Anyone know if PI-3B would work with the sBITX until the prices come down on the PI-4's?
Ron
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Hi Evan,
Thanks for jumping in. Ok I will calibrate using the TCXO, but I have one question. During calibration, which side-band mode should I use, USB or LSB? In the video Farhan used LSB, but in know that LSB is used mostly 40m and below. For higher bands USB is used. Should I keep the radio in USB during calibration because the TCXO is at 20MHz. Please correct me if I am wrong on the side-band concept.
Ashok VU3KFK
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On Tue, Jul 5, 2022, at 01:22 AM, VU3KFK wrote:
Thanks Raj,
Yes I also thought later that frequency looks like OK, except i think there is a typo on the uBItx block diagram on HFsignal page. Now that the RADUINO is generating correct frequency, what next step should I follow to troubleshoot?
Ashok, I would suggest that you follow the steps in Ashhar Farhan's video: You can use the TXCO as the AM station to zero beats.? The critical step is the first one to adjust the BFO using the BFO Tuning tool that Ashhar Farhan has on the HHSignals pages: My experience with many uBitx is that the BFO is the most critical setting for receiver sensitivity.?? To summarize what the video is telling you to do: 1 - Adjust the BFO so that it allows the low-frequency audio to come through 2 - Calibrate the master clock to align the dial to the correct frequency (the master clock is used in all of the oscillator settings so that the ratios will stay constant between them) 3 - After calibrating rig frequency, readjust the BFO for maximum signal in the normal SSB range of 300 to 3,000 Hertz.? I usually set this towards the 3,000 Hz line, which reduces the bleed-through carrier the most.? ?The tradeoff is the tinny sound.? Adjust for what you like. 73 Evan AC9TU
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uBITX Operator KO4CVU was a winner in the 2022 Virginia QSO Party UPDATE
I reported earlier that Stephen received email notification he won the "Digital Modes, Single Operator" section of the 2022 Virginia QSO Party. The handsome wall plaque he received to confirm the win is certainly impressive. I thought some of you fellow uBITX Ops might like to see it too.
BITX radios have put a new spark in my Ham Radio interests. During last month's 2022 Field Day event, I worked 29 states in 7 hours operating a V3 from a combination of "Beech Fork State Park" and home locations.?
Please share "your" memorable BITX adventures with?the rest of us.
Bob WB8BEL
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Hi,
?Thanks for the info.
>Loading the KD8CEC Nano program will not erase the calibration data in EEPROM.
Thats great ! ?I Will load KD8CEC sw in the original Arduino¡ and fetch the data with MM ¡
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Ashok,
Does it transmit 1) SSB and 2: CW do both tests.
When you test with 7.023 MHz tune plus or minus 1 Mhz or more and see any carrier.
If so it may show up something.
Resolder all mixer diodes D1/2/3/4/5 - know to have dry solders.
Raj
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On 05/07/2022 11:52 AM, VU3KFK wrote: Thanks Raj,
Yes I also thought later that frequency looks like OK, except i think there is a typo on the uBItx block diagram on HFsignal page. Now that the RADUINO is generating correct frequency, what next step should I follow to troubleshoot?
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Thanks Raj,
Yes I also thought later that frequency looks like OK, except i think there is a typo on the uBItx block diagram on HFsignal page. Now that the RADUINO is generating correct frequency, what next step should I follow to troubleshoot?
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Ashok,
Looks OK, clock 2 for 3-30 Mhz = 45Mhz +3 or 30 = 48 to 75 MHz
I havent dabbled with these numbers before, but I should think
you should get
56.05 or near about not 57 MHz i.e 45 + 1.0556
On 05/07/2022 10:37 AM, VU3KFK wrote:
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I measured the frequency in 3 clock output. Results below, the
accuracy of measurement may be off by a few KHZ? due to low
quality counter. There are 4 sets of measurement.
SET1 (A=3000 KHZ LSB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ << IF BFO Freq
CLK1=33945 KHZ
CLK2=48086 KHZ
SET2 (A=30000 KHZ LSB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=33946 KHZ
CLK2=75016 KHZ
SET3 (A=3000 KHZ USB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=56122 KHZ
CLK2=48085 KHZ
SET4(A=30000 KHZ USB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=56120 KHZ
CLK2=75016 KHZ
The CLK1 line in block diagram says 33MHZ USB and 57MHZ LSB but my
results are opposite. Moreover instead of 57 MHZ, my measurement
shows 56 MHZ. Also the CLOCK2 should tune from 45 to 75 MHZ but in
my measurement it is from 48 to 75 MHZ.
Your comments please.
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Hi Farhan,
As there is no strong AM station in Kolkata, I cannot attempt the calibration procedure. I have a 20 MHZ TCXO +-2.5ppm. Can I use that to do the calibration ? If yes, what sideband mode should be used during calibration USB or LSB. As i have seen during calibration you kept the uBitx into LSB mode.
Thanks
Ashok VU3KFK
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I measured the frequency in 3 clock output. Results below, the accuracy of measurement may be off by a few KHZ? due to low quality counter. There are 4 sets of measurement.
SET1 (A=3000 KHZ LSB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=33945 KHZ
CLK2=48086 KHZ
SET2 (A=30000 KHZ LSB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=33946 KHZ
CLK2=75016 KHZ
SET3 (A=3000 KHZ USB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=56122 KHZ
CLK2=48085 KHZ
SET4(A=30000 KHZ USB)
CLK0=11056 KHZ
CLK1=56120 KHZ
CLK2=75016 KHZ
The CLK1 line in block diagram says 33MHZ USB and 57MHZ LSB but my results are opposite. Moreover instead of 57 MHZ, my measurement shows 56 MHZ. Also the CLOCK2 should tune from 45 to 75 MHZ but in my measurement it is from 48 to 75 MHZ.
Your comments please.
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Thank you for the explanation...?
On Sat, Jul 2, 2022 at 6:55 PM Ashhar Farhan < farhanbox@...> wrote: Paul,
The sbitx is not a simple rig, it is minimally designed. It has an in-channel dynamic range of 80 db. That means, it needs more than 16 bits of adc resolution. The wm8731 has 24 bit resolution at 96000 samples per second. The effect is dramatic.? You only have to listen to the rig to know the difference. It looks simple as the circuit is smaller than even the bitx40. But a closer look reveals changes. The front has no early amplification at all and the passive KISS mixer directly feeds a crystal filter at 40 MHz. At 40 MHz, there is 6 pole filter that has 70 db rejection of the opposite sideband, the IF amplifier has +30 dbm intercept. The audio amplifier (it should actually be called the second IF as the signal is centered around 24 KHz) was especially designed for rigs like this by W7ZOI to exhibit strong in-channel dynamic range. The radio is a balance of minimalism vs function. - f
Curious why you went with the wm8731 codec? I've never used one. What is its claim to fame? That thing looks pretty crazy to me for use in a simple rig.
On Fri, Jul 1, 2022 at 08:19 PM, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
Scott,
We will still be giving out the basic kit at a much lower price (about the same as the ubitx).
The main board is almost twice the size of ubitx. We had to use much more costlier transmit filter components, large heatsinks to larger T50-6 toroids and 250v, RF grade capacitors. This is a 40 watt radio.
We are more than happy if we can cover costs. Unfortunately the timing got us on the wrong side.
But here is the upside. There is nothing in the design that is unobtainable even in these days of shortage. The circuit is all discrete and easily put together from your junk boxes. Substitutions are easy too. The only critical thing is that you must use a raspberry pi and a wm8731 codec (still available as a board from mikro for 20 dollars). You can still scratch build it yourself, at least a QRP version for less than $100 dollars (if you already have a raspberry pi). It works equally well with a regular hdmi display.?
It is a bit of an effort, but someone can take a stab at porting the code to a PC too.?
?
So the basic kit availability is further down the line? Only the full kit available initially?
--
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
-- Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Ulf,
You need to load the KD8CEC v1.20 software into the original Nano of the Raaduinno for the PC-based Memory Manager to be able to read the EEPROM for the calibration data.? Loading the KD8CEC Nano program will not erase the calibration data in EEPROM.? You can return to the stock software by downloading the Nano file from GitHub.
Returning to the stock firmware requires using the Arduino IDE as there is no hex file.? There are good instructions here:
I should have first asked if you are sure you have the correct KD8CEC software loaded into the Nano?? ?I will assume that you are using XLoader and have loaded the?UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX.hex from the UBITXV5 folder.
Even if the calibration is at the default values, you should still be able to set the BFO and then calibrate the frequency, with the last step being readjusting the BFO for the best signal,?
You can use the following with the KD8CEC software and Nextion display:
The difference is how you set the values using the KD8CEC settings menus.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Hi,
I can¡¯t connect to original Arduino using KD8CEC MM, alwayd getting ¡±Error Receive Length¡±, wichever speed I am using¡
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Gary,
Thank you.? I will read up on the process.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
I did a write up on changing the bootloader for more available EEPROM space on a Nano. /g/BITX20/message/85002using the Arduino as an ISP. The ArdunioISP code is directly from the sketchbook examples and there is documentation in that sketch. some documentation in my write up, and a bunch of pictorial write-ups on line. When I originally used a genuine Uno R3 as the programmer I didn't need a capacitor on RST. The Nano (clone) I have set-up currently does require that cap.? With AVRdude and the ArduinoISP, you can dump and load EEPROM, Flash and fuse.? So you can back-up and restore. I gave some examples, just not examples for everything.? i.e. example on how to dump flash but not load it. ... figured a person could read AVRdude documentation. Be very cautious on changing fuse settings.? You can brick the Nano where it can't be restored via ICSP. (it can be restored, but you need a parallel programmer) You don't need to change the fuses when just dumping or loading EEPROM or flash. Using the programmer to dump EEPROM may not be the easiest path, but a generic path none the less. Rgds, Gary
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Gary,
Thank you for the method.? Do you have a link or other data on how to set up the ISP Nano, and the connection to the target Nano?
Thank you.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Did you try aligning the ubitx? It is possible that the settings are way off.
Ashok,
Check is all three Raduino clock signals are working. I suspect not.
You will need some instrument that can count or scope 100 MHz.
Good Luck,
Raj vu2zap
On 04/07/2022 4:38 PM, VU3KFK wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I think finally I have found that my uBitx is unable to receive in 7
> MHZ band. And other bands also poor reception. After few days checking
> for 40m band reception, i was unable to receive anything, even in the
> HF nets that conduct in my area, I cannot hear anyone. My antenna is
> EFHW and SWR is below 1.5.
>
> To check the problem, this is what I did.
>
> I have a crystal oscillator for testing crystals. I took that
> oscillator and installed a 7.023MHz crystal on it and turned it on.
> O/P connected to frequency counter to be sure the oscillator is
> running. Attached a 1 m long wire to uBitx antenna port and placed the
> end of that wire very close to the crystal oscillator. In this
> situation I am supposed to receive 7.023 as a CW signal and also in
> LSB i should be able to hear it if all is OK. uBitx keep on generating
> white noise as it always, not even slight change in noise pitch. Looks
> like uBitx cannot hear anything. Where should I begin troubleshooting ?
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Ashok,
Check is all three Raduino clock signals are working. I suspect not.
You will need some instrument that can count or scope 100 MHz.
Good Luck,
Raj vu2zap
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 04/07/2022 4:38 PM, VU3KFK wrote: Hi all,
I think finally I have found that my uBitx is unable to receive in 7 MHZ band. And other bands also poor reception. After few days checking for 40m band reception, i was unable to receive anything, even in the HF nets that conduct in my area, I cannot hear anyone. My antenna is EFHW and SWR is below 1.5.
To check the problem, this is what I did.
I have a crystal oscillator for testing crystals. I took that oscillator and installed a 7.023MHz crystal on it and turned it on. O/P connected to frequency counter to be sure the oscillator is running. Attached a 1 m long wire to uBitx antenna port and placed the end of that wire very close to the crystal oscillator. In this situation I am supposed to receive 7.023 as a CW signal and also in LSB i should be able to hear it if all is OK. uBitx keep on generating white noise as it always, not even slight change in noise pitch. Looks like uBitx cannot hear anything. Where should I begin troubleshooting ?
|
Hi all,
I think finally I have found that my uBitx is unable to receive in 7 MHZ band. And other bands also poor reception. After few days checking for 40m band reception, i was unable to receive anything, even in the HF nets that conduct in my area, I cannot hear anyone. My antenna is EFHW and SWR is below 1.5.
To check the problem, this is what I did.
I have a crystal oscillator for testing crystals. I took that oscillator and installed a 7.023MHz crystal on it and turned it on. O/P connected to frequency counter to be sure the oscillator is running. Attached a 1 m long wire to uBitx antenna port and placed the end of that wire very close to the crystal oscillator. In this situation I am supposed to receive 7.023 as a CW signal and also in LSB i should be able to hear it if all is OK. uBitx keep on generating white noise as it always, not even slight change in noise pitch. Looks like uBitx cannot hear anything. Where should I begin troubleshooting ?
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Re: uBTIX no signal or reception
Gary,
?
What you say is interesting
In fact I would like to know if it is possible to reinitialise a Nano completely (Return it to the factory state)
He has to "fill up" with tests of versions?
So, is there a solution by its Usb socket?
Cdt
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Raj vu2zap
AA9GG
Gerard