Lecture will be held Wednesday 18-Jun-2025, here is what to expect.

NTP Clock and Pi-Pico Rx  – 2025 Build Projects for the Shack? By Richard VK2ARH and Simon VK2YU

Richard VK2ARH and Simon VK2YU will present a couple of projects for consideration for a 2025 build project which they have been working on in recent months. These projects can either be built as a club project / event or by individuals at home. The presentation will discuss the background and development of the projects as well as demonstrating the capabilities of the NTP Clock and the Pi-Pico Rx.

NTP Clock

The NTP Clock is based on the design by W8BH – this is a simple build and displays time accurate in both local and UTC time zones which is automatically adjusted for daylight savings. The NTP clock makes a very practical addition to the shack. The time is synchronized over the internet via WiFi and the clock also displays key solar weather indices.

Richard has worked on the PCB’s and housing for the clock, whilst Simon has augmented the code to take advantage of WiFi Manager to enable network credentials to be added via an external browser rather than hard coded into the clock firmware. The clock can be housed in the traditional ‘PC Sandwich’ or use the 3D printed housing that Simon has developed.

A close up of a circuit board AI-generated content may be incorrect.Pi Pico RX

The second project is a very capable HF all mode SDR Receiver which utilizes a quadrature sampling receiver and a Raspberry Pi Pico processor. The basis of this receiver was designed by Jon Dawson and continues to develop with software enhancements. The receiver is a fun project to build and operate. The board and layout that Richard has developed provides a platform for further development and experimentation for those who wish to do so. The board is designed with club projects in mind and makes maximum use of readily available THD’s with only two easily soldered SMD components.

Recent releases of the software have delivered new and impressive features including AGC Control, 500+ memories, scanning capabilities, receiver bandwidth control, squelch, notch filter, De Emphasis and IQ Correction, and inbuild spectrum scope, CW monitor tone and adjustment together with an array of hardware configuration and display options including support for an external colour LCD Spectrum scope. The PicoRx can easily be built in a full afternoon / evening and can connect to either an external headphone / speaker or to your computer via USB audio which enables a range of software to be used with the receiver. The layout developed also facilitates pairing with an external transmitter.