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Re: JT65 on the BitX

Simon Rumble
 

Good info Frank. How are you connecting audio cables and PTT to the computer?


On Wed, 5 Apr 2017 at 06:20 Frank Cox <frank.l.cox@...> wrote:

I built my BitX40 for USB so I could run digital modes and I use it a lot for JT65. The only mod I made was to replace the L5 jumper near the BFO with a inductor. I found out what value is used here in the USB BITX20. For me it was 41 turns on a T37-6 core which I happened to have on hand. I then had to retune my VFO to read on frequency. I haven't found an satisfactory way to switch back and forth to SSB mode but so far I haven't tried very hard.

I use 12 volts and get about 7W and the stock heatsink runs cool with the digital duty cycles. That power is a bit lower than most people seem to use and I typically get a lower report than I give. I already have several QSLs beyond 10,000 miles though, so I'm still having fun.?

--Frank KK6WUU
Re: PTT Trigger circuit

 

I have got a circuit working and have worked 5 jt65 contacts without a hitch.? Will post details tomorrow.
Re: Tuning Clicks Additional Info

howardmsmall
 

Function button is activated b

"Look in void loop and uncomment check button. Been there...

Larry
Kb3CUF"

Courtesy of Larry's reply to my earlier post #24403

Howard
Re: CLAREMORE, OK Hamfest this weekend and my BITX40

 


I have to Agree with Ashhar , The BITX-40 wasn't meant to be or try to be a FTdx5000 or any other top of the range transciever, It is a basic radio with minimal controls and functions , I myself have two BITX-40, One I've modded to cover from 1.8 MHz to 14.500 MHz with switchable modes (USB/LSB) ... True There's lots of info out there regarding g this Radio, Loads of sketches so claim this done claim that, Same goes for mods etc .... Both of my BITX-40 worked out of the box without issues, I know some people have had issues with one thing or another ... It is afteralla Cheap and chearfull radio that is meant to ?bring Hams with limited budgets on to the air, It's also hackable, Not all the mods I've tried have worked as I intended, some were a waste of time, Some worked better than expected ... Dony give up on the ?BITX-40, It is capable of good performance for such a simple design... Sure it has issues, This could be better or that could be better but then trying to make a BITX-40 into a TS-900 would put the price up alarmingly ....enjoy it for what it is, A cheap way to get on the 40 MTR band ...

Regards?

Marc 'Gw0wvl'...

On Wed, 5 Apr 2017 at 7:36, Ashhar Farhan
<farhanbox@...> wrote:


On Wed, Apr 5, 2017 at 10:23 AM, Lawrence Macionski via Groups.Io <am_fm_radio@...> wrote:

Well, it has come to this... I have been reading daily this blog. even read it prior to my BITX40 arriving over month ago. I mounted it on a board, ordered a popular instrument case? for it, plus knobs, a speaker, even a heavier heat sink, fuse holder and then it sat.. I tried to do the calibration with V1.01 and it just didn't seem right...I have never transmitted with it. never got that far..

?

Reading? the blog daily...not only is everybody putting in their 2 cents, but everyone is heading in 10 different directions. 80 meters, 20 meters, Raduino, QRPlabs.com vfo's, USB, CW, changing the BFO...AGC, speech processing.......it's a wonder no one has put it on 2 meters ....


that is not a problem, the rig works as a basic 40 meter rig.?

But the Tuning clicks are a problem unresolved... and the only mod I did (22uf caps both sides of the raduino voltage regulator)? and still have clicks. I am hearing the new SI5351 libraries have issues.. Bottom line is.... no one can tell me-- what a plane jane BITX40 without issues should have. I am saying? the way it was delivered was not perfect. We all know the calibration was never stored. the second harmonic is too high.? Tuning clicks and a birdie..no diodes on the relays...So.. to me it's not battle ready.

the tuning clicks will go away if you wire it properly. the electrolytics are needed only if your leads are long. if you followed the guidelines about keeping the leads short, there would be no clicks. see the videos posted.?

the si5351's libraries are besides the point. anyone can write an si5351 library that has issues. the library used to program the bitx40 is working quitely well and without any issues. nobody has complained about what they received in the box.
?

I'm confused and disillusioned....All I wanted was a 40 meter SSB QRP rig. One that doesn't have all these issues that continue to crop up.? I think it's time to move on. I am going to take it there and put it out on my table.. I am not giving it away.. It's mounted on a board and I have a case and a new? ICOM mic for it.??


the bitx40 has worked for thousands of hams out of the box. agc, multiband, etc are not 'issues', they are hacks for people to extend the working of bitx40. sure, it needs you to wire things up with some understanding.

- f

????????? ?

Even a 12V wall wart that works well- 1.25A. Matching knobs and so on. I have more than $90 in it... If you want to buy it, I will be at Claremore when it opens Tables A9-10-11-12. This Friday and Saturday.. de Larry W8LM
Re: CLAREMORE, OK Hamfest this weekend and my BITX40

 



On Wed, Apr 5, 2017 at 10:23 AM, Lawrence Macionski via Groups.Io <am_fm_radio@...> wrote:

Well, it has come to this... I have been reading daily this blog. even read it prior to my BITX40 arriving over month ago. I mounted it on a board, ordered a popular instrument case? for it, plus knobs, a speaker, even a heavier heat sink, fuse holder and then it sat.. I tried to do the calibration with V1.01 and it just didn't seem right...I have never transmitted with it. never got that far..

?

Reading? the blog daily...not only is everybody putting in their 2 cents, but everyone is heading in 10 different directions. 80 meters, 20 meters, Raduino, QRPlabs.com vfo's, USB, CW, changing the BFO...AGC, speech processing.......it's a wonder no one has put it on 2 meters ....


that is not a problem, the rig works as a basic 40 meter rig.?

But the Tuning clicks are a problem unresolved... and the only mod I did (22uf caps both sides of the raduino voltage regulator)? and still have clicks. I am hearing the new SI5351 libraries have issues.. Bottom line is.... no one can tell me-- what a plane jane BITX40 without issues should have. I am saying? the way it was delivered was not perfect. We all know the calibration was never stored. the second harmonic is too high.? Tuning clicks and a birdie..no diodes on the relays...So.. to me it's not battle ready.

the tuning clicks will go away if you wire it properly. the electrolytics are needed only if your leads are long. if you followed the guidelines about keeping the leads short, there would be no clicks. see the videos posted.?

the si5351's libraries are besides the point. anyone can write an si5351 library that has issues. the library used to program the bitx40 is working quitely well and without any issues. nobody has complained about what they received in the box.
?

I'm confused and disillusioned....All I wanted was a 40 meter SSB QRP rig. One that doesn't have all these issues that continue to crop up.? I think it's time to move on. I am going to take it there and put it out on my table.. I am not giving it away.. It's mounted on a board and I have a case and a new? ICOM mic for it.??


the bitx40 has worked for thousands of hams out of the box. agc, multiband, etc are not 'issues', they are hacks for people to extend the working of bitx40. sure, it needs you to wire things up with some understanding.

- f

????????? ?

Even a 12V wall wart that works well- 1.25A. Matching knobs and so on. I have more than $90 in it... If you want to buy it, I will be at Claremore when it opens Tables A9-10-11-12. This Friday and Saturday.. de Larry W8LM
Re: R136 RF Drive Control - how to set?

 

Randy I just about flipped when I saw your post up there. You are the guy who asked Jerry what it was and that was the first time anyone talked about it. And I am pretty sure you saw where David Casler told me it was a driver gain adjustment.

I've given the best instruction on how to set it to get the 1 amp draw mentioned in the wire up instructions. But you are absolutely right about there not being any "official word from the maker himself" to instruct users on how to properly set it, why to set it, or why it's adjustable in the first place. Come on folks take another look at the alignment instructions, specifically step #5. It's blank. Why? If adjusting R136 until your current on the final is 1 amp was there at #5, then the instructions would be complete and make more sense. And much less people would complain about low audio, or low power problems.

The first bad instruction was pointed out by Peter Parker and the two red wires on the tuning pot. That was fixed.

The second bad instruction was pointed out by me about the brown wire for calibration was actually the RED one. That was fixed.

I also complained up one side and down the other about the whole R136 low power thing. And for more than three months, it still isn't fixed yet. And there is at least one new member a week now, saying they have low something problems Fixable by this one simple left out instruction.

I wasn't yelling at you Randy. I was really yelling at stubborn, non explaining, Farhan.

This round of hate from you guys will have to be pretty grand. I am getting used to it. And don't mind it anymore.
Quick turn around

 

Received?by BITX40 Ver2 today. Must add it was a quick turn around

Ordered on 20 March

Shipped on 22 March

Received on 5 April (Adelaide, South Australia)

Serian no. N3-771V

73

Sasi

VK5SN
Re: raduino v1.05 released: kill the 7199 birdie

 

I changed the drive setting to 2 ma, and the birdie level dropped quite a bit. Still puzzling....
40 meters dead (again)

 

So, how can I try out my bitx40 receiver when 40m is dead a doornail (again)??? Really frustrating when all I hear is birdies.... :-(
CLAREMORE, OK Hamfest this weekend and my BITX40

Lawrence Macionski
 

Well, it has come to this... I have been reading daily this blog. even read it prior to my BITX40 arriving over month ago. I mounted it on a board, ordered a popular instrument case? for it, plus knobs, a speaker, even a heavier heat sink, fuse holder and then it sat.. I tried to do the calibration with V1.01 and it just didn't seem right...I have never transmitted with it. never got that far..

Reading? the blog daily...not only is everybody putting in their 2 cents, but everyone is heading in 10 different directions. 80 meters, 20 meters, Raduino, QRPlabs.com vfo's, USB, CW, changing the BFO...AGC, speech processing.......it's a wonder no one has put it on 2 meters ....

But the Tuning clicks are a problem unresolved... and the only mod I did (22uf caps both sides of the raduino voltage regulator)? and still have clicks. I am hearing the new SI5351 libraries have issues.. Bottom line is.... no one can tell me-- what a plane jane BITX40 without issues should have. I am saying? the way it was delivered was not perfect. We all know the calibration was never stored. the second harmonic is too high.? Tuning clicks and a birdie..no diodes on the relays...So.. to me it's not battle ready.

I'm confused and disillusioned....All I wanted was a 40 meter SSB QRP rig. One that doesn't have all these issues that continue to crop up.? I think it's time to move on. I am going to take it there and put it out on my table.. I am not giving it away.. It's mounted on a board and I have a case and a new? ICOM mic for it.??

????????? ?

Even a 12V wall wart that works well- 1.25A. Matching knobs and so on. I have more than $90 in it... If you want to buy it, I will be at Claremore when it opens Tables A9-10-11-12. This Friday and Saturday.. de Larry W8LM

IMG_20170125_210724.jpg

Re: Lost all audio

 

again? it is vu3zmv.

?at the end of all, try replacing LM386.
Re: Lost all audio

 

R111 feeds supply to LM386.

?Obviously? it draws more current.

? you might place a 22 ohm 1/4 resistor parallel to R11 without removing it.

?net effect would be 18 oms approx.? ? there is adequate space and nothing to worry.

srama

vu3zmv
Re: Lost all audio

 

R111 is indeed very hot. ?When testing it I touched it and was surprised how hot it was.
Re: Lost all audio

 

I'm guessing R111 is shot. ? A 1206 resistor is good for about 0.125 Watt. ?If R111 is still good then it is disspating (12v-0.7v-1.6v)**2/100 = 0.94 Watts. ?As you say, it would be very hot if still good. ?Definitely worth checking first, as you suggest.


On Tue, Apr 4, 2017 at 09:22 pm, Raj vu2zap wrote:

R111 must be hot, if not then it may be bad. Switch off power and then check R111 on the ohm meter.

?
Re: R136 RF Drive Control - how to set?

 

Michael

Thanks, I have the other posts since Jan.

Randy, K7AGE

On Tue, Apr 4, 2017 at 7:51 PM, Michael Davis <maddmd818@...> wrote:
Randy, I Just got a message from a member that R136 is supposed to be set so that you get the 1 amp drive with the long hello into the mic. I assumed it was preset and never touched it. He said something about the missing info in step 5 of the PA setup. Your thoughts?


Re: Lost all audio

 

if the resistor is open, perhaps we can solder lead type across the pads even without removing the smd.

all the best

sarma
?vu3zmv

On Wed, Apr 5, 2017 at 9:52 AM, Raj vu2zap <rajendrakumargg@...> wrote:
R111 must be hot, if not then it may be bad. Switch off power and then check R111 on the ohm meter.

If it is fine then LM386 is gone.

At 05/04/2017, you wrote:
>Getting approximately 12 volts on both sides.? Actually a little over 12 volts on one side, and a little under 12 on the other side.? The voltage on the diode side of R111 is 12 volts, and on the other side is 1.6ish







--
Regards
Sarma
?
Re: Lost all audio

 

R111 must be hot, if not then it may be bad. Switch off power and then check R111 on the ohm meter.

If it is fine then LM386 is gone.

At 05/04/2017, you wrote:
Getting approximately 12 volts on both sides. Actually a little over 12 volts on one side, and a little under 12 on the other side. The voltage on the diode side of R111 is 12 volts, and on the other side is 1.6ish
Re: Lost all audio

 

Thanks Jerry. ?I'll see what I can do to get a new resistor in there and hopefully that will bring everything back. ?I'll update this thread once I know for sure. ?Then we can use this knowledge to help future people. ?
Re: Lost all audio

 

OK, then R111 is shot. ?Possibly a bad solder job there. ?Or a fracture, a hairline crack can be impossible to see.?

Possible that it blew for a reason, such as a short to ground at U1-6. ?That's 12/100 = 0.12 Amps, not enough to blow the diode but R111 would be dissipating 12*.12= 1.44 Watts. ? ?Initial surge current into C110 at power on would also be 0.12 Amps, but only last for around 100 * 470e-6 = 47 milliseconds, doubt that's enough to blow a 1206 resistor but possibly could.
Re: Lost all audio

 

Getting approximately 12 volts on both sides. ?Actually a little over 12 volts on one side, and a little under 12 on the other side. ?The voltage on the diode side of R111 is 12 volts, and on the other side is 1.6ish
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