zBitx power draw
3
Hi, If I am running at 9V, and I am transmitting FT8 at 100%, what output power are you expecting and how much power is the device consuming? Cheers, Ben
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zbitx, compiler optimizations
3
#zbitx
Hi all, from what I've understood about the timing issues with CW on zbitx, it seems that the CPU load is at least part of the problem. I personally would love an option to switch off the waterfall (either in menu or set options), because I only need it when searching for signals, but not when I have found one. Apart from that, I wonder why the binary is compiled with debug symbols and no optimization at all. I exchanged the "gcc -g" with a "gcc -O3" in the build script, and the CPU load decreased from 60-70% to 45-55% running FT8, so there is quite some optimization that can be done. Interestingly the CPU load is quite higher on CW, which is 65-70% optimized and 75-80% original (unoptimized). I guess this might be due to polling the key's GPIOs instead of handling them via interrupt (which would make the code more difficult of course). Is there a reason why the build script is not using optimization? (for development side "-g" is perfectly understandable, but for "production" side?) Maybe compiler optimization could at least contribute to the puzzle pieces for optimizing CW response. vy73, Peter DL4PIT
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zBITX Heating
3
I was playing around on FT8 yesterday (just got the radio) at 2 watts and was surprised at how hot the radio got and quickly
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QSSTV on ZbitX
5
I am not able to obtain a 'rig control (TX) when setting up QSSTV on the ZbitX (following the released user-guide). I am able to receive signals, just not able to TX. The ZbitX is unable to communicate to the QSSTV app (or vice versa) re: PTT/TX. Any ideas? I have tried 'many' different radios / rig control combinations, but nothing works. (I do have WSJTX running, and of course, FT8). BTW, a small, finned heat-sink plus a small fan seems to have solved any heat issues. Don in Austin N5CID
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New zBitx - New User - CW operation
5
I just received my zBitx, and have read the manual as well as been following this group for the past couple months. I hope to use this rig primarily on CW and perhaps a little FT8. I am aware of some serious CW issues having been noted on this group. What is the current state of usability in CW? Is there a best firmware to be using? I prefer to use an external paddle with the internal keyer and sidetone, but will a straight key or keyboard CW be better for now? Or do I just need to wait for a fix? I will power the rig with 18650 cells in the attached holder. What is the best way to turn off the rig? Remove the cells? I know that can corrupt SD cards¡ 73, Steve AK0M
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Order # 3869 April 2
10
HF Signals : Order Tracker Your Order #3869 Current status : Awaiting processing -------- Wish others would post order #'s if they really mean anything.
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zbitx - questionable SW/HW
3
Hi there I ordered my ZBITX back in November 2024 when it was launched. Fantastic little thing with a interesting potential. Combining HF with known platform ( Rspberry PI ). Of course, I got my unit as one of the first with high hopes and exiting. So here my findings: * The battery on the side is somewhat interesting move. The battery holder on mine was faulty but I also removed it and are using a regular 9VDC power source. Looks better this way and I do not need to remove the batteries from the holder to recharge them. * Find it odd that there is no proper "shutdown" of the RPI. In my UNIX-book you should not remove power from a UNIX-system. It will potentially break the system. * Having a separate CPU to handle the display from the main system seems to be a compromise as the main RPI cannot handle both from a capacity point of view. That is probably good, but introduces the need separate for FW-updates to both systems. Somewhat cumbersome when needed. * The networkinterfacing using WLAN seems not to be very robust. I find very often (nearly all times) that the interfacing with my DHCP-server does not pick up a IP-address not DNS lookup-information. Meaning that a name resolution cannot be done and the unit is not able to talk to the outside world . Having said that, this is the first node in my LAN that is having this behavior. I have between 20 - 30 nodes that do work flawlessly. * The lack of robust TCP/IP-communication with the outside world has led to that I have not being able to do tries to update the system for many weeks. At one point I hade to rebuild my SD-card from a image given to me. * I find very often that the main RPI is overutilized with a lot of lag introduced when using the radio. So that makes the cumbersome user interface even more unuserfriendly. A more powerful RPI would have been handy to have. * The user interface is far from user friendly. Having to point there and there on the screen to change basically everything is very cumbersome and slow process. The good thing is that there is only one knob to turn. I do not say that the radios of today should have a load of HW-knobs and buttons. The design we have with the zbitx is a bit to minimalistic to my liking. Sorry for this somewhat negative feedback. But I though that I needed to share this feedback to the group. Some issues could be solved in SW. Many cannot be solved due to HW limitations Im afraid. -- Tilman D. Thulesius SM0JZT / Sweden
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error after update
Hi all, I updated the firmware and software to the latest and Im getting errors in my cli window. any advise? thanks Miguel
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uBITX V6 using N8ME doesn't remember keyer setting
2
I have a new uBITX, and I have flashed it with the N8ME v.02 that has the night pallet option. When I switch the keyer from hand to Iambic A, even if I save, it seems to forget this setting. Does anyone have a point the way to where this value is, so I can just hard code it, or code it to be the default setting? -- -- J R Parrick (K0TBS) Si vis pacem, para bellum! K?TBS website
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SPLIT won't activate
4
#zbitx
I tried to activate SPLIT using the on-screen keypad (in CW). Neither pressing the button nor turning the VFO knob with the selected SPLIT button turned SPLIT ON. Did I forget to do something?
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sBitx v4
5
Before I spend any more time building out code modules for the sbitx, I¡¯d like to know - is that product ¡°never to be sold again¡± or simply delayed? While I enjoy spending days modifying my own radio, I need to know if it¡¯s going to around in the future. VA3CGF
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How to update time
2
How do I update the boot up image. my raspberry pi showed the correct time. Can somebody help. DU1ZC
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zBitx doesn't start up
3
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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N8ME Firmware Day/Night Colors Switch Mod
7
On N8ME's v0.2, I am able to switch between two color "themes" for day and night (Red) by adding a hardware switch to the Arduino's analog pin A7 and an "If..Else" statement in display.cpp to select between two groups of colors. (I also made those variables not constants.) All colors change depending on the switch position correctly EXCEPT the VFO colors*. Since the VFO display goes through some code to determine which VFO is active, changing the colors is more complicated. *If the VFO related color variables are defined outside of my If..Else function, you get those defined VFO colors. However, if those same variables are defined inside the function, they do not work and the VFO colors are black. Maybe its a scope or extern problem. I don't know. :) The hardware switch wiring is just adding a 20k pull-up resistor between A7 and +5v on the CONTROLS header and the switch goes between A7 and GND. (I will include pics). Apparently A6 and A7 do not have internal pull-ups if I understand right. If N8ME is OK with it, should I post my version and see if anyone wants to take a crack at getting the VFO colors to change with the switch?
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sbitx fatal error message -- oled.h --
4
Hello to the group -- I am receiving a fatal error on update for my sbitx developer edition "oled.h no such file or directory" Need help to fix this so I can upgrade my radio. Thanks -- Rick W7RNB
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Sbitx V4.2 Low Voltage warning
5
Hi to the group, I finally got my Sbitx DE up to 4.2 and it works fine but I have two issue 1). Low Voltage power warning when the PS is 14.1 Vdc 2). The display is about 1/2 the brightness it was on the factory software and the brightness control is set at max (31) Need input -- please Rick W7RNB
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Today is 4 Weeks.....
8
Well today is 4 weeks so hopefully my zBitx will ship in the next few days....I've ordered all the support hardware (batteries, BNC coax, etc). I already have lots of other support since I own a KX2. Looking so forward to playing with this radio. I have a friend who has the sBitx (big brother) and I was quite impressed with it. -- "POWER, WE DON'T NEED NO STICKIN' POWER" - EVERY KX2 OWNER Always respect the airwaves, 73 de KI7PBR, Gary
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ZBITX Receive issue.
4
So I recently received my Zbitx and I think I have a problem. The receive is terrible. I can¡¯t make out anything on it even trying the WWV freqs I can¡¯t hear anything but a sort of ¡°chuh chuh chuh¡± sound that¡¯s continuous. I¡¯ve adjusted the IF and volume as well as bandwidth but it makes no difference. If there something I¡¯m missing or did I receive a faulty unit? Any and all help is appreciated. Video attached to show sound being heard.
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TSW T4.1 Raduino Kits - Unbuilt For Sale
2
I have two TSW T4.1 Raduino Kits, for uBITX v6, unbuilt for sale. $25.00 each or both for $45.00 + cost of USPS Priority Mail shipping, from SC, to US addresses only. PAYPAL only. Link to BITX20 Groupsio message thread referencing PDF of TSW T4.1 build instructions (scroll down to message #112110: https://web.archive.org/web/20220421175204/http://www.w0eb.com/ NOTE: - Kit DOES NOT include Teensy 4.1 (must use one with headers pins NOT installed), display (use display from uBITX v6 or purchase separately) or RTC battery. - You will need to able to use the Arduino IDE to load firmware onto the Teensy (I cannot supply the firmware so you will need to download yourself). These kits are supplied in the unopened bags they were shipped in from TSW. Dennis KG4RUL
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