Re: Help to enable S-meter in KD8CEC v 1.071
Pete,
Andy is correct, you need a more recent version of the KD8CEC software as the S-meter appeared in version 1.08 of his releases.
73, John (VK2ETA)
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Now, that brings up another idea. Some of the computer/laptop
power supplies have a 12V line and also a 18/19V line. But it
the two power lines are separated and the radio used the 12V
line, the amp line could use the higher voltage as suggested
by the designer Ashhar Farhan, VU2ESE, and could deliver
more power oout. Some printer power supplies have this
voltage output. I am not sure they are adequately regulated
or noise free enough to use here and are showing up in stores
like Goodwill or are available where printers are replaced with
new one when they are offering new printers and cartridges
for as little as $29.95 and some buy them to get the cartridges.
Some voltages are 35V, also. Laptop supplies are often running
at 18V, the one mine uses is set at 18V.
May not work but it is an idea that bears checking out.
Bob ¡ª KK5R
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On Sun, 12/16/18, Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...> wrote: Subject: Re: [BITX20] bitx40 displays version, hums, but does not receive #bitx40help #bitx40 #radiuno To: " [email protected]" < [email protected]> Date: Sunday, December 16, 2018, 11:51 PM Laptop switching power supplies are cheap, often available in thrift stores for pennies on the dollar, and can power the PA section. 19 V is common.? ?A cheap switch mode 12 V wall wart can handle the rest.? A seven, eight, or 9 Ahr gell cell is also pretty cheap. $22 at Walmart in the hunting section, as people use them to power deer feeders. ?I have used one pretty successfully with a uBitx, re-charging it with a battery maintainer. ?Just don¡¯t discharge them below 11.9 V or so On Dec 16, 2018, at 23:40, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io <jgaffke@...> wrote: As Bob suggests, a simple old school wallwart consisting of a transformer and a rectifier is generally not suitable for powering electronics such as an amateur transceiver. The open circuit voltage will be considerably higher than the voltage under load. And there will be a problem with hum. Even a modern switch mode wall wart of good design probably won't have sufficient power for a uBitx (though a desktop brick style supply might work fine, it can be bigger). But there are good wall warts out there with good voltage regulation and very little noise, well suited for low power electronics such as a radio receiver. ? Jerry, KE7ER On Sun, Dec 16, 2018 at 06:56 PM, Bob Lunsford wrote: In other words, a simple wall wart device delivers that voltage at that current but if the load is decreased, the voltage climbs and could be much hither than the device needing a power supply can survive. Ideally, all our electronic devices will avoid wall warts and a fully regulated power supply, voltage-wise, should be a minimum requirement. Using a wall wart for anything is inviting a castrophe.
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Re: Reasonable cost Spectrum Analyzer for Ham use.
#ubitx
I agree with the other posters that it's a useful instrument, if
you know its limitations.
Using the RF Explorer, I was able to confirm that replacing the
relays on my ubitx rev 4 board cleaned up all harmonics in CW mode
to better than -48 dBc on all bands.? Prior to the relay fix, my
worst case was -29 dBc for the 3rd harmonic on 30m.CW.
Some limitations to watch for:
- The specified max input power and DC level limits are
unusually low, so I use a DC block with plenty of attenuation to
protect the instrument.? The User Manual even warns about front
end damage with an unterminated but otherwise unconnected input.
- Horrible internally-generated (inside the RF Explorer) spurs
appear whenever the input signal is somewhat above approx. -50
dBm on the direct input mode.? For ubitx work @ 10W output, I
use 70 dB attenuation: a 30 dB 25 Watt attenuator + 20 dB
Mini-Circuits attenuator + 30 dB internal attenuator. This keeps
the display clean of RF Explorer spurs, but limits my effective
dynamic range to about 50 dBc on a 3 MHz span.?
- If I try to look at all harmonics at the same time, for
example, 6-40 MHz spam for a 40m signal, signals at the -43 dBc
FCC limit are below the noise floor.? I have to look at one
harmonic frequency at a time with a narrower span.? I've thought
about automating this tedious process with Python.? There is no
way to independently set the resolution bandwidth to a small
value on a wide sweep.
- The min frequency step size is 1 kHz and the minimum
resolution bandwidth seems to be 2 kHz.? This limits the RF
Explorer to looking at widely separated spurs and harmonics and
effectively sets the noise floor.? I don't expect it to be
useful for resolving intermodulation products on a two-tone
test.
- The minimum span in kHz is equal to the number of FFT points
selected in the settings (options are 112, 511, 1023, etc.)
Carlos
KJ6ST
On 12/16/2018 12:09, Tom, wb6b wrote:
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Hi,
I've been busy with client projects as of late. Looks like most of
the uBitx issues will be solved by the time I get back to playing
with it. That is good.
I ran across this fairly low cost spectrum analyzer?.
Anyone with any experience or ideas on how viable this spectrum
analyzer would be for Ham use? It has been around long enough that
I wonder if there are other similar analyzers that may exist now.?
Even if all the uBitx issues get resolved, it has illustrated how
valuable a spectrum analyzer can be to the Ham's measurement
tools. I think it would be great to add a spectrum analyzer to my
test equipment for future projects and experimenting. I might
cough up the $1K+ for one, but rather have one that cost less if
it can do most things a Ham would be interested in.?
Tom,
wb6b
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Laptop switching power supplies are cheap, often available in thrift stores for pennies on the dollar, and can power the PA section. 19 V is common.? ?A cheap switch mode 12 V wall wart can handle the rest.?
A seven, eight, or 9 Ahr gell cell is also pretty cheap. $22 at Walmart in the hunting section, as people use them to power deer feeders. ?I have used one pretty successfully with a uBitx, re-charging it with a battery maintainer. ?Just don¡¯t discharge
them below 11.9 V or so
On Dec 16, 2018, at 23:40, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io < jgaffke@...> wrote:
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As Bob suggests, a simple old school wallwart consisting of a transformer and a rectifier
is generally not suitable for powering electronics such as an amateur transceiver.
The open circuit voltage will be considerably higher than the voltage under load.
And there will be a problem with hum.
Even a modern switch mode wall wart of good design probably won't have sufficient
power for a uBitx (though a desktop brick style supply might work fine, it can be bigger).
But there are good wall warts out there with good voltage regulation and very little noise,
well suited for low power electronics such as a radio receiver.
?
Jerry, KE7ER
On Sun, Dec 16, 2018 at 06:56 PM, Bob Lunsford wrote:
In other words, a simple wall wart device delivers that voltage at that current
but if the load is decreased, the voltage climbs and could be much hither
than the device needing a power supply can survive.
Ideally, all our electronic devices will avoid wall warts and a fully regulated
power supply, voltage-wise, should be a minimum requirement. Using a
wall wart for anything is inviting a castrophe.
|
As Bob suggests, a simple old school wallwart consisting of a transformer and a rectifier
is generally not suitable for powering electronics such as an amateur transceiver.
The open circuit voltage will be considerably higher than the voltage under load.
And there will be a problem with hum.
Even a modern switch mode wall wart of good design probably won't have sufficient
power for a uBitx (though a desktop brick style supply might work fine, it can be bigger).
But there are good wall warts out there with good voltage regulation and very little noise,
well suited for low power electronics such as a radio receiver.
?
Jerry, KE7ER
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sun, Dec 16, 2018 at 06:56 PM, Bob Lunsford wrote:
In other words, a simple wall wart device delivers that voltage at that current
but if the load is decreased, the voltage climbs and could be much hither
than the device needing a power supply can survive.
Ideally, all our electronic devices will avoid wall warts and a fully regulated
power supply, voltage-wise, should be a minimum requirement. Using a
wall wart for anything is inviting a castrophe.
|
One comment in this user's comment makes me remember something
that no doubt others know but it may still be useful for someone who
has not heard it before.
Some people pick up a wall wart and see something like 12V 2A printed
on and think this is suitable for general use. Unless it's a newer version
of the device that is not depending on a transformer and rectifier to give
the 12V 2A and is of solid state design where the voltage is pretty much
on target for the 12V, an old transformer type with rectifier will deliver the
12V at 2A but if you hook it up to a device only pulling a fraction of that
current, 1/2-A for example, the voltage may be up to something like 18V.
In other words, a simple wall wart device delivers that voltage at that current
but if the load is decreased, the voltage climbs and could be much hither
than the device needing a power supply can survive.
Ideally, all our electronic devices will avoid wall warts and a fully regulated
power supply, voltage-wise, should be a minimum requirement. Using a
wall wart for anything is inviting a castrophe.
By the way, built my UBITX and love it. Still have to get a microphone
because I think I got the eletret element too hot. But as a receiver, I am
fully satisfied. Reminds me a little of the IC-718 as regards the menus but
the UBITX is much, much simpler and no menu list need be carried to the
field when using it.
Bob ¡ª KK5R
nocrud222 at yh dot com
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On Sun, 12/16/18, Christopher M. Hobbs <cmhobbs@...> wrote: Subject: Re: [BITX20] bitx40 displays version, hums, but does not receive #bitx40help #bitx40 #radiuno To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, December 16, 2018, 8:13 PM When I connect a serial monitor to the arduino, I don't get any data out of it.?? I've also tried to hook the arduino back up to my computer to burn the new v1.28.1 code to it and I have the exact same problem I had with the previous arduino that shipped with the kit (that formerly worked) when I try to upload the sketch: avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00 avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding ... avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00 Problem uploading to board.? See for suggestions. This was happening when I realized the last board was toast and I fear this one is as well.? It is *not* a connection issue between my computer and the board.? I successfully programmed this board twice before.? My guess is last time I hooked the radio up, when I thought the board was dead, it was a matter of adjusting the contrast.? I bet the last board was stuck displaying the Raduino version as well as it's making the same humming noise it made previously when the other board failed. At this point I think that something must be shorted somewhere or maybe my power isn't clean.? This new board is exhibiting the same behaviour as the other board when it failed.? I'll shelve the project for now.? I'm not sure i have the patience or equipment to figure out what's killing these arduinos. Thanks to all for your help! 73 DE KD5RYO
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I noticed today something else interesting.
Even though I can get the same receive 1khz zone on both my yaesu and ubitx on the same frequency.? When I transmit from ubitx to my nearby rig the Yaesu picked it up faintly until I tuned 2-3khz down from the 7.150MHZ transmit frequency on the ubitx.? I could hear on the yaesu better the ubitx transmitted audio with the yaesu tuned around 7.147-7.148 or so.
Not sure if that has any correlation to receive since I could zero beat on the right frequency with the yaesu and ubitx on receive...?
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When I connect a serial monitor to the arduino, I don't get any data out of it.?? I've also tried to hook the arduino back up to my computer to burn the new v1.28.1 code to it and I have the exact same problem I had with the previous arduino that shipped with the kit (that formerly worked) when I try to upload the sketch:
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
...
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x00
Problem uploading to board.? See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.
This was happening when I realized the last board was toast and I fear this one is as well.? It is *not* a connection issue between my computer and the board.? I successfully programmed this board twice before.? My guess is last time I hooked the radio up, when I thought the board was dead, it was a matter of adjusting the contrast.? I bet the last board was stuck displaying the Raduino version as well as it's making the same humming noise it made previously when the other board failed.
At this point I think that something must be shorted somewhere or maybe my power isn't clean.? This new board is exhibiting the same behaviour as the other board when it failed.? I'll shelve the project for now.? I'm not sure i have the patience or equipment to figure out what's killing these arduinos.
Thanks to all for your help!
73 DE KD5RYO
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Re: Missing front panel socket board for amaterradiokits.in uBitx case
Thanks?
John,Glen and Gary for info on the front panel boards.? Just finished wiring a kit I received a week ago but having the boards makes a much cleaner radio.? I just ordered one also along with and AGC kit.. Been searching for a while so was happy to see the mail today..
?Dan W3BU
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Interesting ubitx can receive FM ?? Could use better headphones though still would expect the sound quality to better.? Powerful signals like my nearby commercial radio come in a lot better, intelligible but a little off but almost any other signal doesn't come in very intelligible at all.
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Re: Reasonable cost Spectrum Analyzer for Ham use.
#ubitx
Hi guys, I've owned an RF Explorer for almost 2 years. It's an excellent instrument (and low cost <$200).? It does take a little getting used to the menus and setups. But if you connect it to a PC the user software is excellent.? I'm only a hacker with programming, but have been able to use the API interface and automate routines with Python. Bottom line I would highly recommend these units for Ham work (or any work within the units freq range).
But it's not a Rigol, etc. If you are used to standard SA buttons, functions, screens, the RF Explorer isn't that. But it's <$200!
Thanks!
KI4QCK
On December 16, 2018, at 5:34 PM, "Uwe , DF1UB" <jento23@...> wrote:
Thats maybe interesting Tom:
Uwe
DF1UB
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Re: Reasonable cost Spectrum Analyzer for Ham use.
#ubitx
Thats maybe interesting Tom:
Uwe
DF1UB
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Re: Missing front panel socket board for amaterradiokits.in uBitx case
THANKS Gary and Ken! I don't know how I missed the front panel board in my search of Sunil's www page - the product description explained how the early cases didn't include the board. I ordered the board AND the wiring harness to make a total of $25 and satisfy their minimum order requirement.
I did delve a bit into the wiring and PROBABLY could have done it without the board, but this will make a easier and cleaner installation. I am looking forward to getting it all built and working and then delving into the hardware and firmware mods...which will be more fun for me than putting it all together at once. I am grateful for this group and the wealth of knowledge and experience here. THANKS!
Have a great holiday season.
- 73,
-John, K7HV
..
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Re: Reasonable cost Spectrum Analyzer for Ham use.
#ubitx
I bought one right after I bought my uBitx in September of last year.? Was a learning curve to understand the use of the instrument, from the standpoint of setting the center and span to capture the interested frequencies.? Using it with a PC and the free software is really the way to go.? The PC makes it very easy to do the adjustments and to see the history in a waterfall display.
The unit did show that my uBitx v4 was OK for 40m, and borderline on 20m.? It is much more useful than an SDR dongle and a PC, as it is not as susceptible to front end overload.
I do reccomend the device, however I am not an expert on using an analyzer, so it would be good for someone who started with this and graduated to a "Rigol" to comment on the usefulness of the device.
My 2cents Evan AC9TU
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Hi Dave,
There is some FM allowed on 10 meters, higher than 29 MHz, and I wondered if you had yours working to at least receive FM. The xtal filter might make that impractical (I gave it some thought). Mine is about 1700 Hz wide. That is tight for SSB but with fine tuning steps I can get them right in. More QRM gets blocked. I have the CEC software and do my hunting with 50 or 100 cycle steps and then go to 10 Hz tuning steps to listen - fine tuning.
I always use cans for serious listening and QSOs. We can hear right down into the noise with cans and not with speakers. Hi-Z cans help reduce the "sonics", the high frequency background noise or hiss. I have some of those, too. If you get the chance, give a set of the Hi-Z cans a try and switch back and forth between the Hi-Fi cans and the Hi-Z. They also help on SSB or AM but not as much for music. We are not supposed to be sending music, at least not in the USA. Don't use the Hi-Z with your stereo set:)
I wonder if your BFO level is maybe a little soft. Or the incoming signals are little strong. A strong signal just outside the xtal passband can be hurtful. Try reducing the incoming signals (it's easier than increasing the BFO). Use a step attenuator. A couple of ten decibel steps ahead of the receiver input is good enough and you won't need lab grade attenuators:) Attenuators make an enormous difference listening to low level signals in *all* of my radios. Increasing the attenuation (and reducing the signal levels) seems counterintuitive when we listen for very weak signals. But many's the time cranking in 10 decibels of attenuation makes very weak signals audible right next to a blowtorch. Sometimes an additional 10 decibels is even better. And sometimes not. Some times QRM just plain puts us out of the game.
Good luck and 73,
Bill KU8H
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On 12/16/18 2:12 PM, Dave Space wrote: Sorry not deviation meant amplitude. 1khz signal 50% amplitude.
I also did a zero beat against a 7.150MHZ signal 1khz using my signal generator to transmit and then listened on my commercial radio and ubitx to sync the 1khz sound.? BFO sounds perfect at the default.? ?I also noticed through the earphones I could hear as little as 20-30mv signal via ubitx I wasn't able to easily hear on the speaker of my yaesu.
Even still I can't pull in intelligible ssb conversations on the ubits that my yaesu ft-991 can easily hear even using the same antenna 40/20m fan dipole.
--
bark less - wag more
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Reasonable cost Spectrum Analyzer for Ham use.
#ubitx
Hi,
I've been busy with client projects as of late. Looks like most of the uBitx issues will be solved by the time I get back to playing with it. That is good.
I ran across this fairly low cost spectrum analyzer?.
Anyone with any experience or ideas on how viable this spectrum analyzer would be for Ham use? It has been around long enough that I wonder if there are other similar analyzers that may exist now.?
Even if all the uBitx issues get resolved, it has illustrated how valuable a spectrum analyzer can be to the Ham's measurement tools. I think it would be great to add a spectrum analyzer to my test equipment for future projects and experimenting. I might cough up the $1K+ for one, but rather have one that cost less if it can do most things a Ham would be interested in.?
Tom,
wb6b
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Re: Help to enable S-meter in KD8CEC v 1.071
You will want to move to the current firmware and memory manager (currently 1.1 but 1.097 will work as well).? I'm not sure there was proper S-Meter function in 1.07x.
I'm using V1.1 and enabling the S meter was as easy as connecting to Raduino, reading, checking the box, and writing the change to the Raduino.
Andy, KG5RKP
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On Sun, Dec 16, 2018 at 11:36 AM, PeteWK8S wrote:
I have a working S-meter under VK2ETA version of KD8CEC firmware. I am using a 1602x2P display. However, when I implement KD8CEC's v 1.071 I cannot figure out how to enable S-meter in the display.
YES I have set up the S-meter in his Memory Manager BUT is does nothing and there isn't even a area on the display open where the S-meter could show....meaning where the S-meter should be the VFO B contents is displayed. I've searched through the code but don't see where to enable the display of the S-meter.
Any ideas? ?Please note again my S-meter does work under VK2ETA's version so it's a matter of the firmware.
Pete WK8S
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Sorry not deviation meant amplitude. 1khz signal 50% amplitude.
I also did a zero beat against a 7.150MHZ signal 1khz using my signal generator to transmit and then listened on my commercial radio and ubitx to sync the 1khz sound.? BFO sounds perfect at the default.? ?I also noticed through the earphones I could hear as little as 20-30mv signal via ubitx I wasn't able to easily hear on the speaker of my yaesu.??
Even still I can't pull in intelligible ssb conversations on the ubits that my yaesu ft-991 can easily hear even using the same antenna 40/20m fan dipole.
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Re: Missing front panel socket board for amaterradiokits.in uBitx case
Sunil is not sending goods with a value less than $25 at the moment. Something to do with DHL and no India post.
He will cancel the order if it's less. It has just happened to me.
73s Ken
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Hi Dave,
Did I miss something? Deviation is an FM measurement unit. I didn't notice that you are using your uBitx for FM. Are you doing that with SDR software?
73,
Bill KU8H
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On 12/16/18 1:22 PM, Dave Space wrote: Format: No Signal,(comma) Signal peak to peak volts (i.e. 1 mv (no signal) , 2mv signal generator on)
Input 7.150MHZ signal 1khz deviation 30 mv at antenna direct connection
Q10
b 70mv, 70 mv
c 8mv,? 10mv
~50MHZ
Q11
b 12mv, 14mv
c 100mv, 108mv
Q12
b 16mv, 12mv
c 114mv, 120mv
Q30
b 64mv, 130mv
c 24mv, ? (have to go back and measure)
6-35MHZ
Q31
b 24mv, 32mv
c 75mv, 220mv
?11-32MHZ
Q32
b 22mv, 22mv
c 88mv, 230mv
6-50MHZ
Q71 was interesting could see a double helix sine wave on one of the terminals
b 430mv, 15 volts
c 32mv, 65mv
32-50MHZ range
--
bark less - wag more
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Bob Lunsford
Ken T VK2HXX