UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Other Discussions > Homebrew Equipment

Notices

Homebrew Equipment A place to show, design and discuss the weird and wonderful electronic creations from the hands of individual members.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 19th Apr 2019, 3:44 pm   #41
MrBungle
Dekatron
 
MrBungle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Not seen that one before. I’ve only built two MOSFET PA however as they were cheaper than a decent RF PA transistor.
MrBungle is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2019, 8:26 am   #42
Andrew2
Nonode
 
Andrew2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 2,034
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Looks like it's in class A to me. Does it still get hot with no drive? What's the emitter voltage with no RF drive? From that you can get the collector current and from that the dissipation.
__________________
Andy G1HBE.
Andrew2 is offline  
Old 20th Apr 2019, 7:49 pm   #43
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

I will adjust the bias on sunday to see if the output is affected, and .... Andrerw.. I will check that....If it was true class "A" surely the waveform should be equal and not clipped on the bottom half.
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 22nd Apr 2019, 11:13 pm   #44
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Lesson learned.......... while putting the "finishing" touches to the project.. an odd thing started to happen.... when going to transmit.... sometimes I would get drive.. and sometimes not.... if the radio was powered off and back on.. it would give RF out.. but cycling TX/RX a few times then the drive would disappear until I powered off etc...
At first I blamed one of the relays sticking on..... but no, .... if the TX was activated WITHOUT the DC to the PA... however many times it was switched it worked 100%.
I put a "T" junction at the output of the DDS source and found that the RF from the DDS oscillator was shifting from I.F + carrier = 12.37 to 3.15 Mhz........
Obviously something was corrupting the micro controller..
No I wont leave it there...............I fitted a RF snubber network across the TX DC relay contacts .. 100R + 100nF PROBLEM Solved.....obviously the rf energy in the contact spark was corrupting the PIC controller.. not an obvious .... well to me anyway.. symptom and cure.
Onward and upward. NEXT !!!!!
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 22nd Apr 2019, 11:48 pm   #45
MrBungle
Dekatron
 
MrBungle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Good find! It's always the computer half that lets it down.

Some progress to report on mine finally. First two tone test through the transmit chain up to the driver that didn't cause smoke to come out somewhere! BFO balanced modulator needs some work as the balance is slightly poor. Will do PA integration in the next week. Then it's back to the receive chain.

Click image for larger version

Name:	6F624934-3982-44E5-918D-A3C47609A1A4.jpg
Views:	66
Size:	63.5 KB
ID:	181681
MrBungle is offline  
Old 23rd Apr 2019, 9:52 am   #46
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Hi Mr "B"..I didnt realise you were on a similar path. Up to now my micro controller modules have worked perfectly..so I was surprised when it "fell over". My friend in Oz wrote some good software. I suppose its not surprising when contacts switching 40 watts ish are not damped.
Your two tone waveform looks good to me.. if you pvt me I can send you my PDF's of up to now progress.
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 24th Apr 2019, 9:38 pm   #47
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Last posting on this project... unless anyone has any queries..The outer case is a reclaimed Heathkit RA1 receiver...

NEXT !!!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Front panel 2.jpg
Views:	99
Size:	50.5 KB
ID:	181800   Click image for larger version

Name:	RX_TX Topside.jpg
Views:	93
Size:	101.8 KB
ID:	181801   Click image for larger version

Name:	RX-_TX UNDERSIDE.jpg
Views:	97
Size:	93.3 KB
ID:	181802  
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 24th Apr 2019, 11:18 pm   #48
MrBungle
Dekatron
 
MrBungle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Thanks for posting pictures. Looks really good. Sorry I haven’t got back to you regarding last message yet - unfortunately had a minor accident so out of action now for a week or so. Would be interested in your PDFs.
MrBungle is offline  
Old 27th Apr 2019, 11:47 am   #49
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Final final post with case on..unless someone wants more info.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Completed front view.jpg
Views:	88
Size:	50.9 KB
ID:	181942   Click image for larger version

Name:	Completed.jpg
Views:	78
Size:	65.0 KB
ID:	181943  
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 27th Apr 2019, 1:25 pm   #50
MrBungle
Dekatron
 
MrBungle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Very nice work. I still haven’t got around to emailing you yet! I will get there.
MrBungle is offline  
Old 27th Apr 2019, 2:48 pm   #51
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Lovely job, to my eye the decimal point on the display is too high (fantastically small niggle and it's not mine to complain about)
 
Old 27th Apr 2019, 4:22 pm   #52
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Sorry Merlin.. I did not make the LCD Display.. otherwise I would have changed it just for you .LOL
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2019, 12:52 am   #53
G0HZU_JMR
Dekatron
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 3,077
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Looks really good! Have you made any contacts with it yet?
__________________
Regards, Jeremy G0HZU
G0HZU_JMR is offline  
Old 28th Apr 2019, 7:03 pm   #54
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Hi Jeremy..... As you ask.... no.. I have put out a few CQ Test calls... but as yet no... tried 80 and 40.... I know RF is getting out as the lamp in my bedroom comes on at number 1 "electronic touch " switch... and I know the mod is ok...but maybe the stations I am hearing are putting a bit more power than me......
I was out at Blackpool today.. so monday morning I will re try... trouble is.. my half 5RV is not suited to 80 m although the KW tuner is peaking ok.
To pass the time.. I re jigged my Watson SWR /Power meter... adding an RF sniffer for the spectrum analyser.... and fixing a 100W dummy load on top.. and an RF switch on the side.... I like things tidy.
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Old 29th Apr 2019, 7:39 am   #55
Kevin Hoyland
Heptode
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 559
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Hello. Wendy.
I have to take my hat off to you Outstanding work and looks professional .

Kevin.
Kevin Hoyland is offline  
Old 29th Apr 2019, 12:19 pm   #56
Wendymott
Octode
 
Wendymott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,782
Default Re: Homebrew SSB Transceiver

Thanks Kevin and others that have commented.... I am fortunate to have the time.."single" and retired with no constraints. I have built "stuff" since my apprenticeship days...but only recently have made things I would like to see. I was at the NARSA at Blackpool yesterday.. mooching..getting the "odd" bit for the next possibility. The front panel of the transceiver was bigger than A4, so I had to go to the print shop..great service, only £3 for two copies on card. then covered with clear acetate from the artshop.
I made the knobs on the lathe as I didnt like any of the commercial ones.
__________________
Should get out more.

Regards
Wendy G8BZY
Wendymott is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 6:46 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.