Re: Tell me your favorite uBitx mods
Oooh, I like that idea John.? Would be easy enough to do too.? Two power inputs, one 7 or 8V minimum for the logic and/or amp power, and a second dedicated power level supply.? Easy enough to do with two 5.5mm jacks.
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 9:02 PM, John McFadden <johnamcf@...> wrote: A relay to select the board's power source (12 or 13.5v) or an alternate power input (24v or a variable input) as the feed to the finals, potentially with the system reading the voltages and the software calculating the approximate power.?
The user could then switch between two power levels with software, accommodating low power antennas like magnetic loops which have restrictions such as 10W CW and 25W SSB.
John
-- Martin Held - AE7EU
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If there aren't any questions, then what is there to learn?
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Re: Tell me your favorite uBitx mods
Hi Martin,
?A Second Story is a neat idea that could eliminate wiring with a suitable case that can take advantage of PCB mounted connectors. Here's my wish list...
Important: 1) Well the top of my list is a really effective AGC.? This is what separates a really great rig from a really good rig. The basic MicroBITX so reminds me of my SBE SB-33 (1966 - mobile rig) it is the audio derived AGC.? Back in the day Collins S-Line had great (but complex) AGC that worked(s) great, but.. Nearly every Heathkit SSB rig back in the day had great AGC whether it was a tube HW-12 or a solid state HW-104. Check out the HW-104 AGC system...
2) Solid CW Keying and for a paddle
3) USB interface to rear panel -? One big reason for this kit is to become proficient working with software.
4) Well if those are done an S-Meter is nice.
Nice to have: 4) Momentary button to toggle between VFO A and VFO B.? If you work split this is really necessary (Yes, I chase DX on QRP)
5) Mic Pre-Amp and Mic Gain -? I added this tonight with the PCB temporarily stuck on the rear panel (all my jacks are on the rear panel out of the way of knobs.? It helps a little so I don't feel like I have to climb in the Mic, however a Speech Compressor might be more worthwhile.? Being able to use typical Electret Condenser Mics (e.g. ICOM radios) it needs more gain and an adjustment even if a PCB mounted internally accessible set and forget pot.
6) Keying interface for a Linear.? Band data and keying - This baby will drive an RF-KIT 2K+ LDMOS linear to legal limit. (when life is too short for QRP)
When you have nothing better to do: 7) VSWR Bridge with Display for forward/reflected power.? The tuner gets a lot simpler and an external tuner may not need power (manual tuner).
Oh, wait, didn't you do that one already?? LOL
Dave WI6R
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 6:29 PM, Diver Martin <diver.martin@...> wrote: Hello all,
As I'm doing a motherboard mod, I'm looking to incorporate a bunch of mods into one PCB.? Right now, what I've got going are the following:
* A tuner + SWR Bridge (phase detector maybe?) * A spot for an RTL-SDR (blogV3) dongle * AGC Modifications * Integrating LCD and headphone/mic/BNC/Power/etc jacks into the PCB
Other things I've thought about, space depending:
*Adding in footprints for a chinese AD9850 DDS module for one of the clock signals
I would like to hear the top mods you've done, and what you'd love to see integrated into a motherboard PCB that fits on top of the uBitx.? Battery charger?? Battery adapter? I dunno, bring it on!? If you have a favorite AGC mod, please tell me about it, and make some suggestions as well.? This is not promising to be a cheap kit, and full of SMT, but something I might make available.
Happy new year,
-- Martin Held - AE7EU
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If there aren't any questions, then what is there to learn?
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Re: Rugged Case Options?
#ubitx
Kent,
Looks Nice!??
What a great idea 3D printing knobs!? Did you use a press in metal insert for the set screw, or make it push on the half shaft?
Dave WI6R
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 7:26 PM, Kent Vanderploeg <kvanderploeg@...> wrote: Finished up my case today.? Drilled holes and mounted speaker and 3D printed a volume knob.? I may print a larger one for the VFO as well.??
  
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Hi Jack,
Nice GT-550!
Yes I got quite addicted while cleaning out storage about 8 years ago.? Restored about 90 radios before shifting back to modern gear.?? Building stuff is still my favorite.
I can't tell you how much the uBITX reminds me of my SBE SB-33 (SF-1) like the one on my QRZ page with the matching linear.
73 Dave WI6R
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 8:28 PM, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io <jjpurdum@...> wrote: Loved looking at your old gear on QRZ. I saw the Galaxy V; just sold my old GT-550:
Big mistake...
Jack, W8TEE
QRZ has changed their link policy so you¡¯ll have to type in my call sign for now.
Dave WI6R Happy New Year to all.
Received mine on the 24th (lucky I ordered on the 10th).
Got my case yesterday late afternoon and finished the case prep before turning in.
Wired up this morning. It¡¯s alive!!! First contact 600 Miles - 59 report.
See top of my QRZ page for pictures.
Off to build a Mic pre-amp with Mic Gain control. Then work on paddle interface.
Dave WI6R Sent from my iPhone Same here 12/23 date. Pretty excited!? Thank you, Farhan!
Tom
AB7WT
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Re: Another opportunity to show my ignorance... Tuning control?
Farhan used the same sort of one-turn variable resistor tuning on his prototype ?BITX that he used on the BITX with Raduino (and on his Sweeperino), so you probably did see his ?BITX video.
The production ?BITX uses a rotary encoder - so we're free to 'spin and grin'. :)??
Happy New Year, Nigel!
Andy
KG5RKP
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm, Nigel wrote:
First up is to wish everyone on this group the very best for 2018!
Next is to also confirm that have received the mass mailing re order acknowledged and now waiting patiently (order placed December 16th).
Now for a question that should be easy to find answer but not yet found so hence this post (and good possibility of again showing my ignorance): I recall (sort of - not 100% certain) that during a video explaining operation of the uBitx that action and verbal description of how tuning implemented shows the control (variable resistor?) being moved to either end of travel (implying a conventional 270 deg movement) and then triggering 'fast tune' (even faster if function button active) and yet when looking at the 'code' there is reference to encoder detection (speed and direction)...?
Relevance for wanting to know if tuning action is 'rotary no limit' or 'conventional' (270 deg or perhaps 10T pot) ahead of receiving uBitx is that have an opportunity during upcoming visit to U.K. to obtain suitable knob (with finger depression) as sourcing locally very difficult + expensive.
?
As an aside the unreliable postal service here is another reason to only use courier services when importing ANYTHING. I digress... now stepping off soap box and looking forward to learning more via this forum.?
Many thanks in advance.
Remember to KEEPSMILING and have FUN!
Best regards to all
Nigel
ZS6RN ex G8DEV?
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Re: Another opportunity to show my ignorance... Tuning control?
The uBitx uses an encoder, so rotary, no limit.
The Bitx40 uses a pot for tuning with 270 degree rotation, that's likely the video you remember.
toggle quoted message
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On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm, Nigel wrote:
I recall (sort of - not 100% certain) that during a video explaining operation of the uBitx that action and verbal description of how tuning implemented shows the control (variable resistor?) being moved to either end of travel (implying a conventional 270 deg movement) and then triggering 'fast tune' (even faster if function button active) and yet when looking at the 'code' there is reference to encoder detection (speed and direction)...?
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Re: Another opportunity to show my ignorance... Tuning control?
That certainly applied to the Raduino used on BITX40 Nigel but the uBITX, which uses a rotary encoder rather than a variable resistor.
Bill, VK7MX
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 1/01/2018 5:52 PM, Nigel wrote: First up is to wish everyone on this group the very best for 2018!
Next is to also confirm that have received the mass mailing re order acknowledged and now waiting patiently (order placed December 16th).
Now for a question that should be easy to find answer but not yet found so hence this post (and good possibility of again showing my ignorance): I recall (sort of - not 100% certain) that during a video explaining operation of the uBitx that action and verbal description of how tuning implemented shows the control (variable resistor?) being moved to either end of travel (implying a conventional 270 deg movement) and then triggering 'fast tune' (even faster if function button active) and yet when looking at the 'code' there is reference to encoder detection (speed and direction)...
Relevance for wanting to know if tuning action is 'rotary no limit' or 'conventional' (270 deg or perhaps 10T pot) ahead of receiving uBitx is that have an opportunity during upcoming visit to U.K. to obtain suitable knob (with finger depression) as sourcing locally very difficult + expensive.
As an aside the unreliable postal service here is another reason to only use courier services when importing ANYTHING. I digress... now stepping off soap box and looking forward to learning more via this forum.
Many thanks in advance.
Remember to KEEPSMILING and have FUN!
Best regards to all
Nigel
ZS6RN ex G8DEV
|
Another opportunity to show my ignorance... Tuning control?
First up is to wish everyone on this group the very best for 2018!
Next is to also confirm that have received the mass mailing re order acknowledged and now waiting patiently (order placed December 16th).
Now for a question that should be easy to find answer but not yet found so hence this post (and good possibility of again showing my ignorance): I recall (sort of - not 100% certain) that during a video explaining operation of the uBitx that action and verbal description of how tuning implemented shows the control (variable resistor?) being moved to either end of travel (implying a conventional 270 deg movement) and then triggering 'fast tune' (even faster if function button active) and yet when looking at the 'code' there is reference to encoder detection (speed and direction)...?
Relevance for wanting to know if tuning action is 'rotary no limit' or 'conventional' (270 deg or perhaps 10T pot) ahead of receiving uBitx is that have an opportunity during upcoming visit to U.K. to obtain suitable knob (with finger depression) as sourcing locally very difficult + expensive.
?
As an aside the unreliable postal service here is another reason to only use courier services when importing ANYTHING. I digress... now stepping off soap box and looking forward to learning more via this forum.?
Many thanks in advance.
Remember to KEEPSMILING and have FUN!
Best regards to all
Nigel
ZS6RN ex G8DEV?
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Re: C;hanging frequencies on the Raduino
Hi side VFO while operating in lower-sideband mode on the Bitx40 requires lowering the BFO frequency a few khz.
So you need version 2 of Allards firmware plus the associated hardware mods, one of which drives the BFO
from the si5351's clk0.? ??
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Show quoted text
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 09:36 pm, Dale Brooks KG7SSB wrote:
Hi Guys, could someone tell me what I would have to do to change my VFO frequency from the normal 4.7-5.0 mhz to 19.0-19.3 mhz. on my bitx40 rig. I'm using Allards ver 1.27.2 at this time but I would like to go on the high side of my IF to rid it of a nasty birdie at 7.2mhz. I remember back many weeks ago there was a bunch of threads having to do with this issue so if it already exists please help me locate the info. I'm still trying to learn the digital side of this thing so I'm not real good at processor mods. Thanks for the help:::Dale?
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Re: Wiring volume control
Thanks, Jerry
On 12/31/2017 10:59 PM, Jerry Gaffke
via Groups.Io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
You found a bug in
the schematic at the top of the wireup instructions where orange
and yellow wires are swapped.
Should be the orange wire to the wiper arm, as shown in the photo
of the volume pot down in the instructions.
Also, should have the green wire on the correct end of the pot as
shown in the photo
so fully counter-clockwise is minimum volume.
?
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 08:28 pm, ekelley wrote:
The schematic shows the yellow wire going to the wiper
arm, but in the instructions
later on the orange wire goes to the wiper. Which is correct?
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C;hanging frequencies on the Raduino
Hi Guys, could someone tell me what I would have to do to change my VFO frequency from the normal 4.7-5.0 mhz to 19.0-19.3 mhz. on my bitx40 rig. I'm using Allards ver 1.27.2 at this time but I would like to go on the high side of my IF to rid it of a nasty birdie at 7.2mhz. I remember back many weeks ago there was a bunch of threads having to do with this issue so if it already exists please help me locate the info. I'm still trying to learn the digital side of this thing so I'm not real good at processor mods. Thanks for the help:::Dale?
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Re: Wiring volume control
To be a bit more concise, the schematic at the top of the wireup page does correctly show the?
the yellow wire coming out of pin 4 of the uBitx main board, and the orange wire out of pin 5.
However pin 4 should be labeled "VOL_HI", and be wired to the hot side of the pot,
and pin 5 should be labeled "VOL_MID" and be wired to the wiper of the pot.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 08:59 pm, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
You found a bug in the schematic at the top of the wireup instructions where orange and yellow wires are swapped.
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Re: Tell me your favorite uBitx mods
A relay to select the board's power source (12 or 13.5v) or an alternate power input (24v or a variable input) as the feed to the finals, potentially with the system reading the voltages and the software calculating the approximate power.?
The user could then switch between two power levels with software, accommodating low power antennas like magnetic loops which have restrictions such as 10W CW and 25W SSB.
John
On Dec 31, 2017 10:10 PM, "Diver Martin" < diver.martin@...> wrote: My concept is to create a 6" x 5.5" PCB.? It would go on top of .5" standoffs on top of the uBitx main PCB.? One would remove the raduino, save the display, discard the nano/raduino (or better, use for a different project), and use the board as I'm creating it instead.? The idea is to create a clean, 2-PCB design, with a tuner, USB connectivity, built in connectors, etc.? It would replace some of the parts that come with the uBitx normally, make the case more compact, and remove the requirements to wire everything into an enclosure, allowing a clean 3D printed setup or however one would like.
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Re: Wiring volume control
You found a bug in the schematic at the top of the wireup instructions where orange and yellow wires are swapped.
Should be the orange wire to the wiper arm, as shown in the photo of the volume pot down in the instructions.
Also, should have the green wire on the correct end of the pot as shown in the photo
so fully counter-clockwise is minimum volume.
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 08:28 pm, ekelley wrote:
The schematic shows the yellow wire going to the wiper arm, but in the instructions
later on the orange wire goes to the wiper. Which is correct?
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Re: Rugged Case Options?
#ubitx
Wow beautiful box really nice work. Where did u find the box? Box size etc if you don¡¯t mind
Bob
W5RKM
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The schematic shows the yellow wire going to the wiper arm, but in the instructions
later on the orange wire goes to the wiper. Which is correct?
Ed
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Loved looking at your old gear on QRZ. I saw the Galaxy V; just sold my old GT-550:
Big mistake...
Jack, W8TEE
From: Dave Bottom <ars.kd6az@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2017 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] elves are at it
QRZ has changed their link policy so you¡¯ll have to type in my call sign for now.
Dave WI6R Happy New Year to all.
Received mine on the 24th (lucky I ordered on the 10th).
Got my case yesterday late afternoon and finished the case prep before turning in.
Wired up this morning. It¡¯s alive!!! First contact 600 Miles - 59 report.
See top of my QRZ page for pictures.
Off to build a Mic pre-amp with Mic Gain control. Then work on paddle interface.
Dave WI6R Sent from my iPhone Same here 12/23 date. Pretty excited!? Thank you, Farhan!
Tom
AB7WT
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Re: Tell me your favorite uBitx mods
My current tuner PCB that I use on the 50W amplifier is 2" wide and 4.5" long, 2 sided, 7-inductor, 8-capacitor, including the arduino (leonardo) control circuity (caveat: I have a few components on the backside of the PCB... I aim for single side component on this).? But it should all fit.? The SWR Bridge is on a separate PCB, but consumes all of maybe 1" x 1" with the two FT43-37's, a few diodes, etc.
6" x 5.5" is a heck of a lot of real estate.? When doing AGC, I will have to see what I can do to get an analog signal back to the arduino to create an S-meter reading.?
CAT interface is easy, I'm pulling the USB connector to the edge.? That's a matter of programming, and to my knowledge, is the main limiting factor for most people wanting to do CAT control.? Unsure by soundcard interface, other than adding isolation transformers?? Can you not hook up the audio lines/etc to a computer right now as it is?
Fitting it all isn't an issue.? Fitting it all in cleanly and making good use of the front and back panel space is the hard part, and that's what I haven't decided on yet, is how to do the BNC/etc connectors so that it could easily fit into a case with no protrusions, since some things just take up a lot of real estate (display, the connectors down to the uBitx, the heatsinks for the PA, etc)
On Sun, Dec 31, 2017 at 7:33 PM, Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...> wrote:
Hmmm....fairly ambitious goals, my friend!? ?
If you can put a TUNER in that space, you're a wizard.? ?
For my preferences, any simple vox-type soundcard interface would be nice.? ? ?Maybe a mic preamp also / mic gain control of some sort.??
And an AGC circuit...
Having some sort of a power-meter, SWR bridge would eliminate my need to add another one outside (I like watching that)
I think it would be very nice to have an input that could auto-detect if it is 12V or 19-28V and automatically provide 12V for the main board and the higher voltage to the finals.? ?
I don't know how hard it would be to put a thermo-sensor on the FETs, but that would be a nice addition.? ?
I'm thinking yet another board (larger) somewhere would be needed for a real tuner able to handle a wide range of impedances....
Of course, these are all "luxury items"
my 2 cents worth!!? ?
My concept is to create a 6" x 5.5" PCB.? It would go on top of .5" standoffs on top of the uBitx main PCB.? One would remove the raduino, save the display, discard the nano/raduino (or better, use for a different project), and use the board
as I'm creating it instead.? The idea is to create a clean, 2-PCB design, with a tuner, USB connectivity, built in connectors, etc.? It would replace some of the parts that come with the uBitx normally, make the case more compact, and remove the requirements
to wire everything into an enclosure, allowing a clean 3D printed setup or however one would like.
-- Martin Held - AE7EU
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If there aren't any questions, then what is there to learn?
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Re: Rugged Case Options?
#ubitx
Neat work, nice drilling!
Raj
At 01-01-2018, you wrote:
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Finished up my case today.?
Drilled holes and mounted speaker and 3D printed a volume knob.? I
may print a larger one for the VFO as well.?
![[]](/g/BITX20/attachment/37981/)
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Re: Tell me your favorite uBitx mods
Sound card interface for digital modes, CAT interface.
On 12/31/2017 6:29 PM, Diver Martin
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hello all,
As I'm doing a motherboard mod, I'm looking to incorporate
a bunch of mods into one PCB.? Right now, what I've got going
are the following:
* A tuner + SWR Bridge (phase detector maybe?)
* A spot for an RTL-SDR (blogV3) dongle
* AGC Modifications
* Integrating LCD and headphone/mic/BNC/Power/etc jacks
into the PCB
Other things I've thought about, space depending:
*Adding in footprints for a chinese AD9850 DDS module for
one of the clock signals
I would like to hear the top mods you've done, and what
you'd love to see integrated into a motherboard PCB that fits
on top of the uBitx.? Battery charger?? Battery adapter? I
dunno, bring it on!? If you have a favorite AGC mod, please
tell me about it, and make some suggestions as well.? This is
not promising to be a cheap kit, and full of SMT, but
something I might make available.
Happy new year,
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ekelley
Bob McMillan
Raj vu2zap