Steve Gase Show Setup

[mms]

Impressive!

[Steve Gase]

The antenna does not improve clarity, just range.

There is a back story on the radio transmitter/antenna...  so glean from this what you can.

I've been using an EDM-LCD transmitter for a few years now, and have liked it for the clarity and range.  Right from the start I paired it with the 1/4 wave ground plane antenna, and I was able to reach a good portion of the neighborhood. 

Last year I was able to reach about 1/2 mile in my new neighborhood with this setup.

This year my range was poor, i couldn't get quality reception even to the end of the property.  I also had pockets where the audio would turn to static as I drove a couple feet, or walked a couple feet with my boom box.

I found that there was a new radio station that camped on my signal, so I changed my station -- and adjusted the length of my antenna to match.  Still, I had problems.

In my research I found that my symptoms could be caused by a damaged transmitter.  The transmitter was likely damaged when I connected/disconnected the antenna while the transmitter was powered up.  There are cautions about this, which I failed to recall.

As I've visited various displays I've found some with excellent reception -- covering entire neighborhoods, and asked the owners what they were using... each said they used the CZE-05B transmitter with the whip antenna that came in the box.   

I purchased the CZE-05B and it solved my problem... with the 1/4 wave ground plane antenna I can now reach 1/2 mile again. 

I've sent the EDM into the US repair facility.

Radio Transmitter: EDM LCD http://www.edmdesign.com/  with Dennis Cherry's 2011 Ground plane Antenna

With the ground plane antenna, does it increase the distance or quality of the transmission?

I have one of these antenna cut down to the appropriate size for my frequency and it's what I'd call, just ok.

http://www.durhamradio.com/wilson-w500b-500-magnetic-mount-whip-ontario-canada.html

Wondering if the ground plane would make for a better experience.

Thoughts?

[fdunham]

Steve, very nice, great job! I have a question on your Mega Tree, how did you mount your pixels and how durable were they this season?

Thanks,
Fred

[Steve Gase]

Last year I had problems with the technicolor pixels -- this year I went back to using the TM1840 IP68 bullets.

This year I used the strips available in the DIYC bulk buy...

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?33355-New-Pixel-Mega-Tree-Mounting-Strips

The strips were 8ft long, but could be joined by overlapping the strips and pushing pixels through the overlapping holes. 

At each end I used grommets from Harbor Freight... just push them through the holes (I folded the ends first) and and hammer the ring over the grommet. 

I put the pixels into the strip every 2"  (I was happy with the density because it really made the effects crisp from top to bottom. 

I hooked each strip to the top of the tree using a crown purchased from one of the dealers -- can't remember who -- but next year I think it would work better to use a larger crown with more hooks... I used a 16-hook setup and hooked 4 strips onto each hook (270-degree).

At the bottom I used small bungee cords (again from Harbor freight) and looped the cord around my metal conduit 25' ring and hooked (both hooks) into the grommet. 

I adjusted tension on the bottom ring -- and kept it from swinging -- by using more bungees to hook it to stakes.

I plan to post pictures and some video on my reworked web site in the next few weeks -- documenting my DIY designs.

As far as durability... with 4000 pixels, I only had 2 pixels that failed...  I used old strings (but made sure that they were IP68!!) and augmented the old with new strings.  The 2 pixels failed because of broken wires -- weakened (no doubt) from past years using paracord, and once -- no support at all.  The 2 pixels were within reach and quickly replaced using crimping butts. 

We had all kinds of wind and rain this year -- and I ran my show for 4+ weeks regardless of weather and not a single issue -- no failures, no shorts, no GFIs.  I'm very satisfied with the success of my prior waterproofing actions.

Hope this helps.

[drlucas]

Thanks for the input on the edm. I'll have to be cautious when there is power to the transmitter. I had a nasty hum which I first thought was Raspberry B related but after reading further found that some people wrapped with foil the ribbon cable to shield the signal. It made a big difference as well for me. Still not fantastic quality but not too bad.

As for the range 1/2 mile is about right for what I get so I won't mess with my setup any further.

[Steve Gase]

One of the guys here in town was having a bad hum with his CZE-05B.  We changed the plug around for the adapter and it helped a lot.  (I recalled my old stereo when I was growing up... the turntable made a hum through the amp until i changed the "polarity"...  yes, its AC... but I did recall hearing that hint 40 years ago.

We also moved the transmitter further from the Pi and that helped as well.

[fdunham]

Thanks for the details Steve. My Mega tree was 24 strands with 112 (2" spacing) pixels per strand this year (360). It looked OK but I really like the looks of yours and may have to redesign! Thanks again for the info.

Fred

[arw01]

Steve do you think the color of the diyc strips caused you any issues?  I've been wondering if I might be able to stain mine with some woodworking stains or even tanic acid like the old days to take the white out of them.

I have a little 9' bush that i want to turn into a "mini mega" this year to mirror my "mega tree" and haven't decided, but was leaning, on using paracord because it would blend in better with the new pixclips i bought or using the diyc strips I also bought just in case.  2" spacing will give me 50 nodes in 9' which is just right to match the "mega tree" 50 nodes at 12"

[Steve Gase]

I like the white, actually... it reflects more of the color back to the viewer IMO, 

i realize its a subjective call.

[jnealand]

I have some sample strips and they are more ivory than white.  I doubt that the color would be a problem.  I am more concerned about wind catching them like a small sail.

[fdunham]

Steve do you think the color of the diyc strips caused you any issues?  I've been wondering if I might be able to stain mine with some woodworking stains or even tanic acid like the old days to take the white out of them.

I have a little 9' bush that i want to turn into a "mini mega" this year to mirror my "mega tree" and haven't decided, but was leaning, on using paracord because it would blend in better with the new pixclips i bought or using the diyc strips I also bought just in case.  2" spacing will give me 50 nodes in 9' which is just right to match the "mega tree" 50 nodes at 12"

I understand James on the DIY Christmas board (where I believe Steve got his strips - thanks Steve!) is going to offer the strips in white or black with his next offering. He is not taking orders at this time but will be soon.

Fred

[rando1957]

Steve - loved your display and really noticed the lights on the ground.  I threw out some white LED lights on the ground and everyone liked them but I really wanted to replace them with pixel lights to add more flexibility.  Curious what pixels did you use?  Were they just laying on the ground or did you have them staked? And how did you set that up in XL - as a horizontal matrix?  For your lawn, you created some nice effects.

Randy

[Steve Gase]

I used Pixabulbs from DIYLED Express.  They have a pre-sale going on now!

http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?36772-DIY-LED-Express-2015-Pre-Sale-Announcement!

Official Pre-Sale Announcement:

The first DIY LED Express LLC Pre-Sale will run from January 2nd to January 31st. Delivery of product is expected to be around early to mid May.


I was originally thinking of staking each pixel, but my wife said... "2400 stakes??? are you crazy???"

I then attempted to stake the start, middle and end of the string... but I found that the plastic stakes from home depot were no match for my yard where I have 1" of soil (at best!!) over limestone rock.

So, I placed them directly on the ground and it took no time, and they were packed away just as easily!!

I created a vertical matrix... but other than the presentation in the visualizer I don't think it matters if you select a tree or a matrix.  I placed the corner at the top left where my controllers were found.

For the lawn I often placed the same effect used on the tree, trying to have the tree "spill out onto the ground".

Steve - loved your display and really noticed the lights on the ground.  I threw out some white LED lights on the ground and everyone liked them but I really wanted to replace them with pixel lights to add more flexibility.  Curious what pixels did you use?  Were they just laying on the ground or did you have them staked? And how did you set that up in XL - as a horizontal matrix?  For your lawn, you created some nice effects.

Randy

[NGLighthouse]

Hi,

Love the look of your display, especially the mega tree.  Just wondering what the height of your mega tree is and the spacing between pixels. 

Cheers

[Steve Gase]

thanks!

the megatree is 48 strings of 85 pixels, in a 270-degree layout.
the pixels are 2" apart using plastic strips found on the DIYC forum.

the center pole is about 24" high (1-1/2" black iron pipe) with a winch to lift a hook system.

the pole is so high because I didn't cut it down before this new tree design.  the pole was used for years when I had 85 pixels 3" or more apart for about 21 feet of lights.  The strips worked well and I'll do it again this year -- and also 2 additional (smaller) trees.    The earlier attempts used metal conduit, paracord, and no support at all -- each had problems.

i'll shorten the pole this year.