Re: DC green connector -- how does it open?

开云体育

Hopefully the metal inside hasn’t been damaged.

When I inserted the wires, I just poked them in until they stopped and then tightened the screws. It’s a compression fit.

Is the block installed correctly? When I installed that part, I had to do a double take with the instructions. If I recall, there were openings on both sides.

Marc

Show quoted text

On Oct 30, 2017, at 09:40, VK5EEE <vk5eee@...> wrote:

HI, thanks Mike and Marc, but even with screws fully loosened, nothing gives way. The silver metal inside does not move, even when pushed down or in with a toothpick, screw driver, test lead end... both of them just won't budge! Do I have a dud one do you think?

Re: DC green connector -- how does it open?

#17560

HI, thanks Mike and Marc, but even with screws fully loosened, nothing gives way. The silver metal inside does not move, even when pushed down or in with a toothpick, screw driver, test lead end... both of them just won't budge! Do I have a dud one do you think?

Re: DC green connector -- how does it open?

#17559

开云体育

Hi

Just loosen the screws on top

Them poke the wires into the side. It may not feel like the wires are in, but tighten the screws on just tug on the wires very gently. If there in, you’ll feel it.

Pay attention to polarity and shorts.

Marc

Show quoted text

On Oct 30, 2017, at 09:14, VK5EEE <vk5eee@...> wrote:

Sorry for this silly question, but with poor eyesight and even with magnifying glass, I cannot figure out how to power up my completed QCX!
The green DC connector has 2 screws on the top, loosening them seems to do nothing. I cannot figure out how to poke wires into the holes on the side.
Does anyone have a tip or an online link to an image or explanation of this type of connector?

Re: DC green connector -- how does it open?

#17558

开云体育

It's not a silly question at all. Phoenix or Phoenix like contact blocks sometimes stick. As you are turning the screw to the left (looking down from the top), watch the 1/8"- ish (about 1mm) thick block in the hole where the wire goes in, it should start moving down. If it doesn't, try to move it with a small screwdriver. The block should drop, the wire goes on top. tighten the screw, and the block compresses the wire

73
NE5U

Mike

Show quoted text

VK5EEE

October 30, 2017 at 8:14 AM

Sorry for this silly question, but with poor eyesight and even with magnifying glass, I cannot figure out how to power up my completed QCX!
The green DC connector has 2 screws on the top, loosening them seems to do nothing. I cannot figure out how to poke wires into the holes on the side.
Does anyone have a tip or an online link to an image or explanation of this type of connector?

DC green connector -- how does it open?

#17557

Sorry for this silly question, but with poor eyesight and even with magnifying glass, I cannot figure out how to power up my completed QCX!
The green DC connector has 2 screws on the top, loosening them seems to do nothing. I cannot figure out how to poke wires into the holes on the side.
Does anyone have a tip or an online link to an image or explanation of this type of connector?

Re: QCX encoder part number?

#17556

Hi Ken

This rotary encoder doesn't correspond to one from Mouser, Digikey etc.

Which dimensions do you need? It would be best for me (or someone else) to just measure one.?

73 Hans G0UPL

Show quoted text

On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 11:38 AM, Dave Miller <ve7hr@...> wrote:

I expect it’s a Bourne PEC11R series encoder.?
Mouse or DIGIKEY if you are in North America. ?
Dave
VE7HR

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 29, 2017, at 4:24 AM, mike@... wrote:

Hi Ken

I think this is the encoder........

73
Mike
G0CVZ

Re: U3s was working with one BS170

#17555

I suggest you check continuity of the surrounding circuitry to each of the BS170's legs and not just at their pads. That would be Common/Ground to Source, C1 and R6 to Gate and T1 to Drain. I'm just expanding on what Curt suggested. Good luck & 73!

--Al
WD4AH

?

Re: OCX Display

#17554

Hi Simon

So you checked for continuity from each of the LCD pins to the IC2 pins that they should be connected to. Have you also checked the voltages at the LCD pins, and do they correspond to what you see in the trouble-shooting section of the manual? With the QCX switched off, can you check with a DVM to see if you have any shorts between any of the LCD signals and ground, 5V, or other signals nearby??

I can happily send you a new LCD module and a new microcontroller (in case either one is the problem) but we should check every other eventuality first. In the majority of cases, there is some assembly fault or short circuit or connection problem, rather than a defective component (IC2 or LCD, or other).?

73 Hans G0UPL

Show quoted text

On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 11:41 PM, simon.oliver90 via Groups.Io <simon.oliver90@...> wrote:

Display contrasts in and out like it should, just no text. Only two rows of blocks. Fades away one end of the pot, back again at the other. Have checked continunity between IC2 and the display and its all ok.???

Re: QRP Labs on ICQPodCast

#17553

Thanks Phil

FYI ICQ published the interview as a video now:

The video does not show the sun-tan on the left side of my head. The guy on the table to my left was selling a big old valve (tube) linear, which he had powered up. Very un-QRP. The valves were on the right side of the linear's cabinet with a big ventilation grill. For a while I enjoyed basking in the vintage glow but then realised the left side of my head of my head was slowly roasting. After a while I put the QRP Labs cardboard sign right next to the ventilation grill. It deflected some of the heat. I thought, either he'll sell this thing, or everything will catch fire and we'll all be thrown out of here. Either way my problems are solved. He sold it (before the ICQ Podcast interview)??

73 Hans G0UPL

Show quoted text

On Sat, Oct 28, 2017 at 3:36 PM, Philip Thompson <pcteee@...> wrote:

Enjoyed that.....
Who you are, what you do and why you do it came across very well Hans..

Thanks for the kits

Phil? G4JVF

Re: Ultimate3S 4m RxTx by Ken G4APB clarification question

#17552

Hi Justin,
I just cut the necessary tracks on the underside of the pcb and added link wires. I did this with the divider chip in situ.

73 Ken G4APB

Re: Binaural qcx mod

#17551

Lou,

Not through the 200hz filter. ?I took the output from after the first opamp where the signals are still quadrature. ?The I signal goes to one ear and the Q signal goes to the other ear. ?The passband is still wide enough for SSB here. Further details in my first post on this thread. Good for receiving but as noted above no muting or sidetone on TX at this point in the circuit.

73

Simon VK3ELH

Re: Binaural qcx mod

#17550

Simon did you hear the SSB in just 200 Hz filter of QCX or you have a mod for broader filter? I thought QCX can't listen to SSB in its standard form. Thanks for very interesting and helpful post, the forums here are very helpful to us construction newbies!

Re: QCX on air CW activity

#17549

Thanks for the comments, I'm glad the post was helpful. Fortunately, even here in the police state of South Australia driving while Morse-ing is still legal, as is holding a microphone. Using a mobile phone is not. One reason being (assuming you are very fluent in CW, for me it's less distracting than talking to someone in the car) using a phone is full duplex and puts stress upon you to be interactive and immediately responsive, which half duplex does not.

I use the bottom 3 sections of a squid pole as a mobile antenna stuck out the front car window, conveniently wedged between the door and passenger seat. It looks great and works much better than the thin mag mount helical on the roof. When stationary and off-road I can push it up to all 9 sections and then that really gets some looks. I find the "squid mobile" gets less stares than my helical with an upside down take-away aluminum food box as capacitance hat.

I hope to complete my 30m QCX today or tomorrow, hope it will work on firing up!

Re: Binaural qcx mod

#17548

Was listening to the contest on the weekend on my ic7300 and thought it would be a good opportunity to see how the QCX hears SSB using this mod. ?Not too scientific but some signals that were a 3 for readability on the IC7300 were a 5 on the binaural QCX. Very impressed. The general bandnoise seems to be spreadout and ones brain seems to only be able to concentrate on one thing at a time either the noise or the signal. Like one of those pictures of the rabbit / duck head.

Looking for a small head phone amp for some volume control.

73

Simon VK3ELH

Ultimate3S 4m RxTx by Ken G4APB clarification question

#17547

Hi I'd like to know if the receiver module can be modified for use with the quadrature VFO after the divider chip as already been soldered in without having to first remove the chip again.

-Justin N2TOH

Re: U3s was working with one BS170

#17546

Curt, thanks for your reply. I checked continuity on both the lpf and board T1 and they are good. Also replaced the BS170 again with a new one and still no power at all out. I will certainly stick with one transistor though, learned my lesson, if it aint broke dont fix it, hi hi.anyway I am a novice with kit building but am learning, albeit the hard way. There must be something simple I am overlooking. Anyway, thanks again. I may contact you via email later if I am still unsuccessful. 73, Robert N4SWD

Re: U3s was working with one BS170

#17545

Robert

Possibly its just battle damage from your repair work. First check continuity through the LPF and bias choke in case it is now open. Next possibility is an open joint somewhere.? been there done that. Its a simple PA so troubleshoot when you are patient. Damage to a bs170 can't damage the board. Do stick with one bs170 for now.? 300 mW crosses oceans on wspr. If you need more help okay to email me direct.

Curt

Re: U3s was working with one BS170

#17544

Thanks, My problem is I was putting out close to 500mw, however now the meter does not move and I get no WSPR decodes. I replaced all three BS170 with a single new one. still nothing. I dont know what to do. I have checked continuity of toroids and power on the new BS170 with my DMM. Maybe I can order a new board from Hans if he sells them separately a part from the lcd, and oscillator.?

Re: QCX: Display contrast changes when transmitting

#17543

开云体育

Thanks Peter, I knew that lowering the impedance of the contrast control worked, but did not investigate why.? Now I know. Thanks.???? 73?? Vin

On 29/10/17 20:05, peter@... wrote:

Show quoted text

Thanks Shirley for your detailed suggestions!

It is indeed the contrast, not the backlight that is flickering. The +5V rail remains stable during key down (4.830V key up, 4.832V key down, measured directly at the LCD connector). The input to the contrast pin (VO) however rises almost 150mV (from 1.047 to 1.193V) upon key down, thus changing the contrast.

I checked with the oscilloscope and I see some serious HF leaking into VO: Instead of 1V DC, I'm getting a 7 MHz (it's a 40m kit) sine between 0.5 and 2V (1.5Vpp) on the VO input:

?

Any ideas? I'll check again all soldering, maybe replacing the pot by a fixed resistor...

vy73, Peter HB9TVK

Re: QCX: Display contrast changes when transmitting

#17542

开云体育

Just like mine peter. when transmitting, there was a few milli-volts change on the contrast pin.? I modified the PCB by
1) replace the pot with a lower resistance? say 5k pot.
2) Cut the track connecting the +5v to the pot.
3) Solder a resistor between the +5V and the end of the pot that was connected to 5V. The value should be 3 to 4 times the value of the potentiometer.
This makes the pot much easier to adjust, and the lower value is much more stable when changing from RX to TX.
73s??? Vin.

On 29/10/17 16:33, peter@... wrote:

Show quoted text

I noticed that the display contrast changes quite strongly (characters becoming dark) when transmitting, causing the display to flicker when sending CW. Is this a general problem, or is there something wrong with my unit?

Otherwise vy happy with the little rig, amazing design!

vy73, Peter HB9TVK