Re: callsign command not found
If you¡¯re attempting these commands in the OS terminal, they will not work. ?You need to be in sbitx. ?Also, the commands within sbitx are case sensitive.
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On Aug 11, 2022, at 12:49, James Conaway < jwc7992@...> wrote:
I keep getting "command not found" when trying to enter "callsign" or "grid". Which directory should I be in to do this?
I have done "git pull" and ./build and every thing went fine. HELP PLEASE.
james
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callsign command not found
I keep getting "command not found" when trying to enter "callsign" or "grid". Which directory should I be in to do this?
I have done "git pull" and ./build and every thing went fine. HELP PLEASE.
james
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Re: Ubitx Ver 6 need PTT circuit for Linear AMP
That section of the schematic goes back to v3:  You can see that K3 and the other relays use the same part model to make the circuit board.? When things changed in the v6, the board had to change significantly.? When that was done, the model for the relays other than K1 was updated, and the correct pins were used to mark the connections. v6 schematic:  Doing the conversion, it is either pin 8 or 9 on the part model from the manufacturer.? Look at the board and see which one is grounded on that end of the relay.? It would be the other one.? Then test to verify that the pin does go to 12volts when transmitting. As always, check whatever you are given for advice that is free.? That includes anything from me ;-) 73 Evan AC9TU
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
Fully wired, but abandoned because too much interference and interference. But it¡¯s beautiful.? LOL
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
Hello,
I¡¯ve always made the reels by hand. It takes a little agility.
Here is the first result on a double-sided circuit.
Then the 2nd version and the 3rd...
Only for reception; but planned for emission LOL.?
cdt
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
Check the J1 on the digital board. There are two digital line left free and? +5v and ground. - f
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022, 9:24 PM Ken N2VIP < ken@...> wrote: That sounds like an excellent approach, while the sBitx may be viewed as a hackers/experimenters radio, all but inviting its owner to grab a soldering iron and modify the radio, a fair number of owners may not be comfortable cracking open their $300-500 radio and poking a hot sokderingbiron inside of it. Ken, N2VIP ? I am building a stockon add on for the sbitx. I will add a raspberry pico as the measuring device that you can plug into the usb port. - f Another way NFETs can be destroyed is exceeding Vgs limits (voltage from gate to source).
This could be due to a long source lead to ground, or a poor ground plane.
This could be due to capacitance from the drain to the gate yanking the gate around
when the drain zips up and down some 24 volts, if the gate is not being driven by a source of low enough impedance.
An NFET designed for RF makes things easier because:
1)? The source lead is often connected to the heat sink tab, which is handy because we usually want to ground the source.
?On the IRF510, it is the drain that is connected to the heat sink tab.
2) An RF NFET is designed to have lower internal capacitances, making the gate easier to drive.
3) AN RF NFET comes with app notes describing a recommended design for an RF amp.
The IRF510 was meant for blinking automotive turn signals, does not have an app note for operation at 30 mHz.
Even when following app notes describing a well thought out design,
building an RF amp that works well can be tricky.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 07:11 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's.
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
That sounds like an excellent approach, while the sBitx may be viewed as a hackers/experimenters radio, all but inviting its owner to grab a soldering iron and modify the radio, a fair number of owners may not be comfortable cracking open their $300-500 radio and poking a hot sokderingbiron inside of it. Ken, N2VIP
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On Aug 11, 2022, at 10:38, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
? I am building a stockon add on for the sbitx. I will add a raspberry pico as the measuring device that you can plug into the usb port. - f Another way NFETs can be destroyed is exceeding Vgs limits (voltage from gate to source).
This could be due to a long source lead to ground, or a poor ground plane.
This could be due to capacitance from the drain to the gate yanking the gate around
when the drain zips up and down some 24 volts, if the gate is not being driven by a source of low enough impedance.
An NFET designed for RF makes things easier because:
1)? The source lead is often connected to the heat sink tab, which is handy because we usually want to ground the source.
?On the IRF510, it is the drain that is connected to the heat sink tab.
2) An RF NFET is designed to have lower internal capacitances, making the gate easier to drive.
3) AN RF NFET comes with app notes describing a recommended design for an RF amp.
The IRF510 was meant for blinking automotive turn signals, does not have an app note for operation at 30 mHz.
Even when following app notes describing a well thought out design,
building an RF amp that works well can be tricky.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 07:11 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's.
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
Good deal!
On an aside, I believe I read in a post a few weeks ago that all the Pi GPIO lines are used by the sBitx? ?I haven¡¯t had time yet to study the schematic to fully understand the GPIO usage. ?Undoubtedly, hackers like me are going to need I/O lines to interface with ¡°stuff". ?Could this outboard Raspberry Pico give us some more I/O pins to work with?
73 Goody
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I am building a stockon add on for the sbitx. I will add a raspberry pico as the measuring device that you can plug into the usb port. - f Another way NFETs can be destroyed is exceeding Vgs limits (voltage from gate to source).
This could be due to a long source lead to ground, or a poor ground plane.
This could be due to capacitance from the drain to the gate yanking the gate around
when the drain zips up and down some 24 volts, if the gate is not being driven by a source of low enough impedance.
An NFET designed for RF makes things easier because:
1)? The source lead is often connected to the heat sink tab, which is handy because we usually want to ground the source.
?On the IRF510, it is the drain that is connected to the heat sink tab.
2) An RF NFET is designed to have lower internal capacitances, making the gate easier to drive.
3) AN RF NFET comes with app notes describing a recommended design for an RF amp.
The IRF510 was meant for blinking automotive turn signals, does not have an app note for operation at 30 mHz.
Even when following app notes describing a well thought out design,?
building an RF amp that works well can be tricky.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 07:11 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's.
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
I am building a stockon add on for the sbitx. I will add a raspberry pico as the measuring device that you can plug into the usb port. - f
Another way NFETs can be destroyed is exceeding Vgs limits (voltage from gate to source).
This could be due to a long source lead to ground, or a poor ground plane.
This could be due to capacitance from the drain to the gate yanking the gate around
when the drain zips up and down some 24 volts, if the gate is not being driven by a source of low enough impedance.
An NFET designed for RF makes things easier because:
1)? The source lead is often connected to the heat sink tab, which is handy because we usually want to ground the source.
?On the IRF510, it is the drain that is connected to the heat sink tab.
2) An RF NFET is designed to have lower internal capacitances, making the gate easier to drive.
3) AN RF NFET comes with app notes describing a recommended design for an RF amp.
The IRF510 was meant for blinking automotive turn signals, does not have an app note for operation at 30 mHz.
Even when following app notes describing a well thought out design,
building an RF amp that works well can be tricky.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 07:11 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's.
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
Another way NFETs can be destroyed is exceeding Vgs limits (voltage from gate to source).
This could be due to a long source lead to ground, or a poor ground plane.
This could be due to capacitance from the drain to the gate yanking the gate around
when the drain zips up and down some 24 volts, if the gate is not being driven by a source of low enough impedance.
An NFET designed for RF makes things easier because:
1)? The source lead is often connected to the heat sink tab, which is handy because we usually want to ground the source.
?On the IRF510, it is the drain that is connected to the heat sink tab.
2) An RF NFET is designed to have lower internal capacitances, making the gate easier to drive.
3) AN RF NFET comes with app notes describing a recommended design for an RF amp.
The IRF510 was meant for blinking automotive turn signals, does not have an app note for operation at 30 mHz.
Even when following app notes describing a well thought out design,
building an RF amp that works well can be tricky.
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 07:11 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's.
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
I use one of these to hold the toroid ? As long as you're careful they don't scratch the enamel.? They are nice and thin so you don't hog wire space.  --
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Re: Ubitx Ver 6 need PTT circuit for Linear AMP
?Now to determine which of the six pins is #1. Schematic uses different numbering sequence than the data sheet for the relay. K3, KC1,KB1 and KA1 all show the numbering on the Schematic that the product data sheet shows.? According to the diagram below, Pins 1 & 16 are the Coil.? Again, this does not match K1 on the Schematic as it shows the coil as pins 8&9. The schematic of K1 is the same in board versions 4,5 and 6.? --  KG5UMH Michael - DM93am
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
Currently it's $30 for just two of the winders, or $40 for the kit with two winders plus the toroids and a tuna can to?hold it all. At current pricing from kitsandparts, the toroids would cost $11.40 if you use the quantity 25 prices and divide down to quantity 10.
For the $30 you also get a selection of 50 toroids, so not a bad price.
In a pinch, could probably use a pair of springy forceps in a vice on small toroids,
Or cut something vaguely like what he has out of plastic or wood.
The really tough toroids are the ones that are completely full of wire
where this tool might not be such a good idea.? Solution then is to use a larger toroid
of the same core material, adjusting the number of turns to give the same inductance.
Jerry, KE7ER
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
For many, the hard part isn't winding the toroid, it's keeping track of the counts. I rarely get phone calls, but when I do, it's while I'm winding a toroid. I just keep my camera handy and when I think I have it done, I take a picture, put it in Paint, increase its size, and then count the turns.
Jack, W8TEE
On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 09:47:43 AM EDT, Jerry Gaffke via groups.io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
For the $30 you also get a selection of 50 toroids, so not a bad price.
In a pinch, could probably use a pair of springy forceps in a vice on small toroids,
Or cut something vaguely like what he has out of plastic or wood.
The really tough toroids are the ones that are completely full of wire
where this tool might not be such a good idea.? Solution then is to use a larger toroid
of the same core material, adjusting the number of turns to give the same inductance.
Jerry, KE7ER
-- Jack, W8TEE
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Re: Ubitx Ver 6 need PTT circuit for Linear AMP
Dan,
A little off topic, but
If you might have an idea on how to do that, private message me. I looked at the amplifier that you mentioned in your post. I looks a lot like the Palomar TX-100 (uses same transistors) that I had acquired. I was going to use it with an LPF but could not figure out how to do that.
--
KG5UMH
Michael - DM93am
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
I could be proven wrong, but I doubt a zener is needed on the uBitx.? The uBitx has a forward transformer at the output which develops 24 volts (roughly) across the push-pull FET's regardless of how it is loaded.? The IRF510's have a Vds max of 100 volts. Should be fine with or without an antenna. The Bitx40 with the flyback transformer at the output is a different story, but the Miller effect is there to catch you. You do often see zener's on single NFET finals like the Birtx40 and the ones Demaw often used. /g/BITX20/message/84987I'd be more worried about shorts at the antenna, as it is excessive current (and subsequent heating) that will destroy the IRF510's. Some way of limiting current (perhaps just a fuse or polyswitch, or a wimpy power supply) might be sufficient, as it will take a second for the heat to build up enough to destroy the IRF510.? I think. Don was burning up his IRF510's when operating with 24 volts into the final.? Keep things at 12 volts and add a polyswitch if you want something reasonably bulletproof. Some RF NFETs claim to tolerate any SWR. They assume you use their circuit design recommendations and don't exceed the recommended supply voltage. Any NFET can be bulletproof if used conservatively. Any NFET can be blown away if you push things. Jerry KE7ER
On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 06:19 AM, Anthony Good wrote:
On an aside, could a strategically placed zener diode or two on the finals prevent damage? ?Doug Demaw recommended this on NPN finals in his books.
?
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
For the $30 you also get a selection of 50 toroids, so not a bad price.
In a pinch, could probably use a pair of springy forceps in a vice on small toroids,
Or cut something vaguely like what he has out of plastic or wood.
The really tough toroids are the ones that are completely full of wire
where this tool might not be such a good idea.? Solution then is to use a larger toroid
of the same core material, adjusting the number of turns to give the same inductance.
Jerry, KE7ER
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
LOL :-D
Last night I was messing around and had the 40m dipole connected to another rig and had the sBitx unterminated. ?I bumped the CW key and put out 10 watts momentarily and nearly screamed. ?I quickly hooked up a wattmeter and a dummy load and was relieved to see RF power still coming out.
I¡¯m going to implement an SWR sensor and RF power foldback mod as soon as one becomes available, or I get the gumption to develop it.
On an aside, could a strategically placed zener diode or two on the finals prevent damage? ?Doug Demaw recommended this on NPN finals in his books.
73 Goody
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As an experimenters/makers playground, the lack of self protecting circuitry became apparent.
I¡¯d mess around with multiple antenna systems and tuner/switches/cables/CMC balun/etc. ?and 1 out on 10 ¡°hookups¡± would be an open/error. Hey I¡¯m a relative newbie and a liberal art major ¡ª what would you expect. Hahah. ?
Then there were many experiments playing with uBITX final PA voltage levels, and countless other goofy ¡°experiments¡±?
it got to the point where my favorite radio accessory was a fire extinguisher, and my fastest repair was irf510 appendectomies. ?I¡¯d line up the dead and abused 510s and praise them for their brave service and contribution to my belated understanding ?of Ohm¡¯s Law. ?And the effects of rapid heat build up under sketchy situations.
These confessional stories make the point that for many of us curious hacks, goofy experimenters, newbies, or the just bone headed folks in general, self protective circuits in the sBITX, and any BITX, would be welcome.
On the other hand, blowing stuff up is a learning methodology. So thanks much for the chance to play and repair (often).
Don the Incendiary?
km4udx ?
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Re: sBitx antenna-first warning
As an experimenters/makers playground, the lack of self protecting circuitry became apparent.
I¡¯d mess around with multiple antenna systems and tuner/switches/cables/CMC balun/etc. ?and 1 out on 10 ¡°hookups¡± would be an open/error. Hey I¡¯m a relative newbie and a liberal art major ¡ª what would you expect. Hahah. ?
Then there were many experiments playing with uBITX final PA voltage levels, and countless other goofy ¡°experiments¡±?
it got to the point where my favorite radio accessory was a fire extinguisher, and my fastest repair was irf510 appendectomies. ?I¡¯d line up the dead and abused 510s and praise them for their brave service and contribution to my belated understanding ?of Ohm¡¯s Law. ?And the effects of rapid heat build up under sketchy situations.
These confessional stories make the point that for many of us curious hacks, goofy experimenters, newbies, or the just bone headed folks in general, self protective circuits in the sBITX, and any BITX, would be welcome.
On the other hand, blowing stuff up is a learning methodology. So thanks much for the chance to play and repair (often).
Don the Incendiary?
km4udx
?
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Re: Do you hate to wind toroids?
Raj,
And this seems to be the PDF file
Thomas
Dennis, a link please.
On 11/08/2022 5:43 PM, Dennis Zabawa
wrote:
I have discovered a great set of tools to make this process
quick and easy!
?
Go to the QPRME website and click on Toroid EZ Tools in the
sidebar.? Then read the documentation provided in the link.
?
While they seem a little pricey, $30.00, they make the task
of winding a toroid SO MUCH EASIER!
?
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Support@...
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Gerard
Shirley Dulcey KE1L