Not every project has to be complicated– reinventing the wheel has its place, but sometimes you find a module or two that does exactly what you want, and the project is more than halfway done. That the kind of project [mircemk]’s Simple Retro Style VFO is — it’s a variable frequency oscillator for HAM and other use, built with just a couple of modules.
The modules in question are the SI5351 Clock Generator module, which is a handy bit of kit with its own crystal reference and PLL to generate frequencies up to 150 MHz, and the Elecrow CrowPanel 1.28inch-HMI ESP32 Rotary Display. The ESP32 in the CrowPanel controls the SI5351 module via I2C; control is via the rest of the CrowPanel module. This Rotary Display is a circular touchscreen surrounded by a rotary display, so [mircmk] has all the inputs he needs to control the VFO.
To round out the parts count, he adds an appropriate connector, plus a power switch, red LED and a lithium battery. One could include a battery charger module as well, but [mircmk] didn’t have one on hand. Even if he had, that still keeps the parts count well inside the single digits. If you like video, we’ve embedded his about the project below; if not the write up on Hackaday.io is upto [mircmk]’s typical standard.
People have been using the SI5351 to make VFOs for years now, but the addition of the round display makes for a delightfully retro presentation.
Thanks to [mircmk] for the tip.
Nice to see an implementation that is as beautiful as it is functional (IMO of course).
That’s a slick build. I love the rotary display. Calling it a single-digit parts count build is perhaps a little misleading as several of the “parts” are densely packed modules with dozens of parts. No shade towards the builder though, that’s a great innovation over the same old Arduino-si5351-LCD combo.
Where’s the rest of it, as in the glass tube behind it? It looks rather VT retro for sure.
Too bad they aren’t as big as a o-scope or console radio dial.
There’s a larger version, much higher resolution, for only twice the price, still very cheap.
OK, that rotary display is sexy. I said it. Brilliant stuff.
That’s a modern VFO knob, the kind of type which, say, an FT-817 uses.
A vintage VFO knob, as used by, say, FT-101, is smooth and has no steps.
I’m not sure that bragging about the “low parts count” makes any more sense than placing a traditional old-school analog VFO in a module and counting that module as one part.
But.. as digital VFOs go this is a pretty slick looking one, good job on that!
I am wondering, might it benefit from one more “module”? I’m thinking a buffer amplifier.
I agree that’s a sexy knob. (and if you see innuendo in that, that’s on you)
And the workflow example for the ham application looks really well thought out. Good job Mirko!
And it’s pretty darned inexpensive for what it is.
Anybody actually used one of these and can report? A nice, big knob that’s easy to grasp and smooth to turn is a joy to use, but is ruined by wobbly and sloppy, gritty bearings. Looking at the video it looks like this device falls into that latter category.
Also, how do you read the display if your hand is in front, you know, turning the knob. You either hold it awkwardly off the side in an effete pincer grip, princess-like, or your fat mitt is covering up the display.
Also: more info at https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/projects/build-simple-retro-style-vfo-with-crowpanel-1.28-inch-round-display/77576640a2ea4a28a72f5dd729c13220
How was the knob mounted? It looks like it was glued to a sub-panel mounted behind the front panel.
It is definitely a solution in search of a problem.