sBitx software development
Any suggestions for setting up for sBitx software development?
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I received my sBitx yesterday. It would have been delivered last Monday, but I put a one week vacation hold on it. This was the partial kit as I already had a RPi4 and screen (and microphone from my uBitx). It's assembled and working on received. However, I was missing three machine screws from the case. Does anyone know the specs of the screws?
With my RPi 400, I am using an external MVME SSD in a USB case. It's much quicker than the SD card. Has anyone considered doing this with the sBitx??
73,
Mark, N8ME
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The software is designed for that display, and notably for its resolution of 800x480. If you simply hook up a larger display it won't automatically scale. But the source code is available so you could change that.
The software is also designed for a touchscreen. But you can operate everything without one if you have a mouse connected.
If you don't have the Raspberry Pi display connected and you DO have another display attached, it will automatically use that as the primary display. No code changes are needed for that to happen.
I have a question about the sBITX screen. Does it absolutely need to be the RPI 7-inch touch screen??
I use a display from an old laptop for my RPI monitor. It isn't a touch screen but I would be willing to give up a touch screen capability for a larger screen. I plan my sBITX to be my main HF rig so portability isn't really on the list for this radio.?
Just attempting to use what I have and save a few dollars.?
--
'72
Aaron K5ATG
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Re: Sbitx #165 received today, thoughts.
Something to pay attention to:
While examining the unit I noted that there was poor to no DC resistance
between case sections.? This happens with painted cases but it also
means assumed grounded items like heatsink or front panel are floating
for RF.? ?This can be a potential cause of unwanted receiver noises or even
transmitter instability.
Before I power it up I will clean the affected areas of paint so the
screws can do their job in ensuring all section are grounded.
Allison
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Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.
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I have a question about the sBITX screen. Does it absolutely need to be the RPI 7-inch touch screen?? I use a display from an old laptop for my RPI monitor. It isn't a touch screen but I would be willing to give up a touch screen capability for a larger screen. I plan my sBITX to be my main HF rig so portability isn't really on the list for this radio.? Just attempting to use what I have and save a few dollars.? -- '72
Aaron K5ATG
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Re: sBitx C403 Part details
Low pass filter capacitors:
For the 40W level 250V parts should work but 500 would be better.
Allison
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Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.
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Sbitx #165 received today, thoughts.
Today I received the developers edition of the Bbitx.
I was pleased by the packaging quality.
Opening the package I was impressed with the actual radios packaging?
as it is quite substantial.? The box represents? good quality metal work
and reveals a decently sized heat sink on the rear.
What is not obvious from the HFsignals page is that this is a substantial
radio on both size and weight.?
As my usual I tend to inspect and confirm things that might shake loose
in shipping. before power up more to come.
Allison
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Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.
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Re: Ubitx V6 assembled, bought for giga parts, for sale.
I am interested do you have any pictures?
George W5GRG
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I had a few things go wrong with my sBITx--finals blown, insufficient power on transmit--but now I have an issue where I am not receiving any signals. After repair of the finals and power regulator and a reset of the drive and PA bias, I have had no problems transmitting. However, I am not getting any signals on the waterfall, or audible. I have reset the settings file, updated the sBITx software, reinstalled the sbitx software, and all attempts have resulted in the same blank signals on all bands. I have used another HF transceiver with good signals with the same antenna. If I turn my IF to +90, I can see a floor, but the lines on the waterfall stay the same, these lines did not exist before and stay when tunning around. I am wondering if my digital audio chip line has been blown. Could it be something else down the line from the antenna not allowing a signal in?
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Re: removing self from bitx20 forum
Just a comment here:
There are those of us who don't belong in the "hot iron &
bare board" club, either because the eyesight isn't up to it or
the hands aren't steady enough (or both).? I have no depth
perception (blind in one eye), so I pretty well have to pass on
some of the kit work.? My computer programming days were done with
the RS-274 G-code language used in CNC work.? I'm getting up in
years (late 70's).? I'm still trying to learn new skills, but I'm
a bit slower than I used to be.
Gerry Sherman
Sent by the Thunderbird
On 2022-09-27 15:28, ajparent1/kb1gmx
wrote:
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Show quoted text
When parts were like popcorn everybody was doing it.
To do a design and manufacture takes time, and money the latter
is for buying parts stock and also sitting on that stock until
enough
are sold to recover the cost.? Kit business is a low volume
activity.
Since the pandemic factories have closed, at least one had a
major fire, that makes ICs and semiconductor scarce and far more
expensive.? That is a challenge as a design once fixed and in
manufacture may suddenly need to be changed to accommodate
a new part like programming will be required to support that
change.
Its not as easy as it looks.
Allison
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Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.
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Re: removing self from bitx20 forum
When parts were like popcorn everybody was doing it.
To do a design and manufacture takes time, and money the latter
is for buying parts stock and also sitting on that stock until enough
are sold to recover the cost.? Kit business is a low volume activity.
Since the pandemic factories have closed, at least one had a
major fire, that makes ICs and semiconductor scarce and far more
expensive.? That is a challenge as a design once fixed and in
manufacture may suddenly need to be changed to accommodate
a new part like programming will be required to support that change.
Its not as easy as it looks.
Allison
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Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.
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Re: removing self from bitx20 forum
David has been an old timer at this forum and I do respect his decision. Especially about building his own.? Incidentally, the only chinese component in all the bitx radios has been the 45 MHz crystal filter. It is a fair challenge to import anything into India from China. A few years ago, India lost a few hundred kilometers of territory to China and since then, Alibaba et al have been blocked by the government.
The question would give to write a doctoral thesis, but in short, it shows that the world is no longer unipolar, neither technologically nor socially.
¸é²¹³¾¨®²Ô
EA4GZI
?
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Re: removing self from bitx20 forum
The question would give to write a doctoral thesis, but in short, it shows that the world is no longer unipolar, neither technologically nor socially. ¸é²¹³¾¨®²Ô EA4GZI
?
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Re: removing self from bitx20 forum
Given all this topsy turvey nature of the world, it takes a whole world to make a radio.
Well said, Ashhar! 73 Allard PE1NWL September 26, 2022 5:27 AM, "Ashhar Farhan" < farhanbox@...> wrote: David, HF signals is now a usa company. We just hired our first employee and we are planning to hire more soon. The boards are still assembled in India. They use toroids manufactured in the USA, chips made in Taiwan, with machines from Japan. Almost all components are bought from Mouser in Cincinati. A few dollars certainly go to women who wind the toroids and two guys who test the radios. We sell this with minimal profit to encourage people to try out, modify and learn radio. Though the final design was compiled by me. Almost all the circuits are due to American homebrewers. Wes designed the TIAs especially for thr bitx. Most of the sbitx code is due to mentoring of Bob, W7PUA and Phil,KA9Q. Given all this topsy turvey nature of the world, it takes a whole world to make a radio. Just wanted to say goodbye to everyone,and enjoy ur sbitxes,and such. Im changing paths in my Amateur radio career.
Just going to buy USA made or make it myself.
Not to be insulting to others, and none intended, i was shocked when 3 USA kit dealers emailed me back when i asked to purchase some of their boards and kits.
:summary of cut and paste of all three mom and pop shops. wont name the shops,dont need to.""However, given the low cost competition from outside the US, it is difficult for us to justify the expense of a large batch. Here is one example: We simply can not compete with this pricing and with recent supply chain issues and inflation, our costs have only increased.""
Meaning others have faster access to the chinese markets than USA markets.
So in order to be fair and support the small mom and pop shops, i wont be buying any radio kits anymore produced or designed outside the USA. Granted it limits my access to some kits, but I have a deep nawing feeling im doing myself right. Some may flame me but ohh well. to each his own.
Wish everyone good luck on the sbitx and the ubitxs too. I still own 3 ubitxs. but wont be purchasing more in the future. No offense to you Ashhar,you are a brilliant designer and buisness Man. A credit to the hobby.
good luck on all ur builds in the future and may you all keep the smoke in the pcb after building it . HI HI.
73
David
ac9xh
73, Allard - PE1NWL
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Re: sBitx C403 Part details
According to the diagram 470pf the voltage is unknown but I would guess 500V - higher the better!
Raj
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On 26/09/2022 9:12 PM, Vince Loschiavo wrote: Parts list?
is it just me or I'm not looking in the right place.? Would like to know details of the Caps that are used in the filtering (ie C403) so i can get one or 2...
thanks
N2AIE
Vince
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Re: Use driver stage as PA.
#sBitx
Neils,? The transformer of the IRF510s was used to drive a low impedance input of the IRFZ24ns (10 ohms each side). You could, instead, use the PA transformer to up it to 50 ohms. Instead of the three turns of the red/ornage wire secondary, remove one and make it a two turn secondary. Now wire up the two ends of the primary (that originally went to the IRFZ24Ns) to the two ends of the IRF510 drains (After removing the IRFZ24Ns!) To increase the IRF510 current, short out R59, R65 and R72. Bias the transistors for about 150 mA each (300 mA total). You can also try removing R58 and R55 to pump the gain more. You should be able to get 10 watts, at least on the lower bands, much like the uBitx. - f
Hi!!,?
What is the power output per band that you get.
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Re: Use driver stage as PA.
#sBitx
Hi!!,?
What is the power output per band that you get.
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Ubitx V6 assembled, bought for giga parts, for sale.
100% working fine, frequency is aligned, checked in on a 20 meter, call on net and did 15 contacts. 175$us, shipped to lower 48 in us.?
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Re: Collins Amateur Radio Club - excellent BITX article
I forgot i did this..
Vince
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Mark Erbaugh
Shirley Dulcey KE1L
Aaron K5ATG
Allard PE1NWL
Raj vu2zap
Vince N2AIE