Parts List

Complete list of parts needed to build the FTDX-10 controller with Nextion display.

Required Components

Main Components

Item	Description	Quantity	Est. Price	Notes
Arduino Mega 2560	Microcontroller board with multiple serial ports	1	$15-45	Genuine or compatible
Nextion NX4832K035	3.5" Enhanced HMI touchscreen display, 480x320	1	$25-35	Must be Enhanced model
MAX3232 Module	RS232 to TTL level converter module	1	$2-5	3.3V or 5V compatible
DB9 Female Connector	Serial connector for radio	1	$2-5	Solder cup or crimp type

Total Core Components: ~$45-90

Cables and Connectors

Item	Description	Quantity	Est. Price
USB A to B Cable	For Arduino programming	1	$3-8
Jumper Wires	Male-to-female and male-to-male	1 set	$5-10
22 AWG Wire	Solid or stranded for connections	10 ft	$3-8
Shielded Cable	3-conductor for RS232	6 ft	$5-15
Heat Shrink Tubing	Assorted sizes	1 set	$5-10

Total Cables: ~$20-50

Power Supply

Item	Description	Quantity	Est. Price
5V Power Supply	5V 2A regulated power supply	1	$8-15
DC Barrel Jack	2.1mm barrel jack (optional)	1	$1-3
Power Switch	SPST switch (optional)	1	$2-5

Total Power: ~$10-25

Optional Components

Item	Description	Quantity	Est. Price	Purpose
Project Enclosure	Plastic or metal enclosure	1	$15-40	Housing
PCB Prototype Board	For permanent wiring	1	$3-10	Cleaner build
Standoffs	M3 nylon or metal standoffs	1 set	$5-10	Mounting
Ferrite Cores	Clip-on ferrite beads	3-5	$5-15	RF suppression
MicroSD Card	4-32GB for Nextion firmware	1	$5-15	Display programming
Panel Mount USB	USB extension cable	1	$5-12	Access port
Cooling Fan	40mm 5V fan	1	$5-10	If enclosed

Total Optional: ~$40-110

Tools Required

Essential Tools

Tool	Purpose	Est. Price
Soldering Iron	Solder connections	$20-100
Solder	60/40 or 63/37 rosin core	$8-15
Wire Strippers	Strip wire insulation	$10-25
Multimeter	Testing connections/voltage	$15-50
Small Screwdrivers	Assembly	$10-20
Needle Nose Pliers	Wire work	$8-15

Total Tools: ~$70-225 (if you don't already have them)

Optional Tools

Tool	Purpose	Est. Price
Helping Hands	Hold parts while soldering	$10-25
Desoldering Pump	Fix mistakes	$5-15
Heat Gun	Heat shrink tubing	$20-50
Crimping Tool	Crimp connectors	$15-50
Drill/Step Drill	Enclosure holes	$30-100
Digital Calipers	Precise measurements	$15-40

Project Cost Summary

Budget Build (Using Clones/Economy Parts)

Core Components:        $45
Cables & Connectors:    $20
Power Supply:           $10
─────────────────────────
Total:                  $75

With optional enclosure
and accessories:        $115

Quality Build (Genuine/Quality Parts)

Core Components:        $90
Cables & Connectors:    $50
Power Supply:           $25
─────────────────────────
Subtotal:              $165

Optional Components:   $110
─────────────────────────
Total:                 $275

Tool Investment (if needed)

Essential Tools:       $150
Optional Tools:        $100
─────────────────────────
Total:                 $250

Component Specifications

Arduino Mega 2560

Required Specifications:

• Microcontroller: ATmega2560
• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Digital I/O Pins: 54
• Hardware Serial Ports: 4 (we use 3)
• Flash Memory: 256 KB
• SRAM: 8 KB
• Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Compatible Alternatives:

• Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini
• Arduino Mega 2560 R3
• Any ATmega2560-based board with 3+ hardware serial ports

Nextion Display

Required Model: NX4832K035

• Display Type: TFT LCD
• Touch Type: Resistive
• Resolution: 480 x 320
• Size: 3.5 inches
• Version: Enhanced (Important!)
• Interface: UART (TTL serial)
• Operating Voltage: 5V DC
• Current: 150-200mA typical

MAX3232

Specifications:

• IC: MAX3232 or compatible (MAX232, SP3232)
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V or 5V (5V preferred)
• Channels: At least 1 TX/RX pair
• Capacitors: Include charge pump caps
• Interface: Standard 0.1" pin headers

Module Types:

• Blue PCB modules (most common)
• Red PCB modules
• Through-hole DIP modules

Check for:

• Proper capacitors installed
• TTL voltage compatible with Arduino (5V)
• TX/RX pairs clearly labeled

DB9 Connector

Specifications:

• Type: DB9 Female (DE-9F)
• Mounting: Solder cup or crimp
• Shell: Metal with mounting holes
• Gender: Female (to match radio's male RS232)

Options:

• Solder cup type: Best for permanent installation
• Crimp type: Easier but requires crimping tool
• PCB mount: Good for permanent builds
• Panel mount: Good for enclosure builds

Power Requirements

Power Budget

Component           Current Draw   Voltage
─────────────────────────────────────────
Arduino Mega        50-100mA       5V
Nextion Display     150-200mA      5V
MAX3232 Module      5-10mA         5V
─────────────────────────────────────────
Total               205-310mA      5V

Recommended PSU:    500-1000mA     5V

Why oversized supply?

• Headroom for USB devices
• Stable voltage under load
• Future expansion
• Longer supply life

Power Supply Options

Option 1: USB Power

• Pros: Simple, no extra parts
• Cons: Limited to 500mA
• Use for: Testing only

Option 2: 5V Wall Adapter

• Pros: Clean power, adequate current
• Cons: Need proper connector
• Use for: Permanent installation
• Recommended: 5V 2A regulated

Option 3: 7-12V to Arduino

• Pros: Uses Arduino regulator
• Cons: Generates heat, less efficient
• Use for: Portable installations
• Recommended: 9V 1A regulated

MicroSD Card (for Nextion Programming)

Specifications:

• Capacity: 4GB to 32GB
• Type: Standard SD or microSD with adapter
• Format: FAT32
• Class: Class 4 or higher

Purpose:

• Upload .TFT firmware to Nextion display
• One-time use (unless updating display)
• Can reuse for other purposes after

Notes:

• Must be formatted FAT32
• Files must be in root directory
• Remove after successful upload
• Not needed for normal operation

Substitutions and Alternatives

Arduino Alternatives

Can Use:

• Arduino Due (with voltage level shifters)
• ESP32 with multiple UARTs
• STM32 boards (with code modifications)

Cannot Use:

• Arduino Uno (only 1 hardware serial)
• Arduino Nano (only 1 hardware serial)
• Arduino Leonardo (only 1 hardware serial)

Display Alternatives

Can Use:

• Other Nextion Enhanced models:
  • NX4024K032 (3.2")
  • NX5024K050 (5.0")
  • NX8024K070 (7.0")

Must Modify Code For:

• Different resolutions
• Different component layouts
• Different aspect ratios

Cannot Use:

• Nextion Basic series (too slow)
• Generic TFT displays (different protocol)
• OLED displays (too small)

Level Converter Alternatives

Can Use:

• MAX232 (older, requires more capacitors)
• SP3232 (pin-compatible)
• ICL3232 (pin-compatible)
• Discrete transistor circuit (advanced)

Avoid:

• Simple resistor dividers (unreliable)
• Single transistor circuits (not bidirectional)
• USB to RS232 adapters (no direct connection)

Where to Buy

Online Retailers

Shopping List Checklist

Quick Order List

Electronics:

Optional:

Tools (if needed):

Vendor Part Numbers

Example Part Numbers

Arduino:

• Arduino Official: A000067 (Mega 2560 R3)
• ELEGOO: EL-CB-001 (Mega 2560 R3)

Nextion:

• Nextion Official: NX4832K035

MAX3232:

• Generic: "MAX3232 Module" (no standard PN)

Connectors:

• Amphenol: L717SDE09PA4 (DB9 Female)
• TE Connectivity: 5747844-3 (DB9 Female)

Important Notes

Total Project Cost: $75-275 depending on component choice

Related Resources