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This interesting thread has just started on Github about the tuning clicks with the si5351 library:
Hopefully this will eventually lead to a solution!
73, Allard PE1NWL
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I am using Raduino 1.05, and the 2.0.1 si5351 library, and I have zero tuning clicks. I am not sure why, but my radio tunes smoothly and quietly. I do, however, have a lot of no-signal hiss that I'd like t reduce!
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Yes, but the problem is mainly with the latest v2.0.2 and v2.0.3 SI5351
libraries.
The earlier versions are much quieter. That's why currently v2.0.1 is
recommended.
73, Allard PE1NWL
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Thanks, Allard, for the pointer to the discussion on GitHub regarding what's really going on. ?It's exactly what I was wondering about. Looking at the Si5351 spec sheet, I don't see the specification as to how far you can shift the frequency without a PLLA_RESET. ?The RESET is obviously needed but not on small frequency changes. On the Si570 it is known that the frequency can change plus/minus 0.35% before a re-synch is needed. Similarly, I don't see a "freeze" parameter for the Si5351. ?This is used to prevent spraying garbage around while changing parameters via I2C. ?The Si570 freeze/unfreeze prevents this from happening.? 73, -Craig, AA0ZZ
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I also update the firmware (1.06 with 2.0.1 SI library), tried different values (2-8mA) but it seems that I have more birdies and broadcast signals all over. Is there a way to get back to previous version?
Trying the version under ?give me some errors on compile.? ?
Any suggestions? Thanks!
73! Adi YO2LIW
On Wednesday, April 12, 2017 5:20 PM, "aa0zz@..." <aa0zz@...> wrote:
Thanks, Allard, for the pointer to the discussion on GitHub regarding what's really going on. ?It's exactly what I was wondering about. Looking at the Si5351 spec sheet, I don't see the specification as to how far you can shift the frequency without a PLLA_RESET. ?The RESET is obviously needed but not on small frequency changes. On the Si570 it is known that the frequency can change plus/minus 0.35% before a re-synch is needed. Similarly, I don't see a "freeze" parameter for the Si5351. ?This is used to prevent spraying garbage around while changing parameters via I2C. ?The Si570 freeze/unfreeze prevents this from happening.? 73, -Craig, AA0ZZ
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Hi Adi,
The issue with the 7199 kHz birdie has nothing to do with the tuning
clicks. These are complete different and unrelated issues.
Do you have your 'birdies' even when you disconnect your antenna?
If you don't hear them without antenna then they are probably not birdies
but images from strong SW broadcast stations.
At certain hours (especially in the evenings) I can also hear a lot of
whistles, these are not birdies but they are images from SW broadcast
stations, broadcasting in the 41m band (especially Radio Romania
International and Radio China Int.).
It's hard for me to believe that restoring earlier software versions would
cure your "birdie" problem, but if you want to try it you can go to
and download an earlier release. For all of these releases, make sure that
you use the correct Si5351 library v2.0.1.
If you want to use Ashhar's very original version 1.01 please note that it
only compiles with the old Si5351 library (v1), which you can download
from
73, Allard PE1NWL
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Well, now I suddenly have very annoying tuning clicks and the 7.199 birdie very load. Something has changed, but I don't know what...
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has anyone paid attention to what hans wrote about this?
- f
On Fri, Apr 14, 2017 at 10:21 AM, davetelling . <davetelling@...> wrote: Well, now I suddenly have very annoying tuning clicks and the 7.199 birdie very load. Something has changed, but I don't know what...
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Hello Allard,
Thanks for reply. You are right about SW broadcast ?images at certain hours. I made a short video, rx with no antenna, if you want to take a look.
Thank you!
73! Adi YO2LIW
On Friday, April 14, 2017 1:31 AM, Allard PE1NWL <pe1nwl@...> wrote:
Hi Adi,
The issue with the 7199 kHz birdie has nothing to do with the tuning
clicks. These are complete different and unrelated issues.
Do you have your 'birdies' even when you disconnect your antenna?
If you don't hear them without antenna then they are probably not birdies
but images from strong SW broadcast stations.
At certain hours (especially in the evenings) I can also hear a lot of
whistles, these are not birdies but they are images from SW broadcast
stations, broadcasting in the 41m band (especially Radio Romania
International and Radio China Int.).
It's hard for me to believe that restoring earlier software versions would
cure your "birdie" problem, but if you want to try it you can go to
and download an earlier release. For all of these releases, make sure that
you use the correct Si5351 library v2.0.1.
If you want to use Ashhar's very original version 1.01 please note that it
only compiles with the old Si5351 library (v1), which you can download
from
73, Allard PE1NWL
|
Adi, I watched your video and compared to my own BITX. With 2mA drive strength (and antenna disconnected) I have similar results as you have: 1 extremely strong birdie at 7199 kHz and a few faint ones at lower frequencies. The tuning clicks are increasing as I tune towards the 7199 birdie (same as in your video).
When I increase the drive level to 4mA, the birdie at 7199 is almost disappeared. There seems to be very little effect on the faint birdies at lower frequencies, but I find them broadly acceptable. Also the tuning clicks do not increase anymore in certain band areas. Further increasing the drive level to 6mA or 8mA does not make any difference in my case.
So playing with the drive level only seems to affect the birdie at 7199. The other, much weaker, birdies are not affected. When I connect the antenna I often receive several strong images from SW broadcast stations. Playing with the drive level doesn't have any effect on them. The images are resulting from the basic concept of this rig (VFO frequency at the low side of the IF). You need to move the VFO frequency to the high side of the IF to get rid of them. But then you must also shift the BFO frequency by about 3kHz to the other side band. I tried it, it works. No images whatsoever! 73, Allard PE1NWL
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Hello all
Just received my first raduino bitx40 kit.
Worked on it all day, testing and adding mods.
Tested on bench then mounted in case.
Great fun.
It all went together perfect rx and tx.
One thing i found interesting is that I dont hear any tuning clicks. Firmware came as raduino 101 but loaded v104 and 105, still no clicks or birdie at 7200.
As an experiment, I loaded pete flemmings modified code with rotary tuning etc on to a spare nano and a display then connected to the bitx40.
Still no? no clicks, not a sound when i tune or 7200 birdie. I use a regular linear power supply at regulated ?13.8v...nothing special Not complaining but a bit of a mystery.
Now to build an alc / agc
73 VE1BWV Joe
On Fri, Apr 14, 2017, 5:56 AM electronic design via Groups.Io <electronicdesign= [email protected]> wrote: Hello Allard,
Thanks for reply. You are right about SW broadcast ?images at certain hours. I made a short video, rx with no antenna, if you want to take a look.
Thank you!
73! Adi YO2LIW
On Friday, April 14, 2017 1:31 AM, Allard PE1NWL <pe1nwl@...> wrote:
Hi Adi,
The issue with the 7199 kHz birdie has nothing to do with the tuning
clicks. These are complete different and unrelated issues.
Do you have your 'birdies' even when you disconnect your antenna?
If you don't hear them without antenna then they are probably not birdies
but images from strong SW broadcast stations.
At certain hours (especially in the evenings) I can also hear a lot of
whistles, these are not birdies but they are images from SW broadcast
stations, broadcasting in the 41m band (especially Radio Romania
International and Radio China Int.).
It's hard for me to believe that restoring earlier software versions would
cure your "birdie" problem, but if you want to try it you can go to
and download an earlier release. For all of these releases, make sure that
you use the correct Si5351 library v2.0.1.
If you want to use Ashhar's very original version 1.01 please note that it
only compiles with the old Si5351 library (v1), which you can download
from
73, Allard PE1NWL
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Hi Allard,
thank you for your time and info's. Now everything is clear. I also suspected VFO frequency being on the low side of IF.?
Thank's again! Happy Easter!
73! Adi YO2LIW
On Friday, April 14, 2017 11:28 PM, Allard PE1NWL <pe1nwl@...> wrote:
Adi, I watched your video and compared to my own BITX. With 2mA drive strength (and antenna disconnected) I have similar results as you have: 1 extremely strong birdie at 7199 kHz and a few faint ones at lower frequencies. The tuning clicks are increasing as I tune towards the 7199 birdie (same as in your video).
When I increase the drive level to 4mA, the birdie at 7199 is almost disappeared. There seems to be very little effect on the faint birdies at lower frequencies, but I find them broadly acceptable. Also the tuning clicks do not increase anymore in certain band areas. Further increasing the drive level to 6mA or 8mA does not make any difference in my case.
So playing with the drive level only seems to affect the birdie at 7199. The other, much weaker, birdies are not affected. When I connect the antenna I often receive several strong images from SW broadcast stations. Playing with the drive level doesn't have any effect on them. The images are resulting from the basic concept of this rig (VFO frequency at the low side of the IF). You need to move the VFO frequency to the high side of the IF to get rid of them. But then you must also shift the BFO frequency by about 3kHz to the other side band. I tried it, it works. No images whatsoever! 73, Allard PE1NWL
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I have rebuilt / changed mounting and wire routing several times seems to have greater effect than anything else. filter, shielding etc like the old days of computers caps everywhere lol. just my observation.
On Apr 14, 2017 2:13 PM, "electronic design via Groups.Io" <electronicdesign= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Allard,
thank you for your time and info's. Now everything is clear. I also suspected VFO frequency being on the low side of IF.?
Thank's again! Happy Easter!
73! Adi YO2LIW
On Friday, April 14, 2017 11:28 PM, Allard PE1NWL <pe1nwl@...> wrote:
Adi, I watched your video and compared to my own BITX. With 2mA drive strength (and antenna disconnected) I have similar results as you have: 1 extremely strong birdie at 7199 kHz and a few faint ones at lower frequencies. The tuning clicks are increasing as I tune towards the 7199 birdie (same as in your video).
When I increase the drive level to 4mA, the birdie at 7199 is almost disappeared. There seems to be very little effect on the faint birdies at lower frequencies, but I find them broadly acceptable. Also the tuning clicks do not increase anymore in certain band areas. Further increasing the drive level to 6mA or 8mA does not make any difference in my case.
So playing with the drive level only seems to affect the birdie at 7199. The other, much weaker, birdies are not affected. When I connect the antenna I often receive several strong images from SW broadcast stations. Playing with the drive level doesn't have any effect on them. The images are resulting from the basic concept of this rig (VFO frequency at the low side of the IF). You need to move the VFO frequency to the high side of the IF to get rid of them. But then you must also shift the BFO frequency by about 3kHz to the other side band. I tried it, it works. No images whatsoever! 73, Allard PE1NWL
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Lee,
yes I agree that wire shielding and arrangement can have a great effect on
the tuning clicks. Especially shielding the wires to/from the volume pot
have great effect.
But not on the 7199 kHz birdie and the images of SW broadcast stations in
the 41m band. These are simply inherent to the BITX design and cannot be
improved by filtering, placing caps or wire routing.
But remember the real root cause of the tuning clicks is in the SI5351
library. The VFO signal is briefly interrupted each time the PLL is reset
to a new frequency- this causes surges in the wires and supplylines. The
ultimate cure would be to not reset the PLL each time. Then all the wire
routing, shielding, caps, filtering etc. would no longer be so important.
73 Allard PE1NWL
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Show quoted text
On Fri, April 14, 2017 23:37, lee hyde wrote: I have rebuilt / changed mounting and wire routing several times seems to
have greater effect than anything else. filter, shielding etc like the old
days of computers caps everywhere lol. just my observation.
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Your very correct!! This leds to mixing problems and confusion. Thx for clarification on this topic. Secondly this radio is an awesome learning tool intermixing rf..with high speed stable micro controls isnt for sissy's lol... I worked with first generation CT high voltage DC 120kw..and computer interface learning curve was steep then. again thank you for all the help and knowledge. 73 lee kc7ttt
On Apr 14, 2017 3:15 PM, "Allard PE1NWL" < pe1nwl@...> wrote: Lee,
yes I agree that wire shielding and arrangement can have a great effect on
the tuning clicks. Especially shielding the wires to/from the volume pot
have great effect.
But not on the 7199 kHz birdie and the images of SW broadcast stations in
the 41m band. These are simply inherent to the BITX design and cannot be
improved by filtering, placing caps or wire routing.
But remember the real root cause of the tuning clicks is in the SI5351
library. The VFO signal is briefly interrupted each time the PLL is reset
to a new frequency- this causes surges in the wires and supplylines. The
ultimate cure would be to not reset the PLL each time. Then all the wire
routing, shielding, caps, filtering etc. would no longer be so important.
73 Allard PE1NWL
On Fri, April 14, 2017 23:37, lee hyde wrote:
> I have rebuilt / changed mounting and wire routing several times seems to
> have greater effect than anything else. filter, shielding etc like the old
> days of computers caps everywhere lol. just my observation.
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The issue is not the software - the simple fix is to decouple the power supply for the Arduino based VFO from the BITX40 radio board. I can not claim to have developed the solution, but have found it posted by Glenn VK3YY on his Wordpress Blog. Glenn notes that the tuning clicks "can be removed with a series 10 Ohm resistor to the Raduino supply and a 470uF capacitor to ground on the Raduino side". I did not have these component in my junk box, and have used 2 x 220uF capacitors and an 8.2 Ohm resistor. The result was the same. ? I have gone from loud and annoying clicks while tuning to no clicks at all. 73 Andrew VK4JAM
?
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Here is the fix that I used and it worked for me.
Reduced the power dissipated in the LM7805 on the Arduino VFO
and eliminated the tuning clicks. I mounted the LM7809 to the side of my
enclosure (metal).
R1 must not drop more than 2 volts to ensure that the Arduino
VFO’s LM7805 has head room to regulate to 5 volts. Mine drops about 1 volt but still
decouples the Main supply from the VFO and thus eliminates the clicks.? Might
not work for everyone but it’s a simple circuit to try. C3 of 270 mfd worked
fine but I had some junk box 470 mfds so I used that value. All caps should be
at least 16volts.
Good Luck…
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andrew Mason
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 7:18 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BITX20] tuning clicks (continued)
?
The issue is not the software - the simple fix is to decouple the power
supply for the Arduino based VFO from the BITX40 radio board.
I can not claim to have developed the solution, but have found it posted by
Glenn VK3YY on his Wordpress Blog.
Glenn notes that the tuning clicks "can be removed with a series 10 Ohm
resistor to the Raduino supply and a 470uF capacitor to ground on the Raduino
side".
I did not have these component in my junk box, and have used 2 x 220uF
capacitors and an 8.2 Ohm resistor. The result was the same. ?
I have gone from loud and annoying clicks while tuning to no clicks at all.
73
Andrew
VK4JAM
?
?
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Allard PE1NWL
lee hyde
Andrew Mason - VK4LK
