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I have Nextion 2.8" Enhanced display. I attempted to load the CEC legacy? version of ubtix_28_E.tft (2028435 bytes), but received error message: the file version is too low.
So, I tried again with AJ6CU version of ubtix_28_E.tft (2322988 bytes). The screen says: Baud 9600? SD card update....
But it has been showing that for more than an hour. I think 2 Mb should be transfered in that time at 9600 baud.
Am I missing something?

Dave,

The "latest" (perhaps those manufactured in last 3 years or so) require an updated tft file that was generated with the more recent editor. ?I collected these screens in a "recent" directory. ?(See link below.). I have also attached a 2.8 enhanced "recent" to this message.

73
Mark


--
AJ6CU/7
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu

Mark,
The file you mention is the file that I was using, when the upload process was not going anywhere.
I bought a new microSD card and tried again. This time, the upload took less than 5 minutes.

Now, the Nextion display is functional, all buttons work. But the radio is out of calibration.
So, next is the calibration challenge. I have your Settings Editor.
It looks like CEC v.2 is not available for use with 2.8" Nextion.

I'm not happy with the calibration of my radio in OEM configuration. I did attempt to download the factory eeprom, and upload it to the Nano with CEC v1.2, and "read" the Factory numbers into the uBitx. The result was not good.

Is there a calibration mode (like on the OEM version) on CEC v1.2 menu? or, is calibration accomplished by entering numbers via the Settings Editor?

Thanks, DaveW

Mark,
In answer to my last question... After reading more on this forum, I discovered there is a hard to find calibration mode, accessed through the yellow box, after pressing "Settings On?" and then getting back into the yellow box and rotating to Calibration, Frequency, BFO, etc.

Do you have some suggestions for what these numbers should be? Using the Settings Editor, I entered the calibration numbers shown in your Manual on the calibration page. The numbers read from my eeprom were way out of range.

Thanks for your help.

Dave,

Sorry, was too quick to reply to your prior email and did not read it fully. Good catch on replacing that sdcard.? Although only a problem with a small percentage of situations, it does trip people up. Sounds like your first one had some bad spots.

The calibration data varies by board version. V3-V4 have one set of master calibration numbers, v5 and v6 have another.?

Really, the best instructions here is to follow the video by Ashhar Farhan. I used it many times to calibrate my uBITX. Its at:


The general instructions work on all versions of uBITX.

Sounds like you replaced your nano? The factory calibration numbers are pretty good. BTW: You can load look at the factory values (and even reset your numbers to the factory) using the Settings Editor under the calibration tab. This works for CEC 1.2 as well as the CEC 2 Beta. Obviously, write down both old and new numbers in case you change your mind later. ;-)

You *could* install CEC V2 Beta and then use the Calibration Wizard feature of the Settings Editor. It basically allows you to set your calibration in real time as you watch the spectrums generated by the HF Signals calibration tool.? See this you tube on how to do install CEC 2:


The use of the calibration wizard is also shown in:


After you use CEC 2 to set the calibration, you can then just reinstall CEC 1.2 and it will use these numbers.

73
Mark



--
AJ6CU/7
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu

Mark,
I'm familiar with the videos that you mentioned (watched them several times).

Here's where things stand (my only piece of RF test equipment is an Antuino, which was calibrated to WWV before removing the OEM software):
1. Transmit (CW) frequency is very close (within a few KHz) at normal power output for the bands that I checked.
2. Transmit (SSB) output power shows nothing on USB, and just a trace on LSB.
3. Receive is nothing but static. So, I guess the BFO calibration is quite a ways out.

With a sniffer probe connected to the Antuino RF in, I can see the clocks. However, I can't detect frequency change on the 11.059 clock while adjusting the BFO calibration setting. Does the number shown on the screen, while doing the BFO cal., the actual clock frequency?

Thank you.

Addendum to the above...
When I attempt BFO calibration, the static does not change pitch between 11.054.000 and 11.059.500. If these represent the clock frequency, should I expect to go farther in one direction or the other?

Thanks again.

DaveW,

Are you sure that you have the correct program for the board that you have??

What software and version are you using in the Nano?

If you are using the original KD8CEC software, how are you loading it?

Note that two folders with precompiled programs on the KD8CEC GitHub download use Xloader to install in the Nano.? One is for the uBiTx versions before v5, and the other is for v5 and v6 boards.? If you are downloading the source files and compiling with the Arduino IDE, you must ensure that the #define values in ubitx.h are set for your board version.

Rather than describing all scenarios, please tell us the board version, the software you are using, and how you are loading the software.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Evan,
I kept the factory Arduino Nano with OEM software, and original display, as backup.

The new arrangement is with Nextion 2.8" Enhanced display, and two Arduino Nanos (v3.0 ATmega328p compatible clone).
The Nextion was successfully loaded with ubitx_28_E.tft ("recent" version from AJ6CU). The display and buttons are functional.

The primary Arduino Nano was loaded with UBITX_CEC_V1.200_NX_S.hex (for I2C Meter), using avrdude (my computer runs Linux, and xloader is not available). This file is from the V5 folder. I have only used the .hex file, and did not attempt to compile the arduino sketch.

The secondary Arduino Nano was loaded with files (from compiled with Arduino IDE. ?? So far, I have not played with the secondary functions (S-meter, spectrum view, CW decoder), because the radio is not receiving.

Other notes: Before loading the CEC software, I loaded the factory software (from A.Farhan's github site) unto both of the new Nanos (compiled in Arduino IDE). In both cases, the OEM display was functional. However, I could not get either of them to do the BFO calibration (static never changed pitch). It is possible that I may have damaged something on the first Nano, or on the Raduino, because the first Nano was inserted while configured with the pins on the wrong side of the board. After correcting that error, the OEM display and buttons worked, but the radio had no reception (just static) and BFO calibration could not be accomplished. However, when the OEM Nano was re-inserted, the radio became fully functional, BFO and Freq. calibration responded normally to make minor adjustments (except that after saving the new settings, they were not retained at next boot-up).

Thank you for considering my problem.
DaveW

DaveW,

I believe you have the wrong file.? The name you gave is for an older version that was before the V5 and V6 boards came out.? Try this one on the primary Nano:
UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX_S.hex

I have attached the file.

This assumes that you have a v6 board.? You did not state that in your reply.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Evan,
The file that you provided is the same that I used. Unfortunately, in my previous email, I miss-typed the file (omitting "V5").
The file that I used is: UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX_S.hex (86168 bytes).

Here is another thought... In my first attempt, to load the OEM software on a new Nano, I also made a copy of the OEM eeprom (using avrdude) and loaded it onto the new Nano. When I access that Nano with AJ6CU ubitx Settings Editor, the "factory calibration" data shows: Master Cal -1, SSB BFO 4294967295. The Settings Editor says this out of range and will not accept it. Therefore, I plugged in sample values (as shown in the Manual for the Settings Editor), to provide a start point (Master Cal 85351, SSB BFO 11056992). In my attempt to calibrate BFO, I spun the dial +/- 3000 or 4000 with no noticeable effect. Perhaps I didn't go far enough?

I'm wondering if the out of range OEM BFO setting is actually what is required for this SI5351A. Before posting anything on this forum, I sent an email to Ashar Farhan, to ask whether I might have damaged something by inserting the Nano with pins on wrong side of board (he didn't think so), and why I was having difficulty with calibrating BFO (using new Nano with OEM software). He asked when I had purchased the radio, saying that there was a batch of "finicky" SI5351A chips. I told him: "I bought the radio in early August from Gigaparts.com. The serial number on the box was 164688. The Raduino board bears a hand written number: 3541." (But I also said I was going to proceed with CEC Nextion mod, and hoped the setup would work better.) In any case, he did not respond as to whether my radio might have one of the finicky chips. Although I'd rather not change it, I'm beginning to think that's what's needed.

What do you think?

DaveW,

I have had this issue when working on a friend’s b6. ?The only way that I could solve it was to use a spare Raduino board that I had from another v6. ?Your problems sound similar.?

73
Evan
AC9TU

Evan,
That is not what I wanted to hear.
Where can a Raduino board be found? (I know HFsignals.com sells them, but are there any available in the USA?) On the other hand, maybe I should discuss the issue with Ashhar Farhan, again.)
Where can a good Si5351A be purchased?
Am I right, that the needed chip is the most basic version (Si5351A-B-GT)? There are several variants.

Thanks,
DaveW

DaveW,

I would discuss it with Ashhar Farhan if you can.

I have not yet tried a replacement as I am uncomfortable with my ability to change that tiny chip.? I did purchase a replacement from Mouser.com.? I bought the version that you listed (Si5351A-B-GT).? I selected this chip for another radio I tried to fix.? The board traces were damaged when it failed, so I could not get it to work.? The 3-clock basic is the correct device, as far as I know.? The uBiTx uses a crystal, so any 3-clock 10 MSOP chips should work.

The above are suggestions.? I must state again that I have not yet repaired a Raduino board.? My six uBiTx are on the shelf, as other newer radios are my focus.

Good luck with the repair.
73
Evan
AC9TU

Evan and Dave,
Thank you both for your suggestions.
I checked the clock frequencies (with OEM Nano and software). Clock 2 and Clock 0 are as expected.

Clock 1 is around 34 Mhz in both LSB and USB, with no change between modes. If the 56 Mhz signal is present, it is very weak, in both modes.

I sent a note to Ashhar.

Further testing: with CEC software (with second Nano and Nextion display):
??? Clock 1 does switch between 34 and 56 Mhz when changing from LSB to USB. However, the signals appear to be unstable, with the peak signal strength spread out over 1 Mhz (at 34 Mhz) and 2 Mhz (at 56 Mhz).
??? Clock 2? is about 55 Mhz, but 2 Mhz wide.
??? Clock 0? is about 11 Mhz, but 400 Khz wide.

With the OEM software and Nano, Clock 1 did not switch between LSB and USB. But the clock signals all occupied relatively narrow bandwidths.

And I thought I was confused before!

Hi Dave,

With respect to the stock firmware, I think there is bug whereby touching LSB or USB does not change the sideband. The comment I have seen states the following:

“But after you touch LSB or USB, if you tune slightly off frequency then back with the encoder knob, the sideband will change”.

Regarding the quality of the clocks, how are you monitoring/probing the signals?

The output levels from the SI5351A (unloaded) should nominally be 0V to 3.3V (3.3V pk–pk). The signal is then ac coupled, impedance matched and attenuated before being passed to the balanced mixer. The input level to mixer should be approximately 800 mv pk-pk.

The clocks should be stable and relatively jitter free when observed on an oscilloscope. If there are gaps in the clock, the SI5351 may not be locking correctly and could be faulty.

If you are using a spectrum analyser, check that it is not being overloaded.

73, Dave

Hi Dave,

For completeness, I captured the clock signals on my uBITX V6.

Firmware: KD8CEC V1.2 with a 2.8 inch Nextion Discovery display.

Tuned frequency: 10MHz

Mode: LSB

uBITX_CLK*.png? ? ? ? ? ? ? Full level signal after the ac coupling capacitor.

uBITX_CLK*_TP*.png? ? ? Input to mixer after impedance matching and attenuation.

73, Dave

DaveW,kl7hjf,

Ive been experimenting with a cool little animal . it can be wired to the ubitx as long as you match up the connections.:

UDVBM-1 / Universal Digital VFO BFO Motherboard / PCB only, Kit, or Assembled??

this can be purchased from the creators website? :mostlydiyrf.com: or off eflay.
73
David
ac9xh