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Re: Turn of BFO mod

Jeff Debes
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thank you Reed , you¡¯re always very helpful!


On May 28, 2020, at 12:14 PM, Reed N <greenkid336600+groupsio@...> wrote:

?
You should be able to listen to AM even with the BFO. However, if you want to get rid of it completely for some reason, you'll need to jumper C211 to C40 to remove the BFO crystal filter stage, then modify the code to get the correct mixing products on the audio side. I don't think I'd recommend this.


Reed

--
jeff.debes@...
Re: Highlighting band selected

Jeff Debes
 

Bill,
I feel that your comments were at least in some part targeted at me and therefore warrant an answer.
People are almost as varied in personality and in desires as nature is itself .
One should not should presume or judge anything about another persons knowledge level or what that person has contributed to ham radio or to any worthy aspect of society.
Ham radio as a hobby is now more varied in interests and reasons for interest in the hobby than ever. ( and that is a good thing! )
No question is wrong, no judgements should be presumed about those asking questions. That will just turn people away.
Snobbery of knowledge of a particular subject include this hobby is simply wrong.
Yes , you ( we all) often feel that everyone should dive into ham radio.
But I try to be a generalist, not an top expert in anything but looking at the big picture.
In profession, I was a Systems Engineer at Xerox Corp. Now retired . I am as you probably already know , an Extra Class ham op , first licensed as a Novice in 1963 , call sign WN2RHU. My other hobbies are varied and include hiking /Mt climbing. Climbed the 46 high peaks.
Spent many years as a mentor in First Robotics , etc etc
So wrap up :
On this DL , no question or even complaint is ill founded . Let¡¯s not judge people .
Yes, people can look things up , and learn .
Some will, but some will just want to get to the goal of a working radio.
Expressions of frustration by questions are simply symptoms of some issues that may need to be fixed in by HFSigs or answered amiably without judgement by knowledgable people in this group.
If the same questions come up more than once, it would beg of the need for change /improvement to product, group response, or documentation access.

Jeff

On May 28, 2020, at 1:00 PM, Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@...> wrote:

?Hi,

Maybe there are some unfair or unrealistic expectations of some minimal knowledge to become a ham. The instructions seem to be written with that in mind. One thing we learn when we must write is who the target audience actually is. To be fair to HF Signals I have been surprised by the nature of some questions asked by licensed hams - even without an expectation that new hams know *everything*. None of us knows *everything* and learning only stops when we die without us ever knowing *everything*. My comments are not aimed to offend or insult or belittle anybody.

Just to balance those statements, I have personally known hams with extra class and commercial licenses who clearly did not know some basic things. To me that was even more incredible than some of the questions I see today. At least today's newbies know to ask them even if they don't know the words needed to ask:) I am now one of thos *old* extra class hams and I try to not be like those fellows I have just mentioned. I know I am a very poor 'distance elmer' and I wish I could get a few of those new hams in my shop for a day or two. If they ask me something I don't know we could both learn:)

73,

Bill KU8H

On 5/28/20 10:57 AM, Jeff Debes wrote:
Bill, Tony,
Thanks for the advice.
To be clear: I have a confirmed QSO where the op copied me on LSB and USB with out me changing any settings.
Is that still a possible symptom for misaligned BFO?
If so fine. I will try again at home with a PC.
I want to say that the kit is sold as a working board, & the buyer is trusting that it is working, that it was tested properly. What if it is not? That will happen.
Documentation clarity for engineers is one matter, and appears to be simple enough, for casual builders it may need to differ.
A support group such as this is fine for resolving many issues , but it should not be the only recourse.
Why do so many users come back here to ask questions? ( the documentation is not adequate?)
Personally, I¡¯m used to building non-digital circuits/radios. There is operability simplicity , excellent ease of use, and clarity in analog radio circuits.
Anyway
Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try the suggestions.
Jeff
--
bark less - wag more


--
*jeff.debes@...*
Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Jeff

The OS is open source.? That should make it possible for you to add your own?
"features".? At one time I suggested that key strokes or display touches should?
be accompanied by a "beep".? That should be easy to implement in just a couple?
lines of code.? Extending this thought...maybe also blink the display when a?
button or command is issued?? That too would be only a few code statements.

Part of the advantages of the uBITX open source code is that you can make?
changes at will.? Cannot?do that with the popular K3 or similar high priced?
transceivers.

If you do take on the challenge to upgrade the assembly and operating?
instructions, I would suggest that you use some sort of version-control?
editor.? This would highlight your changes and make it easier for Farhan to?
add those particular changes to the master document.??

Arv
_._



On Wed, May 27, 2020 at 8:10 PM Jeff Debes <jeff.debes@...> wrote:
Anyone know if there is a software mod to highlight the band currently selected?

It is poor user operability if touching a button shows no action on that button.

Jeff


--
*jeff.debes@...*
Re: SI5351 without library #si5351

James Lynes
 

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
What¡¯s actually better?

 

I thought a 2N2219 was a 2N2222 in a bigger package that can handle a bit more heat, so basically the same device otherwise.

On??the following is attributed to Alison

Pre-driver?¨C?We need the gain again to be more stable and higher as well. Transistors tried that worked better included the TO18 2n2222A

Driver?¨CThis is where the 2n3904 really fails. Its bandwidth at high currents actually does down. The 2n2222A has the reverse, the gain and bandwidth increased with increasing current.

On HFsigs Farhan says

Transmitting?The power chain uses four common plastic 2N3904s in push-pull as drivers. The 2N3904s have enough gain at 30 MHz. The 2N2219s tried ?earlier were found to have low gain at higher frequencies.

So... which has more gain/performs better on ?~17, 15, 12,10 meters in the uBitx if you ignore cost??

Also so when did 2N2222s get costly? They were once called something like the ¡°cockroaches¡± of electronics.

tnx
jer aa1of
Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Hi,

Maybe there are some unfair or unrealistic expectations of some minimal knowledge to become a ham. The instructions seem to be written with that in mind. One thing we learn when we must write is who the target audience actually is. To be fair to HF Signals I have been surprised by the nature of some questions asked by licensed hams - even without an expectation that new hams know *everything*. None of us knows *everything* and learning only stops when we die without us ever knowing *everything*. My comments are not aimed to offend or insult or belittle anybody.

Just to balance those statements, I have personally known hams with extra class and commercial licenses who clearly did not know some basic things. To me that was even more incredible than some of the questions I see today. At least today's newbies know to ask them even if they don't know the words needed to ask:) I am now one of thos *old* extra class hams and I try to not be like those fellows I have just mentioned. I know I am a very poor 'distance elmer' and I wish I could get a few of those new hams in my shop for a day or two. If they ask me something I don't know we could both learn:)

73,

Bill KU8H

On 5/28/20 10:57 AM, Jeff Debes wrote:
Bill, Tony,
Thanks for the advice.
To be clear: I have a confirmed QSO where the op copied me on LSB and USB with out me changing any settings.
Is that still a possible symptom for misaligned BFO?
If so fine. I will try again at home with a PC.
I want to say that the kit is sold as a working board, & the buyer is trusting that it is working, that it was tested properly. What if it is not? That will happen.
Documentation clarity for engineers is one matter, and appears to be simple enough, for casual builders it may need to differ.
A support group such as this is fine for resolving many issues , but it should not be the only recourse.
Why do so many users come back here to ask questions? ( the documentation is not adequate?)
Personally, I¡¯m used to building non-digital circuits/radios. There is operability simplicity , excellent ease of use, and clarity in analog radio circuits.
Anyway
Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try the suggestions.
Jeff
--
bark less - wag more
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications

 

I just got my v6 together also.?
I would suggest getting on the air with it and then decide what changes you would like to make.?
Ashhar Farhan told me that the first thing I should do is look at the Arduino sketch and play around with that.?
That being said, I would be interested in what people are doing with it.?
Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Hi Jeff,

I would love to see my work get pulled into the main line, but I don't have any control over that. Ashhar certainly could do so at any time, but hasn't so far. He did pull a little from the CEC software for the v6 release, so maybe the next generation v7 software might have some of these fixes?


Reed
Re: Turn of BFO mod

 


You should be able to listen to AM even with the BFO. However, if you want to get rid of it completely for some reason, you'll need to jumper C211 to C40 to remove the BFO crystal filter stage, then modify the code to get the correct mixing products on the audio side. I don't think I'd recommend this.


Reed
Re: UK Import Charges

 

I always thought Amateur radio parts were exempt form import duty??

?
Re: uBitX assembled: bit of a challenge with alignment/bfo adj - Volume/switch knob fix

Jeff Debes
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I¡¯m just going to find a smaller knob, It doen¡¯t need to be as large as it is.



On May 28, 2020, at 10:55 AM, pulco.ant@... wrote:

?Reed, thanks so much. this was very helpful.
--
Dan D'Eon
AG7GM

--
jeff.debes@...
Re: Bitx V6 Modifications

 

I'll be lurking this thread:I just put together my uBitx v6 yesterday.

FYI, There are at least 3 things I plan on in a hurry. 1) Receiver AGC 2) Microphone preamp 3) Nextion screen.
--
Dan D'Eon
AG7GM
Re: Highlighting band selected

Jeff Debes
 

Bill, Tony,

Thanks for the advice.
To be clear: I have a confirmed QSO where the op copied me on LSB and USB with out me changing any settings.
Is that still a possible symptom for misaligned BFO?
If so fine. I will try again at home with a PC.
I want to say that the kit is sold as a working board, & the buyer is trusting that it is working, that it was tested properly. What if it is not? That will happen.
Documentation clarity for engineers is one matter, and appears to be simple enough, for casual builders it may need to differ.
A support group such as this is fine for resolving many issues , but it should not be the only recourse.
Why do so many users come back here to ask questions? ( the documentation is not adequate?)
Personally, I¡¯m used to building non-digital circuits/radios. There is operability simplicity , excellent ease of use, and clarity in analog radio circuits.
Anyway
Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try the suggestions.

Jeff

On May 28, 2020, at 9:25 AM, Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell@...> wrote:

?Hi,

I have to agree with Tony and the others on this. A misaligned BFO will produce the same symptoms on *ANY* radio like this one (includeing those with four figure price tags). I have worked on a few for other hams and the BFO way way far off on the ones with these symptoms.

If you are unable to get it working you might find somebody on here to get it going for you. I think you should try to get it working yourself. I did not find any deficiencies in the instructions.

73,

Bill KU8H

On 5/28/20 8:27 AM, Tony Vandenborn wrote:
Jeff
When you study the uBITX block diagram, and understand it, you can clearly see it is rather impossible that your radio receives/transmits both sidebands same time. You really have to align the BFO and master oscillator frequencies, your kit is not defective!
Tony
Op do 28 mei 2020 om 14:18 schreef Jeff Debes <jeff.debes@... <mailto:jeff.debes@...>>:
Ok Stephen,
I will think about trying it.
I used to do a small bit or arduino programming but that is not
something i want to get back into.
Right now though I need to know why my radio only works as double
sideband. I don¡¯t think its an alignment problem, I have doubts
that tuning will cure the issue.
I hope someone has ideas on what might be wrong else I might want to
return this unit to HD Sigs as defective.
Jeff
On May 28, 2020, at 7:28 AM, Stephen KO4CVU
<goinfishin1952@... <mailto:goinfishin1952@...>> wrote:

?Jeff, I can vouch for Reed¡¯s software. It makes a great
improvement in the operation and control of the touchscreen.
Downloading and installing It was my first experience working with
an Arduino Nano, (although I did have some experience with
programmable logic controllers years ago.) If I can do it, it must
not be too hard! :) I will be happy to share my notes about the
process with you, if you¡¯d like them.
-- *jeff.debes@... <mailto:jeff.debes@...>*
--
bark less - wag more


--
*jeff.debes@...*
Re: uBitX assembled: bit of a challenge with alignment/bfo adj - Volume/switch knob fix

 

Reed, thanks so much. this was very helpful.
--
Dan D'Eon
AG7GM
Bitx V6 Modifications

[email protected]
 

Just ordered Bitx V6 and was wondering what modifications should be added? If someone could list them in order of most improvement it would be appreciated.
SI5351 without library #si5351

 

Hi everibody,
I'm studing how to program the SI5351 without library, I learnt to produce a single frequency output but I still have problem when I want to create a sketch that makes me able to make a frequency coded by a rotary encoder.

Which register should I update?

Changing just from 42nd o 49th don't produce the desired output, I wonder if I have to resend all the registers seen in figure 12 of datasheet every time I want to change frequency output...
Can you help me?
73
Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Hi,

I have to agree with Tony and the others on this. A misaligned BFO will produce the same symptoms on *ANY* radio like this one (includeing those with four figure price tags). I have worked on a few for other hams and the BFO way way far off on the ones with these symptoms.

If you are unable to get it working you might find somebody on here to get it going for you. I think you should try to get it working yourself. I did not find any deficiencies in the instructions.

73,

Bill KU8H

On 5/28/20 8:27 AM, Tony Vandenborn wrote:
Jeff
When you study the uBITX block diagram, and understand it, you can clearly see it is rather impossible that your radio receives/transmits both sidebands same time. You really have to align the BFO and master oscillator frequencies, your kit is not defective!
Tony
Op do 28 mei 2020 om 14:18 schreef Jeff Debes <jeff.debes@... <mailto:jeff.debes@...>>:
Ok Stephen,
I will think about trying it.
I used to do a small bit or arduino programming but that is not
something i want to get back into.
Right now though I need to know why my radio only works as double
sideband. I don¡¯t think its an alignment problem, ?I ?have doubts
that tuning will cure the issue.
I hope someone has ideas on what might be wrong else I might want to
return this unit to HD Sigs as defective.
Jeff

On May 28, 2020, at 7:28 AM, Stephen KO4CVU
<goinfishin1952@... <mailto:goinfishin1952@...>> wrote:

?Jeff, I can vouch for Reed¡¯s software. It makes a great
improvement in the operation and control of the touchscreen.
Downloading and installing It was my first experience working with
an Arduino Nano, (although I did have some experience with
programmable logic controllers years ago.) If I can do it, it must
not be too hard! :) I will be happy to share my notes about the
process with you, if you¡¯d like them.
--
*jeff.debes@... <mailto:jeff.debes@...>*
--
bark less - wag more
Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Hi Jess,

I sometimes work on other hams' radios and I installed Reed's software in a V6 for one of them (mine is a V3). I have a low opinion of the stock software from HF Signals even though it does function. Reed's software instantly cured several problems. I can also vouch for the CEC software that I loaded onto my V3.

You put your money down and you take your choice. Those software packages are *free* so the 'money' is the time spent.

73,

Bill KU8H

On 5/28/20 8:18 AM, Jeff Debes wrote:
Ok Stephen,
I will think about trying it.
I used to do a small bit or arduino programming but that is not something i want to get back into.
Right now though I need to know why my radio only works as double sideband. I don¡¯t think its an alignment problem, ?I ?have doubts that tuning will cure the issue.
I hope someone has ideas on what might be wrong else I might want to return this unit to HD Sigs as defective.
Jeff

On May 28, 2020, at 7:28 AM, Stephen KO4CVU <goinfishin1952@...> wrote:

?Jeff, I can vouch for Reed¡¯s software. It makes a great improvement in the operation and control of the touchscreen. Downloading and installing It was my first experience working with an Arduino Nano, (although I did have some experience with programmable logic controllers years ago.) If I can do it, it must not be too hard! :) I will be happy to share my notes about the process with you, if you¡¯d like them.
--
*jeff.debes@...*
--
bark less - wag more
Re: uBitX V6 only transmits double sideband

 

The TSW software made the band buttons real band buttons.? Each band is checked for
band limits.? Can select from the IARU limits.? And the frequency for each band is remembered
for both VFO's.? We added a new button for general coverage (G/C) with no band limits.
See

rOn
Does require Teensy T4 upgrade.


On Thursday, May 28, 2020, 5:06:28 AM EDT, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:


jeff, the band buttons don't make sense for an essentially general coverage transceiver like the ubitx.?
let me illustrate: i start on 40 m, start tuning up, then i tune past 7.3 to 7.350 to listen to Radio Peking. What should the band switch read? What happens if i tune to 12 Mhz?
regard the band switches are 'jump to' short cuts to tuning to your favourite bands.
73, f?

On Thu, May 28, 2020 at 2:32 PM Jeff Debes <jeff.debes@...> wrote:
Neils, Reed,?

Thank you!?
Well that info makes me feel better about it.

I¡¯ll do a full tune up at my home QTH.
I¡¯m ordering that microphone. ( thanks for the info)
Even with my crude initial adjustment of the radio i¡¯ve manage five contacts in a few hours of use.
I have only a wire inverted V at this location.

So, what about highlighting the band buttons when they are actuated . Has anyone tried to implement that fix/improvement?

Jeff



On May 28, 2020, at 3:37 AM, Reed N <greenkid336600+groupsio@...> wrote:

?That's an excellent point, Niels! Another issue I fixed in my build (and thus didn't think about), but the stock software does require the knob to be turned to force the sideband switch, and could easily explain Jeff's issue.


Reed

--
jeff.debes@...

Re: Highlighting band selected

 

Jeff

When you study the uBITX block diagram, and understand it, you can clearly see it is rather impossible that your radio receives/transmits both sidebands same time. You really have to align the BFO and master oscillator frequencies, your kit is not defective!

Tony

Op do 28 mei 2020 om 14:18 schreef Jeff Debes <jeff.debes@...>:
Ok Stephen,
I will think about trying it.
I used to do a small bit or arduino programming but that is not something i want to get back into.
Right now though I need to know why my radio only works as double sideband. I don¡¯t think its an alignment problem, ?I ?have doubts that tuning will cure the issue. ?
I hope someone has ideas on what might be wrong else I might want to return this unit to HD Sigs as defective.
Jeff


On May 28, 2020, at 7:28 AM, Stephen KO4CVU <goinfishin1952@...> wrote:

?Jeff, I can vouch for Reed¡¯s software. It makes a great improvement in the operation and control of the touchscreen. Downloading and installing It was my first experience working with an Arduino Nano, (although I did have some experience with programmable logic controllers years ago.) If I can do it, it must not be too hard! :) I will be happy to share my notes about the process with you, if you¡¯d like them.

--
jeff.debes@...

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