August 2008 - SoftRock Ver6.3 Software Defined Transceiver
August 25, 2008 --- The transceiver main board is built and I now await the USB controller board for the Si570 and the TX PA/bandbass filter board for 10m.
Once completed this RxTx will allow frequency agility without the expense of additional crystals. The Ver6.3RxTx is a 1watt transceiver covering 160-10m. It
utilizes four plug-in Rx bandpass filters and four plug-in Tx PA/bandpass filters to cover all amateur bands in this range.
August 29, 2008 --- I wired up the Ver6.3 today and applied power for the first time without the TX PA/filter. Only the receiver side was tested on 80,75,40,30
20 and 10m. I'm very pleased with the results and the PIC/Dip switch frequency control works very nicely. 10m performance is very similar to the Ver6.2 on
receive.
Sept 8, 2008 --- The USB interface arrived and I built it up. Then the Ver6.3RxTx was mounted in my usual "homebrew bathtub chassis" and the USB board mounted on a piece of perf board for final mounting. I really like the USB controller. Changing frequency ranges is just a click away. The only "problem" is remembering to change the RX bandpass filter. The 10m PA/filter will be built up as soon as I get it.
Nov 25, 2008 --- The 10m PA/filter has been built up and testing is underway. Good IQ balance was easy to obtain. In this photo the 10m PA/Filter is toward the top center of the photo and the 10m rec bandpass filter is now in the receive side. Again, this transceiver can be used from 160-10 meters by using the correct plug in bandpass filters / PA.
More will follow
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