OK, to answer my own question....

The code that runs in the second Nano actually *reads* using *Hardware serial* and *writes* using the slimmed down *Software Serial* in the file uart_forward.cpp. The "ah ha!" moment was the seeing in the function "ForwardData (in i2cmeter1.ino) where instead of using SWSerial_Available()>0 he uses Serial.available()>0. And then proceeds to do a recvChar=Serial.read(); (and *not* a SWSerial_Read).? In fact the function SWSerial_Read is never used....? However, SWSerial_Write and SWSerial_Print are used to write the data to the Nextion screen. The definition of the RX_PIN is just an artifact of the slimmed down SoftwareSerial (in uart_forward.cpp) where the SWSerial_Begin initializes both a read and write pin...

I speculate that things were done this way because the hardware serial port on the Nano is shared with the USB? This allows debugging to go out over the Serial console and as long as you don't put anything in the input side of the console, you can use it for Hardware Serial RX and all is well...

Whew!? Learn something new everyday....

73
Mark
AJ6CU

I forgot to mention the Raduino32 effort that is ongoing.? That might be another source for more capability in the software.
/g/BITX20/message/95106

73
Evan
AC9TU

Aaron,

The best place to look for instruction is on the Hamskey.com site.? This is the original location where Dr. Lee published his work.? It is a Blog type of site, so it is constantly growing.? It would be best if you searched in old entries for the information.? The WSPER is here:


The second Nano is on the ubitx.net site and the Hamskey site:


It is often difficult to find information on his blog.? Try searching for different features that you are interested in installing.? It took me four tries to find the above ;-)

With Nanos being so cheap, I would stick with them.? There have been conversions to Teensy-based Raduino.? I believe that that effort has stopped with the advent of the sBitx and SDT-T41.

73
Evan
AC9TU

High John,

My preference is the 3.5" display.? I can power it without having to add another power source.? I have installed my v5 in an AmateurRadioKits.in enclosure.? It turned out to look like a commercial rig, like the pictures on the site:


The 3.5 and 3.2 inch cases are listed as out of stock.

73
Evan
AC9TU

What do you think is a reasonably useful size display without going really big? Big enough to not need a stylus. Any surplus deals on heatsinks? I am thinking about running the final on the ubitx v3 at 24vdc. I have a hamfest coming up but surplus dealers sometimes have good deals too.
-John

Thanks, Evan I will be looking into that.?
Is there an operating manual for the uBITX - Nextion? I have been going through the different menus and between that and uBITX Memory Manager, I will be busy today setting everything up.?

On the uBITX screen, you can push the tuning knob in and a greenish-yellow bar appears with even more menu items. One of those that really piqued my interest is the WSPR Beacon.? When I select it, the display says "Empty Data" and I was looking at the uBITX MM and saw where you can configure WSPR. Does this work as a built-in stand-alone WSPR Becan or do you still need to be hooked up to a computer??

I have seen it mentioned about adding a second NANO. I have no idea how to get that done. Also just wondering on the same note, I have an Arduino Mega 2560 Pro board. It is not much larger than a Nano and is basically an Arduino Mega that has been shrunk down to 55mm X 38mm. I'm wondering if anyone has put something like that in the uBITX. Would it offer more functions and features or would it be too big of a hassle for the end result.

--
'72

Aaron,

Because the kit can be ordered, I would interpret that he is not building more, and when the stock is gone, it will no longer be offered.

Any S meter can be fed to the A7 line displayed on the Nextion as the red bar.? You must adjust the voltage level to stay within the 0 to 5volt limit of the Nano.? Otherwise, you can damage the Nano.? The stand-alone Nano-based S meter adds more than just the S meter function.? It is integrated into the display(s), so the S meter value will be displayed.? More values become available with the second Nano addition.? You will need another 5volt source if you add the second Nano.? Note that I have not done this mod.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Thanks again Evan.?
The Kit-Projects website says that they are no longer making kits for the AGC and referred to the file section of this group for the schematic and parts list. Does any of the mods work with the meter on the Nextion display?
Don KM4UDX that is a sweet rig. Now after teasing us, you must show us some of what it looks like inside the case.?
One thing I like about these BITX rigs is that each rig can be customized to what the owner wants. With so many mods and add-on there is almost an unlimited amount of configurations. Plus all of the great people here that are willing to help others.

--
'72

Hi Aaron,

It does look good.? I have used a lapel printer to label the jacks on a couple of uBitx I worked on.? It is about the same result as your labels because the label strip has to be trimmed to fit the narrow space available on the front panel.

Here is a resource for the s meter:


I found the Memory Manager the best way to calibrate the LM358-based meter circuit.? It allows for repeated trials and a way to save the settings.


I did the LM358 version for a friend.? It turned out OK, but I was not completely happy with the response.? I have not tried the other options.? I did not come up with a good way to calibrate to a "standard" S meter value as I did not have a way to generate the low-level RF to make the calibration.?

I also added the Kit-Projects AGC to the uBitx v6.? It works.? Some have reported a loss in receiver sensitivity when added.? The QRM is so high in my area that I could not notice it.? When I did the mod, I included the RF attenuation variable resistor because of the QRM.? I would recommend including it if you go this route.


There is an S meter output on the AGC module.? It works better than the LM358, but only when the AGC is on.? That output is shorted to ground when the AGC is off.? This led to the separate LM358-based S meter.

If you do both of the above, the S meter reading interacts with the AGC and the RF attenuation control.? Since the S meter uses audio, any AGC action changes the S meter reading.? I compared it to my ICOM 7300 and found the same characteristic there.? This leads me to question the reason or need for an S meter value, as it is subjective to anyway to install it.? At the least, it is a function of the antenna used.? That input on the Nano might be better used to monitor audio input from the mic as under, or over-driving significantly impacts the radio output.? I have not done this, nor do I know of a mod does implement this function.? The closest is a compression amp added to the mic input.

A tip in adding the mods is to use the control and audio headers that HFSignals has kept on the board to the interface where needed.? I made a small perf board LM358 with a header soldered on end to connect it to the Audio mainboard header.? Worked well for me.? You can use the extra control cable for pins with wires already crimped on.? I used a tiny screwdriver to depress the tab on the pin while gently pulling on the wire to remove it.? Installation on the other header with the encoder wires is easy to insert after removing the snipped-off wire and pin.

As always, the above are my experiences and may differ from others and the opinions that the experience generates.??
73
Evan
AC9TU

Gotta love repurposing a vacuum-cleaner switch for a QRP radio!? Nice build, actually, in a Frankenstein sor of way. Fugly? and functional!? ?

Peace,

K3RTA

Don't laugh. My little V4 uBITX has been through the mill, and back again. The "labels"? come from a little hand held label machine thing, or sharpie marker. The residue of double sided tape is left over from the Nextion screen (RIP).?

The big hole on the upper left is now a "LED portal for the Operational Status Communication Device (OSCD)". It was previously a big old power switch.? The two voltage displays show the main board and final supply. I get a kick out of seeing the voltage drop on the final supply when I TX. The drop lets me know my very old surplus laptop power supply is weak, and that the finals still work, sort of.?

My ubitx did have a sexy past with a wicked dreamy interface. But heat, many months of 24x7 100% continuous WSPR /or/ FT8 all took their toll, plus questionable operating practices, and now we have but a distant echo of a glorious past. Sigh. But hey, today I had a great qso with a guy at the Swallowtail LightHouse VE9SLH (Rick) on the Bay of Fundy! All the way from Vienna Virginia with my humble "I had a hard life" uBITX!? And Rick didn't have a single complaint about the "steam house punk" rig esthetic. hahah

Here is a pic of the previously very sexy nextion. The massive power switch on the upper left was salvaged from a very old vacuum cleaner.?



Don
km4udx

开云体育

what about "rub on letters" and clear spraypaint??

available in white and black (white on black looks goood as does black on brushed aluminium/silver)

if a letter went wrong its easy to correct (some sticky tape and rip it off)

when all is finished .. some thin layers of spraypaint and the front looks like from a factory

i made a lot of projects with such letters ;-)

needs some practice but the end result is what counts

as an example i had to replace the bandswitch in my tuner .. a hamfriend gave me one with finer steps and more contacts ...

i made a new scale with these letters on a thin grey plastic sheet (hiding the original scale) and added additional in between settings on the switchable coil

not original anymore but the new scale for the bandswitch looks ok for me

... just one idea how you can make a front ... i bet there are other solutions (even carving on a cnc machine and filling the carved letters with paint is possible hi hi)

greetz sigi dg9bfc

ps i first spray some thin layers to secure the letters and then a thicker finish layer

Attached is the simple circuit I built to install an S/power meter in my Bitx20a I built a number of years ago. I found the plans online when I built the BitX but I don't know if it's still online now. It works fairly well with the BitX20a using a meter salvaged from an old CB. I haven't constructed that circuit since but may build it again in the future.


--
Tom Sevart N2UHC
St. Paul, KS

Thank you once again Evan. All is working now and is looking pretty sharp (at least to me lol)


I painted the case with silver/gray paint with a hammered finish. I'm not happy with the labels. The labels were printed on some decal paper on my home printer. I really need labels as I will always forget which is the microphone. or headphones or key. How have others labeled their uBITX rigs??
As said above I think that it all looks nice except for the labels. The Nextion screen looks really good with the finish on the case. I'm starting to doubt if I want to go through the effort of making or buying a larger enclosure just to have a larger screen.?
Next project? S-Meter or AGC, I don't know yet.?
Anyway thanks for all of the help.?

--
'72

Aaron,

Did you note that the drawing is upside down from the Raduino?? Pin 1 of P2 (TFT Display Header) is on the bottom side closest to the 18-pin header that goes into the mainboard.? Check to be sure you have the 5volts before you connect the Nextion to the provided 4pin plug.

73
Evan
AC9TU

I got my SD card issue figured out and was able to load the uBITX_28.tft file to my SD card. I decided to go with my 2.8" Nextion display for the time being because it allows me to use the uBITX V6 case. Once I get this continuous stream of headaches figured out then I will see about upgrading to the 3.5 Nextion. I loaded the UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX?HEX file to the Raduino using the XLOADER software. The firmware on the Nextion and the sketch on the Raduino was loaded up with out incident and so far it looks ok.?
Now for the next headache.?
I wired the Nextion Display to the TFT Display Header on the Raduino. Here is my wiring:
Red +5V to pin #1
Black GND to pin #2
Yellow RX to pin #5
Blue TX to pin #11

Now I get nothing from the Nextion Display. It does not power on, the screen does not light up. I get nothing from it.?
About 10 minutes ago I had to screen powered up with a USB cable (5 volts) to load up the firmware and it was working just fine. I install it to my Raduino and there are absolutely no signs of life. I power it up using my USB cable and again it powers up with no problem. The only thing that I can think of is either I got the 4 wires wrong in the TFT header or I am missing something. I feel that the uBITX and Nextion display work just fine, it's the monkey on the keyboard that is messing up. I found a PDF file named?UBITX V6 2.8" NEXION TFT DISPLAY MODIFICATION
Here is the wireing schematic that I am using as a guide:

To make the connection from the Nextion Display Harness I took some 90-degree header pins, removed the plastic that holds the pins together, and that allowed me to hook up the wires. I have the Nextion Display wire harness going from the TFT header and then between the Raduino and Nextion into the 4-pin wire plug in the Nextion.?
I must be missing something somewhere.?

--
'72

Jonathan,
The v6 uBITX still has the control wiring that Dr Lee was referencing in the schematic that you posted. ?It was not clear that the red number was to be associated with the connector above it on the schematic, not the blue wire. ?The original color coded harness was included with my v6. ?You would have to retire the tuning encoder to the new harness, or pop the purple wire from the extra harness and replace the cut off wire on the encoder wiring harness. ?That is what I did for a mod for a friend. The audio connector is also on the v6 main board.?

73
Evan
AC9TU

开云体育

Scott

Jonathan

my apologies! ?You were clear on what you were asking about. I took a snap read and went down the wrong path. I have been focused on the separate nano for S meter.?

Ignore my post!?

73
Mark

Hi Ramón,

All understood. It’s always a bit tricky when having a mixed voltage system. I think if the interface has a pull-up to 5V, the ESP32 input protection diodes in the IO will be fine. There may be an issue if the interface is hard driven to 5V.