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Re: uBITX - super touchy low end volume #ubitx-help #ubitx

Rob French (KC4UPR)
 

Yeah, I thought about that, but from what I can tell, the stock pot is audio taper.  I measure it at a few points w/ my multimeter and it seemed to fit a log profile. 
Re: amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx-help #ubitx

Edward Reynolds
 

I read this blog for information and you just provided something new about the audio board I was unaware of, the fact that the headphone circuit on the board lacked a trace to provide audio to both sides of a stereo headset. In final stages of uBITX construction so would have found it eventually, thanks for the heads up
Cheers
Ed de: n7snt 


On Aug 3, 2019, at 1:19 AM, Ian Reeve <ian.radioworkshop@...> wrote:

Some are out of alignment on my boards but all the holes are there.Just bear in mind that on my boards I had to add a jump link to give both channels on the headphone socket.As it stands you will only get audio on one side..

From: BITX20@groups.io <BITX20@groups.io> on behalf of Mark Hatch <mark2382@...>
Sent: Saturday, August 3, 2019 7:21:25 AM
To: BITX20@groups.io <BITX20@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [BITX20] amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx #ubitx-help
 
I didn’t have to cut any pins in my two kits...  strange how those holes are not aligned...


I agree with Dexter,  looks like this was done by hand.

73
mark

Re: uBITX - super touchy low end volume #ubitx-help #ubitx

kg9hfrank@gmail.com
 

Audio taper needed?
de Frank KG9H

On Aug 3, 2019, at 7:26 AM, Edward Reynolds via Groups.Io <n7snt@...> wrote:

I’d look at the picture on the HFsignals site uBITX wire up section for volume control and compare your connections with picture. Otherwise no answer other than a bad volume controller. Good luck
Ed de N7SNT 


On Aug 2, 2019, at 6:32 PM, Rob French (KC4UPR) <robert@...> wrote:

Super excited, just put together my uBITX and love it, though I haven't successfully managed any 2-way QSOs yet.  I've got a few spots on RBN, so I know something's getting out... Anyway...

I've noticed that the volume control (I'm using the stock potentiometer) is super sensitive at the low end.  i.e. As soon as I turn it on, I never turn it more than about 1/4 turn.  And if I go more, it distorts super quickly.  Very small adjustments of the knob change the volume pretty drastically.  I actually wondered if I wired the pot backwards!  But, I checked against the schematic and also this page ( https://ubitx.net/wiring-up-the-volume-control/ ), and as far as I can tell, I've done it right (green, orange, yellow, from L to R).  Any other thoughts?

Thanks!
Rob KC4UPR

Re: uBITX - super touchy low end volume #ubitx-help #ubitx

Edward Reynolds
 

I’d look at the picture on the HFsignals site uBITX wire up section for volume control and compare your connections with picture. Otherwise no answer other than a bad volume controller. Good luck
Ed de N7SNT 


On Aug 2, 2019, at 6:32 PM, Rob French (KC4UPR) <robert@...> wrote:

Super excited, just put together my uBITX and love it, though I haven't successfully managed any 2-way QSOs yet.  I've got a few spots on RBN, so I know something's getting out... Anyway...

I've noticed that the volume control (I'm using the stock potentiometer) is super sensitive at the low end.  i.e. As soon as I turn it on, I never turn it more than about 1/4 turn.  And if I go more, it distorts super quickly.  Very small adjustments of the knob change the volume pretty drastically.  I actually wondered if I wired the pot backwards!  But, I checked against the schematic and also this page ( https://ubitx.net/wiring-up-the-volume-control/ ), and as far as I can tell, I've done it right (green, orange, yellow, from L to R).  Any other thoughts?

Thanks!
Rob KC4UPR

Re: KD8CEC - Nextion Display - IAN questions

MVS Sarma
 

After Very long gap, i had observed this noise. 
I placed a 2.2mH rf choke in series to 5v line going to nextion . At nextion 5v and Gnd terminals i placed 220uF. The noise reduced to just10%.
Re: Cool cheap oscilloscope for troubleshooting

David Wilcox K8WPE
 

Tom,

I guess I need more hand holding and pictures.  A friend came over with his new Rigol scope to help me once and and had a slew of attenuators, tees, and other stuff so he didn’t wreck his scope.  I will need a list of these things to prevent damaging a new scope too. The few basic scope videos and books I have read assume I know how to hook it up. The only one that makes sense is Hans video on using the 200 kHz pocket scope for checking the audio circuits on the QCX.  but that was very low power and no risk of damage.  I want to check RF output as well as other things.

Will look through the Digilent manual with more attention.  I was looking for an A, B, C this is how you do this kind of book for 3 rd graders.....Ha!

Thanks.

Dave K8WPE

David J. Wilcox K8WPE’s iPad

On Aug 2, 2019, at 8:43 AM, Tom, wb6b <wb6b@...> wrote:

On Thu, Aug 1, 2019 at 02:39 AM, David Wilcox wrote:
 The reference manual reads like a college text book
Hi,

I've looked at the "Analog Discovery" Digilent scopes. I can understand why the manual would be a densely packed tome. The Analog Discovery is nearly a universal device and the whole universe of what is does as well as how to create those universes is likely covered in the manual. 

So for a beginner you have to take a big bite to get through it.

However, if you just pick out one thing, the simplest examples that hopefully exist in the manual of how to look at analog analog waveforms and go with that for now, likely you can have some success and fun learning how to use an Oscilloscope. Even though the scope first requires you to understand how to make the circuitry in the Digilent device to "assemble" itself into an oscilloscope by doing something from the control software to upload the "scope circuitry" to the Digilent device.

If you stick with the "Analog Discovery" module it looks like you can get a lot of mileage out of it as you learn more.  Hopefully, there are videos that users of the device have put up in an effort to help others use it. Once you get through that you should be able to relate the instructions/videos on more generic scopes to what to do on the Digilent scope.

Tom, wb6b

Re: amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx-help #ubitx

Ian Reeve
 

Some are out of alignment on my boards but all the holes are there.Just bear in mind that on my boards I had to add a jump link to give both channels on the headphone socket.As it stands you will only get audio on one side..

From: BITX20@groups.io <BITX20@groups.io> on behalf of Mark Hatch <mark2382@...>
Sent: Saturday, August 3, 2019 7:21:25 AM
To: BITX20@groups.io <BITX20@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [BITX20] amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx #ubitx-help
 
I didn’t have to cut any pins in my two kits...  strange how those holes are not aligned...


I agree with Dexter,  looks like this was done by hand.

73
mark

Re: amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx-help #ubitx

Mark Hatch
 

I didn’t have to cut any pins in my two kits...  strange how those holes are not aligned...


I agree with Dexter,  looks like this was done by hand.

73
mark
Re: amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx-help #ubitx

Dexter N Muir
 

Looks like a board hand-redrilled for correction post-manufacture: quality-control rework? or are they all hand-drilled? J2 pin 4 and the centre pin of J5 are out of line, too.
ZL2DEX who used to prototype PCBs with NC Driil.
Re: Cool cheap oscilloscope for troubleshooting

Tom, wb6b
 

On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 01:08 PM, Mark Hatch wrote:
take a look at EspoTek Labrador.
That is an interesting little board. I may buy one when I budget out an interesting gadget buy.

On a related note:

Here is another "universal" lab tool (maybe a little more RF focused) in the same style as the "Analog Discovery" module. But it is not cheap.
https://www.redpitaya.com

Was reminded of this when I was following another thread on the Software Controlled Ham Radio group.
https://groups.io/g/SoftwareControlledHamRadio/messages

Tom, wb6b
Re: Issues with ordering the BITX40

Gordon Gibby <ggibby@...>
 

Fantastic!!!    


On Aug 2, 2019, at 20:52, Ashhar Farhan <farhanbox@...> wrote:

I think that paypal has tweaked something and the old style button had stopped working. I will fix the raduino too.
- f

On Sat 3 Aug, 2019, 3:17 AM Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io, <jgaffke=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
While you are at it, include a way to buy a Raduino.
That option seems to have disappeared from hfsignals.com

On Thu, Aug 1, 2019 at 07:21 PM, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
Yup,  'Group, we have a problem'. I will fix this Paypal trouble in 24 hours. Aah, the joys of Paypal customer service, here we go again...
- f
uBITX - super touchy low end volume #ubitx-help #ubitx

Rob French (KC4UPR)
 

Super excited, just put together my uBITX and love it, though I haven't successfully managed any 2-way QSOs yet.  I've got a few spots on RBN, so I know something's getting out... Anyway...

I've noticed that the volume control (I'm using the stock potentiometer) is super sensitive at the low end.  i.e. As soon as I turn it on, I never turn it more than about 1/4 turn.  And if I go more, it distorts super quickly.  Very small adjustments of the knob change the volume pretty drastically.  I actually wondered if I wired the pot backwards!  But, I checked against the schematic and also this page ( https://ubitx.net/wiring-up-the-volume-control/ ), and as far as I can tell, I've done it right (green, orange, yellow, from L to R).  Any other thoughts?

Thanks!
Rob KC4UPR
Re: Issues with ordering the BITX40

Ashhar Farhan
 

I think that paypal has tweaked something and the old style button had stopped working. I will fix the raduino too.
- f

On Sat 3 Aug, 2019, 3:17 AM Jerry Gaffke via Groups.Io, <jgaffke=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
While you are at it, include a way to buy a Raduino.
That option seems to have disappeared from hfsignals.com

On Thu, Aug 1, 2019 at 07:21 PM, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
Yup,  'Group, we have a problem'. I will fix this Paypal trouble in 24 hours. Aah, the joys of Paypal customer service, here we go again...
- f
amatureradiokits enclosure question #ubitx-help #ubitx

Dean Souleles
 

Hi - I ordered a universal ubitx enclosure from amateureradiokits.in. Its a beautiful case and all the parts needed for a nice clean build are included. However the PCB they sent for the front panel display has a couple of problems. On the analog 8 connector port the hole for pin 6 is missing and the pin 2 and 3 solder pads are shorted. If I read the schematic correctly for the ubitx pin 2 is ground for the mic and pin 3 is ground for the volume so the short won't matter. And pin 6 appears to be unused. So if I clip pin 6 off the pin strip I think I should be able to proceed with the build, no harm, no foul. Yes? Thanks in advance from a newbie builder.

Dean

KK4DAS
Re: Issues with ordering the BITX40

Jerry Gaffke
 

While you are at it, include a way to buy a Raduino.
That option seems to have disappeared from hfsignals.com


On Thu, Aug 1, 2019 at 07:21 PM, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
Yup,  'Group, we have a problem'. I will fix this Paypal trouble in 24 hours. Aah, the joys of Paypal customer service, here we go again...
- f
keying errors ubitx

rickaputi@...
 

have a version 3 and version 4.   when using paddles for keyer function, spurious dashes are generated quite often when hitting the dit side, after the dit is generated.  no keying errors generated on the dash side.  interestingly, i found that changing the resistor from 2.2 k ohms to 2150 ohms prevented almost all keying errors.  discovered this using a resistor substitution box, then i combined resistors in parallel to match 2150 ohms.  not sure why the circuitry is so sensitive to such a narrrow range, but it did work.  still having lots of fun with ubitx!  many thanks to sthe guys who compiled the .tft for the 5 inch nextion.   woohoo !!   WA2TDL, Rick.
Re: Cool cheap oscilloscope for troubleshooting

Terence Taylor <n6mon@...>
 

Would be interested in the case when you upload it to ThingiVerse
Re: Cool cheap oscilloscope for troubleshooting

Mark Hatch
 

In case no one else mentioned it, take a look at EspoTek Labrador. You can order it from Amazon for $29. Plugs into a breadboard (well sort of, a couple pins have to be persuaded ) and it includes a oscilloscope (0.75MSa/s), signal generator, volt/ohms, and a logic analyzer. Even has a power supply function. You run software on your windows/Mac/linux and control it thru a program. Again, not going to replace a full scope, even one that is 20-30 years old, but the board is 50mm/sq...  I throw it in my desk junk drawer and grab it if I want to look at something. Much easier on my back than going to the garage to fetch that Tek 475...

BTW: I am in the process of designing a 3d printed case with room for real BNC connectors. Will put it thingiverse when I am done.

73
Mark
AJ6CU
Re: uBITX Calibration Question #calibration #ubitx

JT Croteau <jt.tobit@...>
 

Doug,

Thank you very much for the detailed reply.  I will be working on it this weekend.

73
N1ESE 

On Fri, Aug 2, 2019, 13:56 Doug Hall <k4dsp.doug@...> wrote:
On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 11:03 AM, JT Croteau wrote:
Could someone please point me in the direction of how to calibrate the uBITX with a PC audio spectrum analyzer?

 JT,

Here's what I did, and it seems to work well. Note: I am using KB8CEC v1.2 firmware. I don't know if this applies to the stock firmware since I have never used it.

I downloaded Spectrum Lab from here:
https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html

Install it and run it and go to Options->Audio Settings and select your sound card for the device input. Click Apply, and then you should see the spectrum display. If you don't you might have to click Start->Start Sound Thread. And if you're using some spectrum analyzer software other than Spectrum Lab then things will be different, but that's the gist of it.

Now connect a 1/8" stereo cable from the uBITX headphone jack to the audio input jack on your PC. Then turn on the uBITX and select USB. I did this on 20M but I don't think it matters. Slowly advance the volume control until you see the audio passband rise up from the noise floor.  If you advance the audio too much you won't be able to distinguish the passband from the noise floor.

Now turn on Setup Mode in the radio firmware, and then select "Set the BFO." Now adjust the VFO knob until the upper corner of the passband is at 2300 to 2400 Hz. The lower corner will be around 300 to 400 Hz. Press the PTT button to save the values. Now select CW mode and then select "Set CW RX BFO" and repeat the process for CW.

I posted a screen capture of the Spectrum Lab program after I finished adjusting the BFO. Thanks to Adrian KK6VQK and others for this idea.

73,
Doug K4DSP

Re: uBITX Calibration Question #calibration #ubitx

Doug Hall
 

On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 11:03 AM, JT Croteau wrote:
Could someone please point me in the direction of how to calibrate the uBITX with a PC audio spectrum analyzer?

 JT,

Here's what I did, and it seems to work well. Note: I am using KB8CEC v1.2 firmware. I don't know if this applies to the stock firmware since I have never used it.

I downloaded Spectrum Lab from here:
https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html

Install it and run it and go to Options->Audio Settings and select your sound card for the device input. Click Apply, and then you should see the spectrum display. If you don't you might have to click Start->Start Sound Thread. And if you're using some spectrum analyzer software other than Spectrum Lab then things will be different, but that's the gist of it.

Now connect a 1/8" stereo cable from the uBITX headphone jack to the audio input jack on your PC. Then turn on the uBITX and select USB. I did this on 20M but I don't think it matters. Slowly advance the volume control until you see the audio passband rise up from the noise floor.  If you advance the audio too much you won't be able to distinguish the passband from the noise floor.

Now turn on Setup Mode in the radio firmware, and then select "Set the BFO." Now adjust the VFO knob until the upper corner of the passband is at 2300 to 2400 Hz. The lower corner will be around 300 to 400 Hz. Press the PTT button to save the values. Now select CW mode and then select "Set CW RX BFO" and repeat the process for CW.

I posted a screen capture of the Spectrum Lab program after I finished adjusting the BFO. Thanks to Adrian KK6VQK and others for this idea.

73,
Doug K4DSP
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