Keyboard Shortcuts
Likes
Search
uBITx v3 upgrade
|
Fred Buecker
开云体育I have a v3 #uBITX that I have not deployed yet and has just been sitting in the “Projects To Do” pile. ? Is there a site anywhere that breaks down any mods that can be made to upgrade it to be on par with the current v6? It seems half of the links in the email footers are dead or the site they link to have not been updated in years :-/ ? Thank you. ? Fred – KC3HMS |
开云体育That’s a pretty heavy lift, Fred. Are you sure you couldn’t just use it the way it is? ?Maybe with some external band pass filters to be cleaner?Some improvements aren’t worth the effort I have a ubitx ?somewhere with the relay mods and it probably still works!!? My 2 cents Gordon kx4z? On Feb 27, 2025, at 17:08, Fred Buecker via groups.io <tfbiii2002@...> wrote:
|
|
Hi Fred,
?
The best source for uBiTx info that I know of is:
?
To truly reach v6 status, the layout of the mainboard needs to be changed to correct the LPF bleed-through issues.? Some fixes have worked for others on the site.? Upgrading the TFT display is more challenging.? You might find an update in the group files or wiki.? I think the most used display upgrade is to the Nextion display, which is a step above the v6 display.? The Nextion upgrade is listed on the site.
?
?
As you have mentioned, some of the information is old.? Most are still applicable.
?
Fixes that I know of:
1 - Spectral purity:
? - replace the LPF relays to reduce harmonics
? - Change inductors between the two IFs to eliminate spurs above 20 meters.
2 - repair the Audio chip (if needed)
?
3 - Add Nextion display:
4 - Flatten out power across bands:
?
You can then expand on the v6 to add AGC, an S-Meter, and a CW audio filter, available elsewhere on the web.
?
I would only do the above if you want to learn more about the radio.? If you do not have the parts in your spare bin, you could spend close to $209 on a new V6.?
?
AmteurRadioKits sells a new Micro Bitx v5 with enclosure, less the display, for $99
?
It may be challenging to find a case that matches the Nextion 2.8" screen, but there is a 5" display case that requires adding another 5Volt source for the larger display.
?
73
Evan
AC9TU
?
?
?
?
? |
|
Fred Buecker
开云体育Thanks Evan! ? If the best option is to upgrade, it might be best to just get the newer kit from AmteurRadioKits. What am I missing tho in that they use a v5 for that as opposed to the v6? Is it maybe better to just jump to an sBit? ? I agree that has always been the “best source”, outside of this list. That said, there has not been a new post to it since 2020, so it made me wonder if there was some new home for information. ? Fred KC3HMS ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Evan Hand via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2025 5:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BITX20] uBITx v3 upgrade ? Hi Fred, ? The best source for uBiTx info that I know of is: ? To truly reach v6 status, the layout of the mainboard needs to be changed to correct the LPF bleed-through issues.? Some fixes have worked for others on the site.? Upgrading the TFT display is more challenging.? You might find an update in the group files or wiki.? I think the most used display upgrade is to the Nextion display, which is a step above the v6 display.? The Nextion upgrade is listed on the site. ? ? As you have mentioned, some of the information is old.? Most are still applicable. ? Fixes that I know of: 1 - Spectral purity: ? - replace the LPF relays to reduce harmonics ? - Change inductors between the two IFs to eliminate spurs above 20 meters. 2 - repair the Audio chip (if needed) ? 3 - Add Nextion display: 4 - Flatten out power across bands: ? You can then expand on the v6 to add AGC, an S-Meter, and a CW audio filter, available elsewhere on the web. ? I would only do the above if you want to learn more about the radio.? If you do not have the parts in your spare bin, you could spend close to $209 on a new V6.? ? AmteurRadioKits sells a new Micro Bitx v5 with enclosure, less the display, for $99 ? It may be challenging to find a case that matches the Nextion 2.8" screen, but there is a 5" display case that requires adding another 5Volt source for the larger display. ? 73 Evan AC9TU ? ? ? ? ? |
|
Fred Buecker
Thank you all for the comments. I will dig into some of the recommended?mods for the v3 and see what I can do! -Fred KC3HMS On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 10:54?AM Fred Buecker via <tfbiii2002=[email protected]> wrote:
|
|
Fred,
?
There is a different answer for each individual.? Do you want to operate CW regularly?? Do you use headphones regularly?? ?Do you want to gain skills in hardware, software, or both?? These questions can drive where you want to spend your time and money.
?
The trend is toward software, so the sbitx was my logical choice.
?
The reason for the v5 from AmateurRadioKits is that from a circuitry view, the v5 and v6 are the same.? The controls are mounted on the HFSignals board and externally on the AmateurRadioKits board.? ?The other main difference is the Raduino.? HFSignals added the TFT display to the v6.? That is not provided on the other radio.? I assume that performance is equivalent.? I have not built the AmateurRadioKits Micro BiTx.
?
If you want CW capability at the 25-watt level, then the sbitx is the choice.? The zbitx has not yet been delivered, so it is too early to rate that radio.? It looks like the zBitx is focused on a portable, 5-watt level.? CW works well on the sbitx, so I assume it will be the same as it uses the same software.
?
On the other hand, many hardware upgrades are possible on the uBiTx series.? I listed the obvious in my prior post.? In addition, upgrades are possible to the audio, both receive and transmit that would give experience in SMD and hardware mods in general.
?
So it is up to you to decide the best path forward.
73
Evan
AC9TU |