New QRSS/WSPR ham radio kit

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Hans Summers G0UPL has introduced a new standalone QRSS/WSPR amateur radio HF kit, the Ultimate 2

It is a new improved version of the "Ultimate" kit announced last June. The new features are

  1. Pre-assembled DDS module (no SMD soldering!) to provide output on any HF frequency
  2. Plug-in Low-Pass Filters (LPF), which is also available as a separate kit for all 9 HF bands.

The kit supports WSPR, QRSS, DFCW, FSK/CW, CW, Hell (full speed and half-speed), Slow Hell, and customisable FSK patterns.

The WSPR encoding is on-chip. It supports the connection of a GPS module for frequency locking, accurate time, and location (for WSPR). Power output is measured at around 150-200mW on the 30m version (more power on lower frequencies, less power on higher). It does not require a PC, it has an LCD and two buttons to control it.

The price is GBP 17.50 (EUR 20 or US $27 approximately) plus shipping, which includes DDS module, LCD, main board + components, and one LPF kit.

The kit supports the following modes:

  • QRSS mode (plain on/off keyed slow CW)
  • FSK/CW mode (frequency shift keyed slow CW)
  • DFCW mode (dual frequency CW, dit's and dah's on different frequencies)
  • WSPR mode (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter)
  • Slow-Hellschreiber (frequency shifted slow Hellschreiber)
  • Hellshreiber (full-speed standard Hellschreiber, and half-speed Hellshreiber)
  • CW (plain CW)
  • Customisable FSK patterns

Other features:

  • Pre-assembled DDS module for output up to over 40MHz
  • Plug-in 7-element Low Pass Filter boards for all 9 HF bands available
  • 24-character LCD + two-button user interface
  • User-programmable (callsign, message, speed, FSK, mode, etc.), settings stored in EEPROM
  • GPS interface, for locking the frequency in slow-speed modes
  • On-chip generation of WSPR encoded message (no PC required)
  • WSPR maidenhead locator can be generated from GPS-derived latitude/longitude
  • Selectable “frame” size, for stacked QRSS reception
  • Plain CW callsign identifier at selectable interval
  • Produces approx 150mW RF output, or AF output for driving an SSB transceiver
  • Higher output power by additional PA transistors and/or higher PA supply voltage

More information - http://www.hanssummers.com/ultimate2.html

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Raspberry Pi as WSPR transmitter up to 250 MHz

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Guido PE1NNZ has released code that he says enables the Raspberry Pi to operate as a WSPR transmitter at HF and VHF.

Guido has modified the WsprryPi code originally developed by Dan Ankers MD1CLV. He says the Raspberry Pi requires just a Low Pass Filter (LPF) and antenna connected to the GPIO4 pin in order to function as a WSPR transmitter.

The PE1NNZ code and binary - https://github.com/threeme3/WsprryPi

Dan Ankers MD1CLV WSPR - http://m0xpd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/raspberry-whispers.html

WSPR on the Raspberry Pi - http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2013/wspr_on_the_raspberry_pi.htm

2000km DX using the Raspberry Pi

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Eddie G3ZJO used the 10 mW of RF that can be generated from the Raspberry Pi computer board to get over 2000 km on the 7 MHz band.

The Raspberry Pi board can operate as a WSPR transmitter covering LF, HF and VHF up to 250 MHz.

Eddie G3ZJO connected the board's GPIO port via a low pass filter to a 40m Doublet for the 7 and 14 MHz bands or to a small Marconi inverted L just 6m up 6m out for the 472 kHz band which he estimates generates an ERP of 0.5 microwatts.

Among the stations who received his WSPR signal were:  

  • LA9JO JP99gb 2124km on 7MHz
  • LY2BOS KO24or 1736km on 14MHz
  • IK1WVQ JN44cb 1133km on 7MHz
  • G4KPX  JO02dj 80km on 472kHz
  • G3XIZ IO92ub 46km on 472kHz

The PE1NNZ code and binary to turn the Raspberry Pi into a WSPR LF/MF/HF/VHF transmitter is available at https://github.com/threeme3/WsprryPi