A new DDS PC board has been being shipped since the August 2011 timeframe. We refer to this board as simply the 2011 board. Its function remains the same however it incorporates several desirable features which were add-ons with the old board. These features include 1) components necessary to allow primary power to be supplied from either an AC or DC source, 2) A spur filter or trap which may be configured for 3.395 MHz, for Heathkit applications, or 9 MHz for Ten Tec applications 3) expanded I/O which will allow expansion of band sensor inputs and 4) inclusion of a resistor in the RIT circuit which was previously and add-on. New instruction files are available for download for this board.

We are no offering a new and novel DDS product. It is an audio DDS, yes, a DDS that outputs audio frequencies. It has 2 current applications. The first is a sidetone to replace those awful, raspy sounding sidetones which were often found in early Ten Tec rigs and others. The second is a nice sounding code practice oscillator. What's so good about this system? In short, the nice sound that you get from it. It outputs a sine wave with very low harmonic distortion and a keyed waveform with digitally shaped leading and trailing edges which remove clicks completely. You may read about it on the Corsair WIKI. site. The cost of the sidetone kit, specifically designed for the Corsair II, contains all parts and a PC board is $24 and the Code Practice Oscillator kit is $30. Click "here". for more information.

I have constructed a remote VFO which I am currently using with my Ten Tec Corsair II. It performs better than I had ever hoped. Here is just a little snapshot of it. 1) It is plug-n-play with the Corsair II. All you have to do is plug in the accessory cable and the VFO IN and VFO OUT cables. It gets its power from the Corsair's supply. 2) It has an optional LCD readout to 1 Hz and it can be calibrated to an accuracy of about 20 Hz when the simple band encoder is implemented in the Corsair. 3) It has dual VFOs, A & B. 4) It switches between the internal PTO and the A & B VFOs. 5) It works split with its internal VFOs or split with the PTO and the A VFO and it also works split with its A and B VFOs. 6) It allows simultaneous reception on two frequencies, the PTO frequency and the frequency of the A or B VFO. 7) It has RIT and XIT. We will post the plans for this great little VFO soon and offer it along with the other application options for the N4YG DDS system.

We no longer have a source for inexpensive good-quality incremental encoders. We are aware that the ones we are currently shipping are barely adequate. A primary shortcoming is the short shaft. We apologize, but we have no other options at present. If you find this encoder unacceptable, you may purchase a very nice encoder from Mouser Electronics.. The part number is 690-505Q-0256-S010 and the cost about $40.

The list of rigs into which the N4YG DDS has been integrated continues to grow. Uli, DK4SX, is the first to put the N4YG DDS system into a SB-104. Don, ND5P, is now using the DDS board in his Drake TR4. The firmware is much like that of the HW-101. He has a Liquid Crystal Display and calibration routines. We welcome anyone who wishes to introduce another rig to the N4YG DDS system.

The article "Direct Digital Synthesis For Those Classic Rigs". by N4YG appeared in the June 2011 issue of QST.

I am always interested in your suggestions, so feel free to let me know what you think could be better about anything you find on this site.