Build your own LF / HF / VHF Transceiver.
- News 18 Aug 2025
- More software working in the form of CAT / CI_V. It works with flrig.
- For me the last 3 months have seen an enormous effort in changing the software (firmware). After all these years it needed an overhaul, and it certainly has had one. 2 x State machines, Different Si5351 drivers as few work above 114MHz without issues and having one of each I2C bus is a challenge, New I2C drivers, E2PROM drivers, ans a TFT display driver rewrite just to mention a few. Capability for a better CPU is also now working. The Pi Pico, RP2040 only have 3 ADCs available, and unfortunately the Pi Pico2 is no better (A serious lack of insight), so a different CPU the RP2350B will also fit on the board and works well. Added to this is:
- CW Decode code is now written and seems to work under test. The next testing will be on air to see just how well it works under difficult conditions.
- CW Iambic code is not in and running well in Modes A and B and also in FIFO Mode (A first-in-first-out buffer so cw is queued).
- Yellow and Blur display is all working for colour challenged people (about one in 8 males and one in 20 females).
- I am currently also writing the CAT CI-V code to get all front panel features working via USB. This is not a difficult challenge as the code was always written with this in mind.
- The USB hub has been working for years now, (On the CPU Board) and very soon I will be connecting up the sound card (A USB Stick) and trying the rig out on WSPR just for fun, and leave it operational 24/7. Anyone out there have the ability to create a web page on my site to display the WSPR results from multiple bands of propagation results collected? I’d love to hear from you…)
- The BandPass filter board is working on all bands now except two. These are the 2200mtr and 4mtr bands. They are being worked on right now by the two of us. 8 (Yes 8mtrs), 6 and 2 mtrs are working well.
- The HamPiRadio Hardware is about complete, with a couple of constructors already building them to ensure the build instructions are up to scratch and can be successfully followed.
- A lot of work is currently under way to improve the web site (Thank you for the feedback friends, all friendly feedback welcome).
- The intention is to distribute kits of parts for each board as this will be easier for the constructor. More detail to follow…
- There are currently 3 sets of PCBs in stock and in the very near future these will be fully kitted up for distribution.
- The completely new Balanced Modulator, Product Detector and a mic compressor are employed and working well on the Radio Board.
- A new version of the PA has been produced and tested, and is working better than expected, delivering up to 150W on many bands with ease. It now uses the RD01, RD16, RD100 lineup.
- The project has been working well for ages I have had quite a many QSOs across the world. Audio reports have all been excellent. See QRZ.com ZL3AX. More soon…
New TFT Display on 30mtr CW-Narrow filter
Welcome:
The HamPi16 is a 16 band LF/HF/VHF Amateur Radio project for the home constructor. In initial project will receive and transmit (CW & SSB) works on all HF bands (160m to 10m 100W) plus the 50MHz and 70MHz bands (6m & 4M Lower power). On receive it also works on the two LF bands 160 & 475 kHz and VHF 144MHz. In the future the LF and VHF RF Amplifiers and switching can be developed in a separate housing(s). The emphasis on the initial project has been quality basics of the receiver and transmitter. This is a project you are encouraged to get involved with for ongoing developments and improvement.
The concept demanded that this transceiver be easy to use, with the important functions right there on the front panel. When working that sought after and rare DX it is frustrating to have to wade through menus to find the right filter, or RIT, or notch filter, or adjust the gain of the various receiver stages to reduce QRM. The HamPiRadio has adopted the controls really needed instantly in the form of a real knob, or a single press keypad button. The photos here will say more than words… There are also some other handy features to be seen on the Features page.
Below are two short videos of comparisons on-air (These were done a while ago before LCD display was replaced with a TFT display). The first video is comparing an Issue 1.0 HamPiRadio with a Yaesu FT902DM which is well known for its great receiver. The second is of HamPiRadio and the ICOM IC-7300. As you can see the HamPiRadio outperforms the FT_902DM, and is ever bit as good as the IC-7300, and may even have the edge. For more comprehensive technical comparisons see the Test Results page.
