Re: Troubleshooting a nonfunctional LCD backlight on a QMX
Stan Q301 was indeed the culprit! I have a replacement coming that should resolve the issue. Appreciate the excellent suggestion and thanks all for making this list so useful.
73 KD2WQI
If shorting pins 15 and 16 turns on the backlight, then check Q301.? Either it has a problem, or its connection to the pin on JP303 is not good, so the signal from the processor can't turn it on.
Stan KC7XE
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Re: QMX+ uneven output power
I rewound the L510 & L513 to the specified winding turns and the output on the 30M and 40M returned to normal, 3.5 & 3.0W accordingly. I rewound L403 on the original T37-6 toroid. I will test today to se if that will make a difference? in the low power output on the higher bands.
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Sent an email with a couple questions, thanks!
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I recently purchased and received this kit in February. It includes the case and internal GPS module with antenna. I have several kits to complete, and it is larger than I need, so this one is surplus to my needs. I paid $198 shipped and will sell for $175 shipped. If interested contact me at hpceng@.... Jerry/k5sop
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Hi all,
My QMX is COM 7 on the win 11 PC and I have set WSJTX accordingly. Also on COM 7 is the logging program which genreates a conflict as apparently they are unable to share that com port.? WSJTX uses a virtual com port to the logging software though but the logging software will not catch the QRG. Any fix to that ?
Another strange thing if I am on 28074 i.e. my CQ will go to 28073.5 and then on RX will remain and the next CQ will be on 28073 so every cq The QMX goes down .5. My Flex 1500 will go back to 28074 after CQ.
--
Martin
DK3UW
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_002 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hi GL and Group,
?
Today I tried the QMX in a regular QSO I have weekly.? There seems to be fairly loud "noise", something like impulse noise I'd call it.? My QSO partner said it was something like me TX'ing while running a vacuum cleaner and trying to talk over it.? I don't think he was saying it sounded like a vacuum cleaner but that was the analogy.
?
My mic gain is set to 75 using a Behringer XM8500.? When I tried 43 as GL is using, I found it to be not enough to get any decent amount of mic audio.? In fact, even at a setting of 75, I'd say there is not an abundance of mic audio.? Being that the XM8500 is a dynamic mic, I don't need mic bias so it is not that.? Not sure if the QMX has mic bias capability but it should not be a factor here.
?
I have asked my buddy for a recording he made of my received audio, I will post it if he has and sends it.
?
I wonder if my calibration has an issue.? Is a mic supposed to be connected when calibration is performed or no mic?
?
73,
?
Robert, WA2T
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hans,
The CW decoder / messaging system has a minor mistake still.? The dictionary used translates the <VE> prosign as? "!"??? ...-. displays "!"? when it should display "VE".? Using a "!" in a stored message plays "VE"
Alternatively, I appreciate that the ! is in the decoder dictionary and do not think it should be removed, but it should be dah-di-dah-di-dah-dah? -.-.--
?
Thank you,
Adam KD9AIE
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Re: QMX spare parts available
Bill, yes the parts are still available.
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Thanks
Barry
K3BO
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hans,
On 003 (20m to 10M QMX), 12m and 10m in DIGI mode seem to have reduced output when using wsjtx.? I unfortunately did not check this on Beta 001 or 002, but it is a noticeable difference from what I had previously experienced on those bands prior to Beta firmware. ? Looking at baseline dB between cycles:
20m 20+dB
17m 20+dB
15m 20+dB
12m under 10db? (prior, also 20+dB)
10m under 10db (prior, also 20+dB)
Thank you,
Adam KD9AIE
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
On Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 06:53 AM, Hans Summers wrote:
You might try switching OFF the 80/20m BPF swap in the advanced configuration
Hans,
?
I have been having a similar issues on 20m. (20M to 10M QMX). When first running calibration, I used "R" run mode to do everything via the console.? On both 20m and 11m the Phase Error vs DAC plots finished very quickly and looked strange.? SSB effectively did not work and was just distortion on Tx.?? I re-ran BOTH Phase and USB for 20m using "O" once mode and while the Phase plot still looks strange it did change. Tx improved and I have been making contacts.?? The Phase plot changed when I ran it in "O" mode.?? Items to note:?
1) with 003 I used "R" run mode and was able to replicated the original problem with the plots on 20m and 11m.
2) this happens both when using the terminal via USB, and when just using the QMX menus disconnected from USB.
3) with 003 I can make SSB usable using "O" once mode for phase / USB / LSB calibration, but the plot is still strange:
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
An observation
If you have CW practice on and use "tune" it will show a SWR of about 1.7 no matter if a dummy load is connected or nothing is connected. A power meter shows that there is no RF out. It might be better to give a message to the user rather than a false reading.
--
? 73
??? KD8CGH
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hi Mario
You might try switching OFF the 80/20m BPF swap in the advanced configuration to see if that makes any difference. That was intended to fix the TX/RX switch instability in QMX PCB Rev 2, which was subsequently properly fixed by a diode.?
73 Hans G0UPL
I'm still seeing some strangeness in the 80M sweep:
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Not enough signal at the test frequency?
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I'm enclosing it and the BPF filter sweep for reference:
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hi all,
Just to say the SSB firmware is working great and getting better with each iteration - this is fantastic work Hans! But I hope you are going to take a break soon, you deserve it :)
One anecdote: I was using the new firmware with Winlink & Vara HF to successfully make contact with a node in Switzerland, but I was a little bit concerned as the power meter reading on the QMX wasn't showing anything at all, it wasn't budging - but I wrote this off as a quirk of the firmware and how it was interacting with the modem.
But nope. Operator error, of course! I had, somewhere along the line set the output volume of the QMX on my PC down to 50% - and despite, what must have been extremely low transmitted power; VARA HF was still working successfully. Suffice it to say it's working even better now with the volume adjusted back up to 100%.
Once again, fantastic work Hans - thank you for this amazing product,
Dave
EI3HIB
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MicMod for the QMX+ using cheap Baofeng Mic
#QMXp
Dear All,
This is the mod that I did on a cheap Baofeng or similar microphone from Temu.
Really easy and takes around a hour to complete.??
Works perfectly for the limited testing that I have done.? I can't promise this will work for everyone, so you are on your own doing this :)
Nice thing about the mod is that you still have a real microphone with a PTT switch in your hand.
?
73
Timo
ZR6TM?
?
?
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
I'm still seeing some strangeness in the 80M sweep:
?
Not enough signal at the test frequency?
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I'm enclosing it and the BPF filter sweep for reference:
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
1. Practice mode does not make sense in SSB I guess. When enabled in CW Keyer menu and SSB mode is selected it could be temporarily disabled and then when CW is selected again it could be automatically re-enabled.
I agree but I think this his already the case isn't it? Doesn't SSB ignore practice mode?
2. Displaying CW decoder text in SSB (in fact also in DIGI) does not make sense and looks rather disturbing. I suggest CW decoder part of the screen could be automatically cleared when SSB/Digi mode is selected or perhaps re-used to some other purposes in these modes. Mic input level would make sense in SSB.
Yes agreed, I will check this.?
3. Short press of left button bring up keyer speed in SSB. Does not make much sense
Will fix...
4. After copying the firmware file my QMX did not reboot itself. All is ok after recycling the power.
Yes I am updating with each firmware release, two QMX+ here. One of them when I put it into firmware update mode, needs the ON button pressed again to make it come up as a drive (on the Pi400); when I copy the new firmware in, it automatically boots up when it's finished installing.?
The other QMX+, goes into firmware update mode immediately you ask it to... And boots up as soon as firmware finishes copying in.?
So... Indeed some variance in behavior, and I don't (yet?) know why this is. But I don't believe this is a new thing pertaining to this particular firmware release. And cycling the power always seems to fix everything.? 73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Hans,
few observations/suggestions:
1. Practice mode does not make sense in SSB I guess. When enabled in CW Keyer menu and SSB mode is selected it could be temporarily disabled and then when CW is selected again it could be automatically re-enabled.
2. Displaying CW decoder text in SSB (in fact also in DIGI) does not make sense and looks rather disturbing. I suggest CW decoder part of the screen could be automatically cleared when SSB/Digi mode is selected or perhaps re-used to some other purposes in these modes. Mic input level would make sense in SSB.
3. Short press of left button bring up keyer speed in SSB. Does not make much sense
4. After copying the firmware file my QMX did not reboot itself. All is ok after recycling the power.
?
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_002 release
#qmx
#ssb
I had this too, I just had to press the PTT and that's what I saw on the Monitor rig. Turned out to be too much Mic Gain. My setting is now 43.
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GL
?
G4GIR
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toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: 21/03/2025 20:51:25
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_002 release
Hi Group,
?
I took the plunge today and installed the second SSB beta FW on my 80-20m QMX.? Did the calibration and tried it out.? While I do hear myself well on my nearby Flex 6400M with no antenna, I also hear a fairly high pitched tone and the spectrum (outside of the TX voice passband) looks like "long, slow downhill slopes" if you will.? See picture below of 6400M spectrum/waterfall.? At first I thought it was the mic(s) I was trying, but then thought to try my Behringer XM8500 with the proper wiring to the QMX Paddle input.? Seeing the same thing on all mic's.
?
Is anyone else finding strange sounding audio (audio with high pitched tone) and/or very wideband noise outside of the voice passband?? Maybe I am doing something wrong in my setup or testing thus far given the positive reports I read here?? Thanks for any advice, I'd love to be way wrong in what I am seeing!
?
73,
?
Robert, WA2T
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
I can confirm this behavior for several Qxx devices.
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Hajo
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Re: #qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
#qmx
#ssb
Is there any reason the phase calibration only goes upt to 1200 on 80m, 30m, and 20m?
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73
?
?
Simon
VK3ELH
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James
Bob Benedict, KD8CGH
Hajo Dezelski