Loading the RPi3 with QUISK
I have been working on three webpages that detail how to setup the Raspberry Pi3B (also the ASUS Tinker Board) for operation with QUISK and you can see that by visiting my new website. See http://n6qwradiogenius.us
Of particular interest to the RADIG project is how to load the RPi3 and QUISK found at the first link below
This is a bit tedious but covers setting up the NOOBS on the RPi3B and then how to setup the QUISK Software. But the real meat is how to do the actual setup of the parameters within QUISK so it plays with your RADIG which is the second link of the three links.
For that piece, I will make a video so you can see step by step how to enter data on your configuration. If I were to simply describe it in words -- you would get lost (very likely I would get lost). But the video should help. Give me a couple of days --I want to script it rather than wing it!
Also keep in mind the amazing file that automatically gets placed in the File Manager and should you "goober" things up then it is a simple removal of that file and you can start afresh with loading a new configuration without having to reload NOOBS or QUISK.
The Third Link -- RPi3 and Ensemble
There is also a third link on the webpage which covers how to mate the Raspberry PI3 with the SoftRock Ensemble. SDR from Five Dash (Tony Parks, KB9IYG). Now this particular Link will serve several purposes and it is not an either / or situation as perhaps was suggested by a comment from the last posting.
The link is useful for the following reasons:
- The installation is the same whether you use an Ensemble (a single board) or in its place substitute the USB Synthesizer, the RADIG Board, the Driver stage and the IRF510 Final Amp. All else and the interconnects remain the same.
- I sense that many hams would like to make the leap to SDR but perhaps feel they lack the experience to build the RADIG Board, and the other associated boards. The Ensemble is a very viable alternative. Thus it provides a path to enjoy SDR at a nominal cost with a known board.
- I happen to have an Ensemble and thought this would be a good test --if my approach works with the Ensemble will it work with the RADIG? [YES it does!]
- I keep getting pestered about more schematics and more data. Frankly that is a bottomless pit and would never fulfill those who made the requests. So the Ensemble is an alternative for them, as it is a commercial product and the sorts of detail that is being requested abounds. My SDR adventure is just something I am sharing with you via the blog and website. If you cannot build the RADIG with what has been supplied so far then you best buy an Ensemble. Oh the Bonus with the Ensemble --it has Tayloe Detectors and therefore the subject of why use the ADE-1's now becomes a moot point.
- Bottom line as always -- usually there are good reasons why I do things and most of the time the information is very useful. So the real answer to the comment is --BOTH!
I have been doing some experimenting with the hybrid coupling transformer ahead of the ADE-1's. Charlie, ZL2CTM has a wonderful video on you tube of his SDR phasing rig and he highlights the transformer he is using that came from EMRFD. Now immediately some of you who like to pick away at this blog will nod and say EMRFD -- it has to be perfect. That transformer is a 10 Turn Bifilar wound coil on a FT-37-43 core. The common connection goes to the Band Pass Filter Node and the other windings go to the RF Ports on the ADE-1's. Bridged across the total bifilar winding is a 100 Ohm resistor.
Two components --pretty simple. BUT I found there is a sideband reversal on Transmit in my installation. Mind you we are not disparaging EMRFD nor those who at night, sleep with that publication next to them. It is merely something that causes a reversal so that on my RADIG while you are receiving LSB --it is transmitting USB. Aha --just reverse the leads going to the ADE-1 from the new transformer. I will let the experts who read this blog think that through...
Keep in mind with two other transformers I have used, both do not see this sideband reversal --everything else aside from just the transformer is kept as is. So this has to be something unique with these two components.
Something is shifting by 90 degrees when going to transmit. I keep thinking about an LO placed above an incoming signal and when the mixing process takes place there is sideband inversion. The current problem must be rooted in a similar process ( I didn't say that was the exact case but just thinking what has been experienced in using total hardware.)
Something is shifting by 90 degrees when going to transmit. I keep thinking about an LO placed above an incoming signal and when the mixing process takes place there is sideband inversion. The current problem must be rooted in a similar process ( I didn't say that was the exact case but just thinking what has been experienced in using total hardware.)
Arguably if you used only this transformer initially and had no other configurations you could say you "goober'd" the wiring in the sound card. But I was careful to keep the very same sequence of connections on the Ring, Tip and Sleeve on the 3.5 MM stereo connectors. The sound card now installed is the Creative Labs Xfinity and the speaker out (Line Out) has colored coded (red & white) connectors which mate with the color coded cable I used. So I am fairly assured that the connections are correct. The fact that it worked properly with other transformers brings to light "something else". A sound card issue has not been totally discounted but everything sure points that way!
So now I would suggest you visit wb5rvz.org Robby has done an amazing job of documenting the builds of the SoftRock transceivers. Once you are on that link click on the current transceiver the Ensemble RxTx . Scroll down to the schematics and Note the Connectors JPI and JP2. These are the Line In and Line Out. Note that even using those TAYLOE detectors, the I and Q are being reversed on one of the connectors. If you have an Ensemble you can see there are pads on the board to do this. So from the git go this functionality has been purpose installed on the Ensemble.
Armed with that information I made a change on my RADIG to reverse the I and Q coming from the Line Out stereo connector to my DPDT relay. With that change it now is receiving LSB and transmitting LSB with no reversal and ditto for USB. One final test is the "look see" on the KPH SDR, which I did and all appears "squared away"!
This story will continue. But two components sure can cause some head scratching. Stay tuned for more misdaventures.
73's
Pete N6QW
Armed with that information I made a change on my RADIG to reverse the I and Q coming from the Line Out stereo connector to my DPDT relay. With that change it now is receiving LSB and transmitting LSB with no reversal and ditto for USB. One final test is the "look see" on the KPH SDR, which I did and all appears "squared away"!
This story will continue. But two components sure can cause some head scratching. Stay tuned for more misdaventures.
73's
Pete N6QW