We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: Corsette Transmitter  (Read 7953 times)

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Corsette Transmitter
« on: January 23, 2019, 1236 UTC »
Hello Guys,

New to the forum! Interest in 48M been on and off over the years. Being so late in the game transmitters are a bit hard to get hold of and unfortunately I don't have a lot of cash, anyway I found the QRP Corsette transmitter design by Dave Martin. Seeing somewhere one person built it and was getting around 1.1watts.

Not really a constructor and have very basic building skills I decided to build the unit. I had most of components except for the transistors, which I sourced on eBay and the closes inductor was 15mH.

I first built the unit on breadboard to confirm the circuit worked before soldering on to copper clad board.

Doing it this way and plugging into VSWR meter and dummy load the max output was 200mW. I removed what I believe is the low pass filter a 470pf, T50-2 and 1000pf and the output increased a slightly.

Maybe components weren't right, I started with 15mH inductor. I wound wire 59turns onto a T50-2 and got close 17.38mH yes that made a difference.

I wondered because it's built on breadboard there wasn't enough grounding. I then rebuilt and soldered onto copper cladding.

The output increased to 300mW, the Motorola BFY51 gets quite warm so I stuck a fan on to help. (Still with no LPF connected)

The only time I get more output is when connected to antenna and the most I get 500-550mW but without the filter, I don't want to leave it on for long due to no filter.

Has anyone else made one of these ?

Can anyone advise if I'm doing something wrong not to get 1watt out.

Was after putting a QRP 5 watts or less station on air

Many thanks
« Last Edit: January 23, 2019, 2317 UTC by Intruder »
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2019, 1416 UTC »
Tried to add images, dont know how?
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2019, 1418 UTC »
Anyone advise on attaching images of transmitter
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Stretchyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 655
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2019, 1517 UTC »
You'll need to 'Host' the images elsewhere as you cant directly upload images here.

Lots of sites but I've no idea which is best but am sure someone else will let you know, I'm sure.

Re the design your building...

What Frequency are you using?

I could save you a lot of trouble and send you a PCB for a better design, but wont force it upon you!

LuLu is the way to go....

Str.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2019, 1519 UTC by Stretchyman »
'It's better to give than receive' so why Rx when you can Tx!

                                              ;)

Offline radiogaga

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 344
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2019, 1519 UTC »
upload your image to imgur.com/upload.     then add image tag in your message like this: [𝖴𝖱𝖫]𝗁𝗍𝗍𝗉𝗌://𝗂.𝗂𝗆𝗀𝗎𝗋.𝖼𝗈𝗆/𝖪𝟣𝖹𝖪𝖳𝟣𝖺.𝗃𝗉𝗀[/𝖴𝖱𝖫]   your pic will show automagically in your post.

Good luck with your tx, sorry I am of no help, others will chime in hopefully

rgg

Offline Brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 521
  • Ireland
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2019, 2201 UTC »
Experiment with different values of chokes and caps, particularly the ones you removed and also the choke on the supply volts to the BFY51.
The chokes that you wound on the T50-2's can be varied slightly by squeezing together the turns or spacing the turns out a bit more. This will give you an indication if you need more or fewer turns.

I haven't built that particular rig but I have built a couple of the Grenades and small adjustments can have a significant influence on the output power.

Good luck.

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2019, 2314 UTC »
Thanks to all that have replied!

Mr Stretchyman, would be interested in the PCB, if ok will PM you ?

Brian, I did wonder is it because of using ceramic caps on the circuit. I recently what a video on YouTube about ham transceiver circuit and ceramics aren't great at RF output stages/filters. It was mentioned mica or poly caps? Is this right?

I'm also confused when into a 50ohm dummy load I don't see a 500mW output but into a antenna I do? Thought it should read the same or better? Suppose I really need test gear but out of my budget and knowledge on using one. Like I say have basic knowledge to get by.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2019, 2318 UTC by Intruder »
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 521
  • Ireland
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2019, 0037 UTC »
Your antenna is probably not 50 ohms at your test frequency.
What power meter are you using?. If it doesn't cover the band you're using, then it may be very inaccurate.
My meter goes down to 1.8 MHz but when I use it on MW, it reads about 20% lower than it should.

I "think" I'm using a ceramic in the output of one of my Grenades without a problem but I know I've had issues in higher power txs.

Another suggestion. My grenade uses a BFY51 to drive an IRF. The choke I use on the supply of the BFY is tunable. It's about 15 or 20 turns on a 10 mm former with a ferrite slug. Might be worth trying.

Offline Stretchyman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 655
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2019, 0722 UTC »
Yes please PM me.

The info you have about 'Ceramics' is BS they are perfect as long as you use the correct type and rating 'COG' '200V' for a 10W TX (for instance).

Mica are fine but stoopidly expensive and poly ones def not, OK for audio ONLY.

C322C102J2G5TA is a KEMET 200V COG 1nF (for instance).

BTW when measuring power ALWAYS use a dummy load as it's Non 'Reactive'.

Str.
'It's better to give than receive' so why Rx when you can Tx!

                                              ;)

Offline QRP

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 103
    • View Profile

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2019, 1234 UTC »
Your antenna is probably not 50 ohms at your test frequency.
What power meter are you using?. If it doesn't cover the band you're using, then it may be very inaccurate.
My meter goes down to 1.8 MHz but when I use it on MW, it reads about 20% lower than it should.

I "think" I'm using a ceramic in the output of one of my Grenades without a problem but I know I've had issues in higher power txs.

Another suggestion. My grenade uses a BFY51 to drive an IRF. The choke I use on the supply of the BFY is tunable. It's about 15 or 20 turns on a 10 mm former with a ferrite slug. Might be worth trying.

The VSWR meter is a Diamond SX-600.

There are two inductors, one feeds the BF245 which is 470uH which value I had and checking on a Peak Systems LCR45 it reads 469uH. The second one is 17uH that's on the BFY51 the home made inductor is 17.38uH. It might be worth trying a variable type of inductor to get them closer.

Thanks for advice !
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2019, 1237 UTC »
Yes please PM me.

The info you have about 'Ceramics' is BS they are perfect as long as you use the correct type and rating 'COG' '200V' for a 10W TX (for instance).

Mica are fine but stoopidly expensive and poly ones def not, OK for audio ONLY.

C322C102J2G5TA is a KEMET 200V COG 1nF (for instance).

BTW when measuring power ALWAYS use a dummy load as it's Non 'Reactive'.



Str.
Hi Stretchyman,

Thanks for advice on caps, I did think this was bizarre! Plus like you say it saves on price. Yep will use dummy load for future reference.

Will PM you in a moment.
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline Intruder

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2019, 1242 UTC »
Is it this one ..?
http://freeradiotx.blogspot.com/2009/06/corsette-low-power-sw-transmitter.html

Hi QRP,

Yes that the circuit!

I'm only going by this blog: http://www.radiohobbyist.org/blog/?p=271

It stated channel Z "First up, he used a Corsette transmitter, putting out 1.1 watts" - it doesn't say on Dave Martins website what output power it is just QRP!
DX-394 and PA0RDT mini whip antenna in the UK

Offline QRP

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 103
    • View Profile
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2019, 1404 UTC »
Is it this one ..?
http://freeradiotx.blogspot.com/2009/06/corsette-low-power-sw-transmitter.html

Hi QRP,

Yes that the circuit!

I'm only going by this blog: http://www.radiohobbyist.org/blog/?p=271

It stated channel Z "First up, he used a Corsette transmitter, putting out 1.1 watts" - it doesn't say on Dave Martins website what output power it is just QRP!


Dave Martin launched his Corsette transmitter already in June 2009 with the same design but Chris Smolinski wrote about it first in December 2011 in "RadioHobbyist.org".



Offline Brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 521
  • Ireland
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Corsette Transmitter
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2019, 1719 UTC »
Your antenna is probably not 50 ohms at your test frequency.
What power meter are you using?. If it doesn't cover the band you're using, then it may be very inaccurate.
My meter goes down to 1.8 MHz but when I use it on MW, it reads about 20% lower than it should.

I "think" I'm using a ceramic in the output of one of my Grenades without a problem but I know I've had issues in higher power txs.

Another suggestion. My grenade uses a BFY51 to drive an IRF. The choke I use on the supply of the BFY is tunable. It's about 15 or 20 turns on a 10 mm former with a ferrite slug. Might be worth trying.


The VSWR meter is a Diamond SX-600.

There are two inductors, one feeds the BF245 which is 470uH which value I had and checking on a Peak Systems LCR45 it reads 469uH. The second one is 17uH that's on the BFY51 the home made inductor is 17.38uH. It might be worth trying a variable type of inductor to get them closer.

Thanks for advice !
That meter should be fine.

Don't get too hung up on the exact values in the circuit diagram! The values will change depending on frequency.
I would probably leave the 470 uH as it is. The 17 uH may have worked best on the frequency Dave was using but a lower or higher value may work better for you. Same with the output section. Leave the 1000pF cap as is but try to vary the 470pF cap. Add or take away 100pF and see what happens. The toroid can be varied as well.
Make one change at a time and you'll get a feel as to what is working best. There is an interaction between the various components. For example, if the output coil is slightly higher than required, then the 470pF may need to be reduced and vise versa.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2019, 1721 UTC by Brian »

 

HFUnderground T-Shirt
HFUnderground Garden Flag
by MitchellTimeDesigns