BITX-40 Construction Review: KEØOG Kwickie
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- In this fourth video on the latest BITX-40, which includes the Raduino VFO, I review the construction process--how to put the parts and pieces together. Subscribe: / @davecasler . Ask Dave Playlist: goo.gl/inaQeB. Tip Jar: ke0og.net/tip-jar
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viola....you already have the video on assembly...you are the best
I was wanting one of these. Sadly, no longer made. I have a friend that had an old Cobra CB that was no longer working. He mounted the UBITX in the CB chassis. Modified it so that the CB vfo would control the UBITX. He also modified the display so that is was on the front of the radio. He added a homemade audio amplifier and used it to power the CB speaker. He also modified the radio use to the CB radio microphone or similar microphone. What a great radio it was. Sadly, he traded the radio for something else.
wish there was a complete entry radio model recommendation
Thanks for the shout out! Big fan of this series. Thinking about building one of these for a camping rig. Also used your videos to earn my extra last month!
You're most welcome! And congratulations on your upgrade! 73, Dave, KEØOG
Dear Dave, I had the most trouble with low TX power on that thing until a guy named Jerry, told randy that R136 is like mic gain. I tried it out by turning it counterclockwise and saw my amp meter and watt meter go up. I got the 1 Amp current draw, and 7 watts or so with the watt meter. I went up to 20 volts into the final PA and found the bias needed a slight adjustment for no audio transmit, and about 20 watts output with audio. It doesn't really need adjusting when switched over to higher voltage. This issue made me and my test equipment look really bad, and wasted a month of my fun time with it. They weren't adjusted right before leaving the shop.
Thanks for this information. I'll check it out and put the results in an upcoming video. 73, Dave
I built one several years ago. What is the best type of antenna to use on it? I’m on fixed income, retired and would need to built the antenna myself.
I plan to take the exam for the novice amateur. Then I think to start with this device. I do not have a suitable antenna for 40 meters band. Thank you for this video, they are very explicit.
You might just inspire me to assemble my Bit x 40. It's still in the box 6 months later.
Thanks again Dave. Nice overview. I used a hollowed out Sharpie as a pen mic case, the electret element mounted in the end and covered with a tiny foam windscreen. Looks pretty cool. I may go with a thin flexy gooseneck mounted to the case. I have a couple of foam windscreens left in bright colors. I'm using orange, a buddy is using black and there may be either red, blue or yellow left. Let me know if you want one. Fun stuff
Could this device be tweaked to operate cw (or perhaps for wspr)?
Yes, but perhaps better to go with the micro-BITX (uBITX), which does CW and SSB.
@@davecasler Ok, thanks, Dave.
try the vk3ye mod using the 27 pf cap your audio will improve i built my mic in a tictak box with ptt sw kg6mn
Awesome channel David! I am getting one of these soon. 73 de KD2AVU
I desoldered the contrast pot and put it on the other side. Made it much easier to tweak.
Good idea--I'll have to give that a try. 73
That seems like a silly place to put it. Need to change contrast? Remove the display first. Ha.
I don't think it's silly at all. If Dean has mounted it such that putting it on the other side makes it easier for him, then that's hacking, not silliness.
No, I mean the original location? Under the display? I assume that Dean has moved it out away from there so he can use it while looking at the display. I was talking about the location out of the box
How did you configure the speaker/audio jack so when use headphone the speaker come off??
Hmmm...I'll have to put a diagram on my website. Give me a few days to get it up. 73, Dave
David,
If I might add, as I await the arrival of my BitX40, I believe the weak link in this whole setup may be the electret mic. I would offer this modestly priced addition from QRP Kits, a nice, built-it-yourself PTT electret:
qrpkits.com/microphone.html
No pecuniary interest; just wanted to spread the word. James has other reasonably priced kits as well.
As fr your fine videos, thank yo for making them! You and Randy (and others) have done a yeoman's job promoting Ruhan's little miracle. While those of us who have built many kits and radios might tend to look down our nose at the new guys just entering the lists, these are a marvelous entree into the building side of amateur radio not even counting the encouragement that this provides for otherwise "Baofeng Techs" to get onto HF and QRP.
71/72,
Bill, k6whp
Thanks for the info.
I've been looking at getting one of these kits. Nice to know that Fastenal has compatible hardware. I've got one in town and one where I work, and I get a discount there because of my job :)
I guess it is kind of randomly asking but does anyone know a good site to stream new tv shows online ?
David: I recently got my General ticket and thanks to your videos this will be my first HF rig! Do you have any recommendations for using a regular handheld dynamic mic with the Bitx40, rather than an electret?
The instructions say that if you want to use a dynamic mic, be sure to put the recommended capacitor in series. The system as set up provides 3v bias for the electret mic.
Great video Dave. I like that you reviewed issues that you have found and are going to have an update video. Keep up the great job. 73 de KB8YIT
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your testing and experience. That said, too much review... not enough new info.
Yep, true. The next video will cover the operational angle. It should have more info. 73, Dave
David Casler Well, after A little deliberation, I ordered a bitx40. Can't wait... like the old days when everything took 6-8 weeks (instead of 24-48 hours). Looking forward to your next video
hey Dave, I have a radio shack 19 amp 13.8vdc power converter I use for my yaesu ft1900 on my desk will this work ok for a bitx40?
73
+Jesse Zellar yes, it should be fine.
David Casler thanks! my kit should be in next week
I need to get off my butt and study up for the general. Still a tech but I want to get into QRP HF CW (Geez, and I thought being a network engineer meant you always dealt with acronyms)
Note that as a Tech, you already have significant HF CW privileges on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters. 40 is your best bet to start with. 73, Dave
All those "Radio Shack" mentions... I'm going to miss them as a source. :(
Me too!
radio shack ..... ?? you don't get out much do you ? .. lol
No I don't. I know of at least 2 (maybe 3) Radio Shacks within 160 miles that closed, and that's almost half of the ones I know of within that radius of home. One more may also be closed but it's been many years since I've looked there.
I'm from Wisconsin and I cry over spilled milk.
I'm not saying you and K7AGE are the same guy. But I am saying, I've never seen the two of you in a picture together. ;-)
Don't let my secret out.
Dear Dave,
My name is Skylar KM4ZCC I'm a young ham (licensed at 11 for tech and got my general a few weeks ago at 12) and recently got my general and are using your videos to study for my extra. I'm trying to get my cousin a tech license and would love if you could please revise the tech and general like you did the amateur extra. (I know much hasn't changed but it would be convenient and easier for study for the arrl latest tech and general class books)
Many thanks Skylar M.
You can look me up on qrz or the FCC license search
Hi Skylar, this past year I updated the Extra videos--a huge amount of work! It takes many hours of work to create a 30-minute training video. I haven't received many complaints about the existing Tech videos, so plan to update them next year when the current book expires (if I update them now, I'll just have to update them again next year). General will come after that in 2019. Congratulations on your General! I hope we come across each other on the air. 73, Dave
Dave, I received my kit on March 17, 2017. Included were eight standoffs.. If they weren't then too bad as I used the extra four to keep the display from being pressed against the Arduino. Mine was fine right out of the box.
Nice video. It made my assembling easier.
de ke4rk
you should be a teacher...your videos are great
:-) My dad was a teacher. I guess it's in the genes. Thanks for your kind words! 73