Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
Re; SST transceivers, for those considering a homebrew version:
For my 20m SST, I made several worthwhile mods:
1.? I added a JFET amplifier after the crystal filter feeding into the '603 product detector per NA5N's circuit in his Homebrewer's Handbook. ? ? ?Not so much for additional?RX gain; it does decrease the NF a bit. 2.? Added a second tuned circuit after the '602 transmit mixer. This used a T30-6 mounted below the board where pins 4 and 5 were located and ? ? ?small diameter wires connecting the?inductor to a very small variable?capacitor (30 pF 4mm) mounted on top of the board towards the centre of the board ? ? ?between the '602 and LT1252, with a small NP0 or C0G, 2.5 mm LS, to bring?it to resonance. The existing 5 pF NP0s seemed to work OK in creating the ? ? ?needed BP. 3.? For the crystal filter, changed to 220 pF coupling capacitors between the crystals and changed the in and out L networks to 22 uH and 56 pF, per K8IQY's ? ? ?version of his 10m Iowa SST, as in QRPp.?The lower filter impedance gives a bit sharper filter; his (K8IQY's) filter uses the same 3.932 MHz (nominal) ? ? ?crystals as the 20m version. 4.? For the VXO, adding a small value NP0 or C0G (~2p2 - 5 or 6pF) will increase the tuning ranging. One might also mount an axial RFC vertically in the ? ? ?original ?VXO's RFC and add a smaller?value in ?series to extend the tuning range downward. It will get to the point that the JFET oscillator voltage ? ? ?decreases at the low end; that's how you'll it's gone too far. 5. The early WR SST boards had through holes?for a capacitor near the AF gain control. Adding a capacitor?(~ 10-15 uF electrolytic?or tantalum) will roll off? ? ? ?some of the HF audio nicely; 22uF was too much (decreased the desired AF signal).
If you're homebrewing?an?SST, any of the above can be implemented in your layout. It took a little foresight to make the above changes on an SST PWB.
IF anyone's interested in the above mods, I can remove the covers and write down the exact component values I used for the 20m version.
Regards, Walt ?K3ASW
Daniel
?
The output power depends upon bias voltage and the impedance presented to the output of the final. If this transistor directly feeds the low pass filter, at 12-13 volt bias it will provide 1.5 to 2 watts. To obtain more from a signal transistor requires a transformer, and of course also a beefier transistor. Yes examine the design of the 5 watter to see if it contains a transformer as it should require it. Note the increased output power requires a more robust TR switch. Best to heat sink any final stage device you employ.?
?
I had forgotten the op amp was used in the transmitter. Of course it has to provide a robust output. Most classic designs do use a transistor here and often a transformer between it and the final amplifier. Wayne was being creative to use a then available op amp to simplify things. I could dig to see if I have one here or network on alternatives. The SST does look like a modified SW-20. Another variation on the SST arrangement is the 4state Cyclone design, but different device technology for the PA that also serves as first mixer on receive. The SST may be the best fit for simpler Manhattan construction.?
?
Curt
?
|
Looks like a W1AW-specific version of the venerable "Neophyte."
Should be fun!
--Kirk, NT0Z
My book, "Stealth Amateur Radio," is now available from
www.stealthamateur.com and on the Amazon Kindle (soon)
On Monday, March 17, 2025 at 09:31:24 AM CDT, Jim WB4ILP via groups.io <outbackerwb4ilp@...> wrote:
Hey Mike, Yes, I'm a long time ARRL member.? I'll take a look. Thanks ! Jim
Jim:
If you are an ARRL member (and
therefore, a QST subscriber) there are several QST articles
available via download at the ARRL site; simply do a periodical
archives search at the ARRL site for "W1AW receiver".
Mike N4MWP
On 3/17/25 00:22, Jim WB4ILP via
wrote:
Does anyone have the schematic/information for the
simple W1AW receiver?? I only vaguely remember seeing it and I
believe it was offered as a commercial product at one time.? I
always wanted one but it was only available for a short time as
I remember.
Thanks !
Jim WB4ILP?
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 8:46 PM chuck adams via
<chuck.adams.phd= [email protected]>
wrote:
Here
is a beginner project.
You remember the VE3DNL WWV receiver standard.? Found
schematic online
in a search for
something else a few minutes ago.
I know that some one (Nick?) did an improvement back in the
day.
My photo of the build attached with schematic.? Thanks Glen,
VE3DNL, for
the
work back in the days of old.
For calibration of generators and frequency counters (the
trusty FCC-1), I
use a GPSDO (GPS disciplined oscillator) that has warmed up a
few hours.
Cost under $100 on ebay and other places.? Aliexpress $67.74
USA vendor
with 4.8+ rating and free shipping, but that is one that
looked interesting.
I'm sure some one here has splurged.
chuck, aa7fo
|
Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
Daniel
?
The output power depends upon bias voltage and the impedance presented to the output of the final. If this transistor directly feeds the low pass filter, at 12-13 volt bias it will provide 1.5 to 2 watts. To obtain more from a signal transistor requires a transformer, and of course also a beefier transistor. Yes examine the design of the 5 watter to see if it contains a transformer as it should require it. Note the increased output power requires a more robust TR switch. Best to heat sink any final stage device you employ.?
?
I had forgotten the op amp was used in the transmitter. Of course it has to provide a robust output. Most classic designs do use a transistor here and often a transformer between it and the final amplifier. Wayne was being creative to use a then available op amp to simplify things. I could dig to see if I have one here or network on alternatives. The SST does look like a modified SW-20. Another variation on the SST arrangement is the 4state Cyclone design, but different device technology for the PA that also serves as first mixer on receive. The SST may be the best fit for simpler Manhattan construction.?
?
Curt
?
|
Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
I finally searched for Dave AA7EE blog site and yeah, wow - that is a beauty.
?
?
Dave has a link to another SST where JH1PJL switched out the LT1252? for 2SC1815 for the driver and a 2SC799 for the PA.?
?
I think Chuck swapped out for a TI TL592 but HE would prefer a transistor, fet, or darlington.
?
I do have those transistors used in kitsandparts 5Watter which is the 2SC5706.? I should buy more of those 2SC5706 but they do get hot i read so they need a heat sink.?
And I have 2N3553 as well.? Of course, since I have parts for the NorCal 40A...
?
?
?
?
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 05:21 PM, wb6ogd wrote:
Once you learn a program that can generate the gerbers, getting the boards made is so much cheaper than
doing the home etch thing... ?And such better quality.
?
Werd!?
?
Your boards look inventive!?
?
When I latched onto DipTrace* my desire to do Manhattan evaporated! From then on, it was look for projects, design, inspect, submit orders, wait, rinse & repeat. The way to satisfy the Jones was to interleave orders so you have one of those beautiful blue boxes hitting the mailbox weekly.?
?
When I fire the factory up again, sights are set on filter board work designs and like that. The way I can figure it, the ship/workbench/garage will be belching so much resin smoke, my neighbors will think they're living next to a Pittsburgh steel plant!?
?
*Tuan Jim, the wizard, PBUH!?
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
Edit.. sorry, I forgot the image.
?
William,
Here is mine I made with Kicad and made at JLCPCB. ?This was maybe 3 years ago, cheap shipping was higher then.
Cost about $6 shipped for the 5 boards.
?
40 of the little circuits (a product detector for old Drake receivers).. ?$6 / 40 = 15cents per board!!
?
The other boards are vacuum tube bases for my solid state tube experiments.
?
Once you learn a program that can generate the gerbers, getting the boards made is so much cheaper than
doing the home etch thing... ?And such better quality.
?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
Daniel
?
All is well. Looking forward to you building an SST or something to your liking. Examine AA7EE projects for inspiration, I recall he describes all the details. If you build a modern SST I anticipate Wayne himself will be thrilled when you email him. Your among one of the most close-knit communities in ham radio. Email me if you find a show stopper toward building an sst.?
?
Curt
?
|
Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
Daniel -?
?
There are cheap unauthorized knock-offs of QRPGuys' designs on eBay. That is probably what you are seeing, unless you're seeing ads for people selling their genuine gear from QRPGuys.
?
It's frustrating when someone puts the hard work in to come up with a product, then someone else steals that work and uses it for their own profit. Unfortunately, a lot of these sellers are overseas, and legal action is either not possible, impractical, or simply not worth it.
?
Dave
AA7EE
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
Gary,
?
Below is a board I ordered after a tutorial by Jim Kortge re the panelizing and scoring. Occurred about a year ago. In the PCB below, the math works out to? $4 additional for the scoring as an added on engineering fee.? The order was 9x5 or 45 separate board. A prior order was panelized but not scored. I would put a border around the circuit to aid in shearing.? But even if the JLCPCB prices doubled in the interim, that would be less than 50 cents per circuit.
?
Extending the math further, I estimate 3x panels? for an upcoming project and a total of 15 separate[d] boards and, therefore $1.33 each.
?
Now, if I charge other hams $5, I ought to own half the free world in 20 years!*
?
?
*Humor, obviously.
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
Topless crystal and MUPPET tester
I wanted to add these to topics already in progress but I can't find them using my phone, how do the Youngs do this?
?
Here is a 24.MHz crystal opened up, sorry for the 007 view but it need some magnifying
The crystal wafer is attached to the U shaped metal springy bits. The leads are attached to the inside of the U. The crystal was 24MHz fundamental and is commonly found on USB devices. I've seen the square flat bricks taken apart but don't have a link.
?
Of course they were tested on my K7QO MUPPET G3UUR xtal tester from the transistor series that used to be on YouTube. I did manage to save a few of the episodes, but the project box ones (folded metal and pcb) were gone.
?
?
?
The red color is from Krylon stained glass spray? paint. I should have baked the board, bit chipped up after 7 years. Only strong rocks less than about 4 MHz or greater than 16MHz will oscillate. Have some fundamental 50MHz-ish rocks I need to make a circuit for. ICM used to sell a board that would work upto 60 Mhz with just some resistor changes.
?
Enough ramblings?
Michael
N9XYP
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Re: SST-20 from Wayne Burdick, N6KR - Manhattan Circuit Construction Madness Project
Curt, I think you and Jerry are correct that in general most do not care if hams home brew the radios of other designs and show them off.? They even encourage it.? Ashhar Farhans uBitx transceiver for example, he encourages others to home brew it.
?
But what you said Curt is right to the point - commercially selling the manual or boards or kits is disallowed unless you get permission.? i see qrp guys stuff on ebay even though qrp guys says they do not sell their stuff on ebay.?
?
When I brought up the topic of SST, I really wished i did not say anything about asking permission from the author.?? I do not want to cause any difficulty on here.
?
73 to Curt and Jerry from Daniel KK4MRN
?
?
?
?
|
Re: Crystal Parameter Measurements
Here is my last batch of 10.7 crystals to test. In order to make it easier for me to keep track of the little darlings I used the color code on the tops with an unused color to mark the "head".
?
Number 100 isn't too clear but it is brown black black.
?
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
JLCPCB lets you put multiple circuits on one 100x100 panel for the super cheap price.
They won't cut them apart and you can't show scribe lines(IIRC).
I cut them apart with tin snips, wish I had a shear like you guys!
?
My last order had 8, 7, and 1 different boards all packed into a 100x100 board.
Very obvious what I was doing.? I think the order with slow shipping cost about $3.50.
Really cheap,? like me, hi hi... !
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Hey Mike, Yes, I'm a long time ARRL member.? I'll take a look. Thanks ! Jim
Jim:
If you are an ARRL member (and
therefore, a QST subscriber) there are several QST articles
available via download at the ARRL site; simply do a periodical
archives search at the ARRL site for "W1AW receiver".
Mike N4MWP
On 3/17/25 00:22, Jim WB4ILP via
wrote:
Does anyone have the schematic/information for the
simple W1AW receiver?? I only vaguely remember seeing it and I
believe it was offered as a commercial product at one time.? I
always wanted one but it was only available for a short time as
I remember.
Thanks !
Jim WB4ILP?
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 8:46 PM chuck adams via
<chuck.adams.phd= [email protected]>
wrote:
Here
is a beginner project.
You remember the VE3DNL WWV receiver standard.? Found
schematic online
in a search for
something else a few minutes ago.
I know that some one (Nick?) did an improvement back in the
day.
My photo of the build attached with schematic.? Thanks Glen,
VE3DNL, for
the
work back in the days of old.
For calibration of generators and frequency counters (the
trusty FCC-1), I
use a GPSDO (GPS disciplined oscillator) that has warmed up a
few hours.
Cost under $100 on ebay and other places.? Aliexpress $67.74
USA vendor
with 4.8+ rating and free shipping, but that is one that
looked interesting.
I'm sure some one here has splurged.
chuck, aa7fo
|
Hey Alan, Thank You Very Much !? That's it. Jim WB4ILP?
Hi Jim,
I found this schematic in my archives.
I hope this helps.
73,
Alan, N8WQ
On 3/17/25 00:22, Jim WB4ILP via wrote:
> Does anyone have the schematic/information for the simple W1AW
> receiver?? I only vaguely remember seeing it and I believe it was
> offered as a commercial product at one time.? I always wanted one but
> it was only available for a short time as I remember.
> Thanks !
> Jim WB4ILP
>
|
Jim:
If you are an ARRL member (and
therefore, a QST subscriber) there are several QST articles
available via download at the ARRL site; simply do a periodical
archives search at the ARRL site for "W1AW receiver".
Mike N4MWP
On 3/17/25 00:22, Jim WB4ILP via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Does anyone have the schematic/information for the
simple W1AW receiver?? I only vaguely remember seeing it and I
believe it was offered as a commercial product at one time.? I
always wanted one but it was only available for a short time as
I remember.
Thanks !
Jim WB4ILP?
On Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 8:46 PM chuck adams via
<chuck.adams.phd= [email protected]>
wrote:
Here
is a beginner project.
You remember the VE3DNL WWV receiver standard.? Found
schematic online
in a search for
something else a few minutes ago.
I know that some one (Nick?) did an improvement back in the
day.
My photo of the build attached with schematic.? Thanks Glen,
VE3DNL, for
the
work back in the days of old.
For calibration of generators and frequency counters (the
trusty FCC-1), I
use a GPSDO (GPS disciplined oscillator) that has warmed up a
few hours.
Cost under $100 on ebay and other places.? Aliexpress $67.74
USA vendor
with 4.8+ rating and free shipping, but that is one that
looked interesting.
I'm sure some one here has splurged.
chuck, aa7fo
|
Hi Jim,
I found this schematic in my archives.
I hope this helps.
73,
Alan, N8WQ
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 3/17/25 00:22, Jim WB4ILP via groups.io wrote: Does anyone have the schematic/information for the simple W1AW receiver?? I only vaguely remember seeing it and I believe it was offered as a commercial product at one time.? I always wanted one but it was only available for a short time as I remember.
Thanks !
Jim WB4ILP
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM, chuck adams wrote:
think I have bad news for you William.? In the order process, when you submit the
Gerbers, an engineer on the team will inspect the board.? If it does have multiple
boards, separated by regions that are snapable or can be cut with a diamonds
saw or shear, they will reject the board.? You have to make it look like one circuit.
I am familiar with that.
?
..actually, Chuck, I had wrestled with that question for several projects I did. One comes to mind: an LM386 amp board that was produced by DipTrace. After an extremely gracious call and conversation with Jim Kortge -- my DipTrace mentor -- I was able to submit a set of Gerber files with the scoring option and not encounter a premium engineering charge. This was accomplished by "panelizing"? the circuit, i.e., reproducing one original circuit N times on a 100mm x 100mm board.
?
But, lawdy, that was over a year ago or ago and who knows how JLCPCB is pricing things these says. And, of course, the scoring is not on for the project that these lads are proposing. Still in all, having a series of neat little devices on one board would be kinda fun.
?
To ramble on tangentially, I dumped windows 11..
?
{{{spit}}}
?
..and am now running Linux and was delighted to discover that DipTrace (my ECAD of cherce) runs under Wine. So, I may get the itch and do some "panelized" boards again if available at the bargain prices. I have loads of these little boards running around the shack and, frankly, the scores of blue JLCPCB shipping boxes are marvelous for storing goodies/projects/other stuff.*
?
*as are the USPS Priority Shipping boxes. Shhhhhhhh!
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
<>
Being considered for the ADC replace of the BS170s that Steve loves.
QRT? QRT?? dit dit
|
Re: Multi-function test jig idea for homebrew radios.
I think I have bad news for you William.? In the order process, when you submit the
Gerbers, an engineer on the team will inspect the board.? If it does have multiple
boards, separated by regions that are snapable or can be cut with a diamonds
saw or shear, they will reject the board.? You have to make it look like one circuit.
Now something like the IC pads for Manhattan is something different .? Some one
mentioned that I had used a clothes pin to get 2.54mm spacing.? That old
photo was to hold one while soldering.? I used the vector board for getting
2.54mm spacing while sawing groves in place.
Here is a board I did that has the G3UUR circuit on the top and my test fixture
on the bottom.? J4 is the trick.? Using a Berg connector, I can switch the output
to the BNC connector from the G3UUR in operation or to the K7QO test
fixture.? I see it has one missing component, a trimmer across the crystal
at the bottom with a Berg to place it across the crystal socket, remove
the crystal and trim for same output from the generator to measure R_s.
I'll fix it, get some boards and report back in a week or so, when the
boat gets to Los Angeles.
chuck
P.S.? I'm out of here for a week.? Mute is on.? I have to get some (a lot)
work done.? The ADC is top priority.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 3/16/25 21:44, k6whp via groups.io wrote: Great ideas.
How about making a 100mm X 100mm PCB layout of these circuits, generating the Gerber files and turning on the serration flag so you can submit them to a board house offering a special 5x boards fit at a cheap price?
That way, the group can submit their own orders, and can separate them into individual pieces for separate test equipment.
Also, the group members can easily mail sub-circuits to one another for those who don't know how to submit PCB orders or only want only one or two items.
Oh, and how about a crystal checker with a buffer stage? I may have missed that.
--
William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
|
Kirk Kleinschmidt, NT0Z
k6whp
Mike Dinolfo
Alan N8WQ
