PiHPSDR Controller

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Robert Dale

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Sep 5, 2022, 1:40:07 PM9/5/22
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Does anyone have or know where I can get the latest pihpsdr controller files (gerbers, BOM etc). I'm thinking about having JLCPCB make up a few boards...

Any advance info/issues with parts procurement I should be aware of?
73,
Robert VE7ZN

Heath Petty

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Sep 5, 2022, 2:01:37 PM9/5/22
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Robert,
I was looking at building a controller as well. Let me know if you order some boards and I'd be happy to buy one off you. 

I think the files latest design is here: https://github.com/g0orx/pihpsdr/tree/master/controller

-Heath
KL0PC

Marc OLANIE

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Sep 5, 2022, 3:00:29 PM9/5/22
to Robert Dale, Hermes-Lite

Hi Robert

 

The PiHPSDR console need only 2 component. A MCP23017 and a LMZ22005TZ

 

Both are impossible to buy right now, and probably won’t be available until mid 2023 (or end of next year for the switching regulator).

 

The LMZ22005TZ could be replaced with a LM1084 if you add a home made pcb patch to deliver the 5V rail. The SOIC version of the 23017 is absolutely unobtainable, but you always can find  tssop version of this IC on the chinese market…. if you feel comfortable enough with surgical sodering.

 

 

In other words, the PiHPSDR or the Andromeda hardware interface are probably not the best hacking project for the moment imho

 

73’

Marc f6itu

 

 

 

De : herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> De la part de Robert Dale
Envoyé : lundi 5 septembre 2022 19:40
À : Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Objet : PiHPSDR Controller

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Richard Faust

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Sep 5, 2022, 3:26:19 PM9/5/22
to Robert Dale, Hermes-Lite
There are gerbers that JLCPCB recognizes on my web page http://www.k9ivb.net/PiHPSDR_Project/index.htm
My PiHPSDR MK II Project: My PiHPSDR Controller MK II rev 2 Project: Return to Home Page page last updated 09/19/2020 Latest updates 9/19/2020. Updates on my experiences and some minor errors that I found while getting PiHPSDR to work.
The git pages have a unique Gerber format that will take some time to iron out with JLCPCB if you prefer the git.

Still have not finished the case, but have some new ideas for 3D printing.

Good luck, 73

Dick K9IVB


From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Robert Dale <rober...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 5, 2022 10:40 AM
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: PiHPSDR Controller
 
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Mike Lewis

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Sep 5, 2022, 5:04:35 PM9/5/22
to Marc OLANIE, Robert Dale, Hermes-Lite

One source of the MCD23017 can be the small PCBs assemblies using this chip found on the usual online places.  You can desolder the chip.   These assemblies seemed plentiful las I looked a few months ago.

 

Several months ago I built one of these PCBs and put it into a Hammond box milled by Front Panel Express, front and back.  The biggest choices for me was dual or single encoders, suitable knobs, and the main encoder choice.  The PCB accommodates several sizes.   Pay attention to the shaft length on the main encoder in particular for your choice of encoder and how it is mounted .  Mine mounted on the PCB (can choose front or rear mount types) and I had to shop very hard for a tuning knob that had the shaft screw low enough to the panel surface to engage with the short-ish shaft mine had.  You could also mount the encoder on the front panel but then assembly is more complicated.  The aluminum dual concentric knobs I found from Newark happen to be on sale 40% off so they were affordable but the small top knob set screw just barely engaged the shaft, one regularly falls off due to slightest warpage of the board in the center reducing my exposed shaft length. I think that could be solved by finding or making slightly shorter PCB spacers.  Adding a center spacer would solve it also but I did not want to drill the case more.

 

For my black anodized milled case I used a black marker to “paint” the silver machined surfaces including under the countersunk panel screws before putting screws in.   I have my Hammond case drawings posted in this forum.

 

I used the Aug 2020 version spreadsheet of parts (the BOM) from the K9IVB website.  Several parts were not available but I  was able to determine suitable replacements.  I had a good selection of SMT resistors, capacitors and inductors but even so, I ordered many anyway due to the amount needed. 

 

I recall initially installing jumpers in the 12V converter/switch section and just using external 5V power until needed parts arrived.  The FET switch can be jumpered.  I don’t think much needs 12v and there are alternate ways to turn the power on and off.  I eventually got the part and I have several parts like USB hub, USB3 SSD, Teensy4 CW keyer, 12V audio amp that use extra power (5V and 12V). 

 

I used taller spacers for the RPI4B so used a taller 2x20 pin header.  This was to accommodate a low profile one piece heat sink with integral variable speed fan.  The PI PCB mounts bottom side up, the heat sink is therefore sandwiched between the PiHPSDR PCB and the PI PCB.

 

The pics of the 2 PiHPSDR controllers show the PCB version (V2 MkII controller config) and SmartiCase version using the V1 controller config.  The other pic shows the V2 mkII version in the Hammond box with a PCB mezzanine board added to mount accessories: audio amp, USB3 SSD, USB hub, Teensy 4.0 keyer.  The keyer replaced my early mini USB audio dongle and handles speaker and radio microphone (standard dynamic hand mic), PTT debounce, and CW keyer input.  It acts as a sound card and outputs though the 12V 3W audio amp.

 

  • Mike
20211123_210227.jpg
20211128_151214 (Medium).jpg

Uwe Holz

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Jan 30, 2024, 9:32:32 AM1/30/24
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Hi,

I know there has not been much activity in this thread lately, but I would like to build a PiHPSDR Controller as well.
Unfortunately K9IVB website seems to be down. But I was able to find some other source for placing a JLCPCB order.

Still I have one question regarding the 7" display used. BOM says something about Geek Studio and 52PI. Unfortunately there exist different options of displays and I am unable to find the one foreseen for the mounting pattern in the PCB. Someone be able to point me on the right one?

Happy to give away some spare PCBs as the minimum order was 5.

73 de
Uwe DO3HZ

Sid Boyce

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Jan 30, 2024, 9:58:47 AM1/30/24
to Uwe Holz, Hermes-Lite
Both of mine use the official Raspberry Pi 7 inch touch LCD.
The switches I got cheap quantity of 200 and donated many to other
builders along with some PCB's from JLCPCB.
https://thepihut.com/products/official-raspberry-pi-7-touchscreen-display
73 ... Sid.

On 30/01/2024 12:52, Uwe Holz wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I know there has not been much activity in this thread lately, but I
> would like to build a PiHPSDR Controller as well.
> Unfortunately K9IVB website seems to be down. But I was able to find
> some other source for placing a JLCPCB order.
>
> Still I have one question regarding the *7" display* used. BOM says
> something about Geek Studio and 52PI. Unfortunately there exist
> different options of displays and I am unable to find the one foreseen
> for the mounting pattern in the PCB. *Someone be able to point me on
> the right one?*
> * Mike
>
> *From:* herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> *On
> Behalf Of *Marc OLANIE
> *Sent:* Monday, September 5, 2022 12:00
> *To:* Robert Dale <rober...@gmail.com>; Hermes-Lite
> <herme...@googlegroups.com>
> *Subject:* RE: PiHPSDR Controller
>
> Hi Robert
>
> The PiHPSDR console need only 2 component. A MCP23017 and a LMZ22005TZ
>
> Both are impossible to buy right now, and probably won’t be
> available until mid 2023 (or end of next year for the switching
> regulator).
>
> The LMZ22005TZ could be replaced with a LM1084 if you add a home
> made pcb patch to deliver the 5V rail. The SOIC version of the
> 23017 is absolutely unobtainable, but you always can find  tssop
> version of this IC on the chinese market…. if you feel comfortable
> enough with surgical sodering.
>
> In other words, the PiHPSDR or the Andromeda hardware interface
> are probably not the best hacking project for the moment imho
>
> 73’
>
> Marc f6itu
>
> *De :*herme...@googlegroups.com<herme...@googlegroups.com> *De la
> part de* Robert Dale
> *Envoyé :* lundi 5 septembre 2022 19:40
> *À :* Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
> *Objet :* PiHPSDR Controller
>
> Does anyone have or know where I can get the latest pihpsdr
> controller files (gerbers, BOM etc). I'm thinking about having
> JLCPCB make up a few boards...
>
> Any advance info/issues with parts procurement I should be aware of?
>
> 73,
>
> Robert VE7ZN
>
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--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Keen licensed Private Pilot
Retired IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support Specialist
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

Robert Nickels

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Jan 30, 2024, 11:33:46 AM1/30/24
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On 1/30/2024 6:52 AM, Uwe Holz wrote:
> I know there has not been much activity in this thread lately, but I
> would like to build a PiHPSDR Controller as well.
> Unfortunately K9IVB website seems to be down.

I just completed mine, driven in part by a presentation on the HL2 I'd
committed to do last weekend at the W9DYV Technical Symposium at the
Winterfest hamfest in St. Louis.   I'm pretty pleased with how it came
out - here's a pic:

https://postimg.cc/JHxmG8Zd

The enclosure is made of an aluminum composite material with
laser-etched lettering.  My 20 watt diode laser isn't capable of cutting
metal so I used it to mark the centerlines for drilling and used round
buttons as suggested by K9IVB.   I can provide the Lightburn file to
anyone wanting to do that, but in retrospect I think I'd order a PCB
with black silkscreen just to avoid the manual drilling and sawing as
even a slight drilling error will result in sticky buttons.   The
concentric knobs are 3D printed and the large one came from my junkbox -
the published stl files fit perfectly.

I used a cheap buck converter since the original regulator is obsolete,
but kept all the filtering and power switch circuitry as-is.  This is
actually a plus since they have a trimpot that makes it easy to adjust
the 5 volts to the Pi's liking and it seems to be very robust as well.  
Local audio comes via a $1 class D audio amplifier running from 5 volts
which produces plenty of audio with a nice 3" speaker.

I'm planning to post a more detailed article about it soon.

73 Bob W9RAN

Uwe Holz

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Feb 1, 2024, 8:08:46 AM2/1/24
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Wow, so much interesting things going on :-)
I had an idea of creating a frontpanel from plywood as this is what my laser is capable of but that is something for later.
As of now I will focus on sourcing the parts to be ready as soon as the PCBs hit my desk.

And K9IVB webpage is reachable for me now as well. Lot's of helpful things there :-)

73 de Uwe DO3HZ

john hutchison

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May 21, 2024, 11:04:09 PM5/21/24
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I have downloaded the corrected zip from https://www.k9ivb.net/PiHPSDR_Project/PiHPSDR_MK_II_Rev.2_JLCPCB_Gerber.zip, and uploaded to jlcpcb, but the online gerber viewer doesn't show any holes in the board, nor the cutout in the middle of the board. Opening the zip, the drill file is named .xln as expected, but kicad doesn't like it either, nor does my preferred fabricator, oshpark.

How are you all resolving this and getting properly printed, drilled, and cut boards!?

Poisson

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Oct 29, 2024, 12:45:45 PM10/29/24
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Did you have any luck with this John? I'm also noticing that the gerber viewer on JLPCB doesn't show the holes.

john hutchison

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Oct 29, 2024, 4:15:06 PM10/29/24
to Poisson, Hermes-Lite

I found modern gerbers that kicad likes, will look for the github for it when home. They show up in jlc, pcbway, and oshpark with all the proper holes and dimensions.


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john hutchison

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Oct 29, 2024, 4:23:26 PM10/29/24
to Poisson, Hermes-Lite

Richard Faust

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Oct 31, 2024, 10:33:53 PM10/31/24
to Poisson, Hermes-Lite
Try using the GerberLogix viewer to see the holes.  Or just open the files with a text viewer like Notepad++ and decode the information.
Dick K9IVB


From: herme...@googlegroups.com <herme...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Poisson <fett...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 9:45 AM
To: Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: PiHPSDR Controller
 
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Poisson

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Nov 6, 2024, 5:47:46 PM11/6/24
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Just in case someone stumbles upon this in the future. I did have the PCBs made at JLPCB, using the gerber files from K9IVB's page and they came as expected (with holes!)

bill

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Jan 17, 2025, 11:26:53 PM1/17/25
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I picked up an already-assembled MKII controller, without an enclosure.  Build date unknown, put probably 2020ish?  A "it worked the last time I powered it up" purchase.  A couple of the buttons were damaged but otherwise it seems to be in good shape. Assuming I don't find any other damage, anyone have any suggestions on how I should approach spinning it up.  I suppose I could just power it up and see what happens but...

I am also rummaging around the web and collecting schematics, manuals and the like. If anyone has any suggestions there, I would appreciate them, too.

73 Bill K7WXW

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