Re: At my wit's end with this uBitx
Hi,
I did the calibration on V6 with the stock software and it did not remember of show the previous cal numbers for the VFO. I had to write them down. As I recall the BFO was less troublesome. I might recall that wrong. I was wrong once before you know ;)
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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On 7/27/20 12:41 PM, Evan Hand wrote: The short answer is yes.? The longer answer is that as long as you use the same Nano, the values are stored in the EEPROM area that is separate from the program area.? If you do swap out the Nano, then you need to recalibrate.? The values used before can be loaded as the calibration data to start.? What I am trying to say is that if you load the CEC software on top of the stock software in the Nano that was used for calibration.
Remember that to get the best calibration for the frequency, you should set the BFO tuning value lower than normal, zero beat to calibrate, then set the BFO tuning back to be centered between 300 and 3000 Hz.
Question for a v6 owner, does the new software show you the current calibration/tuning value, or does it go back to default as all of the prior stock versions did?? If the latter, then I other than writing down the value, there is no way to save it for later display.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Ubitx V3/V4 Outboard Relay mod board
The Gerbers are freely available, you could have boards made yourself. ??
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On Jul 27, 2020, at 12:35, Mike Short <ai4ns.mike.spam@...> wrote:
? Sorry, it is sold. On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 8:16 AM Don - KM4UDX < dontAy155@...> wrote: Mike -- sorry to be slow, but I can't figure your email.? And yes I'd love this board in my uBITX!!
Dontay155[@]
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Re: At my wit's end with this uBitx
The short answer is yes.? The longer answer is that as long as you use the same Nano, the values are stored in the EEPROM area that is separate from the program area.? If you do swap out the Nano, then you need to recalibrate.? The values used before can be loaded as the calibration data to start.? What I am trying to say is that if you load the CEC software on top of the stock software in the Nano that was used for calibration.
Remember that to get the best calibration for the frequency, you should set the BFO tuning value lower than normal, zero beat to calibrate, then set the BFO tuning back to be centered between 300 and 3000 Hz.
Question for a v6 owner, does the new software show you the current calibration/tuning value, or does it go back to default as all of the prior stock versions did?? If the latter, then I other than writing down the value, there is no way to save it for later display.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Ubitx V3/V4 Outboard Relay mod board
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On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 8:16 AM Don - KM4UDX < dontAy155@...> wrote: Mike -- sorry to be slow, but I can't figure your email.? And yes I'd love this board in my uBITX!!
Dontay155[@]
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Re: At my wit's end with this uBitx
Can the numbers that I use when calibrating the radio using the CEC software and original TFT screen be used with the Nextion? Are they even close?
It would be a good starting point for setting up the Nextion calibration.
Thanks,
K7TP
(p.s. The radio is working well with the original software and TFT screen now)
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Re: uBITX V6 Expanded System
Thanks Arv:
I'm really resisting the s/w route b/c this unit will be handled by club members. I want to keep the reliance on s/w confined to the original ver. The guys at the club can handle hardware, physical components, mods and repairs, but who knows what software capable club members may try or NOT try in the future. This way, if there's any probs, they can just refresh the original firmware and be done.
Anyhow, today I played with a couple of S-Meter circuits and where to tap the signal. I reasoned that since there is no AM carrier (dead air) to contend with that I could just calibrate a meter to the SSB and CW analog signals. Anyway, I got the meter to work very nicely and it behaves just like a regular Ham xceiver while receiving SSB. I'm using a high impedance input amp to get gain from the H side of the audio pot. That drives a 1N914 to a 10uF filter cap, then a 20K trim pot to the 500uA meter. It works perfectly. I played it side-by-side with a communications receiver to calibrate the trim pot. I'm happy and life is good. While I was at it, I added red and green LEDs thru a differential amp that indicate 'dead air' or 'signal present'. Now, when the rig is in the field I can tell if someone is calling...visually. Like when you take the headphones off to talk to your assistant (EmComm logger), or are just physically away from the radio. Flashing green means someone is calling.
Next step is adding another T/R relay to use the Preamp/Attenuator on receive.
Thanks everyone for your interest in helping us with this project.
Bob, N1KPR
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Thanks Vic and Dave
?
Not sure how I got there but now have a sketch called Master Bitx compiled okay with included library. Had to stop there as found I don¡¯t have right USB cable connection for NANO.
73
Stay safe.
Ted VA7CTA
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?
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From: Vic WA4THR via groups.io
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2020 2:57 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] BITX40 Pop Fix
?
I am not sure where you are having trouble, Ted. Do you get any error messages at the bottom of the IDE screen when compiling? Do you have the right USB port selected when connected to the Raduino?
My previous programming had been with Fortran on punched cards, then some Basic compiling on an old TRS-80, so the Arduino and C++ was totally new. When I started messing with firmware I found the "Raduino Software for Geezers" very helpful:
/g/BITX20/message/26522?p=,,,20,0,0,0::Created,,software+for+geezers,20,2,0,5045944
Once I sorted that out I was able to load Allard's sketch and then start modifying it to allow displaying an S-meter and voltmeter, and Allard was very helpful when I got stuck in the software.
=Vic=
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Re: Ubitx V3/V4 Outboard Relay mod board
Hello,
I have been trying to contact him too. The email he left looks like it goes to spam. I really could use this board but I won¡¯t pick a fight over it.
Chris?
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Re: Ubitx V3/V4 Outboard Relay mod board
Mike -- sorry to be slow, but I can't figure your email.? And yes I'd love this board in my uBITX!!
Dontay155[@gmail.com]
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Ted ,? click on the green ncode button and a popup will show you a download link Dave? kc2ipx
On Sun, Jul 26, 2020 at 11:18 PM BevTed Stanier < bevtedstan@...> wrote:
Hi Vic
Back looking for more help. I have been playing with an Arduino Uno R3 kit and had an IDE on my laptop. I actually removed it and installed another Arduino IDE via amunters instructions. I added pinchangeinterupt to the library and could
include it in a sketch but can¡¯t seem to follow the instructions to download the actual software (sketch}.
I don¡¯t get the green button that says ¡°clone or download¡± when I go to ¡°Amunter/BITX40¡±. Can you help again?
Ted
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?
?
The BitX40 with the Raduino is a pretty neat rig and I still enjoy mine, particularly as a temporary mobile rig with a mag-mounted hamstick. The first thing you might do, Ted, is to install some upgraded software. Allard Munter. PE1NWL,
wrote a wonderful sketch that does not require any hardware changes and fixes some issues on its own. Little things like tuning "clicks" and stability are vastly improved. Additionally, he has a number of very simple and well-illustrated hardware changes that
add more and more functionality. You need only to install the free Arduino IDE software on your computer to compile and load the "sketch" to the Raduino, and it is fully reversable as the original sketch is also available n Github, but I doubt anyone ever
goes backward. You can find Allard's sketch and documentation here:
=Vic=
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I am not sure where you are having trouble, Ted. Do you get any error messages at the bottom of the IDE screen when compiling? Do you have the right USB port selected when connected to the Raduino? My previous programming had been with Fortran on punched cards, then some Basic compiling on an old TRS-80, so the Arduino and C++ was totally new. When I started messing with firmware I found the "Raduino Software for Geezers" very helpful: /g/BITX20/message/26522?p=,,,20,0,0,0::Created,,software+for+geezers,20,2,0,5045944Once I sorted that out I was able to load Allard's sketch and then start modifying it to allow displaying an S-meter and voltmeter, and Allard was very helpful when I got stuck in the software. =Vic=
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Re: Digital Interface - transformer seems to drastically weaken signal
Rob,
One question: Why do you need the AnyLink interface?? I have been using the EasyDigi (really just the transformers and capacitors for audio isolation) and CAT control over the uBITX USB connection.? Reduces parts count and complexity for WSJT-X and JS8Call.
Just curiosity on my part.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Digital Interface - transformer seems to drastically weaken signal
Rob,
You can ignor my response.? There are caps on the input and output of the audio adapter board (I went back and found the schematics).
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Digital Interface - transformer seems to drastically weaken signal
Rob,
As with Gordon, I cannot get to all of the links that you posted.? Regardless, my first thought is that you are possibly shorting out any DC bias with the transformer unless you have a capacitor on the input to your op-amp/Teensy.? There is a capacitor on the output of all of the uBITX versions, which may be why it works when directly connected.? I would try a 1 uF or higher cap for DC isolation.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: uBITX V6 weird modulation
Joshua,
I have seen this type of issue when using an RTL-SDR to monitor a rig.? This was with the RTL-SDR dongle in my basement shack and the antenna 2 floors up in the attic.? I am in agreement with Reed, I too believe that you have a BFO tuning issue.? ?The wierd modulation can also be present from a tuned rig when connected to an antenna and listening on the dongle.? This is because the RTL-SDR is being swamped by the close radio, even without an antenna on the dongle.? If you use a dummy load instead of the antenna on the uBITX, it should be a cleaner signal.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: uBITX V6 weird modulation
If you transmit into a dummy load, do you get the same problem? There were a number of folks who have reported issues with RF leaking into the mic cord. While SSB shouldn't technically have any output when there's no input, on my radio I know the mixers are slightly unbalanced, leading to output on the carrier even when I'm not talking.
I'm not sure if what I wrote above fully explains your specific noise case, but fixing the BFO cal will almost certainly get your sidebands fixed.
Reed
Reed
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Re: uBITX V6 Expanded System
Bob
The arduino or raduino is programmed using C and C++, so you are nearly there.? You will need the arduino IDE for the easiest way to work on an arduino nano.
Arduino code layout is in two sections, the setup part that runs once, and a loop that runs constantly.? This allows setting up fixed variables in startup and then dynamic operations in the loop section.? The IDE provides a library (arduino.h) for? various versions of arduino hardware.? The arduino/raduino uses an arduino nano.
Good luck, and ask here if you get stuck on something.? There are some real experts on this forum.??
Arv _-_
On Sun, Jul 26, 2020, 5:06 PM Bob, N1KPR < rwbetts@...> wrote: Thanks Arv: I'm no stranger to SDR radios. I have built and serviced dozens of them. I have reloaded the operating systems and firmware, debugged problems with CAT systems, etc. But I have never played with arduino before...that's what I meant. Writing code for that would be a learning experience for me. I've dabbled with COBAL, Fortran, Basic and C++, but right now I really don't have the free time to become un-terrified of this new language...LOL.
But then, who knows what the future holds.
Thanks for your comments. Bob, N1KPR
NOTE Pls add backup address to your phone book: rwbetts@...? Engineering: Where Enigma meets Paradox
On Sunday, July 26, 2020, 4:45:17 PM EDT, Arv Evans < arvid.evans@...> wrote:
Bob N1KPR
In today's equipment much of what we used to do with hardware is now being done
with software.? This makes things more flexible because software is much easier to
change than hardware.? There are many on-line examples of good, and bad, software
that can be used as examples to learn from.
AGC sources for driving an S-Meter circuit might not be available in the BITX series,
but you can rectify some of the RF in IF circuits and use that to drive an S-Meter
circuit.? However, with the Arduino having analog inputs, which it converts to a digital
signal, you can use software to make various conversions and displays, including
very accurate S-meters.? Since the BITX designs use fixed-gain amplification your
software can be based on that to determine the actual RF level arriving at the antenna
input.? There is no built-in AGC to make the IF levels inaccurate.?
If an old geezer like me can do it, you definitely can.?
Arv? K7HKL _._
On Sun, Jul 26, 2020 at 12:57 PM Bob, N1KPR < rwbetts@...> wrote: Thank you for that information it is appreciated. I am really not a software person although I have spent 53 years in Hardware design. Maybe it's time I learn how to do some of this stuff. But as a hardware guy I'm always looking for an AGC voltage that I can convert for a logarithmic meter. I will look into this further.
Sent from my Sprint Phone.
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Re: uBITX V6 weird modulation
Is this also considering I don't have to talk to get that "modulation"?
I think there's something more than just being on the wrong side.
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Re: uBITX V6 weird modulation
Oh, and if you're using the stock software, your CW will end up offset from the displayed carrier by the tone frequency you set, which is why it's on the side band instead of at the displayed frequency. This is something I changed in my software.
Reed
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Re: uBITX V6 weird modulation
How Joshua,
This usually happens when the BFO is calibrated backwards. It can be tuned to pass either side band, so if it's calibrated to pass the USB when the software is set for LSB (or vice versa) you get this behavior.
Try recalibrating, and aim for somewhere around 11.055.300.
Reed
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Bob, N1KPR
David Nelson
Vic WA4THR