Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Forum for discussion about the Langstone Microwave Transceiver that shares some features with the Portsdown. Wiki: https://wiki.microwavers.org.uk/Langstone_Project
radiogareth
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by radiogareth » Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:50 pm

If you have built a Pluto INTO your Langstone/Portsdown box, have you screened it? Ie Tin box etc.....it would seem wise, given the proximity of the RPi?? The latest lead with mine came with a ferrite suppressor on it too, at the computer end.
Gareth

g4eml
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by g4eml » Wed Oct 14, 2020 4:47 pm

I removed the Pluto board from its plastic case and attached it to an aluminium chassis. Then fitted a brass cover over it.
However I didn't really notice much difference in Rx or Tx performance so I am not sure if it is really necessary. Probably doesn't do any harm though.

Colin G4EML

G8GKQ
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by G8GKQ » Wed Oct 14, 2020 5:13 pm

Hi Gareth

I wanted to mount my Pluto in close proximity to the RPi 4 and two 3W power amplifiers (one for 146, and the other for 437) so I removed the plastic case and built a square tinplate box around it. I soldered up the bottom and side seams and have some fingering around the lid.

No idea about any performance improvement, but it has worked flawlessly in that environment.

Dave

radiogareth
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by radiogareth » Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:14 pm

OK, As its mounted in a plastic box I have provided copper foil/tape as a 'ground plane' and a U shaped aluminum hood that's open at the connector and USB ends, hopefully better than nothing. The Hood grounds the copper foil when I bolt down the Pluto.
I have noticed that the Pluto is sensitive to more than 5 volts (think I read that somewhere recently / Wiki?) and when switching to Langstone it will just lock up and sit there saying loading....everything seems happy around the 4.9-5.0 mark with DC fed directly into the +5/0V GPIO pins from a 3A buck convertor.
Clip-on ferrites on their way for the short Anker (quality I hope) USB lead.
Gareth

radiogareth
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by radiogareth » Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:19 pm

With my pluto being mounted inside the whole box, I wanted to extend the Activity/Ready LEDs to the front panel so I can see what the Pluto is actually doing (or not if something locks up).
The diagram is here https://wiki.analog.com/_media/universi ... c_revb.pdf showing low side drivers as might be expected. The LEDs on the PCB were tried with some 5mm blue conventional ones across and as both still lit up fine I went with simple wire extensions to my front panel. They were easy enough to solder to with a conventional iron, unlike the RPi which was a real job!
Gareth
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radiogareth
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by radiogareth » Fri Oct 30, 2020 3:53 pm

Well the back is on.....for a few days. Still got the external control socket to wire up once the control expansion board arrives.
Very pleased with the outcome and functionality.
Huge thanks to those who have written and contributed to the software suite, Dave, Colin, Heather, Martin and others. All I've done is package it....
Gareth G4XAT
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i2NDT
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Re: Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

Post by i2NDT » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:45 pm

WELL DONE Gareth!!!
i2NDT Claudio
Dalmine, Italia

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