[arm-allstar] Building an inexpensive node transceiver using the SA818 module

[Doug Crompton]

I put together a how-to on my project to build a simple and inexpensive node transceiver using the SA818 VHF/UHF transceiver modules. Here is the link to the project. This link is also on the hamvoip.org web page.

http://crompton.com/hamradio/818_transceiver_module/

This is probably not a project for the beginner but it should not be too hard for those that have been building for awhile. Please read the cautions and comments I have made about the module. This is a cheap Chinese module intended for "Walkie Talkie" applications and at less than $15 for the module it isn't going to be a $150 or more Japanese rig. Pay particular attention to the output spectrum of the module. They do NOT meet FCC specs without an output filter. Using it without a filter on a dummy load should be OK and would work in a limited local area. With a filter, as described on the web page, it works fairly well for a local limited distance node. I have even built a local repeater using two modules which is also shown on the web page.

Chris, W0AMN has written a Python program to program the module which can be done very easily on the BBB with a USB to serial adapter. You can download the program now and it will be included in the next BBB Allstar release. Details are on the web page.

Have Fun es Happy New Year!    

73 Doug
WA3DSP
http://www.crompton.com/hamradio

 		 	   		  
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