Michael K Johnson
LightNews LightNews
banner
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Michael K Johnson
@mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
29 followers 1 following 310 posts
1st Fedora Project Lead. Co-author Linux Application Development. Pendo Distinguished Engineer. Ex-{Linux Journal, Red Hat, rPath, SAS}. Christian. Father […]

🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://social.makerforums.info/@mcdanlj, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
Posts Replies Media Videos
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Morsewalker has an **Attempts** column in the results table, but how many attempts it reasonably takes to copy a call sign depends in part on how big the pileup is. And copying a call sign on the first try is more satisfying if I do it out of a pileup […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Screenshot of my fork of Morsewalker with an extra "Stations" column in the results table.
December 3, 2025 at 4:07 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
@qrper mentioned in his recent video how some hams like to make antennas.

Guilty as charged.

It was only last night that I finished my new linked dipole. But sometimes I want to operate with a vertical. Putting radials on the ground has worked […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Upper view of FreeCAD screen shot showing a reel with a handle for winding, screws holding pieces together, and knobs for holding wire in place. Screenshot of the underside showing how two driveway marker legs are attached to the hub in the middle of the spool, and a large screw for attaching a weight.
December 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
I have finished the new iteration of my #hamradio inverted-V HF linked dipole.

It has links for every band 6–40m, which I tuned for the middle of the CW portions of each of the bands.

I used DX Engineering 26AWG stranded copper-coated steel kite […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
December 2, 2025 at 1:29 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
To replace my lightweight linked dipole antenna for #pota I am iterating on a #freecad design for a winder that works with wire that shouldn't be bent sharply around the edges of a more typical winder.

This design allows either figure-eight or […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
As described in text, with FT82 toroid As described in text, with FT114 toroid
November 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
I decided to support something for which the only support mechanism is "buymeacoffee" with a monthly donation — so I created a login at buymeacoffee, and now it won't let me go any further without creating a page with my photo, name, link, and a short […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Account creation modal flow at buymeacoffee as described in the text
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Y'all posting your aurora pictures... There are times I wish I spent more time back up north! Meanwhile, I'm glad I got my ham radio fix yesterday hunting a little bit of POTA, because the CME was responsible for more than the aurora... https://solar.w5mmw.net/
Solar Conditions & Ham Radio Propagation HF Band Info Band Daytime Conditions Nighttime Conditions 80m-40m Poor Poor 3.5 - 7.3 MHz 30m-20m Poor Poor 10.1 - 14.35 MHz 17m-15m Poor Poor 18.068 - 21.45 MHz 12m-10m Poor Poor 24.89 - 29.7 MHz Solar Conditions Sunspot Number 146 Derived from num of sunspots + groups. From 0 to 250, higher better Solar Flux 168 Overall Solar Activity on 10.7cm. From 62.5 to 300, higher better Geomagnetic Storm SEV STRM Overall activity of Earth's magnetic field. Based on K-Index. Solar Wind 734.3 Speed of Solar Wind in KM/s. Typically 0-1000, lower better; Contributes noise Noise Floor S9+ Noise Contributed by Solar Activity. Other Solar Conditions A-Index 7 Average Geomagnetic Activity Kp-Index 7 Geomagnetic Field Disturbance. From 0 to 10, lower better X-Ray C1.0 Intensity of X-Rays in Ionosphere. A, B, C, M, X Indicates Magnitude 304 Å Value 219.7 Total Solar Radiation at 30.4nm (Emitted by Ionized Helium) Proton Flux 31600 Density of Charged Protons in Solar Wind. Impacts E-Layer. Electron Flux 604000 Density of Charged Electrons in Solar Wind. Impacts E-Layer. F2 Crit. Frequency MHz Highest Frequency that reflects back from F2 Layer. Maximum Usable Frequency No Report Maximum Usable Frequency for Sky-Wave Propagation.
November 12, 2025 at 12:52 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
I have colorized my dual-operator CW #pota script and turned it into a cheat sheet with an example on the reverse side, centered so you can print it duplex and cut it out if you like.

* Dual-OP-CW-POTA-Cheat-Sheet.pdf if you just want to print
* […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Screen shot of colorized script for dual-operator CW pota, same as the PDF and ODT linked from the main post. Text is: Dual-Operator CW POTA Cheat Sheet CQ POTA DE CALL1 ES CALL2 THEIRCALL THEIRCALL DE CALL1 [TU/GREETING] UR RST STATE BK BK [GREETING] RST STATE BK BK THEIRCALL DE CALL2 [TU/GREETING] UR RST STATE BK BK [GREETING] RST STATE BK BK TU STATE 73/72 DE CALL1 ES CALL2 EE EE
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
In my #hamradio #pota adventure today, I got my inverted-V linked dipole caught in twigs today and it died. The silicon wire winds easily around a tight radius, which is nice for putting it on the winder, but also winds around twigs easily, and that […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Screen capture of FreeCAD design for a new wire antenna winder
November 9, 2025 at 4:49 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Here's the map of this 5W CW activation on 15m on a DIY linked dipole. Sadly it tangled in the twigs and broke while we broke it down, so I need to make another one. The next one will have links for 6m as well as the 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m, and […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map of 5W Morse code POTA activation, including WA and PR.
November 9, 2025 at 12:49 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today's #hamradio #pota (Parks On The Air) adventure. Absolutely gorgeous, couldn't-be-better fall weather on a Saturday, so that it was a little surprising that we found parking space and that all the picnic tables were empty. Used my spiderbeam […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map of my 5W POTA activation. Probably mostly right, but the contact marked as AZ was actually IL.
November 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
In the Skyraider II crash in Oklahoma the other day, I hadn't previously seen this angle showing the stop sign. I guess they did eventually come to a complete stop!

(Everyone on the ground and in the plane was OK, thanks to a driver with a dashcam […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Screen capture from video about the recent Skyraider II crash, showing that the plane took out a stop sign on its way down.
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
We had a surprise opportunity to go to the beach this weekend, near Southport NC. I have the weird preference to sling my hammock under the house, between the clotheslines, instead of sleeping indoors. Half camping? I use a big rubbermaid box as my […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map showing lines indicating 57 Morse code ham radio contacts, throughout much of the US and one in Canada. All done on 5W or less of power; some were 2–3W. Sunrise with a ham radio wire antenna dangling from a fiberglass push-up mast at one side. The picture doesn't do the sunrise justice. Hammock slung under an elevated beach house, tied to pilings, with a beautiful sunrise in the background. It was a great way to wake up!
October 26, 2025 at 11:38 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
@hamchallenge #hc43s I've published several 3D printable designs for #hamradio, all designed with #freecad.

My favorite is my single-paddle key system which I use regularly. I own Kent and Putikeeg keys, and still use my own creation most. I even […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
3d-printed morse code key parts, ready to assemble Assembled and connected morse code key with hand-hold cover QRP Linked dipole on a 3d printed winder base, made with 26awg wire, 1.5mm shock cord, RG316 coax, and 7 turns on a 0.82" ferrite choke. This is an earlier version of the winder; the latest version has the ability to build your choice of an SO239 or BNC connector instead of integral coax, if you want. QRP dual-tapped unun that can be used with EFHW (49:1) or EFRW (9:1) depending on which of the red terminals the antenna wire is connected to. The purple terminal is for counterpoise either way. The coax is RG316.
October 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today's SYP (Support Your Parks) #hamradio #pota #qrp CW adventure had limited time, so I wasn't sure I'd actually stay for 10 QSOs. But then I discovered that park US-3859 Johnston Mill State Nature Preserve had no failed activations recorded, so […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Lines showing conversations ("QSOs") over morse code ("CW") from Chapel Hill, NC to ten other ham radio operators; nine in the eastern US and one in Canada, on the 20 meter ham band, using only 5 watts of power. The endpoints of the lines illustrate "skip" — there were multiple stations closer to me that I just couldn't hear and they couldn't hear me. The signal had to hit the ionosphere at a sufficiently oblique angle to be reflected or refracted back down to another ham's antenna, so all the connections were between 300 and 600 miles away.
October 19, 2025 at 10:28 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today is my "hamiversary" — Today last year, the wheels at the FCC turned and I was awarded the #amateurradio call sign KZ4LY.

Today I celebrated by going to park US-2755 after work and doing some QRP CW #pota.

I was in a hurry and missed […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
October 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
I have updated my HF band plan summary card based on feedback so far, plus my own ideas.

* I alternate black and dark blue for the frequency text, which makes it easier to identify start/end of each band.
* I added a header with printing […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Lower half of frequency allocations: 1.800–2.000 CW 1.800–1.810 Digital Modes 1.810 CW QRP calling frequency 1.843–2.000 SSB, SSTV, other wideband modes 1.910 SSB QRP 1.995–2.000 Experimental 1.999–2.000 Beacons 3.500–3.510 CW DX window 3.560 QRP CW calling frequency 3.570–3.600 RTTY/Data 3.585–3.600 Automatically-controlled data stations 3.590 RTTY/Data DX 3.790–3.800 DX window 3.845 SSTV 3.885 AM calling frequency 3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency 7.030 QRP CW calling frequency 7.040 RTTY/Data DX 7.070–7.125 RTTY/Data 7.100–7.105 Automatically-controlled data stations 7.171 SSTV 7.173 D-SSTV 7.200 Lid operating frequency 7.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 7.290 AM calling frequency 10.130–10.140 RTTY/Data 10.140–10.150 Automatically-controlled data stations 14.060 QRP CW calling frequency 14.070–14.095 RTTY/Data 14.095–14.0995 Automatically-controlled data stations 14.100 IBP/NCDXF beacons 14.1005–14.112 Automatically-controlled data stations Upper half of frequency allocations: 14.230 SSTV 14.233 D-SSTV 14.236 Digital Voice 14.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 14.286 AM calling frequency 14.300 Maritime Mobile Net 12PM–10PM ET 14.313 Lid operating frequency 18.100–18.105 RTTY/Data 18.105–18.110 Automatically-controlled data stations 18.110 IBP/NCDXF beacons 18.1625 Digital Voice 21.060 QRP CW calling frequency 21.070–21.110 RTTY/Data 21.090–21.100 Automatically-controlled data stations 21.150 IBP/NCDXF beacons 21.340 SSTV 21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 24.920–24.925 RTTY/Data 24.925–24.930 Automatically-controlled data stations 24.930 IBP/NCDXF beacons 28.060 QRP CW calling frequency 28.070–28.120 RTTY/Data 28.120–28.189 Automatically-controlled data stations 28.190–28.225 Beacons 28.200 IBP/NCDXF beacons 28.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 28.680 SSTV 29.000–29.200 AM 29.300–29.510 Satellite downlinks 29.520–29.580 Repeater inputs 29.600 FM simplex 29.620–29.680 Repeater outputs Instructions for using the bandplan card: This is a condensed, slightly augmented version of the ARRL’s Considerate Operator’s Frequency Guide https://www.arrl.org/files/file/conop.pdf intended to help xOTA operators who want a smaller reference. Print duplex in either long edge (portrait) or short edge (landscape) orientation, depending on which way you want to flip the resulting card from side to side. Cut around the text. If you duplex on the long edge, you will need to cut along the left looking at the text, along the frequency; if you cut along the description you may cut off some of the frequency from the reverse side This is sized to fit in a 3”x5” laminating pouch if you would like to laminate it. Download the original from https://people.danlj.org/mkj/Bandplan-Card-US.pdf
October 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
The ARRL has a long online text band plan which they have condensed for HF into _The Considerate Operator's Frequency Guide_ which is not really in a convenient form to print and carry with you into the field when operating portable #hamradio […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
List of frequencies and frequency ranges with annotated usage: 1.800–2.000 CW 1.800–1.810 Digital Modes 1.810 CW QRP calling frequency 1.843–2.000 SSB, SSTV, other wideband modes 1.910 SSB QRP 1.995–2.000 Experimental 1.999–2.000 Beacons 3.500–3.510 CW DX window 3.560 QRP CW calling frequency 3.570–3.600 RTTY/Data 3.585–3.600 Automatically-controlled data stations 3.590 RTTY/Data DX 3.790–3.800 DX window 3.845 SSTV 3.885 AM calling frequency 3.985 QRP SSB calling frequency 7.030 QRP CW calling frequency 7.040 RTTY/Data DX 7.070–7.125 RTTY/Data 7.100–7.105 Automatically-controlled data stations 7.171 SSTV 7.173 D-SSTV 7.200 Lid operating frequency 7.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 7.290 AM calling frequency 10.130–10.140 RTTY/Data 10.140–10.150 Automatically-controlled data stations 14.060 QRP CW calling frequency 14.070–14.095 RTTY/Data 14.095–14.0995 Automatically-controlled data stations 14.100 IBP/NCDXF beacons 14.1005–14.112 Automatically-controlled data stations List of frequencies and frequency ranges with annotated usage: 14.230 SSTV 14.233 D-SSTV 14.236 Digital Voice 14.285 QRP SSB calling frequency 14.286 AM calling frequency 14.300 Maritime Mobile Net 12PM–10PM ET 18.100–18.105 RTTY/Data 18.105–18.110 Automatically-controlled data stations 18.110 IBP/NCDXF beacons 18.1625 Digital Voice 21.060 QRP CW calling frequency 21.070–21.110 RTTY/Data 21.090–21.100 Automatically-controlled data stations 21.150 IBP/NCDXF beacons 21.340 SSTV 21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 24.920–24.925 RTTY/Data 24.925–24.930 Automatically-controlled data stations 24.930 IBP/NCDXF beacons 28.060 QRP CW calling frequency 28.070–28.120 RTTY/Data 28.120–28.189 Automatically-controlled data stations 28.190–28.225 Beacons 28.200 IBP/NCDXF beacons 28.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 28.680 SSTV 29.000–29.200 AM 29.300–29.510 Satellite downlinks 29.520–29.580 Repeater inputs 29.600 FM simplex 29.620–29.680 Repeater outputs
October 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today's 5W QRP #hamradio #pota activation of US-4857 Jordan Lake Educational State Forest was fun radio therapy. Successful QSOs on 30 meters, 20 meters, and 17 meters. Ironically, I set up a 40m end-fed half-wave antenna, and then only _one_ of the […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map of the continental US showing the paths for ten morse code conversations using only 5 watts. Map of part of the northeast US showing 5 watt conversations when I was the one calling CQ (any station).
September 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today I went to Swift Creek Bluffs State Nature Preserve, just a few miles from my house, and stumped up to the ridge for some #pota #hamradio therapy. Tossed a 40m EFHW into the twigs and a 13' counterpoise wire over a branch of a nearby sapling […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map centered on the continental US showing ham radio conversations with QA, AL, QC, WV, CA, CO, FL, LA, MT, KS, MN, NM, UT, and MI
September 21, 2025 at 11:51 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
In order to 3d print a little amplified speaker box to use for #hamradio SSB 2-operator POTA with my wife, I want to model components and then model the box to go around them. I found a speaker on grabcad that is only a few mm different from the […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Top quartering view of simple model of an inexpensive speaker Bottom quartering view of simple model of an inexpensive speaker Side view of simple model of an inexpensive speaker, showing ports.
September 21, 2025 at 2:22 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
If you are a member of a local ham club, encourage your club leadership to help spread the news in whatever way works best for your club. For example, my club, the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society put a highlighted banner at the top of the web site as a […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Raleigh Amateur Radio Society web page banner with a highlighted bar asking members to read the ARRL announcement about the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.
September 19, 2025 at 2:38 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
Today's 20m #hamradio #pota activation of US-3844 Jordan Lake State Recreational Area. The first 10 QSOs (conversations) were 2-operator on SSB with my wife doing her first-ever activation, then once she successfully activated and called it quits, I […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Map of much of the United States and a tiny bit of Canada, showing QSOs (conversations) between me and 20 other stations.
September 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
The labels were fun. Getting label maker labels to stick to 3d-printed plastic generally is a challenge due in large part to textured surface, both from textured print plates on print faces and layer lines on side faces.

I used tape to outline the […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Blue painter's tape surrounds several labels. One is offset to show that they are just set in place and not adhered down. The labels are clear plastic with black letters, but the white backing paper is still present. A window where a label will go has ABS glue spread on it. The surface does not look flat. The glue is spread onto the tape. A label has been placed on top of the glue, now with the white backing paper removed, so that the yellow plastic is visible through the label. The plastic has been burnished to improve adhesion.
September 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
For running my #hamradio portable setup from solar power, I made a power distribution box. I didn't know where to stop, apparently, and now I have a beast that weighs 1.2kg. It has two isolated battery busses, each of which has an XT60M, PowerPole […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Front-right corner view of yellow 3d-printed power distribution box. On top are four switches controlling various labeled sub-circuits. Blue 10A fuses are present on the top. A round USB supply is visible on the front. At the top left is a solar charge controller. Left rear corner view of power distribution box, showing the solar panel connector on the right, battery connections in the back middle, and non-XT60 device power connections on the back left. Nine blue 10A blade fuses are visible.
September 14, 2025 at 1:57 AM
mcdanlj.social.makerforums.info.ap.brid.gy
This is the third full build iteration of my miniature #qrp unun supporting both EFHW and "random wire" antennas. At this point, it is still fiddly to build, but I'd expect an experienced #hamradio DIY / homebrew enthusiast to find the build not […]

[Original post on social.makerforums.info]
Photograph of tiny QRP unun showing size of overall assembly including integrated coax. BNC connector for scale! The corners of the box have M3 countersink screws. There are three knobs on the side; a purple knob for the counterpoise connection, and red (high voltage!) knobs for "random wire" and end-fed half wave connections, Inside view of unun autotransformer showing construction details, next to a ruler for scale, showing that the entire box is less that 3.5 cm across. There is a half-inch ferrite in the box, wrapped in kapton tape, with a 14-turn autotransformer wrapped around it. There are three M3x8 brass screws through the edges, connected to the transformer with ring terminals. The screws are held in place by captive nuts. An RG316 coax segment comes in through the side of the box to feed the autotransformer. A high-voltage capacitor is visible between the coax and the screw for the counterpoise terminal at the bottom. Side view of assembled unun, without a terminal knob, showing how thin it is. The letter "R" is visible on the side of the box, indicating that the adjacent terminal is intended for a "random wire" antenna. A photo showing a comparison of this version of the unun design to the previous iteration, configured for deployment. The previous iteration was built on a SO-239 bulkhead connector, with a PL-259-to-BNC connector attached.
September 1, 2025 at 8:32 PM