On Thu, Oct 3, 2024 at 01:01 AM, Hans Summers wrote:
 Hello Barry
Where would I find more info on "The SteppIR controller".
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Specifically, it's this part:?
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TU Hans
I was hoping it may be a replacement for the Fluidmotion. One can always hope.
Cheers mate es TU for wonderful kits.
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Hi
Now I prefer to use QMX+ LPFs and BPFs
I used the 6m setup from QMX+ on QDX-M
worked beautifully
73 DE muhsin TA1MHS
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Hi Hans,
This link covers spotting SOTA via APRS,
Another option is Sotamat, it uses the suffix on you callsign sent via FT8. The suffix is converted to a SOTA or POTA spot by a look up table in the Sotamat system. I am yet to test it via JS8, but the information with the app states it's not stuck to FT8 but any digital mode that PSK Reporter does not strip the Suffix from call signs should work, e.g. RTTY, PSK and maybe others. Sotamat will also send pre-programed SMS's and Email via the same lookup table system.
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73,
Warren
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Re: QMX mid-band - back from the dead
On Thu, Oct 3, 2024 at 06:22 AM, Ronan Cantwell wrote:
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the chip body is just that tiny bit too long for the available space without modification.
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An alternative would be to substitute a socket head cap screw (which I prefer in general, Philips heads are designed to "cam-out"!) or similar fastener with a smaller head or file down the existing screw.? ?But removing excess mold flash as you did will work as well.
I al glad your build worked out well and with nice power output also.
73, Don N2VGU
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Highly recommended
JS8Call from A-Z Covering the Basics to Advanced Settings In One Video
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I agree, muhsin, and I'm very pleased to find that KW3KW is still making videos! IIRC, several months ago he announced in a video that he was fighting health problems and he didn't know how long he could keep producing them.
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I intend to finish watching all of his JS8 videos:
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73,
Cal -- AD8Q
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Hello Hans,
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Note 2: 15 MHz by the default Band Configuration table set up, is in the 17m band not 20m band.?
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I didn't know that. I'll try it.
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Thanks
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PSA: QMX+ Requests for Help
For those of you encountering issues with QMX+ rigs, please include which version you have, Rev1 (separate SMPS boards) or Rev2 (SMPS regulators integrated on the main board). Some troubleshooting tips such as disconnecting and individually testing each SMPS board do not apply to Rev2 units as the SMPS regulators cannot be tested separately from the main board. This will help the community serve you better.
Thank you,
Tony AC9QY
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Hello Yannig I think it's a nice idea and I am also interested in this. I have added it to my list but it will not be highest priority yet.?
That would be fantastic Hans... I think this would be a really cool addition to the QMX, and once the most important things are sorted, I would also be keen to see this improvement. ?
While you are at it, it would be nice to also allow SOTA/POTA selfspotting via APRS. The idea would be that you would just need to adjust the clock, enter your SOTA/POTA summit number, your QRG / mode and the QMX would then send the right APRS sentence via JS8 to self spot.? That would be really useful for activations without cellphone coverage.
I think this would be quite feasible and not particularly more difficult than the APRS message for map tracking. If you know what the right?APRS sentence for self-spotting is? Any info on this???
? My club is keeping on the air 24/7 (when things go right!) a JS8Call station : so that people can use it as a mailbox.
Nice! When I get my antenna back up, I will see if I can contact it!? ? I realise this is a lot more work for you as on top of coding to JS8 you would need to sort out the decoding, but it would be very nice if a QMX could be used to send / receive messages to a 24/7 JS8 station. We are not the only ones, there are quite a few 24/7 stations around and some kind of rudimentary "communication through mailbox" would become possible.
There are several orders of magnitude of computational complexity between encoding a mode like JS8, FT8, WSPR and decoding it. In other words very much greater computational resources are required for the decoding. I rather doubt that QMX will ever be able to do standalone decoding (meaning, internally with no attached computer - of course it can already do JS8 now with an attached host computer running JS8Call).?
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Re: QMX+ The short life of my new QMX+
1st make sure Vdd and Vcc at JP105 are not shorted to ground.
2nd make sure you have 12v on JP105 while pressing the power button.
3rd then look to see if you also have 12V at input pin to IC101 (3.3v reg.) while pressing the power button.
If not, check the Drain on Q101. It should be 12v when the power is NOT pressed and 0V while power button is pressed.
If it does then I would think Q102 is bad.
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It looks like if you don't get 3.3V from the regulator (IC101) while pressing power button, the processor wont start and control the 2 plug in power supplies.
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-Steve
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Re: Seeking Help with QMX Kit Issues
Eddie,
?I agree that repairing the SMPSs is probably not a good idea. My first QMX (rev 1) kit failed with an exploding tantalum cap on the 5V SMPS. Initial tests on the repaired unit looked good and the unit powered up fine, but a few minutes later IC401 failed and the radio shut down. I was warned to get new SMPSs, which were just coming out on QRP Labs' site.?
Good thing I listened, as later tests showed serious problems with my repaired boards. Fortunately the IC401 was the only casualty from the initial use of my repaired SMPSs.?
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73, Dan? NM3A
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On Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 10:52 AM, Hans Summers wrote:
What Warren is suggesting is standalone support for sending the correct JS8 messages that can be used for tracking purposes. In this use of JS8, an appropriate message is transmitted which activates the JS8 -> APRS gateway then the tracking point shows up on . In this mode you would be able to set QMX (say) in a location tracking mode and it would periodically extract its position from a connected GPS, and send the APRS?message via JS8. Any receiving stations then log this to APRS.?
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I think it's a nice idea and I am also interested in this. I have added it to my list but it will not be highest priority yet.?
That would be fantastic Hans... I think this would be a really cool addition to the QMX, and once the most important things are sorted, I would also be keen to see this improvement.
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While you are at it, it would be nice to also allow SOTA/POTA selfspotting via APRS. The idea would be that you would just need to adjust the clock, enter your SOTA/POTA summit number, your QRG / mode and the QMX would then send the right APRS sentence via JS8 to self spot.? That would be really useful for activations without cellphone coverage.
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My club is keeping on the air 24/7 (when things go right!) a JS8Call station : so that people can use it as a mailbox. I realise this is a lot more work for you as on top of coding to JS8 you would need to sort out the decoding, but it would be very nice if a QMX could be used to send / receive messages to a 24/7 JS8 station. We are not the only ones, there are quite a few 24/7 stations around and some kind of rudimentary "communication through mailbox" would become possible.
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73,
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Yannig - F4IUJ
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I just finished building my QMX+ and had the same problem. I found that I did not set the VBAT to Vdd jumper wire close enough to the board under the GPS board and it shorted out the Vdd to the SMA connector.
After removing the GPS board, the short went away but Vdd was dead. Q102 was now bad and after replacing it, everything powered up.
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-Steve
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How is the time set with the RTC??
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Don
W6CZ
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Re: QMX SMD assembly defect
Excellent. I'd personally not try to repair that SMPS for possible use except for rework practice and then run the standalone tests to see if I succeeded.
On Thu, Oct 3, 2024 at 11:25 AM, Dirk <marvin@...> wrote: Yes. Works fine with the spare, I'm already on-air with FT-8 :-)
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73
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Dirk? - DK7CVD
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Re: QMX SMD assembly defect
Yes. Works fine with the spare, I'm already on-air with FT-8 :-)
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73
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Dirk? - DK7CVD
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Re: QMX SMD assembly defect
So, did you install the spare and is the unit OK?
On Thu, Oct 3, 2024 at 11:13 AM, Dirk <marvin@...> wrote: Finished my QMX+ today and is was not powering up.
The diode on the backside of the 3.3V module had one pad ripped away and was 90° rotated.
As it looks to me, the pin is not bend enough to allow the 90° rotation. Seems to me that this already happended during the soldering process. Luckily I had spare boards ordered with the kit, just in case...
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Is the short on the main board with ps units and control board removed?
If so, see this post, a couple of people have had this issue recently.?
Also check the metal screw head, make sure it is not touching adjacent components. And I would check carefully for bridged solder pads, particularly anywhere near you installed components.
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Re: QMX SMD assembly defect
Finished my QMX+ today and is was not powering up.
The diode on the backside of the 3.3V module had one pad ripped away and was 90° rotated.
As it looks to me, the pin is not bend enough to allow the 90° rotation. Seems to me that this already happended during the soldering process. Luckily I had spare boards ordered with the kit, just in case...
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Re: Seeking Help with QMX Kit Issues
Hello Eddie.
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Ludwig's suggestion to look at the WIKI doc is spot on.
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I'd check the ohms continuity between ground and each of the VCC and VDD rails first. Remove the SMPS boards boards before doing this and do not apply power or have any other cables or keys attached.
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If too low or especially if showing close to shorts then one or more components on the? main PCB have failed. Tracking those down is difficult. There are several threads where advanced operators have tracked down one or more failed components. Hard and amazing analysis and rework.
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Or, you could contact Jeff Moore for his excellent repair service. Query him at QRZ for his private email address. He revived my QMX+ Rev 1 quickly. I subsequently blew up that one while probing poorly with temperature sensors. The standalone SMPS board checks led to finding one was toast and that one of the rails was shorted on the Main PCB?
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I opted to purchase a 2nd QMX+, a Rev 2, assembled it very carefully and I am back on the air. Now have a component donor main PCB board for future fumbles. :)
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73 GREG KI4NVX?
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Re: QMX+ build: figuring things out? Maybe.
There's really not enough room. It's pretty crowded, and there are surface-mount caps right near it. I have thought about it, and might give it a second look when I come back to it.
Michael WD0OM
On Thu, Oct 3, 2024, at 08:55, Daniel Conklin wrote:
You can probably just solder it on top of the hole.
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73, Dan - W2DLC
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Donald S Brant Jr
Dirk