Hi Pete,

I thought about switching the BPF's and adding a rotary hex encoded
switch instead of the DIP switch to change the Si570 frequency. Below
is a link where you can download a .pdf that shows a BPF switch
schematic, a data sheet for a plausible rotary BPF switch, and a price
quotation for the switch. I would connect the switch to the BPF's with
RG-174 (or similar) coax. Yes you do need to switch both the input and
the output of each filter. The balanced nature of the input
transformer's secondary requires you to switch both secondary
windings, the center-tap can be common.

www.datafilehost.com/download-6b52d2cd.html

The link to the YU1LM BPF mentioned by Javier is not really a switched
BPF, it is a variable pre-selector that uses switches to select
various combinations of reactive elements for covering different parts
of the full HF spectrum. This is an interesting design, especially for
general-coverage. I've simulated the YU1LM design and sourced the
components. But the large air-variable cap is an issue, and finding
polyvaricons with such large values isn't possible. In addition, I
would consider wideband 4:1 transformers at the input and output of
the YU1LM design to improve Q, although the design as-is results in
selectivity similar to the Softrock fixed frequency input filters.

Alas, there is a problem with using the YU1LM pre-selector with
Softrock. The Softrock input transformer introduces a reactive element
that screws up the response of the YU1LM pre-selector. An isolating
amplifier would help, but that seems like heresey in a design like the
softrock. In the end, the input transformer makes it very difficult to
use the Softrock as a general coverage receiver without using fixed
switchable BPF's like the one available at www.wb6dhw.com.

In the end, I would like to see if someone can design a way to
broadband the Softrock input for general-coverage. Yes without input
filtering it is possible to recieve harmonically related interference
if it exists at sufficient level, and even receive signals at the
wrong frequency (but this can be checked by listening at double and/or
triple the receive frequency). But having a "no filter" board to
swtich in along with the ham-band BPF boards would at least allow some
form of general-coverage and the ability to listen to short-wave
broadcasts, certainly worthy of a position on the BPF switch! I've
looked at this too - but again, without a pre-amplifier, the input
transformer's inductance rears it's ugly head when directly connected
to an antenna impedance.

73's, David

--- In [email protected], "Javier Albinarrate" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
>
> Hi Pete,
> 
>         I think you have to switch both, input and output, since if the 
> other inputs are not switched off, they will be seen as a paralel
impedance, 
> thus, altering the behaviour. Although, I wonder how much would that
really 
> affect.
>         Here you have an interesting design from YU1LM, mainly
places the 
> switches in different way.
> http://yu1lm.qrpradio.com/bp%20yu1lm.htm
> 
>         Regards!
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Pete Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 4:46 PM
> Subject: Bandswitching BPF modules - softrock Lite+xtall 8.3
> 
> 
> > Is there any particular good/best way to switch the bandpass filter
> > modules?  I am working out a design for a bandswitched SoftRock
Lite+Xtall
> > and the 5-pole BPF modules are a bit of a challenge.  Do I need to
switch
> > all 5 leads, or would it suffice to switch the three on the output
side,
> > while paralleling the antenna  input and return ports of all 4
modules.
> >
> > 73, Pete N4ZR
>


Reply via email to