Monthly Archives: April 2017

A lot of updates to the DG5 project

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I finally had some time the past two weekends, and I made a lot of updates to the project – the code has been updated, I released code for the Nixie and LED versions, I finished off the LED version by mounting it in a chassis, I broke up the project into 3 separate pages for LCD, LED, and Nixie, and finally, I moved the code and PCB project files over to Github.  Whew!

The current version as of this writing is 2.0.2.  Updates will be directly published to the Github project page. Version 2.0.2 includes:

  • Stability Enhancement. Locks the values used for the HFO and BFO, updates then only if they have moved more than 500Hz and 100Hz, respectively.  This should help eliminate some wander/wiggle by keeping the two “fixed” frequencies stable.
  • Released the LED version, uses MAX 7219 based, 8 digit, 7-segment display.
  • Released the Nixie version, uses I2C SmartNixies.
  • Added correction factor (optional)
  • Added smoothing/averaging to reduce display jitter – averages over 4 readings (adjustable)
  • Code cleaned up and better documented
  • Changed frequency counter logic to the FreqCount Arduino library
  • Tested with latest Arduino IDE (1.8.2)

That’s all for now, click on the project pages to see more on the LED and Nixie versions. If you have a DG5 emulator running, give the new code a try!

Steve
KV6O

New DG5 code!

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It’s been a while since I have updated the code, and I have been working on some improvements on and off over the past year as I have had time.  This is for the LCD version, which I think just about everyone is running.  I have made an LED and Nixie tube version as well, but haven’t updated the code for these versions just yet – let me know if you need it. Done, new pages have been set up for both and new code for all 3 version is on Github

Some of the improvements:

  • New/improved frequency counter routine.  The program now uses the “FreqCount” library that is available in the IDE environment.  You will probably need to download this, which can be done selecting “Sketch/Include Library/Manage Libraries..” in the Arduino IDE.
    Search on “FreqCount” and you should find Paul Stoffregen’s library. Install the latest version.
  • Correction Factor added.  If needed, you can correct the display.  This will not “fix” a poor frequency reference/source like the ceramic resonators found on UNO’s.
  • Better code documentation.  I hope it’s easier to read and understand if you want to get in there and make your own modifications.
  • Added smoothing, anti-jitter code to help stabilize the display. (smooths over 10 readings, this is adjustable)
  • Tested with latest Arduino IDE (1.8.2)

4/8/17 – Code has been moved to Github, LCD, LED, and Nixie versions published.

4/8/17 – Version 2.0.2 uploaded to Github. Stability Enhancement added. Tests the HFO and BFO to see if they have moved more than 500Hz and 100Hz, respectively.  If not, keeps the last reading. This should help eliminate some wander/wiggle but keeping the two “fixed” frequencies stable.  Also lowered the averageing to 4 samples (from 10), makes display a little more responsive