My QDX has been running for a few days now, so I think it is in a condition to show off.
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https://postimg.cc/gallery/9Zdbj2Q
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My QDX build went well, except I am not too proud of my work on the multi-tap toroid and the trifilar toroid. The multi-tap has a few loose coils and extra side loops, while the trifilar is laying on its side.? But the device works so I will leave it as is.? I was able to fit the board into the case by filing the board track with a triangular file just enough to allow the board and a piece of electrical tape to fit into the track near the trifilar toroid. I found the build to be challenging due to the small size of the device. I had some issues with transmit until I changed out the usb cable to one with a ferrite built in.
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I run JS8Call and WSJTX on a Raspberry Pi 4. The Pi is run headless through a wifi router and I access the display through a VNC connection from my desktop or phone. The wifi router is connected to cell data and the internet. The Pi is running Raspberry Pi OS, a January 2022 version, with the "Build A Pi" script installation of various ham radio programs.
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The antenna is a poorly installed attic dipole with the ends thrown into the dark corners of the attic, laying on insulation. It needs a tuner for 40 meters, although it was cut to resonate when flown in the open air. The tuner is a homemade L-match type. Due to the need to tune for each band, I stay on 40m.
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My goal is to run the QDX 24/7 in JS8Call mode as an APRS gate and to allow for heartbeat and message transfers. I do switch over to FT8 now and then as it is a fun way to spend some time. While for the most part it is intended to be a fun ham device, I also want to be able to use it for emergency communication in the event of grid failure.
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The power supply is a 3W 12V wall wart.? I hope to use a solar charged battery eventually.
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I check propagation with pskreporter.info. I have been spotted in Australia, Europe, South America and of course North America.
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I have a HFpacker amp in case it is needed in an emergency, which should bring the power level up to about 40W. I prefer to run 5W under normal conditions.
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I am starting to get familiar with JS8Call. I think I have it configured in the way I want it, for the moment at least.? I am still learning messaging and chat. I hope to be running 24 hours a day on 40 meters. I am located in Southwest Michigan, 80 miles ENE of Chicago, and depending on conditions, I seem to be able to transmit about 100 to 1000 miles.? I usually hear further than I can transmit. If you see me on the bands, send me a message and say hello.
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