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In 2015, the DARC local Radioclub OV I40 launched an initiative in which the mcHF transceiver from Chris, M0NKA was built in Germany nationwide by radio amateurs and those interested in technology. The “networking” via our Forum resulted in a rapid increased of mcHF builders. In our mcHF project group, only about 20% of all bodybuilders have ever registered …
Radio amateurs are researchers and tinkerers. They love to improve circuits, build new technical capabilities and create software that meets their needs. The firmware of the mcHF - is now developed and maintained by dedicated radio amateurs from the community. The software was GPLv3 licensed with the consent of all involved parties as an independentproject, called UHSDR (Universal Ham Software Defined Radio). With time more ideas came to mind on how UHSDR should evolve and th hardware limitations of the mcHF became obvious. The mcHF hardware design is limited by a license clause (“non commercial use”). This means that hardware improvements can only be incorporated into the project by the author of the project, Chris M0NKA and no one else can make boards, circuit improvements etc., and no distribute of such is allowed to interested parties. It was a logical and inevitable next step that the urge for research and development found its way into the redesign of an open source (Cern OHLv1.2) licensed SDR transceiver: the OVI40 SDR .
The OVI40-SDR is a transceiver covering the frequency range from VLF to FM. The device is a self-construction project. However, it will also be available to those who can not or do not want to build themselves as a finished / adjusted / programmed board (s). It can also be set up as a pure receiver (for those who do not yet have an amateur radio call sign and thus are not yet allowed to send). It can then be easily retrofitted to the transmitter later to get a full-fledged transceiver.
The development team is based on existing commercial and self-construction projects and combined from a variety of devices (and great features) each best in the newly created OVI40 SDR. The project should not be “just” an amateur radio transceiver - it should be a philosophy. Technically interested people from all over the world, with expertise from different areas, with different mother tongues, religions and at home in different political systems meet to create and promote something together, for their own benefit but also for the benefit of all who will join the project later. Amateur radio has always connected people of all nations - if the Internet is added as support, we, the radio amateurs, can live,
The project / device contains the following items:
Worldwide networking of all those interested in the project via our website with Forum , WIKI and also a chance to identify yourself as a “builder” of an OVI40 on a map, so that the local contact (with common troubleshooting, common soldering, etc.) is supported modern SDR technology “Standalone” (no PC required for operation) cheap costs Possibility of complete self-construction, partial self-construction, but also the purchase fully assembled, adjusted / programmed boards, individually or as a set Modular design to make future extensions and changes easier wide operating frequency range (DC …> 240 MHz ) low power consumption in the RX (portable use with rechargeable battery …) Integration of as many useful and modern modes of operation and support as possible, such as FreeDV Connection possibility of keyboard / external storage media etc. The OVI40 should be a dynamic, living project. The inspiration, the reported mistakes, the wishes of all who follow the project should influence it.
Also inspired by StarTrek:
“To go where no man has ever been before” …
DF8OE, 20.12.2017