Having fun with mine as well.?? I did not bother to try the OTG
adapter at all, but I've been doing stuff with various RPis for a
while so I had several of the necessary USB and mini HDMI adapters
around.
For my keyboard and mouse I used a small multi port USB hub and
that's working fine.??? I do like the idea of a bluetooth keyboard
though, and one with a trackball would be awesome.? That would
keep from putting too much regular stress on that mini USB
connector.? Mind sharing which keyboard/trackball you're using?
As for batteries, I got a four pack of the 18650s and a charger,
but you can kill a set of those pretty quickly on an FT8 operating
session, so I have a 12.5-7V dc to dc converter on the way.? As
long as noise isn't an issue, I'll probably use that and run it
off my battery box.? I'm also an RC guy, so I thought I might make
an adapter for a Lipo 2S pack as well.? I have several of those
available.
73, Steve KF8KI
On 5/23/2025 12:11 AM, Gwen Patton via
groups.io wrote:
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Yeah, I ran
into the same issue with that OTG adapter. I think it's not
so much an OTG adapter as a crisp, tasty waffle. I had one
around, and, like you, got my keyboard and mouse working.
Then I paired a handheld keyboard with a trackpad built in,
and I'll likely use that. I think I'm going to make a
technical bag to go along with the radio's go-bag, one with
an HDMI cable, a 14-inch portable screen, and a better
bluetooth keyboard I have that's got a built in trackball.
Each of those things is bigger than the repurposed
photographer's bag I'm using for the radio and its immediate
gear. I need to get the radio out and update the firmware
and UI anyway, so I'll do the pairing for the new keyboard
while I have it out.
I got an
8-pack of 18650 batteries and a USB-C powered 4-place
charger that has been a real workhorse. I like that it
doesn't need a mains plug. I'm about halfway through
assembly of a 5-band link dipole. Once I get the basic build
put together, I'll run it up a telescoping mast and tune it
up. Then I'll crimp on bullet lugs to make connecting the
links easy, and it'll be in service. I've got a 3-band link
dipole already, but I need to replace the connectors in the
links, and it doesn't have my favorite bands in it. Besides,
I made the new one out of Kev-Flex. Durable.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P
BitXers,
??? Been playing with and
learning my new zBitx and I am having a blast.? I have
made a couple CW contacts almost immediately after
receiving my unit.? I had a couple unexpected hiccups in
that I wasn't prepared for the "Mini-HDMI".? The other
was the USB-OTG adapter that came with it was bad.?
Fortunately I had another stuffed in a drawer and
decided to try it.? Keyboard came right up and I was
able to get the unit up in Host mode.? I paired up my
bluetooth keyboard so I no longer have to deal with the
USB port for that.
I am running a portable
16inch (USB powered) monitor along with the wireless
keyboard and can run the rig on either 18650 batteries
or my Bioenno 1212Ah based battery box.? Got the clock
sync'd up and started up FT8 on 20m and made my first
contact within in a minute....
Great start so far.? It's
not a KX2 but this little unit is a lot of fun
especially with all the build in apps which I still need
to play with.
Attached is a couple of
photos.
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
