RF signal source. Oscillator prototype build & test

I am in the process of building an RF Signal Source as per EMRFD Fig 2.27. This is a Hartley design and incorporates 2 oscillators. The first covering a nominal 2-10MHz and the second covering a nominal 10-45MHz.

The Hartley topology is chosen for two reasons. a) The capacitor in the resonator can be fully variable and thus allows a wide range of frequency coverage unlike the Colpitts where, by definition, the feedback capacitors are fixed. b) The oscillator exhibits a reasonably flat output power over a wide frequency range.

Having built the chassis, installed the variable capacitors and cut the panels for the enclosure, I was now in a position to build a rough prototype of one of the oscillators. I chose the lower frequency oscillator. This took me a few hours to build. Since I don't have any of the specified 2N4416 JFETS, I decided to start with an MPF102. I selected sample 2 (Ref JFET experiments blog)  since it had a lower pinch-off voltage and higher Idss than sample 1, although not as good in performance as the tested J310. I decided to start with just the 400pf variable capacitor. This should allow easier troubleshooting since there are fewer parts. (refer to the schematic attached).

The oscillator powered up first time with no issues. The oscillator turn on voltage Vdd was 1.96V. Maximum output was obtained with a Vdd of 7.58V. Thus there was an excess of current flowing in the drain as Vdd was increased to 12V. The scope output waveform 'looks' clean. I have no way of measuring the harmonic distortion. Could increasing the rail voltage beyond 7.58V result in an increase of harmonic distortion?

The 3 turn link output was first terminated in a 50 ohm feed thru connector which was connected to the scope channel 1. This channel is also fed to the frequency counter. Then the output was connected to the Power Meter.

The oscillator is reasonably stable and certainly acceptable for general measurements and can be improved upon with more careful construction. Measuring at a frequency of 7030.44kHz and starting at 08:30 am the oscillator drifted upwards to 7030.46KHz after 23 minutes (10Hz). The shack door was closed. No thermometer is available. Then with the shack door opened and after another 10 minutes the oscillator was at 7030.73KHz. It then started to rain which presumably lowered the temperature the frequency measured was 7031.02KHz (562Hz). On blowing on the parts with a straw the indications were that the 10pf capacitor was the biggest drift contributor. As the temperature decreases the oscillator frequency increases.  Neither the JFET or the inductor seemed to be significant contributors. No vibration tests were carried out, however it was easy to tune the large capacitor to within 1KHz of the desired frequency. More precise tests needed once the buffer is built.

An error was discovered in the design. The Large 400pF variable capacitor wire runs parallel to the 30pf bandspread capacitor for about 4 inches. Although this capacitor was not connected it changed the oscillator frequency when it's capacitance was varied. Action here is to re-route the large capacitor wire in a different direction.

Tests with the Power meter showed an output variation of just over 1dB from an Fmin output of -1.33dBm at 2810KHz to -0.27dBm (frequency not measured but around 6000KHz). The output power at Fmax of 13663KHz = -0.75dBm. These measurements are in line with  those stated in EMRFD and very satisfactory.

Scope measurements
Fmax = 13663KHz (this frequency will decrease as the bandspread capacitors are added)
Fmin = 2810KHz (This frequency will increase as the bandspread capacitors are added)
Fmin Vpk-pk = 6div*0.1 = 0.6V (~0.5dBm)
Fmax Vp-p = 5.5div*0.1 = 0.55V
F(7175KHz) = 0.6V
Power Meter measurements
Fmin = DVM = 1770mV, thus Power = -86.29+(0.048*1770) = -1.33dBm
Fmax = DVM = 1782mV thus Power = -86.29+(0.048*1782) = -0.75dBm
Fpk = DVM = 1792mV thus Power = -86.29+(0.048*1792) = -0.27dBm

Next steps
Reroute the capacitor wiring.
Try different 10pf capacitors to try to improve thermal stability
Try a J310 JFET.

Prototype Hartley oscillator 2.8MHz - 13.7MHz

Pic showing the large variable and bandspread variable and oscillator circuit with terminations.

Oscillator set at 7030.64KHz with scope waveform showing no 'visible distortion'. Harmonic level not measured. The feedthrough 50 Ohm terminator on channel 1 can be seen. 

W1FB DC Receiver experiments 6

Last week I made good progress towards a reasonably stable oscillator circuit. First I was able to procure an amount of small value Ceramic Caps from a discount store in Pretoria. I also bought a number of small value trimmer Caps. I changed out the existing circuit for the new components and tweeked the values in line with what I had. Upon firing up the receiver I was very disappointed in the result. The oscillator drifted wildly both up and then down in frequency. The caps that I acquired were clearly not COG/NPO and almost definitely not even ClassII. They certainly look like ceramics and will probably be ok for non frequency sensitive applications.

I was able to confirm that the CAPS were the contributors by blowing on each CAP with a WD40 thin straw. This was the perfect tool for this test. I can direct hot air directly at even the smallest CAP. When I did this I was able to generate a frequency shift of at least 2Khz.

I went back to a previous store and was able to buy discontinued COG hole through caps. I also bought some COG SMT caps to experiment with. I have read that these SMT caps do not have acceptable Q. To test this I will first have to build a signal generator. I replaced all CAPS except the feedback CAPS in the Colpitts circuit. The result was much improved oscillator. Next I will replace the feedback CAPS because I can see that they are still contributing.

I will also try to locate a small air variable in order to improve the ease of tuning. Bearing in mind that the goal of this RX is to primarily receive a single frequency on 7020Khz.

W1FB DC Receiver experiments 2

On 5/25/2013 in an effort to improve stability and reduce the tuning range, but at the same time restricted by components on hand, I reworked the oscillator circuit as per the calcs shown below. I was able to reduce the tuning rage down to about 80Khz from the previous 500Khz. This makes it much easier to tweek the trimmer cap with a tuning stick. The inductor is now also much more stable due to the increased inductance to 1.85uH from the previous 1.3uH. I also used thicker #22 wire and pulled it tight on the toroid. These two changes have actually made the receiver practical to use in the field.

My aim next is to acquire the right components and rework the design again to the original spec. It seems difficult to obtain NPO caps here in South Africa. Perhaps I will try some SMD components? The inductor should be at least 2.6uH to achieve the recommended L/C ratios.