Hello everybody and thanks for your attention on the most interesting and educational theme in HAM radio hobby – HOMEBREWING. As from now on I will post here my experience with the most advanced project in my HAM practice – Building a HAM radio shortwave all mode transceiver.
Main goals of the project:
- Classic superhet design – with popular 9MHz intermediate frequency. Filter method DSB to SSB modulation
- Coverage of the 9 HAM HF bands (160m optional)
- High dynamic range receiver design including high IP3 monolithic IC in the front end and H-mode first mixer
- Fast acting IF (134kHz) AGC.
- Clickless operation – solid state GaAs PHEMT SPDT switches on RX, (bandpass filters; TX/RX) and ultra fast rectifier diodes (LPF)
- Custom multicolor FSTN LCD (Especially developed for this project)
- Custom made plastic face plate, unique and ergonomic knob controls
- Custom made crystal filters – 6,8 pole, CF=9MHz, 2.8kHz, 2.7kHz, 1kHz, 500Hz
- Double CPU circuitry control for front panel and mother board, both field programmable via implemented USB hub
- Modular construction with no “flying wires” inside the box. Transceiver is built up on a main – mother board which has two functions. First to serve as a “chassis” and second to fit all the external connectors, daughter boards, inter-connections and acts as cable harness.
- Plenty of optional modules: Audio filters, Automatic antenna tuner (ATU), Noise blanker (NB), narrow/wide band IF crystal filters.
- Linear final amplifier PA 50W with precise power adjustment especially for QRP operations. Forget noisy FANs – 25W – unlimited time!! QRO work – with max power of 50W driving should be sufficient for a kilowatt amplifier.
- Personal computer control CAT via USB
- Morse code keyer (Curtis A, CMOS B)
- Contest and DX-pedition operation conveniences
- Both Kit & Ready-to-Run versions will be available
- Expected start – First quarter of 2017
Please note that some of the schematics and boards might be obsolete up to current date. Please have a look at manual section and firmware files to get familiar with latest schematics and firmware.