VK4MWL Remote HF

Contents:

Github Repository
Kicad Installation
Node-Red
Possible Enhancements
Schematic
Bill of Materials
Considerations for the Gas Dischard Tubes
Errata 1
Errata 2
Construction Photographs

Testing Ran a 100W through the board into a dummy load. No issues with SWR 160m to 6m.

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Github Repository

Remote HF PCB and Node Red Website for WFView, SteppIRAntenna and Yeasu Rotator:
git clone https://github.com/mlanagan/RemoteHF.git

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Kicad Installation

Kicad V7.0 installation on Ubuntu:
https://www.kicad.org/download/details/ubuntu/

Alternatively, follow these inastructions:

The Interactive Html Bom tool Plugin is available here:
https://github.com/openscopeproject/InteractiveHtmlBom/wiki/Installation

Download the source archive from the above site, and unzip to a temporary directory.
Run up Kicad and select form the menu Tools -->External Plugins -->Open Plugin Directory.
A directory will open, in my case it is "~/.local/share/kicad/7.0/scripting/plugins".
Copy the unzipped directory, "InteractiveHtmlBom-master", into the directory.
Then "Generate Interactive HTML BOM" will appear in the Tools menu.
Generate a interactive BOM.

Add the this custom worksheet file vk4mwl.kicad_wks to this directory to create:
".local/share/kicad/7.0/template/vk4mwl.kicad_wks". Paste the following into the file.

(kicad_wks (version 20210606) (generator pl_editor)
  (setup (textsize 1.5 1.5)(linewidth 0.15)(textlinewidth 0.15)
  (left_margin 10)(right_margin 10)(top_margin 10)(bottom_margin 10))
  (rect (name "") (start 408.161 24.6622) (end 300.161 -7.3378) (comment "rect around the title block")
)
  (tbtext "Date: ${ISSUE_DATE}" (name "") (pos 385.161 -2.4378))
  (line (name "") (start 408.161 -3.8378) (end 300.161 -3.8378))
  (tbtext "${KICAD_VERSION}" (name "") (pos 407.161 -5.2378) (comment "Kicad version")
)
  (line (name "") (start 408.161 -0.8378) (end 300.161 -0.8378))
  (tbtext "Rev: ${REVISION}" (name "") (pos 322.161 -2.4378) (font bold))
  (tbtext "Size: ${PAPER}" (name "") (pos 407.161 -2.4378) (comment "Paper format name")
)
  (tbtext "Id: ${#}/${##}" (name "") (pos 322.161 -5.2378) (comment "Sheet id")
)
  (line (name "") (start 408.161 3.1622) (end 300.161 3.1622))
  (tbtext "Title: ${TITLE}" (name "") (pos 407.161 1.3622) (font (size 2 2) bold italic))
  (tbtext "File: ${FILENAME}" (name "") (pos 407.161 4.9622))
  (line (name "") (start 408.161 9.1622) (end 300.161 9.1622))
  (tbtext "Sheet: ${SHEETNAME}" (name "") (pos 407.161 7.6622))
  (tbtext "${COMPANY}" (name "") (pos 407.161 10.6622) (font bold) (comment "Company name")
)
  (tbtext "${COMMENT1}" (name "") (pos 407.161 13.6622) (comment "Comment 0")
)
  (tbtext "${COMMENT2}" (name "") (pos 407.161 16.6622) (comment "Comment 1")
)
  (tbtext "${COMMENT3}" (name "") (pos 407.161 19.6622) (comment "Comment 2")
)
  (tbtext "${COMMENT4}" (name "") (pos 407.161 22.6622) (comment "Comment 3")
)
  (line (name "") (start 388.161 -0.8378) (end 388.161 -3.8378))
  (line (name "") (start 324.161 -0.8378) (end 324.161 -7.3378))
)

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Node-Red

Node-Red is required for software developemnt:
The Node-RED Platform

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Possible Enhancements

Next version could have an SWR bridge and automatically shut down the transmitter if the SWR is out for range.
A connection for a dummy load.
Given there is a Pi, an 8" colour LCD with some sort of UI
Relays and I/O to control startup and shutdown of radio equipment such as transmitters and amplifiers.

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Schematic

Source: 20230907-RemoteHF-Schematic.pdf

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Bill of Materials

Remote Radio Control BOM [html]

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Considerations for the Gas Dischard Tubes

2053 Series Light Duty 2-Electrode Miniature Gas Discharge Tube:

https://www.bourns.com/docs/Product-Datasheets/2053.pdf

The GDT on the antenna outputs come in 350/3Kv. Is this value the best choice?

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Errata 1

There is a link missing on the board between pin 1 and 2 on U7. A solder blob or jumper on those two pins will be required.

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Errata 2

The mounting holes on the raspberry pi side have no copper so they are isolated from the case. Remove the solder mask with flat blade screwdriver so that the copper is exposed on the bottom side for these four holes. This will link the case to the non-isolated ground and all the antenna grounds through the case.

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Construction Photographs

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Glenn Lyons VK4PK
glenn@LyonsComputer.com.au
Ver:gnl20230625 - pre published v0.9