BITX20

Re: Hello, My ZBITx

Vu3vwr@... — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:12:39 -0700

Nomar,

The Rpi takes about 15-20 seconds after powering on to boot up.

Are you able to see the desktop environment when you connect the zBitx to a HDMI display?

73,
Ragav

Re: Trying to cancel an order

Vu3vwr@... — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:02:51 -0700

Ian,

We haven't received the email, just checked for your name and callsign in the inbox but didn't find any.

Can you please resend it to sales at hfsignals dot com and mark support at hfsignals dot com on CC? Please don't forget to quote you order number so that we can expedite the cancellation process.

73,
Ragav

Re: Does anyone have a solution to wsjtx not transmitting on zbitx?

leomaniolone@... (Leo Aniol, AI5II) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:10:12 -0700

I did a clean install without any updates with wsjt-x running, I can change bands without any problem; BUT "Test CAT" does nothing and if I click on "Enable TX" the zbitx reboots and if I click on "tune" the zbitx also reboots.

I hope this helps with trying to figure out what is going on.

Leo, AI5II

Re: Does anyone have a solution to wsjtx not transmitting on zbitx?

leomaniolone@... (Leo Aniol, AI5II) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:50:26 -0700

I downloaded a new image.

No update/upgrade

CAT changes frequencies with wsjtx

Doing a check CAT does nothing

Clicking Tune in wsjtx causes my zbitx to reboot

Leo, AI5II

Hello, My ZBITx

pmonchet@... (Mon) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:30:01 -0700

This is DI1ZC
My ZBTIX open the display but won’t boot up. Only starting display is seen
Sent By: DU1ZC / KA4ZCC 73'
Nomar

Re: Purchase question for NA and Canada

dmoowziz@... — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:16:39 -0700

Hi Ken, thanks

So like through email: ve3slj at myrac .ca ?

Re: sBitx Review

cosmo1stgen@... (Ryan Wesolowski) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:35:37 -0700

Aaron

You should on JJ’s discord. He leads 64 bit dev team. Try upgrading to JJs 64 bit software. The complete img is on his git hub.

https://github.com/drexjj/sbitx

Many of the features you may want may already be there. They are always looking for more developers.

Ryan

KK6DZB

Re: zBitx Running Hot

cosmo1stgen@... (Ryan Wesolowski) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:59:38 -0700

Yes the zbitx runs too hot. The linear regulator will make the back plate hot even while sitting idle but still reasonable. 72c is not too hot for the zero as it’s under the thermal throttle threshold which I cannot remember is maybe 85c? On transmit though I haven’t checked but the radiant heat from the finals and back plate into the zero may push it into thermal throttle. It really needs a genuine heatsink on the back which I will be working on soon.

Ryan

KK6dzb

Re: Purchase question for NA and Canada

ken@... (Ken N2VIP) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:02:23 -0700

Gabe's callsign is "VE3SLJ" - that should help you contact him directly.

Ken, N2VIP

Re: Purchase question for NA and Canada

dmoowziz@... — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:53:02 -0700

Hi Gabe,

I read your review on.

Build Your Own Intelligent Amateur Radio Transceiver

I'm not sure how to contact you through RAC.

Thanks.

zBitx Running Hot

dlewis6767@... (Don Lewis) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:52:46 -0700

I'm starting to learn the idiosyncrasies of the zBitx.

It appears to be running very hot (while not transmitting).

The Pi Zero is reporting a core temp of 72 C. That seems too hot, ...and not even while transmitting.

(I have a PI5 with a cooler HAT that runs around 50 C)

Will external heat sinks on the back cool the Pi Zero sufficiently? Am I cooking it to a slow death?

Don in Austin N5CID

Zbitx FT8 - Some wishes and Observations

joeman2116@... (Joe) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:33:25 -0700

I have been doing a fair amount of playing with the Zbitx.

FT8-

Is there a way to clear the screen area where the decodes are displayed?

With so many decodes it can be difficult to sort through them.

How about a button to turn off/on waterfall?

WSJT-X:

I have made contacts in FT8

In the settings, cat test did not work, however when actually running the software it controls the zbitx fine. Rig Rx Band control works fine

Tx enable works and tune also.

Remote mode:,

A method to turn off the zbitx screen from the remote.. It might help reduce the the processing load?

Screen timeout?

I leave my zbitx running for days. Would be great if a timer could be in the settings to blank screen.

Maybe just touching the screen would turn it back on.

TX:

When the radio goes from rx to tx I here noise thru speaker just before tx actually is on

Maybe just a split second in timing to silence rx before tx goes on?

Just a thought of a few things.

I am very pleased so far and know there are plenty of things to add and or polish up, but overall a great first run so far.

Thanks !

Joe

VE1BWV

sBitx Review

pcsnpny@... (Aaron Weed) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:08:11 -0700

I purchased V2 a while ago and never really used it until a few days ago. I just wanted to say that I am impressed and would recommend it highly! In 2 days I was able to make contacts all over the world on 10 watts or less with FT8 and already hit 25 states out of 50 in the USA. So easy to use! Excellent work to all involved!

I did have a few software crashes which I haven't looked into yet. (The software just closes). Is there a log or anything that I can look at to find out what may have happened? Something where I can submit a bug over?

I would like to add to the software and make it better. I have some ideas that could increase productivity. But maybe it is just something I would like to see.

Thanks again for an amazing product!

KC2NDA/Aaron

Re: CW on zbitx

erik.erkelens@... (Erik Erkelens - N2EPE) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:31:46 -0700

Sorry to hear about the food poisoning Farhan, that sounds awful, I hope you recover quickly.

i did make a pull request, HOWEVER, it's draft one and you should consider the changes carefully. I’m just someone who spent less than an hour looking at your work, twiddling a few things to make the radio do what I wanted. I may have broken other things.

As I mentioned, a side effect of my change is that the waterfall and decoder are updated less frequently, I’m ok with that, but you may not. I’m sure some fine tuning is possible to find a better balance.

Some in this thread have suggested different ways to fix this, not sure they have been tested, but they could be more appropriate than changing timing loop like I did.

The fix for IambicB Ron Carr suggested (dash/dot mixup) in modem_cw.c is also included, that one you should definitely take as is.

CW keying is possible on the zbitx, let’s wait for the right fix, I’m sure it’s around the corner��

Re: xBitX Product Question

kg9hfrank@... (Frank KG9H) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:06:53 -0700

Gordon, I hear you. I remember the v3 and v4 and still have lots of parts from that area.

I actually ran a uBitx net in the Midwest on 40 SSB for about a year or so, had lots of fun.

Had a v6 for just a few months before hopping on the 6100/6200 bandwagon.

Really liking the zBitz on FT8 and have had many QSOs on 20 with it. Just the radio and a tiny mag loop.

Can’t wait for the next updates.

Frank Krozel

KG9H

Life Member, ARRL

(630) 924-1600

kg9hfrank@...

de KG9H

Life member, ARRL

Re: xBitX Product Question

docvacuumtubes@... (Gordon Gibby KX4Z) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:49:07 -0700

I don’t have the radio, so I can’t really tell you exactly what it’s doing

I can tell you that with my sBitx I couldn’t send it all at the beginning. At least not with a paddle or an external keyer or a straight key. Then Mike Johnshoy pointed out a fix, and now I can go as fast as I can, 25 words per minute or so, without any issue at all. Much more fun than my 7300!!

So you may need to be a tiny bit patient, but this will get fixed perfectly in the long run if my experience with the other radio is any guide.

Gordon

Re: xBitX Product Question

kg9hfrank@... (Frank KG9H) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:36:31 -0700

Gordon, thanks for responding.

My normal (with a crappy portable paddle) is about 15-25.

At my base, 25-40 or so. I have a nice brass racer there.

Yes I do believe the others may be doing higher in speed, that might be a challenge but for me and on a crappy paddle 15 is fine.

I would assume it is scale-able so if the guys at 30 are happy, I guess I would be happier, LOL

Still is it not a 705 or KX3 and the price shows it.

I look for many changes in the future, this is a great radio.

Frank Krozel

KG9H

Life Member, ARRL

(630) 924-1600

kg9hfrank@...

Re: xBitX Product Question

docvacuumtubes@... (Gordon Gibby KX4Z) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:27:27 -0700

�� Thank you. I feel much better. We have several of us from our BE-HIP (Hams In Parks) group here in Chandler that are buying this radio. It's the perfect radio for what we do. I do 95% CW but loved the idea of FT8 already installed. I haven't used it much in the last 5 years but our group had a 60m Challenge last mon��

Frank, how fast do you send CW normally? That makes a big difference. If you are in the 10 to 15 words per minute range, I think you’re going to be very happy with this, as delivered

If you’re in the 35 word per minute range, I think the small improvements that have been suggested by several of us and already successfully tested by Eric May make you far happier!

Gordon kx4z

Trying to cancel an order

jean.frith@... (G4GIR) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:49:30 -0700

Due to unforeseen circumstances I have to cancel an order I made for a ZBitx.

I have e-mailed HF Signals asking them to cancel and re-fund the cost.

However, 1st email sent 4th April, another asking if they had received the first email on the 8th of April and to the present time no response from HF Signals.

If anyone from the company is reading this or if anyone else has had a similar problem can they contact me please.

73

Regards

Ian G4GIR

Re: xBitX Product Question

hb9joi@... (Jens/HB9JOI) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:36:44 -0700

I disagree too...

CW works ONLY correct if You use it with keyboard , but not with paddles or straight-key and/or external keyer in this case.

Also the last , newest update solved the big CW problems not.

Lots of people are disapointed...

At least please tell the truth here: the device does not (yet?) deliver what the advertising promises...

It is something for software/firmware tinkerers and those who can't do that... well, I think I don't need to elaborate... -

Sorry... about the really truth .