KK4DAS

Here is what the breadboarded VFO looks like...

73, Dean

KK4DAS

Hi VWS- 

I have set myself a goal of a having a 100% scratch-built 40 meter QRP SSB transceiver built and ready to demonstrate by field day.  The design is based on the Simple SSB Transceiver project by Pete Juliano, N6QW.  The finished rig will work on 40 meter SSB phone, both upper and lower sideband, so it can do digital modes.   It is about as simple an SSB transceiver as you can get - on 10 transistors total, which gives me hope that I can actually build it.   I think the total cost of all parts will including the fancy digital VFO will come in at less than $50.  I plan to document the project as I go and post updates here in this message thread.    If anyone would also like to build this project please let me know.   I plan to build a module every couple of weeks between now and field day.  

I have the first module breadboarded and working - it is the VFO control.  It consists of an Arduino micro controller and an SI5351 clock generator which will provide the VFO/LO and LO frequencies.  

Here is a demonstration of the VFO.

If anyone would also like to build this project please let me know.  It would be great to have some partners in crime..(radio).

73,

Dean

President of Vice, VWS

KK4DAS

Hi,

The antenna is an 7 band off center fed dipole 135' long, feed point at 45') at 36', flat top.

73,

Dean

KK4DAS

73.52.24.174_2019-12-29T17_30_57Z_3579.20_cw.wav

Project updagte ….  the Michigan Mighty Mite has been heard on the air!  This is a 600 mW one transistor transmitter at 3.5798 MHz (the old NTSC colorburst frequency, and uses recycled color TV colorburst crystals - they cost about 30 cents a piece).  You can listen to the CQ I recorded off the Penn State websdr.  The code is originated from my homebrew morse keyer - the same one I demonstrated at show-and-tell - but with the timing fixed.  I have been able to hear and copy the transmission as far north as Boston, down to Virginia Beach and out to Cleveland.  

If you are on HF 80 meters and want to hear it on the air live, let me know and we can setup a time.

This is a really easy project to build and fun to get on the air with a radio you built yourself!  If anyone is interested in joining the Colorbust Liberation Army  more please let me know!

Happy new years!

73,

Dean

KK4DAS

Yes - it was a fun little project.  No need to stay lazy - I've got my sights set on building a scratch-built SSB transceiver in time for field day 2020!

I just completed a new project - it is called the Michigan Mighty Mite - it is a 1/4 watt single transistor transmitter.  Check out the pictures in the Project Showcase.    For more details about the project check out on makeRF - and best of all it is only 7 parts!  

And you can see a video of it .   After I completed it, Bill Meara N2QCR and I got on the air - he lives in Falls Church.  Check it out on YouTube. 

Let me know if you have any questions or want to build one.  Its a great weekend project.

73,

Dean

KK4DAS