Difference between revisions of "ΜBITX"

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(Other things on wish list)
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* Items from QRPGuys took about 2 weeks from date of order to arrive.
 
* Items from QRPGuys took about 2 weeks from date of order to arrive.
  
== Mods ==
+
== Mods perfomed ==
  
 
=== Fuse before diode ===
 
=== Fuse before diode ===
 
Applied during assembly.
 
Applied during assembly.
  
Have blown the fuse twice (first time forget, second time transmitting on 40m with untuned antenna), so it seems to work.
+
Have blown the fuse <s>twice (first time forget, second time transmitting on 40m with untuned antenna)</s> quite a few times, so it seems to work.
  
 
=== Mitigating heat on LM7805 ===
 
=== Mitigating heat on LM7805 ===
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=== TX LED ===
 
=== TX LED ===
Soldered it up red LED per [https://groups.io/g/BITX20/message/46853 BITX20 message 46853] on 2018-09-06.  Works great!
+
Soldered up red LED per [https://groups.io/g/BITX20/message/46853 BITX20 message 46853] on 2018-09-06.  Works great!
 +
 
 +
== Mods planned ==
  
 
=== Leveling out power ===
 
=== Leveling out power ===
 
Planning on replacing some of the transistors per [http://ubitx.net/fix-fix-uneven-tx-output-across-bands/ this solution].
 
Planning on replacing some of the transistors per [http://ubitx.net/fix-fix-uneven-tx-output-across-bands/ this solution].
 +
 +
=== Reducing spurs ===
 +
* [http://ubitx.net/2018/10/10/rajs-second-spurs-mod-simpler-again/ Replace L5 and L7]
 +
 +
=== Reducing harmonics ===
 +
* [http://ubitx.net/spectral-purity/ Replace relays with Axicom D2n 12v relays (model V23105-A5403-A201)]
  
 
=== Other things on wish list ===
 
=== Other things on wish list ===

Revision as of 14:44, 6 August 2020

Notes on µBITX assembly and use.

Assembly

Parts that took some time to decide on approach to:

  • Case: used a cookie tin from Goodwill for $3 as a case.
  • Mic assembly: TODO

Antenna setup

Inverted V dipole made with Amateur Radio Supplies 20m dipole antenna wire (two 18' strands, trimmed, wrapped around insulators, strung up in attic) and 450Ω window line.

  • Originally was sent two 16ft strands, which is really too short. Customer service was great and sent me the 18ft strands and a prepaid return envelope for the 16ft strands.

QRPGuys Multi Z Tuner

QRPGuys 12W dummy load

  • Items from QRPGuys took about 2 weeks from date of order to arrive.

Mods perfomed

Fuse before diode

Applied during assembly.

Have blown the fuse twice (first time forget, second time transmitting on 40m with untuned antenna) quite a few times, so it seems to work.

Mitigating heat on LM7805

I started by adding a small 5V switching power supply before LM7805. This created a ton of noise on RX, so I took it out.

Instead, I relocated LM7805 to case. The first time I got the leads switched, though, and smoked the nano.

Dim the LCD

At first it had no effect, but then found I hadn't cut the trace between the two leads first, which I did 2018-09-06.

CEC firmware

After getting some extra nanos, I flashed one with CEC firmware. Works great!

TX LED

Soldered up red LED per BITX20 message 46853 on 2018-09-06. Works great!

Mods planned

Leveling out power

Planning on replacing some of the transistors per this solution.

Reducing spurs

Reducing harmonics

Other things on wish list

  • SWR meter
  • Red-on-black or amber-on-black display (for night-time operation)
    • And/or a 6-8 digit LED display
  • Foot-pedal controlled TX
  • Some sort of audio pre-processing?
  • Fix filters??