Re: PuTTY issue on Diagnostics screen
I can't get PuTTy to work when using the diagnostics screen on my newly built QMX+.
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I've reloaded PuTTy twice, and I've reloaded v26 and v27 firmware as described above.?
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When I go into the diagnostics screen PuTTy just locks up and nothing appears to work.?
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Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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regards
John
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Re: [QMX] SMPS to linear regulator conversion tips
I used generic TO220 style linear regulators for my linear SMPS replacement, had to trim the tabs a bit but they are rated for 1A and while they get warm seem OK.
As Jerry says the ADC_* lines need to be a little high to keep the processor happy.? I added a 220k in parallel with the 22k resister on the high side or use 20k/22k for the potential divider. Or whatever you have to get a voltage that's a little high.
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Running the 78M33 from the 5V line would reduce it's heat dissipation at the expense of increased dissipation in the 5V regulator.
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Chris, G5CTH
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Re: Initializing:Enable SI5351A
It looks as if it failed initialising the Si5351, as the message says.? This is actually a MS5351M, IC204, does it look burnt or is it hot?
IC201, an EEPROM array uses the same I2C control so a failure there might show this error, is that burnt or hot?
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If it's the MS5351 your mission, should you wish to accept it, is to replace it.
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Chris, G5CTH
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Re: QMX+ with ~1000 tone on 12M & 6M
Same problem here.....? QMX+
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6 meters FT8 waterfall
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Phil.? G4JVF
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Re: Computer not connecting to newly built QDX
I could not find it at Amazon. Perhaps it is discontinued. Thanks anyway.
73! de Bekir TA2RX
I made it from parts from Amazon. The prototype printed circuit board is just a bunch of through-plated solder pads to mount and connect every type of USB receptacle. It is powered by a 5 volt wall adapter but a rechargeable cell could be used. All the receptacles are on break-out boards so the connections were easy.
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73
Karl
KI4ZUQ
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Re: Best QMX AGC settings?
Since there is absolutely nothing I can do to fix software
problems in my radio, I am hoping for band-aid solutions in
the AGC settings section.
Have you tried some of the settings people suggested in this forum??? ? OBTW, since some of the members of this group seem to be on
Hans' team, would it be too much to ask that they identify
themselves as such somehow in their posts?
I am not sure who you think is on the group who is on my team but I definitely assure you, no QRP Labs team (either? employees or less official) are active on this forum other than me.?
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Re: Initializing:Enable SI5351A
Hi Greg;
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I opened the device and I can smell a burning smell inside, I think we burned something.
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Thanks.
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Re: Initializing:Enable SI5351A
Hi Alan;
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QMX+
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Hi, I opened the device and I can smell a burning smell inside, I think we burned something.
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Thanks.
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Re: Replacement for 74ACT08 SOIC-14
No problem, Ludwig.
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The part I quoted is the one I used when repairing my QMX (rev 3). It fits correctly.?
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Cheers,?
Ronan.?
MM0IVR
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Re: Computer not connecting to newly built QDX
I made it from parts from Amazon. The prototype printed circuit board is just a bunch of through-plated solder pads to mount and connect every type of USB receptacle. It is powered by a 5 volt wall adapter but a rechargeable cell could be used. All the receptacles are on break-out boards so the connections were easy.
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73
Karl
KI4ZUQ
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Re: [QMX] SMPS to linear regulator conversion tips
Signals ADC_5V and ADC_3V3 back to the host should be a bit high by maybe a tenth of a volt.
If the processor doesn't see a high enough voltage,? it waits until it does before running any further code.
It's ok if those signals are a bit high, but there is no margin on the low side.
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I'm amazed the 78M33 works at all, that's a lot of power to dissipate.
I'd recommend either going with a bigger regulator (and a heat sink), or feeding the 78M33 from your 5v linear..
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Jerry, KE7ER
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On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 06:32 PM, Adam wrote:
2. CPU needs two fake signals: ADC_5V (2.5 V) and ADC_3V3 (1.65 V). The
reason is that it still tries to drive nonexistent SMPSes, expecting
feedback on these two lines. It won't boot without them. Just provide
resistive dividers, like in the original design (resistor values are not
critical, I used 18k).
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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
Hi, Stan and Cal. Happy New Year. Please add me to the list for a full version. Just in case. Thanks 73 Ray ae5hn
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Re: QMX and QDX - Not enough 5V PTT oomph
Donald, most MOSFETs have an internal diode, so the flywheel diode is not absolutely necessary for a small low-voltage relay.? If the relay has a large coil or runs off higher voltage, yes, I would definitely include the diode.
The very popular ATU100 tuner (7x7) has 14 relays with 14 FETs and just capacitors across the relay terminals, and I have not heard of any of those drivers blowing out (including in the one I have).
Stan
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Re: The USB connection is not working.
Yup, never been able to use straight c to c... I think it's missing a resistor to tell the computer to just treat it like a basic USB device. Whenever I have used it on my USB c laptop I have had to use an OTG adapter and a USB c to USB a cable.
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Re: QMX, one of op-amps self-oscillates at 25 MHz (or picks up the system clock?)
On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 06:48 PM, Adam wrote:
2. With one of BPF capacitors (C401, C402, C404) grounded on the IC402
side, buzzing stops (only hiss / static noise is present), of course the
capacitor that does this depends on the selected band. Probably because
grounding it removes the biasing done by R401 + R402.
3. Grounding these capacitors on the other side (RX_IN) does nothing, the
buzzing continues.
These two observations tell me that your problem is 'to the right' of the capacitor.? If it was 'to the left', i.e. towards schematic page 5, grounding the input side of the capacitor would also have made the problem go away.? If the buzz was coming through that capacitor, it could also be trapped on its input.? Grounding the selected one of those capacitors
Have you checked carefully R401/R402/C406? A bad C406 in that biasing circuit could cause oscillations and disturb the audio.
Are you certain that there is no anomaly with T401?? Maybe one of the trifilar windings partially shorting against another one, due to enamel being scratched?
Is the buzzing only on 'left' or 'right' audio, or both? If it is on both, it is unlikely that the source is the op amps, since past their inputs, the paths are independent.? If it is on only one, I would suspect that op amp.
And finally, as unlikely as it seems, IC407 has been the most common failure source of anything related to audio in the QMX.? If none of the previous apply, I would replace that one.
Stan KC7XE
btw - you are the third person now recently who I have heard blew the IC403 with a strong overvoltage burning through the 5V supply, myself being one of them (I inadvertently turned QMX+ on with a 17.5V supply).? I don't know why the nearly identical IC402 didn't also blow.? Maybe it's the doubled bias across the Z/W pins.
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Re: QMX, one of op-amps self-oscillates at 25 MHz (or picks up the system clock?)
Chuck Harris via groups.io <cfharris@...> wrote: On more than a few occasions I have found that a scope
probe will excite a high speed, high impedance op amp
circuit into oscillating. But sticking the probe didn't change anything in the audio. Wouldn't it do it, if this was the cause? Anyway, an update, if someone's still interested. After frying SMPS boards I decided to make linear regulators (which I generally wanted to do anyway) and I'm back to square one. QMX buzzes just like it did, but op-amp doesn't self-oscillate anymore. 5V line is clean too (with the SMPS it wasn't, there was some strange distorted waveform there, I can provide a photo if someone's interested; but the waveform is not there anymore and the symptom didn't go away, so it's probably irrelevant). Some observations: 1. With IC403 removed the buzzing stops (it only hisses, normal radio static noise). 2. With one of BPF capacitors (C401, C402, C404) grounded on the IC402 side, buzzing stops (only hiss / static noise is present), of course the capacitor that does this depends on the selected band. Probably because grounding it removes the biasing done by R401 + R402. 3. Grounding these capacitors on the other side (RX_IN) does nothing, the buzzing continues. I ordered two new LM4562 amps, I want to blindly replace them and test, but it's just that -- blind waving of the soldering gun with no real idea what can be going on. I have nine new 3253's (I had ten, but one replaced IC403 that developed a short after frying these SMPSes), but I don't want to replace IC402 just yet -- something tells me this chip is OK, I just see no reasons to suspect it, it's just a switch. Or are there reasons? Further down the line we have Q508 and all these PIN diodes and filters. Frankly speaking, I don't see anything here that could cause this buzzing. Should I try removing Q508, even if grounding its source made no difference? This is so tiny and fragile that I don't want to remove components without any suspicion. So, ideas are still welcome... Thanks.
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Re: Computer not connecting to newly built QDX
Karl,
Would you mind sharing the source of your tester(s)?
73! de Bekir TA2RX
Here is my USB cable continuity tester:
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That is the printer cable I am using for the QDX, IC-7300 and the QCU Clock.
All four LED's are lit so power and data functional.
73
Karl
KI4ZUQ
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Re: QMX and QDX - Not enough 5V PTT oomph
On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 07:17 PM, Stan Dye wrote:
a better solution would be to add a FET switch to turn on your relay
Don't forget the flywheel diode across the relay coil so you don't blow out the driver.
There is also a current-limiting resistor behind the PTT output which could be reduced somewhat for more current, but a driver would be my choice.
73, Don N2VGU
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Re: Soldering Station Recommendations
On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 06:25 PM, Dave S. wrote:
Solder: ?
I suggest Chipquik, Multicore or Kester 63-37 with RMA core solders vs Chinese mystery metal.? I use 0.020" and 0.032" a lot, 0.015" occasionally for real fine work.??
Also a couple pf pairs of #7SA (stainless, antimagnetic) tweezers.? you will want more than one, you will invariably drop them and they will invariably land light (pointy) end down, turning the tips to "elf shoes."
Antimagnetic is important because many chip components have magnetic nickel electrode plating and some ICs have magnetic lead frame material.? Both will stick annoyingly to magnetic tweezers.
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73, Don N2VGU
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[QMX] SMPS to linear regulator conversion tips
Hi,
I just replaced SMPS boards in my QMX with a linear regulator board, and
removed the power switch (I always found it annoying). Some tips, if
someone wants to do the same:
1. 3V3 regulator (I used the 78M33 which was normally used to "bootstrap"
the CPU before SMPSes took over) will get bloody hot. QMX draws around 100
mA on this line, which isn't much, but at 12 V it translates to 870 mW of
power dissipated in the regulator. Make sure you provide as much ground
plane for heatsinking as possible. I did, and my regulator is still almost
90¡ãC. I'm not sure how it will behave long term.
2. CPU needs two fake signals: ADC_5V (2.5 V) and ADC_3V3 (1.65 V). The
reason is that it still tries to drive nonexistent SMPSes, expecting
feedback on these two lines. It won't boot without them. Just provide
resistive dividers, like in the original design (resistor values are not
critical, I used 18k).
3. Lines PWM_5V, PWM_3V3 and LIN_REG_EN can be ignored (unconnected).
4. 100 uF capacitors (instead of 470 uF ones used in original boards) seem
to be sufficient. Maybe even smaller ones would be OK.
When it comes to the power switch removal:
1. V_IN can be hooked directly to +12V (but you lose reverse polarity
protection this way).
2. PWR_HOLD signal can be ignored.
3. PWR_ON signal can be ignored, but the original SMPS board has a 100k
pullup (to V_IN) on this line. Make sure your board contains this pullup
as well (although I used a much lower value, 4k7). If you keep this line
floating, then the (very sensitive) gate of Q202 will get triggered by
literally anything.
4. QMX will power on automatically. When you want to turn it off by long
pressing the knob, it will show "Shutdown!" and hang. At this stage, the
MCU releases PWR_HOLD line, but without the power switch this does
nothing. Only power cycle seems to be able to recover from this state
(understandable).
5. CPU seems to save current state (mode, frequency) to EEPROM only upon
shutdown, so if you just remove the power without shutting QMX down with
the knob press, current state won't be retained. This can be a problem or
an advantage.
Hope it helps.
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Karl
Donald S Brant Jr