This video shows how to generate a complex test signal to emulate a ground based radio navigation system for aircraft (VOR). The generated signal can then be used to verify the accuracy of navigational receivers intended to be used with a VOR. Used in this video: LeCroy WS3162, LeCroy HDO4024 and Yaesu FTA-720
This article shows how to use off-the-shelf parts to improve the performance of a radio scanner in the 800 – 900 MHz band. Furthermore, it shows how to expand radio coverage by using two different receive antennas at the same time. For some reason, my new BCD996XT scanner wasn’t working as expected on the statewide … [Read more…]
If you own a spectrum analyzer with tracking generator or, even better, a good vector network analyzer, measuring the frequency response of a filter is fairly easy. But there is one old approach using a noise source that can turn any oscilloscope with a FFT spectrum view into a useful tool for determining the frequency … [Read more…]
This video briefly explains how to influence a crystal oscillator’s frequency by introducing reactive elements such as trim capacitors and inductors:
Expanding the transmit range of an amateur radio transceiver is probably the most common modification. Because of its use associated with the Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) or Civil Air Patrol (CAP), this modification is often referred to as MARS or CAP mod. This article shows how to perform this extended transmit modification on the … [Read more…]
Over the past weeks I had KF5FBR’s Yaesu FT101E ad N5WSA’s Icom IC-718 on my bench for various services. The FT-101 needed a general health check and brand new capacitors. No output powers was the problem the IC-718. The latter was caused by burned out final transistors. While working on them, I shot some pictures … [Read more…]