Re: ubitx, TX flapping relay...
Adam, The microphone is polarized. The switch you had received is connected between PTT line and GND and not in series with the microphone. The microphone is connected between GND and Mic input. On the microphone capsule you can see that one of the pads is connected to the aluminum shell. That pad goes to GND, the other pad to Mic input.? When you press the switch you should hear the relays engage and see an increase in current consumption. When you speak the current consumption should increase. Don't forget to have a dummy load or an antenna attached to the Ant connector. 73, Ion
VA3NOI
|
Re: BITX QSO Afternoon/Evening, Sunday, August 26, 3PM & 7PM Local Time, 7277 kHz in North America, 7177 kHz elsewhere.
I gave several calls.? I'll come back in about an hour and try again.??
Dan, W2DLC
|
Re: BITX QSO Afternoon/Evening, Sunday, August 26, 3PM & 7PM Local Time, 7277 kHz in North America, 7177 kHz elsewhere.
I'm calling CQ right now on 7.277MHZ.? I don't hear anyone else.
Dan, W2DLC
|
Re: Harmonics measured by Warren. How bad?
Okay
Here is another idea. Full disclosure, I'm not an engineer, and many here are much more knowledgeable, experienced and have far better test equipment than me. I do understand the basic math of resistance , reactance, resonance, etc. I also realize this idea is not in keeping with modern, minimal knob technology. Feel free to educate, debunk, etc...I won't take offence.
Would it be possible to construct a simple, tunable bandpass filter, to go in series with the antenna, or between the driver and the final. QRP, so old air variable cap should work. Just throwing the idea out there...
Brent
VE3CUS
|
Hi, do you try with a administrative user, for me arduino ide works only with admin user.
73-remi f1mqj
|
Re: BITX QSO Afternoon/Evening, Sunday, August 26, 3PM & 7PM Local Time, 7277 kHz in North America, 7177 kHz elsewhere.
On Thu, Aug 23, 2018 at 03:34 PM, Mike KK7ER wrote:
Perhaps a future schedule could include a CW/RTTY calling frequency so that Technician Class licensees can participate.
To everyone who keep proposing other modes or other bands or other times, etc.: Please feel free to actually make concrete proposals. I merely took over the task of posting these?notices from someone else (don't even remember who). I only have a?BitX-40 and a 40 meter antenna, so no other bands are available to me. I'm not set up for RTTY (yet) and my CW skills have gone the way of the Dodo bird. So, again, make a concrete proposal and see how much interest there is. ? -- John - WA2FZW
|
Re: 4000 mile phone qso on 20m
With a bitx40 detuned to 2 watts, I rag chewed for about 30 minutes with G0EVY Dave on 40 meter SSB. I do admit, Dave's monster antenna was probably doing all the work.? QRP SSB DX? is very possible, but it probably won't happen every day.?
|
Re: Right-sided relay harmonic attempted fix for v3/4 ubitx
According to this guy an S unit should be 6 DB. However, I would believe your attenuator pads over any absolute S meter readings. Because you are using a series of attenuators, if the receiver input impedance is for some reason not 50 ohms, that should come out in the wash and not be a factor.
There are many people that know a lot more about the practical aspects of making these measurements than me, but it looks like your analysis is correct.?
Call me old fashioned, but I remember fixing spur issues in an older (well, state of the art then) Icom transceivers by soldering additional ground straps to the chassis from critical points on the PC boards. Yes, the days of metal chassis, formed on a metal brake, rather than plastic 3D printed cases. The question I have is, if there are layout problems on the uBITX (and inadequate ground plane through-hole vias has been cited)-- is your uBITX mounted on a metal chassis or just the bare board?
The theory being, if the ground impedance is higher than optimal across the uBITX for solidly passing the current flowing through the PA and ground side of the low pass filters, to a good solid common ground island, could mounting the uBITX to a double sided copper clad PC board or a metal case, with all four corners of the board solidly grounded to the chassis or PC board help reduce the harmonics?
After that I would try replacing the traces around the low pass filters that run too close to the other lines. And experiment with a few ground straps to see if any difference is made. Just a thought, what I'll be trying when I hack together an SA for my own use. But, you are way ahead of me in being able to do measurements, now. If improving the grounds do not show any improvement in the harmonics, then the current grounds are likely adequate.?
Tom, wb6b
|
I use mine on CW only and have had a few QSOs with E Coast US, but not easy to make using QRP into my home 44' wire antenna. Have only knowingly had contact with 1 other uBITx:?EI8FH on 40m.
73 Chris G3SQU
|
Re: UBITX won't key--- solved
Thanks for the links, Joe.? Do you live in 4 land?
Think it's in the levels I'm in.? The receiver has gotten out of whack with the BFO cal as a result of my fiddling.? I'll get that back on the reservation and go from there.? The MFJ antenna analyzer serves as a pretty good signal generator for zero beating.? Easier than a BC station or WWV.
The receiver was really hot before I started with these menus.? I'm wondering if the case kit that we're using didn't connect the dash side of the key jack, which was the case with the headphones?? Seems like a maybe.? Might go have a look there next.
Taking the bottom off is a bit wiggly as it leaves everything floating, but that's the easiest way I can think of to get to the jack.
Fascinated by the spur issue, but for now, not at the top of my concerns.? I don't have the computer software for the radio, but that may be coming.
Eddie
|
Thanks for the info Jack. That is helpful. I put a Serial.print(result) right ahead of the return(result) statement. One click of the encoder spits out 3 numbers on the serial port. Of those 3 numbers the last one generally corresponds to the change in the display.?
When one click causes one digit change I usually see 1,2,1 on the serial stream. When one click causes the tuning to change by 2 I usually see 1,1,2 on the serial port. I need to do some more of this, put in some more Serial.print calls and study the code.?
Maybe a little timing change will clear this up. Otherwise, if someone has an encoder part number that provides consistent results I wouldn't mind ordering one or two of them.
|
Re: 4000 mile phone qso on 20m
Thanks for the report and reminds me to go plug my mic in today!? THIS is why I got my uBITX and your report reminds me of that.? Thanks again.
Rob de AG5OV
|
Re: UBITX won't key--- solved
On Sun, 26 Aug 2018 08:53:06 -0700 "Eddie Esserman" <ee@...> wrote: Hi Eddie, are you using the KD8CEC sketch? The default sketch dosn't have those advanced ADC settings. If you are using the default sketch, and the resistors and voltages are right, then you are stuck. /g/BITX20/topic/ubitx_keyer/7491087?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,7491087 As the main man says, its all in the software. If you are using the CEC sketch: I havn't done this personally myself, as I said I use an external keyer for the paddle. But........ You probably need to play with it a bit to get the hang of how the tuner switch changes mode. You probably need to be very careful recognizing which mode you are in, and which sub setting you have on display. Follow the above link. Sometimes you press the tuning key and in some menus you need to rotate it to the desired selection, then press again to change value. Sorry, thats the best advice I have right now. Good Luck, and be calm and deliberate with your actions with the tuning switch. Read the manual, there are 3 different pushes too. A quick push, a longer push, and a 2 second push. Each one will take you somewhere different. :-) It says the Memory Manager has a setting for the A6 ADC level. It's called the 'dot range'. Joe KN4OND Joe Thanks, Joe,
How do you (or I actually) get to the iambic a and b page?? That's where I think the block may be.
Straight key is working, and so is the dot side of the keyer. No dashes, paddle and resistor are good.
Eddie
WA4JXL
|
I've been doing a mix of CW and SSB since I got the AGC working and the side tone volume down to a usable level.? So far I'm mostly on 40 meters.
Dan, W2DLC
|
ubitx, TX flapping relay...
Hello all,
Recently completed my ubitx and I'm testing it out on 40m. CW seems to work** (I added in the extra resistors to use an iambic paddle). However, I wired the mic up with the electret and switch that I received with the kit and when I key out the relay just continuously clicks on and off forever. Any ideas?
Some more details: ?- I'm using a homebuilt aluminum case, but the mic jack is dangling (I don't think this is the problem since the instructions require connecting the blue GND wire to the audio connector). ?- I tested the (CW) frequency accuracy using the spectrum analyzer function in an analog discovery 2 by coupling RF into a long wire attached to the analyzer, rather than direct input. There is some output in CW but nothing when I key the mic.
?- The mic electret is wired directly in series with the switch. Is the electret polarized? Do I need a current limiting resistor or something?
Thanks and 73, Adam // KM6PHD
"Fear is the mind killer."
|
I do, much more than SSB. Even the BITX40 does a nice job. 73, Don
|
Re: Right-sided relay harmonic attempted fix for v3/4 ubitx
Charged the 7AH gel cell at somewhere around 250mA for about 6 hours and bingo, I can keep 11.8 volts? at a measured (cheap SWR meter measurement!) "5 W" output.??
With a CW signal at 3.510? MHz (LSB) I then worked sequentially through a series of additional attenuator pads to try and calibrate the ICOM 718 S Meter
FIRST -- I check for "bleed through" by searching with no connection at all to the ICOM718 reciever --- while I could hear the signal (not strong, but there) -- there was ZERO indication onthe SWR meter.? ?So I think there is little bleed through in my MEASUREMENT apparatus.
All measurements have approximately 50 dB contributed by the resistive divider I built into the BNC pickoff on theHeathkit Cantenna
PAD ATTENTUATOR? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?S Meter Reading
20 db? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? S9 + 25 dB
20 + 6 dB? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? S9 +? 20 dB
20 + 6 + 20 dB? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? S9? ? ? ? ? ? ?-- so the 20 and 25 db points on the scale above S9 seem reasonably relatively accurate
20 + 6 + 20 + 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?S 8 & 1/2
20 + 6 + 20 + 6 + 6? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?S 8? ? ? ? ? ? -- so the S unit between S8 and S9 is worth about 12 dB
20 + 6 + 20 + 6 + 6 + 6? ? ? ? ? ?S 7 & 1/2? ?-- continues the trend that an S unit is worth about 12 dB on this particular radio at? that frequency
=? 20 + (44 db)
Note that the last line is 20 +? 44 db -- roughly right at the FCC requirement if the fundamental is at S9+25 --- so if the fundamental is at S9+25, the goal is to get all spurious responses below S 7.5 on this meter.? ?
Within homebrew accuracy anyway.....
I think this is correct thinking....
Gordon Gibby
Gordon Gibby
|
Re: Harmonics measured by Warren. How bad?
Ashhar, Did you see Howard Fidel's suggestion that the filters could be recalculated to account for the added capacitance of the relays? Original post and comments here #56495 It's certainly an interesting idea- haven't heard of his theory yet being tested but even if not a complete solution it's another arrow in the quiver. John KC9OJV
|
Re: Ubitx V3 Please Help, ANTENNA Pins on PCB have SHORTED no Receive
#ubitx
#ubitx-help
?OHH!! I look here at this post and can see many answers !! First I must say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU @ all 3 People here who helps me so much!
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sat, Aug 25, 2018 at 04:38 AM, Howard Fidel wrote:
Fabian:
If you look at he schematic, you will see that the antenna connects
to T2 through the relays and a Low pass filter. It should present a DC
short. However for RF this is OK since the transformer is normally
not a short
Ah Ok thanks now i understand this.. Yes ok i know now again: you will always learn new things in life.
If you could describe your problem in more detail maybe we can help you. Does your Raduino work? Do you hear any signals? Etc.Howard
Yes the Raduino works,.. I think it works when the LCD screen works and the menu is operable, just as I see it in youtube videos in others, so should work it?? Sound works, the TDA2822 FCI Chip seems to be ok and not blowed when i can hear a rushing sound. and i only heared somethime a am radio station from a few thousend km far away.. lol, on this day i thought, it goes be alright and i can hear ssb signals in next time but no ssb signal ever heared.. and i can hear tones like a jt65 sound or so at 10.098 Mhz a few times.. all others that i heared was only "piep pieeep" like a space computer sound, sorry for my description but i think you know what i mean.. On Sat, Aug 25, 2018 at 04:41 AM, Bill Cromwell wrote:
Hello Fabian,If you trace the circuit from the antenna it will lead you through several relay contacts to an inductor to ground. That is a piece of wire that wraps around and around with or without a core. Your meter uses direct current to measure resistance and continuity. Direct current sees any inductor as a plain old piece of wire - a short. So it sees that inductor to ground as a dead short. At RF frequencies however, it is NOT a short. Most - maybe all - radios will have this:)
Ok thank you, too now i am know this and i'm verry happy to know everything new from HAM and Radio technics.
So you should continue looking elsewhere for the problem.Have you completed the "alignment" steps? If the oscillators are far off frequency the radio will not work very well if at all.
I tried to set the BFO in the menu by display and the IRF510 (RVF2 + RFV3) current to measure and adjust with a screwdriver, but I still needed help. And I would have to readjust the Raduino on the knob (P2) but I would also need some tips for that.
Do you have a more experienced ham there who can help you?
Not really.. But today, later he say, a Ham would help me to test a few transmissions from him to me and i should say when receive..
Fabian, we all have or had different 'starting' places. It is not reasonable to assert that a kit is not for a beginner! At one time if hams did not make their own radios from scratch (not even a kit) they had no radio at all. The uBitx is not really so much of a kit. Building your own gear from scratch or from a kit is 'learning by total immersion'. Sometimes that method can seem frustrating but eventually we all get where we want to be. Just relax and enjoy the 'journey'. After you have finally sorted out the trouble and corrected it you will find it more satisfying than that Kenwood or Yaesu:) Those have their own rewards and can be an appropriate starting place for somebody else.I started out building radios from a pile of old junk harvested from dead radios. At times it was discouraging but in the end it doesn't seem to have hurt me:)
Sorry i unterstand and this is real you say. I didn't mean to say it was bad. I even collect a lot of bulky waste myself, such as radios and other electrical appliances and then solder them together and really like to make things. And doesn't want to be a "plug socket - amateur". So I have something to apologize for with the wrong wording.
And now about your English. Your English is very usable for a non native English user. I know only a few German words and not very much about the grammar or syntax. If I was suddenly transplanted to Germany I would experience 'total immersion' and would soon be speaking, reading, and writing German. It would sometimes seem frustrating but eventually I would fit right in :) For now your English is substantially better than my German.73,Bill KU8H
ok Thank you! On Sat, Aug 25, 2018 at 05:14 AM, Lawrence Galea wrote:
Fabian
you will always get a DC short across the antenna terminals.
If you follow the circuit from the two antenna connectors one is earth, on receive the other goes from K3 contact 12 to 14 to K1 contact 12 to 14 to L1, L2, L3, L4 of the Low Pass Filter to T2 winding one side marked number 1 through the coil marked side number 6 to earth.
On Transmit the winding of the output transformer T11 marked number 2 is earth, the other side of the winding marked number 6 goes to KT1 contact 12 to contact 16 and then through the respective Low Pass Filter depending on which band you are transmitting.
As you can see there is always continuity through the various coils and you will always get a DC short across the antenna terminals both on receiving and transmitting.
Thank you too i would say to you for your help, thanks! i did the measurement but in the switched off state and in the switched on state and measured the board for short circuits and at both times the short circuit... but i think this is then immediately explainable as you and the other 2 HAM had explained it...?
As for not receiving anything, did you connect an antenna to the transceiver?
Yeah Antenna is Dipol for 10m ans Dipol for 80m and i should say that i never have transmit, only receive..
Regards
Lawrence
Thank you very much!! So...ok Now I hope my answers have bring new Ideas and tips.. thank you all for new help again
|
Re: Harmonics measured by Warren. How bad?
Hmmm...built and modified the Bitx40, now awaiting the ubitx. I didn't see this thread before ordering, but it will be an interesting learning experience. I shall have to see what the harmonics and spurs look like on my unit. Has anyone done any tests on what an l-match ATU does, if anything, to reduce the spurs and harmonics..ie...looking at the entire system, not just the board itself? Personally, I'm fine with adding external lpf on the antenna as well. I shall also see what my 40 - 15 mag loop does with its extremely sharp tuning.? Modern tequniques (wide band amps) are great, but maybe there is something to be said for the old 'dip and load' of my dx20 and dx60 that I used in the stone age. Thanks to all for posing test results. Makes you wonder how we survived in an Era when many of us only had a VOM for test equipment. When I think of some of the things I did as a new ham at age 15, the term 'smoke and flash' takes on a whole new meaning....
Again, thanks for the info
Brent
VE3CUS
|
Ion Petroianu, VA3NOI
Brent Seres/ VE3CUS
Don, ND6T
sdr freak