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zBitx - selecting in FT8 (responding to CQ)
3
Just got my new zbitx and I love it. Have only run FT8 so far. I have some questions. The manual says to answer a CQ, select that line and press the knob once. Doesn¡¯t say HOW to select. From other discussions here, apparently tapping in the decode list then rotating the knob. OK, I did that then pressed the knob. Nothing. What am I missing?
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A buddy reported to me that my zBitx was showing 1.8s of DT in his WSJT-X console, and I can verify same with my own copy locally. I have verified that the clock on the zBitx is to the instant correct with WWV, ie. when I hear start of the tone at the top of the minute, the minute switches over on my zBitx, as well as with my NTP synchronized devices around the shack. Yet, when I answer a call or start a CQ, I'm showing as 1.8 seconds out of sync with most other people. Also what 'app' or library or whatever is being used for FT8? 73, .Vince
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zBitx Power Supply?
15
Which power supply is recommended for this radio? Thanks, Bob
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Activate auto-hotspot on zBitx?
5
Has anyone activated the auto-hotspot feature on the zBitx and can explain how to do it? I do have VNC running and I am connected to my WiFi, but I want to be able to connect when around unknown WiFi such as on vacation where I don't know the WiFi name and password until I get there. =Vic=
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I am getting this band noise. It has not always been present. Could this be caused by the INA260 voltage/current sensor module I recently added? I¡¯m asking to see if I need to remove it from my radio. I am hoping this has been discovered and fixed by someone else already. Has anyone else seen this yet? Thanks for your help in advance, David WK4DS
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Just got my zBitx today. Powered up, and the nice screen pops right up. It says "Waiting for the zBitx to start..." and no other response. Been waiting a long time, but no joy. Tried power down and restart - same result. Any advice would be appreciated. 73 Dave, VE3WI
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zbitx - WiFi question
2
Just got my new zbitx and I love it. Have only run FT8 so far. I have some questions. Do I understand correctly that in order to connect the zBitx to wifi you first have to connect a keyboard, mouse and external monitor? The manual seems to say so, but some of the discussions here sound like no. One possibility that just occurred to me, is that I must connect keyboard, mouse, and monitor once, and then the SSID/key will be retained. If that it?
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Hi, There have been few reports on this list of customers' zBITX units arriving with issues. Mine arrived in fine condition here in Australia via DHL courier. Standard packaging seems ok, with little chance for damage if treated properly. If we were to assume nothing being equal, we might be able to trace the issue starting from final "Test Report" before shipping to testing after unboxing. When I received my unit, I placed a couple of batteries in the holder, attached a dummy load, and tested it briefly using another transceiver. All seemed OK. I do not know how useful it would be, but I am attaching a photo of my test report below in case that helps. I am wondering if those that have issues with their units want to do the same in case it might help discern a pattern. I am basically a software guy, and am looking forward to buying another unit to test them together with each other, Best regards, -Rob, VK4SSE
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Return to HF Signals
In the event that needed to return the zBitx to HH Signals and receive a refund how easy is the process and who pays for shipping ? Thanks, Bob
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zBitx RX/Speaker Problems
2
Hello, my zBitx is not usable out of the box, when switching on, you can already hear the splattering in the loudspeaker, as far as I have found out, it is probably due to the display and the pico. If I set an unmodulated carrier, I have the same noise in my transmission. I have made a few videos, one is my KiwiSDR which is about 3km away. Has anyone had similar problems and been able to solve them? I can't use the device like this, updates haven't helped either, even in ft8 no qso is possible. RX without antenna https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Gim0yRvp3ik RX with antenna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps9LWgKrXfc TX SSB 1w, RX in 3km distance, empty carrier without modulation https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TsUHhKqulF8 many thanks 73 Andy
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Hi Ashhar, From another post: "I am preparing a new messagijg system that works over ft8 protocol that is different from js8call. It is more like a messenger. It needs the radio to be on, 24x7 (and why not!). That will happen ay the FDIM." Any updates? 73 Wei AG6AQ
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Failure on first use?
6
I received my new ZBitx last week and pulled it out for an initial operation today. Mostly checking out FT8, recriving signals and had answered a couple when suddenly the receiver started putting out noise and could not hear anything but the noise. Verified the antenna was good by hooking up another transceiver, checked and messed with the various options to no avail. Any thoughts on possible causes? I took some pics and videos and will reach out to HF Signals after the weekend unless anyone does have some suggestions. Definitely disappointed.
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zBitx macro selection?
3
I can't find how to select different macros on the zBitx, or for that matter in the terminal app display. I want to add some macros, and be able to select them for default at power up of the rig when standalone. Is this possible? Steve AK0M
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old calibrating uBITX
8
Hi everyone, I built a uBitx v5 (so 11.059 filter) from scratch only receiver. I know it's an obsolete and trite topic, but I wanted to ask you if there is a good method to calibrate its VFO and perform the calibration. I've read a lot of things, but I can't do it optimally. I have calibrated the frequencies output from the raduino via software. But the receiver I just can't understand the logic. I hope to receive some safe suggestions, to then transfer it to a container. Also, the VFO calibration and calibration, must be done on an amateur radio frequency or on a commercial one (also much debated)? Thanks and 73 by Antonio IU7SUX
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Out of the box unusable on CW
3
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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Sbitx v3 frequency off by 300 hz
5
?Can anyone tell me how to adjust the frequency offset on the Sbitx? To hear any frequency ie 7.196 I have to use 7.196.3 ¡ the truSDX has a setting for this and I am hoping this radio does as well. Thanks in advance, Niles. KC8RJH Sent from my iPhone
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Waterfall and CW decoder on/off
The receiver noise would go away if the waterfall could be stopped. Could someone put a "Wfall on/off" icon in the SET or MENU functions that would stop the waterfall. It would be nice if the CW decoder could be stopped as well.
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Built this wiring harness this afternoon to convert a HT Mic(Kenwood connector style 2.5mm/3.5mm) to the Zbitx, and I assume it would work with the sbitx. The microphone's speaker is amplified, I tested with a regular mic and found the sound levels were too low. The amplified audio on the mic really helps. The one thing to take note is that the speaker(EAR) needs to be connected as well because the MIC and PTT take the ground from the EAR's ground. If it's not connected you won't be able to TX. I haven't tried it on air, but listening to myself on my other radio and it sounded really good. About the same level as the internal mic.
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Finally I can Boot zbitx From USB
I finally managed to boot from an external USB on my zbitx. I had to modify /boot/cmdline.txt on the internal sdcard to point rootfs to the external device UUID. Of course if I remove the external device the zbitx doesn't boot because it is waiting for the root file system which is not there . Not sure how the zbitx boot process works but it appears that the internal sdcard is needed to actually boot from the external sdcard. Not sure why that is Once the zbitx is up and running on the external device I am able to unmount the internal sdcard and everything runs ok. /dev/sda1 is mounted as /boot and /dev/sda2 is mounted as /rootfs It looks like what is needed is a check to see if the internal card is present and the external card is not then boot from the internal card and its file systems otherwise boot from the external sdcard Ideas? This is what I did. 1. Ran sd card copy creating the USB mounted sdcard partitiongs changing the UUID's. 2. Copied `/boot/bcm2710-rpi-3-b.dtb` to `/boot/bcm2710-rpi-zero-2.dtb` on the internal sdcard. 3. Copied `/boot/bcm2710-rpi-3-b.dtb` to `/boot/bcm2710-rpi-zero-2-w.dtb` on the internal sdcard. 4. Added `program_usb_boot_mode=1` to /boot/config.txt on the internal sdcard. 5. Modified /boot/cmdline.txt changing rootfs to point to the UUID of the USB sdcard rootfs. 6. Rebooted the zbitx. 7. Unmounted the internal sdcard boot and rootfs dev's. Leo, AI5II
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zBitx built-in FT8 another problem with complex callsigns
Today I managed to do three POTA activations with my zBitx. Everything went fine, with the only exception that I couldn't complete QSO with those using complex callsigns. Below is an example of related records exported from my "messages" table in sbitx.db: 41796,FT8,14074600,20250524,93629,0,SP5DAA IK1MJK/P -06 41817,FT8,14074600,20250524,93630,1,IK1MJK/P SP5DAA R-01 41819,FT8,14074600,20250524,93659,0,SP5D IK1MJK/P -08 41843,FT8,14074600,20250524,93700,1,IK1MJK/P SP5DAA R-01 41846,FT8,14074600,20250524,93729,0,SP5D IK1MJK/P -09 It looks like despite the fact that my response is "IK1MJK/P SP5DAA R-01" my interlocutor sees my callsign as "SP5D". That's similar to the problem that I reported before: /g/BITX20/message/118390 but even worse. That means that it's not only me who can't use a complex callsign, but also I can't have a QSO with others having complex callsigns. In a standalone SOTA/POTA radio it is a big problem :(. I know, that using WSJT-X on a computer/laptop may be a solution, but that negates the benefit of having a small transceiver with built-in FT8 support.
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am