Re: uBiTX #v6 - First steps after assembly
#v6
In addition: when I touch the screen now the SPL button highlights in a toggling manner with a few secs delay, regardless where I press. So it looks like the whole display is layout as SPL button initially.
I read the advice to very long press the tuning knob to enter setup menu, but it is not working for me.
My thoughts:
1. Is there an Arduino sketch available which starts in setup mode straight after re-boot?
2. What exactly is the purpose of the PDQ_GFX_UPDATE? It seems to aim on improving the performance of display and encoder?
Any idea how to proceed?
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For sale: 2x unbuilt BiTX20 v3 + almost complete WA2EBY linear
I have 2 BiTX 20? v3 board sets, one with full BOM to complete, and one just bare boards . Unbuilt, apart from PSU on one of the sets and the frequency display on the other. Also an almost complete WA2EBY linear, inc. all inductors, caps, case heat-sink and 24v DC-DC convertor. Board sets all from Sunil VU3SUA Toroids & other cores from KitsandParts Caps are NOS Russian mil-spec 1kv silver-mica Linear build notes: BiTX build notes: These have been sitting untouched for a couple of years now, and it is *very* unlikely I will ever take them any further. Looking for ~€70 for the lot. EU shipping +€20 I can do global shipping, but the cost is likely to be €30 or more. Photos below... / Gerry   
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I am using 160 (or was, till mid April) with only the addition of this 160 filter. I put antenna connectors on the filter in series with the antenna for both transmit and receive. To use the radio on any other band I remove it from the circuit.?
The uBITX puts out about 20 watts on 160.?
Will say that what I did works, as was able to work ssb stations up to over 1000 miles with ubitx and 1300' loop antenna. If graphs are to believed, it was something like a .3dB loss until over 2mhz.?
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73
Dave
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If I read this thread correctly, the ubitx ?v6 could run on the 160 m band with the only alteration is an LPF filter? All we need is another Arduino DO to turn it on. I wonder if there are any extra DO¡¯s if you are using a Second nano I2C and CEC software?
I also wonder if Jim and the teensy gang have considered this as an option?
It¡¯s too early in my Ham experience to dig into the Arduino programIng, but it is certainly going on a list of modifications to consider.
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73
Mick VA3EPM?
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Re: uBiTX #v6 - First steps after assembly
#v6
Hi Reed, I verified the input-output functionality using your sketch. Touchscreen and rotary encoder seem to work well, apart from a huge delay of tuning knob input: /g/BITX20/message/78885Same time I can't follow your calibration instructions (/g/BITX20/message/78865): entering selection mode works, VFO-A field gets framed but the frame doesn't move when spinning the tuning knob. vy 73 de Urs, du1/dl1kdx
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Hi Reed, many thanks for scripting and sharing this auxiliary sketch. I tested it on my #v6 as build out of the box. Finger touches and tuning knob inputs are detecting as described, while I didn't monitor the serial output. However I notice that input from the rotary encoder is deferred significantly. vy 73 de Urs, du1/dl1kdx 
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Re: uBiTX #v6 - First steps after assembly
#v6
1. Sounds fine 2. Sounds fine 3. Yep. If you search this group, you'll find lots of reports of hot 5V regulators. It's normal. 4. Did you calibrate the screen? I just explained how to do this earlier today: /g/BITX20/message/78865 5. When you first boot (in stock or my version), the knob adjusts the VFO A frequency - it doesn't select. 6. Sounds good 7. Sounds fine 8. Kinda expected 9. N/A 10. If you press and hold the knob in while in tuning mode, that activates the morse menu feature, which "plays" menus to you, so that you can navigate the radio blind. You can turn it back off by long pressing the knob again. 11. Might be a screen calibration thing. See 4. 12. Power radio off. Power radio on. Press knob button momentarily (briefly). At that point, you should see a small white border around VFOA that moves when you turn the encoder. 13. Did you click on the 4 crosses and then set the BFO and oscillator cals? If you didn't, good. I'd recommend against it, since you'll lose the factory BFO and oscillator cals, and have to re-cal from "scratch". If you did, not the end of the world, but also strange that the calibration wouldn't make your touch screen work. It strikes me as odd that it sounds like the knob button only works as a long press for you. I would expect it either to fully work, or not work at all. I know some folks have accidentally plugged the encoder into the audio jack on the motherboard instead of the raduino jack, but if the button works somewhat, that sounds unlikely to be your issue. If you power the radio on, then after the screen is drawn, press the knob briefly (short press), do you not see the white border around VFO A? It's a thin border, so perhaps you just didn't see it? Another thing from the earlier thread today that may be worth trying is loading the test branch: /g/BITX20/message/78792. It will let you test the inputs and outputs of the radio, by providing audio and on-screen feedback (see youtube link in that message for demonstration). Reed
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uBiTX #v6 - First steps after assembly
#v6
Hi guys,
I am new to the forum, received my uBiTX v6 yesterday, assembled the kit same night and encounter some issues. I would like to share with you my issues, kindly seeking for your expertise and advice how to fix them. Here are my setup, observations and issues:
1. Power supply is 13.8V out of a regulated 20A-capable device.
2. Current in Rx mode with running TFT display is approx. 350mA.
3. After a couple of minutes the 5V regulator mounted on the Raduino board gets boiling hot.
4. The TFT is "not touchable", neither pushed with the fingers nor the pen, it doesn't re-act.
5. The displayed menus doesn't re-act on spinning or pushing the rotary encoder.
6. The rotary encoder appears to work well, verified with my Digital Multimeter.
7. Current in Rx mode without TFT display is approx 150mA and the 5V regulator remains at moderate temperature.
8. I re-installed the latest version of Ashhar's master code to the Arduino Nano successfully, to verify that it works properly. It does and none of the above points change.
9. Finally I installed Reed N's modification of the master code with minor operational improvements:
10. After pushing the rotary encoder several times the uBiTX starts sending the VFO-A frequency in morse code through the speaker and volume control works well.
11. Occasionally the Split button illuminates.
12. However, I am still not able to browse through the menus or to change VFO-A frequency.
13. Powering up the uBiTX while pushing the rotary encoder, brings up the "Click on the cross" window, but still the screen is "untouchable" and doesn't accept input through the rotary encoder.
I never had the uBiTX switched on longer than 5 minutes, because of point 3. Enclosed some pics illustrating my observations.
Any kind of comments, ideas etc is highly appreciated.
73 de Urs, du1/dl1kdx
  
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Hi Nick Did you consider the suggestion for an onboard 160M LPF? Any idea when the boards will be available Regards? Lawrence
On Thu, May 14, 2020 at 8:08 AM Cor Beijersbergen < dx11@...> wrote: Hello Nick, I ?haven¡¯t seen the signal that the time window for ordering your board is opened. Ut now I see some people showing their interest in this board, so maybe I missed something, ?therefor I would like to repeat to you my interest in two of these boards. ? Kind regards, Cor ¨C PA4Q
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Hello Nick, I ?haven¡¯t seen the signal that the time window for ordering your board is opened. Ut now I see some people showing their interest in this board, so maybe I missed something, ?therefor I would like to repeat to you my interest in two of these boards. ? Kind regards, Cor ¨C PA4Q
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Okay, wanna try also,?wanna try also when my V6 is working
Regards
Rene
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Re: Better mic for ver 6.1
Les
My v4 did not come with an assembled mic, so I found a kenwood speaker mic and wired a new connector on it.
Possibly your mic element may be okay, but have lousy material over it. Maybe I read here that some have modified those microphones?? also evaluate your output power. First check your cw output level. Your voice won't reach that level since an ordinary power meter responds too slow. But needle should dance significantly off of zero when you are getting adequate drive. See if your mic is delivering adequate audio. It could even be padding over the element. You may need to experiment,? ordering a new mic may not necessarily solve it.
Curt wb8yyy
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Hi Farhan:
Very nice! BTW, after you mentioned the Bach book I looked into buying one. $103! So I went on eBay and bought a used copy for $8. Got it today and started reading it. I think I'm gonna like it!
Please stay safe and well, my friend!
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 4:43:54 PM EDT, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
Jack,
Scroll down and read through the pacificon pdf
dan tayloe's high performance cw transceiver?
have not heard of it. Details?
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 4:41:28 PM EDT, Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote:
Dex, the good thing about analog is that you can always improvise. as long as transistors, capacitors, crystals? and resistors are available, analog radios will continue to educate, edify and entertain us. vfo tuning mechanisms are getting tougher to find. but PTOs made from screws are very robust and very stable. have you see dan tayloe's high performance cw transceiver? - f? On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 1:51 AM Dexter N Muir < dexy@...> wrote: Hi Farhan from South-East a ways.
Bill N2CQR (he of SolderSmoke) would be a good Elmer: Fully capable both Digital and Analog, enthusiastic Constructor and collaborator.
My 2p-worth: Analog hardware is becoming rare, best sourced from junkboxes and swap-meets.
73,
Dex, ZL2DEX
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Jack, W8TEE
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Jack, W8TEE
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The first and third should correspond to button presses. 1 for short press, 2 for long press, 0 for not pressed. If you're not watching closely, the 1 or 2 can go scroll by in a flash.
Glad to hear everything is working for you now! Enjoy your upgraded radio :)
Reed
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Reed,?
the serial debug data which shows 5 sets of numbers separated by comma , the 2nd set is changing ?when rotating the knob , 4th & 5th set changes when the screen is touched, no changes on 1st & 3rd set . I plugged back ?the nano with R.1.5.0 firmware, all items on the screen are working now ,can hear the signals well , thank you very much .?
darwin EI3IHB?
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Jack,
Scroll down and read through the pacificon pdf
dan tayloe's high performance cw transceiver?
have not heard of it. Details?
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 4:41:28 PM EDT, Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote:
Dex, the good thing about analog is that you can always improvise. as long as transistors, capacitors, crystals? and resistors are available, analog radios will continue to educate, edify and entertain us. vfo tuning mechanisms are getting tougher to find. but PTOs made from screws are very robust and very stable. have you see dan tayloe's high performance cw transceiver? - f? On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 1:51 AM Dexter N Muir < dexy@...> wrote: Hi Farhan from South-East a ways.
Bill N2CQR (he of SolderSmoke) would be a good Elmer: Fully capable both Digital and Analog, enthusiastic Constructor and collaborator.
My 2p-worth: Analog hardware is becoming rare, best sourced from junkboxes and swap-meets.
73,
Dex, ZL2DEX
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Jack, W8TEE
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Hi Jonas,?
Yes, I should have a couple of 1N34A in my junk box; then the link you kindly provided will be a good guide for building it. I will do that tomorrow.
This has been a very fruitful day, I am so happy to have repaired the ubitx and, more important, to have learned something new :-)
Hej do
Jep
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 Reed?
I saw the setting icon this afternoon , calibrated it but not all items on the screen is working on R1.5.0, will try to send the debug data later. Thank you.?
darwin EI3IHB?
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Hi Pat,
I have installe SMD parts on legacy circuit boards and the other way round. What you describe is about the same thing I did. It works:)
I spent years on the fire department. There is nothing that cannot be disassembled with a fire axe. Reassembling might be problematic.
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On 5/13/20 11:10 AM, pat griffin wrote: Bill,
I think I installed it on the top so it looks like a water tank in a midwestern town hovering above the smd parts.? Bend the ends of the 2n2222 legs into little circles at right angles to the legs and solder those feet to the pads.
My wife took my fire axe away years ago.? Something about scaring the kids' friends.
73, Pat AA4PG
Pat Griffin
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bark less - wag more
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_Dave_ AD0B
Mick
Darwin EI4KX
Jep