Shawn KI5PXG is kicking off an new Education Series for RWK – We’re calling it “QRV Tech” (h/t to Don KG5CK). It will be (mostly) monthly, usually on the third week of the month (check the calendar). We will start out on Zoom but we have plans to get together in person when there is a “build” type project.
The goal for this series is primarily education – teaching something new to those that are interested – but we plan on building things too (as part of the learning). We realize that not everyone will be interested in each subject (which is why we’re not making them presentations for General Meetings) – we’re aiming for 10-20 people or so each session.
Our topics will range from test equipment to microcontrollers to SDRs to antennas. This series is something that we’ve wanted to do for a long time. We hope that you enjoy and learn! QRV Tech?
- QRV Tech – November 2023 – How To Solder Correctly
Our November QRV Tech program will be on the correct way to solder. Larry KI5UXC will show us the tools and techniques that he has used in a lifetime of kitbuilding to solder (and unsolder) various types of components. It’s very useful knowledge for the vast majority of hams. Come and find out what you’ve been missing.
Tuesday November 21 7pm
Topic: QRV Tech
Time: 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89618532653?pwd=RzRPZDdlWW1NTzNxanlOUFZCZksrZz09
Meeting ID: 896 1853 2653
Passcode: 489712
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Session Resources
- QRV Tech – October 2023 – Navigating and Logging POTA
Our October QRV Tech program will be on navigating the POTA website and logging POTA contacts. To continue our month focus on Logging and QSLing, Shawn is going to show the specific things that are needed for a POTA operation. Signing into and getting around on the POTA website, and logging while operating POTA and uploading your logs to the POTA website are added steps that you must tackle. Join us and find out how.
Click the image to view the recording – – – – – – –
Session Resources
Register at the POTA Website: https://pota.app
HAMRS Logging Software: https://hamrs.app/
- QRV Tech – September 2023 – The Versatile NanoVNA
Our September QRV Tech program will be on the Versatile NanoVNA. We will introduce you to how to calibrate the nanoVNA as well as using nanoVNA Saver to directly control and operate your nanoVNA from your computer, mostly focusing on SWR measurements and how to read associated Smith charts.
Click the image to view the recording – – – – – – –
Session Resources
Shawn’s presentation slides: https://files.k5rwk.net/s/D7wAcZScjNHma4b
NanoVNA Saver software: https://github.com/NanoVNA-Saver/nanovna-saver
- QRV Tech – August 2023 – The Magical End-Fed Half Wave Antenna
Our August QRV Tech program will be on End-Fed Half Wave Antennas. You will learn how they work and how best to install them. As a bonus, our own 16 year old Joe Hammond KI5UKE has designed and sold his custom EFHW Antenna kits, and will have a limited number of kits available at the August Meeting (for $35 – which is half the price of the ARRL Kit and cheaper than KM4ACK’s kits that are never in stock). He will show you how to assemble the kit on the QRV session, so get the kit in advance. If you buy a kit, you will be helping Joe with school (OK, and maybe radio) expenses – cash and Credit Cards accepted – see Michael at the check-in table.
Click the image to watch the recording Direct link to recording: https://files.k5rwk.net/s/8HS4WG8ai8om7Xj
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Session Resources:
Session Slides
Here are the slides from the session: https://files.k5rwk.net/s/qt3n7GJwCiBRL9m
- QRV Tech – July 2023 – Getting Started With SDRs
Software Defined Radios have become popular with Hams for a number of reasons. 1) They’re cheap (as low as $25), 2) They’re very flexible (they can receive almost any modulation type), and 3) They’re fun to play with. What can you do with an SDR? Almost anything you can think of (with a few limitations). All it takes is some knowledge of computers (it is “software” after all) and some simple radio bits (you still need an antenna).
This month we are talking about Software Defined Radios (SDRs). We’ll talk about the various types of SDRs, how they work, and their good points and bad points. We’ll talk about the hardware and software available, and how you can get started using these useful tools. We’re assuming a certain basic knowledge with computers (it is “software” after all) and we don’t have time during the session to do things like install software, but if you’re interested and need further help, we should be able to make that happen. Join us and see what all the excitement is about.
Tuesday July 18 7pm
Topic: QRV Tech
Time: July 18, 2023 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89618532653?pwd=RzRPZDdlWW1NTzNxanlOUFZCZksrZz09
Meeting ID: 896 1853 2653
Passcode: 489712
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Session Resources:
Session Slides
Here are the slides from the session: https://files.k5rwk.net/s/8oEaXctpnrwG4ey
SDR Hardware
Get a cheap RTL-SDR (make sure it says “V3”): https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Receiver-Radio-0-1MHz-1-7GHz/dp/B09Z3G35QX/
Another Cheap alternative is the NooElec SmartSDR: https://www.amazon.com/Nooelec-RTL-SDR-SDR-100kHz-1-75GHz-Enclosure/dp/B01HA642SW
SDRplay is available from HRO and other dealers
SDR Software
SDRsharp is a good general purpose SDR application and is a good place to start.
Install SDRsharp (SDR#) software:
Other Software Alternatives: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/
OpenWebRX plus
The OpenWebRX plus software that I showed is available here: https://github.com/luarvique/ppa I followed the Package Instructions at the bottom. There is a write-up on the RTL-SDR site here: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/an-openwebrx-fork-with-additional-built-in-decoders/
Past RWK Meetings and Content related to SDR
We had Jack Spitznagel KD4IZ in May 2022: https://www.k5rwk.org/2022/05/07/general-meeting-may-2022-sdr-applications-ways-to-use-the-rf-swiss-army-knife/
Don Weeks N5SKT talked about the Hermes-Lite in his $1000 Challenge
- QRV Tech – June 2023 – Let’s Build A Balun
It’s RWK tradition to have a short build project as part of Field Day. This year, based on the recent April 2023 General Meeting presentation by our friend John Portune W6NBC, we’re going to build a simple 1:1 Balun with an enclosure, suitable to build your first Dipole (or Fan Dipole) antenna.
The kit will be somewhere around $30 – far cheaper than commercial baluns, and limited to 20 people (although we will publish the instructions afterwards). We will have a sign-up sheet/form closer to Field Day
Saturday June 24 3pm
Here are the instructions that Bob put together on how to assemble your kit: https://files.k5rwk.net/s/jABqJxieZmZcC3d
QRV Tech Meeting Location
These sessions will primarily be on Zoom, but we will have physical meetings for hands-on or build projects. Please check each session for details on the location.
Upcoming Events
- Online Ham Lunch Bunch on December 8, 2023 12:00 pm
- Weekend Foxhunt on December 9, 2023 9:00 am
- ARRL 10 Meter Contest on December 9, 2023 8:00 pm
Past Meetings
- QRV Tech – November 2023 – How To Solder Correctly
- QRV Tech – October 2023 – Navigating and Logging POTA
- QRV Tech – September 2023 – The Versatile NanoVNA
- QRV Tech – August 2023 – The Magical End-Fed Half Wave Antenna
- QRV Tech – July 2023 – Getting Started With SDRs
- QRV Tech – June 2023 – Let’s Build A Balun
- QRV Tech – May 2023 – Oscilloscope Usage in Ham Radio