The Richardson Wireless Klub > QRV Tech – Education Series

QRV Tech – Education Series

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 – December 2024 – Learn How To Model Antennas

    If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in modeling antennas (but were afraid to try), then don’t miss tomorrow night’s QRV.  I’ll be talking about MMANA (Macoto Mori’s ANtenna Analyzer) which is a free, easy-to-use-once-you-understand-it software…and my goal for tomorrow night is to get you to a point where you can model antennas after watching the 30-45 minute session.  I’ll be live-demonstrating how to model a 3-element Yagi that I use for foxhunting, and I’ll also show some models of popular antennas (including the Bob Hill Special!) that Jon NN5T was kind enough to provide to me.

    If you can’t make the session tomorrow, we will have it posted on the K5RWK website shortly after the presentation – but as you probably know, it’s always easier to ask questions live with all the experts available.  We look forward to seeing you then!

    Meeting Details

    Topic: QRV Tech

    Time: Third Tuesday 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://zoom.us/j/93467541992?pwd=RjJqWkFPd0VjeSt2U21QL2hKc0QwZz09

    Meeting ID: 934 6754 1992

    Passcode: 307016

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    Session Resources

    Here’s the link to download MMANA:

    http://gal-ana.de/basicmm/en/#18

    The download of the “basic” version (free for ham radio use) is a little down the page.  There is also quite a bit of help and tutorial information. This is an easy-to-use antenna modeler that everyone can use and should be able to learn.

    Here is a good (albeit a bit long-winded) tutorial on modeling a dipole with the software if you want to get a jump start:

    https://youtu.be/dgBcYy6kwWs?t=478

    Here is Callum’s complete playlist of antenna modelling with MMANA:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfX_8rogur8&list=PLcC64tNkZB7zFt6NV9fnnde2lP11fUTQ8

    Here are some pre-defined models for MMANA (you can download and modify):

    https://mmana.home.blog/category/10-m-280-297-mhz

  • QRV Tech – November 2024 – A Closer Look at SSTV

    On the heels of another SSTV Event from the International Space Station, our November 2024 QRV Tech program will take a deeper look at the Slow-Scan TV Mode, how it works, and how you can use it on both HF and VHF/UHF. It’s a fun mode and has been around a long time, and it’s now easier than ever for you to play along!

    Meeting Details

    Topic: QRV Tech

    Time: Third Tuesday 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://zoom.us/j/93467541992?pwd=RjJqWkFPd0VjeSt2U21QL2hKc0QwZz09

    Meeting ID: 934 6754 1992

    Passcode: 307016

    – – – – – – –

    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – October 2024 – Build a HamClock for Your Shack

    Our October 2024 QRV Tech program will be a bit different -we’re going to walk you through how to build a HamClock – that incredibly useful piece of software that is much more than just a clock – step by step out of a Raspberry Pi. We’ll show how to prepare the Raspberry Pi and load the OS, and how to install and configure the HamClock software. So instead of a technical subject, this will be much more of a “build it” tutorial, with a little explanation of the HamClock software. If you like this one, we can do more Raspberry Pi based subjects and projects.

    If you want to build along with us, here’s what you need:
    1) Raspberry Pi single-board computer – most any version will work, but I recommend the $15 Raspberry Pi Zero W
    2) A SD card for the Raspberry Pi (you probably won’t find anything less than 16GB) – Should set you back around $5-10
    3) A power supply for the Raspberry Pi (5VDC @ 2A with a MicroUSB plug)
    4) A MicroHDMI to HDMI Cable (or MicroHDMI to whatever your monitor accepts)
    5) A MicroUSB to USB-A adapter (something to let you plug in a keyboard) – this is optional but it makes the build more complicated

    If you have none of this in your shack, this entire project will set you back maybe $35 – All parts are available at MicroCenter or Amazon.

    Meeting Recording

    Click the image to view the recording

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    Session Resources

    The source for the Raspberry Pi OS: https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/

    Source for the (optional) VNC Viewer: https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/

    The website for the HamClock software: https://www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/HamClock/
    The Install script for Raspberry Pi is on the “Desktop” tab and the (excellent) User Guide is on the User Guide tab

    This is a Step-by-step Procedure to build a HamClock on a Raspberry Pi: https://qso365.co.uk/2024/05/how-to-set-up-a-hamclock-for-your-shack/

  • QRV Tech – September 2024 – How To Participate In The RWK Balloon Launch From Your Shack

    Our September 2024 QRV Tech program will be a discussion and demonstration of the various ways that you can participate in this weekend’s RWK High-Altitude Balloon Launch. Here’s a preview: How To Participate In The RWK Balloon Launch From Your Shack

    Meeting Recording

    Click the link to view the recording

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    Session Resources

    How To Participate In The RWK Balloon Launch From Your Shack

    How To Participate In The RWK Balloon Launch As A Mobile Receiver

  • QRV Tech – August 2024 – WSJT-X Fox&Hound Mode

    Our August 2024 QRV Tech program will be a discussion and demonstration of “Fox & Hound” Mode of the popular WSJT-X Software (FT-8/4 digital modes). Many people use FT-8 every day, but if you want to work any serious DX using FT-8, you’re going to need to understand “F/H” and how to use it properly. There’s also a new “SuperFox” Mode that is being introduced, and we will talk about that and why it is different, and what you need to know to be a “SuperHound”.

    Meeting Recording

    Click the image to view the meeting recording

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    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – July 2024 – The Versatile Quansheng UV-K5(8)

    Our July 2024 QRV Tech program will be a discussion and demonstration of the popular Quansheng UV-K5(8) HT. This $20 HT has caused a stir in the ham community because of one critical reason – it’s reprogrammable! Unlike the ubiquitous Baofengs, this radio has firmware in flashable memory, which has led to several developers creating different “improvement” variations of the radio firmware that add many unexpected capabilities: expanded frequency coverage, SSB/AM, Spectrum Scope, Spectrum Scan, Scan Groups, just to name a few. There are also many UI variations that add useful information to the display, such as real-time RSSI (very useful in foxhunting). Come see a brief demo of some of the modifications and see how easy it is to reprogram one of these cheap but capable radios.

    Click on the image to view the recording

    https://files.k5rwk.net/s/C63SqAeKc4fgmRg

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    Session Resources

    Link to Amazon to purchase a UV-K5(8): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL939BVY

    The Quansheng UV-k5 Wiki: https://github.com/ludwich66/Quansheng_UV-K5_Wiki/wiki
    A collection about info on the UV-K5, including parts lists, 3D models, schematics, modifications, etc.

    List of Firmware and developers working on UV-K5 firmware: https://github.com/ludwich66/Quansheng_UV-K5_Wiki
    Feel free to try several versions to see what features you like.

    My current favorite – F4HWN Firmware: https://github.com/armel/uv-k5-firmware-custom
    The “Best of the Best” compilation of popular features from several other developers. He has a full description of the changes and improvements, as well as pictures of improved screen/UI display options.

    Direct link to the F4HWN Flash page: https://github.com/armel/uv-k5-firmware-custom/releases/tag/v3.0
    If you want to flash F4HWN v3.0 (the current version as of this writing), start here (using a Chromium-based browser like MS Edge or Chrome).

    Good “step-by-step” on how to flash from N2VIP:
    1) turn radio off
    2) insert known-good cable in radio
    3) insert known-good cable into computer
    4) confirm cable is properly identified
    5) holding PTT button, turn in radio – the screen will be blank, the flashlight will be lit
    6) on the web page in Edge browser (I run Windows), click the Flash radio button, select image (I chose “no VOX”)
    7) select cable/radio com port from drop-down
    8) give the web page a moment to find its bearings (like 30 seconds, may be system-dependent, but if I went too fast the web page didn’t seem to connect)
    9) click the ‘flash now’ button, you should see a progress bar
    10) at the end of the update, I think the radio reboots.

    Here’s a video of an overview of the 2.5 version of the F4HWN firmware:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duNB2xS208E

    This video is a bit out of date but a good overview of the radio and custom firmware (the older egzumer version)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6OfJtl234

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

Past Meetings

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