Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
Can someone Please tell me where the TX-RX on the LED hooks up on the uBITX Board? Thanks? Jim Baird W5OMM HOT IN TEXAS
----- Original Message ----- From: Razvan Fatu <razvanfatu@...> To: [email protected]Sent: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:45:53 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: [BITX20] Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
Thank you for the replies.
I've looked at the CEC and JackAl expansions, they are nice but add unnecessary complexity for this specific purpose and neither seems to have all these minor but specific features I'm looking for. Looking for a "less is more" approach if possible.
@ John, thank you for all the information, that's very close to what I'm looking for. I like the way you use the limited display area, I think this is quite close to what I need. I need to spend a bit of time on it.
Razvan M0HZH
|
Re: uBITx Antenna Pins Connector
Thanks to Paula and MVS Sarma for your replies!? I really appreciate your help.? I will proceed and assemble my radio using your wise information and recommendations.
73,
Martin
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
There may be a
miss-understanding?
I used standard
Raduino LCD connections (parallel) on RaduinoUMax.
The Microchip part
provides 16 I/O bits for options.?? I used this part because
the library
already exists and
works (Ada Fruit).
Its I2C lines are less
that a few inches to the part on a shielded ground plane PCB.
The RaduioUMax is a
drop in replacement, you don't have to use the extra I/O.
The LCD is exactly
where it was on the original and uses the same connections.
The feature is only
there if you want more I/O bits.?? No I2C comes off the PCB
unless you
connect to the I2C
header connector.
TNX
Mike, WA6ISP
On 9/12/2019 7:04 AM, MVS Sarma wrote:
I fear?? using serial lcd communication could cause
more noise for the receiver.??
On Thu, 12 Sep 2019, 7:10 pm
Michael Hagen via Groups.Io, <motdog= [email protected]>
wrote:
I have a UBit
replacement Raduino, many of the group bought them.
It is much
improved and is a direct replacement.? It has 16
Additional I/O bits using a Microchip
Expander.? Ada
Fruit library works fine.? The I2C Address is also
settable with jumpers.
It has 2
header connector with the I/O bits and power and
ground.
I call it
RaduinUMax.? Nano Plugs in, Power supply protection,
Heat sink too.? LCD exactly place as original.
Would be great
for adding more UBit functions.
Private email
me for more info......motdog@...
Mike, WA6ISP
On
9/11/2019 5:24 PM, Nat Goldberg wrote:
This shd be interesting.?
On Sep 11, 2019, at 6:22 PM, John (vk2eta) < vk2eta@...>
wrote:
On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM, Razvan Fatu
wrote:
- supply voltage indication
- forward power
- reflected power
Hello Razvan,
I had the same objective of creating a portable rig.
The easiest and cheapest option I found was to add a
second Arduino (a Mini in my case but can be a Nano,
the sketch is the same). They communicate over the
I2C bus with the 2nd Arduino a slave on the bus.
The advantage is that you get a lot of extra pins
but most importantly a new lot of memory for
per-processing the data you collect as the memory
gets full pretty quick on the Raduino's Nano as you
add features. The 2nd Nano can be set to sleep most
of the time, adding limited extra current.
I added a FWD/REV and SWR measurement, a battery
voltage indication on the display and a two level
low battery alarm (with TX inhibit on the 2nd low
level), plus a few other features that I thought
were useful for a portable rig (Output power control
in SSB, ATU, Android/iPhone style mic/headphone with
PTT on/off via the call/hangup button, etc..).
I still use the same display (has some advantages on
power consumption and readability in the sun) but I
alternate the display between not urgent data (like
battery voltage and Step Size+Key selection). On Tx
I replace the second line by real-time Forward power
and SWR. See attached pictures (no antenna handy, so
no actual values, sorry).
This may give you some ideas:
For the SWR bridge I uses Don's (ND6T) design
described here:
It is sensitive enough to give you readings from
about a watt, so useful across the range. Not as
precise as Farhan's solution in the Antuino, but ok
for my needs.
The latest drawings and sketches for both the main
Arduino and the 2nd one are in the file section at;
/g/BITX20/files/Variations%20on%20KD8CEC%20Software%20%28by%20VK2ETA%29%20+%20ATU%20sketch
They are highly configurable by enabling/disabling
the functions you want.
The post describing the functions:
/g/BITX20/topic/16657839#46254
and the latest version:
/g/BITX20/topic/17836001#46953
Please be mindful that these sketches are for V3-V4
boards. For V5, the relay switching function and the
2nd IF frequencies need to be changed.
Hope that helps.
All the best,
73, John (VK2ETA)
<IMG20190912080324.jpg><IMG20190912080232.jpg><IMG20190912080230.jpg>
--
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID "MotDog@..."
Mike@...
--
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID "MotDog@..."
Mike@...
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
I fear? using serial lcd communication could cause more noise for the receiver.?
On Thu, 12 Sep 2019, 7:10 pm Michael Hagen via Groups.Io, <motdog= [email protected]> wrote:
I have a UBit
replacement Raduino, many of the group bought them.
It is much improved
and is a direct replacement.? It has 16 Additional I/O bits
using a Microchip
Expander.? Ada Fruit
library works fine.? The I2C Address is also settable with
jumpers.
It has 2 header
connector with the I/O bits and power and ground.
I call it RaduinUMax.?
Nano Plugs in, Power supply protection, Heat sink too.? LCD
exactly place as original.
Would be great for
adding more UBit functions.
Private email me for
more info......motdog@...
Mike, WA6ISP
On 9/11/2019 5:24 PM, Nat Goldberg
wrote:
This shd be interesting.?
On Sep 11, 2019, at 6:22 PM, John (vk2eta) < vk2eta@...> wrote:
On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM, Razvan Fatu
wrote:
- supply voltage indication
- forward power
- reflected power
Hello Razvan,
I had the same objective of creating a portable rig. The
easiest and cheapest option I found was to add a second
Arduino (a Mini in my case but can be a Nano, the sketch is
the same). They communicate over the I2C bus with the 2nd
Arduino a slave on the bus.
The advantage is that you get a lot of extra pins but most
importantly a new lot of memory for per-processing the data
you collect as the memory gets full pretty quick on the
Raduino's Nano as you add features. The 2nd Nano can be set
to sleep most of the time, adding limited extra current.
I added a FWD/REV and SWR measurement, a battery voltage
indication on the display and a two level low battery alarm
(with TX inhibit on the 2nd low level), plus a few other
features that I thought were useful for a portable rig
(Output power control in SSB, ATU, Android/iPhone style
mic/headphone with PTT on/off via the call/hangup button,
etc..).
I still use the same display (has some advantages on power
consumption and readability in the sun) but I alternate the
display between not urgent data (like battery voltage and
Step Size+Key selection). On Tx I replace the second line by
real-time Forward power and SWR. See attached pictures (no
antenna handy, so no actual values, sorry).
This may give you some ideas:
For the SWR bridge I uses Don's (ND6T) design described
here:
It is sensitive enough to give you readings from about a
watt, so useful across the range. Not as precise as Farhan's
solution in the Antuino, but ok for my needs.
The latest drawings and sketches for both the main Arduino
and the 2nd one are in the file section at; /g/BITX20/files/Variations%20on%20KD8CEC%20Software%20%28by%20VK2ETA%29%20+%20ATU%20sketch
They are highly configurable by enabling/disabling the
functions you want.
The post describing the functions:
/g/BITX20/topic/16657839#46254
and the latest version:
/g/BITX20/topic/17836001#46953
Please be mindful that these sketches are for V3-V4 boards.
For V5, the relay switching function and the 2nd IF
frequencies need to be changed.
Hope that helps.
All the best,
73, John (VK2ETA)
<IMG20190912080324.jpg><IMG20190912080232.jpg><IMG20190912080230.jpg>
--
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID "MotDog@..."
Mike@...
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
I have a UBit
replacement Raduino, many of the group bought them.
It is much improved
and is a direct replacement.? It has 16 Additional I/O bits
using a Microchip
Expander.? Ada Fruit
library works fine.? The I2C Address is also settable with
jumpers.
It has 2 header
connector with the I/O bits and power and ground.
I call it RaduinUMax.?
Nano Plugs in, Power supply protection, Heat sink too.? LCD
exactly place as original.
Would be great for
adding more UBit functions.
Private email me for
more info......motdog@...
Mike, WA6ISP
On 9/11/2019 5:24 PM, Nat Goldberg
wrote:
This shd be interesting.?
On Sep 11, 2019, at 6:22 PM, John (vk2eta) < vk2eta@...> wrote:
On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM, Razvan Fatu
wrote:
- supply voltage indication
- forward power
- reflected power
Hello Razvan,
I had the same objective of creating a portable rig. The
easiest and cheapest option I found was to add a second
Arduino (a Mini in my case but can be a Nano, the sketch is
the same). They communicate over the I2C bus with the 2nd
Arduino a slave on the bus.
The advantage is that you get a lot of extra pins but most
importantly a new lot of memory for per-processing the data
you collect as the memory gets full pretty quick on the
Raduino's Nano as you add features. The 2nd Nano can be set
to sleep most of the time, adding limited extra current.
I added a FWD/REV and SWR measurement, a battery voltage
indication on the display and a two level low battery alarm
(with TX inhibit on the 2nd low level), plus a few other
features that I thought were useful for a portable rig
(Output power control in SSB, ATU, Android/iPhone style
mic/headphone with PTT on/off via the call/hangup button,
etc..).
I still use the same display (has some advantages on power
consumption and readability in the sun) but I alternate the
display between not urgent data (like battery voltage and
Step Size+Key selection). On Tx I replace the second line by
real-time Forward power and SWR. See attached pictures (no
antenna handy, so no actual values, sorry).
This may give you some ideas:
For the SWR bridge I uses Don's (ND6T) design described
here:
It is sensitive enough to give you readings from about a
watt, so useful across the range. Not as precise as Farhan's
solution in the Antuino, but ok for my needs.
The latest drawings and sketches for both the main Arduino
and the 2nd one are in the file section at; /g/BITX20/files/Variations%20on%20KD8CEC%20Software%20%28by%20VK2ETA%29%20+%20ATU%20sketch
They are highly configurable by enabling/disabling the
functions you want.
The post describing the functions:
/g/BITX20/topic/16657839#46254
and the latest version:
/g/BITX20/topic/17836001#46953
Please be mindful that these sketches are for V3-V4 boards.
For V5, the relay switching function and the 2nd IF
frequencies need to be changed.
Hope that helps.
All the best,
73, John (VK2ETA)
<IMG20190912080324.jpg><IMG20190912080232.jpg><IMG20190912080230.jpg>
--
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID "MotDog@..."
Mike@...
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
Don't forget to also look at W0WEB's board offerings. The BITeensio and a nano replacement:?
It may not meet your 'less is more' criteria, but? still worth a look... to see another option of what has already been done.
Rgds,
Gary
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
No problems Razvan, glad the information may be useful.
Ask if you need any clarifications.
73, John
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
Thank you for the replies.
I've looked at the CEC and JackAl expansions, they are nice but add unnecessary complexity for this specific purpose and neither seems to have all these minor but specific features I'm looking for. Looking for a "less is more" approach if possible.
@ John, thank you for all the information, that's very close to what I'm looking for. I like the way you use the limited display area, I think this is quite close to what I need. I need to spend a bit of time on it.
Razvan M0HZH
|
Re: New wiring diagram version
Do you think it's a good idea to put the S1 switch (the volume switch on GND instead of 12V ?
This way, it'll cut everything when powered off.
Thanks,
--
73's
Adrien F4IJA
|
Re: uBITx Antenna Pins Connector
Re how to get the RG-174 cable to connect gracefully with the SO-239 and the little Molex/Relimate plug for antenna on the uBITX board:
Strip outer coating of RG-174 about an inch (2-3cm to strip for those of you outside the States and Liberia). Gently separate ground braid and twist together.? Strip just enough of the center connector to make contact with center of your SO-239 connector.Center pin on the coax goes to center pin, ground braid goes to ground lug.? Solder.
There's really two ways to set up the other end:
a) Cut the brown and black lead close to the plug, leaving JUST enough both to strip and a bit more to fit some heat-shrink tubing on (so about 2 inches or 5 centimeters or so).? Strip and tin ends.? Strip RG-174 outer coating like noted above, though probably just need to strip to about 3/4" or 2cm.? CAREFULLY solder center wire to brown wire, then cover with heat-shrink.? CAREFULLY solder braid to black wire and cover THAT with heat-shrink.
b) Carefully strip about an inch of external insulation off the RG-174 and prepare as above.? Take a short length of wire (preferably something solid and around 20 to 22ga--basically about 1 1/2 times the length of the braid).? Cut off about half the braid, twist it with that wire, solder;? wrap the remaining wire around just beyond your insulation about 2-3 times and cut (this makes a strain relief).? Strip just enough of the center conductor to make good connection to the little connectors that go in the plug that came with Sunil's kit, crimp, optionally solder, stick in at the appropriate points where the black and brown cables would go.? (A good *pictoral* example of this (for a different radio) is at and yes, I've done this with Relimate/Molex connectors rather than soldering connectors directly to board.)
(That said--generally you do need special crimp tools to really get those Molex/Relimate female connectors crimped right--Radio Shack did sell a hand tool to do this once upon a time, hobby stores tend to have them, and both the usual Chinese sources (Banggood/Aliexpress/etc.) and Amazon tend to have the tools that are actually an improvement over the old RS kit (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OMM4YUY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1), or if you already have a crimping tool like this for RG-58/RG-8X cable just get the die sets...but honestly the die sets are nearly as expensive as the crimper itself, so might as well get the dies with bonus crimper. :D? And I do recommend getting a good ratcheting crimp tool or two with interchangeable dies; one of the decidedly more useful tools in the ham shack, especially if one messes with Relimate or Molex crimp pins or if one makes one's own coax runs for antennas and prefers not to use clamp connectors.)
-KI4QGJ
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
This shd be interesting.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sep 11, 2019, at 6:22 PM, John (vk2eta) < vk2eta@...> wrote:
On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM, Razvan Fatu wrote:
- supply voltage indication
- forward power
- reflected power
Hello Razvan, I had the same objective of creating a portable rig. The easiest and cheapest option I found was to add a second Arduino (a Mini in my case but can be a Nano, the sketch is the same). They communicate over the I2C bus with the 2nd Arduino a slave on the bus. The advantage is that you get a lot of extra pins but most importantly a new lot of memory for per-processing the data you collect as the memory gets full pretty quick on the Raduino's Nano as you add features. The 2nd Nano can be set to sleep most of the time, adding limited extra current. I added a FWD/REV and SWR measurement, a battery voltage indication on the display and a two level low battery alarm (with TX inhibit on the 2nd low level), plus a few other features that I thought were useful for a portable rig (Output power control in SSB, ATU, Android/iPhone style mic/headphone with PTT on/off via the call/hangup button, etc..). I still use the same display (has some advantages on power consumption and readability in the sun) but I alternate the display between not urgent data (like battery voltage and Step Size+Key selection). On Tx I replace the second line by real-time Forward power and SWR. See attached pictures (no antenna handy, so no actual values, sorry). This may give you some ideas: For the SWR bridge I uses Don's (ND6T) design described here: It is sensitive enough to give you readings from about a watt, so useful across the range. Not as precise as Farhan's solution in the Antuino, but ok for my needs. The latest drawings and sketches for both the main Arduino and the 2nd one are in the file section at; /g/BITX20/files/Variations%20on%20KD8CEC%20Software%20%28by%20VK2ETA%29%20+%20ATU%20sketchThey are highly configurable by enabling/disabling the functions you want. The post describing the functions: /g/BITX20/topic/16657839#46254and the latest version: /g/BITX20/topic/17836001#46953 Please be mindful that these sketches are for V3-V4 boards. For V5, the relay switching function and the 2nd IF frequencies need to be changed. Hope that helps. All the best, 73, John (VK2ETA) <IMG20190912080324.jpg><IMG20190912080232.jpg><IMG20190912080230.jpg>
|
Re: Can somebdy build a BitX20 for me?
What would it take to make it worth while for you?
Preston
G. Preston Parker CPA
AZ CPA Pro PC
5704 E Aire Libre Ave Unit 1025
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
preston.azcpapro@...
480 499-5427? 866
459-5242
480 499-5761 Fax
Help us improve by taking a short survey
I built one of these. Used Nextion 3.5 inch touch screen.
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 02:13 PM, Lorne Barber wrote:
ar57@...
Would you be interested in building the uBITX 80-10 Meter QRP transceiver kit including the InKits universal case featured in the September QST magazine?
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 09:01 AM, Razvan Fatu wrote:
- supply voltage indication
- forward power
- reflected power
Hello Razvan, I had the same objective of creating a portable rig. The easiest and cheapest option I found was to add a second Arduino (a Mini in my case but can be a Nano, the sketch is the same). They communicate over the I2C bus with the 2nd Arduino a slave on the bus. The advantage is that you get a lot of extra pins but most importantly a new lot of memory for per-processing the data you collect as the memory gets full pretty quick on the Raduino's Nano as you add features. The 2nd Nano can be set to sleep most of the time, adding limited extra current. I added a FWD/REV and SWR measurement, a battery voltage indication on the display and a two level low battery alarm (with TX inhibit on the 2nd low level), plus a few other features that I thought were useful for a portable rig (Output power control in SSB, ATU, Android/iPhone style mic/headphone with PTT on/off via the call/hangup button, etc..). I still use the same display (has some advantages on power consumption and readability in the sun) but I alternate the display between not urgent data (like battery voltage and Step Size+Key selection). On Tx I replace the second line by real-time Forward power and SWR. See attached pictures (no antenna handy, so no actual values, sorry). This may give you some ideas: For the SWR bridge I uses Don's (ND6T) design described here: http://bitxhacks.blogspot.com/2017/03/nd6ts-forward-and-reverse-power-meter.html It is sensitive enough to give you readings from about a watt, so useful across the range. Not as precise as Farhan's solution in the Antuino, but ok for my needs. The latest drawings and sketches for both the main Arduino and the 2nd one are in the file section at; /g/BITX20/files/Variations%20on%20KD8CEC%20Software%20%28by%20VK2ETA%29%20+%20ATU%20sketchThey are highly configurable by enabling/disabling the functions you want. The post describing the functions: /g/BITX20/topic/16657839#46254 and the latest version: /g/BITX20/topic/17836001#46953 Please be mindful that these sketches are for V3-V4 boards. For V5, the relay switching function and the 2nd IF frequencies need to be changed. Hope that helps. All the best, 73, John (VK2ETA)   
|
Re: Can somebdy build a BitX20 for me?
I built one of these. Used Nextion 3.5 inch touch screen.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 02:13 PM, Lorne Barber wrote:
ar57@...
Would you be interested in building the uBITX 80-10 Meter QRP transceiver kit including the InKits universal case featured in the September QST magazine?
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
That did remind me of another possibility. Look up the JackAl board. It is a replacement for the Raduino with a higher power processor and I believe more IO.?
Search the the web for it.?
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Can somebdy build a BitX20 for me?
On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 02:13 PM, Lorne Barber wrote:
ar57@...
Would you be interested in building the uBITX 80-10 Meter QRP transceiver kit including the InKits universal case featured in the September QST magazine?
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
Ashhar,
I believe that Razvan is looking for a Summits On The Air capable rig with battery and SWR monitor. The Antuino would be a great portable instrument to measure the antenna, but not too good as an SSB/cw transceiver. That is unless you have plans to replace the Raduino with a modified Antuino? ?That would be very interesting.?
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
That is what the Antuino is.?
On Wed 11 Sep, 2019, 11:20 PM Evan Hand, < elhandjr@...> wrote: The short answer is yes, I have read post on members implementing what you are planning. I do not have the threads saved, however a search by topic might get the for you.
In the meantime, check out the hams key web sight by Dr Lee, KD8CEC. He has implemented expanded functionality through a second Nano connected through I2C from the one on the Raduino. The second Nano gives quite a few options.
FWIW
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Is there a Raduino replacement with supply voltage, FWD & REF readings ?
The short answer is yes, I have read post on members implementing what you are planning. I do not have the threads saved, however a search by topic might get the for you.
In the meantime, check out the hams key web sight by Dr Lee, KD8CEC. He has implemented expanded functionality through a second Nano connected through I2C from the one on the Raduino. The second Nano gives quite a few options.
FWIW
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: uBITx Antenna Pins Connector
Yes. It is normal. Mixer input winding is brought? thro rx low pass filter to ANT pins in Rx mode. and
?PA OUT at the secondary is brought thro low pass filter concerned in case of Tx .
You may connect Brown to center pin of rf connector and bl k wire to body of that connecto Aall the best?
On Wed, 11 Sep 2019, 10:19 pm Martin Hickey via Groups.Io, <hickmodawg= [email protected]> wrote: Please forgive me, I am new to building and I am ignorant. I am building my uBITx.? I see from the previous posts here that it may be normal to have continuity between the pins in the antenna jack but, both pins in my antenna jack are continuous with ground too.? Is this normal? Also, I'm putting the uBITx in the??enclosure and I notice that builders use a small piece of coax to connect the antenna output? pins to the UHF SO-239 connector.? How do you put the center conductor and braid into the two-hole plug that slides onto the pins on the board? Or should I just use the brown and black wires that came already installed in the plug and call it "goodenough?" Regards, Martin
|
Preston