Web SDR map

here is the link to the KIWISDR Web SDR map  map.kiwisdr.com

I can see Terry VK2KTJ operating one. I hope it is low noise site as promised.

I would like to run a Web SDR out at QF46pv,  it is definitely low noise floor site.

VHF, UHF and SHF wide band LNA's

I bought a few of these cheap wide band LNA's that run off 12v or 5v, with varying Gain and Bandwidths,  at a few bucks each,  they good for playing and experimenting with in terms of weak signal receivers for VHF, UHF and SHF.   Good selection around on Ebay and AliExpress.

http://www.qsl.net/vk2kfj/lna.html

Modifications for the TYT TH-9800 FM quad-bander mobile transceiver

These TH-9800  quad band FM transceivers  (a clone of the Yaesu FT-8900 transceiver) have an issue of blowing the transmit driver FET.  I have documented a modification to fix this, as it would be a considerable amount of work to replace the drive FET, or even the PA FET for that matter. Easier to do the mod and run at less output power, better than having a dead tx PA. It basically adding a 8v (7808) regulator into the supply circuit for the Driver FET,  which is fed hot from the 13.8v DC input.

http://www.qsl.net/vk2kfj/th9800.html

Reducing RFI from your vehicle for operating mobile

I have documented the modifications to my 4WD  vehicle that I use for mobile and portable operation. It was only that in past year I have decided to operate HF, whereas in the past I only ever had VHF and UHF equipment, so RFI radiating out and also from within the vehicle was not so much of a problem, but is more so for HF.  My web page includes photos.

http://www.qsl.net/vk2kfj/holden_jackaroo.html

Photos from WIA AGM in Hahndorf for VK5ZD's microwave equipment

I have now collected and edited up the photos I took from the WIA AGM held in Hahndorf on 20th May 2017 and from the Open Day held on 21st May 2017,  this particular web page contains the photos of Iain VK5ZD's microwave equipment, I documented this to show what different people doing in terms of microwave band activity and experimentation. All bands 1.2GHz through to 122GHz.
I also preparing the same for David VK5KK's microwave equipment.

http://www.qsl.net/vk2kfj/vk5zd_microwave.html

SDR update

if you had played with,  or attempted to play with those little USB TV dongles,  e.g. the black dongle that Andrew VK3BQ sent as link for on ebay end of last year.  The black rtl2838 based dongle is more sensitive and less prone to image signals than the white rtl2832 based dongle we had used in the past.

I can advise that the  SDR#  (sdrSharp) website have greatly  improved their download and install package and install procedures, it's now a much easier task. And the rtlsdr.org site have also improved their install procedures instructions, for those using RTL based dongles.

The latest Zadig USB driver installer is much improved too. Note: two versions of Zadig, one for XP and another version  for Vista,Win7 & Win8.

begin here at the SDR# downloads area:

http://sdrsharp.com/index.php/downloads

which includes links to install procedures on rtlsdr.org for MS Windows and Linux

i.e.

http://rtlsdr.org/softwarewindows

Somehow I broke my SDR# installation on my notebook last year whilst trying to update it and could not get it running properly, but I did the download and reinstall yesterday and now it all works great, I can even swap between dongles to compare them, both dongles work fine. Really pleased with it now.