The Ellies Dual Port LNB modification for QO-100

The Ellies Dual Port LNB modification.

I want to modify the Ellies Dual Port LNB so that the output frequency would be ether on 70cm 435Mhz or 2M 145Mhz so that it can be used on the QO-100 Satellite directly to VHF/UHF SSB rigs.

Here is an opened LNB.

Opend LNB

Here you can see the two local filters to the two ports.

The Main Mixer and PLL LO seem to be Rafael Micro RT320n

Top View

The Mixer and LO and PLL seem to be Rafael Micro RT320n

Rafael Micro RT320n

It seem Like the Local Crystal is 25Mhz

Crystal is 25Mhz

What this mean if I change the LO Crystal frequency I should be able to force the IF to the required Output to ether on 70cm 435Mhz or 2M 145Mhz


I have created a Spreadsheet to calculate the required IF frequencies so you can listen to QO-100 on the required Ham band.

I did some calculations and the LO to Crystal frequency = LO / 390
see calculated values

Blue / Red is crystal frequency for your LO in LNB

 

VHF 2m Low pass filter design for 146Mhz ideal for Raspberry Pi

VHF 2m Low pass filter design for 146 Mhz ideal for Raspberry Pi 

I wanted to use the Raspberry Pi SDR TX capabilities using the IO pins to generate RF.
The following was possible.
APRS
FM and SSB and CV
WSPR
SSTV....

There is a very nice library that will run on Raspberry Pi one B called rpitx witch can generate CW,SSB,FM SSTV...

The problem in using a Digital IO pin on the pi to generate RF signal would mean it will generate a squire wave signal witch has lots of harmonics. To solve the harmonic problem you will need to build a low pass filter.

Harmonic about 25 db down with now filter.

This harmonic would not be in regulation with rf transmission and would therefore need to create a low pass filter to remove the harmonics.

Here is a filter I build to get rid of the harmonics.

RFSim99 application.

Here is the Low pass filter spectrum analyzer curve on my LWT500,
The Harmonic level should be about 25 db below the carrier.

LPF Curve for 146Mhz (1 Harmonic down about 25db)

Here is some photos of the veroboard test filter I am now busy make a PCB for Raspberry Pi with a small 10db amp.

146 Mhz Low pass filter SMD components

Still need to replace the two wires with Coaxial cable.

This filter board with 7 stage low pass filter will be available soon. (60db)

3D model of 2m Filter board

I will still add a screenshot with the Filter attached later.

Boards has arrived. Assembly and testing will start. 

EchoLink on Ubuntu (Setting up Svxlink server and qtel)

EchoLink on Ubuntu. (12.04) (Setting up Svxlink server and qtel)

Svxling is a application that allows you to setup a Echolink link or a Echolink repeater on your server.

You will need to build a interface between your computer Serial port and Mic and line in and outputs of the available sound card on your server.

Here is a typical interface diagram. You can get this interface in prebuild format at http://www.giga.co.za/ocart/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=385&search=radio+digi

 

 

Computer to Radio interface.

Jingtong Radio interface.

Jingtong HT

I now use the Baofeng uv-5r and not the Jingtong due to the squelch not being stable.

Qtel is a Echo link client that allows you to connect to Echolink system as a client simulating a radio. Communication is done using VOIP from your client to Echolink system.

Here is the steps that you neet to take if you want to set-up Svxlink link or you could only install client Qtel see nr 4.

You will have to verify your call-sign on http://www.echolink.org/ with proof of your Radio amateur license documents. (The verification process can take 24 ours, so do it upfront and you need to verify your call sign for -L link and -R repeater options)

Ones this is done you will have call-sign and password required for the configuration below.

I would suggest you get a APRS servers password as well but is not required to get your Svxserver going. ( you could add the APRS functionality later.)

1) First add the Svxlink repository ref. to Ubuntu 

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:felix.lechner/hamradio

2) Update all repository config files for Ubutu.
sudo apt-get update

3) Install the Svxlink from the new repository configerd above.

sudo apt-get install svxlink-server

4) Install the qtel client.

sudo apt-get install qtel

5) Configure the Svxling server confugeration

sudo vi /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf

6) Change the following fields in the /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf file

LOCATION_INFO
     Example:
     LON_POSITION=09.02.20E

     Example:
     LAT_POSITION=51.02.22N

CALLSIGN
     Examples:
     CALLSIGN=EL-ZR0ABC # callsign for a link EL for link and ER for repeater.

PTT_PORT
     Examples:
     PTT_PORT=/dev/ttyS0 # this could be a USB serial port  /dev/ttyUSB0 ?? change this to your device

FREQUENCY
     Example:
     FREQUENCY=430.050 # tx-frequency is 145.550 MHz (Radio Frequency)


TX_POWER
     Example:

     TX_POWER=3 # tx output is 3 watts

ANTENNA_GAIN
     Example:

     ANTENNA_GAIN=5 # antenna gain is 5 dBd

ANTENNA_HEIGHT

     Example: 

     ANTENNA_HEIGHT=10m # 10 meters above the ground 

     OR ANTENNA_HEIGHT=90 # 90 feet

Save the file.

Now comes the difficult part where you need to define your audio device for TX and RX.

Run the Command sudo aplay -l  This command will display all the alsa devices that can play sound to ext Speak.

sudo aplay -l

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****

Home directory /home/anton not ours.

card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC662 rev1 Analog [ALC662 rev1 Analog]

  Subdevices: 1/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

sudo arecord -l

In my case I only have one device "card 0: Intel [HDA Intel]"

You could properly use the device name Intel.

And to get the input device available on your computer run the command sudo arecord -l

sudo arecord -l

**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****

Home directory /home/anton not ours.

card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC662 rev1 Analog [ALC662 rev1 Analog]

  Subdevices: 1/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

card 1: V10 [FUNcube Dongle V1.0], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]

  Subdevices: 1/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

In my case there was two devices and I wanted to use the same alsa device and above so it will be the "Intel" device

Defining alsa device by going to your home directory 

cd

now edit the asla config file .asoundrc in your home directory (create one if it dose not exists)

sudo vi .asoundrc    The Intel part in the file must be changed to have your computers interface card name from the above process.

#This configuration file is for alsa interface configuration.

# 1) Intel motherboard (1 stereo input and 1 stereo output)

#

#************************** pcm definition ************************************

pcm.Intel_card {# defining the card to be used

     type hw

     card Intel # this has to be done to force reboot to point to same card

}

#************************* control section ***********************************

ctl.Intel_card {#defining the control interface

     type hw

     card Intel # this has to the same as above

     }

Save the file.

Now edit the line AUDIO_DEV=alsa:pcm.Intel_card in the sudo vi /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf file with the name U defined in the .asoundrc file U edited above ( in section Rx1 and Tx1)

Save the file.

Now you need to configure the echo-link connectivity details.

sudo vi /etc/svxlink/svxlink.d/ModuleEchoLink.conf

change the following fields.

CALLSIGN=CALLSIGN-L # your callsign

PASSWORD=your_verified_password #verify you callsign at http://www.echolink.org/

SYSOPNAME=your name and info

LOCATION=[Svx] Fq, your location town ....

DESCRIPTION="You have connected to a SvxLink node,\n"
            "a voice services system for Linux with EchoLink\n"
            "support.\n"
            "Check out http://svxlink.sf.net/ for more info\n"
            "\n"
            "QTH:     South of Johannesburg, South Africa\n"
            "QRG:     Simplex link on 145.550 MHz\n"
            "CTCSS:   My_CTCSS_fq_if_any RX only working on TX Hz\n"
            "Trx:     My_transceiver_type Jingtong JT-208\n"
            "Antenna: My_antenna_brand/type/model Mag mount 1/4 on house roof\n"

Save a file and you should be ready to start the server.

Before we start the server with start-up script lets check if there is any errors.

Run the command sudo svxlink

if all is ok you should see something like this.

SvxLink v0.13.0 (Apr 15 2012) Copyright (C) 2011 Tobias Blomberg / SM0SVX

SvxLink comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY. This is free software, and you are

welcome to redistribute it in accordance with the terms and conditions in the

GNU GPL (General Public License) version 2 or later.

Using configuration file: /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf

--- Using sample rate 48000Hz

Starting logic: SimplexLogic

Home directory /home/anton not ours.

Loading module "ModuleHelp" into logic "SimplexLogic"

        Module Help v0.7.0 starting...

Loading module "ModuleParrot" into logic "SimplexLogic"

        Module Parrot v0.7.0 starting...

Loading module "ModuleEchoLink" into logic "SimplexLogic"

        Module EchoLink v0.10.1 starting...

*** WARNING: The value of ModuleEchoLink/LOCATION is too long. Maximum length is 27 characters.

Loading module "ModuleTclVoiceMail" into logic "SimplexLogic"

        Module Tcl v0.3.0 starting...

Event handler script successfully loaded.

EchoLink directory status changed to ON

--- EchoLink directory server message: ---

To ensure security, each

callsign used with EchoLink

must be validated.  The

callsign you are using has

not yet been validated.

Several different validation

options are available.  To

begin, please go to

www.echolink.org and click on

Validation.

Debugging

1) if you get an error like this.

*** ERROR: The sample rate could not be set to 8000Hz for ALSA device "pcm.Intel_card". The closest rate returned by the driver was 44100Hz.
*** ERROR: Could not open audio device for receiver "Rx1"

Most build in sound-cards should be able to handle 96000 or 48000Hz

Change the sample rate by editing the config file

Try uncommenting the CARD_SAMPLE_RATE=48000 and change it to 8000 or 16000 or 48000 in the /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf file (high value is better)

2) if you get an error like this.

open serial port: Input/output error

*** ERROR: Could not initialize TX "Tx1"

*** ERROR: Could not initialize Logic object "SimplexLogic". Skipping...

*** ERROR: No logics available. Bailing out...

This means the serial port defined above PTT_PORT=/dev/ttyS0 is wrong and you need to get the correct port. (If you are using USB serial port it could be something like /dev/ttyUSB0)

3) If you get an error like this.
*** WARNING: SvxLink can only handle WAV files with sample rate 8000: /usr/share/svxlink/sounds/en_US/EchoLink/name.wav

It seems that the Ubuntu install install 16 bit audio files by default.
You can check the files by running the command.
file  /usr/share/svxlink/sounds/en_US/Default/0.wav
This what you will get from the command conferming it is 16bit

/usr/share/svxlink/sounds/en_US/Default/0.wav: RIFF (little-endian) data, WAVE audio, Microsoft PCM, 16 bit, mono 16000 Hz
I had to replace the files with this link https://launchpad.net/~felix.lechner/+archive/hamradio/+build/4783829

backup the existing wave files
Remove / uninstall the 16 khz files
sudo dpkg -r  svxlink-sounds-en-us-heather-16khz

Download the install file
Run sudo wget https://launchpad.net/~felix.lechner/+archive/hamradio/+build/4783829/+files/svxlink-sounds-en-us-heather-8khz_11.11-1~raring~ppa1_all.deb

Run the command
sudo dpkg -i svxlink-sounds-en-us-heather-8khz_11.11-1~raring~ppa1_all.deb

There should be now errors. (if there is errors tel me how you got it fixed below)
Normally you could just edit the /etc/svxlink/svxlink.conf file and fix the error.

My start up scrips did not work with the default instillation procedure as above and I had to add additional info in the script /etc/init.d/svxlink-server as follows.

4) If you get an error like this when you start up svxlink-server: 39: [: -eq: unexpected operator
It also means your PTT_PORT=/dev/ttyS0 is not set correctly.

I had to add the following lines.

Edit the file

sudo vi /etc/init.d/svxlink-server

add the following

LOGFILE=/var/log/svxlink # just below the PATH line

and changed RUNASUSER=svxlink to RUNASUSER=root 

Now lets start the Svxlink server.

sudo /etc/init.d/svxlink-server start

Check that the process is running.

sudo ps -ef | grep svxlink

We still need to adjust the audio levels for tx and rx.

run the alsa mixer to adjust the audio levels

run  sudo alsamixer   In my case I gad to set the Capture volume for the Audio from radio.

The log file will indicate if the level is set to high.

alsamixer (F5, F6, space bar, m, up, down selection keys )

Tail the log file for possible configuration errors when u start the server.

sudo tail -f /var/log/svxlink

To stop the server 

sudo /etc/init.d/svxlink-server stop

How to start Qtel client

sudo qtel

Linux Qtel Client

Qtel CLient

Client on windows

Echolink Client

Android Client

Echolink Station list

Link connection screen

Connection view

If the APRS server details, username and password is configured correctly you should be able to see your station on the APRS map.

What is nice is the fact that your APRS station details get updated with connection details as stations connect to your Svxlink server.

EL-ZR6AIC APRS

Please give me feedback on any mistakes.

more info is avalible at http://www.svxlink.net/?tag=svxlink-server-on-ubuntu-12-04

2M Band is now added to webSDR in South Africa so come and listen to the local ZA

2M Band is now added to webSDR in South Africa so come and listen to the local ZA

I have now added the 2M band to webSDR receiver system and Pieter-Tjerk has added the FM mode and it works fantastic.

here is the link http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8902

Just click on band selection 2M modulations FM and decrees the bandwidth to about 12.5 khz.

Drag the yellow courser to the frequency you whant to listen.

Building my Eggbeater II Omni LEO Antennas

Building my Eggbeater II Omni low Earth orbit satellite Antennas for 70cm and 2M. 

70cm Egg Beater

I only had vertical 5/8 ground plane antenna fro 70cm and 2m band and wanted to get better reception on the new cube satellites frequency.
This assembly is based on the Jerry, K5OE Eggbeater II design.
More details at  http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html

70cm Eggbeater II

First get the following items:

1) 2.5 mm SQ (Minimum) Flex cable used in normal 15A plug cable with solid copper core. (about 2m)

2) 50mm PVC Plumbing pipe.(3m lent)

3) 50mm PVC end caps (qty 1)

4) RG65 Coax Cable for matching unit (18.5 cm) 93 Ohm

5) 3mm x 15mm screw with nuts (qty 4)

6) Spade terminals (qty 8)
7) RG58 or recommended RG213 coaxial cable feed line 50 Ohm.
2m Eggbeater II
The 2 meter loops are 51 cm wide by 63 cm tall; 2 meter the reflectors are 100.5 cm long and 101 cm below the driven elements.
137 MHz WX Sat Dimensions
 The loops should be built with # 8 AWG wire and the reflectors should be increased to about 1/4" diameter. The loops will be 54 cm wide by 66.5 cm high. The reflectors will be 107 cm long and 108 cm distance from the feed point. The RG-62 will be 45 cm long (plus 2.5 cm at each end).

Phasing line
The 70 cm phasing line is  (13.5 cm) long and the 2 meter phasing line is (41.5 cm) long. Cut the RG-62 about (5 cm) longer than these measurements and leave (2.5 cm) at each end to strip the insulation, peel back the braid, strip the center conductor, and attached the ring lugs.

Tools:

1) Side cutter.

2) Drill and 3mm metal drill bit.

3) Measuring type.

4) SWR meter or VNA analyzer if you have one.

5) Long nose players or crimping tool.
6) Insulation tape.

Youtube video of Egg beater assebly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai2KiaTMveE

 The 70 cm loops are (17 cm) wide by (21 cm) high and the reflectors is (33.5 cm) long and  (33 cm) below the driven elements

Step by step instructions to assemble 70cm Antenna.
1) Strip the cable from the plastic flex cable.

2) Drill the 50mm PVC end caps with 3mm drill diagonal from each other and mount the wire crimp lugs with the screws and nut.

Crimp lugs

50mm PVC end cap assembled.

2) Bend the wire 21 x 17cm

21cm high

17cm wide

3) Cut the wire end to still give you 17cm with when inserted on external crimp lugs and crimp the lugs with long nose players or crimping tool. (use insulation to hold top section together.)

Assembled active loops

4) Cut two lengths of  cable of 33.7 cm and straiten.

5) Cut about 5mm wide and 1cm deep square cuts out of 50mm PVC end as on picture below.

Cut out squares from pipe end.

6) Then mount the assembled end cap with active elements on to PVC pipe where you have cut out the squares.

Assembled end cap on PVC pipe

5)Then drill 4 holes 33cm below the driving elements diagonal in pipe 

I have drilled 4 hole above and 4 holes below the 33cm distance so I can fine tune the SWR 

Drilled 12 holes 33cm below driver elements

6) Assemble the previously cut 33.7cm wires in the center drilled holes as in picture below.

7) Assembly of feed line next weakened.

Cut the RG-62 about (5 cm) longer than these measurements and leave (2.5 cm) at each end to strip the insulation.
 The 70 cm phasing line is (13.5 cm) long.(add 5 cm to strip 2.5cm on ether side)

Feed Line connection Diagram

Here is my pictures for the assembly of  feed line

13.5cm RG65

RG62 13.5 cm + Rg58 from 70cm Transceiver

Complete Antenna

Ref: more details at  http://wb5rmg.somenet.net/k5oe/Eggbeater_2.html

Here is some pictures of the construction of 2m Eggbeater

2m Feedline

RG65 and RG58 feadline (2m)

2m Top support

Assembly of top section (2M)

2m Feed line connection

Adding phase and feed line (2M)

2m and 70cm Eggbeater Antenna

Add caption

Some more pictures from Hams

70cm Eggbeater Jan 2014

Here is some more pictures from hams who have build the Eggbeater.

70cm Eggbeater Jan 2014

2m Eggbeater Jan 2014

2m Eggbeater Jan 2014

2m Eggbeater and 30m dipole

My new 2m Egg beater

I had some problems with Big OWL bending my 70cm Eggbeater antenna several times where after I decided to redo the 70cm Eggbeater with bigger 5mm Aluminum Rods.

Bend by Large Owl

Owl

Here is a picture of my refurbish 70cm Eggbeater.
I had to bend the Aluminum with a gas torches heating up the corner when bending it as it broke if I tried to bend it if it was room temperature .

5mm Aluminum Rods in place of 2.5mm Coper wire.

Bent with gas torches.