Re: load ver.4 original firmware into ubitx ver.3
While on process of loading a newer revision firmware, it is better to clear the eeprom saved contents. There is some .ino called? eeprom_clear (Thanks to om mahesh? vu2iia who acquainted me of this). it helps clean up the Arduino nano
Hope it helps.
sarma vu3zmv
?
On Mon, Feb 18, 2019 at 9:00 PM IZ4SJP Carlo < carlo@...> wrote: maybe someone will be so kind to describe step by step how to load version 4 firmware into my ubitx version 3?
thanks in advance
IZ4SJP Carlo
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Ted,
if touching Q90 make the power amp oscillate then probably the whole
chain is ok. This is quite normal for a
high gain PA.
now check L1/2/3/4 for continuity, there could be a bad solder on one of
the toroids.
There is a spreadsheet in a folder called vu2zap in the file section with
static voltages of uBitxv4 if you want
to check.
Raj
At 18-02-19, you wrote:
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Show quoted text
The bias controls do make the
expected adjustments in current for the finals.
Interestingly enough, I was repeating some voltage readings yesterday and
when I put my VOM lead into Pin 1 of Q90, the bottom of my hand - which
was touching the IRF510 heat sinks- started to get warm.? A glance
toward the wattmeter told me there was RF out!
The TX output quit when I removed the lead and returned more or less when
touching the Q90 pin again. After touching the side points for 2cm around
in all directions with nothing to show for it, I went and threw in, a
2N2222 as an upgrade, taking care to bend the gate backward betwixt the
other two leads so that the E., B., and C. were on the circuit board pads
they need to be on.? In firing the rig on, the '2222 gets nice and
toasty, as does the pre driver pair (as they did before).
So, did that fix the problem? Actually, no. Still no RF out, now.? I
put a 2N3904 back in and still nothing, though, being as the pre drivers
are warm as well, I'd suspect the problem comes after them. An RF
"sniffer" loop shows that RF fields diminish quickly,
downstream of Q90 toward the rest of the transmitter power stages.
I spent the time believing in a Q90 stage solution because of the
sporadic full-strength output while taking measurements. It defies
explanation how simply making metallic contact can restore seemingly full
output, in a way that a re-solder and/or Q90 replacement didn't
fix.
I'm sure that reading this report makes no sense. Well, neither did it
make sense being there at the time so we're in the same place on that
count.
Diving back in after the day job is done with.
-Ted
K3RTA
- On Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 6:00, Raj vu2zap
- <rajendrakumargg@...> wrote:
- Ted,
- does the bias control pots change the idle current ? if it does then
finals are fine and final circuit is fine!
- Raj
- At 16/02/2019, you wrote:
- >On Sun, Feb 10, 2019 at 11:11 PM, Raj vu2zap wrote:
- >
- >
- >Your finals are blown. Check if you have TX 5V at the output of
regulator, if yes
- >then replace IRF510's.
- >--------------------------
- >
- >Nope, new finals made no difference, surprisingly enough.?
Have put this aside for a few days to get a fresh start next time diving
into this. It's interesting how such a seemingly simple thing gets
complicated.?
- >
- >See my update above for the latest readings, if you like.?
I'd love to see this back on line before my V5 package shows up next week
:)
- >
- >
- >Regards,
- >
- >Ted
- >K3RTA
|
And the input Z of your vom is? (Ohms per Volt) ..and the reading was? ? ...Just possible the vom was providing enough bias to turn on Q90 due to its loading
Jim
On Monday, February 18, 2019, 9:54:14 AM PST, Ted via Groups.Io <k3rta@...> wrote:
The bias controls do make the expected adjustments in current for the finals.
Interestingly enough, I was repeating some voltage readings yesterday and when I put my VOM lead into Pin 1 of Q90, the bottom of my hand - which was touching the IRF510 heat sinks- started to get warm.? A glance toward the wattmeter told me there was RF out!
The TX output quit when I removed the lead and returned more or less when touching the Q90 pin again. After touching the side points for 2cm around in all directions with nothing to show for it, I went and threw in, a 2N2222 as an upgrade, taking care to bend the gate backward betwixt the other two leads so that the E., B., and C. were on the circuit board pads they need to be on.? In firing the rig on, the '2222 gets nice and toasty, as does the pre driver pair (as they did before).
So, did that fix the problem? Actually, no. Still no RF out, now.? I put a 2N3904 back in and still nothing, though, being as the pre drivers are warm as well, I'd suspect the problem comes after them. An RF "sniffer" loop shows that RF fields diminish quickly, downstream of Q90 toward the rest of the transmitter power stages.?
I spent the time believing in a Q90 stage solution because of the sporadic full-strength output while taking measurements. It defies explanation how simply making metallic contact can restore seemingly full output, in a way that a re-solder and/or Q90 replacement didn't fix.
I'm sure that reading this report makes no sense. Well, neither did it make sense being there at the time so we're in the same place on that count.
Diving back in after the day job is done with.
-Ted K3RTA
On Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 6:00, Raj vu2zap <rajendrakumargg@...> wrote: Ted,
does the bias control pots change the idle current ? if it does then finals are fine and final circuit is fine!
Raj
At 16/02/2019, you wrote:
>On Sun, Feb 10, 2019 at 11:11 PM, Raj vu2zap wrote:
>
>
>Your finals are blown. Check if you have TX 5V at the output of regulator, if yes
>then replace IRF510's.
>--------------------------
>
>Nope, new finals made no difference, surprisingly enough.? Have put this aside for a few days to get a fresh start next time diving into this. It's interesting how such a seemingly simple thing gets complicated.?
>
>See my update above for the latest readings, if you like.? I'd love to see this back on line before my V5 package shows up next week :)
>
>
>Regards,
>
>Ted
>K3RTA
|
I could be tempted to own one, if you'd ship to the Mid-Atlantic.
-Ted
K3RTA
|
^ That is, I touched points for about 2cm around Q90 with a soldering pencil, checking for cold joints. Etc.
|
Re: load ver.4 original firmware into ubitx ver.3
The v4 code has a different calibration scheme, which is actually pretty easy if you have a second receiver. The code is posted at:
You can get the needed Arduino IDE compiler for free at:
Using the Arduino IDE program, you can read the code, compile it, and load it into the Raduino with a USB cable.
While I now understand this, I'll admit the process was not so obvious when I started. Another "geezer" (AA4PG) posted some very clear instructions here:
=Vic=
|
I'm in AZ, how much do you want for 1 of your Bitx 40's? I can pay shipping costs.
|
Hi,
did you test the existing transistor you removed to see if it was actually a functioning transistor still? Q90 doesn't look like it should toasty?
-a
|
The bias controls do make the expected adjustments in current for the finals.
Interestingly enough, I was repeating some voltage readings yesterday and when I put my VOM lead into Pin 1 of Q90, the bottom of my hand - which was touching the IRF510 heat sinks- started to get warm.? A glance toward the wattmeter told me there was RF out!
The TX output quit when I removed the lead and returned more or less when touching the Q90 pin again. After touching the side points for 2cm around in all directions with nothing to show for it, I went and threw in, a 2N2222 as an upgrade, taking care to bend the gate backward betwixt the other two leads so that the E., B., and C. were on the circuit board pads they need to be on.? In firing the rig on, the '2222 gets nice and toasty, as does the pre driver pair (as they did before).
So, did that fix the problem? Actually, no. Still no RF out, now.? I put a 2N3904 back in and still nothing, though, being as the pre drivers are warm as well, I'd suspect the problem comes after them. An RF "sniffer" loop shows that RF fields diminish quickly, downstream of Q90 toward the rest of the transmitter power stages.?
I spent the time believing in a Q90 stage solution because of the sporadic full-strength output while taking measurements. It defies explanation how simply making metallic contact can restore seemingly full output, in a way that a re-solder and/or Q90 replacement didn't fix.
I'm sure that reading this report makes no sense. Well, neither did it make sense being there at the time so we're in the same place on that count.
Diving back in after the day job is done with.
-Ted K3RTA
On Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 6:00, Raj vu2zap <rajendrakumargg@...> wrote: Ted,
does the bias control pots change the idle current ? if it does then finals are fine and final circuit is fine!
Raj
At 16/02/2019, you wrote:
>On Sun, Feb 10, 2019 at 11:11 PM, Raj vu2zap wrote:
>
>
>Your finals are blown. Check if you have TX 5V at the output of regulator, if yes
>then replace IRF510's.
>--------------------------
>
>Nope, new finals made no difference, surprisingly enough.? Have put this aside for a few days to get a fresh start next time diving into this. It's interesting how such a seemingly simple thing gets complicated.?
>
>See my update above for the latest readings, if you like.? I'd love to see this back on line before my V5 package shows up next week :)
>
>
>Regards,
>
>Ted
>K3RTA
|
TSW BITeensio Card - new Firmware published
#ubitx
All,
The Triumvirate Skonk Worx (TSW) just published our latest "beta" 2.8" or 3.2" Color TFT touch screen firmware for the BITeensio controller card.? This new firmware addresses the changes Farhan made to the uBITX in the release of his Version 5 transceiver board which HF Signals is now shipping.?
Using our BITeensio card and the new firmware you will now have the capability of selecting operation with either the older V3 and V4 uBITX boards which we are calling "Legacy" boards or the new Version 5 ones via an item in the "Calibration" menu.
Depending on which type of uBITX you install it in, you need to calibrate it one time for that uBITX board.? Calibration data is stored on the BITeensio's? Micro SD card in different locations for the 2 different versions so if you calibrate the card in a V4 (or V3) radio, and later decide to switch it to a V5 radio, you will have to again calibrate it for the V5 system.? However, once that has been done, you can then swap the BITeensio back into your original "Legacy" radio, select "VL" in the calibration menu and it will recall the previously stored calibration data for that version.? If it's the same VL board you originally used for "VL" calibration, you should not have to re-calibrate the card.? If, however, you install it in a different uBITX than the original one, you may have to touch up the calibration to make things sound right and operate on the right frequency.? Same is true for V5 boards.
Since both of the displays we use (2.8" and 3.2") use the same ILI-9341 controller, and have the same number of pixels, we found that no software changes were needed to use either display.? No user action is required to switch from one to the other except to make sure they are cabled properly and this is outlined in the manual.
The operating manual for this software has been completely re-written to reflect the changes and the pictures have been changed to show the operating information in the new version.
You can find complete information on this (and our other items) on the TSW website ( .? If you visit the site, be sure to clear your browser's cache on each page to make sure you are getting the latest information.
Jim Sheldon, W0EB
TSW Group Project Coordinator
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Re: 7.177 qso - Pacific uBitx Users. (10am UTC Sundays)
This makes sense for European ubitxers too.
Il 18/feb/2019 04:25, "Nick VK4PP" < nickpullen@...> ha scritto: Hi All.
How about doing a Pacific Region QSO on 7.177?
Time of say?8:00 PM ( 20:00 )?Australian Eastern Time? = ?10:00 AM (10:00)?UTC SUNDAYS?
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Re: load ver.4 original firmware into ubitx ver.3
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Show quoted text
On Mon, Feb 18, 2019 at 9:00 PM IZ4SJP Carlo < carlo@...> wrote: maybe someone will be so kind to describe step by step how to load version 4 firmware into my ubitx version 3?
thanks in advance
IZ4SJP Carlo
|
load ver.4 original firmware into ubitx ver.3
maybe someone will be so kind to describe step by step how to load version 4 firmware into my ubitx version 3?
thanks in advance
IZ4SJP Carlo
|
Re: TSW's Raduino "Clone" and BITeensio Kits
Dave (and All),
Right now I haven't had the opportunity to do any more than get the cards (and with the immense help of Ron, W2CTX, TSW's master programmer) evaluated with the system to make sure they work and that software can be written. We didn't bother writing the software for the Raduino Clones as we supply them already containing the HF Signals/Ashhar Farhan factory versions. We used Ashhar Farhan's V5.1 posted on GitHub to check things with the V5 board and it works just fine - RX sensitivity is really good (better than claimed for the V4 (.2 microvolt signal is readable claimed for V4). Once I had my first V5 board calibrated (using the original Raduino that came with it) I was able to copy CW signals down on the noise with a very poor antenna I use for evaluation. I did NOT measure the sensitivity yet.
Power output was 10 watts on 40 meters (the only band transmitted on so far) and I'm waiting on a brand new Siglent Spectrum analyzer my wife ordered for me as an early birthday present to get here (not shipped yet, hopefully today) before I do any real deep testing for harmonics, spurs and the like.
At present (took time out to write this) I'm re-writing the software operating manual for TSW's BITeensio board and then I'll post our latest beta software to the TSW website. As of this morning, we have only one version of software for the BITeensio but that version will allow use of both the 2.8" and 3.2" ILI9341 color TFT touch screen displays (sorry this is the largest screens we will support right now and they are NOT repeat NOT Nextions. Here's the nice part. This software will allow the use of a mouse and keyboard for control as well as full CAT control (we have a remote control program available on the website). The programmer's reference manual is on the website. We use a partial version of the Kenwood protocol for basic control with many uBITX unique commands/responses (listed in the programmer's reference) that the user will have to interface to their own software.
I've tested this with the N3FJP logging programs (which I use exclusively) and it will grab the frequency and mode from the radio into the logged QSO's.
The mouse and keyboard can be either wired or wireless. Due to USB host library problems from the Teensy USBHost_t3 library, it doesn't like some USB hubs so you can only hook either a mouse OR a keyboard up as of right now. Logitech wireless KB's with the self contained touchpad mouse do work giving both KB/touchpad capability.
OH, I forgot to mention, the new BITeensio software has built in support for BOTH "Legacy" (what we call V3 & V4 boards) and Versioin 5 (V5) boards, selectable through the SETUP/Calibration menu. Calibration constants are saved in different locations so once you have it calibrated for both versions, you can swap the board between either version (as long as you use the same Legacy or V5 rigs you originally calibrated it for. If you move it to a different card, you may have to touch up the calibration again due to internal differences on the uBITX board(s).
Now, back to finishing the manual so I can post the latest (beta) version of the software and documentation on the website this morning.
Jim - W0EB
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------ Original Message ------ From: "d balfour" <davesters@...> To: [email protected]Sent: 2/18/2019 8:07:13 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] TSW's Raduino "Clone" and BITeensio Kits Knowing that the radiuinos are compatible is good news Jim. Thanks for posting that.
Have you had a chance to evaluate the v5 board in other ways. Showing power or other factors that might be significant?
Thanks
Dave
k0mbt
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Re: TSW's Raduino "Clone" and BITeensio Kits
Knowing that the radiuinos are compatible is good news Jim. Thanks for posting that.
Have you had a chance to evaluate the v5 board in other ways. Showing power or other factors that might be significant?
Thanks
Dave
k0mbt
|
Yeah nothing heard I did call cq bitx quite a bit. Did have 4 qsos with the bitx curious. Talked to one guy in Baltimore who gave me a solid 59 and couldn't believe that I was running a qrp power level. Last week talked to a ham in Green Bay, he asks, "you running power or just a 100 watts?" .... ah 10 watts. He didn't believe me. I hear stuff like that a lot.
My good antenna has been on the ground for a week now from ice.
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Re: 7.177 qso - Pacific uBitx Users. (10am UTC Sundays)
I would be interested? on a Thursday thru to Saturday evening ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nick VK4PP
Sent: Monday, 18 February 2019 11:25 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BITX20] 7.177 qso - Pacific uBitx Users. (10am UTC Sundays)? Hi All.
How about doing a Pacific Region QSO on 7.177?
Time of say?8:00 PM ( 20:00 )?Australian Eastern Time? = ?10:00 AM (10:00)?UTC SUNDAYS?
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7.177 qso - Pacific uBitx Users. (10am UTC Sundays)
Hi All.
How about doing a Pacific Region QSO on 7.177?
Time of say?8:00 PM ( 20:00 )?Australian Eastern Time? = ?10:00 AM (10:00)?UTC SUNDAYS?
|
|
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Called a few times nothing heard, will hang for a bit see what I can hear. -- David
?N8DAH
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Raj vu2zap
Ted
Vic WA4THR
Jim Sheldon
_Dave_ AD0B
Nick VK4PP
N8DAH