Re: Zbitx - setting the time
The underlying wonderfulness of the zBitx is it uses nearly the exact same software as the uBitx, so I would imagine a simple console session into the zBitx and issuing a 'date' command would allow you to update the clock.
Speculation, but based on previous public statements it should that easy.
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On Jan 5, 2025, at 10:11, wa6ara via groups.io <wa6ara@...> wrote:
? I envision using the zbitx in my off the grid cabin, no cell, no internet, no power. While I can set the time at home, after a month or so I am sure it may drift off enough to require corr4ction. Is there a way to manually set the internal clock? In the past I have found I can set the laptop time off grid accurate enuf for ft8
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Acknowledging that there are no stated plans for a newer model of RPi Zero, prospectively named RPi Zero 3, it is a safe assumption that were such a board be announced it would have the same form-factor and similar/same pin outs and connections, and if that is indeed what is released it could conceivably be swapped into the zBitx.
The real question is, in my opinion, does the RPi Zero 2W *only* connect to the 2x20 (40 pin) GPIO header, because that would mean any RPi with a 2x20 header could be used with the zBitx board.
It is interesting to see the posts here about the possibility of upgrading/swapping the RPi in a device that has not been released yet. The latest thread (this one) is now questioning upgrades for the unreleased zBitx with a future RPi Zero model that also is not only not released but not even being discussed as a future product!
(Opinion: Any updated RPi Zero would likely have either the RPi 4 or 5 CPU, and probably a bit more RAM, but that more recent CPU might need a cooling solution, either a heat sink or something active, and that might interfere with the initial, as yet not finalized, zBitx design.)
The RPi Zero 2W has the same processor chip as an RPi 3B+, albeit with half the memory. Farhan has said that the supplied/planned software suite works fine in the 512 Meg of RAM.
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On Jan 5, 2025, at 00:51, David T-- VE3TOS via groups.io <digiital@...> wrote:
? ?
I know we are all on pins and needles waiting on more photos/details . But was wonder the PiZero 2w, I assume it's not hardwired
into the zbitx and that in the future should there be a PiZero 3 that we would be able to swap that out??
?
Thanks
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I envision using the zbitx in my off the grid cabin, no cell, no internet, no power. While I can set the time at home, after a month or so I am sure it may drift off enough to require corr4ction. Is there a way to manually set the internal clock? In the past I have found I can set the laptop time off grid accurate enuf for ft8
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Darn. I was for some reason thinking it was another footprint , kept thinking it was more of the pi pico layout.??
Guess my question was answered. Thanks?
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Re: BlueDV on s tBitx is now available
I have not installed it on the sbitx so I can not verify it is the same as windows. Under windows in the setup you can put in the ip address for the ambe server?which is now I run mine.
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Re: BlueDV on s tBitx is now available
According to PA7LIM's website, AMBE3000 USB devices do not work directly on Linux. I have a DVStick 30 which works on the Windows flavor, but not on Linux. I built and compiled AMBEserver as well, but haven't gotten far? due to other commitments. Maybe it will work. I am using the standard, Windows config file with BlueDV on Linux.
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Maybe we can work together and find a solution to use AMBEserver ports with this? 9th?0000 p
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-JJ
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Re: zBitx installed softwares
Thank you very much .F you take a good decision to back porting JS8Call, which will make of zBitx a wonderful rig for emergency situations. I will order when it's done and the zBitx can be again ordered.
And Happy New Year
73 - Pierre - FK8IH
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There are pictures of the RF board here, and they show it with a standard 40 pin female connector that will mate with the 40 pin header (2x20) used on all Raspberry Pi models. Presumably the RPi will have pins installed to plug into the board, either as a HAT (pins on the top of the RPi) or a base (pins on the bottom of the RPi). So it should be possible to swap in a future Raspberry Pi Zero board that uses the same form factor, but obviously no guarantees of compatibility with an unannounced product.
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 12:51?AM David T-- VE3TOS via <digiital= [email protected]> wrote: ?
I know we are all on pins and needles waiting on more photos/details . But was wonder the PiZero 2w, I assume it's not hardwired
into the zbitx and that in the future should there be a PiZero 3 that we would be able to swap that out??
?
Thanks
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?
I know we are all on pins and needles waiting on more photos/details . But was wonder the PiZero 2w, I assume it's not hardwired
into the zbitx and that in the future should there be a PiZero 3 that we would be able to swap that out??
?
Thanks
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Re: zBitx installed softwares
In principle, yes. I am back porting JJ and gang's 64 bit distro and all the software that it carries to zbitx hardware
On Mon, Dec 30, 2024, 3:44 AM Pierre - FK8IH via <jb.gallauziaux= [email protected]> wrote: Is it possible to have JS8Call installed? Forme JS8 mode is far more important than JT9 mode as Hearteat can replace JT8 contacts and the plain use of JS8Call allows me to do real QSO with exchange of informations. I experienced a terrible civil war in New Caledonia since the 13th of May this year, with sometimes all communications lost - no more internet nor phone - and JS8Call was my only mean of communication with the outside world and it worked well with my QRP station - Hermes Lite 2 and QRP-Labs QDX which deliver 5 to 6 Watt - The small size of a zBitx with its integrated batteries would make a wonderful emergency transceiver.?
Anyway this product looks promising, congratulations f.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH
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Re: zBitx pictures of all six sides
The zbitx is a sandwich of two boards. We just redid the front panel oard to increase the height by 5mm. This will allow us to use a far better speaker than the tinny speakers that are prevalent in the portable radios. We are also redoing the side panel to take a regular dc barrel power jack. Hence, the lack of pictures. We will have them as well as the videos up as soon as the 3D prints are finalized
Are there any pictures of all six sides of the zBitx?? ? I think I have only seen 2 or 3.
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Re: zBitx orders are closed
Very good response.? ?I wish you the very best.? Doug, KI6DS?
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Re: zBitx orders are closed
On Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 09:01 PM, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
I will post? few videos in the coming days and weeks about operating the zbitx.
I really look forward to this, I'm going into zBitx withdrawals, there has been very little discussion in the last few days. I know, I need to get a life.
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Joel
N6ALT
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Re: S/N 0994 receiver internal noise
Oh yes, my name is Brandon??
On Sat, Jan 4, 2025, 2:42 PM Ryan Wesolowski via <cosmo1stgen= [email protected]> wrote: W9blw,
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Need to get your name on here!? I might have to look it up on QRZ!
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The silver box is the 3 amp Drok regulator
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The piece on the side is 3d printed from Jeff's work at DuceRF.? I have a PI5 which does not line up properly with the original end plate and I have the DuceRF QRO board which is mounted to the plate.? Jeff's plate corrects the misalignment of the PI5 connectors and adds mounting bosses for the QRO board.?
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The RTC came with my SBITX.? Thought the PI5 has its own and just needs the battery I have not implemented that.?
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The fan is being controlled by the native fan control circuit on the PI5.? I spliced in the original connector to the new fan.? As the temp goes up so does the fan speed.? Full PWM control.
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The noise floor on the SBITX is significantly lower.? So much so that I thought I had shorted something out when I first powered it on.? It will rival my direct sampling 16bit radio in sensitivity even when the band is busy.? Unfortunately the spurs still exist which is the most annoying thing to me so I need to get a LPF for the Drok regulator and try it.? I may rig one up soon.? I also seem to have pretty bad intermod from strong AM broadcast.? I need to rig up a HPF on the antenna to try.? Or wherever in the RX chain of the radio.?
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Ryan
KK6DZB
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Re: S/N 0994 receiver internal noise
W9blw,
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Need to get your name on here!? I might have to look it up on QRZ!
?
The silver box is the 3 amp Drok regulator
?
The piece on the side is 3d printed from Jeff's work at DuceRF.? I have a PI5 which does not line up properly with the original end plate and I have the DuceRF QRO board which is mounted to the plate.? Jeff's plate corrects the misalignment of the PI5 connectors and adds mounting bosses for the QRO board.?
?
The RTC came with my SBITX.? Thought the PI5 has its own and just needs the battery I have not implemented that.?
?
The fan is being controlled by the native fan control circuit on the PI5.? I spliced in the original connector to the new fan.? As the temp goes up so does the fan speed.? Full PWM control.
?
The noise floor on the SBITX is significantly lower.? So much so that I thought I had shorted something out when I first powered it on.? It will rival my direct sampling 16bit radio in sensitivity even when the band is busy.? Unfortunately the spurs still exist which is the most annoying thing to me so I need to get a LPF for the Drok regulator and try it.? I may rig one up soon.? I also seem to have pretty bad intermod from strong AM broadcast.? I need to rig up a HPF on the antenna to try.? Or wherever in the RX chain of the radio.?
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Ryan
KK6DZB
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Re: BlueDV on sBitx is now available
JJ, I'm not very savvy with Linux, at least not to the point of figuring out how to get a piece of hardware working on it. I had to ask my partner to help me get my Ambeserver set to connect headless, I know so little Linux.
I can install a package so long as the installer is in working properly. If it fails, or a program fails?to run, I will likely have ZERO clue why or how to fix it. (sheepish)
I just looked at the BlueDV Linux page, and yeah, that's a little sparse. I'm also not going to buy a Bluestack. I would dearly like to have it in my SbitX, but I can be patient for David (or somebody) to move forward with it. I wouldn't know how to help. :(
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P
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Re: BlueDV on sBitx is now available
According to PA7LIM's website, AMBE3000 USB devices do not work directly on Linux. I have a DVStick 30 which works on the Windows flavor, but not on Linux. I built and compiled AMBEserver as well, but haven't gotten far? due to other commitments. Maybe it will work. I am using the standard, Windows config file with BlueDV on Linux.
?
?
Maybe we can work together and find a solution to use AMBEserver ports with this??
?
?
?
-JJ
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Re: zBitx orders are closed
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Wonderful problem.? ?How many orders did you take before you stopped?? I am one of the lucky ones waiting anxiously for my delivery.?
Doug, KI6DS?
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Re: S/N 0994 receiver internal noise
Hi Barry,
I'm no expert so just sharing my experience.? When i was first playing around investigating i had the radio open and noticed a huge change in hash noise at the target frequency just by moving the ribbon away from the main board.? My suggestion is to make sure, shielded or not, that the ribbon s carefully bent to stay as far from the main board as possible. just doing this make a bigger difference than the shielding from what? saw.? I started gently with the bending but at the end was fairly aggressive to get it to go straight up after leaving the pie. The tape i used also held it more upward away from the board.? the ribbons are cheap and readily available online if you were to adversely damage it.? I also re organized my cables to encourage it to stay away from the board as i closed it back up.?
to your question when i was first testing i did not have the shield grounded, i later grounded it at the PI's hold down screws, it did not make a notable difference. In networking and industrial automation, my professions, we never ground at both sides, not sure this applies here though. maybe someone else can chime in with good engineering practices.? ?hope this helps.?
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Re: S/N 0994 receiver internal noise
Guys, on the shielding of the display ribbon cable, how many ground connections were used. I wrapped mine and grounded the shield at the display but not at the PI end due to lack of an easy ground point. So far, I have not noticed any change to the amount of junk I hear, especially on 20Meters.
Really interesting thread.
TU
Barry
K3BO
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Shirley Dulcey KE1L
Joel Caulkins/N6ALT
Gwen Patton