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I don't see how adding another SWR bridge will help things.? The QMX already has a SWR bridge, it can also control the Tx power, and all this is under the control of the QMX controller.? All the OP is asking it it's possible to make the management of this more easily accessible.
I'm wondering if the SWR monitoring and power control can be used, ideally automatically, so the QMX provides the information we need to tune our antennas and also protects itself.

Chris, G5CTH

I've had good luck with the Elegoo Arduino clones. Both Uno and Nano. I don't recall whether I used Amazon or AliExpress, but they work fine. They go into enough projects that I think I bought 3-packs or 5-packs for better pricing.

Brock VA7AV?

To echo Larry:

I built a K3NG keyer based on an inexpensive Arduino clone. Easy to build, easy to program (the Arduino eco-system is targeted to a wide, non-techy, audience), easy to customize, works fabulously. And Arduino/clones should be easy to find. I believe they originated in Italy!



I can imagine custom-burnt chips becoming uneconomical when more powerful, programmable micro-controllers are as cheap as they are.?

Yes, my request is technically fulfilled by the Tune mode in the Hardware Test menu. Thanks to those that pointed out the existing feature.

Also, as G0UPL and others have observed, the existing Tune mode could benefit from a quicker access method.

As for building/buying an external Tune/SWR indicator, I¡¯m really wanting to avoid an additional item in my field kit. Besides, the QMX has a perfectly good SWR detector built in, I just want to use it easily without tripping into protection mode.

When using a tunable antenna such as a vertical with adjustable coil, my typical ¡°workflow¡± is to reduce power if that option is is available, put the internal keyer in straight key mode, then briefly tap the key, note the SWR, adjust the antenna, repeat until happy ( SWR < 2:1 ), return to keyer mode, reset operating power.

If I were to suggest a UI for this on the QMX: a simultaneous press of the pushbuttons puts the QMX into reduced power Tune/SWR mode at the current VFO frequency with an appropriately scaled protection threshold. The RF output is enabled while either paddle or left pushbutton is depressed. A press of the right pushbutton returns to normal operating mode.

At any rate, I¡¯m satisfied that easier access to Tune/SWR is on the firmware development radar.

Be sure to also buy attenuator(s), since the SA can be catastrophically damage? if connected directly to even a QRP rig.
I use a combination of a 10W dummy load with a built in 30dB attenuator followed by a 30dB SMA attenuator.

The schematic of the N7VE bridge is readily available from many sources. I used the one from wb3gck.com as shown on his Z-Match tuner; just implement the bridge portion if you want. There are several minor variations that others have made. Contact me off list if you¡¯re interested in building one, I¡¯m good on qrz.

Steve W6WU?

aaz...OOPS
K7DDC should read? N7DDC
n3aaz

ps ... then the K7DDC ATU10 becomes the perfect match

...BUT?!!! CAUTION !!!? ?The SWR indicator must be in TUNE mode (NOT bypass)
? ?ELSE the ATU-10 WILL POP the finals? while doing it's thing
N3AAZ

Too easy
""...(mini SWR indicator)...Or better yet make one, they¡¯re very simple and low cost. Light weight, it won¡¯t add any significant burden on your ?field operations.""...w6wu
es have not popped a final since
Note ...number of primary turns sets sensitivity...
72 73
John
N3AAZ

Would it be possible to turn the power down automatically as the SWR rises to protect the PA?? Maybe start at a SWR of 2 and reduce to the specified limit by 3. Restore the power, ideally slowly, after the SWR improves.
Then a user could transmit and the PA would be kept safe automagically.? This is rather like the way my IC-7300 behaves, the power is reduced automatically at high SWRs, then as I tune the antenna the SWR reduces and the power increases.

There would be no need for any user control, it's normal operation. Transmit and watch the SWR and power. Minimise one and the other will be maximised.
.
Chris, G5CTH

You can build around an Arduino chip or board, which you might get cheaper from a Canadian source for Arduino components?

I just read Frank DL2GRF's post and noted that we have a common
issue, small component orders are eclipsed by shipping and handling
costs.

After spending some time looking for the once common basic keyer
chip, or a chip that I could program to be a keyer (I'd need to find
online the program) I was about to place an order from a US supplier.
The cost of getting across the border and to me was uneconomical. In
the past I've done much better ordering from the UK or EU with
affordable mail costs.

These chips are hard to find now, any suggestions as to where to
look outside of the US?

Ron VE8Rt VE8TEA

--
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...>

¡°?Often my antenna is a rather high Q base loaded vertical in which small adjustment to the coil position can result in big swings in feed point impedance.¡± If you¡¯re concerned about protecting the finals while finding the right tap on the coil you might consider a different solution. An ?N7VE LED SWR bridge between the QMX and your antenna, in ?the tune position, would keep the radio from never seeing an SWR over 2:1. ?

QRPguys and qrpkits (mini SWR indicator) has them. Or better yet make one, they¡¯re very simple and low cost. Light weight, it won¡¯t add any significant burden on your ?field operations.

73 Steve W6WU?

Consider the TinySA Ultra instead:??
It is quite advanced in features and functions compared to the previous TinySA model; I felt that it was well worth the cost increment.
73, Don N2VGU

Could one of the front panel long-presses be made configurable? That way it could default to the present way of working but could be made to jump straight to a menu of choice if desired....

Ronan
MM0IVR?

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Thank you again Cliff,

I should keep the list handy, Thor is of interest at the moment.

73 rRon VE8RT

On Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:24:30 -0600
"Cliff" <ae5zaham@...> wrote:

Yes, Ron. I was over zealous in what I said. Indeed PSK, Throb and a couple others won't for the reason you said. Only single tone modes like Thor, Olivia, Contestia, DominoEX, FSQ, MFSK, Hell, RTTY, CW work.

73,
Cliff, AE5ZA

On Feb 28, 2024, at 22:59, Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...> wrote:

Thanks Cliff,

I noted that in the manual that they did not work with PSK31,
frequency or phase shift, or any multi-tone modes. Olivia was
acceptable, I'm hoping that Thor is also OK, and I may wish to try IL2P
on HF as an alternative to AX.25

Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:08:04 -0600
"Cliff" <ae5zaham@... <mailto:ae5zaham@...>> wrote:

Ron,

All the digital modes in fldigi, HRD, Wsjtx all work with the QDX, but not with the QMX unless you turn off the Transmit ID function. FT8,4, etc all work with the QMX.

73,
Cliff, AE5ZA

On Feb 28, 2024, at 20:31, Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...> wrote:

Rather than ask only about a particular mode of interest, in this case
Thor, has someone put online a list of digital modes that do work with
the QCX QDX QMX series?

Ron VE8RT

--
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...>

--
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@... <mailto:ve8rt@...>>

--
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt@...>