sBitx Main Screen - drexjj/sbitx GitHub Wiki

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1: Header Info

This will display the current version of the sBitx software, your callsign & grid square, and the current date & time in UTC.

To update your callsign and/or grid square you can use the SET button in MENU 1 (see Menu Guide) or the /MYCALLSIGN and /MYGRID commands in the Text field.

2: Mode

Displays and sets the current operating mode.

Available modes are:

  • AM - AM Voice Mode
  • LSB - Lower Side Band Voice Mode
  • USB - Upper Side Band Voce Mode
  • 2TONE - Test mode for measuring the transmitter Intermodulation distortion
  • DIGI - Used for hamlib integration with external apps like WSJTX, fldigi, JS8Call, QSSTV, PAT, etc
  • FT8 - FT8 Digital mode
  • CWR - CW Reverse
  • CW - Continuous Wave (Morse Code)

3: Band Selectors

This is used to select the band to operate. Selecting the same band multiple times cycles through four different frequencies within in a bandstack (Denoted by the =---, the = being the currently selected position).

For bands and transmit power for each band see sBitx Specifications.

4: Misc Controls

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4.1: REC

Toggles the recording function (ON/OFF), recordings are available in ~/sbitx/audio in WAV format.

4.2: TUNE

Toggles the tuning function (ON/OFF), this transmits a continuous tone for a duration (TNDUR) at the power level (TNPWR). This can be especially handy for setting up antenna tuners or tuning an amplifier driven by ePTT. For more information see the Menu Guide.

4.3: RIT

Toggles receiver incremental tuning (ON/OFF), which allows the receive frequency to be offset by up to 25KHz from the transmit frequency. Used to compensate for stations that are transmitting on a different frequency.

4.4: STEP

Adjusts the frequency tuning step size from 10Hz to 100KHz.

5: Frequency Display

Shows the currently selected frequency and the alternate frequency, for more details see VFO.

6: AUDIO

Adjusts the audio volume, 0-100. This only effects the built-in speaker/headset volume. It does not affect 3rd party applications.

7: Logging Controls

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7.1: CALL

Callsign of the station in your QSO.

7.2: SENT

The RST report sent to the station (i.e. 59).

7.3: RECV

The RST report received from the station (i.e. 59).

7.4: EXCH

Information pertaining to location or contest (i.e. on FT8 this will contain a 4 character grid square).

This field is optional

7.5: NR

Used for notes, such as contest number or other details.

This field is optional

7.6: TEXT

Used for CW/CWR or to enter commands. Commands can be activated by using the CMD button on the internal keyboard, or by typing in \ preceding the command.

For a complete list of commands see sBitx Commands.

7.7: SAVE

Saves log entry in the sBitx log.

7.8: WIPE

Clears log entry from the screen only.

7.9: QRZ

Queries call in the CALL field on QRZ via a web browser.

7.10: LOG

Opens the sBitx logbook, for more details see sBitx Logbook.

8: MENU

Cycles through the settings menus (MENU1/MENU2/OFF), for more details see Menu Guide.

9: Advanced Tuning

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9.1: SPLIT

Toggles split frequency operation (ON/OFF). When turned ON the VFO A is set to a receive and B is set to transmit.

9.2: VFO

Toggles between A and B Frequencies.

9.3: SPAN

This changes the size of the spectrum and the waterfall in the Display between 25KHz and 2.5 KHz. Lower span value is recommended for CW and Digital Modes.

9.4 AGC

Cycles the Automatic Gain Control between four modes: Slow, Medium, Fast, and Off.

9.5: BW

Sets the receive Bandwidth. In SSB Modes the bandwidth is set from 300Hz (i.e If BW is set to 2000 then audio passband will be from 300Hz - 2300Hz).

9.6: DRIVE

Adjusts the percentage of maximum transmit power (1-100). For details on maximum transmit power per band, see sBitx Specifications.

9.7: IF

Adjust the IF gain to optimize signal visibility on the scope or waterfall display. The ideal setting balances signal clarity with receiver overload prevention. Too high: Overloads the receiver, reducing signal quality. Too low: Reduces sensitivity, making signals harder to detect. This is comparable to RF gain control on other transceivers.

10: Main Display

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10.1: Console

The text display, can be displayed or hidden using the SPECT control, see Menu Controls. On startup, it will display some useful information, alerts when recording is started or stopped, and when a log entry is saved.

10.2: Spectrum

Shows a portion of the surrounding frequency you have selected based on the Span size. The green line denotes the selected frequency, and the shaded area represents the bandwidth. The green line will not move as you change frequencies, instead the entire span will shift.

10.3: Reception Strength

Displays the current received signal strength based on an IF setting of 52 on a scale from S0 to S9+20

10.4: Settings Display

This shows whether you have certain settings enabled or disabled. Enabled settings will be colored, while disabled settings will show a translucent gray or hidden depending on the enabled options. For more information on settings, see Menu Controls.

Icon Setting
COMP Audio Compression
NOTCH Notch Filter
TXEQ Transmit Equalizer
RXEQ Receive Equalizer
DSP Digital Signal Processing
ANR Automatic Noise Reduction
ePTT ePTT Control
VFO LOCK Tuning Dial Operation

10.5: Waterfall

Displays the audio waveforms in time at the same scale as the Spectrum display.

11: Macros & Band Specific Controls

The macros change based on the Mode you have selected, for more detail about the controls & macros available in each mode see:

12: Keyboard

Toggles the in-app keyboard (ON/OFF).