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SHOULD BE REQUIRED MODS

[email protected]
 

Is there a single source list that describes mods necessary to make Ubitx version 4 FCC legal.
Is there a single source listing of additional features that can be made for the ver 4 ubitx eg, AGC, color displays, running digital, SDR addition.,power leveling on all bands.etc.

My final goal will be to add 100 W (or more) amp and want a stable rig before that happens.The reason I bought the radio is that I cannot afford to replace or repair my ICOM that took a lightning strike via telephone lines (also took out the PC, wireless modem ,dish network receiver. and auto tuner that was attached to the radio. The antennas were not connected when the strike occurred.
thanks WM4MM
Mike
Gordon Gibby
 

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?Oh my, Mike!!!!? So sorry to hear about your lighning event.? ?


I suspect it woud be far cheaper and less frustrating to pick up a used icom radio to get to 100 watts.....


From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of mitchellmichaelh@... <mitchellmichaelh@...>
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2018 7:30 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BITX20] SHOULD BE REQUIRED MODS
?
Is there a single source list that describes mods necessary to make Ubitx version 4 FCC legal.
Is there a single source listing of additional features that can be made for the ver 4 ubitx eg, AGC, color displays, running digital, SDR addition.,power leveling on all bands.etc.

My final goal will be to add 100 W (or more) amp and want a stable rig before that happens.The reason I bought the radio is that I cannot afford to replace or repair my ICOM that took a lightning strike via telephone lines (also took out the PC, wireless modem ,dish network receiver. and auto tuner that was attached to the radio. The antennas were not connected when the strike occurred.
thanks WM4MM
Mike

 

Mike

While there is no clear concensus on details, there seem to be 2 key elements. First, reducing leakage around the low pass filter relays. One method is adding a set of relays on a daughter board so the input and output of a filter does not pass through the same relay. Second, added rejection at the 45 MHz filter stage, such as adding a crystal stage. In my local club we are doing a group build, and currently have supplied the materials for these mods. We should have sound data on a reproducible fix that hopefully some merchant will kit.

The transmit chain isn't ideal but we don't see urgent need to repair it.

Other basic mods need not be elaborate. see nd6t agc circuits for example.

I also doubt this is a cheap path to an all band 50 to 100 watt rig, but perhaps a few band PA might he reasonable. I hope a reasonable HF rig opportunity comes your way.

Curt
 

Hi Mike, sorry to hear that. Usually one thinks to disconnect the AC and the antennas and forgets a strike may eventually come the telephone lines. I will keep that in mind too although I usually disconnect the entire station from everything.

Supposed you will be able to have a clean ubitx, you would need to make or buy a clean well filtered PA, and in both cases it will cost maybe 300 bucks or more unless you already have the toroids and other parts. I have purchased used rigs for less than that. Keep in mind that some argue that it will not be a good idea to use a PA with the ubitx unless you find a way to actually measure the spurs and harmonics on the whole RF spectrum and then you are certain the whole system is complaint.


Il 14/dic/2018 01:30, <mitchellmichaelh@...> ha scritto:
Is there a single source list that describes mods necessary to make Ubitx version 4 FCC legal.
Is there a single source listing of additional features that can be made for the ver 4 ubitx eg, AGC, color displays, running digital, SDR addition.,power leveling on all bands.etc.

My final goal will be to add 100 W (or more) amp and want a stable rig before that happens.The reason I bought the radio is that I cannot afford to replace or repair my ICOM that took a lightning strike via telephone lines (also took out the PC, wireless modem ,dish network receiver. and auto tuner that was attached to the radio. The antennas were not connected when the strike occurred.
thanks WM4MM
Mike

 

Hi Mike,

I agree with others that you would get to your 100 watt HF radio goal for a lot less money if you shop for a used, working HF rig. Obviously a *new* Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft, etc radio is going to cost much more.

In the 80s, when two meter FM repeaters were heavily used I built a four watt, xtal controlled, mobile transceiver and used it daily in my truck. Some of the younger hams hearing "home made" translated that to "free" or "cheap". By the time I bought just the xtals for 5 frequencies I had spent more than the price of a good, used, 10 watt, programmable transceiver and the overall cost of building the radio was higher than a good, used, programmable fifty watt transceiver. I did not build that radio for "cheap". I built it for the experience and the satisfaction. I advised those other hams of the actual cost and none of them chose to roll their own.

If your uBitx has not been damaged you might be able to recover most of your money by selling it and then buy a radio that already gives you the HF bands with CW and SSB and maybe AM and FM at 100 watts.

In my book "mods" are never *required*. Only repairs are required. I have modded some radios only to add features that were not even available when the those radios were made.

Have you tried to repair your Icom? What do you have to lose by trying?

73,

Bill KU8H

On 12/13/18 7:30 PM, mitchellmichaelh@... wrote:
Is there a single source list that describes mods necessary to make Ubitx version 4 FCC legal.
Is there a single source listing of additional features that can be made for the ver 4 ubitx eg, AGC, color displays, running digital, SDR addition.,power leveling on all bands.etc.
My final goal will be to add 100 W (or more) amp and want a stable rig before that happens.The reason I bought the radio is that I cannot afford to replace or repair my ICOM that took a lightning strike via telephone lines (also took out the PC, wireless modem ,dish network receiver. and auto tuner that was attached to the radio. The antennas were not connected when the strike occurred.
thanks WM4MM
Mike
--
bark less - wag more
 

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Hello Mike,

?

I have similar plans for my uBITX but I am doing it for the challenge. Between the uBITX kit, the cost of the parts for the many mods that I have done, the 140 watt PA kit from Communication Concepts, and there LPF kits for 80 thru 10 meters my investment is bumping up against the $400.00 mark. Plus I’m not done yet.

?

On the other hand I have a IC-751A sitting here, very clean, and in excellent working condition. It even has the internal power supply option. I have more radios then a place to put them so this 751A is looking for a new home. The price that I have on it is $450.00

?

Compared to the uBITX one would have to spend a lot more time and money to match the performance of this classic rig.

?

Ripley

?

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

From: Bill Cromwell
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 8:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] SHOULD BE REQUIRED MODS

?

Hi Mike,

?

I agree with others that you would get to your 100 watt HF radio goal

for a lot less money if you shop for a used, working HF rig. Obviously a

*new* Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft, etc radio is going to cost much more.

?

In the 80s, when two meter FM repeaters were heavily used I built a four

watt, xtal controlled, mobile transceiver and used it daily in my truck.

Some of the younger hams hearing "home made" translated that to "free"

or "cheap". By the time I bought just the xtals for 5 frequencies I had

spent more than the price of a good, used, 10 watt, programmable

transceiver and the overall cost of building the radio was higher than a

good, used, programmable fifty watt transceiver. I did not build that

radio for "cheap". I built it for the experience and the satisfaction. I

advised those other hams of the actual cost and none of them chose to

roll their own.

?

If your uBitx has not been damaged you might be able to recover most of

your money by selling it and then buy a radio that already gives you the

HF bands with CW and SSB and maybe AM and FM at 100 watts.

?

In my book "mods" are never *required*. Only repairs are required. I

have modded some radios only to add features that were not even

available when the those radios were made.

?

Have you tried to repair your Icom? What do you have to lose by trying?

?

73,

?

Bill? KU8H

?

On 12/13/18 7:30 PM, mitchellmichaelh@... wrote:

> Is there a single source list that describes mods necessary to make

> Ubitx version 4 FCC legal.

> Is there a single source listing of additional features that can be made

> for the ver 4 ubitx eg, AGC, color displays, running digital, SDR

> addition.,power leveling on all bands.etc.

>

> My final goal will be to add 100 W (or more) amp and want a stable rig

> before that happens.The reason I bought the radio is that I cannot

> afford to replace or repair my ICOM that took a lightning strike via

> telephone lines (also took out the PC, wireless modem ,dish network

> receiver. and auto tuner that was attached to the radio. The antennas

> were not connected when the strike occurred.

> thanks WM4MM

> Mike

>

?

--

bark less - wag more

?

?

?
 

Sorry to hear of your calamity. If you are unable to fix your ICOM, you might see about getting it fixed professionally. I use a fellow named Scott Malcolm. He is extremely well versed on ICOM as that is about all he does. He is very reasonable on his fees as well. You might give him a look and maybe send him an email.?
http://mts-icom.wixsite.com/hamradiorepair
--
72 and God bless
KD4EPG
[email protected]
 

In my early days I bought a couple of transceivers used. Both were advertised as working perfectly. Neither worked at all. Ilost a lot of money buying used. I wont do it again.
[email protected]
 

I actually sent the Icom off for repair it was sent back saying the cost of repairs exceed the value of the radio. Another $$$ wasted. I used to repair business, marine and CB radios for a living but I do not have the test gear to accomplish any repair other than "Poke and hope".
[email protected]
 

I have to admit that I too am looking forward to the build challenge and indeed that was part of my rational for going the ubitx route. And I have to admit the fact it is qrp is also an attraction. The PA part is because I may just get bored not making many contacts.The fact that it is open source software is also an attraction.
I have about 150 dollars invested but I can add to the radio for a little dollar amount spread over time where as 400-800 all at once is impossible since I am on S.S. (saving that amount is impossible )
All of my antennas are down and will have to be redone (hurricane Michael) but I have all the materials to do that.
[email protected]
 

My daughter wanted to do a go fund me but I could never allow that.
Of course all of you are right In the long run it is cheaper to get a used unit and a used ATU .

Thanks to all of you for your input.
 

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Hi Mike,

?

Well it sounds like you have a pretty good idea as to what your will be getting into with all of the issues that need to be address with the uBITX out of the box.

?

Last year I got a wild hair and decided to build my own 600 watt solid state linear amplifier with remote operation capabilities via my IC-7300. The PA itself is based on the Motorola EB-104 kit that CCI sells. I figured it would take 6 to 8 weeks over the winter months to put everything together and get it working. 7 months later (working on it every day) and a lot of hurtles overcome I got it on the air.

?

It has worked great and does everything that I designed it to do. Was it cheaper then buying a ALS-600? Not really but mine does more and in my option looks better.

?

Luckly, I have a well equipped electronics bench and sure did need the equipment especially a spectrum analyzer to tackle that project and see it through to completion.

?

Enjoy the journey

?

Ripley

?

Sent from for Windows 10

?

From: mitchellmichaelh@...
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 11:12 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] SHOULD BE REQUIRED MODS

?

My daughter wanted to do a go fund me but I could never allow that.
Of course all of you are right In the long run it is cheaper to get a used unit and a used ATU .

Thanks to all of you for your input.

?

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413742576270461DA4AE30C65F321B3D.png

 

Here's another all band SSB/CW? ?HF kit you might consider:
? ??

About the same price as the uBitx, once you count the cost of the enclosure.
Its predecessor, the QCX single band CW rig, gets high marks.
And Hans has a good reputation for well engineered kits with good documentation.

Advantages of uBitx:
? ? The uBitx exists, the QSX is not yet being shipped.
? ? The uBitx is all analog, a nice traditional radio, whereas the QSX uses DSP algorithms on an ARM processor to implement an SDR.
? ? What firmware is on the uBitx Raduino is open source so you can fiddle with it, code for the QSX is not available
? ? uBitx comes mostly built up for you, the QSX will be some bare boards and a bag of parts

Advantages of the QSX (conjecture, not yet being shipped yet):
? ? Probably has clean QSK and a good keyer, given the lineage of the CW only QCX
? ? Includes SWR detector, providing protection for final amp
? ? Includes standalone digital modes for PSK31, RTTY, WSPR
? ? Includes USB port (soundcard interface) from ARM processor to host PC for other digital modes

So if you are looking for a cheap all band all mode HF rig and are handy with a soldering iron, I'd consider the QSX.
If you want to tinker, especially if you want to tinker with analog circuits and Arduino code, get the uBitx.
If undecided, get both.

Jerry, KE7ER
 

Hi Jerry,

I'm one that is getting both. And yes, I'm waiting for Hans to announce availability. I may be tempted to get two or three of the QCX (CW only) single band radios, too. An 80 meter unit for sure. The QCX is not CW only. It also does WSPR and maybe QRSS (slow CW). I am the one that would be CW only with that radio:)

The uBitx has been giving me some hands-on with raduino type (raduino in fact) and open source controller. My first project outside the uBitx will be to adapt a raduino type unit in an older, general coverage receiver whose digital, proprietary, no longer in business controls have *died*. The radio hardware is still willing:). After that I have yet another such single band (UHF) radio to revive:)

73,

Bill KU8H

On 12/14/18 3:02 PM, Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io wrote:
Here's another all band SSB/CW? ?HF kit you might consider:

About the same price as the uBitx, once you count the cost of the enclosure.
Its predecessor, the QCX single band CW rig, gets high marks.
And Hans has a good reputation for well engineered kits with good documentation.
Advantages of uBitx:
? ? The uBitx exists, the QSX is not yet being shipped.
? ? The uBitx is all analog, a nice traditional radio, whereas the QSX uses DSP algorithms on an ARM processor to implement an SDR.
? ? What firmware is on the uBitx Raduino is open source so you can fiddle with it, code for the QSX is not available
? ? uBitx comes mostly built up for you, the QSX will be some bare boards and a bag of parts
Advantages of the QSX (conjecture, not yet being shipped yet):
? ? Probably has clean QSK and a good keyer, given the lineage of the CW only QCX
? ? Includes SWR detector, providing protection for final amp
? ? Includes standalone digital modes for PSK31, RTTY, WSPR
? ? Includes USB port (soundcard interface) from ARM processor to host PC for other digital modes
So if you are looking for a cheap all band all mode HF rig and are handy with a soldering iron, I'd consider the QSX.
If you want to tinker, especially if you want to tinker with analog circuits and Arduino code, get the uBitx.
If undecided, get both.
Jerry, KE7ER
--
bark less - wag more

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