JI1FGX/DU9 Amateur Radio Diary, Mindanao, Philippines, IOTA OC-130
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A diary of life in Mindanao.
26/11/07  SatBox_Ver0.1.1c-beta IC-9700 Test VersionUpdated
26/11/07  SatBox User GuideUpdated
26/11/03 An FT-847 for SatBox DevelopmentUpdated
26/11/02 Buying a ZT219 Digital MultimeterUpdated
26/10/28  Building a home server using Linux
26/10/27  Repeater Controller Features and Settings
26/10/27  Repeater Controller Board and Firmware
26/10/26  JTDX Auto Run Ver0.7.7Updated
26/10/26  WSJT-X Auto Run Ver0.1.6Updated
26/10/22  Memories of UNIX and Networking from My Yonezawa Ham Shack
26/10/20  Acquiring a YAESU FT-2600M for a Repeater
26/10/19  Rotator Relay Interface for Sale
26/10/18  Kenpro Rotator Interface KiCAD DATA
26/10/17  JOTA in Indonesia: Jamboree on the Air
26/10/17  You Can Now Leave Comments
26/10/11  Installing Arduino IDE
26/10/09  DXCC200 Sticker Arrives from ARRL
26/10/08  SatBox Cloud Released
26/10/06  Bought an ECS LIVA Z Mini PC on Yahoo Auctions
26/10/05   QSO with C5R in The Gambia
26/10/04  Installing Raspberry Pi OS
26/10/02  Repeater Controller Features and Settings
26/10/01  Repeater Controller Board and Firmware
26/09/30  Ordering PCBs and Assembly from JLCPCB
26/09/24  UNITRUST Electronics Parts Shop
26/09/22  Kenpro Rotator Interface
26/09/18  SatBox KiCad PCB and firmware
26/09/14  designed a circuit board for SatBox
26/09/12  Solar Power System Plan
26/09/09  Satellite SatBox Part 4
26/09/04  My grandson Zion
26/08/29  Ham Fair 2026 to be held
26/08/25  QSO with RI1FJL from Franz Josef Land
26/08/23  Satellite QSO via RS-44
26/08/22  Currently, Satellite VUCC46
26/08/16  Satellite SatBox Development in Progress - Part 3
26/08/05  IC-820H Receiver Sensitivity Test
26/08/02  Satellite SatBox Development in Progress - Part 2
26/07/16  Delivery of the 3D printed panels
26/07/09  Development of SatBox for satellites
26/07/05  Weather Monitor Indoor Unit
26/06/30  Creating data for 3D printers using FreeCAD
26/06/16  Installing an AS5600 magnetic encoder on a KR-500.
26/06/05  Grandson Zion's CQ
26/06/04  Replacing the potentiometer on the KR-500 elevation rotator
26/06/03 Making a Repeater Controller Pert4
26/06/01   Weather Monitor software
26/05/31   Weather Monitor
26/05/21   JTDX Auto Run BUGFIX
26/05/17  Repair of satellite antenna system
26/05/13  Repair of Alinco DR130
26/05/07  Making a Repeater Controller Pert3
26/05/03  Indonesian satellite friend YC8RPK
26/04/26  DXCC200 achieved
26/04/23  Communication via ISS voice repeater
26/04/20  WSJT-X Auto Run Ver0.1.5
26/04/19  Got an Alinco DR-130
26/04/15  Clublog Charts
26/04/10  Regarding POC transceivers
26/04/08  Using KENWOOD AT-300 with YAESU radio
26/03/17  How to establish a radio club in the Philippines
26/03/10  KENWOOD AT-300 with YAESU radio
26/02/27  Philippine NTC Amateur Radio License Examination Question Bank
26/02/20  Package received from JK1SNS
26/02/18  Temporary License Renewal
26/02/14  Satellite Tracking Software SatTrack
26/02/05  Making a Repeater Controller Pert2
26/02/02  CQ on satellite IO-86
26/01/27  Shack & Repeater Controller
26/01/16  Making a Repeater Controller
26/01/16  Making aRotator Interface PCB
26/01/10  Satellite antenna installation
26/01/08 WSJT-X Remote Operation
26/01/07 JTDX Remote Operation
26/01/04  log_reciver_Ver2.6.6
26/01/04  Tailscale VPN software for JTDX_Remote

Online Multiple Choice Reviewers to
the Phil Amateur Radio Examination
by 4F3EW

A joint project by JI1FGX/DU9 and DV9JRD

Ordering PCBs and Assembly from JLCPCB (September 30, 2026)
I used KiCad to design the SatBox schematics and printed circuit board.
The version used was KiCad 10.0.1 (release build).
KiCad is free and feature-rich, but I initially found it difficult to learn how to use it.
I worked through the design by asking ChatGPT for help whenever I was unsure about an operation.
This page uses SatBox as an example to explain how to order PCB fabrication and surface-mount assembly from JLCPCB. The screenshots and prices are from this order.
Main Components in the SatBox Digital Circuit
ESP32-S3Microcontroller
DS3231RTC (real-time clock)
ST77965/FT63363.5-inch TFT LCD / capacitive touch panel
ADS11154-channel A/D converter
ULN28038-channel Darlington transistor array
RS-232C/TTL converter moduleRS-232C interface
SatBox digital schematic, including the microcontroller, clock, display, and touch input circuits.

Figure 1. SatBox digital schematic, including the microcontroller, clock, display, and touch input circuits.
Main Components in the SatBox Radio and Audio Circuits
SA818S VHFVHF 1 W transceiver
SA818S UHFUHF 1 W transceiver
PAM8406DStereo audio amplifier
SatBox radio and audio schematic, showing the circuitry around the VHF/UHF modules and audio amplifier.

Figure 2. SatBox radio and audio schematic, showing the circuitry around the VHF/UHF modules and audio amplifier.
Next, I designed the board in the KiCad PCB Editor.
After placing the components, I used the Freerouting external plugin to route the board automatically.
Automatic routing still requires careful review and manual adjustments.
PCB layout created in the KiCad PCB Editor.

Figure 3. PCB layout created in the KiCad PCB Editor.
For this order, JLCPCB will assemble the surface-mount components.
Components that I will solder by hand are excluded from the assembly data.
In the footprint properties for each of these components, select "Exclude from position files" and "Exclude from bill of materials."
Settings to exclude hand-soldered components from the BOM and component position files.

Figure 4. Settings to exclude hand-soldered components from the BOM and component position files.
Open Tools → External Plugins → Fabrication Toolkit.
This plugin exports the files needed for PCB fabrication and assembly, including Gerber files, the BOM, and component placement data.
Launching Fabrication Toolkit from the external plugins menu in KiCad.

Figure 5. Launching Fabrication Toolkit from the external plugins menu in KiCad.
Review the Fabrication Toolkit settings, then click Generate to create the files.
The Fabrication Toolkit export window. Click Generate to create the output files.

Figure 6. The Fabrication Toolkit export window. Click Generate to create the output files.
Go to the JLCPCB quotation page and upload the ZIP archive containing the Gerber files generated by Fabrication Toolkit.
For this order, I uploaded SatBox.zip.
The JLCPCB quotation page. Upload the Gerber files and review the board specifications.

Figure 7. The JLCPCB quotation page. Upload the Gerber files and review the board specifications.
Enable PCB Assembly to have JLCPCB assemble the surface-mount components as well as fabricate the boards.
Enabling PCB Assembly to order component assembly along with PCB fabrication.

Figure 8. Enabling PCB Assembly to order component assembly along with PCB fabrication.
Check the assembly side and quantity. Select Yes for the component placement confirmation option, then click Next.
Example assembly settings: top side, five boards, and component placement confirmation enabled.

Figure 9. Example assembly settings: top side, five boards, and component placement confirmation enabled.
Review the board preview, then click Next.
The board preview generated from the uploaded files.

Figure 10. The board preview generated from the uploaded files.
Upload the BOM and CPL files. Once both files are selected, click Process BOM & CPL.
BOM (Bill of Materials)Lists component references, names or part numbers, quantities, and other details.
It specifies which components to use.
CPL (Component Placement List)Records the coordinates, rotation, and assembly side (top or bottom) of each component.
It specifies where each component goes and its orientation.
The BOM and CPL upload fields. Select the bill of materials and component placement file separately.

Figure 11. The BOM and CPL upload fields. Select the bill of materials and component placement file separately.
Both files have been selected. Click Process BOM & CPL to continue.

Figure 12. Both files have been selected. Click Process BOM & CPL to continue.

On the next screen, match the components in the uploaded BOM to the JLCPCB parts catalog and confirm the parts to be assembled.

The left side shows the component references, values, and footprints from the design. The right side shows the corresponding part numbers, specifications, required quantities, and prices.

Check that resistance, capacitance, voltage ratings, package sizes, and other specifications match the design.
For mismatched parts or parts with insufficient stock, choose an alternative or exclude them from assembly.
JLCPCB will assemble the parts you confirm.

BOM matching results. Review the selected part numbers, specifications, and quantities.

Figure 13. BOM matching results. Review the selected part numbers, specifications, and quantities.
If any parts have insufficient stock or have not been selected, look for suitable alternatives or consider excluding them from assembly.
I also used ChatGPT to help find alternative part candidates.
Examples of insufficient stock and unmatched components that require further review.

Figure 14. Examples of insufficient stock and unmatched components that require further review.
This preview shows the surface-mount components placed on the board.
Check that component positions, orientations, and polarities match the design.
Board preview showing the components selected for assembly.

Figure 15. Board preview showing the components selected for assembly.
Review the PCB fabrication and assembly (PCBA) quotation, then click Save to Cart.
Reviewing the quotation for PCB fabrication and assembly.

Figure 16. Reviewing the quotation for PCB fabrication and assembly.
Review the order details and quotation in the cart.
For this order, fabrication of five boards cost US$12.00 and PCB assembly (PCBA) cost US$57.30, bringing the item subtotal to US$69.30.
Adding US$10.02 for shipping and subtracting a US$10.00 coupon discount gives a displayed total of US$69.32.

After checking the order details, click Secure Checkout to proceed with payment and place the order.
The shopping cart. The displayed total is US$69.32 after shipping and the coupon discount.

Figure 17. The shopping cart. The displayed total is US$69.32 after shipping and the coupon discount.
September 24, 2026   October 1, 2026