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Re: No audio driver
No "picture below", I have no idea what you did. K1 is pinned out as if it is a 16 pin dip on 0.1" centers, pin 1 is nearest the "TUNING1" connector. The two 1n4148 diodes suggested by Raj months ago should be between K1-12 and ground. ?That trace between K1 and K2 is only used during receive. ?It's a 50 ohm environment, so the voltage would have to rise up to around 0.7 volts peak before the diodes start to conduct a significant amount of current, and that would be an extremely strong received signal. ? The diodes do not "switch on" like an SCR would, instead they just conduct when the voltage exceeds the 0.7 Volt level, and hold it to 0.7 Volts max. That 0.7 Volts peak would also be an extremely strong transmitted signal for the node at K1-14 going into the Q13 stage of the final. ? I would not expect two diodes between K1-14 and ground to totally kill your transmitter power. ?In post ? /g/BITX20/message/22764? I report seeing 0.4 volts peak to peak around ground (so 0.2 Volts peak) at that node during transmit. Jerry, KE7ER On Thu, Apr 13, 2017 at 08:29 am, John Beasley wrote:
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Re: Antenna selection
One issue for some regarding an EFHW is that the roughly 3000 ohm feed impedance means high voltages going into the antenna from the impedance matching device. ? Watts = Volts*Amps = Volts * (Volts/Ohms), so Volts = sqrt(Watts*Ohms). ?A 10 Watt rig will have 173 Volts rms at the antenna, a kilowatt will have 1730 Volts. ?Like I said, the impedance matching network can be difficult to get right, and it needs to be up on the roof right at the end of the antenna wire (or on your tent pole). ?The EFHW-8010 is good for a kW when the wire is of the correct length for the operating frequency, but I'd keep it down to a couple hundred Watts max if wandering about the band. ?Especially true on 80 meter phone if the wire is cut for a full wave at 7.150 MHz, since 7.150/2 = 3.575 MHz.? The EFHW-8010 can be used without a tuner on most bands from 80 through 10 meters, but you do want a tuner between the rig and your coax going to the impedance matching box if not reasonably close to the resonant point of the antenna wire. ?Off resonance, keep power down to a couple hundred Watts max. On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 09:32 pm, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
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Re: No audio driver
开云体育First off. Thank you for the repair information on this. ? I had the pleasure of replacing my Q13 a few nights ago after using my Kenwood to make contact on 40 meters without turning off the BitX40. I replaced the SMD transistor with a standard one I had in my parts box and my TX is back to normal. Last night I tried the protection diode hack below but then when attempting to Transmit I had no power output. As soon as I removed the Diodes everything went back to normal. ? My understanding is that this diode configuration? works the following way. Please correct me if I am wrong. When the current coming in from the antenna goes above a certain threshold the protection (switching) diode would drop it to ground protecting the circuit. So why did I loose TX power with the diodes installed exactly like the picture below? ? I don’t have a picture of the terminals on the board under the relay but from the diagram I can only assume that I must have installed the diodes at K1 from 14 to 16 instead of from 12 to 16? I was going to give it another go tonight but thought I might ask for a little assistance before I cook something that isn’t an easy fix. ? Thanks Again, John Beasley KG7UMN ?
? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Al Duncan VE3RRD
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2017 7:10 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BITX20] No audio driver ? If you now have no output when you speak into the mic, but the receive is OK (but everything worked OK previously); then another component to check is Q13. Although Q13 is in the TX path, it is left in the circuit during RX. If you have transmitted on another 100W or higher power rig while the Bitx40 was in RX mode on a nearby antenna,then there is a good chance you have blown Q13 - if you didn't install the two 1N4148 protection diodes between K1 pin 12 and ground. The picture in the following message shows the location on the board: /g/BITX20/message/22844?p=Created,,,20,1,0,0::Created,,minimum+mods,20,2,40,4415405 Placing them between pin 12 and ground means they are only in the circuit during RX; you might not want an extra couple of non-forward biased diode junctions in the TX path during transmit that could generate noise, harmonics etc. Q13 can be replaced by a 2N3904. |
Re: Antenna selection
For portable antennas I like the Pico line from SOTABeams.? They come in Dipole and EFHW versions, both of which cost less than $10 US (not including wire) and are rated for 10W.? I've been using them for Summits on the Air for a while now and they're tiny.? I have a 1:1 with traps (also from the pico line, but not really applicable for the BitX40) as well as an EFHW tuner for 20m and one for 40m.? If you plan on operating portable it's worth getting a few wire winders as well (or kite string winders, same thing.)? As far as wire goes I prefer silicone or teflon insulated 22awg.? It's much easier to handle than PVC insulated wire, especially in the cold, and weighs very little.? The dipole is more efficient than the EFHW and with the traps it's multiband (again, not terribly important with the BitX40,) but it's much easier to put up the end fed antenna while wearing gloves and it needs less coax. 1:1 or 4:1 balun kit: EFHW tuner kit: |
bitx40 (Randuino) sketch test using the Si5351mcu lib.
Pavel Milanes Costa
Hi to all.
This is my proof of concept bitx40 (Randuino) sketch using the new Si5351mcu lib. Some tips, facts and details about it you NEED to know (read it in full) 0 - You need to get and install the Si5351mcu lib to use (compile) this code, see to know how to install it. 1 - This code was not tested on a real Randuino hardware (a randuino, like one was put together but with an Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V@8Mhz using an ATMedga168 Chip). All test was made against a Bitx20 (re-purposed to 40m) with an homebrew XTAL filter near 12.5 Mhz. Bottom line: it may contain bugs/typos. Proceed on your own risk, testing it will no harm your hardware in any way, fun is almost 99% guaranteed; and you can revert back to the mainstream Randuino code when you like. NOTE: Before zapping you code/firmware of the arduino please take note of your calibration factor with the original Randuino lib. This lib make use of another calibration trick and numbers may (must?) be different. 2 - VFO output to the bitx40v3_smd board is via CLK0, check your wiring (on the 16 pin connector it's the one numbered "3" between +5V and GND) this is fixed by now but may be movable on he future. 3 - The sketch use the Si5351 at top drive (8mA/50 ohms) as the original sketch do. 4 - CLK1 has a 145.000 Mhz tone for checking it with your 2m handheld and way above the HF band (output t disable is not ready yet on the lib, I will work it on the weekend.) 5 - CLK2 is disabled. 6 - First do a calibration procedure as usual with the mainstream Randuino code, please note that the calibration procedure WILL HAVE CLICKS, normal operation will not (must not). 7 - Test it and check if the annoying click noise went away. Facts: Compiled against a Arduino UNO: (vanilla platform for comparison) Mainstream bitx40 code size: 16.5K (51%) This new sketch with new lib: 9.5k (29%) ==== That's 22% size reduction! Just by changing the lib! This means that it can be compiled/used now against any Arduino Mini/Mini-pro with an ATMega168 (just 16K of storage). In fact my tests was over an ARduino Mini-Pro 3.3v @ 8 Mhz using one of this ATMega168 chips. I have a holiday and a weekend ahead, I will be kind of off-line until Monday, I will try to check the email at least once a day if family plans don't interfere; please comment about it, I'll catch up ASAP. (Tip: I have to go to a public square/park to use the paid WiFi service to check my email... no email at home.) 73 and happy weekend/hacking/homebrewing From Pavel CO7WT |
Re: Antenna selection
I ahve an Elecraft T1 tuner I built from a kit, which works fine with SSB units. I use it with my Xiegu X1M and a Buddistick (my Bitx40 isn't finished yet), and it tunes up FAST, as soon as you start talking into the mic. The trick with the Buddistick is to move the wander lead along the coil until you hit the loudest noise from your speaker, then put a tap there, and use the tuner for "fine tuning". Rich KC8MWG On Thursday, April 13, 2017 2:40 AM, Kevin Norris via Groups.Io <vk7hkn@...> wrote: The Bitx 40 does not have any protection on the final so you do need to think about an antenna that is pretuned before it is up that is one which is swr is 1-1 or near to that. In doing so you will have a perfect match and no tuner so all power will go out the antenna. I use a tuned 40m dipole with RG174 as the feed line so it's nice and light for portable use and works well. Hope this has been of help as so many have cooked the final from bad swr also being ssb there is no am or cw carrier to tune it with.? Regards Kevin Norris VK7HKN On 13 Apr 2017, at 2:32 pm, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
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Re: Birdie at 7199 - a surprising observation!
Thanks for confirming, and good to hear that with the correct software and
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library versions it's all working OK now! 73, Allard PE1NWL On Thu, April 13, 2017 08:25, N7PXY wrote:
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Re: Running 24VDC into IRF510. Is there a down side?
take out a small fan from a laptop and blow on it. or just a bit of wet sponebob will do On 13 Apr 2017 2:08 a.m., "John Backo via Groups.Io" <iam74=[email protected]> wrote: Remember that heat is the biggest enemy you have. You can't see it. You don't realize |
Re: Antenna selection
开云体育The Bitx 40 does not have any protection on the final so you do need to think about an antenna that is pretuned before it is up that is one which is swr is 1-1 or near to that. In doing so you will have a perfect match and no tuner so all power will go out the antenna. I use a tuned 40m dipole with RG174 as the feed line so it's nice and light for portable use and works well. Hope this has been of help as so many have cooked the final from bad swr also being ssb there is no am or cw carrier to tune it with.? Regards Kevin Norris VK7HKN On 13 Apr 2017, at 2:32 pm, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
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Re: Birdie at 7199 - a surprising observation!
N7PXY
Gentlemen, To follow up on my birdie problem. I reverted to an earlier version than 1.05 and the birdie disappeared. I then reduced the drive to 2ma in version 1.05 and made sure the Etherkits Si5351 library 2.0.1 was the only one on my computer and recompiled. All went fine and the birdie did not reappear. Now to play around with some display and freq. issues I'd like to change/modify. Thanks to all who tendered advice and help. PJH, N7PXY |
Re: Antenna selection
missing pix On Apr 12, 2017 9:53 PM, "lee hyde" <masterleehyde64@...> wrote:
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Re: Antenna selection
i use 3 or four sch 40 pipes 3" 2" 1 1/2" 1" with dipol coax balun ...down in pix -35 degrees in this pix . works well change angle and end elevation for low angle dx or nvis etc It really about works for you and your local. Just enjoy..or spend thousands and brag ? lol On Apr 12, 2017 9:42 PM, "College Professor Simon Thompson" <nwccenglishprofessor@...> wrote:
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Re: Antenna selection
College Professor Simon Thompson
开云体育All that is true, but the BitX40 doesn't work from 80 to 40. If you only have one support handy, throw one arm across the ground in the direction you want to work and the other one up the support. I have an end fed antenna, and I have found that nothing beats a resonant dipole for simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness, especially with a basically one-band radio such as the BitX40. Sent from my iPad On Apr 12, 2017, at 9:32 PM, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote:
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Re: Antenna selection
An end fed halfwave is a dipole fed at a high impedance point instead of a low impedance point. ?When driven correctly, has exactly the same efficiency and radiation pattern as a centerfed dipole. ? Consider a center fed inverted V dipole hung from a tree, attached to your chimney on one end and some bush on the far side of the tree. ?You need to run coax from house up to the top of the tree. ?If you use the same piece of wire and feed the end near the house with a proper impedance matching network, you don't need hardly any feedline. ?Ideal for portable use, it only takes one good high support. That impedance matching network can be difficult to get right. ?As the QST review shows, the EFHW-8010 gets it right, multiple bands without tuning. An EFHW ?can work well on the fundamental and at any multiple of that frequency, since the trip down to the end and back is always an even multiple of one wavelength. ?At double the fundamental frequency, a center fed dipole goes from being two quarter wave pieces of wire (as seen from the feedpoint) to being two half wave pieces of wire, and thus the feedpoint goes from low to high impedance.? ?Jerry, KE7ER On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 08:37 pm, College Professor Simon Thompson wrote: All those antennas work ok, but a dipole cut for the band you want to work is always going to be better. And if we are talking about the BitX40, we are not talking about a radio that is really frequency agile. A dipole for the phone portion of 40 is really not that big, and will easily outperform and endfed antenna. ? |
Re: Antenna selection
College Professor Simon Thompson
开云体育All those antennas work ok, but a dipole cut for the band you want to work is always going to be better. And if we are talking about the BitX40, we are not talking about a radio that is really frequency agile. A dipole for the phone portion of 40 is really not that big, and will easily outperform and endfed antenna.
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Re: SDR radios
College Professor Simon Thompson
开云体育There is also SDR Anywhere:?This is a little trickier… I have an RF Space Cloud I/Q receiver that I am currently using for a radio telescope; the Cloud I/Q receiver has a server built in to it, and that server automatically connects, via the SDR Anywhere application, to a list of RF Space receivers, most of which are publicly accessible to anyone who is running the software. The application runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. There is one receiver located just over the border in Washington state, and I check my signal on there. There is also a list of accessible receivers attached to the KiwiSDR network, one of which is located at the University of Victoria, about 650 k south of me, and I check my signal through there sometimes. On Apr 12, 2017, at 8:09 PM, Tim - K7PTM <tamccain@...> wrote:
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Re: Antenna selection
On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 04:22 pm, Doug W wrote:
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Re: BITX40 without Raduino?
Cesar, PY2CSH My BITX-40 external VFO sort of grew out of what I could find on the workbench, so no schematic and no instructions yet.? I will try over the next couple of weeks to come up with some documentation that might be easy to follow. Basically the layout looks like this: ??? H&P REFERENCE: ??? 32.768KHz crystal --> 2N2222A --> 74HC390 (F/100) --> 74HC3090 (F/10) = 32.768 Hz ??? EDGE SAMPLING, INTEGRATOR, and TUNING: ??? Half a 74HC74 provides sampling to generate Huff or Puff output to a varactor for tuning ??? H&P varactor is a 1N4004 with 10 pf coupling to the VFO LC tank circuit. ??? This 32 Hz reference, sampling, and the varactor circuit was left over from earlier H&P ??? design work. ??? VFO and PRESCALER, and FREQUENCY COUNTER: ??? 74HC4060 input gate biased into linear mode serves as the VFO oscillator with VFO output ??? taken from the built-in inverter.? This also provides VFO frequency division so that the count ??? can be accomplished by an Arduino Nano as? a frequency counter with 1602 type LCD display. ??? Tuning is by a 10-turn potentiometer driving an IRF510 wired "Coss" mode and used as ??? a varactor.? More information on Huff and Puff systems can be found at Hans G0UPL web site.??? My approach has the VFO housed in a separate case from the BITX-40 and powered from a separate regulated 5V power supply. The Arduino that I used for the frequency counter has the ceramic resonator replaced by a 16 MHz crystal.? After I made that modification I found that there are Ebay dealers who sell Arduino Pro-Mini boards that have a crystal instead of the usual ceramic resonator.? Using a crystal is preferable because the resonator frequency is not very stable. It has occurred to me that it might be possible to have the VFO tuned and stabilized by the Arduino through a two-ratio PWM and integrator circuit.? If that is workable it would operate with the user entering a desired frequency in the Arduino and the Arduino using frequency counting and comparison to bring the VFO to that same frequency....and hold it there.? This is planned for further experimentation and evaluation.? Arv? K7HKL _._ On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 5:07 PM, William R Maxwell <wrmaxwell@...> wrote:
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