I started building an SSB rig ages ago. Or at least the parts of it.
I build the crystal filter and the various amplifiers over three years ago. And I had the mixers (ADE-1), audio amp (one of these left over from a defunct synth project), and the VFO/BFO (an SI5351 board/Arduino) ready to go. I got it partially wired up and then... stopped. My interests are a fickle thing.
Anyway, I wired it up, tweaked a lot, and can sort of, kind of hear stuff!
I haven't been able to make out any people yet, but have heard some code, and I managed to decode FT8 using the iFTx app on my iPhone!
You'll notice in the top picture, I am using my signal generator. I had mis-remembered some things about the SI5351, so I had a pad in front of it, which was not getting the mixer to the +7dbm it needed for LO. So in debugging I used my signal generator and just stuck with it.
I may want to try some other configurations (like actually make a BPF for the front, and maybe a LNA in front of that) and might try some more gain in the middle (between the filter and the product detector). But pretty pleased it is working at all. Also need to have a bit more of a think around where exactly I want the VFO/BFO. Lots more to do, but pleased where it is.
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