Minitransceiver SSB / 80 m

The description of this minitransceiver is presented at the 4th QRP Workshop in 2010 by SP5AHT.
The new minitransceiver differs fundamentally from all currently available SSB /80 m since it has been
simplified to a minimum with only 11 popular transistors.

In spite of its simplicity, the device enables two-way work in a slice 80 m band, as per the device more
complicated and more expensive. Output power of transmitter above 2 W (12 V power supply), pocket
size Dimensions of the device (100 × 100 × 35 mm) encourage fieldworks during holidays.
We recommend this system especially newcomers to the radio, Not only because of the low price used
components, but above all all for the sake of value educational. In such a school The device is easy to
follow the signal paths and to know work of individual blocks and without to understand the principle of
operation of the transceiver.
This design may be the first after the license, to construction of transceivers and learning secrets
popular radio HF band.

Simplified diagram

The Block diagram of the minitransceiver is shown in Figure 1.

The circuit is working as single frequency conversion, dual-use quartz filter, VXO (VFO) and BFO
generators, and mixer diode.
Double use of the filter and mixer-modulator during transmit and receive simplifies the construction of
the device (eliminates the need for signal commutation).

Selection of intermediate frequency About 8.6 MHz mainly results for use in VXO ceramic resonator of
4.9 MHz (instead of traditional VFO with tuned LC circuit). Application in the resonator generator
and in mixers receiver and transmitter of two-channel MOSFETs In a decisive way solved the stability
problems of VFO at omit the generator separator. The schematic of the device is shown in Figure 2.
Since the design is intended for beginner radios, it will first be discussed principle of operation of the
part Receive (RX) and then transmit (TX).
Receiver – RX
Signal from the antenna after passing through low-pass filter L1C12C13 limiting the signal level above 5
MHz is given by relay contacts for input damper in the form of a potentiometer P1. In this simple way,
apart from adjusting the volume, the problem of lowering the signal is solved input (override Strong
signals coming from, for example, a nearby station neighbor-HAM). Input resonant circuit L5C39, tuned
to the center of the 80 m audio band, provides sufficient filtering of the input signal, and by winding the
L4 feeding coil low impedance transformation Antenna to large Input impedance of the first mixer gate
with MOSFET T7 BF966 transistor. The second gate of this transistor is directed signal from the
generator VXO tuned in range 4,835 - 4,9 MHz (with small supply), which ensures the work
TRX in the most used for local work 3.7-3.765 MHz.
The first intermediate frequency filter (directly after the mixer) was used alone quartz crystal X3 8,6016
MHz with cooperating capacitors C40 and 42.
Applied values of these capacitors (2 × 18 pF) and input and output resistors R21 and R22 (2 × 1 k) are
the result of the SSB signal bandwidth. In the amplifier track T8 BF245B field effect transistor is working
with resistor load R23 (instead of the traditional circuit output LC).
Necessity of inclusion in the circuit The source of the D5 diode has mainly resulted the desire to
completely cut off the output stage at Broadcasting (elimination of DSB signal attenuation).
The gate circuit to the resistor R22, providing load filter from the mass side, attached is a very simple
automatic gain control system. The ARC signal is taken from the low frequency trajectory.
Signal from the headphone output It is detected in the diode of the D6D7 diode.
Elements R30 C47 provide necessary time constant selected for optimal work of AGC, without
noticeable distortion output signal.
With average signal level in antenna, AGC output voltage is close to zero, which gives
maximum step gain IF Increase the output signal m.cz, caused eg by strong receiving station or
appearing Interferes with the voltage, causing a negative voltage value of - 0.3 V (at nearby station the
value of this signal can even reach - 3 V), which - given on the goal transistor - causes a drop output
signal ff. The result reduce the step gain IF is increasing the voltage on drains (from a fixed value of
about 6V) in the direction of approximate voltages to 12 V.
Essential quartz filter SSB was assembled in a ladder system of four resonators with a frequency of
8.6016 MHz. At Four identical quartz crystal resonators are used and appropriately selected capacitors,
the filter provides the bandwidth about 2.4 kHz at I/O impedance 1 k.
Immediately after the filter a balanced modulator is switched on D3 D4 Diodes.
Appearance of signal on Quartz filter output balances the system and further passage of the signal from
the BFO quartz generator.
The frequency of this generator lies on the top of the curve quartz crystal filter, what is necessary to
reproduce the missing sideband signal input.
The frequency of generator operation with transistor T6 depends mainly from the resonator and a
capacitor connected to it (trimmer C48) increased BFO frequency over 1 kHz.
As a result of mixing the signal IF with internal signal The generator is obtained at the output a readable
low frequency signal that is fed through R24 C33 on the AF amplifier.
In this track works double degree of amplification in the system OE with transistors T9 and T10. Third
The transistor does not give a gain, because it works in OC and is used to match the low impedance of
the headphones.
Shaping the signal characteristics of the signal m.cz. in the range of 0.3 kHz they provide coupling
capacitors and the limitation is above 3 kHz C35 capacitor in loop feedback. Additional filter capacitor
C34 It also affects the signal limitation on the higher side frequency.
The device is provided for Communication with the multimedia set (electret microphone + Low-noise
headphones with built-in potentiometer for volume control).
Frequency of generator operation VXO with T5 transistor is electronically set by voltage from the
potentiometer P2 to the capacitance diode D8 BB112.
At maximum voltage (9 V slider in upper position), the output frequency was 4.9 MHz, while at low
voltage, the frequency is about 4.835 MHz, The result is 65 kHz width VXO band - the most interesting
section of SSB bands from about 3700 to 3765 kHz.
US1 7809 is used to provide 9V stable voltage.

Transmitter - TX
As soon as you press the PTT button The PZ relay switches the device from receiving to transmitting.
One A pair of contacts is used for switching Antenna (for transmitter time, the receiver's input to
ground) the other switches the supply voltage (disconnect +12 V from the receiver and give it to the
transmitter).
Signal from the electret microphone after amplification with the transistor T4 is fed in the system from
the PR1 potentiometer slide via the R9 C9 to the entrance diode modulator.
Appearance of signal m.cz. balances the system the mixer and the signal from the quartz generator to
the input quartz filter. Because the frequency of this generator lies on the upper part of the filter
characteristics
At the output of the filter is a signal with the bottom side rib (upper ribbon is filtered).
The SSB output from the filter output is fed to the first mixer gate with the T3 (MOSFET BF966). The
second goal of this transistor is signaled from the VXO generator (tuned in the above range). Secondary
L3 C5 dual-circuit filter - L2C48 transmits the transmitter signal in the range of 3700 - 3765 kHz.
The next stage - driver on transistor T2 2N2219 - is controlled from the coupling winding L6.
Directly from the SSB signal driver transformer TR2 is routed to the final power stage with transistor
T1 2SC2078.
Matching the circuit of the transistor to the antenna was done for using transformer TR1 and
low pass filter with coil L1. As is known, one of the most important parameters of an SSB transmitter's
amplifier is its linearity.

Correct operation of the power stage is achieved by setting the point work degree through
resistor R5 / R6 (resting current T2 approx 20 mA). Voltage polarity of the base the final grade is
collected of the voltage across the diode D1 polarized throughput Resistor R3 (resting current
T1 about 60 mA).
In the final stage there was no need for conjugation Voltage, because the circuit worked
without subjuncts.

Installation and commissioning

The entire minitransceiver system was assembled on a prototype a plate designed in AVT,
about 100 × 100 mm (Figure 3).
At the start of assembly, you should decide on the housing.
True to the corners of the plate There are holes to fix it through the spacer sleeves in any metal box, but
can directly to the plate Solder the components (sheet metal strips).
Front and rear walls and screen, as well as screen and simultaneous power amplifier, can be made as in
the model system with bent sheets of galvanized sheet about 0.5mm thick.

The front wall contains two holes designed for screwing potentiometers: P1 (attenuator) on the left side
and P2 (tuning) in the middle. On the right side the PTT switch is located.
You can also attach a double switch, to skip the relay, after all And so we launch it manually, and we will
save on power because no current will flowed through relay coil. The back wall contains four holes for
the socket: UC1 antenna, two mini jack: for Multimedia Speaker: Electret microphone + headphones
(adapted for installation on print) and DC / 12V.
Correctly welded housing parts are compact design mechanical enough to withstand twisting, which
additionally increases the stability of the device.
In order to assemble the electronics, it is a good idea to first solder all enclosures of the quartz
resonators to the ground.
Earlier, should be checked the frequency of the crystal resonators for frequency deviation. It should be
choose from the many resonators available, to find which one have the smallest difference (with
difference less than 100 Hz, and possibly even 50 Hz).
High frequency resonator can be predicted to pilot, or as X2. Most time consumes the necessary
components induction.
For transformers and resonant circuits were used easily available toroidal Amidon cores (need not be
original, important to have a value of AL, that is, the number of coils per 1 nH):
FT37-43 (9.5 × 4.75 × 3.3mm; AL = 420; black) and T37-2 (9.53 × 5.21 × 3.25mm; AL = 4; red).
Individual windings should be used perform as described below.
(The wire may be slightly different in diameter, if it is thicker it must fit free in the core window).

L1: 2.2 uH (23 wire 0.35 mm in enamel on core T37-2).

L2, L3, L5: 10 uH (48 for wire 0.2mm in enamel on T37-2 core).
L4, L6: 3 coils of telephone wires wound on the primary winding.
TR1: two windings wound at the same time (bifilar) after 10 threads 0.35 mm wire on FT37-43 core

TR2 - primary winding: 15 wire coils 0.25 mm in enamel on FT37-43 core;

TR2 - Secondary winding: 3 coils of telephone patch cord wound on the primary winding
TR3: three windings Wrapped at the same time (trifilar) after 10 turns of wire 0.2 mm on the FT37-43
core.
It is recommended to install very carefully thoroughly check all elements. On the side of the tracks it is
necessary to make additional connections using five pieces of insulated wire (A-A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D).

It is good to check the frequency of the VXO and BFO generators with the frequency meter by means of
small coupling capacities.
In any case, it is recommended that first mount and start receiving side (outside the bulkhead)
should be shielded elements L1 C12 C13 filter and relay).
The receiver should be ON once you turn on the power and attach the antenna.
It is best to hear RX at the time of good activity at 80 m, for example during national competitions. The
only element that is you will definitely need to set up, is a C48 trimmer. Its value should be set for the
most readable signal SSB. When properly selected values of generator elements VXO in the leftmost
position of the tuning potentiometer will be the frequency is close to 3700, and in right up to 3765 kHz.
As required, the range from the top You can narrow down by selecting R16. The range from the down
You can set by selecting R15.
Maximum amplification of the AF amplifier is very large The effect on the sensitivity of the receiver is
obtained with such values R25 and R27, so that the voltage across the collectors of the transistors T9
and T10 are close to 6 V (half the supply voltage).
If the voltage on the collector will be lower than 6 V, should be increased value of the resistor in the
base (decrease at higher voltage).
It is easy to check the AGC performance by comparing the quality reception of the stronger and weaker
Correspondence signals (should be received in the headset) about the same level).

The AGC voltage level can easily be measured with a voltmeter, on a C47 resistor. With stronger input
signals, we get a greater negative voltage. Increasing negative voltage of transistor T8 will cause
transistor channel clogging and voltage DC on the drain will grow until reaches values close to the supply
voltage (with weaker signals voltage on the drain should be close to about 6 V).
Activation of transmission part should be done after we make sure that the receiver is working properly.
During final assembly Transistor T1 2SC2078 should not be forgotten to screw its casing to the heatsink
via teflon pad or mica.
The only element that we will need to set it up Is potentiometer PR1, because the signal level is
important and the microphone signal level (depending on which type of microphone is used You need to
set the optimum value of the signal level to modulator). The value of the gain, as well as the quality of
the transmitted signal also has effect of R11 value (optimum DC voltage on the microphone should be
about 6 volts, that is half power supply).

Checking and correction also requires the currents of the transistors of the amplifier transmitter (just
measure voltage drops on emitter resistor) which should be close to 60 mV / R2 and 200 mV / R4.
Maximum emitter current when driving the T1 transistor It reached 0.5 A (500 mV).
Verification of transmitter power can facilitate the balance modulator and signaling carrier wave. To do
this, it is enough to bring the D3 D4 power supply voltage through the 10 k resistor. This way is often
used to checking whether the transmitter is running, (In the simplest case, just use the key to power
off).

The quality of the transmitted signal can be observed on the oscilloscope (better on the spectrum
analyzer) or, most simply, with the receiver using a 50 ohm resistor on the antenna socket (eg 2 resistors
100/2 W connected in parallel).
Minitransceiver, after the addition of electronic control (additional elements in the schematic:
T12, D2, R31), can be used for PSK emission. Based on the above description You can make a layout for
another HF range and use other values of X1-X9 resonators which will provide the required range
frequency.
For example, a band of 40 m can be obtain using 12 MHz quartz resonators and 5 MHz ceramic
resonator in VXO.