Welcome to Open Source Hardware!
🎯 The Goal: Provide complete hardware designs so you can have complete PCBs manufactured professionally or build your own.
📁 Each project includes full source files (schematics, PCB layouts, BOMs, firmware) that you can modify and improve.
🌍 These pages are Freeware. All projects are Open Source. I am not selling anything. I need not be involved nor do I receive any financial benefit.
How to Build These Projects
1Download & Review
Get the design files and review the schematics using the free tools below. Understand what you're building!
2Order PCBs & Parts
Upload Gerber files to PCB fab houses like JLCPCB, PCBWay, or OSH Park to build, assemble and ship you the completed project board or else order components from Digi-Key or Mouser using the BOM and assemble and solder the PCB yourself.
3Assembly & Documentation
Order additional parts (enclosures, panels), program CPU if applicable, and complete the assembly. Often this requires minimal or no soldering!
Design Tools
For PCB design files
For 3D printed designs
For firmware development
Quick browser-based PCB viewer
💡 Ordering & Customization
- PCBs typically cost $2-5 per board for small quantities
- Components can be provided by JLCPCB for assembled PCB or ordered from Digi-Key, Mouser, or LCSC if self-assembling at home.
- Read JLCPCB instructions to understand the ordering process and sequence: raw PCB and PCBA (assembly).
- Designs easily modified for your need using design tools (above).
⚡ Building Tips
- Start with simpler projects to gain experience
- Double-check component values and verify availability before finalizing order.
- Test as you build - don't wait until the end!
📊 Cost Considerations
- PCB costs: $10-30 for 5-10 raw boards
- Components: $20-200 depending on project.Tariffs to-from China can double the final parts cost.
- Enclosures & hardware: $10-50
- Total: Usually $40-$300 per project
- Cost for small projects swamped by one-time charges, shipping and tariffs (US).
0-2 GHz Transverter
Wideband transverter covering 0-2 GHz with phaselock and automatic band switching.
IC7300 Transverter Interface
Interfaces IC7300 to transverters with automatic PTT, IF offset, and band data control.
VHF & UHF Amplifier/Preamplifier
Increases TRansverter to 5-10W, all modes.
GNSS/10MHz Disciplined Reference (v2)
Precision 10 MHz reference disciplined by GNSS with OCXO for excellent stability.
Note: A v3 project is well along and may be available shortly.
📌 System Requirements
All broadband antenna systems require a ShackBoard for power distribution, control, and interface. Please read the Broadband Receive Antenna Systems overview before building.
SAS - Single Antenna System
✅ Recommended: Simplified single-antenna system with excellent performance. Capable of delivering ITU "Quiet Rural" noise floor in regions which permit it.
Used along with ShackBoard v2 or v3 below.
Hybrid Antenna System
Dual-antenna system combining active dipole and loop/Beverage inputs.
PreampA - Active Dipole
PreampB - LoE or Beverage
Junction - A/B Preamp Combiner
Combines outputs from PreampA and PreampB for legacy dual-antenna systems. ShackBoards provide this internally.
ShackBoard
✅ Required for all antenna systems: Central power, control, and interface hub.
8-way Active GPS Isolating Splitter
Distribute GPS signals to 8 outputs with ground-side isolation and amplification.
4-way Isolating Clock Splitter
Split and isolate clock signals (10 MHz, 100 MHz) to 4 outputs.
Isolating Sloped Filter
Frequency-dependent attenuation filter with isolation for wideband receivers.
LPF60 - 60 MHz Lowpass Filter
Sharp cutoff lowpass filter for eliminating signals above 60 MHz.
LPF30 - 30 MHz Lowpass Filter
Sharp cutoff lowpass filter for HF applications up to 30 MHz.
RX888 Injection Locked PLL
Lock RX888 to external reference for improved stability and precise frequency accuracy . Isolates to avoid risk of any RX888 damage.
TRXduo/RedPitaya Injection Locked PLL
Injection locking solution for TRXduo and RedPitaya SDR platforms. Isolates grounds and automatically switches between freerun and lock to external disciplining source.
IC7300 Injection Lock PLL
Lock IC7300's internal master oscillator to an external precision reference.
Field Probe
Calibrated RF field strength probe for measurements from LF-200 MHz. Helps map candidate receive antenna locations and identify location and polarization of potential interfering noise and signals.
Quadripole/Preamp v2
Four-element antenna array with integrated preamplifiers for polarization measurements. Use with ShackBoardv2.
Analog Polyphase Combiner
Combines quadripole signals with phase relationships for polarization analysis.
CM Isolation Transformers
Common-mode isolation transformers for reducing noise and ground loops in three package sizes — click a variant to view its project page:
Hi-Z VNA Fixture
High-impedance test fixture for VNA measurements of transformers and high-Z components.
3dB Combiner/Splitter
Wideband 3dB hybrid combiner/splitter for signal distribution or combining.
MPPT Solar Charge Controller Filter
Filter to reduce MPPT switching noise in radio installations.
Az/El Positioner with Web Interface
3D-printed antenna positioner with stepper motors and browser-based control.
3D-printable .1-2 GHz Bi-conical Antenna
Wideband 3D-printed biconical antenna for VHF/UHF measurements and monitoring.
📝 Feedback Welcome
- If you have suggestions for improvements, please contact me
- If you build one of these kits, let me know how it went
- If you have design improvements or new Open Source designs, please share them