Ham Radio - A stand-alone WSPR beacon kit.

Made by ZachTek, this is a great little kit. Integrated GPS receiver makes it completely stand-alone.
Website:
www.zachtek.co...
I wrote a python script for linux to do some basic control of the device.
raw.githubuser...
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[@jimmusson]

I purchased one of the WSPR kits with the mezzanine board after seeing this video and put it together. Zack was extremely helpful with my questions. Suggested alternate low pass filters so I could operate on more bands. Also has good instructions on setting up Adruino environment and uploading firmware. A great kit and a great guy.

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

5:48 Oh dude the seal was already broken! You already peaked !!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

As you say a really useful tool for anyone into antenna building. Harry is out of stock of the model shown here but hopefully his new model will be ready very soon, according to his blog.

[@JennyEverywhere]

Hey, Kevin! I got my Zachtek kit a couple of weeks ago, and finished building it yesterday. I got the filters Harry suggested: 160, 80, 30, and 17. They also give you 40 and 20, so I got 6 bands for the price of 4. It works great so far, but I really want to see how it works on my Comet vertical, once it's installed. The wire I have the WSPR beacon on right now isn't very well tuned for it, and I'm sure I'm losing a bunch of the power to reflected losses...but its still getting out to the entire continental US, Vancouver Island, Nova Scotia, Iceland, Western Europe, and at least one point in Brazil. On a quarter of a watt, that's exceptional! Thanks for reviewing this, or I never would have known about it! 73, Gwen, NG3P

[@andrewmullen5770]

Absolutely excellent video, thank you Kevin!

[@JennyEverywhere]

Good video! I'm not quite ready for SMD construction yet, but I've got all the gear to learn.

[@aaron12693]

Why did you choose this kit in particular? I've been playing with the Ultimate3s, and there's also the wsprlite. I hadn't heard of this one, so I'm just curious about what drew you to it.

[@loughkb]

Harry contacted me and asked me to review it.

[@Snarky_Radio]

@@loughkb, Aaron, I have the wsprlite, but the thought of running a beacon on 10 and 6 meters has kind of interested me for a while. Plus the gps controlled time sync and auto grid square announcing seems pretty cool.

[@loughkb]

@@Snarky_Radio especially in my case, being mobile. I never know where I might end up, and all I need to do is plug it in and know that it's putting out the proper position.

[@Tony770jr]

Is the antenna jumper wire on the bottom PCB removed or kept in place when installing the 4 band filter PCB?

[@Devin82m]

I've been wanting to build a WSPR beacon, that may just be the one, thanks for the great video as usual.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Kevin, Nice build and review. That Antarctica contact was impressive with the antenna you mentioned. 73 WB3BJU

[@Inkling777]

Fascinating! WSPR intrigues me and this device seems to be the best thus far. But none give me the UI I'd like. I'd like to put a WSPR transmitter in the attic, then setup, enable, and disable it through Bluetooth and a smartphone. I can't see the sense of getting an on-the-go device this small and then having to use a far-large desktop or laptop to manage it.

[@loughkb]

Well, you configure it once, for the bands you want, and then just power it up when needed. It starts beaconing and hopping between the bands you define. So, you probably wouldn't need to fiddle with it very often. You could set it up with a USB to standard serial interface and run a serial line down. I think there's also usb to bluetooth interfaces you could pair it with. Build to suit your needs.

[@Inkling777]

Thanks! Two years later WSPR is still on my to-do list. I've been looking for excuses to get QRP Labs' marvelous QCX mini, and that fact that is has a simple-to-set-up WSPR mode is a plus. Here's a description of how. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH6tnn-LZdp4r6c

[@krisguntner4805]

Heard of this but didn't really know anything. Thanks for the infotainment! :)

[@bud03038]

What a great kit! Thanks for the video. DE WQ1I 73'S

[@samglaim4274]

Looks a really nice kit. Excellent video and tutorial. Many thanks. 73

[@rtgideon]

Kevin; Cool stuff, I am glad that you are doing it! Randy. California.

[@andrephilipp23]

may i ask you about the locator? is there also a 6 digit modus posible not just 4 charactor?

[@男メロウ]

Hi Kevin ~ Based on the results shown By WSPR , have you ever used the numbers shown to calculate and improve a transmitting Antenna? Do you know of any examples as I am looking for anything to learn from - cheers

[@loughkb]

Propagation is a variable that can change minute to minute. That would make the data useless for any kind of precision.

[@vacuumfireradio253]

Thanks for the video Kevin. Out of interest what 4 band antenna did you use for hopping?

[@loughkb]

I just just had it on my 16ft vertical end fed.

[@ed-jf3xh]

Sounds like a nice bit of kit. I presume the $69 doesn't include the the filter board or filter sets. I use WINE for Echolink and it does okay. Did you try it with this board?

[@loughkb]

Yep, the filter board is sold separately. And yes, I tried it in wine, but the current version of the software uses. Net libraries that are incompatible with mono.

[@charlesschindler1971]

Top of the day to you Mr.K!

[@pathopkins4500]

Great job Kevin and using Linux simple terminal to program the board and resolve API Window$ OS serial problem =) 73's and safe travels =)

[@boopymd]

Very good, Kevin. You draw upon enormous knowledge of electronics and you are a great 1:1 teacher. And very personable. How do you do it and how did you learn it all and become the not-so-old Tech guy?

[@JT-py9lv]

This looks very fun. What kind of antenna are you using ? Vertical or horizontal ? I'd love to try this

[@loughkb]

I use it with just about every antenna I build. It's an easy way to see how well it's getting out.

[@law2755]

Nice project Kevin

[@jerryuhte1284]

Kevin , great video, nice to have someone actually show how this stuff works and help newbies (like me ) 83 yrs ! I am a simple builder of stuff and just learning about the new things out there , i did operate a lil wspr with the k2 a year ago or so ! Like what Hans Summers has done , got his QCX (still in the box ) hi ! But anyway like what you have , my question is what did you use for an Antenna since you operated on 4 bands . I can see it would help in building the Antenna for the Band you want to use (dx) or whatever ! Thanks for the info , good luck, 73 , Jerry Uhte K9UT

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Quite Quiet Interesting - looks handy to have.

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

Mar 2021: Is there such a thing as audible "WSPR" beacons, on CW, or side-band? Suppose I should get my Tech class renewed and discover more. :)

[@loughkb]

There are many CW beacons out there. Mostly on 10 and 6 meters.

[@ralphwilmot6351]

Neat project and informative review. I have ordered the same kit with 160m 80 40 and 20. Harry is quick to respond. In response to a question re onboard LPF. Quote "The LP filter on the WSPR-TX-LP1 board itself is of not much use if you have the Mezzanine LP4 board, the only use I can think of would be if you had a 50MHz filter on the WSPR board it would not interfere with the Mezzanine board and it would give some extra overtone suppression for VHF overtones and if you removed the Mezzanine board your could TX on 50MHz" Unquote. Possibly with a switch mod you could add 6m or even 10m as an option. G4PEY

[@Snarky_Radio]

Kevin He was out of the desktop transmitters, but I just snagged on for the Higher bands. I blame you. Now, I will have to check the mail everyday, to make sure the Misses doesn't find out. your fault.

[@loughkb]

Yeah, I heard from Harry that he sold out his present stock soon after my video went live and he's scrambling to make more now. Good for him, it's a great little kit!

[@rjinnh3933]

Top of the Morning to you Kevin. Another great vid. Informative, interesting and well presented, as usual! Glad to see the Old Tech Guy brought back the Old Intro to his vids. It's his trademark..... Kevin, what is the nominal time between MSG-TX and RX-Time posting to the Internet? Should be a great tool to know when to be persistant with ur CQs and when not to even bother. Interesting to see Harry using the Arduino Nano for Control/Interfacing. You can buy them from China for a couple of bucks, or less, in quantities of 1 to thousands with 3-4 weeks delivery and u can get a pack of 3 from Amazon for $12 w 2 day delivery. Regards to all and again, great presentation Kevin! Russ in NH, KA1RUW

[@CharudattUplap]

Just wondering why the kit uses a separate CH340G based USB chip when the NANO already has the same on the same pins.

[@loughkb]

You'd have to ask Zach. Email him on his site, he's very responsive.

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Hey Kevin, nice kit! I wonder, can you use this setup in multiband mode on your mag loop antenna without having to retune the loop for each band?

[@loughkb]

Yes, but it would only radiate well on the frequency the loop is tuned for.

[@kensmith5538]

this might sound a little nit picky, but it's not intended as such. FT8 and WSPR (especially FT8) not really a 'low power' mode.. (wspr, they do want you to run a defined amount of power expressed in db format, I run 2 watts typically) FT8 (and the other JT modes) are 'weak signal' modes, not necessarily low power. You can achieve a lot of contacts at low power indeed, but you'll work more with a reasonable (no need for an amp) amount of power as long as it's clean.. watch the youtube vid of Joe Taylor's visit to his local ham club.. he clarifies a LOT in this vid... and shows the genius that he is... big fan of your show Kevin... keep up the good work...

[@ralphwilmot6351]

Problem with FT8 is the high power splatter and incorrect ALC adjustment

[@kensmith5538]

@@ralphwilmot6351 well... it's the ALC adjustment that's the problem... not the power level... they have nothing to do with each other

[@ralphwilmot6351]

Ken Smith As I said ALC is the problem, however the greater the power the worse the problem of splatter, FT8 does not need more than 30 watts max, even that for a standard 100w rig is push it at 100% duty. Less is better and QRP is best.

[@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam]

Hi Ken, Would you mind adding a link for the video you're talking about. Sounds interesting and lm having problems finding it. Cheers

[@adrongarretson6195]

Love you videos love you videos the longer the better

[@DeeegerD]

In Linux you should just be able to use a terminal program with scripting to set up your device each time. Old School ;) Various scripts for various configurations. Although it wouldn't be difficult to create a similar program for Linux. Basically a bunch of options on a page and a large "switch()" statement to output the various settings to the serial port. But please use a real programming language such as C++ or Java ;) I haven't heard Delphi referenced in decades ;)

[@notyoung]

Any language that gets the job done is a "real" language. When pressed to provide multiple terminal devices to test an X.25 over TCP/IP network configuration, I used one PC running a simple BASIC program and a TRS-80 Model 100 (also running BASIC and that data was at 300 baud). The speed of communications wasn't important, just the ability to put up and take down connections, pass data that could be verified and repeat that 24/7. Other people in the project seemed surprised that I could get terminals running from scratch in a matter of hours and have them able to generate notification of failed connections. I didn't see it as a big deal. I was being paid to be a problem solver so I solved the problem using the equipment on-site and the available tools.

[@stickycricket2]

@@notyoung Use punch cards

[@jeffreyeide7512]

Yo Kevin!: Another great video! Gave me a better understanding of wspr. & gives you something to play with as you lay over in Yuma area. Antarctica? GREAT dx! de seeker/Jeff WA7LFP

[@paaao]

Did you mean -128db of signal? DMR works at -119 and -120db if texting. LoRa decodes down to -135-140. I would assume wspr is on the level of LoRa...

[@loughkb]

The wording of the wiki is a bit odd.

[@tglenn3121]

Kevin, thanks for the good video. How did you get a hold of this guy? I've visited the Zachtek website, but I do not see any way to email them directly. I want to buy one of his pre-assembled desktop models for the mid-band (7-20 MHz), but they don't seem to be available and I want to contact him about getting one. Thanks.

[@loughkb]

It's at the bottom of several of the pages on his site. [e-mail]

[@tglenn3121]

@@loughkb Thanks

[@tglenn3121]

@@loughkb Hey, Kevin, were you able to set up your transmitter to work with WSJT-X??

[@loughkb]

@@tglenn3121 yes, quite awhile ago.

[@tglenn3121]

@@loughkb Ok, thanks. Hopefully it was fairly easy and straightforward. Thanks to your review of Zachtek, I'm ordering one of their pre-made models (mid-band model), and I'm hoping it will interface with WSJT-x software without too much problem.

[@prestonshute7243]

Super kit, I’m going to get one too. As usual your videos are entertaining and very helpful. 73 wd4dda

[@BastHoen]

Excellent video, thank you! 73 PA5BAS

[@56932982]

Have you tried to run the Windows software with WINE? I was able to use the Windows code plug software for my hand held radio with WINE on MacOS. Accessing the serial port needed a bit fiddling with WINE though. But the software itself did just run.

[@loughkb]

No good. It uses .NET libraries that are not supported with mono.

[@redlines2535]

Wow very interesting

[@d3stinYwOw]

Hi! Have you tried to run that software using WINE?

[@paulhastings3109]

I would just love to do this but I just don't have the physical capability. Is there another way around to do this something that I could buy. Inquisitive minds once to know Thank you KQ4CDPaul 73

[@deBug67]

Hi Paul. I'm Harry the guy that makes this Kit. I have another model that is built and ready to put on the air. It's complete in a box and called the WSPR Desktop model. You can check it out on my web :www.zachtek.com/product-page/wspr-desktop-transmitter 73 Harry - SM7PNV

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Harry, Just checked your website for the Desktop version and wonder if an 160 80 40 30 version could be ordered. Wouldn't mind a small price increase if needed. 73 WB3BJU

[@deBug67]

@@DonDegidio Sure, no problem. Contact me over email and I will see what we can do.

[@d.shortwave4280]

would this work on cb radio

[@loughkb]

Nope. Nobody is running monitoring stations on 27mhz as far as I'm aware. Ham bands only.

[@setecastron7652]

Regarding creating a frontend to run the API commands on Linux, this guy (G7UHN) used Tkinter to make a GUI frontend for his Linux PC to control a "Low Cost Remote Radio" station he set up at home. He's got a short video and a slide presentation he gave at the RSGB 2017 Convention on his blog: alloutput.com/amateur-radio/2017-rsgb-convention-talk/ (see slides 41 and 42 and his video starting at 2:30 for the GUI part). Might be one way to go.

[@no5x937]

Why not write in Javascript and Node.JS and run it in any Web Browser? Lots of great KZbin videos on Javascript and NODE.JS. And you could run the Node.JS Server that generates the API commands to the WSPR TX board and any Web browser running a local host custom web page that communicates with the Node.JS Server on the same Raspberry PI.

[@karllaun2427]

Interested! Licensed about a year ago, but haven’t transmitted anything yet. KD9KOI

[@W9TSB]

Great video K! 73! KD9LRW

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Kevin Loughin, Interesting, but NOT easy without a lot of additional equipment, such as SMD soldering station, microscope designed for board work, and a knowledge of programming. That pretty much limits it to about 1% of the hams I know. de KQ2E

[@loughkb]

I disagree, I built it with a regular hakko solder station, and no real programming knowledge needed.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

why not run it threw wine

[@loughkb]

Parts of it are built in .NET and don't work with mono. A problem that is becoming far more common. In this case, I wrote a python script to allow linux users to program the device. It's in a later video.

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

@@loughkb that makes since been awhile since scrip a program do u if i can send pdf u inspired me to make this and i wanted u take a look at this electronic schematic be for i send it off to have the pcb made

[@loughkb]

You can email me at my public address as listed on qrz.com

[@rdwit659]

I've not done surface mount soldering - you've convinced me not to buy this unit. I'll look elsewhere. Thanks

[@loughkb]

I don't recall having to do any surface mount components on this kit. I went and re-watched the video to see what you're referring to. All the surface mounted components come already installed. There's no SMD work to be done. I don't know what you're referring to.

[@yuckypooh]

Are you chewing gum!?

[@loughkb]

Probably smoking a cigar.