CC1 deaf and whiny

CC1 seems to work, but all is not well I think. Attached a 50 Ω BNC terminator and applied power, but I was hearing this whining noise that I didn’t remember hearing before. Apparently it’s normal and is a result of clock in the DDS part of the radio. It’s supposed to be fixed by a firmware update, but applying it didn’t help with my radio. Since there are 4 other CC1s completed that don’t seem to be doing this, it’s probably something wrong with mine. Not sure what the problem is yet. I think I might have to find someone with a working oscilloscope to do some probing around with. Whiny.

Finally found a BNC/SO-239 adapter at Hurricane Electronics/Radio Shack up in Summerville. Used it to connect CC1 to the antenna and was hoping to hear something, but if there was anything, I couldn’t hear it over the whining noise. Tried tuning around to some frequencies where I could hear CW activity on the big radio, but wasn’t able to hear anything when I tuned to the same frequency on CC1. Deaf, or at least hard of hearing.

Was hoping I’d be able to get CC1 operational, but it looks like it needs some troubleshooting. In the meantime, there are a couple of hardware modifications that need to be made to T1 and L5, which I’ll try to get to soon.

Amateur radio licensing tests

Did you know that here in Charleston SC there are ham radio licensing tests (VE testing) administered on a regular basis? That makes it pretty easy to get your amateur radio license once you’re ready.

The Charleston Amateur Radio Society (CARS/WA4USN) holds licensing tests on the second Saturday of every other month (even numbered months) up at Trident Medical Center starting at 9AM.

The Trident Amateur Radio Club (TARC/W4ANK) holds their licensing tests the third Wednesday of each month at the Goose Creek Masonic Lodge starting at 7PM.

In addition to the regular VE testing sessions, both groups will conduct classes followed by testing if there’s sufficient interest. Just contact them to make arrangements.

So, once you’re finished studying, just head on over to the next VE testing session, show your IDs, pay the fee, take the test and walk out with your new/upgraded amateur radio license!

TARC swap meet

Planning on heading out to the TARC swap meet this coming weekend to see what it’s all about and maybe pick up a few things so I can get CC1 on the air. It’s up near Moncks Corner, so it’s a bit of a drive. No idea how large it is or how many people to expect to show up, but it will be a good chance to meet some more hams.

A good way to get volunteered

A good way to get volunteered to do something is to mention that something needs attention or doing. The radio club I’m a member of (CARS) is no exception.

At the last meeting, I mentioned that searching the ARRL website for clubs didn’t bring up CARS, or any of the CARS VE test sessions, to which the club president replied (paraphrasing here) “So does that mean you want to look into it?”

Sure, what the heck. I figure it will be a good chance to find out al little more about the club and get my feet wet with helping out with the club.

CC1 completed

Got the last of the toroids wound and put onto the board. Now CC1 is complete!

CC1 completed
CC1 completed

CC1_04

The BNC connector was put on after I snapped these photos.

Everything sounds like it works when I apply power. I need to get a BNC/SO-239 adapter so that I can connect it to the antenna to test the receiving and then try to make myself a dummy load to test the transmit. After testing everything out, (haven’t worked out yet how I’ll test the power output, but I’ll think of something), it will be time to work on drilling holes for the end plates of the enclosure.