Re: What Happened To Versions 3, 4 and 5
Bruce,
There's nothing wrong with the V3 or even V4 that a handful of 2N5109's, a pair of shielded inductors, and a few RF-rated Axicon relays won't fix.? Even out of the box on conservative power levels, you can have some satisfaction that you've got a radio ready to build into a home.
And yes - it's been long enough since their release that virtually anything going on with them in the hands of owners, has been done and did.? I can't see setting one aside just because the V6 is out there.? It's mainly a V5 with a different screen.
If you run into problems, we've got enough experience between the group members to help you out.
72,
Ted
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Re: 100W Automatic Antenna Tuner...
For a case I used:
???
and did my own bezel for the OLED display.? I'm not too happy with
the
bezel yet.? The display should be closer to the front of the bezel
to be more visible.
I included a picture (problem_area.jpg) showing a bad idea about to
be brought to fruition.
The power trace is really close to the mounting holes which do not
have the usual spacing
rings.? My lock washer shorted? across it.? I managed to kill a
display and a regulator and burn
a few traces.? Maybe use tiny washers or nylon.? I used nylon.
?
?
?
?
John
K6JDS
On 8/1/2020 7:06 PM, Bob Lunsford via
groups.io wrote:
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Here's another item that may
be of interest for you build-it-yourself hobbyists: An
automatic antenna tuner. Costs $28 plus shipping for the
kit...
Here are some specs for it:
Power supply
range: 10 - 15 VDC
Max current :
450mA
Max working
power: 100 watts
Max measured
power: 150 watts
Minimum power for
tuning start: 1 watt
Recommended
maximum power while tuning not above 30 watts. (after
tuning you can set 100 watts and work on this power)
Minimum measured
power: 0.1 watt
Step for
measurement on powers under 10 watts: 0.1 watt
Step for
measurement on powers above 10 watts : 1 watt?
Power measurement
accuracy : 10%
Maximum
inductance set: 8.5 uH
Minimal step for
setting inductance: 0.1 uH
Maximum installed
capacity: 1870 pF
Minimal step for
setting capacity: 10 pF
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Re: Killed TX this time...
Thanks Evan, Testing with CW I get about 0.1W output on 20M.
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Hi,
Assuming it already has enough power to run your radio, add filtering at the AC input and the DC output. That involves ferrite chokes and capacitors. If the DC voltage fails when you key down in CW then you need a more powerful supply to begin with. You cannot get ten pounds of baloney from a five pound sack :)
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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On 8/2/20 2:25 PM, SP9DEV wrote: How would you go about beefing up a cheap supply?
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Re: 100W Automatic Antenna Tuner...
The ATU 100 is an open source project and you can find all informations on GitHub.
It works fine with my uBitx after I modified cell 5 for a minimum power of 1W. Otherwise it will not always work on the higher bands.
For modifications in EEPROM cells you need Microchip PicKit3.
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How would you go about beefing up a cheap supply?
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Re: 100W Automatic Antenna Tuner...
I ordered one from a US source
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On Aug 2, 2020, at 13:26, Russ@va3rr via groups.io <va3rr@...> wrote:
?I have one on order from Russia. Hope it doesn't get cancelled!
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Re: uBITX V6 Expanded System
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On Aug 2, 2020, at 13:47, Bob, N1KPR <rwbetts@...> wrote:
?I finally got around to adding the external T/R relay switch so i can use a Preamp and Attenuator during receive and bypass it during transmit. I have determined that both are really nice additions to the receiver in the uBITX V6. Strong sigs will overload it and weak ones can be pulled out of the mud with a little preamplification. More to come as I machine the front panel and chassis.
Here's the latest Youtube.
Enjoy your weekend,
Bob
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Hi,
If the problem goes away when you use a better power source (AGM battery) then you have answered your own question. Just listen to yourself:) Using junk switching supplies is Russian Roulette with power supply garbage noise. You might try to beef up your el-cheapo power supplies (I have done this) or just stay with battery operation (my present solution).
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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Show quoted text
On 8/2/20 1:14 PM, SP9DEV wrote: Hi! I've just came back to trying to get my Bitx40 to work, and when I turn on the radio, I hear a terribly loud noise (link to listen below). The radio works fine, because I can hear some operators behind that noise, but I cannot tune the radio loud enough to hear them properly, as the noise is extremely loud even on the smallest volume. I don't really know what's happening here. Any help?
The noise:
Here's what I got so far:
*
I've tried adding 47nF, 330pF, 10uF and 100uF caps across DC input,
the problem still appears
*
The problem appears when using a cheap, "wall-plug" type supply from
a wi-fi router
*
The problem appears while using an ATX computer supply, although the
noise sounds different
*
The problem doesn't appear while using 1.3Ah AGM battery
*
The TRX is assempled in PVC case and I don't see any ground-loops
(although maybe I'm not noticing them)
*
The problem appears no matter if the antenna is connected or not
*
The problem appears on Apple earphones and normal, cheapest earphones
My guess is that the low quality power supply is the culprit, although a fellow HAM from Poland told me, that he uses his Bitx40 with a cheap, chinese supply from a sat-TV device or something like that with no problem, so I'm looking for other causes. Does anyone know how to solve the problem? And preferably the cheapest way of solving it (broke-ass-student-friendly, as I like to put it).
|
Re: uBITX V6 Expanded System
I finally got around to adding the external T/R relay switch so i can use a Preamp and Attenuator during receive and bypass it during transmit. I have determined that both are really nice additions to the receiver in the uBITX V6. Strong sigs will overload it and weak ones can be pulled out of the mud with a little preamplification. More to come as I machine the front panel and chassis.
Here's the latest Youtube.
Enjoy your weekend,
Bob
|
Re: 100W Automatic Antenna Tuner...
I have one on order from Russia. Hope it doesn't get cancelled!
|
Hi! I've just came back to trying to get my Bitx40 to work, and when I turn on the radio, I hear a terribly loud noise (link to listen below). The radio works fine, because I can hear some operators behind that noise, but I cannot tune the radio loud enough to hear them properly, as the noise is extremely loud even on the smallest volume. I don't really know what's happening here. Any help?
The noise:?
Here's what I got so far:
-
I've tried adding 47nF, 330pF, 10uF and 100uF caps across DC input, the problem still appears
-
The problem appears when using a cheap, "wall-plug" type supply from a wi-fi router
-
The problem appears while using an ATX computer supply, although the noise sounds different
-
The problem doesn't appear while using 1.3Ah AGM battery
-
The TRX is assempled in PVC case and I don't see any ground-loops (although maybe I'm not noticing them)
-
The problem appears no matter if the antenna is connected or not
-
The problem appears on Apple earphones and normal, cheapest earphones
My guess is that the low quality power supply is the culprit, although a fellow HAM from Poland told me, that he uses his Bitx40 with a cheap, chinese supply from a sat-TV device or something like that with no problem, so I'm looking for other causes. Does anyone know how to solve the problem? And preferably the cheapest way of solving it (broke-ass-student-friendly, as I like to put it).
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Re: Killed TX this time...
That is pretty much it.? I will look later today for the thread that I took pictures of the scope traces for each of the TP that I listed.? Need to take the wife to visit with the grandkids right now.
You are looking for the carrier frequency at each of the test points, starting with mVolts getting to almost 60 volts PP if my memory serves.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Then I would suggest you upgrade to Reed N's software, as it fixes your issue.? I believe that this is the link:
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Evan,
Thanks but I'm? running v6.1 at the moment.
Grover
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Re: Killed TX this time...
Thanks Evan, I have a Siglent 1202 I bought a while back but haven't made time to to really understand how to use it properly... I guess now would be a good opportunity!
So fire up the scope attach the probe ground and TP2 and see what I see ?
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Re: 100W Automatic Antenna Tuner...
I also ordered one, kit?was posted, I was tracking it and it ended up in Russia back to the sender.
I got a refund as they are not sending anything?due to Covid.
Re: the N7DDC auto tuner.
I looked for reviews first, decided to order it. This was a little over six weeks ago. For me, it entailed two orders, one for the circuit board and related components and another for the enclosure.
The enclosure arrived via China Post rather quickly. It was 28.00 USD shipped. It contains a few other pieces such as the antenna bulkhead connectors. It is a 3D printed item, but appears to be decently done.?
The circuit board has not arrived. 35.00 USD shipped. The tracking shows it stalled in Russia.
When and if it arrives, I'll assemble and give some further feedback...standby....
73 Alan AE0IX
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 08:56:38 PM MDT, Bob Lunsford via <nocrud222= [email protected]> wrote:
Further perusing eBay for offerings, I found other tuners. The specifications given were believable but of course they will not tell you the negatives, only the positives with a few elaborations. And it appears that the builder will still need to get an enclosure. No telling what it would take to make it perfect. Still, though, it beats the price of other auto-tuners on the market but everything like this comes with compromises. Myself, I'll stick to the manual tuner I mentioned previously since it is simplicity itself. One builder had a faulty switch in this kit but that was one builder's complaint before saying it was a good tuner once the fault was found and corrected. However, this simpler tuner is good enough for what I want to do with the V6. Also, there is a less expensive offering for the manual tuner: It's only $12 but they don't use PayPal.
Bob ¡ª KK5R
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, 10:37:07 PM EDT, Patrick Ridge via <apm80814= [email protected]> wrote:
The antenna tuner kit is available on Bangood for a few dollars less. The kit is mostly complete, but has a few issues. It comes with a nice, solid enclosure. I¡¯m not sure it will handle more than 10 watts.?
Issues: 1. No clear instructions. YouTube to the rescue 2. The tuning capacitor knobs did not come with the necessary extension shaft. Mikes electronics to the rescue. I am planning to make a short YouTube to address what I thought were shortcomings in the instructions and the YouTube videos I watched regarding this kit. Standby....
The kit is a value for the parts alone. Just be aware that it takes some effort and a few outside pieces that were not included to make it work.
73 Alan AE0IX ? Here's another item that may be of interest for you build-it-yourself hobbyists: An automatic antenna tuner. Costs $28 plus shipping for the kit...
Here are some specs for it:
Power supply range: 10 - 15 VDC
Max current : 450mA
Max working power: 100 watts
Max measured power: 150 watts
Minimum power for tuning start: 1 watt
Recommended maximum power while tuning not above 30 watts. (after tuning you can set 100 watts and work on this power)
Minimum measured power: 0.1 watt
Step for measurement on powers under 10 watts: 0.1 watt
Step for measurement on powers above 10 watts : 1 watt?
Power measurement accuracy : 10%
Maximum inductance set: 8.5 uH
Minimal step for setting inductance: 0.1 uH
Maximum installed capacity: 1870 pF
Minimal step for setting capacity: 10 pF
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Re: Killed TX this time...
Peter,
You did not answer the question on CW output.
As to where I would start, I would be looking at the signals starting at TP2 working my way to the Antenna (TP 3 to TP 8).? This would be with an oscilloscope, as I have one.? The scope does not need to be accurate at the frequency being measured, just looking for a signal and that it is increasing at each stage.? Alternatively, you could build and use an RFProbe.? Here again, looking for an increase in the signal level.? All of this is with CW as the source.? There is no real level using SSB unless you are feeding a constant tone, which is really the same as the CW for the power sections.
Do an internet search for RF Probe to see how to build one.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: What Happened To Versions 3, 4 and 5
On Sun, Aug 2, 2020 at 10:30 AM, Bill Lamm wrote:
and to learn more abour Doug W's band hopping WSPR setup..
KD8CEC firmware to enable CAT control.? Band hopping is a feature in WSJT-X.? PC interface is how I described it in the wiki under Digital Setup.? Antenna is a myantennas.com EFHW-8010P which works well on 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10m.? I consistently rx VK and Western Europe as well as the entire US.? Below screen cap is from one of the better 24 hour rx cycles.  AC9RZ ? --
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Re: What Happened To Versions 3, 4 and 5
My v5 waz active on field day.. I went back to work so have not got my rasppi and digital interface lit up and running..
Would love to find a v5 board that needs a raduino since I have a spare,? and to learn more abour Doug W's band hopping WSPR setup..
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Ted
Bob, N1KPR
va3rr
Bill Lamm