Tablerock Shortwave Daddy User manual

SHORTWAVE DADDY
USB AM/FM/SHORTWAVE RADIO
ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING MANUAL

TABLEROCK INSTRUMENTS CO.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
WWW.SHORTWAVEDADDY.COM
FOR UPDATES AND ADDITIONS
COPYRIGHT 2012
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this manual may be reproduced without the
express written consent of Tablerock Instruments Co.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................... 1
TAKE ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.......................................................... 1
SHORTWAVE DADDY FEATURES:............................................. 2
CONTENTS OF KIT: .................................................................... 5
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS:......................................................8
TOOLS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY:..........................................8
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: .............................................................................8
STEP 1:...................................................................................... 10
STEP 2: ..................................................................................... 14
STEP 3: ..................................................................................... 16
STEP 4: ..................................................................................... 21
STEP 5:...................................................................................... 23
OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: ............................................. 27
CONNECTING TO WINDOWS PC OR LAPTOP: .................................................. 27
CONNECTING TO MAC OS XSYSTEMS AND LINUX (UBUNTU)SYSTEMS:............ 29
IF USB PORT FAILS TO OPERATE AFTER DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION TO
USB PORT (WINDOWS): ............................................................................30
CHANGING TO AM MODE (WHICH ALSO INCLUDES SHORTWAVE):................... 31
CHANGING TO FM MODE: ......................................................................... 31
ENTERING A FREQUENCY ON THE AM/SHORTWAVE BAND: .............................. 31
ENTERING A FREQUENCY ON THE FM BAND:.................................................. 32
USING AM/SHORTWAVE MODE SEEK/TUNE FUNCTION:............................ 32
USING FM MODE SEEK/TUNE FUNCTION: ................................................... 32
CHANGING THE BANDWIDTH FOR THE AM/SHORTWAVE CHANNEL FILTER: ....... 33
RDS/RDBS DISPLAYED INFORMATION:....................................................... 33
RSSI AND SNR DISPLAYED INFORMATION:................................................... 34
IN-CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING OF THE MICROPROCESSOR: .................................. 34
ANTENNA AND GROUND CONNECTIONS: ........................................................ 36
RESET PUSH-BUTTON: ...............................................................................38
WARRANTY INFORMATION:...................................................38

1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the ―Shortwave Daddy‖—an easy to assemble PC based
and USB powered AM/FM/Shortwave radio kit with many features that will delight
both DX shortwave enthusiasts and experimenters seeking to learn more about
microprocessor controlled radios.
The radio circuit and PCB (printed circuit board) have been designed to make
assembly easy for electronics novices who have minimal soldering skills. All
components for soldering are ―though hole‖ and require none of the harder surface
mount skills that tend to frustrate many newcomers to the electronics hobby.
The few surface mount components on the main PCB or sub-assembly PCB have
already been soldered. Our goal is to make this kit as enjoyable as possible for both
novices and experts to build and enjoy.
When operating the radio, the radio frequency is ―tuned‖ and band selection is
made utilizing a 10-key touchpad, push-button switches and LCD display. The radio
broadcast is heard through the PC or laptop speakers. No drivers need to be installed.
The PC or laptop USB port is used to power the radio. No external batteries or other
power source is required.
We want your feedback!
Please visit us at www.shortwavedaddy.com and tell us what you like about the
kit and how we can improve it. Your ideas can make future versions of the Shortwave
Daddy even better!
Take Adequate Safety Precautions
1. Make sure your work area is un-cluttered and well-lighted.
2. Make sure your work areas is well-ventilated while soldering. Do not breathe
soldering fumes. Use a fan to blow the fumes away from your face while you are
working or use appropriate safety equipment such as a fumes extractor or hood.
3. Wear eye-protection (safety glasses) at all times while working. No project is
worth the loss of your vision.
4. Ensure that your soldering iron is placed in a non-flammable stand when not in
use.
5. Wash your hands after you finish work for the day or before eating or drinking.

2
6. Quit working for the day if you become tired or inattentive.
7. Never connect the Ground Header or any connector on the Shortwave Daddy to
a mains ground (outlet plug ground) or mains line connection (outlet plug ―hot‖
terminal—110Volts) or the neutral terminal. Connection to a mains ground
or mains line connection or the neutral connection may result in a
serious electrical shock to the user which can cause serious bodily
injury or death.
Shortwave Daddy Features:
Kit Assembly:
Easy to assemble kit with no surface mount soldering skills required. All
components are ―through-hole‖. Assembly time is estimated at six to ten
hours for most enthusiasts.
Kit comes complete with everything necessary for assembly except for a
soldering iron, hand tools, solder, flux and clean-up supplies.
Connection to PC or Laptop:
Radio connects to PC or laptop through any open USB port with a standard
USB type ―B‖ to USB type ―A‖ printer cable and is powered solely by the USB
port. No batteries or other power source is required to power the radio.
The radio uses the sound system and speakers of the PC or laptop. No
external speakers or connections are required.
Radio broadcasts can be recorded utilizing software on the PC or laptop such
as Audacity. This allows for easy verification of reception reports for QSL
purposes and the archiving of broadcasts.
The radio does not require ANY drivers to be loaded when it is plugged
in to the USB port. Simply plug the radio in and enjoy.
Compatibility:
Radio is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and most other
legacy versions of Windows
Radio is compatible with MAC (Apple) operating systems with the addition of
a free program ―LineIn‖ available at: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies

3
Radio Specifications:
Worldwide AM Band 520kHz –1710kHz
Shortwave Band 2.3MHz –26.1 MHz
Worldwide FM Band 64MHz –108 MHz
Advanced AM/FM/Shortwave seek tuning
AM/FM/Shortwave digital tuning
Seven selectable AM/Shortwave channel filters (1kHz, 1.8 kHz, 2kHz, 2.5kHz
with gradual roll off, 3kHz, 4kHz, 6kHz)
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio Indicator)
RDS/RDBS processor displays FM call letters and category of station
received (Rock, Country, Classic Rock, etc.)
Multiple antenna connectors including a female BNC, 3.5mm jack and a
ground connection header allow the use of a variety of antennas including
telescoping, long wire, various aerials, and the use of ear buds for an FM
antenna. This allows for extensive DX (Long Distance Reception)
experimentation.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protection built into circuit
10-key touchpad for easy entry of frequency and channel filters
Easy to read 4 x 20 character LCD display
Band selection and seek functions are chosen by four (4) tactile push-buttons
Reset push- button can be used to reset the circuit
Compact design ( 7‖ x 4‖) (177mm x 111mm)
Radio can easily be mounted in an enclosure if desired (enclosure not
included)

4
Radio IC:
Radio functionality is achieved through the use of the Silicon Labs SI4735
broadcast radio receiver IC (integrated circuit).
The SI4735 is a digital CMOS AM/FM/Shortwave radio receiver IC that
integrates the complete tuner function from antenna input to audio output.
USB Audio Codec:
The utilization of the PC or Laptop sound system without the requirement of
drivers to be installed is achieved through the Texas Instruments PCM2906C
stereo audio codec with USB interface.
The PCM2906C is a single-chip, USB, stereo audio codec with a USB-
compliant full-speed protocol controller. The USB protocol controller
requires no software code.
The PCM2906C is fully compliant with the USB 2.0 Specification
Microprocessor Control of Radio:
The Silicon Labs SI4735 IC is controlled utilizing a Microchip PIC18F2550
microprocessor
The existing preloaded software program can be modified or replaced by the
user with user’s own version of software. This allows users to experiment
and write their own program to take advantage of the capabilities of the
SI4735 IC
A new microprocessor program can be compiled and then downloaded to the
microprocessor using a Microchip Pickit 2 programmer and the in-circuit
Programming Header on the PCB without having to remove the PIC18F2550
(the LCD display does have to be unplugged to re-program the PIC)

5
Contents of Kit:
Quantity Description
1 Printed Circuit Board
3 .1uF Capacitor
3 .22uF Capacitor
1 .47uF Capacitor
1 .022uF Capacitor
6 1.0uF Capacitor
1 2.2uF Electrolytic Capacitor
2 15pF Capacitor
3 18pF Capacitor
2 22pF Capacitor
1 33pF Capacitor
2 330pF Capacitor
2 1800pF Capacitor
5 10uF Electrolytic Capacitor
3 1K Resistor
1 1 Meg Resistor
4 1.5K Resistor
1 2.2 Resistor
2 3.9K Resistor

6
Quantity Description
10 10K Resistor
4 12K Resistor
3 22K Resistor
2 22 Resistor
2 100 Resistor
1 LCD Contrast Resistor
1 .18uH Inductor
1 4.7uH Inductor
1 220uH Inductor
2 1N5819 Diode
1 12.000 MHz Crystal
1 20.000 MHz Crystal
1 32.768 KHz Crystal
1 3.5mm Antenna Jack
1 BNC Jack
1 USB Type B Connector
1 Ground Header (2 pin male)
1 Keypad Header (7 pin female)
1 LCD Header (16 pin female)
1 LCD Header (16 pin Male)
1 Programmer Header (6 pin male)
1 Dip Socket (28 pin)
1 3.3V Voltage Regulator
5 Tactile Momentary Push-button Switches

7
Quantity Description
1 LCD Display
1 10 Key Keypad
1 OPA2353 PCB sub-assembly
1 PCM2906 PCB sub-assembly
1 SI4735 PCB sub-assembly
1 PIC18F2550 microprocessor
4 14 Pin male Headers
2 4 Pin Male Headers
8 Mounting Hardware (spacers, sleeves, washers, 2-56
X 7/8‖ screws and nuts)