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zBitx speaker noise?
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#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?
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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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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
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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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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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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?
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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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Where is the line at for ZbitX's that are shipping.
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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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Pi password for zBitx
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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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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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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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Hi all, As I stated before, I bought a BitX40 at a hamfest a number of months ago, built by an unknown ham. I had to figure out what all the controls are and how they worked since none were labeled at all. On the front of the radio is a toggle switch which seems to do nothing at all. Opening up the radio, I find that it is attached via three wires to a smaller PC board located under the main pc board. The board has a LM324AN op amp chip, 5 trim pots, and a bright blue LED which lights up when I power up the radio. It stays on no matter which position the switch is in. I've attached a photo of the board and wonder if anyone recognizes it. the toggle switch is connected to the 3 wire connector plug in the foreground, and the other connections go elsewhere but I haven't yet traced them down. I'm just really curious as to what this board is or does, since as I've said flipping the toggle switch doesn't seem to do anything. However, it must have been important enough for the original builder to put the switch on the front panel. -- Tom Sevart N2UHC -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
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Waiting for the Zbitx to start... after update
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Hi! I updated the PI from the command line as the videos and manual from Hfsignals. on the next boot it hangs on the start up. It does not start in the external monitor, but I can use the PI. it is connected to wifi, and got the BT running with my BT keyboard. Local time did not update after connecting to wifi this is what shows up in the command line, then I try to update the zbitx and get all this text USER PID ACCESS COMMAND /dev/snd/controlC0: root 308 f.... (root)alsactl pi 629 F.... (pi)lxpanel /dev/snd/controlC0: root 308 f.... (root)alsactl pi 629 F.... (pi)lxpanel pi@sbitx:~/sbitx $ ^C pi@sbitx:~/sbitx $ ./update sbitx >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mon 14 Apr 13:38:31 MST 2025 Already up to date. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mon 14 Apr 13:38:39 MST 2025 database is intact compiling sbitx version in /home/pi/sbitx vfo.c:13:24: error: 'MAX_PHASE_COUNT' undeclared here (not in a function) static int phase_table[MAX_PHASE_COUNT]; ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ vfo.c:23:23: warning: 'struct vfo' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration void vfo_start(struct vfo *v, int frequency_hz, int start_phase){ ^~~ vfo.c: In function 'vfo_start': vfo.c:24:3: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct vfo' v->phase_increment = (frequency_hz * 65536) / sampling_freq; ^~ vfo.c: At top level: vfo.c:29:21: warning: 'struct vfo' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration int vfo_read(struct vfo *v){ ^~~ vfo.c: In function 'vfo_read': vfo.c:31:7: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct vfo' if (v->phase < 16384) ^~ fft_filter.c: In function 'filter_new': fft_filter.c:185:35: error: invalid application of 'sizeof' to incomplete type 'struct filter' struct filter *f = malloc(sizeof(struct filter)); ^~~~~~ fft_filter.c:186:3: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct filter' f->L = input_length; ^~ queue.c:11:21: warning: 'struct Queue' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration void q_empty(struct Queue *p){ ^~~~~ queue.c: In function 'q_empty': queue.c:12:4: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct Queue' p->head = 0; ^~ queue.c: At top level: queue.c:19:20: warning: 'struct Queue' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration void q_init(struct Queue *p, int length){ ^~~~~ queue.c: In function 'q_init': queue.c:25:3: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct Queue' p->max_q = length; ^~ queue.c:28:10: warning: passing argument 1 of 'q_empty' from incompatible pointer type [-Wincompatible-pointer-types] q_empty(p); ^ queue.c:11:28: note: expected 'struct Queue *' but argument is of type 'struct Queue *' void q_empty(struct Queue *p){ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^ queue.c: At top level: queue.c:31:21: warning: 'struct Queue' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration int q_length(struct Queue *p){ ^~~~~ queue.c: In function 'q_length': queue.c:32:9: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct Queue' if ( p->head >= p->tail) ^~ queue.c: At top level: queue.c:38:20: warning: 'struct Queue' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration int q_write(struct Queue *p, int32_t w){ ^~~~~ queue.c: In function 'q_write': queue.c:40:8: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct Queue' if (p->head + 1 == p->tail || p->tail == 0 && p->head == p->max_q-1){ ^~ queue.c: At top level: queue.c:52:23: warning: 'struct Queue' declared inside parameter list will not be visible outside of this definition or declaration int32_t q_read(struct Queue *p){ ^~~~~ queue.c: In function 'q_read': queue.c:55:8: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type 'struct Queue' if (p->tail == p->head){ ^~ logbook.c: In function 'logbook_count_dup': logbook.c:130:20: warning: implicit declaration of function 'time_sbitx'; did you mean 'timer_settime'? [-Wimplicit-function-declarati
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I tested transmitting from my new zBit into a tinySA with 50 dB of attenuators in between. First the good news, the 2nd and 3rd harmonics seem ok (43 dBc down or more). But I also see spurs at carrier +-2 MHz, and a 2 MHz, that seem to be a higher level than 43 dB below carrier. These 2 MHz sideband spurs were still visible when testing output on multiple other bands, from 40M to 12M. I don't see such 2 MHz spurs when testing my other transceivers, so they don't seem to be from the tinySA. Wierd measurement error? Or is my zBitx bad? Or could this be a hardware design or software issue. Or inter-mod from one of the digital circuit clocks or IO or display, requiring more shielding. I also hear noise on the audio, even with no antenna connected, pulsing at about 3 or 4 Hz. Ideas? Potential solutions? Thanks and 73, Ron, n6ywu
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Upgraded the he screen firmware and started the radio. On an external monitor all I get is this
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ZBitx Bluetooth ?
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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 mic/pTT wiring
Hello! I have a Yaesu SM17a pTT that I want to use and make a adapter for the zbitx. the Yaesu wiring is GND > mic/pTT > clone > spk => How should I wire the adapter? thanks in advance!
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sBITX V4
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Will the V4 still have the PI-4 or will it be like the zBITX with a pico? Ron
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Submitted suggestion form to Gigaparts (US) to stock zbitx 4/11/2025
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I rejoined bitx20 after learning of zbitx project/product, it is very interesting to me. I built 2 home-brew bitx radios about 8 years ago with integrated 902 MHz transverter, but my choice of LO was very bad, so best DX was ~200 meters! 11 April 2025, I submitted form to US distributor "gigaparts", who already sell ubitx version, asking them to carry new zbitx (kit or assembled, either OK.) It will be easier in US to buy zbitx from US distributor, as special customs treatment of small orders ("de minimus") in US is stated to end 02 May 2025, after that day it is uncertain, difficult or expensive (or all) for individual small-order user direct import. Thank you.
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Purchase question for NA and Canada
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Hi and ‘73. I searched and could not find this question covered so I would like to post it please. I’d like to purchase the kit version of the sBitx. Just the tested board. I have all the other components. However, I cannot use DHL as DHL has exorbitance additional prices and extra charges for Canadians. It’s absolutely ridiculous. It would cost me another $150 to get it into Canada. I would really appreciate if someone could direct me to another purchase solution for the sBitx board kit. Thank you very much. Gabe VE3SLJ.
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