Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
Scott,
I hope Hans doesn't mind me posting information for another shop on the website. I don't think Hans sales any filters like this one. This filter kit that that I just saw would be perfect for you. It's called a ¡°Broadcast Interference Filter¡±. The shop that it's at is a ham specialty store and they appear to be familiar with the uBITX. The description for the BIF is as follows;
¡°General purpose BCI filter for most SDR's, DC transceivers and Bitx radios.?
Designed to be placed in the RX path for 3-30Mhz ¡°
Here is the website: ?
That will get you to their home page. If you look Just below the search box, you'll see ¡°DIY Kits¡±, click on it and it will take you to the page the filter is on.
The price for the filter is only $5.00 pus tax and shipping. There shipping rates are very reasonable. It's in a kit form so you'll have to wind the toroids. It?looks like it would be a fun little kit to build.Good luck with the build and have fun.
73,
Robert, AG6LK
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Hi Max,
Think it through. That company sells electronic parts. Many or most of the uBitX owners modify the radios - some radically so. We need parts n pieces to do that. MPJA sells those parts n pieces. How is this not to do with uBitX?
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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On 4/22/21 3:05 PM, Max via groups.io wrote: Curious why you post these every week? This has nothing to do with the uBITX !
Max KG4PID
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, 01:52:16 PM CDT, Bob Lunsford via groups.io <nocrud222@...> wrote:
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Trying to upload firmware to my new uBITXv6 - it's not working.
I installed the Arduino IDE and the CH340 driver, and the ubitx v6 software from github on my Win10 system.
Successfully compiled the software.
---------------- snip -----------------------
Sketch uses 28748 bytes (93%) of program storage space. Maximum is 30720 bytes.
Global variables use 1151 bytes (56%) of dynamic memory, leaving 897 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.
---------------- endsnip ---------------------
But when I try to upload it to the uBITX, it freezes for a long time, and then I get the
following errors:
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
Problem uploading to board. See for suggestions.
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8d
This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.
------------------- endsnip ----------------------------
I suspect that I have a wrong setting in the arduino IDE preferences: Right now I have
Board: "Arduino Nano".
Programmer: "AVRISP Mkii"
Processor: "ATmega 328p"
If I choose "Get Board Info", I get:
------------ snip ------------
BN: Unknown board
VID: 1A86
PID: 7523
SN: Upload any sketch to obtain it
------ endsnip -------------------
Can anybody supply a clue?
- Jerry KF6VB
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Curious why you post these every week? This has nothing to do with the uBITX !
Max KG4PID
On Thursday, April 22, 2021, 01:52:16 PM CDT, Bob Lunsford via groups.io <nocrud222@...> wrote:
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
I'll direct this especially to Bob, N4FBZ
If you are having issues with trying to handle a key, you might want to look at a keyboard keyer.? K1EL has a new model coming out (the K44 has been discontinued) and Begali (in Italy) also has one.? You might want to look at an Arduino & see what is available.? Just a thought - you don't say what the issues are. If it's an RX, rather than a TX issue, you might want to try a code reader.? The K44 has this feature.? Since you say that you can enjoy digital modes, I presume your medical issues do not prevent you from using a keyboard.? You might want to look at the Fldigi suite.? It has CW as one of its modes.? Hope this helps.
Gerry, VE4GKS
Sent by the Thunderbird
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On 2021-04-22 11:52 a.m., Robert D. Bowers wrote: A well-known problem... and I've encountered it here occasionally for some time (when I have that rarity, free time - and turn on my radios).
It used to be that I often encountered S9+20-30 noise here.? There were periods where it was quieter, but during "prime time" (and in the morning) the noise floor would rise from tolerable to bad starting about the time people started getting up to go to work. I learned from a friend that the noise I experienced was from Plasma TVs mixed with various forms of power line noise.? Plasma noise was one that was so characteristic that we could even track it down to a neighborhood - and I lived thousands of feet away. It seems that Plasma screens are going out of favor - and I'm glad.? A high noise level without a S-meter... that could be difficult to identify and deal with (without equipment and help).
There hasn't been much activity at all on the bands since the last sunspot maximum (at least that's what I understand, and I've noticed the same thing you have).? I know a lot of hams blame "FT-8" - but that mode might be what is keeping our hobby alive. I do try to get on - but it seems that (on the lower bands) as soon as I tune into a signal, I get blasted with virulent politics or religion - which turns me (and my radio) off.? CW is out for me due to neurological issues (that were not identified until many years after I'd gotten my Extra), so that leaves digital modes.? I like FT-8 (and other digital modes) because of my limitations.? I don't think it's behind your problem at all.
So what you're experiencing might be normal.? I'd suggest that if you know any local hams near you, ask them for help.? The suggestion to see if you can receive signals in the area where FT-8 is run is a good one.? It encourages me to think about hooking up my computer to my radio(s) again.? I did enjoy the mode, and it was a way I was able to make contacts without getting hammered with all the ranting and raving.
Bob
N4FBZ
On 4/21/21 9:06 PM, Scott via groups.io wrote:
Still having quite a bit of fun building/moving antennas and using the uBITX to learn about propagation.
This has me confused however.? Here's what I believe are the relevant details;
uBITX ver6
1/2 wave dipole.? ?It does need to be lengthened a bit.? It's lowest SWR is currently at 14.360? (1.05:1) and is 1.39:1 at 14.074 MHz (20m FT8)
I got these numbers with a NanoVNA
It takes 2 separate roof climbs to adjust but it's on the list. I'm in a fairly dense residential area and the antenna is about 30' in the air.
The antenna is 14awg stranded, insulated wire fed with about 30' of RG6.? Yes I know it's 75ohm.
Now, with me running probably somewhere between 5-10W depending on what you read I would expect to hear a lot more stations than I can reach given a "decent" antenna.? ?Here's two grabs from the same moment on pskreporter, one showing over 200 stations that can hear me and the other showing the 9 stations that I can hear.
This doesn't make sense to me given my low power.? Am I interpreting the reports incorrectly?? Is it just a "HF thing" ? ?I have to assume the antenna/cabling and radio tuning is decent to be able to reach out to 200 stations.? Why do I hear so few???I've tried to listen to for the beacon at 14.100 and I've never heard it.? Is??there a chance there's something up with my rig on the RX sensitivity?
Attachments:
? * psk1.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/0>
? * psk2.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/1>
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Re: ubitx v6 cat-only operation firmware
Rafael's idea sounds very interesting.? I am probably going to order a complete '6 soon.? This would be an improvement over that small screen for my old eyes.? I will likel? set it up on my netbook running Linux Mint and using ht Fldigi software.
Gerry, VE4GKS
Sent by the Thunderbird
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On 2021-04-22 10:37 a.m., Rafael Diniz wrote: Hi all,
I'm developing a firmware for use without the screen, just over CAT,
with some pins assignments for my project needs, but which can be easily
wiped out. A totally new protocol is used for CAT control with full 1 Hz
precision on frequency, BFO and Mastercal commands, soon to be
documented. Also the userland is present in tools folder:
Rafael
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
A well-known problem... and I've encountered it here occasionally for some time (when I have that rarity, free time - and turn on my radios).
It used to be that I often encountered S9+20-30 noise here.? There were periods where it was quieter, but during "prime time" (and in the morning) the noise floor would rise from tolerable to bad starting about the time people started getting up to go to work.? I learned from a friend that the noise I experienced was from Plasma TVs mixed with various forms of power line noise.? Plasma noise was one that was so characteristic that we could even track it down to a neighborhood - and I lived thousands of feet away.? It seems that Plasma screens are going out of favor - and I'm glad.? A high noise level without a S-meter... that could be difficult to identify and deal with (without equipment and help).
There hasn't been much activity at all on the bands since the last sunspot maximum (at least that's what I understand, and I've noticed the same thing you have).? I know a lot of hams blame "FT-8" - but that mode might be what is keeping our hobby alive.? I do try to get on - but it seems that (on the lower bands) as soon as I tune into a signal, I get blasted with virulent politics or religion - which turns me (and my radio) off.? CW is out for me due to neurological issues (that were not identified until many years after I'd gotten my Extra), so that leaves digital modes.? I like FT-8 (and other digital modes) because of my limitations.? I don't think it's behind your problem at all.
So what you're experiencing might be normal.? I'd suggest that if you know any local hams near you, ask them for help.? The suggestion to see if you can receive signals in the area where FT-8 is run is a good one.? It encourages me to think about hooking up my computer to my radio(s) again.? I did enjoy the mode, and it was a way I was able to make contacts without getting hammered with all the ranting and raving.
Bob
N4FBZ
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 4/21/21 9:06 PM, Scott via groups.io wrote: Still having quite a bit of fun building/moving antennas and using the uBITX to learn about propagation.
This has me confused however.? Here's what I believe are the relevant details;
uBITX ver6
1/2 wave dipole.? ?It does need to be lengthened a bit.? It's lowest SWR is currently at 14.360? (1.05:1) and is 1.39:1 at 14.074 MHz (20m FT8)
I got these numbers with a NanoVNA
It takes 2 separate roof climbs to adjust but it's on the list. I'm in a fairly dense residential area and the antenna is about 30' in the air.
The antenna is 14awg stranded, insulated wire fed with about 30' of RG6.? Yes I know it's 75ohm.
Now, with me running probably somewhere between 5-10W depending on what you read I would expect to hear a lot more stations than I can reach given a "decent" antenna.? ?Here's two grabs from the same moment on pskreporter, one showing over 200 stations that can hear me and the other showing the 9 stations that I can hear.
This doesn't make sense to me given my low power.? Am I interpreting the reports incorrectly?? Is it just a "HF thing" ? ?I have to assume the antenna/cabling and radio tuning is decent to be able to reach out to 200 stations.? Why do I hear so few???I've tried to listen to for the beacon at 14.100 and I've never heard it.? Is??there a chance there's something up with my rig on the RX sensitivity?
Attachments:
* psk1.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/0>
* psk2.jpg </g/BITX20/attachment/87816/1>
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ubitx v6 cat-only operation firmware
Hi all,
I'm developing a firmware for use without the screen, just over CAT,
with some pins assignments for my project needs, but which can be easily
wiped out. A totally new protocol is used for CAT control with full 1 Hz
precision on frequency, BFO and Mastercal commands, soon to be
documented. Also the userland is present in tools folder:
Rafael
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
On 2021-04-22 05:08, Gordon Gibby wrote: Your mileage may vary, but this is all part of ham radio. Learning
more about your environment. As a teenager, it took me months to get
the power company to fix all the transformers I found by simply
driving around with an AM radio going near my house. When I was a highschool ham kid growing up in San Francisco, the line noise was so bad that I once saw it indicate on my SWR bridge! - Jerry KF6VB
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I purchased the full kit of Farhan's uBITX V6.? It went together easily and quickly.? Then I added the Teensy 4.1 adapter from the Skonk Worx replacing the supplied Raduino.? Before installing the Teensy in the adapter, I flashed it with the W0EB and associates' firmware.? I then cut the connection between the two pads on the Teensy as detailed in the Skonk Works construction manual.? Next I purchased the AGC product from Kit-Projects and installed it on the V6 motherboard as per the Kit-Projects manual.? Then added the connection to the Teensy A17 from the Kit-Projects S-Meter pad.? All works well.? The AGC kit really tames those strong signals, and it is nice to get a signal strength indication on the simulated S-Meter on the V6 ILI9341 LCD display.? The Skonk Worx firmware has a lot of nice features which are made possible by the extra power and storage of the Teensy 4.1 as compared with the Arduino Nano.
Highly recommended by this old ham.
Usual commercial disclaimers.
vy 73
Kevin VK3DAP / ZL2DAP
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
That's a good point.? ?Tune down to the 074 position of the FT8 and if you?hear a gaggle of them, you're likely hearing usefully.? But I like to listen in the CW portions, there are usually some CW ops out there if the band is open.
NOISE has been a huge issue at several station locations, however.? ?Our Emergency Operations Center was almost DEAF until we moved the antenna a good way away from the building.? A fiend of mine had a power transformer crank up near him and deafen his receiver.? ?The Florida Baptist Disaster unit at one training session parked near a radiating power transformer and had huge problems hearing anything.? ? Modern switching mode AC fan controllers are a HUGE problem.? ? An inverter generator can drown out almost anytthing, and the Honda is only slightly better than its cheaper competitors.? ?I had to add more than 60 dB of filtering before I could hear good signals again.
Your mileage may vary, but this is all part of ham radio.? ?Learning more about your environment.? ?As a teenager, it took me months to get the power company to fix all the transformers I found by simply driving around with an AM radio going near my house.? ?In my own home, a cheap wall-wart power supply for a TV headset my wife bought added several S-units of noise to my WINLINK gateway until I discovered it.? ?Everything these days contributes noise.
73 Gordon KX4Z
On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 7:31 AM John Cunliffe W7ZQ < n2nep@...> wrote: Don't get overboard, this seems to be the new normal. The bands are empty besides the infernal noise of FT8 and a handful of diehard SSB / CW operators that one can count on 2 hands and yet, reports from automatic receiving stations can report you from around the world. It just seems easier for people to run FT8 and its robot software than actually pick up a mike.
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
Don't get overboard, this seems to be the new normal. The bands are empty besides the infernal noise of FT8 and a handful of diehard SSB / CW operators that one can count on 2 hands and yet, reports from automatic receiving stations can report you from around the world. It just seems easier for people to run FT8 and its robot software than actually pick up a mike.
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Re: Value of the frequency of the CLOCK 0
The SMD cap is a ceramic and I consider them superior to the leaded variety.
Raj
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At 22/04/2021, you wrote: Hello,
I wanted to know what type of capacitor is most effective for a power decoupling. Basically, is a SMD capacitor as effective as a ceramic or something other?
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Re: Value of the frequency of the CLOCK 0
Hello,
I wanted to know what type of capacitor is most effective for a power decoupling.?Basically, is a SMD capacitor as effective as a ceramic or something other?
In addition, there is a calculation rule.?Ex if your converter 1 of your ubitx oscillates at 5Mhz, is there a formula to find the best value of ability to put on the decoupling power?
cdt
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And nevermind... I figured it out.
In my haste to test the broadcast filter, I failed to unplug the uBitx from USB.? I had turned off the rig and never turned the power back on.? So evidently there's enough from just powering the raduino?to get audio over the headphones.??
Now to build and install an AM broadcast filter.
I recently acquired a ubitx v6 used and in all my tinkering, I can't get the audio through the speaker to resemble anything intelligible.? The audio using headphones however is distinctly different.? When using headphones, I noticed what appeared to be competing signals.? I've now attached an AM broadcast filter to the antenna feed for testing and now with headphones, I can tune in SSB phone just fine.? It's clear as day.? If I unplug the headphones to try to lisen on the speaker, it might be absurdly quiet, or pop and go back and forth between something loudish with horrible distortion or back to oddly unusably quiet.
I'm now guessing that I should probably just replace the speaker and see if that fixes things (as well as install a broadcast filter on the receive side).? Is there anything else I should be checking or am I likely right that someone was unkind to this tiny speaker?
--Chris
N6CDH
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I recently acquired a ubitx v6 used and in all my tinkering, I can't get the audio through the speaker to resemble anything intelligible.? The audio using headphones however is distinctly different.? When using headphones, I noticed what appeared to be competing signals.? I've now attached an AM broadcast filter to the antenna feed for testing and now with headphones, I can tune in SSB phone just fine.? It's clear as day.? If I unplug the headphones to try to lisen on the speaker, it might be absurdly quiet, or pop and go back and forth between something loudish with horrible distortion or back to oddly unusably quiet.
I'm now guessing that I should probably just replace the speaker and see if that fixes things (as well as install a broadcast filter on the receive side).? Is there anything else I should be checking or am I likely right that someone was unkind to this tiny speaker?
--Chris
N6CDH
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Re: Homebrew is alive and well in Vienna Virginia
#homebrew
oshpark also has a "qrp bitx tia" ...surface mount termination insensitive amplifier ... again from EMRFD and similar to the amps in the micro-bitx...nice gain block
Jim
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 8:08:21 PM PDT, kx4om <wirehead73@...> wrote:
Dean,
If you haven't seen it, WA7MLH has several projects of modules, many from EMRFD on Osh Park as Shared Projects. Jeff was the builder of several projects that were photographed in EMRFD and other projects that Wes, W7ZOI designed over the years. The Osh Park designs include module boards including double-balanced mixers (pure homebrew and ADE-1, and diode ring mixers using BAT45 dual diodes) and other handy modules.? These can be purchased in lots of 3, and are priced based on the square inch. The takeaway is that small boards are cheap, and some may be useful for your group's builds.
Jeff documents his projects on his neonanderthal website. Search on WA7MLH. His Osh Park Profile page is:
73, Ted KX4OM
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
Scott, One thing you might need to consider is your 200 spots on PSK Reporter my only be from receiving stations that might not be transmitting.
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On Apr 21, 2021, at 21:07, Scott via groups.io <iamsblack@...> wrote:
?Still having quite a bit of fun building/moving antennas and using the uBITX to learn about propagation.? ?? This has me confused however.? Here's what I believe are the relevant details; uBITX ver6 1/2 wave dipole.? ?It does need to be lengthened a bit.? It's lowest SWR is currently at 14.360? (1.05:1) and is 1.39:1 at 14.074 MHz (20m FT8) I got these numbers with a NanoVNA It takes 2 separate roof climbs to adjust but it's on the list.? I'm in a fairly dense residential area and the antenna is about 30' in the air. The antenna is 14awg stranded, insulated wire fed with about 30' of RG6.? Yes I know it's 75ohm.? Now, with me running probably somewhere between 5-10W depending on what you read I would expect to hear a lot more stations than I can reach given a "decent" antenna.? ?Here's two grabs from the same moment on pskreporter, one showing over 200 stations that can hear me and the other showing the 9 stations that I can hear. This doesn't make sense to me given my low power.? Am I interpreting the reports incorrectly?? Is it just a "HF thing" ?? ?I have to assume the antenna/cabling and radio tuning is decent to be able to reach out to 200 stations.? Why do I hear so few???I've tried to listen to for the beacon at 14.100 and I've never heard it.? Is??there a chance there's something up with my rig on the RX sensitivity? <psk1.jpg> ?? <psk2.jpg>
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Re: HF newbie. Propagation questions - with pix!
Set the volume controls so that with the antenna connected and a quiet or relatively quiet part of the band, the volume is loud but not clipping or distorted. ?Measure the AC audio level.
Remove the antenna without changing the volume control and measure the AC audio level
Reach back into your technician license training and calculate the decibels that the noise went down.
That¡¯s how much noise you have coming in over the antenna , over the internal noise of your radio.
In round figures on 20 m it might be 3 to 5 DB.
On 80 m it might be 10 or 15 DB
If quite a bit larger than those then you have a noise source nearby and that¡¯s why you weren¡¯t hearing ?signals
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On Apr 21, 2021, at 21:41, Scott via groups.io <iamsblack@...> wrote:
?The ubitx is my only hf gear.? What would I need ideally to quantify background noise and can I approximate it without additional gear??
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Bob Lunsford
Raj vu2zap
Gerard
Skip Davis