Hello Rob,

In my experience ground loops on transceiver to CPU based units are only an issue in TX when using "longer" wires.

For reference I used a second Arduino Nano mounted inside the uBitx and all signal cables not on the board, that is that are wired to other parts of the unit, are shielded audio cables (microphone type, 2mm or so diameter cables).

I used the Nano to inject an audio signal into the audio (after low pass filtering) for my auto tuner and no audio harmonics or hum was audible on another receiver in the SSB passband.

I also used an analog input connected to the microphone input as a VOX detector and again I can't hear anything on another radio at normal volume.

In RX it should not be an issue in any case if your device is mounted inside or connected via short cables to the unit.

I would use a separate supply voltage regulator for two reasons: the load on the existing regulator would be increased significantly requiring a good heatsink and this gives you the opportunity to ensure a good filtering between the Raduino and the Teensy supply and prevent any feedback/bleed through that way. It is what I did in my rig.

Regarding the usage of the Teensy USB that is a good idea. Just a reminder that some (most?) Nanos keep? the USB chip powered up when supplied from the internal supply (that is even if the Nano's USB is not connected) and therefore inject a TTL logical zero (+5VDC) when idle. Therefore you need to make sure you pull the digital line D1 (Rx) to a low enough voltage to ensure you get a solid TTL logical one (0VDC) when communicating with the Teensy.

See an example of that issue on this post (and the previous posts in the thread): /g/BITX20/message/66289

Hope that helps.

All the best,

73, John? (VK2ETA)

On Fri, Sep 6, 2019 at 09:33 AM, Gordon Gibby wrote:

full break in HW 16

Brings back memory's of when I was first interested in Ham radio. The description of that radio/transmitter with dual conversion and crystal filters was something that made me want that rig. I did not become a Ham until much later when I hooked up a down converter to a Radio Shack general coverage shortwave receiver and started following a group of Hams, on 2 meters (I had to slope detect), that would meet after work at a near by Denny's restaurant. I became interested in joining in, they were frequently discussing interesting radio/technical things, so I contacted (by mail) one of the Hams, he lent me some more gear, I studied, got my tech license, and could join in of the work commute and Denny's.

Back to full break in mode. Tubes are still popular in the audio circles. Wonder if it would be possible (or valid) to create a stand alone tube RF pre-amplifier for receivers that would be bullet proof against (at least in terms of not burning out) being attached to a coax line while a transmitter is powered up on the same coax. This could be great for near by lightning strikes, too.?

Then you could put a tee connector in your coax to directly connect to the vacuum tube pre-amp.

To some extent this tube pre-amp may be sold more on the?nostalgia of the gold old tube days. And unfortunately some marketers may start selling it on the claim that if gives your radio the much improved "tube" sound quality. But it might be a cool idea. Especially if the tube sticks?prominently out of the top of the box, so you can see the red filament glow, and maybe a ring of blue LEDs at the base to add to the cool tube effect.

Joking aside, it may possible there could be a place for a vacuum tube in RF front ends.?

Tom, wb6b

All pre-orders have been shipped and I have 12 kits left

More will be ordered as time goes on so if they are sold out I will have more coming.

I will also have a digital interface coming soon as well watch for it in the next two weeks.

Attached are the instructions from Gordon for those that can not get them via the sites account orders page due to errors my host has been giving on the site.

73

--
David

?N8DAH

In a past life, I did a lot of graphics design, mostly using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.? I'd like to take a stab at a custom uBitx UI for the Nextion 5" and I'm wondering what, if any graphics files exist for the displays. I am NOT referring to the Nextion Editor files, I've got those.? I'm looking for the actual graphics that are imported into the editor to create the UI.? It seems that KD8CEC was the first to implement these for the uBitx but I've looked in all the relevant places and have not seen the files I'm looking for.? Ian, (KD8CEC), how did you go about doing the original design for the Nextion UI?? I'd love Adobe Illustrator files (or even Inkscape if you used that) for the UI if you have them.
--
John - N0CTL - Fulltime RV in a 40' motorhome

thanks for the info; it's seems nothing changed also with your method; i tried with another nano (programmed etc) but the mast cal value is lost...anyone has CEC 1.200 and ubitx v5 and has the same problem?
Another solution i can try: recover original firmware, set calibration and re-update to CEC 1.200 firmware; if the problem is caused by a little bug in the software (he can't write in the E2PROM) i think will work (because with firmware upgrade the cal value is not touched)

Thanks for support guys

Please could someone help me calibrate ubitx ver 5.1,i have tried but am not succeeding at all

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After triple checking everything, it fired up. ?The display was blocks which adjusted with the pot on the Rad board. ?Was drawing 140ma on idle initially, but seems to have dropped back to 70ma after having been on for a while.

?Many years ago, as a teenager I had a full break in HW 16 ; ?had to give it up for my next rig.?

?I’m starting to think there is a way to re-create it, using two UBitx, ?and the carcass of a HW 100 ??

?Use one of the UBitx as the receiver; ?
?Use the other as the exciter to drive the last two stages of the HW 100 — gives ?100 W output, ?although I’ll add my relay daughter board, those two stages add additional useful filtering?
?Add in some diode networks, or maybe a pin diode if required, and some slick fast bias changes on the vacuum tube finals, ?which can be moved in and out of cut off, class C and class AB1....
One raduino ?can provide all the frequencies for both rigs; ?relays only have to change state when you Change bands; ? Transistor control of Vcc wires ; One of them is always receiving, the other is always “transmitting “ — ?just instantaneously biased into operation and back out ?
?Lots of shieldiing each uBitx ?in some shielded compartment?



?Change a just few things and it does digital & regular single side band as well?

?Relatively inexpensive, high-performance full break in high power radio, ?Computer controllable, digital frequency control?

?Use some digital filter when using CW?

Gordon?

Sharing your joy, but felt I may have mislead you by saying "It should default to V5".
I pulled a fresh copy from github this AM. It's already set-up for V5 and LCD1602P.?

makes me think you got your code from an alternate source, and word of caution that there may be other differences.

in ubitx.h:

I assume you downloaded the zip file from here:


In it are the different versions for screens that can be used, as well as the different ways that the screen is connected to the Raduino.

From the description of the screen, I assume that you are using the stock 16x2 display, which has a parallel data input.? You need to select one of the files based on what else you will be adding.

From the uBITXV5 folder the selection would be:

http://www.hamskey.com/2018/04/various-lcd-support-in-ubitx-with.html

prefix   : UBITXV5_CEC_
Version  : Vxxxx (ex: V1.097)
LCD Type : _XXX  (ex: 16x02 Parallel = 16P, 20x04 Parallel = 20P, 20x04 I2C = 20I, Nextion LCD = NX)
Signal Meter Type (Option) : none : Analaog Meter using A7 PIN
                             _S   : I2C Signal Meter using I2C Port

UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16P.hex    : It is the LCD equipped with uBITX. Default LCD, 16x02 Parallel LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16P_S.hex  : _16P with I2C Meter


UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16I.hex    : 16x02 I2C LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16I_S.hex  : _16I with I2C Meter


UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_20P.hex    : 20x04 Parallel LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_20P_S.hex  : _20P with I2C Meter


UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_20I.hex    : 20x04 I2C LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_20I_S.hex  : _20I with I2C Meter

UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16D.hex    : 16x02 I2C Dual LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_16D_S.hex  : _16D with I2C Meter

UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_NX.hex     : Nextion LCD
UBITXV5_CEC_Vxxxxx_NX_S.hex   : _NX with I2C Meter

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Except that you’ll have voltage across the PA V+ and main V+. ?If the PA V+ is actually negative the parasitic diode in the final transistors will conduct and you’ll have reverse voltage to the main V+ and ground. ?No protection.

I received yesterday a mail from Bob Fischer. In his idea the diode could be on the common ground, protecting that way both the 2 circuits.?

The point is to find a quite high current diode because the whole current of the uBITX (PA +ubitx) will go through it.?
--
73's
Adrien F4IJA

Hey there,

I'm looking to try making a DSP audio filter, for both transmit (e.g. compression) and receive (narrow, wide, notch filters) using a Teensy 3.2 and Teensy Audio Board.? My plan for the receive audio is to put it inline in my uBITX v5 between the audio preamp and the volume control (i.e. before the volume control), and use a pair of 1:1 isolation transformers on the input/output to connect it to the preamp (input) and volume pot (output) respectively.

I would like to run the Teensy as both a standalone DSP filter in the uBITX, but also as the interface to the computer (i.e. as a combined USB audio/serial device).

My plan is to power the Teensy off the 5V from the Raduino, and also connect it to the Raduino via serial (D0/D1 pins on the Raduino) so that (a) I can pass thru CAT commands from the computer to the Raduino via the Teensy when applicable, and (b) control filter parameters from the Raduino when operating standalone.

My question is, what exactly needs to be isolated?? I understand I need ground isolation between the Teensy audio I/O and the uBITX audio I/O, so I plan on 3 isolation transformers.? But how does this really isolate the ground?? If I'm running the Teensy off the Raduino 5V, there's a ground connection there presumably, and from what I can tell, all of the grounds on the Teensy Audio Adaptor are unified (except for the VGND for the headphones, which I'm not using).? So I feel like all of the grounds are connected, and I'm not really sure what the isolation transformers are buying me.

Do I need to use a separate regulator for the Teensy? (Although that would still have a ground connection to the uBITX ground, so...)

I freely admit I don't know a lot here.

Regards,
-Rob

WOO HOO!!! Happiness, joy, and smiles have rained down upon my shack. I figured out that I needed to change the version to 5, and the display from nextion to 1602 in the ubitx.h file.? I heard several 40 meter ssb voice and a strong cw sig on 7.114. That felt good. Now I have the weekend to play with and learn from this radio.Thanks all.
Steven KM4WIP

Thanks for the suggestions. I uploaded the CECFW 1.2 for my V5 board using the arduino IDE this evening. I had to choose the ATmega328P (old Bootloader), to upload - choosing ATmega328P resulted in an error and no upload. The result? Everything seemed to upload fine. But now my screen has 16 black rectangles on the top row, and nothing else, not even static..... Hmmmm.... I must be getting close. Any more suggestions for tomorrow night's session with the uBitX?

Looks good to me, I like seeing a separate relatively small fuse for the main board.
Anything goes wrong there, it is much more likely to blow the fuse before blowing something on the board.

Though as I suggested earlier, there are dozens of ways to do this right.
And even more strongly held opinions on how one should do it.

Jerry

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On Thu, Sep 5, 2019 at 07:25 AM, Chris [N7CCX] wrote:

"touching the crystals on the raduino or on the board dont change anything"

Hello Chris,

Do you mean both crystals on the Raduino proper and on the Nano's board?

For comparison I do have birdies (mine is a V3) here and there as I have on my FT-817, albeit not as significant as on the uBitx. On the uBitx on 20m band I have two noticeable ones at around 14,006 and 14,179 and an S6 one at 13,996.

Birdies should shift frequency significantly when switching from USB to LSB as the 2nd LO swings from around 57Mhz to around 33Mhz thereby changing the harmonics beating frequencies that can occur on the board.

Other sources of impact on noises could be power supply (switch mode) and location of wires inside the box. Not likely as you mentioned you disconnected the antenna from the board itself.

73, John (VK2ETA)