Ubitx Broadcast Interference

Broadcast Interference and the uBIT-X

When I first wired up my uBIT-X version 5 I found that I had interference from a local AM radio station. I heard it on multiple frequencies and could not find WWV the time station in Colorado at 10 MHz. In fact because of the articles on the internet talking about budget cuts for NIST I stopped looking for WWV because I thought it had been stopped by budget cuts.

I did my research and determined that I would order the BCI filter from Kit-Projects.

The kit was inexpensive and easy to assemble. The instructions for constructions and installation where very clear and easy to follow. 

When completed the you make one cut on your uBIT-X mail logic and solder the BCI filter directly to the board.

You connect the two RF connectors across the cut trace and then tie in a ground.

To my amazement and surprise I found that WWV was still there broadcasting time I was just not able to pick it up because of the AM station down the road.

Because of the service and ease that the BCI filter worked I have ordered the AGC kit and a Microphone case from Project-Kits

QRP Labs QLG1 GPS Receiver Kit

QRP Labs QLG1 GPS Receiver Kit

 The QRP Labs QLG1 GPS Reciever Kit comes with the surface mount GPS receiver already mounted.

 I did have problems with this kit. I installed resistors in the wrong locations and relocated them on one of them I broke the resistor and had to substitute with one I had around.

 After installing the resistors I installed the capacitors.

 Next were the diode and the LEDs. The missing LED is to be yellow and is probably on the floor in my office but I can't find it. Also in this picture are the inductors and the voltage regulator. 

 I am planning to install an external GPS antenna so I installed the connector and tried it. It did not work without the resistor and inductor that did not come with the kit.

I installed the IC 

 This last picture shows the battery and standoffs installed.

I did connect this to the rest of the radio. I had most of the programming figured out but I had removed the connector for the external GPS Antenna and Installed the one for the board that came with the kit. As I was working with it I pulled it down accidentally and caused a short.

The current status of this is that I am awaiting parts. I have ordered a new voltage regulator, a replacement yellow LED, a resistor and an inductor so that I can use the external GPS antenna. 

More on this after parts arrive.

QRP Labs Ultimate 3S Case

QRP Labs Ultimate 3S Case

I have taken an old USB cable to modify for 5 volts power. I cut off the end and then soldered the power connector that came with the case kit.

I used a scrap piece of RG58 from the Rf connector at the back of the case to the logic board and wired the power switch and the buttons on the front of the case.

 In the end, I have plenty of room in the case for the GPS board and for the board that will hold five more Low Pass Filters.

 The front of the case gives it a nice finished look.

QRP Labs Low Pass Filter

QRP Labs Low Pass Filter

 This kit has limited parts and goes very fast. I installed the capacitors first. You may notice extra outlines for capacitors, not all are needed it depends on the frequency of the Low Pass Filter.

 The toroids are my second third and fourth I have ever made. The number of turns is determined by the frequency of the Low Pass Filter.

 Then  like the Si5351A it is added to connectors and mounted to the Ultimate 3S

I did plug it in to see if it would start up at this point. It is easier to run with the GPS so I will add the GPS before trying to use it.

QRP Labs Si5351A Synthesizer

The QRP Labs Si5351A Synthesizer 

The QRP Labs Si5351A Synthesizer provides clock signals to the QRP Labs Ultimate 3S. It comes with the Si5351A installed on the board so the rest of the assembly is through-hole and not surface mount. To build something that has some of the functions of the final product I will need to complete this part a Low Pass Filter and GPS.

 The first parts I added to the board are the resistors.

 Next, I installed the capacitors.

 The crystal was the next part to be installed.

 Two transistors and a voltage regulator are installed next.

 The final part of the assembly for this board is to install the connectors so that is plugs into the Ultimate 3S board.

The next post will be adding the Low Pass Filter. As I am currently a Technician Class amateur radio operator I will make the first one for 10 Meters.