Build an RF Stepped Attenuator with Integrated Dummy Antenna and Arduino Control!

[@DavidTipton101]

That is a super neat project Manuel, so professional 👍🙂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍 thanks Dave

[@daveys]

Top piece of kit there Manuel! I could imagine a few amateur radio clubs wanting to build those kits as group projects.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@JonRig]

Absolutely superb! Well done Manuel!! This is a brilliant piece of work with a lot of thought and creativity. This is one being added to my project list for sure! 🙂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Mine is already on the rack and has actually been used 😊

[@kd2eat]

Very nice project. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Pleasure

[@aiatollastolla]

You have a new supporter! Thank you for another excellent project.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

My pleasure 👍

[@BJcanal270]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge 💯

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Pleasure

[@mackfisher4487]

Manuel, your Prof. may have criticize coding but certainly give you an A+ for the whole project. The generosity at helping the community with the Arduino programming and the burden of international shipping certainly keep you on Santa’s good list. Hopefully the Portuguese post authority will be kind to you.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

We can but hope 😊

[@sincerelyyours7538]

An excellent and useful project! I think I will build one over the holidays. I know nothing about ChatGPT and was unaware that it could code an Arduino. Will be reviewing your Part 1 of this project to see how that is done. The dummy antenna looks especially useful. Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

When measuring voltages with a scope you want the signal to be the biggest you can get. Remember the input is probably an 8 bit and spread over the whole screen. So the bigger the signal the more bits being counted so more accurately,measured.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@valebabis]

Excellent job .

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@haraldlonn898]

Great work. Thanks.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@BalticLab]

I would love to see a test with a much higher frequency, at least 10 MHz, even better 30+ MHz. What I expect to see is diminished attenuation due to capacitive coupling between the traces and vias. What I am curios about is how bad it will be at higher frequencies. In a future design, you could implement via-stitching with grounded vias to reduce any coupling. Additionally, I expect that with higher frequencies, even at the 0 dB position, there'll be quite a significant loss. Impedance matchign the traces would also be a recommended improvement. Not sure up to what frequency range you intent to use the circuit, but the suggested improvements will be relevant sooner than later.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

Those hf signals are great at going where you don't want them to. I think in this case as its not going to be used a calibrated environment even if its 3db out I don't think the radios will notice.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@tgr131]

Would love to request a board. Do we just email you? fascinating project!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Not the board. I’ll only supply the programmed arduino nano.

[@patricetaillandier9481]

Hi Manuel another very good project and I appreciate so much your explanations about it. I want to built this unit. In you video I understand you have two versions of the sketch (i.no file) one made with the help of chatgpt and another of you own with the acceleration demonstrated at the end. I can find the chatgpt version on you Google drive but not your own version that I would prefer. Please will you make it available. Thank you once again.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Sure. I’ll check and post it if it’s not there. Will be there tomorrow.

[@mrmac9184]

G’day Mate 😂 I’m watching this video as I type. Went onto PCBWAY but cannot see the project there as yet. I’m very interested in trying my hand at this thanks Myles VK2ASS

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Follow the links in the video description. Both boards are there.

[@anandarochisha]

Wow..fantastic effort. Maybe Chat GTP can find me a wife..

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I think you'll do better yourself :)

[@keeshofwegen5822]

Watch out with the led pins Sometimes the vcc and gnd are switched Ask me how I know😮

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Pffft ... I know