Shawn, it's worth looking at other forums, for example here you can find an interesting FT8 QRP that requires a Discovery Board: Multiband QRPp FT8 Transceiver--
Gyula HA3HZ
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I was thinking, what would really be ideal for SOTA. ?I¡¯ve gone hiking a couple of times with the sbitx. ?Together with the antenna and batteries (a couple of old laptop batteries and an adapter I made for them), it barely fits in my backpack, not leaving enough space for a small laptop (which I don¡¯t necessarily need anyway); but I did manage to squeeze in the external 7¡± touchscreen last time. ?That and a tiny Bluetooth keyboard made it work well to have wsjt-x and sbitx at the same time. ?But¡ what if it was smaller? ?I also worry a little about fragility; the encoders could get bumped too hard, or the touchscreen. ?(Which I could probably mitigate by designing a good case for it.) ?So I wonder if the zbitx could end up being smaller just because some of the analog RF stuff is separated from the audio board. ?I think the smallest-possible radio with similar capabilities as the sbitx might be a thing to work on. ?There are smaller touchscreens, like 4¡± with a suitable resolution (same or higher), and I¡¯ve seen a case to put the pi and the screen into a box around the size of any other rpi4 case (with not enough space for a radio, though). ?I think I can eventually come up with a way to have a remote UI to run on a tablet, phone or small laptop, with the pi acting as a wifi access point, so that the modems still run on the sbitx and the display is still useful, but without having to cram everything onto that display. ?Maybe a pi zero would be good enough. ?(Not that the rpi is the only choice. ?There are so many. ?What about a mango pi, riscv? ?I think eventually we will see something like that with the proper risc-v vector extension, and maybe that will be useful for sdr. ?I will be looking forward to try writing some algorithm that makes good use of it some day.) ?A smaller box like that might be a pretty good SOTA setup. ?Otherwise there are things like the Lab599, but it looks like it doesn¡¯t do as much as the sbitx does. ?(I¡¯d need the usual audio/cat control setup for digital modes, if I can¡¯t run arbitrary apps right on the radio.) ? But it has a reputation for being a really excellent receiver.?
If you can make the sbitx even smaller, and still a bit more-than-QRP like it already is, it would be even more unique.
Best-in-class power efficiency on the finals could make it possible to use a smaller heatsink. ?Try to optimize performance, even if the cost goes up a little because of that. ?Then the batteries would last longer too.
I think I¡¯m fine with using external batteries, because these old laptop batteries work so well, and I¡¯m very happy to have multi-purpose batteries rather than something custom that is not meant for any other purpose.
I have no experience with an ATU yet, and I¡¯m doing ok with trying to achieve actual resonance, so far. ?At least the efhw has a built-in tuner, that helps a lot. ?But I also haven¡¯t been on 80 or 160m yet, because of that. ?So whatever. ?If it adds too much bulk, it¡¯s better to omit it, I guess.
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On Sep 15, 2024, at 2:10?PM, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
It is an odd thing though, the Elecraft KH1 is a CW only radio, selling for 600 USD. Not really, if you add all the essentials, it stacks upto 1000 USD. Yet, they sell about 3000 radios per month. Radioddity sells the Xeigus in even higher numbers.
On the other hand, QRP Labs or HF signals builds open, hackable radios at about 1/5th the price. Yet, they are an acquired taste, to put it mildly.
Some may say that those are complete radios, and these are kits or thst they are not fully functional.
Neither is true, the QMX fully assembled retaila for 220 USD, with the kitchen sink.
The basic function of an sbitx (ssb/cw) is far more stable and superior to the G90. Sure, maybe the FT8 logging doesnt work as expectdd, but the G90 doesnt have it at all!
I guess, this is the nature of open radios and will remain so. Pretty much like Linux.
- f
On Sun, Sep 15, 2024, 1:55 PM IU0KVG via <vincenzo.praturlon= [email protected]> wrote: I think the crowdfund could be the best way to check demand (for the assembled units).
Set up a goal of 20,000$ (200$? * 100) and see what happens.?
If the goal is not reached the money gets back, no harm to anyone.
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there is no, it is an option that you can include this as well.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: Sbitx and ad831 mixer
Hi to all!
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Today made my first ft8 dx using the ad831 mixer with 40mhz filter and transverter board.
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I removed the small amplifier before the transverter and improved the vfo feed to the transverter. Gain of the ad831 is at 10db.
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Juan WP3DN
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Does the sBitx v3 board only kit have the "built in mic" on it??
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Re: backup script for RPI OS and App configurations?
Thank you Gyula, that's all really useful!
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73? Chris - M0KNF
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Re: backup script for RPI OS and App configurations?
... very good description , Gyula.
Thanks.
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73/76 Jens ¨C HB9JOI
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From: HA3HZ
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 2:31 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] backup script for RPI OS and App
configurations?
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I made this collection before, it might also be useful:
Settings
when using a new image.pdf
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: backup script for RPI OS and App configurations?
I made this collection before, it might also be useful:
Settings when using a new image.pdf
--
Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: backup script for RPI OS and App configurations?
Chris,
the problem can be solved very easily, I do the same when there are several changes on the OS. Whether you have the operating system on a uSD card or a USB stick, use Accessories > SD Card Copier in the RPi menu. With this, you can easily copy the contents of your operating system and you only have to monitor the variables and store them on a separate USB stick. Just make sure that it is preferably of a different brand to which you are copying, so you don't accidentally mix up what you are copying from. In the beginning, I copied uSD cards, now I use different USB 3.2 sticks to store the OS and for backup purposes. If you use uSD, write on the card e.g. 1 or 2 or 3... or A or B or C similar, to differentiate and note to yourself which one has the state of when. If you use a USB stick, you can also write on the factory packaging. This is how I do it.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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backup script for RPI OS and App configurations?
I understand that there is a backup-restore program in the sBitx toolbox for the sBitx program settings, but I was wondering if anyone has put together a script to backup RPI OS preferences and settings and logs for the other apps like Gridtracker, WSJTX, Fldigi?? I've made a start on this using Deja Dup but the program is not filling me with confidence;)? ?73 Chris M0KNF
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Re: sBITX 64Bit Pi Image Available
#sBitx
Thank you for all your hard work on this. The version 4 is amazing!
David - WK4DS
All ?-?
v4.01 of the sBitx software is available. This patch release addresses:
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1. Realigned the buttons to match the native resolution for the 7 inch screen in web gui.
2. Updated notch filter to activate on CW/CWR also remove the indicator.
3. Comment cleanup.
To update from terminal:
Visit ?
and select this command..
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cd $HOME && cd sbitx && ./update
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- JJ
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Re: sBITX 64Bit Pi Image Available
#sBitx
All ?-?
v4.01 of the sBitx software is available. This patch release addresses:
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1. Realigned the buttons to match the native resolution for the 7 inch screen in web gui.
2. Updated notch filter to activate on CW/CWR also remove the indicator.
3. Comment cleanup.
To update from terminal:
Visit ?
and select this command..
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cd $HOME && cd sbitx && ./update
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- JJ
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This is why I have suggested the use of an external Keyer such as the K16 EXT by K1EL which has Lead-In and Tail-Timing built into the Keyer functions, this enable the Transceiver PTT to be activated by the Lead-In Timer by (x ms) prior the the first CW element and a Tail-Timer to hold the PTT (y ms) after the last CW element. this every old technology from the Tube Transmitter and Receiver Days and still works to day, the old Mercury Vapour Tubes used as High Voltage Diodes has a tendency to create Chirp but if the transmitter was keyed on a few ms before the first CW element was sent the Chirp was much reduced.
Please Note: at 60 WPM the computer polling of the Keyer state and the transmitter PTT state is every 17 ms
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Re: js8call no transmit V3 64bit
Status Update - I'm up and running and receiving acks from JS8Call heartbeats.
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Here's what I did, for those who run across the thread in the future.
- Downloaded the latest SD Card image.
- It's a 64 bit OS with pretty much everything already setup.
- Used BalenaEtcher to raw write it to a brand new 64 gb SD card.
- Disassembled the sBitx case.
- Take the four screws out that hold the sides in and carefully lift the front with the screen.
- Swapped out the SD card in the PI.
- Reassembled
- Powered Up
- Updated the OS
- sudo apt update
- sudo apt upgrade
- Updated sBitx Application
- Used the sBitx Tools to restore my data backup.
- The tools are already installed!
- Use the EZ Data button, select the USB drive, and restore.
- Select refresh if the usb drive does not show.
- Enabled VNC through Pi Configuration
- Rebooted
- VNCed in and reset the default image log in password.
- Started the sBitx Application
- On this image, it no longer starts automatically...which is a good thing.?
- Launch JS8Call
- It's already installed and configured!
- Open the settings and add configuration.
- Add call sign.
- Add call groups.
- Enable what you normally enable.
- Specify the band via JS8Call
- Verify that the rig control switches frequency.
- Try a heartbeat.
- Check for ack.
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I'd have to say that this image is way more performant than the stock image.? So much faster and worth it from that standpoint alone.? It's also completely ready out of the box.? I didn't have to install anything.
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Now I just need to quickly setup gpsd and chrony and I'm good to go.? Totally nice to haves and not critical this time.? I should be good to go for some field work this week.
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Thanks for the help, everyone!
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Re: js8call no transmit V3 64bit
It was misleading that the name 'js8call no transmit V3 64bit' was mentioned in the topic. While you struggle with the 32-bit version. If you didn't know until now, I'll tell you now that the original version was written maybe 3 years ago, and time has passed.
The hardware can work on 64 bit and the Bookworm OS is currently supported, so the developers (who are also users) want to develop this further. For this reason, several images have been made of the 64-bit version and many improvements and renewals have been made in sbitx. Therefore, it is recommended to use this version.
It seems that the hardware manufacturer is not interested in supporting this. They still ship with the 32-bit version. And the owner of the new device does not always know that the uSD card received is outdated and in many cases works incorrectly.
From the questions asked on the forum, we have to figure out which version you are using. It often helps when the interviewer wants to use the device tomorrow, while knowing nothing or very little about its operation.
This is a software-controlled radio that is in continuous development, thanks to our amateurs who do this in their spare time.
The management and continuous updating of the device requires computer knowledge.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: js8call no transmit V3 64bit
Yeah, I kind of figured with an open source project that support would be user driven and I do appreciate it.? I have the latest js8call installed and my last attempt was on the stock image with the 32 bit operating system and sbitx 3.021.? The sbitx application does start on boot and it's running in the background while trying to operate JS8Call.?
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I downloaded the posted 64 bit image and I'll burn that to an sdcard this morning and update the sbitx app to the latest.? Maybe that will work, idk.? It's a bit of a scramble this morning between work and packing.?
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Here is the same world map with state and country lines,
It seems to work OK.
Give it a try.
just replace?the rob4200.png in the /sbitx/web folder. Thanks,
Sam Hanie
623-219-8130
On Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 10:56?AM Shawn Rutledge K7IHZ via <social= [email protected]> wrote: Better use openstreetmap, I think. ? ?But avoiding mercator projection might make some sense too. ?(Should we try to have great-circle lines as straight as possible?) ?And I think the simple non-zooming world map is ok for now, if the alternative is too much work; but I agree it would be nice to have more markup: US states, country boundaries, time zones etc. ?(somehow without getting too cluttered)
My goal is to eventually separate the front-end from the backend: there should be a radio-control daemon that can stay running in the background, with a particular interface that I have in mind which will make many kinds of front-ends possible.? Then I want to write a Qt-based UI.? Then using qtlocation will be possible on the raspberry pi display. ? ?But it might take a while to get the radio backend separated from the GUI and working correctly (I¡¯ve hardly looked at the code so far, let alone actually start trying to refactor).? I could probably write a separate logbook-mapping app in a short time though. ?(It¡¯s been done many times though, right?) ?In the meantime there is that chrome-based app already installed.
Have you tried:
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73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: js8call no transmit V3 64bit
Kevin,
you know, we who are trying to help you are users.
The wiki was also compiled by users.
Now my question is, which version are you trying to get it to work?
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: js8call no transmit V3 64bit
Hmm, the sBitx application seems to be automatically running after bootup via the startup.sh script.? I'm assuming that the application is this window that pops up with the waterfall.?
I restarted from cmd line, it booted up, this window/app opened, then I ran js8call, and the error is popping up again.
?
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What about being interrupt-driven instead of using timer-based polling? ?It looks like so far it¡¯s done only for the encoders. ?
27006ea3 sbitx_gtk.c ?wiringPiISR(ENC2_A, INT_EDGE_BOTH, tuning_isr); 27006ea3 sbitx_gtk.c ?wiringPiISR(ENC2_B, INT_EDGE_BOTH, tuning_isr);
I was going to ask at some point anyway: what are the advantages or reasons for choosing WiringPI? ?I see there are a few GPIO libs to choose from, and don¡¯t have much experience with RPI GPIO yet. ?(Although I did manage to read the encoders in a separate program.) ?Maybe it turns out that some make this sort of thing easier than others?
Another conventional solution would be to use a microcontroller for real-time aspects and queue up events over USB or a serial port. ?But it adds cost unless you can use one that is already needed anyway, or use a chip that has programmable I/O features.
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On Sep 30, 2024, at 6:28?PM, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:
The main challenge is to improve the response time of linux. It is Not a real time kernel.
The best way is to memory map the gpio for fast polling. That means running it at super user privilige.
The K16 EXT Keyer Kit which I have Is a very in-depth manual for a simple device. Also it brings back the concept of transmitter on / off timing as Steve has built in the functions of transmitter timing as part of the keyer and has separate outputs for the Transmitter PTT and the transmitter keying circuits. This is something that was very common with the older tube transmitters (my old Johnson Valiant, and HQ-170 Receiver) the good old days all 83 pounds of transmitter, just what you want for a POTA Hi Hi and do not forget just throw that in your back pack and go SOTA, S-U-R-E -!!!
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HA3HZ
Jens/HB9JOI
WK4DS
VE6LX
Kevin
Sam Hanie
