¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: tx pop

 

What would be the smallest reasonable volt spec for the 470uf cap parallel to C50?


Re: tx pop

 

So, re the uBitx, (& not Bitx40v3)


Re: Customisable panel cutout template for the EF01 project box #bitx40

Vince Vielhaber
 

Yeah, the LED version isn't any better.

Vince.

On 01/08/2018 02:50 PM, phraxoid wrote:
Yes, sorry, I meant it was a shame that the LCD voltmeter module was
very noisy.
--
Michigan VHF Corp.


Re: tx pop

 

Ash:

Have you seen the solution of Small Wonder QRP?


The blog date is Novenber 3, 2017.
His is a solid state replacement for the relays, etc.
It is an interesting approach.

john
AD5YE


Re: Going digital? #ubitx

KC9SGV
 

Does not look as if though the SCI-6 shows USB port pin outs.
Most modern laptops have only USB ports.

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 8, 2018, at 2:38 PM, B C <k9wis@...> wrote:


Yes...Isolate the radio from the computer using transformers and optos...bad things happen with rf and ac otherwise...

Check out this simple interface...Its the one I use..W9XT even shares the schematic


Brian K9WIS



Re: Chirp support for uBitx [kind of OT I need to answer]

Pavel Milanes Costa
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý


El 08/01/18 a las 16:00, K9HZ escribi¨®:
Looks like that site has not added new drivers for radios in years...

Excuse me but you are wrong...

In the last days of December I added the latest goodie from Baofeng Factory, the BF-T1 (with a few sub sequent patches), about that time the TYT TH-9800 got support for a new band (222 Mhz), in early December A Retevis RT-26 was added, in late November a milestone happened: A developer added the Wouxun KG-UV8D Plus, that has a cryptographically obfuscated serial protocol (He break the crypto code!), and opening the door to more of the Wouxun family of radios (I'm Working on the KG-UV8E/T models now, so far so good; also passed a tip to the KG-UV950P developer about it being partially supported by the crypto hack.)

And today I officially closed the Baofeng BF-T1 development issue, see here: (with a donation of that radio to me)

All the good things happening are reflected in the "Activity" tab () take a peek, a few thing are happening there right now. More or less twice a month you get an update for bug fixed and from time to time a new radio is added...

Chirp is far from a death project.

But as all Open Source & community driven projects has it's problems, communication is maybe one of them.

A lot of people ask to support his radios, a lot of people, for just ~25 developers.

Here you can see a list of the recently requested

People don't realize that to get a radio supported you need to get that radio in the hands of a developer that's willing to make the work for free! And believe me, getting the radio in the hands of a developer is the hard part, Chirp's developer is a great community, that's why in the New Model request there is a "radio loan available" check box.

The users can offer to loan their radios and even donate it to a Chirp developer to get it supported (some OM also post bounty prices for support for some radios). This has happened in the past with some of the now supported radios, loans, donations and even from Retailers or even Radio Manufacturers. (see )

The best example of that is the B-TECH OEM, they established a very good relationship with Chirp (aka with one Chirp's developer) and their latest radios use EXCLUSIVELY Chirp as a programming software!!!

See here for some details () this is not all the real list, as some devs don't update it (in fact I realized that I have to update it with the BF-T1 donor... done, hi hi hi)

and the newest ones appear to be geared to VHF handhelds?

Yes, Chirp is prone to support VHF/UHF handheld, as they are cheap, specially the Chinese ones.

Are you willing to donate a IC-7300 (~ $ 1100.00 USD) o even ship it overseas as a loan to a developer? There is 90% chance you (or others) are not willing to donate/risk a expensive/new radio; so it takes time for a developer to get his hands on a radio to develop a driver for it.

This is when shipping/donating a Baofeng BF-T1 handheld to a developers (~16.00 USD) wins even with hands tied; also this the answer to your question.

As Dan's words (Chirps father and project leader): "Chirp's developers work for radios"

Bottom notes:
  • Chirp is far from a death project.
  • Yes, Chirp is prone to support cheap radios (VHF/UHF handhelds/mobiles) Cheap is the key word here.
  • If you want one radio supported in Chirp offer it for donation o take the leading role and organize a crowdfunding campaign to buy and ship one to a developer. (Use the dev mailing list to coordinate that effort.)

Sorry for the OT, but I need to answer.

I still my willingness to support the bitx40 and the uBitx in Chirp, will do as time allows.

73 Pavel CO7WT




Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ

?

Owner - Operator

Big Signal Ranch ¨C K9ZC

Staunton, Illinois

?

Owner ¨C Operator

Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ

Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.

Rent it:


email:??bill@...

?


On Jan 8, 2018, at 2:40 PM, Pavel Milanes Costa <pavelmc@...> wrote:

Ups... !!!

We are working on similar approaches, but I'm on the draft board yet. Last night I was drafting a Chirp driver for the actual ubitx code I found here:

The firmware mod is trivial, the Chirp diver kind of trivial as I have a few years as an active Chirp's developer, some testing and validation will be required and that takes time (a week or so).

What is the latest killing firmware repository for the uBitx?

Would you like to manage settings and memory channels from Chirp for the bitx40 (v1 & v2) from Allard, and the latest killing firmware for the ubitx?

For those how don't know Chirp (), It's a cross platform (Linux, Windows, MacOS) python software with the LoTR philosophy:

"One software to program all radios"

Currently supporting about 200+? radio models from 28 brands () and with an active developer and users community.

Cheers, Pavel CO7WT.

El 08/01/18 a las 09:18, Ian Lee escribi¨®:
I wrote and tested the Yaesu compatible CAT protocol. You can see it in the past posting.


I will release the firmware I made tomorrow. The program will also be release.

Currently, only the firmware I created can communicate, but the protocol added for uBITX only is within 20 lines.
Adding about 20 lines to the original source will probably work.

How to modify the original source will be posted later.

My vacation is short and I am working very busy to release the beta version of firmware I made so far tomorrow.
Most of the beta testers that we tested until last week reflected the opinions, but I hope to make something that is not done yet.
--
Best 73
KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee
kd8cec@...
(my blog)

-- 
73 CO7WT, Pavel.

-- 
73 CO7WT, Pavel.


Re: tx pop

 

I decided to hack around the issue with a little external phone/mic interface box, made from a "deluxe" AAA battery case:



This connects a conventional headset and mic input and provides a PTT button, which I needed anyway.? A little switch adds a potentiometer to the phone line, and it's a simple matter to flip the switch before I press PTT.? This also attenuates the keyer sidetone.

If I were clever, I'd find a way to patch in the pot and trigger PTT with the same pushbutton, but better is the enemy of done.

Thanks, Xcott K2CAJ


Re: tx pop

 

This sounds an awful lot like the problem the NORCAL guys had when they released the 38 Special transceiver kit many years ago...They nicknamed the issue 'The Thump" .Not sure they ever came up with a solution..try to track down old issues of QRPp..there was a lot of discussion about it in there. There maybe some folks on QRP-L that were around during that era.

Brian K9WIS


Re: Going digital? #ubitx

Gordon Gibby
 

The schematic that someone showed earlier was ingenious because it used one of the transformers as a stepUP transformer to drive the rectification circuit....that makes it easier to turn the transistor on and key the rig.

We went a little different in Alachua County with a 1-transistor simple audio amplifier before the rectification and we used a RELAY which DRAMATICALLY reduced our radio frequency interference impacts. I had 40 boards made and they are basically ALL GONE. Had to order three more recently. We had a lot of fun with this --- many of our members had never soldered before and knew nothing about resistors, capacitors and transistors....it was a lot of learning for everyone and benefitted our group tremendously.

I also use Signalinks where forced to, but this was way way way cheaper. Some of them we boxed inside 4" electricla boxes (which are dirt cheap).

Knowledge allows you to save oodles of $$$ as is obvious by the Farhan creation.....

Gordon


________________________________________
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of KC9SGV <kc9sgv@...>
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2018 4:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Going digital? #ubitx

The Signalink USB has it's own VOX circuit.
An opto coupler.
You will still have to make your own cables.
Around $120.
So the other options are cheaper.

Bernie,
KC9SGV


Sent from my iPad

On Jan 8, 2018, at 2:38 PM, B C <k9wis@...> wrote:


Yes...Isolate the radio from the computer using transformers and optos...bad things happen with rf and ac otherwise...

Check out this simple interface...Its the one I use..W9XT even shares the schematic


Brian K9WIS



Re: Going digital? #ubitx

KC9SGV
 

The Signalink USB has it's own VOX circuit.
An opto coupler.
You will still have to make your own cables.
Around $120.
So the other options are cheaper.

Bernie,
KC9SGV


Sent from my iPad

On Jan 8, 2018, at 2:38 PM, B C <k9wis@...> wrote:


Yes...Isolate the radio from the computer using transformers and optos...bad things happen with rf and ac otherwise...

Check out this simple interface...Its the one I use..W9XT even shares the schematic


Brian K9WIS



Re: Questions about uBitX

Vince Vielhaber
 

And keep in mind that on the B40 the cap across the PA Power pins is only a 25 volt electrolytic.

Vince.

On 01/08/2018 02:16 PM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io wrote:
/Many people have done this on their Bitx40s with around 20 watts out at
24-28V supplying the final output transistors..../

...and with appropriate additions to the heat sinks on the finals.

Jack, W8TEE


------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Neil Martinsen-Burrell <neilmartinsenburrell@...>
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Monday, January 8, 2018 2:09 PM
*Subject:* Re: [BITX20] Questions about uBitX

On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 12:09 PM, Albert Woodhull <n1aw@...
<mailto:n1aw@...>> wrote:

Also would like know about total weight - obviously I would want a
lightweight enclosure, and would appreciate
ideas on ideas for that.


I just weighed the whole kit in the plastic box that it came in at 15
ounces. It's hard to imagine a much lighter enclosure.

The documentation on line has suggestions about adding a narrower
filter for CW; has anyone done this? And
does the main circuit board provide for adding an alternate filter
without having to cut traces on the board?


There are two easy options for doing this. One is to use a narrow audio
filter essentially at the headphone jack. There are kits from SOTABeams,
4SQRP and many others. Since the uBitx doesn't have AGC, there aren't
any issues from strong signals in the RF passband that don't appear in
the narrower audio passband. The other approach is to use M0XPD's
dual-IF setup where a second 4 MHz crystal filter is paralleled with the
existing 12MHz crystal filter that serves for SSB. Then since the BFO is
software controllable, a firmware could be written where the the IF
moves to 4MHz in CW mode.


I think IRF510s can probably be used at voltages higher than 12V.
Has anyone experimented with using a higher
voltage for the final amplifier to get more than 10 watts out? That
would maybe not be useful for SOTA, but perhaps
for home station or mobile use?


Many people have done this on their Bitx40s with around 20 watts out at
24-28V supplying the final output transistors.

-Neil N0FN


--
Michigan VHF Corp.


Re: Chirp support for uBitx (was: Re: [BITX20] Implement a uBITX Memory Manager Program)

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Looks like that site has not added new drivers for radios in years... and the newest ones appear to be geared to VHF handhelds?


Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ

?

Owner - Operator

Big Signal Ranch ¨C K9ZC

Staunton, Illinois

?

Owner ¨C Operator

Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ

Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.

Rent it:


email:??bill@...

?


On Jan 8, 2018, at 2:40 PM, Pavel Milanes Costa <pavelmc@...> wrote:

Ups... !!!

We are working on similar approaches, but I'm on the draft board yet. Last night I was drafting a Chirp driver for the actual ubitx code I found here:

The firmware mod is trivial, the Chirp diver kind of trivial as I have a few years as an active Chirp's developer, some testing and validation will be required and that takes time (a week or so).

What is the latest killing firmware repository for the uBitx?

Would you like to manage settings and memory channels from Chirp for the bitx40 (v1 & v2) from Allard, and the latest killing firmware for the ubitx?

For those how don't know Chirp (), It's a cross platform (Linux, Windows, MacOS) python software with the LoTR philosophy:

"One software to program all radios"

Currently supporting about 200+? radio models from 28 brands () and with an active developer and users community.

Cheers, Pavel CO7WT.

El 08/01/18 a las 09:18, Ian Lee escribi¨®:
I wrote and tested the Yaesu compatible CAT protocol. You can see it in the past posting.


I will release the firmware I made tomorrow. The program will also be release.

Currently, only the firmware I created can communicate, but the protocol added for uBITX only is within 20 lines.
Adding about 20 lines to the original source will probably work.

How to modify the original source will be posted later.

My vacation is short and I am working very busy to release the beta version of firmware I made so far tomorrow.
Most of the beta testers that we tested until last week reflected the opinions, but I hope to make something that is not done yet.
--
Best 73
KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee
kd8cec@...
(my blog)

-- 
73 CO7WT, Pavel.


My Bitx40

Michael Davis
 

It seems like everyone is now focused on ubitx. I hope someone can assist me in getting my "old" bitx 40 up and running again. It has been down (receiving great, no transmit) for a few months. Today I decided to tackle it. Got a good light and a magnifier. I took voltage readings and compared them to Randy's voltage chart. Only 2 slight differences. Q15 gate reads .3vdc in receive normal in transmit and Q16 emitter reads .01 vdc in transmit normal in receive. When I check current in the PA power feed line all is normal but no increase in current drawn when I HALLOWWW. The PA bias setting is 120ma and I haven't messed with R136. Not sure how to set that anyway. I've checked continuity in my microphone line and temporarily changed mic elements. I've tried tracing the audio input circuit but dont have the right equipment to do an audio signal trace or inject an audio signal in the audio input circuit. Relay clicks sound normal upon PTT. Jerry Gaffke has published some nice troubleshooting information, but no luck so far. I think it may be something obvious. It worked when I last used it and didn't when I turned it on a month later. Help! ?Thanks, Mike


Chirp support for uBitx (was: Re: [BITX20] Implement a uBITX Memory Manager Program)

Pavel Milanes Costa
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Ups... !!!

We are working on similar approaches, but I'm on the draft board yet. Last night I was drafting a Chirp driver for the actual ubitx code I found here:

The firmware mod is trivial, the Chirp diver kind of trivial as I have a few years as an active Chirp's developer, some testing and validation will be required and that takes time (a week or so).

What is the latest killing firmware repository for the uBitx?

Would you like to manage settings and memory channels from Chirp for the bitx40 (v1 & v2) from Allard, and the latest killing firmware for the ubitx?

For those how don't know Chirp (), It's a cross platform (Linux, Windows, MacOS) python software with the LoTR philosophy:

"One software to program all radios"

Currently supporting about 200+? radio models from 28 brands () and with an active developer and users community.

Cheers, Pavel CO7WT.

El 08/01/18 a las 09:18, Ian Lee escribi¨®:
I wrote and tested the Yaesu compatible CAT protocol. You can see it in the past posting.


I will release the firmware I made tomorrow. The program will also be release.

Currently, only the firmware I created can communicate, but the protocol added for uBITX only is within 20 lines.
Adding about 20 lines to the original source will probably work.

How to modify the original source will be posted later.

My vacation is short and I am working very busy to release the beta version of firmware I made so far tomorrow.
Most of the beta testers that we tested until last week reflected the opinions, but I hope to make something that is not done yet.
--
Best 73
KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee
kd8cec@...
(my blog)

-- 
73 CO7WT, Pavel.


Re: Going digital? #ubitx

 

Yes...Isolate the radio from the computer using transformers and optos...bad things happen with rf and ac otherwise...

Check out this simple interface...Its the one I use..W9XT even shares the schematic


Brian K9WIS


tx pop

 

i have been trying to hack out the tx pop. it is a far more intricate problem than it does seem at first. to cut a very long and painful story short, i am not yet there. but i have a partial solution.

add a 470uf (or a 220uf) capacitor in parallel to C50. The C50 is the 1uf capacitor that feeds the detector signal to the audio pre-amp. Increasing this to 470uf, prolongs the 'switch on' time of the audio preamp just enough to not hear the TX-to-RX thump.

can someone else too try this out?

i call it a partial solution because it doesn't suppress the rx-to-tx pop (which is not as bad as the tx-to-rx pop).

- f


Re: Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hey, I got 2 SI5351 PCBs and Kits.? Better too!? Don't buy elsewhere.

Small or Lotsa Clocks with extra I2C Address and 8 clocks (the 20 Pin IC).

Ha.. Ha..? Ask Vince on this list about Lotsa Clocks!

Email for info, I got lots of PCBs.

MotDog@...
Mike, WA6ISP

On 1/8/2018 11:59 AM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io wrote:
If you're going to use the Si5351, take a look at QRP-Labs Si5351A synthesizer kit.

Jack, W8TEE



From: John P <j.m.price@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2018 2:44 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio

On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 06:37 pm, Gordon Gibby wrote:
Using the bitx40 Raduino, I can fully tune (one any one band) the Heathkit SB-100 vacuum tube radio now.? ?In order to change to a different band you do two things:
Gordon. Are the details of your work published anywhere? I'm about to try the same trick on my?old Swan-250C (single band) 6 meter rig. I'm debating whether or not to use Jack's basic VFO circuit & software with an added Si5351?board to provide the carrier oscillator and calibration function, or to just do it all with the Si5351. I'm particularly interested if you had any issues with drive levels or square wave filtering between the digital VFO and the tube radio.

Thanks!
--
John - WA2FZW



-- 
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID  "MotDog@..."
Mike@...


Re: Going digital? #ubitx

 

If your computer has a serial port ( or use a usb to serial converter) you should beable to configure the software to generate a ptt signal that would go to your radio's ptt port..I am assuming the uBitx has a ptt input ( I hope so, I ordered the ubitx to do portable digital)
Brian K9WIS

Subject: [BITX20] Going digital? #ubitx
Priority: Normal Date: Monday, January 8, 2018 9:23 AM Size: 4 KB
I've been wanting to get into the digital modes so I hooked the radio to the P-loop antenna and directly to the internal soundcard on my computer sitting on my office and was pleased at the waterfall on the 20m ft8 frequency. Wsjtx was quite busy with the decoding signals. As I understand it the radio needs a vox circuit in order to transmit. I've run across schematics but am a little intimidated by them. Does anyone know of a vox kit anywhere? I'm assuming such a kit would plug into the ptt?


Re: Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio

John P
 

On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 11:59 am, Jack Purdum wrote:
If you're going to use the Si5351, take a look at QRP-Labs Si5351A synthesizer kit.
I ordered a couple of the Adafruit boards. Basically the?same thing already assembled except for the header pins.
?
--
John - WA2FZW


Re: Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio

Gordon Gibby
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Jack,? given the current inability to get raduinos, that is a viable alternative that i've considred.


Right now I just built my first swr meter kit and have mapped out (this is new stuff for me!) how to connect the Adafruit si5351 to a nano to drive a resistive swr bridge (next project) and make an antenna tuner.? ? ?The swr meter kit I soldered last night is to make an arduino based SWR meter.? ?This is quite fun stuff!!!!? But I'm sure you know that.....


I have two Heathkits controlled by Raduino's current and the third is on the way.? ?Modified my code to have a small array to keep the various crystalls from several heathkits.


I should be able to get a single bander to work as well, and cover a wider frequency range than their original.? This technology is amazing.


cheers,


gordon



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <jjpurdum@...>
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2018 2:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio
?
If you're going to use the Si5351, take a look at QRP-Labs Si5351A synthesizer kit.

Jack, W8TEE



From: John P <j.m.price@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2018 2:44 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Digitally Controllable Heathkit Vacuum Tube Radio

On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 06:37 pm, Gordon Gibby wrote:
Using the bitx40 Raduino, I can fully tune (one any one band) the Heathkit SB-100 vacuum tube radio now.? ?In order to change to a different band you do two things:
Gordon. Are the details of your work published anywhere? I'm about to try the same trick on my?old Swan-250C (single band) 6 meter rig. I'm debating whether or not to use Jack's basic VFO circuit & software with an added Si5351?board to provide the carrier oscillator and calibration function, or to just do it all with the Si5351. I'm particularly interested if you had any issues with drive levels or square wave filtering between the digital VFO and the tube radio.

Thanks!
--
John - WA2FZW