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Re: QCX and QZF (Zero-beat) indicator
#qcx
I would like to add a zero beat to my rig too.
Currently I use my phones Apple app called (tone generator). It¡¯s set to 700 hz. I just slide one of my ear phones off a little, start the tone and it easy to hear the radio and the tone at the same time. But it would be nice to have something built in, like Son of Zero beat. 73 wd4dda Preston's iPhone |
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Re: Safe solder for working on PCBs?
Hello Jim,
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 If you buy de-soldering braid pay a bit extra for branded and make sure it is flux impregnated, the cheap Ebay ones are probably not and they do not absorb the solder nearly as well. I think mine is made by Chemtronics and should be available everywhere. Forget lead free solder, the commercial lads probably would too, given a choice, as it flows poorly, eats soldering bit plating and is much harder to use, especially for a beginner. It's purely a sap to the Greens :) Best regards, Chris 2E0ILY mailto:chris@... JL> Hi all, JL> I am interested in building the?QCX 5W CW transceiver, but am JL> pretty new to building kits and don't have a solder. From what JL> I've heard, you need to be careful when choosing a solder to work JL> on circuit boards. It sounds like heat (and perhaps electrostatic JL> discharge as well?) are real concerns with solder guns. JL> With those potential hazards in mind, I've been looking at the JL> X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS-ST which seems to hold a steady JL> temperature (which is reported by a small LED display), and also JL> claims to be?ESD Safe. Does this look like a safe solder to use JL> (and a good deal, otherwise)? Does anyone have a solder that JL> they've really enjoyed using and would recommend for working on PCBs? JL> Appreciate any thoughts the group has - best, JL> Jim, KJ7AOO -- Best regards, Chris Wilson (2E0ILY) |
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Re: DX-ing with QRP - possible?
I¡¯ve successfully built the 40 meter version. With 12 volts I get about 3.5 watts out to a dipole at 30 feet.
Haven¡¯t worked any DX yet but regularly get out to about 1500 miles. I listen for the strong signals, make sure I have the call right and wait for my chance. I don¡¯t usually call CQ. I think hunt and pounce works best for me. Building the 20 meter version now and hope I¡¯ll have better success with DX and my spider beam. Slowing getting back into CW and my speed is only around 13wpm. I still get a big kick out making a contact on a radio I built. 73 wd4dda Preston's iPhone |
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Mixed Code??
Bob Macklin
I have been looking at the SI5351 sample code on the QEPLabs website.
I've been wondering about using mixed code on the ATmega328. Using C for the main program but doing the actual I/O with assembly language. I have been writing assembly language code for the AVR chips fof about 15 years. I am comfortable about that. But for the SI5351 these is code that is easier done in C. So I would like to know about mixing C and Assembly in a common application Right now I am looking at the "Flash LED" example. I have never programmed an Ardiuno. I don't like their IDE. I use Atmel Studio. I have been using it since vesion 4. Maybe earlier. But 4 is the oldest I have. I am just starting to use version7 since I now have a computer running Win7.? Bob Macklin Seattle, Wa |
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Re: Safe solder for working on PCBs?
Folks remember that lead needs to be ingested. So wash your hand after using it and don¡¯t put it in your mouth.
To inhale lead you will need to bring it to a boil, inhale the fumes and the boiling point of lead is a little 3,000 F. I use a fan so I don¡¯t inhale the flux and whatever else is in that smoke. So for most of us in the hobby the lead type solder is the best type for us. My favorite is Kester 63/37., just seems to flow better than the standard 60/40 but that¡¯s just my opinion. 73 wd4dda 40 meter QCX Preston's iPhone |
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Re: Safe solder for working on PCBs?
Jim,
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You have already gotten quite a few replies all with good suggestions. And just to summarize, leaded solder is much easier to use than lead free solder as it typically has a lower melting temperature and flows more easily. My preference is for 63:37 solder. This is a quote from Wikipedia: "Alloys commonly used for electrical soldering are 60/40 Sn-Pb, which melts at 188 ¡ãC (370 ¡ãF), and 63/37 Sn-Pb used principally in electrical/electronic work. 63/37 is a eutectic alloy of these metals, which: has the lowest melting point (183 ¡ãC or 361 ¡ãF) of all the tin-lead alloys;" I also keep on hand the 62:36:2 with 2% silver solder as already noted by another poster. Radio Shack was my source but Amazon and Ebay are also sources Chipquik is good brand. As it contains silver it will be a more expensive. Keep in mind that this solder has a slightly higher melting temperature and will be a bit more difficult to unsolder and remove some components but is not insurmountable. Flux. Also very important. Solder typically will already have flux in it's core but the use of additional flux doesn't hurt. I always have a flux pen on hand and use it as well a relying on the flux in the solder. It helps the solder flow more easily and evenly and will also help if you need to use something solder wick to unsolder and remove something. Solder wick or similar product is also very good and handy to have. There are at least two good brand names Solder-wick by chemtronics and Super Wick by MG Chemicals. My preference is Super Wick because I can get it locally and I use only the .10" size. I have tried smaller and larger but find smaller is too small and larger is just too large. An extra bit of flux when using one of solder wick makes them work better and more quickly too. Your post also makes me wonder whether or not you are also asking about soldering stations. the one in the link you provided looks decent enough and would probably be quite suitable but I am not familiar with that brand. If price is not too much of concern, then my preference would be for something like the Hakko FX-888 (beware of imitations): I have one and wouldn't trade it for anything else. I also have an earlier model 936 which has served me well for many (many) years. cheers, Graham ve3gtc On 10/9/2018, "Jim Ladd" <jladdjr@...> wrote:
Hi all, |
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Re: DX-ing with QRP - possible?
while my qcx is still under construction, I have made VK land via 10w on a KX2 and a vertical (qrpguys tri band vertical) antenna on 20m during the evening hours while doing SOTA. ?? On Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 08:03 Steve Nichols via Groups.Io <infotechcomms=[email protected]> wrote: Hi, --
this was pounded out on my iPhone and i have fat fingers plus ?two left thumbs :) We have to?remember?that what we observe is not?nature?herself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning. |
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Re: DX-ing with QRP - possible?
Steve Nichols
Hi,
You certainly can work DX with the QCX - if the conditions are right. We are currently near to sunspot minimum with lots of geomagnetic disturbances due to coronal holes. But given the right conditions 3-5W of CW can go a long way.?? I have reported a few of my portable exploits with the QCX. See? I also used it for our annual "radio by the seaside" event and crossed the Atlantic into New York state during a contest. To see what else you can do with 5W or less see: and It is? a case of perseverance and finding people who are either a) like minded QRPers or b) in a contest and want your points! Steve G0KYA |
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHans, Thanks for offering another kit.? ?Sure, take my money. I'll have another ?kit to build in abt a month. Happy Belated Birthday to me, order number 22930 JP KA3BWP On Oct 9, 2018, at 10:18 AM, Roger Hill <rhill@...> wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
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On 2018-10-09 15:17, Hans Summers wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Hi Roger No, I don't mean ProgRock. I do mean SoftRock as written. SoftRock is an SDR board that has been around for a few years, and they used a pair of BS170's as the transmitter output stage to provide something like 1/2 a watt, in push-pull (linear) configuration. QRP Labs loves BS170s and they work very well in this application.? 73 Hans G0UPL On Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 5:12 PM Roger Hill <rhill@...> wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýAnd another typo, in the parts list. Q203, 203, 204, 205? <----- should be Q202.... ---
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Roger Hill ** On 2018-10-09 15:12, Roger Hill wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýA possible typo in the assembly manual: The push-pull driver stage using two BS170¡¯s is as used in the SoftRock transmitter stage. I think that should be ProgRock, maybe. Roger G3YTN ---
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Roger Hill ** On 2018-10-09 14:43, Clint Sharp wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Hi Clint The particular reason is just that I didn't think of it until now!? ?:-O You are right, it may be good to solder them after bolting them down - not just for the obvious reason of not putting too much strain on the wires. Actually since the "top" side of the IRF510's sits flat on the PCB, if you solder them in first, they do end up precisely orientated and there should not be any strain. BUT, it IS tricky installing them on the assembly: aligning the blue silicone insulating pads and putting the white plastic washer in, and the bolts - you are right, I think it may well be easier to assemble if the transistors are bolted in first before soldering! 73 Hans G0UPL On Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 4:44 PM Clint Sharp <cjaysharp@...> wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Clint Sharp
I like, and the build document as always excellent but is there a particular reason for soldering the IRF510 MOSFETs before bolting them down? On Tue, 9 Oct 2018 at 13:57, John AE5X <ae5x@...> wrote: A more direct link: -- 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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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Hi Simon I have not made that kind of detailed measurement on it. It's a Linear (for SSB) so efficiency is much lower than Class-C or the Class-E amp in the QCX which can only be used for CW. Typical efficiency might be expected to be around 40%. In that case to get 10W output would require 25V DC input, which at 13.8V would mean 1.8A current. So say around 2A?+/- for 10W output continuous (CW). For SSB, 10W PEP means a lower average so the average current would also be lower - but that can depend on lots of other factors including degree of compression used.? 73 Hans G0UPL On Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 4:30 PM Simon Kennedy <simon@...> wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Thanks Hans, I was fortunate to see your post while I was having lunch so have been able to order one before most of our US friends are awake! However, I can't see anywhere documented what input power is required at a nominal 13.8v to deliver 10w output. Could you share this information please. 73 Simon G0FCU? On Tue, 9 Oct 2018, 13:58 John AE5X, <ae5x@...> wrote: A more direct link: |
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
Hi Ray I *knew* someone was gonna ask that, just not how soon... you were SOON, dude.? Yes... I don't see why not offer QSX without the PA. It could be called a "Receiver" and just not have the PA module included.? 73 Hans G0UPL On Tue, Oct 9, 2018 at 4:23 PM Ray M0DHP <m0dhp@...> wrote:
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Re: New kit: 10W HF Linear PA
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHello Hans Will there be an option to order the QSX minus the PA?? I'm thinking about ordering the PA now to get it built and tested early. 73 Ray On 09/10/18 13:28, Hans Summers wrote:
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N6JFD
Ray M0DHP
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