Re: In praise of the BitX and this community
I hear you. ?I bought my Bitx20 about a year ago and have had a few contacts (2) Amid scope, signal generators, burned transistors and problems real and imagined, I have learned quit a Bit(x). ?Now working on the bitx40 and have an idea how to troubleshoot. ?Receiver works fine but transmit is down. ?Im working the power train. ?Next is a 70 watt linear amp which comes with just a handfull of parts and no instructions. ?Another challenge. ?Keep building!
ANG
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Re: Raduino Field version
I put it on Github as well. That was another learning experience.
?
Jimmy
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Re: Raduino_v1.13 with scan function released
Thanks Allard .. I thought that was the case but I just wanted to make sure.
Cheers
Michael VE3WMB?
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Re: Check out the BRITX from Indonesia
It looks like the BPF and LPF's are on the same board. -- Ryan Flowers W7RLF
?
?<-- Learn how to go digital on the BITX40
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Re: In praise of the BitX and this community
Hey Richard, Very nicely said. I too am on a shoestring and while I have had a bit more $$ to use than I have in the past, I've still spent far less than buying an HF rig new, and probably used! It's been a rocky path for me for similar reasons, but I've learned tons and have even been able to help others here and there. I recently wrote on my blog asking the question "Is the BITX40 a good beginners radio?" and for folks like you and I the answer is most definitely yes! Have a read if you like: Here's the Facebook group that Philip mentioned: -- Ryan Flowers W7RLF
?
?<-- Learn how to go digital on the BITX40
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Re: TFT/VFO Board from FDIM talk
#w8tee
Thanks for the pic and the MAR-3SM info. I didn't know that + meant RoHS and thought it meant yet another (probably incompatible) version.
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Re: Raduino_v1.13 with scan function released
The sketch is intended as universal, standard Raduino software that should
always work, even on a unmodified out-of-the-box BITX40 + raduino board.
Without any hardware modifications the sketch provides the standard basic
LSB functionality.
The sketch provides additional features such as USB, CW, RIT/SPLIT etc.,
but these will only become functional when the related (minimal) hardware
mods are made. See the operating and modification instructions at
for full details.
73 Allard PE1NWL
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On Mon, May 29, 2017 22:17, Michael Babineau wrote: I just got my BITX40+Raduino in the mail today. ??Can I go ahead and
update the Nano with Raduino_V1.13 without making any??
hardware mods (i.e. is it backward compatible with a vanilla BITX40 just
out of the box)? ??I do plan to wire things up according to
the stock configuration to make sure that all is well before I start to
make hardware mods, but I am just wondering if I have to stay with the
original Raduino sketch to do so ??
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Re: Raduino Field version
Ok. I just linked to the file on this site. Maybe I did some thing wrong.
Now, I have attached the file to this post.
Jimmy
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Re: Raduino_v1.13 with scan function released
I just got my BITX40+Raduino in the mail today. ?Can I go ahead and update the Nano with Raduino_V1.13 without making any?
hardware mods (i.e. is it backward compatible with a vanilla BITX40 just out of the box)? ?I do plan to wire things up according to
the stock configuration to make sure that all is well before I start to make hardware mods, but I am just wondering if I have to stay with the
original Raduino sketch to do so ??
Michael VE3WMB
P.S. I was a little disappointed to see that the Nano is soldered directly onto the Raduino board (i.e. not socketed). I would have gladly paid
an extra dollar for a socket. Hopefully the next iteration of the Raduino will include a socketed processor.?
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Re: In praise of the BitX and this community
Good on you Sir! That is what ham radio is all about, learning and experimenting. You are already head and shoulders above the appliance operator! ? v/r Fred W4JLE Building semi operable rigs since 1956. ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of richard kappler
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 08:58
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BITX20] In praise of the BitX and this community ? My wife and I had a discussion last night. She was very concerned that I have yet to find any real success with the B40 or this hobby at all other than through the local repeater on my HT. She was worried that I was going to get to discouraged and walk away from the hobby, which I have only been in for a few months now. ?I was unemployed for quite some time as well as had some health issues, so there hasn't been much money to divert to ham radio, which is what drew me to the BitX in the first place. I told her on the contrary that, had I had a butt ton (metric, not standard) of money to throw at the hobby from the beginning, I might well have gotten bored. It would have been too easy (Plug cord A into slot B, turn switch C to the D position, Bob's yer Uncle, you're on HF!) Having had to try to do this on less than a shoestring, I have had to learn so much more than I most likely would with commercial rigs and fancy accessories. I have had my radio's guts all over the desk numerous times. I have had to build tools to help troubleshoot it and learn how to use them. I've made horrifying mistakes and learned loads from each and every one, I've had miniscule successes that felt like monumental victories. I have yet to make a contact on my BitX or arguably even get it running right, but I sure have had fun trying, and have learned so much in the process! 73, Richard -- In any given circuit, the most expensive part will always sacrifice itself to protect the fuse. 
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Re: BITX QSO Night, Sunday, May 28, 9pm Local Time, 7.277 MHz
Al, ? Thanks for the contact. You are about 1450 KM due North of me. I do not operate very much and have yet to work a US station. My first contact a few weeks ago was with the Azores, followed by South Africa and Germany. Conditions at my end were horrible last night. We were under severe thunderstorm warnings and I heard you between lighting flashes. I was running my GPS guided BitX at 17 watts to a G5RV at 60 feet through a homebrew tuner. My 4th rig should be here shortly and will use Jack¡¯s display. This is the most fun I have had in 60 years on Ham radio! ? ? v/r Fred W4JLE ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Al Duncan VE3RRD
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 07:33
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] BITX QSO Night, Sunday, May 28, 9pm Local Time, 7.277 MHz ? Worked two local BITX40 stations on 7.277: VE3THR Tom, and VE3RDQ Jack. Also worked W4JLE Fred 58 on 7.178. Didn't hear anyone else on either frequency.?
73 - AL in Barrie, ON
running 7W into a vertical delta loop.
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Re: Check out the BRITX from Indonesia
Where are the bandpass filters? I can see one bank of filters, presumably, they look like low pass filters.
- f
On Mon, May 29, 2017 at 7:16 PM, Richard Andrew Knack via Groups.Io <ihc73scout2@...> wrote: Cool! Wonder if an entire kit will become available...
Rich KC8MWG
On Monday, May 29, 2017 9:10 AM, Bill Meara via Groups.Io <n2cqr=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: Raduino Field version
the site needs a login. ?- f
On Tue, May 30, 2017 at 12:57 AM, <K5jct73@...> wrote: I just got my Bitx40 a few weeks ago. A few days ago I decided to connect the Raduino to my computer and see what I could do. I have never programmed any Arduinos or any other micro computer, but I was determined to learn.
After looking at all that code, I decided to start changing things to my liking. The following is the result of many, many hours and stealing bits and pieces from other contributors on this site and others. Thanks guys.
So, I put in some callsign displays, changed the format of the frequency display, added a TX indicator, a Tuning Lock and a Voltmeter. I took out all of the CW, USB and function button code to clean it up a good bit.
I called it Raduino Field because the voltmeter and tuning lock will be welcome features during outdoor operations.
So, if you want a fairly simple radio that has some features for that next SOTA activation. Here ya go. I added my sketch to the files section.
Thanks
Jimmy, K5JCT
/g/BITX20/files/Raduino_Field.ino
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I just got my Bitx40 a few weeks ago. A few days ago I decided to connect the Raduino to my computer and see what I could do. I have never programmed any Arduinos or any other micro computer, but I was determined to learn. After looking at all that code, I decided to start changing things to my liking. The following is the result of many, many hours and stealing bits and pieces from other contributors on this site and others. Thanks guys. So, I put in some callsign displays, changed the format of the frequency display, added a TX indicator, a Tuning Lock and a Voltmeter. I took out all of the CW, USB and function button code to clean it up a good bit. I called it Raduino Field because the voltmeter and tuning lock will be welcome features during outdoor operations. So, if you want a fairly simple radio that has some features for that next SOTA activation. Here ya go. I added my sketch to the files section. Thanks Jimmy, K5JCT /g/BITX20/files/Raduino_Field.ino
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Re: BITX QSO Night, Sunday, May 28, 9pm Local Time, 7.277 MHz
I think this site has a free chat option that the group owner has to enable.? I think that would be a great help.? If you are trying to make QSOs any time open a chat and say I am on 7.xxx right now.? Anyone else trying can join the chat in real time.
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Re: BITX QSO Night, Sunday, May 28, 9pm Local Time, 7.277 MHz
Above all else I think coordination is the key. Using the grey line is a wise approach. But posting on here in advance of an effort, could ensure success.Look at what scheduling has done for us so far.. ?
I still wonder about a digital QSO arrangement. I am not close to that point yet, but I like to plan ahead.
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Re: W8TEE TFT/VFO Board from FDIM talk
I might have missed your announcement with final pricing, but put
me down for two boards!
73 de Dave, n9uxu
On 5/26/2017 5:10 PM, Jack Purdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
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All:
Attached
is the manual that will go with the TFT/VFO PCB that I am
making available. I suggest that you read through it to
determine if you want to build it. The manual only talks about
the TFT/VFO board. The AGC, CW mode, and speech compressor
will be on a separate board. I've also attached a schematic,
and BOM for the board. I have a limited amount of the boards
and will announce their cost after I package one up and take
it to the post office to see what it costs to send it. That
won't be cheap as the PO requires it to be Parcel Post rather
than First Class.
The way
I'd like to do this:
On
Monday I will give you the cost, which will include shipping
to the US. If you order more than one board, add $0.20 for
each additional board. I will give you a Paypal account for
the payment.
Please
write an email to me first telling me how many boards you want
and the address where to send them. If I have boards left, I
will write back with "Yes", whereupon you make your payment
after which I'll send the board(s). If I say "No", I'm out of
boards so don't make a payment. I may reorder and, if I do,
I'll post here that they're back in and we start over.
Read
the manual and figure out if your interested. My guess is that
the first board will cost $6.00.
72,
Jack,
W8TEE
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hi - i have got it working.
i downloaded the driver from GOGO:TRONICS
Terry
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Re: TFT/VFO Board from FDIM talk
#w8tee
Thanks Jack! ?This is helpful for visual learners like me.?
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On May 29, 2017, at 09:10, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io < econjack@...> wrote: All:
Attached is a JPG of the "Arduino Sandwich" showing all three boards/modules connected together. As for the MAR-3SM+, look on eBay, but drop the "+" sign. These are not RoHS compliant (e.g., lead free), but unless you plan on eating them, I wouldn't worry about it. I would buy at least 5 cuz I can guarantee you that one will fall on the floor and disappear before you can blink. I saw one vendor selling 10 for $8. Perhaps someone in your club can share the order.
Jack, W8TEE
From: KD8CGH <rkayakr@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 9:48 AM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] W8TEE TFT/VFO Board from FDIM talk
A few questions on parts.
Should the ATMEGA board have female connectors? I assume it plugs in on top of the male connectors on the board. A pic of the assembly would be useful.
Where can you find the Mini Circuits MAR-3SM+? Neither ebay nor Digikey claim that they have the "+". The only source I found was Mini Circuits, which had a minimum purchase on 20.
<ThreeBoardPicture.jpg>
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Re: Peter Parker improved audio hack
Try the link above about 2/3rds from end.
73 Steve
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Bob Benedict, KD8CGH
Allard PE1NWL