Topband: Receiving Array

[Greg - ZL3IX]

Many folks have commented that they would like to have more details about my
new array.  As it happens, I have written an article for Break-In, our
national society magazine in ZL.  I would be happy to send a copy to anyone
who would like one - just send me a personal mail request.

I should point out that the article does NOT cover the remote aspect, just
the design of the array itself.  For that reason I will give a few details
of the remote control aspect here and now.

I have made a simple single conversion 160m receiver with CW only filter.
The LO uses a DDS chip, simplifying tuning by remote control.  The whole
arrangement is operated from my home QTH using a duplex 70cm link, with 5
MHz separation.  Control via the uplink is achieved using raw 4800 baud
serial data, that FM modulates a  50W carrier.  Audio from the remote Rx is
brought back via FM on a 10W carrier.  16F876 PIC's are used to control the
system at each end.

The system is powered from a 45 Ah battery, charged from a second hand 33W
solar panel.  Antennas at each end are 15-element quagi's about 20 ft high.
The UHF link has been difficult to get going, hence the high antenna gain.

Hope that gives people an idea of what I've done.


73, Greg, ZL3IX