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Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:16 pm
by MiXiN
As per the subject, has anyone used this and is it up to much?
http://www.m.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLL-FM-TRAN ... nav=SEARCH
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:33 pm
by teckniqs
Looks very familiar but never used one, there's only one of them on eBay so if you're gonna buy it I'd grab it quick.
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:47 pm
by MiXiN
I'll wait and see what anyone who has bought it thinks first otherwise I'll probably get a good hiding. I already have a driver myself and am just looking at this for a mate who's eager to get back into the game.
I've told him to join here so with any luck he'll be onboard soon.
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:49 pm
by shuffy
The RF strip looks similar to the BW 1W PLL right after they changed from the doubler to an on frequency design with the broadband transformer matching into the PA. The PLL, is fairly common TSA5511/PIC16fxxx design used in 1001 other places. Tried and tested stuff, you should be OK if it's laid out properly without any howlers in the design...
Also looks similar to this
http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/ ... tZjutg.jpg
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:29 pm
by radio-berlin
Its another exciter by PCB Wizard guy on ebay, but on another account.
There was another he did on here a while ago, im guessing this is the newer once since. Hopefully it has some regulation as the last one didnt. Looks Ok from what I can see, however the big inductor placed by oscillator looks a bit suspect ? why would you place an inductor there? hopefully its not powering osciallator in replace of a regulator or being used as a PLL filter but I cant see why else it would be for placed right where it is.
I can also only see one varicap, so hopefully its not being used for modulaton and PLL like th elast version he made. There may be a varicap hidden behind the tuning coil but cannot tell in the photo but looks like a volume pot. One Varicap means that modulation level will be affected by PLL tuning voltage
Look at ebay item no 301766561286 , this was the last design by him
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:20 pm
by MiXiN
Thanks for the detailed and informative replies.
Will keep my eye on the thread to see if anyone has anything else to add to the table, but if not I'll tell my bud to buy it.
I wonder if the output Transistor is a 2n4427 or a 2n3866, as I'm sure I read somewhere that a 2n3866 won't do even near 1 whisky on 15v.
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:22 pm
by sinus trouble
I agree Mr Berlin it does look like another 'PCBWizard' board!
Also looks like an LCD compatible upgrade of the one mentioned in earlier posts!
fm%20tx.JPG
Heres a stereo encoder i bought from him recently! the build similarities are uncanny lol!
20151018_215753.jpg
Not exceptional quality? but not bad for 25 quid lol
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:27 pm
by MiXiN
sinus trouble wrote:I agree Mr Berlin it does look like another 'PCBWizard' board!
Also looks like an LCD compatible upgrade of the one mentioned in earlier posts!
fm%20tx.JPG
Heres a stereo encoder i bought from him recently! the build similarities are uncanny lol!
20151018_215753.jpg
Not exceptional quality? but not bad for 25 quid lol
Is that encoder any good mate?
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:36 pm
by sinus trouble
output will vary slightly depending on which frequency you are on?
Also motorola no longer manufacture those transistors so output cannot be guaranteed!
there was a time when nearly 1.5w was obtained from a 2n4427, but sadly them days are gone

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:42 pm
by sinus trouble
Yeah the stereo encoder is not a bad little unit! the stereo separation is good, pilot is stable but is square in waveform rather than sinus a little noisey? but usable!

Just thought id add that the ba1417f claims it has a built in limiter! lol it is shite! it produces distortion, not compression!

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:54 am
by RF-Head
@ sinus
Look at a analyser when you use this stereo-encoder
Then you will never use it again

The guy selling the pll boards bought a driverboard from em a year ago and copyd it

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:55 am
by RF-Head
Now i have made a new driverboard with SMT parts ina 1W , 15W, 30W version
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:06 am
by Maximus
Yep the 1417 will have crappy audio and the pilot will be too loud.
Sent from my Nokia 3310 using Tapatalk
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:19 am
by teckniqs
RF-Head wrote:Now i have made a new driverboard with SMT parts ina 1W , 15W, 30W version
Will my 15w RDVV be ready soon? ...Been waiting about a year.

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:22 am
by teckniqs
sinus trouble wrote:output will vary slightly depending on which frequency you are on?
Also motorola no longer manufacture those transistors so output cannot be guaranteed!
there was a time when nearly 1.5w was obtained from a 2n4427, but sadly them days are gone

Many years ago I had a Bowman driver doing about 3.5w and it only had an SGS Thompson ST 2n4427 for the output.
A few good alternatives to the 2n4427 regarding the gain and output power is the BFW16A, 2SC730 and the BLY33.
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:24 am
by RF-Head
Yes almost

I made a new design for it with SWR protection etc
It has also a external input for SWR so you can connect our new 150W amp module to it.
Here is a preview picture of the prototype
Boards are orderd now and will mail you when they ready

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:44 am
by teckniqs
Looks decent, what's the maximum output?
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:19 pm
by sharky
Looks very smart.. Familiar, but smart

- When I say this I mean the general layout..
Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:21 pm
by radio-berlin
I know exactly where you got that matching for RD transistor Rf-Head

Re: Opinions on this driver.
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:41 pm
by sinus trouble
Looks good Mr Head! I Want one!
