I know FT8 is a low power mode, but with your mod I just worked HI from NC (4800 miles) with 6.5W on 30M.??
Now with my souped up uBitx, I feel like a big gun on FT8 :-) .
73,
Rowland K4XD
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
Hi,
A truly meaningful "upgrade" improves the reliability (probably not this one) or more than doubles the power. Doubling the power output adds part of *one* s-unit at the distant receiver. Hardly worth the effort. Quadrupling the power output gets you close to two of those pesky s-units far far away. That starts to be more worthwhile. Are we still talking about a $100 transceiver?
A more reasonable approach seems to be using an outboard power amplifier to get to whatever power level is wanted. I found going from 2 watts to 80 watts worked wonders :) That was not a mod to my QRP rig.
73,
Bill KU8H
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 05/27/2018 11:44 AM, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io wrote: I suggest waiting for Allison to report back on what she recommends
before doing any serious surgery.
In the meantime, perhaps try Farhan's v4 changes to bring up the power
on the high bands somewhat:
1) Remove C261, C262 (drain to gate feedback on IRF510's)
2) Change C81 to 470pf (at Q90 emitter)
3) Change R83 to 2.2 ohms (at Q90 emitter)
Then adjust RV1 appropriately for sufficient power, not so much power
that there is distortion on any band.
There are some in the forum who stand firmly on principle,
they don't want no $0.50 automobile turn signal blinker FET in their
gosh darn ham rig final.
If that's you, by all means swap out the IRF510's with RD15/RD16's.
Others (such as I) have other principles.
Cheap is good. ;-)
Jerry
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 08:08 am, ohwenzelph wrote:
¡°RD15/RD16's can be stuffed as an alternative to the IRF510's¡±
other than the extra cost, what difference should one expect with
RD15HVF1¡¯s vs RD16HHF1¡¯s?,
& vs the IRF510¡¯s?
re: needed power supply-battery life/power out/power out vs
frequency/heatsink requirement/readability at the other end/and
other adaptations that might be required
--
bark less - wag more
|
Re: KD8CEC uBITX firmware 1.071
#ubitx
Thats the one I was looking for!
THANKS!!!!!!
Smules across the wires,
Rogier
|
How to tune / align...bitx
I got one bitx qrp rig unfortunately its audio was too low and by mistske it is totally mis aligned. How can I re align to usb mode all bands ?
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
Ill fix it in an hour. Watching the cricket league finals now. - f
On Sun, 27 May 2018, 22:00 Skip Davis via Groups.Io, <skipnc9o= [email protected]> wrote: Farhan if you go down the page to the new board schematic in the circuit description and click on it that link brings up the Raduino schematic too. That needs to be corrected also, otherwise everything looks great. i have fixed it. i had to edit the html. my career as an html coderr is pitiful. - f
|
Thanks Tom,
I made progress by loading the original software and then tune into a station on using the correct sideband. Then go iinto the setup mode and adjust the BFO untill the audio was audible.
Smiles across the wires,
Rogier
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
Farhan if you go down the page to the new board schematic in the circuit description and click on it that link brings up the Raduino schematic too. That needs to be corrected also, otherwise everything looks great.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 27, 2018, at 02:11, Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote: i have fixed it. i had to edit the html. my career as an html coderr is pitiful. - f
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
.. Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I habe another set of principles too! - Groucho Marx
On Sun, 27 May 2018, 21:14 Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io, <jgaffke= [email protected]> wrote: I suggest waiting for Allison to report back on what she recommends before doing any?serious surgery.?
In the meantime, perhaps try Farhan's v4 changes to bring up the power on the high bands somewhat:
? 1)? Remove C261, C262? (drain to gate feedback on IRF510's)?
? 2)? Change C81 to 470pf? (at Q90 emitter)
? 3)? Change R83 to 2.2 ohms? (at Q90 emitter)
Then adjust RV1 appropriately for sufficient power, not so much power that there is distortion on any band.
There are some in the forum who stand firmly on principle,
they don't want no $0.50 automobile turn signal blinker FET in their gosh darn ham rig final.
If that's you, by all means swap out the IRF510's with RD15/RD16's.?
Others (such as I) have other principles.
Cheap is good.? ;-)
Jerry
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 08:08 am, ohwenzelph wrote:
¡°RD15/RD16's can be stuffed as an alternative to the IRF510's¡±
other than the extra cost, what difference should one expect with
RD15HVF1¡¯s?vs RD16HHF1¡¯s?,
& vs the IRF510¡¯s?
re: ?needed power supply-battery life/power out/power out vs frequency/heatsink requirement/readability at the other end/and other adaptations that might be required
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
I suggest waiting for Allison to report back on what she recommends before doing any?serious surgery.?
In the meantime, perhaps try Farhan's v4 changes to bring up the power on the high bands somewhat:
? 1)? Remove C261, C262? (drain to gate feedback on IRF510's)?
? 2)? Change C81 to 470pf? (at Q90 emitter)
? 3)? Change R83 to 2.2 ohms? (at Q90 emitter)
Then adjust RV1 appropriately for sufficient power, not so much power that there is distortion on any band.
There are some in the forum who stand firmly on principle,
they don't want no $0.50 automobile turn signal blinker FET in their gosh darn ham rig final.
If that's you, by all means swap out the IRF510's with RD15/RD16's.?
Others (such as I) have other principles.
Cheap is good.? ;-)
Jerry
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 08:08 am, ohwenzelph wrote:
¡°RD15/RD16's can be stuffed as an alternative to the IRF510's¡±
other than the extra cost, what difference should one expect with
RD15HVF1¡¯s?vs RD16HHF1¡¯s?,
& vs the IRF510¡¯s?
re: ?needed power supply-battery life/power out/power out vs frequency/heatsink requirement/readability at the other end/and other adaptations that might be required
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
You can expect upto 20 watts output from. Rd15HVF1. I have tried those.You will be nominally louder, not more. I'd rather push the PA to 25 or 30 volts instead of RD devices. You will be 30 watts or so.? - f
On Sun, 27 May 2018, 20:38 ohwenzelph via Groups.Io, <Ohwenzelph= [email protected]> wrote: ¡°RD15/RD16's can be stuffed as an alternative to the IRF510's¡±
other than the extra cost, what difference should one expect with
RD15HVF1¡¯s?vs RD16HHF1¡¯s?,
& vs the IRF510¡¯s?
re: ?needed power supply-battery life/power out/power out vs frequency/heatsink requirement/readability at the other end/and other adaptations that might be required
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
¡°RD15/RD16's can be stuffed as an alternative to the IRF510's¡±
other than the extra cost, what difference should one expect with
RD15HVF1¡¯s?vs RD16HHF1¡¯s?,
& vs the IRF510¡¯s?
re: ?needed power supply-battery life/power out/power out vs frequency/heatsink requirement/readability at the other end/and other adaptations that might be required
|
Re: Socketing a Nano to the other side of the Raduino
Good.
Having the Nano socketed will mostly solve a lot of problems.
With the audio connector integrated, the Raduino could incorporate all front panel controls,
with mounting holes for the panels and switches.
Perhaps two boards, the second board *is* the front panel, sized to fit a particular enclosure
such as the Hammond 1455T1601BK?extruded aluminum box.
Did the Raduino board layout get changed to move the Nano to the other side?
Or did you move the header pins to the other side of the Nano?
If it's the latter, then people buying spare Nano's should get the ones that don't yet have
the header pins soldered in place.??
>? post 50466:? "I have brought the audio connector in-line with the raduino connector."
I measure roughly 1.64 inches (41.7mm) between pin 16 of the Raduino connector (the last pin)
to pin 1 of the audio connector on the v3 uBitx board.
Has that dimension changed on v4?
Can you give an exact number for that dimension?
Better yet, make the NC drill file for the uBitx available.
Then we would have placement of all mounting holes and connector holes.
Board edges could be inferred from the mounting holes,
though ideally you would give exact distances from those holes to the board edges.
Adding a diode on the 12v line going in and 1k resistors on Nano IO lines leaving the board?
on any re-do of the Raduino would make it far less prone to damage.
?
Given all the changes expected in the power amp, selling the uBitx as an untested
board with only the autostuffed surface mount parts could be fairly popular.
Jerry, KE7ER
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 05:30 am, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
The new boards have the arduino socketed on the other sidd.
- f
|
Dave
You are in the right place.? The u is actually a ? as in micro for micro controller.? Which is Ashhar's most current and first multi band radio.? The original BITX was a single bander so the number after BITX designates the band that radio is built for.? This site is for all variations of the BITX family.? The boards are different so it helps to know what you are working on.
On a totally separate note that is a great call sign.? I've been crunching for 15+ years.
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
I would urge you to build it without a pcb. I think a video will help. I will try getting one out soon. - f
On Sun, 27 May 2018, 20:27 allen west, < kb4ra67@...> wrote: Ashar, have you or any other members of this group designed a pc board or kit for the new audio amplifier circuit?? I would like to build it but have no design skills.
Thanks, Al KB4RA On May 26, 2018, at 3:19 PM, Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote: Peeps,?
HF Signals has rolled out the new (r4) version of the PCBs. Here are the changes:
1. A new, low distortion audio amplifier made from discrete transistors. This is one is optimized for head-phones and connecting to PCs for digital modes. It does work with the small speakers as well. Builders with the earlier versions can try this audio amplifier as an outboard amplifier. 2. The audio thump issue during T/R switching has been fixed. 3. At 28 Mhz, the output is about 4 watts. (this involves a single capacitor change from the earlier PCB). 4. I have included some 'jump' points to add interesting stuff like CW filters to the board. There are a large number of test points to help you debug and understand the board.?
All in all, the changes are 'backward compatible' . That is, you can hack these changes to the previous boards to get in the new functionality. I have updated the circuit diargrams on . The earlier board's circuit diagram has moved to?
The bad news is that we had to bump up the price of the board by 20 dollars. We fought long and hard to keep the price down. My personal ambition was to keep the price inside (or at) $100. This is price rise has to do with three things : The recent changes in the Indian import duty and sales tax; Our own increasing costs to preorder the parts. Lastly, we also increased our payout to those who wind the coils, assemble and test the boards. They were working at the same rate for the last two years. It was about time.?
The new boards cost $129 USD with shipping. $139 USB with DHL option.?
The good news is that from now on, these boards will be available on order. The waiting queue is gone.
On a personal note, I am happy with the new audio. It is so much sweeter and cleaner on the headphones.? Far less fatigue after hours of CW work. I am also using the FT8 extensively, I have bagged almost twenty countries, testing the new firmware.
- f
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
Ashar, have you or any other members of this group designed a pc board or kit for the new audio amplifier circuit? ?I would like to build it but have no design skills.
Thanks, Al
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 26, 2018, at 3:19 PM, Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote: Peeps,?
HF Signals has rolled out the new (r4) version of the PCBs. Here are the changes:
1. A new, low distortion audio amplifier made from discrete transistors. This is one is optimized for head-phones and connecting to PCs for digital modes. It does work with the small speakers as well. Builders with the earlier versions can try this audio amplifier as an outboard amplifier. 2. The audio thump issue during T/R switching has been fixed. 3. At 28 Mhz, the output is about 4 watts. (this involves a single capacitor change from the earlier PCB). 4. I have included some 'jump' points to add interesting stuff like CW filters to the board. There are a large number of test points to help you debug and understand the board.?
All in all, the changes are 'backward compatible' . That is, you can hack these changes to the previous boards to get in the new functionality. I have updated the circuit diargrams on . The earlier board's circuit diagram has moved to?
The bad news is that we had to bump up the price of the board by 20 dollars. We fought long and hard to keep the price down. My personal ambition was to keep the price inside (or at) $100. This is price rise has to do with three things : The recent changes in the Indian import duty and sales tax; Our own increasing costs to preorder the parts. Lastly, we also increased our payout to those who wind the coils, assemble and test the boards. They were working at the same rate for the last two years. It was about time.?
The new boards cost $129 USD with shipping. $139 USB with DHL option.?
The good news is that from now on, these boards will be available on order. The waiting queue is gone.
On a personal note, I am happy with the new audio. It is so much sweeter and cleaner on the headphones.? Far less fatigue after hours of CW work. I am also using the FT8 extensively, I have bagged almost twenty countries, testing the new firmware.
- f
|
This Forum is a general place to seek help on the Bitx40, Bitx20, and the uBITX, hence the "Bitx20/40/u". Like they say, the art of a good answer is a clearly-stated question. Many of the regulars here are very bright people and been a huge help to thousands of owners. Another relatively new, but very helpful, resource can be found at ubitx.net.
Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, May 27, 2018, 10:46:48 AM EDT, Dave de WS1ETI <docame12@...> wrote:
Raj,
I've seen many many references to the uBITX here. Allison is working on a mod to flatten the power curve across bands. So, I am confused what does the "u" stand for in "Bitx20/40/u"?. This is where Ashar sent me to ask questions? Was I mistaken???
?
Thanks,
Dave WS1ETI
|
Raj,
I've seen many many references to the uBITX here. Allison is working on a mod to flatten the power curve across bands. So, I am confused what does the "u" stand for in "Bitx20/40/u"?. This is where Ashar sent me to ask questions? Was I mistaken???
?
Thanks,
Dave WS1ETI
|
Re: RF power chain mods and improvements..
HI Greg Its BFR106 I might have duped the R.
ITs a 5ghz low noise critter.
I'll put the datasheet in the files are under my call.
Allison
|
Re: The new uBITX boards are here
Incremental improvement is a very good thing.? Very good Farhan.
I'm a fan of that audio circuit, Been using it and variations of it for at least 35 years and it never fails.
Saves a lot of pain over hard to find IC.
Allison
|
Re: Raduino 4 Line Single Sided PCB boards
One thing you may wish to do is put terminals/ a connector to bring out the I2C pins SDA and SCL since many people are using such devices in the uBITx.? There is a nice blank spot on the board next to the 2K2 resistors for that.
?
?
Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ
?
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rahul Srivastava via Groups.Io
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2018 10:31 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BITX20] Raduino 4 Line Single Sided PCB boards
?
Hi! Friends,
I have designed a homebrew friendly Single sided PCB for Raduino in a form factor of 20X4 line LCD. This board? supports 2 line display as well. I have added some minor edits to orignal Raduino schematics that is self explanatory namely few more electrolytics, separate Analog Digital ground plain, Nano module on component side to make it plugable. Largely thru hole components but SMD pads also included for coupling and decoupling caps.
All fabrication files are being made Open Source for personal and club use only. Please verify the Gerbers before making the board. Your feedback is highly appreciated for any further improvements.
Enjoy & 73
Rahul VU3WJM
?
|
kj6etl
Skip Davis
K9HZ
