image from www.theblacksheeponline.com
Like me, you scout out all the hamfests, etc. and still you find it difficult to find that nice crystal you are looking for..the one that will fill in that gap on the 20m band that is making you insane!
A friend of mine goes to Friedrichschaffen annually (the biggest hamfest in Europe probably), and has failed to find the crystals I have been looking for.
So, in my midst of shelving my hopes of ever being able to find that perfect, crystal, along comes a solution to my problem that may just turn out to be AMAZING.
Let's just take a quick and melancholy second to realize that there are no more crystal manufacturers in the USA. You can look up the history. When I was newly licensed decades ago, you could build your W1FB Doug DeMaw (sk) QRP transmitter, order your crystal from JAN or someone else, then plug in your crystal when it arrived, and THEN....and THEN....get on the air and make those precious QSOs with your homebrew rig. It was AWESOME!!
1.5w crystal controlled "Little Joe" for 20m on a piece of polished olive wood
If you have built anything like this, then you know the joy of making those first QSO's with your new rig. However, building it today, requires a search for the right crystals.
Well, some clever enterprising hams at hayseedhamfest.com came up with a substitute for crystals using the RAN Technology Four Channel Oscillator Board (KIT).
RAN Four Channel Oscillator Board
Simplistically speaking, this board allows you to plug in 4 different pre-programmed chip oscillators (which are available from Digi-key). The board kit is $16.50, and the chips are under $5 each. That means for about $40, you will have a board with 4 different value crystal substitutes. Take the board, integrate it into your transmitter, and you can now choose between 4 different frequencies. And,...if you like, you can order additional chips to add more frequencies. Digi-key programs the chips to the frequencies you order.
Considering that buying fundamental crystals for $7.00 is ancient history, well...this little board could be the answer to having an entire band covered and ready to go with you little transmitter.
The Digi-Key (Epson) programmable oscillator chip
In a few weeks, the oscillator board will be up on my workbench and then installed in a transmitter for testing. I will attempt to give a review of how well it does the job as an add on to a few of my home brew QRP transmitters. Hopefully it will be a big success.
Keep in mind, that because the chips are programmable (by Digi-Key upon ordering. Chips are not re-programmable..it's a one-time only deal per chip), so ANY receiver project, or any other project requiring stable crystal-type oscillators will be a candidate for this board / chip.
I will keep you posted on the outcome of the chips and board.
Link to board internet page is HERE
73 Mark 4x1ks
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