¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

#ubitx Ver.3 frequency erratic jumps #ubitx

 

Sometimes while tuning my ubitx version 3 if I rotate the encoder quickly forward or back, it suddenly makes large frequency jumps. With slow rotation, no problems.
The software is the original that came with the radio.
Any suggestion?


Re: Bitx 40 no receive

 

"I have watched the troubleshooting video. I do not get any noise touching a probe to the center conductor of the SO-23 ..."
You need to start the test at the LM386 audio stage. Farhan's video using a 6ft length of wire is good because the wire will pick up (low frequency) hum and wide band rf signals so you can move the test point back from the audio stage towards the antenna. The noise from the speaker will change but you should get some sort of noise from the speaker at each stage. Where it drops out identifies the faulty stage.
If touching the input to the LM386 does not give noise that is where you need to start looking for a fault.
If you have a signal generator that is best but you can get a lot of help just from a 6ft length of wire.
Good luck. Brian


Re: Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help

 

Firstly, thank you all for your help and encouragement.

Then I found that the Rx worked better when the coax shield was not connected at the tuner... so the cable could then work as an antenna... trace cable back to base of vertical and I find the coax core has broken!!..

Normal service has been restored - just got to re-assemble the unit and another lesson has been learned!
:-)
Thanks again


Re: separate CAT jack, without using the USB cable #ubitx #cat #raduino #arduino

 

Hi Jonas,

great news that someone else is also doing this project with the uBITX.

I am a bit short on time (vacation starts on Sunday, still need to prepare and pack the usual staff and my radio equipment), but I'll try to summarize
as detailed as necessary.

1.)

When building the magnetic loop controller, R8 and R23 should not be 1k Resistors, use lower values. I have used 200 or 300 Ohm I think, but 100 should be fine too,


I have also used a voltage level converter to convert the serial levels from 3,3V (Teensy) to 5V (Raduino) , but maybe you don't need it. Just test it.
In my case putting it in was just a byproduct, before I realized I had to change R8 and R23.

2.)

Hook everything up then, RX from the Teensy should go to TX of the Raduino, TX of the Teensy to RX of the Raduino.

3.)

Within the ubitx firmware lower the serial speed. In my case I used 4800 baud 8N2.

4.)

If you have done everything correctly, the frequency of the uBITX will appear on th display of the loop controller
(here you must of course create a profile Yaesu 8X7 and configure the same Serial speed).

5.) Manual tuning should work by now. If you key a CW Signal (hold it) and press the Tune Button, the controller should
find the right setting (if you did the initial calibration like described in the manual of the controller)

6.) To make auto-tune over cat working, you need to make some adjustemts to the code of the uBitx firmware.
You need to define a fake AM-mode which? sends a keyed down CW signal if TX gets triggered.

Make these changements to the code within the corresponding files

File: ubitx_20

/**
?* Raduino needs to keep track of current state of the transceiver. These are a few variables that do it
?*/
boolean txCAT = false;??????? //turned on if the transmitting due to a CAT command
char inTx = 0;??????????????? //it is set to 1 if in transmit mode (whatever the reason : cw, ptt or cat)
char splitOn = 0;???????????? //working split, uses VFO B as the transmit frequency
char keyDown = 0;???????????? //in cw mode, denotes the carrier is being transmitted
char isUSB = 0;?????????????? //upper sideband was selected, this is reset to the default for the
char isAM = 0;????????????????? //AM Modus for Loop Controller
char cwMode = 0;????????????? //compatible original source, and extend mode //if cwMode == 0, mode check : isUSB, cwMode > 0, mode Check : cwMode
????????????????????????????? //iscwMode = 0 : ssbmode, 1 :cwl, 2 : cwu, 3 : cwn (none tx)

.......

? Init_Cat(4800, SERIAL_8N2); //change to a working speed
? initSettings();
? initPorts();

?????????????????????????????

File: cat_libs

void CatGetFreqMode(unsigned long freq) //for remove warning messages
{
? int i;
? byte tmpValue;
? unsigned BCD_LEN = 9;

? if (BCD_LEN & 1) {
??? CAT_BUFF[BCD_LEN / 2] &= 0x0f;
??? CAT_BUFF[BCD_LEN / 2] |= (freq % 10) << 4;

??? freq /= 10;
? }
? for (i = (BCD_LEN / 2) - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
??? tmpValue = freq % 10;
??? freq /= 10;
??? tmpValue |= (freq % 10) << 4;
??? freq /= 10;
??? CAT_BUFF[i] = tmpValue;
? }

? //Mode Check
? if (cwMode == 0)
? {
??? if (isUSB)
????? CAT_BUFF[4] = CAT_MODE_USB;
??? else
????? CAT_BUFF[4] = CAT_MODE_LSB;
? }
? else if ((cwMode == 1)&&(isAM == 0)) // AM no
?
? {
????? CAT_BUFF[4] = CAT_MODE_CW;
? }
? else
? {
????? CAT_BUFF[4] = CAT_MODE_CW;
? }

? if ((cwMode == 1)&&(isAM == 1)) // AM yes

? {
????? CAT_BUFF[4] = CAT_MODE_AM;
? }

? SendCatData(5);
}

....

void CatSetPTT(boolean isPTTOn, byte fromType) //
{
? //
? if ((!inTx) && (fromType == 2 || fromType == 3)) { //fromType normal : 0, TX : 1, CW_STRAIGHT : 2, CW_PADDLE : 3, CW_AUTOMODE : 4
??? Serial.write(ACK);?
??? return;?
? }
?
? // Set PTT Mode
? if (isPTTOn)
? {
??? if (!inTx)
??? {
????? txCAT = true;
????????????? if (isAM == 0)
????????????? {
??????????????????? startTx(TX_SSB, 1);
????????????? }
????????????? else? {startTx(TX_CW, 1);
??????????????????? cwKeydown();
??????????????????? }
????? //Exit menu, Memory Keyer... ETC
????? if (isCWAutoMode > 0) {
????????????????????????????? isCWAutoMode = 0;
????????????????????????????? printLineF2(F("AutoKey Exit/CAT"));
???????????????????????????? //delay_background(1000, 0);
???????????????????????????? }
??? }
? }
?
? else
? {
??? if (inTx)
??? {
????? cwKeyUp();
????? stopTx();
????? txCAT = false;
??? }
? }

? Serial.write(ACK);
}

...

void CatSetMode(byte tmpMode, byte fromType) //fromType normal : 0, TX : 1, CW_STRAIGHT : 2, CW_PADDLE : 3, CW_AUTOMODE : 4
{
? if (fromType == 2 || fromType == 3) {
??? Serial.write(ACK);
??? return;?
? }?
?
? if (!inTx)
? { cwKeyUp();
??? if (tmpMode == CAT_MODE_CW)
??? {
????? cwMode = 1;
????? isAM = 0;
????? cwKeyUp();
??? }
??? if (tmpMode == CAT_MODE_USB)
??? {
????? cwMode = 0;
????? isUSB = true;
????? isAM = 0;
??? }
??? if (tmpMode == CAT_MODE_LSB)
??? {
????? cwMode = 0;
????? isUSB = false;
????? isAM = 0;
??? }

???? if (tmpMode == CAT_MODE_AM)
??? {
????? cwMode = 1;
????? isAM = 1;
??? }


??? setFrequency(frequency);
??? updateDisplay();
? }
?
? Serial.write(ACK);


File: ubitx_keyer

????? else{
??????? if ((0 < cwTimeout && cwTimeout < millis())&&(isAM==0)){
????????? cwTimeout = 0;
????????? keyDown = 0;
???????? stopTx();
??????? }
??????? //if (!cwTimeout) //removed by KD8CEC
??????? //?? return;
??????? // got back to the beginning of the loop, if no further activity happens on straight key
??????? // we will time out, and return out of this routine
??????? //delay(5);
??????? //delay_background(5, 3); //removed by KD8CEC
??????? //continue;?????????????? //removed by KD8CEC
??????? return;?????????????????? //Tx stop control by Main Loop
????? }

????? Check_Cat(2);


So, I think these were all the changes needed to be done.

Good luck - and if something does not work as planned, go ahead and ask. I won't take the loop controller on vacation,
but maybe I'll remember.. And yes, that restriction to the controller means that the uBitx will be with me? :-)

Sascha


Re: Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help

Ian Reeve
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

On both my unit,(v3 unmodded and v4 modded with Mention screen) I find that the antenna changeover relays (tx to rx)give problems making on receive signals fade out or are very quiet.A few presses on the pot will restore normal receive for a while.May be worth a look.? Regards. Ian M0IDR

Get


From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Curt via Groups.Io <wb8yyy@...>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2019 5:39:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help
?
I am thinking it is something simple.? check raduino connection to main board - is it firm or flopping around?? Possibly you could have lost some I/O signal.? Same for seating the wire bundle connectors.?

Give unit a good shake in case you have a strand of wire someplace.?

See if you really have a path from antenna to the board.? If this has opened up or shorted out, you would hear some of the clocks and things that used to be below the noise.? I would check DC continuity for the whole path until we reach a blocking capacitor.? or on receive only, bypass stuff to take a clipped wire from antenna to close to the 45 MHz input.?

Although its annoying, its part of the journey.? Put your DVM and scope to use -- most of us have only simple test equipment also - and can debug just fine.?

Curt


Re: Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help

 

I am thinking it is something simple.? check raduino connection to main board - is it firm or flopping around?? Possibly you could have lost some I/O signal.? Same for seating the wire bundle connectors.?

Give unit a good shake in case you have a strand of wire someplace.?

See if you really have a path from antenna to the board.? If this has opened up or shorted out, you would hear some of the clocks and things that used to be below the noise.? I would check DC continuity for the whole path until we reach a blocking capacitor.? or on receive only, bypass stuff to take a clipped wire from antenna to close to the 45 MHz input.?

Although its annoying, its part of the journey.? Put your DVM and scope to use -- most of us have only simple test equipment also - and can debug just fine.?

Curt


Re: Bitx 40 no receive

 

Mike

While the BITX is not built in modular fashon, you can test it as if it were modules.?

From the volume potentiometer to speaker can be regarded as a module, and tested by inserting a <=1V audio signal at the top of the audio potentiometer.??

You will need a rf detector probe to measure output of the BFO oscillator.? There are on-line instructions for buildindg your own.??

Using a 100 pf capacitor you can inject RF ahead of the BFO mixer and should hear that on the speaker...assuming that your audio and BFO sections tested good.??

Then move the RF input upstream toward the antenna and verify that each sectiom works.??

Once you understand how each part of the circuit works it is not that complicated to troubleshoot.? Take your time and think through what you are doing...and ask questions here if you need more help.??

Arv. K7HKL
_-_


On Thu, May 23, 2019, 11:49 PM Michael Herron <k7mh@...> wrote:
I have a Bitx 40 I am troubleshooting that a friend put together. The display comes on okay and covers the entire 40 meter band when I tune it. I do not get any indication of it receiving nor any volume out of it with the volume control and an 8 Ohm speaker soldered to the speaker leads.

I have watched the troubleshooting video. I do not get any noise touching a probe to the center conductor of the SO-239 and no antenna attached. I also do not get any noise when touching the probe to C107.
The video does not talk about what to look for if that occurs.

I was hoping that someone would have some ideas where to start out with this problem. I have checked the volume control a couple times and it is wired correctly. I have not yet checked the current draw of the radio
as I will have to dig up a power cable I have for doing just that.
Any assistance or tips on figuring this out is much appreciated.
Mike K7MH.





Re: FS: uBITX V5 in Beautiful Case - New!

Joe Puma
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

UBitx 130 from hfsignals?
Sunil case probably $30for case $30 to ship =$60
Nextion screen =$30 Ish?
That¡¯s $210 already.?

With build time and other misc things needed to build radio, $250 sounds fair for something already built and working. Especially if mods were done too. I¡¯m sure there is a buyer for this.?

Joe
Kd2nfc?



On May 23, 2019, at 4:04 PM, Balasubramanyan Cp <bsnvu2yc73s@...> wrote:

GOOD.? But, I think that IT IS EXPENSIVE APPROACH ?? ... except Om FARHAN's uBITX QRP M/Band assembled Board.? Am I correct ?
73s
De VU2UYC Balsun (email? bsnvu2yc73s@...)

On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 1:33 AM PeteWK8S via Groups.Io <pmeier=[email protected]> wrote:

Version 5 uBITX - in AmateurRadioKits Black Universal Case with 2.8 in Touch Display and Kit-Projects AGC/S-Meter board, USB and Mouse/Keyboard Interfaces installed. Control by touch and/or mouse/keyboard. Using W0EB/W2CTX firmware and Teensy 3.6 micro.? The radio works great and puts out around 12 watts.Features include USB, LSB, CB, Digital Capable, 40 memories, Pass Band Tuning, S-Meter, AGC Fast/Slow/Off, Dual VFOs, Split, RIT, Interrupt driven CW with adjustable T/R Delay with reliable smooth keying. Using W0EB/W2CTX firmware and Teensy 3.6 micro with plenty of open I/O pins for further expansion or experimentation.

Just completed this build so all is brand new and working well - about 12W. But due to unexpected extensive home repairs starting now I have to part with a few things.?
V5 uBITX Transceiver $250 plus ship?

V5 Raduino (unused) $30 plus ship

AmateurRadioKits Universal Case Front Plate (Black) for Raduino 2 line LCD (was not used for for above build). $10?

<uBITX_Inside.jpeg><uBITX_Rear.jpeg><uBITX_Front.jpeg>


Re: Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help

 

I have removed all modifications (which were only to speaker and mic via capacitors) - no change
I have replaced the audio amp - no change
I have reloaded the original software - no change

My scope is not very good (only 20MHz) but checking the clocks CLK#0 is at 12MHz about 1v p-p on main boad
Using my frequency counter I get CLK#1 switching between 33MHz and 57MHz (USB/LSB)
and CLK#0 at 59.1 MHz when tuned to 14.1MHz which is the correct 45MHz tuning and the frequency changes with tuning
So although I cant check the waveshape and amplitude (dont know what amplitude is should be but si5351 datasheet indicates 0.6 VOL to 3.3-0.6 VOH)

Something has definately changed on the board and I can hear soft 'clicks' as I tune the frequency, the audio signal is very quiet but I can tune signals. There are now whistles at some specific frequencies where as I tune the tone chages with each 100Hz tuning step. e.g.
14,180.7 audio tone perhaps 5Khz
14,180.6 audio tone perhaps 2KHz
14,180.5 audio tone perhaps 1Khz
14,180.4 audio tone perhaps 500hz

Any help with what to test would be a great
Thanks to all - Bob


So something is wrong


Re: do you every visit bitxmap.com? #poll

 

On Fri, May 24, 2019 at 02:09 AM, <kevintg51@...> wrote:
Hi Doug, If you have a paypal account let me know.
Kevin,
Thanks for the offer.? If my post came across that I was soliciting donations that was not the attempt.? I am happy to make this small contribution to the community as long as it is useful.
?
--


Re: add yourself to the new BITX operators map

 

Was not aware of the site till now.? Just added my listing.? TNX for the effort!


Re: Ubitx V3 Rx problems #ubitx #ubitx-help

 

What have you found out. Perhaps a loose wire on the audio jack where it leaves the main board. Wiggle it. I doubt if it is serious.

I had a low whine on one used radio and vfo was off about 2kc. I could hear the stations but the whine was persistent. Perhaps you mods are pulling the voltage too low or worse injecting some power into the ubitx.


Re: Bitx 40 no receive

 

Does it transmit ?

If not check the VFO connection from Raduino to board at DDS1.

Raj

At 24/05/2019, you wrote:
I have a Bitx 40 I am troubleshooting that a friend put together. The display comes on okay and covers the entire 40 meter band when I tune it. I do not get any indication of it receiving nor any volume out of it with the volume control and an 8 Ohm speaker soldered to the speaker leads.

I have watched the troubleshooting video. I do not get any noise touching a probe to the center conductor of the SO-239 and no antenna attached. I also do not get any noise when touching the probe to C107.
The video does not talk about what to look for if that occurs.

I was hoping that someone would have some ideas where to start out with this problem. I have checked the volume control a couple times and it is wired correctly. I have not yet checked the current draw of the radio
as I will have to dig up a power cable I have for doing just that.
Any assistance or tips on figuring this out is much appreciated.
Mike K7MH.


Re: do you every visit bitxmap.com? #poll

 

Hi Doug, If you have a paypal account let me know.
Love this little uBitx.
Cheers
Kevin VK2KTG


Bitx 40 no receive

Michael Herron
 

I have a Bitx 40 I am troubleshooting that a friend put together. The display comes on okay and covers the entire 40 meter band when I tune it. I do not get any indication of it receiving nor any volume out of it with the volume control and an 8 Ohm speaker soldered to the speaker leads.

I have watched the troubleshooting video. I do not get any noise touching a probe to the center conductor of the SO-239 and no antenna attached. I also do not get any noise when touching the probe to C107.
The video does not talk about what to look for if that occurs.

I was hoping that someone would have some ideas where to start out with this problem. I have checked the volume control a couple times and it is wired correctly. I have not yet checked the current draw of the radio
as I will have to dig up a power cable I have for doing just that.
Any assistance or tips on figuring this out is much appreciated.
Mike K7MH.


Re: uBITx Control circuit...

 

Bill,

Did you create a PCB for this, or should I just go ahead and do one for myself?

Matthew Pitts N8OHU


Re: Antuino

 

Just a heads up. Do NOT use the battery pack and have any power in the DC jack. You will have a melt down.


--
David

?N8DAH


Re: do you every visit bitxmap.com? #poll

 

Doug

thank you!? I visited and managed to add my icon.? nice to see the global distribution of folk.?

73 Curt


Re: do you every visit bitxmap.com? #poll

 

I had registered, and forgot about it.? Nice to have, however would not spend money on it.


Re: do you every visit bitxmap.com? #poll

Vince Vielhaber
 

Forgot all about it.? But didn't use it much when it was first started.? I backed it up a number of times but that was it.? Don't think I even automated that.

Vince - K8ZW.