VHF Projects
Introduction
While commercial VHF gear has gotten so cheap that it makes little economic sense to build your own, there is still much to be gained in building VHF projects for educational experience. Beginners learn from building simple receivers, while experts can explore advanced software defined radio technology.
Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:
The ARRL has an extensive catalog of books and materials related to Amateur Radio.
Articles
Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.
- New Super-Regenerative Circuits for Amateur VHF and UHF Experimentation (1,337,136 bytes, PDF file)
QEX September/October, 2000, pp 18-32, plus an author update.
Three circuits cover 38-54 MHz, 118-136 MHz and 88-180 MHz. Add a TV UHF downconverter for 450-910 MHz.
- The DSP-10: An All-Mode 2-Meter Transceiver Using a DSP IF and PC-Controlled Front Panel -- Part 1 (626,393 bytes, PDF file)
QST September 1999, pp. 33-41
What's neat about this 2-meter transceiver is that most of it is in software! Your PC is its front panel.
- The DSP-10: An All-Mode 2-Meter Transceiver Using a DSP IF and PC-Controlled Front Panel -- Part 2 QST October 1999, pp. 34-40
With most of the radio in software, the mechanical construction of the radio is much easier to handle.
- The DSP-10: An All-Mode 2-Meter Transceiver Using a DSP IF and PC-Controlled Front Panel -- Part 3 (2,108,685 bytes, PDF file)
QST November 1999, pp. 42-45
This is it! It's about time to put your new transceiver on the air.
Notes: additional Web link
Kit may be available from TAPR
- An Ultra-Simple VHF Receiver for 6 Meters (187,078 bytes, PDF file)
QST December 1997, pp. 39-41
This receiver uses superregeneration for high sensitivity and low parts count.
- A Pocket-Size, Direct-Reading VHF SWR Meter (207,336 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1997, pp. 33-36
This easy-to-build LED bargraph SWR meter goes with you anywhere.
(template)
- DAS--DTMF Accessory Squelch (268,631 bytes, PDF file)
QST December 1995, pp. 25-31 Object code das.zip
Easy on your ears and nerves -- this DTMF decoder silently monitors a radio channel alerting you only when a designated identifier is recognized.
- An Experimental Solid-State Kilowatt Linear Amplifier for 2 to 54 MHz (3,177,342 bytes, PDF file)
QST September 1992, pp. 19-23
This is not a step-by-step construction article, but a springboard from which to build a 35-pound kilowatt solid-state amplifier.
- A Compact 1-kW 2-50 MHz Solid-State Amplifier (4,542,204 bytes, PDF file)
QEX July 1990, pp. 3-8
- How to Build and Use a VHF Wattmeter (1,946,574 bytes, PDF file)
QST December 1987, pp. 15-19
You can measure SWR and RF power at VHF with an inexpensive homemade instrument. Here's a VHF power bridge that you can build during a weekend.
- Construct A VHF/UHF Signal Generator (1,506,725 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1986, pp. 33-34
Most builders need an inexpensive VHF/UHV signal source for project testing. Beat the high cost of commercial gear with this simple 50 MHz to 1296 MHz circuit.
- A 2-Meter Transmatch With S.W.R. Indicator (699,384 bytes, PDF file)
QST March 1969, pp. 39-41
- A Compact "Brick" for 6 Meters (1,967,966 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1990, pp. 18-21
Build a 6-meter 100 watt amplifier using a MRF140 FET.
- A No-Bandswitch, Dual-Band VHF Desktop Amplifier (929,088 bytes, PDF file)
QEX Jul/Aug 2000
Using a pair of 3CX800A7s, this 6- and 2-meter amplifier yields the legal-limit.
Note: QEX projects are not step-by-step articles for the beginner.
- A Transmatch for 50 and 144 MHz With SWR Indicator (1,122,471 bytes, PDF file)
The Radio Amateur’s VHF Manual, 3dr, Edition (1972)
- An 8-Watt, 2-Meter “Brickette” (626,250 bytes, PDF file)
QST June 2000, pp. 43-47
Put 20 mW into this amplifier and get 26-dB increase in power. (can be companion to the DSP-10)
- A Low-Loss VHF/UHF Diplexer (1,153,459 bytes, PDF file)
QEX Mar/Apr 2002, pp. 47-51
This project lets you use one feedline for both VHF and UHF energy, simultaneously!
- A Low-Loss VHF/UHF Bias Tee (279,405 bytes, PDF file)
QEX May/June 2002, pp. 52-54
A simple circuit that lets you superimpose DC control voltage onto the transmission line without altering the RF characteristics.
- A Multimode Phasing Exciter For 1 to 500 MHz (1,205,616 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 1993, pp. 27-31
A simple transmitter that generates SSB, CW and more. (a mate to High-Performance, Single-Signal Direct-Conversion Receivers )
Note:
Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.
Bibliography (Members Only)
ARRL Periodicals Index Search - This database contains the QST index from 1915 to the present and the QEX index from 1981 to the present. For QST issues from 1970 to the present, and some selected articles back to 1922 (when construction articles featuring tubes began in earnest), identifying keywords have been added to the technical articles. By entering keywords (ANTENNA) or combinations of keywords (CONSTRUCTION ANTENNA VERTICAL HF) into the Title words: field, you may create dynamic bibliographies.
Technical article KEYWORD list. Hints for more successful searching
Suggested keywords for more articles like the ones on this page are CONSTRUCTION HOMEBREW VHF
Article Reprints:
You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ), or 1-860-594-0390, Noon to 5PM, Tuesday though Friday, Eastern time, if you wish to get photocopies.
This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.
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Page last modified: 12:22 PM, 26 Jan 2009 ET
Page author: tis@arrl.org
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