Aaron,
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you are an old biker, so you should know that there is the 32-bit original, hardware manufacturer's edition, and there is the improved version, which is installed and developed by a development team.
The latter is the 64-bit version, which is currently at v4.01.
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In order for the files released by the manufacturer and belonging to the hardware to remain when you use it in 32-bit with the original uSD card, you must copy the entire contents of the /home/pi/sbitx/data folder to an external USB stick. That's enough.
If you used the 32-bit OS to establish a QSO and modified the macro files, it is advisable to copy the *.mc files to this USB stick. You can find them in the /home/pi/sbitx/web/ folder. To copy, use the File Manager program installed on the uSD card.
You can find it in the Menu (raspberry) row by a yellow rectangle icon.
You need to use this File Manager often, it's worth learning what to do with it.
When you have this copy, put the original 32-bit uSD card in a protective packaging and place it in the box in which the device was shipped. That way you can find it there if you need it.
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Next step from 32 to 64 bit:
The latest 64-bit Image, on which sBitx 3.01 and many applications that are necessary for use are installed. The sbitx application needs to be updated only because of the development in sBitx. Don't forget, this OS should still work, it just won't have the latest (currently 4.01) installed.
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Important: always save all changes to the external USB stick. This USB stick should be the most important thing you use all the time, under any circumstances.
When you use one of the applications, make a backup of the variables (ini, log or in which you changed them) on the USB stick, so that if necessary you can restore the previous ones or have a copy of the changes.
This is needed when a new Image appears and the previous variables have to be transferred to the new Image.
If you lose your data for any other reason, you don't have to start all over again.
(I know what I'm talking about)
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The Image, which is in use and I have already changed many things, I sometimes copy to a new uSD card with the Menu-> Accessories-> SD Card Copier application.
Pete mentioned using sBitx from an external USB instead of a uSD card.
When you think you don't want to use the uSD card because you have to constantly disassemble the device, then it's time to switch to using external USB ().
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You can install the operating system on an external USB stick, which must be USB 3.0 or higher.
The contents of a well-functioning uSD card can be copied to the USB 3.0 stick using the previously mentioned SD card copier, and then a few steps must be taken so that the RPi can then understand it and start the system from there. You can find more information about this in the JJ wiki.
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But let's not get confused here, these are two different things, so you can still use the device if there is a well-functioning uSD card in the device.
HA3HZ