ICAS IDC-136-KIT User manual

IDC-136-KIT 136kHz DC RX Assembly Guide
ICAS Enter rises
u dated Nov. 21st, 2011
The IDC-136-KIT is a 136kHz direct conversion receiver. Most of the SDR software
can be used with this receiver. It is quite easy to build within a cou le of hours and
you can get ready to start receiving on the s ot.
S ecifications (subject to change without rior notice):
RX Coverage: 106kHz ~ 154kHz (when a 48kHz sound card is used)
LO Frequency: 130kHz (8.32MHz ÷ 64)
O erational Voltages: 9 ～13.8VDC
(The enclosure shown is not bundled. You need to re are se arately.)
Case History
The IDC-136-KIT runs 24/365 as a 2200m grabber at:
htt ://icas.to/argo

Parts List
Marking Value Descri tion Remarks Check
C1 1500 F Ceramic Ca 152 (1,800 Fmay be su lied -182)
C2 0.022uF Ceramic Ca 223
C3 33 F Ceramic Ca 33
C4 0.022uF Ceramic Ca 223
C5 1500 F Ceramic Ca 152 (1,800 F may be su lied - 182)
C6 56 F Ceramic Ca 56
C7 1500 F Ceramic Ca 152 (1,800 F may be su lied - 182)
C8 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C9 0.01uF Ceramic Ca 103
C10 47uF Electrolytic Ca
C11 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C12 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C13 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C14 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C15 Not used
C16 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
C17 0.1uF Ceramic Ca 104
R1 1MΩ Resistor
R2 1MΩ Resistor
R3 22kΩ Resistor Can use the bundled 25kΩ ot instead.
R4 1Ω Resistor A jum er wire will do.
R5 1k Resistor
R6 100Ω Resistor
R7 680Ω Resistor
IC1 TL071 OP AMP IC
IC2 SA612 Mixer IC NE612 may be su lied instead.
IC3 74HC4060 Divider IC
REG 78L05 3-Terminal Regulator
L1/L2 IFT 2 cs
OSC 8.32MHz 8.32MHz OSC 8MHz may have been su lied
in the ast rior to Nov. 21st, 2011
IC Socket 16- in DIP IC socket
IC Sockets 8- in DIP IC socket 3 cs
LED LED
Switch 2P toggle switch 3P toggle switch may be su lied
Connector BNC connector
Connectors Power lug and socket 2.1mm dia.
Socket 3P mini-stereo socket 3.5mm dia.
Cable Audio Cable with 3.5mm dia lug at both ends

Assembly Instruction
Please follow the schematic when to roceed to assembly. The schematic is attached to
the end of this guide.
IC Sockets
You can install IC sockets if necessary for easier maintenance. If you install the socket
for the oscillator, you can later swa the oscillator chi easily.
IFT (Coil)
Solder IFT's in the right ositions.
Resistors
Start soldering from R1 to R7. It's advisable to measure the actual value using a
multi-meter before soldering.
R3 - Resistor
You can either use the 22kΩ fixed resistor for R3, or the bundled 25kΩ ot if you want
to variably control the gain.

Ca acitors
Start soldering from C1 to C17. C10 is an electrolytic ca , so make sure that the
ositive lead goes to [+] hole. Note that C15 is NOT used.
PWR
Connect the ositive lead from the ower socket to the hole marked [ １], and the
negative (ground) lead to [ ２] res ectively.
SW
Wire to the switch terminals.
LED
The bundled LED does have ositive ( ＋) and minus ( －) markings on the back.
The (+) LED lead must be connected to the LED1 hole marked (+).
IC 1-3
Make sure to install IC's with the correct orientation as marked on the PCB.
OSC
The bundled oscillator is of a 8- in DIP sha e. Before installing the OSC, it is highly
recommend to install a 8- in DIP socket. The Pin 1 of the socket must come to the
marking [1] of OSC. (For future use, there are extra holes available to install 14- in
socket, but this time you can lease ignore the extra holes.) Once the socket is
installed, then you can insert the oscillator. There is a black dot marking on the
oscillator, and it must come to the Pin 1 of the socket.
REG
Solder the 78L05 3-terminal voltage regular as marked on the PCB. Follow the
marked orientation carefully.
ANT-IN JP1
Connect the center lead from the BNC connector to the junction of C1 and C2, and the
ground lead to “GND” as marked on the PCB.

AUDIO-OUT JP3
Wire to the left terminal to the out ut of C17, and the “GND” terminal to the GND
hole at AUDIO-OUT JP3.
ANT-OUT JP2
The holes at ANT-OUT JP2 may be used when you would like to make this kit as a
re-am . Usually, the holes are not utilized for DC receiver o eration.
THRU
The “THRU” terminals can be shorted when you would like to make sure the receiver
is working ro erly without the BPF functioning. With this setting, you can receive
commercial stations such as Loran before starting to adjust the BPF.
Adjustment of BPF
Once the soldering is done, make sure that there are no wrong wirings or connections.
Connect the antenna and ower su ly to the IDC-136-KIT and ower on. Use SDR
software such as HDSDR and tune in around 137kHz. You may need to re are a
signal generator or TX. Transmit on 137kHz with SG or TX, and adjust the two IFT's
alternatively so that received signal strength becomes maximum. If you don't have
any transmission source, you can still adjust the IFT's so the noises coming out from
the IDC-136-KIT become maximum.
Once the adjustment is done, you can enjoy listening to the 2200m band with the use
of SDR software or S ectrum Lab.

IDC-136KIT Schematic