Re: What is the actual status of the sBitx V2
"Continuous development" usually means feature upgrades and
performance improvements, not fixes to already claimed operation.? I
asked the question because I honestly don't know what problems and
shortcomings remain versus what is claimed on the web site, but
based upon user feedback here and elsewhere there certainly seem to
be some ... although many are poorly defined, such as "my radio was
working fine and now it isn't", or "my radio was supposed to be able
to do this but it doesn't", or"why did my radio catch fire".
All I want to know is what meets the web site claims and what
doesn't, and when is the likelihood the shortcomings will be fixed??
Why is that an unreasonable request?
The website claims are a fixed reference ... there isn't anything
vague or "continuous" about it.
Dave?? AB7E
On 5/27/2023 10:57 AM, HA3HZ wrote:
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"Nothing is permanent, only change itself.
- Heraclitus of Ephesus"
I would rather ask about something specific, because where is that
which is in continuous development?
I also bought one, which I modified or will modify, I wrote about
it here.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
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I looked here but could not find why my sBITx V2 radio won't power on,
It has been working fine for just a week, I bought it at Hamvention.
I was checking the output into a dummy load watt meter
showed 5 watts out at full power and SWR at 1:1.
using 40 meters and CW mode.
then radio shut down and won't turn back on.
I know I'm not the first to experience this problem?
I just don't know what to do, to fix it.
I'm?asking for help from anyone.?
thanks?
Pete KB8EMD?
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i suspect that the freq is set now that I've changed from one
band to the other. I think I will leave it alone.
On Saturday, May 27, 2023, 08:36:06 AM AKDT, Rolan Rister <rtemp@...> wrote:
An alternative for getting on frequency might be to tune in a strong AM radio station in your area that you know the frequency for.? You set your displayed frequency to the exact station frequency in sideband mode to start, then use Set Freq mode to change the frequency until the sound is clear.? ?When the tuning is right on, you should be able to switch between USB and LSB without any significant change in the sound quality (since it's AM).? Keep in mind the stock software has a minor bug that requires you tune the frequency slightly off then back after you change the sideband to actually get the sideband to change in the receiver after touching a sideband button.
If you have a good frequency counter available, you could set your displayed frequency to say 10000 khz, monitor the clk2 frequency on the circuit board at TP12 near the end of R102 with the counter, then get into Set Freq mode and adjust the reading on the frequency counter to be as close as you can get to 45005 khz above your display value or in this case 55005 khz? ?(10000 + 45005).? This is the method I used on my v6.
As mentioned by Evan, the transmit frequency in CW mode will be shifted from the displayed frequency by the tone value.? ?I modified the stock software for my own use, and in my version I changed that so the receive frequency is shifted instead.? I've not really used CW mode yet on my v6, but its on my list of things to do, so I can't vouch for how well it works in that mode.? My version is here if you have an interest.? Probably not necessary to change software if you can live with transmit shifting.
Good luck, 73
Rolan N8LOV
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Is there a way to lock the dial so that the frequency does not change by accident??
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Re: What is the actual status of the sBitx V2
"Nothing is permanent, only change itself.
- Heraclitus of Ephesus"
I would rather ask about something specific, because where is that which is in continuous development?
I also bought one, which I modified or will modify, I wrote about it here.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
OK, now looking closely I can see there are only 4 actual pins in
the socket, and what looked like the fifth (under poorer light)
has no pin in it. False alarm, people! Thanks for guiding my fuzzy
brain.
John K0JD
On 5/27/2023 12:13, HA3HZ wrote:
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When the required 4-pin size is cut from a longer socket, the
contact at the half-cut holes cannot be used.
Nothing to hold it in place.
So don't worry, there should be four, i.e. 4 contacts, and there
are exactly that many here.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: What is the actual status of the sBitx V2
So nobody else knows the answer either?? That's disconcerting.
Dave?? AB7E
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On 5/25/2023 3:10 PM, stone_ridge_road via groups.io wrote:
The sBITX version 2 sounds like a great rig on paper and I would very much like to buy one, but this forum is such a mish mash of overlapping issues poorly identified that it is very difficult to determine what the actual status is, and as best I can tell there seem to still be several outstanding software and hardware issues (apparently including shipping problems).? So I have a plea for the user base here:
Can anyone (or group of someones) compile of list of yet-to-be resolved problems with the performance and/or reliability of the sBitx V2, and if possible what the status of their resolution might be?? The frame of reference should be the quoted specs and features (stated and implied) on the sBitx V2 website ...
Thanks much,
Dave AB7E
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Re: sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
When the required 4-pin size is cut from a longer socket, the contact at the half-cut holes cannot be used.
Nothing to hold it in place.
So don't worry, there should be four, i.e. 4 contacts, and there are exactly that many here.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
|
An alternative for getting on frequency might be to tune in a strong AM radio station in your area that you know the frequency for.? You set your displayed frequency to the exact station frequency in sideband mode to start, then use Set Freq mode to change the frequency until the sound is clear.? ?When the tuning is right on, you should be able to switch between USB and LSB without any significant change in the sound quality (since it's AM).? Keep in mind the stock software has a minor bug that requires you tune the frequency slightly off then back after you change the sideband to actually get the sideband to change in the receiver after touching a sideband button.
If you have a good frequency counter available, you could set your displayed frequency to say 10000 khz, monitor the clk2 frequency on the circuit board at TP12 near the end of R102 with the counter, then get into Set Freq mode and adjust the reading on the frequency counter to be as close as you can get to 45005 khz above your display value or in this case 55005 khz? ?(10000 + 45005).? This is the method I used on my v6.
As mentioned by Evan, the transmit frequency in CW mode will be shifted from the displayed frequency by the tone value.? ?I modified the stock software for my own use, and in my version I changed that so the receive frequency is shifted instead.? I've not really used CW mode yet on my v6, but its on my list of things to do, so I can't vouch for how well it works in that mode.? My version is here if you have an interest.? Probably not necessary to change software if you can live with transmit shifting.
Good luck, 73
Rolan N8LOV
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Re: Risk with uncalibrated sBitX V2
#sbitx_v2
Hi Bruce.
With a little more thought on my end, what is the Bandwidth of your scope and probes?
For example, a 100 MHz scope with 300 MHz probes has a combined BW of ~94.868 MHz.
This would be <3% error at 30 MHz (neglecting any scope error)
Make sure your probes are properly compensated.
Rds,
Gary
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Hi Ford, Did you follow the procedure in this video? You should note that the original software loaded in the uBitx from the factory offsets the transmitted frequency by the sidetone setting.? There are other software programs available that, instead of offsetting the transmitter frequency, offset the receive frequency either up or down depending on the CW or CWR setting. Be sure to do all of the steps in the video.? The first BFO setting is to adjust the receiver's response to hear the lowest tone possible for zero beating.? The second step sets the master clock, and the last step readjusts the BFO for the best response to voice and carrier suppression. I would calibrate the radio per the video, then load any new software if you want a different performance.? My preferred is in the files section of this list server: /g/BITX20/files/uBITX_6_N8ME_2_VU3GAO_Mods.zip73 Evan AC9TU
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Re: sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
I have 4 pins in the socket. The half-cut holes are not contacts, check the pcb. -- Gyula HA3HZ 
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Re: sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
That's not the question. The question is: in the upper 4 or the lower 4 of the 5 pins of the socket?
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On 5/27/2023 05:30, Art N2AJO wrote: John
It can go in ether set of sockets
Art.N2AJO
On May 26, 2023, at 23:14, John Seboldt K0JD <k0jd-l@...> wrote:
?Just got my sBitx v2, and took courage to open it up. I was going to put in the CR2032 coin battery into the real time clock, per various messages I saw.
To my surprise, it was already installed. Fine.
But now, I have to be sure I've inserted it properly - I didn't observe very carefully which of the five socket holes correspond with the four plug-in pins (GND, VCC, SDA, SCL)
My memory is telling me it goes in the upper four pins of the left row of the socket. Please verify if that's correct before I plug in the power!
Photo attached of the alignment I thought was correct (before fully inserting the pins).
John Seboldt K0JD
Milwaukee, WI
<20230526_215228_resized.jpg>
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Farhan sent me a uBitx about a year ago.? Mostly assembled and the final assembly went without a hitch.? Very nicely done!? Seemed to tune the bands.? Put out RF as expected.? Drew about the right amount of current.? But my antenna situation was an impossible solution.? Our 0.2 acre lot has no trees.? No room for an elegant solution.? HOA restrictions galore.?
This week I was able to secure a fiberglass vertical element.? 18' - 4" of wire hidden inside was easily fitted to the 6' high privacy fence with a counterpoise and some matching it tunes perfect.? Moved to the back porch and got all set up with my nifty little uBitX v6.1 and paddles and set out to land some QSOs.? I've worked QRP in contests and casual QSOs and expected to work stations.? Nothing.? Callers CQing away simply ignore me.? Hours spent and no joy.?
Grabbing the ATS-25 receiver, I discovered why.? It transmits 2.4 KHz off my receive frequency.? Spent the better part of the afternoon attempting an "alignment' using the setup menu.? I can move the transmit frequency somewhat and sort of understand how the radio is supposed to work.? But using the setup routine requires that I move the setting to over 800,000 and still not able to zero beat.? Going beyond 800,000 causes the receiver to shut down.? Signals disappear as if I'm moving it beyond the 45 MHz roofing filter.? Somethings not right here.?
My question is, how to proceed figuring out a solution.? Is it possible that the 45 MHz filter is wrong?? How about the 11MHz filter?? I've tried using the RIT and various LSB / USB settings.? I just cannot get it right.? The radio is working.? It's just not usable until I can figure out how to transmit on the right frequency.
I was hoping to use it on Field Day.? Short of acquiring an actual radio that works, that it looking doubtful.
Any good ideas for me?
Ford-N0FP
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Re: sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
John
It can go in ether set of sockets
Art.N2AJO
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 26, 2023, at 23:14, John Seboldt K0JD <k0jd-l@...> wrote:
?Just got my sBitx v2, and took courage to open it up. I was going to put in the CR2032 coin battery into the real time clock, per various messages I saw.
To my surprise, it was already installed. Fine.
But now, I have to be sure I've inserted it properly - I didn't observe very carefully which of the five socket holes correspond with the four plug-in pins (GND, VCC, SDA, SCL)
My memory is telling me it goes in the upper four pins of the left row of the socket. Please verify if that's correct before I plug in the power!
Photo attached of the alignment I thought was correct (before fully inserting the pins).
John Seboldt K0JD
Milwaukee, WI
<20230526_215228_resized.jpg>
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Richard, I haven't had a qso with qsstv though the interface has been done and desk to desk testing has also been done. We are shipping with Raspberry OS Buster. - f
On Sat, May 27, 2023, 1:45 PM Richard < g7oed@...> wrote: Hi
Just wondering does qsstv interface ok with the sBitx ?.
Also is the supplied raspberry pi os the current one or an old one
Regards Richard G7OED
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Hi
Just wondering does qsstv interface ok with the sBitx ?.
Also is the supplied raspberry pi os the current one or an old one
Regards Richard G7OED
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sBitx v2 Real Time Clock - pins
Just got my sBitx v2, and took courage to open it up. I was going to put in the CR2032 coin battery into the real time clock, per various messages I saw.
To my surprise, it was already installed. Fine.
But now, I have to be sure I've inserted it properly - I didn't observe very carefully which of the five socket holes correspond with the four plug-in pins (GND, VCC, SDA, SCL)
My memory is telling me it goes in the upper four pins of the left row of the socket. Please verify if that's correct before I plug in the power!
Photo attached of the alignment I thought was correct (before fully inserting the pins).
John Seboldt K0JD
Milwaukee, WI
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Re: Where to set power levels
#sBitx
Farhan,
I was able to correct the power levels for 80 and 40 meters.? I could not get to 20 watts on 12 or 10 meters.
To reduce the number of times I needed to restart the sbitx program, I created a spreadsheet to help correct the multiplier settings.? I would take the last values and then set each of the bands, read the power for the 100 percent drive setting, enter the read value, and then plug in the calculated new setting.? ?
The sheet is attached.
73
Evan
AC9TU
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: KD8CEC users: Silent changes to your USB and CW Cal values
In case it wasn't obvious, there was a typo. The second range should have been V3 and V4 and *NOT* V3,V4,V5 as stated above.
73
Mark
--
AJ6CU
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu
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Pete
HA3HZ
