Allard
Your software is impressive!?
I have been using v1.25 and adding in some features for my BITX40s (x2) - Voltmeter, SWR and S-Meter.? ?Space and ports represent a major issue now!
I note your interest in using one of the PLLs instead of the BFO.? This would be great!?
It would also make it easy to add in PBT and adjust carrier offsets and not have the issue of USB being subtractive (so not as deaf - unless you remove the caps in the VFO buffering stages).??
I am in the process of adding the following features/mods:
- Multi-banding using the QRP-Labs relay boards (LPF and BPFs)? ?- Requires 5 digital I/O ports (or 10 if you want to drive relays directly from a port)
- 2 Rotary Encoders with press switches (requires 6 digital I/O ports)
- one encoder for tune control (press switch to toggle between 10khz and 100hz steps)
- one encoder for selector control (rotate to step through the menu - VFO A/B, RIT, etc. and to set defaults, and press switch to set menu item)
So, I need at least another 11 ports and some more program space and SRAM!? Ideally I would like band stacking registers for each band, which will demand more memory!
My feeling is that it would be good to decide collectively, on where we go with the processor!? ?Choices seem to be:
- Arduino Mega Mini Embed (available from China for around US$8 including headers).? This is functionally the same as a Mega meaning tons of room and ports.
- Maple Mini STM Clone (BAITE) - About US$5 - very affordable and solves headroom problem and it has sufficient extra ports (particularly if the display uses I2C)
- Teensy 3.6 (or earlier) - but about US$30 each.
I am tending to favour the Mega Embed as this has tons of ports and code shouldn't need much in the way of changes (some ports shift of course).? However, the Teensy would provide for DSP as well in future, albeit at greater cost.? There are readily available SI PLL modules that would be mated to any of these devices.
I would be interested in what others think.? ?I would really like a better? UI (User Interface).? Pushing a button multiple times is not really very user friendly, and rotary encoders can do the job so much better for both menu select and tuning functions.
73 Mike ZL1AXG
