Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept
Hi Ron,
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Thanks for the suggestion of where to look for the cw_delay upper limit.? ?I had seen that code at line 655.? I guess establishes the messages to the zBITX LCD.? But I really did not dig into trying to decode the message format.? I was looking for a const parameter somewhere.? ?I will experiment with altering those values.
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I appreciate what you are saying about how extending the Semi-QSK hang time can miss the beginning other guys transmission.? ?Get that down to a couple of ms rather than making it longer would be ideal.? ?However, with the zBITX polling for key-down in the middle of the busy time tick triggered ui_tick() function, it is not really possible.? The processor gets busy doing other stuff that is being called from that same time tick triggered ui_tick() function and cannot always respond to the next key-down event fast enough.? If I can get introduce GPIO Interrupts at the key/paddle input pins, then it could put all else on hold and immediately respond to those key-down inputs.? If that can be done, then it should be possible to get it very close to true QSK.? (Even though I do not see the zBITX ever being a contest machine, that sure would be nice to have).
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Thanks for looking at this and thanks for your comments.? ?I'm busy with a customer job right now, so it will be a few days before I can get back into this.
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72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Im ready!!!!! got the cash saved up!!!
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Re: zBITX CW Mode - Proof of Concept
Hi Mike,
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Calling modem_poll() on every tick is not something that I added. It was already there, but it was down lower in ui_tick(). All i did was move it up to the top and then get out of ui_tick() when in Transmit Mode so that all of the other time consuming GUI servicing stuff could run. That made the system much more responsive to key down events (paddle or straight key).
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I realize that modem_poll() does a whole lot of unnecessary stuff whenever using a simple straight key. It would be nice to eliminate that. But since the change that I made helped everything but the QSK hang time, it may be OK as is.
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I will take a look at the sbit_gtk.c code for ui_tick()in the 64 bit repository. Somehow just carrying it over sounds too easy because the zBITX version looks like it interfaces with the zBITX LCD. But maybe I can get some ideas from what is there.
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Appreciate you looking at this and you suggestions.
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72,
Jody - K3JZD
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Re: Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club's 39th Annual Hamfest 30 Aug 2025
Uh, off-topic?
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There are about 4,700 list members world-wide, why did this need to be sent to Hanahan Europe? The Middle East? Asia? Africa? South America?
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Ken, N2VIP
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Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club's 39th Annual Hamfest 30 Aug 2025
ALAMOGORDO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB'S 39TH ANNUAL HAMFESTARRL SANCTIONED30 Aug ?2025Otero County Fair grounds (in Alamogordo NM)7am to 3pm-ishAdmission: Free!!!Vendors can set up day before 3 to 7pmPre-register for Tables and prize tickets. Tables are $15.00 ea (if you have your own table and chairs $6.00 each table space)Electrical at most of the table locations but not all.Pre-register so we can get a good table count. Prize drawing tickets postmarked before 23 August $8.00 (pick up at event) If you cannot make it, tickets will be added to Main Prize drawing.Prize tickets at the door $10.00Tickets postmarked before 23 August will be eligible for a ?pre-registration prize $50.00 cash.1st Prize winner responsible for shipping or pick up at event.2025 Prize list ?1st FT710 AESS 2nd FTM-150R 3rd Mini 1.3 OLED Zumspot 4th DM-30TRThere is a $1.00 Ticket drawing for a FT-4XRLooking for folks and groups to give presentations, let us know what ya can doOther Door prizes from Amateur Radio Related and local vendors, drawn throughout the event.Plenty of parking, RV's welcome, no hook ups but there is a dump station on siteARRL License testing will be conducted at 9am-ish. Please Bring a photo ID or 2 other forms of ID. FRN must be provided. FRN can be established by registering with FCCCheck K5LRW website, for latest changes ?Pre-register by Mail: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Contact? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Hamfest Committee ChairAlamogordo Amateur Radio Club ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Rusty KI5RUS?rjaskolo@...HAMFEST 2025 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?575-491-3631 call or text12 Main St#383 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Or Rick KB7SQF?rick@...La Luz NM, ?88337 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Hamfest Committee memberE-mail_____________________________ ?Ph#_________________________Name______________________________ Call_________________________Address________________________________City__________________St/zip__________________Make Checks payable to AARC and include your callsign on CheckPrize Tickets Before 23 Aug. at $8.00 x______=$__________ Tables at $15.00 x________=$________your own $6.00x_____=$________Dinner(pay as you go) How many?_____________(Location TBA)Testing or upgrading : Technician / General / Extra (Circle one)
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The sBitx line should have a long and healthy future.? ?It is a good competitor to the G90 line, offering a much bigger screen and more opportunities for working with the code yourself.? ?I'm surprised that no one has created FM mode yet (I may dabble at it now tht I'm taking a break from high school teaching).? ?It fills a very particular "niche" in the product line of ham radio.? ?In a lot of ways, it is the "Heathkit HW-100" of today.? ??
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I'm wondering what improvements Farhan has made to the power amp!? ? Moving to 100-V parts is a good idea as he with the 510.? ? Others have somewhat more gain-stabilized amplifiers and he might have finally given in to use a bit more of that.? ? I was quite happy that I could replace the Z24N (a 50V part) with the IRF520(100-volt page) in my V2's.? ? I'm quite happy with them, althrough I don't have the TIME to do the exploits of Gyula!!!? ? But I have great fun with them.
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Better shielding is a possible next big improveent.
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GordonKX4Z
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Re: #zbitx I am intereted in CAT control of the zBitx.
#zbitx
On Fri, May 2, 2025 at 04:34 AM, Armando Escalante wrote:
Farhan, any idea when the CAT control via USB port will become available And which radio will it emulate?
I want to use the zBitx as a Winlink Express node.
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Armando, I think I already did that.? ?I built a small bit of Icom Emulation code that allows me to control the frequency of the radio (CAT control) as if it were an Icom 7300.? ?You can read it and download the sofware here: ? /g/BITX20/wiki/36021? ? You may need to make up a small UART cable for the purpose.? ? ?
I've used it many times to control my sBitx to make winlink connections.? ?Unless they removed the code from the zBitx (which is unlikely), the zBitx should work the same way.? ??
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73
Gordon KX4Z
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I can say that I am satisfied with the sbitx v2 hardware.
It is true that at first I had transmission problems, then after I replaced the D27, one of the power stage fets (IRFZ24N) went to the eternal hunting grounds.
At that time I bought several pieces and selected them for opening direction, and replaced the mica with AlN (aluminum Nitride) ceramics.
I cool the external heatsink with a quiet fan, and then the RPi4 from the inside with a 50x50x10mm fan.
What may be more important is that after replacing the power stage fets, I only use a current-limiting power supply.
I can say that I only use this in addition to my existing equipment and I am currently close to 11 thousand QSOs, which I achieved with the previously replaced fets and a 3-band top-fed obliquely installed delta loop antenna. After I added an AGC amplifier to the microphone in a 'Meeting MIC' base, the voice mode is not a problem for me either.
I have only neglected the telegraph mode so far.
It is true that I have had the device since April 2023 and I only started using it since November 16th of that year.
So some modifications were needed to make it the way I liked it. The 170 dxcc/ 155 LotW cfm is thanks to this radio.
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: #zbitx I am intereted in CAT control of the zBitx.
#zbitx
Farhan, any idea when the CAT control via USB port will become available And which radio will it emulate?
I want to use the zBitx as a Winlink Express node.
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A very good question. I am sure there are a few peps that would enjoy a update on the future of the SBitx life span, Including what is being considered for the new hardware and capabilities V4 implementation will be offering.?
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Patrick?
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Re: FT8 time differential - how to resolve?
It is not a unique case. I experienced similar FT8 transmission delays! And I posted this already.
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Re: FT8 time differential - how to resolve?
Is it possible that this is a unique case? Has anyone else experienced similar FT8 transmission delays?
If no one else has a similar case, then I would definitely do the following:
first I would rename the existing sbitx folder to sbitx.old then
in the terminal I would clone the current zbitx software, which is v3.052
git clone https://github.com/afarhan/zbitx
cd sbitx
./build sbitx
if there was a connection before, then the sbitx.db file and the hardware.ini file in the sbitx/data folder must be copied to the cloned folder. If I use the sbitx logic, then the /sbitx/data folder must be copied to the new location.
The quality of the uSD card is often not the best, so if everything works well, it is advisable to make a copy of the working card using SD Card Copier. (this is the backup copy)
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Gyula HA3HZ
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Re: zBitx +-2 MHz transmit spurs? --> SHOWSTOPPER for transmitting
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 1, 2025, at 22:22, Ashhar Farhan via groups.io <farhanbox@...> wrote:
? I have been travelling extensively for the last one month. Which explains the absence of any software pushes.
In a nutshell, the hw_settings.ininhas wrong values that is overdriving resulting in the high spurs.
We will issue an updated hw_settings.ini that will dial down the drive and put the spurs below the acceptable levels. This has also been confirmed by a few other radio hams that I have been working with.
However the update will have to wait until I return back from dayton.
- f
On Fri, 2 May, 2025, 6:03?am Gordon Gibby KX4Z via , <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote: It may be difficult, but we need some statistical sampling of available units in the field to figure out what is going on.
One way to do that would be to figure out if there is a collection of units geographically NEAR each other and then get one person with a spectrum analyzer to make measurements on all of those and produce the sample set. It would be good to have 10 or 11 units.
by going through their sales list, HF signals could greatly facilitate this by seeing if there¡¯s a collection of units in some particular city somewhere in the world
New York? Frankfort? Paris? London?
We just need to find a bunch of units near each other and then either buy or loan or find someone with a spectrum analyzer
Gordon
? Same question. Ashhar Farhan reports having a unit or units that test as compliant with -43 dBc regulations. ?
But what can be done with those units that do not test as compliant with FCC regulations regarding spurious emissions? ?
Were some bad units shipped?? Is there a fix?? Or can these units be returned and replaced or repaired?
Or do we have to wait, and (re)purchase version 2 or 3 of the zBitx to get a radio suitable for transmit?
73, Ron, n6ywu
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Re: zBitx +-2 MHz transmit spurs? --> SHOWSTOPPER for transmitting
I have been travelling extensively for the last one month. Which explains the absence of any software pushes.
In a nutshell, the hw_settings.ininhas wrong values that is overdriving resulting in the high spurs.
We will issue an updated hw_settings.ini that will dial down the drive and put the spurs below the acceptable levels. This has also been confirmed by a few other radio hams that I have been working with.
However the update will have to wait until I return back from dayton.
- f
On Fri, 2 May, 2025, 6:03?am Gordon Gibby KX4Z via , <docvacuumtubes= [email protected]> wrote: It may be difficult, but we need some statistical sampling of available units in the field to figure out what is going on.
One way to do that would be to figure out if there is a collection of units geographically NEAR each other and then get one person with a spectrum analyzer to make measurements on all of those and produce the sample set. It would be good to have 10 or 11 units.
by going through their sales list, HF signals could greatly facilitate this by seeing if there¡¯s a collection of units in some particular city somewhere in the world
New York? Frankfort? Paris? London?
We just need to find a bunch of units near each other and then either buy or loan or find someone with a spectrum analyzer
Gordon
? Same question. Ashhar Farhan reports having a unit or units that test as compliant with -43 dBc regulations. ?
But what can be done with those units that do not test as compliant with FCC regulations regarding spurious emissions? ?
Were some bad units shipped?? Is there a fix?? Or can these units be returned and replaced or repaired?
Or do we have to wait, and (re)purchase version 2 or 3 of the zBitx to get a radio suitable for transmit?
73, Ron, n6ywu
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I have a mint SBITX V3 with 64 bit OS for sale.
Used as receiver only.
$300 plus PP fees and shipping.
CONUS only.
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Jeff?
K2SDR
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jkelly at verizon.net
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Re: zBitx +-2 MHz transmit spurs? --> SHOWSTOPPER for transmitting
It may be difficult, but we need some statistical sampling of available units in the field to figure out what is going on.
One way to do that would be to figure out if there is a collection of units geographically NEAR each other and then get one person with a spectrum analyzer to make measurements on all of those and produce the sample set. It would be good to have 10 or 11 units.
by going through their sales list, HF signals could greatly facilitate this by seeing if there¡¯s a collection of units in some particular city somewhere in the world
New York? Frankfort? Paris? London?
We just need to find a bunch of units near each other and then either buy or loan or find someone with a spectrum analyzer
Gordon
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 1, 2025, at 19:54, Ron, N6YWU via groups.io <ron.nicholson@...> wrote:
? Same question. Ashhar Farhan reports having a unit or units that test as compliant with -43 dBc regulations. ?
But what can be done with those units that do not test as compliant with FCC regulations regarding spurious emissions? ?
Were some bad units shipped? ?Is there a fix? ?Or can these units be returned and replaced or repaired?
Or do we have to wait, and (re)purchase version 2 or 3 of the zBitx to get a radio suitable for transmit?
73, Ron, n6ywu
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Re: FT8 time differential - how to resolve?
Joe, the .profile is obscure to find for sure.?
It's in the sBitx manual here
73
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Re: zBitx +-2 MHz transmit spurs? --> SHOWSTOPPER for transmitting
Same question. Ashhar Farhan reports having a unit or units that test as compliant with -43 dBc regulations. ?
But what can be done with those units that do not test as compliant with FCC regulations regarding spurious emissions? ?
Were some bad units shipped? ?Is there a fix? ?Or can these units be returned and replaced or repaired?
Or do we have to wait, and (re)purchase version 2 or 3 of the zBitx to get a radio suitable for transmit?
73, Ron, n6ywu
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Rick Norton KB7SQF
Robert Fairbairn
HA3HZ
Jeff Kelly