开云体育

This has probably been answered before.? I have a uBit 6 with its original display.? I understand that KD8CEC has written the best upgrade software.? How do I install this, & what version do I need?? I do not intend to make any hardware changes.? I have never used C or any of its related languages, so would very much like to be able to just download the compiled binary and install it.

Gerry Sherman

Sent by the Thunderbird

Gerry,

Before you go to the expense of buying a Nextion screen (The KD8CEC software does not work with the stock display), I would try the N8ME software that is listed in the files section of the Groups.io site:
/g/BITX20/files/uBITX%206%20N8ME/N8ME%20uBITX%20Firmware%20User%20Manual.pdf
/g/BITX20/files/uBITX%206%20N8ME
/g/BITX20/files/uBITX_6_N8ME_2_VU3GAO_Mods.zip

I am using the VU3GAO mods on my one v6; the others I have left as stock for troubleshooting reasons.

73
Evan
AC9TU

If you go the Nextion route, here is a link to someone that has done this:



I have also seen Raduino clones with a "nextion" on Ebay advertised as a plug and play (well there is some sheet metal work to fit the 2.8" Nextion)

73
Mark
AJ6CU

I have fitted a 2.8" Nextion to my ?BITX - all good once I had re-compiled the .tft file with the latest editor.?

There's no need for any metalwork on the case to fit the 2.8 screen, if you feel a bit brave: I followed the Youtube video from Lockdown Electronics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km2pi2wEdBQ

I used my Dremel to gently widen the mounting holes on the Nextion board - it only requires 2-3mm each side - and then you can use the existing mounting stands & case holes. The screen centres nicely in the window and is fixed securely.

73
Jonathan
G5LUX

Hi Jim,

Yep, that is exactly the model Nextion I used. It will most likely come with a card telling you to download the latest editor software. I did that and re-compiled the .tft file, which seems to work, so I can send you that if it helps.

I’ve got the components coming for the S-meter as well, so we can compare notes as we go - WhatsApp is fine for me.

73
Jonathan
G5LUX

Not having put this into my V6 yet, but I would suggest you spend a few more $$ and get the enhanced version instead of the basic or discovery.? See?

The basic and discovery have less memory and a slower processor. Although not a lot of difference in the 2.8" size, you might need to trim down some of the functionality of the screens or have less headroom when new stuff comes out.?

Just a thought for $4 more...

73
Mark
AJ6CU

I went through all of the posts I could find about the difference between the basic and enhanced Nextions for the upgrade: I may have missed something in the volume of posts, but the prevailing opinion was that it made no difference to the KD8CEC firmware in using either a basic or enhanced model.

73
Jonathan
G5LUX

Hi Jonathan,

Your statement is correct for the software in the Nano on the Raduino board.? For the 1.2 version of the software, you need to know if you have a v5 or later uBitx, the type of display you will be using, and if you will be adding a second Nano for other processing like S meter or Morse decoding.? That is described in the FileNameInfo.txt file in the zip archive.? For a Nextion display, you want either the?UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX.hex for a single Nano system or the?UBITXV5_CEC_V1.200_NX_S.hex for the two Nano uBitx system.

The Nextion model comes into play with the screen files loaded into the Nextion.? Those are very dependent on the model and size.? The original model used was the 2.4" Basic Nextion.? Then the files were converted?to larger displays and the Enhanced Nextion version.? The recent addition of the Discovery and Intelligent models requires the original HMI files of the appropriate size to be recompiled with the new editor.? Size is important as the Nextion systems are bitmapped graphics and not scalable.? That may have changed since the last time I worked with the Nextion editor.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Jonathan,

The issue comes in that the newer (i.e. more recently purchased) screens require the use of the latest Nextion GUI editor. And for what ever reason, the latest version produces code that requires more memory than the older version. So if you have an "older screen", you can use tft's generated by the more efficient older Nextion editor and there are no worries...

However, if you are just getting into this, your screen will be a "newer" model and require the use of the newer Nextion editor...

The first impact that I have seen is that the amount of data that can be transferred via the QR code function has to be reduced to fit the function into the Basic versions.? Just went thru this with the smaller screens <=3.2 and I had to reduce the QR code max text from 80 to 50 in some cases. Does this mean you cannot get a full online configuration backup? I don't know, didn't test it. And of course you can always just use Ubitx Data Manager to create a local configuration file -- a recommended action since it has been a long time since anybody has heard from KD8CEC...

Just my thoughts here in that I prefer to reduce the risk of buying twice. But you are right, older screen, no intention of enhancing the screen, no problem. Newer screen, maybe some limited functionality restriction.

73
Mark
AJ6CU