[MRCA] QRP Military Radio Magic

[Tim]

Hi Anthony - I just had a chance to read through your application note for
this installation.  Really good - thank you for taking the time to write it
up with excellent photos...

Looks like I'm about to become a ProgRock experimenter, at least for
receiver applications.. I certainly prefer the use of crystals, but they
are becoming unobtanium in original condition...Steve (AF4K Crystals)
supplies the modified FT-243 packages with the little HC-49's inside and
they work very well in all my old tube gear.  Fortunately someone is
growing those "ceramic" crystals in quantity and makes them available for
these conversions.  They include most of the HF freq's I am interested in
but +455 kc RX crystals are a problem in any event.  Tiny customer base for
those I presume...

Thanks!  Tim
N6CC

On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 3:10 AM Anthony Clare <n3kcb at usa.net> wrote:

> Well, since it seems to be a hot topic on the list, I have attached a PDF
> of
> my instructions for installing the ProgRock 2 into the TRC-77.
>
> Hopefully, the attachment will get through. If not, I will find some
> alternative means.
>
> n3kcb
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> Received: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 07:27:49 PM EDT
> From: WA6BBQ via MRCA <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
> To: "mrca at mailman.qth.net" <mrca at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [MRCA] QRP Military Radio Magic
>
> Excellent discussion!
>
> I put my order in for a few progrock2's. (already have a box full of their
> low pass filters, as yet unbuilt.)  TRC-77 will be one recipient, and I've
> got a pile of the old boat radios. Always thought it would be fun to move
> one onto 160M.
>
> Thanks!
> Jason WA6BBQ
>
> >  I have really enjoyed all the QRP Labs kits I've built.  Just a couple
> > weeks ago I put a 10m WSPR beacon on the air from here on Kauai using
> > another Ultimate 3S kit and a low-pass-filter kit.  A successful result
> > and quite economical.
> >
> > I've used ProgRock2 devices several times as a crystal substitute, and
> I'd
> > like to share my experiences:
> > -Â  The USB programming requires that you know how to use a terminal
> > program to talk on a USB port.
> > - The output is a harmonic-rich square wave, so filtering may be
> necessary
> > in some applications.  QRP Labs has very inexpensive low pass filter
> kits
> > that may be helpful.
> > -Â  These are microcontroller/synthesizer modules and as such will spray
> > significant radio noise.  When used in a transceiver or receiver you
> > should be ready for some reception interference.  Shielding and
> filtering
> > the lines into the ProgRock2 can help, but remember you are directly
> > coupling the unit into your receiver.  If a birdie from the ProgRock2
> > happens to fall on a desired channel it might be a difficult problem.
> > -Â  If you are considering using a ProgRock2 in an FM transmitter
> > application, you will need to make sure the rig uses phase modulation and
> > not direct-FM.  Direct FM wants to frequency modulate the crystal
> > oscillator, and if you use a ProgRock you can't do that.
> >
> > I don't want to discourage people about the ProgRock2 - it is a very
> handy
> > device and have successfully used them in projects.  But I have also
> been
> > frustrated and given up on that approach.  It is important to realize
> the
> > reality of the situation and manage one's expectations.
> >
> >
> > Steve WD8DASÂ Â
> >
> > sbjohnston at aol.com Â
> > http://www.wd8das.net/Â Â  http://af4k-crystals.com/Â Â
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------Â Â
> > Radio is your best entertainment value. Â
> >
> --------------------------------------------------------------------Â Â
> >
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