The W1FB Pixie

Transceiver KIT
Pixie. / "Plksi / n. Also pixy
[Unknown origin.]
In British folklore, "Pixie", is a supernatural being, with magical powers, a fairy, an
Elf, a small amateur radio transceiver.

In 1982 George Burt GM3OXX described in the summer of 1983 edition of "SPRAT Magazine”, “a transceiver
that used only 5 transistors, had side tone and R.I.T., called The FOXX ". This was probably the first QRP
transceiver to use the same bipolar transistor on the final amplifier and the receive mixer.
From that moment, designs of similar nature appeared from Europe and the United States. As the concept
was improved it began to be known as "Pixie".

The version of this Kit, is the one published by the famous enthusiast of the QRP and homebrew rigs, Doug
Demaw W1FB (sk), also includes 700hz Offset in transmission and an audio filter of 700Hz.

Although this equipment is one of the easiest to build, it is effective when making communications, which of
course will have much more "taste" and merit than those made by a commercial unit.

The assembly of the kit is simple, and the printed circuit has in its mask marked each component with its
corresponding identification. It is best to start with the simplest input power circuit consisting of Plug 1, C20,
C19, D2 (diode for reverse polarity protection), S1, R5 and Led 1.
After setting this stage when the key S1 is activated, the LED Led1 must be switched on.

Then we can continue with the audio stage, consisting of IC3 (LM386), its associated components and the 700
Hz audio filter formed by IC2 (LM741) and its components in the surroundings.
To test this stage it is enough to connect a pair of headphones in TRS1 and inject audio (Ipod, portable MP3
etc), in the positive pin of C14. The 700 Hz filter can also be tested using the above method (the audio will be
"trimmed") or inject a sinus signal into C9 with a signal generator and checking the output (TRS1) with an
oscilloscope.

So with the prior stages working ok, we can put together the oscillator or "VXO", formed by Q1, C2, C3, R1,
R2 etc. When this stage is ready, we simply power up the circuit and we approach our Pixie to a receiver
tuned to the frequency of the quartz crystal that we are using. If we hear a clean and strong tone, our VXO is
working.

Now it's time to set up the Automatic Offset and Side Tone circuit, which is formed by Q3 and its surrounding
components. Our side tone is simply a piezoelectric Buzzer, which when energized emits a tone of 2 kHz
approx.

If we connect a straight key in the TRS2 connector, it will have to activate the lateral tone, and our oscillator
will have to shift 700 Hz in frequency.
Finally we assemble the mixing stage and "PA", formed by Q2, and we prepare the coils. The simplest method
to check our coils is with an inductance meter. It is crucial at this point not to mix the coils, according to its
location in the circuit.

L3 is an Amidon T30-6 iron powder toroid, we can distinguish it by its yellow color. L2 is also another iron
powder toroid of dimensions a little larger than the one used in L3. Finally we wind up L1 which is a
radiofrequency choke that is wound on a ferrite toroid, to obtain a high inductance, of adequate value to fulfill
this function.

Also L1 can be replaced by a radiofrequency choke of 100uH.

After winding with the appropriate wire (labeled according to L1, L2, L3), we check with our inductance meter
that our values ​are those indicated in the circuit.

There should be no surprises in the values ​obtained if we respect the number of windings indicated.

The kit includes a DB9 female connector for printed circuit, with DB9 male plugs and housings; we can place
quartz crystals inside to later exchange frequencies.

Crystals of different frequencies can be obtained on EBay, Amazon, www.minikits.com.au etc.

Also, a 7.16 MHz ceramic resonator can be used obtaining coverage of approximate 7000 to 7070. This by the
design of the oscillator can only be used in reception since in transmission gives problems of frequency drift.

Finally, and because this equipment is so simple, it is crucial to use a well-adjusted antenna at the working
frequency, having found that a half wave dipole with balun improves reception, avoiding the capture of
interference from local stations. If possible, use an antenna tuner. "Loop" antennas were also tested, with
interesting reception results.

It is interesting to note that this circuit was used experimentally as a beacon in the band of 40 meters and was
heard in the province of Buenos Aires by an Argentine radio amateur, who was very interested, contacted the
author, coordinated a meeting and performed the QSO in CW more than 200 km away with very good signals.
The project emits an approximate power of 250 to 300 milliwatts can operate with a power supply or batteries
with a voltage between 9 and 12 Vcc.

QSO LABS 2016

Original Design: Doug Demaw W1FB(sk)

Sources: “The Pixie File” Sprat G-QRP club Journal
Upgrades: Peter Parker VK3YE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roAc4c1a-a0
Operating video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVWkaaAnybc
Prototype and testing: Gustavo Frontini CX2AM [email protected]
Digital design and tests: Federico Sierpien CX5AA [email protected]
Bill of Materials:
Label Part Type Properties
Ceramic
C1 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 30pF NP0
Capacitor

Ceramic
C2 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 100pF NP0
Capacitor

Ceramic
C3 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 100pF NP0
Capacitor

Ceramic
C4 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 82pF NPO
Capacitor

Ceramic
C5 voltaje 6.3V]; capacitance .05uF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C6 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 100nF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C7 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 390pF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C8 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 560pF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C9 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 100nF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C10 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 10nF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C12 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 1.8nF
Capacitor

Electrolytic
C14 voltaje 16V; capacitance 2.2µF
Capacitor

Electrolytic
C15 voltaje 16V; capacitance 10µF
Capacitor

Electrolytic
C16 voltaje 16V; capacitance 10µF
Capacitor

Electrolytic
C17 voltaje 16V; capacitance 10µF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C18 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 1.8nF
Capacitor

Ceramic
C19 voltaje 6.3V; capacitance 100nF
Capacitor

Electrolytic
C20 voltaje 16V; capacitance 100µF
Capacitor

D1 Diode 1N4148
D2 Rectifier Diode 1N4001

IC2 LM741 LM741

IC3 LM386 LM386

L1 Inductor inductance 100µH 7 turns on ferrite toroid

L2 Inductor inductance 22µH 7 turns on amidon FT243

L3 Inductor inductance 1.5µH 20 turns on T30-6

Red (633nm)
LED1 3 mm ; Color Red (633nm)
LED

Tipo 7 S-Triko 160 V DC for PCB mounting, Adjustable from

Variable
Parte1 one side, vertical to PCB; min capacitance 2pF; max
Capacitor capacitance 60pF

Plug
Power plug
1

Q1 NPN-Transistor Type NPN (EBC); TO92 2N3904

Q2 NPN-Transistor Tipo NPN (EBC); TO92 2N3904

Q3 PNP-Transistor Tipo PNP (EBC); TO92 2N3906

R1 47kΩ Resistor ±5% Resistor 47kΩ

R2 1.5kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 1.5kΩ

R3 10kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 10kΩ

R4 33kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 33kΩ

R5 1kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 680Ω

R6 10kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 10kΩ

R7 2.7kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 2.7kΩ

R8 2.2kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 2.2kΩ

R9 150kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 150kΩ

R10 12kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 12kΩ

R11 12kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 12kΩ

R12 47kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 47kΩ

R13 1kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 1kΩ

R14 560kΩ Resistor ±5%; Resistor 560kΩ

S1 Toggle Switch switching circuit SPDT

S2 Toggle Switch switching circuit SPDT

SG2 Buzzer Activo buzzer-12mm;

 12mm 12V

Audio Jack
TRS1 4Ucon 08780 channels Stereo (TRS); 3.5 mm
(TRS) 3.5mm

Audio Jack
TRS2 4Ucon 08780 channels Stereo (TRS); 3.5 mm
(TRS) 3.5mm

U2 BNC bnc; *QSO Labs

X1 DB9 Connector db9; gender female