Friends, I finally have my version 2 up and running as well. ?I smoothed out the heat sink surface, put in the aluminum nitride insulators, added Zeners (since it’s all I’ve got right now ) and started noticing plenty of space for my external relay output. ?Polarity protector is external. ?The blown switching diode problem was fixed a few weeks back with a protective resistor in series.?

our local group is very interested to see how this works out, most of them are using G 90s but this has such a nicer screen. ?I believe I will stick with the 40 W z24N because it suits our emergency communications better. ? I like watching analog current meter so I ordered some cheap panel meters and a shot so I can start building what we call a “go box “ with an internal power supply or connections for a battery?

gordon kx4z

What version are you using currently? I added a modified UI of N8ME firmware in the file section. I've since upgraded to a nextion display and KD8CEC firmware.

You can give either of those a try.

Evan,
Thanks. I do not have the SWR/power sensor installed in my sbitx DE. I will experiment with your code changes anyway!
Do you hear relays when you send sw?

--
Mike - kb2ml

Mike,

I assume you have installed the SWR/Power sensor in your DE.? The code uses the valid read of that sensor to decide if it is a DE, V2, or later model.? The code is at line 1147 in sbitx.c:

Well, I’ve been snowed under with my high school teaching and slowly upgrading my V2, so I haven’t gotten there to trying the newer software yet. Sorry!!

I bet it’s probably similar to whatever I had to do to fix that version….

Gordon

Gordon, I've been running my sbitx DE with your sbitx-1.c replacing the 'stock' version in your msg #103870). Today I got my sbitx updated to get on the new V3 software, which looks good so far, but ...
I lost that beautiful break-in cw keying. Relays are clacking away again. Have you seen the same thing?

--
Mike - kb2ml

Thanks.
Thats what i thought....the 12 volt 5 amp did not put any noise on the signal that i could detect so i will try the 14 volt supply and let people know if it works...just wanted a small supply for a small radio to make it more portable. Returns to amazon are easy? so i will buy the new supply and if both need to go back they can go back together !

David

One further comment...

Round power connectors that are ubiquitous.? ?I have four power supplies with
the exact same size that are different max current, voltage, polarity.? ?Why?
Every vendor has it favorite and it easily can be wrong for other gear..

So I consider that connector style are a a disaster in the making.? Most cases
I either change the connector to something different or hard wire it.

Why every disaster I have had was related to that.? Same for I got polarity
right and it didn't work due to over current shutdown.? Other fault is they
just fall out too easily.? They are unsuitable for high current.


--
Allison
------------------
Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.

I do a lot of stuff and one that has saved my bacon has been standardized connectors.
I went with PowerPoleas they are common and accessories like power strips with fuses
are useful.

I've tried Molex and other and none satisfied me or had absolute protection
against incorrect polarity.? So all gear gets high current diodes against reverse.

However.... with all that done I found the real solution is you should never being
connecting to random batteries with clips or added terminals.? Any battery I use has
been prewired with Powerpoles so if I grab and go the radio will plug in without
disaster.? That also applied to 13.8V power supplies for bench/field and for those
Lipo/LIfepo4 output is power pole and charge if via separate connector that is
made unique to avoid accidents.? Even the radio power bus has this standard
applied.

Its also a consideration that simplicity and order in operation is effective way
to prevent accidents or disasters.?

Any time your connecting bare wires there is a risk of, Oops, wrong wire.

As to added circuits two diodes and relay (relay must carry expected current).
it simple, cheap, and dead reliable.? I've used/added that to loaner gear where
Oops is a practical reality.? While mosfet switches are fast and can be very
reliable there are events like voltage spikes that can kill them.


--
Allison
------------------
Please use the forum, offline and private will go to bit bucket.

David,

The supply that you have does produce enough current.? It is a voltage lower than the 13.8 volts supplied by your main rig supply that is reducing the output.

Since purchasing through Amazon, you can try the second power supply to see if it generates too much RF hash (QRM) receiving.? If the interference is high, return it.? I bought a similar supply on eBay, which produced all kinds of noise.? It went into the junk pile as there was no return option.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Hi
The one i bought is

?

interesting....so i really want a 13.8 volt supply to get the max power output.
so this might work

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Adjustable-Switching-Transformer-Display3V4V5V6V7V8V9V10V11V12V/dp/B0CBK1D77J/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.d6ad0a4b-2eda-440d-98a3-7289fc1c492e%3Aamzn1.sym.d6ad0a4b-2eda-440d-98a3-7289fc1c492e&crid=2UBH9IK8M57JY&cv_ct_cx=13.8%2Bvolt%2Bdc%2Bpower%2Bsupply&keywords=13.8%2Bvolt%2Bdc%2Bpower%2Bsupply&pd_rd_i=B0CBK17BPF&pd_rd_r=684c7998-aef7-4cf9-8209-534dc89f1767&pd_rd_w=1Kuob&pd_rd_wg=8MrFh&pf_rd_p=d6ad0a4b-2eda-440d-98a3-7289fc1c492e&pf_rd_r=1AQMD04Z2W6TH06H00M5&qid=1702221010&s=electronics&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=13.8%2Bvolt%2Bdc%2Bpower%2Bsupply%2Celectronics%2C97&sr=1-52-f853d353-bf33-45e7-b5c2-2cb2b31abc9b-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

thanks
david W9PH

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade the firmware on my uBitX v.6. I don't mind the UI but as a CW operator I constantly have issues with the CW keyer, which seems to want to add extra dits or dahs now and then. So I'm looking for an upgrade with a good CW keyer.

--
Tom Sevart N2UHC
St. Paul, KS

Thank you, Terry - I should have spotted that: of course it's the VAT @ 20% + DHL's handling fee for collecting it. The sBitx tax will be the same, so around the $100 mark.

I think I'll be ordering a board then, and doing the rest myself!

73
Jonathan
G5LUX

开云体育

Those look great! ? We routinely Run Icom 7300 thru ours with 4 low RDSon devices without heat sinks — all depends on what resistance. ?Use a few of those devices in parallel to get same result

I like your multiple FET option! Why am I not surprised that your documentation is excellent?!

73, Andy

Doc Gibby,

? ?I've been using PowerPoles on all of my gear, and one of Third Planet Solar/KC9ON FET-based reverse polarity boards on all of the DIY equipment.? I like the very low voltage drop through the FET VS. a diode. This combo has tamed my inner klutz for good, hopefully! hihi

Through Hole:


SMD:


4.25 A continuous and 7 A peak; the surface mount device doesn't need an additional heatsink.?

73, Andy

There should not be any import duty on amateur radio gear or kits in to the UK only VAT.

If DHL is charging you duty, they are ripping you off.

The commodity code was 8525600000 in 2017, so you may need to check with HMRC that it is still current.
--

Has anyone here ordered an sBitx for delivery to the UK? If so, what import duty were you charged on the shipment?

Last year, I ordered a uBitX at $209 & my duty came to ?42 (around $53). At that kind of percentage, I expect my plan to order an sBitx less the Raspberry Pi would attract a bill of around ?85, or $105. This pushes the $429 radio to $530 + the cost of a Pi 4, making it about $600 altogether.

At that level, it's likely to make me pass on the idea - it's not Ashar's issue, I know, but down to our HMRC; it would be good to know the likely cost before I place the order though, so any experiences would be useful to hear.

73,
Jonathan
G5LUX

开云体育

I can do even better than that. You can order it directly from PCB way