Jeff, GW3UZS, PICASTAR Build

Since Jeff's previous mail of late Jan, 2009 (further down page) Jeff has moved along even more with his construction. I like the way Jeff has vented the sides of the PA shields. (VK3PE)

Last updated on March 10, 2009

9th March, 2009

Hi Glenn,

I have now completed the 150W PA and is operational with a temporary LPF.

Attached are pics of the whole unit. Its a bit of a lash up at the moment and nowhere near the presentation by other builders but hopefully by next winter things should improve. The temporary LPF is attached under the heatsink and I have added a temporary 'S' meter since the last lot of pics. The heat sink is off a Pye base station which I have milled it to shape.

I like your single board version and I wonder if you have added SWR, power output, ALC/ PA protection to your project. I would also like to add Ian's (G3VPX)/ Dave's (G6ALU) Atmel display in due course. I will watch developments with interest. 73 Jeff GW3UZS

73 Jeff GW3UZS

Click most pictures for a larger view:

Jan 26th, 2009

Hi Glenn,

I have attached a few pictures of my PICASTAR build.

Most of the boards/screens are bolted together but the 20W PA and LPF are spread out over the bench at this stage.

I have had many QSO's with it since my 1st QSO with the homebrew net on 3.727Mhz with very good reports including one from Peter G3XJP.

At this stage the LPF is out of a Yaesu FT980 but this will be replaced by the G4TZR in due course

You will also note a very temporary front panel and I have not yet screened the IF sections or carried out a full setting up/alignment.

However, I have swept and aligned the BPF for each band and also the 20W PA (amazingly flat response from the PA from about 1.5MHz to about 25MHz - about 1dB down at 30MHz and about 4/5dB down at 50MHz). {Jeff used an MPSH10 in the 1st stage}

It will probably be next winter before I complete the case etc - I started building in early November and other things to do have suffered a little - must now give attention to other outstanding work.

73 Jeff GW3UZS

Click on picture for larger size. (then click again for even larger size < ~1Mb pics)

New page created on 27th, Jan, 2009 by VK3PE

Last updated on March 10, 2009