Overview

Current Projects

Keeping busy! Only my job gets in the way of my hobbies.

November 15, 2009 — Set aside the SX-42 over the summer for cooler times. No huge projects other than to build an ESR meter (see: http://ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html), and an LC Meter (see: http://ironbark.bendigo.latrobe.edu.au/~rice/lc/), and a PLL VFO for the Part 15 broadcaster. Now to begin a Battery project for the Zenith TransOceanic.

July 27, 2009 — Getting Re-Started with the Hallicrafters SX-42. Finally made a place to work on it.

  • June 2009 — Yet another Part 15, AM Transmitter A Two-Tube AM Broacaster - 6GY6 Version. Very fun to build and this one is turning out to have the best transmitted audio so far. Updated: Revisited the original 6888 version which has already been updated with a 6AB4 pre-amp, and shielded all the signal paths (audio and crystal oscillator) and replaced the Tank (Antenna Coil) with the PI Output.
  • May 2009 — At it again, replacing the clock in an SB-630 Station Console. Why? Because it's there. And, if it's worth doing, it's worth over-doing.
  • Apr, 2009 — Added some small calculators. Couldn't find what I wanted online, so I built my own: a) Toroid Calculator and b) Precision Resistor Calculator.
  • March, 2009 — I was given a Drake R-4A Receiver! An ex-ham was downsizing and wanted to make sure it went to someone rather than throw it out. Went through the bandswitch which appeared to be the only thing to be cleaned. Superb receiver, so quiet.
  • February 16, 2009 — Took a part of my day off to do a quick redo of a TrueTone Portable.

    • Past Projects

    Gettin' it done.

    • February 3, 2009 — Decided to get started with the Hallicrafters SX-42. This'll be a slow process here because there's so much to be done and it's a huge radio.
    • January 31, 2009 — Finished the Hallicrafters S-38E obtained from Jim Heye a while back; need to start on that. Finally got some Bristol Keys (McMaster-Carr #7048A55)) to take the knobs off. Hex keys work *sometimes*, but always mess up the slugs.
    • January 22, 2009 — Finished the TransOceanic Y-600. This is a magnificent radio and turned out nicer than I could've expected. Now replaces the Hallicrafters S-38B as the office radio.
    • December 31, 2008 —Crikey! Over the Holidays, I was given (by a now anonymous donor!) an Hallicrafters SX-42 and an Heathkit TT-1 tube testor. My really nice Sencore MightyMite is fine, but the TT-1 is deluxe. I now have hobby projects out to the future.
    • Over the Holidays, finished the recap the Hallicrafters S-120 that had been in the office.
    • December 2008 — Finished the Hallicrafters S-38B; it's now used daily in my office at work.
    • November 2008 — The HW-101 refurb is now complete.

    The FM Stereo Broadcaster made HackaDay!