Wider bandwidth IF filter for NFM
With this modification you got possibility
of:
- Meteosat and other geostationary satellites weather pictures decoding
- NOAA and other polar orbiting satellites weather pictures decoding
- 9k6 amateur packet decoding
- Significantly better readability of Inmarsat voice transmissions
- Decoding other higher speed data transmissions as FAX etc.
- if you know of another let me know
Three types of narrowband IF (Intermediate
Frequency) filters are used in AR8200:
- 3 kHz for both SSB, CW and
NAM
- 9 kHz AM and SFM
- 12 kHz for WAM and NFM
Widest one is 12 kHz filter, but if you want to use AR8200 for decoding higher
data speeds or other data transmissions you need bandwidth at least 30 kHz and one
of filters must be replaced by wider type. You can change any of these three
filter but I recomending 12 kHz filter. Standard narrowband FM transmission
you can still receive on SFM mode without significant difference between 9 kHz SFM
and original 12 kHz NFM mode. Same thing for WAM and AM receiving mode,
because NFM and WAM using one filter. Of course you can still clearly receiving
for example amateur repeater on 30 kHz filter but if there is another
transmission on channel 12.5kHz close you will hear it in background too.
After searching on Murata website I have found type for ideal replacement -
SFGCG455BX. It has same package, bandwidth of 30 kHz (+/-15kHz) and SMD package
same as Murata filters used in receiver. Other filter parameters like loss
and impedance little vary but it is not problem.
IF Board with original filter:
Desolder old filter located on IF board using desoldering braid:
Adjust new filter leads and solder on place: