Phil (M0OFX) @m0ofx@mastodon.social

Got a RasPi running Pi-Star. Just flashed in the latest STM32 firmware and it's running a DAPNET POCSAG hotspot. Got a PoE inserter arriving tomorrow, then it'll be going on the shelf with an Ethernet cable in tow.

Tonight's project, a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ with #MMDVM HAT running from a 13.8V radio power supply. #hamr #hamradio #RaspberryPi

Does anyone know of a way to load ADS models into RFSim99?
Failing that is there a similar filter/matching design tool which can load ADS models?
I want to use an NXP RF transistor in a UHF PA, but they only provide ADS models, not Touchstone/s2p files.
Sadly ADS is a bit out of my price range!

Just spent twenty minutes trying to figure out why the server wouldn't boot after I moved the main boot drive onto an SSD.
Turns out I had the boot device order wrong in the BIOS. Oops.

All done! And working to spec, if not better -- about -120dBm for 12dB SINAD.👍

@m0ofx Finished the chassis work. Both radios look pretty much stock now. Last job is to tune up the repaired one (note the jig cable). Other than that, all done!

@m0ofx Shield is on, jig cable is plugged in, and we've got 4.3W power output. Considering the PA isn't aligned yet, I'll take that as a nice starting point! #hamr

@m0ofx Shield is on, jig cable is plugged in, and we've got 4.3W power output. Considering the PA isn't aligned yet, I'll take that as a nice starting point! #hamr

@m0ofx The new PA is in. Next the shield needs to go back on, then it's time to power up and check there's amplification happening.

@m0ofx Well that's the PA module off. The dried out thermal compound might be a bit of a clue.

Well the Icom parts are here - time to fix the IC-F610!
I need to be careful though, my Yaesu might get jealous...

The fix on the HF antenna seems to have held. I've cut out a few metres of feedline and moved the balun up onto the dipole centre. Had a go with the "new" FT8 mode on WSJTX last night, QSO got as far as Lebanon on my first try. Decent result, I reckon.

Plan for tonight -- if the Icom parts have arrived, I'll be fixing the IC-F610 with the busted PA module (and maybe tearing down the PA module on livestream).

I mean, I could buy an X240, but the Fn-lock and Ins/End cockuppery on the keyboard put me off.
Also my X220 only needs midplane plastics, a new screen and some JB Weld on the top lid. That's about £50 in parts vs £250 for a new machine.

The life of a Thinkpad owner: scouring ebay for parts to repair your X220 because you find the keyboard nicer than the X230/X240...