Hi Andy,

I was just going to suggest the same thing. I ordered one and will report on how well it works.

Joel
N6ALT

This announced over the weekend. Of course I ordered one.

http://www.hfsignals.com/index.php/ubitx/

Joel
N6ALT

Good site, shows who is on what channel, thanks.

Joel
N6ALT

I picked up a Uniden Pro 510xl and a Hustler mag mount from a guy on craigslist the other day for $25. I was amazed at how well it works. All of it was band new in the original packaging. I heard some truck drivers loading gravel at a local quarry about 12 miles from my house, they gave me a 59 signal report. I also was surprised to hear them talking like 'normal' people, no CB slang. The 510 is still rated the best CB for the price in 2017. All in all a good experience.

Joel
N6ALT

I can hear some stations on 160 listening on my 40 meter dipole with a tuner on it, but otherwise I don't have enough real estate for it. I saw a nice video yesterday, https://youtu.be/Al3ZJipFq6k using a Mag Loop for 160/80, it looks interesting.

Joel
N6ALT

His photofacts are still around, but Sam is long gone:-)

Joel
N6ALT

Quote from: gil on October 31, 2017, 05:05:45 AM
Photos or it doesn't exist!  ;D

Gil.

Ha, haven't heard that one in years:-) Yesterday I ordered a Sams PhotoFact for it, so I guess I have to fix it now. The pics:

Update:

I have the radio now, its missing all the case screws, but it's complete otherwise and doesn't appear to have been golden screwdriver-ed. I checked it all out and found the receiver to be very numb, (but it does work), and the transmitter only delivers about 1.2 watts, but it is on frequency so I may pick up the service manual for it and try to trouble shoot the receiver problem. The squelch doesn't work or the S meter, but I believe that is all part of the same problem. I'm trying to get excited about working on this boat anchor:-) Meanwhile I am going to put up my Antron 99, 10/11/12 meter antenna before the snow flies.

Joel
N6ALT

Gil, they are C25-C28. In my case they are 2ea 390pf and 2ea 180pf. Apparently the ones provided are not high enough voltage rating and are heating up during Zmit and are responsible for low power output. I'm not sure I agree with this theory, because they are 50 volt caps and I have used them up to 7-8 watts without any trouble. I think somebody is grasping at straws. In any case a lot of people are having the 1.6 watt output problem and Hans needs to get to the bottom of it.

Joel
N6ALT

Quote from: gil on October 26, 2017, 04:35:48 AM
I just ordered an AVR programmer, super cheap on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USBTiny-USBtinyISP-AVR-ISP-programmer-for-Arduino-bootloader-Meag2560-uno-r3/400368767664

Unfortunately, the missing C17 has to be 39nF, so Hans is sending me one..  :(

This postpones my video unfortunately, but then I will be able to add a bit on upgrading the firmware.

Gil.

Hi Gil,

I have that exact programmer, however I could never find it in AVRDudess or I should say AVRDudess never found it, that's why I ended up using a Arduino with a serial port. Everybody on the QRPLabs group is telling me it should have worked, maybe it will for you. It seems that my low power output is because of the output LPF caps, so now I have to find some higher voltage caps that will fit in the existing holes on the board. I'm not really happy about this, the right caps should have been included in the kit. I think I will concentrate on putting it in a enclosure while Hans figures out the bugs. I hope you get your cap soon.

Joel
N6ALT

Just updated the 1.00b firmware to 1.00c using a Arduino ICSP made out of one of my many Arduino UNO clones. Worked great. I'm having a blast with this radio. Got to figure out how to install in a enclosure next.

Joel
N6ALT

I finished the alignment this morning and I was impressed at how simple it was. I have been copying quite a bit of activity on the 20 meter band. The power output seems a tad low though, 1.6 watts at 13.8 V and 1.4 watts at 12.8 V. Maybe that is all to be expected at 14Mhz. Anyway 1.5 watts is plenty to communicate with.

Joel
N6ALT

Hi KB9LXH,

Well I took your advise, I will pick it up tomorrow. If it works, it will be fun to mess around with.

Joel
N6ALT

Looks great Gil, I finished mine a few minutes ago but haven't done the alignment yet. I does work and I can hear many QSOs going on on 20 meters. That T1 was a bear alright, but I got it wound and installed. Sorry about your missing parts, that's a bummer. Here's mine.

Joel
N6ALT

Well, I'm 2/3 through the QCX build and decided not to use IC sockets, hope it all works.

Joel
N6ALT