BATC Forum

New to DATV and I've been reading about the PicoTuner. I've seen the circuit diagram, parts list and build instructions.
Are the obscure parts going to be available from the BATC or do we have to source them ourselves?
Thanks, Barry G4IAT

There are only two obscure parts, the tuner module and the PCB. Both of these are available from the BATC members shop.

All of the other parts are available from regular component suppliers.

Colin G4EML

As Colin said …get tuner and Pcb from BATC

I used G0MJW excellent parts list and pasted it into Digikey ….couple of resistors were out of stock but easy to just use the ones suggested by Digikey on the parts list …..pay your money and the parts arrive from Digikey in a few days

Even I managed to paste the parts list ok …and also to build the board which worked 1st time …..not sure which impressed myself the most

Thanks for the replies.
I've now ordered the parts from Digikey. I've never used them before, I usually use CPC, but it was easier getting all the parts from one source (apart from the fuseholder)
When they arrive I'll order the PCB and tuner.

How's your build going? Built mine back in April.

I made the mistake of ordering the Rev1 BOM instead of Rev3, luckily it was only a couple of reference designators that were swapped.

It took me longer then I expected to assemble but I had ton of fun doing it. Made a recording of the assembly following the guide on the wiki, if it is helpful I've don't mind uploading it. My hesitation in uploading comes from it being pretty raw and three hours long.

Just about to start the picotuner. While waiting for the board and tuner to arrive I've been building a 4 element yagi for 23cm based on a design in VHF Communications 1975 Issue 2. Should be good enough for local contacts.
73 de G4IAT

Now populated the pcb (minus raspberry pi and tuner module), but not done any testing yet.
Rear panel - I'm assuming the 17 x 14 cutout (for RJ45 socket?) is no longer needed with version 3
And I presume I need to drill 4 holes for the LEDs on the front panel

Hi

Do you mean a pi pico, secondly it's your choice to use the Pico ethernet version, if using the ethernet version gives you the choice of using that aswell as usb.

Brian

Thanks for that clarification about the ethernet version.
What are the pros and/or cons of the 2 versions?
I've had a look at recent issues of CQ TV and also read several wiki pages, but for a newcomer (to BATC) like me I see a lot of technical info but no 'overview'
Another 'newbie' question. The PicoTuner_Hardware page states - It is recommend that the Rpi Pico is placed in a socket and not soldered directly.
There are no 40 pin IC sockets with a 0.7" row spacing, so I cut up one with 0.6" spacing. Good quality turned pin sockets.
But then I found even with a lot of force I couldn't get the Rpi to insert. I'm guessing that's because the Rpi pins are bigger than a normal IC leg.
Any recommendations for suitable sockets or 'header' ?
Maybe https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp-pro/2 ... dp/CN14539

Update - I think 4 x these (10 way) headers are more suitable
https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/1995 ... st=cn18766

Update 30/06/2025
The CPC 10 way headers (CN18766) are indeed suitable, but I found the plastic moulding/housing for the pins was slightly too long, so they would not butt up against each other correctly (to make a 20 way connector) so I had to file adjoining ends slightly to allow them to fit the holes in the pcb.

Pico and tuner now fitted, ready for connecting and programming