Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
Ok, now it's getting weird.
I have successfully made a few tests in FT8 (SSB and CW also worked, FT 3 connections at first attempt)?
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Then I switched off the TRX and a few hours later I did an update. I installed the 64 bit v3.1 (copied the finished image to SD) copied hw_settings.ini and sbitx.db and everything worked.
After an update (via git hub) to the current 4.12, the first cq call was with full power, a second one with 0 watts again. After a restart, power went out again with the first CQ call,
with the second no longer, I'll go back to 3.1 and test it longer with it.
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73 de DO6DOC Andy
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
Thank you very much for your numerous answers!
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support has contacted me and wanted a video of the error. So I reassembled the device, connected everything and connected my dipole.
I started the recording and the device is transmitting with normal power. The transmission power was not present before in the other operating modes either (SSB and CW tested)
I actually wanted to carry out the tests recommended by you (Voltage MOSFETs, Bias) but apparently this has been done. The only thing i did was to tighten the fastening of the two
mosfets by hand so that they have contact with the heat sink, the only thing i suspect now would possibly be a cold solder joint, i have no other idea.?
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vy 73 de DO6DOC Andy
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How to take a power spectrum?
During covid, I started a project to make an antenna analyzer, but never got the random eBay STL-SDR to work. Seems like I could use my spanking-new sBitx to take the data instead, and much more conveniently. Has this been done? If not...the STL-SDR has a linux command (rtl_power) that will dump a power spectrum to a file; how would I do the same with the sBitx?
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(For anyone who isn't sure what I am referring to by homebrew antenna analyzer, see )
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Re: sBitx Logging issue - and Dupe Checking
It's OK, I've had the radio for a week and version 4.12 was downloaded yesterday. I believe that the development will progress. ?The radio is great, I'm satisfied. I was pleasantly surprised.
Thanks Stan
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
Hi Andy,
Before doing anything, check if there is 12V in TX in the final stage. As you said the power
meter twitches then power transistors may be OK. worth checking.
Raj, vu2zap
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On 04/11/2024 10:11 PM, Andreas Zahmel DO6DOC via groups.io wrote: Hello,
I think the transmitting transistors of my sBitx V3 (approx. 1 month old, delivered fully assembled) are defective,
there is no more transmitting power. When I measure with a qrp wattmeter, I can see the pointer on the meter twitching. The initial situation:
I made FT8 with approx. 20w, 1-2 QSOs in 10 minutes, SWR under 1:1.2, from now on the transmission power was gone, the display shows an SWR of 1.0 and 0 watts.
The first thing I did was to take a new SD card and set up the system again.
I opened the device and there is no visible damage, to check the mosfets, I wanted to loosen both screws and found that the screws were loose and the mosfets were
not in contact with the heat sink (could be easily recognized by the gap in the thermal paste, about 1-2mm distance) The mosfets look visually ok, nothing burnt or apparently too hot.
i didn't change the language either (i had already made that mistake on the first day :) )
How would you proceed? Write to Ashhar Farhan?, replace the two replacement mosfets yourself (btw, lead or lead-free solder?), check other components first?
Has anyone else had a similar problem or have any ideas?
Many thanks and regards Andy DO6DOC
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It seems that the error message cannot be resolved.
My experience is that the automatic RX Filter works well, but care must be taken to use it correctly.
Reducing the BW of the receiver and the auto RX Filter does its job, nevertheless the error message "Error in AudioInput" appears even with low Avg and low LAG. Since I use a complex device (sBitx), everything is in one box, so I can only perform filtering on the inputs of the connectors. Please understand that there is a filter corresponding to a 6-turn common mode filter in front of the power supply connector.
I connect the device housing to the external grounding rod at one point, there is no grounding loop.
The antenna is a top-fed inclined delta loop antenna, at the highest point of which a 2:1 balun and a 1:1 balun are installed. These baluns are both on FT240-43 cores. Since the device uses an RPi4, the radio is controlled with it and I also use it to control jtdx on an external hdmi monitor. The transmission time of FT8 is 12.6 seconds, the remaining time is used for decoding and control. What might be interesting here is that the smallest LAG value is -0.55/1 and I don't know what the device uses for 1.8 seconds.
I think that in this case RFI or EMI can interfere, it's just harder to pinpoint its location.
It bothers me that I don't see the solution. So far, I have made nearly 6,600 QSOs with this device in one year with an output power of 10 - 20 watts on 7-14-21 MHz. The message can only be turned off by restarting the application.
That's why I think that there may be RF interference somewhere, but the time of appearance varies.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: sBitx Logging issue - and Dupe Checking
Stan,
When the sbitx application is logged in, you will see the inscription which version you are using.
This topic was last written in January, and many changes have taken place since then.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
I would at first try to measure bias current.. if there is no current the transistors are toast. if it is under warranty then contact the seller. I have no idea if they will then send you a replacement board.. or just a pair of MOSFETs? Should be easy to repair in either way. Dg9bfc sigi?
Of course you tried transmitting in another mode like CW. To make sure it's not a FT 8 issue??
Patrick?
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Re: sBitx Logging issue - and Dupe Checking
Thank you for your reply. I understand. But if I press WIPE I delete everything and if the SENT and RECV fields are not filled in I will not log next time. How to make those fields remain filled?
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
Of course you tried transmitting in another mode like CW. To make sure it's not a FT 8 issue??
Patrick?
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Re: sBitx Logging issue - and Dupe Checking
Don't throw the radio just because you have to hit the swipe button!
The calllsign field is also used to fill in the cw macros with your call sign.
There is ample need to send cw macros even after you have logged the contact if you want to continue to ragchew.
To clear the callsign field, you can hit the swipe button.
Hello,
I bought a SBITX for an outdoor event. I was attracted by the possibility of direct logging to the radio. I only work CW. FT8 doesn't interest me. After logging in, the call field has to be cleared. I don't need to talk to the counter station during SOTA activity. I need it to go Call RST Logged style. Is it possible to arrange for the Call to be deleted? Otherwise my investment in SBITX is useless. I can take a laptop and some QRP radio and again haul a bunch of cables.
Thank you
Stan
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Re: sBitx Logging issue - and Dupe Checking
Hello,
I bought a SBITX for an outdoor event. I was attracted by the possibility of direct logging to the radio. I only work CW. FT8 doesn't interest me. After logging in, the call field has to be cleared. I don't need to talk to the counter station during SOTA activity. I need it to go Call RST Logged style. Is it possible to arrange for the Call to be deleted? Otherwise my investment in SBITX is useless. I can take a laptop and some QRP radio and again haul a bunch of cables.
Thank you
Stan
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Re: sBITX 64Bit Pi Image Available
#sBitx
Thanks JJ, I’ll do it in the morning.
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Joel
N6ALT
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Re: sBITX 64Bit Pi Image Available
#sBitx
I had some other projects and setbacks so I didn't get the v4.1 Pi image ready yet. It is currently in the testing phase. You can grab the BTS image at then run ./update a couple times to get up to v4.12
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-JJ
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On Mon, Nov 4, 2024 at 04:19 PM, Nigel Evans M0NDE wrote:
Hi
I have joined the group having seen recent YouTube videos about the sBitx. I am drawn towards purchasing this because what attracts me to the design is the additional functionality provided by the Pi means less wires and carrying a laptop, and other wired up aids.
my other rig is a 705 and I need at laptop, and wolfwave as additional equipment.
I have some questions.
Farhan mentioned adding FM for higher bands. Will this mean a V3 board will soon need replacement? Should I wait a while or is this aspiration a long way off.?
I did not see an S meters this a deliberate omission?
I see Gigaparts and US users. Is there a similar UK based following of the rig?
Thanks
73 Nigel M0NDE
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FM can be added in the software so there is no need to upgrade the board. The 64 bit development team added an experimental S-Meter to the software. You can see our work at and our discord group is at ?
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-JJ
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Hi Nigel,?
There are a few U.K. stations with the sBitx, including myself.?
Also there is a Discord group, I tried to send a link but think it failed to send.?
Myself personally, I like the idea as you mentioned of the Raspberry Pi at the heart of the Rig. I’ve not had much time to play with mine due to illness, it is as is out of the box and works well. Mind you I have only used CW (keyboard) as there are slight issues with the key.?
Over next couple of weeks I will update to latest software, and start to play properly.?
Regards?
On Monday, November 4, 2024, 10:19 pm, Nigel Evans M0NDE <nigel.m0nde@...> wrote: Hi I have joined the group having seen recent YouTube videos about the sBitx. I am drawn towards purchasing this because what attracts me to the design is the additional functionality provided by the Pi means less wires and carrying a laptop, and other wired up aids. my other rig is a 705 and I need at laptop, and wolfwave as additional equipment. I have some questions. Farhan mentioned adding FM for higher bands. Will this mean a V3 board will soon need replacement? Should I wait a while or is this aspiration a long way off.? I did not see an S meters this a deliberate omission? I see Gigaparts and US users. Is there a similar UK based following of the rig? Thanks 73 Nigel M0NDE
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Hi I have joined the group having seen recent YouTube videos about the sBitx. I am drawn towards purchasing this because what attracts me to the design is the additional functionality provided by the Pi means less wires and carrying a laptop, and other wired up aids. my other rig is a 705 and I need at laptop, and wolfwave as additional equipment. I have some questions. Farhan mentioned adding FM for higher bands. Will this mean a V3 board will soon need replacement? Should I wait a while or is this aspiration a long way off.? I did not see an S meters this a deliberate omission? I see Gigaparts and US users. Is there a similar UK based following of the rig? Thanks 73 Nigel M0NDE
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
When you finally put it back together again, you really might want to switch to aluminum nitride insulators. ?
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On Nov 4, 2024, at 15:08, Dave Fugleberg via groups.io <dave.w0zf@...> wrote:
? I would definitely contact HFSignals. My V3, bought complete at Dayton this year, failed on the second day of use with no power out. They shipped me a replacement board to swap in and I sent the failed one back. Worth a shot. Hi Andy,
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You should check with HFSignals as there is a warranty for fully assembled kits.? At a minimum I would expect a pair of replacement MOSFETs. ?
I would remove the two IRF510s and check with a transistor tester or using a DMM to verify they are good.? You can search the web for how to test a MOSFET with a DMM.?
Remember that you must readjust the bias if you replace the IRF510s.? I also suggest you replace both even if only one is bad. Try to use two from the same manufacturer batch.?
73
Evan
AC9TU
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DE 5 volt trace voltage drop
Does anyone have a solution for the apparent voltage drop on the DE 5-volt power rail?? Is it better to move the regulator or run a larger wire?? My first thought is to move the buck converter closer to the GPIO board.
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73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: sBitx No Power Out, blown Finals?
I would definitely contact HFSignals. My V3, bought complete at Dayton this year, failed on the second day of use with no power out. They shipped me a replacement board to swap in and I sent the failed one back. Worth a shot.
Hi Andy,
?
You should check with HFSignals as there is a warranty for fully assembled kits.? At a minimum I would expect a pair of replacement MOSFETs. ?
I would remove the two IRF510s and check with a transistor tester or using a DMM to verify they are good.? You can search the web for how to test a MOSFET with a DMM.?
Remember that you must readjust the bias if you replace the IRF510s.? I also suggest you replace both even if only one is bad. Try to use two from the same manufacturer batch.?
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Raj vu2zap
HA3HZ
Joel Caulkins/N6ALT
Nigel Evans M0NDE