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.

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