K7AGE BITX40 On The Air

[@ve5uo]

The cool factor is very high here. Thanks for posting this Randy.

[@warplanner8852]

Randy, thanks for the video and the background on the Bitx40. Folks might not realize it but it's about 850 miles between you in Oregon and the guy in Vista, CA near San Diego. Not bad at all for 5 watts SSB into an end-fed long wire up about 20 feet! Think you just sold another radio for Farhad!

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

JUST GOT MINE TODAY, CANT WAIT TO BUILD IT AND TRY IT OUT. THANKS RANDY, LOVE YOUR VIDEOS.......73 JOE

[@K7AGE]

Hurry, but take your time and don't mess up..

[@CarolinaCoxes]

Thanks Randy! I watched your "unboxing" video last month and promptly went out and purchased a BITX40. Good to see yours working. I am nearly done putting mine together. It's been a lot of fun. 73 de N4MN

[@K7AGE]

Hope it comes to life for you.

[@CarolinaCoxes]

Yeah... me too! I had it wired up and connected to my dummy load, and everything looked okay, but when I transmitted, I saw no power out. I have to investigate that issue, but that's part of the fun.

[@ralphmills7322]

No Power? Or Very LOW Power? No power check that the RX/TX relay is switching to 12V on TX. Also be sure that the PA power connector is wired and plugged in. If low power and the PA bias adjustment doesn't improve performance, the Bitx20 io.groups have been reporting Bad/Broken Q13 a BC849 NPN transistor causing very low power output.

[@CarolinaCoxes]

Hey! Thanks for the tips Ralph. I very much appreciate it. My issue is no power - I was shouting into the mic and not moving the power meter connected to my dummy load. Initially I thought I may have ruined my little mic because I was having some issues soldering some leads on - I don't know how delicate those are. I have been working on a case so I haven't revisited the issue since my initial testing. It's supposed to rain here this weekend, so you know that means... radio time! Best to you, and thanks again!

[@chuckkb8yit859]

Great video Randy, always enjoy your videos. hope to see you put the BITX on PSK. Looking forward to your next upgrade video.

[@K7AGE]

Me too.

[@gilbreathca]

Thanks for the overview Randy! I'm a fairly new ham and just upgraded to General 2 weeks ago. I'm very interested in building the Bitx-40 with my homeschooled kids.

[@gilbreathca]

W5ZYM

[@mrdinx]

Thanks for posting the update. Gave some great ideas for building one.

[@rds801]

Thanks for sharing. I can't wait until mine arrives.

[@InteraliaTony]

Nice idea Randy. I usually develop stuff on a plank of wood - until it's debugged enough to properly case it. Your plastic box idea works really well and for only a dollar! Farhan designed this BitX so that people could add their little "wrinkles" to it and your box idea allows plenty of room for you to experiment. I'm looking forward to seeing what you might come up with. 72/3 Tony G4WIF

[@K7AGE]

Me too. I need to get busy with it.

[@gregorgman]

Nice job Randy, terrific idea. Heading to my Dollar Store!! Thanks! 73's

[@WauliPaulnuts]

Gonna have get on of these radios. Thanks for posting.

[@DoctorRennie]

Cool! Nice little radio Randy. Thanks for sharing. - Doc KH6FM

[@n8tuwstevenewland933]

Thanks Randy . Just confirms that this is next on my list. going to use a hamstick dipole.

[@1fanger]

Hi Randy, very neat job there, thanks, Joe

[@OH8STN]

Outstanding. I can't wait to get my kit. thanks for sharing.

[@acidnine822]

Nice! I can't seem to get out with my bitx40. I think it has to do with the antenna though!

[@K7AGE]

I'm not running much of an antenna. A 40/20/15/10 end fed about 15 off the ground

[@Theelderdragon01]

You gotta love this bric. Makes me want to go get my ticket.

[@K7AGE]

Go for it...

[@seacue9417]

Thank you for this very informative video. I am considering buying this.

[@K7AGE]

Join the google.io group and have fun.

[@davecasler]

Very cool! Mine is on its way (21 days and counting). 73, Dave, KEØOG

[@K7AGE]

You will enjoy playing with your radio.

[@Thejohnnyoshow]

this is just tooooooo COOOOOOOL $60 what a deal :-) now my local friends can afford to get into hf ham

[@nonenoneexistant1206]

I really like your idea which dollar store did you get the organizer from

[@K7AGE]

I think it was a Dollar Tree.

[@nonenoneexistant1206]

yea i tried to get a different box from a different store and spend more money and didnt work out. Hopefully I can find this at a dollar tree

[@nonenoneexistant1206]

thanks could you possibly make sure cuase ive been looking and cant find it

[@ralphmills7322]

Great Video Randy. Saw it on TWiT Ham Nation episode 285 last night (Feb 1, 2017). I made two contacts on my BITX40 for Winter Field Day. I lost a third since he could not get the "BRAVO" in my callsign out of the noise. I see you change the phonetic when you had similar problem. I'll try that next time. 73 ab1op_Ralph

[@KuriosPC]

Randy, this is a refreshing video. Besides soldering the leads to the knobs and such, is there anything else that you needed to solder? What was the hardest part of this build?

[@K7AGE]

that is about it. Read the instructions.

[@danielpincu7743]

Hei! I like what you've done. Can you show us a picture with the antenna you used in the video? Thanks!

[@K7AGE]

this is the antenna www.lnrprecision.com/store/EF-QUAD-p39885473

[@raafatalheety826]

Looking my bitx20 qso 1 watt 73 yihxh

[@K7AGE]

Check the google.io group for help on the low power.

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

good job randy, let us know what the mods are that your doing to it ok ? thanks

[@K7AGE]

they are coming

[@cuban9splat]

Good job Randy. That is a cute radio. Are you going to build a little 50 or 100 watt amp in case of propagation issues? Thank you for sharing it with us.73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@K7AGE]

No. I do have some mods and additions. I have several other 100 watt radios. This is more of an experiment with the BITX rig and enjoying the community that has built up around it. BITX groups on google.io and Facebook.

[@BasementGunshop]

I just got 2 of the Bitx40v3's yesterday. Laying out my QRP go box now and I'm looking for an antenna that's portable. What kind of antenna are you using? Is there an antenna you would recommend for using in a "go-kit" with this rig? Thanks for a really enjoyable video and 73's - KC3DXS

[@stevec5000]

Didn't you leave out most of the video that shows putting it all together?

[@K7AGE]

I didn't show putting it all together. There are just some cables to solder to the pots and jacks. Not too much to it. Just read the instructions carefully and take your time. Dave may show all the steps when he builds his BITX40. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYWzlXdqgbmUb6c

[@DavidGillooly]

Nice to see it working.

[@K7AGE]

I'm glad that it worked first time

[@1479andy]

HI Randy thinking about getting a BITX40 how long did it take you to build this thanks Andy

[@n4armhamradio224]

Nice video Randy. Just celebrated my 1 yr anniversary as a ham. This looks like a fun winter project. Just ordered mine. What antenna and feedline did you use when you made the video?

[@paula5482]

Randy, where do I find the mic plug and cable you used to make your microphone cord for the bitX? I like the way yours looks.

[@K7AGE]

The connector I may have bought at Radio Shack. I used RG-172 coax for the cable. You should be able to find something.

[@raykiii]

Randy, I enjoy your videos very much. I have seen these on a couple of KZbin channels and it looks like an interesting kit. What did you do with the mic pickup? How is it assembled? What makes it stiff? Thank you in advance, Ray

[@inoor9000]

Awesome Randy, do you mind to share what antenna you used you Bitx40 on the air.Thanks.73, de YD7YGR

[@K7AGE]

I am using an end fed 40/20/15/10 antenna up about 15 feet.

[@DoRC]

why do so many people use alternate (wrong) phoenetic words?

[@jimbrownza]

Well one of Randy's QSOs didn't get the "alpha" so it made sense to say "america"I guess.

[@500VulcanRider]

Randy, what are you using for an antenna with this unit??

[@K7AGE]

A 40/20/15/10 end fed antenna up about 15-20 feet.

[@whelenvortex]

would you recommend this to someone for a first foray into HF operation?

[@K7AGE]

Probably not. The kit could take a fair amount of fiddling. And, having a 100 watt radio will make it easier to have contacts. It took me nearly two hours to make 7 contacts.

[@whelenvortex]

Hmm I guess i'll see what my limited budget can do at my local hamfest this weekend.

[@K7AGE]

If you are tech handy and like to build and tinker, give it a try.

[@K7AGE]

You should become a member in both the Facebook BITX-40 and google.io BITX20 groups. You will learn a lot and see what help exists.

[@rcobo101]

Thanks for the video, Randy.

[@jimmyrandy8251]

pro trick : you can watch movies on Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.

[@jimmyrandy8251]

@Jimmy Randy Definitely, I've been using flixzone for since november myself =)

[@Capecodham]

Nice demo, it has a vfo?

[@K7AGE]

Yes, there is an Arduino with a digital oscillator chip with the display. It VFO feeds into the main board in place of the analog VFO, which was drifty.

[@Capecodham]

How "drifty?"

[@K7AGE]

Hard for me to say, not ever operated with the analog VFO. I know drift was a common complaint. Some of Peter's VK3YE videos show some of the drift before he modified his BITX with a ceramic resonator. The new Arduino controlled Si5351 digital oscillator is very stable.

[@Capecodham]

How much does it cost to add it and how is it done?

[@K7AGE]

The digital VFO is now standard with the $59 kit. Farhan is also selling it separately for $25. It connects to the radio board in place of the analog VFO. There is one coil and I think one cap that is removed. Contact the guys at hfsignals at gmail dot com for ordering details.

[@moonfestmadness]

oooo i do like that kit ..for the price the features and hackability its a winner ...i think i shall order one ) cheers randy ,,,,andy m6pnp

[@K7AGE]

You need one

[@kc7zoh96]

Hello Randy, great video. What size and make solder iron do you use ? I need an upgrade. Kevin kc7zoh

[@K7AGE]

I have a Weller WES51 Seems to work fine. Adjustable temperature, no digital readout.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

having a issue with no mic hooked up pressed the ptt and a carrier like cw is produced with mic is hookedup same condition there is no carrier bal have any idea kg6mn

[@K7AGE]

Not really. Please post the question to the goog.io BITX20 groupl

[@jordans516]

how much was it

[@K7AGE]

$59

[@jordans516]

Is it moddable for 11 meaters on usb and lsb I don't have my tick so

[@simonwarries9852]

Great video Randy. Tnx. 73 Simon PD0KDN

[@albertogonzalez5818]

Ya no esta a la venta

[@K7AGE]

Now sold, the uBITX, more bands,

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

Ifixed my no mic audio was my mic elmt was bad i put it in a bud box works great kg6mn

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

I tried the vk3ye mod change c102 to 27 pf for better tx and rcv audio also t made my mic in a tictak box kg6mn

[@K7AGE]

I have been thinking about that mod too.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

cant wait 2 c your mods the plastic shaft i used a shim and put a knob on it kg6mn

[@K7AGE]

Yes, I have some mods. Ok on the plastic shaft.

[@Francescawine]

There is contrast and the version number only. sound on the board when vol is up. signals are 0 try tunning1 with 10k pot. still nothing. did voltage test on the board. test the 2pin on the board for digital VFO. 0 voltsge

[@Francescawine]

did a test on the VfO board. found c1 c3 c5 signal is not there must be a short in transformer or a bad board. Francesca W7LTG NV [e-mail]

[@K7AGE]

+Francesca Wine there have been reports of damage to the coils. Check to see that the leads are connected and not shorted.

[@TheJimiking]

Amateur radio in its purest form 👍

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

Found the tone on my ssb audio is called carrier leakage install new 1n4148 matched diodes why they sent this to me in this condition i dont know bad QC kg6mn

[@K7AGE]

Tom W5KUB also just changed it diodes which solved his low power output. He has posted on google.io and facebook.

[@kd5j]

Very nice!

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

I have seen folks build the unit in the box it came in cool ill bet a cigar box will work look 4 me on 40 ssb from cal this rig is sweet kg6mn look 4 randi on hamnation

[@jimbrownza]

My first thought when Randy unboxed it was that the plastic box inside was actually meant as its enclosure.

[@warplanner8852]

Randy, 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 KE0OG (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

[@K7AGE]

Bill, thanks for the tip on the mic. I had seen that one before. I have an old Motorola handheld mic that may work. My PC mic also works.

[@boryakellys3714]

Ай маладец!:)