Re: FT8 time differential - how to resolve?
Hi Leo,
total newbie here, how do I install wsjt-z ?
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thanks
Miguel KP4MI
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FYI
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The Wild West is painful for home brewers.
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73, Andy
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If you check line #2 in start.sh, it is "cd sbitx" which will error out unless you run the start.sh script from the /home/pi folder because you are already in the sbitx directory and there is no sbitx directory under it. If you edit the start.sh script and change that line to "cd ~/sbitx" then you can run that script from anywhere because "cd ~/sbitx" expands to "cd /home/pi/sbitx".
Leo, AI5II
Hi all,
I updated the firmware and software to the latest and Im getting errors in my cli window.
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any advise?
thanks
Miguel
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here is my CLI output
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pi@sbitx:~/sbitx $ ./start.sh
?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??USER ?? ?? ?? ??PID ACCESS COMMAND
/dev/snd/controlC0: ??root ?? ?? ?? ??321 f.... (root)alsactl
?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??pi ?? ?? ?? ?? ??638 F.... (pi)lxpanel
/dev/snd/controlC0: ??root ?? ?? ?? ??321 f.... (root)alsactl
?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??pi ?? ?? ?? ?? ??638 F.... (pi)lxpanel
./start.sh: line 2: cd: sbitx: Not a directory
sbitx v3.052
Audio Output Device is: plughw:0,0
hw version: 4
ALSA lib pcm.c:8424:(snd_pcm_recover) underrun occurred
ALSA lib pcm.c:8424:(snd_pcm_recover) underrun occurred
Resolving NTP server at time.google.com
Updating the RTC with network time
Time synchronized with the network.
ALSA lib pcm.c:8424:(snd_pcm_recover) underrun occurred
Turning off TUNE
RTC read as 2025/5/8 12:35:48
zBitx front panel detected
reading data from i2c: REF 0
ALSA lib pcm.c:8424:(snd_pcm_recover) underrun occurred
ALSA lib pcm.c:8424:(snd_pcm_recover) underrun occurred
reading data from i2c: REF 0
Resolving NTP server at time.google.com
Updating the RTC with network time
Time synchronized with the network.
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 678
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 677
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 679
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 677
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 678
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 681
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 680
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 679
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 677
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
reading data from i2c: POWER 0
reading data from i2c: VBATT 677
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: NOTHING??
reading data from i2c: REF 0
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Re: New zBitx - New User - CW operation
Thanks for the user experiences. Sounds like FT8 is usable then. It¡¯s just a mode I very rarely use. SSB even less.?
As for CW¡. ¡°The zBitx is a CW dream machine¡.¡± is what the ad says. Perhaps some of you that have Bitx rig experience can tell me to be patient, it will eventually work? I hope so¡ but progress reports have been pretty quiet this week.?
I guess I need more patience¡.?
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Of course, the output power measurement is just probably by measuring voltage and assuming a resistance, but that¡¯s a pretty low overall calculated efficiency, 15% or so. ? And of course part of that is that it¡¯s having to run the other circuits but they aren¡¯t that high power hogging! Perhaps other than the display? ? wide band transformer systems aren¡¯t anywhere close to as good as the tuned networks we use decades ago. ? At least it seems that way.!!
Gordon kx4z?
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On May 8, 2025, at 17:04, JAMES LEWIS JR via groups.io <jtlewis@...> wrote:
? At 9v and 100% I was showing 5 watts out with a current draw of around 3.8 amps on FT-8.
Cheers
Jim
On May 8, 2025, at 4:31?PM, Ben Sanders via groups.io <sandersbenjamin@...> wrote:
Do you happen to know how much power it is drawing then?
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At 9v and 100% I was showing 5 watts out with a current draw of around 3.8 amps on FT-8.
Cheers
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Show quoted text
On May 8, 2025, at 4:31?PM, Ben Sanders via groups.io <sandersbenjamin@...> wrote:
Do you happen to know how much power it is drawing then?
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Do you happen to know how much power it is drawing then?
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Re: zbitx, compiler optimizations
#zbitx
It wouldn't be a 1:1 swap.? The GPIO pins are in a different configuration on the Radxa.? It might be possible to change all the pin assignments in the software to get it to work.?
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Next improvement could be this:
https://radxa.com/products/zeros/zero2pro/
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Re: zbitx, compiler optimizations
#zbitx
Next improvement could be this:
https://radxa.com/products/zeros/zero2pro/
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https://www.amazon.com/Awxlumv-Aluminum-60x150x25mm-2-36x5-91x0-98-Amplifier/dp/B07VDHQDQT
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Well, one can buy a bigger heatsink and make it fit to the bottom of the zBitx...
https://www.amazon.com/Awxlumv-Aluminum-60x150x25mm-2-36x5-91x0-98-Amplifier/dp/B07VDHQDQT
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Re: New zBitx - New User - CW operation
I find mine very functional for what it is¡Do not expect a FT-891, but if you are concerned about functionality, I will tell you mine works better than I expected. ?Mine is primary for digital modes, but I have done SSB voice contact at over 300mi. ? I have not tried CW, but I assume it works, because I have accidentally called CQ with the macro.?
I am running mine on a 6v ?¡°Trail Camera" battery, ?90% output power (2 or 3W?) and have had contacts all over the USA on FT8, and have been heard 9000 miles away in Australia and in Europe. ? ?It gets warm, but so does my Yaesu, and it has fans for cooling. ?During transmit, it will get warm, but I would say it is not hot. ? It has been on 24/7 for 2 days with no overheating. ? Sure it is not high-end, but for me it will be perfect to throw in a bag and go to the park. ?
Here is my map running a 20g wire up in a tree for an antenna. I am located in the south east USA, so you can see the reach of this little rig on 20, and 15m
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On May 8, 2025, at 12:57?PM, Steve Sutterer AK0M via groups.io <73ak0m@...> wrote:
Frank, thanks for the info.?
However, based on what I am reading, most of this radio¡¯s claimed features are non-functional. CW appears to be unusable in most cases, and I am seeing reports of thermal issues on FT8.?
I won¡¯t bother even powering mine up until some of the issues get resolved. Or maybe try to sell the rig. This is my first experience with HF Signals and it¡¯s not good¡
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Does anything work right on this rig?
?
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Re: New zBitx - New User - CW operation
I finally got on the air(portable) yesterday to do some FT8 running Drive@100 for about 45min on 20M and? didn't overheat (the back was warm, but nowhere?close to hot). The swr was 1:1 into a 17ft telescopic?whip antenna(red base in the photo)
On Thu, May 8, 2025 at 1:57?PM Steve Sutterer AK0M via <73ak0m= [email protected]> wrote: Frank, thanks for the info.?
However, based on what I am reading, most of this radio¡¯s claimed features are non-functional. CW appears to be unusable in most cases, and I am seeing reports of thermal issues on FT8.?
I won¡¯t bother even powering mine up until some of the issues get resolved. Or maybe try to sell the rig. This is my first experience with HF Signals and it¡¯s not good¡
?
Does anything work right on this rig?
?
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Re: New zBitx - New User - CW operation
Frank, thanks for the info.?
However, based on what I am reading, most of this radio¡¯s claimed features are non-functional. CW appears to be unusable in most cases, and I am seeing reports of thermal issues on FT8.?
I won¡¯t bother even powering mine up until some of the issues get resolved. Or maybe try to sell the rig. This is my first experience with HF Signals and it¡¯s not good¡
?
Does anything work right on this rig?
?
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At 8.4v(Batts) i'm seeing about 5w on tx On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 6:41?PM Ben Sanders via <sandersbenjamin= [email protected]> wrote:
Hi,
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If I am running at 9V, and I am transmitting FT8 at 100%, what output power are you expecting and how much power is the device consuming?
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Cheers,
Ben
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There are so many things to improve in the firmware, at least I still resist asking for a unit! I'll wait until things become usable. It's not a complaint¡ªI admire the work of the developers. I know they are working hard and diligently!
It's completely valid to wait until a product is more refined and works as expected. Sometimes, giving developers time to fine-tune details and improve the experience can make a difference. I appreciate the effort of those who work on it¡ªtechnological development is never easy, and every update involves its share of sweat and dedication.
CX3BZ El jue, 8 may 2025 a la(s) 12:38?p.m., EDGAR ALEXANDER via (clyde-alex= [email protected]) escribi¨®:
Order# 3764 shipped on 5/7
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73
clyde
K4YWI
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In order to get around any issues with the zbitx overheating, I placed this heat sink on the back.
Heatsink 100x60x10MM / 3.93''x...
I attached it with thermal epoxy, and it seems to work nicely. The heat sink size does not interfere with any of the screws on the back plate.
I was playing around on FT8 yesterday (just got the radio) at 2 watts and was surprised at how hot the radio got and quickly?
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I was playing around on FT8 yesterday (just got the radio) at 2 watts and was surprised at how hot the radio got and quickly?
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Order# 3764 shipped on 5/7
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73
clyde
K4YWI
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EDGAR ALEXANDER