NanoVNA Compact Vector Network Analyzer for $50

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The NanoVNA is a very compact and portable vector network analyzer (VNA) capable to work from 50KHz to 900MHz. The NanoVNA is a self-contained device with an embedded touch screen, powered with a rechargeable battery.

The VNA can be also remotely managed with a dedicated software, connecting the NANOVNA via the embedded USB port.


This test equipment was born as a project to provide an RF gadgets for enthusiasts, but it is also a very useful tool.

Features:
2.8 inch TFT LCD touch screen display.
Built-in lithium battery power supply, more convenient to use.
The measurement frequency range is 50KHz~300MHz (can be extended to 50KHz~900MHz, enabling advanced firmware).
Basic operation: Set frequency range, select calibration, display format and channel, save.
You can change the display format and channel selection at any time.
In normal test mode, tap the right part of the screen or press the Rotary encoder to enter the menu.
Tap the screen or turn the dial to select a menu item.
Portable and compact, easy to use and transport.

NANO VNA Specifications:
Main material: PCB
Colour: white
Display: 2.8 inch TFT (320*240)
Measurement frequency: 50KHz~300MHz (50KHz~900MHz, enable advanced firmware)
HF output: -13dbm (maximum -9dbm)
Measuring range: 70dB (50KHz~300MHz), 40dB (300M-900MHz, enable extended firmware)
Port SWR: 1.1
USB interface: USB type C Communication mde: CDC (serial)
Power: USB 5V 120mA 120mA 120mA
Battery: 1 * built-in lithium battery, 400mAh (included)
Number of scanning points: 101 (fixed)
Display Tracking: 4, Marker: 4, Save setting: 5
Printed circuit board size: 68 * 50 * 10mm / 2.7 * 2.0 * 0.4in (without plug, lever switch)

Package list:
1 * NanoVNA Host
2 * 30mm SMA plug to plug RG174 RF cable
1 * SMA socket – socket – socket – socket – socket – socket – plug
1 * USB cable (Type-C)
1 * SMA Simple calibration kit (short / open / load)

NanoVNA Resources

Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1937

Anytone AT-D578UV Plus Dual Band DMR Mobile Transceiver

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The AnyTone AT-D578UV-Plus is a two-band radio for digital DMR radio systems, compatible with MOTOTRBO Tier 1 and 2.

Traditional FM mode is also supported. Unlike many other DMR radios, the AT-D578UV has a true VFO, which makes it operationally much closer to the amateur radio style: you can vary the frequency and all other parameters as in a traditional radio instead of using only pre-programmed memories. Of course there are also memories on the AT-D578UV: 4000! Another difference compared to other DMR radios is the possibility to modify most (unfortunately not all) of the transceiver parameters, without having to connect to a computer for every slight modification you want to make. To really access and change all the settings, however, you need to rely on the CPS programming software and a PC.

In addition to the well-known functions such as FM APRS, digital roaming and the new Bluetooth option, the AT-D578UV-Plus now offers the possibility of receiving both a DMR and an analogue channel at the same time. Of course, two analogue channels can also be received simultaneously: each of the two bands has its own volume control and VFO. The transmission power can be set to four levels: the maximum power is 50 watts in VHF and 45 watts in UHF.

AT-d578uv Picture

The AT-D578UV also offers a wide range of functions: up to 4000 different channels can be stored (digital, analogue or mixed); 10000 conversation groups can be configured and the memory can hold up to 200000 digital contacts (the complete DMR user database from around the world can be stored in the device). In analogue mode, functions such as DTMF, CTCSS and DCS as well as two-tone and five-tone signal encoding are supported. Ten buttons on the radio and microphone can be assigned to individual functions, allowing the user to set their personal preferences.

The brightness of the 1.77″ colour display and the backlit keys on the unit and microphone can be adjusted in steps, ensuring ideal readability even in sunlight and glare-free operation when driving in the dark. The AT-D578UV’s roaming function is independent of the device’s location: while roaming, the system checks whether a repeater is reachable from a predefined list and automatically sets it up if necessary. Roaming channels can be divided into zones, as can conventional channels, such as geographical regions.

The AnyTone AT-D578UV is equipped with a GPS receiver and position data can be transmitted via radio (DMR-APRS and FM-APRS). The device also has a connector for an external GPS antenna. A WFM receiver for the FM radio band is also available. The antenna connection is made with a PL connector. The programming cable (USB / Micro-USB) is included in the package.

AnyTone

AT-D578UV Features

  • 1.77 inch colour LC display
  • Numbers keyboard on microphone, 10 freely configurable keys
  • TWINband 2m/70cm (V/U, V/V, U/U)
  • IF channel width selectable 12.5/25 kHz (analog) or fixed 12.5 kHz (DMR)
  • Digital: DMR (Tier I/II) and analog FM
  • WFM receiver 87.5 – 108 MHz
  • Up to five DMR IDs programmable
  • 4000 memories, 10000 Talk groups, 200000 digital contacts
  • 250 Zones (memory banks) programmable
  • Display of ID (Callsign), location and country of QSO partner
  • Two timeslots available, all colour codes available
  • Transmit power 5, 10, 25, 45 (UHF) / 50 (VHF) Watt
  • Automatic mode selection Analog/Digital
  • Tone burst 1750 Hz
  • Tone squelch: CTCSS, DCS
  • Tone signalling: DTMF, 2 tone, 5 tone
  • GPS receiver
  • New simultaneous reception analog/digital or analog/analog
  • New Many APRS parameters settable on radio, without computer
  • Recording and playback of received signal (DMR only)
  • New Roaming (selection of reachable repeater from a pre-programmed list)
  • VOX function
  • New Bluetooth interface
  • Individual volume controls per VFO

AT-D578UV Comes with:

  • Anytone AT-D578UV
  • Bluetooth module built in
  • External Bluetooth PTT key
  • Handheld microphone with number keyboard and up/down keys
  • Mobil mounting bracket and assorted hardware
  • DC cable with fuse
  • USB programming cable
  • Spare fuses
  • English manual

AT-D578 Price

Currently the AT-D578 is available for aproximately 400 USD or 430 Euros from main amateur radio dealers

Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1936

Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1935

WSJT-X version 2.1.2 released

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The WSJT Development Group recently announced the release of WSJT-X Version 2.1.2.

WSJT-X 2.1.2 is a bug fix only release that solve some issues reported on previous versions

WSJT-X 2.1.2 is a bug fix only release which fixes a major regression
in the Hamlib package bundled with WSJT-X v2.1.1.

 
		   Release: WSJT-X 2.1.1
		     November 25, 2019
		   ---------------------
		   
WSJT-X 2.1.1 is a bug fix only release addressing regressions in the
prior v2.1.0 release.

 - Document rules for the UDP message protocol.
 - Fix bug that could cause display of a blank Settings window.
 - Fix message parsing to properly handle 4-character directed CQs
 - Fix a potential crash in the interface to Omni-Rig.
 - Improve handling of unexpected rig off line status changes from
   Omni-Rig.
 - Add an option to highlight unworked 2-character grid fields rather
   than 4-character grid squares.
 - Fix bug that caused unwanted disabling of "Enable Tx" in Fox mode.
 - Log duplicate contacts in FT8 DXpedition Fox mode.
 - Regenerate the GFSK Tx waveform if Tx audio frequency is changed.
 - Fix the behavior of double-clicking on a decoded message with first
   callsign displayed as an unresolved hash code <...>.
 - Fix a problem with determining "worked before" status after a band
   change.
 - Updates to the WSJT-X 2.1 User Guide.
 - Fix a production issue with the macOS tool chain that generated
   broken executables.

 

A more detailed list of program changes since WSJT-X 2.0.1 can be found in the cumulative Release Notes: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

Upgrading from earlier versions of WSJT-X should be seamless. There is no need to uninstall a previous version or move any files.

Links to installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh are available here:
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

You can also download the packages from our SourceForge site:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/files/

WSJT-X is licensed under the terms of Version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Development of this software is a cooperative project to which many amateur radio operators have contributed. If you use our code, please have the courtesy to let us know about it. If you find bugs or make improvements to the code, please report them to us in
a timely fashion.

 

Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1934

CQ WW DX CW Contest 2019

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The 2019 CQ World-Wide CW DX Contest

CQ WW DX CW: November 23-24
Starts 00:00:00 UTC Saturday Ends 23:59:59 UTC Sunday

The CQ WW is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves on the last weekend of October with the goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.

GOAL: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many CQ zones and countries as possible.

BANDS: Six bands only: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz. Observance of established band plans is strongly encouraged.

EXCHANGE: RST report plus CQ Zone number of the station location (e.g., 599 05).

Read all rules in several languages on official CQ World Wide DX Contest Page

 

CQ ZONE MAP

CQ DX Zones of the world

Contest Software
A selection of contest programs taken from our Contest Software links page

SunSDR2 DX

SunSDR2 DX

SunSDR2 DX is a direct sampling 100 watt SDR transceiver developed for the serious DX’er and contest operator.
 
The SunSDR2 DX transceiver based on the well-known SunSDR2 PRO transceiver with several hardware improvements.
 
Like its predecessor, the SunSDR2 DX covers all HF bands plus 50 MHz and 144 MHz VHF bands with a general coverage receiver. It combines high performance and 100 watt transmit power on HF Bands in a compact size with a LAN interface for maximum flexibility.
 
Remote control over DSL or mobile 3G or 4G connections provide a full SDR experience using the Expert Remote System.

Hardware improvements in comparison to SunSDR2 PRO:

  • Improved supply system, which leads to less heating and less power consumption
  • HPF for VHF (100 MHz) to eliminate strong out-of-band stations coming from HF
  • LPF for HF (70 MHz) to eliminate strong out-of-band stations coming from VHF
  • New VHF LNA chip – PGA103+
  • New high-performance built-in stereo audio codec 24 bit with 114 dB dynamic range
  • Sturdy DIP-type ExtCtrl connector
  • New connectors: external tuner control, external fan control, GND
  • Improved PCB topology

SUNSDR2 DX Price is around 2390  Euro /  2856 USD

 

Expert Electronics

SunSDR2 DX Specifications

General coverage receiver

0.09 to 65MHz and 95 to 148MHz

Frequency coverage, HF Tx

All amateur bands

Frequency coverage, VHF Tx

6m, 2m

Sensitivity μV

0.07μV

Maximum Tx power HF

100 W

Maximum Tx power VHF

6m 50 W

2m 8 W

Blocking dynamic rage, HF

129dB

Blocking dynamic range, VHF

>114dB

ADC clock frequency/ resolution

160MHz/16-bit

DAC clock frequency/resolution

640MHz/14-bit

Power supply

12 to 16 volts, 15V recommended at 5A

Dimensions

190 x 170 x 80 mm

Weight

1.8 kg

SunSDR2 dx Brochure

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SunSDR2 Pictures

The Expert Electronics SunSDR2 DX Front Panel
The Expert Electronics SunSDR2 DX Rear panel

SunSDR2 DX Video





                

Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1933