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Re: [PSDR] Where does one buy Boonton power sensor connectors?
by Bart Kus 29 Oct '12

29 Oct '12

That looks like a home run. You sir, are awesome, and all of PSDR should know it! :) http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1520321.pdf 80-MC2M (male plug) mates with 80-PC2F (female panel mount receptacle). A little pricey @ $18.91 and $14.86 each respectively at newark.com, but still far better than not having connectors! Problem: Solved! Now for the next trick: avoiding $123 rotary switches. Need at least 8-position, 3-deck, single pole per deck. Minimal currents/voltages involved. After that, the rest of the components are cheap and easy. Just like me. --Bart On 10/29/2012 04:16 PM, Dan Camp wrote: > Bart-- > Not certain, but those look a lot like the old Heathkit microphone > connectors...I'll check the specs on one of my old mics when I get home... > > Tnx & 73--Dan, AF7O > > On 10/28/2012 7:21 PM, Bart Kus wrote: >> Hello, >> >> In my attempt at reproducing a Boonton 2500, I've discovered that the >> power sensor connectors are impossible for me to find anywhere. >> They're connectors like the white ones here: >> >> >> >> They're also used on the backs of the power sensors: >> >> >> >> The male end looks like this: >> >> >> >> And they mate like this: >> >> >> >> I've measured the one connector I have and have produced a 3D sketch: >> > >> And the face view: >> >> Can anyone find females + males of these? More precisely, I'd like a >> panel-mount female (receptacle) and a couple in-line (attached to >> cable) male plugs. A pre-assembled jumper with male ends would work >> too. It would also be awesome to find an adapter from this weird >> standard into something more readily available. >> >> Any suggestions? >> >> --Bart >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> PSDR mailing list >> PSDR(a)hamwan.org >> http://mail.hamwan.org/mailman/listinfo/psdr_hamwan.org >

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[PSDR] Where does one buy Boonton power sensor connectors?
by Bart Kus 28 Oct '12

28 Oct '12

Hello, In my attempt at reproducing a Boonton 2500, I've discovered that the power sensor connectors are impossible for me to find anywhere. They're connectors like the white ones here: They're also used on the backs of the power sensors: The male end looks like this: And they mate like this: I've measured the one connector I have and have produced a 3D sketch: And the face view: Can anyone find females + males of these? More precisely, I'd like a panel-mount female (receptacle) and a couple in-line (attached to cable) male plugs. A pre-assembled jumper with male ends would work too. It would also be awesome to find an adapter from this weird standard into something more readily available. Any suggestions? --Bart

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[PSDR] Spooky October HamWAN Update
by Bart Kus 26 Oct '12

26 Oct '12

Hello, A lot has happened recently, and I've been lagging on communication, so here's an oversized update. If you would like to take some of the tasks below off my hands, let me know! The to-do list is kind of overwhelming right now. *Administrative* HamWAN is now officially a non-profit corporation in the state of Washington. We've also got a business license and an IRS EIN for tax purposes. Because of the nice legal statuses, we've now got a bank account, a PayPal account and a credit card! Just like a real boy! This has all allowed HamWAN to launch the DONATION PROGRAM! Right now, yes right now, you can hit up HamWAN.org and make donations! You can also become a long-term supporter and donate on a recurring monthly or yearly basis. I don't want to drown the rest of this status update email with donation details and why they're important and what donating gets you, so please read the details at the Service Levels <https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Service+Levels> page. The next steps on the legal front will be making a 501(c)(3) filing. The process has begun and the board should be approving it in early November. Processing time with the IRS will be a few months. Speaking of the board, it is composed of: Position Name Callsign Bart Kus Chairman AE7SJ Curt Black Director WR5J Benjamin Krueger Director N2IHK I would like the board to grow, so if you or anyone you know is serious about contributing, please get in touch. *Technical* Here at HamWAN Labs (aka: my home) engineers (aka: me) were successful in setting up an MPLS network with 4 MikroTik routers: [admin@D] > /tool traceroute 192.168.44.10 # ADDRESS RT1 RT2 RT3 STATUS 1 10.0.2.1 10ms 8ms 8ms <MPLS:L=29,E=0> 2 10.0.3.1 13ms 7ms 10ms <MPLS:L=23,E=0> 3 10.0.1.1 10ms 9ms 8ms <MPLS:L=28,E=0> 4 192.168.42.1 9ms 8ms 9ms 5 192.168.44.10 11ms 10ms 9ms MPLS-TE is next up on the network test agenda. IPv6 was tested successfully. Maximum over-the-air data throughput was tested as 123Mbit/s. On the RF side of things, maximum throughput was measured on two RF links simultaneously, within close proximity to each other, and configured to use adjacent spectrum. The results showed interference and slow-downs. So now it is important to measure the inter-antenna coupling and relate it to some minimum guard band size. In this harshest of conditions (no inter-antenna shielding) a guard band of 20MHz was sufficient to eliminate all interference and slow-downs. Although the tests were only being done @ 10mW not the full 1.3W, so as to not saturate the receivers. Speaking of antennas, HamWAN Labs has a couple candidate models in stock and is about to perform analysis! Doing work at 6GHz is no easy feat, but for about $700 it looks like we're all geared up to pull it off. The test setup is something like this <https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Antenna+Testing&structure=HamW…>. But due to budget constraints only one power meter is available (although it's dual-channel!), and the coupler is unidirectional, not bidirectional, so it'll have to be switched around to perform the two different measurements. A little sprinkling of GPIB control software and these instruments should take a few hours to perform a complete sweep of each antenna, measuring: 1) Incident power 2) Reflected power 3) Received power 4) Frequency This will characterize the SWR of each antenna and their claims of 16dBi maximum gain. The next antenna experiment will be to measure radiation patterns, as the manufacturer specs are not trustworthy. HamWAN Labs has bought a rotor for this purpose and it needs to be rigged with a custom controller circuit to step it accurately. It also needs to be subject to computer control. We'll need to figure out a way to control elevation as well as azimuth to produce 3D models. Given the short transmission ranges involved, a typical Az-El rotor setup will introduce excessive sideways motion of the antenna under test and will skew the results. I'm open to suggestions. The TX and RX antennas are spread about 20ft apart. Finally, and this is the stretch goal, it would be good to measure radiation patterns as they vary with frequency. Once the antennas are fully characterized, inter-antenna coupling can be modelled and interference can be minimized. The coupling should also be directly measurable by setting up the antennas as though they were part of a distribution node (3-sector cell site), injecting a known signal, and measuring the RX. This type of measurement will just verify the antenna models are correct, and that the measurement methods are sound. I'm also trying to calibrate the Boonton 4200 power meter and the power probes. To this end, I'll be trying to construct a copy of a Boonton 2500 DC calibrator unit. The ones on eBay are prohibitively expensive for what amounts to a 10VDC supply in a box with a bunch of resistors. I don't have a good AC calibration source (50MHz from +20dBm to -20dbm for one sensor, and down to -60dBm for another), so I'll be faking it with signal generators and an oscilloscope I have on-hand. If you happen to have an accurate and calibrated signal source @ 50MHz, do let me know! *Sites* On the site front, Cougar is still in the works and taking longer than expected. Please do talk to people you know and help secure sites for the project. There's a map of desired sites here <https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Puget+Sound+Data+Ring&structur…>, towards the bottom of the page. Gold Mtn, Blyn Mtn, Capitol Peak, Hatfield's Daughter, Sugarloaf Mtn, Graham Hill, Cougar Mtn, Tiger Mtns and that one Unknown one is apparently Cultas Mtn...these all need to be landed. Paine Field and Mt.Constitution are secured. Lyman Hill is securable with money. *Speaking of Money * Just to file for 501(c)(3) charity status is a $400 application fee, so please, people, donate! And spread the word to other hammy-compu-nerds! Thanks, --Bart PS: Real-time project discussion / coordination is on irc.freenode.org in #HamWAN.

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[PSDR] HamWAN has filed for non-profit corporation status!
by Bart Kus 10 Oct '12

10 Oct '12

Hello, A little update for everyone. HamWAN has just filed all the paperwork to operate as a non-profit corporation in Washington state. Processing time is 2-3 days. After being approved we'll obtain a bank & PayPal account for the company, and then proceed with the 501(c)(3) paperwork so that contribution matching can be leveraged. The 501(c)(3) process will take a minimum of 60 days, but it will not be a blocker to progress. Donations can be accepted as soon as the financial details are setup. On the technical side of things, a more realistic physical network map has been published on the PSDR wiki page: https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Puget+Sound+Data+Ring&structur… The links to Canada represent peering points with the existing amateur radio network up there, called BCWARN.net. I'm trying to secure some time on 6GHz measurement gear this week to gauge the relative performance of a couple sector antenna candidates I have in stock here now. Research also continues on MPLS-TE/OSPF-TE, with the goal being the creation of a lab environment which successfully demonstrates those routing protocols doing the proper things under various network load conditions. Cougar Mountain continues to be pursued as the first node to be setup on the air. Verification of Ethernet switch candidate has completed and the suggested hardware passed all requirements. Would anyone like to suggest some good switched network PDU hardware? The whole Component Engineering <https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Component+Engineering&structur…> section of the website needs some group input/research. Ever onward, --Bart

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[PSDR] Feedback on HamWAN mission statement / purpose
by Bart Kus 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

Hello, As part of becoming a non-profit and seeking a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, HamWAN needs to formalize its stated purpose. This language needs to be generic enough to not encumber the organization's goals in the coming years, and yet specific enough to define the correct focus and meet 501(c)(3) criteria. Below is my first draft at this mission statement, and I'd like to get feedback on it, especially from anyone who has been through founding an org and seeking 501(c)(3) status. Here we go: *HamWAN Mission Statement* HamWAN is focused on creating, operating and coordinating free digital networks.These digital networks are used for (1) emergency communications when other systems go down, (2) research and development in the realm of microwave networking, (3) a means of free digital communication for anyone who is or becomes a licensed radio amateur, (4) an educational resource in spreading the knowledge of how to create, operate and use such networks.All knowledge generated and gathered by HamWAN in the realm of microwave networking is made freely available to the public for unrestricted consumption.Coordination services provided by HamWAN ensure the interoperability of other similar networks not directly under HamWAN's control. Thanks, --Bart

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[PSDR] Does anyone have equipment to do work @ 6GHz?
by Bart Kus 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Hello, Does anyone have any of the following types of equipment that can work at up to 6GHz? 1) Signal generator 2) RF power meter 3) Spectrum analyzer 4) Vector network analyzer I might have some intermittent access to one piece of kit (Anritsu S412E), but would like a more permanent solution. This would be used in support of analyzing antenna performance. Sector antenna costs are pretty high ($180) and I'm thinking it wouldn't be as expensive to produce equivalently performing home-brew antennas. On a related note, is anyone interested in home-brewing a 5GHz hpol sector antenna for this project? The component engineering page for this part of the network is here: https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-index.php?page=Sector+Antenna+-+120deg&struct… Thanks, --Bart

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[PSDR] New forum topic in <Puget Sound Data...> by BartKus: This is forum 2...
by HamWAN＠HamWAN.org 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

A new message was posted to forum: Puget Sound Data Ring New topic: This is forum 2 email test Author: "BartKus" Title: This is forum 2 email test Date: 2012-09-16 22:44 https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_pare… Message: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Test message #3! not metoo!

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[PSDR] Testing self bounce again
by Bart Kus 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

Test #2

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[PSDR] Testing self-bounce
by Bart Kus 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

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[PSDR] New forum topic in <Puget Sound Data...> by BartKus: This is forum 2...
by HamWAN＠HamWAN.org 16 Sep '12

16 Sep '12

A new message was posted to forum: Puget Sound Data Ring New topic: This is forum 2 email test Author: "BartKus" Title: This is forum 2 email test Date: 2012-09-16 22:20 https://www.hamwan.org/t/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_pare… Message: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Test message #2

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