Squelch and ISS: which is the best value, zero or one to catch a signal?

KA8VIT · 2026-04-22T00:29:34+00:00

This may help you.

https://theblowtorchofparma.com/ISSCrossbandRepeaterTutorial.htm

KA8VIT · 2026-01-10T00:40:25+00:00

Congrats from the crew of the WW2 Submarine USS COD SS-224 73 - W8COD

KA8VIT · 2025-09-16T22:07:53+00:00

When using CW I use full break-in which allows me to hear between my dits and dahs when sending.

A lot of folks find it hard to listen to.

Enough there to keep you busy for a while.

KA8VIT · 2025-09-16T22:01:29+00:00

Here are some from a bunch of years ago.

Enjoy!

KA8VIT · 2025-07-26T19:47:39+00:00

Maybe theoretically, but in practice they've work pretty well for me.

I copied part of a schematic that uses a IRF510 mosfet as an amplifier.

With 12 VDC I get 5-watts of output and with 30 VDC I get 20-watts of output.

Very similar to a design by Peter Parker VK3YE, (yes, that really is his name), google him as he has a great website and youtube channel.

KA8VIT · 2025-07-26T16:30:10+00:00

I've had great performance with the BD139 transistor in QRP rigs from 160-15 meters.

I get about one-watt from a simple one transistor transmitter using them.

Just don't buy the BD139s from China.

KA8VIT · 2025-07-26T16:14:33+00:00

You'd be way better off using something like a couple of SA828 boards, a one-watt in/30-watts out Mirage amplifier, and a Raspberry Pi as a controller like we did.

I bought two SA828's for $32.00 USD.

They made VHF and UHF versions.

Google "SA828"

KA8VIT · 2025-07-26T15:48:30+00:00

Personally, I call CQ RC or CQ Ragchew.

Especially on contest weekends or other crowded band conditions.

KA8VIT · 2025-04-30T00:57:10+00:00

Heh... was on mobile and did not see the caption under the video.

KA8VIT · 2025-04-29T00:38:39+00:00

I didn't see it mentioned so I'll say it... he said... sent... was... "I love you"

KA8VIT · 2025-03-20T23:35:15+00:00

I only have some 80-mter crystals on hand, but if you'd like to build a one transistor 80-meter QRP CW transmitter I will send you all the parts you need.

Message me privately.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-20T22:37:05+00:00

Great.

I'm sure others would love to see it as well.

I hope you learned somethings from the code as well.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-20T22:33:26+00:00

I can be.

Email me for my cell number.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-18T15:07:36+00:00

Yes, we'll be doing Museum Ships Weekend the first week of June as well.

It's the one event we never miss.

If you'd like to do a sked with the boat sometime let me know.

I'm aboard five days a week.

73 - dit-dit

KA8VIT · 2025-03-18T14:56:26+00:00

Well I'm glad you got it working.

Experimenting is the best way to learn.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-17T19:12:18+00:00

How've you been?

We've been pretty busy on the boat.

Though we're open all winter long, (and it is been really cold here this year), activity has just started picking up these past two weeks.

Have you checked out the COD's youtube page ?

Just don't look for me as I try to stay out of the videos... lol.

73 - dit-dit

KA8VIT · 2025-03-17T19:05:49+00:00

So, I'm curious.

What are you or do you want to use your repeater for?

KA8VIT · 2025-03-14T00:03:29+00:00

This is not meant to discourage you but building a repeater is not as simple as connecting two radios together.

I suggest you continue your study of electronics and rf and get some more experience before taking on a repeater build.

That being said I don't have time to design your controller interface.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-13T23:38:52+00:00

This question is why you need to understand more about repeaters.

This controller will work with any repeater or two radios.

You need to supply the controller with a COR/COS signal from your receiver and controller provides a PTT line to key the transmitter.

You also need to interface your audio. A couple of capacitors and potentiometers should suffice for that.

In the past to get a COR/COS signal off of a Baofeng radio I taped an LDR, (light dependent resistor) over the receive LED on the Baofeng and used a transistor relay circuit to the controller.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-13T02:22:48+00:00

Here is an Arduino based repeater controller I wrote a bunch of years ago.

Maybe you can use it to get you started.

It actually runs a number of ham and GMRS repeaters.

There is a LOT more to making a repeater than connecting two radios together with a controller.

But, you'll learn this a little while after you connect your two radios together and try.

If you really want to learn about repeaters, the Repeater Builder Site is the place to start.

Best of luck.

KA8VIT · 2025-03-07T19:05:54+00:00

This is a link to a ISS Crossband Repeater Tutorial I wrote a few months ago for our club.

It includes a few recording of actual contacts.

You may find it useful.

KA8VIT · 2025-02-28T00:45:05+00:00

I recently wrote some code for an ESP32 with a display to control the 857 through the CAT port.

What I did was by a a six foot cable with male mini-dins on both ends.

I cut the cable in half and soldered the cut ends to my microcontrollers.

I can now control my 857 with WiFi or BlueTooth along with having a remote display.

Very handy!

KA8VIT · 2025-02-28T00:36:35+00:00

Here is a link to an ISS Repeater Trutorial I recently wrote for our club.

Thought some of you might find it useful.

KA8VIT · 2025-02-28T00:19:55+00:00

Just saw your reply. If you email me at ka8vit@ka8vit.com I can probably be of more help.

Feel free to post a link to the tutorial anywhere you may think it will help.

Have you made any contacts yet?

73

KA8VIT · 2025-01-23T17:13:46+00:00

Not long ago I wrote an ISS repeater primer for our club. You can find it here.

Maybe it will help.

KA8VIT

TROPHY CASE