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Re: micro bitx kit from 2018 #ubitx

 

Look at your kit to see which version you have. It's most likely to be version 3 if you ordered it in 2018. Although there have been improvements in the newer revisions, the older ones are still quite usable and worth putting on the air. But you will likely need to make some changes.

The one mod to the v3 board that is mandatory if you live in the US is the relay replacement. Your radio won't be compliant with?FCC regulations on some bands if you don't do it because the original relays don't have enough signal isolation. Regulations vary, so in some places that mod may be only recommended rather than mandatory. You could also make the radio compliant in other?ways, such as operating it with an external low pass filter designed for the band you are using, if you don't want to desolder and replace the relays.

The other highly recommended mod is replacing some of the transistors with 2N2222 metal can transistors. That one will let you get full output on all bands, instead of having output power drop severely on the higher frequencies. There are other ways to do that, but the transistor replacement is the simplest one.

There are many other mods as well, some very useful, some less so. W8TEE already provided the link to the site that has info.

On Thu, May 13, 2021 at 3:49 PM Jack, W8TEE via <jjpurdum=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi John:

There should be a version number on the kit which will direct your search for board modifications. Also, check the site, as that has a lot of good information, too.

Jack, W8TEE

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, 3:15:33 PM EDT, John Wiener <jawodms@...> wrote:


Hi
I got away from kit building for a while.? I found a ubitx kit ordered in 2018.? I know there have been some changes.?
What should I know / do before starting this kit? Circuit changes? Add-ons? etc.? Thanks!
John AB8O

--
Jack, W8TEE

Re: micro bitx kit from 2018 #ubitx

Jack, W8TEE
 

Hi John:

There should be a version number on the kit which will direct your search for board modifications. Also, check the ubitx.net site, as that has a lot of good information, too.

Jack, W8TEE

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, 3:15:33 PM EDT, John Wiener <jawodms@...> wrote:


Hi
I got away from kit building for a while.? I found a ubitx kit ordered in 2018.? I know there have been some changes.?
What should I know / do before starting this kit? Circuit changes? Add-ons? etc.? Thanks!
John AB8O

--
Jack, W8TEE
micro bitx kit from 2018 #ubitx

 

Hi
I got away from kit building for a while.? I found a ubitx kit ordered in 2018.? I know there have been some changes.?
What should I know / do before starting this kit? Circuit changes? Add-ons? etc.? Thanks!
John AB8O
Re: Parasites noises

 

Evan,

I have to consider that I work without a Nextion screen and without a rotary encoder. So the noise does not come from there.
It¡¯s probably in the design of the PCB.. it' s Homebrew.
I agree that there may be a filter to put on the power lines
The "bips" de 2millis secondes goes also on power lines
see these sites:






etc..

cdt
Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

On Thu, May 13, 2021 at 01:04 PM, Gerard wrote:
It was a quick answer
We can of course compensate the loss due to the diode
There are lots of schematics on the net
Gerard,

I would suggest that you move the diode to the power input of the regulator.? That would also help in dropping the 12volts down by .6olts.? A small help in the power dissipation of the 5volt regulator

I have powered my v5 and v6 ?BITX Raduino without the 12volt supply.? I never noticed any received signal, but it may have been there.

73
Evan
AC9TU
Re: Parasites noises

 

Gerard,

I have read in one of the threads that installing a filter and capacitor on the power feed to the Nextion screen (assuming that you are using a Nextion) helps in reducing the "click".? It is believed that the frequency changes with the screen update and the I2C signals to the Si5351 combine for the issue.? Try a 100ohm resistor in the power supply to the Nextion.? The alternative is to use a separate supply altogether for the display.

Just a suggestion.
73
Evan
AC9TU
Re: Parasites noises

 

Hello,

Now I¡¯m asking for your help.
I have on my own homebrew? Ubitx, a beep "tic tac"? on my construction.
This comes from the Arduino¡¯s SDA and SCL signals that communicate with the SI5351 module. The frequency of these signals varies with the MasterClock setting.
I tried this on.
Capacitor on the different supply points of the circuits.
Cut the Volume tracks and put the potentiometer close to the amplifier. (With shielded cables)
Switch off the amplifier 12V track and connect directly to the 12V power supply.
Test with separate power supply for amplifier.
Disassembly of my SI5351 (Removable) and welded as close as possible to the Arduino (1 cm wires)
Si5351 Shielding.

No tested: Put the Arduino on the other side of the PCB.
No tested: 2 powers one for Arduino, other 12V? (Like no regulator 12v? -->? 5v). See my other post.

Your ideas

cdt
Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

Jack,

It was a quick answer
We can of course compensate the loss due to the diode
There are lots of schematics on the net

Example:






cdt
Re: Question about voltage regulator

Jack, W8TEE
 

There's no voltage drop across the diode?

Jack, W8TEE

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, 12:56:10 PM EDT, Gerard <kabupos@...> wrote:


Evan,

I agree with you.
Now look my 5v regulation of my Arduino. It's the same that on V5, V6 etc.
The test to do is to connect the USB port of the Arduino to a pc, and do not put power on the Ubitx.
Me, I have the impression that the 5v of the arduino goes up on the "out" of the regulator and therefore gives + 5v on in fact the "in" of it.
A diode should be put at the output of the regulator towards the 5v of the Arduino.
Made? the test to.? ? I'am not crazy.....Lol
Here my Sch¨¦matic, it's the same on V5, 6!!

So the good modification is:? ?OR MY REGULATOR DON'T WORK ?? NOT SURE!!


Current Schematic:

--
Jack, W8TEE
Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

Dean,
Thank's for your answer
I don¡¯t think that¡¯s gonna solve my sound pb¡¯s.
But I¡¯ll try to change it
cdt
Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

Evan,

I agree with you.
Now look my 5v regulation of my Arduino. It's the same that on V5, V6 etc.
The test to do is to connect the USB port of the Arduino to a pc, and do not put power on the Ubitx.
Me, I have the impression that the 5v of the arduino goes up on the "out" of the regulator and therefore gives + 5v on in fact the "in" of it.
A diode should be put at the output of the regulator towards the 5v of the Arduino.
Made? the test to.? ? I'am not crazy.....Lol
Here my Sch¨¦matic, it's the same on V5, 6!!

So the good modification is:? ?OR MY REGULATOR DON'T WORK ?? NOT SURE!!


Current Schematic:

Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

Hi Gerard,

Yes - it even receives weakly!?

I use CAT control and keep the USB connected all the time so I disconnected the +5 from the USB input.? I recently got a powered USB hub that lets you turn the +5 on or off individually on each port.

Dean
KK4DA
Re: Question about voltage regulator

 

Gerard,

The internal 5volt regulator for the Nano is supplying the power to just the 5volt parts of the Raduino (or anything else connected to the 5volt rail).? This usually includes the display which is why IF you have a larger than a 3.5" display you should supply it with a separate 5volt source.? The Nano regulator can only supply a little over 500ma.?

The full radio is not being powered, only the Nano, Si5351, and the Display.??

73
Evan
AC9TU
Question about voltage regulator

 

hello,

have you noticed this:
If I connect the USB port of the arduino and I do not turn on the 12V power supply, the internal 12v-->5v? voltage regulator switches the 5v to the 12v input. He¡¯s actually walking backwards.
it¡¯s probably related to the design of the regulator,?
Amazing though
Made the test.
cdt

cdt
Re: CNC encoder for ubitx

 

This was just an example to show that the 100PPR encoders can be made to work.? Anyone who cares to can feel free to incorporate Jack's suggestion and make the code into a library.
Re: BITX40 and loud noises #bitx40help

 

Thank you Evan, Vic and Sergio,

I have forgotten what software I installed since it I wasn't paying attention to the BITX40 for a long time. It was the first radio I was able to listen to a 40m station before I even had my license. Now it is time to actually use it!
I replaced the volume poti cable with a shielded one in the meantime - with no success but with a better feeling. The Amunter FW will be hopefully installed tonight if I'll find the time.

I'll upload a new video with the new software and after trying some other things out. This seems to be an awesome community - great to know that one gets help here.

A metal enclosure is also on the to-do list after the basic problems have been sorted out.

BTW: If the DHL tracking is right, I will receive my uBITX next tuesday :)

Cheers
Michael
Re: CNC encoder for ubitx

Jack, W8TEE
 

Dennis:

Why not make pos a static int within the CheckEncoderStatus()? It's still allocated on the heap, but you remove it from exposure via global scope and encapsulate it within the method that needs it. Also, if you decide to make it a library, you don't need to worry about its presence in a header file since it's buried within the method.

Jack, W8TEE

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, 8:24:53 AM EDT, Dennis Zabawa <kg4rul@...> wrote:


#include <RotaryEncoder.h> /*Support for 100 PPR rotary encoder*/
/*/
/*? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?ROTARY ENCODER? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?*/
/*/
/*We are using an encoder with 100 PPR (Pulses Per Rotation)*/
#define RotaryEncoderPinB 10 /*Encoder pins? - Marked B- on body*/
#define RotaryEncoderPinA 11 /*Marked A- on body*/
#define EncoderRotatedCCW -1 /*Value returned for CCW rotation of encoder*/
/*Setup a RotaryEncoder with 4 steps per pulse for the 2 signal input pins*/
RotaryEncoder encoder(RotaryEncoderPinB, RotaryEncoderPinA, RotaryEncoder::LatchMode::FOUR3);
/*This interrupt routine will be called on any change of one of the input signals*/
static int pos = 0; /*If changed from last pass, encoder has been rotated*/
enum RotaryEncoderDirections /*Which way is the rotary encoder being rotated or not*/
{
? NoRotation, /*No rotation*/
? CwRotation, /*CW rotation*/
? CcwRotation /*CCW rotation*/
};
RotaryEncoderDirections CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection;
/*/
void EncoderInterruptService()
{
? encoder.tick(); /*Call tick() function to check the rotary encoder state*/
}//END EncoderInterruptService
?
/*/
RotaryEncoderDirections CheckEncoderStatus()
{
? encoder.tick(); /*Query the encoder library*/
? int newPos = encoder.getPosition(); /*Get current encoder position*/
? if (pos != newPos) /*Has encoder been rotated*/
? {
? ? if (int(encoder.getDirection()) == EncoderRotatedCCW) /*Query encoder library for rotation direction*/
? ? {
? ? ? pos = newPos; /*Save new rotary encoder position*/
? ? ? return CcwRotation; /*Encoder rotated CCW*/
? ? }
? ? else
? ? {
? ? ? pos = newPos; /*Save new rotary encoder position*/
? ? ? return CwRotation; /*Encoder rotated CW*/
? ? }
? }
? else
? {
? ? return NoRotation; /*ENccoder not rotated*/
? }
}//END CheckEncoderStatus
?
//
void setup()
{
? Serial.begin(9600);
? /*Setup rotary encoder interrupt routines for pin change*/
? attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(RotaryEncoderPinB), EncoderInterruptService, CHANGE);
? attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(RotaryEncoderPinA), EncoderInterruptService, CHANGE);
}//END setup
?
/*/
/*/
void loop()
{
CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection = CheckEncoderStatus();
? switch(CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection)
? {
? ? case CwRotation:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ?Serial.println("CW");
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? ? case CcwRotation:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ?Serial.println("CCW");
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? ? default:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? }
} //END loop
?

--
Jack, W8TEE
Re: CNC encoder for ubitx

 

#include <RotaryEncoder.h> /*Support for 100 PPR rotary encoder*/
/*/
/*? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?ROTARY ENCODER? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?*/
/*/
/*We are using an encoder with 100 PPR (Pulses Per Rotation)*/
#define RotaryEncoderPinB 10 /*Encoder pins? - Marked B- on body*/
#define RotaryEncoderPinA 11 /*Marked A- on body*/
#define EncoderRotatedCCW -1 /*Value returned for CCW rotation of encoder*/
/*Setup a RotaryEncoder with 4 steps per pulse for the 2 signal input pins*/
RotaryEncoder encoder(RotaryEncoderPinB, RotaryEncoderPinA, RotaryEncoder::LatchMode::FOUR3);
/*This interrupt routine will be called on any change of one of the input signals*/
static int pos = 0; /*If changed from last pass, encoder has been rotated*/
enum RotaryEncoderDirections /*Which way is the rotary encoder being rotated or not*/
{
? NoRotation, /*No rotation*/
? CwRotation, /*CW rotation*/
? CcwRotation /*CCW rotation*/
};
RotaryEncoderDirections CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection;
/*/
void EncoderInterruptService()
{
? encoder.tick(); /*Call tick() function to check the rotary encoder state*/
}//END EncoderInterruptService
?
/*/
RotaryEncoderDirections CheckEncoderStatus()
{
? encoder.tick(); /*Query the encoder library*/
? int newPos = encoder.getPosition(); /*Get current encoder position*/
? if (pos != newPos) /*Has encoder been rotated*/
? {
? ? if (int(encoder.getDirection()) == EncoderRotatedCCW) /*Query encoder library for rotation direction*/
? ? {
? ? ? pos = newPos; /*Save new rotary encoder position*/
? ? ? return CcwRotation; /*Encoder rotated CCW*/
? ? }
? ? else
? ? {
? ? ? pos = newPos; /*Save new rotary encoder position*/
? ? ? return CwRotation; /*Encoder rotated CW*/
? ? }
? }
? else
? {
? ? return NoRotation; /*ENccoder not rotated*/
? }
}//END CheckEncoderStatus
?
//
void setup()
{
? Serial.begin(9600);
? /*Setup rotary encoder interrupt routines for pin change*/
? attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(RotaryEncoderPinB), EncoderInterruptService, CHANGE);
? attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(RotaryEncoderPinA), EncoderInterruptService, CHANGE);
}//END setup
?
/*/
/*/
void loop()
{
CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection = CheckEncoderStatus();
? switch(CurrentRotaryEncoderDirection)
? {
? ? case CwRotation:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ?Serial.println("CW");
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? ? case CcwRotation:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ?Serial.println("CCW");
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? ? default:
? ? ? {
? ? ? ? ?break;
? ? ? }
? }
} //END loop
?
Re: S5351 SetPower command

 

Hello Mark,

I arrived at that comparison when chasing the Rx signal difference between my V5s compared to my V3.

The V3 had a lower receive signal (even when using the audio section of the V5 to eliminate any V3 audio section issues).

I found a significant difference in the received signal?(from memory of 7dB) after the first mixer, as measured by my Antuino.?

After spending several hours chasing this issue I found the difference of drive in the software to and set the drive to 8mA for the V3. And voil¨¤, issue fixed.?

I noticed that the output power was also increased.

Note: my V3 has been heavily modified, so this is a sample of one, on a non-standard unit (Axicom relays, extra inductors at the first IF filter, CW unbalance moved to 2nd IF mixer among other changes).

But the test is so simple, so it may be worth trying on older units.

All the best,

73, John (VK2ETA)
Re: BITX40 and loud noises #bitx40help

 

Unless you are using different software such as Amunter's V2 which requires some significant hardware changes, the BFO is only adjustable by changing capacitors on the main board. Not that it is a bad idea, look for the YouTube video from VK3YE on Improved BitX40 Audio and it makes a great improvement on transmitted audio frequency response by changing out one capacitor.

I would suggest changing to the Amunter V1.28 software. It loads without any hardware changes and immediately provides an improvement in tuning. Some simple and well described minor hardware changes add some significant features. See

The BitX40 is a relatively quiet radio on receive, but make sure you have a good antenna and ground, of course. The bands have not been very good lately, so continue to listen and see if some signals get better as the propagation improves. I have been very happy with mine and even use it mobile with good results.

=Vic=
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