Two Essential Add Ons For The Bitx40

Two Essential Add-ons For Bitx and Other QRP Rigs.
In this post I am going to discuss two very simple but very essential add-ons for Bitx and
other similar type of QRP sideband rigs. These two add-on modules are the recent
addition to my XENA and BITX rigs that have already proved their worth during portable
QRP operations. The first one is of course a simple speech processor. It can give more
punch to your transmissions and more QSO's are certainly assured for you.
A SIMPLE SPEECH PROCESSOR: A simple speech processor can enhance your

readability on the receiving end by as much as two S-points and is an indispensable
addition to any QRP voice rig. There are usually two types of speech processing
techniques. One using limiting through compression and other through clipping. The
latter is usually known to give better results on both AF and RF. The present circuit uses
this technique. The signal from the single stage mic amplifier is routed through this
module. The first stage gives it necessary amplification and the signal is clipped using a
pair of back to back diodes. I used germanium diodes as these were available in my
collection but BAT 54 or similar are likely to give better results. The signal is then filtered
using an op- amp based sallen key filter for harmonic suppression and is then amplified
and is routed to the diode DBM. The circuit can be use with almost any SSB/DSB rig. For
use with bitx you should use 47K resistance for R1 or use a potentiometer at the output to
get proper level of audio for modulation. The circuit is very simple and is given below:
I have chosen an LM358 for being cheap, readily available and for its smaller footprint
than discrete devices, to aid smaller design. You can play with the values of C1 and C4.
Try a value between 0.0033uf to 0.0068uf for C1 to suit your voice quality. Generally the
least bass input to the DBM is the key to best readability. Try 1nf for C4 for much less
splatter across the transmitted bandwidth.
The alignment is simple. An oscilloscope can be indispensable but if you have none don't
worry. Measure the average AF signal amplitude at DBM input using a sensitive AF meter.
Now switch to compress mode and set the viper of R8 all the way to ground. Now adjust
R4 for an equal and almost similar amplitude reading at the input of your DBM. Go on
the air and call a friend. Adjust R8 now for best results......and you are all done.
A COMPACT ANTENNA TUNER: A simple and compact antenna tuner is made of

just two components; C2 and L3. L3 can be wound on T-50-43 toroidal core. A 5 turn
winding is good to cover both 80 and 40 meters. For 30 and 20 meters, three turns are
sufficient and for twenty through fifteen meters just two turns suffice. C2 is a common BC
type variable capacitor and is not hard to find. I usually use a half wave throw away wire
for my portable QRP use as it is very convenient to carry.
This compact tuner can tune both high and low impedances very effectively and is small
enough for portable use. I have included N7VE's SWR bridge for ease of tuning. The entire
module is small enough to be built and accommodated within the bitx cabinet.
Posted by K.P.S. Kang at 7:50 pm
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7 comments:
1.
Chrestos SV1GAPThursday, August 24, 2017 2:47:00 pm
1. In the past I did some experiments with a clipping circuit using LTspice,
using my own voice as the input to the circuit and listening to the output
file of the LTspice. As I noticed, what is essential in the clipping circuit is
to NOT clip the longer wavelengths (i.e., the lower frequencies). The
clipping of the lower frequencies covers/hides/destroys the information
existing in the higher frequencies. So BEFORE the clipping circuit, a
sufficient low-cut filter should exist.
2. Because of the increase of the RMS power, perhaps a reduction of the
PEP power (by a couple of dBs) is useful/necessary.
The improvement on the speech intelligibility with a suitable clipping
circuit is amazing!
Thank you for your blog!

73 de SV1GAP
K.P.S. KangMonday, August 28, 2017 3:38:00 pm
Hi OM Christopher, yes I agree with your point that low
frequency signal when clipped hard is just square waved and
when it is filtered; phase relationship of the harmonics are
altered causing signal peaks to be generated and getting added
to the signal that can reduce the effectiveness and intelligibility.
Consequently, as I mentioned the entry of bass to the audio
chain should be limited. You can use smaller value of C7 for this.
Also only a moderate level of compression that can give good
crest level should be used. My experience is that around 10 to
12 dB of compression suffices for such AF processors.
O. Alan JonesSunday, August 27, 2017 10:04:00 pm
What doe "E" mean for resistor values?

K.P.S. KangMonday, August 28, 2017 3:12:00 pm
Dear OM. Alan, E means ohms. For example 10E=10 ohms.
PathfinderSaturday, September 16, 2017 2:36:00 am
Two questions:
1. R4 is shown as 47k ohm but I am unfamiliar with the symbol used in the
schematic. It looks somewhat like a variable pot, is that what it is supposed
to be?
2. Have you seen anyone do an Eagle layout of these designs to make a

board? Or some other software design tool that is compatible with Eagle?
Thanks.
Geoff
K4GDL
1.
K.P.S. KangSaturday, September 16, 2017 12:59:00 pm

Dear K4GDL, R4 is a preset. It sets the gain of op-amp and thus
the output level. I don't know someone who does Eagle job. I
built my prototype on a piece of prototyping veroboard.
Cordially,
Kang.
O. Alan JonesFriday, November 10, 2017 8:52:00 pm
K.P.S. thanks for posting your circuits. I am going to try out both of them in
my BITX40 build.
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Two Essential Add-ons For Bitx and Other QRP Rigs.

A SIMPLE SPEECH PROCESSOR: A simple speech processor can enhance your

A COMPACT ANTENNA TUNER: A simple and compact antenna tuner is made of

Chrestos SV1GAPThursday, August 24, 2017 2:47:00 pm

Thank you for your blog!

What doe "E" mean for resistor values?

2. Have you seen anyone do an Eagle layout of these designs to make a

K.P.S. KangSaturday, September 16, 2017 12:59:00 pm

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