|
zBitx manual
2
As the zBitx have started to be delivered would it be possible to download the manual without owning one unit? This would be useful to help us to decide and order one unit when they will be again available. Other kit providers like QRP-labs allow prospective buyers to download freely their documentation. 73 - Pierre - FK8IH
|
|
Power for zBitx
16
Having just received my zBitx, I'm looking for advice on the proper batteries to use in the battery holder. Since the zBitx does not include a battery charging circuit (a good thing, in my opinion), I'm looking for a recommendation for a pair of cells for the attached battery holder (18650? Flat top?) and ideally an included battery charger to charge the two cells. The ability to order them off Amazon is a plus, but not a requirement by any means. Also, Bioenno offers 9v LiFePO4 battery packs in 3 and 6 amp capacities, I assume such a battery would work FB with the zBitx, correct? Here's a link to the 3 amp 9 volt pack and charger I'm looking at: https://www.bioennopower.com/products/9v-3ah-lfp-battery-charger It is not the cheapest option, but it is an option - with a suitable Powerpole to coaxial plug adapter it should be fine, right? (My concern comes from watching Farhan video earlier today and his comment about "always" running the zBitx at 8.2 volts... Thanks, Ken, N2VIP
|
|
The challenge - I and many other users want to be able to use a headset for the phone modes in the sbitx e.g. USB headset or a Bluetooth headset. Logically the problem is similar to the routing of audio for the digital modes from the audioinjectorpi sound card to/from the software used for the digital modes. The soundcards identified in the sbitx using the command aplay -l | awk -F \: '/,/{print $2}' | awk '{print $1}' | uniq generates on the sbitx: pi@sbitx:~ $ aplay -l | awk -F \: '/,/{print $2}' | awk '{print $1}' | uniq audioinjectorpi Loopback Loopback_1 Loopback_2 pi@sbitx:~ $ audioinjectorpi (card 0 in ./asoundrc) is the default output (and mic input) for the sbitx analogue audio Loopback,DEV=1 (card 1 in ./asoundrc) is used for software output(Input) to JTDX, WSJT-X or others Loopback_1,DEV=0 (card 2 in ./asoundrc) is used for Software input(Capture) from JTDX, WSJT-X or others Question - is Loopback_2 used by sbitx? If yes, could we use this one to route analogue audio I/O from card 0 (audioinjectorpi) on SBITX to another audio I/O device such as a USB headset or Bluetooth headset? After connecting my USB headset I ran the command again: pi@sbitx:~ $ aplay -l | awk -F \: '/,/{print $2}' | awk '{print $1}' | uniq audioinjectorpi Loopback Loopback_1 Loopback_2 II pi@sbitx:~ $ the II shown in this command output is the USB Headset (Jabra Evolve 30 II in my case) More detail re the ./asoundrc file: The system configuration file is /etc/asound.conf (not exist on sbitx), and the per-user configuration file is ~/.asoundrc. sbitx asoundrc: pi@sbitx:~ $ cat ~/.asoundrc pcm.!default { type asym playback.pcm { type plug slave.pcm "output" } capture.pcm { type plug slave.pcm "input" } } pcm.output { type hw card 0 } ctl.!default { type hw card 0 } pcm.input { type hw card 0 } pi@sbitx:~ $ A couple of references: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture - ArchWiki (archlinux.org) Alsa Opensrc Org - Independent ALSA and linux audio support site These suggest it looks promising, the devil is in the detail I am trying to avoid the use of PulseAudio as that has been replaced in newer distributions using Pipewire and Wireplumber, however both of these sit on top of ALSA. Based on this will focus my efforts on using Alsa if possible to minimise complication. Might not be possible but it is a starting point with help from the references above. Research continues - if I get the answer and tested, it will be added here to begin with and then the wiki page as a Howto If anyone already solved it then please add to the topic. Regards Paul G0KAO
|
|
Hi, I have massive problem with my uBITX v5 for Calibrating. When I set the Calibration: eg +10 for the accurate 700 Hz on 14996.000 in USB then press the Mic Button - says calib set. goes back to receive - seems ok. But if I turn the RIG off and on again - the frequency is much lower: eg bay pressing Button 14996.000 - after boot 14664.650 It look like the value is not really set, only temporary in RAM. I had this problems since I have this RIG. Also the Rig is really deaf.. only the most strong stations are received TX - I must on a given QRG go up for abt 300 Hz then is on the QRG for transmitting to the partners QRG I spent hours for resolving this - but no result.... Is there not a point ( Tp on the PCB ) where I can set the Calibration ? Have an Frequency counter/generator here, also other RIGS with are 100% accurancy. -- ** 73 de HB9FIH Erich
|
|
zBITX ordering
46
How do I find out when ordering will re-open for the zBITX and where/how to order?
|
|
What are these connectors - both what kind of connector (one I believe is USB-C) and purpose
|
|
zBitx videos
12
zBitx shipping is on the way. We are shipping out about 30 per day. This is mostly due to the slow paperwork at our delivery partner. We are pressuring them to bump us to providing APIs for faster paperwork. We hope it resolves soon. In the meantime, I have uploaded a few videos about the zBitx from my bench. They are in a playlist on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm2NDXV2if5C6NdPIbqEXSVMKaZCe36dG Let me know if you have any questions - f
|
|
zbitx Bugs
4
Hey Farhan, what would be the best way to report bugs, on the groups or over on the zbitx github?
|
|
ZBitX
3
I understand the Z has a built in microphone, however, I prefer a handheld mic. I searched around but can't determine what might be an acceptable mic for the unit. Ideas/insight appreciated. thanks N2KVZ
|
|
SBITX V3 For SAle
4
Hardly used V3 with original paperwork and SD card ( 32bit version ); Only SWL. I am a QRP guy and was fortunate to get on the first ZBITX list so my V3 is available. $380 shipped in the US. Ron
|
|
It has arrived. I'm slammed with work to play with it. In the package came with USB Cable, allen key, OTG adapter and a test report card.. Let me take a photo of it .
|
|
SBITX V3 FOR SALE
Try again before going to a bigger audience: Hardly used V3 with original paperwork and SD card ( 32bit version ); Only SWL. I am a QRP guy and was fortunate to get on the first ZBITX list so my V3 is available. $380 shipped in the US. Ron
|
|
uBitX V6 --> adding separate fuse for finals.
3
Hello, Last time I used my uBitx the magic smoke was released. The radio was idling, just listening to something (probably FT8) when I noticed a glow in the room and pulled the plug. It looks like I may have just burnt the trace nearest the edge on the underside, which I think is the main power rail to the switch/pot. I repaired this today and the unit powers on, but I won't test it properly until it is back in the case with everything connected properly. On here Fix: Reverse polarity – uBitx there is mention of connecting separate fuses for the main board and the finals, using the P1 header. My brain gets confused by schematics which have breakouts, so I do not understand how P1 is connected: the article suggests that 3 connects to ground (correct) and that 1 and 2 connect to the main board power rail and the finals rail (not sure which is which). My DVM probing is showing the schematic's suggestion that 1 and 2 are connected rather than being separate. So, my question to anyone who has performed this addition, or is better understanding of the schematic, is whether I should disconnect the center pin of the barrel connector and connect two wires running to the two fuses, then respectively connected to pins 1 and 2 on P1, or whether I should be tapping a trace elsewhere for the finals, or just run two fuses in series (!?). Or just a single 3A (or 5A) fuse. When I had my magic smoke episode I did have a 5A fuse, but it may have been one of questionable origin in the power distribution block. I have subsequently replaced all my fuses with Littlefuse things, since they do seem to burn when they should. Thank you, KK7BCO
|
|
zbitx getting ready to be shipped
4
Order 3300 is marked Packed, Ready to Ship (this changed this morning) - hope this helps someone figure out their status. 73 de Lee KX4TT
|
|
So, after the diagnosis and repair of the power group components, Q9,Q10,Q101,R5,R6 (all replaced), on power up, +12v drops to under 2v and the area around the Q12-15 group heats up quickly. I did note that D7 was basically shot, continuity in both directions. What are my most likely culprits at this point? -- Mike - K8MCB
|
|
Upgrading two V2's to 64-bit JJ code
2
Hooray! I have finally managed to get both of my V2-versions upgraded with IRF520 mosfets, TVS protection diodes, a separate audio output to external sound card, resistor to drop the mic bias voltage, some protection resistors in various places to ward off my boo-boo's, aluminum nitride insulators, -- I'm more and more impressed with the 64-bit code, now that I'm trying it out. LOTS of great features. I really like the wide-screen LSB/USB display. The Menu-items are great. My biggest issue is that my #141 V2 has a lot of ripple in the 40MHz crystal filter (which the #271 does NOT, huh?) and so I have to have a bit of shaping in the FFT transmit response. I noted that JJ had put in a placeholder for that, but my solution was a piecewise linear correction in two segments. Finally, I got my older code next to his newer sbitx.c and put my stuff in and recompiled. As usually, I made a few screwups like accidentally lopping off a zero from the end of the BFO frequency in the hw_settings.ini file (which made the receiver DEAF!!) -- but hooray, it works now on BOTH V2 machines, and just made an FT8 contact on 20 meters using the ancient linear and my sad EFHW antenna at the family retreat home in North Caroline to prove out everything. SUCCESS!!! Most of the rest of my personal coding was for high school student experiments, so not necessary. With the #271 I have been checking in most mornings to the Florida Phone Traffic Net at sunrise on 80meters, getting 200W out of the linear and they could HEAR me 500 miles away on 75 meters. Many of them are running a kilowatt.... Really nice radio!!! One will stay here in the ancient retreat home in Black Mountain, and the #271 goes with me back to Florida. These work SO WELL now that I think I may encourage others in the group to snap up V2's as they become available and we'll retrofit some of these upgrades for very useful emcomm portable radios. While I was here, I use the -25dB high output electret cartridges to make 2 more sbitx microphones. And also built 4 more "polarity protectors" using my remaining stock of 5 milli-ohm P-channel mosfets. With all the CW improvements, and JJ's improvements -- this is really a fun radio! Gordon KX4Z
|
|
The 64-bit sbitx application enables 60m band. Is LPF filter ready for that?
2
I noticed that the 64-bit version of the sBitx application added 60 m (5.3 MHz) band. However, is the LPF filter in a standard, preassembled sBitx v3 ready for transmitting in this band? 73, Wojtek SP5DAA
|
|
zBitx installed softwares
31
Is it possible to have JS8Call installed? Forme JS8 mode is far more important than JT9 mode as Hearteat can replace JT8 contacts and the plain use of JS8Call allows me to do real QSO with exchange of informations. I experienced a terrible civil war in New Caledonia since the 13th of May this year, with sometimes all communications lost - no more internet nor phone - and JS8Call was my only mean of communication with the outside world and it worked well with my QRP station - Hermes Lite 2 and QRP-Labs QDX which deliver 5 to 6 Watt - The small size of a zBitx with its integrated batteries would make a wonderful emergency transceiver. Anyway this product looks promising, congratulations f. 73 - Pierre - FK8IH
|
|
Adding external relay control to two V2/V3
I’m not normally a voice guy, but we have some local HF nets in our county in Florida. so I’m up in North Carolina 500 miles away, and I have gotten the second (used) version two All modified up with new IRF 520 finals and several other mods as explained elsewhere. It drives an ancient SP – 200 vacuum tube amplifier and I can get past 200 W output that way. On 80 m this is very helpful to try to beat back the absorption from the D layer around sunrise or sunset when a lot of these nets happen this is such a nice radio! A huge screen went in single side band and I can see panoramic display all up and down, and control the bandwidth so easily, and I just discovered it has equalization as well and it just works so very nicely! I’m very used to using a 7300 and about the only improvement it’s got over this is a nice noise reduction, which could be helpful because I think I’ve got some powerline noise nearby but QRN isn’t very bad today and this is just really really really a nice sbitx radio with a much bigger display than the 7300 making it very easy to see signals everywhere. As more of the V2‘s go on the used market, I may try to encourage folks in our local group to snap them up so we can change out the finals and make these other modifications and they’ll have really really nice radios for dirt cheap. I work with a lot of elderly people and price is important to several of them! 73 Gordon Kx4z
|
|
Is anyone successfully using one of the available Heil headset adapters for an sBitx? Which one? Or do I need to make my own?
|
Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am