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From: "tracey.gardner" <tracey.gardner@ntlworld.com>
To: "RSGB LF Group" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Subject: LF: Fw: [Lowfer] New PC based 1750 Meter Transmitter (Product)
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 08:46:21 -0000
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This message came up on the Lowfer list but I thought that
it might be of interest here.
Marko of PCS Electronics says that he could easily modify the
card to work on 136kHz, if there is the demand, of course.
He says that its just a matter of a software change and a small
modification to the unit which can be done very easily.
We would of course need much finer steps than 100Hz.

73s Tracey


-----Original Message-----
From: les@highnoonfilm.com <les@highnoonfilm.com>
To: lowfer@qth.net <lowfer@qth.net>
Date: 04 December 2000 20:08
Subject: [Lowfer] New PC based 1750 Meter Transmitter (Product)


>
>For those of you who have been looking for an inexpensive 1750 Meter
>transmitter may be interested
>in a new product called the "LW-MAX" designed by PCS Electronics.
Photos of
>the board and more information
>can be found at:
>
>http://www.pcs-electronics.com/Products/hams.shtml
>
>The transmitter is based on their PC-MAX FM transmitter concept, it
that it
>uses an IBM PC
>and a PSA slotted card as the transmitter. Software totally controls
the
>operation of the card,
>making it easy to upgrade and add modes, features, etc.
>
>I've been working with the circuit designer to test both hardware and
>software, having put a working
>prototype board on the air already. The software drivers is already
>available for download and
>evaluation from their main index page:
>
>http://www.pcs-electronics.com/
>
>The file is very large at over 7 Megabytes, and is undergoing revisions
as
>we speak, so you may want to
>delay trying it out. It will function without the card installed for
those
>who want to look at the operation
>of the unit.
>
>The transmitter currently supports CW operation at speeds of up to
12wpm
>and also QRSS operation
>in three modes, including one that allows the user to select the "dash"
>length and then the software
>will automatically adjust dot length, character spacing, etc.
>
>Another nice feature is the ability to use the software to "power step"
>your beacon. For instance, you can
>transmit for 1 minute at full power, then 1 minute at half power
(500mw), 1
>minute at one quarter power (250mw),
>etc. This allows listeners to evaluate band conditions. Very nice!
>
>The unit comes fully assembled, with software included. You need to
connect
>the transmitter to
>your lowfer antenna using a coaxial cable. While the unit will operate
this
>way, to be legal you'd
>need to construct a final amp to mount at the base of the antenna.
(such as
>Lyle's simple push
>pull amp).
>
>Some who are aware of this project have already pointed out that it is
not
>totally legal to "make" a
>1750 meter transmitter, even as a kit. We won't debate that...but I
will
>say that never stopped others
>like Palomar Engineers, Curry Communications, LF Engineering, etc.
>
>Using the LW-MAX you still have to build the loading coil, antenna, and
>ground system...so it's
>hardly plug and play, but it will get you on the air quick. Selling
price
>is $120 plus shipping.
>
>I am expected arrival of the final hardware within a few days, and will
>post a review of the unit
>then. The prototype performed well, with some problems noted in the
output
>filters. Marko assures
>me that these have since been corrected.
>
>Future software revisions may support BPSK operation...and PCS
Electronics
>has promised to
>make the source code of the driver freely available so that those like
Bill
>de Carle can modify
>it as they wish.
>
>While this product is based on my original idea, I am not financially
or
>legally involved in the project.
>I am working with PCS Electronics to test both hardware and software,
and
>have contributed to
>the writing of the manual.
>
>
>Les Rayburn, N1LF
>4919 Cox Cove
>Helena, AL 35080
>XMGR 189.500khz
>
>
>
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