Re: Ripple from USB C PD cables?
The ripple will depend on your power bank, not the cable.? The cable simply applies the proper 'trigger' resistance to usb-c protocol pins to cause the PD power bank to switch to the desired voltage.
I use a very similar 9V trigger cable with a small Anker 10000mAh power bank, and there is very low ripple.? It is a fine power source for the QMX, allowing hours of operation.
Stan KC7XE
|
Re: QMX stops transmitting FT8
If you are using GPS for frequency stabilization, this may be a software bug that Hans has in the queue ( after ssb) to work on.
|
Ripple from USB C PD cables?
Hello,
Does anyone have any experience with ripple from the USB C PD power cables? I just picked up a USB C PD power cable that provides 9VDC @ 3A (mine measures 9.3VDC with a multimeter). The QRP Labs website recommends using a power source with low ripple but I don't have an oscilloscope to check for that.
USB C to DC 5.5mm x 2.1mm Power Cord, USB Type C Input to DC 9V Out Charging Cable
Thanks in advance!
Rob, AH6X
Boise, ID
|
Re: CW Practice / Rag chew Results
On Monday, January 6, 2025 at 10:20:50 AM CST, Ed Kwik via groups.io <ekwik@...> wrote:
On 1/6/25 I had a CW practice / rag
chew session on 30 meters. I worked two stations:
| Date
/ Time |
Call |
Bnd |
Frequency |
Mode |
Power |
Rec |
Snt |
Name |
SPC# |
Comments |
| 1/6/2025
14:57 |
AA0YY |
30 |
10.108 |
CW |
10 |
579 |
579 |
Mark |
MO |
K3
at 10 watts 100 ft slopping doublet |
| 1/6/2025
14:09 |
NR8M |
30 |
10.108 |
CW |
10 |
579 |
579 |
Bob |
OH |
K3
at 10 watts 100 ft slopping doublet |
Conditions were OK. SSN = 176, SFI = 169, A = 20, K = 3.
The band seemed good.
I will be doing another CW on the air practice session in
the next few days . Anyone is welcome. This practice
is intended for operators who are new to CW or they need
some practice. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR YOUR CW IS.
Mistakes are OK. Poor fists are OK. Slow speed is OK.
Really slow speed is OK. This practice is meant for you to
improve your CW. I will do my best to adjust to your skill
level. Operate at any power level. If several stations
show up, I will operate as a round-table control station.
I will do it as a round-table so everyone gets a chance to
transmit. Please listen to my directions.
Details:
Time - TBD
Band - TBD Meters
How to find me - I will find a clear frequency and call
CQ. Go to the Reverse Beacon Network and search for my
call sign AB8DF.
That will tell you what frequency I
am on. Tune your station to that frequency and if you hear
me give me a call. If there is a QSO in progress, please
wait for a break in the action. Then send your callsign.
If I hear you, I will invite you to join the QSO and start
a round-table QSO.
Reply to this email if you have questions.
IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR CW IS
Ed
AB8DF
|
Tony,
?
Hans would be looking for low cost in an SMPS on a $100 kit, and those IC's all seem to be designed for a max of 1 or 2 Amps.
The TPS561243/TPS561246 costs $0.10 quantity 100 direct from TI, operates at 1.28mhz
The *3 vs *6 gives a choice of "eco-mode" or constant frequency,? I suspect I'll need eco-mode to be efficient at 100ma out.
It's brand new with no stock till February, but may be the sort of part I'd want to use.
?
Jerry
?
?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 08:24 PM, Jerry Gaffke wrote:
I'm going for continuous mode as I feel that will keep the harmonics stable and predictable.? Ideal would be to choose regulators designed for the load current (I see about 130ma of 3.3v and 100ma of 5v with backlight on) so it stays in continuous mode anyway.
?
|
Hi, Qrp Labs has changed the 0.6mm wire to 0.33mm in recent kits. Test of Hans showed no change or even better performance with 0.33mm as of tighter windings likely. This is described in many places in the documentation. I personally just build a older kit with 0.6 wire and would have loved to have enough 0.33mm as winding and removing enamel is much easier. So you are lucky and can just use 0.33mm HI HI. VY 73 DE Thomas? Am Mo., 6. Jan. 2025 um 18:01?Uhr schrieb Richard Ranson via <r.ranson= [email protected]>:
I'm delighted to receive my kit (Order ID: 94083) but noticed that it seems to have the wrong gauge of wire.? The larger bundle of wire is 0.33mm diam, which is correct.? The other, smaller bundle, is slightly finer at 0.3mm but should be 0.6mm.? I am happy to correct this myself using 24 awg wire if that would be a suitable substitute.? That wire is 0.56mm diam.? Any advice welocme.
|
Selling QMX+ Rev1
Includes GPS module, development board, and power lead. Fully functional¡ªmade my first QSO with it! It's a fantastic rig that will be missed.
?
73 Gabe
|
I'm delighted to receive my kit (Order ID: 94083) but noticed that it seems to have the wrong gauge of wire. ?The larger bundle of wire is 0.33mm diam, which is correct. ?The other, smaller bundle, is slightly finer at 0.3mm but should be 0.6mm. ?I am happy to correct this myself using 24 awg wire if that would be a suitable substitute. ?That wire is 0.56mm diam.? Any advice welocme.
|
Re: Release of version 1.2 of ABS solution for QMX+ (Automatic internal antenna tuner, internal battery and internal speaker with audio amp)
#ABS
#ATU
#PSU
#QMXplus
ZL1REY would also like to be included ln the next geoup buy please
Please include me in the next group buy (if it materializes). Thank you for everyone's efforts on this extension/newer development/addd-on to the QMX+ project.
?
Given my essential tremor I have no hope to build this myself so hope to be part of a group buy of a constructed by another version.
?
73 de K3FZT / Steve
|
Re: Help learning QMX CW filter settings?
Rick & Group, Thanks.? I'll give it a try. Jay W6CJ
Hi Jay.... when I was doing the very same thing with my CW filter settings, I found it was best to go to the W1AW Operating Schedule and pick a time that was good for you and this will give you about 1/2 hour or so of very good CW that you can go through all the filter settings and pick the value that suits you the best..
?
Good clean CW with very little fade sure makes your setting selections a little easier...
?
Just a thought...
73, Rick W5NR
--
Rick
W5NR
|
Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
Chuck,
Regardless of software definition or not, the hardware will have variations, and your ears will have variations, and band conditions will vary. Your AGC will respond to those variables digitally but converted to an analog way because ultimately, the output is analog to your ears. I have one ear that's a lot more sensitive than the other. Certain loud sounds can get buzzy and distorted to that ear. The other ear has had damage due to unprotected exposure to very loud sounds over time, so certain parts of the audio spectrum are muted. The interaction between the CW filters and the AGC settings can compensate for some of that, but not all of it. Part of the reason for the default settings was to help compensate for a thumping sound some were getting when keying.? I never even perceived that thump with either of my QMXs. I don't think I have that thump because it's not there in either ear. You are having with some pulsing at low levels. I haven't noticed that in any situation I've experienced...yet. Maybe I will, now that you've called my attention to it. Also, remember that Hans made you check a box stating you understand this is Beta software, so you knew what you were getting into. I know he makes a note of every complaint, and has it in mind as he works on the firmware, so he will probably try to reproduce your observation eventually.?
Anyway, I'm happy with my settings which most of the time are:
?
Threshold S: 8
Slope dB per dB: 65
Noise Filter: 9
Hang time: 55
Smooth samples: 60
Recovery dB/s: 8
Sample Blocks: 2
S9 sounds like: S9
AGC Display: On
AGC dB per Bar: 3
?
But, I'm also still experimenting.
--
73, Dan - W2DLC
|
CW Practice / Rag chew Results
On 1/6/25 I had a CW practice / rag
chew session on 30 meters. I worked two stations:
| Date
/ Time |
Call |
Bnd |
Frequency |
Mode |
Power |
Rec |
Snt |
Name |
SPC# |
Comments |
| 1/6/2025
14:57 |
AA0YY |
30 |
10.108 |
CW |
10 |
579 |
579 |
Mark |
MO |
K3
at 10 watts 100 ft slopping doublet |
| 1/6/2025
14:09 |
NR8M |
30 |
10.108 |
CW |
10 |
579 |
579 |
Bob |
OH |
K3
at 10 watts 100 ft slopping doublet |
Conditions were OK. SSN = 176, SFI = 169, A = 20, K = 3.
The band seemed good.
I will be doing another CW on the air practice session in
the next few days . Anyone is welcome. This practice
is intended for operators who are new to CW or they need
some practice. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR YOUR CW IS.
Mistakes are OK. Poor fists are OK. Slow speed is OK.
Really slow speed is OK. This practice is meant for you to
improve your CW. I will do my best to adjust to your skill
level. Operate at any power level. If several stations
show up, I will operate as a round-table control station.
I will do it as a round-table so everyone gets a chance to
transmit. Please listen to my directions.
Details:
Time - TBD
Band - TBD Meters
How to find me - I will find a clear frequency and call
CQ. Go to the Reverse Beacon Network and search for my
call sign AB8DF.
That will tell you what frequency I
am on. Tune your station to that frequency and if you hear
me give me a call. If there is a QSO in progress, please
wait for a break in the action. Then send your callsign.
If I hear you, I will invite you to join the QSO and start
a round-table QSO.
Reply to this email if you have questions.
IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW POOR CW IS
Ed
AB8DF
|
Re: QMX stops transmitting FT8
I have a freshly minted QMX+ and I am experiencing the same problem.? CW seems to work fine.? FT8 was working last evening but then suddenly stopped. Now when I hit tune or try to transmit, it transmits for a second then drop.? Testing CAT control, the Test Transmit button hold the radio in transmit.? But in WSJT-X, "Tune" drops after a second and transmit does the same.? IDK what the problem might be.? Something that WSJT-X is doing??? I must say, setting up the QMX is far more complicated than the QDX.? The QDX just works!
?
Running rigctld to access CAT (Hamlib NET rigctl)?? WSJT-X 2.7 - some RC and CQRlog on Xubuntu 24.04.
?
72
?
Charles - NK8O
?
?
"My QMX works great so far except for a weird problem on FT8. ?It will work fine for quite a while but sometimes it will only transmit for a second or two then stop. ?It's still in TX but not transmitting. ?Same in TUNE. ?If I switch to CW it will transmit fine and sometimes this will fix the problem but not always. ?Turning the rig off and back on helps sometimes. ?I'm using Linux Mint 21.2 and WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc2. ?Logging program is CQRLOG.
?
Any help?
?
73, Bill NZ0T"
|
Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
Since the AGC settings seem to be very dependent on the ambient noise on the band, it would be helpful for me to know on which band the settings are optimal, and what level the ambient noise is when they are working best. -Chuck Harris, WA3UQV On Mon, 06 Jan 2025 07:01:45 -0800 "Mike, KL7MJ via groups.io" <alaskamike@...> wrote: Steve -
I was actually rereading the posts last week, and I adjusted my
settings to be somewhat the same as yours. Here's what I compiled
from a couple of threads - I apologize for not accrediting a couple
of the settings very well.
QMX Manual G4EDG Ron Other K7VIQ KL7MJ Threshold 8 4 7 7 8 4 Slope 80
50 95 60 80 80 Noise 10 0 5 5 10 10 Hang 80 2 50 30 80 30 Smooth 50 0
99 50 50 50 Recovery 10 60 40 50 10 10 Sample 5 2 4 4 2 2 S9 S9 S9 S9
S9 S0 S6 AGC display ON ON ON ON ON ON AGC dB per bar 3 3 3 3 3 3
73,
Mike, KL7MJ
|
Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
Steve -
I was actually rereading the posts last week, and I adjusted my settings to be somewhat the same as yours.
Here's what I compiled from a couple of threads - I apologize for not accrediting a couple of the settings very well.
?
| ? |
QMX Manual |
G4EDG |
Ron |
Other |
K7VIQ |
KL7MJ |
| Threshold |
8 |
4 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
4 |
| Slope |
80 |
50 |
95 |
60 |
80 |
80 |
| Noise |
10 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
| Hang |
80 |
2 |
50 |
30 |
80 |
30 |
| Smooth |
50 |
0 |
99 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
| Recovery |
10 |
60 |
40 |
50 |
10 |
10 |
| Sample |
5 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
| S9 |
S9 |
S9 |
S9 |
S9 |
S0 |
S6 |
| AGC display |
ON |
ON |
ON |
ON |
ON |
ON |
| AGC dB per bar |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
?
73,
Mike, KL7MJ
|
Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
I thought the whole point of using SDR's was to eliminate most of the difference between examples of a given radio. W1AW works perfectly with just about any AGC setting here at my location... mostly because it is something like 20 over S9 most all the time. Where I have serious difficulty is when signals are one bar or lower and aren't even making the AGC bar show up on the LCD display. In those cases, the noise on the band modulates, in a scratchy fuzz box sort of way the tone of the otherwise clear signal. If, however, I turn off the AGC, or I tune in the signal in the DIGI mode, the scratchy modulation goes away. It seems to me that having the AGC below the ambient noise level has something to do with the scratchy modulation. I am currently playing with: AGC: ON Threshold S: 12 Slope dB per dB: 80 Noise Filter: 10 Hang Time: 80 Smooth Samples: 50 Recovery dB/s: 10 Sample Blocks: 2 S9 sounds like S9 AGC Display: ON AGC dB per Bar: 3 It is not clear to me which of the above settings would be most likely to remove the scratchy modulation of the received CW tone. -Chuck Harris - WA3UQV On Mon, 06 Jan 2025 04:46:43 -0800 "Daniel Conklin via groups.io" <danconklin2@...> wrote: Really, it depends on you and your ears, and the differences from
radio to radio. Things are not all going to be equal. The default
settings were chosen because they are a good starting point. That
advice about adjusting settings while listening to W1AW on a good day
is good advice. -- 73, Dan - W2DLC
|
QMX+ with ~1000 tone on 12M & 6M
The radio is a Ver. 1 QMX plus that in general performs exactly like I expect.? It does not have the GPS option installed, and there is no battery in the clock battery slot.? The radio is used for CW only.? As the title suggests, I have an approximate 1000 tone on only 12M and 6M bands.? It is internal, in that I can remove antenna and it's still there.? It does not change in level or tone while tuning around the band.? It appears to de-sense the receiver a bit, as a signal must be pretty strong for me to be able to copy it on 12M.? There is normally a 'beat' frequency between the received signal and the tone when I can copy someone.?
?
I have run the I/Q sweeps in Putty, using a raspberry pi computer.? The tone is present with or without the computer attached.? ?The I/Q sweeps look very nice on the lower bands, and begin to deteriorate as the frequency goes up.? They are still showing the two sine waves, but are a bit distorted( not a perfect line of x's ).? This deterioration is also noted on 10M and 15M ( to some extent ) and the sweeps for 12M and 6M are not suspiciously worse than others.? 10M works flawlessly, as do the other bands.? The remaining filter sweeps look good, with some tweaking needed possibly, but totally functional as is. ?I have a set of QMX HB and LB radios to compare symptoms, and the HB QMX does not have the 'tone' on 12M when swapped into the system.
?
I am curious what path to take troubleshooting this issue.? I did not find anything in the archives that addressed this strange behavior.
?
Thanks & 73
Dick
W4PID
|
Re: New QMX Rev 3 / High Band - Holiday Project - Success!!
Hi Stan, Hi All,
here a success message. After yesterdays experiment running QMX direct from 3.3V and getting confirmed? CPU and rest of 3.3V Rail OK, I spend all evening/night rechecking QMX? over and over again.? Some helpful document (from Hans Email) on the boot process that I checked along:?
All looked perfect, no issue found. (Yes: I know the power plug issues etc, but have correct size)
So today I have stolen the 3.3V SMPS module of my QMX Rev 1 Low Band and transplanted it to QMX Rev 3 High Band: My Kids only have license 10m / 2m / 70cm.
Rechecked again everything and carefully powered up with strict current limitations 7V 200mA: Success, no current limitation!? Did HW checks on Terminal: all OK. Slowly increasing power as more tests passed. Run a first FT8 QSO and put some CQ's in CW out all OK so far. Will check it the next days.
Conclusion: All perfect so far. Just had a broken 3.3V SMPS board in the kit to replace.? Have build so many of Hans Kits, never had issues in past, this is still a very good quality in average.
VY 73 DE Thomas - DJ1TF - JJ1QPB
It is also safe to use one of the 3V smps cards from either of your other two kits, now that you have shown the main board does not have a 3.3V short.
After doing that, and verifying no problems, you can also remove D109 from the bad 3.3V card, and go ahead and use it without D109 to make sure that is the problem.? It will function fine without D109, but that leaves you vulnerable to a new fault causing damage on the main board.? So don't operate with it that way for long periods.? But it would give you confidence that replacing D109 would make it serviceable again.
The most common causes of D109 failure (that I am aware of) is accidental momentary shorts of 12V or 5V rails to 3.3V during assembly or handling with power on - the minimal clearances within make this easy to do.? Also please check your power plug connector from your power supply, that it is 5.5/2.1, not the similar 5.5/2.5, which looks almost the same, but has a larger diameter hole for the power pin, and doesn't contact properly.? Some have reported D109 failures that seem to be traced to such a connector - which will work most of the time, but actually can give many very short power on/off spikes when it is moved, since it 'bounces' in the ill-fitting contacts.
Stan KC7XE
|
Re: Help learning QMX CW filter settings?
Great YouTube video, thanks for sharing.
Hi Jay
?
Joe N2DI has a very informative video regarding this subject on YouTube.
?
?
Personally, I waiting for a filter bandwidth of around 1500Hz for tuning around, ~300Hz is far too narrow.
?
Also need to have a quicker way to select the filters... currently 8 button presses to change bandwidth and return to normal operation.
?
Hope this helps.
?
73 Steve G4EDG?
|
Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
Really, it depends on you and your ears, and the differences from radio to radio. Things are not all going to be equal. The default settings were chosen because they are a good starting point. That advice about adjusting settings while listening to W1AW on a good day is good advice.
--
73, Dan - W2DLC
|
Tom Clifton
Rob Ramsey
Jay W6CJ
Daniel Conklin
Richard Hattaway