On Tue, Nov 5, 2024 at 09:57 PM, Jason wrote:
I think I'll just want to play with JS8Call or FT8
I'd recommend a QDX then. It's what I started with 1 year ago as my first radio. I wanted to try out HF, and inexpensively. Now I have 3 of them built, and 2 more in queue. :-)
?While the board is small, if you're careful and take your time, it will build OK. I found it was much easier to wrap my head around the QDX as a first HF radio, as the interface is simple, and the build is more straightforward. No encoders, power supply boards, no modes to cycle through, less settings to mess with just to get it going, no firmware install required, etc. Just less possible things to go wrong if your goal is to get on the air on HF and see what it's all about...building AND digimode/computer/software setup.
If you're not SURE you want anything beyond FT8 and JS8Call anyway, it's a great fit. If you decide you want to try another mode, the QDX is a good 1st QRP-Labs kit... The QMX+ IS the latest thing, but still has more bugs, and a lot more parts to handle...and just more points to go wrong as a new kit builder.?
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-Nate
N8BTR
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