Hello,
I have delayed way too long getting into the Arduino microcontroller board.. Being a programmer and decent at electronics, I have no excuses. So, I am ordering one next week. $30, what can go wrong? I would like to have it send and maybe even decode Morse code of course. One project that would be right up our alley would be a Geiger counter beacon. The Geiger counter module would send it's results to the Arduino, which in turn keys a low power CW transmitter at a certain interval. It would send something like "BCN RAD 30 CPM DE XXXXX" say every hour. 30 being collisions-per-second (I think). If I can get the Ardiono to decode Morse, then I might be able to get the beacon to reply to requests, like: "CPM? DE XXXXX". Ideally the beacon would be solar powered.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11021 (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11021)
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11345 (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11345)
Imagine such a beacon in every city!
It will take me some time to get acquainted with the board and it's programming interface, but regarding any such CW beacon project, I wonder about legalities... Isn't broadcasting prohibited? How do beacons get away with it? (Not to mention W1AW?).
Suggestions for other projects?
Gil.
Contact the NorCal DX folks; they've facilitated a beacon program (20m and up) all over the world. It's not broadcast; it's a transmitting beacon. Not schooled on all the ins/outs but it's obviously doable.
Sounds like the gem of a good idea. A friend & I were commiserating the other day over the how to actually get real propagation info for real operators when the net goes dark, for real. There are a number of ways (e.g., monitoring beacons, catalog requests via WINMOR from the SWPC), but, in particular, the lower bands are really ignored when compared to bands that DX'ers favor. CONUS beacons in several locations on 20-80 would be really good. As he put it, "what about 40m, what are we chopped liver?"
A beacon on a lower band, say 40m, that did the same thing as the NorCal beacons, would be of great benefit. The lower bands in particular are subject to those solar & geo-mag mood swings that can make everything seem like it's quiet, but it's because nobody's signal is making its way back to this Big Blue Marble.
You might be on to something.
8)
Like you Gil I've seen all the Arduino activity lately and thought I should look into further for no other reason than it just sounds interesting.
Your Geiger counter idea sounds interesting, keep us in the loop on your progress. No you would not be broadcasting with a beacon, remember broadcasting is a one way transmission intended for reception by the public. You'd be sending one way transmissions intended for reception by amateur radio operators - perfectly legal.
Thanks guys :)
QuoteYou'd be sending one way transmissions intended for reception by amateur radio operators - perfectly legal
I suspected as much. It might be a popular project, given what's coming to us from Fukushima! In case of nuclear attack on our soil, it would tell people which areas are safe or not. The Geiger beacon would be deployed after the event and get power from a solar panel, since the area might have to be evacuated.
The Geiger board is a bit expensive ($150) but since I need to learn the basics first, it can wait. If I end-up doing it, I will certainly document is and make the code available.
I have also thought about an automatic magnetic loop tuner using an SWR bridge and a step motor..
However, I can use my hand for that! If the loop was further and outside, maybe..
Gil.
Wait a sec now, if you're going to send some one into the affected areas after an event then we don't really need the Geiger counter in the first place......... just check to see if the guy that deployed it died from radiation poisoning LOL
LOL, right... Not the way I'd like to go... I am curious as to how Fukushima is affecting our food supply. The FDA raised the minimum amount of allowable radiation levels in foods.. Hardly the right way to deal with the problem! :o So, I'd like to find out for myself.
There are probably many possible applications of the Arduino that I am not thinking about, but that should change once I start messing around with it.
Gil.
Considering the simplicity of what you want to do, you might look into the new Trinket:
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/09/03/new-products-adafruit-trinket-mini-microcontroller-3-3v-and-5-5v-versions-7-95/
It's a smaller/cheaper option if it can handle the program and has enough io ports for your application. BTW, you can just get ATTiny85 chips and wire them, but it takes a bit more work and you'll need to get a programmer for the chips.
I actually ordered the six pack of Trinkets. First project will be a humidor sensor/display/alarm. Not sure what I'm going to do with the others yet.
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Quote from: KC3AOL on September 08, 2013, 08:07:48 AM
Considering the simplicity of what you want to do, you might look into the new Trinket:
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/09/03/new-products-adafruit-trinket-mini-microcontroller-3-3v-and-5-5v-versions-7-95/ (http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/09/03/new-products-adafruit-trinket-mini-microcontroller-3-3v-and-5-5v-versions-7-95/)
It's a smaller/cheaper option if it can handle the program and has enough io ports for your application. BTW, you can just get ATTiny85 chips and wire them, but it takes a bit more work and you'll need to get a programmer for the chips.
I actually ordered the six pack of Trinkets. First project will be a humidor sensor/display/alarm. Not sure what I'm going to do with the others yet.
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That thing is very cool and dirt cheap, thanks for sharing. Of course I have NO IDEA whatsoever what I'd ever use one for 8)
Neat, yes, for the final project, that would be great. I still want to regular size for for experimentation..
Gil.
I was actually thinking that they might work for an automatic or remote control for a magnetic loop antenna...
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QuoteI was actually thinking that they might work for an automatic or remote control for a magnetic loop antenna...
Now that is a great idea! Thanks.
Gil.
Quote from: KK0G on September 07, 2013, 05:41:40 PM
Wait a sec now, if you're going to send some one into the affected areas after an event then we don't really need the Geiger counter in the first place......... just check to see if the guy that deployed it died from radiation poisoning LOL
Every miner needs a canary, right? 8)
You mean the Guv wouldn't communicate the actual consequences & truthful state of affairs?
This is Bethesda calling, stand by now for a report from our experts in New Mexico...
Quote from: KC9TNH on September 08, 2013, 04:02:12 PM
Every miner needs a canary, right? 8)
The simplest answer is usually the best solution to a problem. ;D
BTW, have you seen the TenTec Rebel? It's an Arduino-based QRP CW transceiver.
http://www.tentec.com/rebel-model-506-open-source-qrp-cw-transceiver/
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QuoteBTW, have you seen the TenTec Rebel? It's an Arduino-based QRP CW transceiver.
http://www.tentec.com/rebel-model-506-open-source-qrp-cw-transceiver/
Waoh, I had no idea this model even existed! Thank you :)
Gil.
Quote from: gil on September 08, 2013, 07:13:48 PM
QuoteBTW, have you seen the TenTec Rebel? It's an Arduino-based QRP CW transceiver.
http://www.tentec.com/rebel-model-506-open-source-qrp-cw-transceiver/
Waoh, I had no idea this model even existed! Thank you :)
Gil.
Yeah, I don't remember how I heard about it. The bad thing is that TenTec is using a Yahoo group for feedback, software, etc. I loathe Yahoo groups. I don't understand why ham radio seems so enamored with them. Yahoo groups and serial ports...I feel like it's 1990.
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Thread revival time. ;D
So Gil, any progress on your Arduino projects? Anyone else do any cool ham related stuff with them? I see Chinese knockoff UNO boards freakin' dirt cheap on e-Bay for only $10/free shipping. I may get one just for the hell of it for something to play with but for the life of me I can't come up with an Arduino based ham project that I just can't live without or that I can't build easier, better, more efficient, simpler, etc using traditional methods.
I'm considering this Arduino project:
http://www.km5z.us/SB-630_console.php (http://www.km5z.us/SB-630_console.php)
Quote from: KK0G on November 15, 2013, 11:24:20 PM
Thread revival time. ;D
So Gil, any progress on your Arduino projects? Anyone else do any cool ham related stuff with them? I see Chinese knockoff UNO boards freakin' dirt cheap on e-Bay for only $10/free shipping. I may get one just for the hell of it for something to play with but for the life of me I can't come up with an Arduino based ham project that I just can't live without or that I can't build easier, better, more efficient, simpler, etc using traditional methods.
Just found some for $9 shipped...ordered 5. Not sure what I'm going to do with them though. What I'd really like to do is create an Arduino-compatible radio shield.
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Quote from: KK0G on November 15, 2013, 11:24:20 PM
So Gil, any progress on your Arduino projects? Anyone else do any cool ham related stuff with them? I see Chinese knockoff UNO boards freakin' dirt cheap on e-Bay for only $10/free shipping. I may get one just for the hell of it for something to play with but for the life of me I can't come up with an Arduino based ham project that I just can't live without or that I can't build easier, better, more efficient, simpler, etc using traditional methods.
I wrote a CW-keyer on mine as the big one out there (I forget where to link to) didn't seem to work for me. You would just connect to the serial interface, type what you wanted, you could even change speed (to a point, mostly from 12-30 wpm, any higher and the relay I was using just couldn't adjust quickly enough), but it didn't interpret CW, just key it. So I'd use fldigi to read the morse for me. I haven't played with it in months, though - I recently had to move my ham shack into my unheated garage. :(
QuoteSo Gil, any progress on your Arduino projects?
I haven't had much time to play with it, but it is still on my list! Too many projects right now, I need to weed out a bit..
Gil.
I just ran across this Arduino based solar charge controller (http://www.timnolan.com/index.php?page=arduino-ppt-solar-charger).
Nice! I wouldn't have thought of that...
Gil.
Got my knock-off Arduinos. BTW, the ones I got actually have some nice improvements to the standard Arduino Uno. They have a switch allowing it to use 3.3v components, use a micro USB instead of USB-B, and have a grounding loop allowing easier grounding of multiple items. Here's the one I got:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111173848562
Another thing I thought of making is a simplex repeater (records the received audio and then rebroadcasts it). The ones you can buy on eBay are around $100.
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Quote from: KC3AOL on December 01, 2013, 12:15:01 PM
Got my knock-off Arduinos. BTW, the ones I got actually have some nice improvements to the standard Arduino Uno. They have a switch allowing it to use 3.3v components, use a micro USB instead of USB-B, and have a grounding loop allowing easier grounding of multiple items. Here's the one I got:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111173848562 (http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111173848562)
Another thing I thought of making is a simplex repeater (records the received audio and then rebroadcasts it). The ones you can buy on eBay are around $100.
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I see that one ships direct from China, how quick was the shipping? I've ordered direct from China before and sometimes it arrives in a little over a week, and sometimes it takes 1 1/2 months.
Quote from: KK0G on December 01, 2013, 12:44:13 PM
I see that one ships direct from China, how quick was the shipping? I've ordered direct from China before and sometimes it arrives in a little over a week, and sometimes it takes 1 1/2 months.
It was about two weeks. Not bad for a shipment from China.
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Here's a neat project:
http://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/
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QuoteHere's a neat project:
http://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-cw-keyer/
Nice site, thanks!
Gil.
Any updates from anyone?
I have been trying to use my RPi to run my ham radio programs instead of a laptop. Ideally would like to add a low power screen and have a complete package that uses very little power. Issue i am having now is getting my USB to serial adapters to work and i thinking of scrapping them and just adding RS232 boards to the RPi.
Now i am seeing Arduino projects and would love to have a small package that reads temp and pressure and displays it on a LED screen.
Edit:
Ordered a starter kit to start learning. Eventually would like to build a weather station for the house.