Appreciation to all who responded !?
Klaus - indeed - replacing that PNP restored the output power to 3 watts!? so when all that plastic smoke was coming from the BS170 -- the bipolar PNP was delivering the current and took more damage.? so now I know that running high current into a bipolar can change its properties - presumably adding more resistance.? I hope to not to have too many electronics lessons with damaged parts - albeit inexpensive ones.?
Not likely I had a high current PNP in the stash, except now I remember having some high dissipation ones - no worry - I suspect this one will keep me QRV.? If I ever am tempted to run WSPR with the QCX - I will create a lower voltage power supply!? I think I will let the U3S do WSPR.?
I hope everyone still struggling with their QCX finds their issues - meanwhile enjoy the journey with the electronics reaching the ions.? HNY.?
Curt
