Users

A user group for the users of the RFzero board can be found at the RFzero user group. Please feel free to join the group.

When you want to join you must state your FIRST NAME and CALL, in Display Name found under Account | Identity | Account profile/Group profile, so you can be identified. If you don’t do this your membership will be pending for one week after which it will be deleted.

If you have an online repository with RFzero code, webpage or pictures showing your use of your RFzero please feel free to contact us.

 

AB5N/B

Bob, AB5N, operates a 2 m beacon transmitting FT8 + CW + dashes on 144,257 MHz from EM34LM running 3,5 W. This is probably the first FT8 beacon globally on any band.

Inside view of the compact AB5N/B 2 m beacon. Picture courtesy Bob, AB5N.

DH4FAJ

Mathias, DH4FAJ, has designed a complete beacon package using an RFzero, ILI9341 TFT display and a PA by Sergey, EX9T. Mathias plans to donate the beacon to IARU SBP. For more information please contact Mathias directly or in the RFzero group.

Please also see the SBP page for more information.

View of the DM0MK test SBP beacon on 6 m. Picture courtesy Mathias, DH4FAJ.

EI0SIX

The EI0SIX beacon is QRV on 50,004 MHz from IO63VE using an RFzero driving a RA30H0608 power module delivering 30 W PA to a Par Electronics OA50 omni-directional horizontal antenna. The EI0SIX beacon is part of the Synchronized Beacon Project (SBP).

The EI0SIX 6 m beacon participating in the SBP. Picture courtesy Tony, EI7BMB.

See more about the EI0SIX beacon here.

GB3MCB

Peter, G8BCG, and the Mid Cornwall Beacon and Repeater group have three GB3MCB beacons each using an RFzero as driver and PA unit from Sergey, EX9T, for unit 28.205 MHz, 40,050 MHz and 60,300MHz.

The three RFzero GB3MCB beacons (center), the 6 m Next Generation Beacons platform (top) and the 23 cm beacon (bottom). Picture courtesy Peter, G8BCG.

GI0GDP

Geoff, GI0GDP, is using an RFzero as beacon driver for his 10 GHz personal beacon. The RFzero generates 216 MHz that is multiplied 48 times to reach 10 GHz.

The 10 GHz personal beacon with x6, x2 and x4 multipliers. Picture courtesy Geoff, GI0GDP.

HA6QL

For his WSPR transmitter Ferenc, HA6QL, has made a relay switching board using an LT1013 Op Amp, an LM3914 connected to a series of transistors.

Ferenc, HA6QL, WSPR transmitter relay switch board during testing. Picture courtesy Ferenc, HA6QL.

HS2JFW

Joe, HS2JFW, has made an advanced solution where he can control the RFzero on a remote site using a Raspberry Pi.

Block schematic of the remote solution.

The units during the build. Picture courtesy Joe, HS2JFW.

Please contact Joe for more details.

KH6HME/B

Chip, N6CA, has built a new 2 m WSPR beacon to operate from Hawaii using the call KH6HME/B. The power is 40 W (max) WSPR which is split between Southern Japan and the West coast of the US with seven element yagis.

The KH6HME/B RFzero inside a heavy duty box. Picture courtesy Chip, N6CA.

M0NYW

Jason, M0NYW, has built a 4 m personal beacon running 1 W on 70,093 MHz using the FT8 + CW + carrier program. The PA was designed by Rob, M0DTS, and uses an RD06HVF1. The PA saturates at 2,5 W and gives a stable 1 W.

Inside view of the beacon clearly showing the different units. Picture courtesy Jason, M0NYW.

N6ALT

Joel, N6ALT, is using his GPSDO together with a 20 characters x 4 lines LCD.

The GPSDO and LCD. Picture courtesy Joel, N6ALT.

ON0UCL

Pierre, ON4IV, is using an RFzero as driver for the ON0UCL beacon on 432,450 MHz. The beacon uses the third overtone from the RFzero which is then filtered and buffered before driving the 5 W PA into a Big Wheel antenna.

The 70 cm ON0ULC beacon. Picture courtesy Pierre, ON4IV.

OX3HI

Holger, OX3HI, is using an RFzero with WSPR transmitter program running 500 mW into a FD4 antenna. Here you can see the reports.

The OX3HI WSPR transmitter with 20×4 LCD. Picture courtesy Holger, OX3HI.

OZ0RF

From time to time OZ0RF operates a WSPR transmitter from JO65FS in the Greater Copenhagen area into a 1:9 UNUN connected to a 16,2 m longwire antenna. Sometimes the RFzero output is boosted to 27 dBm/500 mW. The actual location is nothing to brag about and a better locations will be investigated when time permits.

The RFzero as OZ0RF during the development of the WSPR transmitter program. The picture shows the RFzero, LCD and low pass filter bank.

You can see the latest spots of OZ0RF on WSPRnet.org.

OZ1BXM

Lars, OZ1BXM, is using his RFzero as a rock stable LNB GPSDO solution for his QO-100/Es’hail station.

The RFzero inside a box. Picture courtesy Lars, OZ1BXM.

You can see much more of the Rock Stable 10 GHz LNB solution here.

OZ1CT

Bent, OZ1CT, has made a very professional like outdoor unit with an RFzero, transverter and PA.

The outdoor unit. Picture courtesy Bent, OZ1CT.

OZ1FYR

Anders, OZ3Z, has built a 2 m beacon OZ1FYR using an RFzero and a Mitsubishi RA07M1317M power module on a PCB with an on-board low pass filter too.

Inside view of the OZ1FYR beacon. Picture courtesy Anders, OZ3Z.

OZ2XH

Hans, OZ2XH, uses his RFzero with the QO-100 program for his QO-100 transverter connected to his IC-7300. Picture courtesy Hans, OZ2XH.

Hans has also an RFzero signal generator.

OZ9F

Leif’s, OZ9F, RFzero and OZ5N QO-100 transverter solution. Picture courtesy Leif, OZ9F.

Here are some more pictures and information about Leif’s setup.

PI7ALK

The PI7ALK beacons consist of seven bands from 1296 MHz up to 47 GHz. Except for the 47 GHz beacon, they all have omni-directional antennas. The height of the beacon antennas is 35 meter above sea level located in the city of Alkmaar.

The RFzero is mounted in the top housing and includes the power supply for the beacon outside. It’s being fed via the coaxial cable. Picture courtesy Hans, PA0HSM.

The RFzero generates a 108 MHz signal that is fed into a Kuhne x96 multiplier followed by a 1 W amplifier into a 16 slots wave guide.

PS8RF/B

Piraja, PS8RF, has put the PS8RF/B beacon on the air using FT8 + CW + carrier. The RFzero drives a Mitsubishi RA60H1317M power module to deliver 45 W. The RFzero will excite a PA of 160 W if needed. The beacon operates from the extreme north of Brazil in GI97HB on 144,434 MHz. The new beacon replaced an old CW beacon. The antenna is pointing to the EU continent.

The beacon ready for installation. Picture courtesy Piraja, PS8RF.

The beacon during the build. Picture courtesy Piraja, PS8RF.

Piraja will also be putting up an RFzero with WSPR directed to North America.

SK3SIX

Jemtlands Radioamatörer, SK3JR, has since 4 January 2019 operated the SK3SIX beacon on 50,468 MHz transmitting 15 W using PI4 + CW + carrier. The beacon uses an RFzero and was built by Mikael, SA3AZK.

The RFzero and PA for SK3SIX during testing. Picture courtesy Mikael, SA3AZK.

SM0DFP

Per, SM0DFP, is using an RFzero for his 24 GHz portable setup running a custom version of the GPSDO program. For portable use it shows the locator, UTC and GPS Status.

Left to right: the RFzero, the classic IC-202, 24 GHz transverter and dish. Picture courtesy Per, SM0DFP.

Inside view of the RFzero rover box. Picture courtesy Per, SM0DFP.

Custom display view the RFzero rover box. Picture courtesy Per, SM0DFP.

SV3BSF

Nicos, SV3BSF, is using an RFzero for the SV3BSF beacon running 4 W on 50,450 MHz from KM08VA.

The inside of the SV3BSF/B beacon showing the RFzero in the front, buffer, PA and low pass filter. Picture courtesy Nicos, SV3BSF.

W2UA

Jeff, W2UA, has made a really nice 3D enclosure for his signal generator.

The RFzero in a 3D enclosure. Picture courtesy Jeff, W2UA.

W4NSF

Steve, W4NSF, has made a very professional RF and temperature shielding for his RFzero GPSDO.

The RF and temperature cover over the RF section.

Inside view of the cover.

W4OA

Mitch, W4OA, has designed a 3D printed enclosure for his RFzero. The texts are 3D printed too and subsequently highlighted using a marker pen. Mitch recommends 2 mm or more of height to avoid smearing on the front plate itself.

Mitch’s, W4OA, 3D printed enclosure. Picture courtesy Mitch, W4OA.

WA8TOD

My WSPRmulti 20 x 4 LCD layout and rotary encoders allows me to select a pre-programmed WSPR frequency and multiplication factor on any of the 14 bands from VLF to 23 cm.

This screen contains all the necessary info to make a standalone beacon/signal source. I also integrated the GPS antenna on top.

A very useful package!

Warren’s, WA8TOD, super WSPR multiplied transmitter. Picture courtesy Warren, WA8TOD.

Warren, WA8TOD, has connected his RFzero to an ADF4351 using the RFzero as a 25 MHz GPSDO. This way Warren can make any frequency from 2289 Hz to 4,4 GHz. This is done in two steps: up to 200 MHz using the RFzero and above using the ADF4351.

Warren’s, WA8TOD, way to cut any frequency from 2289Hz to 4,4 GHz for 100 USD. Picture courtesy Warren, WA8TOD.

The RFzero boxed (right) next to Warren’s ADF4351 board (left). Picture courtesy Warren, WA8TOD.