Allison is correct that things are much cleaner when using CW.?
For my tests I inserted 1KHz at variable levels and adjusted the audio level for cleanest RF on the oscilloscope.? Then I performed a frequency sweep to look for
spurs.? As long as the microphone port audio input is below 45 millivolts the spurs seem
to be down at least 50db, but can be pushed even further down by reducing the audio
level to around 32 millivolts.? This seems to be where oscilloscope peak-to-peak RF level is about the same as when using CW mode.?
I could not duplicate this using an averaging type RF voltmeter as the signal level detector.
It is interesting to vary the microphone port input frequency and watch each spur to see
if it moves up or down.? This could be an aid in figuring out how each spur is being
generated.?
Arv _._
Arv _._
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On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:32 AM Howard Fidel < sonic1@...> wrote:
Arv:
I just got an explanation from Allison, which I will confirm
later. I measured the spurs in CW which I thought was a side tone,
but isn't. I need to retest with actual audio.
Howard
On 6/4/2018 12:21 PM, Arv Evans wrote:
Howard
I'm
seeing about the same.
Arv
_._
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:18 AM Howard Fidel < sonic1@...>
wrote:
Arv:
When properly driven, I see the spurs almost at -60dB.
Howard
On 6/4/2018 11:37 AM, Arv Evans wrote:
The
uBITX does actually work on 15M, 12M, and 10M (and yes
it does work on 11M as
evidenced
by the number of CB'ers who have purchased it).? Power
output is much lower
on
the higher bands, but is still enough to make QRP
contacts.? Just do not try to increase
power
output on upper bands by adding microphone gain.? Too
much microphone audio
will
cause spurs, distortion, and QRM.?
Arv?
K7HKL
_._
On Sun, Jun 3, 2018 at 9:01 PM Jerry
Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke= [email protected]>
wrote:
To
keep the price down, I think hfsignals may as well
continue to use the 45mhz filter.
Perhaps claim 80m through 17m, beyond that is
experimental, disable 15m,12m, and 10m
in the stock firmware.? Different transistors for more
consistent gain should be considered.
However, if we can instrument drive level into the
mixers, sounds like we may be able to have
a clean signal on up to 30mhz.? ?Perhaps replace
transistors to get consistent gain through the 45mhz
IF
and the Q90 stage, then monitor the top of RV1 with a
diode RF probe into a Nano analog pin.
Better yet, add another 10dB of gain after the mixers
so the IRF510's show trouble (much more obvious)
long before the mixers do.? So maybe add an extra gain
stage between Q90 and RV1,
existing rigs could easily patch this in with an
MMIC.?
If we do decide to go to 70mhz and beyond for that
first IF, there are viable filters available.
In this post:??/g/BITX20/message/33203
Farhan explains that the 45mhz filter must be narrow
enough to reject signals 2 mhz away from center.
Here's the filters on Mouser that are between 70 and
90 mhz, and have a bandwidth of less than 4mhz:
? ??
The PX1002 from Murata looks good to me, center
frequency of 86.85mhz.
25khz wide, 3dB insertion loss, over 60dB of rejection
at 1mhz out,
datasheet shows how to use it in 50 ohm environment.
Not exactly cheap at $12 single unit, $6 if buying
hundreds from Mouser.
The similar PX1004 at 82.2mhz is harder to get,
especially in low quantities,
but might be preferred as it allows a lower vfo
frequency.?
To operate at 30mhz with an 86.85mhz first IF, the vfo
should be 86.85+30 = 116.85mhz.
The Si5351's internal vco is spec'd to a max of
900mhz, and our fractional output dividers can divide
down
to a minimum of 8.0, so 900/8=112.5mhz max using the
current si5351bx routines with the vco moved to
900mhz.
Hans, G0UPL, has found that the vco can be pressed to
go much higher, beyond 1100mhz,
so we could just cheat on that, perhaps 935mhz for the
vco giving 935/8 = 116.875mhz max.
I'd try that first.
The other possibility is to use the second Si5351
internal vco with fractional pll feedback and an
integer output divider on clk1, giving fine grained
frequency control up to 200mhz (290mhz, according to
Hans).
This second method would roughly double the size of
the si5351bx routines, but that's not a major hit.
The other two si5351 outputs would continue to use the
first vco, and be restricted to 112.5mhz max.
If using the equations of post?/g/BITX20/message/44278
the only needed change to the uBitx code outside the
Si5351bx routines would be to change this
uint32_t?
f45c? = 44995000;? ? ?// center of 45mhz filter
? to this:
uint32_t?
f45c? = 86850000;? ? ?// center of 87mhz filter
The filter and 50 ohm matching networks could
be on a very small PC board
glued to the back of the uBitx main board.
This daughterboard could include a new BiDi amp with
appropriate transistors.
If the uBitx mixers are problematic at 86.85mhz, then
perhaps a couple ADE-1's also,
replacing everything from T2 to T4 inclusive.? Parts
cost of around $10 if building hundreds,
$15 bucks if adding the two ADE-1's.?
Then everybody will get fixated on making the uBitx
work on 6 meters
and we get to do this all over again.
Jerry, KE7ER
?
On Sun, Jun 3, 2018 at 03:44 pm, ajparent1/KB1GMX
wrote:
Its not a drop in.? The filter would
likely be hard to find and costly or for a one off
salvage from?
an old junker commercial radio.?
I think Kenwood radios used a 63mhz filter or maybe
ICOM.? so lets do a thought
experiment on what needs to be done.
The filter would need to be matched and like data
for it will require experimental testing.
The T30-2 toroids could be reused and rewould and
the cap for the L-networks changed
as needed.? The entire string of 3904s [all 6 of
them] in the 45mhz section would have
to be some thing like 2n2369, or better BFR106s.?
Then the firmware has to be revised as the first lo
needs to be higher to start maybe
65mhz and go up from there.??
So yes it can be done.? I don't have such a part so
thats ruled out.? So for a one off
maybe, doesn't help everyone though. and even if the
filter was not too expensive?
thats a lot of SMT and through hole work plus a new
firmware.? At the production
level it could add significant cost and interrupt
the product flow as you have all the
material in place and likely paid for.
Right now the most feasible option is bandpass
filters and switching.? Cost wise the
parts are cheap is SMT inductors are used.? The
trick there is drop in and play no
manufacturing tuning.
Allison
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