Manual and info: Universal Amplifier Control Board v20

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pcs
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Manual and info: Universal Amplifier Control Board v20

Post by pcs »

Image

http://www.pcs-electronics.com/universa ... -1150.html

This board can be used to control/manage virtually any RF amplifier either for HAM or
FM broadcasting needs.

It provides the basic eco-system for the amplifier:
- Gives user means for adjusting output power by controlling power supply voltage (the only proper way to do it, not by varying drive!)
- Gives Power, SWR, temperature and Frequency readout on the LCD display
- Provides temperature and SWR protection
- Keeps track of uptime, in days, hours and minutes.
- Contains DC/DC step-down power supply giving 13-15V from 20-55V that the main power supply uses, eliminating need for separate power supply for your exciter
- Automatically manages fan depending on adjusted FAN temperature (LCD)
- Will soon offer remote management via RS232 or USB port with easy upgrade (cheap plug-in board with connectors).
- PCS Electronics welcome screen can be disabled, if necessary.

You can use this to construct a really cool FM band, HAM band or other band amplifier. Basically each manufacturer has some form of this controller board, usually in a stripped-down version (haven't seen anyone support that many functions yet). However, we are giving our customers a chance to build their own amplifier from your own modules.

Manual is coming sometime this week.
Last edited by pcs on Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
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Post by pcs »

Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
User avatar
pcs
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Posts: 3132
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2002 1:00 am
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A few fixes for potential problems

Post by pcs »

1.) If you think error led should be brighter than it is,
add a 470R resistor between pins 4 of 7 of the big 28-pin
atmel IC on the control board (NOT the lcd module).

2.) To protect against transients caused with FAN it is
recommended to place a diode (1N4007 for example)
from - to + connection for the automatic fan.

3.) The on-board RFC (they look kind of like a big resistor)
for filtering DC voltages to fans and fm exciter are a bit too
weak. You can either just short them with a piece of wire
or replace them with a coil/rfc with better current rating.
There are a number of these on boards. Some of them are
connected in parallel so jumpering just one is enough.


Latest firmware release: 2.3
- Extended to 2.5KW
- Fixed some cosmetic issues
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
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