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Date

Re: Banggood front panel template

 

Looks good! Great idea for a home build.


On Tue, May 29, 2018, 12:41 brad martin <emclinux@...> wrote:
Figured I would share my design of the front panel of the Banggood () that I have seen a lot of people using.? Im not a graphic designer or a designer of any sort so please edit this as you like or see fit and contribute your edits as you want.? Currently the basic design of this is that the uBITX mainboard, raduino, and LCD all just drop in.



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Re: Transmitter Mods

 

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Sajid:
Yes you are correct on the rework. I can send you the parts in Canada, just email me your QTH.

Howard

On 5/29/2018 5:48 PM, Sajid Rahum via Groups.Io wrote:

Thank you very much Howard & Rowland for speedy reply.??

For R86, do i solder off one end (example below, #2) , lift it up gently?? Solder one side to 33uH/27uH inductor to the R86 removed corner and inductor back to point #2?

? ?R86
?_____
?|? ? ? ? ?|
1? ? ? ? 2

I will try to source the part locally here, I am out in Canada, va3qy.

Sajid



Re: UBitx

Jack Purdum
 

Allen:

In his original code (ubitx_20.ino), Farhan has a number of symbolic constants defined:

#define MASTER_CAL 0
#define LSB_CAL 4
#define USB_CAL 8
#define SIDE_TONE 12
//these are ids of the vfos as well as their offset into the eeprom storage, don't change these 'magic' values
#define VFO_A 16
#define VFO_B 20
#define CW_SIDETONE 24
#define CW_SPEED 28

These are offset addresses in the EEPROM memory map. Because the last offset is for the keyer speed, it is a two-byte int that ends up being assigned into cwSpeed. Therefore, the next "empty" offset address is 30. Because frequencies are unsigned long data types, You could add this to the list of constants:

#define LAST_FREQUENCY_USED?? 30

Then, in the function initSettings(), you would add to the end of the EEPROM.get() block:

EEPROM.get(LAST_FREQUENCY_USED, vfoA);

The real problem is how to update the EEPROM address just before you shut the rig down. That is, you need a statement:

EEPROM.put(LAST_FREQUENCY_USED, frequency);

The way I've done it in the past if maintain a timer that is reset each time you change frequencies. If the time interval between the last frequency change and the current frequency is greater than, say, 10 seconds, I assume that your are using (or are interested) in the current frequency, so I make an EEPROM.put() call using the statement above. I'm sure there are other ways, but this one is pretty simple.


Jack, W8TEE




On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 8:10:44 AM EDT, allen west <kb4ra67@...> wrote:


Is there a way to set up uBitx so that it remembers the last frequency you had set at power off?? Mine always comes on with 10 MHz set.

Al



Re: Need help understanding a line of code in ubitx_si5351.cpp (msxp2 = ...) #radiuno

 

I appreciate the continued discussion on these topics!

The document below from TI may (or may not) fully apply to the si5351 family, but I found it helpful in understanding fractional-N synthesis concepts (mainly, some of the refinements that help deal with the basic idea of jumping between two adjacent divider ratios.)


Re: CW Transmit Frequency VS Sidetone setting #radiuno #ubitx #ubitxcw #firmware

Daniel Conklin
 

Tom,? I checked the box and left the setting at 0.? Now, when I switch to CWL the readout shows the correct transmit frequency.
Dan, W2DLC


UBitx

 

Is there a way to set up uBitx so that it remembers the last frequency you had set at power off? Mine always comes on with 10 MHz set.

Al


Re: bitx40

 

I believe that the same Raduino is being shipped for both the BitX40 and the uBitX now, but with different software loaded. Alas, the instructions show the older Raduino where different connectors were used from the full set of pins at a 90 degree angle that was designed with the uBitX. You can still connect with the 5 socket connector, just use the first five pin locations as shown on the pictures and ignore the other pins. They probably should correct the instructions as I suspect this is pretty confusing to new BitX4o purchasers.

=Vic=
WA4THR


Re: Farhan's new PA for ubitx

 

You have a complete kit for the v3 uBitx radio, may as well just build it.
When v4 comes out, it will also be a complete kit, not just a pc board.
Looks like v4 will have virtually no circuit changes except around the audio amp, not a big deal.?

That 02/18 date is likely when the board was fabricated, something added by the board fab house.
The 2017 date in copper is when it was designed.

Jerry


On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 10:36 pm, Terry Morris wrote:
I have the v3 PCB dated 02/18 silk screen but under the mask the date is 2017. I don't have plans for assembly until end of August. Too many other projects. Ashhar says version 4 PCB is available. Would it be advisable that if there are more board revisions that I purchase the board before beginning the remainder of assembly?
?


Re: The new uBITX boards are here

 

I've got a slide rule and CRC book of math tables as well, buried in a box deep in the basement.
Also an HP35, nearly worn out from a decade of use but still works, batteries long since dissintigrated.

Most smartphone and laptop calculators try to emulate the look and feel of a desktop calculator,
which I find exceeding silly.? No history.? No scripting.? Very limited.
I kick off python whenever I need to do a bit of math, be it add a bunch of numbers
or?prototype some nasty fixed point calculations.? It's as easy to use as any calculator
for the basic stuff, but can do much much more.


On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 10:03 pm, Terry Morris wrote:
I still have my slide rule and books with the logrithms Allison.
?
Terry KB8AMZ?


Re: Farhan's new PA for ubitx

 

I have the v3 PCB dated 02/18 silk screen but under the mask the date is 2017. I don't have plans for assembly until end of August. Too many other projects. Ashhar says version 4 PCB is available. Would it be advisable that if there are more board revisions that I purchase the board before beginning the remainder of assembly?

Thanks,
Terry KB8AMZ


Re: The new uBITX boards are here

 

I still have my slide rule and books with the logrithms Allison.

Terry KB8AMZ


The magic is that I can remember the logs of 10 for integers at age 65 but, not what day it is. ;-)
Hint I grew up with and still have a slide rule.? The calc in the iphone is decent in scientific mode
(turn it landscape).

Allison


Re: How to reduce uBITX output power?

 

Adjusting RV1 is the best way to reduce power.
You might also go to a bigger heatsink someday, but note that the IRF510 tabs are at 12 volts
so be careful you don't ground them.? Tom's fan is also a good idea.
You do not want the IRF510's getting so hot you can't hold your finger on them.


On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 08:51 pm, <vick.perry@...> wrote:
Is adjusting RV1 the best way to reduce output power with a stock uBITX build?


Re: Instruction Manual needs revision #ubitx

W7PEA
 

Yeah K5KDT, I hear you, the wiki on Groups.io is pretty lame and managing the files, pictures, linking them etc is really time consuming.?

If people we're interested, we could move that stuff to github and use a github.io free hosting for the docs. Or some other approach. But unless there are several people willing to contribute content this site is fine too. I'm personally open to any approach that is open to the group to own and manage and not linked to one person or owner.

What do you all think?
W7PEA


Re: Instruction Manual needs revision #ubitx

 

I am interested Jon.?

Terry KB8AMZ


Re: Need help understanding a line of code in ubitx_si5351.cpp (msxp2 = ...) #radiuno

 

Jerry,

I can't say that I completely understand everything that you just described but I do have a better understanding. It is Elmer's like you that make this hobby so inaugurating. I thank you for taking the time to explain this to me. I still have a lot to learn. Your explanation was not more than I want to hear. It was perfect.


Terry - KB8AMZ


On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 5:35 PM, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
OK, a few more words about what's going on inside the si5351.
Perhaps more than you really want to hear.

Assume you are tuned into a CW station at 7.1mhz.
We have a? single conversion superhet such as the Bitx40, the VFO is 7.1 mhz above
our 12mhz intermediate frequency, so 19.1mhz.? The Si5351 is providing that VFO.

But the Si5351 only has an 875mhz reference oscillator, it has to do some sophisticated math inside
to create that 19.1mhz VFO.? And that math sometimes has rounding errors.
Most of the time the VFO is right at 19.1mhz, but it does occasionally jump around a little bit,?
in extreme cases by a kilohertz or more.? So in addition to letting you hear that 7.1 mhz station,
your radio might also be letting through bits and pieces of other stations at 7.099 or 7.101 mhz, if only?
for a millionth of a second or so.? Those bits and pieces add up, they sound like noise.?
Specifically, phase noise.

To reduce that phase noise requires better computations inside the si5351, and that requires more power.
?


Here's a brief example of the sort of math that goes on inside the Si5351:
Assume we have a 875mhz reference, and want to generate a 19.1mhz signal.
We an get close by dividing by 46, giving 19.0217 mhz out.
We can divide by 45, to get 19.4444 mhz.
If we mostly divide by 46, and sometimes divide by 45, it can average out to exactly 19.1 mhz,
but if you look close you can still tell that it is just jumping between 19.0217 and 19.4444 mhz out.
Some serious phase noise.
This is called a fractional divider, because it is dividing by something between the integers 45 and 46.

That's what SiLabs does, except they also add a programmable delay line to the output pin.
They delay the rising and falling clock edges a few picoseconds, differently for each clock edge,
doing calculations with each clock edge to determine how much delay is needed to make the output
look like a 19.1mhz square wave.? Those calculations aren't perfect, nor is the delay line.?
So we still get some residual phase noise.

The Si5351 operates in two stages, first stage brings the 25mhz crystal oscillator up to around 875mhz.
This involves a second fractional divider much like the one described above.
In this case, 875/25 = 35.0 exactly, but that figure of 875 could have been anything between 600 and 900 mhz.

Jerry._,_._,_



Re: How to reduce uBITX output power?

 

I have a small mains powered fan. Placing that near the heatsinks keeps them cool. Right now I just turn it on when needed. I'l use a 12v fan when I finally put the uBITX in a case. Rather than add the extra complexity of temperature control, I'll just hook the fan to the 12v from the uBITX transmit relay contact.

Tom, wb6b


How to reduce uBITX output power?

 

Hi,?

I have had success with the WSPR beacon mode using Dr. Lee's uBITX firmware. On each WSPR band, I matched my antenna for low SWR as best as I could. On some bands, the finals get VERY HOT so I would kill power to the uBITX hopefully before I destroyed the finals. I do realize that digital transmission modes are high duty cycle loads.?

In an attempt to reduce output the uBITX RF power, I turned RV1 clockwise 1/8 turn to reduce output power on the finals - that helped prevent overheating.?

Is adjusting RV1 the best way to reduce output power with a stock uBITX build?

Regards,

Vick KG7UNJ


Re: Farhan's new PA for ubitx

 

Being a symbol of a capacitor, it would mean ZERO pF or open circuit.

If you put 0 ohms then you surely will blow the finals or fuse!

Raj

At 30/05/2018, you wrote:

Is that 0 capacitor for C261 and C262 *not* a 0ohm jumper? From drain to
ground I get about 220ohms which is what I would expect from the two
220ohm resistors R98 and R261 in series paralleled with R97 and R262 in
series.

Any comments, suggestions, ideas?


Re: Farhan's new PA for ubitx

 

Actually the IRF510s have higher gain that the RD16s.? At least at lower frequencies.
though the difference is generally within 3db. Read the spec sheet and not run with?
myth and lore.? The RD16HHF is a fine device but limited to 12V systems and?
has a slightly better IMD, it is not a panacea.? Most of the issues with IRF510s
is people trying to get a lot of power but putting little in or from unstable sources
then wondering why its flakey and oscillates.? ??

Keeping the feedback lowers the gain and keeps them stable at lower
frequencies with reactive loads.? I'd rather see the driver make a bit more power.?
As the low power out has not been an IRF510 issue its a drive to them that is
being worked. Example I was getting 1.6W but the drive was barely 70 milliwatts.
The IRF510 was doing very well at 10M knowing that.? the problem was why
only 70mW of drive and worse from 4 devices pulling 100ma idleing?

Generally to make a stable amplifier chain you don't run devices wide open
if possible. Lower gain and more devices to make it generally is safer as
your not forcing power by forcing gain especially in high power stages.

Right now speculating on intermediate work I've done is not in ones best
interests as you might have to take it all out.? The mods around q90 help some
and its the only for certain mod I've done is to put a BFR106 there for more
even gain plus the peaking mods suggested by Farhan.? It also insure that
at 28 mhz it can produce the design gain.? The 2n3904 could not do that
though it was doing better than the book and theory claims.


Allison





Re: Farhan's new PA for ubitx

VE7CWS WRSeiler
 

If the process is flawed then surely the outcome will most certainly be flawed!