I got a 100W dummy load and the max power output I could get from the Icom 7300 was 75-80% using RTTY.

Next I checked the output of my MFJ power supply. Lo and behold the voltage out was only 13.0V with no power draw even though the knob was on the 13.8V detent. It is a fussy knob but I managed to raise it to 13.7V and test again - sure enough full power output on the 7300.

I think I’ll replace the power supply, I just don’t trust the voltage knob to stay put out of the detent.

Does anyone have a small-ish watt meter they like for the HF bands (up to 100W)? My IC-7300 seems to be down on power and I’m looking to check on it.

Prusa: slicing on my iPad…👍🏼 bots.defencegeeks.net/@prusa3d

The temperature is 14F and the wind chill is -7F (nearly -22C). A hibernation day.

Entertaining myself this morning by 3D printing a washi tape dispenser and writing samples of 15 new Sarasa Nano pens (.3).

I might do some FT8 later. Also the parts I need to finish my initial DigiPi setup should arrive today via Amazon). But I wouldn’t be shocked if they don’t make it today.

During my week+ virus battle I didn’t have the energy to even think about a project or a build. In fact I spent nearly one entire sleepless night being tortured by this nightmare about trying to 3D print a set of houses and being especially frustrated tying to attach the roofs. That just kept running in a loop all night.

Very grateful I can now at least contemplate a small project. Probably setting up digiPi for my radios. And no more nightmares 👏🏻

Covid

I have finally been admitted to club Covid. I’ve been sick for 4 days with no fever so thought it was something else. Finally tested today and oh well, engaging hibernate mode.🦠

Viral

In today’s news, I haven’t felt this sick since I got the second Moderna Covid vaccine. No fever though.

But being super-dad I still went out with my daughter to find and buy a car. She’s happy with it.

Into the lion’s den tomorrow.

AKA going car shopping with my daughter 😠

OK, time to get your art on mastodon.social/@kagihq/113958

In contemplating a future Prusa Core One purchase I was asking myself if it would feel justified. It dawned on me one metric would be to check how much I use my MK4S. It turns out so far this year I have used it all but 2 days. I don’t print items for sale just for things we can use. Over the past 90 days usage is only slightly less. Seems a favorable metric.

My first real PETG carbon fiber print. These are parts to replace some existing ones on my MK4S. Very happy how easily it printed and how well it turned out.

I sent the transcript of my chat with Prusa support to myself for future reference. When I looked at it in Mail Apple Intelligence offered to summarize the lengthy chat and did a great job. First time using it and impressed, for now.

Today in 3D printing:
I used a hardened Obxidian nozzle for the first time. And printed a carbon fiber filament for the first time.

Lesson learned: the default infill pattern in PrusaSlicer is no bueno with my CF filament because it is more susceptible to patterns crossing themselves. Gyroid FTW.

Otherwise, like everything else, drama free on my MK4S.

P.S. Prusa’s chat support is soooo good.👍🏼

Finally got a chance to use a refill unit for Prusament Galaxy Black. Saved money, saved plastic and this is an American-made refill. 👍🏻

Yet another in my line of oddly specific models posted to Printables. I've become really fond of these thin and lightweight Japanese notebooks.
printables.com/model/1164946-d

I’m printing my first model with weights.

TIL I need to be very precise about what layer to pause on to insert them lest the nozzle scrape across the top. Kinda obvious but newbie here 🤪

I think I also learned the weight may hamper bed adhesion in some manner. They’re on top of the bottom 1mm of layers and don’t extend the whole length making the weight distribution uneven. Got a surprising amount of warp so I added a hefty brim so we shall see. The prototype I painted didn’t warp at all.🤔

I’ll get a Prusa Core One to replace my MK4KS at some point this year. Economically I should buy the upgrade kit but I’m a bit nervous about the upgrade given how different the two are mechanically. And as a new upgrade kit I can imagine there being months of kinks to work out.

Impulsively I like to just order the Core One in the naive hope I could sell my MK4S for a worthwhile price.

Yeah I’m jonesing a bit

My APRS RX iGate hasn't seen any traffic the past few days though there are packets going by. My Kenwood D75 is receiving them and the iGate should see the same packets. Reboots haven't helped and I haven't found anything to give a hint what's going on.

Guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend...

Published another one of my oddly specific models: A stand that holds a caliper, two rulers, fillet finder and layer thickness guide vertically to conserve desk space

printables.com/model/1162397-v

Today I published my smallest model yet requiring only .3g of filament. It is for an oddly specific need but does serve a useful purpose.

printables.com/model/1159721-c

I got my hackerboard GPIO today and installed some headers then 3D printed a case to mount it to the MK4S’s frame. I’ll probably try to implement some sort of light control. Some day.

I guess I went on a shopping spree the past few days because now I have shipping notices from JetPens, Adafruit, Printed Solid and Prusa. I'm gonna be busy with projects once it all arrives (nothing major though).

I’ve been wanting to snag some Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber filament but it has pretty unobtainable usually selling out before I even get a “back in stock” email. Got lucky today thanks to a redditor and got an order in 👍🏼🥳

prusa3d.com/product/prusament-

I woke early and decided to create my first model in . The out of the box experience on my Mac mini with a high DPI display was unusable due to the display implementation. E.g. fonts in the sketcher were completely unreadable they were so small. I’ve improved it some but it’s a tough road because UI settings are scattered widely in preferences. Still not happy with it.

In my searching I couldn’t find a comprehensive solution just lots of posts about high DPI issues. Just a roadmap item.

I’ve never used a glue stick on a PEI sheet when 3D printing. Yesterday I decided to use one on an old PEI sheet that lost it’s natural adhesion.

I’m definitely not a fan. The model did print without warping but the bottom looks pretty crappy and of course the PEI looks like a mess. Glad I don’t have to deal with it.