Create giood QSL cards (single and multi) On-line with this excellent web page

 I did not notice that I have been sent couple of qsl cards from this site which is used from lot of HAM's in the world.

So here is it link:

Creat QSL Card online

Enjoy.

73 de Z34PEC

How to create extender/repeater with OpenWrt router

 Well, never knew this router firmware/software has such huge support.

I need this really bad and I made it with this manual.

So I am sharing this  with you.

Click on the link and you will be forwarded to OpenWrt's page with a full manual for this. Follow their steps and you will succeed.

73 de Z34PEC

OpenWrt extender/repeater

Working with DXLOG and digi modes with KENWOOD TS-480HX : How to make data cable and connect with DXLOG

 This post should be written long time ago but due to my lazyness it was not published yet. Now, summer holidays are here so I have time to write it down.

TS-480HX is not quite young radio, it is aalmost 10 years old, but people still use it. Somebody want to work digi (FT8) somebody used it as a contest station (200W radio power) SSB or CW mode, but common for every one is connection of this radio with your pc or laptop.

So let make it clear:

1st: For PTT-eing  this radio you will need 

a. Straight RS232 cable (not crossover),

b. USB to RS232 cable (with prolific driver for it)

Each of these cables could be find in better equipped electronic hardware store.

Please do not forget to properly set COM port for these cables: for straight rs232 it is usually COM1 or COM2, and for usb to rs232 cable it is usually COM15 (you will have to check device manager settings under Win10 or TTY output under Ubuntu).

2nd: For digi modes and for connecting your radio with WSJTX and (or) DXLOG you will need "radio" cable consisting of 2x3.5mm stereo jack (mic/earphone) and one mini 6 din connector (Also known as PS/2 connector). I made one myslef from this site Kenwood TS480 audio cable . I suggest if you have audio transformer (600:600 audio transformer) to add them to this cable so you can stop interfere your computer to radio.

Also here is pictures from above mentioned link and site ( Thank you IU2MEH for your post).

For your information, xggcom's radio interface for ICOM dgi modes of work is also available to use with Kenwood, making just one adapter from DIN 13 to mini 6 din.

Picture show Icom's and Kenwood's ports on radios. Circled pins on Icom show what digimode-3 is using for communication with radio. So it is very simple: on left side of pic is Icom din13 female connector (front) and on the right is minidin 6 male from kenwood (front). Numbers in middle are connections that should be used (without a VOX option. If you want to use VOX then both pin's numbered 3 should be connected).

 

What about DXLOG ?

1st: You will need to configure COM port where your radio is connected.

 2nd. You will have, pressing setup on desired port, to configure your radio.

When setting Ts-480 it is reccomended to make a check box active

- use CAT PTT command on phone and digital

- use RADIO data mode for voice keyer plyback

Also keyring & Control:

DTR (pin4) - CW or Radio OFF

RTS (pin7) - PTT 

DSR set to off (none).

 

Also if you want to use Digital voice keyer from DXLOG then you will have to make check box active for this option.

Given picture show ICOM setup, but it is the same menu that will show to you when choosing Kenwood TS-480 radio.

NOTE: Latest version of DXLOG have one issue with settings for TS480 radio: Instead of sending AT command TX1 to radio it is sending TX0 command that results in activating handheld microphone connection instead of data port input of radio (mini din 6). For now, latest version 2.5.46 this problem exist so I suggest to use Kenwood TS590 setup menu. It is the same but this "issue" is already corrected to TX1.

You can activate PTT with sending saved wav (voice) message to radio that is stored under F1 function key, but first using SHIFT+F1 you will have to record your CQ message.

Stay well.

Z34PC

Install WIA driver for RICOH MP301 printer in Windows 10

 In company where I work we have Ricoh MP301 printer/scanner.

Interesting, if you try to scan from Windows 10 you will face little problems like not supported WIA driver for scanning.

Well, you should look for drivers on official Ricoh page, download TWAIN and / or WIA drivers and install them. OK, TWAIN is easy to install, it has its own installing software. What about WIA ? In this situation you will need this procedure:

How to install the WIA driver

1. Go to the following folder C:\Program Files\Windows Photo Viewer. Run ImagingDevices.exe.
2. Select Add Device…
3. Select Next.
4. Select Have Disk…
5. Select Browse…
6. Go to the folder where the WIA scanner driver files were extracted to. Open the folder. ...
7. Select required inf  file. ...
8. Select OK.

After this wait a minute and additional device will be installed to your computer, in this situation it is a scanner. After this procedure MP301 scanner is accesible and working 100% :)

 

Enjoy.

How to run IPTV and Internet trough one FTP KAT5e cable

Hi,

this post is made intentionally for all of you ou there having the same problem like me: having only one cable going from your router to your room or a place, and you have two devices, a computer and IPTV box, both running in that room.
I know many of you would say, ok, we have wi-fi, but sometimes wi-fi know to be so annoying, with low speeds because of interfere with other strong nearby signals, so you just can't rely on it's speed.

It is not a philosophy, but many of you just did not know it.

As we know, ftp cable has 8 wires. What everyone does not know is that signal to your computer is processing (mostly for speeds up to 100Mbit) trough 4 wires, so other 4 wires are free for use to transfer other data :)

This is good , so we can use 4 wires (2 pairs) for existing iptv protocol and connecting iptv box to your router, and another 4 wires (other 2 pairs) for transfer of internet to your pc or internet device.

Scheme is so easy to make. For this you will need 

- RJ45 connector (shielded or not shielded) - 6 pcs

- FTP KAT5e cable 1m - 2 pcs

- LAN extender (coupler) - 2 pcs

- Networking tool (crimp, wire stripper, etc.)

Basic RJ45 pinout is like on the picture below: 

Basic work of data transfer is to send signals from router to end users using pins 1, 2, 3 and 6.

So we are going to make  a new cable (same cable made twice, for both sides, at router and at end users) that will have modified pinouts on one side and on the other he will have regular basic rj45 pinout.

Diagram of our wiring is :

 

- On one side of the cable connect rj45 as regular, T568B wiring diagram (as shown on first picture).

- On the other side:

a. For first device (IPTV) you will need following wires: 1, 2, 3 and 6. So, connect them in to new RJ45 connector, on their proper place, pins 1,2,3 and 6. Take note that you should follow coloring on wires in order everything can work proper. This should look like: white orange-pin1, orange-pin2, white green-pin3, green-pin6.

b. For second device (Internet) you will need following wires: 4, 5, 7 and 8. Same as before, place them on pins 1,2,3 and 6 on rj45 connector. This should look like: blue-pin1, white blue-pin2, white brown-pin3, brown-pin6. If you like you can swap colors like I did: white blue-pin1, blue-pin2, white brown-pin3 and brown-pin6 (in this option you got similar coloring scheme on both new rj45 connectors).

The same way you prepare second cable: one side regular rj45 wiring scheme and othe side scheme for connectin iptv and internet.

I would suggest to control how good conectors are crimped. Use instrument in order to check crimping quality. Quality crimping depends so much of the quality of the cable. I put to junk one made cable just because wire insulation was so hard to penetrate when pins were crimped and because of that I did not get signal on some pins.

 

At the end you can connect with network coupler

your new made cable with existing network cable on both sides. Just take a note wich connector is attached to  wich device (see color scheme on both devices :) ) .

On next pictures you can see final result and wiring.

 

 

This made connection is capable of transfering up to 100Mbit of data. On my picture you can see that one cable is connect to router (100 Mbit iptv) and second one is going to my switch (1GBit Internet switch).

 

Have a nice day.

 

73 de Z34PEC

CQRLOG and blank propagation page after inserting hamqsl link

 Well, I don't know if someone has issues with CQRLOG's Propagation option window, but for me when I set HAMQSL's script for propagation web link, I receive just a blank page. 

Seek a little bit on the net and I found a working solution.

I would not talk too much, just will say thank you OH1KH for your post and solution to this problem.

Below is a screenshot of this solution.

Be careful, follow steps and first at all set your editor to be MC's internal editor , not using ay other external editor if you are not familiar working with editors.

73 de Z34PEC

WSJTX ver 2.5.4 , HAMLIB 4.4 and RIGCTL error - how to solve on Ubuntu 20.04.03

Hello everyone.

NOTE: I run Ubuntu 20.04.03 but I suppose this explanation will help everyone running linux like operating systems.

Due to personal stuff to do these months I did not manage to update to latest WSJTX 2.5.4 so I decide to do it first available weekend. So it be.

So at first I installed wsjtx v 2.5.4 . I suppose you already know how to installed because you arrive at my page seeking for solution  for the same problem I already had ;)

Unfortunately when I tried to start wsjtx (which runs under cqrlog logging software) I started to receive errors sayng there is a problem with rigctl and hamlib .

So, I started browsing the net and I find that in order to avoid such message I have to install latest hamlib. I did not know (to be honest I forgot) what version I run, so i check it first with following command:

rigctl --version

I received info that I am using existing cqrlog's hamlib version 3.3

So , I had to download latest hamlib and recompile it by myself.

There is two variants: first one is to download latest hamlib directly from it's github and the other is to connect to github with git from where in terminal you will install hamlib. Both variants will be described.

Well, hamlib's github link is https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib .

Here you can  find latest editions and all previous ones from hamlib.

Now, I will explain both options for installing hamlib:

V.1 :
- Download latest hamlib to your computer and extract it.

- go to extracted hamlib directory and open terminal in it, starting typing these commands:

sudo ./configure

sudo make

sudo make install

 

V.2 : Connecting to github via git software (sudo apt get-install git)

 

Execute these command in your terminal: 

 

git clone https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib.git

cd Hamlib

sudo ./bootstrap

sudo ./configure

sudo make

sudo make install

 

Later you can make update to hamlib just with typing in terminal these commands in Hamlib folder created by git clone command:

 

git pull

and recompile library again as described above.

And now comes the tricky part. 

If you try to run rigctld --version you will receive this message:

rigctl: error while loading shared libraries: libhamlib.so.4: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

 

What happened, I followed all the procedure, why it this happening ???

So, I continue to search for explanation and I found it, just before quiting and removing latest hamlib and wsjtx from my computer, getting back to previous one versions. This explanation I found in just one post (at least I could find it browsing the net), saying that we have to run additional command

sudo ldconfig

 

This little comand explanation is : ldconfig is a utility that indexes shared object names to simplify loading on shared object libraries by executables. It scans standard directories and those found in the ld. so. conf configuration file and stores its index in ld.

This command makes rigctl to be able to detect hamlib !?

 

Now check rigctl:

 

rigctld --version

 

also checking 

 

rigctld-wsjtx -- version 

 

You should receive positive feedback in a message saying:

 

rigctl Hamlib 4.5~git Sat Jan 01 23:05:51 2022 +0000 SHA=18548e

Fine, looks like we managed to link rigctl with hamlib. Great.

BUT...

In addition everything to work you should also do these last steps:

Open CQRLOG -> Preferences:

 

1. re-select you rig (in my case it is Kenwood TS480) and check com parameters.

 

2. change path of rigctl , replacing usr/local/binrigctl path with usr/local/binrigctl-wsjtx (this is the same path but rigctl is replaced with rigctl-wsjtx)

 

Close CQRLOG and open it again to reload rigctl.

 

Then open WSJTX and re-check config parameters also, there should not be any error now at the opening and wsjtx should work properly with your rig and cqrlog.

I hope this text will help lot of radio amateurs to solve this small but still big issue when upgrading wsjtx and hamlib .

73 de Z34PEC

CQR LOG and MYSQL problems after updating Ubuntu 18.04 to 20.04 or clean install on Ubuntu 20.04

 I supopse there are lot of HAM operators who upgraded from Ubuntu 18.04 to 20.4 do some clean install on ham software they use, including CQR Log.

I faced problems with MySql database in reports saying it could not initialise database or similar.

Looks like instead of MySql , CQR Log use Mariana DB .

So I tried first to install mariana db:

sudo apt install mariadb-server-10.3

and then to install CQLog.

Looks like it works. Mariana db also uninstall mysql from your computer so it should also work if you have previously installed cqrlog and had the problem with database.

73 Z34PEC

How to fully backup and restore your android device without root

 

How to fully backup your Android smartphone or tablet without root |

How to enable USB debugging |

1. Go to your Settings menu
2. Scroll down and tap on System
3. Select About phone
4. Tap on the device’s Build number multiple times until it enables Developer options. Newer devices will require you to enter your PIN/password/pattern
5. Hit the back button and select Developer options within the System menu
6. Make sure Developer options is toggled on. Scroll down and toggle USB debugging on

How to backup your Android device’s data |

1. Plug your Android device into your computer
2. Using either Command Prompt or Terminal, navigate to the folder in which the ADB tools are located and type in “ADB devices“. A pop-up on the Android device will appear if you need to grant your computer permission to interact with the phone or tablet. You will know if the command worked on your computer if it returns with the connected device’s identification number
3. Type in “adb backup -apk -shared -all -f <filepath>/backup.ab“
4. Your Android device will now show the full backup window. Here you can encrypt your backup with a password (which is recommended)
5. Tap on Back up my data
6. This process can take several minutes and when completed, a new file will be placed on your computer

How to restore your Android device’s data |

1. Plug your Android device into your computer
2. Using either Command Prompt or Terminal, navigate to the folder in which the ADB tools are located and type in “ADB devices“. A pop-up on the Android device will appear if you need to grant your computer permission to interact with the phone or tablet. You will know if the command worked on your computer if it returns with the connected device’s identification number
3. Type in “adb restore <filepath>/backup.ab“
4. Your Android device will now show the full restore window. If you added a password to your backup file, enter it in the space given
5. Tap on Restore my data
6. This process can take several minutes and when completed, most if not all of your previously installed applications will be present on your device as well as photos and other data.

With respect: (c) Justin Duino

Optocoupler RF protection module for RS232 CAT control for Kenwood TS480HX

 My new shack is more than a year installed on my new location near to old one.

I knew I had some RF noise coming from my PC but I did not pay too much attention till these days. It finally had it turn to be solved.

Main noise source is coming from my RS232 (DB9 female-female) CAT cable. This is simple straight DB9 serial cable that could be bought in every electronic shop.

Discussing with my collegue Z35O (Goran Trajanovski) how to eliminate this coming noise, usually at 7.140MHz, we made a conclusion:

1. To use torroide and to make couple of turns on serial cable

2. To use some new solution base on experience from users using it on Kenwood TS450S ( Interfacing Kenwood TS-450S to your soundcard ) 

Option 1 is rejected because ordering FT torroide and waiting for it in these days situation will took too long.

So , Goran Z35O suggested to try second option.

And we made it. Yet not tested but assembled and waiting for test period.

I would like to share this idea with other HAM operators (also aplicable for other radios) and post their experience with it. 

Used Pins: 2,3,5,7 and 8. Used material: 4xR470, 4 LED, 4x4N33 optocouplers.

Note: Pin 5, GND is closed loop separated for each side (it is not coming from PC to radio).

Many thanks for Goran Z35O for making this module.

Update 08.March.2021 : unfortunately this idea does not work. Looks like compared to ts450 that is using ttl levels of signals, ts480hx is using other signals type. 

Maybe this idea will inspire other amateur to try some other way and make proper working connection with galvanic-optocoupler protection.

73

 

ATU-100 by N7DDC

Couple of days ago I receive my ATU-100. Interesting automatic tuner for a little of money. It has extended board in it (7*7) and a display. I tested it almost on all bands even on 160m and I can say it can handle my 8.2m long wire antenna with swrlower than 2:1. It works only in auto mode and I suppose it does not memorise settings for each band. But it tune fast ;) . It can handle up to 100w and I tested it with digi modes also work with about 35w output. According to seller it could possibly handle around 50-70w but I would not risk so much power at this moment, and as far as I know digi modes are designet to be used with low power :). Anyway, here is pics of it. Case is 3d printed and need additional finishing for good looking impressions.

I did not have much time to buy it in a kit, so that is why I bought it assembled.

Setting WSJTX and CQRLog

World pandemia make lot of people stay at home these months. It gives you time to do and done jobs that has been left for months before due to lack of time and willing to do them :)
Digimodes were on of them, left for better times mostly because of my dissapoint while working with Icom 706MKII.
Kenwood TS480HX is much more easier to set up to work with digi.
I made my digi cable using IU2MEH's guidance:  if you have old ps/2 keyboard there is chance to have enough wires in the cable to use it as a data cable for it. I tried with cable from ps/2 mouse but 3 out of 4 wires were correctly connected and the last one was connected to other pin. So, I use simple CAT5 cable, miniDin 6p and two 3.5mm stereo jacks. Do some tricky soldering of  miniDIN 6p and adter one destroyed miniDin jack, I made it :)
Here is link to manual: IU2MEH's SAT480 digi cable manual
I managed to set WSJTX and start work on digimodes.
I made lot of contacts and what I found litle bit tricky was importing every contact of WSJTX's adif log file to CQRLogm my program I use to work since I have HF radio.
So, I decide to find a solution how to make direct logging in to CQRLog. I know there is a option to use wsjtx but it is tricky to find it on the net. There is short instruction from OH1KH on Youtube so you can watch it there: WSJTX and CQRLog proper setting

In short: In WSJTX you have to choose HAMLIB rigctl given under radio option. Set Network Server to: Set LocalHost: xxxx , where xxxx is a port from a radio defined in CQRLOg radio settings.

Also in WSJTX in reporting tab you have to check boxes also where UDP is mentioned.

In CQRLog you just have to define WSJTX launch (in Ubuntu it is /usr/bin/wsjtx) path and check Run WSJTX efter entering.... option. This means that when you under File option choose remote mode for wsjtx, WSJTX will be automatically started. So take a note not to start WSJTX before entering remote mode from CQRLog. Also, please take a note that when you work like this, CQRLOg is in offline mode (that it should be) so do not worry.

When WSJTX started, minimize CQRLog and work normal with WSJTX. Every confirmed QSO in WSJTX is automatically logged in CQRLog also.
When you plan to end with your work, just close WSJTX and turn off enable remote mode for wsjtx in CQRLog under File option (previously choosen). Now you can continue your work with CQRLog and other modes with your radio.

That is it. Video guidance and above written is enough to start working digimodes.

73

My new home and radio shack

Well it has been past 6 months since I moved to a new apartment. It is bigger than previous one so I have my own space for me :) . Unfortunately I  still at lower floors of the building (3rd fllor, around 13m above ground) and with a not so good options for my new antenna. Putting it on a roof require abot 30-40 meters of cable either Rg58 or Rg213, and a acceptance for mount of antenna, signed from 50% + 1 of neighbors living in my building. So I decide to temporarily put longwire (short, just 6.5m) from my balcony in orther to work. Got Kenwood Ts480HX as a base station and put my Icom 706mk2 in a suitcase for portable use. Helped by a friend, also a ham operator, that made for me noice cancelator, required for those ugly street led lights just below my window. Got used but good linear power supply 22amps and kept the old one, electronic-pulse, power supply for a backup. Have another two, one is halogen 30amps power supply and other is also linear but only 7amps, but due to limited space I am forces to keep them packed. 

For start it is not so much for a new shack. But it works :) and I started making qso's.  

Unfortunately lot of noise on 40m band due to some foreign radar interfere and also bad propagations, but it's satisfactory.

73

My new shack.

Good oldie but goldie Icom :)

XEOMA - webcam surveillance software review

Xeoma for me is not an unknown software. I've been using it 2 years ago. I decided to stop using it because there was not requirement for surveillance software that will record our activities and persons that come in and out in our company. Due to risen activities as a result of growth of our company, these days we faced requirement for software that will be active again as a surveillance for activities in our warehouse and office premises.
Browsing through my emails these days I noticed new email from Xeoma people, informing me about their latest software release. Knowing that this company can make surprise I decide to download their software, again :) .
Their latest release is Xeoma 19.4.22 and it gives fully functional image (one click run program file) of Xeoma software.
It run smoothly on my computer (Intel® Celeron(R) CPU G1620 @ 2.70GHz × 2 ) and it found my local installed IP cameras without any problem. What was surprising for me is that one of the camera's that require specific connection protocol, was accessed with ease and for a first time I saw image of my camera on other place beside my android phone :)
I am not such a great user and person that understand in cameras but I can say this software has good algorithm for processing of stream and images that result in very sharp and precise picture. Also tracking objects and sensors management is good and there are a lot of options and modules that can be manually be added in other to customize your camera monitoring procedure. What I like very much is face recognition and emotions modules where you can "train" your computer to recognize (by putting person(s) in front of camera for main setup of recognition) people you work with or some other unwanted persons and therefore to be able to inform you with email or other signalling procedure about it. Emotions module work similar except it detect emotions of the person and based upon it sending you report based on your settings.
Also, smoke detector is interesting for me as a simple solution where you can use this software for alarming when fire is present near camera view point.
ANPR sender to FTP is sensor in order to recognise plates of a vehicle and after that to send image to a programmed destination with a message-information about it. I did not tet it but i think it could be used in next period in order to make on-time information and recording of company car arrivals in order to track efficiency of  employees that work as merchandisers.
For first look, this software give lot of chances and options to keep you busy for a couple of days. It is easy programmable and easy to use and understand.
For me, the reason I return to this software after a while is a enough proof that simply it is best choice for surveillance software for personal and company uses.

Link to this software: Xeoma video surveillance software

UNETBOOTIN's BLANK PROGRAM WINDOW

These days I suppose lot of Linux users face problem running Unetbootin blank program window.
Looks like some bug in a program and there is (I suppose) for now this solution:
Just make new shortcut in your Ubuntu or other Linux distribution (Applications-System tools-Preferences-Main menu for Ubuntu 18.04) with following command:

sudo QT_X11_NO_MITSHM=1 unetbootin

Also choose to run in terminal window so you can type your sudo password.

As far I can remember looks like it is somehow connected with latest kernel distribution of Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS so there should be soon new update for this problem.

73 de Z34PEC

How to install latest TQSL on Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS and 20.04 LTS (Latest UPDATE is 01.04.2024 for latest TQSL 2.7.2)

Hello friends,
these days I face interesting problem where I needed to install latest TQSL 2.4.3 on my fresh Ubuntu OS. Before I had installed repository version 2.3.1 wich did a job but due to full erase of my disk I decide that I should try install latest release 2.4.3.
First at all latest release could be found on ARRL's official web page in tar.gz format.
After downloading you should extract (usually right click -> extract here) it in one of your home folder(s). It is reccomended to read INSTALL file in TQSL folder extracted from tar.gz archive in order to be familiar what are you doing.
I must mention that installing "as it is",following suggested install procedure will result in lot of errors and unsuccessful installation of TQSL.
After browsing a little I decide to "take a shot" and started following suggested libraries that should be downloaded.
At least beside software center you should have installed Synaptic and use it with your installation procedure with required libraries and programs:

- sudo apt-get install synaptic

I do not know if MONO is obligatory for TQSL but I can suggest also to install this program with 

- sudo apt install mono

The reason why I suggest is that I noticed it is mentioned in some files/libraries that are installed trough Synaptic.

INSTAL suggest these installations to be present on your computer:

- OpenSSL (http://www.openssl.org/) - OpenSSL 1.0.1j was used for TQSL 1.14.
- expat 1.x XML parser library (http://expat.sourceforge.net/) - expat 2.1.0
- zlib (http://zlib.net/) zlib 1.2.8
- Berkeley DB (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/products/berkeleydb/downloads/index.html) - BDB 6.1.19
- wxWidgets (http://wxwidgets.org/downloads) - wxWidgets 2.8.12.
- curl - (http://curl.haxx.se/download.html) - curl 7.39.0

Following libraries/files are installed in terminal with sudo:

1. Required for proper compiling of TQSL

- sudo apt install cmake 

2. As a part of OpenSSL:

- sudo apt install libcurl4-openssl-dev

- sudo apt-get install libssl-dev

3. BerkleyDB

- sudo apt-get install libdb-dev

- sudo apt-get install sqldeveloper-package 


4. Trough Synaptic, using search option you should install these libraries/files as a part of 

   4.1 wxWidgets:
                 
                 libwxbase3.0-0-unofficial

                 libwxbase3.0-dev

                 libwxgtk3.0-0-unofficial

                 libwxgtk3.0-dev

                 wx3.0-headers

                 wx-common

                 libwxbase3.0-dbg

                 libwxgtk3.0-dbg

                 wx3.0-i18n 

Please take note that when you search for files, Synaptic will give you 2 solutions with the same name and the difference is that one have V5 added in it description. For me, I installed both suggested trough my search for above mentioned libraries/files.

    4.2 Zlib , also installed via Synaptic. 
           For this library I installed all suggested that are listed starting with zlib1g in Synaptic. 

   4.3 CURL, check it also in Synaptic is it installed. If not please install it.

EDIT: We almost forgot


     4.4 Expat, do not forget to install expat :)


- Note for above libraries/files: It is enough to use first part of the name as a search criteria (ex. libwxbase3 is enough to search for libwxbase3.0-0-unofficial).



After this you are ready to install latest TQSL on your Ubuntu 18.04 LTS version.

Personally I installed it with root privileges sudo su , although you can install it also with sudo .
Just follow procedure describet in INSTALL:

From the parent directory where TQSL is extracted:
 
cmake .

make

make install

Take a coffee break and your TQSL should be installed in shortly.

Note: No shortcut is made in Menus so to check is it running just type in terminal : tqsl ,and it should start.

Now you only have to make a Menu shortcut and import your signatures in TQSL, following standard procedures for it.

73 de Z34PEC

UPDATE UBUNTU 22.04

If you run Ubuntu 22.04 beside expat from synaptic you should install development package:  

sudo apt-get install -y libexpat1 libexpat1-dev

UPDATE 01.04.2024 (Not a April fools :) )

Latest TQSL require these two things to be installed:

sudo apt install sqlite3

sudo apt-get install libsqlite3-dev

HOW TO PROPERLY SET XGGCOMMS'S DIGIMODE-3 INTERFACE TO WORK WITH UBUNTU 18.04

Hello to everyone.

    Recently I purchased a XGGCOMS Digimode-3 interface in order to take a step in to a digital world of FT8, JT9, PSK31 and other “egsotic” digital modes of work.
    I have second hand Icom 706MKII that works well and I thought buying a digi interface will be a good reason not to use it just for SSB modes of work but also trying to gain knowledge about new ways of usage of our ham equipment.
    After arrival I read manual published on seller’s site. It quite well (maybe it need some additional text inside) describe setting of Digimode-3 under Windows OS, but sadly there is no any written word or video record how to do it under Linux OS , especially with Icom 706MKII radio :)
    My first contact was so disappointing because no matter how much I tried , suggested ALC level stayed around 5-6 squares and even I managed to work some station with such a setup.
    There must be a way to do it under Linux, in my situation Ubuntu 18.04. And there is a solution. I do not know how much people who work HAM under Ubuntu or other Linux based system are experienced but for me I may say (middle experienced user) this OS is still sometimes a mystery. You do not see it on the menu bar or program bar, then you do not know that it exist :)

The fastest way to set digimode-3 is to do it with ALSAMIXER.

Note: My Ubuntu is set to work with gnome meta-city extension (oldie but Goldie) so this explanation is for this environment. For new Ubuntu 18.04 environment it is almost the same (sidebar).

1. Open with ctrl+alt+t terminal window and at the prompt write/start alsamixer.
- Choose proper audio device (C-Media USB set) with pressing F6 and select it from menu.
- In order to see all possibilities press F5  (View All).


Picture 1. Selecting Digimode-3 in alsamixer

- Moving around given settings is possible with your cursor keys left/right arrows.     Increase/decrease of values is set with up/down arrows.
- Go to Headphones.
- With Q/Z keys change of balance is made for left channel and with W/X keys you can balance right channel.
- Set to lowest possible value for both channels (around 33%) .


Picture 2. Help menu with keys

Note: Do not close or exit alsamixer and terminal window.

2.  From drop down menu Applications-System tools-Preferences-Settings-Sound select “Digital output S/PDIF – Audio adapter” . Set value of balance to be in the middle, and mic level should be minimum. Audio level should be at minimum or near minimum.
- Start WSJT-X and wait to load. From the right side, set power meter (gliding up-down bar line) to the middle or upper to ¾ of the bar.
- Set your radio to 50% of it power (I set mine to 50W for start) and get good SWR at 7.074 (FT8) or other work frequency of available digi modes.
- Set on your radio ALC level to be displayed.

3. In WSJT-X select option TUNE and get back to terminal window and alsamixer. For now, your radio should not transmit anything, because VOX level is not enough to activate TX.
- With Q/Z keys increment audio level ONLY to LEFT channel while right stays at it present level of 33%. Around 80% you should hear relay triggering TX on your Icom. Now it is transmitting and
ALC level should be absent (no ALC level readings on indicator).
- With W/X keys slowly increment ONLY RIGHT channel until you see only one bar of ALC level indicator. When you see it, get back one step lower. Now you have set best signal for digital work.
- Get back to WSJT-X and try to move power meter to higher position and get readings on your SWR/POWER meter. At present settings you should run around 20-30W of power without any ALC activation or distortion of signal.


Picture 3. Properly set of alsamixer and power meter (background)

- Deactivate TUNE option from WSJT-X.
- Close alsamixer (ESC key) and terminal window.

Your radio now is just one step from complete settings for digi work.

Note: If above settings (step number 3) did not trigger relay for TX, then slightly increase power meter in WSJT-X and try again will it trigger TX relay. Find the balance for trigger of TX relay ONLY with your LEFT channel and power meter. DO NOT TOUCH or set right channel, it is already set on it best value (for now). You can also try leaving your left channel value just below red zone and only try with power meter from WSJT-X. Changing values of power meter is best to be done with your mouse scroll wheel or touch pad trackball option.



4. Set MIC level (Microphone audio adapter) for good receive of signals. Suggested minimum signal level should be 30db (WSJT-X suggestion). Anything in the green zone is good signal value.


Picture 4. Setting MIC level for best receive signal

That’s all folks.
Now your digimode-3 is properly set to work with Ubuntu or other Linux based system.

Small note for authors of WSJT-X:
Increase/decrease of power in WSJT-X result with not so smooth change of output power like running under Windows. On my computer (Asus 1015PEM Intel Atom N550 dual core) there is some response delay of around 0.5 sec , difference between change of power and command reaction of the radio. Take note about this when changing power to new values.


73 DE PETRIKA
Z34PEC
KN01qx

How to - HF Propagations and Solar predictions on Ubunu

Here is link to this good site and good "How to" guide for installation.
HF propagations and Solar predictions on your Ubuntu

Welcome to your new home

Yesterday new receiver has arrived in my home: Icom 706 MKII .
Got it from a friend of mine that wasn't using it for over a year.
In a good condition, maintaned and keep well.
Well, maybe this is start of something new. Z3FF, BOTA, SOTA, who knows :)
I wish to everyone to have such a pleasant surprise and good unit.
73

HBR4HF my radio

After a longer period finally I managed to start work with my HBR4HF radio station. Declared as 25-30W , Bitx based radio, 3.5-7-10-14 MHz SSB/CW together with HF-P1 antenna and MFJ 971 ATU I tried to make some QSO's in past period. Unfortunately, not so much experienced in field activities, with lot of difficulties I managed to make my first contacts.
I must admit I was little bit unprepared for such activity and I failed. Well, RA life is made of failures and sucesses, so no dissapointed at all.
I must say, I have great satisfaction about this radio and I warmly suggest this radio as a good startup equiment for every RA.

If somebody want to buy it, he/she can go to Hambuilder's site and make an order.

The only negative side is maybe lack of technical documentation but I suppose designer of this radio will manage this problem also.

Weekend is coming and I hope I will continue to make new contacts with my equiment, mostly in portable mode.

Stay well,
73
Z34PEC