MiniTiouner Kit MTK1 Instructions.

[G6JIE]

Sorry for the delay getting back and a big thank you for all your helpful comments.
I thought I ordered a pre-programmed module but it wasn't so this was the problem.
No big deal, I followed the instructions on JP's forum and it now all working fine. So if anyone is having similar problems download the FTDI FT_prog and check the USB settings.
Thanks again for all the comments just need to put it in a box now.
73 Dave

[G4EWJ]

Good. I programmed a USB module using the xml file yesterday and it's been fine, so there is some variability.

Brian

[G4EWJ]

Update.

The zip file now contains the schematic.

There have been some minor changes to the instructions and parts list.

Brian

MTK1 Instructions v1-9, Parts v5, Overlay, Schematic v1.zip

(94.32 KiB) Downloaded 1482 times

[g0mjw]

Curiously, my USB adapter forgot its programming yesterday. The symptom was an unexpected NIM not found error message. A reprogram with FT_Prog fixed it. This was the first time I had programmed it as it came pre-programmed from the BATC shop. It had worked fine previously, so something had corrupted the setup.

So, if you are having NIM detection issues, it might be an idea to check the USB adapter before taking everything apart.

Mike

[g6crf]

Hi all,
Do we know when the second batch of short kits or some more PCBs will be available please?

Thanks
Terry

[G4EWJ]

Another batch of 100 boards has been ordered and should be here Tuesday September 1st, so there will be kits available that week.

Brian

[G4EWJ]

The next batch of kits should be available in a few days.

Individually bagging all the components has proved to be very time consuming, so this batch has almost all the components in one bag. There is a sheet included in the kit to do an inventory before starting.

Brian

100_0327.JPG (406.22 KiB) Viewed 11200 times

[g0mjw]

Nicely done,

Ironically the problem I have with sourcing for the companion TX was with the SMT parts. I have a good range of surface mount capacitors, but all are 0805, not 1206. They just about fit in place of 1206s. Its getting harder to find such "large" components, especially the less common values.

Mike

[G4EWJ]

It's a bit daunting if 1206 size is being phased out as being too large.

Brian

[G4EWJ]

The new Kon146-1100 rx converter from DG0VE takes about 300mA, which is too much for the 200mA resettable fuse on the MiniTiouner pcb. The Kon70-900 takes 190mA. I've replaced the fuse with the 300mA version.

While testing, some other issues have come to light. When using a 12v psu, the voltage at the F socket is about 10.2v. The Kon146-1100 uses a 9v regulator, which needs an input of 11v worst case. I can't see the regulator in the 70cm converter, but it's 9v, so is probably the same.

One option is to use a higher voltage psu. I tried 15v, but I found that if the F socket is shorted with either converter attached, the voltage recovers to about 8v and gets stuck there. It recovers OK if the F socket is shorted without a converter attached or if a 12v psu is used. I'll investigate other fuse types.

For the moment, I'm using a 12v psu and a 300mA fuse and I've shorted out D1 to give 10.9v at the F socket. D1 is to prevent any voltage applied to the F sockets from back driving the MiniTiouner psu, so it's not needed if you're never going to do that.

Brian