Likely the 80 or 40M version, however they are all the same save for the tuned circuits.
Starting point? would be T1 made untuned then the RX wors on many band
limited by the LPF filter.? If broad cast breakthough is an issue then a highpass
filter with a low frequency cutoff of 1.7mhz is needed.? Also 160M can be done but
due to the handling of the Si5351 opposing sideband rejection is not very good.
I'd limit RX to 80 through 10m?
The TX is far harder, because to get efficiency out of the class E the fets it have
to be? feeding into a tuned matching system?so really a LPF for each band d
esired and also L4/C30 as a pair for each band. TX on 160 is doable, 10M
may be very poor on power out.? ?To do all this a band switched output
filter is a must (Its also used by the RX).
Building several would likely be easier as 80M and 40 is rather poor during
the day, 30M holds up ok at night, and 20M fades at night.
60M is also possible but CW only (USA).
Allison
--
Please reply on list so we can share.
Off list email goes to trash, I had to due to scrapers.
|
Re: More paddles and keys ...
Found this on instructables.
73 Lawrence Harris VA7EDU
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
They aren't difficult to wind. K&S Metals has
small dia. piano wire. Use an ordinary screw as a form. I
usually go with a screw the next size down from what I want as
they tend to unwind a little. You can also wind them on dowels
and bamboo skewers. I do this often when I need one right away
for development, then replace it later when I have time as the
commercial ones have much nicer finish winds on the ends.
Eric KE6US
On 11/27/2019 6:36 PM, Mike Easterbrook
wrote:
Thanks for the suggestion Niels. That was one
source of springs I hadn't thought of. Those that I've checked
so far are either wrong ID for the 3mm screw or wound in wrong
"sense" .
Continuing to look. Closest I've found is
tensioning wire for net curtains but all I can get here are
too small ID
Mike
On Mon, 25 Nov 2019, 19:34
Niels Jalling, < niels@...>
wrote:
Take a look inside a ballpen
from your pile of old pens.
73 de
OZ9NY Niels
|
Hi Folks,
we want to experiment creating a multiband QCX.
Which would be the best version to start from? I have seen that now you can change the QRG in 1 Mhz steps. Would that mean you can just move to another band and it would work more or less. What would need to be adjusted I found some hints on the forum but its so split up into different topics, that I got lost. Mabe it would be worthwile to get all that informtionin one topic. QSX would be nice but a multiband QCX would do for me.
73s
Martin DK3UW
|
Thanks! And happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it.
Jack, W8TEE
On Thursday, November 28, 2019, 2:47:36 PM EST, Mark Pupilli <ns9mmark@...> wrote:
Congratulations Al and Jack! I also cannot wait to get my hands on your new book. (Although I guess I will have to.)
73' and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark NS9M
|
Re: More paddles and keys ...
They aren't difficult to wind. K&S Metals has
small dia. piano wire. Use an ordinary screw as a form. I
usually go with a screw the next size down from what I want as
they tend to unwind a little. You can also wind them on dowels
and bamboo skewers. I do this often when I need one right away
for development, then replace it later when I have time as the
commercial ones have much nicer finish winds on the ends.
Eric KE6US
On 11/27/2019 6:36 PM, Mike Easterbrook
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks for the suggestion Niels. That was one
source of springs I hadn't thought of. Those that I've checked
so far are either wrong ID for the 3mm screw or wound in wrong
"sense" .
Continuing to look. Closest I've found is
tensioning wire for net curtains but all I can get here are
too small ID
Mike
On Mon, 25 Nov 2019, 19:34
Niels Jalling, < niels@...>
wrote:
Take a look inside a ballpen
from your pile of old pens.
73 de
OZ9NY Niels
|
The QLG1 requires 5V only if you built it to
require 5v. On the next to last page of the instructions there's
a section "Powering From 3.3v". Delete the LM317 regulator and
jumper across two pins. Works fine. I power one from a RPi Zero
at 3.3v with no problem. The project is a freestanding GPS
clock.
Eric KE6US
On 11/28/2019 2:46 AM, Michael Johnson
via Groups.Io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
As I understand it the QLG1 needs a 5 volt supply,
i also managed to fall? into this trap with a supply of around
4.5 volts,
Hope this helps.
Vy 73 Mike
|
Allison,
I am sure Hans is quite capable and doesn't need another person messing with his software, the old too many cooks in the kitchen story.? I was just trying to acknowledge all of the programmers that have been telling of their past/vast experience with the different variations of languages/chips that have come along over the years, and perhaps to remind Hans that there are probably thousands waiting on the QSX's arrival.? But I'm sure he knows that already.? Happy Thanksgiving to all that celebrate it.
|
Congratulations Al and Jack! I also cannot wait to get my hands on your new book. (Although I guess I will have to.)
73' and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mark NS9M
|
It's not common knowledge, but marketing types have only one helix in their DNA, so they can be re-programmed if you're careful.? :)
On 11/28/2019 12:37 PM, Larry Howell wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hans does have a major advantage over other firmware developers.? He's the developer, the project manager, and the marketing department.? I always had marketing breathing down my neck, and they thought time for testing was just a delaying tactic.
I'm sure Hans' recent firmware upgrades for the clock and QCX were needed breaks from QSX development.
Larry AC8YE
On Thu, 28 Nov 2019 at 11:15, SkipF, NT1G < skip.flem@...> wrote: ? ? ?Sounds like 'another job' for Hans...
Please, please, don’t give Hans any more jobs he has the QSX to think about.
73 from Clive G8POC?
All good things are worth waiting for ?
|
Excellent example of home-brewing! Very nice, Helmut!
On 11/28/2019 11:49 AM, Helmut, DK2ZA wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi,
I am using a battery of 12 cells in series giving 12 x 1.2 V = 14.4 V. The QCX needs 14.4 V for the analog circuitry and for the PA to provide an output of 4 W.
The digital circuitry and the LCD use 5V at 87 mA. So (14.4 V - 5 V) x 87 mA = 818 mW are converted to heat in the 7805 and in R48 (270 Ohm). Can this be avoided?
On Amazon and ebay I found this switching DC-DC converter for 1 Euro (shipping included).
Unfortunately it is too high to fit under the PCB. But it takes only a firm grip to remove the two electrolytic capacitors. The trimmer potentiometer can be desoldered. Two of its pins were connected together. So the potentiometer can be replaced by a single
resistor of 1000 Ohm giving an output voltage of 5 V.
The electrolytic capacitors are replaced by cylindrical ones with a diameter of 8 mm. I added the three blue ceramic capacitors of 1 Microfarad in parallel to the electrolytics to supress the higher harmonics of the switching frequency. This is also the purpose
of the toroid which I found in my experiments box. It has an inductance of about 30 Microhenry and is wound with 0.5 mm diameter wire.
The last picture shows how the DC DC converter is mounted on the underside of the PCB. A thin plastic foil separates the two PCBs. The red wire brings 14.4 V to IN+. The green wire brings 5 V to LCD pin 15. A second (and larger) foil isolates the converter
from the enclosure.
Results:
Before the modification RX current was 133 mA. After the modification RX current is 90 mA, 32% less than before. Battery life is now 48% longer.
The LCD backlight is quite bright, so I replaced the green wire with a 100 Ohm resistor. Now RX current is 81 mA and battery life ist 64% longer.
73 de Helmut, DK2ZA
|
Re: Improvement for 40m BPF for the U3s
With band pass filters you tune for center frequency using caps, then
impedance (match, return? loss) with turns on primary.
Anything better than -20db RL is good.? Outside the band pass
anything can be true and normal.
If the filter is properly tuned the input RL is a function of load match
and of the load is 50 ohm resistor then the input match should be
good if the construction is symmetrical and not excessively over
coupled.
So for testing the filter load should be 50 ohms anything else is
questionable.? That means insuring the VNA input is a 50 ohm match.
That is usually assured when SOLT cal is done with the cables in place.
Allison
--
Please reply on list so we can share.
Off list email goes to trash, I had to due to scrapers.
|
All:
Most of you are aware that Al (AC8GY) and I are working on a sequel to the Projects book titled Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio. We changed the title because we have not limited ourselves to the Arduino family of processors, but include the STM32F1, ESP32, and the Teensy 4.0 controllers. All can be (and, for the book, are) programmed in the Arduino IDE using C. Today, Al and I finished writing the narrative for the last chapter of the book.
We have signed with the ARRL to publish the book, and one reason for signing with them is that they had enough faith to sign a contract with us, but allow us to finish all of the projects before submitting the chapters. That way, Al and I could work in the absence of a publisher breathing down our necks. That's the good news. The bad news is that, despite us beating our Jan 1, 2020, deadline, they are putting the new License manual ahead of us in the production queue. (Boo !) I asked if it would be ready by FDIM and they said no. That was a huge disappointment, but it is what it is. I'm still hopeful it will be out before the end of the second quarter of next year. Still, we feel like a 15 month stone has been lifted off our backs.
Anyway, what follows are some photos of most of the projects. I'll keep everyone posted on publishing details when I know them.
Jack, W8TEE Al, AC8GY
two channel DSP (there's a preprocessor project, too)
Signal generator, up to 30MHz.
All kinds of test functions (i.e., different wave forms at various voltages)
30W mini DL with watt meter (almost fits in a shirt pocket)
Old computer PS redesigned for powering the projects.
Morse Code Tutor (the subject of my FDIM presentation this year) Antenna tuner with SWR display and scan function (very useful for trimming antennas)
Our Mag loop with remote controller (tested to 100' and used in Field Day).
|
Re: Improvement for 40m BPF for the U3s
Jim,
Are you talking about a low pass filter or a bandpass filter?
If using the bandpass filters you have the large turns count side of the inductors for the selectivity and the small turns count for the match? to 50ohms.?
If using the low pass filters you can use the nanoVNA to measure the impedance of the L1/L2/L3 and the capacitors and use this calculator
to calculate the 7th order Chebyshev filter for you desired frequency and change the inductors till they match the calculated design
Erik, PD0EK
|
OOOps, I forgot to mention that the 7805 and R48 (270 Ohm)? are of course left out now!
|
Larry hit the nail on the head! 73 Hans G0UPL?
Hans does have a major advantage over other firmware developers.? He's the developer, the project manager, and the marketing department.? I always had marketing breathing down my neck, and they thought time for testing was just a delaying tactic. I'm sure Hans' recent firmware upgrades for the clock and QCX were needed breaks from QSX development.
Larry AC8YE
On Thu, 28 Nov 2019 at 11:15, SkipF, NT1G < skip.flem@...> wrote: ? ? ?Sounds like 'another job' for Hans...
Please, please, don’t give Hans any more jobs he has the QSX to think about.
73 from Clive G8POC?
All good things are worth waiting for ?
|
Hans does have a major advantage over other firmware developers.? He's the developer, the project manager, and the marketing department.? I always had marketing breathing down my neck, and they thought time for testing was just a delaying tactic. I'm sure Hans' recent firmware upgrades for the clock and QCX were needed breaks from QSX development.
Larry AC8YE
On Thu, 28 Nov 2019 at 11:15, SkipF, NT1G < skip.flem@...> wrote: ? ? ?Sounds like 'another job' for Hans...
Please, please, don’t give Hans any more jobs he has the QSX to think about.
73 from Clive G8POC?
All good things are worth waiting for ?
|
Dave,
He has help.?
The big issue with SDR is that your not just a programmer as the programming
interacts with hardware, sometimes more so than one would be aware of.? It
has to be the best example of programming close to the metal.
That and multiple programmers is like herding cats.? I've been there and
done that.
Allison
--
Please reply on list so we can share.
Off list email goes to trash, I had to due to scrapers.
|
Another way to reduce current is change R48, that determines the backlight brightness
Increasing it lower the brightness and the current.? The stock 270 ohm is 37ma,
increasing to 1000 ohms lowers it to about 9-10ma.? ? At an even lower 5ma its
more than adequate brightness for indoors or shaded locations.
The "green wire mod" with 100 ohms resistor accomplishes the same net effect.
The backlight is very bright so R48 reduction can help greatly with power savings.
Adding Helmut's switch mode regulator mod replacing the LM7805 improves that further.
In mine I've use a TI designed 5V regulator that is lower power but about 10% more
efficient.? They are not as inexpensive but I had one seeking a application and its a
quieter design.
There are a lot of things that are modifiable? on the QCX.? Fun Radio.
Allison
--
Please reply on list so we can share.
Off list email goes to trash, I had to due to scrapers.
|
Hi,
I am using a battery of 12 cells in series giving 12 x 1.2 V = 14.4 V. The QCX needs 14.4 V for the analog circuitry and for the PA to provide an output of 4 W.
The digital circuitry and the LCD use 5V at 87 mA. So (14.4 V - 5 V) x 87 mA = 818 mW are converted to heat in the 7805 and in R48 (270 Ohm). Can this be avoided?
On Amazon and ebay I found this switching DC-DC converter for 1 Euro (shipping included).
Unfortunately it is too high to fit under the PCB. But it takes only a firm grip to remove the two electrolytic capacitors. The trimmer potentiometer can be desoldered. Two of its pins were connected together. So the potentiometer can be replaced by a single resistor of 1000 Ohm giving an output voltage of 5 V.
The electrolytic capacitors are replaced by cylindrical ones with a diameter of 8 mm. I added the three blue ceramic capacitors of 1 Microfarad in parallel to the electrolytics to supress the higher harmonics of the switching frequency. This is also the purpose of the toroid which I found in my experiments box. It has an inductance of about 30 Microhenry and is wound with 0.5 mm diameter wire.
The last picture shows how the DC DC converter is mounted on the underside of the PCB. A thin plastic foil separates the two PCBs. The red wire brings 14.4 V to IN+. The green wire brings 5 V to LCD pin 15. A second (and larger) foil isolates the converter from the enclosure.
Results:
Before the modification RX current was 133 mA. After the modification RX current is 90 mA, 32% less than before. Battery life is now 48% longer.
The LCD backlight is quite bright, so I replaced the green wire with a 100 Ohm resistor. Now RX current is 81 mA and battery life ist 64% longer.
73 de Helmut, DK2ZA
|
Hi,
Reduce the battery pack to 10 cells and the current will be reduced as well as the voltage. Your output power will be reduced but not enough to make any practical performance changes beyond reducing that wasted battery drain. At three watts a distant ham will be unable to tell that you reduced power.
73,
Bill KU8H
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 11/28/19 11:28 AM, Helmut, DK2ZA wrote: Hi,
I am using a battery of 12 cells in series giving 12 x 1.2 V = 14.4 V. The QCX needs 14.4 V for the analog circuitry and for the PA to provide an output of 4 W.
The digital circuitry and the LCD use 5V at 87 mA. So (14.4 V - 5 V) x 87 mA = 818 mW are converted to heat in the 7805 and in R48 (270 Ohm). Can this be avoided?
On Amazon and ebay I found this switching DC-DC converter for 1 Euro (shipping included).
Unfortunately it is too high to fit under the PCB. But it takes only a firm grip to remove the two electrolytic capacitors. The trimmer potentiometer can be desoldered. Two of its pins were connected together. So the potentiometer can be replaced by a single resistor of 1000 Ohm giving an output voltage of 5 V.
The electrolytic capacitors are replaced by cylindrical ones with a diameter of 8 mm. I added the three blue ceramic capacitors of 1 Microfarad to supress the higher harmonics of the switching frequency. This is also the purpose of the toroid which I found in my experiments box. It has an inductance of about 30 Microhenry and is wound with 0.5 mm diameter wire.
The last picture shows how the DC DC converter is mounted on the underside of the PCB. A thin plastic foil separates the two PCBs. The red wire brings 14.4 V to IN+. The green wire brings 5 V to LCD pin 15. A second (and larger) foil isolates the converter from the enclosure.
Results:
Before the modification RX current was 133 mA. After the modification RX current is 90 mA, 32% less than before. Battery life is now 48% longer.
The LCD backlight is quite bright, so I replaced the green wire with a 100 Ohm resistor. Now RX current is 81 mA and battery life ist 64% longer.
73 de Helmut, DK2ZA
--
bark less - wag more
|
Lawrence
jjpurdum
Eric KE6US
Helmut, DK2ZA
Larry - AC8YE