Introduction
The tight spectral purity requirements and low cost of commercial equipment makes homebrew VHF rigs few and far between. Here is a wide variety of projects for amateurs of all skill levels.
Articles
- New Super-Regenerative Circuits for Amateur VHF and UHF Experimentation
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. - An Ultra-Simple VHF Receiver for 6 Meters
QST December 1997, pp. 39-41
This receiver uses superregeneration for high sensitivity and low parts count. - The DSP-10: An All-Mode 2-Meter Transceiver Using a DSP IF and PC-Controlled Front Panel -- Part 1
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
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 8-Watt, 2-Meter “Brickette”
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 Pocket-Size, Direct-Reading VHF SWR Meter
QST February 1997, pp. 33-36
This easy-to-build LED bargraph SWR meter goes with you anywhere.
(template) - DAS--DTMF Accessory Squelch
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. - How to Build and Use a VHF Wattmeter
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
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
QST March 1969, pp. 39-41 - A Compact "Brick" for 6 Meters
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
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
The Radio Amateur’s VHF Manual, 3dr, Edition (1972) - A Low-Loss VHF/UHF Diplexer
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
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.
Technology >> Radio Technology Topics >> Technical Specialties >> Building Equipment >> VHF Projects