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
- Pre-assembled DDS module (no SMD soldering!) to provide output on any HF frequency
- 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
