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2 layers232.3 × 186.9 mmTX 50MHz 1W, the printed circuit board in 3D

TX 50MHz 1W

ne9n/RC_6m

This project focuses on designing and building a modern 50MHz (6-meter) radio control system using the amateur radio bands.

Size
232.3 × 186.9 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
51
Nets
37
Pads
258
Tracks, vias
0, 0
Routed
Not yet
KiCad
KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
Created
9 Jul 2026
Updated
22 Oct 2026

Overview

TX 50MHz 1W is an open-source printed circuit board by ne9n, from the ne9n/RC_6m repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 232.3 × 186.9 mm with 51 parts on 37 nets.

It is built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8, LMR33630BDDA and AP2112K-3.3TRG1, with the SI5351A-B-GT and AUX6 among its other parts. Its parts include 17 capacitors, 11 connectors, 10 ICs, 6 inductors and 4 resistors. It belongs with the ESP32 boards of this library.

Main components

5

README

README.md

6-Meter Ham Band RC Transceiver Project

This project focuses on designing and building a modern 50MHz (6-meter) radio control system using the amateur radio bands. It features a high-power 1W transmitter and a high-sensitivity receiver, integrated into a vintage Kraft 7 transmitter case with a modern digital encoder.

📁 Repository Structure

📡 TX Hardware

  • PA_Design_Details.md [blocked]: 1W RD01MUS2 Power Amplifier design and filtering.
  • Digital_Encoder_Conversion.md [blocked]: Strategy for upgrading the Kraft 7 to digital.
  • Kraft_Digital_UI_Wiring.md [blocked]: Pinout for ESP32, ADS1115, and OLED.
  • TX_Schematic_Blueprint.md [blocked]: Pin-to-pin wiring for KiCad TX entry.
  • TX_BOM.md [blocked]: Parts list for building the transmitter.
  • Analog_Wiring_Harness.md [blocked]: Physical wiring for Kraft sticks and auxiliary pots.
  • Case_Modification_Guide.md [blocked]: Cutting, mounting, and mechanical integration for the Kraft case.
  • Battery_Management_Design.md [blocked]: LiPo conversion and USB-C charging for the Kraft case.

🛩️ RX Hardware

  • RX_Design_Details.md [blocked]: Front-end LNA, LT5560 upconverter (118.2MHz LO, ~169MHz IF), and Si4463 FSK receiver.
  • Receiver_Servo_Design.md [blocked]: Servo bus wiring and MCU integration.
  • RX_PCB_Design_Guide.md [blocked]: Physical layout, grounding, and stackup for the RX board.
  • RX_Schematic_Blueprint.md [blocked]: Pin-to-pin wiring for KiCad schematic entry.
  • RX_Power_Supply_Design.md [blocked]: Servo bus filtering and 3.3V LDO design.
  • RX_BOM.md [blocked]: Parts list for building the receiver.

💻 Software

  • Kraft_7_Firmware_Skeleton.ino [blocked]: Full code structure for dual ADC and Si5351 handler.
  • Firmware_Protocol_Spec.md [blocked]: GFSK modulation logic and 50MHz packet structure.
  • Si5351_GFSK_Driver.cpp [blocked]: C++ driver for frequency-pulling modulation.
  • Firmware_Implementation.md [blocked]: GFSK modulation and Si4463 packet reception over SPI.
  • Trim_Implementation.md [blocked]: Digital trim logic and math.
  • Project_Recommendations.md [blocked]: ELRS and SimpleTX project guidance.
  • Telemetry_Protocol_Design.md [blocked]: 2-way 50MHz data packet definition.

📜 System Documentation

  • System_Requirements.md [blocked]: High-level project specifications and architectural goals.
  • 6m_ham_rc_transceiver_design.md [blocked]: System architecture and block diagrams.
  • Initial_BOM.md [blocked]: Complete parts list for ordering.
  • PCB_Layout_Strategy.md [blocked]: RF grounding and isolation rules.
  • PCB_Footprint_Guide.md [blocked]: SMT footprints and assembly instructions.
  • PCB_Footprint_Mapping.md [blocked]: KiCad library mapping for all BOM parts.
  • RF_Range_Analysis.md [blocked]: Theoretical range and link budget for 1W on 50MHz.
  • Datasheets:
    • SPF5043Z.pdf [blocked]: High-performance GaAs pHEMT MMIC LNA (50-4000 MHz).
    • Murata_SFE_10.7_Reference.md [blocked]: Technical specs for the 10.7MHz IF Ceramic Filter. Superseded (2026-09-28): the 10.7MHz IF was replaced by a ~169MHz IF into an Si4463.
  • KiCad Projects:
    • TX_50MHz_1W.kicad_sch [blocked]: Main Transmitter Schematic.
    • RX_50MHz_SDR.kicad_sch [blocked]: Main Receiver Schematic.
    • RX_50MHz_SDR.net [blocked]: Netlist for Receiver layout.
    • TX_50MHz_1W.net [blocked]: Netlist for Transmitter layout.
    • KiCad_Import_Instructions.md [blocked]: Step-by-step guide to building the boards.

🛠️ Project Goals

  1. 2-Way Communication: Telemetry feedback (Battery, RSSI) from plane to transmitter.
  2. High Power: 1W output for superior range and reliability on the 50MHz band.
  3. Modern Digital Link: Moving away from old analog PPM to a robust GFSK digital protocol (ELRS-inspired).
  4. Vintage Aesthetic: Preserving the classic feel of the Kraft 7 transmitter while providing modern performance.

Maintained by ne9n.

Parts

51
QtyValueFootprintReferences
60.1uFC_0603_1608MetricC6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11
3180nHL_0805_2012MetricL3, L4, L5
31uFC_0603_1608MetricC13, C15, C16
210nFC_0603_1608MetricC1, C17
2120pFC_0805_2012MetricC2, C5
2220pFC_0805_2012MetricC3, C4
24.7kR_0603_1608MetricR3, R4
11.0uH (RFC)L_1206_3216MetricL2
110.2kR_0603_1608MetricR2
110.7MHz Murata SFEResonator_SMD_Murata_SFECV-3Pin_6.9x2.9mmFL1
110uFC_0805_2012MetricC12
110uHL_0805_2012MetricL6
1150nHL_0603_1608MetricL1
122uFC_0805_2012MetricC14
126.000MHzCrystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mmY1
140.2kR_0603_1608MetricR1
15V Logic InJST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_VerticalJ9
1ADS1115IDGSR (0x48)HVSSOP-10-1EP_3x3mm_P0.5mm_EP1.83x1.89mmU6
1ADS1115IDGSR (0x49)HVSSOP-10-1EP_3x3mm_P0.5mm_EP1.83x1.89mmU7
1AIL StickJST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ1
1ANTSMA_Amphenol_132289_EdgeMountJ11
1AP2112K-3.3TRG1SOT-23-5U10
1AUX5JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ6
1AUX6JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ5
1AUX7JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ7
1BGS12SN6E6327XTSA1 (T/R SW)Infineon_PG-TSNP-6-10_0.7x1.1mm_0.7x1.1mm_P0.4mmU3
1ELE StickJST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ2
1ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U1
1I2C Exp / OLEDJST_XH_B4B-XH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_VerticalJ10
1LMR33630BDDATexas_HSOP-8-1EP_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mm_ThermalViasU9
1LT5560 (Mixer)DFN-8-1EP_2x2mm_P0.5mm_EP0.6x1.2mmU5
1RD01MUS2 (1W PA)SOT-89-3Q1
1RUD StickJST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ4
1SH1106 1.3in OLEDJST_XH_B4B-XH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_VerticalU8
1SPF5043Z (LNA)SOT-343_SC-70-4U4
1Si5351A-B-GTMSOP-10_3x3mm_P0.5mmU2
1THR StickJST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_VerticalJ3
1V_BATT In (XT30)JST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_VerticalJ8

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Questions

How big is the TX 50MHz 1W PCB?

It measures 232.3 × 186.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the TX 50MHz 1W use?

51 parts, built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8, LMR33630BDDA, AP2112K-3.3TRG1 and SI5351A-B-GT. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the TX 50MHz 1W KiCad files?

From the ne9n/RC_6m repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is KiCad_Projects/TX_50MHz_1W/TX_50MHz_1W.kicad_pcb and its schematic KiCad_Projects/RX_50MHz_SDR/RX_50MHz_SDR.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the TX 50MHz 1W design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask ne9n before reusing the design.