Dan Koellen AI6XG
Evaluating efficiency, transformer and mismatch losses in toroid transformers - some observations.
Two methods for transformer loss are evaluated. We learn that mismatch loss must be accounted for.
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- May 16
- 6 min
Reactive Component Measurement With the NanoVNA
Exploration of using the nanoVNA to measure inductance and capacitance at frequency of use.
295 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Mar 2
- 11 min
Toroid Transformers - How Hot Will It Get?
There are a number of factors in choosing a toroid for a RF transformer. While one may model electrical performance, calculate predicted...
739 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jul 30, 2021
- 2 min
Leg Benchmark W7Y/EW-017 Activation - An Alternative Route From the West
Pole Mountain From My Operating Position Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 2.6 mi one way Transport: Hiking Elevation Gain: ~500 feet...
50 views2 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jul 20, 2021
- 9 min
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), Does it Matter for Makers and Hackers?
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a subject that can inspire a lot of discussion, head shaking and some misunderstanding. ESD damaging...
573 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jun 16, 2021
- 13 min
Don't Fear the Smith Chart
Like many radio amateurs I was initially intimidated by the Smith chart. Transmission line and antenna theory, unfamiliar terms and...
792 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Apr 26, 2021
- 3 min
Schallenberger Ridge W6/NS-213 Activation - An Alternative Route
A different approach to Schallenberger Ridge from the west. A nice hike through historic train tunnels.
38 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Apr 25, 2021
- 9 min
How I Killed a Microcontroller
This blog outlines the steps taken to determine why a microcontroller no longer works, and the journey to find the damage on the chip.
188 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jan 25, 2021
- 2 min
The Digi-Disco, a 1970's Light Controller
This is a light system that I designed and built in 1978 to control large flood lights of different colors, synchronized to disco music...
101 views1 comment
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jan 25, 2021
- 1 min
Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Checker
After building the Pico C-Super capacitor tester that was published in Elektor Magazine I decided to revive an old Heathkit IT-28...
453 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Dec 15, 2020
- 2 min
Mount Rose W7N/WC-001 Activation
Lake Tahoe and Tamarack Peak From Mount Rose Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 4.9 mi one way Transport: Hiking Elevation Gain: ~1800...
243 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Dec 13, 2020
- 2 min
Tamarack Peak W7N/WC-003 Activation
Lake Tahoe From Tamarack Peak Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 1.3 mi one way Transport: Hiking Elevation Gain: ~960 feet Time: ~ 0.75...
120 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Dec 10, 2020
- 3 min
Mount Houghton W7N/WC-002 Activation
Operating Position on Mount Houghton, Mount Rose W7N/WC-001 in Background Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 4.8 mi one way Transport: ...
71 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Dec 3, 2020
- 2 min
Scott Peak W6/NS-153 Activation
Operating Position on Scott Peak Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 4.2 mi one way Transport: Hiking Elevation Gain: ~1700 feet Time: ~2...
86 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Nov 29, 2020
- 5 min
Granite Chief W6/NS-115 Activation
Operating Position on Granite Chief Summit Trip Summary Distance: ~ 4.6 mi one way Transport: Hiking Elevation Gain: 2748 feet Time:...
44 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Nov 23, 2020
- 1 min
Wishing You a Very Random Christmas
Being the holiday season I decided to post this article from the December 2014 issue of Nuts & Volts magazine www.nutsvolts.com that I...
61 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Oct 4, 2020
- 8 min
Trapped 20/30/40 Meter EFHW Antenna
An End Fed Half Wave (EFHW) antenna for operation on 20, 30 and 40 meters was built for SOTA operation. By using traps, the antenna...
6,175 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jun 29, 2020
- 7 min
Big Font Clock Update: Dimmer-Interface PCB and Setup Instructions.
A prior post described the development and build of a clock to display time and date for UTC and Local. The clock characters are large,...
154 views0 comments
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- Jun 6, 2020
- 4 min
End Fed Half Wave Antennas: More About the Primary Capacitor
I recently posted a blog claiming that a capacitor in the primary of the matching transformer is not needed for end fed half wave (EFHW)...
5,167 views1 comment
Dan Koellen AI6XG
- May 27, 2020
- 3 min
End Fed Half Wave Antennas: Is a Primary Capacitor Really Needed?
In my research on End Fed Half Wave (EFHW) antennas I found that nearly all have a capacitor in the primary (rig) side of the transformer....
12,408 views3 comments