TelePost LP-PAN Operating And Assembly Manual

1

LP-PAN

Software Defined

IQ Panadapter

Operating &

Assembly Manual

April 2009

TelePost Incorporated

Rev. D7

2

Table of Contents

Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3

Parts List ................................................................................................................... 4

Assembly .................................................................................................................. 7

Installation & Setup ...............................................................................................12

Operation ................................................................................................................19

Using LP-Pan with CW Skimmer ..........................................................................23

Circuit Description .................................................................................................24

Schematic ..............................................................................................................25

Troubleshooting & Support ....................................................................................26

Specifications and Warranty .................................................................................27

Appendix A ............................................................................................................28

Copyright and Trademark Disclosures

LP-PAN is a trademark of TelePost Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Material in this
document copyrighted ©2007,8 TelePost Inc. All rights reserved. LP-Bridge copyrighted ©2007,8 TelePost Inc. All rights
reserved. PowerSDRTM is an open source application for use with IQ based software defined radios, and is a trademark of
FlexRadio Systems.

3

Introduction

Read Carefully Before Continuing.

Assembling LP-PAN is a straightforward job, and you should have no trouble if you follow the instructions. Take special note of the
connection diagram, and become familiar with the basics of how the various components fit together in the system.

Installing and configuring PowerSDR can be tricky. It is a complex program, and requires quite a few steps to get set up properly. Lots
of Flex Radio users have done this though, so don’t let it scare you. Pay special attention to the sound card setup. If you’re using the
E-MU 0202 USB sound card, you will probably want to visit the Creative Labs website for the latest driver. The E-MU driver does not
support Windows 2000, but works with XP and VISTA, 32 and 64. There is some question about whether there may be a problem in XP
SP3 though. I believe SP3 post dates the latest E-MU driver, though.

If you get in trouble, help is an email away. There are plenty of helpful users on the LP-PAN User Group,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LP-PAN/ , or you can send an email to [e-mail]. Phone support is also available at 734­455-3716.

LP-PAN Features

LP-PAN is a software defined IQ direct conversion panadapter. Here is a list of current features...
* Up to 192 kHz display on PC, sound card dependent

* Switching quadrature detector for high dynamic range
* Strong buffer amp with low NF and very high LO isolation.
* Excellent THD and IMD performance
* Ground isolated inputs / outputs with mil spec audio xfmrs
* Low output Z, balanced or unbalanced.
* Fully balanced architecture with balanced and unbalanced outputs
* Jumperable ground lift on RF input and audio outputs
* Works with many SDR programs.
* Adjustable gain to interface almost any sound card
* Point and click frequency control with PowerSDR / IF Stage and LP-Bridge or HRD . In addition, LP-Bridge allows sharing of K3 / LP-
PAN with almost any logger, and even programs such as CW-Skimmer
* Powder coated aluminum enclosure with silk screened graphics.
* Hardware or software mute
* Available for IF frequencies of…

8.215 MHz (Elecraft K3)

8.83 MHz (Kenwood)

9.0 MHz (Orion)

4.915 MHz (Elecraft K2)

10.7 MHz (IC-R8500/9500, others)

Note: Specifications dependent on sound card, and subject to change. Cited values were taken with an E-MU 0202 USB sound card.
All measurements also apply to E-MU 1212m and 1616m PCI cards, and M-Audio Firewire Audiophile 2496 card (limited only by 96
kHz display width). For latest sound card info, see www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html

4

Parts List - Subject to change without notice. Pictures shown at end of parts list.

Pre-installed SMT parts

Quantity

Designation

Description

5

C5,11,18, 31, 39

0.01uF

2

C4, 6

0.1uF

1

C7

1uF

1

C9

0.22uF

1

L4

10uH

1

L8

12uH

0

L9,10

0.11uH (alternate to L11,12)

2

L11, 12

0.11uH

2

R1, 3

1K 1%

1

R4

4.7K 1%

1

R5

200 ohm 1%

2

R6, 7

499 ohm 1%

2

R8, 28

49.9 ohm 1%

1

T3

Toroid XFMR 1:1

1

T4

Toroid XFMR 4:1

1

U11

ADCMP600 Comparator

1

U2

74HC/HCT163 Counter

2

U4,7

LT6231 Low Noise Op-Amp

1

U5

AD8007 Transconductance Amplifier

1

U8

SN74CBT3253D 4x2 Analog Multiplexer

Through-Hole Parts

Quantity

Designation

Value

1

C1

33pF ceramic disc (marked 33) Fig. 3

6

C2,3,8,20,33,42

0.1uF monolithic (marked 104) Fig. 1

--

C10

Not used

1

C12

18pF ceramic disc (marked 18) Fig. 3

K2: 81pF (marked 81)

1

C13

10pF ceramic disc (marked 10) Fig. 3

K2: 68pF (marked 68)

8

C14,16,22,24,27,29,
32,37

0.01uF ceramic disc (marked 103) Fig. 3
5

C15,17,23,25,38

1uF (25V electrolytic) Fig. 2

1

C19

100uF (25V electrolytic) Fig. 28

2

C21,28

Kenwood: 220pF( 221), 10.7MHz: 0.001uF
(102), K3/K2/Orion: None

1

C26

10uF (25V electrolytic) Fig. 2

1

C30

47pF SM (47) Fig. 4, 10.7MHz: 22pF(22)

2

C34,35

4-20pF trimmer cap Fig. 19

1

C36

56pF ceramic disc (marked 56) Fig. 3

1

C40

0.001uF ceramic disc (102) Fig. 3

2

C41,43

3300pF ceramic disc (332) Fig. 3

Kenwood/Orion: 2700pF(272), K2: 0.01uF(103)

10.7MHz: 0.001uF(102),

1

D1

Green LED Fig. 9

1

D2

1N4148 Fig. 18

1

J1

Insulated BNC connector Fig. 17

2

J2,13

3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack Fig. 20

1

J3

RCA Jack Fig. 21

1

J11

2.5mm DC Power Connector Fig. 7

4

2-pin Jumper Fig. 11

3

JP1-3

2-pin Header Fig. 11

1

JP4

3-pin Header Fig. 11

5

Quantity

designation

Value

6

L1,2,3,5,6,7

1mH RF Choke (br-bk-rd) Fig. 5

1

Q1

MPS5179 transistor Fig. 10

2

R2,31

10 ohm 1/8W res. (br-blk-bk) Fig. 12

4

R9,17,18,34

1K 5% 1/8W res. (br-blk-rd) Fig. 12

4

R10,14,15,16

1.1K 1% 1/8W res. (br-br-bk-br-br) Fig. 12

1

R11

1.5K 5% res. (br-grn-rd) Fig. 12

3

R12,21,22

2K 5% 1/8W res. (rd-bk-rd) Fig. 12

4

R13,19,20,27

22 ohm 1% 1/8W res. (rd-rd-bk-gld-br) Fig. 12

1

R23

1K Pot Fig. 22

2

R24, 35

10K 5% 1/8W res. (br-bk-or) Fig. 12

1

R25

27K 5% 1/8W res. (rd-viol-or) Fig. 12 (1% may

be supplied as alternate)

1

R26

470 ohm 5% 1/8W res. (yel-viol-br) Fig. 12

1

R29

200 ohm Pot Fig. 23

1

SW11

4PDT Pushbutton Switch & Keycap Fig. 6

2

T1,2

Audio Output Xfmr, 600 ohm Fig. 25

1

U1

78L05 5V Regulator Fig. 10

1

Y1

32.836MHz Crystal Fig. 24 (K2: 19.68MHz,

Kenwood: 35.35MHz, TenTec: 36.000MHz,

10.7MHz: 14.31818MHz)

1

PCB Fig. 26

1

Enclosure Fig. 27

1

Power Cord Fig. 8

6

¼” Black Sheet metal screw Fig. 14

8

3/16" Black machine screw Fig. 15

4

1/4" standoff Fig. 13

4

Rubber feet Fig. 16

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5
Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

Fig. 6

Parts List – Cont’d

6

Fig. 17

Fig. 19

Fig. 20

Fig. 21

Parts List – Cont’d

Fig. 22

Fig. 23

Fig. 24

Fig. 25

Fig. 26

Fig. 27

Fig. 28

Fig. 18

Fig. 16

7

Assembly

Important warnings – read this before starting assembly

You should visually inspect all the solder pads/traces with a magnifier for any etching problems. This is done before shipping, but I
recommend the builder do a second inspection as well. We do 100% continuity checks of all pads before shipment using computer
controlled flying probes based on PCB netlist coordinates.

All of the SMT components are pre-installed on the main board for your convenience. SMT parts are supplied wherever necessary for
performance or availability reasons. CAUTION: Be very careful handling this board to avoid damage to the installed parts. Anti-static

measures are highly recommended, such as use of an anti-static mat, grounded soldering iron and wrist band.

You may wish to clean the flux from the board after assembly, although it is not necessary with most modern solders. A toothbrush and
alcohol are good for this. Only use rosin core solder. Use of acid core solder voids the warranty. Lead-free solder is OK, and the boards
are RoHS compliant, but it will be more difficult to remove parts without damaging the board should you have to.

Overview

Below is the component placement diagram for the main PCB. These markings match the silk-screening on the PCB, but are repeated
here for clarity. You can also cross out the parts on this graphic as they are installed. You should check all parts before starting to allow
you to start the process of obtaining replacement parts as soon as possible if needed. It is also a good idea to sort the parts in
advance… egg cartons are handy for this (passive parts only). Many crafts stores, Like Michael’s, also have nice plastic cases with
dividers at low prices. If there is any doubt about component values, especially with the 1% resistors which can use strange markings,
check them with your DMM.

8

Assembly Cont’d

Pre-assembly overview.

When assembly starts on page 9, it will roughly follow this order…

Installation of resistors
Installation of ceramic disc capacitors
Installation of miscellaneous small parts
Installation of miscellaneous large parts and connectors
Installation of chokes

The idea is be able to lay the board flat as much as possible during construction, with lowest parts being installed first. The chokes are
the lone exemption… they are installed last so as to make sure each circuit is drawing the right amount of current before continuing.
This is done by monitoring total current draw of LP-PAN while adding the chokes one by one.

You will need the following tools to complete assembly…

Adjustable soldering iron – 800 degrees maximum
60/40 alloy solder… .020” (0.51mm) diameter recommended for thermal pads
Needle-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Small Philips head screwdriver
Digital Multimeter

NOTE: The LP-PAN is an intermediate level kit. I would peg the assembly time at about 2-3 hours, plus some reading through the
manual in advance, and some time for calibration afterward. Take your time, and double-check your work, and you should have no
problem. All critical parts are pre-installed.

9

Assembly Cont’d

Step-by-step assembly instructions.

Below is a picture of the assembled PCB. The SMT parts come pre-installed. The component layout diagram on page 7 provides
another aid to component identification. Units after #309 will be ever so slighlty different… mainly in the area of C41 & C43.

It is recommended that you print at least this portion of the manual to allow for easy reference while building, and to allow you to check
off the steps as you complete them. Make sure your work area is static-free to avoid damage to the pre-installed SMT parts. It is also
advisable to wear an anti-static wrist band and grounded soldering iron. Refer to the parts placement graphic on page 7 or the above
picture for questions regarding parts placement.

 Install resistors. Solder and clip leads after about six parts are installed to minimize clutter. If you are unsure of the colors used by

some of the manufacturers for the color code, especially the 1% parts, measure the value with a DMM. Occasionally, parts listed
as 5% will be supplied as 1% due to availability when ordering. Double check with DMM.

 R2,31 10 ohm 1/8W res. (br-blk-bk)
 R9,17,18,34 1K 5% 1/8W res. (br-blk-rd)
 R10,14,15,16 1.1K 1% 1/8W res. (br-br-blk-br-br)
 R11 1.5K 5% res. (br-grn-rd)
 R12 2K 5% 1/8W res. (rd-rd-blk-br-br) or 2.2K 1% (rd-r-bk-br-br)
 R13,19,20,27 22 ohm 1% 1/8W res. (rd-rd-bk-gld-br)
 R21,22 2K 5% 1/8W res. (rd-bk-rd)
 R24,35 10K 5% 1/8W res. (br-bk-or)
 R25 27K 5% 1/8W res. (rd-viol-or)
 R26 470 ohm 5% 1/8W res. (yel-viol-br)

 Install the two audio jacks next. Solder the center lead first, so that you can adjust the jacks to be parallel with the board edge

before soldering the remaining pins.

 Install D2. Follow polarity markings on PCB.