On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 07:51 AM, Colin Kaminski wrote:

What if you remove the LED and resistor and drive an Arduino pin directly?

That may be an option!

On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 08:00 AM, Paul Jewell wrote:

Could you add a webcam to the remote PC, and point it at the devices, so you can view them remotely? You could also set up a Raspberry Pi and camera, and use that for viewing.

Paul, I have limited upload speed there, (600kbps), so remotely viewing video is rough. But fair point I could use the remote desktop to view on the screen of the remote PC at a reduced quality...but that seems to handle it better than it would directly trying to tap into a security cam that needs 1MBPS or more upload for video.?

On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 08:17 AM, Alan G4ZFQ wrote:

On 28/02/2024 14:10, Alan G4ZFQ via groups.io wrote:

an easy way of checking operation is looking for spots on WSPRnet.

Or, presuming you are checking by VNC (?) click TX and be monitoring on a local RX.

I run WSP{R/FST4W on at least 3 RXTX QDXs and the situation you describe, no TX, is very rare.

Alan, I use PSKReporter frequently to confirm my TX is going out. Not easy to local RX sometimes.... depending on band/hops. But I'm more concerned about viewing the LED to diagnose a no-TX issue once I know I have it. Also guessing it's more common for me because I'm messing about in WJST-X with changing bands and modes...probably more often than you are with WSPR?

On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 08:23 AM, Colin Kaminski wrote:

Thinking about this some more, a Trinket M0 could monitor the voltage of the LED with a GPIO and output it while emulating a USB keyboard.

Colin, that is an interesting one! I like this thinking/device!


On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 08:14 AM, Steve wrote:

Hi Nate.? One quick solution is to purchase a cheap USB enabled DVM with software.?

Steve, that's an easy/quick solution, too. I had the same thought that Donald did about update rate, but fair point it may just work!



Thanks for the input, all! Gives me plenty to mull over/think about my options here.?

-Nate
N8BTR

I made a no-frills keyer with only 3 standard CMOS ICs. See:??or?replaced?the BJT keying transistor and base resistor with a 2N7000 FET. Also used a 78L05 regulator since it behaved erratically at 12V.
Gary
W9TD

On Thu, Jan 12, 2023 at 10:13 AM, Hans Summers wrote:

The QDX-M firmware displays only a single entry in the Band Configuration screen. The single entry is configured automatically by the firmware for the band you choose to build the kit for, controlled by your choice of jumper wires (install following the instructions in the assembly manual).?

If one is to build a QDX-M for a band lower than 20m how should they set up the jumpers? Or does it not matter, as you can change it all in the band configuration in the Terminal program?
(I'm thinking 160M, which I know the band name needs to be 160 to get the receiving set up properly.?

-Nate?
N8BTR

Ron,

I had the same problem this morning, actually. I'm looking into increasing decoder speed any way that I can...I did find that I should not have had the AGC on (I did) and I should have had the audio gain lower than it was (I had to turn it UP for JS8Call). Apparently there are other decode speed options in WSJT-X, so I'm going to try those. Additionally, I had the Quadra running off my tenuous phone Hotspot to keep time, while waiting for my GPS dongle to come in...since Conky is running to keep the time accurate regardless of the input, I assume that some processing will be freed when it isn't relying on NTP but using direct input.?

What was your setup?
I may end up running a PI variation headless off my tablet eventually. The Quadra was cheaper and appealed to my wallet XD

I've made an Iambic keyer using a Teensy, a sort of Arduino on steroids.

As for shipping costs, for small things I use eBay's free shipping or Amazon Prime and go with UK sources, even if they are more expensive than China.

Or wait until I have accumulated enough for a free shipping order from Digikey or Mouser.

Chris, G5CTH

开云体育

Tayda Electronics has Nano clones that are top notch and low cost.?? I've used several of their parts.

Jim, K8IQY

?
And for whom with out that dang ole toroid
Or not want to fiddle with winding one


Check out "THE"? GQRP Site

The Resistive SWR Bridge
Highly recommended for both beginners and experienced constructors

https://www.gqrp.com/technical15.htm

N3AAZ

I don't see how adding another SWR bridge will help things.? The QMX already has a SWR bridge, it can also control the Tx power, and all this is under the control of the QMX controller.? All the OP is asking it it's possible to make the management of this more easily accessible.
I'm wondering if the SWR monitoring and power control can be used, ideally automatically, so the QMX provides the information we need to tune our antennas and also protects itself.

Chris, G5CTH

I've had good luck with the Elegoo Arduino clones. Both Uno and Nano. I don't recall whether I used Amazon or AliExpress, but they work fine. They go into enough projects that I think I bought 3-packs or 5-packs for better pricing.

Brock VA7AV?

To echo Larry:

I built a K3NG keyer based on an inexpensive Arduino clone. Easy to build, easy to program (the Arduino eco-system is targeted to a wide, non-techy, audience), easy to customize, works fabulously. And Arduino/clones should be easy to find. I believe they originated in Italy!



I can imagine custom-burnt chips becoming uneconomical when more powerful, programmable micro-controllers are as cheap as they are.?

Yes, my request is technically fulfilled by the Tune mode in the Hardware Test menu. Thanks to those that pointed out the existing feature.

Also, as G0UPL and others have observed, the existing Tune mode could benefit from a quicker access method.

As for building/buying an external Tune/SWR indicator, I’m really wanting to avoid an additional item in my field kit. Besides, the QMX has a perfectly good SWR detector built in, I just want to use it easily without tripping into protection mode.

When using a tunable antenna such as a vertical with adjustable coil, my typical “workflow” is to reduce power if that option is is available, put the internal keyer in straight key mode, then briefly tap the key, note the SWR, adjust the antenna, repeat until happy ( SWR < 2:1 ), return to keyer mode, reset operating power.

If I were to suggest a UI for this on the QMX: a simultaneous press of the pushbuttons puts the QMX into reduced power Tune/SWR mode at the current VFO frequency with an appropriately scaled protection threshold. The RF output is enabled while either paddle or left pushbutton is depressed. A press of the right pushbutton returns to normal operating mode.

At any rate, I’m satisfied that easier access to Tune/SWR is on the firmware development radar.

Be sure to also buy attenuator(s), since the SA can be catastrophically damage? if connected directly to even a QRP rig.
I use a combination of a 10W dummy load with a built in 30dB attenuator followed by a 30dB SMA attenuator.

The schematic of the N7VE bridge is readily available from many sources. I used the one from wb3gck.com as shown on his Z-Match tuner; just implement the bridge portion if you want. There are several minor variations that others have made. Contact me off list if you’re interested in building one, I’m good on qrz.

Steve W6WU?

aaz...OOPS
K7DDC should read? N7DDC
n3aaz

ps ... then the K7DDC ATU10 becomes the perfect match

...BUT?!!! CAUTION !!!? ?The SWR indicator must be in TUNE mode (NOT bypass)
? ?ELSE the ATU-10 WILL POP the finals? while doing it's thing
N3AAZ

Too easy
""...(mini SWR indicator)...Or better yet make one, they’re very simple and low cost. Light weight, it won’t add any significant burden on your ?field operations.""...w6wu
es have not popped a final since
Note ...number of primary turns sets sensitivity...
72 73
John
N3AAZ

Would it be possible to turn the power down automatically as the SWR rises to protect the PA?? Maybe start at a SWR of 2 and reduce to the specified limit by 3. Restore the power, ideally slowly, after the SWR improves.
Then a user could transmit and the PA would be kept safe automagically.? This is rather like the way my IC-7300 behaves, the power is reduced automatically at high SWRs, then as I tune the antenna the SWR reduces and the power increases.

There would be no need for any user control, it's normal operation. Transmit and watch the SWR and power. Minimise one and the other will be maximised.
.
Chris, G5CTH

You can build around an Arduino chip or board, which you might get cheaper from a Canadian source for Arduino components?

I just read Frank DL2GRF's post and noted that we have a common
issue, small component orders are eclipsed by shipping and handling
costs.

After spending some time looking for the once common basic keyer
chip, or a chip that I could program to be a keyer (I'd need to find
online the program) I was about to place an order from a US supplier.
The cost of getting across the border and to me was uneconomical. In
the past I've done much better ordering from the UK or EU with
affordable mail costs.

These chips are hard to find now, any suggestions as to where to
look outside of the US?

Ron VE8Rt VE8TEA

--
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...>