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To find the root cause of the spurs, I worked in 2 steps: 1. I took the front panel board out of the case and connected it with jumper wires to the main board. My objective was to eliminate possible EMI from the Pi Pico into the RF board. This did not make a difference for the spurs, as they just went down by 0.5dB which is the resolution of the TinySA. 2. In the si5351v2.c code I changed 8MA to 2MA. This results in approximately 5dBm less output power (33.5 vs 38.1dBm) but also a relative reduction of the spurs by approximately 7.5dB from -28.1dBc to -35.6dBc: Reduced output power is most probably due to the fact that the zBitx uses a diode ring mixer instead of the KISS-Mixer used in the sBitx and the oscillator power to the ring mixer is provided directly by the SI5351 CLK2 output (in reality an MS5351). Also, the IF diode ring mixer gets its oscillator signal directly from the SI5351 CLK1, whereas in the sBitx there is a buffer amplifier with two 2N3904. It could be that the much higher load on the SI5351 outputs, results in some intermodulation in the SI5351, which finally shows up as spurs. Given that these spurs are a showstopper, to transmit with the zBitx as the spurs are not at least 40dB suppressed, I am looking forward to further investigation and direction by hfsignals. On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM, Ron, N6YWU wrote: -- 73, Joerg - DB2OO
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Magic
2
My SBitX was on at home in FT8 mode, I was 30 miles remote with my ZBitX, made two contacts from the remote location with FT8. Both ZBitX contacts show up in my SBitX log! The ZBitX has not been powered on since I got home. Can anyone explain what and how this this happened? Tim W1WCI
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Availability?
8
Is there any estimate on when the sBitx v4 and the zBitx will be available for purchase?
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Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club's 39th Annual Hamfest 30 Aug 2025
2
ALAMOGORDO AMATEUR RADIO CLUB'S 39TH ANNUAL HAMFEST ARRL SANCTIONED 30 Aug 2025 Otero County Fair grounds (in Alamogordo NM) 7am to 3pm-ish Admission: Free!!! Vendors can set up day before 3 to 7pm Pre-register for Tables and prize tickets. Tables are $15.00 ea (if you have your own table and chairs $6.00 each table space) Electrical at most of the table locations but not all. Pre-register so we can get a good table count. Prize drawing tickets postmarked before 23 August $8.00 (pick up at event) If you cannot make it, tickets will be added to Main Prize drawing. Prize tickets at the door $10.00 Tickets postmarked before 23 August will be eligible for a pre-registration prize $50.00 cash. 1st Prize winner responsible for shipping or pick up at event. 2025 Prize list 1st FT710 AESS 2nd FTM-150R 3rd Mini 1.3 OLED Zumspot 4th DM-30TR There is a $1.00 Ticket drawing for a FT-4XR Looking for folks and groups to give presentations, let us know what ya can do Other Door prizes from Amateur Radio Related and local vendors, drawn throughout the event. Plenty of parking, RV's welcome, no hook ups but there is a dump station on site ARRL License testing will be conducted at 9am-ish. Please Bring a photo ID or 2 other forms of ID. FRN must be provided. FRN can be established by registering with FCC Check K5LRW website, for latest changes www.qsl.net/k5lrw/hamfest.htm Pre-register by Mail: Contact Hamfest Committee Chair Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club Rusty KI5RUS rjaskolo@... HAMFEST 2025 575-491-3631 call or text 12 Main St#383 Or Rick KB7SQF rick@... La Luz NM, 88337 Hamfest Committee member E-mail_____________________________ Ph#_________________________ Name______________________________ Call_________________________ Address________________________________City__________________St/zip__________________ Make Checks payable to AARC and include your callsign on Check Prize Tickets Before 23 Aug. at $8.00 x______=$__________ Tables at $15.00 x________=$________ your own $6.00x_____=$________ Dinner(pay as you go) How many?_____________(Location TBA) Testing or upgrading : Technician / General / Extra (Circle one)
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FS - SBITX V3
I have a mint SBITX V3 with 64 bit OS for sale. Used as receiver only. $300 plus PP fees and shipping. CONUS only. Jeff K2SDR jkelly at verizon.net
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sBitx v3, just installed new MOSFETS and no output
3
#sBITX_v3
Please disregard. Although no "wizz" at troubleshooting, it occurred to me that I'd been using a bench supply that is only 2A at 12V! Connected up a 4A one I had on a shelf behind me and RF out! Not the first time I've had a "duh" moment, nor will it be the last. 73 All, John N2LCX
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ZBitx frequency deviation!
zBitx frequency deviation! Can the frequency deviation be corrected?
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zBitX not reporting on pskreporter.info
2
After many QSO's on FT8, I do not see and reporting on pskreporter. I'm I missing some setting?
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Build Instructions for ZBitx Front Panel Software?
5
I tried to build the software for the Raspberry Pi Pico. There are a couple of things missing: The TFT_eSPI library needs a User_Setup.h file that describes the interface and the type of display that's used and the folder with the code has a file called Read_Me.ino that references a file called platform_local.txt which does not exist in the sketch folder. Are there official build instructions for the front panel software? If not, anybody willing to share their unofficial build instructions? Thanks, Karl Heinz - K5KHK
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zBitx restarting when doing FT8, at Transmit time
5
I have tried different power supplies, all capable of more than 3 amp. Same results. Tried reducing Drive down to 65, that appears to work, but at 70 it resets the Pi consistently. It does it very quickly, so not temperature related. Any suggestions? Software updated as of April 29th 2025
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The modified ft8_lib available at https://github.com/gdyuldin/ft8_lib , and it offers a better handling of nonstandard callsigns . However, I wasn't able to simply use it as a replacement of the original ft8_lib sources in the sBitx or zBitx firmwares. It looks like certain non-trivial integration work is needed. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take a look at that before the half of July. Has somebody else succeeded to replace the original ft8_lib in [s/z]Bitx with that improved version? 73, Wojtek SP5DAA
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sBitx-v4301-PiZero-SD-IMG
6
Hello, when I follow the link via wiki and git, proton says no file avaliable. Did I follow wrong link or is the img not more to download? Please advice. 73, Michael
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Access zBitx like a HL2
6
Hi Is it possible to use the zbitx as if it was a Hermes Lite 2 (HL2)? I've searched and maybe It can, and maybe my search terms not correct as I'm a new HAM. Thanks
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Anyone else have their order to the US held in East Midlands, UK, with this message? The shipment is being held due to known restrictions at destination and additional processing is required prior to export. If so, what did you have to do to get it released? I'm waiting to hear from DHL whether I need to do anything to get it moving again. I suspect it is something tariff related. Grumble.....
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Recommendation/specifications for a hi-z electret element for the zbitx. Also cant find the specifications for the element online for my other bitx or ubitx.
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Zbitx tests
Hi, I have uploaded a file to a new folder called "Zbitx tests" in the Zbitx files section. This file is of some tests of TX Intermodulation. Kevin
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sBITX 32bit on zBitx - is it working? USBAudio support?
2
#zbitx
Dear all, I have a Sennheiser USB Audio Headset Epos C20 and would like to use it with the zBitx. It has a USB Bluetooth Dongle but not sure if it works out of the box with zBitx. I came across this software: https://github.com/drexjj/sBITX-toolbox Has anybody installed and tested this add on software on the zBitx? It offers USB Audio Support (and more) ¡ thats why I am curious ? 73 Peter
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Desktop microphone for sbitx For a long time I only used the well-functioning modes with the sbitx device. I have established more than 10 thousand connections in digital modes, while I have conducted several tests in the voice mode using a microphone. The microphone I modified uses an external AGC amplifier and has a higher gain than the microphones recommended so far. I modified the so-called 'Meeting MIC' because there is enough space in its base for this modification. According to the description, the electret microphone has a sensitivity of -40dB, the AGC amplifier has a gain of 40dB in my settings. My experiences are good, because the stations that responded say it has a clear sound. I detail the description of the modification in the attached pdf. I hope that the retrofitters will have similar experiences. A little assembly experience is required for the modification. In sbitx 64 bit v4.4, I use MIC 25, COMP 4. -- Gyula HA3HZ
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Out of the box unusable on CW
2
Got my zBitx two weeks ago and the CW performance is very poor / unusable. On a paddle it misses or inserts characters and macros stop partway through 75% of the time. I have updated the firmwares and still no improvement any suggestions to improve this.
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You can also have a look at :
http://lpistor.chez-alice.fr/octus.htm
This is the OCTUS project designed by F6BCU; I have built one 1 year
ago and it is working very well
The schematic (second picture from the top) is easy to read ; you
have also the parts implantation at the end, and also the PCB picture
This concept is easy to adapt on other bands (especially 40 m)
Onn the main site : http://lpistor.chez-alice.fr, you will find all
the other projects from Luc, a very well known QRP designer here !!
72 de
Chris / F6FTB
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Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am