Did you use shielded cable to and from the filter?? How close is the filter board to the uBITX board?

I have not used external computer digital modes on mine, except to test rig controls. However, I use a Signalink on my big rigs and it should be no issue on any rig that has a mic and ptt input as it has its own VOX circuit to key the rig. In fact the rig I first used it on had no CAT connection to WSJT-X or Fldigi and I still logged many QSOs just manually setting the frequency (it only changes when you change bands, anyway) on the computer for logging. I had the digital frequencies saved in that? rig's memory for each band.

I am not familiar with the TI sound card, but I know others have built in a USB sound card to their uBitX rigs with a USB hub to allow simultaneous CAT control.

=VIc=

Cool ;-)


--
PE3ES - F4VTQ - Erwin
73

@Jim Sheldon, in this case it would be advisable to read and note the original calibration settings before doing the actual install of a new firmware.

Also as far as I understood the findings of KD8CEC a new firmware does not change the stored calibration values.

The KD8CEC Memory Manager software could be used to read the original values before doing any changes.

--
PE3ES - F4VTQ - Erwin
73

Failure of the device can be a concern, however in the Raduino the thermal shutdown should kick in before damage to the regulator.? This will cause erratic operation of the Raduino, rather than damage.??

The above is based on the input voltage staying below the maximum value of 18 volts.? Over voltage will damage the device and cause the potential short failure.? Of course more than just the Raduino would likely be damaged in that case.

My recommendation is to add a heatsink to the regulator, especially if your are going to supply more than 12 vdc to the main board (the power amp supply is not relevant).? It is low cost and will help in keeping it below thermal shutdown.

Above are my thoughts based on my experiences.? Yours can be different.
73
Evan
AC9TU

Here's a better resoution picture of the radio box.

On Sun, Jan 5, 2020 at 11:18 PM, Rob French (KC4UPR) wrote:

- What's the communication between the uBITX and the remote control head?? What's the distance of that cable?
?

That's what the DVI cable is for. It seems most often used as a computer monitor cable out in the world and not hard to come by on the surplus market.? The first prototype for this was built with the original 2-line LCD display inside the control head using a 25-wire RS-232 shielded cable. There was some electronic crosstalk but it was so light that it was easily ignored.? That run was about 2.5 ft while the current line is a whopping 3', plenty enough to reach back and under the passenger seat to the radio.
?

- Did you have to change any components on the board to up the final voltage to 22V?? e.g. voltage ratings for capacitors, and/or any biasing changes.

The finals have a pair of 25V caps in the line, which are OK by a slim margin. I swapped them out for a pair of 35V caps of roughly equal value that were the same diameter & a little taller, mainly to try higher voltages. I saw no significant rise in power above 20V, though my power supply was maxed out anyway on amperage [3.5A] by the time it got to 24V.? I just called good enough, enough.?? I think I'm running about 120mA bias as a trial.

- I've got both the kit-projects BCI filter and AGC board installed.? What was the primary reason for the RF preamp (i.e. did you have a particular problem to solve for mobile?), and does it simply directly precede the BCI filter?

I found this circuit a bit deaf on compromised, electrically-stubby mobile antennas.? Not bad, mind you, but as I had good success adding the same preamp to a portable setup (see avitar) mainly because i could, it got added for good luck. One could forego that bit at first, though, given the background [cabin] noise of a mobile radio, both this and an additional audio amp helped me hear people better. The LM386 has an extra 2.2k resistor across it's input so that it avoids splatter going into a 15-amp rated amp board with its own input pot; the original vol. ctrl still acts as designed. The output to a Motorola commercial speaker is quite sufficient.?

The BCI filter comes first, and is easily wire-bridge soldered on along the short edge of this particular preamp kit board, for mounting.? The output goes to a new hole in the mainboard to connect with the AGC board on the top side.

Back to antennae:? we know the importance of a well-tuned, full-size antenna for QRP work and also of the difficulty of designing a mobile antenna that works at least a little better than a 50-ohm resistor with a length of wire trailing off of it.? My hope of working 40 meters on 30 watts to a tuned paperclip may be preposterous though there is promise on 20.? I plan to try (parked) digital modes on 40 this weekend, see how that fares as voice responses haven't been happening yet.? As mentioned, an earlier-made & known successful 20-meter antenna (on a magnet mount) showed great promise there at least.

- Do you have any close-up photos of your heatsink arrangement and fans?

No pix yet though I'll find a reason to tear the box open again, soon enough. I could draw it graphically later today....

- I wasn't clear, do you have two displays?? I.e. is there a display on the uBITX main box itself, and then also a separate display head?? Or just one, i.e. the remote display?

Just one display.? The picture of the messy work bench shows all of the sections together, more or less. Note in that shot, the mounting of the Raduino [clone] board. I? soldered a spare row of header pins onto the original pins so as to tilt the Raduino 90 degrees over on its nose to fit within the box height.. Two #8 standoffs were JB-Welded to the mainboard to offer support for the Raduino [clone] which also bears a second Nano for CEC enhancements. As there is no onboard display, the remote view screen cable connections simply attach to the Raduino former display header position. I did add a second 7805 to provide separate juice to the display.?

Next time I remove the radio for work, i.e. add a heat sensor to the fan, I'll take some more descriptive pictures. It may he a few days.? Tnx for the interest and good luck on the project.



73,

Ted
K3RTA

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Martin,

The version 6 is current and for sale through the HF Signals site.
Farhan has advised delays may occur in dispatch of current orders as the workers were working a full speed in order to fulfil dispatches before in time for our christmas holiday period.
the assembly team are currently on a well earned rest in while they prepare the next batch.
there are the two pricing options shown each taking you to their own order page.

UBITX V6 – BUY THE BASIC KIT



UBITX V6 – BUY THE FULL KIT


I would guess the minimal sales of the bitx40 compared to the ubitx, made the down time and reorganisation required for the assembly for the product un sustainable.
I believe Sunil(?) has advised the group of his intention to update his through hole kits, this could be an alternative learning tool for your JOTA students

Alan

Hello to All,

I'm rather confused. Just bought the V5 version, got it up and running, including the software-change. Then the V6 started to be offered.

And suddenly the V6, which is far more expensive than the V5, seems to be the only version mentioned (but not sold!) through Farhans webshop... Confusion...First the BitX40 is not offered anymore (which is a bit of a shame, because our team of jota-amateurs wanted to buy a few sets for fresh junior-jota-amateurs) And now the cheaper mBitX V5 is also on the verge of being extinct?

In the links on the emaillist the V5 appears still on sale and available, but the V6 (NOT for sale here!) is the only one promoted in the MENU-list on Farhams website.

Link to V5 ($129 USD) :
Link to V6 (not for sale through Farhans site) :

My question to Farham: Will the V5 be taken off the sale list, as happened to the bitx40?

Thanks for your answers,
With regards, Martin, PD0ZZ from the Netherlands

-- 
Smell Czech corruptions are inevitable

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Cheap replacement unless it’s failure mode is to send Vin to Vout, then… ouch.

Hello to All,

I'm rather confused. Just bought the V5 version, got it up and running, including the software-change. Then the V6 started to be offered.

And suddenly the V6, which is far more expensive than the V5, seems to be the only version mentioned (but not sold!) through Farhans webshop... Confusion...First the BitX40 is not offered anymore (which is a bit of a shame, because our team of jota-amateurs wanted to buy a few sets for fresh junior-jota-amateurs) And now the cheaper mBitX V5 is also on the verge of being extinct?

In the links on the emaillist the V5 appears still on sale and available, but the V6 (NOT for sale here!) is the only one promoted in the MENU-list on Farhams website.

Link to V5 ($129 USD) :
Link to V6 (not for sale through Farhans site) :

My question to Farham: Will the V5 be taken off the sale list, as happened to the bitx40?

Thanks for your answers,
With regards, Martin, PD0ZZ from the Netherlands

Ashhar,

Did you want me to make these changes, or do you plan to merge the PR as-is?


Reed

Hey Ted, lots of good stuff there!? Let me throw back a few questions:

- What's the communication between the uBITX and the remote control head?? What's the distance of that cable?

- Did you have to change any components on the board to up the final voltage to 22V?? e.g. voltage ratings for capacitors, and/or any biasing changes.

- I've got both the kit-projects BCI filter and AGC board installed.? What was the primary reason for the RF preamp (i.e. did you have a particular problem to solve for mobile?), and does it simply directly precede the BCI filter?

- Do you have any close-up photos of your heatsink arrangement and fans?

- I wasn't clear, do you have two displays?? I.e. is there a display on the uBITX main box itself, and then also a separate display head?? Or just one, i.e. the remote display?

Thanks!
-Rob KC4UPR

Your problem seems to the mic connection. Check the wiring polarity if you are using the
supplied condenser mic element. One of the two solder points on the ,ic is visibly connected
to the mic elements body - that is ground (black).

The "swr flash" tells me your TX circuit is fine.

Raj

Hi, and welcome to the group.?

I am a newbie, with my first build. Completed as documented. Rx works well. Even with minimal indoor antenna, I received station from 500 miles away. However when I attempted Tx on 50 ohm dummy or antenna the speaker mutes and my antenna swr flashes momentarily, but no TX indication on? LCD. Please give this rookie some help.

Hey there,

I recently converted my home rig setup to a QRP SDR transceiver, and so I've been thinking about converting my uBITX for portable and mobile operations.? I know I've seen some portable setups, haven't seen many mobile.? I do expect to simplify my controls (i.e. go back to something more like the stock uBITX!), and put it in a smaller case.? To that end, my first question deals with the final amp heat sinks.

I still want to be able to use it for digimodes, and currently I have a 60mm fan that keeps the finals cool.? It seems to me than a fan is probably not ideal for mobile operations (may not have a good installation location suitable for fan intake/output) or portable operations (seems like you'd want to minimize extra ports for debris to enter).? So I'm thinking I want to use a larger heatsink (with suitable insulating kits) instead.? Is it sufficient to simply bolt the IRF510's to an aluminum case?? Or do I need an additional external heat sink?? (Or does anyone have any alternate opinions on fans for portable/mobile ops?)

Also, are there any good resources on mobile uBITX, in terms of desired mods?? I'm thinking for example of a noise blanker circuit.??

Thanks!
Rob KC4UPR

Andy,

That class sounds very cool, and I believe it is exactly the sort of thing
Farhan is hoping these rigs can make possible.
Let us know how it goes, and any tips for others attempting the same.

I don't know that there is much of a "posting policy" other than to be somewhat courteous.
Maybe somebody gave you guff about the recent posts on digital modes?

With several thousand forum members, we don't always agree on how to use the forum.
The only person to watch out for is Arv Evans, K7HKL, as he runs the forum.
Dig around here and you will find posts from Arv that are not about the uBitx.?
Or even radio.

Some get upset when a thread starts to wander.
Personally, I rather like to occasionally have a conversation that goes somewhere.

Jerry, KE7ER