Hi Martin,
same gray picture here, yesterday the Beacon was sending just a gray or yellow picture. Should be ok today.
This is a block diagram of the setup:
a DC block between LNB and Pluto is required. As I know Pluto does not have an input capacitor.
The miniature TX transformer in one of my Plutos is broken. Does anybody know where to get a replacement?
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
with WIndows 11, Microsoft is trying to drive us into a very strange situation. My PC at home is to be converted into a high-security machine, with restricted access for normal users. Maybe I'm not the only one who's worried about it.
Anyway, that was the motivation to switch the whole shack to Linux. For the DATV reception I used the Windows-Minitiouner software. This has now been switched to Ryde and Raspi 4.
And that move was much easier than expected. The BATC Ryde Software works out of the box, absolutely no tricks or fiddling required. Very good job BATC!
To make tuning as easy as possible, I have included a link to Ryde in the QO100 WebSDR. Now it is possible to tune by mouse click in spectrum or waterfall. Since the WebSDR runs via browser, a smartphone can now also be used to remotely control Ryde, which is very convenient.
The WebSDR allows up to 20 simultaneous browsers, so can be used on multiple PCs or phones in the home network at the same time, all of them can be used to tune ryde.
Ryde is available at github:
https://github.com/BritishAmateurTelevisionClub/ryde-build
and the modified QO100 WebSDR:
https://github.com/dj0abr/QO-100_SSB-WebSDR_DATV-WebSpectrum
The WebSDR runs on the same Raspberry-4 as Ryde is running (or on another if you prefer)
This picture shows a DATV reception via ryde, the WebSDR in the top right of the screen. The picture was just received by DL3MX using ryde and QO100 WebSDR.
vy 73
Kurt
DJ0ABR
Hallo my frieds,
yes, I am reading all these suggestions, and have already done some of them. I.e. the pilot tone suggested by DB8TF is implemented in the actual version 0.64.
The pilot tone is a little peak at 100Hz. And the spectrum display has a red 100 Hz line for tuning.
I am currently working to fix a very complex issue, I rewrite the Windows Audio Driver, which is quite complex to get it reliably working. Unfortunately all the free, open software for Windows Audio has many problems, so it was neccessary to fix that. This will take about one week, then I publish a new version.
The question from here and from emails are answerded in a new FAQ on https://www.dj0abr.de/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=de:start
When the current work on the audio driver is finished, I will have more time to participate here in the forum.
vy 73
Kurt, DJ0ABR
just got the measurements made by DC1RJJ on a professional analyser:
the filter looks fine.
I was very lucky that I calculated the corner frequency to be 3.5 GHz. A little less and it would be too low.
vy 73
Kurt, DJ0ABR
Hi Matthias,
the insertion loss is about 0,15 dB at 2.4 GHz. Costs only a few watts at 50W output.
vy 73, Kurt
I don't know this specific problem,
but I2C problems when connecting external components (like displays) happen frequently.
What I would try is to solder 3,3kOhm resistors between Vcc and SDA, and also Vcc and SCL, directly to the connector on the display.
This makes the I2C lines a little faster, maybe it helps.
vy 73, Kurt
great piece of Software !
when I connect the Pluto via Ethernet, it is found and displayed in the device list.
If I connect i.e. the SDRplay via USB, the device is not found. The SDRplay works with SDRconsole on the same machine. Also if I connect the Pluto via USB it is not found.
Are there any special settings in order to work with USB devices ?
vy 73, Kurt
it took almost one year, but now the filter is build and is already in use between PA and feed.
the flansh N connectors are Telegaertner, I found them at UKW-Berichte with an M3 thread instead of a solder pin.
This is the inner part:
it was turned by Ernst, DL1EV, on a Lathe. He did a very good job, almost 0,02mm precision.
The plastic spacers did not work well (wrong dielectric constant), so I repaced it with paper spacers which work fine.
Since my equipment only works up to 3GHz, I will ask another OM for a measurement up to 10 GHz. But so far, the filter does its job.
vy 73
Kurt, DJ0ABR
designed by: https://www.changpuak.ch/elect…mpedance_Lowpass_Coax.php
implementing the wideband Spectrum was easier than expected:
finished and working with Pluto and remote controlling the Minitiouner software.
In the waterfall you can see if two people are transmitting on the same frequency, like in this picture on 10497,250 MHz.
vy 73
Kurt, DJ0ABR
Hello,
the new version V2.9 from July/24 2020 supports the Adalm-Pluto (and RTLsdr and SDRplay as usual). As usual it has auto-hardware detection, so no special setup required.
I have added some information on how to build it for the pluto. It is as easy as for the other devices.
It works if the pluto is connected via USB.
USB-Ethernet connection is still under evaluation.
The final goal for the Pluto is a WB Spectrum/Waterfall because the new band plan requires more bandwidth then the SDRplay can handle.
For installation clone this github repository:
https://github.com/dj0abr/QO-100_SSB-WebSDR_DATV-WebSpectrum
and follow the instructions in the README.
For people used to the older versions: do NOT make any modifications in the header files ! All required settings are now done in the browser by pressing the SETUP button (top right in the browser-window).
If you have an older version installed, then make a new directory or delete the old version completely. This avoids mixing old and new files on your disk.
vy 73
Kurt, DJ0ABR
Hi Joshua,
I have look for replacements, but non of the possible transistors are available, or extremely expensive. It looks like there is a shortage in production maybe due to Corona.
The 30W option was originally developed for small camping dishes, like the dish we are using for our portable club station. If you are using a normal >=80cm dish, then the 10W amp is a good choice. It gives real 8W which is enough the trigger Leila.
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
during my work on the 3-helix-feed I made a lot of measurements to compare it to other feeds, including the POTY.
I have build many Potys until now (for DH5RAE, DO1RX, DG6RCH, DG6FAX, DL3MX, DL1EV and myself), all worked OK, but had some drop in TX performance compared with a simple helix antenna. Something between -2 to -3dB compared with a helix (when monitoring my own signal via QO-100 in a spectrum monitor).
Also I talked to many people on QO-100 who had similar experiences, mainly because it was very hard to tune the "two" virtual antennas to the correct frequencies and to see the two resonances in a VNA. This results in a poor circular (or even no circular) polarisation which explains the -2 to -3 dB drop.
I have read the manual (written by G0MJW, PA3FYM, M0EYT) hundred times, but this week I focused on this remark on page-4 about the distance between the to copper plates:
"Aim for 3.0mm, not about 3mm”.
When building a POTY I use 3mm aluminium spacers while soldering the copper plates. But this always resulted in a distance of the finished (and cooled down) antenne of 3.1 to 3.2mm.
This week I did it different. I sanded my 3mm spacers to exactly 2.9mm and used it to build the Poty. The distance was now exactly 3.0mm.
What a difference !!!
When connecting the antenna to my VNA, it was almost perfect without any adjustment. The two dips are almost exactly as shown on page 7 "modelled return loss". It tooks only a few minutes to squeeze the copper plates to a perfect match.
Also I found that the way how the connector is mounted on the reflector has hugh influence on the tuning of the Poty. I do not use screws any more, instead I solder the connector directly to the reflector. Also the hole for the central wire must be small. If its too big, the few mm² of missing copper will disturb tuning.
Today I mounted it to my Gilbertini offset dish (f/D 0.67) and the signal was almost identical to the 4-turn helix.
I also did a few RX tests with different dielectric lenses because I found STL files on hybridpretender.nl. But none of these lenses worked for me. The only lense working perfectly is the cap of the Red Eagle Black Buster.
Thanks to G0MJW, PA3FYM, M0EYT for this excellent POTY!
...I have not seen many people using better LNBs, perhaps because it's so much more expensive.
Mike
Mike,
in case money is not an issue 
what would be a "good" LNB ?
Kurt
the idea to build this feed was triggered by Peter, DB2OS in January 20, when he sent me some papers and calculations from Karl, DJ4ZC, to construct a QO-100 feed with 3 helix antennas around the LNB. Additional information came from Achim, DH2VA and Michael, DD5ER, who sent me dimensions for the antenne coupler and Mario who did final adjustments on the Amsat Helix antennas in Bochum.
Building a feed with three helix antennas is a complex project, so it took three month, until April 20, to get the first feed up and running.
The goal was to get best reception and not to shade the LNB, and to get the same good TX performance of a single helix feed.
To measure the shading of the LNB I built the reflector and LNB only, without helix, measured the transponder noise and DATV-MER and then glued three dummy helix on the reflector and repeated the measurement.
this is the reflector + LNB, with three dummy helix.
Resulting transponder noise: a single helix costs about 1.5 - 2 dB. The three helix antennas cost only 0.5 dB. Also MER was about 1dB better.
My first idea to simply paralleling three helix antennas was impossible, because I never measured the 140 ohms as stated in Wikipedia or Rothammel. Therefore I tuned each helix to 50 ohms and built an antenna coupler.
2.4 GHz coupler made from brass pipes, inner diameter 20mm.
Today the new 3-helix feed went into operation. It give the same good TX performance as my single helix feed, and the good RX signal of an unshaded patch feed. The only downside is that it's a lot of work, and a good workshop is needed to build all the components.
the 3-helix feed in operation
50 ohms match and holder made from polypropylen
tuning at the the coupler input with all three helix antennas connected
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
Hi Luc,
I have it running on a PI4 with 2GB ram.
DL3MX has it running on a PI3 with 1GB (I didnt know that a PI3 is fast enough, but dl3mx is happy and showed me that it is working).
The complete Setup is now done in a SETUP page, no more programming is required to adapt it to the own system.
There is a new update available covering the new band plan and also has a new beacon lock.
vy 73, Kurt
@PA1PAS: the GPS reference frequency goes through an extremely slow PLL ( a couple of seconds). This is required because the GPS module output has a very precise frequency, but has a huge jitter.
The PLL is too slow to compensate a short term drift caused by a temperature change of the TCXOs.
A good enclosure helps to solve that, and additionally Robert's hint to put a piece of foam over the TCXOs also helps a lot.
All frequencies, including the LNB reference are derived from this PLL.
73, Kurt
in our local club U02 we are actively helping hams to install QO100 stations. Until now we have build 6 complete stations, for the cost of material only, of course. And did a huge number of LNB modifications.
While most people can install a dish without problems, one of the biggest issues for most Hams is the modification of LNBs or SDRs, soldering a POTY or adjusting a helix because special soldering equipment (and skills) and analysers are required.
I have modified an uncounted number of LNBs in my work shop and a couple of Plutos, but it simply takes too much time.
I think it would help a lot if somebody (i.e. Amsat) offers ready built feeds including a modified LNB, ready to use.
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
After having some Beer and Obstler I finished the Helix and did some comparisons in different configurations, here are the results:
TX-signal (received with a separate dish):
Poty: +25dB
Helix: +28dB
Transponder Noise:
Poty: 6.1dB
Helix: 4.3dB
DVB-S2 MER (measured with Minitiouner):
Poty: 7.8dB
Helix: 6.6dB
As expected with the TV offset dish, the TX signal of the Helix is almost 3dB stronger.
However, the helix shades the LNB by 1 or 2 dB, which is not relevant for SSB, but represents a significant attenuation for a DATV signal.
So what to do? Building a PA with 3 dB more power? Or buy a larger dish to compensate for the loss of MER? Or just living with these results the way they are. I think I'll do the latter.
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
Display MoreHello to the group,
I plan to use the two types ( OCXO /GPS) of Amsat downconverters to listen to the NB transponder in a first step ;
for this, the LNB signal is injected in the upper left F connector and the 144 Mhz signal comes from the upper right bnc connector.
The jumpers voltage are in position 'by default' and the 4 leds on the right side of the pcb are illuminated except the 3rd one (green) which is blinking.
The output frequency selection is on 6 which corresponds to 144.550 Mhz.There is hiss but no audio.
What am i doing wrong ?
73
tnx
renauld on4kvi
Hi Renauld,
Running the Downconverter V3d with an unmodified LNB may cause an unspecified frequency shift, maybe out of band.
For the calculation of the output frequency (6 ... 144,55 MHz) the converter needs to "know" the LNB frequency, which is not the case if you don't use the clock delivered from the downconverter.
By default the downconverter operates with 24 MHz clock. Your LNB may work with a 25 MHz TCXO, so you need to jumper the downconverter to 25 MHz by putting one jumper as shown in the documentation. Then you should get a signal on 144,55 MHz, but with some shift caused by the different frequencies of your TCXO and the downconverter's clock.
If that works you should consider to modify the LNB to get a more precise output frequency.
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
Hello,
this thread:
SDR project for SDRplay (RTLsdr) for Linux
describes a WebSDR for QO-100
which works on the NB and/or WB transponder.
Today the version 2.0 was released.
It now includes a remote control for F6DZP's excellent Minitiouner software.
You can click on a signal in the spectrum or waterfall and the Minitiouner will tune to this signal.
vy 73, Kurt, DJ0ABR
