Re: can't update friemware.. when I install the ch341 driver I get "The drive is successfully Pre-installed in advance"
#firmware
#ubitx
Did you mean the CH340 driver?
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 9:58:44 PM EDT, Fast hosts <keith@...> wrote:
When i run xloader It says can't open port? in device manager ports section it only shows as a normal port and not as a usb to serial port. I understand that when the CH341 driver installs correctly you just get that message that it is installed correctly not what I get.. anybody any ideas please? want to put Ian's firmware on and get the Nextion display installed 73 M6OLP
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Keith Baker - Communications technician (retired)
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3D Printer (STL) file for Front Panel of Dummy Load Nov, 2018, QST
All:
Al found the file for the front panel cover of the dummy load. It is attached.
Jack, W8TEE
|
can't update friemware.. when I install the ch341 driver I get "The drive is successfully Pre-installed in advance"
#firmware
#ubitx
When i run xloader It says can't open port? in device manager ports section it only shows as a normal port and not as a usb to serial port. I understand that when the CH341 driver installs correctly you just get that message that it is installed correctly not what I get.. anybody any ideas please? want to put Ian's firmware on and get the Nextion display installed 73 M6OLP
--
Keith Baker - Communications technician (retired)
|
Thanks for the replies.?? The nicer ones I have are 24 PPR.?? Might be a bit fast, but (also) might try one. 73, Woody? KZ4AK www.albe24.com On 10/18/2018 0:05, Fast hosts wrote: The supplied encoder is 12 PPR just bought one from Digital-key in the US as the supplied one wasn¡¯t functioning P/N PEC11R-4020F-S0012-ND
On 18 Oct 2018, at 00:07, Woody <mailme@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I have some spare shaft encoders from a previous project that I wonder if could be substituted for the one supplied with the uBITX board.
So... does anyone know the pulse per revolution of the supplied encoder? I guess I could measure it, but if someone has already done it....
Thanks,
Woody - KZ4AK
www.albe24.com
--
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The supplied encoder is 12 PPR just bought one from Digital-key in the US as the supplied one wasn¡¯t functioning P/N PEC11R-4020F-S0012-ND
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On 18 Oct 2018, at 00:07, Woody <mailme@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I have some spare shaft encoders from a previous project that I wonder if could be substituted for the one supplied with the uBITX board.
So... does anyone know the pulse per revolution of the supplied encoder? I guess I could measure it, but if someone has already done it....
Thanks,
Woody - KZ4AK
www.albe24.com
--
Keith Baker - Communications technician (retired)
|
Woody, I've used 12, 20 and 24 PPR detentless encoders with decent results. I believe the originals are 20 PPR detentless but not totally sure if they are 20 or 24 PPR.
Jim, W0EB
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On Oct 17, 2018, at 6:07 PM, Woody <mailme@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I have some spare shaft encoders from a previous project that I wonder if could be substituted for the one supplied with the uBITX board.
So... does anyone know the pulse per revolution of the supplied encoder? I guess I could measure it, but if someone has already done it....
Thanks,
Woody - KZ4AK
www.albe24.com
|
Hi all,
I have some spare shaft encoders from a previous project that I wonder if could be substituted for the one supplied with the uBITX board.
So...? does anyone know the pulse per revolution of the supplied encoder?? I guess I could measure it, but if someone has already done it....
Thanks,
Woody? -? KZ4AK
www.albe24.com
|
I ordered SMD¡¯s as instructed by Raj. I think he tried that already with the toroids. So far and inductors are the best solution. Correct me if I¡¯m wrong.?
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On Oct 17, 2018, at 6:31 PM, RICHARD < k6kwq@...> wrote:
Has anyone tried remounting the toroids at right angles to each other.? That is what I all ways do and have read no shielding is required.? Could be replacing the toroids with SM devices lowers the Q so much the problem appears to go away.
K6KWQ? Dick
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?
Has anyone tried mounting the original inductions from the bottom of the board?
Maybe laying flat if possible?
Better shielding?
Thanks.
Nick VK4PP
|
Has anyone tried remounting the toroids at right angles to each other.? That is what I all ways do and have read no shielding is required.? Could be replacing the toroids with SM devices lowers the Q so much the problem appears to go away.
K6KWQ? Dick
?
Sent from for Windows 10
?
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Has anyone tried mounting the original inductions from the bottom of the board?
Maybe laying flat if possible?
Better shielding?
Thanks.
Nick VK4PP
|
Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement
I have noticed different capacitance datasheet 'specs' for the AXICOM White D2n and the Black D2n*, although the same part number. The RF characteristics are the same.
Capacitance ????????????????????????????????????????????????D2n (white)?????????????????????????D2n* (black)
between coil and contacts??????????????????????????? max. 2 pF? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?max. 4pF (between contact and coil)
between adjacent contact sets ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? max. 1.5 pF????????????????????????max. 2pF (between adjacent contacts)
between open contacts??????????????????????????????? max. 1 pF???????????????????????????max. 2pF
RF Characteristics
Isolation at 100 / 900 MHz ???????????????????????? -39.0 dB / -20.7 dB? ? ? ? ? ? ? same
Insertion loss at 100 / 900 MHz ???????????????? -0.02 dB / -0.27 dB? ? ? ? ? ? ? same
V.S.W.R. at 100 / 900 MHz??????????????????????????1.04 / 1.40? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? same
Gilles, the MT2 relays spec less Isolation (- 31.8 dB / - 14.2 dB), I assume this is still true at? HF frequencies too.
Rgds,
Gary
AG5TX
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Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement
Giles
I'm not sure yet that the relays are the source of the problem.? They are probably contributors,
but there may be other culprits as well.? I noted your earlier suggestion that we might try
solid-state switching.? That is a valid approach if the relays are proven to be a major source
of problems.? Problem with solid-state switching for RF is that it is a bit complicated if the
RF voltages exceed reverse-bias on the switching elements.? Now I am wondering if the idle lines to inactive DC relays could or should be grounded with MOSFET switches?? This might
be more effective than just bypassing the relay operating lines for RF.
As Allison has said, part of the problem is overall board layout.? In trying to keep it compact
some decisions may have been made that compromise the situation regarding spurs and
harmonics.?
Arv _._
Hello Kees, Arv
I am attentive to your discussions on relays. I am not a professional technician so I will definitely ask a silly question. But too bad I start.
Could the relays be replaced by other components (PIN diode, transistor, etc.)? Can current relays be replaced by AXICOM MT2 relays?
Again, my apologies for disturbing your conversations with naive questions.
73 QRO Gilles - F1BFU /FR
Kees
Some possible areas to look into: - Are there resonances in the relay activation path when (activated, or inactive)?
Thinking about permeability change in relay coils when current is flowing?
- What is the self-resonant frequency of the relay coils when activated and when
inactive?
- Is there any RF on the relay coils during transmit mode (RF Detector or O-scope)?
Seems there should be none...?
- How much RF, and at what frequency, is there on the toroids, other than the ones
that have been activated for a particular band?
- What happens to the harmonics and spurs when all but the active filter is removed
from the PCB?
- L-31 is very close to an RF PA heat sink.? Is it picking up unwanted RF?? Is it picking
up "unbalanced RF" because it is coupling to only one side of the RF PA output?
- Is imbalance between RF PA MOSFETs causing harmonic or spurious output?
- If input to the RF PA is clean, is it still clean if the RF PA output is terminated in a
purely resistive dummy load (without any LPFs connected)?
- If an LPF is connected by short jumpers instead of via the relay, is output clean
or unclean?? Is it clean if the relay activation lead is at ground instead of active?
- There are some who are building their own modular and non-modular versions
of the uBITX.? I wonder how they are doing with respect to harmonics and spurs?
Looking back over some of the suggested improvements it seems that there may have
been some eureka moments that might have been published before they were well
thought out.? Some of Allison's posts might indicate that we have been focusing on and
treating the symptoms instead of the source problem.?
It is probably unfair that I comment when I do not have the test equipment, skills, or
available time to perform in-depth tests.? But given the situation, talk is about all I
can do. ? ?? 8-(??
Arv _._
You may have seen all the discussion on using AXICOM relays. Until that is flattened and I understand the "why" I am refunding your money for the K5BCQ LPF board kits which were ordered as I continue to investigate further. Attached is a picture of the AXICOM?V23105-A5403-A201 relays just received from Mouser. You can see that there are some physical differences between them and the previous AXICOM relay pictures posted (coil spacing to contacts, and ?).? A good friend of mine, Glen, has donated an unmodified uBITX board for my future testing. Thank you Glen.  ?
73 Kees K5BCQ
--
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Has anyone tried mounting the original inductions from the bottom of the board?
Maybe laying flat if possible?
Better shielding?
Thanks.
Nick VK4PP
|
Thank you.
On 10/17/2018 10:02 AM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
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It's a quart paint can that I bought at Lowes. I bought the
mineral oil at Walgreens, but I'm sure any drug store would
carry it. As far as I know, the type of mineral oil doesn't
matter. I simply bought the cheapest I could find.
Jack, W8TEE
?
|
Gary,
Thank you for pointing that out to me. I see that now.
73s Ripley The words are mine but this iPad does what it will with them.
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On Oct 17, 2018, at 5:18 PM, Gary Anderson < gary.ag5tx@...> wrote: Ripley, stay mindful of the audio signal path through the K3 relay that also switches antenna for RX, TX.
This is a common reported / resolved audio problem.
Implemented in conjunction with the 'pop' fix, the audio is no longer routed to /switched using this relay.
Rgds,
Gary
AG5TX
|
Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement
Gilles, the only naive questions are the ones not asked .....or something like that ;o)
Arv, we (AQRP Wed lunch guys) were speculating that the Constant K filter design used on the uBITX was suspect in that it has terrible out of band matching and the resultant reflections due to poor VSWR might be the cause of the problem .....and that the AXICOM relays "happen to correct" some of that problem. One of the guys checked the Smith Chart results using the original uBITX relays against the AXICOM relays I had purchased for a given uBITX filter design. To his (and my) surprise they are nearly identical. Now, this is using a separate single LPF test fixture board with relays.
We're trying to find an industry standard test fixture for testing relay RF isolation.
73 Kees K5BCQ
|
Ripley, stay mindful of the audio signal path through the K3 relay that also switches antenna for RX, TX.
This is a common reported / resolved audio problem.
Implemented in conjunction with the 'pop' fix, the audio is no longer routed to /switched using this relay.
Rgds,
Gary
AG5TX
|
Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement
Hello Kees, Arv
I am attentive to your discussions on relays. I am not a professional technician so I will definitely ask a silly question. But too bad I start.
Could the relays be replaced by other components (PIN diode, transistor, etc.)? Can current relays be replaced by AXICOM MT2 relays?
Again, my apologies for disturbing your conversations with naive questions.
73 QRO Gilles - F1BFU /FR
Kees
Some possible areas to look into: - Are there resonances in the relay activation path when (activated, or inactive)?
Thinking about permeability change in relay coils when current is flowing?
- What is the self-resonant frequency of the relay coils when activated and when
inactive?
- Is there any RF on the relay coils during transmit mode (RF Detector or O-scope)?
Seems there should be none...?
- How much RF, and at what frequency, is there on the toroids, other than the ones
that have been activated for a particular band?
- What happens to the harmonics and spurs when all but the active filter is removed
from the PCB?
- L-31 is very close to an RF PA heat sink.? Is it picking up unwanted RF?? Is it picking
up "unbalanced RF" because it is coupling to only one side of the RF PA output?
- Is imbalance between RF PA MOSFETs causing harmonic or spurious output?
- If input to the RF PA is clean, is it still clean if the RF PA output is terminated in a
purely resistive dummy load (without any LPFs connected)?
- If an LPF is connected by short jumpers instead of via the relay, is output clean
or unclean?? Is it clean if the relay activation lead is at ground instead of active?
- There are some who are building their own modular and non-modular versions
of the uBITX.? I wonder how they are doing with respect to harmonics and spurs?
Looking back over some of the suggested improvements it seems that there may have
been some eureka moments that might have been published before they were well
thought out.? Some of Allison's posts might indicate that we have been focusing on and
treating the symptoms instead of the source problem.?
It is probably unfair that I comment when I do not have the test equipment, skills, or
available time to perform in-depth tests.? But given the situation, talk is about all I
can do. ? ?? 8-(??
Arv _._
You may have seen all the discussion on using AXICOM relays. Until that is flattened and I understand the "why" I am refunding your money for the K5BCQ LPF board kits which were ordered as I continue to investigate further. Attached is a picture of the AXICOM?V23105-A5403-A201 relays just received from Mouser. You can see that there are some physical differences between them and the previous AXICOM relay pictures posted (coil spacing to contacts, and ?).? A good friend of mine, Glen, has donated an unmodified uBITX board for my future testing. Thank you Glen.  ?
73 Kees K5BCQ
|
Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement / Spurs.. ect.., an offer/request to other VKs
Nick, no replies posted so here goes... I don't have a "GOOD SA" but I have a good receiver and I would be keen to work on this with you. In particular if you get some boards made I would be happy to buy and test even if not proven.
Thanks for your Raduino boards.
73 Brian VK4BAP.
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Re: Front Panel for Nov, 2018 QST Dummy Load
It looks good, but I'm hoping that Al will find the print file in the next day or two. Let's wait until then to see if it shows up.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 4:26:03 PM EDT, Doug W <dougwilner@...> wrote:
I think I am pretty close.? I do not have the OLED or enclosure to test so I would not be comfortable posting the file to the group not knowing if this even works.? Do you have access to a printer?? I could send you the file to test then if it works you can have the file to post anywhere and any way you want.? If it doesn't work, you can tell me where I am off and we can try again.? If you do not have access to a printer I could print one and send it to you.? If I knock down the height of the battery ledge it would fit in a regular envelope.? If you prefer to wait and see if Al finds his file you won't hurt my feelings either.? I'm still teaching myself to design things and this was good practice.
--
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Re: Harmonics and Relay Replacement
Kees
Some possible areas to look into: - Are there resonances in the relay activation path when (activated, or inactive)?
Thinking about permeability change in relay coils when current is flowing?
- What is the self-resonant frequency of the relay coils when activated and when
inactive?
- Is there any RF on the relay coils during transmit mode (RF Detector or O-scope)?
Seems there should be none...?
- How much RF, and at what frequency, is there on the toroids, other than the ones
that have been activated for a particular band?
- What happens to the harmonics and spurs when all but the active filter is removed
from the PCB?
- L-31 is very close to an RF PA heat sink.? Is it picking up unwanted RF?? Is it picking
up "unbalanced RF" because it is coupling to only one side of the RF PA output?
- Is imbalance between RF PA MOSFETs causing harmonic or spurious output?
- If input to the RF PA is clean, is it still clean if the RF PA output is terminated in a
purely resistive dummy load (without any LPFs connected)?
- If an LPF is connected by short jumpers instead of via the relay, is output clean
or unclean?? Is it clean if the relay activation lead is at ground instead of active?
- There are some who are building their own modular and non-modular versions
of the uBITX.? I wonder how they are doing with respect to harmonics and spurs?
Looking back over some of the suggested improvements it seems that there may have
been some eureka moments that might have been published before they were well
thought out.? Some of Allison's posts might indicate that we have been focusing on and
treating the symptoms instead of the source problem.?
It is probably unfair that I comment when I do not have the test equipment, skills, or
available time to perform in-depth tests.? But given the situation, talk is about all I
can do. ? ?? 8-(??
Arv _._
You may have seen all the discussion on using AXICOM relays. Until that is flattened and I understand the "why" I am refunding your money for the K5BCQ LPF board kits which were ordered as I continue to investigate further. Attached is a picture of the AXICOM?V23105-A5403-A201 relays just received from Mouser. You can see that there are some physical differences between them and the previous AXICOM relay pictures posted (coil spacing to contacts, and ?).? A good friend of mine, Glen, has donated an unmodified uBITX board for my future testing. Thank you Glen.  ?
73 Kees K5BCQ
|
Jim Sheldon
Nick VK4PP
Ripley