I am excited as Glen Percy VK3PE's ComboStar version BB boards arrived today. I StarTED to build a Picastar in 2007 but I only got as far as ordering the DSP and AC-97 chips, and starting to kit together the other parts. Last month I found Glenn's web site describing the "homebrew-radios" groups build of Picastars with a LCD display instead of seven segment LEDs- and found his single board version on offer.

Picastar Combo Board BB

For those not familiar- the Picastar transceiver is based on a 20 part series of articles by Peter Rhodes G3XJP which originally appeared in RadCom magazine. The name Picastar derives from the use of Microchip PIC controllers combined with the STAR acronym of "Software Transmitter And Receiver". The controller for the Picastar comes from the Peter Rhode's PicN'Mix controller, as earlier published in RadCom. The earliest articles for the project were published ten years ago now; with some components recently termed obsolete (e.g. the SoundMax AD1885). As such, the original group formed to support building a Picastar is closed, but the articles are available in a new group called Picaproject which Peter formed to be a repository of information on all his projects. If you wish to further explore how to build a star you MUST join this group to gain access to Peter's Picastar articles and code. Once you are accepted to the group, you may grab the files and code. DO read the author's terms. After you join the Picaproject group, you may ask to join the Picastar-Users group for questions pertaining to the build of a Picastar. If you plan to build a Star based on Glenn's boards; join the homebrew-radios group and check with Glenn to see if he has any Picastar combo PCB sets to spare. The version BB Combo boards contain a PicN'Mix replacement called the TrxavrB which is used to control the LCD and transceiver.

Glenn has built several stars and just recently got his first version BB based unit on the air. The boards were shipped promptly and look very good- MUCH better than DIY boards (thanks to all who worked on this, especially Glenn). Peter G3XJP's preference of DIY boards better meets the "Amateur" requirements of the hobby. I must admit I prefer to avoid the mechanical issues of DIY boards when dealing with lead spacing as small as required on some of the parts. I probably will need to build some companion boards before the project is done. I do like designing boards- not building them.

Here is what Glenn's Combo Board Version BB package consists of:
• Main PCB - contains most of the xvcr.
• LPF Board by G4TZR
• G6ALU 20W PA Board
• G6ALU 150W PA Board
• TrxavrB board by G3VPX and Error corrections
• Atmel Programmer (labeled Atmega Programmer) AKA Pony Programmer.
• W4ZCB Buzzer board (for testing the PCBs)
• Picastar Opto Encoder Board as built by VK3KBO (should you decide to build one)
• Remote USB Board (USB connector miswired)
• Ian's Basic I2C Interface Board

So I now get to work on Bill of Materials (BOMs) for each board, starting with the smaller ones first. As I sort out the build for myself, I intend to post links to my shared projects on Mouser as well as my own BOM spreadsheets and build notes. Always refer to the author's sites as I only post these items for my own guidance and reference. Use whatever stuff I post at your own risk. Photos to follow soon.

73 all- Bill N4BKT