A complete HPSDR transceiver

An example of a complete HPSDR transceiver using the Mercury, Penelope, and Ozy boards and other available hardware and software. It concludes with test measurements that compare the finished transceiver to other commercially available high end transceivers.

By Ron Cox, W9KFB (with help from the HPSDR group who made all this possible)

Specifications

The goal was to build and operate the Highest Performance Amateur Radio Transceiver that can be assembled using components documented on this wiki. Specifically in one case/enclosure, the following is expected:

A totally integrated transceiver with an integrated computer, audio amplifier, speaker, HPSDR components, and 10 to 50 watts of power output. Not included would be the keyboard, mouse, flat panel screen, and antenna tuner. You could compare the proposed rig to commercial rigs such as the Flex 3000, TS-B2000, FT-2000, FT-950, or Ten Tec Pegasus. The transceiver must be mechanically and electrically secure so that one would not hesitate to take one to a field day exercise or a DXpedition as a primary rig.

Enclosure

Rear view of case prepared for installation of HPSDR components

It may be possible to build the rig in the HPSDR's Pandora's box. It is very possible to do so if you are using a laptop computer and can keep the RF powerout requirements to that needed for narrow band modes such as PSK31 and CW. That rig is being built, but two other rigs that were built came closer to meeting the specifications above. Using this experience, the specification goals will be met.

The following information on the Antec New Solutions Case was taken from their web site at [1]. In looking for a good case to build a transceiver that meets the specifications above and that allows you to access and modify the circuitry without getting in the way, we found that this case meets most of the requirements and delivers many unexpected bonus features. The specific Antec case is a model NSK2480 in the "New Solutions Series". Here are the main selling points about this case and power supply that sells for under $100 USD at most internet suppliers that carry Antec cases:

Power Supply

• The power supply is acoustically quiet and highly efficient.
  

  The 80 PLUS® Certified EarthWatts 380W power supply
• The 80 PLUS® Certified EarthWatts 380W power supply is also very quiet electrically and has no detectable switching power supply signals. If any spurious signals are detected in testing, we will eliminate them using clamp-on ferrites.
• Universal input (100 - 240 volts at 6 Amps with 50 or 60Hz). This power supply must power all the HPSDR components that we put in this case.

Case Structure

• 0.8 mm cold-rolled steel construction
• Triple-chamber structure to isolate power supply and amplifier heat for cooler & quieter operation
• 4 Drive Bays are used for HPSDR components, no optical or hard drives will be mounted here

The internal HDD trays are removed to allow room for HPSDR components (see photo).

• 4 Expansion Slots - Only two will be usable as expansion slots because we will only use a Mini-ITX motherboard
• Front-mounted ports for easy mike and earphone connections: 2 x USB 2.0 (example: Griffin Knob and/or USB DSP headset); Audio in and out (analog mike and headset)

• Unit Dimensions: 5.5" (H) x 17.5" (W) x 16.3" (D); 13.97cm (H) x 44.5cm (W) x 41.4cm (D)

The height of the enclosure makes it possible to mount the HPSDR Atlas, Mercury, Ozy and Penelope boards.

Cooling Design

• Advanced cooling system: 2 side mounted 120 mm TriCool™ 3-speed fans

The fans really only cool one of the three chambers, the one with the computer mounted in it, but they are very low noise when set at low or medium speeds.

Motherboard Selection

From experience building several HPSDR transceivers in this case, we have found that all is needed is a small footprint Mini IPX motherboard. No extra I/O cards are required if one uses virtual software ports. By using SATA drive ports exclusively we can use such a small motherboard. The motherboard for this project was just ordered from newegg.com. The cost was $129.99 USD plus $6.98 USD for shipping. You can find information on the selected motherboard, an intel DQ45EK Desktop Board , at this website. [2]

CPU Selection

There are a large number of CPUs that are compatible with the DQ45EK board. One can spend up to about $370 for the latest and greatest intel Core2 Quad CPU or one can purchase a Core2 Duo CPU for about $69 USD. The current list and the significant cache memory sizes and the operating frequencies are displayed at this website: [3]

Purchasing a CPU

The strategy to execute here is to get the most CPU power for your money. You will find that there is a minimum price for each class of CPU. The Duos are now at about $69 USD and up. You want to purchase the best one you can get at the lowest cost. Take a print out of the compatible CPUs to your nearest big box electronic store or on line store and find the best deal for the day you looked. Hopefully you can purchase the CPU that has the best performance vs price at a price you are willing to pay.

Solid State Disk Drive

This item is optional to some extent, but you will need a mass storage device of some type to operate the software. For years this has been the trusty (??) hard disk drive. The capacity of hard drives has increased from 20 MB in the late 80s to over 1TB 1,0000 GB or 1,000,000 MB today. New on the computer scene is the Solid State Disk Drive, an all electronic drive that communicates via the same SATA type cable as the SATA disk drives. We use the drive to save space in the case. Shock mounted disk drive(s) take even more space. The Drive used for two previous builds of this design is the Patriot 32GB drive. It will be mounted on one of the case bay walls. Other than the space savings, these drivers read faster and consume less power and generate less heat than the mechanical drives. The cost of a 32 GB SSD drive is a reasonable $109.00USD

External Optical Drive

Sony DRX840U 20x External Dual-Layer DVD Burner

This facility is used to load programs but there is not enough room in the case for the drive. It is seldom used and a thumb drive is a good substitute for just copying and transferring programs from one computer to another. Sony makes a nice matching portable drive that several hams are using with this HPSDR transceiver as needed via a USB2 cable. The Sony model number is DRX-840U (see photo). Cost is $99.99.

OEM Operating System

The only way to buy an operating system for a new system like this is to purchase the OEM version. Most internet stores should carry it. To be compatible with most of the popular HPSDR software, Windows XP Pro is still the best. Amazon.com lists "Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2B for System Builders by Microsoft Software (CD-ROM) (Windows XP)" for $110.00 USD. Interesting several Amazon.com sellers will sell you a new copy for as low as $59.00 USD.

HPSDR Components

Part Name	Price ($US)
Atlas Kit- TAPR	35.00
Mercury RX - TAPR	329.00
Penelope TX - NT-Electronics	357.54
Ozymandias- TBD	TBD
Alexiares - TAPR	TBD
PennyWhistle - TAPR	TBD
100 Watt 160 M to 6 M Amplifier - TBD	TBD

Software Installation

All software listed here excluding Fldigi is for Windows systems only. Other software is under development for other operating systems see: HPSDR related software

PowerSDR

For installation instructions go to the Quick Startup Guide and scroll down to "PowerSDR Software Installation", then follow the directions given there.

KISS Konsole

You must try this program as it was written to be a simple interface to the Mercury and Penelope boards. You can find information on downloading and operation at KISS Konsole.

com0com

This program is required to allow programs to communicate frequency , mode, CW and PTT data. It is required software that must be installed to operate the digital modes using Fldgi. Go to [4]to learn about and install com0com.

Virtual Audio Cable

Other than the operating system, this is the only program that is listed on the BOM that must be purchased. The trial version might be used to get familiar with the program, but it is not usable on the air. With out this program you would have to use your built in sound card and external cables which can pick up RF signals. It is a much cleaner installation to use this program. Cost $39.99 USD. Go to this website to purchase and download [5].

Fldigi

This program is required to get operating on digital modes. Follow the recommended settings given below and you should not have any problems. First install the program per the instructions on this web site [6].

Complete Bill of Material (BOM)

Part Name	Price ($US)
Antec NSK2480 Case and power supply	100.00
Intel DQ45EK Desktop Board	130.00
Intel Core2 Duo CPU and Fan Assembly	69.00
Solid State Disk Drive 32GB	109.00
External Optical Drive Sony DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Model DRX-840U	99.99
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2B for System Builders	110.00
Virtual Audio Cable	39.99
HPSDR Components	721.54+TBD