On Thu, May 2, 2019 at 08:13 AM, Nick VK4PP wrote:
Just wondering, could the QCX do 2m? with the correct adjustments?
I have a local ham interested in CW, but lives in an apartment...
So very space limited for antenna, might be able to do a 6m or 10m? 1/4 wave.... or vert dipole...
Thoughts?
73 Nick VK4PP
?Nothing definitive from me but I think tx is doable with lpf and tx inductor change and probably need pa transistor change to get more power out. Receive issues include not enough gain in the front end and a query on whether the fst3253 will switch fast enough for vhf. Bpf change also. There are other antenna options like mag loop if antenna size is the issue. Also not sure there is much cw action on 2 or 6 at least in vk. I have a mag loop that fits in the house that tunes to 40m and one of the online calculators says its 12% efficient or 1.5 s points down? (better on higher bands) but manually tuning it is time consuming and it works much better outside the house based on wspr tests. I think this is going to be true though of any antenna. Maybe its more of an antenna options issue than a band issue particularly if they are interested in getting on a band where there is some cw activity as opposed to vhf specifically. 73 Simon VK3ELH
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Just wondering, could the QCX do 2m? with the correct adjustments?
I have a local ham interested in CW, but lives in an apartment...
So very space limited for antenna, might be able to do a 6m or 10m? 1/4 wave.... or vert dipole...
Thoughts?
73 Nick VK4PP
|
Re: 27MHz instead of 7MHz at inputs to IC3
#problem
Hi, Bill
Before I did anything rash, I would do a full reset and then set
it up for 7 mhz.
73
Jim W4JED
On 5/1/19 12:19 PM, Bill Creitz wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
40m QCX build completed in early April 2019.
Firmware:? T1.00g
Initial symptom:? no RF output.
Started troubleshooting at?? Soon found...
On transmit, 27MHz squarewave appears at pins 4 and 10 of IC3.?
(Should be ~7MHz squarewave, as observed on another QCX built by a
relative.)? This suggests that IC1 isn't being programmed to
output 7MHz signals.
What I've done so far:
-- Visually inspected IC1 pins for possible shorts (for the second
time; also did that before the board was assembled).? None found.
-- Visually insected IC2 (microprocessor) socket joints.? All look
good.
-- Removed and reseated IC2.? Didn't fix the problem.
-- Visually inspected traces on board bottom from IC2 socket to
IC1.? No problems found.
-- Performed a system reset.? Didn't fix the problem.
-- Verified continuity between IC2 pins 27 and 28 to IC1 pins 4
and 5.
-- Verified that R3 and R4 are 1K.
-- Verified that voltage at output of D1 is 3.3V.
I'm out of ideas.? Any further suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.
Bill
in Maryland
|
The QRP Guys make an inexpensive kit version of the noise bridge.
72,
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Show quoted text
On May 1, 2019, at 4:54 PM, James Daldry W4JED < jim@...> wrote:
Hi, Joe Back in the ancient past Palomar Engineers made a device called
an "RX Noise Bridge". It has a 9 volt battery, 2 SO-239
connectors, and 2 knobs labeled "XL XC" and "R". You connect your
receiver to one port and the antenna to the other. Turn it on and
the receiver starts roaring. Turn the knobs until the roar stops,
and you know the antenna characteristics on the receiver
frequency. Or, you can use it backwards, by setting R to 50 ohms
and X to 0, and tweak the antenna (or tuner) until the roar stops.
Then remove the noise maker, connect the transmitter to the
antenna, and blow smoke. I bought one used a number of years ago at a hamfest. Fun toy. Another similar product I've seen was called a "Tuner Tuner".
Don't know who made it. I built a noise generator into one of my MFJ tuners. Works the
same way - push the button, tune until the noise disappears,
release the button.
73 Jim W4JED
On 4/30/19 9:52 PM, Joe Street wrote:
The only unfortunate thing is with that approach you are
actually putting a signal on the air with that antenna
dipper.? A smal one granted but I like ND6T's approach.? Just
put some white noise on your antenna and use your receiver
while you dip the noise level using the matching network.?
Simple and no QRM.
Joe
On Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 6:12
PM Mike < mike@...> wrote:
Taking
the sensor components from the KD1JV Tenna Dipper and the VFO
from QRP
Labs.
This should make a useful tool for aerial games, with greater
range.
Perhaps with modified turns and / or material for the toroid
if used at VHF.
|
Re: 27MHz instead of 7MHz at inputs to IC3
#problem
It's those IC's been damaged in the post again, can't be a construction eror.
|
Hi, Joe
Back in the ancient past Palomar Engineers made a device called
an "RX Noise Bridge". It has a 9 volt battery, 2 SO-239
connectors, and 2 knobs labeled "XL XC" and "R". You connect your
receiver to one port and the antenna to the other. Turn it on and
the receiver starts roaring. Turn the knobs until the roar stops,
and you know the antenna characteristics on the receiver
frequency. Or, you can use it backwards, by setting R to 50 ohms
and X to 0, and tweak the antenna (or tuner) until the roar stops.
Then remove the noise maker, connect the transmitter to the
antenna, and blow smoke.
I bought one used a number of years ago at a hamfest. Fun toy.
Another similar product I've seen was called a "Tuner Tuner".
Don't know who made it.
I built a noise generator into one of my MFJ tuners. Works the
same way - push the button, tune until the noise disappears,
release the button.
73
Jim W4JED
On 4/30/19 9:52 PM, Joe Street wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
The only unfortunate thing is with that approach you are
actually putting a signal on the air with that antenna
dipper.? A smal one granted but I like ND6T's approach.? Just
put some white noise on your antenna and use your receiver
while you dip the noise level using the matching network.?
Simple and no QRM.
Joe
On Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 6:12
PM Mike < mike@...> wrote:
Taking
the sensor components from the KD1JV Tenna Dipper and the VFO
from QRP
Labs.
This should make a useful tool for aerial games, with greater
range.
Perhaps with modified turns and / or material for the toroid
if used at VHF.
|
Hi, Skip
Check on Amazon for dental surgical medical loupe. The most
common type is 3.5 power with a working distance of 420 mm (about
17 inches). They're not cheap, but they would probably do the job.
73
Jim W4JED
On 4/30/19 4:13 PM, SkipF, NT1G wrote:
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Show quoted text
My brain surgeon used glasses with 'magnifing
TELESCOPES' on the lenses.
To fix a 17mm aneurysm. I wish WE had more
'17mm' parts, instead of 1.7mm,
or .7 mm parts. But I can't find 'any' of these
glasses.
Skip Flem, NT1G
? Boston
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Re: 27MHz instead of 7MHz at inputs to IC3
#problem
I was assuming it was NOT receiving OK from your discussion. If it is receiving OK then it sounds like something internal to IC1 is causing the reference frequency to appear at the clk2 output. If it¡¯s also not receiving, ie ?27 MHz (or nothing) appearing in clk0 and clk1, you might want to check the actual I2C comm signals with your scope at IC2 pins 27 and 28. Also verify you¡¯re getting around 3.5-3.7 volts on the top side (long leads) of R3 and R4. These are pull up resistors on the comm lines.?
Ron?
On Wed, May 1, 2019 at 13:29 Richard G4TGJ < rpt@...> wrote: Does it receive OK? If so, you know that communication between IC2 and IC1 is working OK.
On transmit what signal do you see at IC1 pin 6?
Use a meter to check for shorts between IC1 pins.
--
73
Richard
G4TGJ
|
Re: 27MHz instead of 7MHz at inputs to IC3
#problem
Does it receive OK? If so, you know that communication between IC2 and IC1 is working OK.
On transmit what signal do you see at IC1 pin 6?
Use a meter to check for shorts between IC1 pins.
--
73
Richard
G4TGJ
|
Yes, several years I flew into Cincinnati. It was cheaper, and
direct flight (no Atlanta) but then you had the drive from Kentucky
up to Dayton. seemed like each time the flight got me in about 3 so
I was driving through Cincinnati at rush hour. Taking 275 was no
better.
But, FDIM still worth it!
73
Fred, WD9HNU
On 5/1/2019 3:06 PM, jjpurdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
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Show quoted text
Glad you'll make it! Also, next time check flights into
Cincinnati and Columbus, as those are almost always cheaper
than Dayton.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 2:01:39 PM EDT, Fred Piering
<fpiering@...> wrote:
Hi Jack:
Can't wait! In fact, if it wasn't for FDIM. I probably
wouldn't come to Dayton. It was easy for the 15 years or
so I lived in Ft, Wayne, but now, living in Florida, the
Plane fare and Hotel take the place of a new
transceiver.
I am looking forward to meeting you face to face also,
as well as Hans.
73
Fred WD9HNU
On
5/1/2019 12:04 PM, jjpurdum via Groups.Io wrote:
What do you mean: It means nothing? Hans is
speaking at FDIM and we're getting together after
our talks, so I know he's going to be there.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 11:37:18 AM EDT,
gerrykav via Groups.Io <gerrykav@...>
wrote:
Just saw this in the 2019 vendor list...
![]()
I'm sure it means nothing though.
/ Gerry
|
Cor, I have those as well! They work quite well and are very comfortable. Although I like the Solderscope the best, that certainly has its place on my bench.
I also didn't mention the dissecting microscope, I love mine, too. Anything that helps is most welcome. Having the use of both eyes at once, the ease of depth perception make working with small parts just that much more fun. You can never have enough tools!
|
Glad you'll make it! Also, next time check flights into Cincinnati and Columbus, as those are almost always cheaper than Dayton.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 2:01:39 PM EDT, Fred Piering <fpiering@...> wrote:
Hi Jack:
Can't wait! In fact, if it wasn't for FDIM. I probably wouldn't come
to Dayton. It was easy for the 15 years or so I lived in Ft, Wayne,
but now, living in Florida, the Plane fare and Hotel take the place
of a new transceiver.
I am looking forward to meeting you face to face also, as well as
Hans.
73
Fred WD9HNU
On 5/1/2019 12:04 PM, jjpurdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
What do you mean: It means nothing? Hans is speaking at
FDIM and we're getting together after our talks, so I know
he's going to be there.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 11:37:18 AM EDT, gerrykav via
Groups.Io <gerrykav@...> wrote:
Just saw this in the 2019 vendor list...
![]()
I'm sure it means nothing though.
/ Gerry
|
Hi Fred ? I assume that is out in the tent where you were last year?
You deserve better, by the way.
Will see you there!
Yes, it is!? And Yes, I do deserve better! And Yes, I will see you there and look forward to it!
Spots in the "real" buildings are already booked up and are always available to last year's participants by default, first. The tents are pretty horrible. Not only because of the accommodation itself, but also because of the quality of the booths in there... not wishing to be too offensive, but what I mean is that there are a lot of non-ham radio booths in there. There was a booth opposite us last year selling a system for keeping leaves out of roof gutters, for example. I think the low average ham radio content of the tents doesn't help encourage traffic past the booth.?
Last year the occupants of the tents were told that a new building was being built and we would be offered the places in that building before anyone else. But that hasn't happened...?
Furthermore the cost of having a booth in the tents is almost the same as having a booth in the proper buildings.?
Anyway... better than nothing!?
73 Hans G0UPL
|
Hi Jack:
Can't wait! In fact, if it wasn't for FDIM. I probably wouldn't come
to Dayton. It was easy for the 15 years or so I lived in Ft, Wayne,
but now, living in Florida, the Plane fare and Hotel take the place
of a new transceiver.
I am looking forward to meeting you face to face also, as well as
Hans.
73
Fred WD9HNU
On 5/1/2019 12:04 PM, jjpurdum via
Groups.Io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
What do you mean: It means nothing? Hans is speaking at
FDIM and we're getting together after our talks, so I know
he's going to be there.
Jack, W8TEE
On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 11:37:18 AM EDT, gerrykav via
Groups.Io <gerrykav@...> wrote:
Just saw this in the 2019 vendor list...
I'm sure it means nothing though.
/ Gerry
|
Hi Hans:
I assume that is out in the tent where you were last year?
You deserve better, by the way.
Will see you there!
73
Fred WD9hnu
On 5/1/2019 12:03 PM, Hans Summers
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Gerry
It means I'll be at booth 6612, for chat,
meeting, and selling kits from the EXISTING range of QRP Labs
kits.
73 Hans G0UPL?
?
On Wed, May 1, 2019, 18:37
gerrykav via Groups.Io <gerrykav= [email protected]>
wrote:
Just saw this in the 2019 vendor list...
I'm sure it means nothing though.
/ Gerry
|
Don and all,
I use the same student loupes and find the 14" to 18" focal distance and 4" coverage area to work very well. I have to use reading glasses and when I flip up the loupes to see normally the uncorrected loupe lenses were a pain. I solved that by attaching Optix lenses to the loupe 'safety' lenses so I have the best of both worlds.
PJH, N7PH
|
Re: QCX -20 is now in the package.
#qcx
Nice job!? That's a sweet enclosure.
--
Jim, KJ7EZN? ? 73!
|
5 Watt amplifier for U3S WSPR
Hallo all,
I'm looking for an amplifier that can be driven by the +/- 200 mW of my U3S and has an output of about 5 Watts or a little more. I can't use the 5 Watt PA of QRP Labs because my U3S does not have the required firmware of 3.12 or above. I wonder if the 10 Watt PA of QRP Labs can be used? Can it be driven by +/- 200 mW?
Or does somebody else have any other suggestions? I will be using the amplifier for WSPR.
Thanks in advance,
Michael PA7MDJ
|
27MHz instead of 7MHz at inputs to IC3
#problem
40m QCX build completed in early April 2019.
Firmware:? T1.00g
Initial symptom:? no RF output.
Started troubleshooting at?? Soon found...
On transmit, 27MHz squarewave appears at pins 4 and 10 of IC3.? (Should be ~7MHz squarewave, as observed on another QCX built by a relative.)? This suggests that IC1 isn't being programmed to output 7MHz signals.
What I've done so far:
-- Visually inspected IC1 pins for possible shorts (for the second time; also did that before the board was assembled).? None found.
-- Visually insected IC2 (microprocessor) socket joints.? All look good.
-- Removed and reseated IC2.? Didn't fix the problem.
-- Visually inspected traces on board bottom from IC2 socket to IC1.? No problems found.
-- Performed a system reset.? Didn't fix the problem.
-- Verified continuity between IC2 pins 27 and 28 to IC1 pins 4 and 5.
-- Verified that R3 and R4 are 1K.
-- Verified that voltage at output of D1 is 3.3V.
I'm out of ideas.? Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Bill
in Maryland
|
Re: I ordered a replacement QCX kit.
Replacement shipped from US stocks.
Should be a short wait.
I just printed off the newer build manual.? 143 pages!
Dennis
AG4TD
|
Nick VK4PP
James Daldry W4JED
Ronald Taylor
Fred Piering WD9HNU
Don, ND6T
jjpurdum