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PSDR2PCB

A project log for PortableSDR

Fully stand-alone HF (Shortwave) Software Defined Transceiver & Vector Network Analyzer. Designed for rugged portable use. Highly hackable.

michael-r-coltonMichael R Colton 09/15/2014 at 05:314 Comments

Hi loyal minions! After quite the marathon of board layout, the PSDR2 PCBs are complete. I am trying dirtypcbs.com . They've got great prices for 4 layer boards and have reasonably priced rush/fast shipping options. Though I was sad to learn that I can't get a red board with gold plating AND rush the order... Red was going to look really good, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen for the first batch of PSDR2s.

Anyway! I'm glad I pushed so hard to get these out. I might just have something cool to show off by the end of the month.

I'm pretty happy with the layout, but I didn't have time to give it some of the polish that I usually like to. Routing for the power traces isn't ideal, and I didn't bother with proper impedance considerations..... I think it will be okay.

So I generally try to do something new on each PCB I produce, if I can. This time it's a bunch of new components, a new fab house, and you'll notice that I left off pretty much all of the reference designators so I'd have room to label the circuit blocks. I think it's pretty neat, but it's going to mean that I'll have to prepare well illustrated assembly diagrams. What do you guys think? How important are reference designators really?

Speaking of assembly, there are a few parts that will pretty much have to be installed with a hot air pencil or a reflow oven, I really tried to make it possible to assembly without those, but some of the parts aren't available in any other package.

Discussions

bibilukaa wrote 10/01/2014 at 08:21 point
Michael,
really well done! PSDR2 is respectable level.
I have till now all resistor (0805) capacitor, analog device and some small parts only.This parts may not necessarily be used.
Please what is the plan? PCB only, fully or partially assembled or kit or?
73

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Michael R Colton wrote 09/24/2014 at 02:02 point
Thanks guys! I appreciate the kind words and encouragement.

John, I do agree that part designations are helpful, this is actually the only board I've ever made where I left them off. But I am really liking that I can look at the PSDR2 and understand a little bit about what is going on, just by seeing the blocks. I was thinking I will make an assembly guide that will include the schematic and assembly diagram for each block, as well as testing information and an explanation of what it does. It could become a bit of a learning tool that way.

Regarding the cost of the PSDR2, it is, certainly, going to cost a bit to build. I am looking around a little for places that can do it for me. We'll see... only a few parts would need to be epoxied though, surface tension will take care of the small parts.

Bibilukaa, if I were me, I'd probably skip the PSDR1, the 2 is going to be a much more usable radio. There is a lot of overlap in what parts they use, so much of your effort to secure parts will be well spent. Were you one of the ones I sent a PSDR1 to (I imagine so, but your name doesn't look familiar)? If you are interested in a PSDR2 (when they get here) I can probably hook you up. If you are having a hard time getting parts, maybe we can work something out where you send the stuff to me and I include it when I send the PSDR2?

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bibilukaa wrote 09/17/2014 at 08:32 point
Michael,
what to say, excellent. So far so good. A big step forward compared to the previous version.
I still collecting parts for the first version, which is not easy in my area (PSDR2 looks impressive, I might skip the first version).
Designations is helpful but not necessary , will be cheaper. Presented labeled blocks are enough, from my point of view.
All in all an excellent job with PCB...
Regards

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John Laur wrote 09/16/2014 at 21:24 point
Nice going on the PSDR2 board; IMO the parts designations would be helpful for hand assembly and debug. Also that is going to be a relatively expensive board to mass produce since components will have to be epoxied on one side -- still probably worth it for the space savings.All in all looking great though. I'm still waiting for my STM32 programmer to arrive then I will be able to bring up my PSDR1 board. Hopefully it will be this week.

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