Fascinating Youtube channel on the topic of restoring/using military surplus radio equiment

Another one of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MIKROWAVE1/videos

In one series of videos, the author discusses how to restore an ARC-5 and use it on the air!

Join us for the Carnegie Mellon University Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop

https://www.bio.cmu.edu/NGMIW/

Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop: Innovations Enabled by Advances in Computing, Signal Processing, and Sensor Technology

To present and discuss the latest medical imaging developments that are facilitated by the newest game-changing technologies and suggest future approaches and collaborations.

Next generation life-saving medical imaging technologies will leverage the vast computational power afforded by alternative computing platforms—such as graphics processor units (GPUs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)—enabling us to explore previously intractable imaging problems.  New signal processing techniques, such as compressed sensing and sparse reconstruction algorithms, can produce high-fidelity and real-time imagery using relatively few measurements. Advances in sensing devices, architecture, and sensor configurations will offer sophisticated measurement techniques and provide the foundations for new imaging modalities.

In this workshop, participants will discuss how these technologies could be used to develop new imaging approaches and techniques as well as improve current methodologies. A speaker should be asked to bring his/her questions to spur discussion which might lead to solutions, new approaches, or different applications.

Juha Vierinen's project GCS, GNU Chirp Sound

Introduction

"The GNU Chirp Sounder is a software defined radio based receiver for monitoring ionospheric sounders (ionosondes) and over-the-horizon radars that use linear frequency sweep FM-CW transmissions. The software is based on gnuradio and relies on Ettus research USRP2 and USRP N210 based digital receivers. The receiver can be used to receive the whole HF band (typically at 25 MHz bandwidth) simultaneously, and to receive multiple sounders simultaneously. The current receiver can be used to perform single or dual polarization (channel) soundings. The dual channel recorded can be used to determine the polarization form vertical soundings, or for angle of arrival measurements. Multiple independent receivers could also be used for imaging purposes."

http://www.sgo.fi/~j/gnu_chirp_sounder/

restoring a 21 jewel Lord Elgin men's wrist watch

Had a great time cleaning and repairing this 21J Lord Elgin!  

Had some trouble with the spring barrel, where the spring would pop off of the barrel arbor.  After talking to a local watch repair shop i learned a trick where you bend-out the end tab on the main spring slightly so it pushes itself towards the barrel arbor when the watch is wound.  In addition to this, you can scratch the key on the barrel arbor that would normally hold the end of the main spring, where the key meets the arbor.

These tricks worked and now this is one of my best vintage wrist watches.

What have you been working on lately? Share it with us, call for papers 2013 IEEE Intl. Symposium on Phased Array Sys. & Tech

During recent decades, phased array systems have made major steps forward with the development of many major radar and communications systems. due to many recent advances, including MMIC, photonics, and digital beamforming, phased array systems and technology continue to progress rapidly. Current and future developments of ground-based, sea-based, airborne, and space-based phased array radar, communications, and other electronic systems will be discussed at this international symposium.

Phased Array 2013, the 5th IEEE international symposium presenting advanced in phased array systems and technologies, will be held at the Westin Hotel, Waltham, Massachusetts on Boston’s famous Route 128.

Poster Presentations

Student Paper Competition

Special Sessions

For more info or to register go here.

a 6m 7th order low-pass filter

I upgraded the 6m filters in my ARRL Homebrew Challenge 3 radio entry, a 6 & 10m SSB/CW radio.

Shown here is the 6m 7th order low-pass filter to reject the transmitter harmonics.

I found that it was necessary to use air-core inductors because they provide high Q, each inductor had to be 90 deg (or close as possible) to each other to reduce coupling, and each stage was shielded from each other.  With this configuration the filter performance was within 0.5 dB of simulation.

It was tough to find shielded enclosures with compartments.  I found that Teko makes excellent shielded enclosures and these can be ordered in small quantity.

Don't miss out, join the conversation: CMU Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop

Sign up today, admission is free:  https://www.bio.cmu.edu/NGMIW/rsvp/

Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop: Innovations Enabled by Advances in Computing, Signal Processing, and Sensor Technology

To present and discuss the latest medical imaging developments that are facilitated by the newest game-changing technologies and suggest future approaches and collaborations.

Next generation life-saving medical imaging technologies will leverage the vast computational power afforded by alternative computing platforms—such as graphics processor units (GPUs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)—enabling us to explore previously intractable imaging problems.  New signal processing techniques, such as compressed sensing and sparse reconstruction algorithms, can produce high-fidelity and real-time imagery using relatively few measurements. Advances in sensing devices, architecture, and sensor configurations will offer sophisticated measurement techniques and provide the foundations for new imaging modalities.

In this workshop, participants will discuss how these technologies could be used to develop new imaging approaches and techniques as well as improve current methodologies. A speaker should be asked to bring his/her questions to spur discussion which might lead to solutions, new approaches, or different applications.

Juha Vierinen's jitter project, GNU Ionospheric Tomography Receiver

"The GNU Ionospheric Tomography Receiver (Jitter) is a software package capable of measuring phase curves from dual frequency beacon satellites, such as the Russian Tsykada satellites, DMSP F15, Radcal, or the FORMOSAT fleet. This is done using the gnuradioframework and Ettus Research software defined radio hardware. These phase curves can be used to calculate relative total electron content curves. With a network of multiple receivers, this data can be used as an input to a limited angle tomographic algorithm to produce atomographic reconstruction of the ionosphere."

http://www.sgo.fi/~j/jitter/web/

Self winding Bulova wrist watch repair

A very challenging restoration!  23 jewels, i went so far as to take apart the self-winding mechanism.  I did not touch the spring barrel because there was a warning label on it to not open.  

Fascinating restoration job.  I often wear this watch to business meetings.

Coffee Can Radar Update: Lincoln Laboratory debuts new program for young engineers on the RISE

(the guy on the left is Raul Ouedraogo, the best antenna engineer I know)

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/lincoln-laboratory-rise-program-for-young-engineers.html

"Lincoln Laboratory debuted a new outreach program this July — a summer workshop instructing students how to build small radar systems. The Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) program focused on radar technology, which is especially fitting due to the Laboratory’s long history and expertise in radar systems.

The project-based enrichment program was developed from a popular three-week class offered during MIT’s Independent Activity Period between semesters and taught by Laboratory technical staff. The course was slightly modified to suit high school students, yet retained the challenging nature of the curriculum."

Lincoln Lab debuts new program for young engineers on the RISE - MIT News Office

Lincoln Lab debuts new program for young engineers on the RISE - MIT News Office

a 3rd order 6m band pass filter

I upgraded the 6m filters in my ARRL Homebrew Challenge 3 radio entry, a 6 & 10m SSB/CW radio.

Shown here is the 3rd order 6m bandpass filter that is placed behind the LNA & driver, the purpose of this filter is to reject the noise image from the LNA and to provide some filtering on the output of the exciter.

I found that it was necessary to use air-core inductors because they provide high Q, each inductor had to be 90 deg (or close as possible) to each other to reduce coupling, and each stage was shielded from each other.  With this configuration the filter performance was within 0.5 dB of simulation.

It was tough to find shielded enclosures with compartments.  I found that Teko makes excellent shielded enclosures and these can be ordered in small quantity.

Join us for the Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop at CMU!

Admission is free!  Join the conversation:
https://www.bio.cmu.edu/NGMIW/

Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop: Innovations Enabled by Advances in Computing, Signal Processing, and Sensor Technology

To present and discuss the latest medical imaging developments that are facilitated by the newest game-changing technologies and suggest future approaches and collaborations.

Next generation life-saving medical imaging technologies will leverage the vast computational power afforded by alternative computing platforms—such as graphics processor units (GPUs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)—enabling us to explore previously intractable imaging problems.  New signal processing techniques, such as compressed sensing and sparse reconstruction algorithms, can produce high-fidelity and real-time imagery using relatively few measurements. Advances in sensing devices, architecture, and sensor configurations will offer sophisticated measurement techniques and provide the foundations for new imaging modalities.

In this workshop, participants will discuss how these technologies could be used to develop new imaging approaches and techniques as well as improve current methodologies. A speaker should be asked to bring his/her questions to spur discussion which might lead to solutions, new approaches, or different applications.

Join my Startup: Wanted, Technology Licensing Specialist

We are seeking a natural negotiator who would negotiate technology licensing agreements and large procurements in general.

Join our team and become part of the adventure.

http://www.butterflynetinc.com/files/1343670171.pdf

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will be:

·      Driven to negotiate technology licenses from universities and small companies

·      A natural negotiator with great common sense, high-bandwidth, a sense of urgency and the ability to understand key elements of a wide range of technologies

·      Able to quickly negotiate consulting and advisory agreements with academics and define appropriate fields of exclusivity, as well as put in place contracts with small companies while maintaining full ownership and control of all work products

Personal Characteristics

In addition, the ideal candidate:

·      Has Butterfly Network “DNA” (extremely intelligent, driven to change the world, creative, and flexible)

·      Able and willing to think “out of the box” and not afraid to question the status quo or challenge others

·      Possesses effective communication skills with diverse levels of staff and executive management

·      Is emotionally intelligent and resilient

·      Enjoys rising to new challenges and can handle multiple priorities simultaneously

·      Has uncompromised ethics and integrity

·      Loves problem solving

Apply Now

To apply send your CV to info@butterflynetinc.com with the subject line ‘ Technology Licensing Specialist.’

a 2nd order 6m bandpass filter

I upgraded the 6m filters in my ARRL Homebrew Challenge 3 radio entry, a 6 & 10m SSB/CW radio.

Shown here is the 2nd order 6m bandpass filter that is placed in front of the LNA.

I found that it was necessary to use air-core inductors because they provide high Q, each inductor had to be 90 deg (or close as possible) to each other to reduce coupling, and each stage was shielded from each other.  With this configuration the filter performance was within 0.5 dB of simulation.

It was tough to find shielded enclosures with compartments.  I found that Teko makes excellent shielded enclosures and these can be ordered in small quantity.

Sign up now for the Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop at Carnegie Mellon University

Admission is free!

Next Generation Medical Imaging Workshop: Innovations Enabled by Advances in Computing, Signal Processing, and Sensor Technology

To present and discuss the latest medical imaging developments that are facilitated by the newest game-changing technologies and suggest future approaches and collaborations.

Next generation life-saving medical imaging technologies will leverage the vast computational power afforded by alternative computing platforms—such as graphics processor units (GPUs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)—enabling us to explore previously intractable imaging problems.  New signal processing techniques, such as compressed sensing and sparse reconstruction algorithms, can produce high-fidelity and real-time imagery using relatively few measurements. Advances in sensing devices, architecture, and sensor configurations will offer sophisticated measurement techniques and provide the foundations for new imaging modalities.

In this workshop, participants will discuss how these technologies could be used to develop new imaging approaches and techniques as well as improve current methodologies. A speaker should be asked to bring his/her questions to spur discussion which might lead to solutions, new approaches, or different applications.

Want to Join my startup? Wanted: Software Engineer

Ready for a career change?  Consider joining my startup.  We are seeking a software engineer, please check out the following description and apply if you think that you are a good fit for our team:

The successful candidate will be:

·      Knowledgeable in system software programming with 10 years working experience

·      Competent in object oriented software design for complete system integration tasks with a deep understanding of C, C++, and Python

·      Vigilant with modern programming methods, techniques, and best practices

·      Proficient at kernel- and user-space driver development

·      Experienced visualization, rendering, GUI development, and system-level abstractions

·      Capable of implementing high frame rate, real-time imaging control, and feedback systems

·      Familiar with iOS app development on the iPad using Objective C and/or Titanium SDK and real-time sensor-based feedback

·      Able to keep up with rapidly evolving system requirements and gracefully handle emergent problems in high pressure situations

Personal Characteristics

In addition, the ideal candidate:

·      Has Butterfly Network “DNA” (extremely intelligent, driven to change the world, creative, and flexible)

·      Able and willing to think “out of the box” and not afraid to question the status quo or challenge others

·      Possesses effective communication skills with diverse levels of staff and executive management

·      Is emotionally intelligent and resilient

·      Enjoys rising to new challenges and can handle multiple priorities simultaneously

·      Has uncompromised ethics and integrity

·      Loves problem solving

Apply Now

To apply send your CV to info@butterflynetinc.com with the subject line ‘ Software Engineer.’

http://www.butterflynetinc.com/files/1343670259.pdf

2012 IEEE MTT-S Video Competition: Visualizing Microwaves!

Submit your video now.  Visualizing Microwaves!

http://www.mtt.org/images/files/education_media/video.pdf

Inspire young engineering students to study microwave engineering by using YouTube medium to relate its concepts in a visual and intuitive manner.

.....

Suggestion for all contestants:  Please check out my demo video on visualizing microwave propagation for ideas.  This could be done with the MIT coffee can radar and a simple op-amp circuit.

'Home Brew' (DIY) Amateur Radio Station Summer 2012, working 10m and 20m

Photo of my 'home brew' (DIY) only amateur radio station.  No appliance radios in this shack.

Shown here; my entry to the ARRL Homebrew Challenge III 6&10M radio and the 20m SSB transceiver (my first SSB radio design).

Worked a lighthouse on Lake Superior and to a guy working a 10m contest in FL while demonstrating the station to my nephew.