Re: Should I be disappointed?
Short answer: No, you should definitely NOT be disappointed.?
20,17,&15 meters share an LPF. Playing with the turn spacing on those toroids will let you peak a different band. So you can get more out on 20 m, but probably at the expense of 17, and/or 15 m.?
That said, I routinely do POTA and SOTA activationswith 2.5 W ( QMX mid band built for 12V, powered with 9V.) I usually have a pile up on CW. When I run it at 12V (5W), I can't tell any difference in QSO rates or reports.?
Enjoy your excellent new rig.?
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73, Dan? NM3A
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Thank you so much everyone.?
You guys are great.?
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Tomorrow I will dig into the hardware-tests via the terminal and let you know the results.?
Yes, I do have a multimeter and will check the soldering again tomorrow as well.?
Have a great evening and a merry Christmas
Vy73 de Rico, DG5BQ
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Look at the assembly manual for the QDX - it has a description of the circuits.?? For some reason it didn't get copied into the QMX doc.
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Hi,?
Please send link to Hans' descriptions of the circuits.
I would like to know how my QMX + works. I don't see the detailed explanation in the shop. Thanks,?
Merry Christmas?
George
K3GK
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Soldering Station Recommendations
Retiring after decades in the software world, I'm now returning to the hobby of my youth, ham radio.
I purchased the QMX+ kit and look forward to building it. ?With the great documentation from QRP Labs, YouTube videos, and support on this group, I expect that I will have few if any problems. ?(Fingers crossed!)
I need to update my soldering station and I see a lot of relatively inexpensive equipment on Amazon. ?I'm willing to spend a few hundred USD, but not much more than that at this stage. ?Looking for magnifier/lamp, work holders, iron (brand, watts, temp control?), fume hood, etc.? If anyone has any passionate recommendations, or even just solid recommendations, I'm all ears.
BTW: ?I see that lead-based solder is still available for purchase (I thought it was banned years ago). ?What kind of solder should I use on the QMX+ kit? ?What thickness? ?Rosin core or not?? (The QRP Labs build instructions don't mention soldering materials.)
Also: ?Separate rosin paste dispenser/brush? ?99% Isopropyl Alcohol? ?Anything else?
I have a reasonable amount of soldering experience, but that was long before the RoHS era. ?I want to build the QMX+ boards the right way with the right materials and equipment.
Many thanks for your input!
(I hope this isn't a controversial topic!)
Happy Christmas!
?
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Re: USB-C to USB-C cable recommendation
Check out Tripp Lite cables, some have the built in ferrites. Connection issues usually go away with good cables.
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
On 24/12/2024 16:58, terompet via groups.io wrote: I guess I should have had 3 watt expectations when I ordered. C'est la vie. Maybe read the description carefully and ensure you understand what it says next time. Not that I think Hans' descriptions are misleading or designed to confuse. You just need to make sure you know what it says and not what you think it says.
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
why are you distracted? 5w or 3w or only 1w... qrp is qrp... if you actually have 3.3w or in maximum 5w .... where is the difference and problem??
keep calm and just enjoy your qrp- rig... otherwise you have to buy a icom-yaesu-kenwood... may an additional pa too ... think about?
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vy 73 de Udo DF4BJ?
qrp (max 5w) since around 20 years
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
No, not really. I expected 5 watts EVERY band and have fiddled and diddled with windings and spacing and chanting in strange languages to get what you got which was not that much different than anyone else.
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The BIG difference for the QMX+ for me was rewinding T501 with the Really Weird Twisted Sister as I should have in the first place.
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You got a good unit for 25 to 50 extra bucks! I love? building this stuff but the people who build them for Hans do a pretty good job for not much moolah.
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73
Karl
KI4ZUQ
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 04:23 PM, <terompet@...> wrote:
Should I be disappointed?
Oh, no. 3.3 W compared to 5 W means only 0.3 s steps lower.
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73 Ludwig
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
I guess I should have had 3 watt expectations when I ordered. C'est la vie.
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On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 05:53 PM, @Ludwig_DH8WN wrote:
give us a glue
oooh, sorry, I don't want to glue. Please read clue.
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Hello Rico,
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you may follow .
Without success screen shots from Terminal QMX QMX_plus Terminal - Hardware tests are helpful. The results may give us a glue where to search for problems. ?
73 Ludwig
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On 24/12/2024 15:47, Daniel Walter via groups.io wrote: In any case, it is very likely that your problems are solvable. Yes, lots of problems like yours have been solved. You may have to wait a while, maybe the diagnosis experts here are taking a break for Christmas.. (You probably will find someone with the same or similar problem to give clues if you look back at earlier posts.) 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Rico,
All good suggestions for you in these replies. Don't look at this as an expensive mistake; it is a great learning opportunity to learn troubleshooting. Another approach is to get in touch with someone from your local ham club or group. I am sure someone there can give you assistance. In any case, it is very likely that your problems are solvable.?
Good luck and have fun learning!
?
And Merry Christmas!
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73, Dan? NM3A
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
Those look pretty good. Remember this is a QRP rig. The slightly lower output from what you expected will only make a difference in your mind, and will likely help preserve your finals.
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73, Dan - W2DLC
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
On 24/12/2024 14:53, terompet via groups.io wrote: Should I be disappointed? List of features: 3-5W output at 12V supply (can be built for 3-5W at 9V supply) Did I see any figure less than 3 Watts? I'd say you got what is says on the box. In any case there is less than 2dB between 3 and 5 Watts. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Ge
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Many thanks for the information I will get back to you with how I got on in a couple of days.?
Thanks again.
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Paul
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m0pnn
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Re: Should I be disappointed?
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On Dec 24, 2024, at 6:53?AM, terompet via groups.io <terompet@...> wrote:
My new assembled QMX+ showed up on my doorstep yesterday and I was very excited!? Everything checks out fine, but I find that I am disappointed in the reported power output levels: 160m 5.7w, 80m 4.8w, 60m 4.1w, 40m 3.9w, 30m 4.5w, 20m 3.3w, 17m 3.1w, 15m 4.5w, 12m 3.2w, 10m 3.8w, 6m 3.1w.? I am most disappointed with 3.3w on 20 meters since that is my goto qrp band.? I guess that I was expecting power output numbers on all bands to be closer to 5 watts.? Should I be disappointed?
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Udo Die?elberg DF4BJ
Karl
Daniel Conklin
Kaufman, Matt - N3AR