zBitx +-2 MHz transmit spurs? --> SHOWSTOPPER for transmitting
31
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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zBitx touchsreen issue
5
zBitx touchscreen no longer aligned. When I press the macro key "F4", the terminal reports that I pressed "F1". rev 1.06 / 3.052. Any help appreciated. Thanks, AC4OW, Sam Hanie
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Where is the line at for ZbitX's that are shipping.
8
Where are they at with the order numbers on shipping the ZbitX's. I might need to be out of town and need to make allowances to have someone get my package for me. Thank you Jim KE0VVU
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#zBitx timezone issue
5
#zbitx
i cannot seem to get the zBitx to have the correct time I run raspi-config and change the TZ to Chicago but the date command still says MST. pi@sbitx:~ $ sudo raspi-config Current default time zone: 'America/Chicago' Local time is now: Tue Apr 15 19:38:14 CDT 2025. Universal Time is now: Wed Apr 16 00:38:14 UTC 2025. pi@sbitx:~ $ date Tue 15 Apr 2025 05:38:31 PM MST pi@sbitx:~ $
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zbitx log.db
4
Any special conversion to the log file on the zbitx to get an adif file for import to a logging program?
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Fixed: cw latency and wsjtx/flidigi sidetone
34
I have a minor update to make zbitx work with wsjtx/fldigi/etc and fixed cw latency. You have to update just the raspberry zero. From a terminal window, type this: cd ~/sbitx ./update sbitx this should do it
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First zBitz QSO
My zBitx came today. Popped in two batteries, hooked it up to an 80m EFHW and a mic, and made a QSO on 40m. Got a 55 signal report. I'm impressed. Now to read the manual and really dig into it. de AC9KQ
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zBitx PCB images?
2
For any of us who might want to probe the circuit boards for noise sources, and/or possibly add bypass caps or clock buffers, are there any silkscreen images or PCB photos available so one might know where to look? Thanks, Ron, n6ywu
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Can we turn on HDMI audio on the
#zbitx
When i have the display attached it would be cool to have sound out of the monitor speakers.
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#zbitx RX delay makes difficult CW unusable
5
#zbitx
I was playing with an up-to-date Zbitx a while ago, trying to chase CW stations calling in 20m and 30m and I noticed that after a few minutes of the kind of CW sending that is possible now (the timing makes CW hard at 18 WPM, as many have noticed) one starts to hear an echo of what one sends, a couple of dits later. I was using an adjustable antenna, and I saw that the RX response to my adjustments to it also came a couple of dits later; disconnecting the antenna seemed to mute DX some split seconds later. All of this clearly points at some kind of RX delay building up, maybe because of processor load? After resetting, it seems to work fine for a while. After a couple of weeks of playing with this radio, which I intended to be one of my SOTA radios, I'm quite disappointed. Any of my Chinese cheap SDX radios is much better at CW than the Zbitx.
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Homebrew satellite control system that can run on sBitx
17
Hi! More work following the path that Ashhar suggested. I have also bought an older Icom 810H that has full duplex VHF/UHF. I'm doing initial experiments on Windows PC, but I have already demonstrated full Doppler shift control of sBitx acting as the 10m transceiver to a transverter, so this can all move to the sBitx.... GPREDICT re-installed due to better location, tracking any satellite I like. Does all the trig and doppler MATH RIGCTLD - previously studied and working; receives tcp/ip commands from GPREDIT to do doppler shift adjustments of sBitx or Icom radio Today: ROTCTLD -- figured out how to run this on a windows machine. Receives trig output of GPREDICT. Converts (in this case) to Yaesu type rotator commands for Az/ elevation and sends out serial port (in my case, COM4, 9600 baud) K3NG Rotator Controller -- I havent made a board for this yet. So I took one of my homebrew WINKEYER ARDUINO simulators, and reprogrammed it using K3NG code to "act like" the controller, handling Az, El controls, reading the CW speed control as if it were an azimuth potentiometer; running the display and activating the "key" and "PTT" to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The reprogramming of my Winkeyer Arduino appeard to be a huge success. I properly set the pins to run the display, which worked FINE. It was reading the speed pot as an azimuth reading, and if I pushed "buttons" it would read different elevations. ROTCLD happily connected to it at 9600 baud, and the "rotator controller" accepted commands and displayed them. I was not able on the first test to monitor whether it activated simulated motor controls (key output, etc) -- but that will come. So huge success here and soon (days, weeks?) I should be able to lay out a board (many others have done so before me, but some just did crazy wiring between variuous "shields") to put all this in a neat little package with relay outputs, possibly with PWM output (dunno)., to control available rotators for real. 73 Gordon KX4Z
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Transmit power
7
GM all, I have been reading and enjoying the sBitx V3. I have seen some references to output power of the rig to be above 5 watts. I just read the technical data and "Maximum power output of 40 watts on 80M and 40M bands, goes down to 20 watts on 15M" was stated. I have the sBitx powered with a 13.8 v 4 amp power supply. I have an auto tuner in line. The tuner oled will show power out and swr. I set the Drive at 49 and key down, tuner ---> 4 watts 75 and get 7.6--> 5.2---> stopping at 4.7 watts 100 and get 11---> 5.3----> stopping at 4.7 watts All other bands as about the same. Drive at 49---> 5 watts Drive 100---> 10w then drifts down to 5 watts. I get nothing like the specs indicate. I am usually running QRP so its not a big deal but something is wrong. Dean/ N2TNN
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zBitx speaker noise?
5
#zbitx
I hear a pulsing noise from my zBitx speaker, even with a dummy load connected instead of an antenna, and both the audio volume and IF gain turn down. Seems to pulse or hum 3 to 5 times per second. Is this normal? Or an issue that needs to be fixed? Anyone else hear this from their unit? If it’s a problem with my unit, any ideas on where I should I look to diagnose and solve this noise issue? 73, Ron
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Should I start with uBITX, sBITX or zBITX?
15
I do not have a BITX yet, but have been closely following the discussions on the group. My experience in homebrewing was a few decades back, of a VU2VWN QRP with BD 139 final and a 3 x 807 vacuum tube TX running about 120W DC input. That means I have not meddled with any radio circuit for the past few decades. Which one should I start with: uBITX, sBITX or zBITX? As of now, I have no option for portable operations. Only a fan dipole for 40-10m and a dipole for 80m. Hoping to receive your valuable suggestions. 73 Jon, VU2JO
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sBitx schematic for rotary encoder board?
42
#sBitx
#sBITX_v3
I've been digging through all the schematics and I don't see anything for the rotary encoder board? While the board that's in there is functional, I'm not a fan of how bent the board is. Seems like a quick easy task for me to design a board that fits properly, but I need to know which encoders are used and if there's any other devices on that board.
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CW on zbitx
52
I have fixed the two issues of zbitx on CW. The new update has good keying with Iambic keyer and the cw decode noise is now gone as well. To get this update, you have to: 1. Flash the new firmware (the firmware version is now 1.06). The firmware is available from https://github.com/afarhan/zbitxfrontpanel/raw/refs/heads/main/zbitx_front_panel_sw.ino.uf2 2. Update the new software on the raspberry pi, the latest version with the CW keyng fixed is 3.051 (or later). Here is Jose, VU2JOS sending CW with the new firmware update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEVyuFrkBd8 With this, I hope we have moved on with CW issues. - f
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zBitx Battery for real time clock missing
8
After my first successful FT8 QSOs with the zBitx, I switched it off. When I later switched it on again in FT8 mode, I was surprised, that I did not have any FT8 decodes, although I could clearly hear and see the FT8 signals. Connecting a monitor showed, that the time was off, i.e. the real time clock obviously does not work. I opened my zBitx (very nice concept of 3D printed parts for the case!) and took a picture of the mainboard: There is a 2 pin connector next to the RTC DS3231, which I guess is J7 from the schematics. Most probably this should be connected to a battery, but there is none!? Has this been an oversight during assembly and if yes, will a CMOS BIOS backup battery work? -- 73, Joerg - DB2OO
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sBitx v3 - next final MOSFET killed
17
Hello, My sBitx v3 has killed next final MOSFET. Again, as previously, only one was dead: However, this time the failure wasn't caused by overheating (the fan was cooling the heatsink and its temperature was ca 30 C) but by SWR. I was operating my device remotely via WiFi in FT8 mode, and my ATU got crazy. Unfortunately, I could only see the increase of SWR on my laptop, and the connection got broken. I couldn't cease the transmission immediately. When I reached the sBitx, it already showed the output power 0W. Well, when replacing them, I have exchanged the mica insulators with AlN ones. Let's see how long is it going to survive now. BTW. Is it possible to replace IRF510 with other MOSFETs (maybe more expensive, but offering higher maximum voltage and better power at 28 MHz)? 73, Wojtek SP5DAA
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zBitx complete software build instructions?
3
Can I use a Raspberry Pi 4 with a fresh 32-bit OS install to build the binaries needed to run an zBitx? Is so, where are complete build instructions, including all the dependences required (sqlite, fftw, wiringpi, et.al.) Thanks, Ron
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Pi password for zBitx
2
What is the password for the zBitx Pi OS? When I try to install a .deb file, I am asked for a 'user name' which is filled in as 'Pi'. What is the password I should use? Thank you. Don in Austin, N5CID
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