[DSP-10] VK3CV 122-GHz (2.5mm) Transceiver + Redesign of DSP-10 RF-hardware

[Doug Yuill]

Greetings from Smiths Falls Ontario,

I hope everyone is playing safe and unaffected by the pandemic.
Remember, Amateur Radio is the original form of (safe) Social Networking!

The VK3CV (Andrew Anderson) 122-GHz Transceiver
<https://www.dropbox.com/sh/32iznukohqnpjsz/AAABv0Y5OMHjqbQWZTNozYPAa/As%20Easy%20as%20122GHz%2020_07_2019%20%28Compressed%20images%29.pdf?dl=0>
for the 2.5mm band, described at the link below, may be of interest to
other TAPR DSP-10 users.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/32iznukohqnpjsz/AAABv0Y5OMHjqbQWZTNozYPAa/As%20Easy%20as%20122GHz%2020_07_2019%20%28Compressed%20images%29.pdf?dl=0

A reliable source has indicated that the DSP-10 software may have been
ported to the Teensy <https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/>, using the Audio
Adaptor Board <https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy3_audio.html> to form the
basis of a standalone SDR. As the VK3CV transceiver has an I/Q spigot,
marrying the two would be a match made in heaven!

Q1: The DSP-10 15-Khz IF, doesn't appear to use a Tayloe quadrature mixer.
While the hardware should be easy to form, how much software rework would
be required?

Q2: Is there any interest in redesigning the DSP-10 2-metre RF-hardware
with the objective of simplifying and compactifying the design?

In support of such an endeavor, I couldn't help but notice this sexy
looking SAW filter for the 2-metre amateur band: Microsaw OY M333-145M1
<http://www.microsaw.fi/pdf/saw-filter/145-mhz/M333-145M1.pdf>

I mention this idea because there's almost no new transceivers available on
the market for 2-metres, that aren't designed for FM only. A handheld 2m
transceiver for weak-signals could fill an otherwise empty market niche,
and would appeal to the growing number of Hams interested in portable and
SOTA operations.  Is this a project TAPR would consider sponsoring a design
competition for?

I expect to finish assembling and testing my Veteran-SDR over the next
couple of months. If I also manage to finish my HF antenna projects, I'll
get a Teensy 4.1 <https://www.pjrc.com/teensy-4-1-released/> and explore
geting my feet wet by using it to replace the native EZ-Kit Lite DSP in the
DSP-10.

If I'm good, maybe Santa will bring me a VK3CV 122-GHz Transceiver for xmas
too?

The future is already here, it's just not evenly distributed! :-)

73's everyone,
de VE3OCU

--dy +1 613-366-9690 (VoIP)
****************************
Doug Yuill; My greatest learning lies ahead.