Michael just to add to what Hans said. ? With hints from Hans I have been spending a lot of time trying to produce all ZEROS?for drift on my transmissions. It is a futile task. ? For example I can look at my 40m tx's on the WSPRNET data base and can see?a stretch where I have all zeros except from one or two of the same? receiving stations, can see stretches where I get a lot of -1 from many stations but then returns to all zeros. ? I really think that no matter what you do there are too many beyond your control things that can cause +/- drift reports. ? The one thing though that really helped me for my U3S QRSS and FSKCW and WSPR transmissions is the?advice Hans gave me on the use of the park mode. ? When I look at my stacked signal at say the W4HBK grabber it is a nice straight line across the stacked image grab...big improvement as before it would wander up and down a few Hz. ? As Hans suggested I would try setting park mode to 2 and the park mode frequency to 150,000,000 and have an extra 2 minutes at the end of your TX frame. So if you are transmitting on 4 bands your frame setting would be 10 minutes with perhaps your calibration at 20 seconds or something like that. ? Give it a try and see what happens. ? Vernon ? On 11/23/17 02:44 AM, "Hans Summers" <hans.summers@...> wrote:
|
|
|
Re: Some observations after putting QCX #943 in an enclosure
Those are interesting observations indeed, Jim. I would be surprised if the proximity of the LCD module had a significant effect on power output, other than if the metal tab is fouling the L2 inductor as already noted (and see modifications page ).
Note that it is very easy to test, because you can just un-plug the LCD module while the unit is operating. The microcontroller talks "at" the LCD, it does not seek any response. So there is no harm in removing the LCD, the radio continues to operate completely normally, you just won't know what frequency it is on etc. :-)? ?So it should be easy to unplug the LCD and see any difference in receiver noise, and also see if there is any increase in power output on key-down.?
Very nice to hear of your excellent sensitivity measurements :-)?
When I saw your photos I was concerned about the long length of ribbon cable draping across the PCB. I wondered if that would provide opportunity for digital noise from the microcontroller to LCD communication, to enter the analogue signal path. Anyway you measured very good sensitivity but I wondered if it might be slightly better if there was less noise from that ribbon cable. Just a thought.?
One thing that might be an interesting way to mount the unit in an enclosure, and which would not increase the wiring between processor and LCD, would be to use right-angled headers. Have the LCD module at right-angles to the main PCB. Of course, inconveniently, these standard LCD modules have the row of connector pads at the top not the bottom. So if the LCD module is at right-angles to the board, facing outwards, then it is "upside-down". So then bolt the QCX PCB on the ROOF of an enclosure, such that the LCD appears in an opening cut in the front panel, the right way up.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 12:17 AM, Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...> wrote:
I did see that and I made sure to bend that tab clear of L2 before I even powered it up for the first time so I don't know how much it actually affected the power in the beginning.
Jim
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 11/22/2017 3:11:49 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Some observations after putting QCX #943 in an enclosure
If Hans ever finds the time, or if one of you other guys gets a
chance, it might be useful to investigate my findings as to moving
the display away from the PA and see if that might be at least
part of the cause of low power output in the "As Built" original
configuration.?
As another builder commented a couple of months ago, I also found
one of the tabs holding the display module to its PCB were fouling
on one of the LPF toroids and the tab had to be bent out of the way
so the display seated properly on it's pins/posts.?? As the original
poster found, the tab can cut through the 'enamel costing' on the
LPF winding and reduce the power output (along with other effects on
the display when transmitting).? I did this before powering up the
QCX and had 'full power' without modification, tracking within 100mW
of the voltage vs. power out curve shown in the instruction manual.?
(40m QCX).
73, Bob? ZL1RS
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
Yes but the UTC says it has to give permission. What I can't seem to find is what the FCC has to say about it.
73, BrianB N6CVO
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 22, 2017, at 9:39 PM, Jbammi < jbammi@...> wrote: Well accordingto
if you received no objection in a month you can start operating without fourth ado
73 de kc1ccr
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
Well accordingto
if you received no objection in a month you can start operating without fourth ado
73 de kc1ccr
|
Very good Hans, thank you
very much. It's 11:30 PM here so I'll tackle that in the morning. T-1.
73
NE5U
Mike
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
November
22, 2017 at 11:16 PM Hi Mike
Generally
put the volume control about half-way. If the scaling factor in the top
right is 6, 7,8, 9, something like that, it will be easy to make the
adjustment.?
73 Hans G0UPL
|
Re: 80m QCX is up. Some small issues, maybe
Hi Hans,
They definitely do go in. It seems like one pin is just a small amount
off so it takes some fiddling. I've seen that before with some of the
audio jacks in Eagle.
I agree with your dummy load comment however, the U3s that is
transmitting on 30m this evening shows 0.5W (three BS170's and higher PA
voltage) on the vector wattmeter into the tuner and into the dummy load
built into the tuner. That said... next time I test I'll test into the
dummy load! That's just me not thinking right there...
73
NE5U
Mike
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
November
22, 2017 at 11:12 PM Hi Michael
The
3.5mm keying and earphone sockets are a tight fit, with some patience
they WILL go in the PCB. For whatever unknown reason, the Eagle PCB
library part for that component did not quite match the physical
reality, in the final kit. The pre-production prototypes were all fine!
Strange. But you must have kits from an early batch. In subsequent
batches I enlarged the holes on the PCB so that the connectors drop in
easily.?
For measurement of power, always use a
good 50-ohm dummy load. In most cases, power measurement can be pretty
unreliably when the RF is going into an antenna, even when you have a
tuner/matching unit.?
73 Hans G0UPL
|
Hi Mike
Generally put the volume control about half-way. If the scaling factor in the top right is 6, 7,8, 9, something like that, it will be easy to make the adjustment.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 8:14 AM, Michael Lloyd <mikell@...> wrote: Oh... well dang... at one point I that but I decided against it and turned the volume pot fully ccw. I'll redo the alignment. How high should I turn the volume pot to?
73
NE5U
Mike
PS- I'm very relieved that, in spite of my whining, T1 was wound correctly! I followed the directions so there you go...
|
Oh... well dang... at one point I that but I decided against it and turned the volume pot fully ccw. I'll redo the alignment. How high should I turn the volume pot to?
73
NE5U
Mike
PS- I'm very relieved that, in spite of my whining, T1 was wound correctly! I followed the directions so there you go...
|
Re: 80m QCX is up. Some small issues, maybe
Hi Michael
The 3.5mm keying and earphone sockets are a tight fit, with some patience they WILL go in the PCB. For whatever unknown reason, the Eagle PCB library part for that component did not quite match the physical reality, in the final kit. The pre-production prototypes were all fine! Strange. But you must have kits from an early batch. In subsequent batches I enlarged the holes on the PCB so that the connectors drop in easily.?
For measurement of power, always use a good 50-ohm dummy load. In most cases, power measurement can be pretty unreliably when the RF is going into an antenna, even when you have a tuner/matching unit.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 6:44 AM, Michael Lloyd <mikell@...> wrote: I'm having the same low audio issues as others have had. Full volume is ok for listening and damned uncomfortable when keying so I don't think it's?in the headphones.?
The pins on the audio and key jack part do not match the board... you have to do way too much to the part to stuff it in there. I know... it's in the instructions that It will go, and it does, but it's not right. That part should drop in. Sometimes the parts that come in Eagle do that though. I've gotten to where I'll print the board layout one to one and try parts like audio jacks to see if they match the board.??
Output power is not too good. If you're not familiar with an LP-100A, it's an inline vector wattmeter and a pretty nice widget. It's output goes to a Dentron tuner and that feeds a home brew 75m resonant attic (aka really crappy) dipole that works pretty well all things considered. 1.38W :-/ It seems that there's more work to be done.?
Looking at the WSPR map, 80m appears to be open for weak signal work. I could hear what sounded like a contest but nothing boomed in at what should have been the highest volume. However... the way the cw signals faded in and out seems to say "lots of luck hearing anything much tonight" so maybe the QCX was dragging in weak signals after all...
My FT1000MP MKV has the dreaded VRF relay problem so it can't hear very well. New relays are on the way. I'm not looking forward to the repair...
I may try another rig (my original FT857) on 80m and see what it sounds like on that.?
|
Hi Michael
You need to turn up the audio gain, for setting IQ Balance and phase shift adjustments. The audio is taken after the audio amplifier and gain control. What is being measured is the unwanted sideband which is already at a quite low level. So turn the gain up, then the on-screen adjustment is easier.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 6:24 AM, Michael Lloyd <mikell@...> wrote: Never mind. I reset the rig, set the band to 80m, and did the alignment. Balance and IQ were all down in the 0 area where it is hard to adjust it.
I had to take 5 turns of of the transformer but the capacitor looked close or maybe even just like the Perfect! picture so that worked out. There's more but I'll put that in another post?
|
Re: Annual QRSS New Year's Eve Party
On Wed, Nov 22, 2017 at 02:07 pm, M. de Jong wrote:
I¡¯ll have to look into how to operate QRSS with [a U3s].
If you see a simple reference page, let us know.? I've wondered what it would take to occasionally use this mode on mine.
|
Re: 80m QCX is up. Some small issues, maybe
Correction, since I can't edit, Yaesu FT-847... but that's got problems too, there's no sound then the S meter jumps up and you hear the background noise. Then it stops as if the squelch had kicked in, but it's off... very odd.
The FT-817 has an S8 noise level on 80m. The QCX did not seem to have that kind of noise level. I'll check it out tomorrow morning. It's too late here to do troubleshooting... the rabbit holes materialize when it's this late.
73
NE5U
Mike
|
80m QCX is up. Some small issues, maybe
I'm having the same low audio issues as others have had. Full volume is ok for listening and damned uncomfortable when keying so I don't think it's?in the headphones.?
The pins on the audio and key jack part do not match the board... you have to do way too much to the part to stuff it in there. I know... it's in the instructions that It will go, and it does, but it's not right. That part should drop in. Sometimes the parts that come in Eagle do that though. I've gotten to where I'll print the board layout one to one and try parts like audio jacks to see if they match the board.??
Output power is not too good. If you're not familiar with an LP-100A, it's an inline vector wattmeter and a pretty nice widget. It's output goes to a Dentron tuner and that feeds a home brew 75m resonant attic (aka really crappy) dipole that works pretty well all things considered. 1.38W :-/ It seems that there's more work to be done.?
Looking at the WSPR map, 80m appears to be open for weak signal work. I could hear what sounded like a contest but nothing boomed in at what should have been the highest volume. However... the way the cw signals faded in and out seems to say "lots of luck hearing anything much tonight" so maybe the QCX was dragging in weak signals after all...
My FT1000MP MKV has the dreaded VRF relay problem so it can't hear very well. New relays are on the way. I'm not looking forward to the repair...
I may try another rig (my original FT857) on 80m and see what it sounds like on that.?
|
Never mind. I reset the rig, set the band to 80m, and did the alignment. Balance and IQ were all down in the 0 area where it is hard to adjust it.
I had to take 5 turns of of the transformer but the capacitor looked close or maybe even just like the Perfect! picture so that worked out. There's more but I'll put that in another post?
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
A couple weeks ago I clicked the link for information contact who ever, they replied in a couple hours, apologized for taking so long and sent me the approval. That was a word doc, and you could tell it was a form letter with site specific info changed.
Yesterday I got another email just like the one forwarded to the group.
Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message----- From: Joel Caulkins <caulktel@...> To: QRPLabs < [email protected]> Sent: Wed, Nov 22, 2017 04:54 PM Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
Still haven¡¯t received mine, I applied 2 months ago. On Nov 22, 2017, at 4:17 PM, Michael Lloyd < mikell@...> wrote: I received mine by email at the end of October
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
I haven't received mine either. N6CVO
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 22, 2017, at 4:54 PM, Joel Caulkins < caulktel@...> wrote: Still haven¡¯t received mine, I applied 2 months ago. On Nov 22, 2017, at 4:17 PM, Michael Lloyd < mikell@...> wrote: I received mine by email at the end of October
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
The email, received Nov 6, 2017, said (I left the lat/long because it's on QRZ and my application so it's not exactly top secret level info):
Dear Michael Lloyd (NE5U),
We apologize for the delay, this notice is being provided to approve your proposed amateur radio station in the 135.7 - 137.8 | 472.0 - 479.0 band(s) at the following coordinates:? 29? N 40¡¯ 15.300000000000001¡±, 96? W 49¡¯ 44.899999999999999¡±.?? UTC has determined that your proposed amateur radio station would not operate within a horizontal distance of one kilometer from a transmission line that conducts a power line carrier (PLC) signal in the 135.7 - 137.8 | 472.0 - 479.0 bands.?
An amateur operator must not operate an amateur station if UTC responds that the proposed amateur station is located within 1 km of a transmission line with a PLC system that operates on the same frequency or frequency range.? Amateur operators are advised that their operations within 1 km of a PLC system could cause interference to PLC systems that are used by electric utilities to protect their electric transmission systems against faults and electrical outages.? Interference from amateur operations could affect the operation of PLC systems, thereby affecting the reliability of electric utility operations.? As such, amateur operators are advised not to operate any amateur stations within 1 km of a transmission line with a PLC system that operates on the same frequency or frequency range, and amateur operators will be subject to FCC enforcement for unauthorized operations, as well as potential legal liability for damages that result from interference caused by amateur operations to PLC systems.
Please direct any questions to the undersigned.
Mike Etzel
Mike.Etzel@...
202-833-6839
So apparently there was a delay...
|
So... lets hypothetically say that I started to configure my 80m QCX and when prompted to select the band I put 30m in... why??? Because it's been a long day and my WSPR beacon is ticking away on 30m so that's what was in the shift register of my brain.?
How do I reset the band? I see a reset menu item on the cheat sheet but it says use with caution. So I'm being cautious and asking first. Is that what I need to do?
Power up was smooth and easy. The LCD contrast only need a slight tweak. And then poof... I couldn't even do the first step right :o) It's all down hill from here.
73
NE5U
Mike
|
Re: Approvals for 630/2200m operation are now being received
Still haven¡¯t received mine, I applied 2 months ago.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Nov 22, 2017, at 4:17 PM, Michael Lloyd < mikell@...> wrote: I received mine by email at the end of October
|
BrianB
WS1M - bammi
TrueBlue
Joel Caulkins/N6ALT