PicoTuner for dummies?

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Rishtonite
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Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:03 pm

PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by Rishtonite » Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:22 pm

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

g4eml
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Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by g4eml » Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:20 am

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

G4HTZ
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Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:21 pm

Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by G4HTZ » Wed Jun 04, 2025 4:09 pm

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
Steve G4HTZ

ASHEN nr Sudbury JO02GB52 90m ASL

PORTSDOWN and a RYDE …

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g6hfs
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Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by g6hfs » Thu Jun 05, 2025 9:49 am


Rishtonite
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Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:03 pm

Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by Rishtonite » Thu Jun 05, 2025 4:18 pm

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.

ki5bab
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:12 am

Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by ki5bab » Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:32 am

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.

Rishtonite
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Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:03 pm

Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by Rishtonite » Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:42 am

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

Rishtonite
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Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:03 pm

Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by Rishtonite » Mon Jun 23, 2025 6:09 pm

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

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g6hfs
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Re: PicoTuner for dummies?

Post by g6hfs » Mon Jun 23, 2025 6:34 pm

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

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