Received my zbitx.
5
Just want to report I received my zbitx yesterday. It did have a crack in the side panel and there was something rattling inside. Took it apart the rtc battery was loose. Connected to my bench power supply at 8.5v and it booted fine. External monitor worked fine. Connected to the net time set just fine. I would not recommend this but I opened chromium and downloaded and installed nomachine. I figured it would freeze up due to lack of memory but went ok just a little slow. No machine remote is working fine. Listened to some ssb with it and opened fldigi for some decode went fine. Haven’t done any tx yet. Will test on a dummy load first. Is there a file somewhere for the 3d case? I want to replace the broken side panel and probably change the color. Ryan kk6dzb
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zbitx stl files
the zbitx slt files are now on the github. https://github.com/afarhan/zbitx/blob/main/zBitx_HFSignals_final%20-%20edited.stl - f
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Does sequence of updates matter?
15
This morning I updated the zBitx to v1.05 then updated the RPi to v3.05. Should I have done these in the opposite order? The radio will not boot up now. "Waiting for the zBitx to start..." Only this, and nothing more.
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zBITx Power Plug Intermittant
The only thing Which jumped out at me was a highly intermittent power cable between the batteries and the unit which was supplied by HF Signals. Rotate the connector or barely touch the cable and it would recycle power. I replaced it with a new 5.5mm outer barrel and 2.1mm inner barrel cable and it now works fine and is very stable. The new cable has a full 360 degree "tube/barrel" to make GOOD contact with the center pin in the female connector, the original does not....take a look at it. Great Little Radio 73 Kees K5BCQ
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Just ordered by ZBitX
5
I just ordered my ZBitX. Have a couple of questions. 1. What would I need to do to run WSPR on it to see how my setup is working? I live in an apartment and would not be able to mount a permanent antenna out side but have to rig something up either inside or stealth. 2. What about using a buck converter? I have 12V batteries to use but was wondering is anyone was using one to run their Z. 3. Microphones that might be available? Thank you for the answers. Jim KE0VVU
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Strain Relief mod for Power Cable
3
To add some strain relief to the power cable I drilled 2 x 2.5mm holes into the battery holder and secured the power cable with a small zip tie. A spot of liquid rubber on the exposed contacts top and bottom completes the job.
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#zbitx I am intereted in CAT control of the zBitx.
2
#zbitx
My radio does not arrive till Monday! I am interested in some modes that are not installed on the radio. I want to test with DigiPi too. (YES, adding another Pi) What radio does the CAT port respond to? For Hamlib as an example. 73 KE9A
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Zbitx orders might close soon
5
We are close to our capacity now. We need to prep for Dayton as well. The response has been overwhelming and we may have to put brakes yet again. I guess by the end of the day we will stop taking more orders. - f
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Any updates in the new batch of zbitx that is open for orders now?
2
Some questions on the new batch: 1. Will these have a new version number to distinguish them from the original batch? 2. Are there any HW changes to the boards or circuit components? 3. Are there any changes to the specifications? 4. Will there be any SW differences between them? I'm thinking the answer is "no" to all of the above, but just checking. Hats off to HFSignals for this awesome product! I'm looking forward to the arrival here of the new toy.
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Power zero on 10m / Drive number
7
So, I'd been watching another thread for resolution, but it may not be the same thing. Questions up front. 1. Any reason why 10m is 0W? 2. See my drive? it's 96, and I don't know why I can't get it to 100. When using the wheel, it won't go any higher, though it certainly goes lower. These lead me to believe both are software configuration related. The problem: I initially had the issue with FT8 locking up the zBitx. Updating the both the Zero and Pico software resolved that. I'm at 1.6 and 3.051 now. Running sBitx on the external monitor resulted in 0W out. However, I'd still get 0 watts out when transmitting FT8 on 10m. However, I remembered I get less output on my sBitx at 10m, so I setup a 20m vertical and I got power out. I haven't had time to check 12/15/17m. Could there be a problem with the calibration files that I absolutely did not backup when I did the update? Any guidance would be appreciated! Matt
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ZBit newbie
2
Got my "wee beastie" early this afternoon. Unboxed it & everything looks OK. I haven't powered it yet. I have a few questions. I have an official Pi keyboard and mouse. I intend to use this instead of the on-screen keyboard. I have a USB to ethernet adapter. I will be plugging this into a USB port on the keyboard. How do I shut the zBit down properly? Will connecting to the internet this way work for setting the RTC? It's more likely I will send CW with the keyboard than paddles, as I don't have full and totally normal use of my hands. How do I update the zBit's software, and what do I need to update? Ken, N2VIP, made some recent comments about adding a proper shutdown command. Perhaps someone with better programming skills than mine could do something with the article he referred to. There may be various options available to consider. Initially I anticipate that I will operate CW and SSB. Other modes may be used when I get familiar with them. How do I back up the internal memory card? I realize this is a collection of comments and questions, but it's what comes to mind quickly. Gerry
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FT8 heat
3
I use these to help dissipate the excess heat. Slap them on back and let them do their job. Also use on Xeigu 6200. https://a.co/d/bpyIFQg
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Zbitx arrived today
8
My Zbitx arrived today. I am new to these radios so expect a learning curve. I have only received so far but here are my observations and questions. I installed the batteries and followed the set up in the manual including setting the time using an hdmi screen. I linked the wifi to my phone hoping this would pay dividends when in the field. It first the radio seemed deaf, but playing around with the IF I started to hear signals on 20m and 40m. I found CW reception difficult the radio seemed to make a chugging sound as the decoder tried to work. The back of my radio was warm but was not excessively hot on rx. I tried FT8 decode seemed sluggish to start but once running was fine. When the time needs adjusting must I always connect to an hdmi screen or is connecting to my phone wifi sufficient to update the time? Is the chugging sound in cw mode normal? Will the operating manual be updated further as time progresses. Should I be upgrading software and firmware or are these updates to be considered as beta and optional. How would HF signals prefer feedback to be given as I assume they cannot monitor every post trawling for bugs and questions. Finally I like the radio and form factor. Thinking about a 3d printed sloping stand which when reversed protects screen and knob. Thinking 3d printing battery cover or using stand to hold battery holder. Can audio be directed via Bluetooth to an amplified speaker? Thank you Farhan for this radio 73 Nigel M0NDE
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ZBitx Bluetooth ?
7
Hello everyone, I understand that the zBitx has Bluetooth onboard the Raspberry Pi. Is there a way I can set up my Bluetooth keyboard with a track mouse to the Raspberry Pi on the zBitx? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Everyone, Robert, AG6LK
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ZbitX battery holder wiring
5
Point of caution! Noticed the battery pigtail has bare wires exposed probably when stripping outer insulation. Could short if wires twisted. Easy to fix however .
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Zbitx RPI SD-card image needed
20
Hi there I was one of the first ordering the zbitx. Impressive little thing. I fact interesting using a RPI at the heart of the radio. With a RPI there also comes challenges in that on can break things of not doing things/updates the right way. With them video:s describing updates to RPI and display-controller one would belive that all is nice and dandy. And for most folks it is. Nevertheless, out of a sudden im not able to do a sw update to the RPI in my radio beyond version 3.021. The display controller is on 1.05 Occasionally the WLAN-interface is not getting a IP-address from my DHCP. And even when it gets the IP-address the DNS-settings are not always ok for name resolution. For all of you that want to say that I should be checking my router - NO, there is nothing wrong with that. Works fine for all my other 25 odd devices in my LAN. So Im at a point where my zbitx is not bricked, but useless. I would need a fresh image that I can put onto the SD-card for the RPI. This has been addressed. Maybe the root cause is that the SD-card is somewhat corrupted after all the hard power outages ?? Im not used to doing a hard power outage/shutdown to a UNIX/LINUX system like one does with the zbitx. Any ideas ?? -- Tilman D. Thulesius SM0JZT / Sweden
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#zbitx Getting started and more cheat sheet
#zbitx
All, I have been working on a summary document for my own reference. My radio has not shipped yet so I get to read with a little bit of envy! I have a hard time digging through all the forum entries so my google doc is born. As things settle out I will also add more info to the Wiki here. 73 KE9A Zbitx Quickstart
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Video: Timing problems with zBitx internal keyer
5
https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2025/04/timing-issues-remain-with-latest.html 73, John AE5X
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VFO Knob replacement for zBitx posted
2
Hello All, I wanted a dimpled knob for the front of my zBitx, so I turned to Thingiverse to find a suitable knob and adjust the size to what I wanted and 3D printed my own in black PLA. The knob I've remixed is 10mm tall and 30mm in diameter, and will sit low to the front panel of the radio if you [very carefully] trim the length of the rotary encoder shaft. Please be careful to not bend the shaft of the encoder as you are doing this. I've shared the files and full trimming instructions here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6998700 73 de VE6LK
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Changes/suggestions zBitX
1) does or could the transmit frequency show on the FT8 waterfall , currently only a red/orange line shows at the receive frequency. Maybe I am missing a setting? 2) Also on FT8, make the second “Call” button (F6) show on the display, I would edit the macro for “CQ POTA”. Now I have to access the keyboard to get to F6, a three step process. I use CQ, Call and CQ POTA often. I would suggest that REPEAT button could be lost, making it accessible only when connected to a HDMI display. Maybe there is a file that I could edit to accomplish this, any suggestions would be welcomed. Tim, W1WCI
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