¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: New user

 

Simon,

Sorry to hijack this post...

Could you please upload your sketch with the rotary encoder and voltage check?


Thank you!


Mike WA3O


Re: New 10 turn pot for $10.00

 


?we might not need super precision i suppose.this normal bourns pot with a knob costs less at 35% around, and shipping is free.

Sarma

vu3zmv



?


Re: Raduino dead?

 

@John, I am sure everything is settup correctly. I also tried to press the reset button. Nothing helped.

I did so many Arduino uploads in the past (for my RC models stuff) and never had that problem. Wether my nano died or the drivers I have installed over time do harm each other.


@Rich, no worry. I totally understand, that we should only write in english, so everybody can understand. When I red the german answer to my post, it was some kind of a reflex to answer in german.

And don't mind about the headacke of that Lutheran Gesangsbuch. If it is something like I think it is, it would give me headache too ;-)


Re: New 10 turn pot for $10.00

Ronny Julian
 



On Sun, Jan 29, 2017 at 2:27 PM, KC8WBK via Groups.Io <cruisenewsnet@...> wrote:

Using a 10 turn pot with a Raduino is going to be frustrating, you will have to turn to the end of the band to shift the band frequency up or down.? I have not tried a 10 turn pot with the Raduino so I could be wrong.?


The pot supplied in the kit works well with a small knob on it, you can still fine tune the frequency step by step, and you can easily move to the ends of the turn to shift the band frequency.


If you are using the analog VFO, then a 10 turn pot is very useful.



Re: New user

 

Mods I've done.

1. DDS vfo - i got one of the pre raduino ones.
2. Remove cap between pins 1 and 8 of the lm386 and replace with a switch so there is both cap and no cap options.
3. Additional power jack to feed in 24v to the power amp. Its on a switch so i can run it with 12 volts off one supply also.
4. Replace the cap in the bfo with a trimmer per recommendation of Peter VK3YE.
5. Replaced the volume/switch pot with a separate new pot and switch.
6. Put the upgrade raduino module in and converted it to use a rotary encoder.
7. Added the voltage readout to the display.

A couple of failed mods that I've undone. Relays to eliminate the PTT pop - didn't work. S meter on the raduino - too noisy.

Oh, and bigger heatsink when i did the higher voltage mod.

Regards?


Simon?
VK3ELH?


No output Bitx40 raduino

 

Bitx40 raduino, was low output, now no output.? Watt meter gives a quick spike to about .25W, then zero Watts.

Any help is appreciated.

Chuck AC7QN


Re: VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the

Jack Purdum
 

My bad: Change this line:

LiquidCrystal lcd(12,?11,?5,?4,?3,?2);

to

LiquidCrystal lcd(8,9,10,11,12,13);

and report back.


Jack, W8TEE



From: B S <saaint@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 6:05 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the

THANKS!

I just compiled and UPLOADED the attached program.? DOES NOT DISPLAY

see attached Photo

BOB
K6YN







Sent from



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <econjack@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 1:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the
?
Does this work on your Nano:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12,?11,?5,?4,?3,?2);

void?setup()?{
??// set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
? lcd.begin(16,?2);
??// Print a message to the LCD.
? lcd.print("hello, world!");
}

void?loop()?{
??// Turn off the display:
? lcd.noDisplay();
??delay(500);
??// Turn on the display:
? lcd.display();
??delay(500);
}


From: dj0hf <dj0hf@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the

Hi Bob,

the simple 'Hello World' sketch normally outputs to the serial port and so wouldn't show anything onthe green screen unless the appropriate libraries have been included and the program extended to include the output to the green screen.
So although it doesn't help you find the problem, your display may not be defective.

Good luck,
Ian
DJ0HF/G3ULO


Am 29.01.2017 um 21:29 schrieb B S:
Thank again for all the help!

I FINALLY got the complied RADUINO sketch to UPLOAD to my NANO..? When plugged into my radio it TUNES the receiver but there is still NO digital read out on the JHD162A green screen.

I downloaded a simple "HELLO WORLD" sketch from ARDUINO webpage and uploaded that sketch.? Still no reading on the green screen.

I am concluding that my screen is bad..? Is this a reasonable assumption?? ??

IS the JDH659a LCD Display module a direct replacement fit for the JDH162a LCD display?

BOB
K6YN. ?



Sent from



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of John Backo via Groups.Io <iam74@...>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 3:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the
?
These are all warnings. They have little to do with the running of the program. If it works, OK. If not, you need another configuration as already mentioned.

john
AD5YE









Re: New user

 

If you are going to mod the radio, I suggest you order a second one because they are easy to break and a second one provides a reference how to fix the first one.

1. The mod that made the biggest improvement for me was an RF Gain knob.? I added a 10k ohm variable resistor (potentiometer) in series with R16, so I now have an RF Gain control on my radio.? It certainly improves the user experience when listening to high power signals. Remove R16, solder two wires to the pads, connect them to a potentiometer with a 220 ohm resistor in series.? I used a 10k pot, but a 5k or even a 1k would probably also work, I use less than 10% of the turning angle. I can turn down the high power signals and listen to them without damage to my ears, or I can turn down the noise while monitoring a frequency, and turn it back up when I hear something interesting.? The receiver as delivered is seriously loud in headphones, hopefully this will reduce my future hearing aid bills.

2. I did this mod and I believe it helps but I have not heard my signal yet, so can't confirm that:? I paralleled a 22pf capacitor and a 5pf cap in the same method as the vk3ye video. Audio sounds more punchy. It also helps to speak loud with the mike right next to your mouth. I had some faint signal qso's where they couldn't hear me until I very clearly and loudly barked out my call. The power meter jumps higher the louder you speak.

3. I removed c113 but this may not be necessary if you do mod 1, above.

4. I haven't done this yet, but a shuttle tuning mod is in my future.? I only have one working Raduino with another in the mail, but when I get my second one, I will start programming the arduino sketch to do various things.? I have a shuttle tuning sketch written up but not tested yet.? Shuttle tuning is where the frequency does not change with the knob at a center point, but if you move it left or right the frequency goes down or up until you move it back to the center point.? The frequency will move faster the further you turn the knob left or right.

You don't have to do any of these mods, the radio is good out of the box.? But if you like to tweak things, modding can be fun.


Re: VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Dear Joel,

Thanks!? Tried it ..? no change..


B

K6YN


Sent from




From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Joel Caulkins <caulktel@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 3:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the
?
Bob,?

I know this is very simplistic, but have you adjusted the contrast pot under the display? Without it adjusted correctly you won't see anything but squares on your display. Just a thought.

Joel?
KB6QVI

On Jan 29, 2017, at 3:05 PM, B S <saaint@...> wrote:

THANKS!


I just compiled and UPLOADED the attached program.? DOES NOT DISPLAY


see attached Photo


BOB

K6YN








Sent from




From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <econjack@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 1:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the
?
Does this work on your Nano:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12,?11,?5,?4,?3,?2);

void?setup()?{
??// set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
? lcd.begin(16,?2);
??// Print a message to the LCD.
? lcd.print("hello, world!");
}

void?loop()?{
??// Turn off the display:
? lcd.noDisplay();
??delay(500);
??// Turn on the display:
? lcd.display();
??delay(500);
}


From: dj0hf <dj0hf@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2017 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the

Hi Bob,

the simple 'Hello World' sketch normally outputs to the serial port and so wouldn't show anything onthe green screen unless the appropriate libraries have been included and the program extended to include the output to the green screen.
So although it doesn't help you find the problem, your display may not be defective.

Good luck,
Ian
DJ0HF/G3ULO


Am 29.01.2017 um 21:29 schrieb B S:
Thank again for all the help!

I FINALLY got the complied RADUINO sketch to UPLOAD to my NANO..? When plugged into my radio it TUNES the receiver but there is still NO digital read out on the JHD162A green screen.

I downloaded a simple "HELLO WORLD" sketch from ARDUINO webpage and uploaded that sketch.? Still no reading on the green screen.

I am concluding that my screen is bad..? Is this a reasonable assumption?? ??

IS the JDH659a LCD Display module a direct replacement fit for the JDH162a LCD display?

BOB
K6YN. ?



Sent from



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of John Backo via Groups.Io <iam74@...>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 3:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] VFO & Digital Read out Does Not work (where do I get software for the
?
These are all warnings. They have little to do with the running of the program. If it works, OK. If not, you need another configuration as already mentioned.

john
AD5YE






<DISPLAY.jpg>


Re: Raduino schematic additions

 

Hi all,

I have spent a long time trying to get a few of the "A" input features that are included in the raduino sketch working. Unfortunately I am having little success. The Calibration mode works as expected and I can reassign this successfully to any of the other available A inputs (proving that the hardware is working fine), however none of the other features in the code work. That is:


-VFO A/B toggle (A3 double tap to GND)

-VFO Copy (A3 Hold to GND)

-RIT (A3 Tap to GND)

-"TX" display on screen (A6 to GND)


It is driving me nuts. Ashaar commented elsewhere that it was not working possibly?due to buggy timer code. I have edited the timers in many ways but still it doesn't work for me.?

Can anyone here have a look and see why its not working? I am not an Arduino expert but I know enough to be dangerous :). ?


Cheers

?


Greetings from VE6

 

Hi everyone,

... and greetings from Calgary, Canada
I ordered BITX on January 9, and eagerly waiting to receive the package, it's still in transit. I want to thank Ashhar and everyone else who put the effort into project like this one. Snow is slowly melting here and soon it will be time to put up some antenna ;)
Anyway, I'm glad that group like this exist, I'm sure that I'll be able to find lots of anwsers here on many questions that will crop up when kit arrives and I put my hands on it. Still looking for the box ...

Cheers, and see you somewhere on 40m ...

73,?
Goran VE6GPO


Re: isolating BNC jack from metal case

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi David,

No need to isolate the BNC from the case.

Joel?
KB6QVI

On Jan 29, 2017, at 4:11 PM, davidzdeb@... wrote:

Hello,


Is it necessary to isolate the BNC jack if using a metal enclosure?


Re: Raduino schematic additions

 

The "wire up" page on the hfsigs webpage still says to ground the brown wire to calibrate. Ashhar, can I suggest that this be corrected.?


Regards



Simon

VK3ELH


Re: Recieve only with a non resonant antenna

M Garza
 

Yes, receiving with any antenna is fine.? It will not harm anything.

Marco - KG5PRT?


On Jan 29, 2017 6:09 PM, <davidzdeb@...> wrote:

I am assuming this is OK, but wanted to double check.? I do not have a resonant antenna set up yet.? Would it be OK to listen only on a random length longwire?



Re: Capacitance higher in LC of VFO

 

It was Raj in Bangalore (who has what has to be among the coolest of call signs!)

On Friday, January 20, 2017 9:35 AM, Rajendra Kumar G G <vu2zap@...> wrote:

I am very pleased with myself!! got the drift down to +-20Hz, even blowing on the board changes it by 50Hz momentarily.

Changed C91-96 with C0G/NP0 SMD's and it was almost perfect! Choose 5% types.
I changed the trimmer C93 with a murata Green.

then:
Old rule of the thumb I followed..
Low inductance higher capacitance makes a stabler VFO!
I reduced the original 9.5uH yellow coil to about 6uH.
Added 120pF across C95
Then I paralleled 2-3 MV209's across D9. You can parallel them to suit your tuning range. 200 or 300 Khz!

You need a frequency counter for this mod.

73

--
Raj, VU2ZAP
Bangalore, India.


On Sunday, January 29, 2017 1:12 AM, John Backo via Groups.Io <iam74@...> wrote:


Bill Meara in his latest podcast mentioned that someone recently had talked here about a rule of thumb regarding VFO's. It was an Indian ham as I recall (but I can't remember his callsign either...and I searched for it!).

The most important thing stressed over and over in mounting traditional VFO's was to isolate the hand from the capacitor. There are numerous examples of this involving variable drives and non-metal spacers between the knob and the main capacitor. The reason is simple -- it is to minimize the effect of the hand on capacitance in the VFO circuit.

If a VFO has an LC circuit which is high in inductance and low in capacitance, the percentage effect of stray capacitance (including that from the hand) is increased. So, as a rule of thumb, VFO's should have an LC circuit which is relatively higher in capacitance and relatively lower in inductance. Stray capacitance has a much greater effect on stability than stray inductance...and the hand has no effect on inductance, of course! By doing this the stray capacitance tends to be swamped out as a factor in stability.

It is a rule derived from common sense and experience. All the older LC VFO's observed and compensated for this fact...especially the multi-band consoles which were in everybody's home until the mid-1950's, when the transistor radio and portables started to appear. I remember that. I tore a bunch of them apart and repaired many. I also remember the elaborate ways the tuning knob was isolated from the main capacitor in the VFO. It's still true today. The LC tank circuit in a VFO should be weighted towards capacitance and not inductance to minimize the effects of stray capacitance.

FYI

john
AD5YE





isolating BNC jack from metal case

 

Hello,


Is it necessary to isolate the BNC jack if using a metal enclosure?


Recieve only with a non resonant antenna

 

I am assuming this is OK, but wanted to double check.? I do not have a resonant antenna set up yet.? Would it be OK to listen only on a random length longwire?


Re: Raduino schematic additions

 

Very nice. Randy. I think it was needed. FB

I note that if A2 does not work, it is easy to reassign it to A0 or A1. But that may need more revision in setup to configure those pins.
That may be what happened to those who used the brown wire initially...if it is configured high internally, grounding
it will short out the nano after a while. Of course, putting 12v on any pin will do the same thing...only faster.

john
AD5YE


Re: Capacitance higher in LC of VFO

 

Ladies and Gentlemen -- The Master speaks. No bad English either.

Check out his webpage. It is truly a world-class source. Some of it is only in Brazilian...but that doesn't matter a whole lot.

Incidentally, the VFO that he is referring to is the dual-mcu DDS one from Hamradio India (version 4). A good choice for many.
PY0OOH and F8VOA have adapted this to the BITX excellently. (It's in the files).

john
AD5YE


Re: Raduino dead?

 

Hello, no offense intended, and I hope none was taken. I was simply saying that if you have advice on how to fix something that might benefit the group, it would be great if everyone here could understand it. Myself, I only speak a little German, and only because some of the older members of my family (all of whom are now deceased) spoke it, so I picked up a little bit of it. Can't make heads or tails of my great-grandfather's Lutheran Gesangebuch, though - that fraktur writing gives me a headache if I try to read it too long!


73,

Rich

KC8MWG