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These are just things to think about. I am making some presumptions here, based on the way I am interpreting emails I am seeing. If any facts are wrong, I stand corrected. The current 64-bit software seems to be reasonably complete, thanks to the good work of several individuals. If I were to try and name them all, I would miss too many, so I won't try. Thanks to you all for your hours of work. The V4 is apparently some time in the future, as there appears to be several weeks of work to clear zBit orders before anything is done on the V4. If I understand correctly, the only change from the present V3 to the future V4 is the change in the display from the older one to the new Touch 2. The T2's pixel resolution is in portrait orientation, and this has to be changed to landscape. One thing that might be worthwhile is to offer the V4 with different Pis, depending on the amount of RAM (2, 4, or 8 Gb) individual users desire. I realize this option would have to be reflected in the pricing. I would be willing to pay more for more memory. Another thing might be to add the Synaptic utility and the link to the Pi software repository. I would want to add Firefox to my V4. I would want to add a few .PDF files I have created, and links to a few useful URLs. Maybe some people would like to comment further. Gerry Sherman

NOTE ¨C This is focused on zBITX CW using a Straight Key. Scenario Straight Key CW is not really possible unless you send at 20+ WPM. Even then is troublesome, causing sending errors. Background - zBITX runs sBitx in a full RasPi OS install ¨C it is not a stripped down version - A sBitx GUI is always running on the RasPi Desktop - zBITX adds and manages a second GUI running on a Touch Screen LCD - Two GUIs with dynamic Spectrum and Waterfall features require processing time - The sBitx CW is Semi Break-in, not Full Break-In - A Key-Down GPIO Input being detected switches the sBitx to Transmit Mode - No Key Down for ¡®x milliseconds¡¯ switches the sBitx back in to Receive Mode - The Back-To-Receive Mode delay time is currently settable from 0-1000 milliseconds - The Key-Down GPIO Input does not come from a GPIO IRQ (Interrupt) ¨C it is polled. - The frequency of polling for a Key-Down GPIO Input is inconsistent. - The frequency of polling is theoretically every millisecond. But that does not happen. Concept Once in Transmit Mode, all else (except audio which runs in a separate thread), needs to be inhibited in order to allow the device to just manage CW sending . Problem Detail A GLib g_timeout_add() is used to call a ui_tick() function in sbitx_gtk,c every one millisecond (1ms). Polling for a Key-Down GPIO Input is done in this ui_tick() function. The ui_tick() function is very busy as it does a lot of other things, some of which look like they require a lot of time to process. So, it may take much more than 1ms for ui_tick() to complete. If a GLib timeout function is called again before its previous execution has completed, it does not cause any errors or unexpected behavior. The function is simply re-scheduled for the next timeout interval. This will behavior will delay the Polling for a Key-Down GPIO Input. Solution The ui_tick() function was revised to (1) Move the polling for a Key-Down GPIO Input to the top of the function, and (2) after having done that Key-Down GPIO polling, do a Return to get out of that function if we are in Transmit Mode. Result This change allows Straight Key use at very slow speeds. This change also helps with slow speed paddle keying. (however, it is just like the days of old, with nothing to look at while you are sending) This change proved my concept. BUT there are still some glitches, which are probably caused by ui_tick() getting past my ¡°are we in transmit mode?¡± test and proceeding to get caught up in handling all of the other time consuming processing that takes place in the ui_tick() function. So it can be not looking whenever a Key Down occurs. So, it is not the complete answer. A copy of my revised sbitx_gtk,c is attached. Search on k3jzd to find my changes. Next Steps - Look at extending the Semi Break-In Hang Time (called ¡°delay¡± in zBITX). The current limit of 1000ms (1 second) is often not enough - we pause to think a little from time to time. I¡¯m still looking for where this 1000ms limit has been established so that I can change it to 5000 which will let the user set it to suit his style. - Look at using GPIO Pin IRQs (interrupts). I need to sort out how this works with a GPIO Input for DASH, but none that I have found for DOT. 72, Jody ¨C K3JZD

Hello to the group -- The yellow spectral display just above the waterfall has disappeared. I think the waterfall is acting a bit strange too, but that might just be noise. I have tried to adjust the IF but it does nothing to bring the spectral display back. Suggestions on how to fix this would be appreciated. Thanks -- Rick W7RNB

All - looks like i lost output power on SSB. Here is trace of what happened. By mistake i had wrong antenna plugged in. 1. I will test CW output to see if there is any power after PTT on mic PTT. 2. PTT relay is kicking in with SSB; i am able to hear modulation on receiver nearby. Could Q90 be gone? or IRF510? for Q90 - what is the exact component or is there a substitute i could use. Appreciate your inputs.

Hi all I keep getting reports of quite severe distortion when I use my Zbitx in SSB mode, is it the fact that I'm only using the internal mic, ( reasonable signal reports for a QRP but unintelligible audio) giving it a bit more gain either goes from very little output to distortion, doesn't seem to be a right level, audio level meter is very jumpy too, do I have to adjust any other settings. FT8 seems to work fine and I'm getting output when I try 2tone tests. I'm only using 18650s so is it perhaps wanting a proper 9v supply. Any help would be appreciated. Martin

Hello! Im selling my zBitx from the first batch and delivered last April. Besides the transceiver and supplied accessories (OTG, usb cable, stylus) im also adding: HDMI to mini HDMI cable BT keyboard 4 x 18650 batteries USB charger for 2 18650 batteries located in Portugal and able to ship within the EU (shipping cost to be added) https://www.olx.pt/d/anuncio/zbitx-da-hfsignals-radio-amador-qrp-IDIRxzU.html?bs=olx_pro_listing Asking 230€.

HF Signals : Order Tracker Your Order #3869 Current status : Awaiting processing -------- Wish others would post order #'s if they really mean anything.

When using zBitx outdoor, I use my mobile phone as a time source. Additionally I would like to use my mobile to control zBitx via web interface. Unfortunately, my smartphone does not report IP addresses of the connected devices. In case of sBitx, I can find it's IP and connect to it from the smartphone. It would be nice if zBitx could report its IP as well. Another issue is the fact that connecting to the new network requires HDMI connection. I was in a hotel, where the TV didn't offer HDMI connectivity. Thence, I couldn't connect my zBitx to the local network. Adding a possibility to set WiFi SSID and pasword in the SET screen would be a good solution. 73, Wojtek SP5DAA

Trying out my new zBitx, one missing feature that would really be useful would be to tap on a signal on the waterfall and the VFO would jump to that frequency.

Finally trying out my zBitx received last week. It seemed deaf at first. I am finding that I need to run my IF setting to around 75 on 20m to hear or see any signals. What are typical IF settings for other users?

I kindly ask this community if FLdigi is already installed on my ZBITX that arrived a few days ago and if so, how to activate it

Judging by the traffic on this forum, I assume most of "us" are now working on sBITX and zBITX radios. If any of you have an unbuilt uBITX kit (V3, V4 or V5) that you will never get around to building, please contact me through my QRZ address and let me know what you need to ship it to WV Zip 25704. I would prefer to pay with a USPS money order but I can also do PayPal. Bob WB8BEL

After many QSO's on FT8, I do not see and reporting on pskreporter. I'm I missing some setting?

So I finally was able to chase down enough cables and a micro USB hub to hook up to a HDMI monitor, mouse and keyboard and got it all working along with connection to my laptop over wifi. My question is when I mouse click settings boxes with the remote mouse and monitor, the item high lights, but can't see to be able to change the value like say the drive setting. What am I missing?

I have a question for all you extremely BRIGHT people out there. Watching how the sBitx works, and thinking through how it mathematically computes the single side band modulation, based on a transform of the analog audio input, I am thinking that it is impossible to "splatter" outside the normal bandwidth. That would be highly desirable, because it basically means you don't need ALC (automatic level control) and that you sorta have a "built in compression" if your audio gets louder. Am I right in these thoughts? I've studied the ALC circuitry by putting some debugging print statements in it, and I don't think I've ever seen it do much at all and this was part of what got me thinking that this radio may simply NOT produce splatter. Your input welcomed, 73 Gordon Kx4Z

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

Hi all, I received my Zbitx a little over a week ago and have not had time to really try it out. I have noticed it seems to be very insensitive to any signals. When I switch over to my ft 817 signals are strong then immediately back to my zbitx they are either not heard or barely audible. I have varied the if control between 0 and 100 mans have gone the age options to no avail Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you -Sean de g0uvm

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

When working in FT8 on my zBitx I can see the spectrum of the received signal, but I can't check if my TX pitch is at the unused frequency. In sBitx it was shown with the red line on the spectrum. I can see the red line on the spectrum, but its position does not depend on the TX pitch value. Do others have the same problem? Is it a problem with wrong version of the display firmware (i have not upgraded it)? 73, Wojtek - SP5DAA