Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
I've never really thought about *USING* QRP SSB for voice communication -? to me, it opens the possibility of doing Winlink/Vara sort of stuff.? But I've ordered a Mic to try it out... why not?
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Re: Group Buy - Ed Fong WB6IQN Antennas
List as of 3/20
Note: I'll only send out updates once a day and only if there are changes.
Dave AI6VX
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Very interesting. ?I knew it was a QRP CW rig - which didn¡¯t interest me at this time. ?Now that they¡¯re working on SSB, that changes the story.? ?Mark KD6ASL
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On Mar 20, 2025, at 10:59?AM, Dave Schmidt AI6VX via groups.io <dgschmidt@...> wrote: Mark (ASL), here is my QMX transceiver.?
?  On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Ben Holmes K6QV via <judosandan= gmail.com@groups.io> wrote: Mark - you may not be aware - the QMX+ is a CW & digital only rig ... this new update adds SSB to the mix... and is listed as a 'Beta' release for those of us willing to take chances...
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And indeed, the very first update (there are two additional ones now) managed to stress the finals during the long calibration procedure - and there's people now having to change out their BC170 transistors.? Not a huge problem if you solder, but certainly exactly the "unforseen" problems you pointed out!
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Sorry, attachment didn¡¯t go through. I¡¯ll try again later?
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On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Dave Schmidt AI6VX via <dgschmidt= [email protected]> wrote: Mark (ASL), here is my QMX transceiver.?
? On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Ben Holmes K6QV via <judosandan= gmail.com@...o> wrote: Mark - you may not be aware - the QMX+ is a CW & digital only rig ... this new update adds SSB to the mix... and is listed as a 'Beta' release for those of us willing to take chances...
?
And indeed, the very first update (there are two additional ones now) managed to stress the finals during the long calibration procedure - and there's people now having to change out their BC170 transistors.? Not a huge problem if you solder, but certainly exactly the "unforseen" problems you pointed out!
?
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Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Mark (ASL), here is my QMX transceiver.?
?
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Ben Holmes K6QV via <judosandan= gmail.com@groups.io> wrote: Mark - you may not be aware - the QMX+ is a CW & digital only rig ... this new update adds SSB to the mix... and is listed as a 'Beta' release for those of us willing to take chances...
?
And indeed, the very first update (there are two additional ones now) managed to stress the finals during the long calibration procedure - and there's people now having to change out their BC170 transistors.? Not a huge problem if you solder, but certainly exactly the "unforseen" problems you pointed out!
?
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Mark - you may not be aware - the QMX+ is a CW & digital only rig ... this new update adds SSB to the mix... and is listed as a 'Beta' release for those of us willing to take chances...
?
And indeed, the very first update (there are two additional ones now) managed to stress the finals during the long calibration procedure - and there's people now having to change out their BC170 transistors.? Not a huge problem if you solder, but certainly exactly the "unforseen" problems you pointed out!
?
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
With a new rig, it makes sense to do it soon. ?But I¡¯ve seen a number of posts saying not to update unless you actually will use the affected functions. ?I don¡¯t buy into that philosophy, since updates usually are more than just changing a specific function. ?Minor tweeks to other issues are usually included too. ?That being said, I don¡¯t usually jump right in with upgrades to the computer/phone. ?I¡¯ve seen too many times where an update was released that caused an unforeseen problem with a program or app. ?I have an aviation flight planning app on my phone and iPad that could be critical in flight. ?The app developer puts out an ¡°all clear¡± after they¡¯ve had time to test it with the new system update. ?I hope your new install doesn¡¯t cause problems. ???? KD6ASL
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On Mar 20, 2025, at 8:46?AM, Ben Holmes K6QV via groups.io <judosandan@...> wrote: Drats!? The day after I upgraded my firmware, a new bug-squashing firmware is released!? I'll have to update again tonight to prepare for Saturday's picnic...? At least I'm getting good at updating firmware!
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Drats!? The day after I upgraded my firmware, a new bug-squashing firmware is released!? I'll have to update again tonight to prepare for Saturday's picnic...? At least I'm getting good at updating firmware!
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
Well, I updated my QMX+, and did the calibration run... beware, I think it took about an hour... I wasn't timing it, but calibration does take a long time.
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Re: Group Buy - Ed Fong WB6IQN Antennas
List as of 3/19
Reminder that I will be closing the group buy on 3/31 and will place the order with Ed within a few days after the close.
Dave AI6VX
?
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
I hope to update my new QMX+ before Saturday... I'll be bringing it.? They've already had 1 or 2 updates to the Beta release.? One update alleviated a problem where you could blow your finals while doing some test...
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Event: 40M Local Net 1900 Local Time 7.242 LSB - Wednesday, March 19, 2025
#cal-reminder
Reminder: 40M Local Net 1900 Local Time 7.242 LSB
When:
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
7:00pm to 7:30pm
(UTC-07:00) America/Los Angeles
Organizer:
Dave Schmidt AI6VX
View Event
Description:
1900 Local Time?
40M net on 7.242 LSB.
If the frequency is busy, check 5 Khz below or above as we may have moved there, or check your email as I will try to email the Groups.io list with our new frequency
To help with coordination, please tune to 147.515 Mhz simplex! This will allow us to let each other know if we moved to another frequency, or if band conditions are poor and we want to try a different band.
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Re: Group Buy - Ed Fong WB6IQN Antennas
List as of right now (3/18)
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Re: Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
I do!? And I've been waiting a long time for this.? Coincidentally I was just on their groups.io page yesterday to try and get an update.
If successful, I'll bring it to the picnic Saturday.
Dave AI6VX
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Anyone Own A QRP-Labs QMX?
SSB just came out... it's a beta version...? I bought a coffee for our hard-working Hans Summer...
?
buymeacoffee.com/g0upl
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Re: Group Buy - Ed Fong WB6IQN Antennas
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Group Buy - Ed Fong WB6IQN Antennas
For those that attended our March meeting last Friday, Ed Fong WB6IQN mentioned that he would offer our club a discount on his antennas, plus free shipping as it would all be shipped together in bulk.? This includes the tri-bander antennas that ship in a length of PVC!? He is also offering the QRP HF transceiver he showed in his presentation at a discount.
?
Our discounted pricing is:
| DBJ-1? $38 |
DBJ-2??? $40 |
TBJ-1?? $65 |
GMRS base (DBJ-UHF) $43 |
6ft ext for DBJ-2? $6 |
BNC =>PL259? $2.50 |
220 MHz base (DBJ-220) $30 |
uSDX+ xcr? $155 |
?
?
To see his antenna specs and original pricing, I've pasted the information from his website below ()
TBJ-1? (ham) triband base antenna?(144-148 MHz, 222-225MHz, 440-450 MHz) Maximum power 75 watt? $75? (comes complete with pvc pipe- featured in March QST 2017? US patent 9,608,336
DBJ-1 (ham) dual band base antenna?(144-148 MHz and 440-450 MHz)?? Maximum power input 75 watts. - $55 ? (requires 5ft of 3/4 inch 200 psi pvc pipe - it is Lowe's item number 23990 - also available in 250 watt version for $75.? Please email me if you are interested in this model)
DBJ-1 (commercial) dual band base antenna?- (151-156 MHz and 460-470 MHz).? Maximum power input 75 watts. - $55 ? (requires 5ft of 3/4 inch 200 psi pvc pipe - it is Lowe's item number 23990 - also available in 250 watt version for $75 - please email me for this special order item.)
DBJ-2? (ham) dual band roll up antenna?kit?-? (144-148 MHz and 440-450 MHz)?? Includes adapters for BNC, SMA and SMA - female.? Also includes a 6 ft extension cable.? Maximum power input 50 watts. - $60
DBJ-2? (commercial) dual band roll up antenna?kit?-? (151-156 MHz and 460-470 MHz). Includes adapters for BNC, SMA and SMA - female.? Also includes a 6 ft extension cable. Maximum power input 50 watts. - $60
DBJ-220?-??Base station antenna? (220-225MHz) Maximum input power 75 watts? $45 (requires 44 inches of 3/4 inch 200 psi pvc pipe.? Lowe's item number 23990)
DBJ - UHF (perfect for GMRS)??+5dB Gain Antenna??¨C US patent? 8,947,313? +5dB gain no radial collinear ¨C featured in CQ magazine (Summer 2012)? $65 (requires 37 inches of 3/4 inch 200 psi pvc pipe - Lowe's item number 23990)
Accessories
Extra 6ft extension RF cables for the DBJ-2 (note -? this only works with the DBJ-2 and is NOT compatible with our other antennas - this is because it is custom built with BNC male to BNC female)? $8
BNC (female) to PL259 adapter -? allows the DBJ-2 to adapt to most base and mobile radios.? $2.50
?
If you would like to purchase one of his antennas or the uSDX+ xcvr as part of this group buy, please reply to this post with the quantity and model of the item.? If you do not specify HAM or COMMERCIAL, I will assume you want a HAM tuned antenna.
?
I will enter folk's orders into a Google spreadsheet and will send a link out once some replies come in.
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Lastly, I'd like to close this group buy on March 31st and will place the order shortly afterwards.? That is 2 weeks from now.
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Dave AI6VX
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Mountain 2 Beach Marathon 2025 -- Still need more SAG drivers
Good morning,
Mountains to Beach marathon is now 4 weeks away.? Thanks to all who have signed up so far.? We still 2-3 additional SAG (Support and Gear) drivers.? SAGs are like the cavalry, our eyes and ears out on the race route.? They also act as mobile support for the event..... transport bikes and cyclists to the start areas, patrol the race route, transport runners to the medical tent or finish area as needed, deliver t-shirts to our aid station operators,? deliver supplies to the aid stations, etc.? You would need a vehicle with the capacity to carry 2-3 runners and to be equipped?with a 50 watt mobile VHF/UHF radio.? A dual band radio is desirable.? We can set you up w/ an APRS tracker (we monitor?all of our mobile assets using PinPoint software.? We have an interactive map of the race route, aid stations, mile markers and road closures which you can download and open as an overlay in Google Maps on either a smartphone?or smart tablet which uses the device's GPS to get your position relative to the race route.
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New SAGs are encouraged to volunteer¡¡we will get you up to speed.? Talk to Stu AG6AG or Eric N6RFI.? ? Both are experienced and enthusiastic SAG drivers and can answer most of your questions.? It's a long and busy day....and a lot of fun.
?
Please let me know if you are available and willing to work the event.? Weather should be good and this is always a fun event.
?
Thanks in advance.
?73,???Burt KA6BJA? ??
bjauerbach@...
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Reminder: 2M/70cm Net
When:
Monday, March 17, 2025
8:00pm to 9:00pm
(UTC-07:00) America/Los Angeles
Where:
On the air and over Zoom
Organizer:
Dave Schmidt
info@...
View Event
Description:
Please join us for our Monday Night Net.
Mondays 8:00pm using the PVARC linked repeaters
Sulphur Mtn:
445.56 141.3 / 440.56 141.3?-Linked
145.20 127.3 / 144.60 127.3?-Linked
South Mountain:
447.48 156.7?/ 442.48 156.7?-Linked
Camarillo Hills:?
445.60 141.3 / 440.60 141.3?¨C Linked
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We need net hosts! Signup to host a Monday Night Net here:
?
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Topic: VCARC Monday Night 2M Net Zoom Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 938 9789 7253
Passcode: 323972
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One tap mobile
+16699009128,,93897897253#,,,,*323972# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,93897897253#,,,,*323972# US
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Dial by your location
? +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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Meeting ID: 938 9789 7253
Passcode: 323972
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adFVuvKycL
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Voice Of America to be disbanded
USA?funded Voice of America serving some 400 million people is to be disestablished according to a press release issued this week.
Bt73?
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Mark Swaney. KD6ASL
Burt Auerbach KA6BJA