Late June, 2010
M5TXJ, Dave's Combo PICASTAR BUILD
Update, 28-06-10 Dave is edging towards finishing the meachanical build now, with a 5" TFT colour screen installed. <vk3pe>
Dave has his own web page here.
Hi Glenn,
I haven't sent you an update to your website for a while so here goes.
Having got my TftA with 5" TP
screen working FB, I've now started putting it all in my case. All main boards
are fitted including Ian's peak SWR bridge, but not the PCA9555 or my own design
transverter interface boards. My software modifications for transverter switching
is working OK.
Power wiring is to install, along with a relay to switch the PA supply.
Headphone socket is to wire as is the 38k4 CAT interface socket and the Hobcat
USB socket.
Still got to make a back panel but we're looking pretty good so far. The hole
above the tuning knob is for the front panel DSP LED, the LED above that is
a tricolour one for "params".
The menu knob has it's switch wired as the menu button and the right hand encoder
is also the display button, the other encoder switches are yet to be wired.
The case measures 449W x 376D x 133H
(in mm) I've still power wiring and screening to make but we're getting closer!
Vy 73 Dave, M5TXJ
Late June, 2010
Feb 25th 2010:June 30, 2010 Two QSO's today Glenn, W8ERN and RK3QZ both on 20m with about 5-10W from the Combo and the 20W PA lashed together on the bit of wood with the LPF. It's now a genuine transceiver! 73 Dave 'TXJ
See end of Page for Dave's 1st QSO Combo STAR
21-12-09
Glenn,
Jjust thought I'd let you know that the Combo is progressing fine, I have all the semi's except the TL-072s (DIP8's arrived by error!). It is a lot of the "ones and two's of" R's and C's I need to get especially the BPF 0603's. I've got a 27Mhz fundamental xtal from Farnell to try in the Butler and Seamus is going to get some 10.715Mhz xtals ordered from Quartslab™ at some point. There won't be much progress for a week or two now, (9H trip) but I will provide updates from time to time.
Thanks again for all the work you've put into this board.
72 (telegraph code for seasons greetings - not
QRP 73)
Regards and 73 Dave. M5TXJ
Update: 1st Feb, 2010 <edited>
Hi Glenn,
just an update for you, as you can see I've screwed the boards to a bit of wood
to help prevent damage during testing. Things are progressing quite well other
than still waiting for a 10.715Mhz xtal from Quartslab™.
The DDS is working fine now I've shortened the ribbon
cable.
Got a nice "Schroff™" case from eBay™ for the project, list
price £269 + VAT, cost me £32.04 I'll get it all working before
I start metal bashing.
The Schroff 24572-055 comes without a front panel but has a rear panel which has approx 1" vertical slots running across the top. As you can see it has removable side panels to hide any fixings used to fit a chassis.
73 Dave M5TXJ
Click for larger pictures.
Case is 449W x 376D x 133H (in mm)
25th Feb 2010:
Glenn,
here are two pics of the now complete BPF section of my Combo, not much else
has changed other than the addition of some screening and the fitting of the
long awaited 10.715Mhz Xtal. As you can see I've gone the T50-2/T68-2 toroid
route for 10Mhz, the T68-2 has 38 turns and the 5-65pF trimmer is almost exactly
half meshed for best effect.
As reported it's now receiving, but must find time to do the Cal_IF before progressing
to the TX side.
Seamus' Combo is now receiving too.
73 Dave M5TXJ
< click for larger size >
16th March, 2010:
Two QSO's today Glenn, W8ERN and RK3QZ both on 20m with about 5-10W from the Combo and the 20W PA lashed together on the bit of wood with the LPF. It's now a genuine transceiver!
73 Dave 'TXJ
Click for larger pictures
Last updated on June 30, 2010
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Combo AA (proto "Combo")
Created Jan 2010 by vk3pe