Ultimate3S kit info |
Written by Hans Summers | ||||||||||||||||
Friday, 16 January 2015 06:37 | ||||||||||||||||
The U3S kit was launched in January 2015. It is the new edition of the earlier U3 kit produced from November 2013 to December 2014. The U3S uses an Si5351A frequency synthesiser kit rather than the pre-built AD9850 DDS kit used in the earlier U3 kit. The AD9850 DDS kit prices are rising and they are becoming less easily available. The Si5351A frequency synthesiser kit was developed to ensure continued low cost of the Ultimate QRSS/WSPR kit series. Please also see the original version Ultimate QRSS kit and Ultimate2 QRSS kit pages, and the earlier U3 kit page to appreciate the heritage. Much of the information in these earlier pages is still relevant and informative. The Ultimate3S QRSS/WSPR transmitter kit includes an Si5351A synthesiser module kit and plug-in low pass filter modules which are also available separately for bands from 2200m to 6m. The kit can transmit on any frequency from the amateur 2200m (137kHz) to 2m (145MHz) bands. Changing bands is a matter of plugging in the appropriate low pass filter kit to attenuate unwanted harmonic output. The relay-switched LPF kit may be used to automatically switch between up to 6 different bands.
Instructions
Version upgrades can be purchased at QRP Labs or you can upgrade your own firmware using the .hex and .eep files from the Yahoo forum. Firmware Version History - please CLICK HERE The kit contains the PCB, back-lit blue LCD, programmed microcontroller and all board-mounted components. It also includes the separate Si5351A synth kit and a LPF kit for one band of your choice. Download the instruction manuals using the link above. The PCB is quite compact and care is required in the construction. A rich array of functionality is provided by the design; please read the instruction manuals to understand the facilities provided. Builder modifications will be shown on this page as they are developed! Dimensions: the LCD module is 80mm x 36mm. The main board is 80 x 37mm. Kit photos (click for larger versions):
More photos... These photos show a working U3, complete with attached relay-switched Low Pass Filter board, available for GBP 9. The relay-switched LPF board can have up to five additional LPF's plugged in, permitting the U3 to sequence between 6 bands (including the LPF on the main U3 board). Note that my photos show NO additional LPF's plugged in (as I only have one built LPF here right now).
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Last Updated on Monday, 20 April 2015 05:12 |