My DS15001

I order this before the summer. Last weekend it was time to solder the kit. After turning on the Oscilloscope I see the test signal a short time then the screen was dark. The adj is connected to encoder did not work in both direction. After google about this, I was shore the small pcb. was mounted upside down with the encoder. The behaviour was different but don’t work. After checking the schematics and measuring around the encoder it was shore the PCB was broken in one track to the encoder. After a strap all run nicely. I fixed a 9V NiCad Battery and a box for that.

Here is the troubleshooting Trouble

A video about the Osciloscope Video

Electronic

Electronic Compass

In the winter i spent time to test a sensor BNO055. This was a success it works from start, has built in tilt compensating and calibration. Only a few rows of code. It has two register  to read the current calibration state for system all sensors and magnetic sensors all values  > 0, gives correct directions.

Above photo, first digit is magnetic sensor status second is system status 0 – 3. My next try vas to integrated with Fox receiver and it also works., no effect of metal box.

I also try a sensor LMS303, but this this I can’t get to work.  I has cod to make tilt compensation and calibration. It doesn’t  give me 180 deg. Difference from N to S direction and also W – E so I lev it for now.

The BNO055 has been on two competitions, and the first direction after start was tree spot on and the other 2 just a few degrees off, it was a 80m fox-run.

See adafruit BNO055

POWER METER

This power meter is now finished. A port is LTC5532 and port B and C is classic AD8307. I make my own PCB for this, today you can by AD8307 from Ebay sold for a few dollar.

I connected a LCD display and Encoder. Draw 5V from Arduino Uno to all tree PM boards. Output from A to A0, B to A1 and C to A2.

Then little sw doing the work.

LTC5532 can’t find a formula so I use my generator for input and read levels by ADC and put a table on my serial port than past in to the code, like this.

if(u0>3.4604)

  P1 = 8.0;

else if(u0>3.3822)

  P1 = 7.8;

else if(u0>3.3040)

  P1 = 7.6;

…………..

else

  P1= -21.2;

Then port A is working.

Port B and C. use my generator put in 0dBm and -40dBm read the level in V0 – V40/40 = x V/dB around 23 – 37 mV/db, put it in the code.

if(port==1)   //Cal Port B

{

   for(int i=0; i<10; i++)

     a1 = a1 + analogRead(A1);

   u1= a1/10;

   u1 = 5.0 * u1 /1023;

   pmSet.cal1 = u1;

}

 

To get stabile values I average 10 times.

P2 = (u1 - pmSet.cal1)/0.0242  + pmSet.atten[1] + freqComp[1][pmSet.freq[1]];

pmSet.cal1 = u1 att 0dBm input, calibrated in menu.

pmSet.atten = attenuation infront off power meter 0 – many dB integer values, set in menu.

freqComp[1][pmSet.freq[1]] = freq compensation set in code, measurd by generator @ 0dBm on varying frequencys (16 pcs.).

double freqComp[3][16] = {{0,0,0,0.3,0,-0.2,-0.1,-0.4,0.1,2.9,1.4,4.0,3.8,6.7,12.5,10.4},…….

Unit can be set dBm or W, in menu. Convert to W

if(pmSet.unit == 1) //Unit W

{

  P2 = pow(10,(P2-30)/10); 

}

Jumping over to new project, magnetic compass and PA 1296 MHz, stay tuned.

Antenna Analyser

This has now come to the END. The Analyser is checked and compared to a RIG-EXPERT Analyser. We measured antennas from 160m to 6m and there is no difference in the WSVR result compared to each other.  It’s the first time I do a measuring instrument from scratch. There is some decisions to do to get it accurate enough. It is also possible to export the sweep to a mobile phone to store the result as a documentation of the measured antenna. The CPU memory is used to 96% the IDE report! All settings is done from the encoder.

When measuring antenna and demonstration of the analyser its good to have different known loads as 50 ohm, 100 ohm and a simulated 80m antenna. See below picture.

Transverter 1296 MHz

All boards is no in the final box, The first QSO was from my QTH to JO78FM a distance of 77,1 km. Output is around 2W, Antenna DL6WU 37 el homemade Yagi 23m up in the tower.  Report  59.

I try an IF attenuator with pin diode and attenuators, but I was not satisfied with the result, so I made a small board with attenuators and relays. Its adjusted for my transceiver Kenwood TS-2000 with 5W output power.  But can be simply changed.

I also try a relay I think it was CX120.. but it was not ok for 1296 Mhz frequency. I by some from Ebay, Omron and MATSUSHITA RK1-12V, that solves the relay problem.

I has start planning for a PA to connect to this transverter, stay tuned!

It is possible to lock the VCXO 96 MHz to a reference frequency, not implemented yet. I must build a reference unit first. 

Haven’t you lock at W1GHZ its time to do that, grate inspire.

Here is how I made IF-Board and SM-Board.

Antenna Analyser

I start locking in eBay for bye a Antenna Analyser  when i found a lot of interesting design, and i realised hat it is not so many parts needed to build one.

Here is a few links i start lock att.

DG7EAO

K6BEZ

VK3YY

I tried the Arduino code from DG7EAO and the exe it works (no HW just the display), and start to modify the code. I won’t a more standalone without computer control.

I ordered a 2,8” TFT Display.

Power detektor board AD8307.

FTDI Basic, encoder  and a box.

I has a DDS board DDS60 from midnightdesignsolutions.    DDS60

I has a Arduino mini pro board.

I read a lot of information on SWR detectors, first  the ide was to have Pforward and Prevers at the same time, but all result and try was not god enough. So i realise that an RL-Bridge was much better, the bottleneck  that it attenuate the signal from the DDS 12 dB, docent mater for an analyser.  Normally the bridge has a transformer on output, but i realised hat i can change the power detector to have differential input.  Disconnect pin 2 RF- 100nF from ground and connect to input, also change R at input from 100 ohm to 50 ohm, i don’t know how necessary it is! To avoid trafo is good for low frequencies .

The Power meter AD8307 has a dynamic of 80-90 dB. I measured the response from my generator -65dBm and +5 dBm, it give me 25,2 mV/dB.  To use in SW.

The DDS60 has +8dBm out  so i decide to attenuate 3dB if its not 50 ohm out ?

External Aref 2,7V matching AD8307 dc out around 2.5V max.

The only thing i have o do was the RL-Bridge and a 3.3V regulator, all other is parts bye.

So long i am satisfied with the result RL @ 50 ohm termination is as highest value 27dB @ 1 MHz it is 60 dB.

It is more to do with the SW, but i has came to memory limits, but it can be solved, i hope.

Here is the schematics.

After the break i should fix the software and go to a friend with a lot off antennas and do a accepting test.

No i work with the 1296 Transverter, stay tuned.

73 de SM4HNG

ARDF Fox Hunting

Receiver for 2

I need one more receiver for 2 meter so i order one more from 2m G3ZOI Receiver ROX-2X rox-2x. I have heard that antenna in col-fiber should work so I wont to try if it is possible to make one.

1 See if it is possible to se impedance response.

2 Compare sensitivity with the old measuring tape antenna.

I search for inspiring and stay for this one. dk7zb 3el yagi

Here is response, little bit shorter balun has been fine (next time!).

The Result

Next is time for testing on a real competition.

80M Foxes

We need 2 more foxes for 80m so this was finalized for or competition, in the spring. A few batteries has passed, so I must check the charger, and by more for spare parts.

80M Receivers

I has struggle a lot with the latest 80m foxes (see Februari 2015), but the constructor Bo SM5CJW has help me and now they both are working, really good side tuning really clear. Hope also to check them in a competition later on.

Stay tuned I work on 2 more project 1296 Transverter and Antenna analyzer.

73 de Leif SM4HNG.