Re: Firmware loading ignorance
On Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 03:47 PM, Bill Robbins wrote:
Also should simply load factory defaults and start over?
The KD8CEC software does not really have the "factory defaults" as far as I know.? ?The values that I get when resetting to them are totally wrong.? I have not worked out the logic on what is being saved.? When you first open the Memory Manager software without a file selected/loaded, the factory defaults button is greyed out.? Here is a screenshot of the Memory Manager for my v5:  73 Evan AC9TU
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Bill,
Yes, that is why your uBITX is deaf, though it may be more than just the BFO.? Are you sure you used the file from the UBITXV5 folder?? My first impression is that you somehow have the other folder, the UBITXV234.? If that is the case, changing the BFO will not help, as the second IF oscillator will be wrong also.
The reason that I believe that you have the wrong file is that there are checks on the BFO to try to keep it in range.? 11995000 is very far from a valid starting point of 11055500.?
Please verify that you did load the correct file.? If so then go ahead and change the BFO to a value close to 11055500 (you can try the 11054600, though that does seem low to me).
I like to use the video from Ashhar Farhan to calibrate and align the BFO.? It can be used on the v5 board, even though he states it is only for the v6,? The thing that is different is how you change the values.? The process is still the same.? With the KD8CEC software, you need to press the encoder to bring up the "yellow box" and then put it into setup mode.
Three major process steps:
1 adjust the BFO so that you can hear low tones to zero beat the reference frequency.
2 calibrate the master clock using a know AM signal
3 reset the BFO for optimum voice response and opposite sideband suppression.
Tuning aide:
If you are OK with the calibration, then just do the last step to center the BFO on the SSB filter.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: My son's V6 and other received birdies
Just got a message from my son in Sacramento, CA re the birdies he received all over the place, even in his IC-730. This is to alert the group that when we get QRM in our radios, it may not be what we think it is at first so we need to keep an open mind when trying to chase down the source of such QRN.
Here is what he said:
My noise was coming from battery charger in garage. I¡¯ll try to put
beads on it to see if I can still use it. I¡¯ll get out uBITX this
weekend and check receive.
Bob ¡ª KK5R
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Would be nice to install a couple of solder terminals so the two diodes could be easily replaced. I bought 100 switching diodes from Radio Shack when they were business and have only used less than five of the batch. Switching the radio to ground by way of a switch that causes the radio input to go to ground when not being used is another form of cheap insurance.
Replacing the diodes would be much better than replacing Q90 in my book. Less trouble and faster.
Bob ¡ª KK5R
On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, 12:44:31 PM EST, Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@...> wrote:
Hi Ted,
I am preparing to replace Q90 in my V3 and I will be installing the
diodes. I have used them in other solid state rigs in the past and a
couple of time I have had to replace them (two different radios). The
usual failure mode is for them to fail-short. It becomes obvious then
that they have failed because incoming signals pretty much vanish. In
both cases the rest of the radio was preserved. The sacrificial diodes
did their job.
I have never had any problems with radios that have those diodes
installed. Most of the caveats that have been posted here are
*speculation* about what might happen. It hasn't happened. None of the
posts have asserted that any problem has actually happened. I have two
experiences where the front ends were saved and no experiences where the
diodes caused any problems. And that is experience, not speculation.
73,
Bill? KU8H
bark less - wag more
On 11/24/20 11:40 AM, Ted via groups.io wrote:
> Would the common 1n914 serve the same purpose?? ?Being as common as it
> is, etc.
>
>
> Ted
> k3rta
>
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Also should simply load factory defaults and start over?
On 11/24/2020 2:18 PM, Evan Hand wrote:
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Bill,
I should also point out that the zip archive has a text file that
describes the display hardware that each of the .hex files uses.
FileNameInfo.txt
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Evan:
While I have you here answer this for me. My v5 has audio but
deaf for signals.? In looking at memory manager settings I see my
default for USB Calibration at 11995000.? Others are at 11054600.?
Is that why mine bitx is deaf?
Bill
On 11/24/2020 2:18 PM, Evan Hand wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Bill,
I should also point out that the zip archive has a text file that
describes the display hardware that each of the .hex files uses.
FileNameInfo.txt
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Hi Bill,
You already have the help you wanted getting new software installed. For what it's worth, updating the software does not change any of your alignment of BFO settings. You only need to do a realignment if you change the microcontroller IC on your Raduino board. Or maybe change the clock crystal.
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
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Show quoted text
On 11/24/20 1:18 PM, Bill Robbins wrote: I now have my ubitx20 v5 assembled.? I was working fine and I had begun the alignment process.? Then it occurred to me to load the KD8CEC firmware rather than going thru alignment twice.
I have loaded sketches previously but it has been sometime.? I followed the KD8CEC instructions (I thought).? But I get no satisfaction.
So I tried to revert to the stock firmware with no success also. I clearly am missing something.
One source of confusion is after I unzip the packages I am left with many files.? When opening Xloader I select one of the files believing that the others will follow.? Nope.
HELP!!
Bill
.
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Hi Bill,
You can download the precompiled hex files here:?
Unzip, and read the text file that describes which hex file you should use.
Regards Jonas
Den tis 24 nov. 2020 kl 20:14 skrev Bill Robbins < wa8cdu@...>:
Thanks Jonas.? Can you point me to that?
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Re: V6 BFO alignment problems after installing AGC
Thank you Tim,
I seem to have the coarse BFO alignment ok now. I'm just trying to get the frequency calibration correct now.
73s
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Bill,
I should also point out that the zip archive has a text file that describes the display hardware that each of the .hex files uses.
FileNameInfo.txt
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Thanks Jonas.? Can you point me to that?
On 11/24/2020 1:36 PM, Jonas Sanamon
wrote:
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Hi Bill,
You should only upload the precompiled .hex file with
xloader. Perhaps You downloaded the source code instead?
Den tis 24 nov. 2020 kl
19:18 skrev Bill Robbins < wa8cdu@...>:
I now have my ubitx20 v5
assembled.? I was working fine and I had begun
the alignment process.? Then it occurred to me to load the
KD8CEC
firmware rather than going thru alignment twice.
I have loaded sketches previously but it has been sometime.?
I followed
the KD8CEC instructions (I thought).? But I get no
satisfaction.
So I tried to revert to the stock firmware with no success
also. I
clearly am missing something.
One source of confusion is after I unzip the packages I am
left with
many files.? When opening Xloader I select one of the files
believing
that the others will follow.? Nope.
HELP!!
Bill
|
Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Bill,
I am most familiar with the KD8CEC firmware and would recommend loading that software using Xloader.? You will need to use the correct version that is in the uBITXV5 folder after you unzip the archive.? The correct file depends on the hardware you have.? I assume that you are using the supplied stock 1602 display.? That file would be?UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_16P.hex.? This also assumes that you have not added the second Nano to do the S meter and other signal processing.
For reference, the archive is here:
you download the zip file and extract the files to a known location.
How to load the file into your uBITX Nano depends on your OS.? For Windows, you first need to work out which com port the uBITX is connected to on your computer.? Then select it after opening Xloader and set the baud to 34800.
Let us know if you need more information and provide us with any error messages that pop up.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Jerry,
Again, Thank You.? What you state makes sense.? When I figure out how to measure IMD with the tools that I have I will try it on my other v4 uBITX board.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Evan,
Good to know that your back-to-back diodes present no issues with reception.
Seems a fine solution.? If incoming RF is kept below 4 volts peak-to-peak,
there should be no trouble with Q90 blowing due to Veb-max of 6v being violated.
I would not call the 1n914 obsolete, they still sell them on Mouser.
1n914's are an older part, were not spec'd as tight as the newer 1n4148, but otherwise identical.
I suspect that any parts sold as 1n914's in the last few decades come off the same line
as the 1n4148's, just slapped with different labeling.
>? There was concern about the reverse diode on the base of Q90 having a negative impact on the SSB transmission.?
I'd be surprised if this was an issue, but worth looking at if you have a way to measure IMD.
Transmit RF into Q90 should be down around 100mv rms, so currents through
a silicon diode would be measured in picoamps.
Also, we already have the base-emitter diode in there to cause distortion of large signals,?
adding a 1n4148 going the other way across that junction diode would make it symetrical,?
and may well reduce distortion rather than add to it.
Jerry, KE7ER
On Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 03:38 AM, Evan Hand wrote:
I have done the back to back diodes on the input to my v4 board and have not noticed any negative effects on the receive capability.?
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Re: New PCB available for WA2EBY linear amp
#linear-amp
Hi Ken,
? I like your filter board!? I've had the "it would be cool if the ?BITX could change bands on the amp" thought in my head for a while but haven't gotten farther than that.? Nice work!
Leonard - you did more than that.? You've also answered frantic questions from RF noobs that helped them know for sure that their new creation was working correctly.? Thanks again, Sir!
? FWIW, this is the heat sink I'm using.? It was the closest size match I could find to the part WA2EBY specified in his article.? It's 61 x 116.8 x 38.1 mm (L x W x H).??
? ?
? ?Andy
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On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 01:33 PM, Ken K0KV wrote:
Andy,?
Regarding the multi-band LPF board - I needed one that was PC-controllable because I mainly operate remotely (shack is upstairs, PC is in family room).? ?So I designed my own board, which uses relays to switch the LPF's in and out for each band.? It can be controlled from a simple contact closure (e.g. an Alexa-controlled relay) or via digital outputs from an Arduino.?
?
Also - you're right, I should have mentioned the toroid kit - it's super convenient.? I decided not to buy it because I already had some of the cores on hand.
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Re: Firmware loading ignorance
Hi Bill,
You should only upload the precompiled .hex file with xloader. Perhaps You downloaded the source code instead? Den tis 24 nov. 2020 kl 19:18 skrev Bill Robbins < wa8cdu@...>:
I now have my ubitx20 v5 assembled.? I was working fine and I had begun
the alignment process.? Then it occurred to me to load the KD8CEC
firmware rather than going thru alignment twice.
I have loaded sketches previously but it has been sometime.? I followed
the KD8CEC instructions (I thought).? But I get no satisfaction.
So I tried to revert to the stock firmware with no success also. I
clearly am missing something.
One source of confusion is after I unzip the packages I am left with
many files.? When opening Xloader I select one of the files believing
that the others will follow.? Nope.
HELP!!
Bill
|
Firmware loading ignorance
I now have my ubitx20 v5 assembled.? I was working fine and I had begun the alignment process.? Then it occurred to me to load the KD8CEC firmware rather than going thru alignment twice.
I have loaded sketches previously but it has been sometime.? I followed the KD8CEC instructions (I thought).? But I get no satisfaction.
So I tried to revert to the stock firmware with no success also. I clearly am missing something.
One source of confusion is after I unzip the packages I am left with many files.? When opening Xloader I select one of the files believing that the others will follow.? Nope.
HELP!!
Bill
|
Hi Ted,
I am preparing to replace Q90 in my V3 and I will be installing the diodes. I have used them in other solid state rigs in the past and a couple of time I have had to replace them (two different radios). The usual failure mode is for them to fail-short. It becomes obvious then that they have failed because incoming signals pretty much vanish. In both cases the rest of the radio was preserved. The sacrificial diodes did their job.
I have never had any problems with radios that have those diodes installed. Most of the caveats that have been posted here are *speculation* about what might happen. It hasn't happened. None of the posts have asserted that any problem has actually happened. I have two experiences where the front ends were saved and no experiences where the diodes caused any problems. And that is experience, not speculation.
73,
Bill KU8H
bark less - wag more
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 11/24/20 11:40 AM, Ted via groups.io wrote: Would the common 1n914 serve the same purpose?? ?Being as common as it is, etc.
Ted
k3rta
|
Ted,
Yes, the 1n914 or equal would work as far as the information that I have found and what I have tried.? I believe that the 1n4148 is a direct replacement for the now obsolete 1n914.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Would the common 1n914 serve the same purpose?? ?Being as common as it is, etc.
Ted k3rta
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Bob Lunsford
Ted