HamClock as a Linux service

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HamClock is a brilliant piece of software, bringing many useful information on a screen. It can be run on Linux, also with web interface accessible over the net. Per default it is not however available as a service, meaning it needs to be manually started after any power cycle of its Linux host. This short … Read more

Setting up MariaDB / MySQL as QSO log storage in Log4OM

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There is number of reasons one would want to use fully fledged database engine as a storage to log amateur radio QSOs. This article is showing step by step how to setup MariaDB (or MySQL) database and migrate existing QSO log in Log4OM – popular software for logging ham radio correspondence.

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MAK Solder Fume Extractor

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It is important to take care of harmful fumes when soldering electronics. Using an extractor or even simple fan blowing the fumes away is a great idea. There are many commercial fume extractor available, but it is so much more fun to build DIY one.

Also DIY version allows to choose top quality, quiet and effective fan, like Noctua NF-F12 PWM – which is not always the case with commercial products (they often use cheap and therefore loud fans).

Here is MAK Solder Fume Extractor, feel free to construct your own.

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MAK Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog Afterburner Detent

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Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog comes with factory afterburner detent. By default it is mounted in a non-active position, but it is very easy to turn it by 180 degrees and enjoy afterburner detent. However factory detent is sometimes difficult to operate, as both thrust levers needs to be moved up slightly to get over the detent. This is particularly difficult if your HOTAS throttle is not fixed to its stand / desk. In that case it happens very often that a whole HOTAS throttle box is jumping up when moving throttles over the factory detent.

It would be much simpler to just push throttle levers over the afterburner detent (without rising them up) and this is exactly what my custom afterburner detent is doing – no need to rise the levers up while getting over the detent.

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FrSky sensors and Spirit Systems heli flybarless units

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Spirit Systems produce awesome flybarless units for RC helicopter models. Per default Spirit units provide great support for OpenTX and FrSky gear. You can easily get telemetry from Spirit (also from connected ESC, like Hobbywing) and flawless OpenTX integration, which allows to set all Spirit parameters directly from FrSky radio (Horus or Taranis), using provided LUA script.

Things get a bit complicated if – in the same time – one would like to use standard FrSky telemetry sensors. In example if you connect FrSky GPS v2 sensor, it will collide with virtual telemetry sensors provided by Spirit flybarless unit, resulting in blocking telemetry signals from Spirit virtual sensors.

Fortunately there is simple workaround and in this article I will cover some of FrSky sensors, describing how I made them work with Spirit and standard Smart Port telemetry in FrSky / OpenTX.

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MAK RC Signal Inverter

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In RC hobby signal inversion may be required when connecting various components together, i.e. RC receivers to helicopter flybarless units or other flight controllers. This is particularly often required in case of one wire protocols, like SBUS, PPM or Smart Port – the last one being specific to FrSky products.

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MAK Dynatron Heli Holder

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MAK Dynatron Heli Holder - ALL

The Sullivan Dynatron S603 is very popular, heavy-duty starter for gas and nitro RC model engines. Combined with Sullivan S613 Helicopter Extension Wand it creates great set for nitro helicopters, easily able to start 90 / 105 class nitro engine and which will last decades of usage.

Unfortunately plastic holder parts provided with the Dynatron are very basic and do not allow to mount the battery in compact, convenient way. That’s why I created my own holder, able to hold both battery and heli extension wand.

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