The All-band HF Amateur Radio Transceiver: Just waiting to be modified
Ian KD8CEC has released his latest firmware. This requires a minor configuration flag to be set to your µBITx version (3, 4 or 5) in the sketch before compiling and uploading the code to your µBITx.
Earlier µBITx versions do not require upgrading as no new features have been added to the firmware other than compatibility with the new v5 board.
Ian KD8CEC has announced a beta version of his firmware (Version 1.12) for the uBITX V5 board. He has written an article about it here.
All existing firmware functions for V3 and V4 are available on the V5 beta.
The same version of uBITX Manager will work with the v5 Board.
Only the LPF control and the frequency control part are changed in the V5 code. Ian has released firmware V1.121 for V5.
Ian KD8CEC has released version 1.1 of his CEC firmware. This the first major release since Beta version 1.097. He has also released new versions of uBITx Manager (for Windows) and Nextion screen firmware.
Version 1.1 includes all additions or improvements from the last non-Beta release version 1.08. This includes features and bug fixes addressed in Beta versions 1.09, 1.093, 1.095, and 1.097. No further changes have been made to the Version 1.097 Beta version.
You do not need to upgrade if you are using Version 1.097. This is the version with only the version number changed.
Major Changes since the last official release
Please refer to the link below for details.
http://www.hamskey.com/2018/09/ubitx-firmware-cec-version-11-release.html
Please download the related files from the link below.
https://github.com/phdlee/ubitx/releases/tag/1.1
Nextion LCD or TJC LCD’s GUI have not changes since the 1.097 (Beta) distribution. If you are using a different GUI that is customized by other helpful developers, you should not need to upgrade the firmware. Some screen sizes are still not supported in ver 1.097 (and therefore in version 1.1).
There are several alternative firmware versions available for use with the µBITx transceiver. So why has the KD8CEC firmware been so successful with uBITx owners?
Some key reasons put forward by uBITx.net:
Ian KD8CEC, in his third article on using a second arduino with the µBITx, demonstrates the signal scope feature made possible with having a dedicated ardunio nano connected to the main Raduino control processor via i2c lines.
The signal scope shows a section of the band surrounding the currently tuned frequency IN REAL TIME. The nano and the serial connections to the Nextion doesn’t have the agility to provide a full blown waterfall display, but a real time display of signals around where you are currently tuned is still pretty impressive.
The other feature that is present in the Nextion display version of this arduino add-on, is a CW decode function.
Bring on the release of v1.097 of CEC firmware!
Ian KD8CEC has been busy again in conjuring up new features in his CEC firmware. He is tempting us with descriptions of two new features:
The first feature is well explained by the photo above. The second feature is a bit more difficult to describe. By adding a US$3 additional arduino the µBITx now has double the number of analogue and digital ports and another 32K of program space. This could be a fun ride! The first function is a basic one, but an important one. A much more sensitive S-meter. But wait there’s more, as yet to be fully described. If you already have a Nextion screen, it looks like you may be in line for a half decent signal analyser function.
The circuit is pretty straight forward, and involves just a couple of resistors and a capacitor, along with wiring to +5v and ground, and the two i2c lines.
Ian KD8CEC has released an update of his µBITx firmware and accompanying firmware for the Nextion display (for 2.4″ and 2.8″ displays).
Others are working on resizing the firmware to work on 3.2″, 3.5″ and 7″ displays. It would be simple to also convert the 7″ firmware to work with a 5″ display.
So what is new in this latest beta release?
The pace of development is pretty staggering. We all look forward to other functions being added to the Nextion screen in future!
To download these beta files check out Ian’s article.
The KD8CEC firmware provides a lot of customisation features through uBITx Manager software. Many user of Ian’s firmware are not aware of all the built-in features of his firmware. This is one such instance!
JJ1EPE raised a concern that his display in CW mode was “off frequency”. Well, it was from his perspective, but then the display was all the time showing the TX frequency not the offset frequency where the station he was listening to.
CW offsets create headaches in how you represent the frequency on a display. In SSB the frequency you see on the display is the frequency of the suppressed carrier on receive and the same on transmit. If you tune to the carrier frequency of a received station you won’t hear anything. To get a sidetone we have to tune off the transmit frequency by a few hundred hertz. Most people have worked out how to set the offset on the uBITx.
The standard that Ian KD8CEC has applied is to always show the TX frequency by default (except where RIT or SPLIT mode is selected).
However, if you want to change the approach, do the following in uBITX Manager:
– Enable Adjust CW Frequency
– Shift Display Frequency on CWL, CWU Mode
If you select this function, the LCD will show the frequency at which the radio is being transmitted (the offset you prefer is added or subtracted to the actual RX frequency reflecting the CW-L or CW-U mode selected). This may be just the thing you were looking for!
Michael VE3WMB figured after playing around with the KD8CEC firmware for a while that he would prefer to have the Main VFO frequency and Mode displayed in the top line, instead of the bottom line of the display and the secondary info (VFO B etc) on the bottom line of his display.
Under ‘User Interface’ of the uBitx Memory Manager application (scroll way down), checking the ‘1/2 Line Toggle’ works to swap the first and 2nd lines on the display. No coding is required to achieve this.
If this display looks like it is from a commercial rig, then you are wrong! It is the Nextion display mounted on a µBITx!
Ian KD8CEC will shortly release his newest enhancement to CEC firmware. His latest modification to the CEC firmware supports Nextion screens. This was foreshadowed recently on the BITX20 list.
THIS WILL BE THE MOST AMAZING ENHANCEMENT YET FOR UBITX!
If you want further proof, check out Ian’s recently prepared youtube video of the Nextion screen in operation. His release is imminent.
Get your order in for a Nextion display immediately, as they are likely to sell out when 6000 µBITx owners twig that they really do NEED a Nextion display. [Note that ubitx.net has no relationship with ITEAD – who make the Nextion!]
There are some very good reasons why the Nextion display is the way to go:
Nextion display units cost more than other displays for a reason. The independent processor removes most of the burden for screen manipulation from the main processor, and it is much quicker and easier to develop the user interface and to customise it for different sized screens and to add/subtract features. Nextion displays also include a microSD card reader. They run on +5v DC and include a serial port. Note that the Enhanced Model contains a battery mount for the RTC, but does not include the battery (CR1220) itself. This is not required until you want to use the RTC.
It will be VERY EASY to add a Nextion display to your µBITx. Watch the video!
No hardware modifications are required to your µBITx, but you will of course need enough front panel space to install your colour touch display of choice. You may even need a bigger case if you want to install the 7″ Nextion display!
You will also need to download two new files:
The downloaded firmware for the Nextion needs to match with your screen size. There are two variants for each screen size: a BASIC or ENHANCED version of the Nextion display unit (see the discussion on which version to buy below).
This firmware needs to be saved to a microSD card (a 2GB or larger card is required). Insert the card in the Nextion display and in powering up the Nextion display will automatically load the firmware from the microSD card into the Nextion flash storage. Remove the microSD card when the upload is complete.
Four wires connect the Nextion display to the Raduino. Two lines are for power, and the other two are serial RX and TX that connect to standard IO ports on the µBITx that were used for the 16×2 standard display.
Reboot your µBITx and your Nextion display should be working!
There are two versions of the Nextion Display – one developed for the Chinese market and an English language version that supports the Nextion Windows development environment. Make sure you don’t get the cheaper, but incompatible Chinese version. Look out for “English Version” in the marketing blurb. This won’t be an issue if you buy from the developer (ITEAD).
I understand a downloadable hex file will be available that works the same as the English version, for those of us who purchased the wrong model in error! Thanks to Ian, who did it blind (also not being able to read Chinese)!
Any size will work with the CEC firmware on the Raduino end. However, Nextion firmware is specific to either the BASIC or ENHANCED version of the screen and to the resolution of the screen. That said, any version can be modified to work with any other screen size with just a little bit of work on the part of the user. You can also fully customise your screen to meet your own requirements. Change the colours, or change the entire look and feel. No coding is required to do this, just cut and paste the code from the supplied CEC version for each tool.
Purchase the ENHANCED model of the Nextion (for a few more dollars) if you think you will use the GPIO or RTC features in future. The RTC could be useful for digital modes that require precise timing, or for satellite work, etc. Additional GPIO lines could solve one of the problems with the Raduino: a lack of spare digital ports to support customised add-ons. For example, if you want to add 160m and switch in an additional LPF, or if you are worried about potential spurs, you will be able to pull in bandpass filters for the high bands. In these instances you may want to spend a little more to get the ENHANCED version.
If you don’t want to wait until firmware is available for your screen size, then purchase a 2.4″ or 2.8″ BASIC or ENHANCED Nextion Display now. These two screens have the exact same resolution, and the default version of the Nextion Firmware from Ian KD8CEC will work on both screen sizes without modification.
If you already have a different sized screen, or want to buy a bigger screen, right from the outset, don’t panic. You may need to make some adjustments to the firmware yourself. This is not difficult – but involves resizing graphics and moving around objects to suit the larger screen area/resolution. Some of us are working on modifications to the Nextion firmware to accommodate 3.2″ and 3.5″ screens. Firmware for these screens is likely to be available quickly.
Screen sizes and resolutions for the BASIC models available on ITEAD’s website are as follows:
The ENHANCED versions available from ITEAD are as follows:
Most of us will choose to buy our Nextion displays from Aliexpress or eBay.
They are available in all sizes and in either BASIC or ENHANCED versions. It is unclear which are OEM versions and which are clones. It probably doesn’t matter.
Look for highly rated suppliers and those with higher shipping volumes. The biggest risks are that your screen arrives cracked, or simply never arrives. You will need some form of redress when goods arrive in a damaged state or simply never arrive, and this is where the intermediaries in eBAY, Aliexpress or Paypal can assist.