I have the Wonder wand 750 minature loop antenna. from Radio World uk. Tunes 7mhz to 50mhz. Excellent indoor antenna when propagation good.
John vo1jcc.
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On Mon, Sep 10, 2018 at 04:07 AM, Raj vu2zap wrote:
N2CBU
I bought twoToycom-45E2BF from N2CBU and two T45U15BG from another eBay seller, the specifications are slightly different but at least I have selection to choose from. Thanks for figuring this out Raj, now maybe we as a group came move forward again on the uBitx. Joel N6ALT
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Re: Surprised by generous and kind act
#bitx40
How about a pic of the 'very attractive' case?
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Funny Iso, I also have one that works very well too. Maybe Vince¡¯s SWR meter has had the golden screwdriver inside it. And if he ran a KW into it the diodes might be fried or the load resistors too.?
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On Sep 10, 2018, at 07:41, iz oos < and2oosiz2@...> wrote: I have a cheap CB swr meter (just swr not power meter) and a crossneedle ham-meter. In the instruction sheet they say it is usable between 1.8-30! They are liers!!!!? It works from 1.8 to 50Mhz (yes up to the 6meters band) !!! Very similar reading to the ham meter!!! What a shame... They don't even know what they sell... hihi... hi
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Re: uBitX NANO programming issues
Hi Jim:
We ran into a similar problem. "Raw" EEPROM on a "real" Nano (and most clones) is initialized to 0xFF for each EEPROM byte. However, you can't always depend on that. Our solution was to initailize EEPROM address 0 with a single-byte "sentinel" value (e.g., 88) and then in setup() read address 0 to see if it equaled the sentinel value. If not, we assumed the EEPROM was "raw" and we proceeded to do our thing. It also makes it very easy to "re-initialized" the EEPROM by simply forcing EEPROM address 0 to 0xFF.
Jack, W8TEE
On Monday, September 10, 2018, 8:42:43 AM EDT, Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...> wrote:
I had gotten a couple of "bug" reports in the earlier W0EB/W2CTX firmware saying some of the values weren't beening saved properly to EEPROM. ?This caused things not to work properly and quickly got a bit frustrating for the user. ?
I tracked this down to the later crop of Chinese NANO clones (even those being sold by Amazon and other big name sellers). ?It seems that the EEPROM's ?were never properly initialied to (I believe) All FFFFFFFF and had random data in them. ?This caused the programming to think that proper data had been stored by another program (CEC) which we tried to be careful not to ruin and it wouldn't save to that location. ?
As soon as this problem was originally discovered (and later forgotten until the perceived bug got reported) one of the TSW team members wrote an initialization routine to initialize a new NANO's EEPROM and should be done prior to installing any uBITX firmware on a new NANO if it isn't a genuine Arduino NANO.
That routine is available for download on the TSW website in the files section and may solve a bunch of controller not working problems. ?It's called: ?W0EB_W2CTX_NANO_EEPROM_Initializer_v1r2.zip and is located in the "Files Section" directory labeled: "Program sketches for the Raduino (modified for I2C displays) or our RadI2Cino Card using a 2 or 4 line I2C LCD display. "
If you run this on a new NANO it won't hurt anything any should initialize the EEPROM properly. ?Don't use it if your CEC program is running properly and you have saved a bunch of items using his "Manager" program as it will destroy your saved data. ?Same goes for the W0EB/W2CTS programs, but on a new NANO it may prevent some subtle things from happening that create problems.
Jim - W0EB
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Re: Band scan & Spectrum not working with i2c standalone and CEC -Nextion display
Marty
Sorry for my belated reply.?
I've been looking for some new topics these days.?I was also a bit busy because I was in charge of new courses.
I think you have a fully equipped Standalone DSP Meter.?
I think you uploaded the firmware which ends in xxxx_NX.Hex.?To detect a signal using I2C, you must use a file ending with xxx_NX_S.Hex.
It is also necessary to verify that the I2C line is properly connected.
If not, please mail me again.
Ian KD8CEC
I have been having fun with the ubitx v4 using CEC's firmware and nextion display. My problem is I cannot get the bandscan or spectrum screens to work with the i2c standalone dspmeter addon. I have followed Ian's instructions to a t and no spectrum. The dsp screen, cw decode and s meter work great. I have recompiled the firmware source in the memory saving mode and full blown mode. I have redownloaded the hmi and recompiled it multiple times to no success. What could I be doing wrong?
Marty? ?
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N5KBP
-- Best 73 KD8CEC / Ph.D ian lee kd8cec@...
(my blog)
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I fully agree with Robert 'my experience of using CB meters is if they're the parallel-strip kind (very common), they may loose some sensitivity at the low end. Otherwise, they did a fair to good job checking the SWR, which is a ratio anyway. (At the upper end of the 'usual' spectrum -sometimes TOO sensitive, but I've used them with reasonable accuracy on 6m.)', mine is parallel strip kind, am not sure you can find the exact model on the ebay everyday (I bought it 20yrs ago) I think it could cost around 10usd, not much more.
Il 10/set/2018 14:55, "Tom, wb6b" < wb6b@...> ha scritto:
>
> Is it still an available meter? Is there an eBay/Amazon listing. If you have tested it against a known good SWR meter, I'd like to get one, if it is still at a good price.
>
> Tom, wb6b
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Hi Gang, ?I just like to point out that although I only use these at HF, I have been using them for 35 years or more, they work fine! ? There are only a few technology used to measure standing weight ratio in coming years, and the ones for ham radio use the
same technology as CB. ?The CB band is very near the 10 m ham band. ?
The parallel transmission line models would be a little less sensitive on 80 meters due to less pick up, the toroid versions probably work just about the same throughout a wide freq frequency limit
And it¡¯s not hard to build your own! There are quite a few kits ?out there ranging from low-power versions to Hi power versions.
SWR is not really magic, most people in radio have to measure it! ??
If you want to test them, you can make up some low inductance resistor is a 50, 100, and 150 ohms, and use them to test some known SWR values. ? Don¡¯t use wirewound resistors of course, and making resistance by using several in parallel decreases inductance
Gordon.?
On Sep 10, 2018, at 08:55, Tom, wb6b < wb6b@...> wrote:
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Is it still an available meter? Is there an eBay/Amazon listing. If you have tested it against a known good SWR meter, I'd like to get one, if it is still at a good price.
Tom, wb6b
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Nice adaptation of the second filter Glen.?
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On Sep 10, 2018, at 00:38, Glenn < glennp@...> wrote: approx. install position. R27 would be removed and short wires fitted. Hole was drilled into main board behind this adapter board.? There are two GND through holes, near R25 and to the right near the transformer also which might be useful. This assumes that R27 removal is the final idea.
<uBITX_45MHz_fitting.JPG>
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Yes, it will need a cap! The PCB layout should have one.
Raj
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At 10-09-18, you wrote: If the filterboard replace R27 will not the two turn winding drain the DC bias CW operation to ground. Block capacitor needed?
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One possibility is the software may be thinking you are using a paddle. Did you wire up the key with one of the resistors in series or without a resistor? When using a paddle the factory firmware uses resistor values to determine if you are hitting the dot or dash paddle. A straight key should have no resistor.?
Tom, wb6b
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If the filterboard replace R27 will not the two turn winding drain the DC bias CW operation to ground. Block capacitor needed?
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Is it still an available meter? Is there an eBay/Amazon listing. If you have tested it against a known good SWR meter, I'd like to get one, if it is still at a good price.
Tom, wb6b
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uBitX NANO programming issues
I had gotten a couple of "bug" reports in the earlier W0EB/W2CTX firmware saying some of the values weren't beening saved properly to EEPROM. ?This caused things not to work properly and quickly got a bit frustrating for the user. ?
I tracked this down to the later crop of Chinese NANO clones (even those being sold by Amazon and other big name sellers). ?It seems that the EEPROM's ?were never properly initialied to (I believe) All FFFFFFFF and had random data in them. ?This caused the programming to think that proper data had been stored by another program (CEC) which we tried to be careful not to ruin and it wouldn't save to that location. ?
As soon as this problem was originally discovered (and later forgotten until the perceived bug got reported) one of the TSW team members wrote an initialization routine to initialize a new NANO's EEPROM and should be done prior to installing any uBITX firmware on a new NANO if it isn't a genuine Arduino NANO.
That routine is available for download on the TSW website in the files section and may solve a bunch of controller not working problems. ?It's called: ?W0EB_W2CTX_NANO_EEPROM_Initializer_v1r2.zip and is located in the "Files Section" directory labeled: "Program sketches for the Raduino (modified for I2C displays) or our RadI2Cino Card using a 2 or 4 line I2C LCD display. "
If you run this on a new NANO it won't hurt anything any should initialize the EEPROM properly. ?Don't use it if your CEC program is running properly and you have saved a bunch of items using his "Manager" program as it will destroy your saved data. ?Same goes for the W0EB/W2CTS programs, but on a new NANO it may prevent some subtle things from happening that create problems.
Jim - W0EB
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Re: Surprised by generous and kind act
#bitx40
I am thinking to convert my BITX20 to a Drake C line with the Sherwood mods!!!! Let's see if this works too!!!!
Il 09/set/2018 17:41, "Robert D. Bowers" < n4fbz@...> ha scritto: Today I was greatly and pleasantly surprised.? I'd mentioned that I was thinking about converting my BITX20 to 40 meters, and I'd related some stories of frustration with the local ham community (generosity and willingness to help others seems to be a rarity in this area).
When I got our mail, there was a package in it - with a BITX40!? The housing it was in is very attractive as far as my wife and I are concerned - and perfect for our car.? The neat part was that you could see the circuitry in it - and the case also would lend itself to portable operation!
I won't embarrass the sender, but I will say it came from another state.? For many years, I've insisted that there was no such thing as Karma... but this suggests otherwise!
To the sender (not named) - a big Thank you! from both of us, and (laugh) no worry about "paying forward" - we do things all the time like that, whenever we can (we may not have much money, but we do have skills and knowledge we share).? Generosity and helping others is not a big price for gifts like this - in our opinion!
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Re: uBitX controller issues
Good Morning Mark,
I had the exact problems you are experiencing!
I ended up buying a Genuine Arduino Nano, downloaded the software and everything work perfectly.
Best regards,
Albert VE3TYS
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I have a cheap CB swr meter (just swr not power meter) and a crossneedle ham-meter. In the instruction sheet they say it is usable between 1.8-30! They are liers!!!!? It works from 1.8 to 50Mhz (yes up to the 6meters band) !!! Very similar reading to the ham meter!!! What a shame... They don't even know what they sell... hihi... hi
Il 10/set/2018 07:40, "Vince Vielhaber" < vev@...> ha scritto: SWR and Wattmeters made for CB are often worthless in the ham bands, unless you're only using 10M.? I picked up a Firebird SWR/Wattmeter a while back that was supposed to be good for 1.8-30 MHz.? HAR!? That thing won't even read accurately (or even semi-accurately) at 21 MHz and gets progressively worse the lower you go.? It barely responds with almost 1KW going into it at 3.9MHz.? Needless to say it's going back on ebay.? It is fairly accurate on 10 meters, so it probably is on 11 too.
Vince.
On 09/09/2018 03:13 PM, Gordon Gibby wrote:
The only cb ones I have tried on 2 m are the long parallel rod pick up type, they were quite in accurate
For VHF/UHF I use ham products made for the purpose
Cheers
Gordon kx4z
On Sep 9, 2018, at 13:59, Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@...> wrote:
Hi,
It might start to be a little shaky on the two meter band. And maybe will work there too.
73,
Bill? KU8H
On 09/09/2018 05:37 AM, gonewiththeego@... wrote:
I was thinking about an Albrecht SWR 20 which I can see that is used
only for CB. Do you think it should work for 20/40m band ?
--
bark less - wag more
--
? Michigan VHF Corp.? ?? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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Are those little boards available to purchase now?
Thank you Ripley KD8UYQ The words are mine but this iPad does what it will with them.
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On Sep 10, 2018, at 1:05 AM, Nick VK4PP < nickpullen@...> wrote: rev.01
<VK4PP 45Mhz Filt rev.01.PNG>
73
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Folks!
Although this is the cheapest filter for 2 bucks, I hear only mention of people here
buying more expensive ones.
N2CBU has kindly listed more for sale as he says better under your bed than mine or
maybe basement!!
Cheers
--
Raj, vu2zap
Bengaluru, South India.
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I used a different filter
Best I could tell (googling) it's termination impedance is 1200. I used a 5:1 turns transformer with? BN61-2402s. I don't have the equipment to sweep the filter accurately but the spurs are for the most part gone, insertion loss was minimal, and I landed in the right spot relative to sidebands. Audio sounded very good over another radio- perhaps better than previously. As Warren points out this was assuming 50 ohm input and load impedance which is probably wrong. I had this filter so I used it but it may be better to stick with the 600 ohm filter everyone else is using. I grounded to C11 per Farhan's suggestion and used 26 magnet wire at the three connection points- seemed stout enough to support this very tiny board. I put a piece of kapton tape on the main pcb and up the back of the filter board for additional anchoring.
As usual- your mileage may vary! :)
John
KC9OJV
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Joel Caulkins/N6ALT
Skip Davis
Raj vu2zap
Jim Sheldon
Ripley