I found a Spectracom Netclock/2 on Ebay several weeks later and purchased it.  I found out that I also needed a decent 60 kHz antenna for it, so I purchased that too.  Ok, I was now out about $350, but, hey, I now had a clock truely accurate to within a few milliseconds. O, sweet joy.

Well, reality set in when I found out that the WWVB signal was changing.  This would allow for better reception of the signal by consumer “atomic” clocks as found in hardware stores and Radio Shack, etc.  Unfortunately, the Netclock/2′s of the world would no longer work. No wonder why people were dumping their NetClocks on Ebay!  Now, all this went down / was to go down 10-29-2012, with a bit of a transition period afterward, but, I still find that the NetClock is providing a lock most of the time.  So, either the transition period has been lengthened, or the unit provides a false positive confirmation of signal lock.  Either way, I needed something else.

I found an Arduino Mega at the local Radio Shack and picked one up.  I figured that it would be an excellent platform to create a new clock on.  I also picked up a EM-406A from Spark Fun, along with the breakout board for the EM-406A which allows for easier soldering.

I won’t bore you with the details, but I now have a functioning GPS clock based on an Arduino Micro (although it will probably work on almost anything.)  My needs were basic…provide the correct time with some indication of second pulses, like a flashing LED with the start of the second.  The GPS unit EM-406A is good for this purpose because it also has a 1 pulse per second output which is accurate to 1μ second….give or take.

Here is a picture of the breadboard setup.  I’ll try my hand at a nice PCB to put the Arduino Micro on, and get a nice box.  I hear that SparkFun has an inexpensive facility for PCB’s.

Here is the Arduino ‘sketch’.  I like to think of myself as a programmer…but I’m not, or at least not lately, so this might not be the most elegant solution, but it does work.

Micro_GPS_PPS_1_0.ino

Currently, there is no functionality to minimize extra NMEA data from the EM-406, you will have to do that on your own, but it also can be done with your Arduino Micro.  If I get a chance, I’ll post that sketch also.

A while back I built the Elecraft KX1 Radio.  I love kits, there is no doubt about it.  Something about the smell of solder.  Anyway, I found this little kit that would put out a good QPR signal and received rave reviews.

Trouble is, with only 6 AA batteries, the output is only about 1.5 watts.  Not bad, but you could do better.  …and John / N0EVH did.  He got a buddy to draw up a sheet metal template that would replace the bottom section of the KX1 and allow 8 AA batteries, giving closer to 12 volts, and between 3-5 watts out.

Here is a link to the original article.. http://naqcc.info/newsletter_126.html

I bought the 15 gauge aluminum from Online Metals…about $16 with shipping.

I used a Harbor Freight 18″ bending brake for the bends.  If I were to do it over, I would use the 30″ brake from Harbor Freight.  Not much more expensive, but it would probably be a little better.  The long bends really push the little break and cause it to bow ever so slightly.

If you do choose to make the base, take the time to lay out all the lines with a scribe.  The dimentions are perfect…really.  Whoever made the template really knew what they were doing, because ALL the bend allowances are spot on.

Here are some photos of the job and the my complete go kit.

The template.  See the original article for full-sized drawing.  Need to print on legal-sized paper.

Completed KX1.  Weighs in at 15.5 oz, including 8 Lithium AA batteries.  That, my friend, is trail-friendly.

Cover made from Lexan, furniture protectors.  Not pretty, but works.

GoKit Items : KX1, Paddle, headphones, antenna, counterpoise, BNC to Mini Banana plug.

Fully packaged, this kit weighs in at 28.9 oz…that’s only 1.8 pounds!!!

The antennas are toy store hulahoops with the outer edge cut off with a bandsaw.  I then wrapped 14 loops of 24 gauge speaker wire and connected the wiring for 28 loops per hula.  The shielding is nothing more than tin foil wrapped around carefully.

I found two hobby systems, Lightening Radar built by Frank Kooiman and Blitzortung by Egon Wanke.  (I did a web search just now for Frank and found out that he passed away 4/1/2012.  May he rest in peace.)

I setteled on the Blitzortung design which can be found at www.blitzortung.org. I contacted the creator, Egon, and in about 10 days recieved a kit that contains the antenna amplifier and a controller board, all for about $115.  I chose this route, rather than the Lightening Radar design, as the Blitzortung does not need a sound card to run and can actually run on a very minimal computer. (I hope to one day try it on a Raspberrry Pi.)

The kit was a joy to build and as long as you pay attention, it should go smoothly.

If you are interested in lightening detection, please consider becoming part of the Blitzortung network.  We could use many more participants, especially here in North America.

I’ll have some photos up when I get a chance..

Also added information under “About LRIT Images” from my previous posts at my google site about how I came to receive weather satellite pictures from GEOS 13.

Luckily, I didn’t have to reinstall windows and my other software…which would likely be several hours of computer hand-holding.  But, I also did not have any backups made.  So, the issue now has been what backup software to use.  There are many out there, but I think I’ll go with Macrium for now.  They have a free version that will image the drive, which for a computer that only collects data, should be enough.  At this point, I just want a basic image that I can use in case of disaster.  I the future I can think about differential updates and such.

Currently, I’ve shut down data collection and am defragmenting.  Then I’ll image the drives (one box for seismography, radiation and weather, the other for satellite images.) and keep that safe somewhere.  My advice, as you have all heard before, is that disaster strikes and a simple plan can keep you out of serious trouble.