Up and Running Fully Portable
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýBitXers, ??? Been playing with and learning
my new zBitx and I am having a blast.? I have made a couple CW
contacts almost immediately after receiving my unit.? I had a
couple unexpected hiccups in that I wasn't prepared for the
"Mini-HDMI".? The other was the USB-OTG adapter that came with
it was bad.? Fortunately I had another stuffed in a drawer and
decided to try it.? Keyboard came right up and I was able to get
the unit up in Host mode.? I paired up my bluetooth keyboard so
I no longer have to deal with the USB port for that. I am running a portable 16inch (USB powered) monitor along with the wireless keyboard and can run the rig on either 18650 batteries or my Bioenno 1212Ah based battery box.? Got the clock sync'd up and started up FT8 on 20m and made my first contact within in a minute.... Great start so far.? It's not a KX2 but this little unit is a lot of fun especially with all the build in apps which I still need to play with. Attached is a couple of photos.
-- "POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER Always respect the airwaves, 73 de KI7PBR, Gary |
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Yeah, I ran into the same issue with that OTG adapter. I think it's not so much an OTG adapter as a crisp, tasty waffle. I had one around, and, like you, got my keyboard and mouse working. Then I paired a handheld keyboard with a trackpad built in, and I'll likely use that. I think I'm going to make a technical bag to go along with the radio's go-bag, one with an HDMI cable, a 14-inch portable screen, and a better bluetooth keyboard I have that's got a built in trackball. Each of those things is bigger than the repurposed photographer's bag I'm using for the radio and its immediate gear. I need to get the radio out and update the firmware and UI anyway, so I'll do the pairing for the new keyboard while I have it out. I got an 8-pack of 18650 batteries and a USB-C powered 4-place charger that has been a real workhorse. I like that it doesn't need a mains plug. I'm about halfway through assembly of a 5-band link dipole. Once I get the basic build put together, I'll run it up a telescoping mast and tune it up. Then I'll crimp on bullet lugs to make connecting the links easy, and it'll be in service. I've got a 3-band link dipole already, but I need to replace the connectors in the links, and it doesn't have my favorite bands in it. Besides, I made the new one out of Kev-Flex. Durable. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 11:24?PM Gary-KI7PBR via <ki7pbr=[email protected]> wrote:
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Here's the keyboard/trackball I plan to use:? I got this one because the keyboard isn't quite as tiny as the one I'm currently using. It's really for two thumbs, not two hands. But the bigger one is far more usable. Here's the small one, just for comparison: If I run out of power in my 18650s, I carry a USB-C PD cable that terminates in the correct barrel connector and gives 9V. I've got PD power banks galore. I carry a 5000mAh bank in my EDC pouch in my pocket. I have not experienced any noise from it on a ham band. It's possible there are birdies elsewhere, but I've never noticed one. If I feel like bringing one of my 12v battery boxes, with a LiFePO4 battery in it (one is 12Ah, the other is 7Ah), I have them rigged with fused PowerPole connectors and have cables to match. If my partner Maggie K3XS drives, her CR-V is all set up for ham radio use. There's a multiband antenna on the roof that is folded down while driving, and separate from the car's battery and alternator, we have a 100Ah battery and a hefty distribution system and BMS for keeping the battery charged from the engine. She figured out how to use the sBitX (the bigger one) with the Elecraft KXPA100 amplifier, and there's plenty of power for it. If it's not too taxing, I don't mind setting up for QRP away from the car. But having the setup for 100W in case of emergency is nice. I'm in the process of setting up crash cases for all of my radios. They're really cheap on AliExpress if you keep a lookout for them and catch a sale. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 9:27?AM Steve Weigold via <steve=[email protected]> wrote:
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Took the next step this morning and brought up 'web mode on both my desk top PC and my tablet.
This is an awesome feature.? Sitting at the dining room table on my tablet and connected to my zBitx in the shack.??
--
"POWER, WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN' POWER" - Every KX2 Owner
Always respect the air waves,
73 de KI7PBR, Gary
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Gary-KI7PBR
Gwen Patton