This page is intended to provide general support and networking for amateurs wishing to build this fascinating transceiver. It is to be used only in conjunction with the official PIC-A-STAR forum accessible via the Internet - access details follow.

The Midland Amateur Radio Club has formed a growing PIC-A-STAR construction group with the following local or near-local amateurs as confirmed constructors: Kevin (VK3CKC), Ian (VK3ZZG), Ray (VK3FTAM), Daryl (VK3XDQ), Bob (VK3WB), Peter (VK3ACJ), John (VK3HW), Nick (VK3UCK), Ken (VK3FKEN), Rob (VK3ECH) and Michael (VK3ZPY). You will find information on parts procurement, circuit boards, test equipment, etc. It will take some time, though.

It is to be noted that Australian Foundation licence holders are not permitted to use such a transceiver under the terms of their licence but there is no reason why they could not build a receiver-only version and a couple of amateurs have indicated an interest in doing just that.

A regular Pic-A-Star HF net was started on Jan 6th, 2007 on 3.655MHz at 8pm (local time) and is run every Monday night on this frequency unless there is some reason to change it. The net is open to all interested parties.
Preparation - This project, while being relatively straightforward is not for the faint-hearted to tackle in isolation. Fortunately, there is an army of developers and co-constructers accessible via the Internet to help you.

In order to become more familiar with the project's design and to see if you are really interested in building one, download the single, 45 page PDF file of the Development Articles that appeared in the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) amateur radio magazine, RadComm, and read it three times. Don't worry if you do not completely understand it all at any time. Help is available.

Having decided that you still want to build one, you will need access to development and building information - the process is detailed below. This includes the PIC 'N MIX DDS articles that are not included in the PDF mentioned above. You will also be able to post specific queries if you need particular help during construction. Download the information and keep it filed in an orderly fashion as you will refer to it often.

DO NOT build from the original article PDFs. Many design changes were made during development and you need to build to the final design. Keep in touch with the forum to ensure you are building correctly.

If you find, or are offered, any discarded HF CB radios or HF amateur transceivers, grab them - regardless of condition. They are a source of PA stages, filters, relays, front ends, etc., and will come in handy later on for the sections that are not provided as an integral part of the PIC-A-STAR project. Get your junk box stocked.

The access process for the information and assistance forums was changed in September, 2008 when the designer closed the original forum and consolidated the design/build information in a new repository. The required process now requires builders to have access to the new repository and separate access to the new forum for assistance. Here is the new procedure:

1. Create a log-in/registration to the PicaProject web site - maintained by the Picastar designer - Peter Rhodes, G3XJP. All the required Picastar information (and lots more) is kept there. The process is, you submit your registration and within a day or two, it comes back if approved and you're in.

2. Create a log-in/registration to the Picastar Users Forum. Here you will get daily questions/answers on building/commissioning Picastar. The same log-in/registration process applies as above.

3. Another site of interest and worth keeping an eye on is Homebrew Radios. Some interesting associated development work is going on here.
Parts Sourcing - There are a few parts that, due to their relatively specialised nature, are not available from your typical corner electronics parts supplier. Some tracking down work may be needed.

Glenn Percy, VK3PE, has provided me with an initial list of sources that he has used for his build. In the spirit of the PIC-A-STAR Project, he has made downloadable sourcing information available to anyone who might need it via this Parts Sourcing link. If you happen to locate parts from different and/or cheaper sources, please let me know so that they can be included for the benefit of every builder.

Members of the Midland Amateur Radio Club building group need not individually concern themselves with parts sourcing. This will be arranged for you.
Paul Engler, VK3XDE, gave another lecture at the Centre Victoria RadioFest held at Kyneton on 10/02/2008. The question period brought up questions relating to the programming processes once you get your build to that point. Details of what is required are available on the Forum but Paul has provided me with an RS232 Connections PDF file to show you the connections you need to make to allow for the required data transfer.

The actual process itself will probably be much clearer once you get to that stage. Don't try and learn everything in one go. Take it a step at a time - checking everything along the way.

Keep checking this page for updates.

Email: General Information: vk3cmz@marc.org.au.
Created 2007 by Kevin Crockett. Comments and suggestions may be e-mailed to