¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

About to start my uBitX radio build...

 

Hey Folks,

About to start my uBitX build... have the radio now, and acquiring some parts as well as scouring my junkbox?(which has been accumulating rather than shrinking!)

My goal is building a portable rig I can bring to do mountain-topping?on HF as well as a bunch of VHF bands.

Adding transverters...

I've mentioned the low-cost transverters?from Ukraine before (See eBay).? ?These units run from 20-30 bucks depending on the band, and will give you 5-8 watts output on each band (if you want to keep the spectrum clean.)? They can be driven with the drive before the uBitx?finals.

I'm actually going to stuff 4 extra bands in the box -- 50,144, 222 and 432.? ? The four boards cost around $120 with shipping.

Some of the challenges are switching all this.? ?Since we are talking 10m as the?
i-f,? I think I'm going to use cheap DPDT relays typically found in those Chinese relay boards (I bought 100 of them for a song many years ago).? I have some nice 12v SMA low-power relays, but not going to waist them on 10m!

In order to control transverter?I/O switching, I think I'll use a slave Nano via I2C.? I'll modify the KD8CEC sketches to have additional menu items to select the band; when 50, 144,222 or 432 is selected, I'll ensure the VFO displays the appropriate frequency (simply by adding the offset)? and, via the 2nd Nano, switch the UbitX finals off, and routes the low-level rf to the appropriate transverter.?

Sequencing...

With these transverters and the potential for external amplifiers, there is a need for
proper sequencing.? ?I'd also like it at HF as well (it can also be used to eliminate the pop when T/R switching between the uBitX?

I'll use the 2nd Nano to do this, using switching transistors and relays.? ?it will go something like this:

-PTT Closure
-Mute audio path via JFET switch
-Close transverter?T/R relay contacts
-Wait 20mS +/-
-Close external amp relay contacts
-Wait 20mS +/-
-Close UBitX Original PTT

When PTT opens, the process is done in reverse.

Jacks and buffers, and RX/Mic processing...

I want to use the UbitX for FT8 and other digital modes, probably with an external laptop.

Rather than messing around with the mic input or speaker out, I think I'll add an emitter follower or OpAmp on both the mic audio channel and the receiver audio, before the audio pot.? This way, I'll have fixed level line-in and line-out (via RCA jacks)

?I plan on using my Yamaha CM-500 headsets with the rig.? Should be a good match since these use an electret mic.? They are a bit big for portable use, but very comfortable.? ? In addition, I ordered an SSM2167 mic preamp/compressor board for $6 on ebay.? ?

Though my uBitX?has the new audio chip and is socketed, I'm going to replace the audio amp with the New England QRP Club's NESCAF project.? This is a switched capacitor filter-based CW filter board.?? The filter has two controls: 1. the center frequency control allows the user to raise or lower the received frequency (the CW note) in the bandpass filter. The pitch can be set to a default value anywhere between 450-1000 Hz. range. 2. the bandwidth control will vary the width of the received CW pitch from about 90 Hz to about 1500 Hz.? ?It has a built-in audio amp.? ?It's a bit pricey at $39, but I thought I'd support a local club effort.

The back panel will get pretty busy.? The new connector compliment will include the following additional items:
4 more BNCs for the four transverter?outputs.
5 more RCA jacks for HF/VHF/UHF amplifier keying

This reflector has been an awesome place for ideas!? Keep em flowing.

73, Gerry W1VE


Re: Practical CW Operation? #ubitxcw

Braden Glett
 

Thanks Chris - sounds like you operate a lot like I do, low power CW 99% of the time. Encouraging.


Re: Poor Reception

 

Re-run the tune-up procedure for calibration to bring it back on frequency, find a good strong AM station with known frequency WWV is good, then run the BFO procedure, this should help. When you are off frequency that much your receive will suffer. Good luck

Jay WS4JM


No PTT

 

Hi all,

When I tuned up my uBITX everything was fine. I have since been correcting the front panel wiring and now it does not transmit. The relays do not go over, there is only 1 volt on the PTT line (Orange) Although there is 5 volts across the straight key, nothing happens on 'key down'. I have checked the wiring several times, using W4RJP's circuit of 21st March (FB RJP!), there seem to be no bad joints, or burned components.? Can anyone advise where to try next, please?
Geoff G8BMI


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

 

Jack,?

I think we are dealign with three types of users:

1) The "Give me a simple way to flash uBitx, and I don't care about version numbers, I don't care about changes, I just want to use?the latest and greatest features" user. For?them, a version number is not important,?because they very likely don't even want to keep more than one version around. They would very likely be happy with just using avrdude and flashing a hex file, which Ian provides.?

2) The "I want to experiment with the software and make my own changes, but always want a save way to get back to a working configuration" type of user. For them, just like learning?the syntax of C/C++ and how the library system in the Arduino IDE works, it may be a good idea to get a basic understanding of a version control system and use that to keep track of changes.?You want to make changes to the software? Then you are a software developer, and version control is part of that.?

3) The "I want to have access to different versions, but don't?want to learn how software development actually works" type. For them, your approach may be a good way to keep track of different versions. ?

Especially if you fall into #2, and you want to make changes, you need a way to figure out what you've changed. When you hack away on a keyboard, mistakes happen and you may not even remember touching a file. A version control system always will tell you exactly what has changed, and then you can figure out how to get back to a working system. So, in m opinion if you?want to make changes, you either need to be very good with the Unix diff command, or have a VC system?that takes care of that for you.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

Gordon Gibby
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Well I appreciate that, but this is not the only thing I do in life. I¡¯m involved in several other activities both in radio and elsewhere, and writing books left and right, and I don¡¯t have time to read tutorials on every little system. If you can¡¯t make it easy, you will lose people like me.



On Apr 24, 2018, at 08:42, Karl Heinz Kremer, K5KHK <khk@...> wrote:

I did not say that it would not work for Windows, I said that I do not know what the corresponding commands are on Windows - changes are that they are?the same (or very close), but without any first hand experience, I would not want to spread any misinformation. Git is available for Windows, but you may want to read a Windows specific tutorial.?
--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

 

I did not say that it would not work for Windows, I said that I do not know what the corresponding commands are on Windows - changes are that they are?the same (or very close), but without any first hand experience, I would not want to spread any misinformation. Git is available for Windows, but you may want to read a Windows specific tutorial.?
--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

Jack Purdum
 

Karl:

I've used version control (VC) systems on everything from a PC to a full-blown mainframe running VMS. That said, most Arduino users probably see VC as an unnecessary layer to negotiate each time a new release comes out...they are not in a commercial software development environment. What I've done with Ian's releases is to create new subdirectories for each release:

??? C://IanLee/Version106/ubix_20.ino...
????????????? /Version1072/ubix_20.ino
????????????? /WorkingVersion/ubix_20/ubix_20.ino...

and so on. I then have a "working directory" (i.e., the?WorkingVersion above) that holds the most recent version which is copied from the latest subdirectory. I can then traverse to this working directory from within the IDE, click on the INO file and off I go. This also allows me to return to the "original state" of the code should the need arise, but without a VC system. True, I lose the intermediate steps that got me from point 'A' to point 'M', but for most users, they don't care anyway as long as the original is preserved.

Jack, W8TEE


On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 8:24:10 AM EDT, Karl Heinz Kremer, K5KHK <khk@...> wrote:


This is why Ian is using a version control system. As long as there are labels attached to each version, you can always go back and forward between versions without having to resort to different file names or different folders. As Ian explained, using?different filenames actually breaks this mechanism.?You may want to look into a Git tutorial to see how easy it is to - with just three or four commands you can do all that. All you need is to have Git installed on your system.?

To create a copy of the repository, you use this command (this assumes a Linux or other Unix type system - I don't know what the corresponding commands would be for Windows):

git clone?

You then go into the ubitx folder:

cd ubitx

From within this folder, you can list the tags that are?available:

git tags

If you want to use the latest version, you are usually already all set, to go back to a previous version, you would use?the checkout command:

git checkout v1.06

The argument you use (in this case "v1.06" is one of the tags that were listed with the "tags" command above).

You can always find out what's going on by using the "status" command:

git status

Especially if you?want to make your own changes, Git is a great system, because you will always know what you've changed and you can keep track of your changes by creating your own branches and tags.?

This is how professional software development is done.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

 

Yes Git is a version control system, but not everyone is a software engineer!


I try to accommodate the people who will be trying to use my software.


rOn

On April 24, 2018 at 8:24 AM "Karl Heinz Kremer, K5KHK" <khk@...> wrote:

This is why Ian is using a version control system. As long as there are labels attached to each version, you can always go back and forward between versions without having to resort to different file names or different folders. As Ian explained, using?different filenames actually breaks this mechanism.?You may want to look into a Git tutorial to see how easy it is to - with just three or four commands you can do all that. All you need is to have Git installed on your system.?

To create a copy of the repository, you use this command (this assumes a Linux or other Unix type system - I don't know what the corresponding commands would be for Windows):

git clone?

You then go into the ubitx folder:

cd ubitx

From within this folder, you can list the tags that are?available:

git tags

If you want to use the latest version, you are usually already all set, to go back to a previous version, you would use?the checkout command:

git checkout v1.06

The argument you use (in this case "v1.06" is one of the tags that were listed with the "tags" command above).

You can always find out what's going on by using the "status" command:

git status

Especially if you?want to make your own changes, Git is a great system, because you will always know what you've changed and you can keep track of your changes by creating your own branches and tags.?

This is how professional software development is done.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

Gordon Gibby
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

But if this doesn¡¯t work for windows users, the most common sort of us I suspect, exactly how does this benefit us?
The only Linux that I have available to me is a raspberry. I have plenty of those. Am I able to run the integrated development environment on raspberry?

On Apr 24, 2018, at 08:31, Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...> wrote:

Hmmmmm. ? Interesting....?


On Apr 24, 2018, at 08:24, Karl Heinz Kremer, K5KHK <khk@...> wrote:

This is why Ian is using a version control system. As long as there are labels attached to each version, you can always go back and forward between versions without having to resort to different file names or different folders. As Ian explained, using?different filenames actually breaks this mechanism.?You may want to look into a Git tutorial to see how easy it is to - with just three or four commands you can do all that. All you need is to have Git installed on your system.?

To create a copy of the repository, you use this command (this assumes a Linux or other Unix type system - I don't know what the corresponding commands would be for Windows):

git clone?

You then go into the ubitx folder:

cd ubitx

From within this folder, you can list the tags that are?available:

git tags

If you want to use the latest version, you are usually already all set, to go back to a previous version, you would use?the checkout command:

git checkout v1.06

The argument you use (in this case "v1.06" is one of the tags that were listed with the "tags" command above).

You can always find out what's going on by using the "status" command:

git status

Especially if you?want to make your own changes, Git is a great system, because you will always know what you've changed and you can keep track of your changes by creating your own branches and tags.?

This is how professional software development is done.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

Gordon Gibby
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hmmmmm. ? Interesting....?


On Apr 24, 2018, at 08:24, Karl Heinz Kremer, K5KHK <khk@...> wrote:

This is why Ian is using a version control system. As long as there are labels attached to each version, you can always go back and forward between versions without having to resort to different file names or different folders. As Ian explained, using?different filenames actually breaks this mechanism.?You may want to look into a Git tutorial to see how easy it is to - with just three or four commands you can do all that. All you need is to have Git installed on your system.?

To create a copy of the repository, you use this command (this assumes a Linux or other Unix type system - I don't know what the corresponding commands would be for Windows):

git clone?

You then go into the ubitx folder:

cd ubitx

From within this folder, you can list the tags that are?available:

git tags

If you want to use the latest version, you are usually already all set, to go back to a previous version, you would use?the checkout command:

git checkout v1.06

The argument you use (in this case "v1.06" is one of the tags that were listed with the "tags" command above).

You can always find out what's going on by using the "status" command:

git status

Especially if you?want to make your own changes, Git is a great system, because you will always know what you've changed and you can keep track of your changes by creating your own branches and tags.?

This is how professional software development is done.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

 

This is why Ian is using a version control system. As long as there are labels attached to each version, you can always go back and forward between versions without having to resort to different file names or different folders. As Ian explained, using?different filenames actually breaks this mechanism.?You may want to look into a Git tutorial to see how easy it is to - with just three or four commands you can do all that. All you need is to have Git installed on your system.?

To create a copy of the repository, you use this command (this assumes a Linux or other Unix type system - I don't know what the corresponding commands would be for Windows):

git clone?

You then go into the ubitx folder:

cd ubitx

From within this folder, you can list the tags that are?available:

git tags

If you want to use the latest version, you are usually already all set, to go back to a previous version, you would use?the checkout command:

git checkout v1.06

The argument you use (in this case "v1.06" is one of the tags that were listed with the "tags" command above).

You can always find out what's going on by using the "status" command:

git status

Especially if you?want to make your own changes, Git is a great system, because you will always know what you've changed and you can keep track of your changes by creating your own branches and tags.?

This is how professional software development is done.?

--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK


Re: KD8CEC 1.072 download

Jack Purdum
 

It would also make it easier to identify the version just by a glance at the directory that hold the code files. Because the INO file must have the same name as the directory its in for the IDE to compile the file, instead of all versions sitting in a directory name ubitx_20, it makes sense to have:

C://ubitx_20V1072/ubitx_20V1072.ino
????????????????? ubitx_factory_alignment.cpp
????????????????? //...and so on...
????????????????????????????
This way the "old" versions are preserved when the new one is released.

I would still like to see only the source file containing the setup() and loop() functions be given the INO secondary file name and all the others given CPP secondary file names. Currently, using all INO file names causes the compiler to get sloppy on parameter type checking and that can be a nasty bug to isolate, especially when no symbolic debugger is available. True, the change will identify a host of warnings, but should uncover no bugs, since the code compiles correctly as is. I did that for Farhan's original code and while it took some time, it's really grunt work and not difficult to change.

Jack, W8TEE


On Monday, April 23, 2018, 11:45:03 PM EDT, K9HZ <bill@...> wrote:


Im not sure you understand this completely, so ill put this more clearly. When the main sketch has the same name from version to version and you upload it to the Arduino IDE, it over-writes the previous version because it has the SAME NAME. ?Of you were to include the version number in the program name, they would not over-write.?


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 Apr 23, 2018, at 6:56 PM, Ian Lee <kd8cec@...> wrote:

William

I use git for version control, but it seems to be difficult to trace history when the file name changes.
Instead, I will create a separate file to keep track of which files have changed each time I deploy.
All filenames are now cleaned up.
Since Version 1.070, there was work such as splitting and merging files to support various hardware.

I will publish Version 1.073 (Beta) within a day.
Thank you for testing the firmware.

Ian KD8CEC

2018-04-24 9:31 GMT+09:00 K9HZ <bill@...>:
Ian... would you PLEASE consider writing the version number in the file name of the code?? That way different versions can be saved easily in the Arduino ISD.?


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 Apr 22, 2018, at 2:50 PM, Ian Lee <kd8cec@...> wrote:

Rod, All

I am always thanking Rod.
And I'm sorry to interrupt Rod's work with too many changes in functionality.

1.072 will be tested and will be released as 1.073 Beta.
Several minor ones have been added.
Please wait for a day or two to download the code or firmware.?

Perhaps 1.07x will continue to be a Beta version.
Frequent formal firmware release seems to be inconvenient for some people, so I try to release it after various tests.

I think Version 1.061 is a stable version.?I know there is some nice firmware based on Version 1.061 and I will install it on my Spare uBITX.
Version 1.061 and later versions are also based on Version 1.061.
The Portable version and the various language versions are all excellent Firmware and I share code with them.

Please wait for a day or two?, I'll release version 1.073 beta after testing in various environments (including Linux).

Thank you

Ian KD8CEC

2018-04-22 7:25 GMT+09:00 Rod Davis <km6sn@...>:

Hi All,

Ron, W7HD, points out that downloading the KD8CEC 1.072 can be a problem

because version 1.072 does not appear in the list.


It is necessary to click on the Branch button, then use your mouse wheel to

scroll down until the version1.072 is revealed.


Best to All,

Rod KM6SN



See below for an excerpt:

Download the CECFW source code from github

For this example we will be using version 1.072.


<Image4>

Click the ¡°Branch¡± button to select version 1.072, then click ¡°Clone or download¡± and click ¡°Download ZIP¡±. Unzip the downloaded file and make a note of the folder location, or move the unzipped directory into your arduino sketch folder.




--
Best 73
KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee
kd8cec@...
(my blog)



--
Best 73
KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee
kd8cec@...
(my blog)


Re: Teensy 3.5/3.6 upgrade for uBITX

Jack Purdum
 

Not completely, as they still don't know what it can do. However, I did want to stir up some interest beforehand. Also, I don't want to take a total hit from people who ordered add-on boards (filters, keyers, AGC, etc.) point at me saying: "You should have told us!" For some reason, that prospect really bothers me. This way, at least I can say I tried to tell them that something is on the horizon.

Jack, W8TEE


On Monday, April 23, 2018, 11:50:36 PM EDT, K9HZ <bill@...> wrote:


Now that the cat is out of the bag...


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 Apr 23, 2018, at 8:18 PM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:

Yep, every one is different and, man, are you gonna hate the Jackal board:
<NewDisplayCenterFrequency001.JPG>


Jack, W8TEE


On Monday, April 23, 2018, 9:32:56 PM EDT, Kees T <windy10605@...> wrote:


Jack,

I agree that there are many people standing on Farhan's shoulders and he has certainly created/generated a huge interest in his uBIT-X design point..... key parameters being that the cost is being held low for a simple design to allow more people to try modifications if they want to ......AND he's allowing others to start small businesses and learn skills. I think the latter, in itself, is great.?

Message counts of ~2000 per month definitely indicate a huge interest.

My point was that there are many steps in the progression from the uBIT-X that arrived in the mailbox, TO one that has slight modifications, TO more comprehensive AGC hardware, audio amps, etc, TO SWR indications, 4 line displays, more keyer features,
TO DSP and other SW defined modes, RPi, Teensy 3.5/3.6, large touch screens, etc ......you get the idea. Many options. The point is that you can take the path and get off at any step. I personally want to go as far as I feel makes sense to me (staying with the Nano or an Arduino based derivative and basically "Keeping It Simple") with a result that I think I can reach, and a Transceiver I will/can use. Some of the guys that want to Hack-to-the- Max ....more power to them but the number of followers will drop off pretty quickly and I for one will become a (maybe) drooler, not a follower.? ?

73 Kees K5BCQ
<NewDisplayCenterFrequency001.JPG>


uBITX top level PCB - status?

Jeroen Bastemeijer
 

Dear all,

A (very) short intro: My name is Jeroen, I'm a HAM since 1996, I like to build my own stuff. Getting on the air just occasionally.

Now my question: What is the status of the AE7EU top-board? I saw some posts on the list in January, after that it seems very silent around the top-board. Is there any progress? News?

For what it is worth: a bare PCB would suffice for me, soldering SMD is no problem.

Best 73s Jeroen, PE1 RGE


Re: Practical CW Operation? #ubitxcw

David Wilcox
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

A great CW filter is the CALF sold by John, KC9ON, at?
. ?You can use his stock set up or experiment with different variables if you are an audio nerd and the cost is very reasonable. ?I have 3 or 4 different filters but his is my GoTo filter most of the time.

Dave K8WPE

On Apr 23, 2018, at 12:36 PM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:

Buddy:

There are some very interesting filters available in software where you can not only set the "center" frequency, but also the edges where the skirt "knees" are located. When I'm listening to code, I dial 'er down pretty tight as I find listening to the Big Bang during a CW session distracting rather than soothing. It all a matter of choice.

Jack, W8TEE


On Monday, April 23, 2018, 12:22:30 PM EDT, Buddy Brannan <buddy@...> wrote:


Hey Gordon,

Agreed about the super duper narrow filters. With all of the ways to crank down the bandwidth and peak the audio and reduce the noise and what not that are on my KX3, I rarely use much of that myself and, unless the bands are very crowded, open the receiver up some besides. Strange as it may sound, I find the background atmospheric noise soothing. Well, except maybe not so much the 80m static crashes.?

Now, after 30 years of being a ham, I¡¯m interested in trying some kit building myself¡­it¡¯s one aspect I feel like I¡¯ve missed out on¡­especially now that I have a willing assistant :-) Still¡­being blind, these tiny parts make me a little nervous, and surface mount stuff is just right out. Anyway, think my YL and I can tackle a UBitx sometime soonish.?

Vy 73


On Apr 23, 2018, at 12:15 PM, Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...> wrote:

?I actually sorta like a wider bandwidth, unless I have a really interfering signal.

A couple decades ago I remember actually building a LC audio filter --- toroids & capacitors and maybe even a vacuum tube!!!? ?to run a headset.? ?I may even still have the thing.

Nowadays it is ducksoup to put something like that together with all the integrated circuits and I think I seem them advertized all over.? ??

Narrower than 500 hz makes my head hurt!

Cheers -- to each his own!!!!!

gordon


?
From:?[email protected]?<[email protected]> on behalf of Buddy Brannan <buddy@...>
Sent:?Monday, April 23, 2018 12:04 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [BITX20] Practical CW Operation? #ubitxcw
?
Ehhh! Listening to cw with a 2.someKHz filter is good for you! It will hone your cw listening skills and let you learn to pick the right signal out :-)?

In all seriousness, Gordon¡¯s suggestion of an audio filter is a good one. While it¡¯s not really the same as a filter in the receiver, they¡¯re pretty good¡­or can be¡­and certainly can be very effective. I reckon that a DSP-based filter would be a bit beyond the capability of the Arduino. Also probably not exactly cost effective as compared to the rest of the radio.?

Do remember this is a really low-cost radio, and you probably won¡¯t get Icom performance, or probably not even Xiegu performance, out of it, though I¡¯m sure what you will get will be pretty decent¡­especially given how popular the rig seems to be.?

Vy 73, de KB5ELV

On Apr 23, 2018, at 11:53 AM, Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...> wrote:

Just add an audio filter to achieve whatever bandwidth you prefer would be my suggestion




On Apr 23, 2018, at 11:50, Braden Glett <bradenglett@...> wrote:

I've heard that the ubitx doesn't work very well for CW due to being too wide in the receiving end. How are some of you correcting this? Particularly, how can someone who can handle a soldering iron but is not an electronics whiz, adapt the ubitx for practical CW operation??
Thanks and 73
Brady KD8ZM?



Re: Teensy 3.5/3.6 upgrade for uBITX

David Wilcox
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hey Guys,

Got my bag packed for FDIM, car ready to travel, my ticket bought for FDIM and Xenia (The first time I saw Xenia was after the tornado of 1970 or there abouts. ?It sure looks better today.) ? Now if I can fake the calendar out so we can meet soon and learn about this new stuff. ?Thanks for all you do for us. ?

Dave K8WPE



On Apr 23, 2018, at 9:02 AM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:

Jerry:

I realize the power the Pi has and I'm familiar with compiler design and grammars, as my old software company built and marketed its own C compiler for DOS back in '80s...without yacc! Al and I have been through a pretty rigorous ?C decision process for our Jackal project, looking at Pi, Mega2560, Due, Mega Zero, and the new Protoneer board to replace the Raduino/Nano board. We settled on the Teensy 3.6. One of our goals is to encourage hacking by those who are already familiar with the ?BITX, and that suggested sicking with a processor that could run in the Arduino IDE. The Teensy 3.6 has
  • 180 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 with Floating Point Unit
  • 1M Flash, 256K RAM, 4K EEPROM
  • Microcontroller Chip (PDF link)
  • USB High Speed (480 Mbit/sec) Port
  • 2 CAN Bus Ports
  • 32 General Purpose DMA Channels
  • 22 PWM Outputs
  • 4 I2C Ports
  • 11 Touch Sensing Inputs
and costs a little less than the Pi. The FPU is important in many SDR's that use FFT algorithms, and the Teensy has a very good FFT library. It also has a terrific audio library that we are using in our filter elements. However, to me, the critical elements were that the 256K of SRAM removes the real bottleneck of the Arduino family and there are a host of relevant libraries for the processor. Atmel needs to get its act together and boost its processor resource base if it wants to stay competitive. (I taught an assembler course on a Z80 back in the '80s and, you're right, the 328 reminds me of it although the memory architecture's a little different.)

Anyway, we experimented with Pi and other processors for over a month before we committed Jackal to the Teensy. We made the right choice for us. Al and I will be showing Jackal at the FDIM conference...I think it's pretty cool and brings a lot to the table. That's not to say that someone shouldn't give Pi a try as a Raduino replacement. It's just not for us.

Jack, W8TEE


On Monday, April 23, 2018, 12:24:48 AM EDT, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:



The ATMega328P on the Nano runs at 16 MHz, has 0.002 MBytes of RAM, is an 8 bit machine.

The RPi Zero runs at a 1000 MHz, has 512 MBytes of RAM, is a full a 32 bit machine,
runs linux if you wish.? Not only will it run the C and C++ code we have on the Arduino
(if you port the Arduino libraries), but it has its own compiler for it.
And a compiler compiler to build the compiler with for that matter (yacc).?

>? I'd consider why the Zero sells for $5.

It sells for $5 because it is of the current decade.
Whereas the ATMega382P is roughly in league with the Z80
I was working with back in the 1970's.
?
That said, the Nano is a fine choice for the basic uBitx.
Not all that much it has to do.

The RPi Nano would be good if you wish to implement standalone SDR,?
with a full waterfall display out to an HDMI monitor.
Or could be used as the Arduino IDE host when programming your Nano.
The top end Rasberry Pi 3 B+ does everything I'd want in a home computer for $35.

Jerry, KE7ER


On Sun, Apr 22, 2018 at 06:17 pm, Jack Purdum wrote:
I'd consider why the Zero sells for $5. I think the biggest issue is that the Pi is a different animal than the Arduino family. First, it does not have a home in the Arduino IDE, where most of the ?BITX work is being done. Second, it doesn't have the depth of add-ons that the Arduinos do. Those that do exist seem to be more expensive. Third, most of the work on Pi is either done in scripting languages or Python, neither of which is popular on the Arduino.

If you need more horsepower, consider the Protoneer (eBay 282786290858). It has 256K of flash, 32K of SRAM (HUGE benefit), and is clocked 3x faster than the Nano at a cost of $15. It looks very promising.

Jack, W8TEE
?
?


Re: UBITX Assemly Wiki Page #ubitx

 

Bob, Overall wiring and? a Nice presentation.
all the best
regfards
sarma
vu3zmv
?


Re: Upgrade the software to Allard's version #radiuno #bitx40help #nano

 

Many thanks Marco
downloaded!
I will do the appropriate checks,
Thanks again
Sergio IU2KOI


Re: Teensy 3.5/3.6 upgrade for uBITX

 

The uBitx has a 12mhz BFO.
We have trouble on the uBitx with either the 12mhz USB port oscillator or
the third harmonic of the 16mhz processor oscillator wreaking havoc with
the receiver.? Could be dealt with through shielding and bypass caps and beads.
Alternately build a Raduino from scratch with an oddball processor clock
and no USB port.?

Can use 3.3v UART lines to an FTDI cable or similar when doing
firmware downloads from the Arduino IDE.? All the USB chip on the Nano does
is convert from USB to UART signalling.? ?

The STM32F103 in the 64 pin flat pack would be a good choice.
There are pin compatible parts throughout the ARM processor range,?
including one with floating point hardware.??
The STM32F103 is used in the Blue Pill.

Jerry, KE7ER


On Mon, Apr 23, 2018 at 09:42 pm, Gary Anderson wrote:
No way should anyone hate anything.? It may be an eye opener to some what can be done with a modern micro-controller.? I am glad Jack gave honorable mention to the Protoneer.? Before I ordered it last week, I came up with zero hits for Protoneer here. Thought I might be a little crazy since very sharp minds are active and voicing their opinions.? I hate to see great? software work by Ian and others be limited to choices based on the flash memory space of the Arduino Nano, which is also consumed by the boot loader.? The idea is this may help those that want a lower end "modern" 32 bit digital solution with a reasonable amount of SRAM for their uBITX with a small $ additional investment.? Even the Pi fans might find a need for a little more horsepower in the micro-controller.? Then again, I could be blown away by a pure Pi controller implementation.

I don't think any of us want to someone else to become a drooler, well at least I hope not.? From what I see here, it is enabling.? Sharing knowledge.? Albeit overwhelming at times.
The dust will eventually settle from the excitement stampede unleashed by Farhan, and the path you choose will become clear.? Hopefully everyone will choose to ride along, and the world wide amateur community benefit from your participation.