Hedghog standards converter - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FRANK.C · 16th Jan 2019, 8:30 pm

I have been ask a few times if I would supply complete Hedghog's or kits but I am not in a position to do that.
I can only supply the PCB's which are in the Offered section of this Forum.

Forum member Freya has told me that he is willing to supply complete Hedghog's.
So anyone wanting a complete one can get in contact with him.

Frank

dragonser · 17th Jan 2019, 12:28 pm

Hi,
thank you both for answering the question I had though about asking but hadn't got around to it !

FRANK.C · 17th Jan 2019, 8:44 pm

Hi Peter
Thanks for replying, don't hesitate to ask any question about it.

I am really happy that Stephen has decided to provide this service as there is many looking for it.
Stephen was one of the first to build a Hedghog.

Frank

line sync · 21st Jan 2019, 8:46 pm

I took delivery of a hedghog converter today built by forum member freya and I have to say I`m very impressed with it.
I love how versatile this unit is by the use of the many toggle switches on the front panel.
The unit comes in a neat little case and has a built in modulator.
I would like to say thank you to frank for designing this great little unit.

Robin

FRANK.C · 21st Jan 2019, 9:24 pm

Thanks Robin, I am glad you like it. I am sure Stephen has made great job of it.

A lot of credit has to go to Jeffrey Borinsky Forum member ppppenguin on the Golborne Vintage Radio Forum. He introduced me to FPGA's and very generously thought me a lot about them.
Prior to that I avoided FPGA's like the plague and would never have considered using one mainly because I didn't understand what they were. Using a FPGA was a turning point in this project and made it into what it is today. Without Jeffrey's help it would have been a very different converter.

If anyone is considering designing a converter the thread about it on the Golborne Forum would be a good read. Not for my input but solely for Jeffrey's. He has given a huge amount of information and advice on that thread for anyone wanting to design one.

Frank

beltinge bore · 26th Jan 2019, 4:02 pm

I also have a Heghog which I badgered young Stephen"Freya" into building for me.
It is great.The only thing that would improve it IMHO is a"Made in Cornwall" Sticker!
Regards Steve.

FRANK.C · 27th Jan 2019, 12:08 pm

Hi Steve
I am glad you like it. Stephen makes a great job of them.

Frank

Silvered_Mica · 2nd Feb 2019, 6:11 pm

Hello all,
How critical is the 14.31818 meg crystal, load capacitance, tolerance and frequency stability?

FRANK.C · 2nd Feb 2019, 7:13 pm

Hi Silvered_Mica
Load capacitance = 18pF
Tolerance should be 50 ppm or better.
A crystal like this one should be fine.

Frank

FRANK.C · 3rd Feb 2019, 6:51 pm

I updated the program so the converter can now convert from 16:9 to both 4:3 and 5:4 as well as converting from 4:3 to 4:3 and 5:4. To facilitate this the top two positions of the tone switch are now used to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 input. The selection of 400 Hz or 1KHz tone is on the DIP switch SW8-D. The new program file and legends to suit can be downloaded from the Hedghog web page.

Frank

Panrock · 5th Feb 2019, 7:09 pm

I've just noticed the spelling - without a central E!
Why is this?

Steve

FRANK.C · 5th Feb 2019, 7:38 pm

Hi Steve
It was a spelling mistake I made on the first lot of PCB's I got made. I though why not? and decided to keep it that way.

Frank

ianm · 6th Feb 2019, 10:09 am

The spelling of Hedghog immediately puts me in mind of the town Bridgwater, in Somerset. Works well for me!

FRANK.C · 6th Feb 2019, 2:17 pm

One consequence is that if doing a internet search it helps to filter out the unwanted results

Frank

Graham G3ZVT · 6th Feb 2019, 11:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRANK.C

It was a spelling mistake I made on the first lot of PCB's I got made. I though why not? and decided to keep it that way.

We admire you for admitting that! At least a Google search with that spelling isn't swamped by spiny mammals.

I am still curious, is there any particular connection with the project to the prickly critter?

Brigham · 7th Feb 2019, 10:14 am

The front panel's a bit 'prickly'.

FRANK.C · 7th Feb 2019, 8:27 pm

Hi Graham
No particular connection but as Brigham has said the toggle switches do look just a little bit spiky

Frank

FRANK.C · 7th Feb 2019, 8:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100 man

Does the H.Hog zoom in and just loose the edges or stretch the picture vertically and give tall thin people?

I've just been playing with an HDMI to composite box from Ebay and displaying the output on a Thorn 1500.
I can only get 16:9 from my laptop which is displayed, as you would expect, with bands top & bottom.

A further problem comes when viewing something that was originally in 4:3 (eg. vintage TV adds from Youtube). You then get bands at the sides as well. What I need to be able to do is to zoom in to get rid of the border all round.

Is there any hardware or software that allows this to be done?

Hi Nick
The latest version of the Hedghog firmware does aspect ratio conversions of
4:3 => 4:3
4:3 => 5:4
16:9 => 4:3
16:9 => 5:3
It does this by cropping the beginning and ends of each line by the appropriate amount.
I have uploaded a picture of a 16:9 input with each of the above conversions applied to it.

Frank

Panrock · 8th Feb 2019, 9:38 pm

What's the RF output level of one of these units?

Steve

Freya · 8th Feb 2019, 9:59 pm

It measures 74dB with respect to 1uV on all the ones I have produced which is practically the same as the Aurora I think.
Happily runs 3 sets no problem

16th Jan 2019, 8:30 pm	#1
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Hedghog standards converter I have been ask a few times if I would supply complete Hedghog's or kits but I am not in a position to do that. I can only supply the PCB's which are in the Offered section of this Forum. Forum member Freya has told me that he is willing to supply complete Hedghog's. So anyone wanting a complete one can get in contact with him. Frank

17th Jan 2019, 12:28 pm	#2
dragonser Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Carshalton, Surrey, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi, thank you both for answering the question I had though about asking but hadn't got around to it ! __________________ Regards Peter B

17th Jan 2019, 8:44 pm	#3
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi Peter Thanks for replying, don't hesitate to ask any question about it. I am really happy that Stephen has decided to provide this service as there is many looking for it. Stephen was one of the first to build a Hedghog. Frank

21st Jan 2019, 8:46 pm	#4
line sync Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kinver, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 608	Re: Hedghog standards converter I took delivery of a hedghog converter today built by forum member freya and I have to say I`m very impressed with it. I love how versatile this unit is by the use of the many toggle switches on the front panel. The unit comes in a neat little case and has a built in modulator. I would like to say thank you to frank for designing this great little unit. Robin

21st Jan 2019, 9:24 pm	#5
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Thanks Robin, I am glad you like it. I am sure Stephen has made great job of it. A lot of credit has to go to Jeffrey Borinsky Forum member ppppenguin on the Golborne Vintage Radio Forum. He introduced me to FPGA's and very generously thought me a lot about them. Prior to that I avoided FPGA's like the plague and would never have considered using one mainly because I didn't understand what they were. Using a FPGA was a turning point in this project and made it into what it is today. Without Jeffrey's help it would have been a very different converter. If anyone is considering designing a converter the thread about it on the Golborne Forum would be a good read. Not for my input but solely for Jeffrey's. He has given a huge amount of information and advice on that thread for anyone wanting to design one. Frank

26th Jan 2019, 4:02 pm	#6
beltinge bore Pentode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Herne Bay, Kent, UK. Posts: 229	Re: Hedghog standards converter I also have a Heghog which I badgered young Stephen"Freya" into building for me. It is great.The only thing that would improve it IMHO is a"Made in Cornwall" Sticker! Regards Steve. Last edited by beltinge bore; 26th Jan 2019 at 4:06 pm. Reason: Add name

27th Jan 2019, 12:08 pm	#7
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi Steve I am glad you like it. Stephen makes a great job of them. Frank

2nd Feb 2019, 6:11 pm	#8
Silvered_Mica Pentode Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Halesowen, West Midlands, UK Posts: 124	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hello all, How critical is the 14.31818 meg crystal, load capacitance, tolerance and frequency stability? __________________ Trust Me, It's a Magic Iron (∩ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)⊃━☆ﾟ. * ･｡ﾟ, 📻📺🦔📡

2nd Feb 2019, 7:13 pm	#9
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi Silvered_Mica Load capacitance = 18pF Tolerance should be 50 ppm or better. A crystal like this one should be fine. Frank

3rd Feb 2019, 6:51 pm	#10
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter I updated the program so the converter can now convert from 16:9 to both 4:3 and 5:4 as well as converting from 4:3 to 4:3 and 5:4. To facilitate this the top two positions of the tone switch are now used to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 input. The selection of 400 Hz or 1KHz tone is on the DIP switch SW8-D. The new program file and legends to suit can be downloaded from the Hedghog web page. Frank Attached Thumbnails

5th Feb 2019, 7:09 pm	#11
Panrock Nonode Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,504	Re: Hedghog standards converter I've just noticed the spelling - without a central E! Why is this? Steve

5th Feb 2019, 7:38 pm	#12
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi Steve It was a spelling mistake I made on the first lot of PCB's I got made. I though why not? and decided to keep it that way. Frank __________________ www.electronics.frankcuffe.ovh

6th Feb 2019, 10:09 am	#13
ianm Hexode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 340	Re: Hedghog standards converter The spelling of Hedghog immediately puts me in mind of the town Bridgwater, in Somerset. Works well for me! __________________ Regards Ian McLaughlin, BVWS member

6th Feb 2019, 2:17 pm	#14
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter One consequence is that if doing a internet search it helps to filter out the unwanted results Frank __________________ www.electronics.frankcuffe.ovh

7th Feb 2019, 10:14 am	#16
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,102	Re: Hedghog standards converter The front panel's a bit 'prickly'.

7th Feb 2019, 8:27 pm	#17
FRANK.C Heptode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roscommon, Ireland Posts: 722	Re: Hedghog standards converter Hi Graham No particular connection but as Brigham has said the toggle switches do look just a little bit spiky Frank __________________ www.electronics.frankcuffe.ovh

8th Feb 2019, 9:38 pm	#19
Panrock Nonode Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 2,504	Re: Hedghog standards converter What's the RF output level of one of these units? Steve

8th Feb 2019, 9:59 pm	#20
Freya Octode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Hedghog standards converter It measures 74dB with respect to 1uV on all the ones I have produced which is practically the same as the Aurora I think. Happily runs 3 sets no problem __________________ Stephen _________"It`s only an old telly" ___ Last edited by Freya; 8th Feb 2019 at 10:28 pm.