How the uBITx works: A technical summary

uBITx 45MHz roofing filter (First IF stage)

Here’s a pretty complete summary of what’s going on within the uBitx, under its dual conversion IF system, as explained by Jerry KE7ER.

Actual frequencies are those used in the supplier’s original µBitx code:

Release version dated Dec 6, 2017 at:  https://github.com/afarhan/ubitx

uBITx 12 MHz Filter – 2nd IF stage

Local Oscillators

  • CLK0 (BFO) is fixed at 11996500 Hz, maybe 500Hz below the 12MHz filter’s 2000 Hz wide 3dB passband.
  • CLK1 (second local oscillator) is fixed at 56995000 hz for USB and 32995000 hz for LSB. You can find those three numbers in the file ubitx_20.ino at lines 166, 163, 164 respectively.

The VFO

The VFO is used to select the operating frequency Fop according to these formulas.

For USB:

Fop  = VFO – (CLK1-BFO)   so:

VFO = Fop + (CLK1-BFO)   where CLK1 is around 45 MHz + 12 MHz

For LSB:

Fop  = VFO – (CLK1+BFO)     so:

VFO = Fop + (CLK1+BFO)      where CLK1 is around 45 MHz – 12 MHz

To receive a 7.2MHz LSB signal (where 7.2 MHz is the frequency of the suppressed carrier), the VFO gets set to:

7200000+(32995000+11996500) = 52191500 Hz.

That formula gives an exact result, not an approximation.

USB vs LSB

The BFO corresponds to the carrier frequency of the station being received or transmitted. The 12mhz filter is always above the BFO, so within the 12 MHz IF it allows through only the upper sideband.

The VFO is always above the 45 MHz first intermediate frequency, and so always inverts the sidebands.

A carrier at 7200000 Hz would get translated to:

VFO-Fop = 52191500 – 7200000 = 44991500 Hz

A lower sideband at 7198500 Hz would get translated to:

52191500 – 7198500 = 44993000 Hz

In this example we assume the lower sideband is generated from a single audio tone into the mic of 1500 Hz.   We have chosen 1500 hz because it will land in the middle of the 12 MHz filter’s passband, assuming the filter has a 3 dB passband that’s 2000 Hz wide and the BFO is 500 Hz below that passband. The actual range of frequencies passed will be 500 to 2500 Hz. Those assumptions of 2000 Hz and 500Hz might be off by a couple hundred Hz.

Likewise, a high side CLK1 of 56995000 Hz  for USB always flips the sidebands when translating to 12 MHz, however the low side CLK1 of 32995000 Hz we use to receive the 7.2 MHz LSB signal does not.

Our 7.2mhz carrier:

44991500 – 32995000 =  11996500 Hz (exactly equal to our BFO frequency)

Our 7.2mhz lower sideband:

44993000 – 32995000 = 11998000 Hz  (in the middle of the crystal filter passband).

That’s how the original uBitx code works.

There is a problem because where an LSB signal hits the 45MHz filter will be 4khz removed from where a USB signal hits it, resulting in different audio quality between the two.

Reference

Metal case from Sunil VU3SUA (InKits India)

Sunil VU3SUA who is an active BITX20 list constructor has a business (Inkits) selling enclosures and electronic components for the Indian domestic and international market.  Sunil is now shipping his µBITx case.  This is a high quality metal case that is available in several colours: Maroon, Black, DA Grey, Siemens Grey, and Blue.

As you can see this is a very professional looking case.  The case will be  in high demand initially and is, therefore, only available on pre order.

Sunil’s website says that the first batch of pre order bookings has now ended and shipping has started (15th March 2018).   

We should see reviews of this product shortly on the BITX20 list.

Bookings for the Second Batch of pre order booking open now.  The shipping of second batch will start by end of March or Starting from 1st April 2018.

The universal case for the µBITx costs  US$34.99 with worldwide shipping via India Post costing US$20.    For a DHL  courier service there is an additional charge of  US$15.

Orders will be shipped in order of bookings.

For international orders from https://amateurradiokits.in/

For Indian domestic orders, go to http://inkits.in

Hiding a light (well a 20×4 screen) under a bushell!

VK3DAN has a µBITx and as soon as he received it he was busy modding it for a 20×4 (2004) screen. This sort of screen is easily substituted on the Raduino, but to use the extra display space requires modding the firmware.

Dan  has added band readout, his callsign, etc.  It also incorporates the CW sidetone fix, CAT system and various fixes written by Ian Lee KD8CEC. This firmware version won’t work with the 16×2 (1602) screen provided with your uBITX kit.   You will need to have purchased a 2004 type screen to replace your stock display.  You will also need to edit ubitx_ui.ino to change the callsign to your own.

More info at http://www.vk3dan.ninja

Download site:  https://github.com/vk3dan/ubitx-20×4 

WSJT-X, KD8CEC code, and Hamlib

Rod KM6SN found that WSJT-X running on some versions of Linux would not work well with the µBITX. The problem was the Hamlib FT-817 protocol was not successfully connecting to the uBITX at startup.

For the past two weeks Rod has been working with Bill Somerville, G4WJS (developer of Hamlib) on the issues.   He explained the nature of the problem, and provided CAT link protocol logic analyzer traces, and did bench testing of new Hamlib code Bill provided.

Bill took a lot of time out of his schedule to work on this, and it has borne fruit, having now identified the area that needed changes, provided modified software, and stayed with the problem through quite a few iterations of testing.

Rod and the rest of the digital mode enthusiast community will  no doubt be grateful for Bill’s persistence.

The Hamlib FT-817 protocol has been modified to resolve the problem, and there should be an official WSJT-X release for Linux including this patch soon.

Details will be posted on uBITx.net when the new WSJT-X version is available.

Reference

An ATU mod from VK2ETA

The news item http://ubitx.net/2018/03/11/ubitx-modders-are-hard-at-work/ has flushed out one or two further modders.

John, VK2ETA, writes:

“For my part I don’t know if it’s hard code developer or more mad hacker, but it is fun.   Here is a picture of the latest addition, an L-Network ATU built in the uBitx case, driven by two servos and controlled by an Arduino mini pro linked over I2C to the Raduino.

“It is now working well (80m to 10m) but needs cleaning up, shields (just to make sure) and a nice display of SWR and Power on the LCD.  More details to come.”

Ron, W7HD, was very interested in the servo control code and components and wiring as he would like to adapt this idea to handle a pair of servos for an az-el rotor for his satellite Arrow antenna, which only weighs about 1-2 pounds. Then he just needs to add a bit of code to show the actual antenna position and he’ll be all set!

Ron suggests another adaptation of this project would be to remotely tune a magnetic loop antenna. One of the problems you run into when trying to tune a loop is that your body affects the tuning.

Reference

 

Updates made to HF Signals website

Ashhar Farhan VU2ESE, designer of the µBITx, has posted to the BITX20 IO Group to say that there have been changes made to the wire up diagram to fix the errors.  This is good news as there will be fewer mistakes made by constructors meaning more happy customers!

While many will have moved on to one or other of the other firmware versions available for the µBITx, those wanting updated factory firmware will be pleased to know that a bug fix release will be coming soon.   uBITx.net will let you know when this happens.

A further comment from Ashhar suggests that he may use the PTT line as one of the keying lines (for the straight key).   This will mean a change to the wire up in line with the approach taken by the W0EB software team.

Reference