Folks,
I took some pics of the responses of the close-in 2m and 70cm SAW filter responses of the FCD Pro+ tonight, which I show here.
2m Filter response, span 130-160MHz, 10dB/div
70cm Filter response, span 410-470MHz, 10dB/div
Of course, you are still welcome to use the other external discrete LC filters should you decide as an alternative for wider band coverage, although I am sure for most amateur operations, particularly on 2m, the SAW filters will usually be the choice.
Many thanks, Howard
Hi Howard,
This is great news! Will it be possible to buy these filters separately for existing FCDs?
Maybe you can brung a handful to the AMSAT UK colloquium 😉
Hello Alex
The SAW filters are on a ten week lead time, and although they were ordered some time ago, I don’t think they’ll be available before the Colloquium. If they are, I’ll bring some.
Many thanks, Howard
Add me to the list….
Will this require changes to the driver software? If so can you publish the details once you have them.
Mike
Hello Mike
The interface still uses HID, but the USB descriptors are significantly different so there is a new USB VID/PID so that the OS doesn’t get confused if you have an FCD too.
Other than the basic frequency setting commands, the HID commands will differ as the RF hardware model is very different.
Many thanks, Howard
Thanks Howard,
I look forward to you publishing the new API then – assuming you do as it will probably need another DLL – or are you going to produce one?
Mike
Hello Mike
The API will definitely be published. Already simple stuff like setting the frequency is identical.
However, please note that the USB PID is different: it is 0xFB31.
Many thanks, Howard
what other filters are in the frontend?!?
i ask cause i am also interrested in things outside the hambands (example noaa on 137 megs … balloons on 402-406 megs … etc)
some details about the frontend?!? … bga103+? or what other preamp is used?
greetz
sigi dg9bfc
Hello Sigi
The details of the discrete filters will be revealed this weekend at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium. They have been carefully chosen based on feedback from the way the original FCD is being used.
The front end is completely new (apart from the bias T which is roughly the same), and it now uses an Avago device.
Many thanks, Howard
i can not be at the amsat meeting (sadly … i would be so happy to be there)… after you have let the cat out of the sag (told the details at the meeting) … will you then tell us some details of the used bands and maybe some other things?!?
cant wait to have one and find out what it does 🙂
keep up the good work (even if it been done on a kitchen table hi hi)
sigi
Hi Sigi
Apologies for the delay in my response, I was away in the Canadian wilderness last week with only very occasional internet access. I think all the details are now available online for you. Let me know if you need any more details.
Many thanks, Howard