Odyssey TRX – open-source SDR DDC/DUC transceiver

To be honest, there are so many important things I feel I need to mention about this project I don’t even know where to start !

Odyssey TRX is an DDC/DUC SDR transceiver covering 0.1-55MHz with a transmit power of 10mW. It is open source, wich means the community can (and probably will) develop it further to add particular functions and features. It is high-performance, claims VERY impressive receiver and transmitter figures and can control external filters, antenna selection, an automatic tuner or PTT.

The Odyssey TRX supports 2 independent software receivers and is compatible with alot of the modern SDR software – including my favorite, PowerSDR. It can also be used as a VNA or can work with an external transverter to access the upper bands. Available connections are LAN, USB 3.0 or Wi-Fi, so it’s open to remote operating or to a clutter-free shack.

But the best thing about this ? The board costs only EUR 400 (US$ 436, £ 315) via Kickstarter. The closest thing to this is the Apache Labs Hermes board, wich costs more than double and the specs are not very different. This could be the heart of an excellent transceiver that combines homebrewing with the latest radio technology.

And talking about specs, here’s Odyssey TRX’s list:

General characteristics:
–         board size is 123.5 x 75mm, appropriate for Hammond 1455J1201 housing.
–         supply voltage: 7-15 V, reverse polarity and overvoltage protection.
–         current consumption for 12 Volt power supply:
LAN & USB version, RX 250 mA, TX 340 mA
Wi-Fi version, RX 380 mA, TX 480 mA
–         current consumption for USB bus power supply (5 volts):
USB version, RX 590 mA, TX 720 mA
–         PC connections: LAN10 / 100, Wi-Fi or USB
–         connectors for headphones, microphone, KEY/PTT:  Mini Jack 3.5mm
–         RF connectors: SMA-F
–         connector for external devices control:  DB9-F
RX characteristics:
–         type of ADC:  16-bit LTC2165
–         sampling frequency:  122,880 MHz
–         two independed receiving channels
–         receiving frequency range: 0.1-55 MHz
–         sensitivity, MDS (500):  -127 dBm
–         blocking level: -8 dBm
–         Blocking Dynamic Range: 119dB
–         RM Dynamic Range (10 kHz): 114 dB
–         attenuator 0-30 dB
–         frequency stability using built-in reference generator:  2.5 ppm
–         supported sampling rates: 48 – 960 kHz
–         wide band scope: 0 – 66 MHz
TX characteristics:
–         frequency range: 1 – 55 MHz
–         output voltage on 50 ohms:  1 volt peak
–         output power: 10 mW
–         linearity, IMD3: 60 – 65 dB
–         maximum width of the transmitted signal: 48 kHz
Additional features:
–         input for high stability 10 MHz reference frequency, 3.3 – 5.0 volts logic level
–         122.880 MHz stability frequency output
–         8 controls lines of control for external devices : 4 lines for BPF/LPF, PreAMP control, Antenna switch control, Automatic Tuner control and PTT control – all using logic level 3.3 volts
–         built-in sound codec to minimize delays; headphones and microphone can be connected directly to the main board
–         Automatic Key Processor with zero-delay self-monitoring. Both straight and Iambic modes are supported
–         VNA mode  and frequency sweep measurement; complex impedance and SWR measurements are done with external RF bridge

The creator of this project is David Fainitski and the website is ody-sdr.com, where you can find more info about what makes this great project tick – hardware, software, firmware, etc. There is also a Yahoo discusssion group, but the most important thing right now would be the Kickstarter page.