PARC 50 LBS

Getting closer to completing the first stages of the build now.  This is when you realize that you forgot something or wished you did some things differently. In this case while trying to layout the various 12vdc feeds, of which there are 3 types,12v continuous,  12v tx, and 12v rx. I decided to etch yet another board for the 12v feeds. There is 1 spot left on the layout board that can be used, but there are better locations if more thought had gone into this at the beginning.  That's how one learns I suppose.  hihi.  Needed to move the 2 pin connector on the right to a new location as the original spot was too close to the 6 pin connector.  Hence the funny angle.

Another problem came to light when testing the rx in direct conversion mode.  There was an annoying, pulsating, noise in the audio.  The rate of the noise followed the tx led located on the arduino board.  Eventually I was able to trace the problem to 13 lines in the source code.  They were serial print.ln functions that were used for code testing purposes that sent various data to the serial monitor.  I've theorized that since the serial port was open, no cable attached, that the noise emanated from this port and got into the audio amplifier.  Commenting out those lines cured the problem, I have not tested the serial port theory as the noise is gone and I've moved on. One day though.