Hi! On 24/04/2024 9.44 am, HA3HZ wrote: Aren't you overcomplicating the issue? You don't have to make a big deal out of a small one.
Recently, I also had to take out this pcb, because I managed to break the encoder shaft. I replaced it with a Chinese encoder (a bit bumpy) and tried to put it back in place. I saw that the cable connector is higher than the encoder, which is why the pcb bends in a curve during amplification.
*The problem can be solved simply:* put some washers or nuts as washers on the axis of the encoders. There are longer and shorter encoder shafts around. I have a unit with shorter shafts that leave no room for washers. So it is not always that easy. I also unsoldered the connector and attached it using short cable bridges. It works perfectly now, but this issue should have been avoided from the beginning. Do so that they can still be attached to the front panel. That is all. No need to overcomplicate it, this is not atomic physics. Think in simple terms, then you won't overcomplicate it. Rather, pay attention to the cooling of the device, it should not get too hot and the generated heat should be able to escape from it.
I am slowly reaching four thousand QSOs, for me, I modified the device to remove the generated heat and to set the Bias correctly. Don't wait for hfsignals to solve it. If you have noticed, if not, I will tell you that in the case of uBitx, what you found to be good was not included in the next amendment either. The manufacturer leaves it up to the user how to solve the modification. Read what you can learn from and make the correction.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
|
Gyula, I'll have to look and see, but a stack of washers might do the trick.? But if I remember right, there wasn't a lot of threads left on the encoder.? It's a pretty simple problem with a really easy solution.? I have all the tools to quickly design up a PCB and have them made for ~$5USD or less. Another $5 for encoders and the connector, seems pretty simple.? I can pull my radio apart and reverse engineer the components, but was just hoping for a simple schematic to do it.? Jon as you said, my encoders are not always reading right, and often skip or jump when they shouldn't.? There's times where I spin the wheel many times and it goes back to where I started.? Minor frustration, but should be an easy fix.
|
T41 3rd edition book error corrected
Thanks, Lou. I have put this in our error log file and will fix it on the next edit. So far, this is the only one. If someone else finds one, please let us know and we'll inform the other readers, too.?
Meanwhile, you can pencil in 17/15M in the top-left column on p.366 and the next major column block is 12/10M.
BTW, Al and I would really appreciate it if you would write a review of the book, especially those who want to leave 5 Star reviews.?  The previous edition had over 145 reviews and all of those are now "lost" because of the new edition. We think reviews are important in the buying decision and losing 84% 5 Star reviews is going to be hard to overcome. Thanks in advance!
Jack, W8TEE Al, AC8GY
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 10:57:04 AM EDT, Lou Burgess via groups.io <deacon_lou@...> wrote:
Table 12.3, page 366, I think there might be a missed 12M/ 10M label for the filliter.datea.
Lou
-- Jack, W8TEE
|
Just wanted to post a heads up about that spreadsheet. I remember making some "fixes" to it as I was working on the Calibration wizard that is part of the Settings Editor. So look at the formulas and decide for your self.
A two ?step process here would be to install the KD8CEC 2.0 beta, and then use the Calibration Wizard feature of the Settings Editor to get things set up. Then copy those settings and re-install KD8CEC 1.2. The Calibration settings should be still there, but you should check to confirm. There are some youtube videos on this next to the one that Evan referenced above.
I find the easiest tool for a frequency calibration (after you do all the BFO pre-work) is a 10MHZ signal generator that you can buy on ebay. This is one seller but there are lots:
This way there is no need to have a good antenna so you can get WWV or some other AM station. Probably should put in line a 3 or 6db attenuator. I found this device, in conjunction with the Calibration Wizard in my Settings Editor allowed me to do a calibration in less than 10 minutes. (You can replace the HF Signals webpage with an phone app as I recall?)
73
Mark
--
AJ6CU/7
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
|
I built one of Diz's 5-Watters and built it in the small Apache case.
Some idiot dropped it in a lake on the way to a camp site. I managed to fish it out of the lake and had it on the air in a matter of minutes. It's not advertised as waterproof, but it survived the dunking in the lake without issues.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 10:39:30 AM EDT, Ken N2VIP <ken@...> wrote:
This Harbor Freight case is very, very similar in size for a bit less money ($70 vs $40) and for US buyers easily available:
Apache 3800 case:
?
$40
Inside Length 14 7/8" Inside Width 10 5/8" Inside Height 6 1/8"
The PB3 case:
?
$70
Inside Length 13.4" Inside Width 8.5" Inside Depth 6.1"
On Apr 23, 2024, at 17:54, Gerald Sherman <ve4gks@...> wrote:
?I don't know if Radioddity ships world-wide, but they do into the USA and Canada.? They have a PB3 protective carry case, advertised as for the Xiegu X6100.? It is quite large, and will nicely hold a V2 or V3, plus the microphone, the Pi keyboard and mouse, and a battery or two.? It is gasketed, so it is waterproof when closed. Note: this case will not hold the DE.? The cases are shipped from Hong Kong, so delivery takes about 2 weeks.
Gerry Sherman
Sent by the Windows 11 Thunderbird
--
Jack, W8TEE
|
This Harbor Freight case is very, very similar in size for a bit less money ($70 vs $40) and for US buyers easily available:
Apache 3800 case:
?
$40
Inside Length 14 7/8" Inside Width 10 5/8" Inside Height 6 1/8"
The PB3 case:
?
$70
Inside Length 13.4" Inside Width 8.5" Inside Depth 6.1"
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Apr 23, 2024, at 17:54, Gerald Sherman <ve4gks@...> wrote:
?I don't know if Radioddity ships world-wide, but they do into the USA and Canada.? They have a PB3 protective carry case, advertised as for the Xiegu X6100.? It is quite large, and will nicely hold a V2 or V3, plus the microphone, the Pi keyboard and mouse, and a battery or two.? It is gasketed, so it is waterproof when closed. Note: this case will not hold the DE.? The cases are shipped from Hong Kong, so delivery takes about 2 weeks.
Gerry Sherman
Sent by the Windows 11 Thunderbird
|
It can also be found on Amazon.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
|
Aren't you overcomplicating the issue? You don't have to make a big deal out of a small one.
Recently, I also had to take out this pcb, because I managed to break the encoder shaft. I replaced it with a Chinese encoder (a bit bumpy) and tried to put it back in place. I saw that the cable connector is higher than the encoder, which is why the pcb bends in a curve during amplification.
The problem can be solved simply: put some washers or nuts as washers on the axis of the encoders. Do so that they can still be attached to the front panel. That is all. No need to overcomplicate it, this is not atomic physics.
Think in simple terms, then you won't overcomplicate it. Rather, pay attention to the cooling of the device, it should not get too hot and the generated heat should be able to escape from it.
I am slowly reaching four thousand QSOs, for me, I modified the device to remove the generated heat and to set the Bias correctly. Don't wait for hfsignals to solve it. If you have noticed, if not, I will tell you that in the case of uBitx, what you found to be good was not included in the next amendment either. The manufacturer leaves it up to the user how to solve the modification. Read what you can learn from and make the correction.
--
Gyula HA3HZ
|
My board was acting funky, missing steps and all around not working correctly.
When I removed the board from the case it began to function properly again.?
I wrote hf signals, no support given. No replacement offering and I was simply told that I was wrong and they’ve never had an issue.
i ended up removing the cable socket at extending the port to a daughter board that is now on the back of the rotary encoder board. This allowed me to reinstall the unit flush and without the unecsssary tension.
HFSignals said they are coming out with a revision, but that doesn’t help anyone currently stuck with the bent board.
|
Re: T41 3rd edition book errors corrected
Yes, we have Amazon.in with great service. They deliver to my
home in the village too.
Your Books are not listed there.
Raj
On 23/04/2024 6:53 PM, Jack, W8TEE via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Raj:
I think there is a domestic
Amazon store there. If so, is the book listed there or does
that not make any difference?
Jack, W8TEE
Jack,
The duty etc is charged at checkout but no receipt of
tax paid is provided on delivery.
If I raise a stick then the amount is sometimes
credited back. Annoying and painful.
Raj
On
22/04/2024 5:32 PM, Jack, W8TEE via groups.io wrote:
Raj:
Is there something you can do about it?
I'm not familiar with the system there.
Jack, W8TEE
Hi Jack,
Amazon US is levying an import customs duty
from VUs which is illegal enrichment.
There is no customs duty on books and
periodicals AFAIK and never been charged
for the last 50 years! I have stopped
buying anything from them!
Raj
On
20/04/2024 11:33 PM, Jack, W8TEE via
groups.io wrote:
Hi Robert:
The main title is Digital
Signal Processing and Software Defined
Radio. If you type this number into the
Amazon search bar, you will see the book:
B0D25FV48C. You can then click on
that link in Amazon to go to the full
description.
Jack, W8TEE
|
I don't know if Radioddity ships world-wide, but they do into the USA and Canada.? They have a PB3 protective carry case, advertised as for the Xiegu X6100.? It is quite large, and will nicely hold a V2 or V3, plus the microphone, the Pi keyboard and mouse, and a battery or two.? It is gasketed, so it is waterproof when closed. Note: this case will not hold the DE.? The cases are shipped from Hong Kong, so delivery takes about 2 weeks.
Gerry Sherman
Sent by the Windows 11 Thunderbird
|
The short answer is yes, though not with the same type of graphics. The focus is more on fixing some of the operational issues, especially as they relate to CW. I prefer the N8ME with VU3GAO mods in the files section of the group. There are others that I have not tried, like ReedN's.
Search the files and wiki sections.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Thanks for that info! ?I just assembled mine and I’m still trying to figure out things. ?Are there other firmware updates that are compatible with the original TFT display that offer other screen layouts?
Hi Calvin,
The KD8CEC software does not work with the stock V6 display.? It can use a character-based display, like those on prior models of the V6 or the Nextion display.
Bob,
I missed posting Ashhar Farhan's calibration video:
As DaveW said, you first need to adjust the BFO to hear the low beating tones, calibrate it, and then adjust the BFO for the best audio and opposite carrier suppression.
The BFO Tuning aid is broken.? Any Audio Spectrum analyzer will work.? There are free PC-based versions or apps for smartphones.? The two red lines in the video are 300 and 3000 HZ.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
I've been digging through all the schematics and I don't see anything for the rotary encoder board?? While the board that's in there is functional, I'm not a fan of how bent the board is.? Seems like a quick easy task for me to design a board that fits properly, but I need to know which encoders are used and if there's any other devices on that board.
|
Hi Calvin,
The KD8CEC software does not work with the stock V6 display.? It can use a character-based display, like those on prior models of the V6 or the Nextion display.
Bob,
I missed posting Ashhar Farhan's calibration video:
As DaveW said, you first need to adjust the BFO to hear the low beating tones, calibrate it, and then adjust the BFO for the best audio and opposite carrier suppression.
The BFO Tuning aid is broken.? Any Audio Spectrum analyzer will work.? There are free PC-based versions or apps for smartphones.? The two red lines in the video are 300 and 3000 HZ.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Can the KD8CEC firmware work with the uBITx v6 with the original TFT display or does it require the Nextion display?
|
Bob,
You also asked about FT8 and JS8...? I have a V6 with KD8CEC firmware and Nextion display.
It works well on FT8 and JS8. CAT control is via USB. Receive and transmit audio is interfaced directly between computer and radio mic and phone jacks (without transformer isolation). I built special audio cables for the purpose:
1. The receive audio cable from radio to computer includes a variable resistor to set the volume level range (once that is set, the volume control on the radio allows further adjustment when needed). Note that the computer audio input is Stereo. The radio audio output is monaural with audio applied to both left and right channels. So, the cable is wired as a stereo cable. (I used a cord from a defunct stereo headset which had an in-line volume control.) Without the variable resistor in-line, the audio level into the computer was too high. Perhaps this could have been adjusted with computer audio level controls, but the computer levels affect other things that I didn't want to change.
2. The transmit cable: (A) at the computer end, the left and right channels are combined onto one wire. (B) at the radio end, there is NO connection to the key terminal (ring), and there is a simple resistor / capacitor network (to decrease audio level from computer, and to block DC). The network has two resistors in series: connect audio from computer through 1K resistor to 2.2K resistor connected to connector barrel (ground). Connect junction between resistors through 0.1 uf cap to mic audio input (tip).
The above arrangement works well on one of my computers (connecting audio direct to computer mic/phone jacks). But on another, I had to use a USB sound card dongle to avoid interaction between mic/phone circuits when connected directly. (This computer has mic/phone audio on one connector.) ?
Regarding frequency calibration, note that BFO calibration must be done first, and then touched up after freq. cal. is done.
|
Hi Bob,
There are at least three possible methods to calibrate the V6:
1 - Similar to the video from Ashhar Farhan using a known AM signal (Like WWV or a standard frequency reference)
2 - Measure the output frequency of the CW transmission
3 - Use? the Frequency Calibration process from Mark Hatch AJ6CU
I have done the first two with success.? I have not tried Mark's process.? The most straightforward and repeatable has been measuring the CW frequency with an accurate frequency counter, attenuator, simple spreadsheet to help calculate the new value, and the Memory Manager software to save and enter the calibration values.? I have attached the spreadsheet to this post (originally by Mark Hatch).
Note that there are settings in the Memory Manager that can affect the frequency transmitted.? As in the spreadsheet, I use the default and adjust for the sidetone.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: T41 3rd edition book errors corrected
Raj:
I think there is a domestic Amazon store there. If so, is the book listed there or does that not make any difference?
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 09:20:05 AM EDT, Raj vu2zap <rajendrakumargg@...> wrote:
Jack,
The duty etc is charged at checkout but no receipt of tax paid is
provided on delivery.
If I raise a stick then the amount is sometimes credited back.
Annoying and painful.
Raj
On 22/04/2024 5:32 PM, Jack, W8TEE via
groups.io wrote:
Raj:
Is there something you can do
about it? I'm not familiar with the system there.
Jack, W8TEE
Hi Jack,
Amazon US is levying an import customs duty from VUs
which is illegal enrichment.
There is no customs duty on books and periodicals
AFAIK and never been charged
for the last 50 years! I have stopped buying anything
from them!
Raj
On
20/04/2024 11:33 PM, Jack, W8TEE via groups.io wrote:
Hi Robert:
The main title is Digital Signal
Processing and Software Defined Radio. If you type
this number into the Amazon search bar, you will see
the book: B0D25FV48C. You can then click on
that link in Amazon to go to the full description.
Jack, W8TEE
On Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 01:48:15 PM
EDT, Robert AG6LK <amrmedic@...>
wrote:
Hi Jack,
I apologige for walking into the middle of
your conversation, but what is the name of
your book?
Thanks, 73
Robert, ag6lk
--
Jack, W8TEE
--
Jack, W8TEE
-- Jack, W8TEE
|
Re: T41 3rd edition book errors corrected
Jack,
The duty etc is charged at checkout but no receipt of tax paid is
provided on delivery.
If I raise a stick then the amount is sometimes credited back.
Annoying and painful.
Raj
On 22/04/2024 5:32 PM, Jack, W8TEE via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Raj:
Is there something you can do
about it? I'm not familiar with the system there.
Jack, W8TEE
Hi Jack,
Amazon US is levying an import customs duty from VUs
which is illegal enrichment.
There is no customs duty on books and periodicals
AFAIK and never been charged
for the last 50 years! I have stopped buying anything
from them!
Raj
On
20/04/2024 11:33 PM, Jack, W8TEE via groups.io wrote:
Hi Robert:
The main title is Digital Signal
Processing and Software Defined Radio. If you type
this number into the Amazon search bar, you will see
the book: B0D25FV48C. You can then click on
that link in Amazon to go to the full description.
Jack, W8TEE
On Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 01:48:15 PM
EDT, Robert AG6LK <amrmedic@...>
wrote:
Hi Jack,
I apologige for walking into the middle of
your conversation, but what is the name of
your book?
Thanks, 73
Robert, ag6lk
--
Jack, W8TEE
--
Jack, W8TEE
|
HA3HZ
Raj vu2zap