Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
Short wave amateur transceiver
RGO ONE
Operating manual
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 3
2. Specifications…………………………………………………………………. 4
3. Before operation……………………………………………………………… 7
3.1. Front panel controls…………………………………………………. 7
3.2. Rear panel view………………………………………………………. 8
4. Installation…………………………………………………………………….. 9
4.1. General…………………………………………………………………. 9
4.2. Connections……………………………………………………………. 9
4.2.1. Power requirements……………………………………………. 9
4.2.2. Antenna………………………………………………………….. 9
5. Controls and Periphery……………………………………………………….. 10
5.1. Paddle/Straight key – rear panel…………………………………….. 10
5.2. Microphone………………………………………………………………. 10
5.3. Headphones……………………………………………………………… 10
5.4. External speaker – rear panel………………………………………… 10
5.5. ACC1 – accessory connector…………………………………………… 11
5.6. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)…………………………………………. 11
5.7. Front panel buttons…………………………………………………….. 13
5.8. Encoder functions and buttons……………………………………….. 14
6. Menu structure………………………………………………………………… 16
7. Transceiver operation…………………………………………………………. 24
7.1. Switching ON and OFF………………………………………………... 24
7.2. VFO A/B mode operation………………………………………………. 24
7.3. SPLIT mode operation………………………………………………….. 24
7.4. MEMORY mode………………………………………………………….. 24
7.5. Receiver operation……………………………………………………….. 25
7.6. Transmitter operation…………………………………………………… 26
7.6.1. CW transmit……………………………………………………… 26
7.6.2. SSB transmission……………………………………………….. 26
8. CAT/PC connection…………………………………………………………….. 27
9. Service menu……………………………………………………………………. 28
10. Band plan and band limits assignment…………………………………… 31
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
1. Introduction
RGO ONE is classic superheterodyne down conversion HAM transceiver covering all
HF bands 1.8 - 29.7MHz (160/60m as an option). Due to its modular construction it
can be easily modified or redesigned in manner that suits operator. This kit is
intended for users that like building their own home made equipment and
constructions.
Here are some of the feature highlights:
QRP/QRO output 5 – 50W
All mode shortwave operation – coverage of all HAM HF bands (160m/60m optional)
High dynamic range receiver design including high IP3 monolithic linear amplifiers
in the front end and diode ring RX mixer or H-mode first mixer (option).
Low phase noise first LO – SI570 XO/VCXO chip.
Full/semi (delay) QSK on CW; PTT/VOX operation on SSB. Strict RX/TX sequencing
scheme. No click sounds at all!
Down conversion superhet topology with popular 9MHz IF
Custom made crystal filters for SSB and CW and variable crystal 4 pole filter –
Johnson type 200…2000Hz
Fast acting AGC (fast and slow) with 134kHz dedicated IF
Stylish and professional look
Compact and lightweight body
Custom made multicolor backlit FSTN LCD
Custom molded front panel with ergonomic controls.
Silent operation with no clicking relays inside - solid state GaAs PHEMT SPDT
switches on RX (BPF and TX to RX switching) and ultrafast rectifying diodes (LPF)
Modular construction – Main board serves as a “chassis” also fits all the external
connectors, daughter boards, inter-connections and acts as a cable harness.
Optional modules – Noise Blanker (NB), Audio Filter (AF), ATU, XVRTER
PC control via CAT protocol; USB UART - FTDI chipset
Double CPU circuitry control for front panel and main board – both field
programmable via USB interface.
Memory morse code keyer (Curtis A, CMOS B); 4 Memory locations 128 bytes each
Contest and DXpedition conveniences – XFC function in SPLIT, RIT/XIT function
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
2. Specifications
Test conditions:
with 50ohm dummy load
General:
Size: Cabinet: H 80mm; W 200mm; D 194mm (H 3.2”; W 7.9”; D 7.6”)
Weight 2.670kg (5.9lbs.) (including optional fan cradle and weighted
tuning
knob)
Construction Rigid steel bottom and top covers. Molded front panel.
Aluminum back and heatsink. Collapsible tilt stand and rubber
feet.
Supply voltage 10.5 – 14.5VDC
Current drain Receive 0.65A with RX preamp ON
Transmit 10.5A typical @ 50W output power
Current alarm at 12A
Radio topology Single conversion superheterodyne receiver/transmitter with
9MHz
IF
Oscillators First LO – Silicon Labs SI-570 low phase noise programmable
XO/VCXO
Second generator – BFO/ PITCH/BEEP tones – SI5351
CMOS clock generator/VCXO
Frequency drift Less than 50Hz total from cold start at 20⁰C; Temperature
compensation built in
Frequency steps 1Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz. Frequency direct entry via keypad
Main encoder tuning rate
512/256 ppr. (256ppr. is not possible with sw ver.1.00b)
Speed of tuning 5.12kHz per revolution when 10Hz step is selected
RIT/XIT range ±5kHz with step of 10Hz
Bands, MHz* Basic kit: 3.5-4.0, 7.0-7.3, 10.1-10.15, 14.0-14.35,
Working modes LSB, USB, CW, CWR
Antenna impedance
Unbalanced 50 ohm
Display LCD type - FSTN positive
149 segments
Supply voltage 13.8V, temperature 20C, antenna output terminated
Overall: H 90mm; W 200mm; D268mm (H 3.5”; W 7.9”; D 10.6”)
(including optional fan cradle)
18.068-18.168, 21.0-21.45, 24.89-24.99, 28.0-29.7
160m option: 1.8-2.0
60m option: 5.25 – 5.45
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
4 common lines
Polarizer type – transflective
USB UART interface
FTDI chipset. Speed 9600 - 56300bps
Receiver
Sensitivity (MDS) -135dBm (preamplifier On; VBF filter 2)
- -129dBm (preamplifier Off; VBF filter 2)
Selectivity Crystal 8 pole 2.7kHz first roofing filter at 9MHz
0.2-2.7kHz second variable filter Johnson type 9MHz
Crystal 2-pole IF noise filter 9MHz
Dynamic range Two tones close spaced (2kHz):
96db (Preamplifier On; VBF filter 2)
99db (Preamplifier Off;VBF filter 2)
Audio 2W at 8 ohms internal speaker
Rear panel 3.5mm (1/8”) jack for external speaker
Front panel jack 3.5mm (1/8”) for headphones 8 – 32 ohms
IF frequency 9MHz (Other frequencies can be used. Firmware calculate
LO&BFO frequencies)
Crystal filters Three type of filters are used – First roofing filter – 8 pole 9MHz;
second (optional) 4 pole variable bandwith filter Johnson type
9MHz; third 2 pole noise filter 9MHz
Noise Blanker NB is optional plug-in accessory. IF type. 50db blanking range
Audio Filter AF is optional plug-in accessory. Follows selected bandwith
Transmitter
Power output 50W on CW; 40W PEP on SSB.
Adjustable output 5 – 50W by steps of 1W
T/R switching Clickless quiet diode switching. PTT/VOX on SSB
QSK/Delay (10ms – 1.2s) on CW
CW sidetone Internally generated – Pure sinusoidal signal formed same
manner as the CW signal. Adjustable frequency (400-800Hz) and
volume independent from AF volume
SSB method Balanced modulator with suppressed carrier, 2.7kHz ladder type
8 pole crystal filter (Same filter used on RX). Tracking ALC
scheme holds the PEP power in assigned limits
Microphone Standard electret microphone with bias
Carrier suppression
45dB minimum
Sideband suppression
50db minimum
Spurious products
less than -47dBc
Harmonic content
less than -45dBc
Intermodulation distortion IMD3 products on SSB @ 40W
-29dBc on 28MHz
-31dBc on 14MHz
Duty cycle 50W - 50%; 20W – 100% (with optional fan cradle)
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
Load mismatch VSWR<2 safe operation
VSWR>2 fold back procedure is initiated
VSWR>3 Forward power is turned down to 20W or less
and current to 6A maximum
Optional Fans Mounted on metal bracket screwed to back heatsink. Variable
speed control for quiet and optimal operation. Fans run above
33⁰C and switch off at 31⁰C
METER Various parameters during TX can be showed and measured:
Current, Forward and Reflected power (SWR), LPF reverse
voltage, ALC level.
Keyer
Keying modes Iambic – Curtis A and CMOS B modes
Straight key
USB keying via DTR and RTS lines (on/off in menu )
Speed range 5 – 45 WPM
CW memory 4 locations 128 bytes each; CW beacon function
*Performance of RGO ONE transceiver degrades significantly outside HAM bands although reception
and tuning is continuous.
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
3. Before operation
3.1. Front panel controls
RGO ONE transceiver is operated by 15 buttons, three mechanical encoders, main
dial optical encoder, one dual concentric potentiometer AF/RF (10kohm/logarithmic +
10kohm/linear). The equipment has large custom multicolor backlit FSTN liquid
crystal display (LCD)and two red LEDs, so various parameters like frequency,
modes, signal strength and others can be displayed. Front panel is shown on fig.1
fig.1
1. On/Off/meter/tune buttons
2. LCD
3. Numeric/function buttons
4. TX/ALC LED indicator
5. MIC connector
6. Phones 3.5mm jack
7. Power/Bandwith/Compression level encoder
8. Key speed/Mic gain/Monitor level encoder
9. Main dial frequency knob
10. RIT/XIT/Function parameter encoder
11. Dual concentric potentiometer for audio (AF) volume (inner knob)/RF gain
control (outer knob)
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
3.2. Rear panel view
The rear panel consist of power supply Anderson power pole connector, SO-239
antenna connector and other interface connectors. Rear panel is shown on fig.2
fig.2
1. Antenna socket – SO239
2. Power amplifier heat sink (Optional fan cradle is not shown)
3. Optional XVRT unit output (might be covered if option not installed)
4. Optional XVRT unit input (might be covered if option not installed)
5. RX receive antenna connector (might be covered if option not installed)
6. Ground post
7. External speaker 3.5mm jack
8. Electronic keyer paddle/straight key 3.5mm jack
9. Linear amplifier control line (RCA connector)
10. PTT in control line
11. USB connector
12. Accessory connector ACC1
13. IF out connector for panoramic indicator
14. Power supply 13.8V connector (Anderson power pole)
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
4. Installation
4.1. General
Choose an operating location that is dry and cool. Allow adequate ventilation around
the heat sink on the rear panel and sides of the transceiver.
For normal intermittent transmission, such as casual SSB or CW, natural convection
cooling is all that is required. When transmitting for long period of time and with
high duty cycle, such as in digi modes, it is recommended optional fan cradle to be
installed onto the rear heat sink.
4.2. Connections
4.2.1. Power requirements
Stabilized power supply of 12-14V DC capable of supplying 12A, negative ground is
required. Battery operation: RGO ONE can work on battery, when the voltage does
not fall bellow 11V.
4.2.2. Antenna
Any matched 50 ohm unbalanced antenna can be used with RGO ONE. Antennas
with open end or random length wire antennas will require matching system or/and
good grounding or placing good counterpoises otherwise stray RF energy and/or poor
SWR may damage the equipment. Placing proper BALUN between antenna and the
feeder is highly recommended (fig.3).
Fig.3
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Revision 1.00 beta – April 2019
5. Controls and Periphery
5.1. Paddle/straight key – rear panel
Any type of hand key, paddles, or external keyer can be plugged into the 3.5mm
stereo KEY jack.(illustrated on rear panel - no.8). Key connections shown on Fig.4
Fig.4
5.2. Microphone
Standard electret microphone with bias is used. It can be connected via RJ-45 socket
on the front panel.
Fig.5
5.3. Headphones – front panel
Any type (4 - 32 ohm) stereo phones with 3.5mm jack can be used
5.4. External speaker – rear panel
RGO ONE has internally built in speaker 8ohm/5W but external speaker can be
connected also via “SP” jack on the rear panel.
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