power 70cm Mini-Transverter
August 3 : Updating a 2.4GHz DEMI Transverter Local Oscillator -
July 12 : A Microwave RF Bridge :
June 26 : FM Broadcast "Fix" for the Yaesu FT-1802M
June 23 : Building a W1GHZ-based 3.4GHz Transverter
June 22 : 4GHz Counter Pre-Scaler project
June 19 : 2011 Winter VHF-UHF Field Day report
June 5 : Using The Silicon Laboratories' Si4133 Synthesiser Chip
May 27 : Modifying The Conifer Grid pack Feed
May 24 : Building a W1GHZ-based 2.4GHz Transverter
May 4 : 2.4 GHz & 3.4 GHz Transverter Ideas
April 19 : A Coffee Can Feed for 2.4 & 3.4 GHz
April 1 : Adjusting HF Antenna Lengths
March 25 : "Fixing" the LDG Z100 ATU
February 24 : LC Calculator
February 17 : X-Locker Version 3
January 14 2011 : A Turnstile VHF/UHF Field Day Antenna.
January 10 2011 : Bearing Info Software added..
LAUGH TIME
Want a giggle about erecting HF Field Day antennas ?? Watch this on YouTube on how NOT to go about it ! { Haven't these guys ever heard of a 'gin-pole' and a winch ? }
General Info : I have extensive anti-SPAM filtering on my incoming email. If you send me an email and I don't reply then it was automatically rejected... and I haven't actually seen it. Use the Contact Me' link on the LHS menu to get your message/email through....... { If you are planning to send SPAM or unsolicited "business emails", don't bother because it doesn't get through }