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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1874-720px.jpg]]
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| − | == Features ==
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| − |
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| − | SDR up-converter/receiver shifts HF (0-30 MHz) frequencies up by 100 MHz. Used to listen to HF frequencies on an inexpensive RTL-SDR module.
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| − |
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| − | * $55
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| − | ** Purchased at [https://www.facebook.com/w3pie W3PIE] hamfest
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| − | ** [https://044640f.netsolhost.com/ Can be ordered as PCB, Kit, or assembled]
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| − | * [https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/SBL-1+.pdf SBL-1 Level 7 mixer]
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| − | * 100 MHz can oscillator
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| − | * Low pass filter
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| − | ** 35 MHz
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| − | * [https://044640f.netsolhost.com/ 1 kHz to 1.7 GHz SDR Receiver] - WA3TFS Design
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| − | ** [https://rest.edit.site/filestorage-api-service/23f1203e3bd4a6128459f208dcf16362/forkiin-sdr-qst-article.pdf?dl=1 QST Article]
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| − | ** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/73eecae7c71adfad0f97a69e16be7203/sdr-wiring-diagram(3).pdf?dl=1 SDR wiring diagram]
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| − | ** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/e5b0fbd1d917fc766cf2197693d69209/bill-of-material-sdr-rev-1-3.pdf?dl=1 Parts List]
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| − | ** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/21f2eeabc8074f4bc64a7b350b8b52e1/pcb_r11.jpg?dl=1 Layout]
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| − |
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| − | === Schematic ===
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Schematic.PNG]]
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| − |
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| − | === Pass Filter ===
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| − |
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| − | * 9 turns on FT37-2 = 0.3 uH
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| − |
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Inductor.PNG]]
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| − |
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| − | * LTSpice Simulation
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| − | ** 1-100 MHz
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| − |
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Pass_Filter.PNG]]
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| − |
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| − | * LTSpice Simulation
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| − | ** 1MHz-1GHz
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| − |
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Pass_Filter_1MHz-to-1GHz.PNG]]
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| − |
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| − | == Software ==
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| − |
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| − | * [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/ RTL-SDR]
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| − | * [http://hdsdr.de/ HDSDR] - Easier to use
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| − | * [https://airspy.com/download/ SDR Sharp] - Crashier
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| − |
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| − | == Build ==
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| − |
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| − | * Nice silver mica caps for the band pass filter
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| − | ** My kit was missing the center cap of the band pass filter (150 pF)
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| − | ** I used a junk box ceramic disc cap
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| − | * 30pF cap installed in J_A to J_B marked 300
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| − | * Build was too tough due to very small pads on the PCB
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| − | ** Particularly tough to solder ground pads
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| − | ** Pad shapes were not round so less area to set soldering iron
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| − | * Is LO drive more than 7 dBm?
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| − | * Pin 1 orientations on the mixer and oscillator "backwards" from other board legends
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| − | ** Pin 1 shown in red circle
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| − |
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_pcb_r11.jpg]]
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| − |
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| − | === RTL-SDR ===
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| − |
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| − | * [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/ RTL-SDR DONGLES (RTL2832U)] - rtl-sdr.com site
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| − | ** [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/ RTL-SDR Quick Start Guide]
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| − | * <1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO)
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| − | ** Accurate tuning and almost zero temperature drift (2 PPM max. initial offset, 0.5-1 PPM temperature drift)
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| − | ** SMA female antenna port
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| − | ** Generic dongles use the less common MCX or PAL antenna ports
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| − | ** SMA is more common, so more adapters and antennas are available for it
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| − | ** It is also more durable and has lower RF insertion losses
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| − | * 4.5V USB powered bias tee
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| − | ** This allows the RTL-SDR to power low noise amplifiers (like the LNA4ALL, HABAMP, RTL-SDR Blog ADS-B LNA) and active antennas through the coax cable
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| − | ** Can be enabled in software (see V3 users guide).
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| − | * Aluminium case and passive cooling
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| − | ** These units come stock with an aluminum case and passive cooling via a silicon thermal pad
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| − | ** This stops reception failing due to heat when used above ~1.2 GHz
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| − | * Improved Antennas
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| − | ** We provide an excellent dipole antenna starter kit for newbies
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| − | ** Use the included mounts and extension cable to mount the dipole in good position for optimal reception
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| − | ** Receives terrestrial and VHF satellite signals
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| − | * Various additional improvements compared to other RTL-SDRs
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| − | ** R820T2 tuner, higher quality passive components, a choke on the USB line to reduce USB noise, a much improved PCB design for significantly less internal spurs and noise, various break-out pads, improved ESD protection, additional bypass capacitors and ferrite power line chokes, improved front end matching circuit, a modified power design for improved long term reliability, and a better LDO.
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| − | [[file:RTL-SDR_improvements_v3new800x800.jpg]]
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| − |
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| − | ==== RTL-SDR V3 - HF Direct Sampling Mode ====
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| − |
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| − | * RTL-SDR V3 can listen to 500 kHz-28.8 MHz with direct sampling
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| − | ** [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/ Direct Sampling HF Mode]
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| − | * Simply connect an HF antenna to the SMA port, and choose the Q-branch mode
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| − | * There is a built in 25 MHz low pass filter, but additional HF filters may be required for optimal performance (e.g. to attenuate strong MW AM)
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| − |
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| − | [[file:RTL-SDR_Q-branch.png]]
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| − |
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| − | * Short video showing this
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| − |
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| − | <video type="youtube">I6Kh9A1Nd_s</video>
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| − |
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| − | === Wiring ===
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| − |
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| − | * SPDT switch
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| − | ** One switch pole powers the card (turns off 12V)
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| − | ** Other switch pole switched in/out the Upverter
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| − | ** Could just move the cable
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| − |
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Wiring.PNG]]
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| − |
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| − | == Enclosure ==
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| − |
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| − | * Board fits perfectly in
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| − | ** [https://www.adafruit.com/product/2230 Extruded Aluminum Enclosure Box - 94mm x 83mm x 30mm]
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| − | ** Card just perfectly matches
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1878-720px.jpg]]
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| − | [[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1880-720px.jpg]]
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| − | == Alternate Designs ==
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| − | * Cheaper/Better options
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| − | * [https://www.amazon.com/NooElec-Ham-Up-v1-3-Upconverter/dp/B009LQT3G6/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=rtl-sdr&qid=1634230894&sr=8-13 Ham It Up]
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| − | ** $39.95
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| − | * [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CYH6NL/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B076CYH6NL&pd_rd_w=bGmJ9&pf_rd_p=887084a2-5c34-4113-a4f8-b7947847c308&pd_rd_wg=ziW2h&pf_rd_r=72Y8ND4NJT5B0AXPGBQS&pd_rd_r=7754890a-00c0-4d4e-9a64-e3e2b79d566f&smid=A2JO7YP9I9Y3D6&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyU0dMNjZPODdVNlhFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDI5OTcyMTI4TUxaMDFYWU1WSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzUxMTU2MU1GMlUwQTZWS0hGRyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Ham It Up Plus]
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| − | ** $49.95
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| − | [[file:HamItUp_720px.jpg]]
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| − |
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| − | == Videos by others ==
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| − |
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| − | <video type="youtube">I6Kh9A1Nd_s</video>
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| − |
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| − | <video type="youtube">XeQnDpzhcRo</video>
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