Re: The BITeensio board is here.
#ubitx
just use your phone's camera. I even saw an app that will decode the resistors' colour codes - f
On Mon, Jun 18, 2018 at 12:30 AM, Gwen Patton <ardrhi@...> wrote: Jack, I ordered one because of the post here. I have a crappy little USB microscope, but it's a bitch to use for electronics. This was affordable, so I ordered it. It should be here in a couple of days, and I'll let you know how it serves.
Gwen NG3P
|
Re: The BITeensio board is here.
#ubitx
Whoops, sorry, Jim. I had already replied to Jack before I saw your post. I'll take further comments to a separate post.
|
Re: The BITeensio board is here.
#ubitx
Jack, I ordered one because of the post here. I have a crappy little USB microscope, but it's a bitch to use for electronics. This was affordable, so I ordered it. It should be here in a couple of days, and I'll let you know how it serves.
Gwen NG3P
|
Dennis, they are in short supply. Somebody might be willing to let one go for you, however I have created a circuit board design that isn¡¯t the same size but could be used. I could send you the Gerber files and then you simply order the boards from China, wait
one week to receive them,?and build one. ??Additionally there are some folks here who have come up with more elaborate designs that would do many many things¡ª those are orderable already made. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Looking for a factory Raduino. Hoping someone has one they aren¡¯t using. If not, can someone tell me how to get one from the factory? ?LCD is not necessary.?
Thanks
72 and God bless.
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
So sorry that your postal system is so destructive, maybe you should contact them instead of this group!
Being a retired Electronic service engineer and college lecturer I suggest that instead of maligning the creators of these radios that do work, you design a radio that will do what these radios do and sell it for $120.? If you can't or won't then please stop whining, it's unbecoming of anyone with an Amateur Radio license, with or without your background!
|
Re: My New CNC engraved front arrived
Where did you get that done? Looks fantastic.
|
Jerry,
This a topic change???
I put the TX aside for a bit to deal with life, garden, and play with the receiver.
Generally the TX power thing is a hard nut to crack with the physical constraints
and high required gains.? I'll get back to it.?
Where we left off...
Oddly dealing with two other uBITX the simple steps are the good enough.
Those being Farhan's C81 mod (470PF), my better transistor in that spot(BFR106),
and swap out the 3904s with 2n2222A(TO18), add the SMT choke at R86.? More
than that is seriously involved.? For 80 though 17 it really helped and improved 10M.
For most that solves most of their wishes.
One hint: mount all the 2n2222A(to18) from the underside with short leads as that
is easier and opens up the top side for better airflow.?
Allison
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
I feel obliged when I see emails like this to chime in.? I apologize in advance if it annoys anyone.
My uBITX is my first HF rig and is the reason I went ahead and completed my Extra.? I saw the price, knew that there was no longer any excuse and ordered it, knowing I had 6-8 weeks to do my part (study and pass my Extra).? My "Junkyard" uBITX has been running flawlessly since it arrived and today I'll top 1000 QSO's with it.? Mostly on FT8, but I'm venturing out and have secretly been practicing my CW CQ in far off areas of 40M (nothing like on-air to raise the stakes) to get my confidence up and managed my first PSK31 earlier.
I've managed to mod my uBITX with Howards awesome and simple power mod, modded to 12.0v logic (TDA8222W) and just this morning added my temperature controlled fan mod (the box fan looming over my uBITX was unseemly).? My parts bins have exploded in size with SMT components, SMT practice boards (thanks for the tip, Jack) leaded things of all sizes and a new solder station.?
I'll add that the entire uBITX experience has been amazing and I'm thankful to Ashhar for creating the completely functional base and everyone else for the full-on, immersive learning environment. Just reading here and asking questions from time to time has been 10x worth the price of admission and I'm thankful for such a treasure trove of knowledge packed in one place, the SNR is simply amazing.
73 Rob AG5OV - The Junkyard uBITX
|
On Sun, Jun 17, 2018 at 10:16 am, AG?H wrote:
Also, I had read in one of the posts that re-flashing the Arduino with Ver 1.27 does NOT re-set the original values .? Is that right??
No, all settings will be reset to "factory" values after each version upgrade.
If so, how can I clear out the bad settings?
Power on the radio while keeping the Function Button pressed. This will reset all settings to "factory" values. However I doubt that this will fix the problem. The problem as you describe it, is more likely caused by noise, incorrect wiring, poor grounding or a bad power supply. 73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Looking for a factory Raduino. Hoping someone has one they aren¡¯t using. If not, can someone tell me how to get one from the factory? ?LCD is not necessary.?
Thanks
72 and God bless.
|
Re: uBitx has a bit too crispy / semi-distorted audio even on low signal levels
#ubitx
#ubitx-help
Ralph,
91p and 82pf are standard values.? I went with 82 and checked afterward.? The filter in mine
went from about 1750ish? and kind of tight at the 6db points to 2280hz which is to me ideal.
The nice part with SMT caps is if you need more, lay them on like bricks, so 82+6.8 might be
what someone else needs.? They are available down to .1pf.
Rather than sweep it with SA I used a noise source at the antenna and looked at the audio
out with an audio FFT program (windows people use spectran).? You can also use that to
set the BFO. THe Elecraft K2 builders have used that trick for years.
Allison
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Koster has had a bit of bad luck with the mail delivery; I¡¯m not sure if he used DHL or not. ? ?I don¡¯t think we are likely to make this gentleman happy despite whatever effort¡¯s¡ª-after reviewing a few posts of his in the past, he
suffers from the same pair that I have at times, being a bit over critical. ?? Perhaps he¡¯s just having a bad day and he had also a few like it in the past.? Best to simply move on, and let him go his way in peace.?
On Jun 17, 2018, at 14:22, ajparent1/KB1GMX < kb1gmx@...> wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Its what I call moders delight as there are many possible changes to suit a builders
wishes.? The fact that it is SMT is not a hindrance as in this day and age leaded
parts are?much more costly and in some cases unobtainium. The fact that its not
laid out as close as SMT parts would permit is another good thing.
Is it perfect, no, and no pretense either!? It is exactly what I knew it would be because
I participated, read the descriptions, and schematics.??
As to compliance.? For most countries it is the sole responsibility of the licensee.
Rules may differ where you are but here (USA) Amateur Radio is the place where
the operator can build anything that meets basic performance standards.? That
is not permitted in any other radio service hence the responsibility for correct
operation is up to the operator and it applies even if you are running a 7800!
As to the propensity of mods...? Actually there are a few and more opinions on
how to achieve a specific result.? When you have a large group of people
experimenting? you will get many posted ways and means.? Its both nature and
a very collaborative thing.? I happen to enjoy it even if I don't always agree as
it may highlight something I missed or deemed unimportant to me, yet to
others very important.
For its price its a significant piece of hardware.? So what if it has a few warts,
I could easily run any commercial radio down to the latent flaws in those too.
I choose to enjoy it for what it is and have fun or fix them for my personal
enjoyment.
I happen to agree with Jack, quit grumping and do something constructive.
As an expert myself I choose to experiment and mod to my hearts content.
Larry,
I use geezer glasses too.? Getting old is hard on the body but sometimes makes
us smarter and wiser.? Have fun, and don't burn you're nose.?
Allison
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
Larry,
For those that don't want to spend $$ for a nice stereoscopic microscope (which I still suggest is worth it) try the . For several years I have enjoyed the student grade surgical loupes but the addition of the extra lenses make it a pleasure. I use everything available, "geezer goggles", surgical loupes, SolderScope, and even plain magnifiers. Do whatever it takes. Still a bunch easier than wrestling those wire leads and solder lugs that I used in the 1950's! Additionally, if you don't supply your friends with magnifiers, they can only say "WOW!" when you show off your work. Kinda like building a ship in a bottle. Howdydodat! -Don
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
Its what I call moders delight as there are many possible changes to suit a builders
wishes.? The fact that it is SMT is not a hindrance as in this day and age leaded
parts are?much more costly and in some cases unobtainium. The fact that its not
laid out as close as SMT parts would permit is another good thing.
Is it perfect, no, and no pretense either!? It is exactly what I knew it would be because
I participated, read the descriptions, and schematics.??
As to compliance.? For most countries it is the sole responsibility of the licensee.
Rules may differ where you are but here (USA) Amateur Radio is the place where
the operator can build anything that meets basic performance standards.? That
is not permitted in any other radio service hence the responsibility for correct
operation is up to the operator and it applies even if you are running a 7800!
As to the propensity of mods...? Actually there are a few and more opinions on
how to achieve a specific result.? When you have a large group of people
experimenting? you will get many posted ways and means.? Its both nature and
a very collaborative thing.? I happen to enjoy it even if I don't always agree as
it may highlight something I missed or deemed unimportant to me, yet to
others very important.
For its price its a significant piece of hardware.? So what if it has a few warts,
I could easily run any commercial radio down to the latent flaws in those too.
I choose to enjoy it for what it is and have fun or fix them for my personal
enjoyment.
I happen to agree with Jack, quit grumping and do something constructive.
As an expert myself I choose to experiment and mod to my hearts content.
Larry,
I use geezer glasses too.? Getting old is hard on the body but sometimes makes
us smarter and wiser.? Have fun, and don't burn you're nose.?
Allison
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
Ray, You are not obliged to buy the BITX40 nor UBITX. According
to the huge amout of emails You could and should have known about
the deficiencies of both transceivers. So knowing its limitations,
why did You buy the units?
Up to now no one mentioned about a cracked unit when it arrived.
And take into account that thousands of units are sold and in use
wrodlwide! to me it is unbelievable about this success.
You told that You are a professional (like me). Die You ever do a
complete design of a complete transceiver and produced it in large
quanteties?
73
Henning Weddig
DK5LV
Ham since 1969 (ex DC9LJ), retired RF engineer with a large?
experience in RF design and homebrewer since 1966....
Am 17.06.2018 um 19:38 schrieb Ray
Koster via Groups.Io:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I am afraid that
your first post is correct and you do need the skills of superman
to do any mods to this piece of junk!!. If this is a modders
delight rig then why was it built using SMT components? Why does
it need to be modded and at the rate these mods keep coming in,
there will be very little of the original rig left!!!. If this rig
is that bad, then why was it released on to the market with so
many faults on it? Has anyone bothered to see if this rig, after
all the mod's have been done, still complies with their countries
radio spec's? has anybody tried to take legal action against Hf
signals for selling such a poorly designed rig that requires so
many modifications to make it work?
You may well be asking if this guy has infact any of these kits!!!
well I have two Bitx 40's both arrived smashed in the post and
beyond repair and a Ubitx that also arrived smashed and is also in
a doubtful state of repair. I would not dream of putting this Junk
on the air and would doubt that any of these kits would ever
work...i am not going to spend weeks looking for cracked
components when I can build a lot better things with my time..I am
an ex Electronic service engineer and also an ex college lecturer
in the field of Electronics, Ex meaning I am now retired
Ray Koster G7BHQ
|
Re: Firmware CEC 1.08 from KD8CEC
It's probably an unsigned Int with a maximum value of 65535.
73 Rob AG5OV - The Junkyard uBITX
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
Ray:
I think you're wrong on several levels. First, the rig does work "right out of the box" without mods. Second, virtually all of the mods resulted from the desired to do "something better" than it currently did it. If you really expected to get a IC-7610 for $140, I've got a bridge for sale. Third, hundreds of us (thousands?) have played with both the hardware and software and not one has ever mentioned a problem with being near Kryptonite. Most of us simply enjoy tinkering with the radio. Fourth, I've purchased 5 BITX's and every one of them arrived in good order with no damage. (Perhaps there is something to this karma stuff after all.) Fifth, since your an expert in this area, perhaps it would be a more constructive use of your time to lend your expertise to improving the radio rather than taking the easy route of sitting in your arm chair and bitching about it.
Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, June 17, 2018, 1:38:56 PM EDT, Ray Koster via Groups.Io <raykoster@...> wrote:
I am afraid that your first post is correct and you do need the skills of superman to do any mods to this piece of junk!!. If this is a modders delight rig then why was it built using SMT components? Why does it need to be modded and at the rate these mods keep coming in, there will be very little of the original rig left!!!. If this rig is that bad, then why was it released on to the market with so many faults on it? Has anyone bothered to see if this rig, after all the mod's have been done, still complies with their countries radio spec's? has anybody tried to take legal action against Hf signals for selling such a poorly designed rig that requires so many modifications to make it work?
You may well be asking if this guy has infact any of these kits!!! well I have two Bitx 40's both arrived smashed in the post and beyond repair and a Ubitx that also arrived smashed and is also in a doubtful state of repair. I would not dream of putting this Junk on the air and would doubt that any of these kits would ever work...i am not going to spend weeks looking for cracked components when I can build a lot better things with my time..I am an ex Electronic service engineer and also an ex college lecturer in the field of Electronics, Ex meaning I am now retired
Ray Koster G7BHQ
|
Re: An Apology and clarification
#ubitx
I am afraid that your first post is correct and you do need the skills of superman to do any mods to this piece of junk!!. If this is a modders delight rig then why was it built using SMT components? Why does it need to be modded and at the rate these mods keep coming in, there will be very little of the original rig left!!!. If this rig is that bad, then why was it released on to the market with so many faults on it? Has anyone bothered to see if this rig, after all the mod's have been done, still complies with their countries radio spec's? has anybody tried to take legal action against Hf signals for selling such a poorly designed rig that requires so many modifications to make it work?
You may well be asking if this guy has infact any of these kits!!! well I have two Bitx 40's both arrived smashed in the post and beyond repair and a Ubitx that also arrived smashed and is also in a doubtful state of repair. I would not dream of putting this Junk on the air and would doubt that any of these kits would ever work...i am not going to spend weeks looking for cracked components when I can build a lot better things with my time..I am an ex Electronic service engineer and also an ex college lecturer in the field of Electronics, Ex meaning I am now retired
Ray Koster G7BHQ
|
Re: uBitx has a bit too crispy / semi-distorted audio even on low signal levels
#ubitx
#ubitx-help
hi mike - might seem simplistic, but i thought of impedance mismatch.? i had exact same trouble with my second ubitx......took audio transformer and placed that at the output and cleared up the distortion.? ?however, the audio output was low to begin with, so barely enough to drive my headfones now.? but problem solved for me.
|
Well, I like to go both ways - vintage AND modern (heh).
Vintage - you can't go wrong with a Simpson 260. Older models sell for pretty cheap - shopgoodwill.com, (fl)ebay, sometimes an antique stores. They were built to last, and really the main thing that goes wrong is the case gets cracked or broken. I believe Micronta also had a swell model. Heathkit had a good VOM - but now you're competing with the Heathkit collectors, so...
?
Also: VTVMs (Vacuum Tube VoltMeters) are excellent for this type of work, particularly peak alignment - you watch the needle, not a series of flopping digits. Problem with VTVMs is - well, unless you find one from someone you KNOW who's restored it - they're usually out of spec, battery leakage internally (there's a battery for testing OHMs,? but - you can 'fix' that in going thru and repairing them - I usually add a 1.55 VDC supply off of the 6.3 VAC filament voltage - with a little bridge and LM317 regulator.
VTVM Brands: Heathkits V-7As, IM-11, IM-13... KnightKit - KG-620.
Modern - you CAN'T go wrong with Fluke - be sure & check for the 'cheap Chinese-made' Flukes - excellent quality, at Chinese prices - there's a 17B that's excellent and I think there's a model 12. A number of older model Flukes are great and reliable - desk model 8050A is one.
However, if you'd like to have a 'second' DVM - try ANENG - these are *definitely* cheap Chinese DVMs - I've found the 8002, 8008 and 8009 to be excellent build quality. Do NOT expect these to take (or be safe) for High Voltage (anything higher than mains, really - and be judicious and careful with mains...)
There's also an ANENG AN101 that's a pocket (cheap leads, but... eh, it's a pocket / keep in your car unit). Check EEVBLOG for some thorough reviews of these (and others).
|
Gwen Patton
Allard PE1NWL
Don, ND6T