1. Circuit & Control System Design & Fabrication – Proposed Technical Club Room C, Saturday August 16, 2:00 – 4:00

2. Goals for today Spend ~20 minutes exploring the kinds of activities such organization could support Group Discussion: Is this a good idea? Gather names of individuals interested in participating on a technical level Form a small committee to kick start the group

3. Albuquerque Transmitter Hunters

4. Why are we here?

5. Because we have the Knack!

6. Why are we here? Because we have the Knack! Click image to start video

7. We are proposing the formation of an organization to preserve and celebrate the knack! An organization that would support learning about and the creation of custom electronics, radio circuits, and control systems Why are we really here?

8. RF communication devices uProcessor / FPGA based control circuits PC Board design and manufacture Mastering surface mount technology Microprocessor programming and more What would this organization do? Help people learn about and make -

9. For Example

10. A Reflow Oven Project Simplifies SMD soldering Improves soldering consistency Represents a group resource Scott - KC5VVB

11. Precise Temperature Control Three distinct phases

12. Block Diagram Oven AC Relay Thermocouple PIC

13. Progress Output relay working AC assembly to be provided Thermocouple on hand

14. To Do Complete prototype assembly Test temperature control Write final code Fab PCB Complete assembly

15. Or …

16. SDR TX Project for ARDF Hardware / Software Update Jerry Boyd, WB8WFK (Hardware and FPGA VHDL ) Mike Pendley, K5ATM (PIC Software) August 2008

17. Software defined ARDF radio transmitter New approach to solve a reoccurring problem –A need exists for an easy to build “NO-Tune” reliable ARDF transmitter that does not require any complex test equipment other then a DVM, wattmeter and receiver to verify operation after assembly –Simple Alignment (tune RF output stage) –As a result of this development effort Other ham radio related applications are possible A short list of possible applications –APRS –PSK –RF Signal generator for equipment testing

18. The Problem Our Current FOX Boxes are –LARGE and heavy –Tend to fall out of sync –Limited to 2m FM MCW and 80m CW –Programming switches and radios need to be adjusted to change frequencies and configuration.

19. Root Cause of Problem All problems can be traced to systems that are wired together using mutable connectors, cables and equipment interconnected to function as an ARDF transmitter RF gets into and upsets controller Radios are not designed for high duty cycle Equipment not designed for this application Wires can get caught in equipment during transport to location and interrupt operation Lots of opportunity for something to go wrong

20. The Solution A Software Defined Radio That can –Dynamically change frequency and modulation modes –Conserve power during “down” time –Use “real time clock” to stay in sync and “auto recover” if power is interrupted after sync –Phone home with state of health information –A user interface that is easy to configure –Shielded enclosure that protects all electronics –Radio designed for continuous duty cycle (homing beacon mode) –Simple alignment that only requires a volt meter, power meter, and receiver

21. Software (cont) For Tracking People on ARDF courses -Sport ID data packet sent while TX is off cycle -Panic button located at each control station to request medical assistance

22. A PIC directly controlling a pair of DDS chips 1 st Generation Prototype

23. 2 nd Generation Prototype Signal Processor FPGA ($10 Xilinx chip). FPGA, regulators, clock and boot ROM are only features being used on eval board Mixer Class C RF amp OP amp for D/A, AM Modulator & RF power control Pre driver Voltage regulator

24. 2nd generation Block Diagram of today's demo hardware

25. Software 2m (VHF) Transmission modes to be supported –FM MCW Cont carrier –FM MCW keyed carrier –AM MCW Cont carrier –CW –AM MCW keyed carrier –FM packet (1200 baud) –APRS tracker? 145.565 VHF AM Modulation HF Modes –80M CW –PSK31? HF CW 3.58 MHz

26. Our SI system

27. Software Other Transmission modes –Special modes for car hunts are possible Random on time Variable and random power output Short TX times Keyed carrier modes Different modulation formats

28. Software Other Transmission modes –HF side 80M CW PSK31? HF CW 3.58 MHz

29. What next BASIC concept is verified ! I am happy with signal processor operation –Develop CPU board and User interface –Develop SPI based interface to signal processor FPGA –Develop SportIdent and panic button interface –Field test prototype with all of the above functions Design PC boards design to include everything

30. Demo Demonstrate Generation 2 prototype system

31. Some Other Projects

32. For More Information …. Come to the club meeting

33. Or …

34. K5MJE helps KD5JAB build an Elecraft T1 QRP automatic antenna tuner Kit Building Support

35. Inventory

36. After Page 11

37. After Page 14

38. After Page 14 (bottom)

39. T1 and T2 Installed

40. Control Board

41. Toroids Installed

42. Control Board Installed

43. Installed in Case

44. Or …

45. Construction of Dale Hunt’s 80m ARDF Receiver Kit Kevin Nichols, KA7OFR

46. Why 80m ARDF? No (well, much much less) reflections or multipath Small antenna & receiver Simple to build as a kit Transmitters are small Fits well with Orienteering

47. Dale Hunt’s (WB6BYU) 80m ARDF Fairly small, hand-held 80m (3.5MHz) ARDF receiver Single stage direct conversion type receiver Easy alignment Described in QST, September 2005 PCB available from FAR Circuits

50. 80m ARDF Kit Parts

51. PCB, Silk Screened

52. Some Helpful Items

53. Schematic - +5v Reg

54. Schematic – Audio Amp

55. +5v Regulator and Audio Amp

56. Schematic - VFO

57. VFO

58. Right on Frequency

59. Winding Torroid Transformer PCB Almost Finished!

60. A Metal Case

61. Wooden Loop Antenna Holder

62. Schematic – Loop Antenna

63. Threading the Loop

64. Schematic – Sense Antenna

65. Sense Antenna

67. Wiring the Front Panel

68. Ready to Close ‘er Up

69. The Finished Product!

72. Hold a minimum (perhaps no) business meetings Periodic formal meetings that would feature one or several technical talks given by members on current or proposed projects Support group buys of components and kits Be a source of shared resources Coordinate classes on various technologies – e.g. microprocessor programming, schematic capture, PCB layout, antenna design, etc. What would this organization do?

73. Goals for today Spend ~20 minutes exploring the kinds of activities the organization could support Group discussion: Is this a good idea? Gather names of individuals interested in participating on a technical level Form a small committee to kick start the group –Group structure – independent or a SIG associated with an existing club –Name of the group –Frequency and location of meetings –Other unavoidable administrative stuff √