Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
Hi all
QDX does sequential tone FSK modes. That includes WSPR, FT8, JS8Call, JT4, JT8, JT65, RTTY and others.?
MFSK is also a sequential tone FSK modes so MFSK is OK.?
I lost count of all the different digital modes but MFSK, sequential FSK, is what works on QDX - which is not EVERY digital mode but certainly covers many (the majority?) including the world's most popular FT8.?
Phase-shift keyed modes like PSK31, are not currently supported; any modes involving multiple simultaneous tones in the SSB channel are not supported; and CW is not currently supported. Yes you could make it do CW but since there isn't any RF envelope amplitude shaping you'd have a horribly clicky signal.?
73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 07:20 PM, Jack, W8TEE wrote:
In part, it might vary according to the soldering being used. I have some 0.015" solder that literally evaporates with the temp as low as 325. I regularly use 0.022" 62/36/2 solder from Radio Shack.
Haha that is exactly the solder I am using - 0.015" silver bearing from RS.? Works great.? Got several from a store that was closing.? Also have the 0.022" size solder. I've got 15 capacitors done.? Taking a break.? Not hard, just a bit tedious.? :) I'm using a 90 degree tweezers (only good one I have).? And a 9" magnifier light positioned a foot above the board.? Plus a foil pan under the board which helped already to save a cap. Not fun but not horrible either.? Probably get a lot easier with practice.
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Hi Paul:
In part, it might vary according to the soldering being used. I have some 0.015" solder that literally evaporates with the temp as low as 325. I regularly use 0.022" 62/36/2 solder from Radio Shack.
When I use it, my iron is around 385. If I'm using solder paste, I run the air gun a little hotter than that. I also find a magnifying headset invaluable, as well as an "elbow" set of tweezers.
For resistors and caps, I lightly tin one pad, move the SMD onto the pads, touch the tinned pad with the iron, using the elbow tweezers to hold it in place. A second or two later, I solder the other pad. Piece of cake even for an old person.
Jack, W8
On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 09:30:29 PM EDT, Paul Jensen via groups.io <wkend_traveler@...> wrote:
On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 07:51 AM, Jack, W8TEE wrote:
Our T41-EP uses 1206 SMDs on all boards.
What is the best temperature to use for soldering these 1206 SMD parts?? I have a temperature controlled solder station and set it exactly. Just got the TSW board a few days ago and soldered the first SMD capacitor on the board.
-- Jack, W8TEE
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
I use 750 degrees F and 63/37 solder with excellent results.
Jim, W0EB
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On Oct 12, 2021, at 8:33 PM, Paul Jensen via groups.io <wkend_traveler@...> wrote:
?On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 07:51 AM, Jack, W8TEE wrote:
Our T41-EP uses 1206 SMDs on all boards.
What is the best temperature to use for soldering these 1206 SMD parts?? I have a temperature controlled solder station and set it exactly. Just got the TSW board a few days ago and soldered the first SMD capacitor on the board.
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 07:51 AM, Jack, W8TEE wrote:
Our T41-EP uses 1206 SMDs on all boards.
What is the best temperature to use for soldering these 1206 SMD parts?? I have a temperature controlled solder station and set it exactly. Just got the TSW board a few days ago and soldered the first SMD capacitor on the board.
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HF Digital Voice Modulation modes
Hi,
After seeing how cool the idea of building a transceiver (the QDX) for digital modes is, because they do not require a linear final RF output stage is. And getting five watts out with just plastic signal transistors.?
The question is, are there any potential modulation schemes that might only require a nonlinear RF final and provide acceptable or even very good performance, on HF bands, as a new mode for ham radio digital voice. Doesn't need to be as bandwidth conserving or as good S/N wise as OFDM, but something that could make low cost voice transceivers, with energy efficient RF final stages possible.?
Tom, wb6b
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
My ill informed 2 cents. It doesn¡¯t support MFSK or any multi simultaneous tone mode.?
but dominoEX and THOR and Field-Helschriber are all variations of single tone schemes? So they could work, maybe?
And if the computer generates CW, why wouldn¡¯t the digital rig reproduce the sound card wave form? It seems not much different than FTx from the rig perspective?
I don¡¯t know why I care. ? I couldn¡¯t even buy one of the stupid kit radios anyway. Hahahah ?
?
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Re: ?BITX on 70MHz (4mtrs) UK/EU Band ?
#ubitxv6
If you want to use uBiTX just for 70Mhz, easiest way woud be to replace 45MHz filter with a BPF on 70MHz, exclude first mixer and HF LPF, change the PA (3 transistor is enough for around 10W). You also need to make some minimal software changes.. regarding LO's usage.
Good luck de YO5PBG.
On Mon, Oct 11, 2021 at 9:48 PM Lawrence Galea < 9h1avlaw@...> wrote:
I believe that changing the 30MHz low pass filter to a 70MHz band pass filter and modifying the code to allow 4m operation should be enough to have a 4m exiter and receiver.
Naturally the PA would need to be rebuilt and on 4m one would want a preamp.
There's also the qustion if the 45MHz IF will cause any funky things.?
It is 70MHz/2 after all.
But the frontend mixer should be perfectly fine on 4m.
That said, I do have one of those Ukranian transverters waiting proper installation into a case.
-- 73! de YO5PBG - Adrian I. POP Institute of Solid Mechanics, Romanian Academy, C-tin Mille 15, Bucharest Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering Department, North
University Center Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
M: (40) 724 278 545
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Ken:
Our T41-EP uses 1206 SMDs on all boards. After doing a few, you'll see just how easy it is to mount these guys. Given that I'm two years younger than dirt, I find a magnifying headset very useful, and I find this type tweezer works well for SMDs:
I find them much easier to use than the "straight" tweezers.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 09:58:43 AM EDT, Ken Hansen <ken@...> wrote:
Jack,
That would have come in handy this past weekend - I went to a Vintage Computer Festival in Wall, NJ and assembled two boards that comprise a mini CP/M computer & storage system on two boards. For reasons I don't quite understand I inserted and soldered the first IC in the wrong socket on BOTH boards - thankfully the maker space organizers had a desoldering station to quickly reverse my mistake!
The way building with the comparatively larger "1206" size parts is described on the TSW webpage sounds easy enough, but picturing myself working with tweezers and a magnifying glass just seems very "next level".
Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will give it a try - it may be time for this old dog to learn a new trick!
For those interested, here's a link to the hot air/solder station Jack discussed:
And an overview video:
On Oct 12, 2021, at 09:38, Jack, W8TEE via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
?
Ken:
You're going to really like SMD parts...eventually. When that happens, think about investing in a hot air station:
This one costs less than $60. One of the features I always look for is an automatic shutoff of the air gun when returned to its cradle. Not all stations have that feature. You'll also find it makes removable of IC's much easier.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 08:58:59 AM EDT, Ken Hansen <ken@...> wrote:
Jim, Yes, you did - I appreciate the quick response, I'm in negotiations with a recent EE graduate to mentor me though the "1206" part soldering process - I'm good with thru-hole, but this will be something new (I'm at my best poking component leads into red plastic breadboards on archer (radio shack) kits!). Thanks, Ken, N2VIP > On Oct 11, 2021, at 12:03, Jim Sheldon < w0eb@...> wrote: > > Hi Ken, > The TSW kit is a replacement for the factory Raduino that's included with a uBITX.? Our kit uses the original factory 2.8" TFT color touch display and you have to order a Teensy 4.1 from either PJRC.com or one of their distributors separately.? We can't sell the Teensy with the kit as we are not distributors for PJRC and we have to pay full retail for them ourselves.? If you do, order the Teensy without pins as it has to mount upside down on the back of the T4.1 Raduino PCB just like the NANO does on the factory PCB. > > Once you build the kit, install the Teensy 4.1 and flash the firmware, it takes the place of the Factory's Raduino and VASTLY improves the operation. > > The KB/Mouse option needs the addition of a USB type "A" female to 5 pin Dupont female cable for USB "Host" mode, available very inexpensively from PJRC.com and you will need to replace the original USB type B "Mini" with a type B "Micro" extension cable between the MPU and back panel.? These should be about 1 foot long and are available from various sources including Amazon. > > Hope I've answered your questions. > > Jim - W0EB
-- Jack, W8TEE
--
Jack, W8TEE
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Be careful with those sub $60 rework stations--cheap shutoff circuitry might not shut off power as thoroughly as expected:? ? https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/is-there-any-knock-off-2-in-1-solderreflow-station-that-is-not-a-fire-hazard/
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Jack,
That would have come in handy this past weekend - I went to a Vintage Computer Festival in Wall, NJ and assembled two boards that comprise a mini CP/M computer & storage system on two boards. For reasons I don't quite understand I inserted and soldered the first IC in the wrong socket on BOTH boards - thankfully the maker space organizers had a desoldering station to quickly reverse my mistake!
The way building with the comparatively larger "1206" size parts is described on the TSW webpage sounds easy enough, but picturing myself working with tweezers and a magnifying glass just seems very "next level".
Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will give it a try - it may be time for this old dog to learn a new trick!
For those interested, here's a link to the hot air/solder station Jack discussed:
And an overview video:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Oct 12, 2021, at 09:38, Jack, W8TEE via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
?
Ken:
You're going to really like SMD parts...eventually. When that happens, think about investing in a hot air station:
This one costs less than $60. One of the features I always look for is an automatic shutoff of the air gun when returned to its cradle. Not all stations have that feature. You'll also find it makes removable of IC's much easier.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 08:58:59 AM EDT, Ken Hansen <ken@...> wrote:
Jim, Yes, you did - I appreciate the quick response, I'm in negotiations with a recent EE graduate to mentor me though the "1206" part soldering process - I'm good with thru-hole, but this will be something new (I'm at my best poking component leads into red plastic breadboards on archer (radio shack) kits!). Thanks, Ken, N2VIP > On Oct 11, 2021, at 12:03, Jim Sheldon < w0eb@...> wrote: > > Hi Ken, > The TSW kit is a replacement for the factory Raduino that's included with a uBITX.? Our kit uses the original factory 2.8" TFT color touch display and you have to order a Teensy 4.1 from either PJRC.com or one of their distributors separately.? We can't sell the Teensy with the kit as we are not distributors for PJRC and we have to pay full retail for them ourselves.? If you do, order the Teensy without pins as it has to mount upside down on the back of the T4.1 Raduino PCB just like the NANO does on the factory PCB. > > Once you build the kit, install the Teensy 4.1 and flash the firmware, it takes the place of the Factory's Raduino and VASTLY improves the operation. > > The KB/Mouse option needs the addition of a USB type "A" female to 5 pin Dupont female cable for USB "Host" mode, available very inexpensively from PJRC.com and you will need to replace the original USB type B "Mini" with a type B "Micro" extension cable between the MPU and back panel.? These should be about 1 foot long and are available from various sources including Amazon. > > Hope I've answered your questions. > > Jim - W0EB
-- Jack, W8TEE
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Ken:
You're going to really like SMD parts...eventually. When that happens, think about investing in a hot air station:
This one costs less than $60. One of the features I always look for is an automatic shutoff of the air gun when returned to its cradle. Not all stations have that feature. You'll also find it makes removable of IC's much easier.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 08:58:59 AM EDT, Ken Hansen <ken@...> wrote:
Jim, Yes, you did - I appreciate the quick response, I'm in negotiations with a recent EE graduate to mentor me though the "1206" part soldering process - I'm good with thru-hole, but this will be something new (I'm at my best poking component leads into red plastic breadboards on archer (radio shack) kits!). Thanks, Ken, N2VIP > On Oct 11, 2021, at 12:03, Jim Sheldon < w0eb@...> wrote: > > Hi Ken, > The TSW kit is a replacement for the factory Raduino that's included with a uBITX.? Our kit uses the original factory 2.8" TFT color touch display and you have to order a Teensy 4.1 from either PJRC.com or one of their distributors separately.? We can't sell the Teensy with the kit as we are not distributors for PJRC and we have to pay full retail for them ourselves.? If you do, order the Teensy without pins as it has to mount upside down on the back of the T4.1 Raduino PCB just like the NANO does on the factory PCB. > > Once you build the kit, install the Teensy 4.1 and flash the firmware, it takes the place of the Factory's Raduino and VASTLY improves the operation. > > The KB/Mouse option needs the addition of a USB type "A" female to 5 pin Dupont female cable for USB "Host" mode, available very inexpensively from PJRC.com and you will need to replace the original USB type B "Mini" with a type B "Micro" extension cable between the MPU and back panel.? These should be about 1 foot long and are available from various sources including Amazon. > > Hope I've answered your questions. > > Jim - W0EB
-- Jack, W8TEE
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Jim,
Yes, you did - I appreciate the quick response, I'm in negotiations with a recent EE graduate to mentor me though the "1206" part soldering process - I'm good with thru-hole, but this will be something new (I'm at my best poking component leads into red plastic breadboards on archer (radio shack) kits!).
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Oct 11, 2021, at 12:03, Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...> wrote:
Hi Ken,
The TSW kit is a replacement for the factory Raduino that's included with a uBITX. Our kit uses the original factory 2.8" TFT color touch display and you have to order a Teensy 4.1 from either PJRC.com or one of their distributors separately. We can't sell the Teensy with the kit as we are not distributors for PJRC and we have to pay full retail for them ourselves. If you do, order the Teensy without pins as it has to mount upside down on the back of the T4.1 Raduino PCB just like the NANO does on the factory PCB.
Once you build the kit, install the Teensy 4.1 and flash the firmware, it takes the place of the Factory's Raduino and VASTLY improves the operation.
The KB/Mouse option needs the addition of a USB type "A" female to 5 pin Dupont female cable for USB "Host" mode, available very inexpensively from PJRC.com and you will need to replace the original USB type B "Mini" with a type B "Micro" extension cable between the MPU and back panel. These should be about 1 foot long and are available from various sources including Amazon.
Hope I've answered your questions.
Jim - W0EB
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
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On Oct 12, 2021, at 06:36, Laurence Oberman <oberman.l@...> wrote:
Hello I would like to order the TSW kit Can you share the link.
Regards Laurence KB1HKO
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Re: TSW's remake of our Teensy 4.1 Raduino Clone firmware
#ubitxv6
Hello I would like to order the TSW kit Can you share the link.
Regards Laurence KB1HKO
On Sun, Oct 10, 2021, 11:54 AM Jim Sheldon < w0eb@...> wrote: TSW has been busy switching to a new display font and reworking the firmware manual as well as improving several of the functions of the TSW T4.1 Raduino Clone firmware.? We believe this is complete and the very latest version has been posted to the TSW website's file section () for download by anyone that has the T4.1 Raduino Clone or is contemplating getting one.? We also included W2CTX's "TSWSETTIME" program in the zip file.? This allows setting the "Real Time Clock" more precisely and if the battery backup option is installed the RTC will keep decent time during the periods the uBITX V6 is turned off.??? -- NO, we have not provided for NEXTION screen usage with the Teensy 4.1 and will never do this as it is a known RFI generator so we refuse to support the NEXTION --
The firmware manual is attached here so you all can read it if you like - more info and ordering information for the T4.1 Raduino Clone is on the TSW website.
Thanks for your interest,
Jim - W0EB
TSW Engineer/Project Coordinator
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
Dear Hans and all,
Is it true QDX can not do OFDM or anything other than FSK in transmit mode?
Cheers and Congrats!
Rafael
Rhizomatica
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On 10/12/21 1:58 AM, Hans Summers wrote: Hi Laurence?
Hans,? Are you taking pre-orders
for?the next lot? No. You've heard of the global semiconductor shortage... The
STM32F401RBT6 microcontroller in the QDX can't be found anywhere. I
can't make more QDX until I can either find some, or figure out a
substitute and whatever Re-development is necessary to make that work.
At the moment I don't know when that can happen. I wouldn't take
pre-orders until I could be very definite about dates.?
73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
Hahahahahaha! (Cue the drum rolls)! I bought the first one.
On Tue, Oct 12, 2021, 10:36 AM Don - KM4UDX < dontay155@...> wrote: Feld-Hellschreiber is a lovely if unusual duck working somewhat like CW with a single tone?? Would this mode work?
And DominoEX is also a single tone, maybe?
When I look at THOR it seems also to be a single tone where the difference between to successive tone holds the payload. Would THOR pass successfully through this new lovely efficient rig?
I did try to purchase, but I was on my phone, a slowish connection, and no luck.? Hahah. Congrats to the radio winners!! Well done.?
my consolation is that maybe I will get an improved version 2.0 some day. I can dream!!
don
km4udx
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
Feld-Hellschreiber is a lovely if unusual duck working somewhat like CW with a single tone? ?Would this mode work?
And DominoEX is also a single tone, maybe?
When I look at THOR it seems also to be a single tone where the difference between to successive tone holds the payload. Would THOR pass successfully through this new lovely efficient rig?
I did try to purchase, but I was on my phone, a slowish connection, and no luck. ?Hahah. Congrats to the radio winners!! Well done.?
my consolation is that maybe I will get an improved version 2.0 some day. I can dream!!
don
km4udx
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
Are the software resources (e.g., libraries) for the G4 series available?
Jack, W8TEE
On Monday, October 11, 2021, 09:11:04 PM EDT, Shirley Dulcey KE1L <mark@...> wrote:
The STM32F401RCT6 would be a direct substitute; the only difference is that it has twice as much flash memory. Alas, it is just as unavailable. So far as I can tell, the entire STM32F401 family is unavailable, so switching to a version with more pins is also not an option. I'm guessing that switching to one with fewer pins wouldn't work at all, and you still can't get them anyway.
Switching to a member of the newer STM32G400 series wouldn't be too difficult. Similar features but faster. The most direct swap would be the STM32G431RBT6. But again, you can't get them.
Next simplest would be to design using something from GigaDevice. They make ARM-based microcontrollers that mimic the STMIcro ones pretty closely, with similar peripherals. Once again, scarce right now. The usual US-based distributors don't even appear to carry them so they might have to be sourced from Asia.
Moving to another family of ARM processors such as Atmel would be a much bigger programming job.
Hi Laurence? > Hans,? Are you taking pre-orders > for?the next lot?
No. You've heard of the global semiconductor shortage... The STM32F401RBT6 microcontroller in the QDX can't be found anywhere. I can't make more QDX until I can either find some, or figure out a substitute and whatever Re-development is necessary to make that work. At the moment I don't know when that can happen. I wouldn't take pre-orders until I could be very definite about dates.?
73 Hans G0UPL
--
Jack, W8TEE
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Re: New kit: QDX - Digital Transceiver by QRP Labs
The STM32F401RCT6 would be a direct substitute; the only difference is that it has twice as much flash memory. Alas, it is just as unavailable. So far as I can tell, the entire STM32F401 family is unavailable, so switching to a version with more pins is also not an option. I'm guessing that switching to one with fewer pins wouldn't work at all, and you still can't get them anyway.
Switching to a member of the newer STM32G400 series wouldn't be too difficult. Similar features but faster. The most direct swap would be the STM32G431RBT6. But again, you can't get them.
Next simplest would be to design using something from GigaDevice. They make ARM-based microcontrollers that mimic the STMIcro ones pretty closely, with similar peripherals. Once again, scarce right now. The usual US-based distributors don't even appear to carry them so they might have to be sourced from Asia.
Moving to another family of ARM processors such as Atmel would be a much bigger programming job.
Hi Laurence? > Hans,? Are you taking pre-orders > for?the next lot?
No. You've heard of the global semiconductor shortage... The STM32F401RBT6 microcontroller in the QDX can't be found anywhere. I can't make more QDX until I can either find some, or figure out a substitute and whatever Re-development is necessary to make that work. At the moment I don't know when that can happen. I wouldn't take pre-orders until I could be very definite about dates.?
73 Hans G0UPL
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Jim Sheldon
Shirley Dulcey KE1L