Printing a custom callsign plaque for an Etsy customer – black letters on green base.
If you’d like one for your station, check out my Etsy store: https://etsy.me/3raCgfj
3D Printed Amateur Radio Call Sign Plaque for Ham Radio Operators
Custom Soldering Station
I used to keep all of my soldering stuff in a plastic bin and it was becoming annoying.
3D printed a sorting tray & some cord winding “feet” and screwed everything to a scrap piece of wood that I painted gray.
When I’m done I can pick the whole thing up and put it on the shelf in the cabinet below my workbench.
I carefully opened my Weller and found a couple spots in the base that I could drill thru. The PanaVise was a last minute addition – had some extra space and I think it will be useful there.
Generator Pallet
Cut a regular shipping pallet in half and painted for a generator platform.
Also 3D printed some connecting pieces for 1/2” PVC conduit. Will eventually add a piece of tarp or corrugated plastic to create a rain shelter.
Catan Explorers and Pirates Sorting Tray
This sorting tray helps you keep your pieces organized while playing the Explorers & Pirates expansion for Catan. Lets you quickly see what you have available as far as ships, harbor settlements, etc. I can’t guarantee you’ll win the next game but this will help!
Designed to print in two colors for the lettering – I did mine in black & gold PETG. Can also do just one color and/or use PLA. Can print 2 at a time on a larger bed such as the Prusa MK3S. No supports needed. Use 20% or less infill.
You can download the STL on Thingiverse.
Converting old computer ATX power supply
Finished converting this old Pentium 4 ATX power supply to a bench power supply. Trimmed back all the wires, added inline fuses and banana plug jacks. Next time I’ll drill small pilot holes so the big bit doesn’t drift (why the fuse sockets are all out of line). Was a bit tough getting the lid back on with all the wires and I forgot to take picks before putting it back together. Also added the LED on the front. Lots of ideas & instructions for these online if you’re interested in converting one.
Four of the larger capacitors had leaked and I also replaced them to give this supply a longer lifetime.
#engineering #electronics #powersupply #hamradio #amateurradio #maker #pentium4
Dietz No 40 Traffic Gard Kerosene Lantern Restoration
My first Dietz No 40 Traffic Gard restoration is complete! Originally from the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. Old paint stripped, rust removed, primed and painted with Rustoleum Troy Bilt red. New wick from WT Kirkman and replacement globe from eBay.
Saving 3D print with a other 3D print
Designed & printed a wall mount for my new Ryobi inverter – didn’t make it deep enough so another 3D print and some double sided tape saved the day!
FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022
The schedule of FCC amateur radio application fees likely will not go into effect before 2022. FCC staff confirmed during a recent virtual meeting with Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) that the agency is still working on the necessary changes to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) software and other processes and procedures that must be in place before it starts collecting fees from amateur applicants. Earlier this year, the FCC said it would not start collecting fees from amateur applicants before this Summer. The new estimate is that the fees won’t go into effect until early next year.
Once it’s effective, the $35 application fee will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.
Administrative update applications, such as those to change a licensee’s name, mailing, or email address, will be exempt from fees. ARRL VEC manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not face the burden of collecting the $35 fee.
“Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay the exam session fee to the VE team as usual, but they’ll pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC using the FCC Pay Fees system,” she explained. When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who then will have 10 days from the date of the email to pay.
Thanks to Alltime3d for the fresh batch of filament!!
Neon Orange and Cheer Lime PLA as well as Pure White PETG. Looking forward to trying these!
Kerosene lanterns as an alternative lighting source
Thinking about non-electric outdoor lighting options for field day? I’m super impressed with this $25 kerosene hurricane lantern from Dietz (click here Amazon link). It has a 36oz tank and they claim it will burn for 45 hours. Not as bright as a propane lantern but also not as annoying – you can easily sit next to this and relax like an old prospector. Depending on the cost of kerosene in your area, you’re looking at 4 to 7 cents an hour to power this. Not too shabby – fill it up at home and it will last all weekend.