Trying to cancel an order
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have to cancel an order I made for a ZBitx.
?
I have e-mailed HF Signals asking them to cancel and re-fund the cost.
?
However, 1st email sent 4th April, another asking if they had received the first email on the 8th of April and to the present time no response from HF Signals.
?
If anyone from the company is reading this or if anyone else has had a similar problem can they contact me please.
73
?
Regards
Ian G4GIR
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
?
I disagree too...
CW works ONLY correct if You use it with keyboard , but not with paddles or
straight-key and/or external keyer in this case.
Also the last , newest update solved the big CW problems not.
Lots of people are disapointed...
At least please tell the truth here: the device does not (yet?) deliver
what the advertising promises...
It is something for software/firmware tinkerers and those who can't do
that... well, I think I don't need to elaborate... -
Sorry... about the really truth .
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: John AE5X via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 7:31 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] xBitX Product Question
?
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM, Frank KG9H wrote:
right out of the box it will do CW
I disagree.
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
My experience was; I opened the box, added batteries, applied both updates (easy), rebooted and made contacts on ssb and ft8. Highly suggest you watch Farhans videos on the Z on YouTube. Short, helpful and explains everything. Others may be trying to extend capabilities whereas I just want to do radio. For the price of one nice meal out, I've had days of fun in the outdoors with my Z YMMV 73
zBitx group,
??? I ordered my unit on Thursday
last week based on what I read on the internet and the videos I
watched.? However since joining this group I have some
concerns.? My understanding was this is an "out of the box"
ready to go radio.? The comments I'm seeing here about setting
up WSJT-X and recompiling code has me worried.?
Bottom line, is this unit a "READY
TO ROCK" out of the box unit or not?? I dont mind having to
config WSJT-X but this groups is making look like you lucky if
it even works on the radio you get.
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
Interesting, mind did and worked well for that. I used a straight key as I only know Iambic-B Maybe yours is broken.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600 kg9hfrank@...
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Show quoted text
On Apr 9, 2025, at 1:31?PM, John AE5X via groups.io <ae5x@...> wrote:
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM, Frank KG9H wrote:
right out of the box it will do CW
I disagree.?
-- ?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM, Frank KG9H wrote:
right out of the box it will do CW
I disagree.?
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
Gary hi again,
The zbitz group keeps adding things to the radio. The on-board keyboard is now available for CW as well. Iambic-B made it better.
Oh, to upgrade, you simply plug in an HDMI monitor, plug in keyboard and mouse and connect to your WIFI at home. The radio upgrades itself! ? - Yes itself.
You do have to do a little Windows stuff to upgrade the front panel but that is painless. ?email me to chat about the radio. ?I love it and it keeps getting better. ?? BUT if you have an antenna to deploy and 2 charged batteries, I can expect you to be on the air in your yard on FT-8 in 5 minutes after you enter your credentials into it.
Oh, it has a built-in log and comes with the stylus to key in things if your fingers are like mine.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600 kg9hfrank@...
-- ?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
Frank,
?? Thank you.? I feel much better.?
We have several of us from our BE-HIP (Hams In Parks) group here
in Chandler that are buying this radio.? It's the perfect radio
for what we do.? I do 95% CW but loved the idea of FT8 already
installed.? I haven't used it much in the last 5 years but our
group had a 60m Challenge last month and 99% of the QSOs were
FT8.? lol...
??? Thanks for the 12v warning,
good thing to remind all new buyers of.? I do already have the
18650 batteries and I am buying a Buck Boost module to attach to
the Bioenno 1203A 12v to step it down to <9v.?
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
Re: xBitX Product Question
Gary right out of the box it will do CW, SSB, FT-8, AM, etc.
You may want to upgrade the F/W but I got mine and was immediately on FT-8 in about 60 seconds.
WSJT-X is not what it was released for although many folks are tinkering with it to do so. The first upgrade was for Iambic-B and a few more things but there you have it.
Here is the URL you purchased off of.
Oh, if you dont want it, there are hundreds of folks that will buy it from you. Oh dont plug it into 12VDC is is a?6V to 9V radio.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600 kg9hfrank@...
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Show quoted text
On Apr 9, 2025, at 12:57?PM, Gary-KI7PBR via groups.io <ki7pbr@...> wrote:
zBitx group, ??? I ordered my unit on Thursday
last week based on what I read on the internet and the videos I
watched.? However since joining this group I have some
concerns.? My understanding was this is an "out of the box"
ready to go radio.? The comments I'm seeing here about setting
up WSJT-X and recompiling code has me worried.?
Bottom line, is this unit a "READY
TO ROCK" out of the box unit or not?? I dont mind having to
config WSJT-X but this groups is making look like you lucky if
it even works on the radio you get.
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
-- ?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
zBitx group,
??? I ordered my unit on Thursday
last week based on what I read on the internet and the videos I
watched.? However since joining this group I have some
concerns.? My understanding was this is an "out of the box"
ready to go radio.? The comments I'm seeing here about setting
up WSJT-X and recompiling code has me worried.?
Bottom line, is this unit a "READY
TO ROCK" out of the box unit or not?? I dont mind having to
config WSJT-X but this groups is making look like you lucky if
it even works on the radio you get.
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
Could modem_poll, or whatever calls it, be made a C function pointer to a routine dedicated to CW generation with no lookup or decision logic for any other modes? ?Then the decision logic could be put in the UI handler, which can switch in the dedicated code for CW. ?Or has anyone profiled this code to see what's actually taking up the time? ?It may not be the decision logic, but something else. ?73, Ron, N6YWU
|
?
... I can't compile or program or make such changes myself , sorry... never
done such things.
?
73, Jens / HB9JOI
?
?
+++
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Gordon Gibby KX4Z via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] CW on zbitx
?
Thank you
for asking!? While it isn't yet in the formal release, Erik has now
verified what Johnshoy proposed (again) as the solution.?? So a
working set of code is now known.??? The status of the paddles is
now being updated at a fantastic rate, and the rate of converting that to actual
transmission has been corrected by Erik employing Johnshoy's
idea.??? You can make the change yourself and recompile.
?
73
Gordon
KX4Z
?
?
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025 at 7:29?AM Jens/HB9JOI via <hb9joi@...>
wrote:
When will there be an update regarding the solution to the poor CW TX
functionality...?
As it is now - despite the last update - you can't work in CW, it's
almost impossible to key cleanly...
not even with an external keyer because Straight-Key doesn't even work
clean and correct.
?
73, Jens / HB9JOI
?
+++
?
?
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Re: #zBitx Tilt Stand for zBitx anyone?
#zbitx
I did something similar with my zBitx.? I have attached a PDF of the pictures so they are not lost during the purge required to maintain the maximum group size.
?
The heatsinks are adhesive-backed from Amazon:
?
I bought 4 to cover most of the back of the zBitx.? Three are required.
?
To get the required holes in the heatsink, I positioned it with the glue cover still attached and pressed on it to make an impression in the foam/cover.? After I had made a pilot hole, I used a 3/8" drill to drill out the holes.? I started with the heatsink over the two MOSFETS, drilled and placed the first, added the undrilled heatsink in the center, and used the pressure measuring process to get the hole for the last heatsink.?
?
The last step is to add the stand.? I used one I had left from another project where I only needed one.? They were bought on Amazon:
?
I do not know how long the kickstand will stick.? Time will tell.
?
The above is provided as a suggestion, with no guarantees.
?
73
Evan
AC9TU
?
|
Re: Does anyone have a solution to wsjtx not transmitting on zbitx?
NB. the rigctl connection is still open after a conection timeout. I can still issue commands to the zbitx. I'll give you an example of what I am seeing: After timeout and the rig frequency at 14074, I can issue a rigctl command F 0704000 and then f to retrieve the frequency and rigctl comes back with 0704000 but the radio frequency is still at 14074.
Leo, AI5II
On Wed, Apr 9, 2025, 09:51 Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote: I have done that already. There always ends up being a connection timeout even if I adjust the set-conf timeout parameters.
Leo, AI5II
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 20:41 Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote: If you add -vvvv to your call to start up RIGCTL then you will get lots and lots of messages that might give you a clue what is going wrong
Gordon kx4z.? On Apr 8, 2025, at 19:59, Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone=[email protected]> wrote:
? I already downloaded a new image and updated the firmware display firmware to 1.06. I can log into zbitx using rigctl -r and change the vfo frequency but I eventully get a timeout message from rigctl and zbitx no longer accepts any commands at that point. If I shutdown the zbitx panel and run the start.sh? script, I can reconnect; eventually the connection times out again. So hamlib on the zbitx is not stable in my opinion from what I am seeing. A question for the techies. I know that I can install the current hamlib-4.6.2. How do I rebuild the sbitx application excluding the current hamlib.c & hamlib.h that come with the git main repository pull and use hamlib-4.6.2 that I will install? Are there any command line options like with make and cmake to point to the new hamlib directory instead of using what is in the sbitx directory?
Leo, AI5II
Hmm? all looks good.?
I would download a new micro SD image.
Then only do ./update for the pi and then do the screen.
I would not do upgrade,?
This would make your image the same as mine. Also you would be able to see if you get the same ham library error etc.
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 6:59?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote:
How about a screen shot Of your sbitx running ft8 in digi mode Then a screen shot of your wsjtx settings Radio
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 6:31?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote: Doesn't work for me. ?Did firmware upgrade and went back to the installed pi image and with no updates to raspian I get the same results. No transmit.
Hamlib error: Communication timeout. If I hold down the tune button, the zbitx restarts.
Leo, AI5II
I have WSJT-X working fine. Software zbitx 106
ZBITXSelect? Digi mode on Zbitx
Turn ZBITX TX RF down,? as the audio TX drive is very high
**WSJT-X: Does updates for Rig Control Regarding Frequency Changes and Receiving**
WSJT-X? Settings: Network Hamlib 127.0.0.1 Cat Data -rear -( not microphone /? front)
Split none
You might also lower the PWR slide bar on WSJT-X.?
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 2:37?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote: I've tried all the suggestions and setting from various emails on how to get wsjtx to transmit on my zbitx.
None of them work for me. Receive works just fine but when I do the "check cat" button nothing happens when I hit tune wsjtx goes thru the transmit motions. Same is true if I hit "auto cq". Wsjtx acts like it is transmitting but is not actually putting the zbitx into transmit.
I am getting hamlib protocol errors.
CAT is kinda working as I can change bands.
I am also seeing rigctl timeout errors if I use rigctl to connect to the zbitx.
Is it just? me or does anyone else have these issues.
FYI, I browsed the hamlib.c file and there is a comment in there about it being receive only.
Much help? is needed here.
?
Leo, AI5II
?
?
|
Re: #zBitx Tilt Stand for zBitx anyone?
#zbitx
Ah I can see now, why the heatsink. ?Most of us run “just the batteries” ? Let us know how long the finals last. ?They seem very robust using the two batteries.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600 kg9hfrank@...
-- ?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
Re: #zBitx Tilt Stand for zBitx anyone?
#zbitx
Aluminum Heatsink SJZBIN 2PCS 80x40x11mm Black Heat Sinks Radiator Board Cooling Radiator Fin Heat Cooler with Thermal Conductive Adhesive Tape for Cooler Electronics CPU Led Cooling Fin?
An adhesive pad is attached to the heatsink (peel and attach).?
Which heat sinks are those?? ?My ZbitX is on the way and want to do something like that.
?
?
Thank you
Jim
KE0VVu
|
Re: Does anyone have a solution to wsjtx not transmitting on zbitx?
I have done that already. There always ends up being a connection timeout even if I adjust the set-conf timeout parameters.
Leo, AI5II
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 20:41 Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote: If you add -vvvv to your call to start up RIGCTL then you will get lots and lots of messages that might give you a clue what is going wrong
Gordon kx4z.? On Apr 8, 2025, at 19:59, Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone=[email protected]> wrote:
? I already downloaded a new image and updated the firmware display firmware to 1.06. I can log into zbitx using rigctl -r and change the vfo frequency but I eventully get a timeout message from rigctl and zbitx no longer accepts any commands at that point. If I shutdown the zbitx panel and run the start.sh? script, I can reconnect; eventually the connection times out again. So hamlib on the zbitx is not stable in my opinion from what I am seeing. A question for the techies. I know that I can install the current hamlib-4.6.2. How do I rebuild the sbitx application excluding the current hamlib.c & hamlib.h that come with the git main repository pull and use hamlib-4.6.2 that I will install? Are there any command line options like with make and cmake to point to the new hamlib directory instead of using what is in the sbitx directory?
Leo, AI5II
Hmm? all looks good.?
I would download a new micro SD image.
Then only do ./update for the pi and then do the screen.
I would not do upgrade,?
This would make your image the same as mine. Also you would be able to see if you get the same ham library error etc.
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 6:59?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote:
How about a screen shot Of your sbitx running ft8 in digi mode Then a screen shot of your wsjtx settings Radio
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 6:31?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote: Doesn't work for me. ?Did firmware upgrade and went back to the installed pi image and with no updates to raspian I get the same results. No transmit.
Hamlib error: Communication timeout. If I hold down the tune button, the zbitx restarts.
Leo, AI5II
I have WSJT-X working fine. Software zbitx 106
ZBITXSelect? Digi mode on Zbitx
Turn ZBITX TX RF down,? as the audio TX drive is very high
**WSJT-X: Does updates for Rig Control Regarding Frequency Changes and Receiving**
WSJT-X? Settings: Network Hamlib 127.0.0.1 Cat Data -rear -( not microphone /? front)
Split none
You might also lower the PWR slide bar on WSJT-X.?
Joe VE1BWV?
On Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 2:37?p.m. Leo Aniol, AI5II via <leomaniolone= [email protected]> wrote: I've tried all the suggestions and setting from various emails on how to get wsjtx to transmit on my zbitx.
None of them work for me. Receive works just fine but when I do the "check cat" button nothing happens when I hit tune wsjtx goes thru the transmit motions. Same is true if I hit "auto cq". Wsjtx acts like it is transmitting but is not actually putting the zbitx into transmit.
I am getting hamlib protocol errors.
CAT is kinda working as I can change bands.
I am also seeing rigctl timeout errors if I use rigctl to connect to the zbitx.
Is it just? me or does anyone else have these issues.
FYI, I browsed the hamlib.c file and there is a comment in there about it being receive only.
Much help? is needed here.
?
Leo, AI5II
?
?
|
By now, sbitx/zbitx software has grown wild and unwieldy. changing one thing affects another.? The trouble with?modem_poll is an example of this.? The modem_poll searches for the MODE field, that is, an iteration of around 100 fields, comparing strings, one character at a time. the modem_poll calls functions lookup the fields through this linear search in many places, and it also calls on millis() function to get the timings. The millis() in turn is a system call that can take about 1 micosecond to execute as it calls clock_getttime(), a system call. I am trying to see what all can be left or taken out of the modem_poll as it is not just the CW modes but other modes too need to be tested when changing just the CW polling ticks.? I am at work, having just recovered from a nasty bout of food poisoning. I will have an update for this. I am glad that Erik found a fix, It would have been even better if he had forked the code on github and generated a pull request (A 12? minute tutorial video is here?). This will be fun for everybody and less work for me! - f??
Thank you Gordon,?
I don't know Erik but I am a CW guy. If anyone wants to use me as a beta tester, I can volunteer my efforts to try things out. Certainly I can upgrade firmware on mine, and have done (very limited) Lynx code (X-6200 drew me back a few years recently) but if I can help, please reach out to me.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600
On Apr 9, 2025, at 8:00?AM, Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote:
Hi Frank -- I'm definitely NOT in charge of that.? ?Have to wait on Farhan to have breathing room to catch up on all the zillions of things he is doing.? ?But perhaps Erik would provide something?? ?
I don't have the radio so difficult for me to do anything other than point out source code changes.
Gordon KX4Z
--
?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
zBitx Internet Observations
So far the internet connection and use of associated utils like the browser and remote connections using my iphone (sbitx.local) have been inconsistent. When I lose internet, I can restart the zBitx and all is ok with the zBitx browser for a short time, until I connect remotely, which seems to work the first time I try. If I try to connect remotely a second time, I am unable to.? I also notice the zBitx browser gives me a DNS error and will no longer access the internet.? I then have to restart the zBitx again.? Perhaps the attached pic gives a hint of what may be wrong?
--Ed, N3CW--
|
Thank you Gordon,?
I don't know Erik but I am a CW guy. If anyone wants to use me as a beta tester, I can volunteer my efforts to try things out. Certainly I can upgrade firmware on mine, and have done (very limited) Lynx code (X-6200 drew me back a few years recently) but if I can help, please reach out to me.
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600 kg9hfrank@...
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Show quoted text
On Apr 9, 2025, at 8:00?AM, Gordon Gibby KX4Z via groups.io <docvacuumtubes@...> wrote:
Hi Frank -- I'm definitely NOT in charge of that.? ?Have to wait on Farhan to have breathing room to catch up on all the zillions of things he is doing.? ?But perhaps Erik would provide something?? ?
I don't have the radio so difficult for me to do anything other than point out source code changes.
Gordon KX4Z
-- ?
?
?
de KG9H
Life member, ARRL
|
Hi Frank -- I'm definitely NOT in charge of that.? ?Have to wait on Farhan to have breathing room to catch up on all the zillions of things he is doing.? ?But perhaps Erik would provide something?? ?
I don't have the radio so difficult for me to do anything other than point out source code changes.
Gordon KX4Z
Gordon KX4Z, for the rest of us that are not C++ guys, when will this be?implemented?Will this go for the front panel or the main unit?
? ? ?Frank Krozel ? ? ? ? ? ?KG9H Life Member, ARRL ? ? (630) 924-1600
On Apr 9, 2025, at 7:41?AM, Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote:
Thank you for asking!? While it isn't yet in the formal release, Erik has now verified what Johnshoy proposed (again) as the solution.? ?So a working set of code is now known.? ? The status of the paddles is now being updated at a fantastic rate, and the rate of converting that to actual transmission?has been corrected by Erik employing Johnshoy's?idea.? ? You can make the change yourself and recompile.
73 Gordon KX4Z
When will there be an update regarding the solution to the poor CW TX functionality...? As it is now - despite the last update - you can't work in CW, it's almost impossible to key cleanly...? not even with an external keyer because Straight-Key doesn't even work clean and correct. ? 73, Jens / HB9JOI ? +++ ? ?
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Gary-KI7PBR
Bill AG5ZN