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PTO/VFO for BITX40
Arvid Evans
BITXers
There are several alternative ways to build various parts of the BITX design. For my BITX40 I chose a PTO type oscillator for the VFO. This uses a layout similar to that done by Jom - WA6OTP <www.wa6otp.com\pto.htm> for the mechanical construction, but is a BJT based Clapp oscillator circuit with emitter-follower VFO buffer. A 32 tpi (turns per inch) brass screw is threaded into a coil of #28 wound on a soda straw and covered in hot-melt glue. The present tuning range is about +350 KHz for my version. This covers all of 40 Meters (7.0 - 7.3 MHz) in 28 turns of the knob. I am still tweeking this to try for 10 KHz per turn, but that is not quite working yet. A picture has been posted (see PHOTOS in the BITX20 forum pages under K7HKL) to show the mechanical design. A schematic has not yet been finalized because the oscillator is prototype and still being modified for tuning range and temperature stability. K7HKL |
Re: Bitx 20, Help me!
Hi,
Please I do not have the 10MHz crystals to make the filter, but Ito make the filter with new values of resistor and capacitor?this kind of filter can be made with several x-tals. For SSB usualy x-tals above 10 MHz are used, however, lower is also possible. The lower the x-tal frequency, the smaller the capacitors between the x-tals must be. modify the Bitx20 to Bitx40 is only to modify the Band Pass filterBecause almost everything is broadband, it is possible to make it for the band you want. Exact details: with a dipper and some experiments you will find it out! Best regards, Chris, PA3CRX |
Components
Hans Summers
The order for the 2nd round of components is now in. With any luck, they
arrive tomorrow and I despatch them to you tomorrow. Due to a shortage of 2N2219 at Viewcom I ordered the real 2N2218 from Mode Components. Slightly cheaper too :-) Just like last time, I have ordered two extra sets of components, comprising all semiconductors, ten 10MHz crystals, trimmer capacitors and a 200pF tuning capacitor. If anyone wants one of these two spare sets, the price is exactly ?8, plus ?0.28 UK postage (or whatever the postage for 50g to your country is, if you are outside the UK). 72/3 Hans G0UPL |
Re: Bitx 20, Help me!
Hans Summers
Note that I have 20 spare 10MHz crystals, from my components order. Price is
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?2.23 for 10 crystals, plus postage at cost. 73 Hans G0UPL -----Original Message-----
From: felipetanaweb [mailto:felipetanaweb@...] Sent: 01 July 2004 14:33 To: BITX20@... Subject: [BITX20] Bitx 20, Help me! Please I do not have the 10MHz crystals to make the filter, but I have 5 pieces of 8MHz crystals with this 8MHz crystals is possible to make the filter with new values of resistor and capacitor?And to modify the Bitx20 to Bitx40 is only to modify the Band Pass filter and de oscillator?Somebody has this modification? Thanks! |
Bitx 20, Help me!
felipetanaweb
Please I do not have the 10MHz crystals to make the filter, but I
have 5 pieces of 8MHz crystals with this 8MHz crystals is possible to make the filter with new values of resistor and capacitor?And to modify the Bitx20 to Bitx40 is only to modify the Band Pass filter and de oscillator?Somebody has this modification? Thanks! |
Re: level and wave shape after balans mixer?
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHi All
?
I rather agree with Mark - I have done a lot
of construction in the past and the absence of such info takes a long time of
searching for a fault.? AND It will make great testing and fault finding
practice for my club members whilst I am building the project.
?
the question is how best to show it
...
?
I suggest a second schematic so that the
first is used during construction and then the second during testing.? At
the point where? a value wants to be put annotate with an arrow and letter
and then list the information separately ..
?
Mark if you give me the info then I would
happily try to do a suitable sheet and post it to the group fro
discussion
?
Regards
Charles
?
? -----Original Message----- - farhan wrote:From: Mark [mailto:Mark@...] Sent: 01 July 2004 12:19 To: BITX20@... Subject: [BITX20] Re: level and wave shape after balans mixer? i am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements for the transceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. i will post them soon. I would welcome test measurements - two days of head scratching so far! The RX is alive in my rig but not yet kicking! I have a lot of BFO audible in the output also I have had to bypass the xtal filter and the band pass filter to get any signal strength. I'll tell you all this story just for fun. I had no joy with the band pass filter and nearly threw the rig out of the window. Then I realised that when I had "made" 2.2 pm out of 5 x 10pf caps I had them in parralel and not series! Oh boy, the basic mistakes! I try some more tomorrow. Mark G0MGX --- In BITX20@..., "vdberghak" wrote: > Thanks for the additional information. > > > the correct schmatics are now at www.phonestack.com/farhan. > I checked again and found > out that point 5 and 6 are stil wrong (not in accordance with the > data sheet, as noticed and posted by someone else). > I connected it correctly but an other person that follows the > schematic can have serious problems. > (if you make adjustments to your site, may be you can also add a > link to this yahoo group?). > > The point is that I expected more output after the mixer. I am > always suspicious with that kind of coils (did I take the right one, > did I make the correct connections, is it really working the way it > should be) so I like to check something. > > > if you have already made the crystal filter, it is best that you > measure > > and check the signal at the output Q12 (without the RF mixer > connected). > I will work on it today and add directly the next stages to > terminate the filter as good as possible. I hope the output will > then be incresed some more otherwise I do not end up with enough > power at the end (or am I pessimistic ;-)? ). > > > have you tested the receiver? yet? it is usually the recevier that > comes > > alive first. > The receiver works, while connecting a wire to Q3 I hear a lot more > then with the wire connected to the mixer. > > > i am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements for > the > > transceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. i > will post > > them soon. > > In general, voltages can be checked easily to find out roughly that > the connections are correct and the correct values resistors are > mounted. Some general clues about what can be expected while > connecting a wire to a point or what voltage can be measured with > simple test gear would make it more complete indeed. May be current > with and without oscilator on (for every stage) will avoid the need > for more test equipment? > Adding too many measurement possibilities may be prevents a lot of > people building the design because they think it is all needed. > Doing the way you do now makes it important for everyone to > understand the circuit resulting in a higher level of radio > amateurs ;-) > > Other builders comments? > Best regards, > Chris, PA3CRX |
Re: 10 MHz crystal matching
Hans Summers
Here are my measurements in ascending order:I just measured the resonance frequency of ten 10 MHz 9,994,677 9,994,704 9,994,733 9,994,747 9,994,799 0 9,994,811 +12 9,994,821 +22 9,994,829 +30 9,994,874 9,994,887 You can see the chosen 4, which are within 30 Hz. I wouldn't have been able to match a second set within 45Hz. Note: these frequency counter readings are on my homebrew frequency counter ( ) which is installed in my 80/40m receiver (). Previously in 30m QRSS beacon experiments () I built a simple 30m direct conversion receiver () and calibrated the frequency counter against the Moscow RWM timesignal on 9,996,000. My counter was reading just over 1KHz too low at this frequency. So the measurements above would need to be revised upwards by about 1KHz. But it's the relative frequency which is important here anyway, and I haven't repeated the calibration. Farhan has spoken about theoretically determining the shape. I'd also likeDid somebody already plot the passband shape of aHow do you do that? Figure out the shape that is? to see experimental measurements. One way is to use a spectrum analyser with tracking generator and very narrow bandwidths available. The filter shape would appear directly on the screen. I built a spectrum analyser ( ) and someday I will make a tracking generator, but not yet (too many other projects). When I have time, I indend to build another logarithmic amplifier using the excellent (but expensive) AD8307 chip. Using this with a voltmeter to measure the logarithmic output, a frequency counter and a 30m VFO it would be possible to take a series of measurements of the filter attenuation at different frequencies and plot the curve. The log amp on my spectrum analyser can be seen here: /index.htm. You'll note that it's a very simple circuit. I think this will provide a cheap way to obtain the passband curve. 72/3 de Hans G0UPL |
Re: level and wave shape after balans mixer?
Mark
- farhan wrote:
i am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements for the transceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. i will post them soon. I would welcome test measurements - two days of head scratching so far! The RX is alive in my rig but not yet kicking! I have a lot of BFO audible in the output also I have had to bypass the xtal filter and the band pass filter to get any signal strength. I'll tell you all this story just for fun. I had no joy with the band pass filter and nearly threw the rig out of the window. Then I realised that when I had "made" 2.2 pm out of 5 x 10pf caps I had them in parralel and not series! Oh boy, the basic mistakes! I try some more tomorrow. Mark G0MGX --- In BITX20@..., "vdberghak" <vdberghak@z...> wrote: Thanks for the additional information.foundthe correct schmatics are now at www.phonestack.com/farhan.I checked again and out that point 5 and 6 are stil wrong (not in accordance with theone, did I make the correct connections, is it really working the wayit should be) so I like to check something.thatif you have already made the crystal filter, it is best that youmeasureand check the signal at the output Q12 (without the RF mixerconnected). comesmorealive first.The receiver works, while connecting a wire to Q3 I hear a lot then with the wire connected to the mixer.fori am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements thethattransceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. iwill postthem soon.In general, voltages can be checked easily to find out roughly the connections are correct and the correct values resistors arecurrent with and without oscilator on (for every stage) will avoid theneed for more test equipment? |
Re: level and wave shape after balans mixer?
Thanks for the additional information.
the correct schmatics are now at www.phonestack.com/farhan.I checked again and found out that point 5 and 6 are stil wrong (not in accordance with the data sheet, as noticed and posted by someone else). I connected it correctly but an other person that follows the schematic can have serious problems. (if you make adjustments to your site, may be you can also add a link to this yahoo group?). The point is that I expected more output after the mixer. I am always suspicious with that kind of coils (did I take the right one, did I make the correct connections, is it really working the way it should be) so I like to check something. if you have already made the crystal filter, it is best that youmeasure and check the signal at the output Q12 (without the RF mixerconnected). I will work on it today and add directly the next stages to terminate the filter as good as possible. I hope the output will then be incresed some more otherwise I do not end up with enough power at the end (or am I pessimistic ;-) ). have you tested the receiver yet? it is usually the recevier thatcomes alive first.The receiver works, while connecting a wire to Q3 I hear a lot more then with the wire connected to the mixer. i am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements forthe transceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. iwill post them soon.In general, voltages can be checked easily to find out roughly that the connections are correct and the correct values resistors are mounted. Some general clues about what can be expected while connecting a wire to a point or what voltage can be measured with simple test gear would make it more complete indeed. May be current with and without oscilator on (for every stage) will avoid the need for more test equipment? Adding too many measurement possibilities may be prevents a lot of people building the design because they think it is all needed. Doing the way you do now makes it important for everyone to understand the circuit resulting in a higher level of radio amateurs ;-) Other builders comments? Best regards, Chris, PA3CRX |
Crystal filter passband shape
ashhar_farhan
--- In BITX20@..., "n3ted" <tedkell@e...> wrote:
crystalDid somebody already plot the passband shape of a resulting 4 the shape is easy to figure out if you already know the crystalfilter?How do you do that? Figure out the shape that is? parameters. the crystal parameters are easier to measure now thanks to the G3UUR method. i have outlined it at . the essential idea is that a crystal filter looks like a capacitor and an inductor in series (these are called motional capacitance and motional inductance respectively). in addition to these, between the leads of the crystal you will also be able measure a parallel capacitance. using the G3UUR method, you put each of the crystals into the oscillator and measure its frequency. then you solder a 22pf or a 33pf in series with the crystal and measure the frequency shift. the shift gives you a good approximation of the motional capacitance and given the capacitance it is trivial to calculate the inductance (given that we know the crystal's frequency). the parallel capacitance is also approximated and the crystal is completely modelled. once you know the crystal parameters, you can spend a weekend understanding the butterworth filter design. or you can use the cookbook method in EMRFD like I did, or just use w7zoi program that comes with his other book Introduction to RF Design. using the my motional parameters, w7zoi did run it through his program GPLA.exe and i have just uploaded the results to the pictures folder. i am including his comments that go with the picture below: <snip> The first file, ashhar01, part A, shows the filter I designed with your motional L of 11.95 mH. I designed for 2200 Hz bandwidth and a Butterworth response. Then the filter at part B is a more practical version of the same thing. It is much like the filter that you ended up building. My simulations suggest that is really is worthwhile to add the tuning capacitors at the ends though, for it produces a much smoother, ripple free response. The first analysis I did used equal terminations of 200 Ohms (perhaps 220) at each end and the response was of course text book. But the question remained -- what would the response be if the filter was terminated in other resistances. The file ashhar02 shows what you get with a 50 Ohm source and a 200 Ohm load. This is still pretty good. The response is not nearly so good with 100 Ohms per side, which is about the characteristic Z0 of your amplifiers. </snip> - farhan |
Re: level and wave shape after balans mixer?
Ashhar Farhan
On Wed, 30 Jun 2004, vdberghak wrote:
The LF parts works fine (a pitty the schematic is not corrected withthe correct schmatics are now at www.phonestack.com/farhan. i have run out of bandwidth on . ther is no way i can access those files now. just before i ran out of bandwidth, i did manage to put a redirect on the home page. yo probably have te BITX20 page directly bookmarked. which is why you are not being redirected to the new site. If I add a sinus LF wave to theyou need a 10mV signal at the base of the mic. this is usually too low to be measured with an oscilloscope. your best bet is to actually connect a mic and speak into it. if you can whistle (keeping your breath away from the mic), it is a single tone-test. an extended 'aaaa' looks like a three-tone test to me. the other side is clipeed, because you note, the diodes in the mixer will clamp the output through the attentuator. this is an expected behaviour. If I put a lot of LF signal in it (looks heavily distorted, then Iit is best to check the balanced modulator on its own first, without the mic connected. you should be able to null the carrier at mid setting of the preset and the 22pf trimmer. if that works, then you can move to the audio stage. typically, keeping the audio output of the mic amp connected to diode modulator, you should see similar waveforms at the modulator input (where the two transformer windings are shorted) and the output (the attentuator pad) when using the oscilloscope at audio frequencies (keeping the time base to about 10mSec per div). as you have pointed out, the distortion is due to the non-linear nature of the diodes. To measure the RF component alone, you should measure the output through a hihg pass filter. for quick and dirty measurement, connecte an RFC across the output of the attenuator and then connected the oscilloscope. if you have already made the crystal fitler, it is best that you measure and check the signal at the output Q12 (without the RF mixer connected). there is little that can go wrong in the Q12 and Q11. the only caveat is that depending upon the exact frequency of the BFO, you might or might not get SSB. If you are sitting in the middle of the filter's passband, you will get DSB with audio roll-off at 1-2khz. but the enveolope will be there to see. have you tested the receiver yet? it is usually the recevier that comes alive first. it gives you a good idea of how things are working. i am convinced that we need to add detailed test measurements for the transceiver on the site. i have most of them in my log book. i will post them soon. - farhan The distortion I can imagine can be caused by one of the diodes, but |
level and wave shape after balans mixer?
Hi,
I build some parts of the transceiver and tested every part individualy. The LF parts works fine (a pitty the schematic is not corrected with the voltage/output of the lm386). If I add a sinus LF wave to the microphone terminal, the shape looks simular on the colector. However, as soon as I connect the coil of the balans mixer to it, it becomes a-symetrical (one side is going to be clipped). If I put a lot of LF signal in it (looks heavily distorted, then I get a maximum output(after the attenuater) of about 0.2 mw. (in 50 ohm). After reducing the LF signal to a point it looks normal, the output power is very very less.... Did anyone look at the osciloscoop the way I did? Anyone measured the output? The distortion I can imagine can be caused by one of the diodes, but such low output at that moment? After the next amp (before the x-tal filter, the maximum output is about 1 mw (in 50 ohm). The reason is that I measure in 50 ohm is that the load is in the mw. meter. Thanks in advance for your comments, Chris PA3CRX |
Re: 10 MHz crystal matching
n3ted
--- In BITX20@..., Heinz Schnait <oe5eep@q...> wrote:
Hello,found a set of four within 30 Hz and another set of four within 45 Hz.How do you do that? Figure out the shape that is? Tnx N3Ted
|
10 MHz crystal matching
Heinz Schnait
Hello,
I just measured the resonance frequency of ten 10 MHz crystals. I found a set of four within 30 Hz and another set of four within 45 Hz. How does this compare to other peoples results? Did somebody already plot the passband shape of a resulting 4 crystal filter? 73 Heinz, OE5EEP |
Components, 2nd round
Hans Summers
BITX'ers,
DEADLINE: 12:00 UTC THURSDAY 01-JUL-04 (TOMORROW!) Paolo, Farhan and myself are investigating the possibility of a complete kit of all parts for the project, including resistors, capacitors, variable resistors, etc along with the previous semiconductors + crystals pack. This will probably take a while to organise. In the interim, I have received a request from Charles G4VSZ for 4 component packs for himself and his club. I also have an outstanding request from Jim N6OTQ. So this week I will run another round of component sourcing. The components come mostly from Rapid Electronics because their prices are excellent. The LM386 comes from Farnell, because then I can be sure that it is the LM386N-1 variant, which is uncertain from Rapid. The 2N2219 comes from Viewcom () and incurs some postage fees which I have to add to their transistor price. The price is the price of the components, no profit for G0UPL :-( If more people order, the price will decrease slightly. Last time with 9 orders, it was ?8.19 + ?0.28 postage. At the present time with 5 orders, the prices are: ?3.29 Qty 10 of 10.000 MHz crystals, HC49 style ?0.59 Qty 25 of BC547B transistors ?0.75 2N2219A driver transistor ?1.53 IRF510 MOSFET ?0.19 Qty 15 of 1N4148 diodes ?0.07 36V Zener diode ?0.05 9.1V Zener diode ?0.05 5.6V Zener diode ?0.29 LM386N-1 Audio Amp IC (correct variety) ?1.88 Qty 5 of 2-22pF trimmer capacitor ?0.71 Miniature tuning capacitor* ?9.68 total including ?0.28 UK postage. * NOTE: The tuning capacitor is one of the miniature kind as used in portable radios. Size is 20.2 x 20.2 x 10.8mm. Control shaft is 6.6mm diameter tapped with 2.6mm thread. Panel mounting is via twwo 2.6mm tapped screws next to the control shaft. Capacitance: AM section 3.0 - 141.6pF, Oscillator section 4.0 - 59.2pF. So in parallel you'd have 200pF which is less than Farhan's design for 350pF. It might therefore be necessary to alter the VFO coil to get the required tuning range. Feel free to order extras of any item for spares, or exclude things you don't want. Any more orders? 73 Hans G0UPL |
Re: Digital dial for BITX20 using PIC
John Fisher
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýThis is really Cool, thanks very much
:-)
?Regards, ?John ?
=============================================
email:????? k5jhf@... photos:??? files:??????? webpage:? callsign:??? K5JHF =============================================
|
Re: Inductors - RX Probs
Jim Strohm
On Jun 29, 2004, at 8:13 AM, Mark Jones wrote:
Here's what I have:That wire is large enough that it should not have fractured within its enamel coating. For L1 - 3, an ohmmeter will confirm continuity. For T1 and T3 -- this is worth asking -- did you use multi-colored wire for the trifilar winding to ensure proper connections and phasing? And did you check continuity before and after you soldered? A trifilar winding of #28 is much likelier to break without showing visible damage than the #24. The only other possible cause I can think of is that the toroids are mis-marked and are so far from providing the right inductances as to make the circuit fail. If you can trust your supplier, this should not be a problem -- to test, use the mfg. data sheet to calculate inductance, place a 1 nF cap across the inductor's leads, and hit it with a dip meter. If it's a good toroid, it'll test within 10% of predicted inductance. Jim N6OTQ |
Inductors - RX Probs
Mark Jones
Hi all
Looking for some help here. Testing the RX today, AF amp clearly OK, the simple tests in the text work out fine i.e. Touch base Q4 static, Q3 more static, Q2 less static. Trimmers with L1,2 & 3 do little or nothing, but the trimmer in the T3 mixer has a huge effect on noise out of the speaker. At either end of the travel very loud. It looks like there is no RF coming in. I have re-wound the two mixers with no change, I'm wondering about the coils. Here's what I have: L1,2,3 22 turns 24 SWG on T-50-6 T1, T3 13 turns triffiliar 28 SWG on FT37-43 Any thoughts? Mark Jones (G0MGX) 07971 091767 |
Re: Chip pad
Jim Strohm
On Jun 29, 2004, at 3:31 AM, g4dfv2004 wrote:
An easier method to make a pad for non-SMD IC's is to use 0.1"And an even easier -- yet vastly more expensive -- method is to use one of the etched adapter boards that brings out the pins from a surface-mount chip to 0.1-in spacing pads. SMD chips can be soldered to these with little difficulty and a small iron as Hans noted. Nowadays I use a lighted magnifier -- even on DIP stuff -- because it's a lot easier on me. And I have a cute little Intel Play USB microscope that has a 10X setting for the more challenging SMD stuff. Jim N6OTQ |
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