Thanks, Jirka, I'll keep that in mind.
AL KD4EO
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Re: QRPLabs QCX Enclosure Dimensions
Brian,
Thanks, I have that info from the QRPGuys web site.? I like that case except that the BNC connector is floating and not attached to the case.? I wanted to make a clamshell style case similar to what QRPLabs is now selling.? That means the case interior would need enough room to be able to feed the BNC connector through the side panel and then rotate the board down inside the case.? So I figured I'd use the interior dimension from the QRPLabs case since that's the way they mount their QCX board.? But ultimately I started thinking about the work involved in cutting/drilling the PCB material, making shaft and switch extensions, assembly, painting, and decals, and laziness overcame me.? I decided to get the QRPLabs QCX enclosure instead (actually ordered two).
Al KD4EO
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Thanks, Hans, I have ordered two cases this morning!
Al KD4EO
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Re: Heavy industry report
Scroll down the email young man, they are all there ;-)
On Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 12:10 David Wilcox via Groups.Io <Djwilcox01= [email protected]> wrote: How do I download the photos of your shop you described in your email?? All I get is sections from your catalog.
Dave K8WPE Hi QRP Labbers
Just to share with you some pictures of heavy industrial activity here in QRP Labs headquarters (HQ) today. A lot of packing going on, since the 300 QCX enclosures arrived here yesterday.?
Attached photos:
Boxes.jpg: Some of the 300 QCX enclosures? that arrived here yesterday; these small boxes is how they are packed by the manufacturer. Each one contain the aluminium enclosure and all the accessories (shaft extenders, bolts, feet etc). For added safety in shipment, we wrap that box in another layer of bubble-wrap packing and back it in another outer cardboard box. Then stick the printed label and tape everything up securely.?
hq1.jpg: part of QRP Labs 35sq m (350 sq ft) HQ, at the far left of the picture this is part my own work area. Right of my computer monitor, stack of QRP Labs kits in use daily; right of that, my $5 VGA monitor from Dayton hamvention 2018 fleamarket, which is connected to a first-edition Raspberry Pi that we use for re-flashing the QLG1 firmware chips see? . Right of that, packing operations...
hq2.jpg: Three ladies working hard to ship out these QCX enclosure orders and all other pending orders. By next week we should be down to ZERO waiting time on all QRP Labs orders. Thank you all for your patience and support. From left to right: Fatma (regular full-time shipping employee); Sengul (extra worker, seated); on the right, extra worker, a.k.a. XYL. Boxes everywhere. Noisy. I have to listen to my own noise (currently AC-DC Stiff Upper Lip) to get some concentration...
stock.jpg: Around the corner, this is my homebrew shelves, I built myself from scrap wood. It's the same wood that was left over from the building construction, it is used in the ceiling of the lab... but it had been outside in the weather for about 2 years. I designed sized to fit perfectly these plastic storage trays from the Tekzen hardware store (like Home Depot in US or Homebase, B&Q etc in UK). On the left you can see our massive roll 1.5m by 100m long of bubble wrap. Slowly getting used up...?
kits.jpg: my stack of QRP Labs kits in continuous use here and a good introductory display for visitors to HQ:? - Top: QLG1 GPS in Chris OE1CGS 3D printed case, a present from OE1CGS himself at Friedrichshafen hamfest 2017 see? - this QLG1 GPS is orientated sub-optimally with its antenna facing me (and the mountain blocking the skyview behind me, to the West), not the sky. I don't care, the sensitivity is so good it receives plenty of satellites regardless, and I get to enjoy the blinken lights :-)?
- Clock kit? in its QRP Labs enclosure? - configured to show local time so I don't forget when it's lunchtime, and satellite info so I can be entertained by how badly orientated the GPS is and amazed by how well it works regardless...
- VFO/SigGen kit in its QRP Labs enclosure? - this one is configured as a 3-30MHz Sinewave output, 11dBm +/- 0.5dBm, 0.1ppm accuracy Signal Generator - I use it every day during development and testing work. See App Note AN006 - mine is configured exactly like the App Note.?
- Ultimate3S QRSS/WSPR/etc transmitter Deluxe set as? - currently sitting inactive in the menu
- Homebrew 5V 5A, 12V 5A linear PSU with original meters replaced by eBay 7-segment LED modules.?
73 Hans G0UPL
<hq2.jpg>
<hq1.jpg>
<Boxes.jpg>
<kits.jpg>
<stock.jpg>
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Re: Heavy industry report
On 12/07/2018 10:10, David Wilcox via Groups.Io wrote: How do I download the photos of your shop you described in your email? ?All I get is sections from your catalog.
Dave, Best go to the bottom of the email and use the io link /g/QRPLabs/message/25133I assume you are setup to not get sent attachments? 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: Heavy industry report
How do I download the photos of your shop you described in your email? ?All I get is sections from your catalog.
Dave K8WPE
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On Jul 12, 2018, at 4:11 AM, Hans Summers < hans.summers@...> wrote: Hi QRP Labbers
Just to share with you some pictures of heavy industrial activity here in QRP Labs headquarters (HQ) today. A lot of packing going on, since the 300 QCX enclosures arrived here yesterday.?
Attached photos:
Boxes.jpg: Some of the 300 QCX enclosures? that arrived here yesterday; these small boxes is how they are packed by the manufacturer. Each one contain the aluminium enclosure and all the accessories (shaft extenders, bolts, feet etc). For added safety in shipment, we wrap that box in another layer of bubble-wrap packing and back it in another outer cardboard box. Then stick the printed label and tape everything up securely.?
hq1.jpg: part of QRP Labs 35sq m (350 sq ft) HQ, at the far left of the picture this is part my own work area. Right of my computer monitor, stack of QRP Labs kits in use daily; right of that, my $5 VGA monitor from Dayton hamvention 2018 fleamarket, which is connected to a first-edition Raspberry Pi that we use for re-flashing the QLG1 firmware chips see? . Right of that, packing operations...
hq2.jpg: Three ladies working hard to ship out these QCX enclosure orders and all other pending orders. By next week we should be down to ZERO waiting time on all QRP Labs orders. Thank you all for your patience and support. From left to right: Fatma (regular full-time shipping employee); Sengul (extra worker, seated); on the right, extra worker, a.k.a. XYL. Boxes everywhere. Noisy. I have to listen to my own noise (currently AC-DC Stiff Upper Lip) to get some concentration...
stock.jpg: Around the corner, this is my homebrew shelves, I built myself from scrap wood. It's the same wood that was left over from the building construction, it is used in the ceiling of the lab... but it had been outside in the weather for about 2 years. I designed sized to fit perfectly these plastic storage trays from the Tekzen hardware store (like Home Depot in US or Homebase, B&Q etc in UK). On the left you can see our massive roll 1.5m by 100m long of bubble wrap. Slowly getting used up...?
kits.jpg: my stack of QRP Labs kits in continuous use here and a good introductory display for visitors to HQ:? - Top: QLG1 GPS in Chris OE1CGS 3D printed case, a present from OE1CGS himself at Friedrichshafen hamfest 2017 see? - this QLG1 GPS is orientated sub-optimally with its antenna facing me (and the mountain blocking the skyview behind me, to the West), not the sky. I don't care, the sensitivity is so good it receives plenty of satellites regardless, and I get to enjoy the blinken lights :-)?
- Clock kit? in its QRP Labs enclosure? - configured to show local time so I don't forget when it's lunchtime, and satellite info so I can be entertained by how badly orientated the GPS is and amazed by how well it works regardless...
- VFO/SigGen kit in its QRP Labs enclosure? - this one is configured as a 3-30MHz Sinewave output, 11dBm +/- 0.5dBm, 0.1ppm accuracy Signal Generator - I use it every day during development and testing work. See App Note AN006 - mine is configured exactly like the App Note.?
- Ultimate3S QRSS/WSPR/etc transmitter Deluxe set as? - currently sitting inactive in the menu
- Homebrew 5V 5A, 12V 5A linear PSU with original meters replaced by eBay 7-segment LED modules.?
73 Hans G0UPL
<hq2.jpg>
<hq1.jpg>
<Boxes.jpg>
<kits.jpg>
<stock.jpg>
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Re: Wacky voltage readings
I will save the voltage issue on R2 for further investigation. Charles, This comes directly from IC11, the regulator. Checking C43-46, I found that C45 faults to ground on both sides. This goes to pins 5 and 12 of IC4. You may lift those with a pin. It looks as if the problem is a solder bridge or IC4. >Of course that¡¯s complicated by the fact that C45 is connected to R9, making it hard to isolate R9 for testing. R9 has a resistance to ground of slightly less than 10 ohms on one side, and 110 ohms on the other. If the end connected to IC5 pin 6 is 110 ohms to ground then the fault is on the other end. C45, now removed, or something along that track. Also, current drain idling is about 117 ma at 12.8 volts on the bus. Seems about right, I do not know what is specified. But something is wrong with the 5V line. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Hi Al
300 cases arrived here yesterday from the manufacturer. I now have extra helpers here in the lab, working on packing the enclosures into an additional layer of bubble-wrap packing and then into an additional cardboard box. So right now I have THREE ladies here in the lab working hard to try to clear all the box orders (XYL is one), we hope within the next couple of days to have them all sent out.
Currently according to my records there have been 524 enclosures orders, out of a total of 550 enclosures sent to me by the manufacturer (100 first batch, 50 Friedrichshafen booth sales, 100 second batch, 300 third batch). Therefore even after we have cleared all the pending orders, there are still 26 enclosures in stock. So, if you are quick with your order, you can get one :-)
The next enclosures batch will be some weeks later, after July 20th when the German factory which designed/produced the enclosures, returns from holidays.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Jul 12, 2018 at 5:25 AM Al Clark < hotdogx@...> wrote: Are there any cases currently in stock? If I were to order one just wondering approximately when it would be shipped to the USA.
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Re: QRPLabs QCX Enclosure Dimensions
Al
Check out the QRPGuys site ... they have a document describing exactly what you are doing, complete with dimensions.
?
--?
73
Brian
VA7BBG
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Hi.
You can see my 3D printed case on?
There is my callsign at the pictures but there is a label "QCX" in the file.
Write me down, if you like to have your callsign.
73!? Jirka OK1IEC
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Re: Wacky voltage readings
First, all ICs are in the correct orientation, so that¡¯s not it. I will save the voltage issue on R2 for further investigation.
Checking C43-46, I found that C45 faults to ground on both sides. I removed it to see if the problem was the capacitor, and it made no difference.I¡¯m assuming that since C43-46 have identical function, that this is related to the problem. I have not yet found where the source of this fault to ground might be. Although the soldering around IC5 and surrounding parts is not as pretty as I like to see it (NOT MY BUILD!) I can¡¯t find anything shorted to ground - yet. Of course that¡¯s complicated by the fact that C45 is connected to R9, making it hard to isolate R9 for testing. R9 has a resistance to ground of slightly less than 10 ohms on one side, and 110 ohms on the other. The other three similar resistors have 500K or more to ground. So, presumably something in the chain from pins 5 & 12 of Q4, or the path between C45 and R9 is grounded. I guess I¡¯ll have to keep looking.
Also, current drain idling is about 117 ma at 12.8 volts on the bus. I¡¯m finished with live testing now, because I will need to replace C45. It didn¡¯t survive surgery.
Again, thanks for your help, Alan.
73,
Charles - NK8O
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On Jul 11, 2018, at 4:00 PM, Alan G4ZFQ <alan4alan@...> wrote:
I show 19.91K from R2 to ground, and 9.96K for R1 plus 9.95K for R2. C6 shows resistance across it of 9.96K, which it should since it parallels R1, so I do not identify a problem there. I get 3.98V at R2 on one side,
Charles,
I get 3.98V at R2 on one side, It should be 5V on one end. What current is the CQX taking?
Looks like the centre of R1/2 is going to ground when IC4 is switching.
Check for shorts to ground on C43-C46 and the associated pins of IC4.
and nominally 0.15 volts on the other side. That is also what I show +/- 0.05V at the four points on T1 which is quite low for the published specification of ~2.36V. And I still have the following on IC-5, way out of spec:
Is it possible IC-4 is fried and that¡¯s where the voltages or lack there of originate? It is possible but more likely is a solder bridge.
Again, it is possible one of the capacitors is faulty.
Are the ICs correctly oriented?
73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Are there any cases currently in stock? If I were to order one just wondering approximately when it would be shipped to the USA.
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Re: Wacky voltage readings
I show 19.91K from R2 to ground, and 9.96K for R1 plus 9.95K for R2. C6 shows resistance across it of 9.96K, which it should since it parallels R1, so I do not identify a problem there. I get 3.98V at R2 on one side, Charles, I get 3.98V at R2 on one side, It should be 5V on one end. What current is the CQX taking? Looks like the centre of R1/2 is going to ground when IC4 is switching. Check for shorts to ground on C43-C46 and the associated pins of IC4. and nominally 0.15 volts on the other side. That is also what I show +/- 0.05V at the four points on T1 which is quite low for the published specification of ~2.36V. And I still have the following on IC-5, way out of spec:
Is it possible IC-4 is fried and that¡¯s where the voltages or lack there of originate?
It is possible but more likely is a solder bridge. Again, it is possible one of the capacitors is faulty. Are the ICs correctly oriented? 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: Wacky voltage readings
Thanks for the suggestions Alan. I show 19.91K from R2 to ground, and 9.96K for R1 plus 9.95K for R2. C6 shows resistance across it of 9.96K, which it should since it parallels R1, so I do not identify a problem there. I get 3.98V at R2 on one side, and nominally 0.15 volts on the other side. That is also what I show +/- 0.05V at the four points on T1 which is quite low for the published specification of ~2.36V. And I still have the following on IC-5, way out of spec:
pin 1 10.99v (2.64)
pin 2 0.46v (2.46)
pin 3 0.17v (2.26)
pin 4 0.00v (0.00)
pin 5 0.12v (2.28)
pin 6 0.15v (2.46)
pin 7 12.1v (2.44)
pin 8 12.8v (11.67) (input voltage 13.1, bus voltage is 12.8v after the protective diode.)
IC 6 is worse:
pin 1 11v
pin 2 11v
pin 3 11v
pin 4 0.0v
pin 5 11.4
pin 6 11.4
pin 7 11v
pin 8 128v
Is it possible IC-4 is fried and that¡¯s where the voltages or lack there of originate?
73,
Charles
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On Jul 11, 2018, at 2:10 AM, Alan G4ZFQ <alan4alan@...> wrote:
I get normal voltage readings at Clk0 and Clk1. That's where it stops. Voltage readings are very low on the transformer test points (pins 5, 6, 7, 8) Charles,
Get this right first. It all starts here.
R1/2 soldered, no bridges?
5V on R2?
No short to ground at C6?
73 Alan G4ZFQ
but then I get to the ICs. Almost all of them, instead of
showing ~2.5 - 5 volts on the various pins, show > 11 volts. The really odd thing is that some of these are in the audio chain, and despite that, I at least have sidetone audio and variable hiss with the volume pot. I can't for the life of me figure out why this is so high, nearly across the board. I also know it receives down to at least -73 dBm. Not great, but it's a start.
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QRPLabs QCX Enclosure Dimensions
I am making my own case from double-sided PCB.? I like the way the QCX transceiver board is mounted into the QRPLabs QCX case and want to mount mine the same way.? Can someone please give me the internal dimensions of the lower portion of the case?
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Thanks for the info guys and gal. I did not know the difference between 328 and 328P but did know there is a P version. Carl? AB1ZI
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Re: Ofcom UK Foundation licence restriction IR 2028
#qcx
Thank you Hans
The QCX kits must attract so many into Amateur Radio (myself included), a perfect compliment to the Foundation Licence for all the obvious reasons.
The way 7(2) is written implies there is some sort of IR 2028 accreditation, I assume there runs the hare.
73s Ted
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Maybe this circuit can be modified for what your looking for ?
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Re: Ofcom UK Foundation licence restriction IR 2028
#qcx
IR2028
Seems to me IR2028 means any commercial kit, correctly constructed, should meet the various EMC regulations (harmonics down at or below specified levels etc...) and that's about it, the bands and power limits are also listed but I'd say that's down to the discipline of the operator unless someone can provide me with concrete proof that it's illegal for anyone but a full licence holder to own a radio capable of operation at power levels and/or bands outside of what your licence class allows?
So, I see no reason why it's wouldn't be fine for a FL holder to build a QCX kit if they are able to check or have it checked to prove it's working to spec (construction errors bite everyone occasionally)?
On 11 July 2018 at 14:47, Hans Summers <hans.summers@...> wrote: Hi Ted
As far as I am concerned, the QRP Labs QCX kit satisfies IR 2028. This is my position. If anyone wishes to prove otherwise, they may.?
However... I predict you may have just commenced a long thread.
73 Hans G0UPL
On Wed, Jul 11, 2018 at 4:28 PM < qrp@...> wrote: I will soon be sitting my Foundation exam in the UK and I mentioned that I was building a QCX 40 to the club that will be running my online course.
They quoted 7(2) of the Foundation Licence which states:
"Where this Licence is a Foundation Licence, the Licensee shall only use commercially available Radio Equipment which satisfies IR 2028. Foundation Licence holders may also use Radio Equipment constructed using commercially available kits which satisfy IR 2028"
Does anyone know if the QCX satisfies IR 2028?
I did read that "the kit was originally?designed for the RSGB Youths On The Air summer camp buildathon in August 2017". Could one assume they were Foundation Licence Holders?
If not, I think I will need to progress rapidly to the intermediate licence. But this kit is such a genius way to get all ages in AR and is so meticulous in its instructions, I would be shocked if it didn't fall into the group of "Radio Equipment constructed using commercially available kits which satisfy IR 2028"
73s and thanks in advance
Ted
-- Clint. M0UAW IO83
No trees were harmed in the sending of this mail. However, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
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The basic difference between the two is that the 328P implements the
PicoPower standby modes, allowing longer battery life in situations
where the processor is inactive most of the time. None of the QRP Labs
kits use or need those modes, as the processor is always active when
the radio is turned on.
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On Wed, Jul 11, 2018 at 2:53 AM, Hans Summers <hans.summers@...> wrote: Hi Al, Carl
I have flashed both my U3S and QCX using this procedure. The only glitch
in the doc is in Step 4e "Select ATmega328 as the MCU" It should be
ATmega328P. I believe Hans has stated this is the chip they usually ship.
Sometimes we use ATmega328, sometimes ATmega328P. It depends only on
availability and price, at the time I am purchasing the chips. They are
equivalent for the purposes of QRP Labs kits. So if you get a message about
the device signature being wrong, just change the chip name selection (or
the name in the command if using a avrdude at the command line), try the
other one.
73 Hans G0UPL
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Al Clark
David Wilcox K8WPE
Ted 2E0THH
Shirley Dulcey KE1L