DIY 40dB RF Power Tap for Ham Radio

Подписаться 57 тыс.

Просмотров 12 тыс.

50% 1

Folks, in this video we perform a build of a DIY RF Power Tap for Ham Radio, if we build it right we should get about -40dB of attenuation off of the tap. We can use this tap to measure signals from devices like radios with instruments like an oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer without the worry of damage.
Sponsored by www.pcbway.com Cheap & quick PCB, 3D Printing, CNC machining and fabrication services from PCBWay.
Support TheSmokinApe Channel on Patreon Here: / thesmokinape
Links to products in the video:
Project Box: www.amazon.com/dp/B015334J9Q/...
Silver Solder: www.amazon.com/dp/B08HJ92NRX/...
Resistors: www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5I0I3L/...
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check out my NanoVNA Playlist: • NanoVNA Playlist
Check out my HAM Radio, Scanner, Walkie Talkie Playlist: • HAM Radio, Scanning an...
If you liked this video you can see more like it here:
/ thesmokinape
You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram:
/ thesmokinape
/ thesmokinape

Опубликовано:

26 мар 2022

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 78

@mattdehope7517 2 года назад

This was terrifying to watch as an RF engineer

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Well thank goodness you made it unscathed. Either way, thanks for watching.

@W-733_KWX 2 года назад

Since you are an RF engineer, what would be better in this video which was so terrifying (to you) ? We are curious of your input for the sake of continuous improvement. Thanks, that'd be appreciated ;)

@scottgarvy Год назад

He comments and just leaves. I guess he's not only an RF engineer but also a crappy Elmer huh?

@spencerhochstetler 10 месяцев назад

I was really hoping the “RF engineer” would have replied with something more helpful other than a hit-and-run comment. Oh well.

@HamRadioDX 2 года назад

I like the all parts you need in a box before you start... I always spend half my time looking for stuff midway through a build. Nice video Ape and looks/works well great build

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

I have to do that to be "organized"

@a_ham_like_me 2 года назад

I suggest using some 00 steel wool to buff the surface of the brass before soldering. A little buff on the center conductor of the SO239 as well. I find it helps the solder adhere more securely. Edit: Brass often has a light layer of oxidation which can inhibit the soldering process. Also, using steel wool to prep PCB surfaces for soldering helps with kit building.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Thanks a really good idea, thanks Robert

@PowderMill 9 месяцев назад

Excellent craftsmanship and a nice project. Thanks!

@TheSmokinApe 9 месяцев назад

Thanks PM 👍

@derk-w9rdy887 2 года назад

Another good take on the project! Thanks for sharing and showing how you tested it with the NanoVNA.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

You bet. thanks for checking it out Derk!

@rickb.6068 2 года назад

I made one of these for my TinySA a few months ago and it works great.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Nice, thanks for watching Rick.

@HamRadioLiveShow 2 года назад

Nice video Ape. Nice design, well explained and really educational! Keep ‘em coming pal!

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Glad you liked it Larry, thanks for watching!

@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures 2 года назад

Cool Build Ape !

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Thanks Chuck 👍

@gaptastic 2 года назад

I've never seen a better solder!

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Haha, thanks bro 👍

@ShooterReadyStandBy 2 года назад

Nice build. An option for the nut interference problem might be to tap threads in the box. No nutz needed.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Yeah, that might be the move.

@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z 28 дней назад

right tool for the right job... tin snips, and where are your safety glasses with all that brass flying around... lol. great video.

@TheSmokinApe 27 дней назад

Hey John, thanks for watching 👍

@Tump2010 2 года назад

great video, I love build videos.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

It was a fun and easy one, thanks for checking it out Thump

@jenky1865 2 года назад

reply to comment to help out w/ the algorithms!

@MartinJDavidson 2 года назад

Nice video! See if that wiggly line was just noise (& putting the cover on reduces or eliminates it).

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Yeah, I should have done that. I may do a follow up video as there were a few questions.

@larrygrigar3793 2 года назад

Yeah! This video is smok'in! :0

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Ha, thanks for watching Larry.

@lustrup 26 дней назад

The in & out markings of the 7805 voltage regulator in the schematic are the wrong away around.!!! 73's de LA3EQ -Jan

@jeffreyyoung4104 Год назад

Thanks for the video! I was looking for such a power divider for other uses, and this was spot on! I was curious if you had done a sweep of the SWR on the input and output ports? I would do that if I build mine, just to see if there are any 'bumps along the way'...

@TheSmokinApe Год назад

You know Jeff, I don't think I did and that's a great idea.

@DonDegidio 2 года назад

Hi Ape, Great build and video. As soon as I saw the size of that box, I would have used a two hole chassis connector or a bulkhead connector. I also think a piece of single sided circuit board could be used instead of the brass strip, or even a piece of 14 or 12 gauge wire across the connectors. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Thanks for the ideas Don, hope all is going well for you.

@DonDegidio 2 года назад

@@TheSmokinApe Hi Ape, You know I've been trying to get a reverse mortgage. Was approved in December, but they are raking me over the coals and now saying I have too much debt. Getting depressed.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

@@DonDegidio ugh, sorry to hear that Don

@DonDegidio 2 года назад

@@TheSmokinApe My sister even started a Gofundme to help.

@AA0Z 2 года назад

I never knew that marker was called a chevron. I thought that was a gas station. LOL. Good video Ape. Learned a bit.

@temporarilyoffline 2 года назад

^ Chevron - or according to Dan Brown in The Davinci Code, They are Up for male and Down for female... so what does that make a Drill Sergeant?

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Thanks for checking it out Kyle

@RobB_VK6ES 10 месяцев назад

The name stomp box comes from their useage as guitar effect boxes. I have noted while the Chinese boxes follow Hammond part numbers they do not always follow the sizings. Specifically the boxes are frequently shallower than the original, which is why the SO239's did not fit well. I took a slightly different tack and cut/filed the 4 hole flange down to a 2 hole flange similar to the 239 found on IC-7300's. Had you sourced the parts from Digikey, Mouser or the like you could have picked the correct components as specified while at the same time helping out local manufactures and suppliers.

@TheSmokinApe 10 месяцев назад

I was trying to help out port workers and customs officers 👍

@RobB_VK6ES 10 месяцев назад

@@TheSmokinApe LOL

@johnwest7993 2 года назад

I'd be interested in seeing a frequency sweep of this to see what frequencies it's useful up to beyond HF.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

I may do a follow up, there was a lot of questions. Thanks for checking it out John

@blugoose86 11 дней назад

Good point. I always make sure my solder is "dry" before moving on. LOL You know as a builder myself I gotta rib ya a little. Serious question. With my lack of knowledge with inductors, since the brass plate is the inductor, does thickness of the brass matter and is it part of the calibration? Or is surface area what determines the amount if inductance introduced into the circuit. Hence the measurement of 1X1.5?

@TheSmokinApe 6 дней назад

Hey BlueGoose, I would imagine that both size and thickness play a role 👍

@2EOGIY 2 года назад

12:30 Nibbler is the tool for this works, shears will do too but the nibbler won't bend edges of the sheet.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Ah, I think I have seen those in the past. Thanks!

@SkruxLabs-vq4ho 5 месяцев назад

How would this resistive RF tap compare to the performance of an inductive tap?

@TheSmokinApe 5 месяцев назад

I haven’t compared them but I could add that to the video list 👍

@scottgarvy Год назад

I see no one commented on why the boxes are called "stomp boxes". It is because guitar effects pedals are housed in these type of boxes. You have to "stomp" the button on the top to initiate the effect. Hope that helps.

@TheSmokinApe Год назад

Cool, thanks man 👍

@scottgarvy Год назад

You're welcome.

@RedNeckSurgeyTech 2 года назад

It would be nice to see how it works in real life. It's one thing to look good on an analyzer but very different in actual use. Does it make the audio clearer is the true test. 👍

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

I might do a follow up video, there have been a few questions. Thanks for checking it out.

@hankosaurus Год назад

This device will allow the operator to adjust the mic gain up to the point just before the RF signal begins to flat top on the scope. In that sense, audio can be clearer for having used it. 73, kc4i

@SMShannon55 2 года назад

Why add the brass plate? Does it have a purpose other than as a buss? Wouldn’t a 12 ga. Copper wire running between the center pins of the so-239 sockets, with the resistor leads soldered to it do the same thing?

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

I am under the impression, which may be incorrect that the brass plate acts as an inductor. Without the plate we would need to add a toroid.

@SMShannon55 2 года назад

@@TheSmokinApe - Thanks for the reply. My education is insufficient. I can understand capacitance between the brass plate and the “floor” of the metal box, but I’ll have to research how a flat plate works as an inductor. Thanks again. I enjoy your channel.

@TheSmokinApe 2 года назад

Thanks for watching Steve!