I like what i hear!
Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch ¨C K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner ¨C Operator Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it:
email:??bill@... ?
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On Dec 13, 2017, at 9:16 AM, Jeff (NT1K) < yccc@...> wrote: Hello all,?
I'm new to the group. I was sent here from a where they were talking about a case. I work as engineer/drafter at sheet metal fabrication company. We design, manufacture and powdercoat all sorts electronic enclosures for customers.
If I made the cut-off, I will hopefully be receiving a ubitx soon and I will be designing a case to fit the ubitx. There is a possibility of mass producing cases. It could something along the lines of but designed with stand offs for the board and screen, speaker cutout (we would have to agree on a speaker) and powdercoated mini texture black. Once I get a design I could get it properly quoted and let you all know the price. Of course it would have to be on a pre-order basis.
Price will obviously be effected by demand, the more that can be made, the cheaper it can be. Other cost savings would be the removal of press fittings and coatings.
Let me know what you think
- Jeff (NT1K)
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I guess from the comments that a pre-punched case sounds really
good. To solve the
problem of the antenna connector, don't punch it, leave it for us to
pick which one to use
I like BNC but all my antenna's are 239 so I will use 239 - no more
adapters. My BitX40
has a built in switching power supply (very small) 3 amps. But to
keep it small I will
go outboard with the PS.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with
Ed
On 12/13/2017 9:16 AM, Jeff (NT1K)
wrote:
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Hello all,?
I'm new to the group. I was sent here from a where they were
talking about a case. I work as engineer/drafter at sheet metal
fabrication company. We design, manufacture and powdercoat all
sorts electronic enclosures for customers.
If I made the cut-off, I will hopefully be receiving a ubitx
soon and I will be designing a case to fit the ubitx. There is a
possibility of mass producing cases. It could something along
the lines of
but designed with stand offs for the board and screen, speaker
cutout (we would have to agree on a speaker) and powdercoated
mini texture black. Once I get a design I could get it properly
quoted and let you all know the price. Of course it would have
to be on a pre-order basis.
Price will obviously be effected by demand, the more that can be
made, the cheaper it can be. Other cost savings would be the
removal of press fittings and coatings.
Let me know what you think
- Jeff (NT1K)
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Jeff,
Since both the uBitx and Bitx40 kits come with a BNC, that's what you should specify.
Anyone who absolutely has to have a UHF connector can easily and quickly enlarge the RF connector opening with a $10 set of Harbor Freight step-drill bits.
Step-drill bits work great for chassis work, as they can be held in the hand and don't require a drill when used on thin aluminum or plastic.
Working slowly and carefully will prevent oblong holes or tear-outs as is common with other types of common bits.
As for a speaker, a common 2"-3" diameter, 2 Watt, 8 ohm speaker from ebay should be more than adequate in a small rig like this. The TDA2822 Audio Amplifier's max power dissipation is 1.4W.
Farhan appears to be using one of that size in his prototype video, and the audio amp seems to handle the load adequately.
Whatever one you chose be sure to specify the proper mounting holes and hardware.
Another point to keep in mind is that the kit includes 8 ea. 0.5" long standoffs for mounting the PCB and the LCD display. Don't forget to specify the mounting hole size and locations.
For me, the simple satisfaction of building by hand and having a professional looking result to show for it is more important than all the bells and whistles or bragging rights of having the latest new rig.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Tom N8TPN
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I also own an Elad SDR xcvr and really like it as I can use it without a PC (no fancy display) or with one (very fancy display). The only reason I can see for not using the BITX with one is the cost. The SDRPlay is fairly cheap, but still $100 for functionality that's (mostly) already in the BITX. I really like having the SDR display during FD or contests, since I tend to be a jump-and-pounce contester.
Jack, W8TEE
From: Arvo KD9HLC via Groups.Io <arvopl@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 10:20 am, Jack Purdum wrote:
I have an RSP1A...it's amazing!
What would be the advantages of using anything else for RX?? (I'm kinda new at all this.) And if one is going to set up a spectrum analyzer that (from what I understand from the original post) picks off the incoming signal inside the BitX, why not just use the SDR for RX?
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 10:20 am, Jack Purdum wrote:
I have an RSP1A...it's amazing!
What would be the advantages of using anything else for RX?? (I'm kinda new at all this.) And if one is going to set up a spectrum analyzer that (from what I understand from the original post) picks off the incoming signal inside the BitX, why not just use the SDR for RX?
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I have an RSP1A...it's amazing!
Jack, W8TEE
From: Arvo KD9HLC via Groups.Io <arvopl@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I am not sure if you need a up-converter with the other RTL dongles as David stated some have a hard time with tuning that low.
The newest SDRPlay RSP1A tunes from 1kHz to 2GHz.
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Re: uBITX Case mic connector
A hole for a 4 pin mic in front removes the need for a 3.5mm mic connection on the front.
As a compromise, I could easily support a couple 'unassigned' 3.5mm jack holes in the back to allow for add-ons, hacks, they could also serve as ventilation if unused.
That raises the question of suitable ventilation for the chassis - passive will require a lot of holes, active (fan) might reduce that need... would the heat sink on the finals float or be bonded to the chassis?
Ken, N2VIP
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On Dec 13, 2017, at 11:58 AM, Rod Self <km6sn@...> wrote:
I fully support the request for a round 4 pin mic connector hole, front panel. There are so many 4pin mics out there. Additional 3.5mm mic hole, front panel sounds good, too.
Too many holes?
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Re: uBITX Case mic connector
I fully support the request for a round 4 pin mic connector hole,
front panel. There are so many 4pin mics out there. Additional 3.5mm
mic hole, front panel sounds good, too.
Too many holes?
On 12/13/2017 09:36 AM, Ken Hansen
wrote:
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I quite like the idea of a professional-looking case for the
uBitx, and would be interested in a case pre-drilled and with
cut-outs for the stock radio as shipped.
I have no thoughts on BNC vs SO-239, except to acknowledge
that most QRP operators seem to prefer BNC.
I would like to see a 4 pin round mic connector and headphone
jack on front panel, on the back I'd like to have the antenna
and power connection. Thoughts on power connector type? I'd like
power pole connectors, but I'll defer to others.
I'd like a top-firing 2-3" speaker, but I have no specific
recommendation.?
As for price, I know it's early in the process, but I
assume/hope the price will be less than half the price of the
uBitx radio.
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
On Dec 13, 2017, at 10:13 AM, Jeff (NT1K) < yccc@...>
wrote:
Thank you for your input Gordon, Rod, Arvo and others
Gordon, the point of the case is to have all the holes
cutout. Otherwise it would be much cheaper to purchase a
prefab case on banggood, hammond or whever and layout the
cutouts yourself. I will have it quoted using 0.060 Alum
(1.5mm) or 18ga Steel (0.048"/1.2mm). Currently the cost
of aluminum per pound is 3x more than steel. I would
consider galvannealed as well.?
Of course I will be posting 3d models and drawings for
everyone to look over. However, person wants their unique
case built to the way they want it but that is next to
impossible unless you want to pay heavily for it which I
don't think is beneficial for a $120 radio. I will
consider everyone's input as well
Only questions I would have at the moment is a specific
speaker that would be used and if they would be using a
BNC or SO-239 chassis mount.?
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Re: Seperate group for uBITX ?
Either a separate group or the hashtag if it works well...
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I quite like the idea of a professional-looking case for the uBitx, and would be interested in a case pre-drilled and with cut-outs for the stock radio as shipped.
I have no thoughts on BNC vs SO-239, except to acknowledge that most QRP operators seem to prefer BNC.
I would like to see a 4 pin round mic connector and headphone jack on front panel, on the back I'd like to have the antenna and power connection. Thoughts on power connector type? I'd like power pole connectors, but I'll defer to others.
I'd like a top-firing 2-3" speaker, but I have no specific recommendation.?
As for price, I know it's early in the process, but I assume/hope the price will be less than half the price of the uBitx radio.
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On Dec 13, 2017, at 10:13 AM, Jeff (NT1K) < yccc@...> wrote: Thank you for your input Gordon, Rod, Arvo and others
Gordon, the point of the case is to have all the holes cutout. Otherwise it would be much cheaper to purchase a prefab case on banggood, hammond or whever and layout the cutouts yourself. I will have it quoted using 0.060 Alum (1.5mm) or 18ga Steel (0.048"/1.2mm). Currently the cost of aluminum per pound is 3x more than steel. I would consider galvannealed as well.?
Of course I will be posting 3d models and drawings for everyone to look over. However, person wants their unique case built to the way they want it but that is next to impossible unless you want to pay heavily for it which I don't think is beneficial for a $120 radio. I will consider everyone's input as well
Only questions I would have at the moment is a specific speaker that would be used and if they would be using a BNC or SO-239 chassis mount.?
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I can add to the general consensus that a well thought out enclosure for the uBITX would appeal to me; SO-239 preference. Sent from my iPhone
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On Dec 13, 2017, at 9:57 AM, N8DAH < Dherron@...> wrote: BNC vs So-239 is almost a matter of preference and what your current setup looks like. I got sick of the mix and just moved all HF to so-239 no more adapters for me. If you like BNC use it, if you like so-239 use it.
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I am not sure if you need a up-converter with the other RTL dongles as David stated some have a hard time with tuning that low.
The newest SDRPlay RSP1A tunes from 1kHz to 2GHz.
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
CAP! not resistor my bad on the typo
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I just did this for a buddy with his IC-718 with direct sampling. Works very good for him using one of the dongles from RTL-SDR.com, it is pretty easy to do as well. Normally a resistor from the tap and that's about it. He did not need an up-converter for this variation. Just make sure you solder good to ground and the tap, also be sure to have some form of stress relief on the connection. I am not sure if you need a up-converter with the other RTL dongles as David stated some have a hard time with tuning that low.
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Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I'm using the RTL-SDR latest version with SDR# for HF RX.? It seems to be as good or better on RX than the BITX40, and the spectrum display makes it much easier to find traffic.
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?how much does it cost to additionally drill the holes for an SO-239?? ?I wired BOTH in one of my BItx40's....
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My vote is solidly in the BNC camp. Others can select the speaker.
After some more thought, maybe the hacking version should be a commercial off-the-shelf item
that offers a replaceable front panel. Not sure if such a beastie exists.
Don't know if you would be interested in drilling such and item.
Thanks,? Rod
On 12/13/2017 08:13 AM, Jeff (NT1K) wrote:
Thank you for your input Gordon, Rod, Arvo and others
Gordon, the point of the case is to have all the holes cutout. Otherwise it would be much cheaper to purchase a prefab case on banggood, hammond or whever and layout the cutouts yourself. I will have it quoted using 0.060 Alum (1.5mm) or 18ga Steel (0.048"/1.2mm).
Currently the cost of aluminum per pound is 3x more than steel. I would consider galvannealed as well.?
Of course I will be posting 3d models and drawings for everyone to look over. However, person wants their unique case built to the way they want it but that is next to impossible unless you want to pay heavily for it which I don't think is beneficial for a
$120 radio. I will consider everyone's input as well
Only questions I would have at the moment is a specific speaker that would be used and if they would be using a BNC or SO-239 chassis mount.?
|
My vote is solidly in the BNC camp. Others can select the
speaker.
After some more thought, maybe the hacking version should be a
commercial off-the-shelf item
that offers a replaceable front panel. Not sure if such a beastie
exists.
Don't know if you would be interested in drilling such and item.
Thanks,? Rod
On 12/13/2017 08:13 AM, Jeff (NT1K)
wrote:
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Show quoted text
Thank you for your input Gordon, Rod, Arvo and others
Gordon, the point of the case is to have all the holes cutout.
Otherwise it would be much cheaper to purchase a prefab case on
banggood, hammond or whever and layout the cutouts yourself. I
will have it quoted using 0.060 Alum (1.5mm) or 18ga Steel
(0.048"/1.2mm). Currently the cost of aluminum per pound is 3x
more than steel. I would consider galvannealed as well.?
Of course I will be posting 3d models and drawings for everyone
to look over. However, person wants their unique case built to
the way they want it but that is next to impossible unless you
want to pay heavily for it which I don't think is beneficial for
a $120 radio. I will consider everyone's input as well
Only questions I would have at the moment is a specific speaker
that would be used and if they would be using a BNC or SO-239
chassis mount.?
|
Thank you for your input Gordon, Rod, Arvo and others
Gordon, the point of the case is to have all the holes cutout. Otherwise it would be much cheaper to purchase a prefab case on banggood, hammond or whever and layout the cutouts yourself. I will have it quoted using 0.060 Alum (1.5mm) or 18ga Steel (0.048"/1.2mm). Currently the cost of aluminum per pound is 3x more than steel. I would consider galvannealed as well.?
Of course I will be posting 3d models and drawings for everyone to look over. However, person wants their unique case built to the way they want it but that is next to impossible unless you want to pay heavily for it which I don't think is beneficial for a $120 radio. I will consider everyone's input as well
Only questions I would have at the moment is a specific speaker that would be used and if they would be using a BNC or SO-239 chassis mount.?
|
Re: SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
If you're using an RTL-SDR, I think you might also want an upconverter (Ham-It-Up) as these inexpensive SDR dongles can't tune below?24MHz. The newer ones can do direct sampling for HF frequencies, but I'm not sure how well it performs.
On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 10:56 AM John McFadden < johnamcf@...> wrote: I was reading about combining a Bitx40 with an SDR dongle here:?
Has anyone else done this mod? Is RG58 or RG-174 to the same area of the case as the antenna a good idea, and can I get away with grounding only the case side and not the C23 or Q1 side??
I was going to use it with an RTL-SDR V3 dongle and a Raspberry Pi, but no idea on software yet.
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SDR dongle for spectrum analyzer with signal from Bitx40?
I was reading about combining a Bitx40 with an SDR dongle here:?
Has anyone else done this mod? Is RG58 or RG-174 to the same area of the case as the antenna a good idea, and can I get away with grounding only the case side and not the C23 or Q1 side??
I was going to use it with an RTL-SDR V3 dongle and a Raspberry Pi, but no idea on software yet.
|
K9HZ
ekelley
Arvo W0VRA
Dan Reynolds
AA7GW Gary
N8DAH
Jeff (NT1K)