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zBITX Time Question

 

Hello?
I received my zBITX in their 2nd shipment release a few days ago.
I have linked it to my WiFi, an easy task.? It's internal clock should be locked and on time now.
I then went on 20m to make a single FT8 test and was successful to work a station, that you can see in the Logbook image.
What I am confused about is the TIME that is recorded in the integral Logbook.
The Logbook display shows what I think is the time as "32:29".? See attached image.
On the PI screen that I displayed on my HDMI monitor it does show a correct time of 194915 as
"194915? 13? -04? 1647 - WB4KTF? AJ5S? EM42", see attached image.
So why does the logbook show this odd 32:29 for time?
Are we supposed to EXPORT the logbook to see the correct time of the QSO?
?
--
Glen, WB4KTF, Austin, TX

zBITX.jpg
zBITX Logbook TIME.jpg
zBITX PI Screen.jpg

Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept

 

Hi Gordon,
?
That's my thinking also.? If I can get a GPIO Interrupt on key-down working, having that enable Tx Mode would be my first step.? Have not though it out beyond that - I'm just taking it one step at a time - will have to see how the system reacts to having that switchover made to see how to proceed from there.?
?
Agree that Ashhar will have to consider all ideas for making his product usable on CW.??
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD? ?
Re: Today is 4 Weeks.....

 

Was it right at 4 weeks?? I ordered on the 11th.? So I guess I'm about 5-7 days from shipping.
Nelson
AE5NL
?
Re: Batteries on ZbitX

 

Bioenno has 9v batteries if you want to trust a Lipo pack.
?
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

You guys might try putting a big electrolytic capacitor across the output of that switching power supply. Like two or 3000 ?F.

Gordon kx4z?



On May 4, 2025, at 14:03, HA8LKT Laci via groups.io <lhancz@...> wrote:

?

I listened to my own FT8 signal. Unfortunately, it wasn't clear.


Yvon AE7YD via <Yvon=[email protected]> ezt ¨ªrta (id?pont: 2025. m¨¢j. 4., V 19:56):
I did not noticed it on mine but maybe I didn't test it right. How did you check it?
?
On the reset able fuse, I tested it yesterday night and discovered that it takes over 10A and too many seconds to trip.
I though it was a magnetic trigger but it is thermal.
I'll go back to the miniature blade fuses.
?
73, Yvon
?
?
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

I listened to my own FT8 signal. Unfortunately, it wasn't clear.


Yvon AE7YD via <Yvon=[email protected]> ezt ¨ªrta (id?pont: 2025. m¨¢j. 4., V 19:56):

I did not noticed it on mine but maybe I didn't test it right. How did you check it?
?
On the reset able fuse, I tested it yesterday night and discovered that it takes over 10A and too many seconds to trip.
I though it was a magnetic trigger but it is thermal.
I'll go back to the miniature blade fuses.
?
73, Yvon
?
?
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

I did not noticed it on mine but maybe I didn't test it right. How did you check it?
?
On the reset able fuse, I tested it yesterday night and discovered that it takes over 10A and too many seconds to trip.
I though it was a magnetic trigger but it is thermal.
I'll go back to the miniature blade fuses.
?
73, Yvon
?
?
Re: Batteries on ZbitX

 

I don't believe any capacity beyond 4000mAh. Or maybe somebody can explain why I pay $15 for a single 3600mAh cell but $3.95 for two 15.000mAh cells including a charger at Ali's. Simple check: check the weight. It's an indication for the capacity.

73 Frank PA3CNO?


Op 4 mei 2025 14:09 schreef "matjaz via groups.io" <matjaz_zejn@...>:

Link 18650 lipo 9900mA.

Most, be careful to handel and use.

73

Matjaz

S56ZVD

Robert Fairbairn via groups.io je 3. 05. 2025 ob 16:05?napisal:
Please be very careful about purchasing 18650 batteries. ?I looked at the link and there is no such thing as an 18650 that is 9900maha. ?
?
There 18650 battery has a nominal length that varies on the type of top on the battery and if it is protected.
?
This is a pretty good reference:
?
?
These batteries need care. ?They are designed to be built into systems not used stand alone even though!!
Re: Batteries on ZbitX

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Link 18650 lipo 9900mA.

Most, be careful to handel and use.

73

Matjaz

S56ZVD

Robert Fairbairn via groups.io je 3. 05. 2025 ob 16:05?napisal:

Please be very careful about purchasing 18650 batteries. ?I looked at the link and there is no such thing as an 18650 that is 9900maha. ?
?
There 18650 battery has a nominal length that varies on the type of top on the battery and if it is protected.
?
This is a pretty good reference:
?
?
These batteries need care. ?They are designed to be built into systems not used stand alone even though!!
ZBitx Shutdown Function #zbitx

 

After working with Unix/Linux systems for a lifetime, i know that bad stuff will happen if you just disconnect the power on a regular basis. I still feel a twitch in my fingers if I don¡¯t run sync; sync; sync; before a shutdown or halt command ;)

?

I¡¯ve forked Farhan¡¯s code and added a button on the UI to shut down the Pi Zero:

https://github.com/khkremer/zbitx.git

https://github.com/khkremer/zbitxfrontpanel.git

The "Shutdown" function is behind the "Menu" button. After selecting it and confirming, wait until the LED on the Pi Zero (which you can see through the covered USB connector) stop to blink. I moved the confirmation button a bit up so that it¡¯s harder to fat finger the shutdown with an unintentional double tap on the shutdown button.

?

de Karl Heinz - K5KHK
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

HI Yvon AE7YD.
I bought this too. Unfortunately, the FT8 mode contains 50Hz noise. The power supply needs to be modified. I am working on the modification now.

HA8LKT Laci


Yvon AE7YD via <Yvon=[email protected]> ezt ¨ªrta (id?pont: 2025. m¨¢j. 4., V 6:26):

sorry, I missed the end of the link:
?
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

sorry, I missed the end of the link:
?
Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept

 

If it is anything like the sBitx, a separate correction to the tx/rx switchover code is required.? ?I havent' studied the zbix code.? Glad that you found that it worked!
Solutions are showing up right and left and eventually the BEST solution will emerge, as Ashhar is also hard at work on this....
Gordon KX4Z
?
Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept

 

Mike, Ron,
?
I tried this change that Mike had suggested, where Ron suggested making it.? ?Thank you both for your thinking and suggestions.? ?It worked.? I found that my sweet spot with my straight key was with a 1.5 seconds transmit hang time (using a setting of 500 in the zBITX Settings Menu).? That allowed me to use my normal keying style and word spacing.? This change would allow up to a 3 second hang time for sending slower CW.? I did not try it with slow speed iambic, but I'm sure that would work also.
?
However, I found that I very often got a stutter start whenever I started keying because the device was busy doing something else whenever I started keying.? The attached recording demonstrates that.? Ignore the thumping - I have a heavy fist and my key was sitting too close to the recorder.? ?
?
So, while this worked, the stutter starts are not acceptable - makes you sound like a lid.? And a 1.5 second QSK hang time is too long for even a casual QRP CW contest.? However it offers further proof to the concept ---> Straight Key CW is possible with this zBITX that has a sBitx under the hood.? ?To get here requires the earlier change that I made and published in this thread as well as this change.? And then requires a software re-build.? ?
?
72,
Jody - K3JZD?

K3JZD_Straight_Key_20250503.mp4
K3JZD_Straight_Key_20250503.mp4

Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

I bought this linear adjustable bench supply 7 years ago and it has served me well. I addition to the zBitx many QRP LABS rigs run on 9 volts or 12.0 volts (Not 13.8), so it gets used a lot. The current limiting is also very useful by tripping before the magic smoke is let out.
--
73
??? Bob? KD8CGH
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

after poor results (noise) with my lab power supply I bought this on:
at Amazon and it works great with no noticeable noise compared to using the battery.
I also added a reset able in line fuse and a switch.
?
?
Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

Gwen,
Does the PD charger directly power the zBitx without any other voltage regulation and filtering?? Also, what do you mean when you say plug the cable into the charger first?? ?I see many, many PDs on Amazon with great reviews at great prices.
Thanks !
Jim WB4ILP?
Re: Today is 4 Weeks.....

Adrian R Magnuson-Whyte
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Awesome.? Do you know/remember your order number?

On 5/3/2025 9:43 AM, George N7BUI via groups.io wrote:

They're shipping.? I just got an email that mine is on its way.

Re: zBitx Power Supply

 

I have several of these iin use for my qrp equipment. When switching between battery or ps I do not detect any change in noise level
It has current overload protection.
Fully adjustable voltage and current.
I only moved the internal fan voltage .
I found it to be noiser than desired.
Just a 500ohm or anything reasonable to put in series with the fan lead.
Runs super quiet.
Yes, it's over kill, however, with? it's features and around? $35.00? it a good deal.

Joe
VE1BWV?




On Sat, May 3, 2025, 8:22?a.m. Brandon KI5SXE Thomas via <cavrgr=[email protected]> wrote:
I finally have something to contribute!? I also like Amazon. I used both of these together. Switch on,? Zbitx go; switch off,? Zbitx nogo. I haven't blown it up and the power output is still 5 watts but I don't drive it at 100 on the radio (did 1 tune just for testing hihi).? None of the links are affiliated , I'm nobody special lol.?
?
TronicsPros 2pcs LED Strip Light...
?
9V 5A Power Supply, COOLM 9V 5A...
?
?
Good luck and have fun!?
Brandon KI5SXE?
Re: Today is 4 Weeks.....

 

They're shipping.? I just got an email that mine is on its way.

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