Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
OK...I misunderstood when you said "no clicks". The statement "...the RF noise is almost gone" makes more sense. I was wondering how you could?completely removed it in code.
I have a battery voltage monitor and I only refresh its field when the battery voltage drops by 0.2V. This helps reduce the flicker by only doing updates when it's needed. When you say you are going to publish a patch that cuts the firmware code size by 25% plus "a lot" of SRAM, which firmware are you talking about...the original Raduino code, or Allard's code?
Jack, W8TEE
From: Pavel Milanes Costa <pavelmc@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Simple:
Minimize the LCD writes and you will be fine.
I implemented a s-meter bar in a raduino like project
() and oh boy... it was a
mess in the RF spectrum INSIDE de receiver... I tracked the
problem to LCD writes...
I have to minimize the lcd writes and make the code just update
the bar in the space it needs to (writing or erasing simple bars,
not just redraw it in full every time) and the RF noise is almost
gone...
Confession: that's why I don't like the buffer concept of the LCD
in the raduino code, it write the entire line EVERY time it needs
to update a single digit. For RF quietiness it's better to split
it in zones and only update the zone as it's needed. That also
helps, but can turn into bigger code.
Don't worry abot used code, I'm about to push a patch to cut 25%
of the used firmware and a lot of RAM in the raduino, I'm just
valitating it.
73.
El 08/06/17 a las 09:12, Jack Purdum
via Groups.Io escribi¨®:
Hi Dimitar:
I saw your comment:?
(many features - many
clicks ..., simple code - no clicks).
and would like to you to explain how that works to me in
greater detail. I know that many of us have experienced this
problem and would like to know how you discovered that
simplifying the code, while still maintaining the features
set, was done and how you simplified the code.
Thanks!
Jack, W8TEE
From:
Dimitar Pavlov via Groups.Io
<lz1dpn@...>
To:
[email protected]
Sent:
Thursday, June 8, 2017 3:47 AM
Subject:
Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie
sounds
Hi
all,
Before,
I have the same problem with other transceivers,
with various DDS, and with LED/OLED displays.
The
tuning clicks, are the software problem,
connected to refreshing frequency for display,
reading
frequency for the rotary encoder and other
refreshing frequencies in arduino code (update
frequency to Si570/Si5351/AD9851 ...).
To
resolve this problem need to optimize code, and
implement some wait()/delay() functions.
(many
features - many clicks ..., simple code - no
clicks).
The
QRP transceiver is just QRP transceiver - not
need to make coffee , and read news papper ...
Good
idea is to use separate power source (2 or 3 pcs
LM7812 / 7805 / 7806 for DDS, receiver and other
...
(Birdie sounds are
harmonics problem with DDS, and it is not
resolving problem. Transceivers also have
birdies in other frequencies,
but Your band plan
includes only one/two of them.)
73!
On Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:42 AM, Dr
Fred Hambrecht
<AAR4MI@...> wrote:
I have braided both the
tuning and volume control wires with
good results,
plus it looks better.
v/r
Fred W4JLE
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 7,
2017 07:39
Subject: Re: [BITX20]
Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie
sounds
It seems there is a huge
variability between various BITX40
radios, and
there are various points
where improvements may help.
In my particular case, I
achieved the greatest tuning click
reduction just
by using shielded wires to
and from the volume potentiometer.
73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Re: Can't upload to Raduino / warranty issue
Well, I finally received a reply from hfsigs yesterday. They recommended I join this group and seek answers. Haha. I had told them in the original email I'd joined the BITX20 group on groups.io and the consensus was bad Nano board. I asked them to please read the entire email and let me know if they had a process for dealing with defective product sent out. I've not run across any threads in this forum discussing success or failure with warranty claims, but I've only been here for a few weeks. I'll update this thread if I hear from hfsigs. I don't mind picking up another Nano and making the fix, but it would be nice to have available on the hfsigs website a complete bill of materials for the Bitx40 plus tech data sheets for the components. For instance, if a SMC capacitor or diode or a toroidal inductor is bad, exactly what part should be ordered to replace it? Ditto for the DDS parts. That information is hugely valuable to someone who will have to procure and replace defective components. Just saying...
Mark
W4MAP
|
Re: BITX40 - convert to 20 meters
I will have a blog post up by the end of the week detailing how I turned my bitx40 into a dual bander. Right now it's 40/80 using only a second BPF, but the next mod will be to add a second LPF and make it so that any secondary band can be used by switching out the filters. -- Ryan Flowers W7RLF
?
?<-- Learn how to go digital on the BITX40
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Simple:
Minimize the LCD writes and you will be fine.
I implemented a s-meter bar in a raduino like project
() and oh boy... it was a
mess in the RF spectrum INSIDE de receiver... I tracked the
problem to LCD writes...
I have to minimize the lcd writes and make the code just update
the bar in the space it needs to (writing or erasing simple bars,
not just redraw it in full every time) and the RF noise is almost
gone...
Confession: that's why I don't like the buffer concept of the LCD
in the raduino code, it write the entire line EVERY time it needs
to update a single digit. For RF quietiness it's better to split
it in zones and only update the zone as it's needed. That also
helps, but can turn into bigger code.
Don't worry abot used code, I'm about to push a patch to cut 25%
of the used firmware and a lot of RAM in the raduino, I'm just
valitating it.
73.
El 08/06/17 a las 09:12, Jack Purdum
via Groups.Io escribi¨®:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Dimitar:
I saw your comment:?
(many features - many
clicks ..., simple code - no clicks).
and would like to you to explain how that works to me in
greater detail. I know that many of us have experienced this
problem and would like to know how you discovered that
simplifying the code, while still maintaining the features
set, was done and how you simplified the code.
Thanks!
Jack, W8TEE
From:
Dimitar Pavlov via Groups.Io
<lz1dpn@...>
To:
[email protected]
Sent:
Thursday, June 8, 2017 3:47 AM
Subject:
Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie
sounds
Hi
all,
Before,
I have the same problem with other transceivers,
with various DDS, and with LED/OLED displays.
The
tuning clicks, are the software problem,
connected to refreshing frequency for display,
reading
frequency for the rotary encoder and other
refreshing frequencies in arduino code (update
frequency to Si570/Si5351/AD9851 ...).
To
resolve this problem need to optimize code, and
implement some wait()/delay() functions.
(many
features - many clicks ..., simple code - no
clicks).
The
QRP transceiver is just QRP transceiver - not
need to make coffee , and read news papper ...
Good
idea is to use separate power source (2 or 3 pcs
LM7812 / 7805 / 7806 for DDS, receiver and other
...
(Birdie sounds are
harmonics problem with DDS, and it is not
resolving problem. Transceivers also have
birdies in other frequencies,
but Your band plan
includes only one/two of them.)
73!
On Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:42 AM, Dr
Fred Hambrecht
<AAR4MI@...> wrote:
I have braided both the
tuning and volume control wires with
good results,
plus it looks better.
v/r
Fred W4JLE
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 7,
2017 07:39
Subject: Re: [BITX20]
Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie
sounds
It seems there is a huge
variability between various BITX40
radios, and
there are various points
where improvements may help.
In my particular case, I
achieved the greatest tuning click
reduction just
by using shielded wires to
and from the volume potentiometer.
73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
W8TEE, Jack, Cincinnati, apx 270 miles S of Detroit ?:>)
From: Vince Vielhaber <vev@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Calling all Midwesterners.
KA8CSH, Vince, S.E Michigan (apx 30-40 mi N of Detroit)
On 06/08/2017 01:59 AM, John Smith via Groups.Io wrote:
> Everyone else is getting called out and so should we. We make up the
> heartland of this country. So let's hear from ya.
> de KG5KYJ, John, Oklahoma city, Central time zone. 18' NVIS Dipole. 24
> Volt BITX40.
>
--
? Michigan VHF Corp.? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
KA8CSH, Vince, S.E Michigan (apx 30-40 mi N of Detroit)
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 06/08/2017 01:59 AM, John Smith via Groups.Io wrote: Everyone else is getting called out and so should we. We make up the
heartland of this country. So let's hear from ya.
de KG5KYJ, John, Oklahoma city, Central time zone. 18' NVIS Dipole. 24
Volt BITX40.
--
Michigan VHF Corp.
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
W0OIC, Ed, Dubuque Iowa
On 6/8/2017 12:59 AM, John Smith via
Groups.Io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Everyone else is
getting called out and so should we. We make up the heartland of
this country. So let's hear from ya.
de KG5KYJ, John, Oklahoma city, Central time zone. 18' NVIS
Dipole. 24 Volt BITX40.
|
BITX40 - convert to 20 meters
Are there any designs out for modifying (replacing) the LPF and Bandpass Filters on the BITX40 so that it will work on 20 meters?
Somewhere I saw something that said 20 Meter mods were on the way.
Other than the filters and modifying the Radiuno sketch for different VFO frequencies, ?is there any other thing to be done?
It would be great if the filter changes only required changing the toroids since that is fairly easy to do.?
I know there are designs for BITX20 but I want to start with the BITX40 since it works already and I am not up to building a BITX20 ?or a uBITX ?from scratch.?
BTW... the BITX40 is awesome... received over 300 JT65 stations on 40M in a 24 hour period. ?
The BITX40, a laptop (or even just Raspberry Pi) , and dipole is all you need to work the world. ?Makes a great portable rig.
Thanks
Greg
KD4VV
|
Re: Bitx40 Transmit Problem
You will become a guru in not time!
I presume that you are reading 0.9 amps not milliamps.
900mA is too much by itself without shouting into the mic.
Possible final blown, assuming you are getting 0.9A when you press PTT
without modulation.
Before you put a new final Tr. turn the bias pot RV1 fully clockwise.
Raj
At 08-06-2017, you wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I received my Bitx40 v3 kit a
couple of months ago and I've never been able to get it on the air.?
I've done a lot of troubleshooting, tried updating the sketch in the
Arduino twice, watched several YouTube vids (including AF's
troubleshooting video), and gotten assistance from a couple of people on
the Bitx40 v3 Facebook page.? I am very confident the wiring is
correct and the radio will tune and receive stations fine.? The
problem is that the radio does not appear to be transmitting.? I
used my digital ammeter today and testing it shows that in receive and/or
transmit, it is drawing 0.9 mA.? I have tried to realign the board
per the instructions, but that didn't change the 0.9 mA reading.? I
also checked the power to various components and it's reading 12v.?
Related to this, I installed a switch to incorporate the function button
feature, but it does not work either and I have gotten confirmation that
it is the correct type of switch and has been wired in correctly.? I
also did the PTT sense mod and I do get a TX indication on the display
when I transmit, but again, I don't see the types of readings on the
ammeter that have been described by AF's instructions.? I am
concerned there is something wrong with the board.
I am a novice with electronics, so I am at a total loss at this
point.? Can anyone assist?? Thanks!
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 12:47 am, Dimitar Pavlov wrote:
The tuning clicks, are the software problem, connected to refreshing frequency for display,
?On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 12:47 am, Dimitar Pavlov wrote:
The tuning clicks, are the software problem, connected to refreshing frequency for display
Yes, apart from the noise coming from the SI5351 when the frequency is updated, there is also some noise coming from the display each time it is refreshed.
Last night I found out that in my latest version raduino_v1.14 there is a small bug that the display is unneccessarily updated even when the frequency hasn't changed. This may cause a slight ticking noise.
I have meanwhile corrected it and release it as v1.14a tonight.
73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Thanks. I have a few to try. Some from a closing Radio Shack, but no idea what the specs are. And (somewhere... if I can find them) some from The Electronic Goldmine that are supposed to have a less than 400 ohm resistance when the led is on.
Sent from my iPad
|
I received my Bitx40 v3 kit a couple of months ago and I've never been able to get it on the air.? I've done a lot of troubleshooting, tried updating the sketch in the Arduino twice, watched several YouTube vids (including AF's troubleshooting video), and gotten assistance from a couple of people on the Bitx40 v3 Facebook page.? I am very confident the wiring is correct and the radio will tune and receive stations fine.? The problem is that the radio does not appear to be transmitting.? I used my digital ammeter today and testing it shows that in receive and/or transmit, it is drawing 0.9 mA.? I have tried to realign the board per the instructions, but that didn't change the 0.9 mA reading.? I also checked the power to various components and it's reading 12v.? Related to this, I installed a switch to incorporate the function button feature, but it does not work either and I have gotten confirmation that it is the correct type of switch and has been wired in correctly.? I also did the PTT sense mod and I do get a TX indication on the display when I transmit, but again, I don't see the types of readings on the ammeter that have been described by AF's instructions.? I am concerned there is something wrong with the board.
I am a novice with electronics, so I am at a total loss at this point.? Can anyone assist?? Thanks!
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Hi Dimitar:
I saw your comment:?
(many features - many clicks ..., simple code - no clicks).
and would like to you to explain how that works to me in greater detail. I know that many of us have experienced this problem and would like to know how you discovered that simplifying the code, while still maintaining the features set, was done and how you simplified the code.
Thanks!
Jack, W8TEE
From: Dimitar Pavlov via Groups.Io <lz1dpn@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2017 3:47 AM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Hi all,
Before, I have the same problem with other transceivers, with various DDS, and with LED/OLED displays. The tuning clicks, are the software problem, connected to refreshing frequency for display, reading frequency for the rotary encoder and other refreshing frequencies in arduino code (update frequency to Si570/Si5351/AD9851 ...). To resolve this problem need to optimize code, and implement some wait()/delay() functions.
(many features - many clicks ..., simple code - no clicks). The QRP transceiver is just QRP transceiver - not need to make coffee , and read news papper ... Good idea is to use separate power source (2 or 3 pcs LM7812 / 7805 / 7806 for DDS, receiver and other ...
(Birdie sounds are harmonics problem with DDS, and it is not resolving problem. Transceivers also have birdies in other frequencies, but Your band plan includes only one/two of them.)
73!
On Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:42 AM, Dr Fred Hambrecht <AAR4MI@...> wrote:
I have braided both the tuning and volume control wires with good results,
plus it looks better.
v/r
Fred W4JLE
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 07:39
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
It seems there is a huge variability between various BITX40 radios, and
there are various points where improvements may help.
In my particular case, I achieved the greatest tuning click reduction just
by using shielded wires to and from the volume potentiometer.
73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Re: Baofeng microphone mod for BITX
Can I use a Dynamic microphone?
Attach one wire to the ground then and then
attach the two grounds to that wire so its less of a hassle
connecting both at the jack
?
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Cesar
Sent: June 8, 2017 4:31 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Baofeng microphone mod for BITX
?
it is same ground. I have troble with the
jack connector...
thanks
--
Regards,
73's
Evan Seligmann
ZS6ELI
Cell: +27 83 460 7100
Skype: evan.seligs
*MY HOBBY IS AMATEUR RADIO - ASK ME ABOUT IT
Proud Member of:
South African Radio League -
Pretoria Amateur Radio Club-
American Radio Relay League -
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Hi
I had also very loud buzz and tuning clicks at start. Replace your 56 ohm resistor with inductor. First inductor i tried was too small (from old computer mobo), so nothing happened. The second one was 27 mH radial inductor, and the noize disappeared. I think a smaller value will?also do?(haven't got 100uH to try) . Keep in mind that those resistor-like inductors often have very low current rating.
73 De Timo
|
Re: Baofeng microphone mod for BITX
Attach one wire to the ground then and then attach the two grounds to that wire so its less of a hassle connecting both at the jack ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
|
Jerry,
I forgot to mention.
The LDRs seen to have a peak response (to light) at around 550nm which is red LED light wavelenght, so a plain old red LED is good.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 08-06-2017 19:08, pierre@... wrote: Jerry,
The LDRs that you are looking for are the ones with the lowest ON (ie;
lit-up bright resistance) resistance.
The Bitx volume control pot is a 10k unit so if you are going to shunt
the audio signal around the pot you will need an LDR with a ON
resistance lower than 10k. Have a look on Ebay and you will see a
number of LDRs for sale. The trick is to find and read an LDR spec
sheet and chose an LDR type with low ON resistance. Here are some I
found:
GL5528 10 - 20k so too high
GL5516 5 - 10k in the ballpark but a bit high
GL5506 2 - 5k this looks like the one to go for
Check out Ebay the GL5506 sell for US$0.99 for 20 pieces.
Shop around you may do better.
Regards,
Peter VK1XP
On 07-06-2017 23:47, ohwenzelph via Groups.Io wrote:
Follow up:
Ok, the 5-2-2017 revised schematic in the wiki makes it clear where to
put the agc circuit (instead of just audio in & audio out. "splain it
to me like I'm 5 please") Built per the schematic(ignoring the photo
in the mod blog) and put where it is actually supposed to be, the
sound actually gets thru!!!! [I do not understand this electronics
stuff... sigh..]
There was a buzz but I had alligator clip wires all over the place, so
forgiving that.
Will try the vk3ye one, sounds like there are a large variety of
LDRs.. so results may vary?
Did try the anti hiss mod in the "tips and mods" with 'NOTE: NOT
Bitx40 schematic', with 0.01 and 10k from pin 5 to pin 8 of the lm386,
but it did not work for me and added a loud 10k hz tone.
Sent from my iPad
Links:
------
[1] /g/BITX20/message/27811
[2] /mt/5155110/236039
[3] /g/BITX20/post
[4] /g/BITX20/editsub/236039
[5] /g/BITX20
[6] /static/tos
[7] /g/BITX20/leave/defanged
|
Jerry,
The LDRs that you are looking for are the ones with the lowest ON (ie; lit-up bright resistance) resistance.
The Bitx volume control pot is a 10k unit so if you are going to shunt the audio signal around the pot you will need an LDR with a ON resistance lower than 10k. Have a look on Ebay and you will see a number of LDRs for sale. The trick is to find and read an LDR spec sheet and chose an LDR type with low ON resistance. Here are some I found:
GL5528 10 - 20k so too high
GL5516 5 - 10k in the ballpark but a bit high
GL5506 2 - 5k this looks like the one to go for
Check out Ebay the GL5506 sell for US$0.99 for 20 pieces.
Shop around you may do better.
Regards,
Peter VK1XP
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 07-06-2017 23:47, ohwenzelph via Groups.Io wrote: Follow up:
Ok, the 5-2-2017 revised schematic in the wiki makes it clear where to
put the agc circuit (instead of just audio in & audio out. "splain it
to me like I'm 5 please") Built per the schematic(ignoring the photo
in the mod blog) and put where it is actually supposed to be, the
sound actually gets thru!!!! [I do not understand this electronics
stuff... sigh..]
There was a buzz but I had alligator clip wires all over the place, so
forgiving that.
Will try the vk3ye one, sounds like there are a large variety of
LDRs.. so results may vary?
Did try the anti hiss mod in the "tips and mods" with 'NOTE: NOT
Bitx40 schematic', with 0.01 and 10k from pin 5 to pin 8 of the lm386,
but it did not work for me and added a loud 10k hz tone.
Sent from my iPad
Links:
------
[1] /g/BITX20/message/27811
[2] /mt/5155110/236039
[3] /g/BITX20/post
[4] /g/BITX20/editsub/236039
[5] /g/BITX20
[6] /static/tos
[7] /g/BITX20/leave/defanged
|
Re: Baofeng microphone mod for BITX
it is same ground. I have troble with the jack connector...
thanks
|
Re: Baofeng microphone mod for BITX
Do a test on ptt ground and mic ground..see if its same ground is my guess. ? ? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Cesar
Sent: June 7, 2017 10:37 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Baofeng microphone mod for BITX ? So if you have 4 wires how do you put that to a 3 pin male jack?
do you share mic and ptt ground wires? Is this gonna work?
thank you
|
ekelley
Raj vu2zap
Allard PE1NWL
Rob N4RMK