What can you tell us about your antenna SWR?? We assume you weren't connected to a dummy load since you were receiving and then transmitting.
Your small power adapter had very low current sourcing rating, so it was probably sagging voltage considerably.? If true, that means you were remaining lucky -- only because of your limited power input.
PA3CRZ >> I did not raise the voltage.
With the more robust power adapter you presumably reached at-or-near full voltage, and maybe overvoltage ... and then not so lucky.
Hopefully the only smoked parts were the final amplifier transistors.? Those are a relatively easy fix.
Don't damage your board trying to get parts out.? Start here with "Mr SolderFix":
This guy has very helpful videos on board repair.? Very reassuring, "you can do this" tutorials.? Worth your time to watch even if you don't learn anything new.
If you need to replace your final amplifier transistors, change them all.?They're cheap.? Cut those BS170s out with your diagonal cutters first.? Then you can remove the lead remnants one at a time, flux, soldering iron, tweezers.? If you have to remove any other multi-pin parts, like ICs, use desoldering alloy or a heat gun or the techniques in Mr SolderFix's video above.? Personally I favor desoldering alloy.? If an IC has a heat sink pad underneath, soldered to the board, the only way to remove it is with a heat gun.? But I don't think QDX has any parts like that.
Beware overvoltage on those plug-in power adapters.? You cannot trust them!? If you don't have a voltage-regulated, current-limiting power supply to do your initial testing with, buy a buck converter or a buck/boost converter and set it to a lower voltage than your rig's specified max input voltage.? It is very much worth it to treat your new radio gently.? 5 to 6 volts is a good place to start on a 9 volt max input transceiver.
Turn your power supply on first so it stabilizes, then connect your radio to turn it on.? Three people above have already mentioned that.? A lot of radios have been toasted by turning the power supply on with the radio already connected.? This is not a problem if you're running on batteries (with voltage less than the rig's max input voltage), but it can be a problem with many electronic power supplies.
Don't try for maximum output power.? Be happy with a watt or two less.? Lower the input voltage.
Don't use an automatic antenna tuner/matcher.? You will fry your finals, sooner or later.? I promise.
Good luck with your new rig!
