Pocket HF SDR

What is the PSDR?

The Portable Software Defined Radio, or PSDR, is an Open Source, Fully stand-alone HF/Shortwave Software Defined Transceiver. It includes a Vector Network Analyzer and Antenna Analyzer as well as GPS. It’s built for rugged portable use. It is designed to be a flexible platform for development, a learning aid, and and a useful instrument for electronics enthusiasts.

Why did I make it?

I’m an avid backpacker and radio enthusiast. To me there is something exciting about making contact with others from remote locations where cell phones and the internet can’t reach. I wanted an advanced radio that was ideally suited to tough environments. That meant I it needed to be very compact, integrated, and durable. As an engineer, I wanted an open platform that really takes advantage of the hardware and has the potential to grow and be used for other applications.

There are numerous, excellent radios out there, but none offered the combination I wanted. The best radios are closed source, larger, and expensive, while most open designs are very basic and lacking in flexibility.

Features:

• Coverage from 0 to 35MHz
• Waterfall display that lets you see radio signals
• Receives AM, USB (Upper Side Band), LSB (Lower Side Band), and Morse code (CW)
• Modulates USB and LSB signals
• Variable bandpass filter

Hardware:

• Powerful ARM processor
• Color LCD display
• Dual DDS frequency Synthesizers
• Quadrature Sampling Detector & Exciter
• Digitally controllable instrumentation amplifiers
• Morse Code key (the “Giblet” on the bottom right corner of the enclosure)
• Magnitude & Phase measurement chip (for VNA and antenna analysis functions) with Impedance Bridge
• Dual SMA connectors, smartphone style earphone/microphone connector, and USB port
• GPS
• Built in Microphone and Speaker
• Internal Lithium Polymer battery with charger and high efficiency switching regulator
• MicroSD slot
• Pads for grabbing raw I/Q signals, both in and out.

Things it will be able to do with your help:

I designed the hardware to be capable of the following, but I can’t write all the software myself. Please note that I can’t guarantee when or if these functions will be added, or that they will work as desired.

• Work as a full Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)
• Work as a spectrum analyzer
• Cover more modes, including digital modes and image modes
• Work as an emergency location beacon
• Antenna Analyzer
• Frequency Synthesizer
• Media player
• E Reader / Picture viewer
• Have improved audio
• GPS Mapping navigation device
• High end ARM development board
• USB control of any features, including the possibility to operate the PSDR remotely. The USB port supports USB On-the-Go, making it possible to connect keyboards or other devices. Firmware updates will also be possible over USB.

Limitations of the PSDR2’s hardware

The PSDR2 being offered in this campaign is an evolution of an earlier design, but is not yet complete in some important ways. Backers should be aware that the PSDR2 is a development radio, not a finished product.

• There is no preselection filtering
• There is no filtering on the exciter output
• There are slots for a mixer and amplifier stage, but development for add-ons to take advantage of these slots is not complete (and will not be part of this campaign)
• The PSDR2 can modulate signals, but it can’t filter or amplify them. In short, it can’t transmit by itself.

Wait, so why am I even selling it?

The number one reason is that people want it! I want to get hardware out there so those that are interested can help improve its design and software. This will all help in the development of future hardware as well.

Do I need a license to use the PSDR?

The only thing you need a license for is transmitting. No license is need when using the PSDR for listening in on signals, using it as a tool, or for development.

See More: Link

News

The Dawn of Digital Communications in the Amateur Radio World

December 02, 2015 No comments

Please download and enjoy the PDF copy of the Yaesu discussion of modern Digital Communications – “A Digital Communications Guide for Amat... Read more

Announcing the $5 Raspberry Pi Zero

November 27, 2015 No comments

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has just announced the five dollar, micro-sized Raspberry Pi Zero . We take a look at what’s on the board and put it... Read more

Hamfest.TV, a QRZ.com Special Event

August 13, 2015 No comments

QRZ.com Schedule for August 15, 2015 10:00 AM (CDT) Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, from Amateur Radio Newsline chats with Icom America’s Ray Novak, N9JA.... Read more

4U2U Unauthorized Callsign

February 26, 2015 No comments

  To all radio amateurs Vienna International Amateur Radio Club (VIARC) informs that the callsign 4U2U, operated by Andrey Fedorov, RW3AH, on 24... Read more

Italians gain 60m allocation [ 5MHz ]

November 04, 2018 No comments

The Italian Minister of Economic Development has approved a Decree updating Italy’s national frequency plan to allocate the 60m band to amateurs. The... Read more

COVID-19 and radio amateurs in IARU-R2

April 07, 2020 No comments

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, up to April 2, 2020 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported 247,473 confirmed cases and 5,600 deat... Read more

Radio Amateurs Are Among Radio Club of America 2015 Award Winners

September 29, 2015 No comments

The Radio Club of America (RCA) has announced the recipients of its 2015 awards, and the list includes several radio amateurs. Recipients will be hono... Read more

Transmit digital television signals over Qatar Oscar 100 satellite

May 04, 2020 No comments

Intro Following my previous article on the transmission to the Qatar Oscar 100 satellite with SDR technology (LimeSDR, Adalm pluto) which was dedicate... Read more

Heil Sound Celebrates 50 Years

January 04, 2016 No comments

Heil Sound is marking 2016 as “50 Years of Maximum Rock & Roll.” The yearlong celebration will kick off at the Winter NAMM show in January. A comm... Read more

INSPIRE-2 Ground Controllers Turn to Amateur Radio Rescue Stalled Satellite

June 20, 2017 No comments

Amateur Radio came to the rescue of the INSPIRE-2 CubeSat, built by the University of Sydney in collaboration with the Australian National University,... Read more