Tenna Dipper (Fixed. See Video Response.)

I built a nice 'Tenna Dipper' and I love it. Finally got it working. Mostly it was my own operator error. (I'm learning as I go.)

MAY 2008 UPDATED NOTE:
I didn't really know what I was doing. I didn't exactly know what a "working" antenna analyzer would do. Anyway, I know a tiny bit more, and I basically built a good Tenna Dipper. This was last year. I've come a bit further. 73, Jonathan

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• QRP
• Tenna
• Dipper
• NorCal
• antenna analyzer

[kc7fys]

Problem solved! Check out the video response. My TD and BLT both seem to work...

Regards,

KC7FYS

[w5ljm]

I can't "see" the problem.  I really need to be present and "hands on", troubleshooting the whole enchilada with a manual in hand. Sorry I can't be of assistance, Jonathan.

[kc7fys]

No problem. I'm getting plenty of tips off-YouTube from the GQRP list and others. I'm at the point of setting up the frequency of the VCO. How did you set your trimpots on yours? Did you use a receiver to 'find' the VCO's output, or did you simply listen to the annunciator? Do you know anybody who has installed a meter or frequency readout? I live so close to Akihabara, I could get those parts cheap.

[kc7fys]

Thanks. (See description) I built this unit, and I'm looking for advice on how to hear the VCO and fine-tune it to the frequency of my QRP rig--so I can then use it in the conventional way.

[lymphectomy]

The 'td's frequency counter (what beeps in morse) is what tells you the frequency that the VCO is on. It comes pre-calibrated. So you decide what you want the middle frequency of a specific jumper setting to be (recommended ranges are in manual), and turn the trimmer until you hear that frequency in morse from the 'td speaker. Then do it for the other trimmer/jumper sets. Then you're done! No RX required. 73!

[kc7fys]

Got it. The manual is not exactly rife with details for a soldering iron-wielding appliance op like myself. But I'm learning!

[kc7fys]

Got the case at one of the many shops in Akihabara, Tokyo. Got the dial at Akizuki Denshi, right across the street in Akihabara--and the pot came with it as a kit. It's pretty cool--but maybe a little expensive for the 'econo' motif of the TD.

[kc7fys]

Oh, the frequency counter will simply annunciate the VCO frequency determined by the H/L jumper and trimmer setting?

[kc7fys]

Yes, but how does one set the VCO frequency with the PCB trimmer caps without some sort of 'finding' of the TD's signal on a receiver?

[lymphectomy]

BTW: You can download the manual online. Google tenna dipper. Won't let me post the URL here.