Re: QDX Extremely Low Receive Volume
#qdx
Hi Evan,?
I just saw Hans' email with this request. Thanks for the reminder. And thank you for the link to the thread, I did search the groups.io repository, but did not find that thread.
Here is some more information:
This is on macOS 10.14.6 without any additional drivers installed
I upgraded to the latest firmware 1.01b
This is?the 12V version with the 3:2 transformer, and I am running from a LiFe battery. I've also tried my regular shack supply, which is a PowerWerx switching supply.?
I did not deviate knowingly from the assembly instructions.?
Thanks again,?
--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK
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Re: QDX - rig control error
Chris,
I am running the version that is available on the Add / Remove Software app in the Preferences menu of the default Raspian OS.? It is reported as v2.0.0 by K1JT.
Currently, I have the Radio settings set to None and VOX as I had issues with the transmitter and in probing let out the magic smoke.? Before that, I had selected the Kenwood TS480 with the serial port as /dev/ttyACM0, 9600 Baud, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit, Default Handshake, CAT PTT? Method, Front Mic, None for the PTT Mode, and None for the Split Operation.
The audio is alsa_input.usb-QRP_Labs_QDX_Transceiver-02.analog-stereo for input and alsa_output.usb-QRP_Labs_QDX_Transceiver-02.analog-stereo for the output.
Hope the above helps.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: QDX Extremely Low Receive Volume
#qdx
Hello Karl, I am having similar performance running on a 12volt LiIon battery, Raspberry Pi 4, it is built for 12 volts, and version 1_01a (have not yet done the most recent upgrade).? Because of issues with the transmitter, I do not have IC5 nor the 4 BS170 MOSFETs installed.? I am waiting for replacement parts. In another thread, there is a discussion on CAT control that I asked about the Audio Gain setting in the configuration option of the terminal application in the QDX.? The section of the manual starts on page 82 or thereabouts depending on revision. The thread is: /g/QRPLabs/message/74336With all of the above, I had to adjust the Audio Gain to 80000 to get it into a range around 47 DB.? This was after making sure the mic input setting was close to the maximum (95 out of 100) in the Raspian OS. In the future, Hans has requested that requests for help include the following information (copied from message #74319):
- What?OS you are running, including what version of MS Windows, or what flavor of Linux. Remember?that Linux, Mac and MS Windows 10 users do not need any driver installs, but earlier MS Windows users will need to install a Virtual COM Port driver as described in the QDX manual.?
- What QDX firmware version you are running; preferably if you have any issue, it would be best to make sure you are using the latest firmware at??and see if the problem persists.?
- Whether you built the QDX for 12V operation (output transformer 3:2) or for 9V operation (output transformer 3:3).
- What power supply you are using: voltage, current capability, and whether it is? a Linear or Switched Mode type.
- Now everyone has Rev 1 PCBs, but in future when Rev 2 comes along, please also state what PCB revision you have.?
- Also state any deviations you intentionally made from the manual. We may need to know about your deviations? :-/?
Have fun with your QDX! 73 Evan AC9TU
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Re: QDX - rig control error
Evan
Thank you.? Which version of WSJT-X are you using?? I have selected the port which shows as 'QDX transceiver', baud rate, polling, other settings all as recommended by Hans.? No joy.
Changed handshake to 'none'.? No joy.? Loaded WSJTX 2.5.2 onto W10 laptop - that won't even work with my IC-7300 let alone the QDX.??
I hope to have an hour or so this afternoon to try ..? I don't know what to try ...? maybe I'll just click on things a bit and hope.??
I think I begin to see which way the software gods are pointing me.
Thanks to all for suggestions.??
Chris? G4CWS
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Re: OT: Congratulation JackW8TEE
Thank, Phil. I've been a Life Member of the ARRL since 1972--cost me $125; can't even figure out how profitable that's been! I hope the CQ column turns into a good resource for those hams who want to mess around with software a bit. I think the first column comes out next month.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 11:19:02 PM EST, wa8yan.radio via groups.io <wa8yan.radio@...> wrote:
Congratulations Jack.... I may have to subscribe.? I've always liked CQ Magazine but usually had to choose between ARRL or CQ.? maybe now is the time in my life i should do both.? Now, gotta run that logic past the finance director (wife).? But anyhow, it's cool to know you here in the QRP Labs group, and I look forward to reading your contributions to CQ. 73 Phil WA8YAN
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message -------- From: "jjpurdum via groups.io" <jjpurdum@...> Date: 11/9/21 3:18 PM (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] OT: Congratulation JackW8TEE
Thanks Jeff. I think the first column will be out next month.
Jack, W8TEE
On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 12:52:14 PM EST, Jeff | VA2SS via groups.io <jeff@...> wrote:
Hi,
I would like to congratulate Jack W8TEE for his nomination as? Microcontrollers Editor for CQ Magazine.
Like many excellent contributors we already have in this group, we are grateful to all who like to share their knowledge.
Best regards and 73.
--
Jeff | VA2SS
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Re: QDX , Lost my TX power
Hi I was testing mine, and had a lot of spurious, when the power was 5 watts, all of a sudden the power dropped to 2 watts ( I am in FT8 mode) and used the tune button to check power. I initially set up using 3:2 and 12V, so changed to 3:3 and 9 Volts, I still get the same power. Current drawn is 320mA. So not sure why I have lost power. I am not familiar with the WSJT software, and have not been able to make sense of the frequency cal process, I do have a 10MHz GPS rubidium oscillator, so do not need to the off-air transmissions.
M.W. Transmitters can not be relied on for frequency accuracy, some are free running, (I know as I maintain them.)
I have enclosed a plot of IC5C pin 3 and 8, this may help:
73
Andrew
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QDX Extremely Low Receive Volume
#qdx
I just finished my first successful FT8 QSO with?the QDX, so I know it's working, I am getting out and I can receive.?However, the RX level is very low:
On the 20m band, with a lot of very strong stations, it goes up to 30dB, on 40m it usually overs around 6dB, and on 30m I get maybe 2dB. Before I go digging into this, what levels are others seeing??
Thanks!
--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK
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Re: QDX issues: please include info:
#qdx
Hans, I have long expected there may be a few deviants lurking hereabout! ?BTW, received my QDX 50165 11/8, assembly went well. ?Still looking my work over, so no power applied yet.
73, Ben ?K0IKR
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
I've seen this too on a Mint Linux system. It seem to work without a problem on macOS:
''
--
Karl Heinz - K5KHK
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Hello Hans,
Thank you for the quick response.? The reason for my question is that I have a poor antenna set up here and the input level indicator was down below 20db.? I do know it is that antenna as when I attached a signal generator through a 90 DB step attenuator and the generator set for 0.001 volts peak to peak I can get the bar in the middle of the band with the factor setting.? Going back to the antenna I was able to get it to 28 DB with a gain setting of 20,000 (20000).? Just wanted to know how high I can go.
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: A couple QDX questions: 60 meters? & 9v vs 12v
I liked the idea of building my QDX for 9v as I thought the occasional use off a lower voltage battery and still maintain 5W would be nice. Plus 'more efficient' sounded good to me, too, and I also think it is kinder to the 5v and 3.3v LDO regulators to not have to drop as many volts (and they run cooler). But what if I wanted to operate a my 13-14v battery? In this case I simply put a 9v 7809 regulator and the normal two small capacitors in line with a patch cable. It was easy to do and I was happy to have this flexibility. The alternative was to put the 7809 inside the case, but I like the flexibility of putting it outside the case. Anyway, that's what I did.
Cheers, Gregg W7GRM
On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 7:11 AM Mike Perry, WA4MP < editor@...> wrote: Buck/boost convertors are cheap on eBay and elsewhere. Those who want to stick to a 12 volt supply might pick up a 12-to-9-volt buck converter and put it in-line with their power cable. It¡¯d waste a bit of power, but would put and end to their worries. It¡¯d also hold the input voltage to the QDX at 9 volts as the battery supply voltage drops, which would be a plus.
¡ªMike Perry WA4MP
> On Nov 10, 2021, at 1:01 am, ohwenzelph via <Ohwenzelph=[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Impression: seems like most are picking 12 volts, my guess is already having 12v, or near 12volt, supplies already at hand and less chance grabbing the wrong one. But... also have the impression that 9 volts is, perhaps, more efficient so maybe a better portable choice. An 8 cell AA holder with 1.2 volt ni metal hydrides make a pretty good rechargeable ~9v source.
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Re: A couple QDX questions: 60 meters? & 9v vs 12v
Buck/boost convertors are cheap on eBay and elsewhere. Those who want to stick to a 12 volt supply might pick up a 12-to-9-volt buck converter and put it in-line with their power cable. It¡¯d waste a bit of power, but would put and end to their worries. It¡¯d also hold the input voltage to the QDX at 9 volts as the battery supply voltage drops, which would be a plus.
¡ªMike Perry WA4MP
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On Nov 10, 2021, at 1:01 am, ohwenzelph via groups.io <Ohwenzelph@...> wrote:
Impression: seems like most are picking 12 volts, my guess is already having 12v, or near 12volt, supplies already at hand and less chance grabbing the wrong one. But... also have the impression that 9 volts is, perhaps, more efficient so maybe a better portable choice. An 8 cell AA holder with 1.2 volt ni metal hydrides make a pretty good rechargeable ~9v source.
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Hello Evan
I did not write it in the manual?:-D?
If you set it too high, it will be obvious on the waterfall display which will look thoroughly awful.?
It essentially?just multiplies the received samples by that factor.?
The Configuration item is limited to 5 digits so the highest number you could enter would be 99999.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 4:59 PM Evan Hand < elhandjr@...> wrote: Hans,
I apologize if I missed it in the manual, but can you tell me the valid range for the Audio Gain setting?
73
Evan
AC9TU
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Hans,
I apologize if I missed it in the manual, but can you tell me the valid range for the Audio Gain setting?
73
Evan
AC9TU
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I also like to do handicrafts and have decided on a multiband QCX + in the original housing. It works, but is still being refined.
Short info:
Bands 7-30MHz
C amplifier with RD16HHF1 (around 8W at around 1.2A, N around 40%)
RX with 3 high-pass filters, from 18MHz with MMIC amplifier 10dB
Control computer for band switching etc.
Built-in LiPO battery 14.8V / 1.3Ah
It was a lot of work and testing, only recommended for hobby freaks. Some measuring equipment is required. A report (sri, only German, I use google translator) is below
https://www.darc.de/fileadmin/filemounts/distrikte/s/ortsverbaende/31/QCXplus_DL8LRZ.pdf
73, Reiner
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Re: QDX Surface Mount inductors
What is the duty cycle at 5 Watts?
It's hard to say.?
I think running WSPR on a 100% cycle - for example setting up WSJT-X to cycle through 80-40-30-20, may be pushing things a bit too hard. The thing is not 100% efficient and it's a tiny enclosure, so the temperature starts rising.?
FT8 has a duty cycle something under 50%, each transmission being in alternate slots and lasting 12.6 seconds, so 42%.?
On the other hand - I have been having fun on JS8Call without any trouble, and here, the underlying protocol is the same as FT8, but unlike FT8 where you always transmit in alternate 15 second slots, in JS8Call you can transmit in multiple consecutive slots, if you type a long message it will keep transmitting chunks of it sequentially until it gets through to the end of your message. During that time the duty cycle is 84%. Of course if you go to slow mode the slots are twice as long (30 seconds).?
Other factors will influence what duty mode will be acceptable without damage - such as any differences arising from running a 12V QDX vs a 9V QDX; different bands have different efficiencies, attenuation in the LPF, SWR of the antenna, ambient temperature, and and and... And of course a sustained very high duty cycle may not cause failure immediately but may hasten early failure.?
Sorry I don't have a more accurate answer to the question.?
73 Hans G0UPL
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Hi Robin
XUbuntu 18.04 on an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it basis.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 12:40 PM G8DQX list < list@...> wrote: Hans,
that looks like an Ubuntu desktop, rather than Windows! Possibly 20.04
default desktop background, but it's hard to be sure. As for serial
comms, and emulations thereof, it's all Dark Arts, even if we don't
need/can't use the serial breakout box!
Yours having a nervous breakdown,
Robin, G8DQX
On 10/11/2021 08:49, Hans Summers wrote:
> Thanks Ross
>
> I have added this to the manual
> <>
>
> I do not see why this should make any difference because it should not
> be required on a Virtual COM port where start, stop bits etc are of no
> relevance (it is USB comms not real serial. However... if it improves
> things for Windows users, why not :-D? ?We don't have to understand
> it. Windows moves in mysterious ways.
>
> 73 Hans G0UPL
> <>
>
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Re: QDX CAT Control Issue?
Mine is 21.10.
73
Ross
Sent from my iPhone 6
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On 10 Nov 2021, at 09:40, G8DQX list <list@...> wrote:
?Hans,
that looks like an Ubuntu desktop, rather than Windows! Possibly 20.04 default desktop background, but it's hard to be sure. As for serial comms, and emulations thereof, it's all Dark Arts, even if we don't need/can't use the serial breakout box!
Yours having a nervous breakdown,
Robin, G8DQX
On 10/11/2021 08:49, Hans Summers wrote:
Thanks Ross
I have added this to the manual <>
I do not see why this should make any difference because it should not be required on a Virtual COM port where start, stop bits etc are of no relevance (it is USB comms not real serial. However... if it improves things for Windows users, why not :-D We don't have to understand it. Windows moves in mysterious ways.
73 Hans G0UPL
<>
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Re: Si5351A Synth kit board Rev 5 now available, fits TCXO module
Is the progrock happy to run with the 25Mhz TXCO module in the si5351 synth? Simon, I'd guess so. I use 26MHz TCXOs in most of my QRPLabs gear including Progrock. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: Si5351A Synth kit board Rev 5 now available, fits TCXO module
Is the progrock happy to run with the 25Mhz TXCO module in the si5351 synth?? I couldn't find anything in the progrock manuals on this other than a reference to how to manually program the reference frequency for the progrock but it only mentions 27mhz frequencies.
73
Simon
VK3ELH
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jjpurdum
Andrew Lenton
Mike Perry, WA4MP
dl8lrz Reiner