Re: Firmware update with USBasp
On the same topic. Would it be possible to (re-)program the chip in a?stand-alone?programming circuit?according to this schematic:
I am not sure, because the chip might be programmed to expect an xtal oscillator. What I understand from the ATMEL datasheet is that during programming there need to be?some type of clock (either internal, external or xtal) running apart from the serial CLK signal provided by the SPI. (Clock choice is set with fuses I believe ...)
Anyone having experience with this?
--
Regards/73,
Enno, PF5X
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Re: Firmware update with USBasp
I was looking to this too. When studying the schematics, it appears that the 5 V bus only supplies IC2, 3, and 4. The rest of the circuit is powered via the 12 V rail which is taken from the input of the 7805. My assumption would be that with an average USB port from a desktop (typ. 500mA capability) this should not cause any problem (provided that putting 5V on the output of an unpowered 7805 will not cause any additional current drain).
Enno, Somebody did try this recently and said it did not work. But later said it did when powered independently. I also tried on something, I could not see why, as you say the USBasp's 5V is connected directly to the USB 5V. But I did not check the voltage, just powered it normally. I believe a USB device reports the current it takes and the computer then might current-limits the output. I am unsure if it is a good thing to feed 5V to the output of an unpowered regulator. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: Firmware update with USBasp
I was looking to this too. When studying the schematics, it appears that the 5 V bus only supplies IC2, 3, and 4. The rest of the circuit is powered via the 12 V rail which is taken from the input of the 7805. My assumption would be that with an average USB port from a desktop (typ. 500mA capability) this should not cause any problem (provided that putting 5V on the output of an unpowered 7805 will not cause any additional current drain).
--
Regards/73,
Enno, PF5X
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Re: Firmware update with USBasp
Thank you Alan for the answer! Then I will not install the 5V pin on the board.?This way?I do not have to?modify the programmers cable.
73 Mike, DJ9BX
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Re: Firmware update with USBasp
in his description VK3ELH leaves the 5V connection between the Arduino and the QCX open. Shall I do this also when using a USBasp? Mike, It is normal to power the QCX or other device independently. The USBasp will power a single chip but may not power the whole rig. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Firmware update with USBasp
Hallo,
in his description VK3ELH leaves the 5V connection between the Arduino and the QCX open. Shall I do this also when using a USBasp?
73 de Mike, DJ9BX
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Re: QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Hi Paul
The current official version (just released) is 1.00d. See?
I offered to email a beta test version of 1.00e to anyone who asks for it - it fixes a bug in the WSPR beacon functionality; the second half of the WSPR transmission contains some corrupted WSPR symbols and this reduces the ability of receiving stations to copy the signal (because it reduces the noise immunity etc.). 1.00e will become the official live version in due course.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Sun, Nov 19, 2017 at 7:51 PM, Paul Schumacher via Groups.Io <wnpauls@...> wrote: thanks, Jim!
I will be patient,? Hans has done a wonderful job, and I understand his workload!
Paul
From: Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2017 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Paul, You have to email Hans and request it.? It has some intermediate bug fixes before the next version comes out.? He'll send it to you via email rather than post it as it's a Beta and not fully tested yet.? He may even have a later version under construction.? I saw the reference to it in one of the threads reporting a bug in the keyer portion of the program and I requested it before my QCX got here so I'd have it on hand if I needed it.
I believe 1.00c is the latest that's in the history list though. ?1.00c has a few known "warts" and I'm sure 1.00e does also, but the firmware keeps getting better and better as bugs are reported, confirmed and Hans finds time in his seriously busy schedule to fix them. ?
Jim - W0EB
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 11/19/2017 10:39:52 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Where did you find version E?? (v 1.00e)
I looked at the software updates and could not find it.
Paul K0ZYV
From: Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Now that QCX40 #943 is up and mostly running, here's a couple pix of it.
? The Arduino ISP progammer worked and firmware version 1.00e is clearly
shown on the startup screen.? The QCX aligned well and it only has a
problem with the sidetone not working right on transmit.? The receiver
is getting overloaded by the transmitter and I'm currently
troubleshooting that problem.? Might have a bad BS170 at Q5 or Q7?
Jim - W0EB
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QCX firmware 1.00d release
Hi all
QCX firmware version 1.00d is released. You don't need to upgrade unless you particularly want/need one of these changes. Changes in this version:
- Bug fix: During CW message sending, the displayed frequency was the beacon frequency, not VFO? - Bug fix: CW-R mode did not work (receiving on the lower sideband rather than usual upper)
73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: U3S - Recommended LPF positions
Thanks Hans, just what I needed to know. Just need to get up a stealth antenna and I will be OTA. -- Wes
AE6ZM
Hereford, AZ
?
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Re: U3S - Recommended LPF positions
Hello Wes
You may find this article on improving U3S harmonic attenuation interesting? - this applies to relay board Rev 4 (and below), and is what led to the changes for the current Rev 5 relay board.?
If you have a Rev 4 board you will generally get best harmonic attenuation by having the highest frequency LPFs as close as possible to the coax connecting to your RF connector (to your antenna etc). Put the highest frequency LPFs closest to the output connection of the system. And the lowest frequency LPFs closest to the Ultimate3S.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Mon, Nov 20, 2017 at 3:20 AM, Wes <wesbflyer@...> wrote: Just want to ping the group again with this question, as i do not see any responses yet. I have mine finished and working into my dummy load. Seems ok, but want to see what others have done in this regard.
Thanks all
VY 73
Wes
AE6ZM
Hereford, AZ
?
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Re: U3S transmitting- how to troubleshoot
Oh, and here's my WSPR dashboard (so far). It's showing the past ~20 hours of data.
On Sun, Nov 19, 2017 at 7:25 PM Ted Timmons < ted@...> wrote: Picking this up again. Hans- thanks for the rev5 instructions- I just missed seeing them on the page.
Ryan- I worked my way through the continuity, I don't trust the job I did soldering my antenna coax braid to the board, so I replaced it with a connector. Cleaned up some other joints too. Most notably, I adjusted the bias. I don't think it's perfect, but it was obviously at the 'wrong' end.
So, at a theoretical 100mw, I'm getting some pings. Not as many as I get with the WSPRlite at 200mw, but more than zero is a massive improvement.
The jumpers look fine, Ted. Get an LPF into position 1, or else use a wire to jumper in/out together, and then test continuity back from the antenna connector :)
--
Ryan Flowers W7RLF
?
?
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Re: U3S transmitting- how to troubleshoot
Picking this up again. Hans- thanks for the rev5 instructions- I just missed seeing them on the page.
Ryan- I worked my way through the continuity, I don't trust the job I did soldering my antenna coax braid to the board, so I replaced it with a connector. Cleaned up some other joints too. Most notably, I adjusted the bias. I don't think it's perfect, but it was obviously at the 'wrong' end.
So, at a theoretical 100mw, I'm getting some pings. Not as many as I get with the WSPRlite at 200mw, but more than zero is a massive improvement.
-ted
The jumpers look fine, Ted. Get an LPF into position 1, or else use a wire to jumper in/out together, and then test continuity back from the antenna connector :)
--
Ryan Flowers W7RLF
?
?
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Re: U3S - Recommended LPF positions
Just want to ping the group again with this question, as i do not see any responses yet. I have mine finished and working into my dummy load. Seems ok, but want to see what others have done in this regard. Thanks all VY 73 Wes
AE6ZM
Hereford, AZ
?
|
Thanks for updates.
I am still waiting for 799 shipped on the 3rd.?
Expected it by now.
It's not like I stay in the bush :-)
73, -bob ah7i/w4
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Re: QCX - more Power Output
Hi Enno, Fred, all
There are two things which I think can increase power output. Talking here, on the assumption the transceiver is already performing properly i.e. correct LPF etc. I expect Fred is referring to the first of these two:
1) QCX uses a PNP transistor Q6 to shape the RF envelope on key down/key up to remove key clicks. There is a voltage drop across this transistor as usual. If it is replaced by a P-type MOSFET with appropriate other component value changes, then this eliminates most of the voltage drop. Since the Class-E PA then runs at a little higher supply voltage, it produces more power output.?
2. Use of a MOSFET circuit instead of the schottky diode for power supply reverse polarity protection increases the component count slightly, but also has a much lower voltage drop, again providing a little higher voltage to the PA.
I don't know of any disadvantage to doing these modifications, they should work fine.
73 Hans G0UPL? ?
On Nov 19, 2017 1:28 AM, "Enno Korma" < enno.pf5x@...> wrote: Why wait? Please share!
--
Regards/73,
Enno, PF5X
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Re: QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Thanks.
It's now had it's first QSO - Park City, KS to K5BQ in Gordonville, TX. ?I had been working him on 7.030 with the K3S station at 450 watts and just before we signed off, I asked him to listen for the QCX. ?He was S9+ on the K3S, plenty loud (S9+) on the QCX as well. ?When I called him, he had good copy on me, gave me a 569 and the QCX was putting out just under 4 watts on 13.8VDC. ?
BTW, I put all the coils in the LPF back to the original, specified # of turns. ?I actually built it with 1 turn less on everything but L4. ?Using the supplied cores & wire, winding the # of turns spec'd in the manual, mine is actually giving me more output than people are reporting with theirs. ?Taking 1 turn off actually dropped my power and I was only getting 1.6 to 1.9 watts out. ?
If you are careful, it isn't terribly difficult to remove L1-L3 and change them so my recommendation is build it as specified first and fix it only if needed. ?(I used the version 1.08 manual to build it).
I'm in the process of building the QLG1 GPS receiver now so I'll be able to set up the QCX as a WSPR beacon when I'm in the house. ?Also, I have to take the encoder, volume control and antenna jack back off the board so I can put it in an enclosure I'm working on (4 State QRP Group's small Blue enclosure). ?I think I can get it all in there. ?May have to put the volume control on the back panel to have room for the right & left function switches as the LCD will take up a lot of room on that panel.
Jim - W0EB
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 11/19/2017 11:18:46 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Hello Jim, W0EB,
I'm glad to hear you got your rig up and going. Way to go !!! Those are some nice pix.
Regards, Ken, KM4NFQ
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Re: QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Hello Jim, W0EB,
I'm glad to hear you got your rig up and going. Way to go !!! Those are some nice pix.
Regards, Ken, KM4NFQ
On Sun, Nov 19, 2017 at 9:43 AM, Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...> wrote: Now that QCX40 #943 is up and mostly running, here's a couple pix of it.? The Arduino ISP progammer worked and firmware version 1.00e is clearly shown on the startup screen.? The QCX aligned well and it only has a problem with the sidetone not working right on transmit.? The receiver is getting overloaded by the transmitter and I'm currently troubleshooting that problem.? Might have a bad BS170 at Q5 or Q7?
Jim - W0EB
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Re: QCX 80 Mtr Low Power in TX
Thanks Jim (K8IQY) and all who responded to my post.
Some good advice and tips on how to proceed and it sounds like the problem is almost certainly the LPF inductor values which are probably wrong regardless of the correct number of turns being used and that the issue is with the cores having a margin for error.
Since my PCB is tidy looking at the moment I might just leave the LPF as-is since an extra 2 Watts is probably not going to be noticed anyway Hi.
73,s
Des. (M0AYF)
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Re: QCX 40 no sidetone - RX overloaded on TX
Disregard my above post please.? I've solved it completely.? The problem was (as mentioned in several other threads) RF feedback.? My QRP antenna feedpoint is about 15 feet above the shack and only 3 feet off the roof of my house.? I hooked the QCX to the big 40 meter dipole that's up 40 feet in the air off my tower.? Cured the problem.? I also re-made all the LPF coils and they are now back to the exact number of turns specified in the manual.? 3.8 watts out on 11 volts and very clean.? Sidetone sounds good.? Finished up the alignment - set the 27 MHz reference frequency as close to exact as I could and not the QCX at least agrees with my K3S on frequency readout.?
Now to build the GPS and get the timing & frequency disciplined from above -- LOL.
Jim - W0EB
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Re: QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
thanks, Jim!
I will be patient,? Hans has done a wonderful job, and I understand his workload!
Paul
From: Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2017 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Paul, You have to email Hans and request it. ?It has some intermediate bug fixes before the next version comes out. ?He'll send it to you via email rather than post it as it's a Beta and not fully tested yet. ?He may even have a later version under construction. ?I saw the reference to it in one of the threads reporting a bug in the keyer portion of the program and I requested it before my QCX got here so I'd have it on hand if I needed it.
I believe 1.00c is the latest that's in the history list though. ?1.00c has a few known "warts" and I'm sure 1.00e does also, but the firmware keeps getting better and better as bugs are reported, confirmed and Hans finds time in his seriously busy schedule to fix them. ?
Jim - W0EB
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 11/19/2017 10:39:52 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Where did you find version E?? (v 1.00e)
I looked at the software updates and could not find it.
Paul K0ZYV
From: Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QCX #943 an LCD? problem.
Now that QCX40 #943 is up and mostly running, here's a couple pix of it.
? The Arduino ISP progammer worked and firmware version 1.00e is clearly
shown on the startup screen.? The QCX aligned well and it only has a
problem with the sidetone not working right on transmit.? The receiver
is getting overloaded by the transmitter and I'm currently
troubleshooting that problem.? Might have a bad BS170 at Q5 or Q7?
Jim - W0EB
|
Enno Korma, PF5X
Wes WB7BR
Bob ah7i
Jim Sheldon