Hi Frank
Good to hear you are still interested in the Irwell transceiver, I tried to call you on the landline this evening but got no answer but will try again tomorrow.
I desperately need to update the blog as a few things have been updated with the project including a new module for the digi modes, dual conversion IF and changes to the VFO including new software that has been written from the ground up. The software has some new features including a menu system and it is now able to operate all three of the Si5351 IC's which paved the way for dual conversion which is working nicely.?
The software has always been a sticking point for me regarding the development of the transceiver, I am not a software engineer and lack programming skills but I have managed to fumble my way around the Arduino platform with a little self learning, this has allowed me to make certain changes and additions to the Japanese software that I was originally using, all of which are documented on the blog. The changes and additions I made were fully functional even if the software implementation was not perfect.
My own experience with the Arduino platform has taught me that to do anything beyond basic tasks requires a knowledge of the under pinning "C" programming language and ideally a degree qualification in computer science and a few years hands on experience working with it, sadly I do not posses those skills and winging it with somebody else's code means you pick up other peoples bad habits and even add to them yourself.
Fortunately and by chance I came across a retired software engineer who has all of the outlined traits, a masters degree in computer science, 40 plus years of professional programming and an interest in electronics and ham radio. In short I have had the pleasure of working in conjunction with this engineer to develop the software for my transceiver, we did some great Zoom sessions and I learned a lot about how to structure code and optimise it, the end result is software I can follow and easily make changes to, then there is the added bonus I get to call it my own :)?? Dave thank you for your time, devotion and skill!
I have now extended my Arduino book library with a couple of books on "C" programming and have every intention to further my own programming knowledge but for now I accept my limitations.
And finally with sticking block out of the way I can now look to finishing the long overdue Irwell project.
At the moment I am busy adding FM mode into the receiver IF module and about 70% done laying out yet another revision IF PCB, I have lost count how many different IF modules I have built and experimented with.
Anyway enough for now I will try and call you tomorrow and I guess my reply will serve nicely as a project update for the rest of the group.
Regards
Andy G6LBQ
