Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Evan Thanks for info! Excellent advice and exactly what I was looking for. I¡¯ll add mic first and rest later. What modification to reduce hiss are you talking about ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 29, 2020, at 2:13 AM, Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> wrote:
?Dan and others,
When comparing the options, first think about what you want from the radio/modification process.?
If you are a tinkerer/programmer and want to dabble in the software, the TSW solution can make sense as it is open source and you have a lot of memory and speed available to add things.
If you are more into operating, then I believe that there are more options available with the KD8CEC/Nextion including IF shift, Attenuation, Spectrum Scope, and others when a 2nd Nano is added.? You should look through all of the choices on the HamsKey.com blog.? One of the big ones for me is the Memory Manager software that does not have an equivalent on the other choices.? There is also support for an SDR link to have a panadapter on a linked computer with many SDR dongles.
The last thing most will consider is future upgrades.? I would not put too much into this category, as the v6 changed a lot of the future direction recently, and that can happen again.? With that understanding, we have not heard much from Dr. Ian Lee recently.? All of his code is open source, so anyone could pick it up and add a new feature.? The TSW activity is recent, focused on the new v6, and also open source.? All of that makes it a wash for me.
Hardware modes like AGC, Speach compression, CW audio filters can be done on any of the above mods.
If I were just starting with the uBiTx, the order would be:
1 - First get it working as supplied by HF Signals.?
2 - Fix any hardware issues like the mic problems.? Clean up the sound (small mod to the LM386 to remove hiss).? Install diode protection if it will be near higher power transmitters without a grounded antenna input.
3 - Try out the FREE software from Reed to improve operability.? You can always go back, it is software.
4 - Add an AGC mod.? I have not done this yet, and have two different versions to try.? I would suggest one that reduces gain prior to the audio sections, either at the first RF sections or the IF sections.
5 - Then go for more complex upgrades based on what you want to do with the radio.? I have 3 and have focused one on digital, working on one for CW and a general use radio with ease of use items.
6 - Add a linear amp.
Above are my opinions.? Others may be different, and that is as it should be.? You need to make your own choices and live with the results.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
As an update,
I connected test pins to Test Points 12, & 16 on my v4 uBITX
board.
I also connected a dummy load, speaker, microphone etc.
Upon switching on the radio defaulted to its usual 7.150MHz LSB
setting
Test point 12 measured over 53MHz.
I switched the radio in settings & calibrate, and TP 12
measured something like 10.005MHz.
By turning the tuning knob I managed to change this to 10MHz,
saving the setting and restarting resulting in TP12 measuring
52.14991 MHz.
Good enough.
I then measured TP16 and adjusted the SSB setting until I
measured 11.99664MHz, saved & restarted.
All seems well and the radio is now retaining its settings.
The test points are loacted just behind the raduino connector and
are marked TP12 and TP16, although TP16 is hard to spot as it was
overprinted on my board. its next to R112.
Note, my frequency settings are for my v4 board with 12MHz
crystals, yours maybe different.
Cheers
Adrian M1LCR
On 29/05/2020 11:44, Adrian Rees wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi all
I have unpacked my uBitx v4 board with v4.3 firmware (I have
some time now to do radio!!).
Having wired it up it seems that I cannot set the BFO
correctly. I followed Vic's thread here (/g/BITX20/topic/ubitx_v4_3_calibration/29061748?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,29061748
) and the you tube videos by VK3YE, but it seems each time I set
the BFO Frequency, save the setting, the settings are not
actually saved.
Any advice ?
Thanks
Adrian M1LCR
|
Spot on Evan, There is a hand mic version of the Astatic ?D-104 that uses an internal battery. I have used them on my vintage rigs and get excellent audio reports. ?All this assumes the mic gain stages (as designed) of the BitX are inadequate- I have not confirmed this myself. ? Dale W4OP ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Evan Hand
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 4:08 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Will this mic work? ? As far as I can tell without the schematic of the mic, it will not work.? The input of the uBitx has approximately 5 K ohms for the bias of the electret element.? If the current draw of the mic is 5 ma, then the drop across that resistor would be 25 volts.? At most the supplied voltage is 12 volts (13.8 with a "normal" ham supply).? Not enough to run the mic.? You would need to drop the resistor in the uBiTx mic circuit (R60) to 680 ohms? That would give a drop of (680+220)*.005=4.5 volts? That leaves 7.5 volts for the mic.? NOTE: there is a 220 ohm resistor ahead of R60.
The PTT line on the uBiTx is a direct input on the Nano, so the 2 ma max draw should not be an issue.? If there is an issue, a pull-up resistor (2.2 K) should fix it.
Please double-check the above before you implement it.? My recommendation is to go with another solution like a 9 volt battery in the mic or wire a separate supply at the mic connector in the uBiTx.? This will depend on if you want to use an electret without a built-in amp in addition to the amplified one.? If you are going to dedicate the mic and rig together, then swap the resistor after you do more verification.
Just suggestions.? The short answer is that it will not work.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
It seems the turn off re-boot thing is important after every step.
At least it is on my v6.
Mine wasn't appearing to do well either in getting the frequency close, but the bfo seemed fine.
I stopped for the night, turned it on the next day and all was fine?
Only off a bit .... close enough to leave it be.
|
After I posted this I was looking back and figure out that I probably would not have enough to run the mic.
|
Hi all
I have unpacked my uBitx v4 board with v4.3 firmware (I have some
time now to do radio!!).
Having wired it up it seems that I cannot set the BFO correctly.
I followed Vic's thread here (/g/BITX20/topic/ubitx_v4_3_calibration/29061748?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,29061748
) and the you tube videos by VK3YE, but it seems each time I set
the BFO Frequency, save the setting, the settings are not actually
saved.
Any advice ?
Thanks
Adrian M1LCR
|
Hi all
I have unpacked my uBitx v4 board with v4.3 firmware (I have some
time now to do radio!!).
Having wired it up it seems that I cannot set the BFO correctly.
I followed Vic's thread here (/g/BITX20/topic/ubitx_v4_3_calibration/29061748?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,29061748
) and the you tube videos by VK3YE, but it seems each time I set
the BFO Frequency, save the setting, the settings are not actually
saved.
Any advice ?
Thanks
Adrian M1LCR
|
Hi all
I have unpacked my uBitx v4 board with v4.3 firmware (I have some
time now to do radio!!).
Having wired it up it seems that I cannot set the BFO correctly.
I followed Vic's thread here (/g/BITX20/topic/ubitx_v4_3_calibration/29061748?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,29061748
) and the you tube videos by VK3YE, but it seems each time I set
the BFO Frequency, save the setting, the settings are not actually
saved.
Any advice ?
Thanks
Adrian M1LCR
|
Thank you, I'm watching these right now!
Il giorno gio 28 mag 2020 alle ore 19:32 James Lynes < jmlynesjr@...> ha scritto: Edorado: Have you looked at the Bitx40 or uBitx code? Neither use a si5351 library(too large), but use a small subroutine written by Jerry instead. Pull out parts of this code for your needs.
It takes serious study to understand all of the register manipulation required to drive the si5351. Luckily Jerry figured this out for us.
James
|
As far as I can tell without the schematic of the mic, it will not work.? The input of the uBitx has approximately 5 K ohms for the bias of the electret element.? If the current draw of the mic is 5 ma, then the drop across that resistor would be 25 volts.? At most the supplied voltage is 12 volts (13.8 with a "normal" ham supply).? Not enough to run the mic.? You would need to drop the resistor in the uBiTx mic circuit (R60) to 680 ohms? That would give a drop of (680+220)*.005=4.5 volts.? That leaves 7.5 volts for the mic.? NOTE: there is a 220 ohm resistor ahead of R60.
The PTT line on the uBiTx is a direct input on the Nano, so the 2 ma max draw should not be an issue.? If there is an issue, a pull-up resistor (2.2 K) should fix it.
Please double-check the above before you implement it.? My recommendation is to go with another solution like a 9 volt battery in the mic or wire a separate supply at the mic connector in the uBiTx.? This will depend on if you want to use an electret without a built-in amp in addition to the amplified one.? If you are going to dedicate the mic and rig together, then swap the resistor after you do more verification.
Just suggestions.? The short answer is that it will not work.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Dan and others,
When comparing the options, first think about what you want from the radio/modification process.?
If you are a tinkerer/programmer and want to dabble in the software, the TSW solution can make sense as it is open source and you have a lot of memory and speed available to add things.
If you are more into operating, then I believe that there are more options available with the KD8CEC/Nextion including IF shift, Attenuation, Spectrum Scope, and others when a 2nd Nano is added.? You should look through all of the choices on the HamsKey.com blog.? One of the big ones for me is the Memory Manager software that does not have an equivalent on the other choices.? There is also support for an SDR link to have a panadapter on a linked computer with many SDR dongles.
The last thing most will consider is future upgrades.? I would not put too much into this category, as the v6 changed a lot of the future direction recently, and that can happen again.? With that understanding, we have not heard much from Dr. Ian Lee recently.? All of his code is open source, so anyone could pick it up and add a new feature.? The TSW activity is recent, focused on the new v6, and also open source.? All of that makes it a wash for me.
Hardware modes like AGC, Speach compression, CW audio filters can be done on any of the above mods.
If I were just starting with the uBiTx, the order would be:
1 - First get it working as supplied by HF Signals.?
2 - Fix any hardware issues like the mic problems.? Clean up the sound (small mod to the LM386 to remove hiss).? Install diode protection if it will be near higher power transmitters without a grounded antenna input.
3 - Try out the FREE software from Reed to improve operability.? You can always go back, it is software.
4 - Add an AGC mod.? I have not done this yet, and have two different versions to try.? I would suggest one that reduces gain prior to the audio sections, either at the first RF sections or the IF sections.
5 - Then go for more complex upgrades based on what you want to do with the radio.? I have 3 and have focused one on digital, working on one for CW and a general use radio with ease of use items.
6 - Add a linear amp.
Above are my opinions.? Others may be different, and that is as it should be.? You need to make your own choices and live with the results.
73
Evan
AC9TU
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Mic preamp I haven't figured out yet. But the AGC is this one:?Lots of folk here have recommended it.
As far as display goes (plus more) there is another option from TSW. They have an adapter to replace the Arduino UNO with a Teensy 4.0 plus a rewritten codebase. You get a snappier processor, better paddle/key support plus a 10 channel memory. You don't need to swap out the display, and it's about the same price as the Nextion. That's here down the page in a section called "TSW's Teensy 4.0 to Arduino NANO adapter kit":?
That's where I'm at so far. Nothing definite. Just window shopping.
-- Dan D'Eon AG7GM
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Bill I have a 16 vdc PC power supply from an IBM Think Pad that is quite. I opened it up and added a couple of diodes in series with the output to drop the voltage to 14.6vdc for my KX3 and other QRP radios. That voltage worked best for charging the batteries in the KX3 to full capacity.
Skip Davis, NC9O
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 28, 2020, at 20:48, Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@...> wrote:
?Hi Dale,
I got a PC power supply one time that was a terrible sinner. I removed it and looked inside. The entire line filter section had been omitted with all the through holes empty and silk screened parts labels but only a couple of jumper wires installed. I populated it with the parts and it behaved nicely after that. I don't know if those 'bricks' will accommodate opening or modifications. The ad for this one mentions ferrite filtering on the DC output line. Knock on wood. I think more is required but it may be inside the brick. The brand name power supplies I have for the laptops here are quiet enough. But those are 18 and 19 volts. And I need them for the laptop computers :)
73,
Bill KU8H
On 5/28/20 8:36 PM, Dale Parfitt wrote:
OK- that makes a lot more sense. I have indeed seen switchers that are quiet, and many already come with over current and over voltage protection. Hard to beat the price if they are quiet or can be made quiet.
Tnx Bill,
Dale W4OP
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Cromwell
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2020 8:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Bitx V6 Modifications
Hi Dale,
I looked it up at All Electronics and that power supply is good for 12
volts and 5 *AMPS*..not watts. That should work. It is one of those
switcher bricks that resemble the laptop power supplies. Maybe Stephen
will let us know if he can hear anything with that powering his radio.
Not all switchers are *bad*.
I hope Stephen doesn't eat it when he gets it. Especially if he is in
California. It causes cancer in California <evil grin>. It says so on
the All Electronics site.
73,
Bill KU8H
On 5/28/20 8:14 PM, Dale Parfitt wrote:
Regarding the 5W 12VDC power supply- While I do not recall measuring
the Bitx TX current- if the rig puts out say 10W at 70% efficiency then
the PA input wattage is conservatively 15W or so- and then one has the
rest of the circuitry and display to consider¡.
I can¡¯t see how a 5W supply is going to be able to handle TX.
Dale W4OP
*From:*[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Stephen
KO4CVU
*Sent:* Thursday, May 28, 2020 7:29 PM
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [BITX20] Bitx V6 Modifications
Jody,
The microphone with pre-amp was a Barjan CB amplified microphone I
bought it on Amazon for $23.98 from Advanced Specialties Inc. Evan
recommended this microphone to me in a reply to one of my prior posts.
(Thank you, Evan!) Another friend told me just today that he had success
with an Astatic mic on his BIT v3 unit.
Also, I have been pleased with a #PS-12005 5 watt, 12 VDC power supply
that I found on the ¡°All Electronics¡± website for $10.95. The plug on
the DC cord even fit the jack on the back of my uBITX!
Have fun with your uBITX!
Stephen
--
bark less - wag more
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Where might we find Reed's latest sketch??
|
Or will it be to much and hurt something?
I have a TenTec 706 electret desk mic that goes with my Jupiter.
Since I use something else with the Jupiter, I have wired an adapter for the Ubitx.
But will it be too much?
According to the TenTec paperwork .....
The Mic needs7-14 v @ 5 milliamps, and adds 13 db of gain to the output.
works into any circuit of 100 ohms or more
the type is: CMOS PTT switch , signal amplifier, NPN T?R transistor
pulls 2 milliamps current on transmit
Safe or not?
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Hi Stephen,
I made a mistake once too so now you can join the club <wink>. I wondered if it wasn't really 5 Amps so I looked. Of course that ferrite knot on the cord will help but if it is quiet it also has all of the parts inside the brick:)
By the way..I get quite a few things from All Electronics. There used to be something called Poly-Paks :)
73,
Bill KU8H
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 5/28/20 9:33 PM, Stephen KO4CVU wrote: Folks,
I owe everybody an apology, must have been having a senior moment for sure when I typed a ¡°W¡± instead of an ¡°A.¡± It is definitely 5 amps! The label on it says that it draws 1.5 amps and puts out 5 amps at 12VDC. And it is quiet too! At least I can¡¯t hear a hum or switching noise, even when wearing a headset. There is a ferrite bead about 4 inches up the cord from the 12 volt plug. And to put Bill¡¯s mind at ease, I make sure not to bring the little power supply anywhere near the kitchen! Thanks to all of you for keeping a sense of humor in spite of my erroneous information. 73¡¯s to everyone. Stephen
--
bark less - wag more
|
Re: What¡¯s actually better?
Jer
Nice logic flow. Well the higher quality 2n2222a with metal case are used a lot less by industry these days, ditto for 2n2219.
Remember these rigs are batch built, high volume for low cost, and surface mount, so different worlds.
Then there is factor of your interest vs time it costs you. I am not phased yet by the ubitx transmit power rolloff, although I have a rare one shipped with a dip at 7 MHz, but just an added cap cured that.
Enjoy your refinement exploration
Curt wb8yyy
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
Folks,
I owe everybody an apology, must have been having a senior moment for sure when I typed a ¡°W¡± instead of an ¡°A.¡± It is definitely 5 amps! The label on it says that it draws 1.5 amps and puts out 5 amps at 12VDC. And it is quiet too! At least I can¡¯t hear a hum or switching noise, even when wearing a headset. There is a ferrite bead about 4 inches up the cord from the 12 volt plug. And to put Bill¡¯s mind at ease, I make sure not to bring the little power supply anywhere near the kitchen! Thanks to all of you for keeping a sense of humor in spite of my erroneous information. 73¡¯s to everyone. Stephen
|
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications
I have a 50V @50A switcher at the dish for my 1296MHz KW amp- no noise down there but then again, it is 1296MHz, so not a good test I suppose.
I seem to recall that QST did a test on switchers some years back. Several had considerable HF noise. Most odd was that the MFJ switcher was the best of the bunch Who woulda guessed it?
The noise appears to be conducted as opposed to radiated.
Dale
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Cromwell Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2020 8:49 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [BITX20] Bitx V6 Modifications Hi Dale, I got a PC power supply one time that was a terrible sinner. I removed it and looked inside. The entire line filter section had been omitted with all the through holes empty and silk screened parts labels but only a couple of jumper wires installed. I populated it with the parts and it behaved nicely after that. I don't know if those 'bricks' will accommodate opening or modifications. The ad for this one mentions ferrite filtering on the DC output line. Knock on wood. I think more is required but it may be inside the brick. The brand name power supplies I have for the laptops here are quiet enough. But those are 18 and 19 volts. And I need them for the laptop computers :) 73, Bill KU8H On 5/28/20 8:36 PM, Dale Parfitt wrote: OK- that makes a lot more sense. I have indeed seen switchers that are quiet, and many already come with over current and over voltage protection. Hard to beat the price if they are quiet or can be made quiet.
Tnx Bill,
Dale W4OP
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Cromwell
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2020 8:33 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Bitx V6 Modifications
Hi Dale,
I looked it up at All Electronics and that power supply is good for 12
volts and 5 *AMPS*..not watts. That should work. It is one of those
switcher bricks that resemble the laptop power supplies. Maybe Stephen
will let us know if he can hear anything with that powering his radio.
Not all switchers are *bad*.
I hope Stephen doesn't eat it when he gets it. Especially if he is in
California. It causes cancer in California <evil grin>. It says so on
the All Electronics site.
73,
Bill KU8H
On 5/28/20 8:14 PM, Dale Parfitt wrote:
Regarding the 5W 12VDC power supply- While I do not recall measuring
the Bitx TX current- if the rig puts out say 10W at 70% efficiency then
the PA input wattage is conservatively 15W or so- and then one has the
rest of the circuitry and display to consider¡.
I can¡¯t see how a 5W supply is going to be able to handle TX.
Dale W4OP
*From:*[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On Behalf Of *Stephen
KO4CVU
*Sent:* Thursday, May 28, 2020 7:29 PM
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [BITX20] Bitx V6 Modifications
Jody,
The microphone with pre-amp was a Barjan CB amplified microphone I
bought it on Amazon for $23.98 from Advanced Specialties Inc. Evan
recommended this microphone to me in a reply to one of my prior posts.
(Thank you, Evan!) Another friend told me just today that he had success
with an Astatic mic on his BIT v3 unit.
Also, I have been pleased with a #PS-12005 5 watt, 12 VDC power supply
that I found on the ¡°All Electronics¡± website for $10.95. The plug on
the DC cord even fit the jack on the back of my uBITX!
Have fun with your uBITX!
Stephen
-- bark less - wag more
|
Matt Towe
Dan D'Eon
Skip Davis
Aaron K5ATG