Here's the latest news on the ESSB Audio front from
Deep Down in the Dark Dismall Swamps of the Calcasieu!!
Howdy again Ya'll!!
It's been awhile since We've had any real News to report,
But We got some fer ya now!!
First of all, We want to tell Ya'll about 2 New Websites We've got up and running.
We'll give a little summary about them and what they contain.
They're all cross-linked and have links at the Tops of all the pages now.
Voodoo-LABS.com
Voodoo-LAbs.com has all the Modifications for the
Rack Audio gear, the Kenwood TS-950sdx, the Yaesu 1000MP,
and the Kenwood TS-850s & DSP-100.
It also has the latest info and development news on the
TS-950sdx 6Kc Bandwidth Transmit Unit. We're calling it the SDXCC Unit.
We'll let you know what the 'CC' in SDXCC means later! He He!
There's also a Voodoo-LABS News link to let you know the
latest and Greatest things going on. There'll be allot more in the Future!!
Check it out at Voodoo-LABS.com
GulfCoastLightning.com
GulfCoastLightning.com is a Lightning Tracker for Louisiana and East Texas.
It's a Boltek Lightning Tracker System with its antenna up at 70 feet.
There's also Storm Tracking and Real Time Java viewing.
We've added other links to the page for the nearest Lightning Trackers,
and also for Nexrad Weather Radar and Satellite viewing.
Check it out at GulfCoastLightning.com
Is the TS-950sdx 6kc Transmit DSP Project done yet?!
Not yet, but it's definitly a reality.
Voodoo-LABS has broken the DSP codes on the Kenwood TS-950sdx!!!
The Research Phase of this project has been completed.
We're now in the Development phase.
We've definitly gotten the TS-950sdx out to 6.7Kc on the Transmitter.
This is SSB, and it's just as clean as the original bandwidth.
In fact, with the unit we are developing, absolutly NO loss of funtionality with the original TX bandwidth will occur.
The SDXCC Unit is an outboard unit with a switch on it.
With the switch engaged, the SDX will TX at a SSB Bandwidth of 6Kc.
With the switch disengaged, all the original TX Bandwidth Menu Fucntions for the SDX Unit will be available.
The SDXCC Unit will be powered by the SDX rig. So no power supply connection is needed.
There will be a cable that interfaces with the DSP Connectors in the rear of the SDX.
Ya'll check out the Voodoo-LABS News page on Voodoo-LABS.com and We'll keep posting the progress.
Take Care!!
How the Heck are all Ya'll!!
The new Voodoo Studio is finally finished. We still haven't had the time to take pictures of it and post them on the website. Things have been real hectik around here lately.
The TS-950sdx mods are still being tweaked and fine tuned, although it is allot slower now.
Being Spring now, there are allot of other responsibilities that take precedence over Hammy Radio...unfortunately.
As the mods are completed, the web pages will be created and posted on the Website.
They will come allot slower than at the beginning of the year.
There have been some changes to the TX Mods.
That's the reason why those haven't been posted yet.
We've made it to where the Stock Mic input and the Phone Input are now usable along with the Line Input.
So to date, everything on the SDX is usable, there are no unused, or bypassed controls.
The Audio Delay mod is being held up for a search on some better Audio Relays.
We're looking for some relays with exceptional isolation to keep the RFI from the relay coil collapse from being coupled to the Audio circuitry.
It causes a "click", its not bad...but it is still there.
We found some but need to install them to test it.
We finally got ahold of a 4Kc wide 10.695Mc IF filter for the Sub-receiver.
Same problem exists for this filter, there isn't enough carrier offset control to set the filter up correctly.
Our next step is to try to find some 3.5Kc filters and try those.
We really need to look into the Digital Control Circuitry of the Sub-receiver Local to see if there is someway to unlock the USB/LSB carrier offset link.
Then we could use the 6Kc filters.
The DSP Mods.....
We've been getting allot of email concerning these.
There are allot of ideas on the drawing board concerning the DSP Unit in the SDX.
We've made a decision to wait until all the other Mods on the SDX were complete and Finalized.
This will give us the focus we'll need to tackle the SDX DSP Project.
and Finally,
The Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V Mods.....
Yes, yes...We know...you've been waiting with baited breath.
Well Good News, it shouldn't be that much longer.
Mike , W5CUL has been burning the Midnight Oil researching, testing, compiling, designing, and publishing the Complete Mods for this rig.
Yes my Voodoo Brethren, We said COMPLETE Mods!
Mike, W5CUL and Jim, VE7RF are working like madmen to get this ready for you.
It will be in a Printable format for your ease of reading.
As soon as Mike finishes it, We'll post it on the "Modification Madness" page.
One last thing...
there's an announcement that needs to be made.
Because of his astute Devotion to Voodoo Etiquette,
and his Major Equipment Contribution to the Voodoo Studios,
Bob, KW4CQ has been recently ordained into the Voodoo Audio Priesthood,
with all the Authority and Power that comes with it.
Congratulations Bob,
and again...Thank You.
....We've said enough...
Ya'll Take Care.
Happy New Year to all Ya'll Voodoo Groupies!!
The Virgin TS-950sdx has been Violated with Extreme Prejudice!!
There has been allot done to it to get the performance out of it that makes it worthy to transfer the essence which is called "Voodoo"!
First thing to get modded was of course the Main Receiver Audio Frequency circuit, which includes both the Acc2 and the Headphone Circuitry. Then the Sub Receiver AF circuit was accomplished.
The final Frequency Response for both Receiver AF circuits is Flat from 3db down at 20cps to 3db down at 10Kc, and sounds just marvelous!!
(Note: this is the frequency response of the actual Audio Circuitry with white noise injected at the Audio input and measured at the output. The DSP output, Subreciever Product Detector Output, and AM Detector Output set the High Frequency roll off now, not the Audio Circuitry.)
This give a 20cps to 6Kc Frequency Response Of the Main Receiver thru the DSP. Here is a comparison of a Carrier sweep compared to a modded Ts-850s/DSP-100.
We have also changed the Audio Op Amps to newer devices which have greater bandwidth to gain figures, slew rates, and most important....SOUND BETTER!!
There are a few bugs to work out of it though.
We have fine tuned the coupling cap values to give the best ratio of Low Frequency passage in relation to Sub Low attenuation, like for band switching pops from the switching diodes.
There is also a "Power on Thump" that was there even before the mods were accomplished, but now made worse because of the extra bandwidth. This is caused from the Power Supply coming on-line and the capacitors charging. We are designing a delay circuit to bypass the speaker and Acc2 outputs for a time to give the caps a chance to do there thing and stabilize before the audio output is applied to the speakers/headphone. This is what is done in most high end audio devices to prevent this anomaly.
The next thing to get modded was the Sub Receiver Monitor Circuit. It mirrors the Transmitted Audio very very close. Its not yet perfected, but we are working on it. It still needs a little help in the extreme Low Frequency, and High Frequency areas. I found the same problem with the TS-850s mods, there were a few caps that were missed and had to be fine tuned to get it to match what was being transmitted.
So its just a matter of time....but it is 500% better than it was!!
The AM detector has had some MAJOR improvements done to it. The Low Frequency Response has been lowered to 20cps. The High Frequency response has been upped to 3db down at 5kc.
In order to get any better High Frequency Response, We fear that the actual Time Constant of the RC Network after the Detector Diode will have to be changed. This detector is being biased, so all that will have to be reconfigured.
The TX mods have been completed and fine tuned. We have found a location inside the sdx to mount the Jensen Audio Transformer, and also to install a Mini XLR on the rear of the SDX for line Audio input. The audio is being injected at a point to be able to use the Mic gain control, it also allows the use of the Processor, the Vox, and FM. The mod bypasses the stock sdx Mic Amp and 2ea transistor amps...so, you will no longer be able to use the Mic jack audio input or the Phone In jack.
It Transmits great Fidelity!
Filter changes -
Well, good news and bad news.
Good news is that We installed the Inrad 6kc and 4Kc filters into the 8.83 slots. We also found and installed a 10.695Mc IF, 6Kc filter in the 2.2Kc filter position of the SubReceiver.
Bad news is -
On the 4kc and 6kc 8.83Mc filters, there is not a seperate carrier offset control for each filter bank. It is a global setting.
This means that when installed in the optional filter slots with the stock carrier offset settings, the 4Kc filter starts to roll of at about 3.5Kc, and the 6Kc filter rolls off at about 4.5Kc. When you change the carrier offset to get the full bandwidth on the 6Kc filter, the low end on the 4Kc filter starts rolling off at around 300cps. The 2.27Kc filter is unusable at this carrier setting as the low end roll off is around 1Kc.
So the trick to be able to use both of 4Kc and the 6Kc filters is to compromise. Use the carrier offset to get the best performance with the 4kc filter. This will give you a Flat Response from 20cps to 4KC on the 4Kc filter, and 20cps to 5Kc on the 6Kc filter.
We readjusted the LC coils on the IF Board to give the correct gain (Man, was it off! By Db's!! Thats where all the Transmit Power was going!), and when no 8.83 IF filter is selected, the Frequecy Response is from 20cps to 6Kc.
The Pins in the IF Board, 8.83Mc Filter selection connector were swapped around. This makes the selected IF Filter on the display match the filter you want to use.
Ie..
No 8.83Mc Filter displayed = 12Mc LC coils
6K Displayed = 6Kc Inrad Filter in optional Slot
2.7K Displayed = 4Kc Inrad Filter in optional Slot
1.8K Displayed = 2.7Kc Ceramic Filter
We then have the rest turned off, so the stock ripple plagued 6Kc Monolythic crystal filters are not being used.
Sub Receiver Bad News -
There isn't enough carrier offset to use the 10.695Mc IF, 6Kc filters, so it is Double Sideband because there is no opposite sideband suppresion. The Carrier Offset control is also linked to the opposite sideband. You can't seperatly change USB and LSB, so its like an IF shift control.
We're looking for some narrower filters to play with. I think we found some 2.7Kc and some 4Kc. We dont think the 4Kc will work either. 3Kc or 3.5Kc will probably be the max, but hey...thats better than the stock 2.2Kc!!!
The Monitor circuit also uses the sub Receiver, but it goes thru a 10.695Mc Filter Bypass Circuit and is completly open in bandwidth, so that is a non issue.
No news on the DSP Mods.
We havnt begun those yet. Figured we would get all the other mods complete and finalized before the DSP was tackled. If the DSP Low Pass digital filters can be bypassed, this will help not only on TX, but also on Receive.
TX will of course be extended from the Stock 4.2Kc to around 6Kc with about a 3db rolloff and be limited there due to the Analog 6.3Kc Anti-Ailiasing Low Pass Filter.
The Receive will do the same as it uses the same type of analog filter.
Stock, it starts to roll off the high frequencies starting at around 4Kc because of the Digital Low Pass Filter in the DSP Chip itself has a Max setting of 6Kc in the "Menu" setting. By the time it gets to 6Kc it is around 8db down with whitenoise. It is around 3db at 6Kc when measured with a Carrier Sweep. This will extend if the the Digital Low Pass Filter in the DSP can be told to turn "OFF", thereby the limit will be set by the Analog 6.3Kc Low Pass Filter.
Needless to say, it will be an improvement.
Overall, We would have to say that the TS-950sdx is turning out to be quite a performer. The comparison baseline that is being used is the Modded TS-850s/DSP-100. Our goal is to try to get it to equal or excell the TS-850s combo.
We'll post all of these mods on the website when all tests and comparisons have been finalyzed. They will be posted before the DSP mods begin though. That is another reason why those are being delayed.
We'll tell you this....the mods are not easy, and there are alot of components that need to be changed, on several different boards. The worst is the Control Board where the main Audio Amps are. Kenwood decided to use Tantalum capacitors for Audio Coupling. This is a Big mistake as those damn things sound just plain AWFUL! The are Tubby sounding and give high frequency distortion to the audio. They're horrid! The problem is that they are on the bottom of the circuit board and are SMD surface mounts. They need to be replaced with Low ESR Electrolytics. To do this they have to be removed, holes drilled thru the board to allow the capacitor leads to go to the solder lands. It really sounds harder than it is. We have taken step by step pictures that show the procedure.
As an alternative, We have found some high capacitance ceramic chip caps of up to 10uf that might be able to replace the tantalums (yuk...spit), but We havnt tryed it to know what the final sound would be like. It might be a better option for some people.
Soooooo....when the first mods are finalyzed and the tests are completed, the information will be posted on the website.
WHEN??!! You ask...
Probably in about a month.
Ohhh....and more Good News...
Jimbo, VE7RF and his FT-1000MP Modding Padnahs are going to send all the information and pics pertaining to moddifying this rig to be put on this Website.
This will include the 6Kc mods, the Balanced Modulator Mods, Receiver Mods, the works. So be looking for this in the future.
Man, this is too long of a Blog!! Catch Ya'll Later!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our Voodoo Brethrin!!
The Studio is coming along nicely. It's about 80% complete. It won't be long and I'll be puttin some pics of it up on the website. It's lookin just marvalous....
I got my TS-950sdx. It's a beauty!! It won't be long and the Voodoo Torture will begin on that undefiled victim.
Still waitin on some tower sections and a gin pole so da crew can put up the ole tower. IT's just a matter of time.
That's it fer now, the voodoo carnage has kind of been slow around here due to the holidays, and the Horrercane Rita cleanup (which is just about done....thank God). Things should pick up after New Years.
Ya'll Take Care now, ya hear!
Wow....
Horrorcane Rita really slammed us hard.
It was a real Wild Ride!! Things are just now getting to be back to the somewhat normal side. There's so much destruction, so many people without homes now, that dont have anything left.
We're talkin 'bout the people that have worked hard all there lives to try and get ahead a little bit, not the ones that are always lookin for handouts. It's just horrible.
We faired ok. Quite abit of damage here in the Swamps, but at least we got something that can be repaired. We're very fortunate. The Father was definitly watching over us.
Well...all the Voodoo is again out of the Studio. We're trying to get it finished this time before anything goes back in it. There's still lots of work to be done...but it will be worth it in the end.
The 3 element SteppIR finally made it here!! Also the Hazer...actually the Hazer JUST got here 3 days ago...geeeeez. UPS is still so messed up and behind that packages just don't make it here. We've had 3 packages bouncing around Lake Charles for over a week now and nobody can seem to get there heads out of there asses to get them here. We'll probably have to wind up going down there to get them, which is bullshit 'cause they were payed for to be deliverd here.
But, as soon as the Studio is finished, We'll work on getting the SteppIR up on the tower.
Hav'nt had too much time to play Mods. We got a list of things that need to be done, but there's priorities! The newest on the "List" is going to be a fully modded TS-950SDX. We been going over the schematics and identifying all the components that need to be changed for the Reciever, Sub Reciever/Monitor, and the Transmitter. These mods will bring the Flatness of the Main Reciever to the same level as the Modded TS-850s/DSP-100 combo, and the Sub Reciever/Monitor to respectable flatness (it doesnt go thru the DSP).
We've located a 6Kc filter for the Sub Reciever IF. There'll be some Xmit mods very similiar to the TS-850s/DSP-100, both for the Line Level input on the DSP unit and also the Balanced Modulator.
The big deal of the day is the DSP mod to get the DSP to Xmit at 6Kc. We've been researching the DSP and Digital support circuitry to accomplish this. I won't say too much on this subject....but We think it can be done. We're at a standstill until the TS-950SDX gets to the Voodoo Lab next week for experimintation.....but then there's those Damn Priorities again.
Well....
I just couldn't stand it no more....I had to hook up the VOODOO!! The Studio is no where even near being finished, but I just couldn't stand hearing myself in the monitor any longer!
The Rack and all the equipment are just laying around hooked together on the bench...there are no shelves built yet. Hell...I am holding the RE-20 Mic in my hand!!
We want to Welcome Tyler, KA0KA to the Voodoo Audio Crew! He is a Reformed ANTI-VOODOO affiliate...man...what are all yer Padnahs gointo say? You can check out his shack on the Voodoo Audio Crew Page.
Still waiting for the 3 element SteppIR. It should be here in a few weeks. So until then, I am still using the G5RV Flat-topped up at 100 feet.
The Hazer I purchased got stuck in New Orleans during the Hurricane, so no telling when that will be deliverd.
New news for the Bellari owners!
Me and Greg, W5UDX were messing around on 75 meters the other night and discussing the audio inputs of the RP-533. Come to find out, the unbalanced 1/4" input goes directly to the Grid of the High Voltage Audio Tube, thru a capacitor. It bypasses the Audio Transformer and other circuitry that is connected to the XLR connector. Needless to say, the Audio difference was phenominal. I kept changing the Audio Cable back and forth, the difference in the Low End Resonance was just striking. And just think...Greg has been running his like this since 1996 'cause he didnt have any XLR cables at the time!!
So now there are 3ea major Mods for the RP-533...the Tube "Rolling" mod, the Op Amp Mod, and now the Audio Input Mod.
Man....whats next??
Howdy again!
Just a little News to get ya buy....He He He... Well We are now living in the Riverhouse. The Shack is coming along nicely, and should be completed shortly. Of course things always take longer than you realize....but it will all be worth it. The Tower base has been installed and the Guy Anchor posts will be installed in the near future to guy the 70 foot tower. We will have a 3 element SteppIR on top of it. They say the antenna should arrive late next month.....so hopefully the Tower will be done by then.
For 40 and 75 meters, We had a G5RV installed, flat-topped up at 100 feet. This is an excellent short range, high angle of radiation antenna for these 2 bands. Great for Local contacts....horrible for DX! I used to run 2ea of these co-phased at the other house...talk about NVIS!
I have the TS-850s hooked up but with NO Rack gear! I am Voodooless...I have been ostracized from the Voodoo crew...they have taken away my Voodoo Authority....I have been Excommunicated!! So if you here me on the bands....that's why I sound like crap.
Well, before we moved, We had completed the TS-850s Monitor modifications. It sounds wonderful now and is monitoring exactly what is being transmitted...no errors....only problem is that the data on the component values seems to have gotten misplaced during the move. I hope we can find what happened to it!!!
We also changed out the Op Amps in the Audio Circuits of the TS-850s....one word....WOW! It is unbelievable how much "Purer" the sound is.
When there is some free time, all this info will be posted on the Website...Ya'll Take Care now!
Howdy Ya'll!!!! Things might get kind of slow on this website 'cause Were in the process of movin. We are downsizing and selling the big house to retire and live at our house on the River. This of course is taking allot of time and energy. We are building a Soundproof Studio Ham Shack that will be very nice to play with the 'ole VooDoo Audio!! The only downside will be no room for antennas. Our days of running the 1058' Loop up at 120 Feet are over....I will miss that antenna. It shouldn't be too long before all is moved and set up at the Riverhouse. I'm thinkin about 2 months. Ya'll Take Care!!
1) Well, We're back inside the TS-850s again. This time We're in there trying to get the Audio quality sounding phenomenal, along with getting the TX Monitor Flatter and matching the Transmitted Signal. We have come along way. When this Mod is finished, it will be the most accurate TX Monitor in operation. It will equal or exceed the TS-870s or an external receiver. Also in the Plans, are the changing of the TS-850s Audio Op Amps (and support circuitry) to better, newer devices with greater bandwidth, speed, slew rate, and recovery time. This also includes the Analog portion of the DSP-100. It should make for some spectacular results. All of this is being documented of course, and will be posted on this website when completed.
2) Bellari FOREVER!!!!!!!! OK Ya'll, We're inside the Rack gear this time playin with the circuitry. Changing Op Amps and other stuff in particular. You talk about make a tremendous difference! We can't believe how much of a difference in Audio these little jewels make! Of course all changes are being documented and Audio Clips are being made to be posted on the website for your viewing and auditory pleasure.
3) We are working on the most Top Secret Audio Mod of all Time.....The Behringer EX-3200 Super Silky Secret Mod or the EX-3200 Triple-S Mod. This will make the EX-3200 Resonance so Silky Smooth that James Earl Jones will be jeoulus! It is on the design bench now and will be implemented soon, so keep checkin back!!
**UPDATE** We have been told that the VooDoo Crew wants to regulate the EX-3200 Super Silky Secret Mod information only to people who are deemed "WORTHY" to receive it. We are told that if you allready have any Bellari Equipment in line, especially a RP-533, that automaticaly makes you "Worthy".
Send all "Worthyness Requests" to Greg at w5udxre20@yahoo.com for review.
He He He He He....
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