Here is a simple little HF TX.

It may be modified for all the HF bands, but the details given are only for the 7MHz band. The basic transmitter uses two transistors; BC547 (as usual) and will deliver over 250mW of power. CW keying may be achieved by disconnecting the 56 ohm resistor in the emitter of TR2, and connecting it to ground via the key. Increase the value of the 10nf in the emitter of TR2 if you need longer time-constant keying (keying envelope).

The optional PA stage will increase the RF output of the HF TX to over 3 watts. TR3 is one of those TO220 plastic transistors found in CB set PAs, I will leave the choice up to you as there are hundreds of them. The LAST one I used has the marking: "JECL45-02", although I have never been able to identify it properly. I recently received E-mail from one amateur who recomends "C2078"). I have built several PAs with 100% success using different transistors on each occasion.

COILS The coils are mainly wound on a TANDY (Radio Shack) RF choke. Do not discard the original wire removed from the chokes as this will be used. You may want to try using different former material. I built one of these transmitters and wound the coils on some long-thin ferrite beads after gluing some wire in the hole at each end. The beads were about 3mm dia x 15mm long. . TX L1 is 28 turns on an RS273-101 former wound with original wire L2 is 11 turns wound on an RS273-102 former, wound with original wire T1 primary is 50 turns wound on an RS273-101 former, wound with original wire T1 secondary is 22 turns wound on top of primary, wound with original wire . PA L1 is 11 turns on an RS273-101 former, wound with original wire L2 is 100 turns on an RS273-101 former, wound with original wire L3 is just 3 turnswound over L2 using 22 SWG enameled wire L4 is 5 turns wound over L2 using 22 SWG enameled wire L5 is 18 turns 12mm dia x 30mm long using 22 SWG enameled wire L6 is 18 turns 12mm dia x 30mm long using 22 SWG enameled wire

DATA COMMUNICATION VIA HF RADIO

From the very beginning, HF radio used Morse code for data communications. Over time, improved techniques were developed for data transmission that take into account the vari-ability of the HF medium and greatly increase the speed at which data transmission occurs over a radio link. In addition, the appli-cation of errorcorrecting codes and automatic repeat request (ARQ) techniques offering error-free data transfer permits the use of HF radio in computer-to-computer communications systems. To understand the principles of HF data communication, well define some common data terminology and explain the signifi-cance of the modem. We will also outline some of the problems and solutions associated with HF data communication. Binary Data Communication as an activity involves the transfer of informa-tion from a transmitter to a receiver over a suitable channel. Consider this book, for instance. It uses symbols (the alphabet) to encode information into a set of code groups (words) for trans-mission over a channel (the printed page) to a receiver (the reader). Applying this principle to data (information), we begin by using a kind of shorthand to transform the data into code words (binary digits, or bits) for transmission over a channel (HF radio) to a receiver (the reader). Bits are part of a number system having a base of two that uses only the symbols 0 and 1. Thus, a bit is any variable that assumes two distinct states. For example, a switch is open or closed, a voltage is positive or negative, and so on. A simple way to communicate binary data is to switch a circuit off and on in patterns that are interpreted at the other end of a link. This is essentially what was done in the early days of telegraphy. Later schemes used a bit to select one of two possible states of the properties that characterize a carrier (modulated radio wave) either frequency or amplitude. More sophisticated approaches allow the carrier to assume more than two states and hence to represent multiple bits. Baud Rate Data transmission speed is commonly measured in bits per second (bps). Sometimes the word baud is used synonymously with bps, although the two terms actually have different meanings. Baud is a unit of signaling speed and is a measure of symbols per second that are being sent. A symbol may represent more than one bit. The maximum baud rate that can be supported by a radio channel depends on its bandwidth the greater the band-width, the greater the baud rate. The rate at which information is transmitted, the bit rate, depends on how many bits there are per symbol.

Asynchronous and Synchronous Data The transmission of data occurs in either an asynchronous or a synchronous mode, as defined below. In asynchronous data transmission, each character has a start and stop bit (Figure 5-1). The start bit prepares the data receiver to accept the character. The stop bit brings the data receiver back to an idle state. Synchronous data transmission eliminates the start and stop bits. This type of system typically uses a preamble (a known sequence of bits, sent at the start of a message, that the receiver uses to synchronize to its internal clock) to alert the data receiver that a message is coming. Asynchronous systems eliminate the need for complex synchronization circuits, but at the cost of higher overhead than synchronous systems. The stop and start bits increase the length of a character by 25 percent, from 8 to 10 bits.

HF Modems A conventional voice radio cannot transmit data directly. Data digital voltage levels must be converted to audio, using a device called a modulator, which applies the audio to the transmitter.

Conversely, at the receiver, a demodulator converts audio back to digital voltage levels. Harris RF-5000 radios are equipped with built-in high-speed modems (the MOdulator and the DEModulator, packaged together), which permit the radios to operate with either voice or data inputs. HF modems fall into three basic categories: (1) modems with slow-speed frequency shift keying (FSK); (2) high-speed parallel tone modems; and (3) high-speed serial (single) tone modems. The simplest modems employ FSK to encode binary data (0s and 1s) (see Figure 5-2). The input to the modulator is a digital signal that takes one of two possible voltage levels. The output of the modulator is an audio signal that is one of two possible tones. HF FSK systems are limited to data rates less than 75 bps due to the effects of multipath propagation. Higher rates are possible with multi-tone FSK (MFSK), which uses a greater number of frequencies. High-speed HF modem technology, using both parallel and serial tone waveforms to allow transmission at up to 4800 bps, was pioneered by Harris in the early 1980s. The serial tone modem carries information on a single audio tone. This provides vastly improved data communications on HF channels, including greater robustness, reduced sensitivity to interference, and a higher data rate with powerful forward error correction (FEC), described in the next section. Harris currently has its fourth generation of high-speed modems on the market.

Error Control Harris RF Communications engineers use several different approaches to avoid data transmission problems. FEC adds redundant data to the data stream to allow the data receiver to detect and correct errors. An important aspect of this concept is that it does not require a return channel for the acknowledgment. If a data receiver detects an error, it simply corrects it and accurately reproduces the original data without notifying the data sender that there was a problem. The FEC coding technique is most effective if errors occur randomly in a data stream. The HF medium, however, typically introduces errors that occur in bursts that is, intervals with a high bit error ratio (BER) in the channel are interspersed with intervals of a low BER. To take full advantage of the FEC coding technique, its best to randomize the errors that occur in the channel by a process called interleaving (Figure 5-3). For example, at the modulator, the data stream enters a 9-row by 10-column matrix. The blocks are entered by

rows and unloaded by columns. When the data stream leaves the matrix for transmission, the sequence of output bits will be 1, 11, 21, an d so on. At the demodulator, the process is reversed by deinterleaving. Data is entered by columns in a matrix identical to that at the transmitter. It is read out in rows, restoring the sequence of data to its original state. Thus, if a burst were to cause 9 consecutive bits to be in error, no more than 3 of them will fall in any 30-bit sequence of bits after de-interleaving. Then, if an FEC coding technique were used, the errors would be corrected. Soft-decision decoding further enhances the power of the error-correction coding. In this process, a group of detected symbols that retain their analog character are compared against the set of possible transmitted code words. The system remembers the voltage from the detector and applies a weighing factor to each symbol in the code word before making a decision about which code word was transmitted. Data communications techniques are also used for encrypting voice calls by a device called a vocoder (short for voice coder-decoder). The vocoder converts sound into a data stream for transmission over an HF channel. A vocoder at the receiving end reconstructs the data into telephone-quality sound. In addition to error correction techniques, high-speed serial modems may include two signal processing schemes that improve data transmissions. An automatic channel equalizer compensates for variations in the channel characteristics as data is being received. An adaptive excision filter seeks out and suppresses narrowband interference in the demodulator input, reducing the effects of cochannel interference, that is, interfer-ence on the same channel that is being used. Harris has patented several techniques to perform these functions. SUMMARY The transmission of data requires the use of modems to convert digital data into analog form when transmitting, and convert analog data back to digital form when receiving. HF modems are classified as slow-speed FSK, high-speed parallel tone, or high-speed serial tone. Serial tone modems provide vastly improved data communica-tions on HF channels, including a higher data rate with powerful forward error correction (FEC), greater robustness, and reduced sensitivity to interference. FEC systems provide error correction without the need for a return link. Interleaving is a technique that randomizes error bursts, allowing FEC systems to work more effectively. Soft-decision decoding further reduces bit error rates by comparing a group of symbols that retain their analog char-acter against the set of possible transmitted code words. A vocoder converts voice signals into digital data for coded transmission over HF channels.

 Automatic channel equalization and adaptive excision filtering are signal processing techniques that improve data communi-cations performance.

Description
The AS3977 is a low-power fully integrated ETSI, FCC and ARIB compliant FSK transmitter capable of operating at any ISM frequency in the range of 300 to 928 MHz. It is based on a sigma-delta controlled fractional-N synthesiser phase locked loop with fully integrated voltage controlled oscillator. The power amplifier output is programmable and can deliver output power ranging from 20dBm up to +10dBm. An on-chip low drop-out regulator is available in case an accurate output power independent of voltage supply variation is required. The output signal can be shaped using a programmable Gaussian filter to minimise the occupied bandwidth and adjacent channel power. The maximum data rate can be up to 100 kb/s depending on the required filtering. The FSK frequency deviation is programmable up to a maximum of 64kHz. The crystal oscillator can handle a wide range of frequencies. For narrow-band applications a temperature sensor with digital read-out is included that allows compensation of the crystal frequency drift due to temperature variation. The AS3977 is connected to an external microcontroller via a bi-directional digital interface. The device operates at very low current consumption with a power supply range from 2.0V to 3.6V and can be powered down when not in use. The device is fabricated in austriamicroystems advanced 0.35um SiGe-BiCMOS technology. Back to Top

Key Features
Compliant to ETSI EN 300-220, FCC CFR 47 part 15 and ARIB STD-T67 Multi-channel with narrow bandwidth 300 928 MHz operating frequency range (ISM) Filtered FSK Data rate up to 100 kb/s FSK deviation programmable up to 64kHz Extremely low power consumption

Main Characteristics 2.0 3.6V power supply Power down current consumption 100 nA (3V, 25C) Output power up to +10dBm Occupied bandwidth 8.5 kHz (4.8 kb/s, FFSK, ARIB) Operating temperature range -40C to +85C

Additional Features Sigma-Delta controlled fractional-N synthesiser Resolution of synthesiser <100Hz Fully integrated PLL Fully integrated voltage controlled oscillator 4kV ESD protection Automatic antenna tuning 12 20 MHz crystal oscillator On-chip temperature sensor with digital readout for AFC purposes

Integrated Manchester coder Digital lock detector Low drop-out regulator Bi-directional serial interface

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Applications
Remote keyless entry systems Short range radio data transmission Domestic and consumer remote control units Cordless alarm systems Remote metering Low power telemetry

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Block diagram for AS3977 Multi-Channel Narrowband FSK Transmitter

Print Block diagram for AS3977 Multi-Channel Narrowband FSK Transmitter

UHF Data Radio / Telemetry Transceiver

Raveon's RV-M7 data radio modems are industrial-grade, high-speed FCC certified data radios designed for telemetry, SCADA, AVL, wireless data, mobile-data and remote control applications. With fast over-the-air data rates and fast transmit-to-receive switching, Raveons M7 UHF data radio transceiver increases data throughput in narrow-band wireless systems. Included in each unit, are advanced networking, error correction, and diagnostics. It may be ordered with an IP65 weatherproof enclosure or a ruggedized enclosure to withstand extreme environments (see datasheet for our ruggedized UHF radio). And because it is the only radio modem built using rugged single -board construction, it is extremely rugged and cost effective. With prices for radio transceivers starting below $400 the M7 is the most powerful, most economical data radio available. The Optional internal GPS ( GX option) enables the M7 to transmit its position, data, and status (voltage, speed, heading, temperature, I/O bits.) a pre-set intervals using either conventional carriersense methods or with efficient TDMA channel access. A GPS tracking system built with M7 transceivers, can track up to 20 radios with one-second updates or 200 with 10-seocond updated. The M7 is the fastest most efficient UHF AVL radio available. See details on its GPS tracking and TDMA abilities. The M7 leads the industry in many areas including technology, features, and price. It has some of the fastest over-the-air data rates, TX-RX switching times, and power-on times. It is one of the smallest data radios in its class. It is one of the most rugged data radios made. It is one of the lowest powerconsumption radios available. And its price will pleasantly suprise you. Markets:

Oil and gas monitoring Mining (Leaky Feeder System) Industrial control and telemetry SCADA systems Public Safety Vehicle tracking and GPS systems Desert Racing and Chase Trucks Water, gas, and electric utilities Water and wastewater monitoring Embedded data radio modem OEM radio modems

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General Features Specifications Downloads Accessories

Integrated radio and modem Programmable 1/2 to 5 watts RF output. High throughput. 19200 bps in a 25kHz channel, 9600 bps in a 12.5kHz channel. Very Small size: 4.60 X 2.60 X .956 (11.7cm X 6.6cm X 2.43cm) Very Low Power (<80mA in RX mode) RS232standard. RS422/485 and USB optional. Outstanding Range. 5-50 miles typical. Easy to use, yet fully programmable. Real-time streaming data or Packetized operation - user configurable. Each modem is store-and-forward repeater capable. Internal GPS available. Programmable update rate.. Standard Carrier-sense channel access or TDMA, user selectable. Sophisticated built-in diagnostics AND remote diagnostics. Monitored: DC voltage, Current, and temperature 32 bit CPU with base-band Digital Signal Processing for exceptional sensitivity Low-power modes for extended operation off of batteries or solar power. Programmable serial port baud rates, and flow-control. Automatic error correction Built-in automatic status monitoring of modem performance and DC input voltage. Compatible with MODBUS and DNP-3. Image Description

Part Number

RT-CB-H1

DC Power Cord. Note: Each RV-7 comes standard with one power c

RV-M7-DIN

DIN rail mounting clips.

RT-M7-HS

Heatsink Option for M7 series of data radios. With this to 100% duty cycle with an ambient temperature of 45 heatsink fins, the M7 may be operated at 100% duty cy

RT-CB-A1

DC power cable for M7 sereis radios with automotive amps maximum current capability. 6' long.

M7-USB

USB option replaces the standard DB9 RS232 serial connector with a USB-Serial bridge. All features and functions of the M7 remain avail <click here> for a picture of the M7 with the RT-C9-USB option inst M7-USB Option Technical Information

Raveon Technologies | 2461 Impala Drive Carlsbad, CA 92010 USA Phone: 1760-444-5995 Fax: 1-760-444-5997 | Data Radio Info | Sitemap

Technical Background
For decades, APRS activity on HF has been conducted using traditional 300-baud 200-Hz-shift FSK AX.25 packet. Conventional packet is a rather poor data transmitting mode for HF. The 300 changes/sec symbol rate, combined with no form of redundancy or forward error correction in the packets, makes conventional packet extremely susceptible to the noise pops, static crashes, interference from other stations, rapid fading & flutter and phase distortion commonly encountered on HF. [HF, as monitored in an SSB receiver (i.e. a form of amplitude modulation) is chronically noisy. On HF, you almost never have the equivalent of a noise-free fully-quieted channel of the type you get on FM.] Frequently, a transmitted HF signal will arrive at the receiver over several different paths of differing lengths, due to reflections from different parts of the earth's ionosphere responsible for long-range radio transmission. If the path distances differ by only a half wave-length (about 15 meters or about 43 feet at 10 MHz) the two will arrive at the receiver out of phase and cancel, sometimes completely. Any odd integer multiple of the half-wave difference can produce the same effect. Most of the time, numerous versions of the signal, propagated over paths of various lengths will be present, mixed together, causing an everchanging pattern of partial cancellation and constantly-fluctuating signal strength. Frequency-selective fading due to this multipath propagation is common on HF, and can make one or the other of the two FSK tones used disappear entirely for a second or more at a time. [The characteristic "watery" or "flangey" sound of longdistance HF-SSB voice or shortwave broadcasts is due largely to selective fading of parts of the signal.] TNCs intended for the far more benign VHF-FM environment (that use FM-type limiter/discriminators, zero-crossing pulse counters or phase-locked-loop modem chips) perform very poorly as one or the other of the two tones periodically disappears or noise crashes add additional zero crossings. Worse, a transmitted HF signal can arrive at the receiver over several different paths, due to reflections from layers of the earth's ionosphere many MILES/KILOMETERS apart, resulting in major TIME delays as well as phase changes. Consider that light and radio waves propagate at 300,000,000 meters/sec in free space, or 300 meters/microsecond . If a signal reflects simultaneously from two layers of the ionosphere with a total path-length difference of only 30 KM (about 19 miles), these two versions of the same signal will arrive at the receiver one hundred microseconds apart. The successive 1s and 0s of the digital data stream start overlapping in time, smearing or obliterating the transitions between ones and zeros. The nature of FSK packet being ill-suited to the noisy HF environment is demonstrated as one routinely monitors HF packet stations having to re-transmit the same packet 4 or more times before receiving an ACK from the receiving station. Despite these problems, FSK packet has been used on HF APRS primarily because APRS evolved as an application built on AX.25 packet on VHF. As APRS expanded to HF, operators wanted to continue to use the same protocols and existing TNC hardware as on VHF. And because no easily-usable inexpensive alternatives existed.

A Data Mode Really Suited To HF

The most popular HF data mode in recent years has been PSK31 (Phase Shift Keying - 31 Bits/sec). This mode is vastly better suited to the HF environment than classic FSK packet. It transmits only about 30 symbols per second (compared to 300/sec for packet) making it far more resistant to pops of noise and the multipath-induced time-delay smearing of transitions between 1s and 0s. The transmission's effective bandwidth of only about 30 hz, vastly reduces the effect of frequency-selective fading. The audio-DSP receiving systems used synthesize an effective receive bandwidth of only about 35-40 Hz (compared to about 500 Hz minimum for traditional HF packet), vastly reducing the effect of random noise and static. All this is done with "smoke, mirrors and software" on an ordinary PC with a sound card. No exotic, expensive or specialized hardware is required -- just a couple of audio patch cords to connect a radio's receive and transmit audio to the computer sound card audio-in and audio-out ports. Until recently, PSK31 has been used for live hand-typed conversations directly between operators. It has been used as a replacement for CW (Morse Code) or classic 1950's vintage RTTY (Radio TeleTYpe) operation. PSK31 is incredibly effective at low signal-to-noise ratios -- a situation that exists more often than not on HF. Many solid PSK31 contacts are made with stations not even audible in the receiver speaker. (Your ears are responding to the noise power present in the entire 2500-3000 Hz bandwidth of the SSB receiver, while the PSK31 application is only dealing with the noise power present in the 35 Hz bandwidth of a DSP audio filter.)

APRS Combined with PSK31

"APRS Messenger" is an application, developed by Chris Moulding G4HYG, that sends and receives APRS beacons and messages using PSK63 (a faster variant of PSK31), QPSK or GMSK modulation. This freeware program can downloaded from his web site at: http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/aprs_messenger.htm This compact program (just over one megabyte) combines:

A typical PSK soundcard send/receive application with waterfall tuning display. An APRS messaging send/receive client. Position beaconing capability for a mobile station when used with a GPS receiver attached to a computer's serial port (either physical or virtual). A TCP/IP client interface that allows the program to act as an "igate" (Internet Gateway) for connecting to the APRS Internet Server system. By default, the program functions as a receive-only igate, but can be enabled for full bi-directional

"reverse" igating of messages from the APRS-IS.

Two TCP/IP server interfaces that allow other APRS apps to connect to Messenger.

Although this program lacks mapping ability, it can be combined with other APRS applications such as UIview, APRSpoint or APRSICE32 that do produce maps by using either of the two TCP/IP server ports. (Details below) Typical PSK programs have no error detection and will sometimes display "garbage" in the middle of otherwise valid strings of text, if there is interference or signal fading. APRS Messenger attaches packet-style checksums to the transmitted strings of APRS data or messages, allowing the receiving end to determine if the string has been damaged in transmission. Corrupted "packets" will be displayed locally inside the program, as in most PSK programs, but WILL NOT be passed to external APRS applications (or the Internet, if you are using the igate function). [Note that due to Messenger's added packet-style checksums, "normal" PSK applications such as Digipan or MixW will NOT interoperate with APRS Messenger, even if they are set to PSK63 instead of the more customary PSK31.] Unlike most PSK applications that allow you to click anywhere in a waterfall display to select an audio tone frequency for transmission and reception at will, APRS Messenger is fixed on a single audio tone. The single tone is chosen from a list when the program is first started. This is actually an advantage for long-term unattended operation; you can't accidentally change the transmit/receive frequency with an errant mouse click. The program can be used three ways:

As a fixed station for HF soundcard-based PSK63/GMSK APRS send/receive only. As a mobile APRS tracker with an NMEA GPS receiver attached. The tracker mode also allows full transmit/receive operation for messaging as well. As a dual-port send/receive terminal. The first port is the PSK/GMSK sound card mode. The second port can any of a variety of external hardware- software-based TNCs on either 1200 baud VHF or 300 baud HF. For example, a classic command-line hardware TNC (i.e. TNC2, KPC3, etc), a KISS-interface hardware TNC (i.e. TNC-X, TinyTrack4, Tracker2,etc), or another (separate) sound card software TNC. The program directly supports the KB2SCS 300/1200 baud soundcard soft

TNC, the AGW Packet Engine and the new UZ7HO "Soundmodem". Currently (as of APRS Messenger Ver 3.14) the latter two are supported on receive-only. Full transmit/receive capability will be provided sometime in the near future in an updated release of APRS Messenger. Incoming traffic for the PSK/GMSK port and the second port appear in separate windows. Each port can have a different callsign/SSID if desired. The TNC serial port can accommodate either a physical TNC on a real COM port, a logical COM port created by applications like MixW operating in KISS TNC emulation mode, or a logical COM port provided by the driver for a USB<-->serial "dongle". The sound card soft TNCs are accommodated by TCP/IP links rather than serial COM ports. Traditionally, the second port TNC, either physical or software-based, was used on 1200 baud VHF APRS at the same time as the PSK sound-card mode was used on HF. (The program was originally developed to provide a messaging terminal for the Cross Country Wireless APRS TNC Digi Tracker.) However, a 300-baud HF TNC or HF soundcard "soft TNC" can be used on the second port instead. This allows operation on both classic AX.25 packet-based APRS on 30meters and the new PSK63-based APRS at the same time. Note that due to the second port's heritage as a VHF TNC interface, that references to "VHF TNC" appear in various menus, even if the second port is being used on HF.