Re: zBitx upgrading the firmware.
The video showing how to do it is on?
On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 4:19?AM Ashhar Farhan via <farhanbox= [email protected]> wrote: The documentation should be here in the next 12 hours. But here is how you upgrade the firmware: 1. Go to ? 2. Download the uf2 file to your computer. 3. Unplug the zbitx power. 4. Keeping the knob button pressed, attach the supplied USB cable between the PC and the CAT USB port on the zbitx. 5. Remember, you have to attach to the CAT USB port, not the other. 6. Now, let go of the knob pressed. The zbitx front panel will light up with an all grey screen. The Pico controller will show up as a drive on your PC. 7. Copy the .uf2 file from the PC to the Pico controller. 8. You are done, remove the USB cable. Start up the zbitx. 9. The latest firmware should show up on the front panel.
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You can, at a pinch even go up to 12v but I wouldnt transmit with 12v. The advise is anywhere from 6v to 9v. The specs are upto 12v. The back panel?that doubles up as a heatsink can't take more heat. Apart from the PA, the rest of the circuitry is regulated down to 9v anyway (if it exceeds 9v, that is).? We thought of adding a heatsink to the backpanel, but it was just too bulky. One day, maybe Hans wil design a class E amplifier for the zBitx and we will be able to run 50 watts output on a future zBitx. - f
Don,
No one said 8.2 volts was a "requirement", Farhan said that's what he has always used to power his zBitx.
I'm sorry if my previous post confused anyone, my intention was quite the opposite.
?
Ken, N2VIP
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Re: zbitx hung-up on startup
This might be a silly question, but… how long did you wait? From the videos it looks like the display boots instantly, but it takes awhile for the Raspberry Pi to boot, during which time it displays that message.
On Wed, Mar 26, 2025 at 6:53?PM Tom Crowley KT4XN 1738 via <crowleytj= [email protected]> wrote:
Just received my zbitx.? Plugged in the batteries and the unit is hung up with the message: zbitx firmware v1.02? Waiting for zbitx to start...?
?
Has any one seen this and how to get the radio working.? I can change modes and enter my call sign change parameters.? No volume and no signal detected
?
Tom Crowley KT4XN?
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Don,
No one said 8.2 volts was a "requirement", Farhan said that's what he has always used to power his zBitx.
I'm sorry if my previous post confused anyone, my intention was quite the opposite.
?
Ken, N2VIP
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Re: zbitx hung-up on startup
Had that happen as well. I believe it went away when I rebooted/pull the power again. The other step I did do was connected it to a micro HDMI to connect to my wifi
On Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 7:53?PM Tom Crowley KT4XN 1738 via <crowleytj= [email protected]> wrote: Just received my zbitx.? Plugged in the batteries and the unit is hung up with the message: zbitx firmware v1.02? Waiting for zbitx to start...?
?
Has any one seen this and how to get the radio working.? I can change modes and enter my call sign change parameters.? No volume and no signal detected
?
Tom Crowley KT4XN?
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Just received my zbitx.? Plugged in the batteries and the unit is hung up with the message: zbitx firmware v1.02? Waiting for zbitx to start...?
?
Has any one seen this and how to get the radio working.? I can change modes and enter my call sign change parameters.? No volume and no signal detected
?
Tom Crowley KT4XN?
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On the side of the case it says 6-9 volts.? My test sheet that came with the radio says they tested with 8.6v and fully charged 18650 is 4.20 each. 8.4.?
So, Help. Please.... I'm confused, re: the input the DC power
supply.
- I thought I understood the input dc power requirement was 9.0
volts (using a barrel connector).? SO I bought one.
- Now I read that the max input power is to be no more than 8.2V
DC.
- Further, the two 18650 batteries (even fully charged) can only
supply 7.2VDC. SO I bought two.
What are the actual input power requirements for the ZbitX, so
I get it right before I power it up?
Thank you,? Don Lewis, Austin, TX.
==============================================
On
3/26/2025 5:45 PM, Ed T. via wrote:
I
ordered a 12v buck converter with adjustable power
output. Thought is I can use my current collection of
12v ?lipo batteries and still power the Z
Having just
received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the
proper batteries to use in the battery holder.
Since the zBitx does not include a battery
charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion),
I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of
cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat
top?) and ideally an included battery charger to
charge the two cells. The ability to order them
off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any
means.
?
Also,
Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6
amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work
FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3
amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at:
?
?
It is not
the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a
suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it
should be fine, right? (My concern comes from
watching Farhan video earlier today and his
comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2
volts...
?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
?
|
So, Help. Please.... I'm confused, re: the input the DC power
supply.
- I thought I understood the input dc power requirement was 9.0
volts (using a barrel connector).? SO I bought one.
- Now I read that the max input power is to be no more than 8.2V
DC.
- Further, the two 18650 batteries (even fully charged) can only
supply 7.2VDC. SO I bought two.
What are the actual input power requirements for the ZbitX, so
I get it right before I power it up?
Thank you,? Don Lewis, Austin, TX.
==============================================
On
3/26/2025 5:45 PM, Ed T. via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I
ordered a 12v buck converter with adjustable power
output. Thought is I can use my current collection of
12v ?lipo batteries and still power the Z
Having just
received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the
proper batteries to use in the battery holder.
Since the zBitx does not include a battery
charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion),
I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of
cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat
top?) and ideally an included battery charger to
charge the two cells. The ability to order them
off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any
means.
?
Also,
Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6
amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work
FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3
amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at:
?
?
It is not
the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a
suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it
should be fine, right? (My concern comes from
watching Farhan video earlier today and his
comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2
volts...
?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
?
|
zBitx upgrading the firmware.
The documentation should be here in the next 12 hours. But here is how you upgrade the firmware: 1. Go to ? 2. Download the uf2 file to your computer. 3. Unplug the zbitx power. 4. Keeping the knob button pressed, attach the supplied USB cable between the PC and the CAT USB port on the zbitx. 5. Remember, you have to attach to the CAT USB port, not the other. 6. Now, let go of the knob pressed. The zbitx front panel will light up with an all grey screen. The Pico controller will show up as a drive on your PC. 7. Copy the .uf2 file from the PC to the Pico controller. 8. You are done, remove the USB cable. Start up the zbitx. 9. The latest firmware should show up on the front panel.
|
I ordered a 12v buck converter with adjustable power output. Thought is I can use my current collection of 12v ?lipo batteries and still power the Z
Having just received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the proper batteries to use in the battery holder. Since the zBitx does not include a battery charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion), I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat top?) and ideally an included battery charger to charge the two cells. The ability to order them off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any means.
?
Also, Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6 amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3 amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at:
?
?
It is not the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it should be fine, right? (My concern comes from watching Farhan video earlier today and his comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2 volts...
?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
?
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Ken,
I have been using flat top 18615 with a small charger pcb I bought for about a dollar. It is a 2S charger with a usc c connector at the other end. I can use my phone charger to charge the batteries with it.
Having just received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the proper batteries to use in the battery holder. Since the zBitx does not include a battery charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion), I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat top?) and ideally an included battery charger to charge the two cells. The ability to order them off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any means.
?
Also, Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6 amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3 amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at:
?
?
It is not the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it should be fine, right? (My concern comes from watching Farhan video earlier today and his comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2 volts...
?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
?
|
Having just received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the proper batteries to use in the battery holder. Since the zBitx does not include a battery charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion), I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat top?) and ideally an included battery charger to charge the two cells. The ability to order them off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any means.
?
Also, Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6 amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3 amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at:
?
?
It is not the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it should be fine, right? (My concern comes from watching Farhan video earlier today and his comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2 volts...
?
Thanks,
Ken, N2VIP
?
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I understand the Z has a built in microphone, however, I prefer a handheld mic. I searched around but can't determine what might be an acceptable mic for the unit. Ideas/insight appreciated.?
thanks
N2KVZ
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Re: First zbitx in the wild
Ha-ha, you must have posted your pictures just as I was taking mine - here's a link to my photo album, nothing really different from John's photos, but since I took them I'll share a link to them:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/03bTX7WhJFiI_nUMiada2kZWQ
It was packed very nice, thanks HF Signals!
?
Ken, N2VIP
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Please see this post by HFSignals:
?
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Is there any way to get on the list for ordering a zbitx or will no more be produced?
Nice video.
My number is 3377, when can recevid trx.
Matjaz
S56ZVD
Ashhar Farhan via je 26. 03.
2025 ob 11:57?napisal:
zBitx shipping is on the way. We are shipping out
about 30 per day. This is mostly due to the slow paperwork at
our delivery partner. We are pressuring them to bump us to
providing APIs for faster paperwork. We hope it resolves soon.
In the?meantime, I have uploaded a few videos about the
zBitx from my bench. They are in a playlist on?
Let?me know if you have any questions
- f
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Re: First zbitx in the wild
I followed the instructions here on this link and it still shows 1.02
Got mine as well, but I don't have a mini-hdmi cable that works for it, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get connected to the internet.?
We also need instructions to upgrade the firmware: I see you are at 1.02, but the videos show 1.04.?
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Re: First zbitx in the wild
Got mine as well, but I don't have a mini-hdmi cable that works for it, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get connected to the internet.?
We also need instructions to upgrade the firmware: I see you are at 1.02, but the videos show 1.04.?
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Re: First zbitx in the wild
More photos, including size comparison with QMX+ and truSDX:
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