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Some posts back to this forum, I posted a topic indicating I needed help programing my Arduino Nano with the required files for this 49-er VFO project.? This requirement, had me baffled!? Setting up folders, subfolders, downloading various files, drivers, etc, on my Windows 10 PC, is something that my 80+ year old brain is not able to do at this time.? I asked around on the 2 meter nets in the Detroit area, and I did not get a volunteers.?
Then shortly after that post, I received an email from a reader of this forum, that he would send me a programed Arduino Nano if I would send it to him.? Before I got it to him, I a programmed one from him today!?
I put that Arduino Nano into my 49-er,?attached my 40 meter dipole antenna, plugged in an audio amplifier, and my keyer.? I crossed my fingers, applied 12vdc, and flipped the switch!? I was delighted to see a splash on the display, that displayed 40 m parts and pieces transceiver, General!? And no smoke!? I tapped my keyer and I had output on my wattmeter!?
Now, I am looking forward to my first QSO, and a signal report on how it sounds!? Right now, it is setting on 7.040khz.? I still would like to see it on a scope, etc, but for now, it is workable.?
Without this forum, this project could have ended up collecting dust here in my shack!? I wonder how many builders there are like me, that have built this project, have had a similar problem?? Could the required downloads be made available on a flash drive?? In the meantime, I am going to continue to read about the Arduino and hope to see more projects like this in QST!
73, de Karl, KO8S
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Hi Karl:
Glad that someone jumped in to help you. Unfortunately, the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has to follow a fairly strict disk layout for the compiler to find what it needs to generate an executable program. Bad as that may be, it used to be worse, as you had to write the code with a text editor, the load and run the compiler on the text editor code. Then you had to load an assembler and run the compiler code through that to generate an assembler object file. Then you had to load the linker to work on the object file to draw in the required link files to get the executable. Most of these steps are transparent now in that they work in the background, but the IDE is pretty fussy about where things are. If there are others who are having problems, post a comment and details the issues. Maybe we can help.
The antenna analyzer I've been working on is finished and in the final stages of Beta testing. We're using the smaller Mega2560 Pro Mini board and Farrukh is just about done with the new PCB design. I'll be posting the User's Manual soon, and will let you know when that happens. The cost should be around $50, including the 3.5" full color TFT display with a robust feature set including monitoring the SWR while adjusting the antenna (e.g., tuning a mag loop). There are some interim photos on the User Group site. I will submit an article to QST, but there's no guarantees that it will be accepted. If not, I'll probably submit it to CQ. Once again, we will make the PCB available at reasonable cost.
I'll keep you posted.
73, Jack, W8TEE
From: "ktschwab@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]"
To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@...
Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 2:37 PM
Subject: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Getting help with programing the 49-er VFO project
?
Some posts back to this forum, I posted a topic indicating I needed help programing my Arduino Nano with the required files for this 49-er VFO project.? This requirement, had me baffled!? Setting up folders, subfolders, downloading various files, drivers, etc, on my Windows 10 PC, is something that my 80+ year old brain is not able to do at this time.? I asked around on the 2 meter nets in the Detroit area, and I did not get a volunteers.?
Then shortly after that post, I received an email from a reader of this forum, that he would send me a programed Arduino Nano if I would send it to him.? Before I got it to him, I a programmed one from him today!?
I put that Arduino Nano into my 49-er,?attached my 40 meter dipole antenna, plugged in an audio amplifier, and my keyer.? I crossed my fingers, applied 12vdc, and flipped the switch!? I was delighted to see a splash on the display, that displayed 40 m parts and pieces transceiver, General!? And no smoke!? I tapped my keyer and I had output on my wattmeter!?
Now, I am looking forward to my first QSO, and a signal report on how it sounds!? Right now, it is setting on 7.040khz.? I still would like to see it on a scope, etc, but for now, it is workable.?
Without this forum, this project could have ended up collecting dust here in my shack!? I wonder how many builders there are like me, that have built this project, have had a similar problem?? Could the required downloads be made available on a flash drive?? In the meantime, I am going to continue to read about the Arduino and hope to see more projects like this in QST!
73, de Karl, KO8S
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Hi Karl, ? I too, had never dealt with Arduino programs, (what's this 'sketch' stuff anyway?! ;)? Jack helped me with that and I was able to upload and even change the the program to zero the DDS VFO frequency to within 100Hz. ?Also rewrote the splash screen line to? identify the 49er?as,?"DDS 40Mtr QRP XCVR",?
My 49er puts out ~2.5 wts into a perfect load and monitoring the CW signal?with my? IC-745, I find no?chips?or?chirps.?However, VFO bleed-thru can be seen and heard if the signal from the DDS VFO is not carefully adjusted. There needs to be a better BP filter at the output as well.?
When reviewing the NE612 data sheet it states?a range?of 200mVp-p min. to 300mVp-p max.? for the LO input, ie, pin 6 on the NE612. So there is a very tight range (100mVp-p) for the? LO input. ?It has been said here that 2.0 to 4.0Vp-p is correct. Not sure why.
This project inspired me to buy a 200MHz sampling (DSO) oscilloscope. My old B&K has a 25MHz BW and is adequate but has some jitter. However it is a functioning oscilloscope? and?I would like to offer it to someone in the group who doesn't own?a scope.? If someone is interested?please contact me and I will let it go for shipping and handling.
Cheers, ? Jim ?AB1BR
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From: "ab1br@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]"
To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@...
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:33 AM
Subject: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Getting help with programing the 49-er VFO project
?
Hi Karl, ? I too, had never dealt with Arduino programs, (what's this 'sketch' stuff anyway?! ;)? Jack helped me with that and I was able to upload and even change the the program to zero the DDS VFO frequency to within 100Hz. ?Also rewrote the splash screen line to? identify the 49er?as,?"DDS 40Mtr QRP XCVR",?
My 49er puts out ~2.5 wts into a perfect load and monitoring the CW signal?with my? IC-745, I find no?chips?or?chirps.?However, VFO bleed-thru can be seen and heard if the signal from the DDS VFO is not carefully adjusted. There needs to be a better BP filter at the output as well.?
When reviewing the NE612 data sheet it states?a range?of 200mVp-p min. to 300mVp-p max.? for the LO input, ie, pin 6 on the NE612. So there is a very tight range (100mVp-p) for the? LO input. ?It has been said here that 2.0 to 4.0Vp-p is correct. Not sure why.
I think this refers to the output from the DDS board at J2/J3, not the NE612.
This project inspired me to buy a 200MHz sampling (DSO) oscilloscope. My old B&K has a 25MHz BW and is adequate but has some jitter. However it is a functioning oscilloscope? and?I would like to offer it to someone in the group who doesn't own?a scope.? If someone is interested?please contact me and I will let it go for shipping and handling.
Cheers, ? Jim ?AB1BR
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Hi Jack,?
No, 200-300mV p-p is the data sheet specified input signal amlitude pin 6 of the NE612 wants? to see from the external VFO, in this case, the Nano DDS VFO output. Afterall, the output of the DDS VFO will be the same as the NE612 input at pin 6.
I've attached the NE612 data sheet for the group's reference The NE612 LO input (pin 6) spec. is highlighted in yellow.
Jim ?AB1BR
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Thanks Jim for the encouraging words!?
Until the 49-er/VFO article appeared in QST, I had never heard of a "sketch" either!? I had heard of the Arduino, but I just assumed that this was some kind of computer part/stuff.?
I love building small electronic kits; I even like them more when they work!? So when I completed my hardware build of this project, I was quite confident, that I had it all wired correctly.? But then when I got into the programing of the Arduino, downloading files, in folders, subfolders, and getting the required sketch to compile;?wow!? Without help from this forum, this project was headed to my back shelf to gather dust.? I did enquire on some of the 2 meter nets here in the Detroit area, about this project and the Arduino, I didn't get any help there.? You have to understand, most of the club members nowadays, are retired and as old as me or nearly so; this Arduino stuff, is not them either!? Fortunately for this forum, and this very post, a great ham from LA offered to help me and he did.? My radio is working just great until today, I tried to turn the R3 up while watching for an increase in power output beyond the 1.8 watts,?on my wattmeter, and I smoked the D882 transistor!??? Guess I can't do it that way!? Now, the 49-er/VFO will be off of the air until my batch of new ones comes from China.? I do not have a scope, and probably, would not take the necessary time to learn how to use it.? At 80 years of age and counting, I am beginning to slow down a bit on taking on new projects, but I still do like to learn, to some degree, about them.? I think that all of this new electronic technology is really a "kool" thing, though.?
What I need Jim, is a guy like you in my area; until I find that person to learn this new stuff from, I'll just sit back and enjoy making QSO's with this project and telling all about it on the air!
vy 73, de Karl, KO8S
On Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:33 AM, "ab1br@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" wrote:
?
Hi Karl, ? I too, had never dealt with Arduino programs, (what's this 'sketch' stuff anyway?! ;)? Jack helped me with that and I was able to upload and even change the the program to zero the DDS VFO frequency to within 100Hz. ?Also rewrote the splash screen line to? identify the 49er?as,?"DDS 40Mtr QRP XCVR",?
My 49er puts out ~2.5 wts into a perfect load and monitoring the CW signal?with my? IC-745, I find no?chips?or?chirps.?However, VFO bleed-thru can be seen and heard if the signal from the DDS VFO is not carefully adjusted. There needs to be a better BP filter at the output as well.?
When reviewing the NE612 data sheet it states?a range?of 200mVp-p min. to 300mVp-p max.? for the LO input, ie, pin 6 on the NE612. So there is a very tight range (100mVp-p) for the? LO input. ?It has been said here that 2.0 to 4.0Vp-p is correct. Not sure why.
This project inspired me to buy a 200MHz sampling (DSO) oscilloscope. My old B&K has a 25MHz BW and is adequate but has some jitter. However it is a functioning oscilloscope? and?I would like to offer it to someone in the group who doesn't own?a scope.? If someone is interested?please contact me and I will let it go for shipping and handling.
Cheers, ? Jim ?AB1BR
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Karl, ?I put a very small series resistor in the D882 emitter leg to calm it down. Still getting 2.5wts out into the dummy load. I also put a good chunk of aluminium for a heat sink on the D882s exposed collector connection.? I ordered a batch of D882s as I'd gone through several as well. However, I don't believe the importance of a good heat sink on the D882s collector can be over-estimated.Let me know if you'd like me to send you a new D882... ?have fun & 73, Jim ?AB1BR
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Hi Jim
I would like to hve the scope.. how to contact you directly?
bobbie kd4lv
bob4john@windstream dot net
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I like the way this group helps one another...good stuff!
73, Jack, W8TEE
From: "ab1br@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]"
To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@...
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:42 PM
Subject: Re: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Getting help with programing the 49-er VFO project
?
Karl, ?I put a very small series resistor in the D882 emitter leg to calm it down. Still getting 2.5wts out into the dummy load. I also put a good chunk of aluminium for a heat sink on the D882s exposed collector connection.?I ordered a batch of D882s as I'd gone through several as well. However, I don't believe the importance of a good heat sink on the D882s collector can be over-estimated. Let me know if you'd like me to send you a new D882... ?have fun & 73, Jim ?AB1BR
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Me too!? I could not have done it without them!? de Karl, KO8S
On Thursday, August 11, 2016 10:05 AM, "Jack Purdum jjpurdum@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]" wrote:
?
I like the way this group helps one another...good stuff!
73, Jack, W8TEE
From: "ab1br@... [SoftwareControlledHamRadio]"
To: SoftwareControlledHamRadio@...
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 11:42 PM
Subject: Re: [SoftwareControlledHamRadio] Re: Getting help with programing the 49-er VFO project
?
Karl, ?I put a very small series resistor in the D882 emitter leg to calm it down. Still getting 2.5wts out into the dummy load. I also put a good chunk of aluminium for a heat sink on the D882s exposed collector connection.?I ordered a batch of D882s as I'd gone through several as well. However, I don't believe the importance of a good heat sink on the D882s collector can be over-estimated. Let me know if you'd like me to send you a new D882... ?have fun & 73, Jim ?AB1BR
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Glad I could be of assistance Karl. Learned something myself in programming that Arduino for you. At Jack's insistence I upgraded the compiler to V1.6.8 (I think it was .8). For some reason the display was complete gibberish. Tried A, tried B. Tried different libraries and still gibberish. While thumbing though the documentation for something I tripped across a line that the 1.6.x versions don't compile properly with the supplied library and the display will toss out gibberish. Oh. Helps the read the manual. Compiled with V1.0.5 and all was well. Note to self: It's not always your code at fault.
? Sorry I've been out of the loop. The QTH is just across the river from Baton Rouge, LA and have been dealing with the flooding you may have seen on the news. I'm high and dry but some family did get water. Spent two days doing emcomm work for the Red Cross. Around here either you got flooded out or you know someone who did. So homebrewing took a back seat for a while. Things are starting to settle down and I can get back to putting the forty-9er together. In the meantime the XYL and I are fostering a 15 year old cat while his owner rebuilds. We figure on three months before she can move back in. ? Till later Hank K5HDE
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jjpurdum