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Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept
While I was preparing my version 3.052 a thumbs up, my zBITX was sitting here running in receive mode.? ?And stopped to let my dog out.
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As other have reported, the zBITx gets hot.? I have it running on a 9vdc supply.? I suspect it would be better with a 7.5vdc supply, closer to what the batteries provide.? I have the smaller of the two Amazon Heat Sinks that was suggested here superglued to the back plate which helps a little.
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Shortly after sending my thumbs up message, I went to experiment with IambicB Mode CW some more.? ?Sending CW was now impossible.? The Receive Mode display was frozen.
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A heat issue?"? A memory leak issue ??? ?Removing power and restarting it restored it to usable.? ?And it was still hot.? So, it must be a memory leak corrupting something.
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72,
Jody - K3JZD? ? ?? |
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Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept
I just downloaded version 3.052 from ? ??I have it running in my zBITX
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Version 3.052 has added Interrupts to the Key Inputs.? ?This version also did what I was avoiding - it made some significant changes to the program control rather than just applying band-aids. (the re is some advantage to knowing how all of the code is structured and the control flow - this code was all brand new to me).??
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I am finding that Version 3.052 is usable on CW, right out of the box.? All of the Receive Mode features on the screen are now frozen whenever sending CW.? Unlike my band-aided modifications to version 3.021, the Transmit? Mode features on the screen remain active.? ? The big yellow representation of the shape of the CW character is sometimes there, some times not there.? But when it is there it is frozen.? I think it would be better if that big yellow thing was totally removed - it does not add any value.
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I tried Straight Key Mode from 5 to 20 WPM - I had no issues with the Straight Key Mode at any speed.? I am barely adept at using an electronic keyer.? But I found that I could use Iambic Mode from 5 WPM to 20WPM - I had no issues with the Iambic Mode at any speed.? However, I found the IambicB Mode to be much more difficult to use.? I could not adapt to the timing that is required for this implementation of IambicB Mode. However, someone more skilled than I might find it to be OK.?
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I am running with my Semi-QSK Delay set to 1000 - that is what it was defaulted to in the github distribution that I downloaded. That Delay setting worked well for my style of sending, so I did not change it.?
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So, It seems to me that the folks who have received zBITX units with version 3.052 installed should be happy with the CW Modes on their units.? ?For those of you that have Version 3.021 installed, you should upgrade to version 3.052 rather than apply my band-aid fix for version 3.021.? ?If you already have version 3.052, have your Semi-QSK Tail Delay set to 1000, and you are having problems with the CW Mode, I would guess that you have some other problem.??
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I enjoyed the time that I spent doing my "Proof of Concept" study and adding my band-aids.? ?The zBITX/sBitx code is interesting.? It was educational.? ?In the end, it took Interrupts on the key inputs and freezing the waterfall, spectrum, and decoding on the LCD display to make the CW Modes usable.? That is what I had concluded that it would take --> the CPU needed to fully concentrate on manually sending CW.? ?So, all is well that ends well.
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72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Re: New zBitx - New User - CW operation
At the moment, yes, the CW doesn't work properly.? ?However, Jody has now demonstrated yet another way to fix the issue for one version and is working on another.? So the solution(s) are well with reach, just as we had to do with the sBitx.? ?Her solution may eventually carry back to the sBitx.
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I dont understand why there is said to be such a delay in going from R to T -- we fixed that a LONG time ago in the sBitx.? ?Perhaps the zbitx users will copy our solution?
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Oh by the way -- I? **just* figured out a problem with N3FJP and its connection to the Winkeyer.Arduino Emulator....and learned how to get around it.? ?We have had problems with N3FJP talking to winkeyers? (arduino emulator) for at least 3 years now....and finally I have a way to make it much more reliably work.? ?This is a famous set of equipment, I think the issue was present in the real winkeyer also -- and FINALLY I learned what is a workaround!? ?YEARS!
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Gordon KX4Z
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SSB query
Hi all
I keep getting reports of quite severe distortion when I use my Zbitx in SSB mode, is it the fact that I'm only using the internal mic, ( reasonable signal reports for a QRP but unintelligible audio) giving it a bit more gain either goes from very little output to distortion, doesn't seem to be a right level, audio level meter is very jumpy too, do I have to adjust any other settings. FT8 seems to work fine and I'm getting output when I try 2tone tests. I'm only using 18650s so is it perhaps wanting a proper 9v supply. Any help would be appreciated. Martin? |
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Re: Ubitx v3
friends,
I am sorry post covid etc, i got focused on other issues.? I am pick up this fix.
I ordered the parts for the rf probe and will put that together.
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Summary of the issue:
1. PTT on SSB results in no power.
2. PTT does kick the relay and i can hear the modulation on external shortwave receiver.
3. Humm on the internal speak when PTT.
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Re: Order # 3869 April 2
Quick update, mine actually shipped a few hours ago. Apparently the pace has sped up quite a bit, or there was a bottleneck of some sort. On Tue, May 13, 2025 at 9:10?AM Gordon Gibby KX4Z via <docvacuumtubes=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: Order # 3869 April 2
Randy -- "de minimus" exclusions apply to most of the world, other than China, and so there really shouldn't be a problem from India.? ? Gordon KX4Z
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Re: Order # 3869 April 2
Hello! My radio, from the April 1 order block, arrived yesterday. Order 3790. There was no issue or mention of tariff encumbrance or interference. It shipped on the 8th. Five days to its new home in Texas seems pretty good to me. ? There were some on this forum that stated some of the messages concerning tariff delays could have been scams. Other instances turned out to be legitimate as shippers were bogged down by trying to deal with higher value cargo and the unknowns concerning tariffs. I realize this may not help. Not even sure why I chimed in. But I encourage you to go about your day. I'm sure that the day will have enough to deal with without possibly stressing over this matter. -----Original Message-----
From: "Randy.AB9GO via groups.io" <randy.ab9go@...> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 6:40am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BITX20] Order # 3869 April 2 Not wanting to hijack the thread but this seems to be a good forum to ask. Has anybody so far recently had to deal with any of the tariff nonsense shipping to the United States???
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Thank you,
randy.ab9go@...
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Re: Displaying/setting the network connection in SET screen on zBitx
For the outdoor work, connecting the external HDMI display is not a viable solution.
My zBitx connects to my smartphone working as a mobile hotspot.
The problem is that I don't know what IP it is assigned.
I have verified with sBitx (which displays the assigned IP after it connects) that I can connect from my smartphone to the WiFi client.
So the only lacking point is: what is the IP obtained by zBitx via DHCP.
My smartphone lists the devices connected to its mobile hotspot, but does not report their IPs.
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That's the whole story.
73,
Wojtek SP5DAA
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PS. I have a workaround - I use a mobile LTE modem as a WiFi hotspot and connect both smartphone and zBitx to it.
The only problem is, that such a solution is unnecessarily complex. |
Randy.AB9GO
Robert Fairbairn