¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

Here it is:
vfo_a_freq=7065000
vfo_b_freq=7065000
callsign=KD8CGH
grid=EN91he
cw_delay=1000
data_delay=700
cw_input_method=0
current_macro=
sidetone=25
contest_serial=0
sent_exchange=
r1:freq=7065000
r1:volume=80
r1:mode=CW
r1:low=0
r1:high=3000
r1:agc=OFF
r1:gain=82
tx_power=10
tx_gain=100
#split=OFF
tx_compress=0
#rit=OFF
#tx_wpm=5
#rx_pitch=700
#tx=
#rx=
#record=OFF
#step=1KHz
#vfo=A
#span=10KHz
spectrum=7000 KHz
#status=7000 KHz
waterfall=7000 KHz
#console=console box
#log_ed=
#text_in=
#close=
#off=
#10m=
#12m=
#15m=
#17m=
#20m=
#30m=
#40m=
?
[80m]
power=20
freq0=3541000
mode0=2
freq1=3574000
mode1=0
freq2=3600000
mode2=2
freq3=3700000
mode3=1
?
[40m]
power=10
freq0=7050000
mode0=3
freq1=7040000
mode1=2
freq2=7074000
mode2=0
freq3=7150000
mode3=1
?
[30m]
power=30
freq0=10100000
mode0=2
freq1=10100000
mode1=2
freq2=10136000
mode2=0
freq3=10150000
mode3=0
?
[20m]
power=6
freq0=14152000
mode0=3
freq1=14040000
mode1=2
freq2=14074000
mode2=0
freq3=14200000
mode3=0
?
[17m]
power=6
freq0=18068000
mode0=2
freq1=18100000
mode1=2
freq2=18110000
mode2=0
freq3=18160000
mode3=0
?
[15m]
power=6
freq0=21074000
mode0=0
freq1=21040000
mode1=2
freq2=21074000
mode2=0
freq3=21250000
mode3=0
?
[12m]
power=10
freq0=24890000
mode0=2
freq1=24910000
mode1=2
freq2=24950000
mode2=0
freq3=24990000
mode3=0
?
[10m]
power=6
freq0=28079000
mode0=3
freq1=28040000
mode1=2
freq2=28074000
mode2=0
freq3=28250000
mode3=0


--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: Initial Testing #sBitx

Anthony Good
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Well, I screwed that up. ?:-D ? ?I meant:

chown pi:pi /home/pi/sbitx/data/user_settings.ini


On Aug 7, 2022, at 10:21, Anthony Good via <anthony.good@...> wrote:

Hi Ashhar,

I figured out the user_settings.ini file issue; the file was owned by root. ?Thanks!

For future reference for others, do a:

chown root:root /home/pi/sbitx/data/user_settings.ini


Unrelated question: I'm thinking of doing some pull requests for contributing some functionality for your consideration.? I have in mind customization settings for the user interface (colors, etc.). ?Also thinking of a customization for the frequencies on the waterfall. ?Would you like to have customization settings appended to user_settings.ini, or perhaps elsewhere? ?I can see this file growing very large.

73
Goody
K3NG

On Sat, Aug 6, 2022 at 7:59 PM Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
Goody,
It looks like there are a lot of space characters being generated by the attached keyboard. Can you remove the keyboard and check?
You might want to delete user_settings.ini, git pull again to get a fresh user_settings.ini. just before you do that, email me your user_settings.ini file.
I am implementing a telnet server to accept all the commands and return the output text seen on the console window. Coming soon...
The minimize button should ideally show the rpi icon, to "return to raspberry pi". Let me figure it out.
I will check about the cwdelay at my end and report?back.
Do send me your user_settings.ini. check if the file permissions are normal (read/write enabled for user pi).?
- f
On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 2:33 AM Anthony Good <anthony.good@...> wrote:
Greetings,

A few initial observations:

1) Several times I¡¯ve gotten the rig into a weird state where CW sending from the keyboard just cycles in and out of transmit and receive, and the only way to get out of the cycling is exiting the app.? Attempts to transmit with the key put the rig in TX, but no RF out.? I¡¯ve haven¡¯t attempted QSOs yet, I just have a 40 meter antenna connected? with the power down to 1 watt.? Once the rig gets into this weird state, the only way I can get it out of it is sometimes by switching bands, but usually I have to do a full OS shutdown and power reset.? I¡¯m still gathering data points.

2) I noticed my sbitx doesn¡¯t write to the data/user_settings.ini file.? No big deal right now, I edit it with vi.

3) I was seeing a lot of errors with a Dell keyboard connected up.? Often the rig would display a send a U instead of a V.? I connected up an Apple keyboard and I¡¯m not noticing the errors.

4) CW T/R time is quite long.? I see a cw_delay=1000 setting.? I attempted to change this to 500, but the problem above (#1) is getting in the way of me testing this.

5) The OFF button might better be labeled EXIT, and CLOSE is more like a ¡°minimize¡± button (perhaps a down arrow, like what is used in the Pi GUI would be more appropriate?? (Perhaps have it that button label can be customized in user_settings.ini?)

6) I¡¯m definitely getting the Wi-Fi noise into the audio.? I¡¯ve turned off Wi-Fi and I¡¯m using wired Ethernet for now, with no noise issues.

7) Any way to send sbitx \ commands to the app via the operating system (i.e. command line)?

8) It appears \ commands are case sensitive.? Perhaps accepting CAPS for commands might avoid user issues?

9) Any chance for a wide AM detector?? Maybe this is some code I could develop once I get my bearings¡­.

Overall, I¡¯m really excited about this rig.? Lots of potential.

73
Goody
K3NG








Re: Initial Testing #sBitx

Anthony Good
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Ashhar,

I figured out the user_settings.ini file issue; the file was owned by root. ?Thanks!

For future reference for others, do a:

chown root:root /home/pi/sbitx/data/user_settings.ini


Unrelated question: I'm thinking of doing some pull requests for contributing some functionality for your consideration.? I have in mind customization settings for the user interface (colors, etc.). ?Also thinking of a customization for the frequencies on the waterfall. ?Would you like to have customization settings appended to user_settings.ini, or perhaps elsewhere? ?I can see this file growing very large.

73
Goody
K3NG


On Sat, Aug 6, 2022 at 7:59 PM Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
Goody,
It looks like there are a lot of space characters being generated by the attached keyboard. Can you remove the keyboard and check?
You might want to delete user_settings.ini, git pull again to get a fresh user_settings.ini. just before you do that, email me your user_settings.ini file.
I am implementing a telnet server to accept all the commands and return the output text seen on the console window. Coming soon...
The minimize button should ideally show the rpi icon, to "return to raspberry pi". Let me figure it out.
I will check about the cwdelay at my end and report?back.
Do send me your user_settings.ini. check if the file permissions are normal (read/write enabled for user pi).?
- f
On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 2:33 AM Anthony Good <anthony.good@...> wrote:
Greetings,

A few initial observations:

1) Several times I¡¯ve gotten the rig into a weird state where CW sending from the keyboard just cycles in and out of transmit and receive, and the only way to get out of the cycling is exiting the app.? Attempts to transmit with the key put the rig in TX, but no RF out.? I¡¯ve haven¡¯t attempted QSOs yet, I just have a 40 meter antenna connected? with the power down to 1 watt.? Once the rig gets into this weird state, the only way I can get it out of it is sometimes by switching bands, but usually I have to do a full OS shutdown and power reset.? I¡¯m still gathering data points.

2) I noticed my sbitx doesn¡¯t write to the data/user_settings.ini file.? No big deal right now, I edit it with vi.

3) I was seeing a lot of errors with a Dell keyboard connected up.? Often the rig would display a send a U instead of a V.? I connected up an Apple keyboard and I¡¯m not noticing the errors.

4) CW T/R time is quite long.? I see a cw_delay=1000 setting.? I attempted to change this to 500, but the problem above (#1) is getting in the way of me testing this.

5) The OFF button might better be labeled EXIT, and CLOSE is more like a ¡°minimize¡± button (perhaps a down arrow, like what is used in the Pi GUI would be more appropriate?? (Perhaps have it that button label can be customized in user_settings.ini?)

6) I¡¯m definitely getting the Wi-Fi noise into the audio.? I¡¯ve turned off Wi-Fi and I¡¯m using wired Ethernet for now, with no noise issues.

7) Any way to send sbitx \ commands to the app via the operating system (i.e. command line)?

8) It appears \ commands are case sensitive.? Perhaps accepting CAPS for commands might avoid user issues?

9) Any chance for a wide AM detector?? Maybe this is some code I could develop once I get my bearings¡­.

Overall, I¡¯m really excited about this rig.? Lots of potential.

73
Goody
K3NG







Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

Bob,
I should have mentioned that the fullkit needs no adjustments at all. I will update the assemy manual presently.
Let me check your user_settings.ini.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 6:49 PM Bob Benedict, KD8CGH <rkayakr@...> wrote:
Yes -? read and followed the assembly manual. Set both POTs full counterclockwise and RV2 midway.
With the DRIVE_BIAS POT all the way counterclockwise the current increase was .210 mA, so I left it there.
The first 3/4 turn of the PA_BIAS_POT had no effect and the adjustment to hit 200 mA was very sensitive in the remaining space.

--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: Adding I2C Encoders #sBitx

 

Peter,
The I2C took away months of my life. It turned out that wm8731 is very finicky with I2C. So, I left the original I2C with the WM8731 (the audio codec) and instead, but banged a second line to be used with the Si5351 on the main board.
The routines to be called are in the si5351v2.c file. This also explains why it is suffixed with v2, the earlier version tried using the system I2C bus.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 5:58 PM Peter McCracken <peter.mccracken@...> wrote:

I plan to tap into the SDA/SCL connection on the digital board in order to wire up 2 x Duppa i2c encoders, I assume this shouldn't cause any issues for the codec or the 5351 ? I also noted you seem to be using bit bang for the i2c comms.


Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

Yes -? read and followed the assembly manual. Set both POTs full counterclockwise and RV2 midway.
With the DRIVE_BIAS POT all the way counterclockwise the current increase was .210 mA, so I left it there.
The first 3/4 turn of the PA_BIAS_POT had no effect and the adjustment to hit 200 mA was very sensitive in the remaining space.

--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: Sbitx group

 

If cost is a concern, reliable mailing lists can be had for $3.40/month for 1000 users from mailmanlists.net.? I've used them for years and found them very reliable and responsive.? Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of groups.io, but then they mostly aren't used anyway.


?- Bill? N3AJ


Re: #sbitx audio control on tap #sBitx

 

Oh, silly me, you are talking about driving a pin from the RPI when TX is active (I think).? Right?


Re: sBitx antenna-first warning

 

As a weekend hacker, there is no way to describe all the ways I've threatened my uBITX finals.? There seems to be as many boneheaded missteps on the normally short road to an antenna as there are stars seen by the James Web Telescope



Giving the remarkable sBITX even a small ability to self-protect from knuckleheads like me (and I am not alone, hahah), seems like giving the sBITX a fighting chance to deal with some number approximating infinity of "opps."

Don The Oops Prone
km4udx

?


Adding I2C Encoders #sBitx

 


I plan to tap into the SDA/SCL connection on the digital board in order to wire up 2 x Duppa i2c encoders, I assume this shouldn't cause any issues for the codec or the 5351 ? I also noted you seem to be using bit bang for the i2c comms.


Re: #sbitx audio control on tap #sBitx

 

As soon as I pressed Reply to Group, I realized that I should have stated I like the screen saver and didn¡¯t want to turn it off. ?Sorry.

The encoder, eh? ?I am not sure what you mean. ?Can you describe?


Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

Hmm.. there is no? modulation at all. The bias seems to be right. Have you reset the bias from it's shipped settings?


On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 5:40 PM Bob Benedict, KD8CGH <rkayakr@...> wrote:
Thanks for the reply.

WATTS is set at 10 (10 watt dummy load limit).
Receive draw is 1.2 A.? PTT with no voice is 1.6 A, current draw goes up and RF power detected when speaking into mic.
CW and digital draw 1.6 when tone is heard and seen in spectrum, no RF detected.
--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

Thanks for the reply.

WATTS is set at 10 (10 watt dummy load limit).
Receive draw is 1.2 A.? PTT with no voice is 1.6 A, current draw goes up and RF power detected when speaking into mic.
CW and digital draw 1.6 when tone is heard and seen in spectrum, no RF detected.
--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: #sbitx audio control on tap #sBitx

 

You could turn off the screen saver if you wish. The ULN2003 doesnt have any spare lines. There are two spare lines on the encoder, though. They can use used.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 5:35 PM Scott KE8KYP <scott_massey@...> wrote:
Nice job on the Tap addition.? After I understood how to deal with the user_settings deal (novice Linux programming skills), it was nice to get that feature working. ?

One of my intended operational modes is JS8Call which I am sure is on the development list.? In the meantime, running wjstx in WSPR mode is pretty cool.? Unfortunately, after a timeout, the screen(s) goes into screen saver mode and other than the constant hum of the speaker, there is no visual way to verify if the radio is ON or in a TX mode without a key stroke.? I know the sbitx has a very clean appearance but if you were to add a PWR and TX LED to the case, how would you electrically do it?? The PWR LED is pretty simple but I am uncertain how to drive a TX LED.? Use one of the unused ports of the ULN2003A (U4)?? My guess is the driver would help isolate and keep the loading down on whatever TX source but I¡¯m just not sure where best to derive it.

Sorry to hijack this thread.? If I should create a separate message on this subject, please let me know.

Cheers, Scott?


Re: #sbitx audio control on tap #sBitx

 

Nice job on the Tap addition. ?After I understood how to deal with the user_settings deal (novice Linux programming skills), it was nice to get that feature working. ?

One of my intended operational modes is JS8Call which I am sure is on the development list. ?In the meantime, running wjstx in WSPR mode is pretty cool. ?Unfortunately, after a timeout, the screen(s) goes into screen saver mode and other than the constant hum of the speaker, there is no visual way to verify if the radio is ON or in a TX mode without a key stroke. ?I know the sbitx has a very clean appearance but if you were to add a PWR and TX LED to the case, how would you electrically do it? ?The PWR LED is pretty simple but I am uncertain how to drive a TX LED. ?Use one of the unused ports of the ULN2003A (U4)? ?My guess is the driver would help isolate and keep the loading down on whatever TX source but I¡¯m just not sure where best to derive it.

Sorry to hijack this thread. ?If I should create a separate message on this subject, please let me know.

Cheers, Scott?


Re: No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

?Check the WATT setting. How much is the currenr draw on rx and how much on the tx?


On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 3:57 PM Bob Benedict, KD8CGH <rkayakr@...> wrote:
I adjusted the drives as described in the doc. With the sBitx connected to a dummy load/SWR/power meter I see RF power output in SSB modes when I press PTT and speak. In CW, FT8 and PSK I can hear a tone generated and see the modulation in the spectrum, but there is no RF power out and the current draw does not increase over the quiet SSB level.
--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


No RF power CW, digital but OK SSB #sBitx

 

I adjusted the drives as described in the doc. With the sBitx connected to a dummy load/SWR/power meter I see RF power output in SSB modes when I press PTT and speak. In CW, FT8 and PSK I can hear a tone generated and see the modulation in the spectrum, but there is no RF power out and the current draw does not increase over the quiet SSB level.
--
? 73
??? Bob? KD8CGH


Re: DAYLIGHT RADIO

Daniel KK4MRN
 

Hello Allan and Ashhar,
Yeah, I look forward to seeing others building the Daylight Again radio.??

I am still on the fence, but waiting to see others' experiences building the radio. I want to home brew a HF SSB voice transceiver.? And when Ashhar posted his email about the radio, I thought this would be a good rig to build.? Or maybe home brew a BITX.??

I was also tempted to buy the BITX kit just to get the parts - and build it using Manhattan Construction.? I built a Crystal Tester using Manhattan Construction recently - and I really like this way of building stuff.? No flipping the board back and forth...? ?

I also like the suggestion of building the various stages of the Daylight Again Radio on separate boards this way you can individually test each board.? I really liked how Chuck Adams (used to be K7QO) built his radios where he only built and tested one stage at a time.

73 Daniel KK4MRN

On Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 03:05:12 AM EDT, Alan Cooper <cqw7aln@...> wrote:


Ashhar,

I have? succesfully obtained all of the mosfets and transistors. I am now working at gathering up all of the supporting parts for those.

instead of trying to get the whole radio? built on one main board, I have divided up the schematic into assembly sections on individual boards which I have a large number of already. My hope is to make troubleshooting easier and modifications simpler to do.

would it be possible to change out the trifillar transformers in the driver and PA stages for something easier to contruct ?

Thanks

Alan
w7aln

On Sat, Aug 6, 2022, 12:49 PM Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
The link to the pdf of the circuit diagram is just below the? circuit diagram on the writeup.
Having multiples groups will become unmanageable for me. I don't expect much traffic for Daylight radio as it is not offered as a kit. I hope people take the plunge to build it.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 12:16 AM David R. Hassall WA5DJJ <dhassall@...> wrote:
Dear group,

Is there NOW one presently or is there? going to be a separate
page for the DAYLIGHT RADIO?

Also is the a better high definition schematic of the DAYLIGHT RADIO
somewhere?

Also desire .STL? files to print the toroid coil forms and the PTO
fixture on my printer.

Any help finding these items and answers to my Questions greatly
appreciated.

Take care and have fun.

--
73 Dave WA5DJJ
SUPER GRABBER
WEBSITE:
EMAIL: dhassall@...







Re: sBitx antenna-first warning

 

You will also need a way to switch this in and out and a massive heatsink to dissipate 50 watts of power.
A better solution would be to have a power sniffer that will reduce the power when it exceeds the upper limit and increase it back as the swr improves. This will need software in the sbitx.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 12:23 PM Pierre FK8IH <jb.gallauziaux@...> wrote:
To build the resistive bridge three resistors of this kind might be better than 3x(10x470Ohm in parallel) :?
Considering the small size of these Kyocera resistors the addition of a resistive bridge as described by Ashhar inside the sBitx enclosure would be a nice measure to definitively protect the finals.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH


Re: DAYLIGHT RADIO

 

Ashhar,

I have? succesfully obtained all of the mosfets and transistors. I am now working at gathering up all of the supporting parts for those.

instead of trying to get the whole radio? built on one main board, I have divided up the schematic into assembly sections on individual boards which I have a large number of already. My hope is to make troubleshooting easier and modifications simpler to do.

would it be possible to change out the trifillar transformers in the driver and PA stages for something easier to contruct ?

Thanks

Alan
w7aln

On Sat, Aug 6, 2022, 12:49 PM Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
The link to the pdf of the circuit diagram is just below the? circuit diagram on the writeup.
Having multiples groups will become unmanageable for me. I don't expect much traffic for Daylight radio as it is not offered as a kit. I hope people take the plunge to build it.
- f

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022, 12:16 AM David R. Hassall WA5DJJ <dhassall@...> wrote:
Dear group,

Is there NOW one presently or is there? going to be a separate
page for the DAYLIGHT RADIO?

Also is the a better high definition schematic of the DAYLIGHT RADIO
somewhere?

Also desire .STL? files to print the toroid coil forms and the PTO
fixture on my printer.

Any help finding these items and answers to my Questions greatly
appreciated.

Take care and have fun.

--
73 Dave WA5DJJ
SUPER GRABBER
WEBSITE:
EMAIL: dhassall@...