HF Transceivers
The Proficio MKII is the next generation transceiver built upon the legacy of the original Proficio. With the RD16HHF1 final no longer produced we designed a whole new final built around a pair of RD06HHS2 which is an SMD device. We also wanted to incorporate some features we used to sell as optional external equipment. The MKII now has an external band switch jack for controlling filter switching on external equipment like and amplifier. Added the ability to switch an antenna. We also wanted everything within the enclosure so there aren't any unsightly fans or heat sinks hanging off the back panel. The cooling fan is temperature controlled and off when not needed.
The PSoC was moved to a separate PCB that mounts into a PCIe slot. This allows easy upgrading of the radio with new features by just plugging the new card in. The Electronic keyer is a plug in option.
The other major change was moving to PIN diodes for T/R switching. This in conjunction with our Electronic keyer option provides as close to QSK as we can get considering the slight latency on the software end. With a slight pause between words you’ll hear a responding station.
Another option is mounting an RPi4 or RPi5 inside the enclosure which, among other things, gives you the ability to remotely operate the radio.
The Proficio MKII is an all band HF (160M - 10M) transceiver with 5W output.
It has all the features of our previous transceiver:
•96kHz digital I/Q interface. No additional sound card needed. Only one USB connection is needed.
•Two tone, 2 kHz spacing, third-order dynamic range: 99 dB.
•Support for Elecraft T1 automatic antenna tuner.
•External Amplifier control via AMP port.
•External Amplifier filter control.
•External Antenna Switching.
•DG8SAQ/PE0FKO/SoftRock control interface.
•Open Source firmware.
•Firmware Field Updates via on board USB bootloader.
•Hardrock 50 control when using MSCC.
Electronic Keyer Option:
•CW Key Jack.
•PTT input Jack.
•Sidetone output.
•Sidetone Volume Knob.
Raspberry Pi Option:
•Top Cover PCB mount.
•5V Regulator.
•USB C pigtail.
With these additional features:
• All band. The Proficio covers all bands from 160M to 10M.
• Enhanced receive. A RF amplifier is now in the RF front end that provides about 19db of gain at 10M and tapers down to about 0db at 160M
• Receive Band Pass Filters for all band groupings (160M,80M,40M-60M,20M-30M,15M-17M,12M-10M)
• The same BPFs are used in conjunction with Low Pass Filters in the transmit path to provide a clean output.
• 5W Class A PA. Clean output of 5W on all bands (slightly less on 160M and 10M).
• Real CW. Supports zero latency CW. Software generated CW is not required.
The build time is approximately 2 hours by installing the through hole devices
Installing and using our transceiver on your PC is plug and play. There are no cumbersome and confusing configurations to deal with.
If building a kit is not your thing, we offer a build service at a nominal cost.
The build service provides a professionally built and fully tested transceiver.
The Proficio is also compatible with all host SDR applications that work with the Basic (HDSDR, Genesis SDR, Quisk and others).
The Proficio is supplied as a kit with all SMD devices installed. The customer needs only to install the thru hole components.
Specifications:
Receive:
Continuous from 1.8MHz to 30MHz. (Lower sensitivity below 1.8MHz and between amateur bands)
Sensitivity: MDS: Average -123db. (-125db on 10M. -121db on 160M) ( MDS performance specifications for amateur bands only.)
Transmit:
Power Output: 5W, 4W minimum (transmit permitted on amateur bands only).
Spurious Emissions: Meets or exceeds FCC requirements (-43db from carrier).
Frequency Stability: 1PPM (when using MSCC).
Technical support and documentation is located at: Support
Please do not use this website to obtain technical support. Requests for technical support via this website will not receive a response.
Enclosure not included.
NOTE:
These kits are produced at time of order. There is a 7 day lead time before shipping the kit.
Sales Update: PCB will now come with all SMD parts installed along with USB circuit and DC jack.
This is a full kit with and the parts, enclosure and end panels to build the Ultimus.
2 options:
Toroid inductors for BPF. Pass band is improved by a couple db using toroids
QSK switching option
The Ultimus SDR is an HF 160M-10M 5W transceiver. The design of this radio uses mostly through holes parts with fine pitch IC’s preinstalled my Multus. The intent of this design, which is basically a Proficio using through hole parts, was to cater to those who desire to build a radio but are leery of installing SMD parts. In this design we tried to eliminate as many SMD parts as possible while keeping the performance as close to the Proficio as possible. We added a few features available as add on devices for the Proficio like and ATU circuit. The ATU circuit is for controlling an external device like an amplifier filter switching via mini DIN8 socket. ATU also controls switching between antennas. The MFC( Multi Function Controller ) has a tuning knob, 16x2 LCD display and function input buttons. The MFC will only work with the Fortis(RPi4 based) or Rego(Windows based) through an I2C connection. Included in the PCB set is a blank front panel if your not using the MFC.
The Ultimus works with our hosting software, MSCC, on the Fortis or windows desktop version.
The Ultimus is also compatible with most host SDR applications like HDSDR, PowerSDR variants and Quisk.
These are some of the features:
•96kHz digital I/Q interface. No additional sound card needed. Only one USB connection is needed.
•Two tone, 2 kHz spacing, third-order dynamic range: 99 dB.
•External Amplifier control via AMP port.
•External filter switching via mini DIN8 jack
•External antenna switching
•CW Key Jack.
•DG8SAQ/PE0FKO/SoftRock control interface.
•Open Source firmware.
•Firmware Field Updates via on board USB bootloader.
•Optional front display
•Optional tuning knob
•Optional Heat sink fan controller for long duty cycle transmitting
With these additional features:
• All band. The Ultimus covers all bands from 160M to 10M.
• Enhanced receive. A RF amplifier is now in the RF front end that provides about 19db of gain at 10M and tapers down to about 0db at 160M
• Receive Band Pass Filters for all band groupings (160M,80M,40M-60M,20M-30M,15M-17M,12M-10M)
• The same BPFs are used in conjunction with Low Pass Filters in the transmit path to provide a clean output.
• 5W Class A PA. Clean output of 5W on all bands (slightly less on 160M and 10M).
• Real CW. Supports zero latency CW. Software generated CW is not required.
Specifications:
Receive:
Continuous from 1.8MHz to 30MHz. (Lower sensitivity below 1.8MHz and between amateur bands)
Sensitivity: MDS: Average -123db. (-125db on 10M. -121db on 160M) ( MDS performance specifications for amateur bands only.)
Transmit:
Power Output: 5W, 4W minimum (transmit permitted on amateur bands only).
Spurious Emissions: Meets or exceeds FCC requirements (-43db from carrier).
Frequency Stability: 1PPM (when using MSCC).
This is for the PCB only which will have the PSoC, Codec, Si5351, Crystals and several Diodes preinstalled. The ATU circuit requires a programmed PIC which is included. Front and back panels to fit a Hammond enclosure(1402D) as pictured. Included is also the blank front panel if you don't use the MFC/Display.
The heat sink pictured works very well with key down at 5W for over 10 minutes it only gets warm to the touch and recovers fast. If you expect to operate very long duty cycles then a heat sink with fan can be found on ebay. Would then populate the fan controller circuit on the back panel to control the fan on/of and variable speed based on temperature.
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