Dilshan R Jayakody’s Web Log

This blog post discusses the engineering design, construction, and performance evaluation of a 4-element Yagi-Uda antenna specifically optimized for the 2-meter amateur radio band, focusing on the frequency range of 144MHz to 145.5MHz. The project was initiated to establish strong and reliable communication with distant VHF repeaters of the RSSL ( Radio Society of Sri Lanka ), which are located approximately 58km and 96km from my location. The finished antenna, oriented towards the Yatiyantota repeater. The primary objective was to develop a high-gain, directional antenna with a superior front-to-back ratio. This directionality is essential for maximizing signal capture from the desired repeater while minimizing interference and noise from unwanted directions, ultimately improving the SNR and the quality of the communication link. VHF communication at these distances typically relies on line-of-sight propagation, making antenna gain a critical factor in overcoming path loss and ...

This project is about MC3362 and ADF4351 based modularized, 2-meter narrow band FM receiver. In this design, the receiver splits into three modules as RF preamplifier, MC3362 tuner, and ADF4351 oscillator. The RF preamplifier builts around BF900 dual-gate MOSFET. The tuner stage builts using the popular MC3362 , low power narrowband FM receiver IC. For the oscillator, we use the ADF4351 DDS RF signal generator module. The core component of this receiver is MC3362 IC. This IC was designed by Motorola and is no longer in production, but this IC is still available to purchase in many online stores . The chip we used in this receiver was purchased from a local electronic component store for LKR 75 (USD 0.2). The RF preamplifier used in this receiver extracts from the N.Ganesan's (VU3GEK) LRR200, 2-meter band FM receiver project . Prototype version of the RF preamplifier. In this prototype, the above preamplifier was built as a module using a Manhattan construction technique. Th...

This is a quick post about 100W RF dummy load which we build to use with HF and VHF transmitters and transceivers. This dummy load uses two non-inductive 100Ω 50W thick film power resistors manufactured by Vishay Sfernice and both these resisters are connected in parallel to achieve 50Ω impedance. The final version of 100W RF dummy load. Outer-casing (which also act as a heatsink) of dummy load is constructed using four bonded fin 50mm × 115mm × 20mm heatsinks. During our testing, we got flat 1:1.2 SWR with this dummy load. Internal view of 100W RF dummy load. Above mentioned 100Ω 50W power resistors are obtained through Farnell element14 .

This is simple radio receiver project which is capable to receive aviation radio voice signals which are transmit between 118MHz to 138MHz in AM (A3E). We got initial idea of this project by reading Sverre Holm’s (LA3ZA) article about " cheap VHF receiver project ". Like LA3ZA’s original article this project is also based on Samsung’s KA22429 FM radio receiver IC. KA22429 is low voltage FM radio receiver system developed by Samsung for portable radio receivers and as described by Holm’s it can push into VHF region by changing few values in its original circuit. In this project we redesign the schematic and PCB with some of those changes and now it can directly tune into aviation band with minimum number of adjustments. The dimension of PCB of this receiver is 70mm × 45mm and all the components except KA22429 are standard through-hole type. KA22429 testing setup with 5V PSU and AF power amplifier. For the optimal results we recommended to use high gain audio power ...

This is 5 element Yagi-Uda antenna for 144MHz amateur radio transmissions and receiving. This antenna is design using commonly available TV antenna parts. The CAD drawing of this antenna is available to download in my QSL.net pages and all the measurements in that diagram are in mm (millimeters). The total boom length of this antenna is around 1500mm and maximum span is 1016.10mm. 3D visualization of 5 element Yagi antenna After the construction I test this antenna on 145.625MHz and got SWR of 1:1.3 with quiet lengthy, standard 50Ω RG-58 cable. With high quality shorter cable I achieve SWR of 1:1.1 - 1:1.2.

This DIY project happens because of some request of my family members. The ultimate goal of this project is building analog TV antenna to receive UHF and VHF channels with minimum distortion, noise, materials and time. All the building materials of this antenna are available in general electronic shops and hardware stores. I got excellent results from this antenna in my home town: Maharagama ( Colombo , Sri Lanka) with all the locally available VHF and UHF channels. Technical drawing of this antenna is available to download in here .