SoftRock, Digital Radio, 21st century homebrewing...

[kc2orw]

I actually have several of the SoftRock kits built including the RxTx transceiver. I'm actually actively working on mods and enhancements to the hardware (DDS VFO, amplifier, information display using a HD44780 based LCD) as well as software to go with it.

Rocky is closed source so I can't work with that, but I am having good success with DttSP (on which PowerSDR is based) and GNU radio.

I also have the Ozy and Janus boards (fully assembled) from HPSDR (TAPR), and I'm waiting on Mercury.

However, this is just one thing. I do believe that digital modes will continue to grow in ham radio. And I do believe that some hams need to be more welcoming of them, and not just acting as obstructionists.
Good I have a few questions that I haven't discovered answers for in the group.
But better done elsewhere as this environment is too noisy...

So question 1 for starters it appeared to me the Transceiver version is not SMT components is that true? Yipee if it isn't SMT anymore....

More to added but I will edit it in a little while so consider this a thread transfer form Q are whatever the land of misfit trolls. Perhaps a few others will follow my link from there to here and we can all have an intelligent discussion even Mr. USPacketNet ahs an account here now

So I have a version 4.0 kit of the SoftRock40 which I am just getting around to finishing. The SMT version should be named the SoreEyes 40 I can barely look at it even with the magnifier lens set to maximum. I think if I actually want to work with SMT components I need a microscope :D

[N2RJ]

Cool.

I'll answer what I can.

[kc2orw]

Cool.

I'll answer what I can.
the new Transceiver looks pretty interesting I may just try and use the version 4 I have as an IF for a PCR 100 I have that way I can extend the capabilities of the PCR and use it for scanning with SSB and CW facilities.
Of coarse I have to check if my older version has 10.7 mhz out or not. Will examine the manual for that one.

So question 1 for starters it appeared to me the Transceiver version is not SMT components is that true? Yipee if it isn't SMT anymore....

Sorry restarting the thread here I got out of sync with you....

[N2RJ]

The transceiver version definitely contains SMT parts. They contain more SMT caps and all of the IC's are SMT.

But if you have a fine tipped soldering iron, a magnifier, tweezers, silver bearing solder and solder wick they are really no big deal.

To me the most difficult part of building the RxTx was winding those dang binocular coils and transformers.

I built mine in two evenings. Spent about 6 hours in total.

[kc2orw]

Well I guess I handle one more SMT project but if I were going to a bunch more a much better yet magnifier or a microscope would become a necessity..

Did you run across some linux software for this... I suppose I could just go over and download gnuradio. I recall that Phil Covington had started thinking about using Mono to get some of his other libraries ported to Linux. I don't think he got to far pretty sure he jumped right onto his SDR project before getting anywhere with that one. I have to look through my archived email I believe he might have sent me a sample as he knew I was interested in that as a possibility.

[N2RJ]

Yes, you can use Linux. SDR shell (http://ewp.homelinux.net/sdr-shell/) and DttSP (http://dttsp.sourceforge.net/) will work.

It will basically give you the same functionality as PowerSDR (FlexRadio) since DttSP is the core of PowerSDR.

Yahoo! Group. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dttsp-linux/)

[kc2orw]

Yes, you can use Linux. SDR shell (http://ewp.homelinux.net/sdr-shell/) and DttSP (http://dttsp.sourceforge.net/) will work.

It will basically give you the same functionality as PowerSDR (FlexRadio) since DttSP is the core of PowerSDR.

Yahoo! Group. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dttsp-linux/)
Excellent thank you very much :)

[N2RJ]

Welcome. :)

[kc2orw]

Welcome. :)

Wow I am overwhelmed with all the variations the people at the SoftRock group have posted :P Where to start, where to start !!! Oh yeah first finish the one that I have :D

[N2RJ]

I tell ya... And they say homebrewing is dead.

Yea right!

I have my eyes on a miniboots or perhaps the super bingo amp. 1w is nice, but only when the band is wide open.

My next step, however, is getting the DDS-60 VFO and making my RxTx crystal-less, and making it cover the whole band.

I have built boards with 0.010" x 0.020" caps and resistors.

Now they are coming out with parts at 0.005" x 0.010". Nothing much more than dust.

[kc2orw]

I tell ya... And they say homebrewing is dead.

Yea right!
No indeed not dead just different but you can't get some to progress forward. That type wants everything to be the way it used to be... however long ago that "used to be" was.
With all the interference in the NYC Metro Region you can barely get a simple old DC Receiver to pick out a signal from the noise. Enter DSP, tah dah, the new homebrewing PC's and new fangled hardware plus software equals relatively straight forward functional radios that can separate the signal from the noise.
The retros like to complain that this stuff does it all for you well yeah but it practically has to if you live in a noisy region it's pretty much just self defense.


I have my eyes on a miniboots or perhaps the super bingo amp. 1w is nice, but only when the band is wide open.

My next step, however, is getting the DDS-60 VFO and making my RxTx crystal-less, and making it cover the whole band.

Nice projects I will continue to read your progress reports as you post them. I might want to do some of the same myself or some variation along similar lines.

I think I better warm up the iron and get the soldering going I already did the SMT side. I did already flip it over and start but I have to sort through everything to find the place I left off on and be sure I didn't lose any parts that I don't have laying around. Yep and now I have most of the ingredients to do the software aspect in linux too. That will require a bit of sorting out but well worth the effort. The only Windows PC I have left is the laptop I am posting here with. I think of it as my Microsoft Reader about all it is good for :D

[N2RJ]

I have built boards with 0.010" x 0.020" caps and resistors.

Now they are coming out with parts at 0.005" x 0.010". Nothing much more than dust.

I hear the way you deal with them is to put solder paste, lay the parts out and bake in an oven!

At least we're not dealing with BGA components where even manufacturers have a hard time soldering and inspecting their work.

Yeah. Solder paste and a hot plate at about 260C.

[N1LAF]

I have built boards with 0.010" x 0.020" caps and resistors.

Now they are coming out with parts at 0.005" x 0.010". Nothing much more than dust.

I hear the way you deal with them is to put solder paste, lay the parts out and bake in an oven!

At least we're not dealing with BGA components where even manufacturers have a hard time soldering and inspecting their work.

When you have finished the PCB layout, and generate gerber plots for PCB manufacture, you can have a stencil made up (from the gerbers), thin aluminum, that you place over the PCB and squeegee solder paste across the stencil. The stencil has cut-outs of where you want the solder, and the thickness of the stencil ensures the proper amount of solder on the pad. Components can be placed by tweezers, or if you have enough money, an X-Y-Z table that has a suction line (to hold/drop component), and a camera that zooms in on the drop area, connected to a monitor for that perfect placement. The solder paste is sticky, so the components will stay put. The populated PCB is placed on a plate and placed in a toaster oven, with a temperature crayon. This plate used is to help evenly distribute the heat. As the solder melts, the component will also center itself on the pad. When the temperature crayon starts to melt, pull the board out, it is ready. When cooled, visually inspect those tightly spaced pins for solder bridges with a magnifying glass, and have the light come across the area on an angle. If there is a solder bridge, you will see a flash of light as you look and move across the bridge area. Most of the time, bridges isn't a problem. And thats how it is done, right there in your own kitchen.

[N2RJ]

Not bad.

I've seen references to that technique in quite a few places.

Haven't actually gotten around to doing it myself.

I guess for the next installment of HPSDR (Mercury) I might have to do that.

[N1LAF]

Not bad.

I've seen references to that technique in quite a few places.

Haven't actually gotten around to doing it myself.

I guess for the next installment of HPSDR (Mercury) I might have to do that.
Toaster Oven: http://openhardware.net/Misc_Stuff/ToasterSMD/

[rot]

Cool...
I have one little SMT project..but I just sit there staring at the parts.
I found a little linky to the stencil/cooking with some pics.
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/presen ... Stenciling (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/present.php?p=Stenciling)
Good deal on that crayon to monitor temp...
Actually I could kick myself..I bought an old Varian gas chromatograph from a lab that was dumping spent equiptment for 50 bucks. You can run a thermal profile in the oven however you like heat x minutes hold x minutes cool, etc.
Might have been perfect.
Like the dipstick I am, I took it apart to get at some off the hinge support hardware.
Neato.
Good Luck on the small scale.
rot