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Good morning
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My zBitx arrive DOA.? I sent a message HFSIGNALS but got no response.? It will not power up with the connector in place.? I used my multimeter to test the power on the connector from the fully charged batteries and it is 8.33v, so the power source is good.? The radio will not come on.? I can bring up the screen with the CAT port so that is all.? ?I think I need to exchange it.? How do I get that started.? This is very disappointing
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https://youtu.be/I2fcVvsSaQQ?si=KRBCrjFCZKEzHMk-
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Mike,, N4GW
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It will be interesting to see if the other processor even powers up, once you can connect ?monitor and a keyboard to it. ?If we were not a little more than 3 hours away, I would loan you cables and adapters.
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The Raspberry Pi Pico (the CPU running the front panel when you plug into the CAT cable) can get power from other pins on the device OR the USB port you plug the computer into. ?A hunch is that since you have measured power on the battery pack, but see nothing on the screen when you apply power to the Zbitx power jack, that there is no power getting from the power connector to the rest of the radio. ?It might be something very simple like a loose or unsoldered connection on the power connector...
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Probably good we don't live closer, I would have already been there urging you to open it up...
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Best of luck with the Zbitx going forward,
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73
Jim K8JK
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If it won’t power on attaching a monitor will not make it work
On Mar 29, 2025 at 11:10?AM -0400, James Kvochick via groups.io <kvo@...>, wrote:
It will be interesting to see if the other processor even powers up, once you can connect ?monitor and a keyboard to it. ?If we were not a little more than 3 hours away, I would loan you cables and adapters.
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The Raspberry Pi Pico (the CPU running the front panel when you plug into the CAT cable) can get power from other pins on the device OR the USB port you plug the computer into. ?A hunch is that since you have measured power on the battery pack, but see nothing on the screen when you apply power to the Zbitx power jack, that there is no power getting from the power connector to the rest of the radio. ?It might be something very simple like a loose or unsoldered connection on the power connector...
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Probably good we don't live closer, I would have already been there urging you to open it up...
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Best of luck with the Zbitx going forward,
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73
Jim K8JK
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The zBitx has two computers, an RPi zero 2 W and a pico. The pico drives the display. By applying power to the CAT port (which is the pico power/USB port) the display operates (I assume meaning it turns on, not that it controls the unpowered radio).
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Ken, N2VIP
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I just wish Ashhar would chime in
On Mar 29, 2025 at 1:31?PM -0400, Ken N2VIP via groups.io <ken@...>, wrote:
The zBitx has two computers, an RPi zero 2 W and a pico. The pico drives the display. By applying power to the CAT port (which is the pico power/USB port) the display operates (I assume meaning it turns on, not that it controls the unpowered radio).
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Ken, N2VIP
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I only design and write the software, I hope the sales guys answer the quality issues. I have raised it with them.
On Sun, Mar 30, 2025, 4:48 AM Astro-Nights with Mike Christiansen via <starmke1998= [email protected]> wrote:
I just wish Ashhar would chime in
On Mar 29, 2025 at 1:31?PM -0400, Ken N2VIP via <ken= [email protected]>, wrote:
The zBitx has two computers, an RPi zero 2 W and a pico. The pico drives the display. By applying power to the CAT port (which is the pico power/USB port) the display operates (I assume meaning it turns on, not that it controls the unpowered radio).
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Ken, N2VIP
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My zBitx power cord is finicky. I have to turn it slightly and squeeze it (top to bottom on top of the connector) to get it to stay on, you might want to try that. It's also shut off by itself a couple times when moved. I'm going to order a couple new plugs and and hopefully it's the plug and not the jack.?
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It's the weekend, he's in a different time zone, and it's not his personal responsibility to follow-up on every issue that arises - that's the role of HF Signals.
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Also, if you want a response from HF Signals, the best option is to reach out directly to HF Signals - this mail reflector is really about the community helping each other, this isn't a direct pipeline to HF Signals.
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Emails sent to HF Signals are received by the group responsible for the product, emails sent to the group are sent to 4,700 recipients, one of which is HF Signsls who may or may not see particular messages posted to the group.
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Ken, N2VIP
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I did that Thursday and no response so I asked for help here. Sorry I won’t bug you guys again
On Mar 29, 2025 at 9:20?PM -0400, Ken N2VIP via groups.io <ken@...>, wrote:
It's the weekend, he's in a different time zone, and it's not his personal responsibility to follow-up on every issue that arises - that's the role of HF Signals.
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Also, if you want a response from HF Signals, the best option is to reach out directly to HF Signals - this mail reflector is really about the community helping each other, this isn't a direct pipeline to HF Signals.
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Emails sent to HF Signals are received by the group responsible for the product, emails sent to the group are sent to 4,700 recipients, one of which is HF Signsls who may or may not see particular messages posted to the group.
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Ken, N2VIP
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Mike,
We haven't received your email in our inbox. Can you please resend it to sales at hfsignals dot com and also mark support at hfsignals dot com on CC for good measure. I've raised this issue with my team and will get back to you on this as soon as I can.
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Thanks for your patience.
73,
Ragav
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I watched the video you made.
I would try some things.
You should know that the USB cable to the CAT connector only powers the screen, not the raspberry pi. Therefore, it will never turn on.
I would connect a 6 to 9v dc power supply different from the one in the battery socket.
let's see what happens. It could be a problem with the battery cable.
Someone said that the battery cable connectors have failed...
If that doesn't work, then we have a problem with the radio's motherboard. But that's strange, since the radios are tested and adjusted before shipping.
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Seems like a little work with a volt ohm ?meter would bring clarity to lots of these situations?
Gordon kx4z?
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On Mar 30, 2025, at 08:16, EB3AM Jordi via groups.io <eb3am@...> wrote:
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I watched the video you made.
I would try some things.
You should know that the USB cable to the CAT connector only powers the screen, not the raspberry pi. Therefore, it will never turn on.
I would connect a 6 to 9v dc power supply different from the one in the battery socket.
let's see what happens. It could be a problem with the battery cable.
Someone said that the battery cable connectors have failed...
If that doesn't work, then we have a problem with the radio's motherboard. But that's strange, since the radios are tested and adjusted before shipping.
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I have not familiarised myself with this new one, but a common problem is the barrel jack input......ensure you have the correct
centre pin sized jack or you wont get connection.....so easy to get caught out on these infernal plugs.
Dave
G4JBE
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James Kvochick
EB3AM Jordi