LeCroy WS3162 and HDO4024 Bugs
Exposing some bugs on LeCroy’s new WaveStation 3162 and the HDO4024 oscilloscope. Bug 1 (WS3162): When modulation is applied to a channel, the amplitude drops below the set value. Bug 2 (WS3162): Phase control dysfunctional on both channels when modulation is applied to either one channel. Bug 3 (HDO4024): Spectrum calculation locks up and slows … [Read more…]
VOR NAV Receiver Testing
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
Tiger / Rat Tail for Handheld Radios

Handheld radios are getting more and more sophisticated and versatile. The bottleneck for modern handheld radios is often the stock antenna. There is an extremely simple yet very effective add-on called a “Tiger Tail” or “Rat Tail” to remedy this situation. This article is going to explain how to make your own. For less than … [Read more…]
850 MHz Scanner Preamplifier / Filter Project

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…]
Yaesu FT-8800 Extended TX (MARS/CAPS) Mod

The Yaesu FT-8800 and FT-7900 are very popular radios. For some activities, it may be desired to be able to transmit outside of the amateur radio bands. This article will show how to do this modification with minimum effort at home. Driving a transverter, participating in the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) or Civil Air … [Read more…]