Re: sBitx V2 SN #141 Spurious/Harmonic Measurements
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Re: sBitx V2 SN #141 Spurious/Harmonic Measurements
Thanks very much for that suggestion, Evan!
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On Nov 2, 2023, at 19:21, Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> wrote:
?Gordon,
Good work so far.
A subsequent test could be pulling the 1n4007 diodes for all but the one filter under test.? That would determine if the blow-by is coming through the bias circuit or the diodes themselves causing the harmonics.? If that is not the issue, adding back the other diodes one filter at a time might show some interaction.
Just suggestions.? I would help if I had v2.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: sBITX-V2 FT-8 Problems and others too ...
I don't normally comment on these posts but here is my opinion.
i understand that people are looking for a cost effective entry radio that can be used like an "appliance" radio form the big three. Right now the entry price for a good "appliance" radio is $1,000-1,500. In fact when I want to just use the radio I have an FTdx-10, 710 and for Ic-705.
However, for the first time in years there is a lot of exciting work in developing experimental radios for those of us that like tinkering with hardware and software. The key phrase is "experimental". The most notable are:
SBitx V2. This is clearly a radio in early development. The fact that it is open source HW and SW with a large group participating in making it better means that eventually it will be a quality product. The FT8 software has been used in a couple of different implementations and was not entirely successful so? additional work is needed.? I have a V2 which currently is sitting on the shelf until I get time to work on it. When I bought it I did not expect it to be on the level with any of the radios from
the big three. But it will be.
T41-EP Is another great open source radio design. But this one requires you to build the HW and install the software. So far the hardware is on revision three and the SW is as well. I built this radio and it works reasonably well but more updates are coming. So far I believe the development has taken three years.? A kit will be available from 4sqrp sometime this year or early next year. However they are only recommending the kit for hams interested in working with an experimental platform.
Keith SDR - This group has built a really good sw SDR around a teensy 4.1. It is designed to work with just about any SDR hardware and the SW provides a really good radio. But it is a continually developing radio.
EDENDSP - This group is my favorite. It is a radio designed around a 16 bit DSPic from Microchip. It is an example of what can be achieved using a simple dual processor 16 bit? 100Mhz processor with limited memory. Originally designed to work with the softrock sdr it now supports the RS-HFIQ and VeteranSDR radios. And a new SDR base radio is being developed to work with the EDenDSP board.
I am sure there is more development work being done on different platforms.? So far none have reached the performance level of the FTDX-10 or some of the other radios form the big three. But I bet in the next couple of years they will and at a reasonable price.
I guess in summary if you are looking for a radio that is turnkey then the sbitx v2 is not it - YET and I think the website is pretty clear about that.
Clarence ,NT7V?
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Re: sBitx V2 SN #141 Spurious/Harmonic Measurements
Gordon,
Good work so far.
A subsequent test could be pulling the 1n4007 diodes for all but the one filter under test.? That would determine if the blow-by is coming through the bias circuit or the diodes themselves causing the harmonics.? If that is not the issue, adding back the other diodes one filter at a time might show some interaction.
Just suggestions.? I would help if I had v2.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Raspberry Pi in sBITX V2
On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 03:32 PM, Rafael Diniz wrote:
any problem, lemme know. I'm running bullseye 64 bit here.
I'm really struggling. Bullseye 64-bit on the same hardware that had Buster 32-bit crashes very often. This is the Pi 4 that came with the sbitx and has been taken on a few POTA activations and have not seen any problems with it. I'm now down to the point of installing the non-desktop 'lite' image just to see if I can't understand what is crashing and why.
--
Regards,
Dave, N1AI
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Re: sBitx V2 SN #141 Spurious/Harmonic Measurements
For reference:? ?15 meter drive is at "84" and previously this would have produced a shade under 15W output.
Gordon KX4Z
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Re: sBitx V2 SN #141 Spurious/Harmonic Measurements
OK... I destroyed C202 and had to replace it with one on hand, but I was able to attach it vertically so that it made contact with the voltage doubler side alone, and with a tiny wire, I connected its input to the RF output of the output transformer.? ?So the HV supply should now be working.? ?(I did not test that but all the connections were holding via solder) I then carried out the exact same ttests with commercial pads and attenuators and measured the output.? ?It is within a db or two of what I measured with just the FILTER in line.? ?So there was indeed a TINY bit of potential degradation, but it sure isn't much.? ? The horrible harmonics are NOT coming from the HV voltage doubler at least not on 15 meters....? ?That is very good news.? ?See the photos below.   This leaves I think three main other possibilities a)? production by the input switching diode b) leakage through other filters or around somehow c)? production by the output switching diode Gordon KX4Z
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Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
Then I would either wait a year or so, or find a different radio. Sorry, but life is real. Gordon KX4Z
On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 6:12?PM Jens < hb9joi@...> wrote:
Thank You ... but that all helps me not .
I am not a software programming specialist , I am an transceiver user
not a developer .
?
+++
?
?
From: david todd via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:36 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Have u tried dabbling with the software past
the beginning? edit the lines u dont like regarding ft8 timing and such. take
notes, and see the results. then if it doesnt work, at least u have ur notes on
what u did. Sometimes a skyscraper needs to be gutted from the bottom up instead
of the top down.I have found many solutions just printing the program out ,
reading the code several times and then it shows like a beacon.
?
Personally if i were u , i would go thru the
code, and see if there isnt an anomoly on ur version of firmware. might have had
a problem when originally loaded? Sometimes it happens. Also Sometimes if the
computer side isnt seeing a correct time, you wont make any QSOs either. I
actually had this problem with FT8. Also might not be relevent but what ft8
software are u using? i found wsjtx buggy for me .I use jtdx, and have never had
any issues with it.
?
Another thing is try to get ahold of a new
updated software for ur SD Card. problem seems to be on the SD card since u are
having problems with ft8. Just my opinion.
?
Also try rebooting the Sbitx, replace the
current SD card with a new one. might be corrupted?
?
?
just trying to shoot some suggestions out.
?
Dont give up, its running but with a small
problem. a setting, time coordination, reloaded software on SD card, or new SD
card,. Something probably simple.
?
73
David
ac9xh
?
On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 03:30:21 PM EDT, Jens
< hb9joi@...> wrote: ?
?
... here seems to be nobody who really can help or have solved this
FT8 firmware chaos of the sBITX V2? ?
Or .. ?
?
+++
?
?
From: Evan Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry, I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in
the group can help you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
Thank You ... but that all helps me not .
I am not a software programming specialist , I am an transceiver user
not a developer .
?
+++
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: david todd via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:36 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Have u tried dabbling with the software past
the beginning? edit the lines u dont like regarding ft8 timing and such. take
notes, and see the results. then if it doesnt work, at least u have ur notes on
what u did. Sometimes a skyscraper needs to be gutted from the bottom up instead
of the top down.I have found many solutions just printing the program out ,
reading the code several times and then it shows like a beacon.
?
Personally if i were u , i would go thru the
code, and see if there isnt an anomoly on ur version of firmware. might have had
a problem when originally loaded? Sometimes it happens. Also Sometimes if the
computer side isnt seeing a correct time, you wont make any QSOs either. I
actually had this problem with FT8. Also might not be relevent but what ft8
software are u using? i found wsjtx buggy for me .I use jtdx, and have never had
any issues with it.
?
Another thing is try to get ahold of a new
updated software for ur SD Card. problem seems to be on the SD card since u are
having problems with ft8. Just my opinion.
?
Also try rebooting the Sbitx, replace the
current SD card with a new one. might be corrupted?
?
?
just trying to shoot some suggestions out.
?
Dont give up, its running but with a small
problem. a setting, time coordination, reloaded software on SD card, or new SD
card,. Something probably simple.
?
73
David
ac9xh
?
On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 03:30:21 PM EDT, Jens
<hb9joi@...> wrote:
?
?
... here seems to be nobody who really can help or have solved this
FT8 firmware chaos of the sBITX V2? ?
Or .. ?
?
+++
?
?
From: Evan Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry, I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in
the group can help you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Question before buying
... if You want an complete unfinished product ... then Yes.
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From: Peter
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 10:34 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: [BITX20] Question before buying
?
Hi
all. I joined this group to watch whats going on before I purchase a unit and
notice mostly hellful info but a few complaints.
?
I wanted to ask: I believe this unit to be an open source unit for
tinkerers and people like myself that enjoy playing and changing things. Would
that be a fair assessment? To the point where if you want a guaranteed unit you
go and buy an Icom or Yaseu type polished finished unit?? As far as I can
tell the unit will do everything I want and in fact more. I want something that
will do digital and I can take camping yet will work just as well at home. I
like tinkering and playing with software so will the unit fit my idea
|
Re: Question before buying
I was in the same boat Peter, same expectations. It isn’t a polished experience, but for me, it’s the fun of fixing bugs and making it that way.?
73,
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On Nov 2, 2023, at 15:34, Peter <vk2adg@...> wrote:
Hi all. I joined this group to watch whats going on before I purchase a unit and notice mostly hellful info but a few complaints.
I wanted to ask: I believe this unit to be an open source unit for tinkerers and people like myself that enjoy playing and changing things. Would that be a fair assessment? To the point where if you want a guaranteed unit you go and buy an Icom or Yaseu type polished finished unit?? As far as I can tell the unit will do everything I want and in fact more. I want something that will do digital and I can take camping yet will work just as well at home. I like tinkering and playing with software so will the unit fit my idea
|
Hi all. I joined this group to watch whats going on before I purchase a unit and notice mostly hellful info but a few complaints.
I wanted to ask: I believe this unit to be an open source unit for tinkerers and people like myself that enjoy playing and changing things. Would that be a fair assessment? To the point where if you want a guaranteed unit you go and buy an Icom or Yaseu type polished finished unit?? As far as I can tell the unit will do everything I want and in fact more. I want something that will do digital and I can take camping yet will work just as well at home. I like tinkering and playing with software so will the unit fit my idea
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
You can always use an external computer and sound card system.? ?That's what I've done in order to use winlink etc.? ?Works well.? Eventually, the code will get sorted out.? ?Anyone can learn enough C to work on these things in a few days.? ?? But those of us with JOBS and family and other hobbies will take some time to get around to it.? My thing has been the signal purity.? ??
73 Gordon KX4Z
Have u tried dabbling with the software past the beginning? edit the lines u dont like regarding ft8 timing and such. take notes, and see the results. then if it doesnt work, at least u have ur notes on what u did. Sometimes a skyscraper needs to be gutted from the bottom up instead of the top down.I have found many solutions just printing the program out , reading the code several times and then it shows like a beacon.
Personally if i were u , i would go thru the code, and see if there isnt an anomoly on ur version of firmware. might have had a problem when originally loaded? Sometimes it happens. Also Sometimes if the computer side isnt seeing a correct time, you wont make any QSOs either. I actually had this problem with FT8. Also might not be relevent but what ft8 software are u using? i found wsjtx buggy for me .I use jtdx, and have never had any issues with it.
Another thing is try to get ahold of a new updated software for ur SD Card. problem seems to be on the SD card since u are having problems with ft8. Just my opinion.
Also try rebooting the Sbitx, replace the current SD card with a new one. might be corrupted?
just trying to shoot some suggestions out.
Dont give up, its running but with a small problem. a setting, time coordination, reloaded software on SD card, or new SD card,. Something probably simple.
73 David ac9xh
On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 03:30:21 PM EDT, Jens < hb9joi@...> wrote:
... here seems to be nobody who really can help or have solved this
FT8 firmware chaos of the sBITX V2? ?
Or .. ?
?
+++
?
?
From: Evan
Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
Have u tried dabbling with the software past the beginning? edit the lines u dont like regarding ft8 timing and such. take notes, and see the results. then if it doesnt work, at least u have ur notes on what u did. Sometimes a skyscraper needs to be gutted from the bottom up instead of the top down.I have found many solutions just printing the program out , reading the code several times and then it shows like a beacon.
Personally if i were u , i would go thru the code, and see if there isnt an anomoly on ur version of firmware. might have had a problem when originally loaded? Sometimes it happens. Also Sometimes if the computer side isnt seeing a correct time, you wont make any QSOs either. I actually had this problem with FT8. Also might not be relevent but what ft8 software are u using? i found wsjtx buggy for me .I use jtdx, and have never had any issues with it.
Another thing is try to get ahold of a new updated software for ur SD Card. problem seems to be on the SD card since u are having problems with ft8. Just my opinion.
Also try rebooting the Sbitx, replace the current SD card with a new one. might be corrupted?
just trying to shoot some suggestions out.
Dont give up, its running but with a small problem. a setting, time coordination, reloaded software on SD card, or new SD card,. Something probably simple.
73 David ac9xh
On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 03:30:21 PM EDT, Jens <hb9joi@...> wrote:
... here seems to be nobody who really can help or have solved this
FT8 firmware chaos of the sBITX V2? ?
Or .. ?
?
+++
?
From: Evan
Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Raspberry Pi in sBITX V2
any problem, lemme know. I'm running bullseye 64 bit here. I'm still taking some breath to update to bookworm...
my packages for wiringpi for bullseye 64 bit are here:
- Rafael
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On 11/2/23 18:16, Dave, N1AI wrote:
To reply to my own post in case it helps anyone else, I found the problem was permissions were incorrect on |/dev/gpiomem|.
The whole sequence was:
|pi@sbitx:~/sbitx$ ./sbitx sbitx v2.0 sqlite3 opening returned 0 wiringPiSetup: Unable to open /dev/mem or /dev/gpiomem: Permission denied. Aborting your program because if it can not access the GPIO hardware then it most certianly won't work Try running with sudo? pi@sbitx:~/sbitx$ ls -l /dev/gpiomem crw------- 1 root root 238, 0 Nov 2 10:16 /dev/gpiomem pi@sbitx:~/sbitx$ sudo chown root.gpio /dev/gpiomem pi@sbitx:~/sbitx$ sudo chmod g+rw /dev/gpiomem pi@sbitx:~/sbitx$ ls -l /dev/gpiomem crw-rw---- 1 root gpio 238, 0 Nov 2 22:25 /dev/gpiomem pi@sbitx:~/sbitx $ ./sbitx sbitx v2.0 sqlite3 opening returned 0 synchronised to NTP server (50.205.57.38) at stratum 2 time correct to within 13 ms polling server every 64 s Checking for valid NTP time ...Syncing RTC to 2023-11-02 17:22:16 Initialized the waterfall rx_pitch set to 590 bridge compesation = 100 *Error: field[#kbd_] not found. Check for typo? #Remote is listening Reading rtc...RTC time is : year:2023 month:11 day:2 hour:17 min:22 sec:16 time_delta = 1698945732 rtc julian: 1698960136l -14400 done! |
The steps that fixed it were:
|sudo chown root.gpio /dev/gpiomem sudo chmod g+rw /dev/gpiomem |
The weird part is the same permission issue was present on the sdcard that I cloned from, and the same fix applied to the sdcard fixed that issue there as well. I still can't figure out what caused the permission problem. I have no idea if it had anything to do with using |rpi-clone| or not.
The bottom line is I am where I wanted to be a day or so ago. I can boot the rpi4 in the sbitx either on the sdcard or on the external usb-nvme stick. If I power down and disconnect the usb-nvme cable then it falls back to running from the sdcard.
Next I'd like to move forward to the debian bullseye release and run in 64 bit mode on a different usb3-nvme device. That will be a nice step forward.
-- Regards, Dave, N1AI
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Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
... here seems to be nobody who really can help or have solved this
FT8 firmware chaos of the sBITX V2? ?
Or .. ?
?
+++
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Evan
Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
... and why You help me not ?
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Show quoted text
From: Tony
Abbey
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:46 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Hi Jens
?
Before you throw it in the
rubbish, would you like to sell it to me and I'll see what I can do with it,
please.
?
Tony
?
?
On Thu, 2 Nov 2023 at 18:44, Jens
<hb9joi@...> wrote:
?
I think I give this radio in for what it is made : for the rubbish
.
?
+++
?
?
From: Evan Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
Hi Jens
Before you throw it in the rubbish, would you like to sell it to me and I'll see what I can do with it, please.
Tony
On Thu, 2 Nov 2023 at 18:44, Jens < hb9joi@...> wrote:
?
I think I give this radio in for what it is made : for the rubbish .
?
+++
?
?
From: Evan
Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
?
I think I give this radio in for what it is made : for the rubbish .
?
+++
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Evan
Hand
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 7:31 PM
To: BITX20@groups.io
Subject: Re: [BITX20] sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big
shit...
?
Jens,
Sorry,
I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help
you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: sBitx V2 FT8 Problems - Big shit...
Jens,
Sorry, I can not help you.? Maybe someone else in the group can help you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Dave, N1AI
Jens/HB9JOI