Thanks Dave -- the only concern I have about these switching power supplies (I bought a few but haven't used them yet) is generation of radio frequency interference.? ?The noise level of the zBitx may already be internally so high that it doesn't matter, but I have fairly sensitive radios such as 7300 etc. (and I have added shielding internally to my sbitx's?to improve their receiver performance) -- and I HATE any noise generation in my house, where I run two Winlink RMS stations.? ?Any data on noise generation by the DROK's?? ?Filtering possibilities to deal with any?? ? The best data would be measuring the sensitivity or minimum discernible?signal in a calibrated way before and after adding the DROK to power.? ??
Thanks! Gordon KX4Z
On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 7:03?AM David Wilcox K8WPE via <Djwilcox01= [email protected]> wrote: Instead of all the diodes get a Drok voltage/current controller from Amazon or other places. I can then use the battery packs from my yard power tools and reduce them down to whatever voltage I need for the project at hand.? ?I mostly use one with my 12 volt BioEnno 12 volt battery packs.? The two 18650 batteries in the case attached to my zBitX works well too and that is what it is set up for.? No chance of over volting it.
In general a fun new radio that does a lot of things and is made for try this, try that without breaking the budget.
Dave K8WPE
> On May 21, 2025, at 8:32?PM, Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes=[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ?Rafael, I would take a 12 V laptop power supply from a thrift store, and then add a bunch of series 5 or 10 amp silicon diodes until you get the voltage down to about 8 V.? Six diodes in series should do the trick
>
> You can probably get the laptop power supply rated for 3 A or so for five or $10 at the thrift store and you can get the diets for less than $10 from Amazon. So you¡¯ll have about $20 into the project.
>
> I hope that helps!? Be careful with polarity!
>
>
> Gordon kx4z
>> On May 21, 2025, at 19:08, Rafael Diniz via <rafael=[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ?Could anyone recommend an affordable power supply I can use with the zBitx, to use with 110 or 220 VAC, 50Hz and 60Hz?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Rafael
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> <OpenPGP_signature.asc>
>
>
>
>
>
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Instead of all the diodes get a Drok voltage/current controller from Amazon or other places. I can then use the battery packs from my yard power tools and reduce them down to whatever voltage I need for the project at hand. I mostly use one with my 12 volt BioEnno 12 volt battery packs. The two 18650 batteries in the case attached to my zBitX works well too and that is what it is set up for. No chance of over volting it.
In general a fun new radio that does a lot of things and is made for try this, try that without breaking the budget.
Dave K8WPE
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 21, 2025, at 8:32?PM, Gordon Gibby KX4Z via groups.io <docvacuumtubes@...> wrote:
?Rafael, I would take a 12 V laptop power supply from a thrift store, and then add a bunch of series 5 or 10 amp silicon diodes until you get the voltage down to about 8 V. Six diodes in series should do the trick
You can probably get the laptop power supply rated for 3 A or so for five or $10 at the thrift store and you can get the diets for less than $10 from Amazon. So you¡¯ll have about $20 into the project.
I hope that helps! Be careful with polarity!
Gordon kx4z
On May 21, 2025, at 19:08, Rafael Diniz via groups.io <rafael@...> wrote:
?Could anyone recommend an affordable power supply I can use with the zBitx, to use with 110 or 220 VAC, 50Hz and 60Hz?
Cheers,
Rafael
<OpenPGP_signature.asc>
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Tony,
I just purchased one (a zBitX) at Dayton (FDIM, the QRP Meeting) and have tinkered with it learning everything I can. The bands have been less than stellar but everything seems to work well for me. ?What fun in a little box for $170 (no shipping if bought at Dayton). ?If you like to tinker and experiment it looks like a good choice. ?I would rather have a new thingy to play with (built an Old Friend for 30 meters and a CFT1 on the dining room table in our condo this past winter in Florida -the weather was ucky) so this was an ideal something new to get on the bands with when our club does a POTA adventure. ?I am always the first to try new things but our club has two more zBitX¡¯s on the way, one by a newbie and one by a more experienced ham. We have lots of fun with QRP and low power here in northwest Michigan. ?The G90 seems to be a popular item too.?
I remember when I first moved to this area 53 years ago there was a ham who was rather well heeled and always had the best and newest rigs back when they cost a month¡¯s wages or sometimes more. We had difficulty not drooling on his newest rig. ?Now it¡¯s easy to have the newest in the QRP field as the size and cost is much different by comparison. And if you want more power the amplifiers aren¡¯t that expensive today.?
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On May 21, 2025, at 9:33?PM, Tony via groups.io <wvperic@...> wrote:
? So, the Zbitiz has been out for a minute.?
Would you all that have the radio say it is safe to buy with no major issues??
Read a few reviews that stated some issues with the unit. I know nothing is perfect obviously.?
I would much prefer to spend $200.00 than $600.00 for the FX-C4R honestly.?
|
Re: Physical Disassembly ZbitX
Thanks Grant, 73 de 2E0IIY  Andrew Wade 6 Elliott Grove BRIXHAM TQ5 8RT 07971 827026
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 5:46?PM Grant Brown via <grant.brown73= [email protected]> wrote:
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 11:00?AM Andrew Wade UK via <andrewspeeder01= [email protected]> wrote: Hi All,
I have had my Zbitx for a month or so now.
Been using it. Had a few QSOs. Noted the problems others have identified. Choo Choo train noises. and heating.
I would like to take apart to add shielding etc.
Have taken the front panel off but can't see how to withdraw the 'sandwich'. Rather not resort to 'brute force and ignorance'. Has anyone posted a YouTube video of how to do this or some pictures.
Also like to know how to upload FT8 QSOs to PSKreporter & QRZ.com does the zBitx work in a similar way to WSJTX?in this respect?
If these are seen as silly questions. Please no snark.
My request for future revisions for the zBitx to display the IP address it has been assigned somewhere on one of its screens.
73 de 2E0IIY ![]() Andrew Wade 6 Elliott Grove BRIXHAM TQ5 8RT 07971 827026
|
I've had mine for several weeks now. I think it's an amazing radio. That it's open source just means there's more than just Farhan fixing bugs and extending its capability. There was an issue with what appeared to be latency in keying CW. Last I checked, it was fixed. Some things were fixed, modified, or extended by HF Signals or one of the hams who bought one, and could go into the firmware, find the problem, and eventually, fix it.
I had one of the first wave, around the middle of the 700-ish people who bought one. I saw Farhan post that orders were open, and within 10 minutes of his post, I had one ordered. It took a bit to get here, but I didn't mind, I had a Midnight Design Solutions "Old Friend" transceiver for 30 meters on my bench at the time. (I finished it, and it is a total champ.)
A few people didn't like the zBitX and sold theirs. People snapped them right up. I wouldn't part with mine. I've updated the main firmware and the UI firmware (two different processors), and watched it get better and better in real time. I'm going to have to send my KX3 in for repairs soon, and I'm probably going to put the zBitX in service for the duration. (If I find it annoying as my daily driver, I can put in my IQ32, my mcHF clone, or, if I clean up space for one of them, I could put my ICOM IC-746 Pro, or even my Yaesu FT-101 ("No bloody A, B, C, D, E, or EE" -- Montgomery Scott).
So, my opinion is that I have found it to be a worthwhile purchase. I like the thing very much, and am glad I jumped at it. For what you get, the price is insanely inexpensive. I've paid more for SHOES than the zBitX cost. (I have oddly shaped feet, and I buy specialty shoes for diabetics. It's quite easy to spend $200-300 on 3 or 4 pairs. I know because I did it. I'm wearing one of the pairs now.) But, since I don't know you at all well, I have practically no information upon which to speculate whether or not YOU will find the purchase safe to buy. I believe so, but as in all things, YMMV.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P
I agree with Franco. If what he writes doesn't apply to you, get a G90.
?
73 DF7II J¨¹rgen?
|
I agree with Franco. If what he writes doesn't apply to you, get a G90.
?
73 DF7II J¨¹rgen?
|
Hi Tony,
I ?ordered the Zbitx just yesterday, despite having read all the reviews and all the problems. This is because I would like an RTX that ?I can get my hands on, in terms of both the ?hardware and the software. I think that this RTX is ideal for people who like to experiment, modify, add things, and learn new way to do radio, like we made in "old days". So, I don't know if it's a safe purchase but I think that if you are used to experimenting, I think it could be a good radio to have fun with.
73, Franco
|
So, the Zbitiz has been out for a minute.?
Would you all that have the radio say it is safe to buy with no major issues??
Read a few reviews that stated some issues with the unit. I know nothing is perfect obviously.?
I would much prefer to spend $200.00 than $600.00 for the FX-C4R honestly.?
|
Rafael, I would take a 12 V laptop power supply from a thrift store, and then add a bunch of series 5 or 10 amp silicon diodes until you get the voltage down to about 8 V. Six diodes in series should do the trick
You can probably get the laptop power supply rated for 3 A or so for five or $10 at the thrift store and you can get the diets for less than $10 from Amazon. So you¡¯ll have about $20 into the project.
I hope that helps! Be careful with polarity!
Gordon kx4z
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 21, 2025, at 19:08, Rafael Diniz via groups.io <rafael@...> wrote:
?Could anyone recommend an affordable power supply I can use with the zBitx, to use with 110 or 220 VAC, 50Hz and 60Hz?
Cheers,
Rafael
<OpenPGP_signature.asc>
|
Could anyone recommend an affordable power supply I can use with the zBitx, to use with 110 or 220 VAC, 50Hz and 60Hz?
Cheers,
Rafael
|
There are some high output (e.g. -28, -30 or -32 dB ) electret cartridges that I've had good success with (and can be found in the WIKI) but a mic that has worked well for me is actually a powered (amplified) CB microphone:
It is $25.? ?You'll either have to build an adapter for its CB plug, or snip that off and replace with a 3.5mm stereo plug (either way works).? ? The CB wiring diagram is straightforward and you can map out which pin goes where on the? tip and ring of the 3.5mm stereo plug.
Listening to the transmissions created by this particular microphone seems to have more energy in the midrange than the electret cartridges and it has a bit higher average power output for the same voice, as a result.? ?Others like the way it sounds when I use it on my sBitx.? ?When listening in on a monitoring receiver, it like it also.
Of course, you could achieve the same outcome by manipulating the source code since it gets mapped into the frequency domain, but just buying the $25 microphone is a lot less work!
Hope this helps!
Gordon KX4Z
Thanks all.? The internal seems to be working but pressing a button in my hand will be much easier the fussing with the touch-screen....
--
"POWER, WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN' POWER" - Every KX2 Owner
Always respect the air waves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
Thanks all.? The internal seems to be working but pressing a button in my hand will be much easier the fussing with the touch-screen....
--
"POWER, WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN' POWER" - Every KX2 Owner
Always respect the air waves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
I'm working on a adaptor cable(s) from a Kenwood HT Type Microphone to the zbitx, I just received the cable I needed in the mail this week, will try to work on it soon.?
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 1:22?PM Grant Brown via <grant.brown73= [email protected]> wrote: I'm currently working on an adapter for an extra Yaesu MH-31 I have (just for the voice and PTT, not extra buttons)... I think it should work, but I'm not finished yet. Will report back.
BitXers?
??? Someone have a link for a
decent low cost mic for the zBitx?? All my mics are Kenwood or
Yaesu.? They wont work of course.? I am assuming any standard
3.5mm plug microphone will work but want to check with the group
before I order
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
The input of the zbitx microphone is the same as the input of the sbitx microphone, so I would only use a microphone with an amplifier.
Check out the forum posts about microphones. The description of a handheld microphone and a 'Meeting MIC' covers this.
Since you don't have an original sbitx microphone, there's nothing to modify. That's why go to is the first sentence.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
|
Gary,
?
You can use any mic that works with any Bitx, currently I use these, ,but I also use the mics that came with all my sBitx's, pretty much all of them work.
?
Joel
N6ALT
|
I'm currently working on an adapter for an extra Yaesu MH-31 I have (just for the voice and PTT, not extra buttons)... I think it should work, but I'm not finished yet. Will report back.
BitXers?
??? Someone have a link for a
decent low cost mic for the zBitx?? All my mics are Kenwood or
Yaesu.? They wont work of course.? I am assuming any standard
3.5mm plug microphone will work but want to check with the group
before I order
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
BitXers?
??? Someone have a link for a
decent low cost mic for the zBitx?? All my mics are Kenwood or
Yaesu.? They wont work of course.? I am assuming any standard
3.5mm plug microphone will work but want to check with the group
before I order
--
"POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER
Always respect the airwaves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
|
Re: zBITX Crashes - Suspect Memory Leak
#zbitx
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 21, 2025, at 13:10, iatwood via groups.io <iatwood@...> wrote:
? Thank you Jody for fixing the iambic keying problem. It works great now. The only errors seen are the ones I myself generate! I am a 70 year old tube radio doctor (licensed as WN1NUU in 1970) and have no knowledge of programming so I am grateful for folks that can fix software issues. You have made the Zbit usable on CW!
73
Tom Atwood,? WA1NUU
|
Re: zBITX Crashes - Suspect Memory Leak
#zbitx
Thank you Jody for fixing the iambic keying problem. It works great now. The only errors seen are the ones I myself generate! I am a 70 year old tube radio doctor (licensed as WN1NUU in 1970) and have no knowledge of programming so I am grateful for folks that can fix software issues. You have made the Zbit usable on CW!
73
Tom Atwood,? WA1NUU
|
Re: Physical Disassembly ZbitX
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 11:00?AM Andrew Wade UK via <andrewspeeder01= [email protected]> wrote: Hi All,
I have had my Zbitx for a month or so now.
Been using it. Had a few QSOs. Noted the problems others have identified. Choo Choo train noises. and heating.
I would like to take apart to add shielding etc.
Have taken the front panel off but can't see how to withdraw the 'sandwich'. Rather not resort to 'brute force and ignorance'. Has anyone posted a YouTube video of how to do this or some pictures.
Also like to know how to upload FT8 QSOs to PSKreporter & QRZ.com does the zBitx work in a similar way to WSJTX?in this respect?
If these are seen as silly questions. Please no snark.
My request for future revisions for the zBitx to display the IP address it has been assigned somewhere on one of its screens.
73 de 2E0IIY ![]() Andrew Wade 6 Elliott Grove BRIXHAM TQ5 8RT 07971 827026
|
David Wilcox K8WPE
Andrew Wade UK
Gwen Patton
Gary-KI7PBR
HA3HZ
Joel Caulkins/N6ALT