Any temperature controlled station from Hakko, Weller or Metcal will be more that adequate for ham use.

?

For a kit with new parts, you could use a leaded solder (60/40 or 63/37) with a no clean flux. Save the ugly rosin core for dirty antenna wires :-) in either case, scrub the flux off with 99% IPA and blow that off with compressed air.?

?

ROHS is not a requirement for homebrew stuff, at least in the USA. IMO, Kester still tops the list, but there are a few others out there.

?

Repairs and correcting mistakes on PTH components is a real pain without a powered vacuum desoldering tool. Check out the Hakko 808, or don't screw up!

?

Dave

Hi,

?

I have released a version 1.2 of the solution. Please refer to the readme front page file at the git repository with details:

?

While I am writing this note - a group buy with 35+ participants is happening for this same version 1.2 - organized by Cal (AD8Q) and Stan (KC7XE).

?

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73,
Sardar (AC8L, 4K6SA, VA3DUA).

On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 06:39 PM, Ivica - YU1QRP wrote:

I would like to see salemans face when i ask him for 1 Mohm water.?

?

?

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73, Dan - W2DLC

Funny thing, folk often said same thing about their QCX.?

?

This is an analog world.?

?

Yes as others have said, a 3.7 watt signal sounds nearly same as 5.0 watt signal.?

?

Oh, did you measure those into a 50 ohm dummy load???

No!? You should not be disappointed.? I get 2.8 watts on 20.? That was enough for 101 contacts in 41 countries at last month's CQ WW DX contest.? There's not that much difference between 5 watts and 2.8 watts.

?

72

Bob, K2OID

I would like to see salemans face when i ask him for 1 Mohm water.?

Harry, tuning the QMX+ from one end of the band to the other is not enjoyable!?

?

I have tried a 400ppr encoder with no indentations, but the QMX is unable to keep up.

?

Tuning the QMX with a decent encoder would unleash the rig it could be.

?

Hans, is there any chance you could speed up the response to the encoder so that a better encoder could be used?

?

Steve G4EDG?

Considering the preference to TrippLite, you may consider this cable.?

?

https://tripplite.eaton.com/usb-c-cable-usb-3-2-60w-pd-charging-angled-plug-1-ft-0-3-m~U420001RA

From the NASA Spec:

Solder?

1. Types and Usage. All solder used for tinning and solder connections shall conform to?ANSI/J-STD-006. Flux-cored solder?shall be either composition SN60 or SN63 containing flux?types R or RMA, or equivalent. For all soldering applications where adequate?subsequent cleaning?is not practical, only solder containing flux type R shall be used. Solid solders (no flux) for use in?solder pots shall?be of the same composition.?

6.13 Solvents and Cleaners?1.

The solvents or aqueous cleaners used to remove grease, oil, dirt, flux, or other debris,?shall be selected?for their ability to remove both ionic and nonionic contamination. The solvents or?cleaners used shall not degrade the materials or parts?being cleaned. A list of approved solvents?and cleaners is provided in Table 6-1. Mixtures of the approved solvents may be used. Solvent?containers shall be properly labeled. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper?handling of solvents or cleaners.

Mine is right in that range too.?

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73, Dan - W2DLC

It may seem like a lot of money but a stereozoom binocular microscope with boom stand, 10X eyepieces and an LED ring illuminator will almost give you superpowers compared to an eye loupe or headworn magnifier.

I do microelectronic design, assembly and rework of RF/microwave modules (among other services) for my clients and that is what I have found works for me.? 8x total is about right for most work.

Definitely stay away from monocular USB microscope/displays, their monocular vision and low resolution and dynamic range (both color gamut and brightness) make them poor choices, at least all of the ones I have tried.?

You really need good depth perception and !BRIGHT! shadowless illumination for soldering, etc. tasks.??

73, Don N2VGU

?

?

Hi there,

Does your rig put out full power? And in the terminal diagnostics is it reporting as both transmitting near enough to 5w with a low (near 1:1 ) SWR into a dummy load? Can you run through some diagnostic screens and post screenshots here please? Focussing on LPF sweeps for a few bands, as well as BPF sweeps too. Also the Test I/Q. And Image sweep would be useful too. Run these tests into a 50 ohm dummy load if you've got one, and if you don't it won't be putting out enough to cook a couple of 100 ohm 1/4w in parallel at those tests.?

Good luck on repair endeavours,?

Daniel?

?

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Daniel ZL2DTL/ZL4YOTA?

?

?

On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 07:23 AM, <terompet@...> wrote:

160m 5.7w, 80m 4.8w, 60m 4.1w, 40m 3.9w, 30m 4.5w, 20m 3.3w, 17m 3.1w, 15m 4.5w, 12m 3.2w, 10m 3.8w, 6m 3.1w.

Mine I just got yesterday compared to yours is:

? ? ?160m 5.8w, 80m 5.0w, 60m 4.4w, 40m 4.0w, 30m 5.1w, 20m 3.4w, 17m 3.1w, 15m 4.7w, 12m 3.1w, 10m 3.7w, 6m 3.4w.

Close enough never to never matter

when when the watts meet the ether.

On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 12:50 PM, John R wrote:

Check out Tripp Lite cables

Agree 100%, I specify only Tripp-Lite cables for my clients' projects.? They may seem expensive but I have never had a dud.? I have? better things to do than chase bad cables or placate disappointed clients because I saved them a couple of dollars.?

If Tripp-Lite doesn't make what I need I fall back to L-Com.??

73, Don N2VGU

Yes, definitely good quality rosin core solder. I do keep a small bottle of liquid rosin flux because I add it to the desoldering braid when needed. I have an old Radio Shack 50 watt adjustable soldering iron. I run it at the full 50 watts on these kits. I would look for something like it to replace it when I need a new one. Another indispensable item, at least for me, is a binocular magnifying headset.??

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73, Dan - W2DLC

Dave

?

You don't need a boatload of equipment. Also note focus is through hole construction. Don't need paste, just quality solder. I see plenty of nice enough gear out there. Definitely temperature regulation. Some swear by Hakko but others may be good enough. You may want a stand magnifier. All this should easily be in your budget.?

?

Oh I built my K2 with a plain soldering iron, but I suggest a modest investment in a soldering station.?

?

Curt

?

QMX distorted compared to what?? What do you call good?

?

Besides QCX, QDX, QMX? I have a large assortment of radios

commercial, some kits(3), some of my design(5).

?

Among the commercial:

Tentec Argonaut 505,?

Tentec Triton? M340

Tentec 6n2? ? M526

Tentec Eagle M599

icom IC7000

Icom IC7300

Yaesu FT817

Yaesu FT736R

Kenwood TS44S/AT (2 of them)

?

The QMX I have sounds as good as any of them and better than

the kenwoods (sorry).

?

Also the CW audio sample sounded saturated like excessive gain/volume

was being used.? The other was the SSB example had significant

multipath distortion unrelated to the radio.? That and with SSB?

not every operator puts out good audio quality.

?

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Allison
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Post online only,?
direct email will go to a bit bucket.

With the latest firmware you can just set the CW filters to NONE.

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73, Dan - W2DLC