On Sat, May 10, 2025 at 02:24 AM, N7IHQ wrote:

Could the zBitx display Pico code be modified to show the Raspberry Pi desktop on the internal display?

The short answer is NO.

?

The long answer:

Currently the sBitx code on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W communicates through a custom protocol via I2C to the Raspberry Pi Pico, that controls the display.

This protocol exchanges information between the two, that is sBitx/zBitx specific, e.g. through commands like "change frequency to x", "change band to y", "go to transmit", ...

?

In contrast to that, the operating system running on the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W controls a display through a display specific driver, that controls how the pixels on the screen are created.

By default this driver controls the HDMI output in the integrated graphics HW for that.

You can instruct the operating system to use a different driver for display purposes, but there is NO driver for this very specific combination of Raspberries connected through I2C.

?

You would have to write the drivers on both Raspberry sides (Zeor 2W and Pi Pico), which would be a huge effort and contradict to the idea, to create a low cost system with the zBitx.

Moreover it would not be fun, to run a desktop on a a 480x320 pixel display...

?

For a little bit more money there are 2 solutions:

• the sBitx leveraging the video connector on the Raspberry Pi4 together with the appropriate display,
• alternatively connect a display to the HDMI conector. This display could also be a small 7" or 10" HDMI display, which could get its power through USB. Keyboard could be Bluetooth connected.

?

--

73, Joerg - DB2OO

To be clear: diodes in parallel will lessen the voltage drop, same as with resistors in parallel. Diodes in series will increase the drop, ie one silicon diode will drop the voltage by 0.7v, two will drop the voltage by 1.4v, etc.

On Fri, May 9, 2025, 8:05 PM Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes=[email protected]> wrote:

It might be OK with 10 V but it’s so easy to get that down to 9.3 or so that why not?? Find yourself four or 5 A worth of silicon diodes (either in one of them or in several in parallel) and use it to drop the voltage from 10 to 9.3!

Then you can feel pretty secure and be using one of the batteries you wanted to use. Let somebody else do the experiments on their radio, I wouldn’t do it on mine. The manufacturer has told you what he’s looking for!? He calculated all of the bias points in current based on the voltages he recommended

Those are just my opinions. I’m sure other people will differ.

Gordon kx4z
> On May 9, 2025, at 18:51, Travis Siegel via <tsiegel=[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ?Sorry to change the subject (slightly), but I'd like to know how far outside the specs in the manual we can go with power adapters.? The zbitx manual says 6-9 volts is preferred.? Will a 5V or a 10V supply break the radio? I have both of these, and was wondering which one (if either) I could use on the radio.? Failing that, what kind of setup would I need to attach a 12-volt deep cycle battery (taken from a power scooter) to the radio.? My wife had two of these batteries for her power chair, but it has since stopped working.? I use them directly to power my yaesu 857, and it works just fine, but since that radio doesn't transmit, I'd like to try using them on the zbitx.? Would I need a voltage regulator to reduce power to 6-9 volts, or can it handle the 12 volts directly?
>
> The manual says we need 6-9 volts, with at least 3A for the radio, but I'm hoping there's some wiggle room in there, because I'm hard pressed to find such an adapter already lying around here.? I'll have to go find one on amazon or something, but until then, can I use either of the above mentioned supplies w/o fear of burning up the radio?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Hello Leo,

Thanks in advance - every answer seems to lead to more questions (lol)!

I’m working on upgrading and switching some software, and I could use a bit of clarification:

1. Hamlib upgrade – If I install version 4.5.4, will it override my existing Hamlib v4, or will I end up with two separate instances? Do I need to manually remove the older version before installing the new one?

2. WSJT-Z vs WSJT-X – From what I understand, WSJT-Z might install as a separate program. Do I need to uninstall WSJT-X, or can both coexist? What’s the best practice here?

3. Setting WSJT-Z as default – Once WSJT-Z is installed, how can I make it my default? Also, will it work with the ZBITX display?

4. Removing older versions – If it turns out I do need to remove Hamlib v4 or WSJT-X, what’s the proper way to do that (especially to avoid breaking dependencies)?

Appreciate any help or tips from those who’ve gone through this!

73,
Miguel KP4MI

It might be OK with 10 V but it’s so easy to get that down to 9.3 or so that why not?? Find yourself four or 5 A worth of silicon diodes (either in one of them or in several in parallel) and use it to drop the voltage from 10 to 9.3!

Then you can feel pretty secure and be using one of the batteries you wanted to use. Let somebody else do the experiments on their radio, I wouldn’t do it on mine. The manufacturer has told you what he’s looking for!? He calculated all of the bias points in current based on the voltages he recommended

Those are just my opinions. I’m sure other people will differ.

Gordon kx4z
> On May 9, 2025, at 18:51, Travis Siegel via <tsiegel=[email protected]> wrote:
>
> ?Sorry to change the subject (slightly), but I'd like to know how far outside the specs in the manual we can go with power adapters.? The zbitx manual says 6-9 volts is preferred.? Will a 5V or a 10V supply break the radio? I have both of these, and was wondering which one (if either) I could use on the radio.? Failing that, what kind of setup would I need to attach a 12-volt deep cycle battery (taken from a power scooter) to the radio.? My wife had two of these batteries for her power chair, but it has since stopped working.? I use them directly to power my yaesu 857, and it works just fine, but since that radio doesn't transmit, I'd like to try using them on the zbitx.? Would I need a voltage regulator to reduce power to 6-9 volts, or can it handle the 12 volts directly?
>
> The manual says we need 6-9 volts, with at least 3A for the radio, but I'm hoping there's some wiggle room in there, because I'm hard pressed to find such an adapter already lying around here.? I'll have to go find one on amazon or something, but until then, can I use either of the above mentioned supplies w/o fear of burning up the radio?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>