VFO Design with Adaptive Step Rate and Vernier Display

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vk3tjs

Guest
You wanted some pictures Jacek?
Here is the inside of the first 3d printed case.
View attachment 452
Before that, I tried a Jaycar case.. HB6011
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As you can see, I'm not much good at cutting neat holes!

So, back to the 3D printer...

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Please note, the glass I print on has damage so the surface is not smooth.
I'm toying with getting a spring steel sheet instead, but another 410x410mm glass will be a lot easier to source.
You are good at 3D printing and creating objects. Looks good.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
Photo on 22-10-2020 at 6.17 pm.jpg

The connectors have arrived. As well as some Ebay ones coming, these are from RS. And it turns out they are not too expensive.
The 4 pin version is 820-1551 B4B-XH-A(LF)(SN). (Plug 602-8492, XAP-04V-1)
While the 2 pin is 820-1554 B2B-XH-A(LF)(SN). (Plug 602-8470, XAP-02V-1)

Plugs are just the housing so pins need to be ordered as well.

XA crimp receptacle contact, 28-22 AWG
Stock no.: 1235951
The pins have still to get here. In the post!


I did note the 2 pin PCB holes are too small, and the CTCSS level pot needs to be installed reversed as the holes are too close to the connector :(Sorry about the out of focus picture. Blame the camera on the shed Mac.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
I have swapped the SDA and SCL signals on the 2 x I2C connectors. Pooh!
But at least they both work when the wires are changed to suit.
Photo on 23-10-20 at 9.17 am #2.jpg

It turns out the SCL and SDA pins are ok. The display I used was in fault :)
 
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BillC

Guest
Good on you Denys , I am not sure with my front end vfo how to reduce all the wiring , plugs , sockets etc. around the UNO .,the display and the vfo board . It seems to be a bit messy , a wire can easily fall off leaving one 'in the dark'. Keep up the good work.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
I've replaced the "MHz" with USB and LSB so you can see what sideband is in use.
Photo on 27-10-20 at 8.02 pm.jpg
Push the top left button for USB, and the lower left button for LSB.
Photo on 27-10-20 at 8.02 pm #2.jpg

Here is the code. I still have not worked out the Si5351 driving with extra I2C devices. But this is quite usable for a basic VFO as it is, with adjustments to suit the frequencies as required.

To make it better, sensing of the band fed from the radio will need to be added.
 

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VK3ZYZ

Guest
It works :)
This is it driving the FT-75B
FT-75B_1.jpg


FT-75B_2.jpg


I've still needing to run the calibration utility on the Si5351, so the code has a fudge factor in it.
Also, the picture above has "LSB" in place of the "Mhz" label on the display. USB/LSB is not implemented on this radio, so I've fixed the code to display "Mhz" again.

FYI. Here is the code. This will work (with adjustments to suit) on any radio that requires only one signal. Also, the band is controlled by reading an voltage sent from the radio, as is in the case of this modified FT-75B.
 

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VK3ZYZ

Guest
I am toying with doing another board run.
If I do, those with existing boards will get a new on as a replacement for each V1 boards they have.
The mods are to fix the solder mask and ESP32 board pin spacing.
Also, I've added a selector set of pads for the encoder V+.
And, the only circuit change is swapping IO13 and IO26 functions as IO26 has analog out so generating the tune tone will be easier, and also swapping IO4 with IO12. That has both IO0 and IO12 now on the one connector. Care in using these 2 needs to be taken as their state alters the boot conditions.
Finally, the addition of CN10 as a connector for an external 3x3 keypad so the on board switches can be ignored.
Any other ideas welcomed.
Board_V2_20201201.png
 

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VK3ZYZ

Guest
Next version I am working on.
It has an included OLED display for a meter.
The push buttons are better laid out too.

VK3ZYZ VFO Delux_03_top.png

VK3ZYZ VFO Delux_03_btm.png
 
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BillC

Guest
Looks good Denys, you certainly have done heaps of work designing the board. Will the tracks all fit? just joking //- good luck .
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
Yes Bill, all the tracks fit :)
I just did not include them in the picture to make it easier to see.
Next step is to check it all and update the circuit diagram. I'll post that when it is done and look for comments before boards are made.
Changes from the version 1 are:
More holes for the encoder as there are a couple of mounting "standards".
Moved the push buttons to clear the USB lead.
Added a connector for an external keypad matrix instead of the on board ones.
A link to select 5V or 12V to power the encoder.
An on board 0.9" OLED display for a meter etc.
As mentioned above, reduced the height so it may fit in the front of more radios.
 
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BillC

Guest
Hi Denys, looks as though you have made a bit more space around the si5351 CLK0, CLK1, CLK2, ports . Sometimes the co-ax connectors can be a bit difficult to secure/attach. Cheers.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
I have started on the new board...
Version3_mark1.jpg

One addition is to run an 0.9" OLED as an auxiliary meter.
I just need to find an ESP32 driver!
Version3_mark1-back.jpg

The Si5351 is still to be fitted.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
I had a solder bridge across the 5V I2C that was stopping the I2C working.
Finally found it and now here it is :)
VFO_Delux_Both_Displays.jpg

EDIT: Updated the picture with the dial running.
 
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VK3ZYZ

Guest
To get more I/O pins, I have added an MCP23017 16bit I2C chip and pressed one of Josh's proto boards into service.
It is mounted in a 3D printed base I drew up.
JoshProtoBoard.jpg

Thanks Josh!
 
J

Josh

Guest
I like your creative use and mix of through hole and smt, its exactly the sort of thing i was thinking of when I designed that board, I also like that you used the mounting holes : ) .
 

VK3ZYZ

Moderator
Staff member
I think this board could make a very good version of the VFO.
It has a fast display that would be wide enough to fit the dial and some meters or other info.
LILIGO_ESP32S3_LCD.jpg

Here is a good video showing it off....
Anyone up to having a go at it?
 
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