uBITX QRP SSB/CW Installing Nextion Display and Firmware

[@DirkEsterline-q7j]

Just upgraded my screen. Thanks for the help!

[@BrokenSignal]

That's awesome, glad to hear it. The Nextion displays are such an improvement.

[@jamesgeorge1709]

sure would be nice if i could finda transcript of this video, for a person like me i'm having a not so fun trying to set the nextion up.

[@lucase6407]

what exactly am I uploading to when uploading with xloader from around 2:13? Should I be connecting the display to the computer? If so, how?

[@N1IA-4]

I have a Mac, and just ordered a built kit of this on Ebay, including the display. Will I be screwed out of the ability to update firmware and stuff since I don't have Windows?

[@BrokenSignal]

The uBitx uses an arduino and they have an IDE for Mac as well. www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/macOS

[@N1IA-4]

@@BrokenSignal Great, and downloading it now. Thanks!

[@michaelalfano2998]

When I tried to flash the display it said "File version is too low". Any idea what might be wrong? thx

[@BrokenSignal]

Make sure you are using the right version for your display

[@michaelalfano2998]

@@BrokenSignal Thank you for responding. I am using the Nextion 2.8" display...NX3224T028.. and "ubitx_28.tft" to flash it using a SanDisk 8 GB class 2 Micro SD card

[@michaelalfano2998]

Just heard from Nextion...they said some components were changed due to chip shortages and the project has to be compiled with their latest editor (V1.63). Too bad I was really looking forward to the display upgrade.

[@BrokenSignal]

@@michaelalfano2998 The source code is out there to download and the editor is free, not really to hard to do, give it a try.

[@michaelalfano2998]

@@BrokenSignal I will give it a go... Thanks

[@arniep740]

Thank you for this video. I have tried to compile the firmware using the Arduino 1.8.13 IDE, but when I comment out the 1602 display and uncomment the Nextion disply in the ubit.h file, I get a compile error saying it is too large for the nano. Do you know how to fix this error, other than using the pre-compiled .hex file as you did in this video? Tnx de Arnie W8DU

[@BrokenSignal]

You would have to remove some functions you don't need to get the file size down.

[@arniep740]

@@BrokenSignal Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me which functions you removed to get it to upload to the nano?

[@arniep740]

Well, I was able to get the code compiled in the Arduino IDE and uploaded to a new Nano. What I had to do was go into the ubitx.h file and comment out the parameters for the LCD display and uncomment the parameters for the Nextion display. Once I did that, it compiled without error. Have not installed the Nextion display...that is for tomorrow. I will let you know how that works. Thanks.

[@RobertLemp]

mine returns "File Version is too low"??? How do I fix that?

[@BrokenSignal]

Try this: groups.io/g/BITX20/topic/nextion_display_file_version/87468802?p=

[@jamesgeorge1709]

Is it necessary to use the right angle header pins???

[@BrokenSignal]

No, you don't have to. It does make it easier to solder the new display wires though.

[@ashiks21CJ]

My need only Cabinet

[@arniep740]

So I uploaded the firmware to my brand new Nano, plugged the Nano into the Raduino board. WHen I fired it up, the display was black and I noticed that the 7805 regulator was firey hot. SO I figured there was a short somewhere. I searched and searched and could find not short. Then I tried to put the original Nano back in and the 7805 stayed cool. It was only then that I noticed that the pins on the original Nano were mounted on the opposite side of the Nano as were the pins on the brand new Nano. Ah ha! SO I have now ordered more Nanos, this time with the pins not mounted to I can solder them myself to the same side as the pins are on the Nano that came with the Raduino board. I don't recall anyone mentioning this before, so just make sure that if you are installing a new Nano, that the pins are mounted to the same side of the Nano as the USB connector, and not the bottom side as most are mounted.

[@BrokenSignal]

Good to know.