WSPRing on higher bands

Our WSPR beacon design works fine even on the 4m band (~70 MHz) . The key is to use a 25 MHz high-quality TCXO, like the 25 MHz HCI 0.5ppm TCXO! 2m WSPR is still out of reach for now - see the following sporadic decodes. Of course, the next challenge is to get 2m WSPR beacons working 100% reliably at a low cost. ...

August 30, 2025 · 1 min · 86 words · Dhiru Kholia

Notes on coupled inductors

The usage of ready-made coupled inductors was pioneered by Jim Veatch in his award-winning RF amplifier designs. For Baby-QRO applications, we can use Wurth 744851330 coupled inductor. For 5W / 10W RF amplifier applications, we can use Bourns SRF1260A-4R7Y coupled inductor. Recently we were able to utilize very cost-effective YJYCOIN YPRH1207C-4R7M Chinese coupled inductor with excellent results. With our current Digital Amplifier designs, this Chinese coupled inductor works even at ~75 MHz. ...

August 17, 2025 · 1 min · 81 words · Dhiru Kholia

Initial success with cost-effective 6m WSPR + 2m FT8 beacons

Our 6m WSPR beacon design works fine now. The key is to use a 25 MHz high-quality TCXO, like the 25 MHz HCI 0.5ppm TCXO! 2m WSPR is still out of reach for this VFO design - see the following drifty screenshots: While WSPR is no bueno, 2m FT8 works pretty fine! Of course, the next challenge is to get 2m WSPR beacons working at a low cost. ...

August 16, 2025 · 1 min · 72 words · Dhiru Kholia

Ideas for a 2m (144 MHz) WSPR / FT8 beacon

I am posting an early design sketch of a 2m WSPR beacon. Here are the key points: 25 MHz HCI 0.5ppm TCXO powering the Si5351 module instead of the 26 MHz TCXO. If this fails, we can use a 10 MHz OCXO instead (a bit out of spec but works fine). Tokmas CID10N65F GaN FET might work @ 144 MHz as the 'final'. If not, use Mitsubishi RD15HVF1-501 MOSFET as backup. ...

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 172 words · Dhiru Kholia

Ideas for a 6m WSPR beacon

I am posting an early design sketch of a 6m WSPR beacon. Here are the key points: 25 MHz HCI 0.5ppm TCXO powering the Si5351 module instead of the 26 MHz TCXO. If this fails, we can use a 10 MHz OCXO instead (a bit out of spec but works fine). Tokmas CID10N65F GaN FET should work @ 50 MHz TI UCC27614 or Onsemi NCP81074 gate driver Results: To be built and tested soon! ...

April 10, 2025 · 2 min · 247 words · Dhiru Kholia