I created an externally mountable DSP-Board to process digital signals from UV-K5.
DSP-Board was named C-Board. C-Board is divided into versions ranging from the simplest version to one that can be equipped with GPS.
0.About C-Board
To apply the DSP-Board to UV-K5, we first implemented a high-speed communication protocol. The videos below use the protocol.
0.1 RP2040 board I used #1
This is the cheapest board. It's usually around $1.4 and sometimes sells for less than that during discounts.
Below is my order details. About a month ago, the product was on sale, so I bought 3 for $1.18
The components are mounted on both sides of the PCB, so they are a bit difficult to attach.
This is also the RP2040 board I use.
Since there are no components on one side of the PCB, the C-Board can be made a little thinner.
The C-Board created in this article uses this board. It can be made in the smallest size as shown in the picture below.
1.Basic Version
It performs all DSP-related functions, but you cannot hear sound.
(Recommended)
The UV-K5's audio signal comes out at close to 8Volts when the volume is maximized. The ADC input range of RP2040 used in Raspberry pi PICO is 0~3.3Volt.
You can use it by reducing the volume appropriately.
I don't know if the ADC bypasses excess current, but no major problems occurred even when the volume was set to maximum.
(Not recommended, but the circuit I use)
2.monitoring version
A version equipped with additional speakers for monitoring and a microphone for simple communication.
Note 1: If you want to hear loudly, the bigger the speaker, the better. I got satisfactory results with speakers about 1cm wide.
Note 2 : The resistor connected to the speaker must be capable of transmitting high current. I use five100 ohm resistors connected in parallel as shown below.
3.GPS Version
Even if 3.3Volt is supported, it is difficult to use simultaneously due to excessive power consumption of GPS.
Therefore, a separate power supply unit must be added
Note 1 : Most GPS are equipped with a regulator that converts 5.0 Volt to 3.3 Volt.
All four types of GPS I have are equipped the same way.
When replacing the 5.0 -> 3.3 converter mounted on the GPS with a general 3.3 regulator, the lm1117 5.0 part of the above circuit can be omitted. (general 3.3 regulator support 8.4 volt input)
In the picture below, the component in the square box is a 5 Volt To 3.3Volt regulator.
I took 8.4Volt from the point indicated by the arrow in the picture below.
4.Tip
4.1 You can make it by cutting the headset or programming cable.
If you purchase the cable below, you can get two plug parts. However, most plugs have only three wires connected. You have to cut the plug with a knife and solder all the wires together. It's not an easy task.
A version made with the same plug as above.
4.2 use 3.5mm and 2.5mm plug
I have recently purchased and made a plug like the one below.
To ensure the correct location and direction of the plug, insert the plug into the radio and mark its location.
Basic version
Monitorring versoin
I cut the plastic and made it into a case. If you or someone around you uses a 3D printer, you can make a cooler case.
Installed
5.firmware upload
1.While holding down the Boot button, connect the USB to the computer.
2.A removable disk called RPI-RP2 will appear on your computer.
3.Copy the firmware file and paste it into the RPI-RP2 disk.
The firmware is currently under development and will be distributed together with the release of UV-K5 firmware CEC versin 0.4.
If you need firmware even before Version 0.4 is released, we will send it to you by email.
(No additional equipment is required to upload firmware to the C-Board.)
SSB Receive TEST
Receive FT8 and Decode using UV-K5 with C-Board (Standalone )
I posted this in advance because it takes time for people who want to make it to order and receive the RP2040. I bought several GPS's, but one GPS I bought from aliexpress is over a month old and is still being delivered. lol
Today I designed a 3D printed case with room for a GPS. It is a bit large but fits on the radio well and will work for a few prototypes. I will solder the circuit tomorrow then I am ready to test the C-board when it is released.
Ian you're eons forward :-D. Hope this idea still remain 100% yours and will not be stolen by marketeers without giving you any credit... :-( I think I'll make my version in the future interposing a (not so) flat 3d printed case between the radio and battery pack. This could accomodate 2040 board a "decent" speeker and mike, GPS, charge circuit and power supply directly from the battery. Also a RTC module can be located in, so FT8 sync will be possible even without GPS fix. Joining this hack with your si 4732 mod makes RX in HF possible (also digital modes) WITHOUT MODDING THE RADIO!!... I'm just thinking of a PCB... This can be a total breaktru of K5 MCU limits with a penny expense! Congratulations! 73 de IU3POA!
excellent, Originally my ultimate goal was Standalone FT8 communication. It would be pretty cool to be able to do FT8 communication out of your pocket.I don't know if I will continue working on this, but perhaps including a GPS or Raltime Clock module would add features I could only imagine. It's a transceiver in pocket that automatically tracks satellites and even performs Doppler calculations to automatically set frequency. In fact, I have already ported the SGP4 Library (satellite coordinate calculation) to C-Board, but it is unclear whether it will work or not. However, since at least APRS reception and FT8 reception are already implemented, I don't think it will be a waste of time for those who created the C-Board.
This looks like a very very cool idea, can I try it? Could you please send me a copy of the c-board firmware, thanks a lot. My email address is syfhpbv@gmail.com
Pretty Slick. I'll bet this could be built into one of those inexpensive speaker/mics that are sold for around $10 on Amazon. I'd love to try this. Any chance I could also obtain your c-board firmware? jeffledger@gmail.com
C-Board V0.32 is great so far. Really nice menus in the new version. One small request - can the APRS displays show the SSID? Some people have multiple stations with the same callsign but different SSID's, so it would be nice to differentiate.
It is really useful that you can scroll through the last 72 beacons and press 5 to set the DX call for messaging. I hope the SSID can be implemented here as well. I don't see a way to enter a "-" for the SSID with the new keyboard entry, but it works great otherwise.
First of all, thank you and congratulations for all the hard work you are doing for HAM radio and for sharing it. I still have a uBitx with your firmware, great improvement you did also there. And when I saw that UV-K5 is in your attention, I know that you will manage to take that radio to another level, and you did it in my opinion with APRS TX facilities. And for sure with C-board is the next level. I worded 2 boards, also 2 new GPS modules, low consumptions. I hope that in several weeks I will receive them. Is it possible to send me ( YO8SDE[_]Gmail.com ) the firmware for C-Board ?
Introduction to UV-K5 HF Fullband receive Version 0.3 This is an introduction to UV-K5 HF full-band reception firmware 0.3HF using SI4732-A10. This version is released separately from the existing UV-K5 CEC firmware version. because space is needed to store a large PATCH file to use SI4732-A10's SSB. 0.3HF added several functions to use SSB for shortwave radio and amateur radio.
Introduction to UV-K5 HF Fullband receive Version 0.41 (Changed from 0.40) This is an introduction to UV-K5 HF full-band reception firmware 0.4HF using SI4732-A10. This version is released separately from the existing UV-K5 CEC firmware version. because space is needed to store a large PATCH file to use SI4732-A10's SSB. 0.4HF added several functions to use SSB for shortwave radio and amateur radio.
Release CEC Firmware v1.200 for uBITX All Version (include v2, v3, v4, v5) I did the firmware work for v5 when uBITX V5 was released, but I release it now. I received the feedback from a thankful beta tester and tested it myself by converting my uBITX v3 to v5 but I was not sure. I ordered the uBITX V5 and delivered the correct uBITX V5, so I made a little more fine-tuning. If you use V2, V3, V4, you do not need to update this firmware.
You are amazing. Less than a week has passed and the next GPS project has already passed. Thank you Alfred, SP3DRY
ReplyDeleteI posted this in advance because it takes time for people who want to make it to order and receive the RP2040. I bought several GPS's, but one GPS I bought from aliexpress is over a month old and is still being delivered. lol
DeleteGive me your email address and I'll send you a file to test. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteParts ordered. Mine will be bigger and uglier though I think.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until the 8th time I made it that the size finally became smaller.
DeleteIt gets smaller every time you make it. lol
Today I designed a 3D printed case with room for a GPS. It is a bit large but fits on the radio well and will work for a few prototypes. I will solder the circuit tomorrow then I am ready to test the C-board when it is released.
DeleteGive me your email address and I'll send you a file to test. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteIan you're eons forward :-D. Hope this idea still remain 100% yours and will not be stolen by marketeers without giving you any credit... :-( I think I'll make my version in the future interposing a (not so) flat 3d printed case between the radio and battery pack. This could accomodate 2040 board a "decent" speeker and mike, GPS, charge circuit and power supply directly from the battery. Also a RTC module can be located in, so FT8 sync will be possible even without GPS fix. Joining this hack with your si 4732 mod makes RX in HF possible (also digital modes) WITHOUT MODDING THE RADIO!!... I'm just thinking of a PCB... This can be a total breaktru of K5 MCU limits with a penny expense! Congratulations!
ReplyDelete73 de IU3POA!
excellent, Originally my ultimate goal was Standalone FT8 communication. It would be pretty cool to be able to do FT8 communication out of your pocket.I don't know if I will continue working on this, but perhaps including a GPS or Raltime Clock module would add features I could only imagine.
DeleteIt's a transceiver in pocket that automatically tracks satellites and even performs Doppler calculations to automatically set frequency.
In fact, I have already ported the SGP4 Library (satellite coordinate calculation) to C-Board, but it is unclear whether it will work or not.
However, since at least APRS reception and FT8 reception are already implemented, I don't think it will be a waste of time for those who created the C-Board.
Give me your email address and I'll send you a file to test. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteCan I try C-Board firmware in advance? My email is xcfatman@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an email. If the email has not been sent, please email me. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteThis looks like a very very cool idea, can I try it? Could you please send me a copy of the c-board firmware, thanks a lot. My email address is syfhpbv@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an email. If the email has not been sent, please email me. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeletePretty Slick. I'll bet this could be built into one of those inexpensive speaker/mics that are sold for around $10 on Amazon. I'd love to try this. Any chance I could also obtain your c-board firmware? jeffledger@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an email. If the email has not been sent, please email me. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteI see that Quansheng is now marketing the UV-K6 transceiver. Would this still be compatible as an upgrade to the UV-K5(8) that you used?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know it is the same circuit.
DeleteI haven't tested it, but I think it will be compatible.
Nice idea. Could you please send me a copy of the c-board firmware, thanks a lot. My email address is on4bgc@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI've sent you an email. If the email has not been sent, please email me. (kd8cec@gmail.com)
DeleteIt works ;-)
DeleteIt's very interesting, can I try it? My email is gialbster@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have designed a pcb and I want to test my pcb, Could you send me a c-board firmware? thanks , my email is eruerame@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm following your tutorial to make it, thank you for your effort, here's my mailbox TT234319929@outlook.com thanks
ReplyDeleteCould you please send me a copy of the c-board firmware, thanks a lot. My email address is dvb.boian@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCould You Plan to add to PCB Way project of board with BOM ?
ReplyDeleteI had drop email, please send me c-board firmware and UV-K5 firmware, BR&73 YB3RDW
ReplyDeleteI would like to receive firmware for the radio and RP2040, my email: artur.schreiber@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteC-Board V0.32 is great so far. Really nice menus in the new version. One small request - can the APRS displays show the SSID? Some people have multiple stations with the same callsign but different SSID's, so it would be nice to differentiate.
ReplyDeleteIt is really useful that you can scroll through the last 72 beacons and press 5 to set the DX call for messaging. I hope the SSID can be implemented here as well. I don't see a way to enter a "-" for the SSID with the new keyboard entry, but it works great otherwise.
DeleteWould it be possible to receive the firmware for the radio and RP2040, my email is hk4bha@hk4bha.net
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your work, bravo! Please also send me the software to dellek@o2.pl Thank you very much SP9WP
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you and congratulations for all the hard work you are doing for HAM radio and for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI still have a uBitx with your firmware, great improvement you did also there. And when I saw that UV-K5 is in your attention, I know that you will manage to take that radio to another level, and you did it in my opinion with APRS TX facilities.
And for sure with C-board is the next level. I worded 2 boards, also 2 new GPS modules, low consumptions. I hope that in several weeks I will receive them.
Is it possible to send me ( YO8SDE[_]Gmail.com ) the firmware for C-Board ?
Thank you once again,
From YO8SDE, Florin
Parts coming in this weekend should have some time to build Saturday.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate if you can send the Cboard firmware my way.
vargasc4 [at] uci.edu