A SIMPLE 80m DC RECEIVER FOR ARDF

Front View of the ROX80P

This receiver has a VXO using a ceramic resonator. The VXO is very stable, and the frequency is easily pulled down to 3.51MHz using a polyvaricon capacitor, so it will cover the whole frequency band used in international ARDF events.

ROX80P INSIDE ENCLOSURE VIEW


Every type of variable capacitors seem to be rapidly disappearing from component catalogues, but for now, new stock of polyvaricon capacitors is available in the UK (at 6/2020)

A TL431 is used for the audio amplifier, for minimal component count.

The RF input circuit is suitable for both ferrite-rod (loop stick) or a shielded loop antenna.

ROX80P Schematic

The PCB is single sided, and (subject to availability) can be supplied blank or as a module with SMT components fixed.

ROX80P TOP VIEW OF PCB SHOWING LEAD-THROUGH COMPONENTS

I have posted a number of YouTube videos which describe the construction of this receiver.
Introduction to simple DC receivers.
Part 1: Building guide.
Part 2: Preparing the enclosure.
Part 3: Assembling the rod antenna.

The play-list of videos can be found here.

Here are a few extra documents for information (zip files)

Schematic / Box cut-outs / Bill of Materials.
Gerber Set : (Use at your own risk. No responsibility for errors will be accepted)