GE All
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To put to bed the problems described below re the QDX not going to TX when told to from L32 via JTDX.
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The problem was due to JTDX not being configured correctly in the JTDX SETTINGS\REPORTING window.
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I had omitted certain check marks in the Network services window, namely the last 5 check marks in the attached screen shot.
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This is the config I should have set :-
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L32/JTDX and QDX now working well.
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73 Ian G4GIR
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: 12/11/2021 19:32:52
Subject: CAT Problem maybe?
Hi all,
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Just finished the QDX construction, no problems at all apart from only getting 4 Watts out on all bands, guess the other watt has been slated for the Angels Share (JD).
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However, I am trying to use QDX with Logger 32, which can log from JTDX or WSJT-X.
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I want to use the cherry picker mode in Logger 32 which isn't working. When I say it isn't working, I mean JTDX won't go into TX when told to by Logger 32.
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I don't believe it is a Logger 32 problem.
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When using WSJT-X or JTDX stand alone, I set the radio settings to the QDX requirements, click the TEST button which comes back GREEN, then click the PTT button but the QDX doesn't go in to TX.
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But when using WSJT-X and JTDX calling CQ or answering CQ's the PTT works fine.
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Could this be a CAT Command problem?
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73
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Ian G4GIR
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On March 1, 2018 I ordered some QRP kits that I was advised to get, but due to medical problems until now I did nothing. I had viewed Ham Nations on my TV and they talked about an all mode QRP transceiver that still has not shown up as a kit.What I did buy was Deluxe 6-band U3S set
? - Add kits: Polyphase network
? - Add kits: Receiver kit
? - Add kits: 50-ohm 20W Dummy Load
? - Add kits: BS170 experimenters
? - Add kits: OCXO/Si5351A Synth
? - Add kits: 4pcs 25mm spacer
? - Add kits: 5W HF PA kit
It has been a little confusing trying to remember what the plan was, but I think that I had hope of all going in the case that came with the kits.What I have seen has been the stand alone Deluxe 6-band U3S set. I did see a Deluxe 6-band U3S set, with the 5 watt PA, but nothing with the receiver.I am hoping to find someone that has it all in one case, and has pictures. I do have most of the Deluxe 6-band U3S set together, but still have the GPS and the Si5351A Synth to build.
-- Larry Carbaugh - N7LUF
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Mike,
Thanks for the suggestion. I¡¯ve been running my Mac¡¯s Internet link off Ethernet assuming wired would be faster. Not so. Wired, I¡¯ve been getting only about 80 Mbps service despite paying for 200 Mbs. I have been blaming that on the buried CATV cable. Prompted by you, I just disconnected the Ethernet from my modem/router and linked via 5 GHz WiFi. I¡¯m now getting about 180 Mbps, over twice as fast. The means I have no need to risk lightning riding in on that CATV line. I have about a 10-foot air gap between the cable service and my almost decade-old Mac. I suspect the problem lies with the slow USB-to-Ethernet dongle I put in when lightning fried the Ethernet on that Mac.
All utilities in my neighborhood are underground, including power. That makes the streets look better, but I¡¯m starting to suspect that burying doesn¡¯t offer protection against lightning, particularly given that my soil¡ªimpermeable silt and rocks¡ªmust conduct poorly. A few years back I dug a hole for a tree. Following a recommendation to saturate the soil around the hole, I filled it with water and went to lunch. Forty-five minutes later I came back and discovered that the water level had dropped only about an inch. This soil just doesn¡¯t absorb water. That probably means poor conductivity.
Poor grounding could be a factor in this lightning damage. I¡¯ve already added a grounding rod where the CATV service comes in. Grounding there had been just a few feet of copper wire. I need to drive a supplemental grounding rod or two where the service comes in and perhaps one next to the heat pump at the other end of the house. I also need to overcome my unease about working inside my home distribution panel and install that Siemens First Surge FS-140 whole house lightning protection device that I bought a couple of years back.
Given how many home appliances now have sophisticated, computer-like controls, whole house surge protection makes sense. Replacing those boards can cost hundreds of dollars. If you do shop for one, check the pricing carefully. I got mine from Amazon for about $150. The Siemens Store on Amazon now charges $570 for it. Home Depot sells it for $265. Walmart has it for $391. A plcCenter charges $280. I don¡¯t have the foggiest idea why there¡¯s such a wide range of prices.
Strangest of all, a Veegoshop has it for only $89.80. The paid link I found on DuckDuckGo starts out as Keekinc.com in California, which sells stylish women¡¯s clothing, but then forwards to Veegoshop in Louisiana, which seems to be that same women¡¯s clothing store. Neither shows this Siemens device via their store search, which you can see here.
If it¡¯s legit, that $90 price is a marvelous deal, although I don¡¯t know how to explain it. It may come without that $25,000 insurance coverage. Siemens will deny you bought it from an authorized store. The description of Veegoshop makes no mention of insurance.
Whatever, the Siemens FS140 is top-rated in this review. There are also a lot of positive reviews on Amazon.
Anyone troubled by lightning would do well to look into getting one of these devices. I got it for the peace of mind, although I need to realize that uninstalled it offers no protection and thus no peace.
¡ªMike Perry, WA4MP
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On Nov 14, 2021, at 9:43 am, Mike Besemer - WM4B <mwbesemer@...> wrote:
Amen to that. We had a ground-strike about 8 years ago that came in through the CATV drop. Whacked my cable modem and router and everything that was hardwired to the router (shack computer, echolink node, printer, my TS-480 (via the SignaLink) and a variety of other things). Also got my sprinkler controllers, the chlorine generator in my pool, and a few other things - all of which were NOT connected to a router. Insurance paid about $8K for that one. Since then I've gone to a mesh system router (eero) and everything is now airgapped. Not going to make that mistake again!
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Never opened, still in box includes enclosure.?
Price : $90.00 includes shipping lower 48 states.?
73
Johm W9QP?
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Re: Qdx smoked - USB
#qdx
Hi all,
'smoked' my QDX too... different reason.
But the next time I will insert a shrink tube into the binocular transformer, each side 1mm longer,
to prevent scratching the wire on the edges. A have a set of 1:4 tubes, they are sufficient thin to
be inserted and I will not heat them up to shrink - just to protect the wire.
73s
Wolfgang OE1MWW
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Re: Qdx smoked - USB
#qdx
Hi Guys,?
It¡¯s always worth checking the holes on binocular transformers to make sure that the edges are nice and smooth and therefore won¡¯t remove the enamel on the wire as you insert it and pull it taught. It¡¯s a simple matter to smooth them using some emery paper.?
Hope this helps,?
Steve G0XAR?
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
For Evan and Alan - mostly,
I observe pretty much what you describe. ?My notes:
1) Win10 laptop, not recently rebooted. WSJT-X not running. ?Power, dummy load or resonant antenna, and USB cable connected to QCX, which is powered off. ?USB cable connected to PC.
2) Apply power (9v) to QDX, wait for steady LED. ?¡°Digital Audio Interface (QDX Transceiver)¡± appears in Win10 System Settings, Sound Panel, Master Volume at 100.
3) Launch WSJT-X. ?14.074000 appears as the set frequency. ?This is the startup default I set with PuTTY. ?This appears even if I had previously set the frequency to 7.074000 before closing WSJT-X, so it is being as a. AT command from the QDX. ?No signal decoding appears (when antenna connected, of course) and the audio bar graph is at 80. ?The WSJT-X Settings shows, for Audio: QDX selected; for Radio: TS-480, COM3, Test CAT works, Test CAT PTT causes LED To flash.
4) Close WSJT-X. ?Power off QDX for ~30 seconds, then power on.
5) Launch WSJT-X. ?Everything now works normally, signals decoded.
I built my QDX for 9 volt operation, so as to minimize risk to the BS170 transistors from a reactive load. ?I do not have a suitable 9 V power supply, but several 12 V supplies, so put a TO-220 7809 regulator in a small die-cast aluminum box with 2.1/5.5 mm power jacks on each end, with a toggle switch and LED, as shown in the photos. ?Then I use a cable with power plugs on each end to connect this to the QDX. ?The switch has been quite convenient in all this!
73, Ben ?K0IKR
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Re: Attention QDX Linux users
#qdx
Hi,
I think that sudo systemctl disable
ModemManager prevents the service from being
started automagically when the system boots but other software can
still start it if they depend on it. Maybe you will have better
luck with sudo systemctl mask
ModemManager which may survive a reboot.
Disclaimer: I haven't tried this myself yet, YMMV.
73 Johan SM6LKM
Hans Summers wrote:
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Unfortunately when your computer reboots this
ModemManager nonsense will be restarted. So you have to
add those two commands to a startup script so that they
run every time your computer starts.
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Shirley
thanks for the calculation. I did that modification and now RBN is spot on so I am much better with the QRG now.
Martin
DK3UW
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Amen to that. We had a ground-strike about 8 years ago that came in through the CATV drop. Whacked my cable modem and router and everything that was hardwired to the router (shack computer, echolink node, printer, my TS-480 (via the SignaLink) and a variety of other things). Also got my sprinkler controllers, the chlorine generator in my pool, and a few other things - all of which were NOT connected to a router. Insurance paid about $8K for that one. Since then I've gone to a mesh system router (eero) and everything is now airgapped. Not going to make that mistake again!
Mike
WM4B
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-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Perry, WA4MP Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2021 10:35 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Wondering ? Most of the damage I've seen were hits to telco(PTT) and power lines
and then via phone and power lines in the house. I live in a lightning-prone location and that¡¯s been my experience with telco amended to cable broadband. Lightning zapped a cable modem and the ethernet port on my Mac. I¡¯ve since added toroids and cheap from ethernet lightning protectors for what benefit that may be. For lightning coming in on the power lines I¡¯ve added a used Powervar line conditioner. Pulled from service but still functional ones go quite cheaply on ebay. Ones with ¡°G¡± in their description can help with ground loop issues. If your antenna is on a second-story balcony, you might just bring it indoors when not in use. That should work and will eliminate any trouble finding a ground. ¡ªMike Perry, WA4MP
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Most of the damage I've seen were hits to telco(PTT) and power lines
and then via phone and power lines in the house. I live in a lightning-prone location and that¡¯s been my experience with telco amended to cable broadband. Lightning zapped a cable modem and the ethernet port on my Mac. I¡¯ve since added toroids and cheap from ethernet lightning protectors for what benefit that may be. For lightning coming in on the power lines I¡¯ve added a used Powervar line conditioner. Pulled from service but still functional ones go quite cheaply on ebay. Ones with ¡°G¡± in their description can help with ground loop issues. If your antenna is on a second-story balcony, you might just bring it indoors when not in use. That should work and will eliminate any trouble finding a ground. ¡ªMike Perry, WA4MP
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Attention QDX Linux users
#qdx
Hi all
This applies only to Linux users.?
I knew this a long time ago due to QSX development. But it got forgotten in the mists of time. Now in talking with Chris KC0TKS about an issue on RPi400 (no CAT) I remembered the problem.?
On Linux systems (most distros) when a new Virtual COM Port gets plugged in, there's a process called ModemManager which tries to initialize it as a modem. It sends various commands to the port like a decades' old Hayes At modem. After a while it surely includes a carriage return in its mutterings and this causes QDX to think it is talking to a terminal emulator like PuTTY and it starts up the QDX Terminal applications menu. And then it won't talk to a CAT controller.?
So on your Linux computer press Ctrl-Alt-T to open up a terminal window. Type (it is one line) :
sudo systemctl status ModemManager.service
You'll get some response which will tell you whether or not the service is running. If it is: you've found the problem.?
To solve this problem you have to type these two commands to stop and disable the ModemManger:
sudo systemctl stop ModemManager.service
sudo systemctl disable ModemManager.service
Now you should be able to plug in QDX afresh and it should work normally.?
Unfortunately when your computer reboots this ModemManager nonsense will be restarted. So you have to add those two commands to a startup script so that they run every time your computer starts. On RPi and some other Linux systems the commands need to be entered in the file /etc/rc.local but this might not be the same on all Linux distros, I don't know.?
These commands stop and disable the ModemManager service. QDX (and other similar COM Port emulations) will then work correctly and normally. I don't know of any reason in 2021 where typically you would need this ModemManager service to be running. If for some reason you do, there is some more complicated way to make ModemManager ignore specific devices, but I don't know all the details right now.?
Yes, I will be adding this Linux ModemManager stuff to the manual.?
73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com
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I think I might have damaged the PAs or Q6: power output is now much lower than before. So I jumpered? the LPF (L1 - L3)? and measured the square wave output to the 50 ohm dummy load with my scope to eliminate the LPF. I'm now seeing 4Vpp at the drains. I think I should be seeing 12Vpp. Has anyone else tried doing this test of the PAs? Also I see 12Vdc at both leads L4 in rcv, but 4 Vdc in tx mode. I measure 20k from each drain to source and meg ohms from gate to source, so the PAs look OK. Next is Q6.
syd/wt1v
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Sorry for the pain! Just have more important projects and thought I would try and help someone who missed the first run.?
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On Nov 14, 2021, at 8:22 AM, david via groups.io <zinc65@...> wrote:
? Aw, this really hurts. I didn't get o the QRP Labs site until one-minute past opening, and it took me three attempts to get the server to stay up long enough to take my order. I the end, I got number 389. ? Lots of you have managed to let out the smoke, and now there is a second-hand market. I even see posts from guys who have a kit and aren't going to build it, yet. But my kit hasn't even made it out of Summers Towers, so far. Have a heart! Think of those of us with soldering irons gently smoking at the back of the bench without work ? ? Best Wishes David, GM8XBZ Still watching for that email ? -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Twolane
Sent: 14 November 2021 12:43
To: [email protected]
Subject: [QRPLabs] QDX for sale ? I would like to sell my QDX kit. The only thing I have done to it is remove the 47uh smd inductors. It comes with the case. I have several other projects and just don't have the time for this one. $100.00 and I will ship it inside the lower 48 states. I will not ship it internationally. ? ? George NE5A ? ?
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I use gas tube suppressors (polyphaser)? mounted to a copper plate on
the ground rod inside a weather resistant box.? That's before it ever comes
into the house.? Its house protection as?anything that can't stand more
than 30-50V will die.? The ground must be best possible and also
bonded to the house ground.
The biggest issue is around grounds and what grounded as house
ground and lighting ground can easily have a high voltage differential
as a result of the pulse nature of lightnings high current pulse.? That
difference can kill electronic gear.
Most of the damage I've seen were hits to telco(PTT) and power lines
and then via phone and power lines in the house.
Allison
-------------------------------
Please reply on list so we can share.
No private email, it goes to a bit bucket due to address harvesting
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QCX PLUS 40 meters w/ 50w amp
I'm selling my nearly new 1 month old QCX PLUS 40 meter cw radio with the 50 watt amp. The amp is still in kit form and has not been opened or built. My el-cheapo wattmeter shows the radio putting out 4 watts and is in like new working condition. The only mod done is the digital display has been changed from the blue to the same color as? the qcx mini. I'm asking $100 shipped priority mail? to the lower 48 only.
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Hi all,
I ran JS8CALL with the QDX for about an hour into a 50 W dummy load. I configured it to send a heartbeat message with an interval of 1 minute. Then after about an hour the frequency was wrong. So I guess that rules out RF feedback. I will test the same, but then from Linux.
Error log:
ERR: ; ?;
ERR: -TID; ?;
ERR: -X; ?;
ERR: IIIIF; ?;
ERR: IFIIF; ?;
ERR: Band
Screenshot with wrong frequency below. I was using the 40 m band. The frequency should be: 7 078 000.
- OS: Windows 10
- QDX firmware: 1_01c
- 12 or 9 V: 9 V.
- Power supply: Siglent SPD1305X, linear PSU, at 9 V, current limited at 2 A.
- Board rev: rev 1.
- Built with no deviations from the manual.
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Re: QDX 20m perfect Sunday
On Sun, 14 Nov 2021 12:39:18 +0300 "Hans Summers" <hans.summers@...> wrote: Hi folks?
See attached... Just me and the sleeping Lab Tech-mini, a glass of
fresh pomegranate juice by the river. WX 23C sunshine... And remoting
from my mobile phone into QRP Labs Towers for a bit of QDX fun on 20m
FT8...?
73 Hans G0UPL
Did anybody notice that the Mighty Mite and the Dad look like twins? Same nostrils, same face shape, same sideburns? Wow! 73 Jim W4JED
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Mike Perry, WA4MP
...? ? for what its worth, I find that the magnifier on my head or on a desk lamp boom works much better then the budget 3rd hands..? I think the circuit board holder Jack, W8TEE shared will be on my santa list.? Just my 2 pennys..
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These are the offending capacitors in some of the early 20 Meter QCX kits that Hans mentioned.
73, Ben ?K0IKR
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Larry N7LUF
Mike Perry, WA4MP
Mike Besemer - WM4B
James Daldry W4JED
Bill Lamm