Hi all, ??????????? Hope youre keeping well,i have a bitx 40 working with ssb and cw. comes with PE1 NWL 1,.29 FIRMWARE. its housed in a unmarked really nice blue case. comes with microphone and power lead.
bought on a whim no longer required. ?70 plus post to your qth. PAYPAL? ACCEPTED AS FAMILY FRIENDS.
Dave G0AYD QTHR . Stay well stay safe.
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Re: ubitx V3 with panadapter
#ubitx
I¡¯m doing something similar with my v5. I use SDR-Console software with an RTL-SDR. ?It uses OmniRig to manage the CAT control. OmniRig has settings to change offsets for the different modes.
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Have my assembled and aligned V6? with original 6.1.? No mods.? Made several CW contacts with it.? Never going to get around to making any improvements.? $175 Paypal.? Includes shipping anywhere in US.
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Thanks Jason, Yeah those are nice videos. I have not seen his Youtube page before. ? 72 Aaron K5ATG ?
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From: Jason PirokSent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 11:06 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [BITX20] BITX 14MHz Build #bitx20 ? W2AEW (Alan Wolke) has a great video on the layout of Manhattan style PCB building.?
This one illustrates the island method, but the techniques can be used for Manhattan.
?? ? This one goes over several other construction techniques.
??
--
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Thanks Mark, Like I said, I¡¯m a newbie so I will start identifying the VFO, BFO and AF amp and PA. ? ? 72 Aaron K5ATG ?
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From: Mark - N7EKUSent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 11:09 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [BITX20] BITX 14MHz Build #bitx20 ? Hi Aaron,
I not used MeSquares, but have done quite a bit of "dead bug" construction (which is just placing parts - upside down or not - over an unetched PCB).? Basically I just follow the schematic as it pretty much already organizes the parts in the place you want them on the board.? Start with the receiver antenna connector (or short piece of coax or twisted line) and just start building out.? The receive bandpass filter is first, then the RF amp, mixer, etc all follow.? The build will probably end up long an narrow, but that is good as it keeps the higher level signals away from the lower level ones.? Reading the description of Farhan's build you will see he did it this way too.? You might want to build the VFO, BFO, and AF amp on separate PCB's.? This will allow you to shield the RF one's and also allow you to keep the build from getting too long.? For sure I would put the PA on a separate board.
When soldering parts to the ground plane, remember that is one big piece of copper that you are heating up.? It will take higher heat and a longer heating time than the parts.? Clean then wet the tip of the iron with fresh solder, place the tip on the board where you want to solder, and wait until solder placed on the PCB near the tip will melt by itself.? Then you can place the part to be soldered to it onto the board.? This will keep the part from over heating.
You can place parts upside down or rightside up -- whatever is easiest and makes connections the simplest.
73,
Mark
PS:? Ferrite core toroids or old TV baluns will work much better than tap washers for transformers and inductors as the designer found out in the end.
PSS: If you can't find Toko type transformers for the bandpass filter, you can use fixed inductors and accomplish the filter adjustment by making the capacitors variable instead (trimmer caps).?
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
Thanks Nigel for helping me understand more about audio levels? and how having a power meter will help me get those correct!
And thanks for the others who suggested getting the cheap cb power/swr meters for $20-$25, I found one that was suggested on amazon and ordered it. I'm sure it will give me enough information to get it working much better and combined with getting my antenna up higher, I'm sure I'll be on my way!
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
Buy a cheap CB SWR meter for $25 on Amazon
Hamfest they go for $10 but everything is shut down
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On Apr 7, 2020, at 07:15, Mick <Mgsebele@...> wrote:
?Gavin, I agree with Scott¡¯s antenna suggestion. Another improvement I discovered was to use a USB dongle sound device (see below, the one I use) The sound volume and quality are greatly improved compared to direct to computer connection. You will have to make sure the PTT connection from the dongle is disconnected or it will constantly trigger your TX. I eventually mounted a second set of 3.5mm jacks on the back of my rig (wired to the audio jack) through a selector switch (Dpdt on-off-on) on the front of my rig.
-- ?
73
Mick VA3EPM?
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
Nobody mentioned setting the audio levels?
Set the speaker audio to a very low level and watch the power out on a power meter (you really ought to get one) step it up a level at a time until you get your normal full output and set it there.
Mine is typically around 8 - 15 on all my rigs, anything more will just cause splatter/overdrive yor radio (kind of like screaming into your microphone).
You will want a fan on the PA if you intend to do anything more than an odd QSO.
Nigel
G4ZAL
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ubitx V3 with panadapter
#ubitx
I have a V3 ubitx. I have added the I.F (45Mhz) 50Mhz buffer board () and taken this to an SDRplay RSP1A. I have added a USB hub and soundcard (soundblaster) in with the ubitx so a single USB lead runs the radiono and the soundblaster.
This arrangement means I can switch the audio into FLDIGI between the soundblaster or the RSP1A and I have full CAT control of the ubitx and RSP1A. The RSP1A has its LO set to 45Mhz and USB for digital modes.
The ubitx is as supplied and I have not changed the calibration etc
I have noticed that the 'audio frequency' of a known BPSK31 signal appears at a slightly different frequency between the soundblaster and the RSP1A. I think it is about 200Hz but might be 700Hz as its difficult to measure it without an actual fixed reference. Also for instance, if I tune the ubitx to a morse signal, the signal is not in the same place via the RSP1A.
Does anyone know why there is (appears to be) this difference? I cant see a reason from the ubitx documentation
Thank you for any explanation
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A few months ago I tested a nice 10.7 Mhz crystal filter I bought years ago. Most likely I did damage it with a 7dbm dds, but I cannot remember exactly. Testing using an attenuator and Antuino in SNA mode it was clear there was something wrong in the shape and insertion loss. I dismantled it, it contained a tuned coil at the input and one on the output. I tested each of the 4 crystals inside, three looked absolutely fine but one was clearly jeopardising the whole filter. You can also start practicing testing each crystal, then see what changes adding similar crystals in series or in parallel and then matching the input and the output with a small transformer or a LC circuit. Learning on books is fine, but practicing in your own way is even better. That's my two cents.
Il 05/apr/2020 23:26, < ashok.das81@...> ha scritto: Hi all,
Can anyone guide me how to use VNA to design crystal filter. I am completely new to this VNA. Many forums mention this abt VNA and crystal filter but i cannot find any proper guide how to design crystal filter using VNA. I will use NANO VNA
Regards
Ashok?
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
The height is probably fine.? Is your antenna working, probably not well. I am using an efhw that is 10' high at one end and 20' at the other end. I have made phone contacts into eastern europe on my ubitx v3 .? The end fed is 64' of wire driven by a? 49:1 unun. Resonates well on all ham bands above 40.? On 80 and 160 I am using my big loop.? All done with the same radio.  -- 73 Dave
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Re: uBitx v.4 build information
Evan,
Ok, tks.
73 de Rubens py2pvb? -- Sauda??es fraternais, 73/51 PY2PVB
Rubens Kamimura Tel. (18) 3746-8680 ramal 116 Cel. (18) 9-9819-2225 WhatsApp ou (18) 9-9819-2255? Em ter., 7 de abr. de 2020 ¨¤s 14:16, Evan Hand < elhandjr@...> escreveu:
Rubens,
Most likely it was heat that fried your finals.? Digital modes have been reported to have this issue on all of the uBiTx models, as they keep the transmitter on for 15 seconds at a time at full power.? Before going back on the air I would suggest that you add a fan, larger heatsinks, or both.? Remember that the stock radio does not have electrical isolation of the heatsinks.? Either keep the new heatsinks isolated, or add the insulators for the IRF510s.? The alternative is to reduce the output power with the RV1 adjustment.??I would adjust RV1 using an RF power meter and keep it under 10 watts for 40 meters.? Monitor your finals temperature to verify that they are not getting too hot.? As long as you can keep your finger on them right after the end of transmission, then they should be OK.? I would send a continuous tune signal for at least 15 seconds into a dummy load, turn off the power and immediately check the finals.? I did learn that if you do not turn off the power, there is a large risk that you will move the heatsink and short it out, usually just blowing the fuse.
As to how to set up the bias values for the new finals, there are instructions on the HF Signals and sights.? I have used HF Signals for the bias adjustment:
You should not need to adjust the BFO or frequency calibration.
The above are just suggestions.? There may be better ways to do the testing, however, the ones that I know of would require an IR measurement device.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: REPLACEMENT IRF510 ON uBITX V4
Tks -- Sauda??es fraternais, 73/51 PY2PVB
Rubens Kamimura Tel. (18) 3746-8680 ramal 116 Cel. (18) 9-9819-2225 WhatsApp ou (18) 9-9819-2255? Em ter., 7 de abr. de 2020 ¨¤s 14:19, Evan Hand < elhandjr@...> escreveu:
I use the HF Signals direction:
Requires an amp meter in the power to the finals, or just look for a difference of 100 ma for each setting.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: REPLACEMENT IRF510 ON uBITX V4
I use the HF Signals direction:
Requires an amp meter in the power to the finals, or just look for a difference of 100 ma for each setting.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: uBitx v.4 build information
Rubens,
Most likely it was heat that fried your finals.? Digital modes have been reported to have this issue on all of the uBiTx models, as they keep the transmitter on for 15 seconds at a time at full power.? Before going back on the air I would suggest that you add a fan, larger heatsinks, or both.? Remember that the stock radio does not have electrical isolation of the heatsinks.? Either keep the new heatsinks isolated, or add the insulators for the IRF510s.? The alternative is to reduce the output power with the RV1 adjustment.??I would adjust RV1 using an RF power meter and keep it under 10 watts for 40 meters.? Monitor your finals temperature to verify that they are not getting too hot.? As long as you can keep your finger on them right after the end of transmission, then they should be OK.? I would send a continuous tune signal for at least 15 seconds into a dummy load, turn off the power and immediately check the finals.? I did learn that if you do not turn off the power, there is a large risk that you will move the heatsink and short it out, usually just blowing the fuse.
As to how to set up the bias values for the new finals, there are instructions on the HF Signals and ubitx.net sights.? I have used HF Signals for the bias adjustment:
You should not need to adjust the BFO or frequency calibration.
The above are just suggestions.? There may be better ways to do the testing, however, the ones that I know of would require an IR measurement device.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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REPLACEMENT IRF510 ON uBITX V4
ALL I have uBITX v4 and use it only for FT8 in 40m, but the IRF510 outputs are burned, I am changing them, how do I check if the bias and power settings are correct? a) I check the tension in the GATE or, b) the current in the DRAIN? c) the output power on FT8 at 40m (7,074 MHz), adjusted on VR1? If I choose to use two IRF520 in place of the IRF510, should I make any changes? any recommendations? 73 from py2pvb -- Rubens Kamimura
Tel. (18) 3746-8680 ramal 116 Cel. (18) 9-9819-2225 WhatsApp ou (18) 9-9819-2255?
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Re: uBitx v.4 build information
ALL
I have uBITX v4 and use it only for FT8 in 40m, but the IRF510 outputs are burned, I am changing them, how do I check if the bias and power settings are correct?
a) I check the tension in the GATE or,
b) the current in the DRAIN?
c) the output power on FT8 at 40m (7,074 MHz), adjusted on VR1?
If I choose to use two IRF520 in place of the IRF510, should I make any changes? any recommendations?
73 from py2pvb -- Sauda??es fraternais, 73/51 PY2PVB
Rubens Kamimura Tel. (18) 3746-8680 ramal 116 Cel. (18) 9-9819-2225 WhatsApp ou (18) 9-9819-2255? Em ter., 31 de mar. de 2020 ¨¤s 11:49, flatpickn via Groups.Io <flatpickn= [email protected]> escreveu:
Like some other folks, I have an unbuilt v.4. I've waited to build it until the dust settled over the fix for the harmonics and spurs. I've begun putting it together and realized how hard it is to find good information specific to the v.4. Not because it isn't there but because at the time the fixes and mods were written up they weren't identified as v.4. I'm not saying anyone was lacking in any way, it was the current version and people wrote issues, mods, and fixes. They didn't know that we'd later have a v.6 that was quite different from the v.4.?
Based on a comment by Curt in an earlier post (ubitx 4 - want a fresh start, need guidance) he posted a link with some great uBitx v.4 build information.? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I just wanted to put it here with an easily searchable title for other v.4 builders
?
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
Russ, if you have rig based CAT controlling the PPT and freq change function, and it appears you do, then you are good to go.? ?
Using a cheap external USB sound card dongle may be better...but...I have never been able to tell a difference between the external sound card dongle and the direct connect between uBITX mic/speaker and the laptop speaker/mic.? But my laptop audio jack broke, so I had to use a external sound card.? Get the $7.99 version if you want to use the external sound card.? Is it better? Beats me.?
You do need some idea of power output, and using the cheapest CB meter will get you started.?
If you hang with any other radio folks, someone will have an old MFJ antenna tuner or SWR/POWER meter that they will pass on to you.? If you find a group of hams, then you will find a group of folks very happy to help you.?
On the topic of tuning your antenna...it is generally a pointless procedure. (Don is ducking now to avoid the flying erasures and tomatoes).? At uBITX power levels, matching the antenna to the uBITX is a fine activity while under CV19 lockdown.? But.? Your antenna and your uBITX will never send a post card saying "thank you", and you will never make a QSO that wouldn't have made without "matching".?
It is good to know you power levels and your SWR. Really good.? But your antenna is what it is, and matching it to your rig makes little difference to the receiving public. And if you jump bands with abandon, then you either "re-match" every time, or you get a automatic antenna tuner with a memory that will snap to your new frequency.? And that complexity will cost you about the same as your uBITX, and produce near zero added value for the uBITX.
Old tube rigs and old timers (said with total respect and humility) have a different view on this. With hundreds or thousands of watts, matching becomes more important. But for us QRP uBITXers, to bother with matching is to stay busy. Not a bad thing at all. And a good learning exercise. But matching will not add any extra FT8 QSOs.
So get a grip on your PWR and your SWR levels, adjust as required, and go fourth into the airwaves. (hahaha...I loved the sound of that!)
Don
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Re: uBitx V5 can't make a contact on ft8
Thanks for the replies! It sounds like my first thing to do is to get it up higher. My best option will be from the top of my roof.? Does anyone have success with putting this an antenna right on or just above a cement tile roof? I think if i pull it tight from the top to my pergola again, it will be touching to several feet above it on the angle to it. If I decide to leave it slack, it would just be resting on it. I'm guessing it might not be ideal, but a lot better to be up twice as high or so as it is now, even near the roof. If that doesn't result in some contacts I'll get a swr meter (maybe I'll get one anyway) to check if I need to make any adjustments to this antenna.?
I'm still waiting for an antenna adapter for my V6 but am interested in setting it up for FT8.? So exactly how did you disconnect the PTT connection on the dongle?I'm not sure how the dpdt switch is connected or when you would activate it.? Sorry for being such a dummy.
I didn't do anything special, (maybe I should have?) although maybe this explains why sometimes when I plug in this way from my usb sound card my radio will just start rapidly switching on and off tx, but it doesn't always do this, only sometimes depending on who knows what? haha I'm the dummy not you :)
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Receive Noise with USB
#cat
Hi Group
I have an Ubitx V.5 working well. One problem I found is that when I
connect an USB cable to my Ubitx from the computer for CAT control,
my receive level noise increases substantially. I have an USB cable that
is well shielded for RF and the cable has a ferrite bead on each end. The
Ubitx is well grounded. Maybe I'm expecting too much for a under $200 rig.
You can only ask. Hi Hi.... Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks in advance
Doug WA3ZHG
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Aaron K5ATG
_Dave_ AD0B