Re: PTT over CAT in WSJT-X no function, does not transmit in FT8
The PTT test does not put out any power. It's just tests the control lines.
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On Aug 28, 2023, at 12:25, Reinhard Gr?nz via < rgraenz@...> wrote:
Hello, ? my QMX is working now. I didn't have to adjust anything on the band filters. On all bands, the transmission power is about 5W in CW. The sensitivity in FT8 is good and significantly better than with my QDX. An interesting module is the SWR bridge. It protects the PA from mismatch. The QMX only achieves full performance when the antenna is tuned. My device still has a problem. It does not broadcast in FT8. If I tap the PTT button in the configuration of WSJT-X, it lights up red. There is no signal on the antenna when transmitting. Does anyone know the problem or is it a firmware issue? ? 73 Reinhard DL3AS ?
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Re: PTT over CAT in WSJT-X no function, does not transmit in FT8
On 28/08/2023 17:25, Reinhard Gr?nz via groups.io wrote: My device still has a problem. It does not broadcast in FT8. If I tap the PTT button in the configuration of WSJT-X, it lights up red. There is no signal on the antenna when transmitting. Reinhard, Possibly PC configuration? /g/QRPLabs/topic/100624101#10848973 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: is there anyone who would be willing to replace the si5153a synthesizer chip on my qcx?
We didn't use ChipQuik on hi-rel boards, just the lead cutting/lifting, I should have been clearer with my sentence structure.
73, DOn N2VGU
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PTT over CAT in WSJT-X no function, does not transmit in FT8
Hello, ? my QMX is working now. I didn't have to adjust anything on the band filters. On all bands, the transmission power is about 5W in CW. The sensitivity in FT8 is good and significantly better than with my QDX. An interesting module is the SWR bridge. It protects the PA from mismatch. The QMX only achieves full performance when the antenna is tuned. My device still has a problem. It does not broadcast in FT8. If I tap the PTT button in the configuration of WSJT-X, it lights up red. There is no signal on the antenna when transmitting. Does anyone know the problem or is it a firmware issue? ? 73 Reinhard DL3AS ?
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Re: QMX and FT8CN audio issue - HANS PLEASE CAN YOU NOTE??
Super job, thank you Hans. The app is first class and makes a great companion for a first class little rig too! I am really enjoying my QMX. Keep up the great work.
Best?
Daimon. G4USI
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Re: QMX - smoke - another C107/Q108 failure
Hans said the sequencing was set for about 250ms. Your plots show the 3.3V Linear regulator coming on at t=0 but something happens to the 3.3V at t=80ms to t=200ms. I don't know what. Then it continues on to about t=250ms when the 3.3V SMPS is turned on?(notice a slightly higher level .....no problem, but you can't tell if the 3.3V from the Linear regulator is now turned OFF .....except for the now back biased D103? ? ?and it has more noise .....no problem).??
The 5V VCC also starts coming up at t=0 along with VDD but does not reach an operational "high" level until well into the 250ms sequence cycle. Can't tell exactly where from those plots.
I wonder if others have seen the same plots ?? Thank you again.
I would guess at t=80ms the processor is starting to initialize and run and is doing something else major at about t=200ms. Maybe you need a larger C103 to help stabilize the 3.3V Linear Regulator output until the SMPS takes over.?
73 Kees K5BCQ
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Re: QDX V1: RF-sensing switch for the 50W Class C amplifier
Thanks for pointing this out, Don. ?I am well aware of this issue, which is a particular problem where mechanical relays are involved. ?With the QCX/ QCX+, Hans enables PTT 400 uS before the first appearance of rf, and disables PTT ~8 mS after rf output has dropped to zero. ?This permits full break-in CW even at 99 WPM, the upper limit of the speed setting on the QXC+, where the dot length (or inter-element duration) is 12.1 mS.
I did an experiment today with QRP-LABS equipment, connecting my QCX+ to the 50W amplifier with my switch in between and the amplifier to a dummy load, using my rf-detecting switch for PTT to the amplifier instead of the PTT signal from the QCX. ?The attached photo shows the first dot of a string of dots at 40 wpm. ?The upper trace is the 5V PTT signal, the lower trace is the rf output from the amplifier at the dummy load. ?The time from first appearance of rf to rise of the PTT signal is 380 uS, time to 90% of full amplifier output is ~476 uS. ?So ~0.5 mS is clipped from the 30 mS first dot. ?That probably would not lead to a mis-read character at this speed. ?Even at 99 wpm, this truncation is only ~4% of the duration of the first dot length. ?Yes, the rf envelope rise time is shortened, possibly leading to key clicks. ?Note that the well-crafted raised cosine pulse shaping is not preserved when a nonlinear Class C amplifier is used in any event. If the circuit I have proposed could be improved by reducing the PTT turn off time to ~10 mS or so, it could be used for full break-in cw at speeds up to 60 wpm, as with the original QCX for example. ?Reducing the values of C1/C2 to 10 nF should help, and I don't really like the 78L09 and its associated capacitors used as I did here.
73, Ben ?K0IKR
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Re: QMX - smoke - another C107/Q108 failure
Hi all
If the rig won't turn off, the question is, what is causing THAT to be the problem? Something must be wrong?already with the situation, for that to be the case. Until the radio is turning on and off properly I think it is prudent to run it at a lower voltage if possible.?
I have seen quite a few cases where there were shorts from the female pin header connector pins, to nearby SMD components. I think it will be worth adding to the build instructions, a step to cut 2mm off each pin of the connector just to reduce this probability.?
I don't know if this was the problem in your case; but SOMETHING is wrong, if it won't power down on a long left-knob press.?
I do not think removing power suddenly from the QMX should cause any issues. Here I do it routinely. Very often if I am doing hardware experiments (filters, etc) or tuning up a QMX, I do so with the LCD and the controls boards removed, so that I can easily access the LPF and BPF toroids. I have a little 1x2-pin male header in which I joined the pins at the short end, with a blob of solder. I just insert this into the 2x4-pin controls header at the appropriate point to effect a press of the left rotary button, to switch on. I commonly then just pull the banana plug out of the power supply, or unplug the 2.1mm power jack from the QMX. I have done this hundreds of times and never had any issues.?
On Mon, Aug 28, 2023 at 11:52 AM, Michael Warrington wrote:
i have just had the same problem, (like the qcx mini had) i was pulling the power supply plug from the QMX when it was turned on, (as it wouldnt turn off). and smoke came from the SMPS board. Great this just gets better
Mike
This is very similar to my release of smoke :
?Please refer to
/g/QRPLabs/message/108631
This looks like a?systematic problem!
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Re: Argh QMX Q103/Q104 short
The space between the small transistor Q104 and the larger Q103 does not allow for a form-fit wire of almost any reasonable gauge to fit between the two—much less moving a sharp-tipped iron into that area to heat the wire up—so I don’t think the Mr Solderfix technique is likely to work on Q104. At least this is as far as I can tell.
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Re: QMX - smoke - another C107/Q108 failure
On Mon, Aug 28, 2023 at 11:52 AM, Michael Warrington wrote:
i have just had the same problem, (like the qcx mini had) i was pulling the power supply plug from the QMX when it was turned on, (as it wouldnt turn off). and smoke came from the SMPS board. Great this just gets better
Mike
This is very similar to my release of smoke : ?Please refer to
/g/QRPLabs/message/108631
This looks like a?systematic problem!
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Re: QMX and FT8CN audio issue - HANS PLEASE CAN YOU NOTE??
Hello Daimon
Yes, I confirm - I have heard of this issue and I will investigate it further as soon as I have a chance; I have it on my list.?
OK Folks,
So, today I reverted to 1.06 Firmware on the QMX and can confirm FT8CN works perfectly with that firmware but fails to work properly (as described in my original thread) with later versions. Out of interest, I also tried a USB C to C cable with 1.06, but still no luck there. So the FLDigi issue described by others seems to be releated as suggested by Mike KK7ER
HANS - CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR FUTURE UPDATES WHEN TIME PERMITS?
Thanks.
Daimon. G4USI
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Re: is there anyone who would be willing to replace the si5153a synthesizer chip on my qcx?
Practice (on other disposable boards) makes perfect
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Re: is there anyone who would be willing to replace the si5153a synthesizer chip on my qcx?
I agree on cutting back the leads where possible (also re solderable after testing) but the ChipQuik for Hi Reliability systems is surprising as their low temperature solder alloy is not fully compatible with normal solder so a major solder removal, cleaning and re tinning exercise is really needed after using it for any serious application (obviously phone repairers only need it to last 3 months :-) )
?
I've always found it easier to use hot air and have to date removed the 5351 from the same QCX 3 times without any problem (apart from my own increasing annoyance)??
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Re: #qmx video: 52 tips for building your QMX successfully
#qmx
Here we found it easier to achieve precise alignment of the SMPS boards if the spacer nuts are NOT drilled out. The reason is that drilling them out, or shoving a soldering iron through them, either way distorts the shape of the nut so it no longer sits precisely. This is based on experience trying both ways here. So I will update the manual to remove the bit about drilling out nuts.?
73 Hans G0UPL
Now, you tell me! Har, har! No trouble here with reaming the threads but the method here is just as good and reduces one operation.
Watched/listened to 52 tips on the youtube link and all I can say is: GOOD SHOW! Very well done production and I have tennis elbow from patting my own back for getting several tips all by myself! The example was that BNC 90° just did not look straight and testing with the end plate before soldering confirmed it. That video will help all the next group of builders immensely.
73
Karl
KI4ZUQ
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Re: QMX ---PCB Rev 2 --
#qmx
Hans,
Just completed my order for 1 QMX Kit + enclosure and received confirmation. Thanks for your help and honesty helping me make my decision.
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Just a quick note, I am not a William. Billy Wayne Moore is my real name.
My apologies, I think I was trying to be clever responding to several people in the topic in one post, but I confused you with the second poster who really was (is) Willie N1JBJ
?
I was raised as a real Texas cowboy on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Yep, riding a horse, chasing cows, roping and the whole nine yards. Laid on the floor behind my father's rocking chair and read by kerosene lamp (we only had two). From 8 years old on,
I dreamed of being a physicist; and I made it. Just thought you might get a kick out of this. Look at my website
for the rest of the story.
Great story! A very?enjoyable?read, congratulations on a full and interesting life.?
I never dreamed of being a physicist. I dreamed of computers and electronics. But I couldn't choose between them, and as I had already read every book on both topics in the public library, the uni syllabus?in each case looked boring. And, Physics had always
been fun and interesting at school, and getting to grips with Einstein's special and general relativities sounded like it should be done. Furthermore if I chose physics I could postpone choosing between electronics hardware and computer software for a few
more years. So Physics it was!
-- N5SE
Billy Wayne Moore
7066 Shady Knoll Ln
Willis, TX 77318-6324
Phone: 936-537-2975???
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Re: QMX ---PCB Rev 2 --
#qmx
Hans, in my mind your a great engineer.?
Scientists (physicists) determine how and why, engineers use that knowledge to create.
Member of the Hans Fan Club!
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Re: QMX - smoke - another C107/Q108 failure
1V/division on the vertical scale, with a -3V offset
50ms/division on the horizontal scale
Not quite the full second you requested but there didn't seem to be anything going on further out.
Jonathan
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Re: QMX - smoke - another C107/Q108 failure
What are the horizontal and vertical scales ?
73 Kees K5BCQ
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Hello Rod
I don't know what revision of the firmware you have. It's worth upgrading it to the latest, which has a band configuration screen for specifying the band limits (frequency limits) and which LPF and BPF to use for each band.?
The assembly manual?contains instructions for 80-20m and 20-10m versions.?
For any other combination of bands, there is no official recommendation. You need to design both the BPF and LPF correctly.
Sorry if this is covered elsewhere (I’ve tried …)?
I’d like to modify my “first edition” QDX to receive on 15m.? It’s not entirely clear to me to what extent the hardware and firmware modifications that have been made to provide higher band capability can be used with my build to achieve that aim. ??
Please would someone help me eg by pointing me to the manual or discussion topic that might provide answers??
73
Rod
G0VKX
one-time G8FJN
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Re: QMX ---PCB Rev 2 --
#qmx
Just a quick note, I am not a William. Billy Wayne Moore is my real name.
My apologies, I think I was trying to be clever responding to several people in the topic in one post, but I confused you with the second poster who really was (is) Willie N1JBJ ? I was raised as a real Texas cowboy on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Yep, riding a horse, chasing cows, roping and the whole nine yards. Laid on the floor behind my father's rocking
chair and read by kerosene lamp (we only had two). From 8 years old on, I dreamed of being a physicist; and I made it. Just thought you might get a kick out of this. Look at my website
for the rest of the story.
Great story! A very?enjoyable?read, congratulations on a full and interesting life.?
I never dreamed of being a physicist. I dreamed of computers and electronics. But I couldn't choose between them, and as I had already read every book on both topics in the public library, the uni syllabus?in each case looked boring. And, Physics had always been fun and interesting at school, and getting to grips with Einstein's special and general relativities sounded like it should be done. Furthermore if I chose physics I could postpone choosing between electronics hardware and computer software for a few more years. So Physics it was!
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Donald S Brant Jr
Reinhard Gr?nz
Garrett kc3unp
Bruce Akhurst
Karl
N5SE