LCD PIC16F877a HF SWR Meter/Bridge:: Dual Channel LCD SWR Meter By Tony/I2TZK, Frank/k7sfn, Dinesh/VU2FD

Amateur Radio Frequency Measurements:

Dual Channel LCD SWR Meter By I2TZK, K7SFN & VU2FD

Project by:

Antonio Alfinito / I2TZK

Frank Dziurda / K7SFN

Dinesh Gajjar / VU2FD

Measuring SWR at HF from 1MHZ to 30MHZ was always a concern to radio amateurs. Thousands of radio amateur run their station without an SWR Meter, not knowing what is happening between their TX and Ant.

SWR Meters of Analog variety are planty, although, not very economical. LCD meters are more expensive, crossing a range of over $200 or more.

Project & Firmware for Dual channel LCD SWR Meter presented here is exclusively developed by Antonio Alfinito / I2TZK for the ham community. Project meet many simple task using a PIC16F877A micro controller.

A PC Software and Bootloaded Firmware is provided free of charge for the ham community. Purpose is to encourage radio amateurs to build their own SWR Meter at a low price.

I2TZK PC Software / PIC Firmware achieved following design task:

Simple single Micro Controller with built-in A/D converter (PIC16F877A)

Interchangeable HF Simple, HF Dual Scale and a 144MHZ RF Bridges

CPU Unit has:


	2 x 16 LCD with Back light control

	Stable Reference voltage.

	D9 Connectors for Bridge

	SWR, FWD, POWER and Actual Power to antenna calculations/Display.

	Bargraph mode for SWR & Forward Power

	Simple detection of the port where the LCD Unit is connected.

	Graphic interface to display data read from the LCD Unit: Digital and Analog Meter, Compact and Test window.

	Emulate the buttons of the LCD Unit and send relevant commands to switch the unit to any operative mode.

	Configure the computational parameters of the LCD Unit (CPU)

	Collect data for statistical analysis

PC Software & Data-logger views:

Software V2.01

Click to enlarge

Project Bases:

Project is developed on two double-sided PTH board. The first one is CPU board where LCD, Regulator and Back Light Controllers are located. This board receives pure DC level from sensor (Bridge) board for calculation & display.

The second board is RF Bridge, where power from your transceiver comes in and goes out to antenna. Varity of Bridges are offered. Please refer to capability of each Bridge in related documents.

SO239 types of connectors are used but Type N may be offered as an option.

Kit is intended for experienced Radio Amateurs.

Although, rated at 100W HF, this meter & bridge works very well at a KW or two, on all bands. Readings were very accurate compared to commercial SWR Meter.

A simple powder coated case for CPU and bridges (HF Simple, Dual scale & VHF) are now available and offered free of charge with kit or assembled.