I using a v4 board with CEC V 1.2 firmware.
When I turn on setup, there is no audio.? I want to calibrate the frequency and adjust the bfo, but no sound is available.? All other settings seem normal.

cloyesjn,

First, verify that you have the correct program on the radio.? Ensure you use the settings in the Arduino sketch or the hex file for version 234, not version 5.? Post back if you need more information.

When you have the correct software version and go into the BFO setup, it reads what is in the EEPROM as a starting point, NOT what was being used when going into the setup mode.? This may be outside of the normal values for the BFO.? If the BFO is set outside of roughly 1199000 to 12001000 ( the exact values are buried in the code), the software will default to a normal setting that would produce sound.? It does NOT use this as the starting point to adjust the BFO in the settings option.

I suggest that you download the Memory Manager program from Dr. Lee's GitHub site and see what is in the EEPROM:


Use it to see the values in the EEPROM and adjust them to nominal values.? A good starting point for the BFO is 11997000.

The alternative is to rotate the tuning dial until you read the 11995000 (that can take a lot of turning).

Here is a screenshot of one of my v4 Memory Manager file saves.


Here is the code:

Thanks for the info Evan.
Here are some screen shots.

I can not read the screenshots.? They would need to be at a higher resolution or larger.

The file you listed could be either a v5 or a v234 file.? Verify that you have the files from the uBITXV234 folder, not the uBITXV5 folder.? They both have the same file names in them.

The blurry USB Calibration seems to be in the general range 11997000 range, so you should hear the background noise you would use to set the BFO.? If the background noise disappears in the BFO setting, it would indicate that the wrong file has been loaded.

Do you hear the "hiss" change when you disconnect the antenna when not trying to set the BFO?? If not, then use a screwdriver to touch the test points on the main board to see where you start to get the hiss or hum.? The test points in order are 2, 1, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, and 21.? 20 and 21 are at audio frequency, so you should pick up a 50 or 60 Hz AC hum.? The others would be the normal no-signal hiss on a radio.? You are looking for a change in the speaker or earphone sound.

Here is the GitHub link to the KD9CEC 1.2 programs:


Download the zip file and unzip it.? That should produce two folders.? Be sure to use the uBITXV234 folder.

I would also caution that the v4 has known spurious signal issues.? The fixes can be found on this site:

here


The relay replacement solved the harmonic issues for both of my v4 uBitx.? I have not done the other fix as I do not operate above 20 meters with these uBitx.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Thanks Evan, I did have the V5 firmware loaded.? Because of your directions, I found and installed the correct one.? The problem still exists, but I now have a clue of what the problem is.? When I push the switch to go into configuration, I am in the transmit mode and that's the reason for no audio, My guess is that I have a wiring error, not a software issue.
I think you have steered me to the right path now.
Thanks again,
Nick Cloyes - N4CL

On the V4 uBitX that is the way calibration works...it puts out a signal at 10mHz, as I recall, so you need to have it working into a dummy load and adjust i while listening on a separate receiver or using a frequency counter. If you search the messages here I think there are some suggestions on how to do that process.

=Vic=

Vic,
It was the v5 code that transmitted a 10MHz signal.? The v4 still had the AM zero beating to calibrate it.? Regardless, Nick is using the KD8CEC firmware, which does not have the transmission of a 10MHz signal for calibration.

Nick,
Does it go into transmit mode when you press the encoder without entering the "yellow box" settings window?? Can you try duplicating the issue when connected to a dummy load?

The second question is because a simple wiring error would only key the transmitter while pressed.? An RF feedback issue could lock the transmitter on after the encoder is released.? To do the actual calibration, you will need an antenna to receive the AM signal unless you have a calibrated signal generator that can be received while connected to the dummy load.? You need the white noise of background static to tune the BFO.

BFO tuning aid:


Wiring instructions:


I recommend installing the 4.7k pull-up resistor on the underside of the Raduino board, as was done for the v6.? I have had the resistor on the keyer jack come off when working on the rig causing flakey operation until I found it.

73
Evan
AC9TU

Evan, I have a v4 and before changing to the KD8CEC sketch I had found it transmitted when calibrating. If yours didn't, perhaps that was a software change during production. Changes made after I modified the hardware and software to the touch screen were typically made using memory manager.

=Vic=

Vic,

Here is the link that I saved to the original "MBITX Tuneup" page that I used when I bought my two v4s:



At that time, it did use the zero-beating process.

Dr. Lee used the same code base as the v4 to make changes and kept that part of the code.? The v5 code was the first I encountered transmitting the 10MHz signal for calibration, which was then abandoned in v6.? There is a "factory calibration" tab in the uBitx base code that does transmit a 10MHz signal.? ?You may be referring to that code.? I have not followed how you would enable that function.

73
Evan
AC9TU

In terms of frequency calibration (i.e. MASTER_CAL) in the code, I am really sold on beating against an external OCXO source such as:



This runs on a 9v battery, and I (probably should have an attenuator, but dont) connect it to directly to the antenna input. I bet you could use the Han's? ProgRock to do the same thing if you are DYI-er


Set the VFO to 10mhz and the zero beat is so? clear. Silence during the 100hz. Then choose the middle of the "silent" range and calculate the Master Cal and you are done.? When I save and reboot, turn to 10mhz, WWV is clear as a bell right on 10mhz.? With the "Calibration Wizard" that is coming in the final uBITX Settings Editor, along with the HF signals BFO tuning aid, can calibrate an uBITX in 5 minutes.?

BTW: to brag a little, couple screen shots (imagine you are watching the HF Signals Tuning Aid while doing the BFO adjustment...The Master Cal value is calculated automatically. (Unfortunately, I had to add several CAT commands to KD8CEC to allow me to read and store the calibration values, so this will only work with the upcoming KD8CEC V2.)








73
Mark

--
AJ6CU
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu

开云体育

Art.

The plan for V2 was always to support bigger and beefer processors. And that required a new Raduino. I have currently tested a V6 compatible format board with Raspberry Pi Pico, Teensy 4.0, Teensy 4.1, and the greater Nano family (Nano, Nano Every, BLE, IOT, and RP2040 (same chip as the Pio). Of especial interest to v6 users is that I designed a 3d printed adapter that eliminates the need to "enlarge" the holes on the Nextion.?

And of course I have compatible boards for 3,4,5.? All open source and you can send the gerbers to JCLPCB (or where ever)? and get them made. They are in the Rev6A branch at:


The only catch is that they are nearly 100% SMT. For the official beta of Rev2 and these Boards, I am thinking of getting JCLPCB to place all the SMT parts.??

But with the right settings, you can run Rev 2 on a Nano (internal EEPROM, Software Serial, etc.) That "should" allow the calibration wizard to work on existing boards.? Got to give that a try to be *sure*.
BTW the source is at?? ? I have not yet checked everything in that supports the Setting Editor, so wait a little. Once i get everything going, would you like me to send you a hex??

Stay tuned. XYL is away for a few weeks and I am in "hacking mode"!

73
Mark
--
AJ6CU
KD8CEC 2.0, Nextion Screens,? and open source uBITX Raduino boards for Arduino IOT, BLE, RP2040, Teensy 4.0, and Raspberry Pi Pico
https://github.com/aj6cu

开云体育

<grin> Evan, we've had this conversation before...

/g/BITX20/message/98275?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Arecentpostdate%2Fsticky%2C%2C%3DVic%3D+v4+calibration%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C29932661

=Vic=

Vic,
Wow, I totally forgot about that discussion.? I guess I am getting old and starting to lose some mental abilities.??Thank you for pointing that out.? It seems that there were two versions of software shipped with the v4.? I had the earlier one used as the core for the KD8CEC software.

73
Evan
AC9TU

When i push the momentary switch, the TX light goes on and stays on until I exit the menu system and I hear a relay engage?? Would a relay engage on a final oscillation? .? I tried the dummy load and got the same results. Your point of RF feedback is well taken.? Since the switch is momentary, it does make sense that it may be oscillation.? I installed the pull-up? resistor but had difficulty in doing so. I will re-investigate the pull-up resistor? It may not be working properly.

cloyesjn,

What software are you using?? Vic pointed out that the 4.3 version of the HFSignals code changed to transmitting a 10MHz signal when put into calibration mode.? That is not the case for the KD8CEC software from Dr. Lee.? I am not sure how the v2 of the KD8CEC software from Mark works.? If you are using Mark's software, he will need to respond on how calibration works for his version of KD8CEC software.

I can confirm that the KD8CEC software from Dr. Lee's GitHub does not transmit when calibrating.? I upgraded a v6 to use a Nextion display and had to recalibrate the radio last week.

73
Evan
AC9TU

CEC V1.200 for version 2,3,4

Again, tnx fer your help.

Nick - N4CL