In the mean time, clever Guido PE1NNZ, has come up with a modification of the QCX that turns a simple CW radio with class E output into a software defined SSB capable radio. The great thing is that it's open source and being actively developed.
From Soldersmoke: "The SSB transmit-stage is implemented in a completely digital and software-based manner: at the heart the ATMEGA328 is sampling the input-audio and reconstructing a SSB-signal by controlling the SI5351 PLL phase (through tiny frequency changes over 800kbit/s I2C) and controlling the PA Power (through PWM on the key-shaping circuit).
In this way a highly power-efficient class-E driven SSB-signal can be realized; a PWM driven class-E design keeps the SSB transceiver simple, tiny, cool, power-efficient and low-cost (ie. no need for power-inefficient and complex linear amplifier with bulky heat-sink as often is seen in SSB transceivers)."
There is an active discussion board about the evolving circuit and parts bill of materials (BOM) on groups.io here.
There are two board designs, one is a "sandwich" that supports multiple bands, the other is a single board shown above. (Photo by Dan Reynolds posted in the group).
The CAD files for the board, now at revision 1.02 are available in the group and I found someone selling them on Ebay so I ordered there (currently sold out).
While I have some of the parts on hand I decided to order the full parts list from Digi-Key and this would normally be a tedious task but I've found the secret! Digi-Key has a feature called BOM management.
- From the files area on groups.io get the file “Bom_8397236.csv”
- Log in to Digi-key
- Choose BOM manager from the menu top right
- Click upload bom, select the CSV file.
- Adjust the column headers to make sure digi-key product codes and quantity are correct.
- Click Add to BOM.
- Click Add to cart.
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteI just received my V 1.02 boards also only mine are blue. As it turns out I had 90% of the parts in stock so I'm waiting for a few things from Digi-Key to finish it up. I look forward to finishing it and play around with it. Have fun.
Joel
N6ALT
After you build it, take a close look at the output on a spectrum analyser - you mightn't be so impressed. The class-E output stage of the QCX doesn't have very good amplitude control, so the uSDX is going to have issues with out-of-band transmissions due to that (and its limited phase rate - a limitation of the Si5351).
ReplyDeleteOK so I just stumbled onto this blog by accident and I see the little rotating globe map with the post and tagged Hill City S.D. and I'm in Custer, S.D... I have been wanting to build a radio for a long time. I started with plans to do uSDX Tri/Octo but as I was collecting parts, some guy in Minnesota was looking for a 74ACT00 of which I have extras and he was offering to trade an 8 band RF board for a 74ACT, so I sent him 1 of my extras. Now I have a bunch of IC's some will be extras and working at collecting the passives. The thing that got my attention up is the compact size of this radio, even at the depth of the dimension, the newer diet is even more interesting. I have been learning of a lot of issues people are having with these and it makes me apprehensive. I'm not experienced with software so if I run into troubles, not sure if I will be successful with this project but I'm willing to make a run at it still. My plan was to learn something from it. I deduced from the rotating Globe someone is in Hill City(even though I live in Custer, I know no one here)and I thought, cool, this would make my project more successful if I could get some assistance. I don't have a HAM license yet and figured I would work on that after I actually had a working radio. I know a fair bit about electronics as I went to school back in 79 but didn't follow it. Any how, this SDR is making me reconsider, and just go for a regular kit and forget the SDR call it good. That would about preclude most of the portable stuff. I have been looking at a Klopick which includes a cabinet, 9 bands, and high power output amp, and a much cheaper 6 band SSB no SDR, no cabinet or external components off board so it would require piecing to finish.
ReplyDelete