Re: QDZ and Moonraker Whizz Whip
On Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 07:18 PM, Mitch Matteau N0DIM wrote:
Moonraker Whizz Whip
Hi Mitch
try this one
73 Muhsin TA1MHS
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Re: QCX+ - 20M L3 Coil Question
Why not use adjustable inductors?
Or add a pad-footprint for a suitable adjustable inductor and let builders install such parts if they want?
I find that I enjoy winding toroidal coils (since the crochet-hook thread a couple months ago!), but I don't like adjusting them when tweaking up a circuit.? Spreading/compressing/adding/removing turns.? I would gladly pay a buck or two per coil to have the easy adjustability and avoid desoldering rework.
Do adjustable inductors have too-low of power handling capability?? Too-high of Q, so insufficient bandwidth once tuned?
Ignorant minds want to know.? We aren't all RF designers!
Rich
-- who took turns off of almost every toroid on a couple of truSDX radios last summer!
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QDZ and Moonraker Whizz Whip
Wanting to go pedestrian (digital) mobile and wondered if anyone has experience with the Moonraker Whizz Whip working with the QDX, or any other small, portable antenna that could work with the QDX? I looked at the SuperAntenna but figured that it might be overkill. I normally use an NY4G End Fed wire antenna with great success but need an antenna that will work when there is nothing around to support it. TIA, --
73
?
Mitch N0DIM ()
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Re: QCX+ - 20M L3 Coil Question
There's a little-known secret about ferrites. Almost all
frequency-dependent ferrite devices are adjustable, because ferrite
devices are made from a material that varies from day to day ... and
nowadays it really IS because of the mud that the Chinese scooped up
from the side of the river that morning. I used to say that as a
joke, but today it's true....
If you'd care to test, and if your junk box is deep enough that you
have several "identical" ferrites, all from different batches and from
as many vendors as possible, try winding up as many inductors as you
can, as look-alike the same as you can, and measure inductance.
You may be surprised at the variance. Then, look at the specified
tolerances on modern electrolytic capacitors and vintage carbon
resistors. So you'll understand why we tolerate these intolerances
;) But it's annoying when we can't adjust our toroids with a golden
screwdriver.
I can't think of anything in my hobbyist electronics experience that
matches tuning toroids, but I am aware of what was still in modern
memory when I started my electronics tinkering in the 4th grade
(1966). Who has a grid dip meter? Who still has their FIRST grid dip
meter? If you are unsure about what the microVNA and antenna meters
like the MFJ-259 replaced, then you need to get an ARRL (or Bill Orr,
or RSGB) handbook from about 1957 to see how marvelous our new stuff
truly is. I should probably do that today, even though I remember our
modern marvels every time I look at my radios.
73
Jim N6OTQ
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On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 4:41 PM N4IJ . <dougn4ij@...> wrote:
Actually it would be interesting to know why one of them did not need a trunks change, and not all of them.
I have one on the bench that I have not put much more on it since I installed the schottly diode KT7XA sent me..
Doug N4IJ
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Re: QDX wird von Windows 11 Home nicht erkannt
#qdx
On Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 10:13 AM, Stefan wrote:
Hallo zusammen,
Leider wird mein QDX-Transceiver zur Zeit nicht von Windows 11 und Windows 10 erkannt, obwohl dies fr¨¹her funktionierte.
Ich gehe mal davon aus, dass es wohl im Ger?t irgendwas gehimmelt hat.
Was k?nnte hier die meiste Fehlerursache sein?
Ich habe auch schon verschiedenste USB-Kabel ausprobiert, auch solche welche sicher funktionieren, leider aber ohne Erfolg. Was kann ich hier noch unternehmen?
Also kann es kein Treiberproblem sein oder ?
Danke schon mal im Voraus.
Da ich nicht immer am PC bin, kann es auch mit den Antworten dauern. Werde aber auf alle F?lle R¨¹ckmeldung geben.
Hello Together,
Windows 11 Home and Windows 10 doesn't recognize my QDX. I've tested any USB-Cables, but no one has a effect. It isn't a Driverproblem or not? So I come to the thougt, that anything in the QDX is gone to heaven :-). What can I do or repair on the QDX?
Thanks in forward.
Im not always on the PC, but I will read the answers in the forum.
Vy 73 de DC4KJS (Stefan)
The Powerled on the QDX is always on. It seems that the QDX is still working, but my PC can not recognize my QDX.
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I like GridTracker, a litle fiddly to set up, but it's been running flawlessly for over a year.
73, Willie N1JBJ
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On Jan 31, 2023, at 1:36 PM, wes377@... wrote:
Hi... Just wondering what you are all using for logging contacts on the QDX?..... With a raspberry Pi. Wes
VA3RYV?
--
wes377@...
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QDX wird von Windows 11 Home nicht erkannt
#qdx
Hallo zusammen,
Leider wird mein QDX-Transceiver zur Zeit nicht von Windows 11 und Windows 10 erkannt, obwohl dies fr¨¹her funktionierte.
Ich gehe mal davon aus, dass es wohl im Ger?t irgendwas gehimmelt hat.
Was k?nnte hier die meiste Fehlerursache sein?
Ich habe auch schon verschiedenste USB-Kabel ausprobiert, auch solche welche sicher funktionieren, leider aber ohne Erfolg. Was kann ich hier noch unternehmen?
Also kann es kein Treiberproblem sein oder ?
Danke schon mal im Voraus.
Da ich nicht immer am PC bin, kann es auch mit den Antworten dauern. Werde aber auf alle F?lle R¨¹ckmeldung geben.
Hello Together,
Windows 11 Home and Windows 10 doesn't recognize my QDX. I've tested any USB-Cables, but no one has a effect. It isn't a Driverproblem or not? So I come to the thougt, that anything in the QDX is gone to heaven :-). What can I do or repair on the QDX?
Thanks in forward.
Im not always on the PC, but I will read the answers in the forum.
Vy 73 de DC4KJS (Stefan)
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I just installed cqrlog.. I really like it. At the moment I'm trying to get it to log ft4/ ft8 contacts.
Wes?
--
wes377@...
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I know that finals can be destroyed in milliseconds, that's is exactly why a PTT input is needed.
The first thing the AH-4 does at the start of the tuning process is connect the transmitter output to a resistive bridge, presenting a load close to 50+j0 to it, then it activates the PTT signal to the tx and uses small part of the RF energy to run the tuning process. At the end of it, the AT removes the PTT signal, bypasses the bridge and informs the result of the tuning process. Having a PTT input will protect the finals during the tuning, allowing us to use the AH-4 with the QDX safely.
73's Sergio.
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Thanks G4ZFQ. I found AC0Cs common base High Dynamic Range RF Amp. This is very broadly similar to a common gate FET circuit I was considering (http://www.ham-radio.com/n6ca/50MHz/50appnotes/U310.html).
I am thinking will give the MAR-6 monolithic a go but may try a prototype common gate/base circuit as a lash up in RX only just to see how much gain might fix the sensitivity issue.
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Re: BPF Peak Issue / Question
Hi Levi. The 5v on pin1 of IC9 is fine. The other voltages indicate a problem though.?
Please check the voltage at points 5,6,7&8 on T1. Refer to the manual to find these point numbers. They aren't labeled on the board. You should see 2.5v there. If you see 0.8 there as well, first check and maybe re-heat those 4 connections. If that doesn't solve it, examine resistors?R1 and R2 which should both?be 10K and should be soldered well in place and have no shorts. If all that looks good, lift the wires at points 5 & 8 and see if the voltage goes up to the expected 2.5 on those two wires as well as points 6&7 on T1. If it does go up to normal at that point there could be an issue with IC4. Before replacing that, though, please check for shorts at C43,44,45&46 A well as R5,6,8&9.?
73 ... Ron
On Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 1:11 AM Levi ¨C K6LCM < lcm@...> wrote: Ronald, I think I might be having a similar problem. I'm not able to get the BPF to peak at more than 3.
I ran these voltage checks you suggested and I only have 0.8 v on pins 1 & 7 of ICs 5, 6, 7 & 8. I have a solid 5 v (not 4.8 v) on pin 1 of IC9.?
Any help is appreciated! 73
Levi
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I have the AGC module fitted which limits space a little. Trying to maintain the nice break-in feature is a good point. It would be desireable to have the pre- amp inside withing the RX chain. It's not like I need the pre-amp for the QCX's I have for 40/20/17m. Therefore, will give G0FTDs monolithic amp a try and see if it can be shoehorned in somewhere.
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Thanks, this looks good. I just ordered some MAR-6 monolithic amps. Around 20dB gain with 3dB noise sounds good. Also, the circuit may be small enough to fit inside the case in the RX chain only?
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On Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 12:58 AM, GM0HUU Steve wrote:
Has anyone got any suggestions for a pre-amp circuit?
Steve, If it has to fit inside then Andy's suggestion is probably the easiest. I am intending a larger version of a QDX, I favour Nortons. Look here down to High Dynamic Range RF Amp. I've built quite few of these, they seem to work well. In my high power VHF signal area a LPF may help - but the QDX has one.. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 11:45 PM, bobfox wrote:
My wife and my daughter asked me about this ¡°Chinese spy balloon¡±, I told them ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they already use Tik-Tok to spy on you.¡±
The Chinese are only copying Microsoft ;-) ? -- - 73 de Andy -
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On Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 12:58 AM, GM0HUU Steve wrote:
Has anyone got any suggestions for a pre-amp circuit?
A MAR-xx device. Even your grannies cat could build one ;-) ? -- - 73 de Andy -
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Re: QLG2 GPS receiver - chip set instructions etc
#qlg2
On 05/02/2023 00:21, G3SPL wrote: I've now found yet another document: It clearly mentions "flash" memory. Peter, Willie Ebyte seem to be progressing! However, be careful. This document seems to refer to a built E108-GN02 module, not the basic GPS "chip". Where is this flash memory? I suspect it is on the module board, not the basic chip. In my opinion far more suitable for experimenting is the u-Blox V-KEL module . It is still available at just over 7 UKP. This has an English configuration program and manual. It has the flash to save settings and as a bonus the PPS output can be configured to give up to about 15MHz output. (Not a particularly clean signal, a NCO with GPS accuracy.) On 04/02/2023 21:02, William Smith wrote: Is that something to do with the PPS being for "the second I'm now
telling you about on the serial interface, but which you haven't fully
received yet"? Willie, I'm certain the NMEA follows the PPS. I started being interested in GPS modules about 20 years ago when I discovered the Rockwell Jupiter that had a GPS disciplined 10KHz output, ideal for controlling a PLL. These ones were relatively slow. The NMEA at 4800 baud followed the PPS. In those days establishing fairly accurate time from time signals was relatively easy. All analogue, no SDRs or digital broadcasts to add very significant delays. I guess I'm remembering those days when I say more than a second delay for the NMEA display. Saying that seems a good way of showing accurate time on a computer. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: BPF Peak Issue / Question
Ronald, I think I might be having a similar problem. I'm not able to get the BPF to peak at more than 3.
I ran these voltage checks you suggested and I only have 0.8 v on pins 1 & 7 of ICs 5, 6, 7 & 8. I have a solid 5 v (not 4.8 v) on pin 1 of IC9.?
Any help is appreciated! 73
Levi
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QCX+ Trouble Aligning BPF
#qcx
Just finished assembling my 20m QCX+ and in the process of calibrating it.? In the process of adjusting C1 for peak, I am unable to get BPF amplitude scaling factor above 3. Twisting C1 brings it up and down between 0-3.?On key-down, I have output of ~4 watts while supplying it with 13.8 volts DC.
Any suggestions to boost the amplitude scaling factor above 3?
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Hi Steve. That's a very interesting issue. I was thinking that if you haven't fitted the AGC option in there, then you might take that little circuit board included?with the kit for the purpose?of doing the SSB modifications, or cut a small board of equivalent shape and size and maybe build?a little preamp on that with SMD parts. Electrically it would?need to fit between Q5 and the input winding of T1, with DC continuity to ground on the input of the amp to allow A DC path for the switching?function of Q5. That might be as simple as a 1:1 transformer on a tiny ferrite toroid.?
You are right that it is a tight fit?for anything?added to a Mini. But an external amp would require you to forgo the full break-in keying of the mini.... unless you could connect the amp internally between Q5 and T1 via a modification to the CAT and PTT jacks in case you aren't planning to use those features on this rig.?
Interesting possibilities... Good luck with this project ... 73 ... Ron
On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 5:58 PM GM0HUU Steve < gm0huu@...> wrote: I just finished building a QCX-mini for 10m.
I ended up with:
?
T1 T50-6 (yellow)
Primary: 4T
Secondary 1: 4T
Secondary 2: 4T
Secondary 3: 14T
?
L4 T37-6: 5T
L1 & L3 T37-6: 9T
L2 T37-6: 10T
On RX alignment, I can peak the BPF with the modified T1. Note that I swapped the supplied T1 T50-2 core for a T50-6. I also swapped supplied L4 T37-2 core for a T37-6.
On TX I get 5W out with supply of 14.4V (protection diode fitted).
So all good on TX. The only problem is that RX sensitivity a little low. Comparing it to my old Ten Tec Corsair 2, the QCX-mini is definitely a bit deaf and cannot hear weaker signals at all. I did read a post from Hans where he suggested power out on 10m may be lower and an RX pre-amp may be desireable.
Has anyone had the same issue with lower RX sensitivity on 10m? Has anyone got any suggestions for a pre-amp circuit? Alternatively, any suggestions for improving sensitivity?
If I go down the pre-amp route, I am thinking that an external amp with bypass on TX could be tried. I could get 5V power and T/R switching for the pre-amp from the PTT socket. Maybe a common gate FET pre-amp circuit could be used? I suspect that only 12dB of gain might be enough. As the QCX-mini is in the little QRP enclosure, it might be a struggle fitting an amp inside. Hence, the thinking to go for the external option.
Despite the low RX sensitivity, I have made a few QSOs and, as with the other QCXs I have built, really enjoy using this rig. In fact, before I "tweaked" the various inductors as above, it was only putting out about 1.25W and I manged a couple of QSOs with NA ?.
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Mitch Matteau N0DIM
Stefan
GM0HUU Steve
Ronald Taylor
Levi ¨C K6LCM