Langstone build thread - join in the fun!

[g0mjw]

That's nice. I like the 3D panel, not sure about the colour though. Should be BATC blue really.

I have been working on a similar project. Not an ideal case but I had it in my old projects box. It used to be a 2.4 GHz transverter 20 years ago.

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I used a modified 3D case to hold the screen in. This has a raised bit around the screen so it's not quite flush with the panel to hopefully avoid stress. The screen is not scratched, it still has the plastic protective film on it.

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Next the controls. I discovered I have no 8 pin microphone sockets so these are on order. While looking I was tempted by some better looking push buttons too, so I can't complete. I am wondering what to put inside. Pluto? Probably. Minitiouner? Probably not - connect by USB. Filters PAs etc. No, these are arguably best in the masthead, but I will put in a couple of 6 way relays and leave space.

Mike

[radiogareth]

Looking good Mike. My Portsdown solution was printed in a Blue 'pearlescent' so at the moment I'm using this 'red' - also pearlescent. None of the blues commonly available match the BATC colour so what the heck
I was thinking of having an outboard relay 'wrap-around' solution so RX/TX changeover, delay/sequencing circuitry and bias/PA switching. WIth a big variety of bands and amps, none of which are already switched, it would seem the best solution.

Gareth

[G4FKK]

Nice to work you Langstone to Langstone on 4m this morning Gareth. Wonder if that's a "first"

I'm clearly going to have to convince Ann that we need a 3d printer!

Martin - G4FKK

[radiogareth]

And today we did the same on 2m SSB
And it works across the shack on 6m too. Pretty amazing stuff
Gareth

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[g4eml]

Hi Gareth,

I am surprised if it worked on 6M. I was pretty sure the Pluto driver will not allow it to tune below 70Mhz.
The Langstone GUI doesn't limit it to that value and tries to set it lower but I didn't think it is actually tuning.

In fact the 4M band probably doesn't receive below 70.1 MHz. That's because the lowest you can set the LO is 70.0 and the receiver IF center frequency on the Waterfall is 100KHz. I think the transmitter will go right down to 70.0 though.
I could add the lower 100Khz by setting the LO on the high side but that is a lot of extra work for a non-microwave band!. Definitely one for the 'Maybe one day' list.

Colin.

[G4FKK]

Ah! That explains why I can't hear the beacons on 4m. Mine won't receive below 70.100MHz but it does transmit and also on 6m.

[g4eml]

It will transmit down to 70.0 because the transmitter does not use an IF offset.
I will have to have another look if you say it is working on 6M. I don’t understand how!

Colin.

[g4eml]

I have just checked and can confirm that my Pluto will transmit down to about 47MHz. However the receive LO cannot be set below 70.0 MHz , any attempt to do so seems to be ignored by the Pluto, so it will not be possible to receive on 6M. I will see if I can modify the software to allow reception down to 70.0. At least then that band can be fully used.


Colin G4EML

[G4FKK]

Well, that would certainly be nice but, as you said before, maybe not a priority on a microwave transceiver if it's a lot of work

I've just been using mine to receive the QO100 satellite and will have a go at a transmit strip this week, so the fun continues - thank you very much!

73, Martin - G4FKK

[g4eml]

Actually it turned out to be easier than I thought!

Receive coverage is now down to 69.9 MHz.
There is a spurious signal at 70.0 MHz which is the DC offset. Can't avoid that.

The tuning now also stops at 69.9 MHz. Even though it would still transmit below that it makes sense not to allow it if the receiver doesn't work as well.


Colin G4EML