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Unofficial BITX40 FAQ (Who do I contact? When will it be here? etc etc)

 

Hey everyone,

I posted this on my blog a few days ago and it's received positive responses so far, so I thought I would post it here. It covers the questions I've seen the most. Feel free to direct people to it when they ask questions it covers.?

If there are any errors or omissions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly or post a comment here or on the blog.?

--
Ryan Flowers KC7RYS?
Re: Raduino RIT ?

G4NQX
 

It was a reply to Randy in this topic who wanted to learn about Arduinos
--
Rob G4NQX
Re: Using a DC booster ...

 

I managed to connect the DC/DC converter and do a test in receive mode.

The noise increases significantly when the converter is powered.

It might be possible to reduce it by adding extra bypass caps and serial chokes, but I wouldn't go for this solution.
--
Ion

VA3NOI
Re: Raduino RIT ?

[email protected]
 

No, the link from your first post is identical to the link in your second post, Rob.? It worked, but had little to do with "Raduino RIT".

W8TIF
K2

As a child, a library card takes you to exotic, faraway places. When you're grown up, a credit card does it.


On Fri, Feb 3, 2017 at 12:15 PM, G4NQX <tasmod@...> wrote:

What is it just lately with the posting of links etc !? That link corrupted on entry.

Should be??
--
Rob G4NQX
Re: Adequate for 20w?

 

The heat sink is 40mm x 40mm x 20mm, by the way. I use a pair of similar heatsinks on my mcHF transceiver (designed by Chris, M0NKA), one on the voltage regulators and one on the pair of RD16HHF1 finals.
Re: Raduino RIT ?

G4NQX
 

What is it just lately with the posting of links etc !? That link corrupted on entry.

Should be?? tronixstuff.com/tutorials/
--
Rob G4NQX
Adequate for 20w?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Mounted a bigger heatsink to my pa transistor. Should this be adequate for 20 watts output?

Rich
KC8MWG



Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Express 3, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
Re: Using a DC booster ...

 

Forgot to mention, the converter does not allow the voltage from input to pass to output when disabled, so a double DPDT switch will be required to do QRP/QRO from a single 12V battery
--
Ion

VA3NOI
Re: Using a DC booster ...

 

Hi Robert!

I don't think you will get much more noise as the DC/DC converter is only supplying power to the Power amplifier.

I did not use it myself as I am not finished with the other tweaks I want to implement.

If it will not work for me is not a big issue as I plan to stay QRP only.

I might try something later today, or tomorrow, using the same converter I have posted above. Set he converter at 13V and use a 3Ah LiPO pack that is built with 3 cells, so when fully charged only has 12.2V.

If it works I'll let the group know.

Take care,

--
Ion

VA3NOI
Re: Using a DC booster ...

Robert Ray
 

Ion,

did you experience any RF noise when connected? ?I used a DC DC buck step down to power the QRP Labs DDS VFO (need 5v) from the 12v supply of the bitx40. ?I ended up building a 7805 circuit that cut the noise, but less efficient as well.?


Thanks

Robert/KD0YMC
Re: Raduino RIT ?

G4NQX
 

For an online tutorial and reference that I find easy to read.

tronixstuff tutorials
--
Rob G4NQX
Re: Raduino RIT ?

Jack Purdum
 

Randy:

Very true. Also, I have yet to buy any Chinese knockoff that didn't work as expected, so don't be afraid to buy a couple. On the expansion board I pictured, I failed to mention that those "empty holes" you see around the edges allow you to add header sockets so you can plug is a Uno shield if you need it.

Fun stuff!!

Jack, W8TEE


From: Randy Hall <listk7age@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

Jack

Thanks, there is so much Arduino stuff out there to play with.

Your books are due to arrive on Monday.

Randy, K7AGE

On Fri, Feb 3, 2017 at 8:12 AM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <econjack@...> wrote:
If you want to get started experimenting with an Arduino, the kit Randy mentions is one alternative. For about the same price you can get this starter kit:



The reason I like it is because the Robo Red uC is completely compatible with the Uno, but it brings out the I/O pins to a header that allows you to easily attach Dupont wire to those pins which can then easily make those pins available for any breadboard circuit. Also, you get a 16x2 LCD that uses the I2C interface which only eats 2 I/O lines rather than 8. Finally, the kit has parts that I think might be of more interest to hams.

That said, since hams rarely use Arduino shields, I would buy a couple of Nanos for $2.50 each, then buy an expansion shield (see pix) for about $5, and finally the Yourduino I2C LCD display for $6 and be done with it. Most of the starter kit parts will go unused anyway. Note how the expansion board has the pins, GND, and Vcc brought out for easy experimenting. The Nano plugs into the header socket in the middle of the board.

If you need a good book to learn about programming the Arduino, I have a suggestion for that, too. Personally, I think buying the Nano and expansion board is the way to go for us hams. It will save you about $40 yet still give you a base to use the same uC as the Raduino but making it easier to tie in external circuits.

Jack, W8TEE


From: Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 10:35 AM

Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

Hey Randy, thanks. Yes, I saw the article in QST. I will definitely check out Paul¡¯s videos ¡­. Good stuff.
?
73, Jim ¨C K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Randy Hall
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 10:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim
?
Paul Whorter?has a whole series of videos on the Arduino. Paul is a ham and a high school teacher in engineering and computers. His students build high altitude?balloon projects. If you are an ARRL member, you may have read about his students in the Februruay issue. His students are scheduled for another launch this month. The article was written by one of the students. Please vote on the article so that they can win a QST Cover Plaque Award.
?
?
?
Paul's Arduino videos are a series of lessons for his students. The pace is slow and is easy to follow.?
?
?
There are hundreds of other Arduino videos on youtube. Adafruit and Sparkfun also have lots of educational material and Arduino boards with supporting software libraries.?
?
If you want to kick start your Arduino learning I would recommend getting an Arduino kit package that has the Uno board, breadboard, lots of parts, and a lesson manual. I have a kit from Vilros, it was around $55. There are many other kits around. This one comes with a book and link to the sketches. The Uno and Nano boards are very similar?but packaged differently.
?
?
Have fun learning the Arduino, we all started with blinking LEDs, reading a pot & switch, writing to the PC screen and so on.
?
Randy, K7AGE
?
?
?
On Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...> wrote:
Rob,
Thanks for the info. I am an ¡°Arduino Dummy¡± but I do know basically what you are talking about. I have a friend who can help with the programming. It guess it¡¯s time for me to get educated in Arduino.
?
Jim, K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of G4NQX
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 4:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim,
It's already in the code but commented out in the loop.? You need to uncomment them and reprogram the Nano.
It uses a pushbutton on A3 pin to select using tap, press, double tap method.

Rob G4NQX
?
Re: Raduino RIT ?

 

Jack

Thanks, there is so much Arduino stuff out there to play with.

Your books are due to arrive on Monday.

Randy, K7AGE

On Fri, Feb 3, 2017 at 8:12 AM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <econjack@...> wrote:
If you want to get started experimenting with an Arduino, the kit Randy mentions is one alternative. For about the same price you can get this starter kit:



The reason I like it is because the Robo Red uC is completely compatible with the Uno, but it brings out the I/O pins to a header that allows you to easily attach Dupont wire to those pins which can then easily make those pins available for any breadboard circuit. Also, you get a 16x2 LCD that uses the I2C interface which only eats 2 I/O lines rather than 8. Finally, the kit has parts that I think might be of more interest to hams.

That said, since hams rarely use Arduino shields, I would buy a couple of Nanos for $2.50 each, then buy an expansion shield (see pix) for about $5, and finally the Yourduino I2C LCD display for $6 and be done with it. Most of the starter kit parts will go unused anyway. Note how the expansion board has the pins, GND, and Vcc brought out for easy experimenting. The Nano plugs into the header socket in the middle of the board.

If you need a good book to learn about programming the Arduino, I have a suggestion for that, too. Personally, I think buying the Nano and expansion board is the way to go for us hams. It will save you about $40 yet still give you a base to use the same uC as the Raduino but making it easier to tie in external circuits.

Jack, W8TEE


From: Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 10:35 AM

Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

Hey Randy, thanks. Yes, I saw the article in QST. I will definitely check out Paul¡¯s videos ¡­. Good stuff.
?
73, Jim ¨C K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Randy Hall
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 10:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim
?
Paul Whorter?has a whole series of videos on the Arduino. Paul is a ham and a high school teacher in engineering and computers. His students build high altitude?balloon projects. If you are an ARRL member, you may have read about his students in the Februruay issue. His students are scheduled for another launch this month. The article was written by one of the students. Please vote on the article so that they can win a QST Cover Plaque Award.
?
?
?
Paul's Arduino videos are a series of lessons for his students. The pace is slow and is easy to follow.?
?
?
There are hundreds of other Arduino videos on youtube. Adafruit and Sparkfun also have lots of educational material and Arduino boards with supporting software libraries.?
?
If you want to kick start your Arduino learning I would recommend getting an Arduino kit package that has the Uno board, breadboard, lots of parts, and a lesson manual. I have a kit from Vilros, it was around $55. There are many other kits around. This one comes with a book and link to the sketches. The Uno and Nano boards are very similar?but packaged differently.
?
?
Have fun learning the Arduino, we all started with blinking LEDs, reading a pot & switch, writing to the PC screen and so on.
?
Randy, K7AGE
?
?
?
On Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...> wrote:
Rob,
Thanks for the info. I am an ¡°Arduino Dummy¡± but I do know basically what you are talking about. I have a friend who can help with the programming. It guess it¡¯s time for me to get educated in Arduino.
?
Jim, K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of G4NQX
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 4:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim,
It's already in the code but commented out in the loop.? You need to uncomment them and reprogram the Nano.
It uses a pushbutton on A3 pin to select using tap, press, double tap method.

Rob G4NQX
?
Re: Raduino RIT ?

Jack Purdum
 

If you want to get started experimenting with an Arduino, the kit Randy mentions is one alternative. For about the same price you can get this starter kit:



The reason I like it is because the Robo Red uC is completely compatible with the Uno, but it brings out the I/O pins to a header that allows you to easily attach Dupont wire to those pins which can then easily make those pins available for any breadboard circuit. Also, you get a 16x2 LCD that uses the I2C interface which only eats 2 I/O lines rather than 8. Finally, the kit has parts that I think might be of more interest to hams.

That said, since hams rarely use Arduino shields, I would buy a couple of Nanos for $2.50 each, then buy an expansion shield (see pix) for about $5, and finally the Yourduino I2C LCD display for $6 and be done with it. Most of the starter kit parts will go unused anyway. Note how the expansion board has the pins, GND, and Vcc brought out for easy experimenting. The Nano plugs into the header socket in the middle of the board.

If you need a good book to learn about programming the Arduino, I have a suggestion for that, too. Personally, I think buying the Nano and expansion board is the way to go for us hams. It will save you about $40 yet still give you a base to use the same uC as the Raduino but making it easier to tie in external circuits.

Jack, W8TEE


From: Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

Hey Randy, thanks. Yes, I saw the article in QST. I will definitely check out Paul¡¯s videos ¡­. Good stuff.
?
73, Jim ¨C K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Randy Hall
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 10:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim
?
Paul Whorter?has a whole series of videos on the Arduino. Paul is a ham and a high school teacher in engineering and computers. His students build high altitude?balloon projects. If you are an ARRL member, you may have read about his students in the Februruay issue. His students are scheduled for another launch this month. The article was written by one of the students. Please vote on the article so that they can win a QST Cover Plaque Award.
?
?
?
Paul's Arduino videos are a series of lessons for his students. The pace is slow and is easy to follow.?
?
?
There are hundreds of other Arduino videos on youtube. Adafruit and Sparkfun also have lots of educational material and Arduino boards with supporting software libraries.?
?
If you want to kick start your Arduino learning I would recommend getting an Arduino kit package that has the Uno board, breadboard, lots of parts, and a lesson manual. I have a kit from Vilros, it was around $55. There are many other kits around. This one comes with a book and link to the sketches. The Uno and Nano boards are very similar?but packaged differently.
?
?
Have fun learning the Arduino, we all started with blinking LEDs, reading a pot & switch, writing to the PC screen and so on.
?
Randy, K7AGE
?
?
?
On Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...> wrote:
Rob,
Thanks for the info. I am an ¡°Arduino Dummy¡± but I do know basically what you are talking about. I have a friend who can help with the programming. It guess it¡¯s time for me to get educated in Arduino.
?
Jim, K4AEK
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of G4NQX
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 4:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?
?
Jim,
It's already in the code but commented out in the loop.? You need to uncomment them and reprogram the Nano.
It uses a pushbutton on A3 pin to select using tap, press, double tap method.

Rob G4NQX
?


ExpansionShield.jpg

Re: Complaint

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Jerry!

-- 

73,
Paulo
CS7AGH

A.R.L.A. #100 / A.R.L.C. #100 / DMC #08386 / EPC #25379 / Field Radio Operator #IFR212 / Portuguese QRP Radio Club #079 / QRP Respect #295 / SKCC #12615
On 03/02/2017 15:35, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io wrote:

Any business ends correspondence goes to

? ? hfsignals at gmail dot com

I am words for @ and . because posts here won't show a complete email address.

That email address really needs to be up on the hsigs home webpage, this keeps coming up.
Re: Complaint

 

Any business ends correspondence goes to

? ? hfsignals at gmail dot com

I am words for @ and . because posts here won't show a complete email address.

That email address really needs to be up on the hsigs home webpage, this keeps coming up.
Re: Raduino RIT ?

Jim Schliestett
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hey Randy, thanks. Yes, I saw the article in QST. I will definitely check out Paul¡¯s videos ¡­. Good stuff.

?

73, Jim ¨C K4AEK

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Randy Hall
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2017 10:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

?

Jim

?

Paul Whorter?has a whole series of videos on the Arduino. Paul is a ham and a high school teacher in engineering and computers. His students build high altitude?balloon projects. If you are an ARRL member, you may have read about his students in the Februruay issue. His students are scheduled for another launch this month. The article was written by one of the students. Please vote on the article so that they can win a QST Cover Plaque Award.

?

?

?

Paul's Arduino videos are a series of lessons for his students. The pace is slow and is easy to follow.?

?

?

There are hundreds of other Arduino videos on youtube. Adafruit and Sparkfun also have lots of educational material and Arduino boards with supporting software libraries.?

?

If you want to kick start your Arduino learning I would recommend getting an Arduino kit package that has the Uno board, breadboard, lots of parts, and a lesson manual. I have a kit from Vilros, it was around $55. There are many other kits around. This one comes with a book and link to the sketches. The Uno and Nano boards are very similar?but packaged differently.

?

?

Have fun learning the Arduino, we all started with blinking LEDs, reading a pot & switch, writing to the PC screen and so on.

?

Randy, K7AGE

?

?

?

On Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...> wrote:

Rob,

Thanks for the info. I am an ¡°Arduino Dummy¡± but I do know basically what you are talking about. I have a friend who can help with the programming. It guess it¡¯s time for me to get educated in Arduino.

?

Jim, K4AEK

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of G4NQX
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 4:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

?

Jim,

It's already in the code but commented out in the loop.? You need to uncomment them and reprogram the Nano.

It uses a pushbutton on A3 pin to select using tap, press, double tap method.


Rob G4NQX

?
Re: Raduino RIT ?

 

Jim

Paul Whorter?has a whole series of videos on the Arduino. Paul is a ham and a high school teacher in engineering and computers. His students build high altitude?balloon projects. If you are an ARRL member, you may have read about his students in the Februruay issue. His students are scheduled for another launch this month. The article was written by one of the students. Please vote on the article so that they can win a QST Cover Plaque Award.




Paul's Arduino videos are a series of lessons for his students. The pace is slow and is easy to follow.?



There are hundreds of other Arduino videos on youtube. Adafruit and Sparkfun also have lots of educational material and Arduino boards with supporting software libraries.?

If you want to kick start your Arduino learning I would recommend getting an Arduino kit package that has the Uno board, breadboard, lots of parts, and a lesson manual. I have a kit from Vilros, it was around $55. There are many other kits around. This one comes with a book and link to the sketches. The Uno and Nano boards are very similar?but packaged differently.



Have fun learning the Arduino, we all started with blinking LEDs, reading a pot & switch, writing to the PC screen and so on.

Randy, K7AGE



On Thu, Feb 2, 2017 at 7:13 PM, Jim Schliestett <aekjrs@...> wrote:

Rob,

Thanks for the info. I am an ¡°Arduino Dummy¡± but I do know basically what you are talking about. I have a friend who can help with the programming. It guess it¡¯s time for me to get educated in Arduino.

?

Jim, K4AEK

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of G4NQX
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 4:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Raduino RIT ?

?

Jim,

It's already in the code but commented out in the loop.? You need to uncomment them and reprogram the Nano.

It uses a pushbutton on A3 pin to select using tap, press, double tap method.


Rob G4NQX
Re: Creating a Metal Enclosure using LibreCAD.org drawing, 6 x 6 x 3

 

I, for one, would like to see a basic "minimalist" enclosure, big enough for the parts included in the kit but not TOO crowded, both in metal and in 3D printable format. This would make for a nice, compact rig for portable use...

Might want to leave a large square opening for air circulation at the heat-sink, too, especially for the 3D printed enclosure. Make it about 41mm x 41mm to allow for a slightly larger heat sink, even.

Rich
KC8MWG


On Friday, February 3, 2017 9:38 AM, Fred Finster via Groups.Io <wb7odyfred@...> wrote:


What size would you like to see for an Metal Box enclosure??? I started drawing with a 6" wide x 6" depth x 3" height?? So the front and back panel is 3" high, the flat bottom is 6" wide by 6" in depth.?? If you made it a little bigger, maybe include that small QRP chinese antenna tuner???? Space for a PSK31 Audio interface?? Or another Arduino Nano board to generate the PSK31 transmit audio from a USB interface??? Lets here ideas for what size to make a box and why it should be that size??? When files can be uploaded again,? I will put my first rough draft CAD file? here:? /g/BITX20/files/Enclosures_Metal_or_Plastic/Metal_Box_files
Re: Creating a Metal Enclosure using LibreCAD.org drawing, output file Autocad 2007 .DXF file

 

For the parts that come with the kit (these are actual, measured part diameters - adjust your holes for clearance):

Volume potentiometer: 6.80 mm

Tuning potentiometer: 9.65 mm

Stereo jacks (for mic and headphones): 5.86 mm

Power jack: 12.31 mm

BNC connector: 9.2 mm

Hope this helps!

Rich
KC8MWG


On Friday, February 3, 2017 9:20 AM, Fred Finster via Groups.Io <wb7odyfred@...> wrote:


Creating a Metal Enclosure? using LibreCAD.org drawing, output file Autocad 2007 .DXF file.
For the moment,Feb 3, I can't upload any files to [email protected] ? Uploading the .DXF file and a README.TXT file would allow some one else to download and modify the CAD file for their needs.
Free Software for Windows / Linux / MAC / FreeBSD??
I made one folder for Metal Boxes that would use a CNC Plasma cutter from a .DXF file and a 2nd folder for Plastic Boxes, that you might use 3D printing to make.
Make, Hack, Modify and share around the world.

I plan to build a rectangle box enclosure with the holes already cut out.?? These boxes I make would be for sale.
I made this test CAD file using? 3/8 inch size holes.? If I could get some assistance in a very short message note, passing the diameter size of the hole back to me.
Then I can modify the drawing to match the parts that would be placed in that hole.?? Like MIC plug connector,? Head Phones connector,? Tuning Rotary hole,
On the back panel,? the power connector, the RF connector to the Antenna.?? Any extra holes for spare switches.
Give me a little hand or point me to the URLs on the web.?? I have the specs for the 16x2 LCD displaly.
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