Inspired by Johan Maas PA3GSB
For sure a challenge to build this tiny radio. This will be my daily log how I proceed with the tiny big radio.
Please note that you need the right tools and patience!
Big 7" IPS TFT touchscreen 1024x 600
Considering placement for the 7" TFT touchscreen display and will be processed by CNC.
Sizes 45 x 152 x 200 mm
7" display glued into the cabinet....
The HDMI and USB connector will changed for edge connectors.
fldigi version 4.1.0.1 One step install ... thanks Edward K3HTK for this awesome script.
Running fldigi as a test for the radioberry
Bison kit transparent
Leveling of the cabinet is needed for a flat mount.
Needed and helpful tools for assembling the small components...
Vacuum pickup tool
Tweezers with sharp tip, non magnetic
Microscope ....
Hot air SMD rework station, I use a Velleman VTSS210 needed for soldering the X400 38.400 MHz TCXO
To small..... a USB camera or microscope is needed
X400 38.400 MHz TCXO
Solder first all power supply stabilizers, check them, mount all decoupling capacitors and test again if this is correct.
After this start soldering the active components, more later when the parts are in......................
A lot of tiny pins ..... for sure use here the vacuum pickup tool for placing ... to avoid damage to the pins.
A really difficult job to get the FPGA on the exact location ..
The FPGA is in place and soldered at two places.......this can only be done when using a camera or microscope!
Applying MOB 39 flux
My FPGA soldered on the board.....
Regulators perhaps the easiest ones...
The AD9866 soldered to the board this can be done within 60 secs.
Used 17 watt soldering iron 45 degrees tip and MOB 39 flux
Size 0603 100nF caps in total 22 pieces on top of PCB
A good way to do,
Put a drop flux on 1 pad, put some solder on the iron, take the cap with tweezers, bring the cap on the exact position an solder the cap where the flux is seated. For the other side bring a small amount of flux to the pad and the cap, put some solder on the iron and solder the cap. Important use a small solder iron and set temperature between 310-330 Celsius (my solder iron is about 17 watts tip 45 degrees) Remember the flux is also important for this project I use MOB 39 flux. I clean the parts after soldering with a small soft brush dipped in ethanol and dry it with a tissue. Try to solder as short as possible long heating will destroy your part and perhaps also the PCB.
There are several ways to solder those chips..... if you soldering this way see video on the left, then you can see what you are doing!
Avoid to use solder wick it can be done in one pass.
330nH
MURATA-FILTER_NFM21C
Soldered the backside of the FPGA
Soldered the backside of the AD9866 use enough flux, soldered with a 40 watt Weller solder iron, soldering time approx 3 secs. with a 2.5 mm tip.
If you do it well then you can see that the tiny VIA's are soldered too. (tin in the holes)
Test the X400 38.400 MHz TCXO
Signal at 38.400 MHz
The first tests where not successfully, its very very important that you check all the pins .
Because the AD is difficult to solder and after double inspection I noticed that two pins where not soldered. In this case a microscope is really needed!
gpio-monitor is your friend use it for trouble shooting
Johan Maas made a nice trouble shooting document you can find it on the wiki page.
Next is install the firmware.....
My radioberry is alive......
Radioberry on a Monday morning...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjccr80WiUQ&feature=youtu.be
The radioberry build in to the enclosure
The Raspberry pi 4 and the awesome radioberry running smoothly piHPSDR, thanks to Johan Maas PA3GSB