Ramsey Electronics MR6 User Manual

MODEL ROCKET TRACKING

AND TELEMETRY

TRANSMITTER KIT

Ramsey Electronics Model No. MR6

Easily track your rocket using a scanner receiver. Uses
SMT (surface mount technology) components for the
ultimate in miniaturization and performance.

Actual Size of
Assembled Kit

With Battery

• Talk about small - this baby’s MICRO size !

• Get some “hands on” experience with the latest surface mount

technology.

• Crystal controlled - NO FREQUENCY DRIFT !

• Not small on performance - transmits up to 1/4 mile !

• Kit includes extra SMT components - no worries about losing or

dropping a tiny part.

• Unit powered by a 3 V lithium camera battery (included) available at
any camera or discount store.

• Complete and informative instructions guide you to a kit that works
the first time, every time - enhances resale value, too !

• Transmits in the 146.00 MHz range, receive on any scanner or 2
Meter ham rig

MR6 • 1

RAMSEY TRANSMITTER KITS

• FM10A, FM25B FM Stereo Transmitters

• TV6 TV Transmitter

• AM1, AM25 AM Transmitters
RAMSEY RECEIV E R KI TS

• FR1 FM Broadcast Receiver

• AR1 Aircraft Band Receiver

• SR2 Shortwave Receiver

• AA7 Ac t ive An t e n n a
RAMSEY HOBBY KI TS

• SG7 Personal Speed Radar

• SS70A Speech Scrambler

• BS1 “Bullshooter” Digital Voice Storage Unit

• AVS10 Automatic Sequential Video Switcher

• WCT20 Cable Wizard Cable Tracer

• LABC1 Lead Acid Battery Charger

• ECG1 Heart Monitor

• VG1 Van deGraff Generator

• SP1 Speakerphone

• MD3 Microwave Motion Detector

• PH10 Peak Hold Meter

• TFM3 Tri-Field Meter
RAMSEY AMATEUR RADIO KITS

• HR Series HF All Mode Receivers

• QRP Series HF CW Transmitters and Power Amplifiers

• CW7 CW Keyer

• DDF1 Doppler Direction Finder
RAMSEY KITS

The above is but a small listing of available Ramsey kits, many other kits are
available for hobby, school, Scouts and just plain FUN. New kits are always under
development. Write or call for our free Ramse y catalog.

MR6 MODEL ROCKET TRACKING TRANSMITTER KIT

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Ramsey Electronics Publication No. MMR6 Rev is io n 1.0A

First printing: November 2000

COPYRIGHT ©1995 by Ramsey Electronics, Inc. 590 Fishers Station Drive, Victor, New York

14564. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or duplicated without the
written permission of Ramsey Electronics, Inc. Printed in the United States of America.

MR6 • 2

Ramsey Publication No. MR6

Price $5.00

KIT ASSEMBLY

AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR

MR6 MODEL ROCKET
TRACKING AND
TELEMETRY TRANSMITTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to the MR6 ................. 4

How it works .................................. 4

SMT soldering instructions ............. 5

Parts list ........................................ 7

Parts Layout diagram .................... 8

Schematic diagram ....................... 9

MR6 Assembly instructions ......... 10

Hook-up configurations ................ 13

Troubleshooting ........................... 13

Ramsey kit warranty .................... 15

RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC.

590 Fishers Station Drive

Victor, New York 14564

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

www.ramseykits.com

MR6 • 3

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the latest innovation in electronics technology using (S)urface

(M)ount (T)echnology, or SMT. Just as when the transistor revolutionized the
amount of space required to construct electronic circuits, the advent of
surface mount components have further “shrunk” the dimensions of what we
are accustomed to seeing in modern day circuits. These “chip” components
are commonly used in today’s miniature circuits including everything from
camcorders to high speed computers. We wanted to design a kit that
accentuated their small size, so what better than a micro FM transmitter!
Many low cost wireless transmitters are susceptable to frequency drift when
held in the hand, placed on a metal table or subject to close proximity of a
body. This kit uses crystal control to reduce any possibiliy of frequency drift.

While this kit and manual were designed with the beginner in mind, it should
also be stated that this kit qualifies as a “Skill Level 2” due to the nature of
the assembly using surface mount components. While this isn’t intended to
“scare you off” it is not recommended that this be your first electronics
assembly project. While we have included extra SMT components in case
you lose or damage a “chip” component, care should still be taken to
assemble the kit with the utmost care - an uncontrolled sneeze could blow
your kit away!

While the components may seem strange looking at first (where are the
leads??!!) rest assured that the y are not too difficult to install. A friendly
warning, however, don’t pull out your trusty soldering gun for this project (our
repair techs have a pet statement, “do you know what the soldering gun’s
light is for - it’s to see what you’re burning up!”) as the gun generates too
much heat for the tiny solder “tabs” on the component ends. A small pair of
tweezers and good eye to hand coordination are also necessary for proper
assembly of this kit. A magnifying lens is recommended to check solder
connections.

MR6 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

The MR6 is a three stage crystal controlled transmitter consisting of a cry stal
oscillator followed by two frequency multipliers. The crystal oscillator
operates at 12, 16 or 24 MHz, depending upon crystal used. The first
frequency multiplier is tuned to the fourth, third or second harmonic of the
crystal oscillator, producing a stong output at 1/3 of the final 146 MHz output
frequency. The second frequency multiplier operates as a frequency tripler,
producing the desired 146 MHz output frequency. Broadband coupling is
used to allow the user to select different crystals for various output
frequencies.

MR6 • 4

RAMSEY Learn-As-You-Build KIT ASSEMBLY

There are numerous solde r con n ections on the MR6 printed circuit board.
Therefore, PLEASE take us seriously when we say that good soldering is
essential to the proper operation of your transmitter!

• Use a 25-50 watt soldering pencil with a clean, sharp tip.

• Use only rosin-core solder intended for electronics use.

• Use bright lighting, a magnifying lamp or bench-style magnifier may

be helpful.

• Do your work in stages, taking breaks to check your work. Brush

away wire cuttings so they don't lodge between solder connections.

We have a two-fold "strategy" for the order of the following kit assembly
steps. First, we install parts in physical relationship to each other, so there's
minimal chance of placing parts on the wrong pads. Second, whenever
possible, we install in an order that fits our "Learn-As-You Build" Kit building
philosophy.
For each part, our word "Install" always means these steps:

1. Pick the correct part value to start with.

2. Place it on to the correct PC board location.

3. Orient it correctly, follow the PC board drawing and the written
directions for all parts - especially when there's a right way
and a wrong way to solder it in. (Diode bands, electrolytic
capacitor polarity, transistor shapes, dotted or notched ends
of IC's, and so forth.)

4. Solder all connections unless directed otherwise. Use enough heat
and solder flow for clean, shiny, completed connections.

SURFACE MOUNT COMPONENT SOLDERING INSTRUCTIONS:

You’ll notice that the circuit board contains only a few holes for component
leads to pass through. This is because the SMT components will be affixed to
the “solder” side of the PC board, the side that contains the PC traces. Be
aware that the component view for assembly is looking at the solder side of
the PC board.

Patience is the key when installing surface mount components. Typically, the
first step (after identifying the component) is to “tin” one of the PC traces that
will connect to the part. Once this is accomplished, the part can be installed
by holding it with tweezers in contact with the “tinned” trace and re-heating

MR6 • 5