SoftRock History and Documentation
The SoftRock series was created by Tony Parks with assistance from Bill Tracey.
It started with the SoftRock40 which was initially sold by the AMQRP club, after the club sold it's 400 units, Tony sold additional units.
SoftRock Models;
SoftRock40
SoftRock V5.0, V6.0, V6.1, V6.1 RxTx, V6.2 lite, V6.2 RxTx
Click on the model desired on the box to the right or below for additional information on the specific model.
Please note that although there are some files and schematics of the various SoftRocks present, the official source of such literature is the Yahoo SoftRock40 Group files area. These files are here as a convenience to non members so they can get an idea of what a SoftRock is like and not as a source of the latest changes.
I highly recommend that you join that group, it's the main gathering place for SoftRock useres and developers.
SoftRock40
A built SoftRock40, the top side:
A built SoftRock40, the back side:
The original SoftRock the first 400 units were sold by the AMQRP Club then, Tony Parks the designer started shipping the units to hams all over the world. It's cost was $24, it was the beginning of a revolution. It had the following features;
USB connector for power from the PC
Single band operation (40M)
4X Crystal oscilliator for the LO with Digital clock generation
High quality op-amps running at 500x gain
The USB power option was a mixed blessing as it became a source of noise due to ground loops, users quickly put in a voltage regulator in place of a transistor present and used external power supplies or batteries to minimize ground loops.
Other modifications were to change the operating frequency so it could be used to tap into a radio's IF chain.
The unit was an excellent performer when running from batteries or a independent power supply.
This kit has been retired and is no longer available.
SoftRock V5.0
An experiment offshoot that was not as successful as previous and succeeding models. Having all the band determining components is a separate board was innovative but made the unit more expensive to manufacture.
It was planned to have a transmit board but that never materialized due to cost and technical problems. It had the following features;
Separate board with the 1X analog Quadrature clock generator Possibility of a QSD exciter that plugged into the stack.
The analog circuitry allowed for a 1X clock that made the unit theoretically easier to work with and to find suitable crystals, it would allow for higher frequency operation without the use of expensive parts, but due to the analog nature of the clock circuitry it suffered from a higher noise floor due to the clock jitter.
It is a retired kit that is no longer available. Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models; File directory
SoftRock V6.0
This SoftRock returns back to a digital clock chain after the less than stellar results of the SoftRock V5.0 with it's analog clock circuitry. It has the following features;
4x digital Quadrature clock for quiet receiver.
Plug in filter board to allow quick band changes.
Plug in exciter board, to create a transceiver.
Single band model.
This radio is a conbination of the good features of the SoftRock40 and the SoftRock V5.
This kit is retired and no longer available.
Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models;
SoftRock V6.1
The finest receiver in the SoftRock series in my humble opinion. It had the following features;
4X digital Quadrature clock chain for low noise and high performance
Low voltage regulator to help eliminate noise and ground loops
2 band operation by changing a dip jumper, the unit had provisions for two crystals that were changed by a jumper also.
Low cost op-amps that had ultra low noise pin compatible versions for maximum performance.
Single board with a two band filter.
This kit is retired and no longer available.
Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models;
SoftRock V6.1 RxTx
First model with a fully functional QSD transmitter and receiver, it used the same receiver as the V6.1. It had the following features;
4X digital Quadrature clock generator for low noise receiver/transmit.
Built in low voltage regulator to help eliminate receiver noise and ground loops.
1 watt CW/SSB, capable of any mode available in the software.
Low cost op-amps pin compatible with super low-noise op amps for slightly better noise floor.
This was the most difficult kit in the series to build but it works quite well.
It's a retired kit that is no longer available.
Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models;
SoftRock V6.2 Lite
A low cost member of the SoftRock family with the following features;
4X digital Quadrature LO clock generation for low noise receive.
Low cost op-amps that are pin compatible with higher quality super low noise op-amps.
One band, selectable crystal divide ratio by a dip jumper.
Built in voltage regulator to minimize noise.
Units are available for sale at this time.
Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models;
Below are a set of small pictures of a SoftRock V6.2 Lite both finished and unfinished.
For a full size set see the blog from Bob FLickinger KI4PQV at the link below; http://www.softrockradio.org/node/46
Bottom SMD CAPS Installed
Bottom SMD CAPS n ICs Installed
Top SMD CAP Installed
Top SMD Caps and ICs Installed
Top Complete
Side1
Side2
Side3
Side4
SoftRock V6.2 RxTX
The newest member of the SoftRock family, a 40M/30M transceiver or a single band 80M or 20M transceiver.
It has the following features;
4X crystal clock with digital clock generation, for good performance.
low cost op-amps
1 watt output on CW or PEP, .3 watts AM
Built in low voltage regulator for the receiver to reduce noise and ground loops.
easier to build, components have better spacing and it uses bigger cores to make it easier to wind.
Orders are being taken now, shipping will start in mid June 2007
Here is a directory with documentation on the SoftRock models updated as of 6-10-2007;
SoftRock V7.0
A very limited number of these units were made about 200 unlike other models that were made in the 1000's
A experiment model to work with raising the usable frequency range of the SoftRocks to 30 MHz, it used a slightly different QSD detector that did help lower the noise level, but it used analog clock and quadrature generation with it's problems with phase noise. The reson being in order to keep the cost low 30 MHz would have required a 120 MHz clock in order to generate the quadrature using digital methods and would have entail use of different logic families and voltages.
Some of it's features were;
It functioned at 30 MHz although it had low sensitivity due to not having an pre-amp.
Analog Quadrature clock generation
Very limited run of 200 units.
Here is a directory with documentation on the Softrock models;