Re: WSPR doesn't report many stations after being on overnight with my QMX+
I just checked again. The site is working. So try again and see if the
Results are the same.?
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Re: QMX+ Manual - BS170 - solder only 2 pins?
thanks for the feedback... so simply solder all pins of the BS170 ;)
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Re: WSPR doesn't report many stations after being on overnight with my QMX+
Michael there may be a problem with the WSPR server again. I just had no spots on 30, which I use to check propagation and I checked power output, timing, and Freq. and they all are normal. So maybe it's not you or me, but it!
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WSPR server goes down occasionally but somebody out there fixes it. You may also see data from the hours you sent show up.
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The USB port on QMX is a “USB device”. To use a USB keyboard, you need a “USB host”, like a computer.
Yes but the USB port on QMX can also be configured as a host... the STM32F446 processor is a wonderful device!
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Re: WSPR doesn't report many stations after being on overnight with my QMX+
My guess is your rig has slipped outside the narrow wspr passband. Been there myself. Or clock is off. Hang in there and you can solve it.?
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Curt
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Before the conversation degenerates I would to say,
the Terminal program does work well to generate messages.
So thank you on that Hans. I can for the time being go
into terminal mode and create Emergency messages as well as
some standard QSO's.? In the future perhaps Terminal Mode can be expanded
to keyboard CW and a computer is not much bigger than a keyboard.?
or incorporated into the Radio. And there is always, the ability
to use the key at anytime during message sending.?
GOOD REASON TO BUY A QMX AND QMX+. EASY TO ENTER MESSAGES IN TERMINAL MODE.
It's already my intention in the future (AFTER the SSB) to add a CW screen to the terminal tools, which shows decoded text and allows you to key in CW etc via the keyboard.?
Back to what?Zhenxing said, about the USB port on the QMX yes, it is configured currently as a USB Device. However on the STM32F446 this peripheral may be configured instead as a USB Host port. Therefore it IS technically possible that in future QMX firmware could have a new feature to allow QMX to host a USB keyboard.
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Hi Doug
> Really,? you want Hans to send common value resistors to you from Turkey???
Thanks but it's OK OM, Andy was just joking, giving a sarcastic example of what kind of emergency message might need to be sent... "Hans - please send more 1k2 resistors, the kit is short ;-)". In any case QMX/QMX+ contain no through-hole resistors and in fact none of the QRP Labs kits have a through-hole 1.2K resistor :-D
73 Hans G0UPL
Really,? you want Hans to send common value resistors to you from Turkey?? At the prices he gets, we all need to help out and refrain for asking for common parts that are easily available.? ?After all, we are hams aren't we?? Requests like this eventually drive prices up.? Try not to do it.
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Re: QMX New build - no flash drive - how to troubleshoot?
The outcome:
LIN_REG_EN to ground =? 11.3 MΩ (megaOhms)
VDD to ground 1Ω ohm
?
SMPS #2 board
~6v in? =? ~3 vout
Based on the outcome I suspect:
- something in the path VDD is defective
or
- the Micro-Controller it's self is defective
Thoughts?
Thank you kindly for helping me troubleshoot this!
Best regards
~G
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Bugs rule!
?
If it ain't got that swing...
?
:)
--
73...? ? ? Mark? ? ?AA7TA
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Re: WSPR doesn't report many stations after being on overnight with my QMX+
Hi Michael,
What freq are you using on WSPR?
The one you entered in the Beacon menu. There has got to be a reason.
How many volts are supplying the radio because at full power you should have hundreds of spots. I tested using WSPR in beacon mode on several bands with QMX+ and it is working for me. If possible try
WSJT-X on WSPR and see if that works.
73,
George?
?
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Re: QMX Time Synchronisation Bug
Andreas:
?
Thank you!
"Fix" showed "1"; when I relocated the antenna the Fix parameter showed "3D" and the clock now shows the correct time in agreement with the GPS.
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73, KB5QR
Don
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Very funny boys:
?
With a GPS in the radio, a prepper,
might consider, when alone on a POTA site for instance. SOS, name, location as important if the need arises when all else fails.?
Part of the franchise the US radio ham is granted by the FCC, includes?
Emergency services. Many times a year radio hams save lives and contribute hours of their time to be prepared. No joke.
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Re: QMX+ Manual - BS170 - solder only 2 pins?
I grew up with MIL-STD 883B. We had to have large enough plated-through holes to guarantee that solder from one side of the board would flow smoothly through to the other side. Solder filets were visually inspected for every component on both sides of the board to ensure shiny connections. We found the hard-way that failure of the solder to flow through to the other side was usually due to the component leads being too large in comparison to the hole diameters, preventing the solder from flowing around the component leads properly and resulting in cold solder joints and/or solder blobs. I remember one project where a multilayer board with this issue was rejected by our QA people and the entire board had to be redesigned. Ouch!
Many years ago the company I worked for had a contract that required all vias be completely filled with solder. This was in the 70’s and vias were a bit bigger.
Larry KB3CUF? Military standards have much to say about how much of the plated holes should be full of solder (usually 75% or more although NASA likes 100% every time )?
?
In hand assembly it’s hard to control this from the other side of the board with different heating curves etc but as I said if the joint on the reverse is a good one it should be at least part filled and fine. ?
Perfectionists might like to add a bit more solder from the transistor side then suck the new excess off the bottom side then repeat ?….. ? but you can go on like that all night ?and all the time the component’s getting cooked?
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WSPR doesn't report many stations after being on overnight with my QMX+
The power level is not dropping, however when I look at my WSPR contacts the next morning on 20 meters there are hardly any!
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If I switch to Reversebeacon.net and transmit CW there are contacts all over!
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What could change (besides the band conditions which I doubt that's the problem) to have this happen?
I am using the internal Satellite Module which seems to be working fine.
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73's Michael N2ZDB
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Really,? you want Hans to send common value resistors to you from Turkey?? At the prices he gets, we all need to help out and refrain for asking for common parts that are easily available.? ?After all, we are hams aren't we?? Requests like this eventually drive prices up.? Try not to do it.
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Re: QMX+ Manual - BS170 - solder only 2 pins?
Many years ago the company I worked for had a contract that required all vias be completely filled with solder. This was in the 70’s and vias were a bit bigger.
Larry KB3CUF?
Military standards have much to say about how much of the plated holes should be full of solder (usually 75% or more although NASA likes 100% every time )?
?
In hand assembly it’s hard to control this from the other side of the board with different heating curves etc but as I said if the joint on the reverse is a good one it should be at least part filled and fine. ?
Perfectionists might like to add a bit more solder from the transistor side then suck the new excess off the bottom side then repeat ?….. ? but you can go on like that all night ?and all the time the component’s getting cooked?
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Re: QMX+ Manual - BS170 - solder only 2 pins?
Military standards have much to say about how much of the plated holes should be full of solder (usually 75% or more although NASA likes 100% every time )?
?
In hand assembly it’s hard to control this from the other side of the board with different heating curves etc but as I said if the joint on the reverse is a good one it should be at least part filled and fine. ?
Perfectionists might like to add a bit more solder from the transistor side then suck the new excess off the bottom side then repeat ?….. ? but you can go on like that all night ?and all the time the component’s getting cooked?
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Re: QMX+ finals, BS170 / TN0110 thoughts?
#qdx
#qmx
Hi Peter,
All other things being equal, TN0110 is a better switching device than BS170. First, its 100V maximum rating exceeds the BS170’s 60V maximum rating so if you are brave enough to try operating the QMX+ above 12V (not necessarily recommending this), it won’t be destroyed by overvoltage. Current *may* be a different matter but see below.
Second, TN0110 has a lower turn-on threshold than BS170 which means it’s a better match to the relatively low 5V switching waveform applied to the gate. To achieve the same level of conduction in a BS170, you’d need at least a 6V switching waveform which, unfortunately, isn’t available. This lower threshold allows the TN0110 to generate slightly more power on all bands than BS170. TN0110 has a lower channel resistance than BS170 at the same gate drive level so it sources more current. Depending on the overall channel resistance vs drain current, it may run slightly hotter or cooler. It’s hard to know which without a direct comparison of both devices.
Since you have more room for a better heat-sinking methodology in QMX+, heat-sink away with the proper application of thermal grease and a nice copper-finned or aluminum-finned heat sink (copper is better).?
Overall, I think you’re in great shape to use TN0110 and I don’t see any downside. If you decide to go this route, please do report back your experiences here. And please snap some pictures of your heat-sinking strategy.
Tony AC9QY
Hello all,
?
I'm finally finding time to assemble my QMX+. I already have a stockpile of TN0110 FETs from my QDX reworks. Wondering if I should try TN0110 on the QMX+ or stick to the BS170s. My thinking:
- QMX/QMX+ are not as prone to BS170 failure as QDX. This may be due to no L14 kickback issue because of envelope shaping. Or it might be another reason. But empirically I see fewer reported failures.
- On QDX it seemed that switching to TN0110 resulted in slightly higher power output, but on QMX people who tried TN0110 reported similar or slightly lower power out. (Except on the high-bands?)
- Because QMX/QMX+ has the switching mode 5V and 3.3V supplies, it seems more reasonable to run a unit built for 12V higher than 12V to get a little bit more from the TN0110s. In the QDX running higher than 12V seemed likely to stress the stock regulators, which already ran pretty hot. Not that I would necessarily do this, but I'm curious what people think.
- In the QMX, there's basically no room to make further mods to accommodate the reversed pins of the TN0110, while in the QMX+ there is plenty of room to add a heatsink to the top flat side and/or add fans. (In the QDX there is just enough room to put in a and I've been operating happily with this setup for a while now.)
On balance I would plan to just put the BS170s in for now, but I'm interested what others think in general, or specifically on any of the (possibly erroneous) thoughts above. Thanks!
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QMX+ finals, BS170 / TN0110 thoughts?
#qdx
#qmx
Hello all,
?
I'm finally finding time to assemble my QMX+. I already have a stockpile of TN0110 FETs from my QDX reworks. Wondering if I should try TN0110 on the QMX+ or stick to the BS170s. My thinking:
- QMX/QMX+ are not as prone to BS170 failure as QDX. This may be due to no L14 kickback issue because of envelope shaping. Or it might be another reason. But empirically I see fewer reported failures.
- On QDX it seemed that switching to TN0110 resulted in slightly higher power output, but on QMX people who tried TN0110 reported similar or slightly lower power out. (Except on the high-bands?)
- Because QMX/QMX+ has the switching mode 5V and 3.3V supplies, it seems more reasonable to run a unit built for 12V higher than 12V to get a little bit more from the TN0110s. In the QDX running higher than 12V seemed likely to stress the stock regulators, which already ran pretty hot. Not that I would necessarily do this, but I'm curious what people think.
- In the QMX, there's basically no room to make further mods to accommodate the reversed pins of the TN0110, while in the QMX+ there is plenty of room to add a heatsink to the top flat side and/or add fans. (In the QDX there is just enough room to put in a and I've been operating happily with this setup for a while now.)
On balance I would plan to just put the BS170s in for now, but I'm interested what others think in general, or specifically on any of the (possibly erroneous) thoughts above. Thanks!
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Re: QMX+ Manual - BS170 - solder only 2 pins?
I noticed this in the picture too. Unsurprisingly it's the GND pins that didn't flow through to the top side. I found this picture reassuring as I tend to worry about cold joints when I don't get any flow through the hole.
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CoolDuke
Gordon Young
Michael N2ZDB
Bruce Akhurst