On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 03:24 PM, Bill Lamm wrote:
Several projects need to clear the bench (and maybe new glasses)
I got one of those head magnifiers (no they fit on the head rather than magnifying it). One of the best purchases in a while, make everything bigger and better. I reckoned if they were good enough for Hans to use then they were good enough for me. Just been working on a new QCX+ build and the magnifier makes it much easier than the ones I built previously just using my glasses. Reg?????????????????????? G4NFR
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
I'm very active on FT-8.? I can run 100W but very often it s more like 10-25W
as that seems more than enough.? Exceptions are DX where the pileup on them
will bury even 100W stations.
FYI station here runs on a 150AH battery and solar so running 100W FT-8 is
not a heating problem but it eats battery.? Economy of power is the game
and the mode helps weak signal operators.
I have found strong station running low power that cannot hear, alligators all
mouth no ears.? Most common reason for that is their local noise is terrible.
The other reason is their antenna is poor so they try to make it with power.
A good station can easily hear to -23db, most can't due to antenna or noise.
Also some receivers are very poor and suffer AGC pumping and desensitizing
due to other very strong signals.
In the end its funny I'll hear a station that is -12 and go back with 5W and
get a -5 received signal report.? Says a lot about their antenna or maybe mine.
FYI my best is JAs running 25W from Eastern Massachusettes on 20,
17, and 15M.? Key to that was not power but time of day!? We were both
grey line (about 5pm EDST) here.
Antenna for that was 160M inverted V (center at 10M) and the ends more
than 4M high.? Seems to work well on the mid bands with lobes that aim to
Europe.
Slways try but observe thewaterfall as the station seems to be in a
dense clump of signal likely not hearing well (their agc may be pumping).
I try to stay in the clear and that makes for better results.
As to QRP subband? it too late for that.? However 30M is ideal as it is
power limited (least here in the USA).
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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Can't you just order one from QRPLabs?
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] Notification < [email protected]>
To: [email protected] < [email protected]>
Sent: Thu, Nov 11, 2021 12:17 pm
Subject: [QRPLabs] Chat Notifications #chat-notice
A new chat has been created:
New
The QDX looks like a real game changer.? I would like to purchase one, but so does the rest of the world..
I realize that there is a backlog, and getting all the parts are difficult.?
Is there any way to get on
a list to purchase one as they become available.
By:
wa9rvu@...
Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
A new chat has been created:
New
The QDX looks like a real game changer.? I would like to purchase one, but so does the rest of the world.. I realize that there is a backlog, and getting all the parts are difficult. Is there any way to get on a list ?
By:
wa9rvu@...
Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
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A new chat has been created:
New
The QDX looks like a real game changer.? I would like to purchase one, but so does the rest of the world..
I realize that there is a backlog, and getting all the parts are difficult.?
Is there any way to get on
a list to purchase one as they become available.
By:
wa9rvu@...
View/Join This Chat
Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
A new chat has been created:
New
The QDX looks like a real game changer.? I would like to purchase one, but so does the rest of the world.. I realize that there is a backlog, and getting all the parts are difficult. Is there any way to get on a list ?
By:
wa9rvu@...
View/Join This Chat
Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
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Re: QDX how to connect MS terminal?
Welcome to the group Steve!? Nice to hear from a fellow hiker. I have no experience with the QDX but I am sure you will have some help with your issue from someone soon.? Stay active, Steve KY4GX.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
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Re: QDX how to connect MS terminal?
Hi Steve,
Are you just trying to?enter Terminal Mode? "/dev/ttyACM1" looks like a Linux command to me, not a Windows 10 command and I don't think you can just use a Windows?CMD window to behave as a Terminal. Instead use a terminal emulator program for Windows (like PuTTY). There are a bunch of them you can download for free and you can do a search for which one you like. You then run PuTTY (or whatever terminal program you downloaded) and can connect using the appropriate serial connection and COM port (COM4 or whatever the QDX is connected?to). This example here would be using PuTTY:
73, Gregg W7GRM
I first connect the QDX with WSJT-X, then exit the program
I start up windows (10) terminal (cmd)?
I type in /dev/ttyACM1 in the terminal and I get "can not find path specified" error message.?
I type in "mode" and get that I am connected to com4 at 9600 baud.?
Why does this refuse to work??
73, Steve KD1JV?
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Re: QDX how to connect MS terminal?
For a lot of you who aren't as old as I am I'd like to tell you
something about Steve Weber. He used to be the designer and maker of
QRP kits and was well known in the QRP community. I purchased and
assembled several of his kits myself. He also took about half a year
off and walked the Appalachian Trail from northern Georgia to Maine.
That's about 2190 miles with lots of up and down along the ridges of
the Appalachian mountains.
He's quite an interesting individual and I'd like to welcome him to
the QRP-Labs group.
Jim - W4BQP since 1953
On 11/11/2021 12:24 PM, Steven Weber
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I first connect the QDX with WSJT-X, then exit the program
I start up windows (10) terminal (cmd)?
I type in /dev/ttyACM1 in the terminal and I get "can not find
path specified" error message.?
I type in "mode" and get that I am connected to com4 at 9600
baud.?
Why does this refuse to work??
73, Steve KD1JV?
_._,_._,_
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
Philippines; that's a fine bit of DX from Texas!
The signal reports on that QSO suggest that DU6/PE1NSQ was running somewhere between 100 and 200 watts. (I don't know the actual power level used by AE5X.) All else being equal, if you are running 5W and the other station is running 100W your signal will be -13dB compared to theirs. The difference here is 15-16 dB, depending on which report of their signal you look at: the -2 or the -3 compared to the -18 they sent you.
All else isn't always equal because the S/N is also affected by the signals from other stations and by noise on the band, and the levels of those may not be the same at both locations. If your location is quieter than the other station's location the difference in levels will be higher; if you have the noisier location the difference will be lower. I'm also assuming that neither station is using a separate receive antenna. Also that the receivers at both ends are sufficiently sensitive to hear down to the band's noise floor; that will usually be true, especially on the bands that the QDX covers.
When you contact another QRP station on FT8 the reports should be similar on both ends, again if all else is equal. WSJX-X can decode FT8 pretty reliably down to about -20dB and sometimes as far down as -24dB; FT4 is about 3dB worse but twice as fast.
When you're getting started on FT8, stick to calling stations that you receive at -5dB or better. They're the ones you are most likely to be able to contact, and you'll be busy working them for a bit as you get experience. Later you can try calling some weaker stations; you won't always get through to them but sometimes you will.
On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 10:29 AM John AE5X < ae5x@...> wrote: No many/most is not all. As I'm here having my brekkie I just worked my best QDX to date:
--
John AE5X
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QDX how to connect MS terminal?
I first connect the QDX with WSJT-X, then exit the program
I start up windows (10) terminal (cmd)?
I type in /dev/ttyACM1 in the terminal and I get "can not find path specified" error message.?
I type in "mode" and get that I am connected to com4 at 9600 baud.?
Why does this refuse to work??
73, Steve KD1JV?
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
you shouldn't limit yourself to that. ?I have been running qrp all year, and most of my contacts are easily in the -20 to -15 range.
Anthony - N1IG
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On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 01:10 PM, Curt - KC9CTP wrote:
Just got an email saying that my order #50260 status has changed to shipped as of today.
Not sure if it has shipped from MO or Turkey, but it doesn't matter. It is on the way here and it will get here when it gets here :D?
?The email will tell you where and how it was shipped.? USPS was from US Warehouse.
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
I worked W0QU yesterday and I was -23 not even all the way across the US, ha, ha! There are at least three factors: you have to be able to be heard on the receiver end, the receiver has to choose to respond to the weaker station, and someone?else can't be stomping on your signal. :)
But I don't see very many people on JS8 the short time I have been listening to it. It seems wide open and would therefore be a good choice for QRP (and IMO more fun than FT8) until this FT8 sub-band get's going, which I would fully support.
Cheers, Gregg W7GRM
Hi John
I agree, you are a lot more likely to work stations who have a higher SNR. But "many/most" is not "all"... so not exclusively so. If the other station is also running 5W too then it is perfectly viable running down at -15 or less.?
This morning I was eating breakfast quietly by myself (the two big lab rats having departed for school, and the tiniest one still sleeping), just playing FT8 on 40m, remoting into my QDX station on my mobile phone. I sent some CQs and was pleased to make contact with W7DO. First time I have worked US on QRP. So I think my new antenna installation at the new office QTH cannot be doing too badly though doubtless there are?many dB room for improvement.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 5:18 PM John AE5X < ae5x@...> wrote: In the week or so I've been using the QDX it's become apparent to me that many/most ops are using power levels significantly higher than my 5 watts. I have too, in the past, with other rigs and will continue from time to time...
I no longer call stations with my QDX who are weaker than -05 on my end. So I was glad to read this today from Joe Taylor K1JT:
"We are also thinking about suggesting a "QRP FT8 sub-band" in which power should be limited to 10 W (say).
"-- 73, Joe, K1JT"
--
John AE5X
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QDX easy reverse polarity mod
I was gifted a QDX to build and decide to add reverse polarity protection as accidents do happen. It is simple to do, especially if a fresh build.?
1. bend the +power tab on the back of the DC jack up.?
2. Solder in the DC jack, but don't push it too far back, just enough to line up the front with the edge of the board
3. Insert a 1N5817 diode into the rear pad (banded end), and attach the anode end to the DC power tab.
4, solder in the diode
5. Also insert the + lead of the 220 ufd cap into the board pad.?
Now you don't have to worry about connecting up your power cable to the supply wrong.?
73, Steve KD1JV?
?
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
No many/most is not all. As I'm here having my brekkie I just worked my best QDX to date:
--
John AE5X
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Re: QRP sub-bands for FT8
Hi John
I agree, you are a lot more likely to work stations who have a higher SNR. But "many/most" is not "all"... so not exclusively so. If the other station is also running 5W too then it is perfectly viable running down at -15 or less.?
This morning I was eating breakfast quietly by myself (the two big lab rats having departed for school, and the tiniest one still sleeping), just playing FT8 on 40m, remoting into my QDX station on my mobile phone. I sent some CQs and was pleased to make contact with W7DO. First time I have worked US on QRP. So I think my new antenna installation at the new office QTH cannot be doing too badly though doubtless there are?many dB room for improvement.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 5:18 PM John AE5X < ae5x@...> wrote: In the week or so I've been using the QDX it's become apparent to me that many/most ops are using power levels significantly higher than my 5 watts. I have too, in the past, with other rigs and will continue from time to time...
I no longer call stations with my QDX who are weaker than -05 on my end. So I was glad to read this today from Joe Taylor K1JT:
"We are also thinking about suggesting a "QRP FT8 sub-band" in which power should be limited to 10 W (say).
"-- 73, Joe, K1JT"
--
John AE5X
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Come on 50329 ?? ? who am I kidding? Several projects need to clear the bench (and maybe new glasses) before the QDX
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In the week or so I've been using the QDX it's become apparent to me that many/most ops are using power levels significantly higher than my 5 watts. I have too, in the past, with other rigs and will continue from time to time... I no longer call stations with my QDX who are weaker than -05 on my end. So I was glad to read this today from Joe Taylor K1JT:
"We are also thinking about suggesting a "QRP FT8 sub-band" in which power should be limited to 10 W (say).
"-- 73, Joe, K1JT"
-- John AE5X
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Re: A couple QDX questions: 60 meters? & 9v vs 12v
Regarding the LM7809 regulator 'patch cord', I would recommend attaching a heat sink on it, too. During transmit, it needs to deliver just over 1 Amp current and that means its going to get quite warm. The regulator design is known to be practically indestructible, but I still screwed a thickish rectangle of aluminum on mine. That is why I left the tab exposed, in order to have some heat sinking option.
73, Gregg W7GRM
On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 2:31 PM Mike Perry, WA4MP < editor@...> wrote: WA8LMF wrote something about our presence on the 60-meter band that hams in the U.S. should keep in mind.
The 60 meter band is part of the larger 5.060-5.450 MHz band, which is a federal/non- federal shared band that is allocated to the fixed service on a primary basis and to the mobile (except aeronautical mobile service) on a secondary basis. The 5.060-5.450 MHz band is primarily used by federal agencies for ship-to-shore and fixed point- to-point communications. Non-federal use of the 5060-5450 kHz band includes state government licensees and licensees in the Industrial/Business Pool that operate standby and/or backup communication circuits for use during emergency and/or disaster situations, entities prospecting for petroleum and natural gas or distributing electric power, coast stations and aeronautical fixed stations.
The Commission added the Amateur Radio Service as a secondary allocation after determining that such frequencies could be useful to the Amateur Radio community for completing disaster communications links at times when existing frequencies in the 3.500-4.000 MHz (80 and 75 meter) and 7.000-7.300 MHz (40 meter) bands are not available due to ionospheric conditions. It concluded that such an allocation represented the best compromise available to give the amateur service access to new spectrum while assuring the federal government agencies that their use is protected.
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Re: QDX issues: please include info:
#qdx
If you have a NanoVNA,? it actually does pretty well as an accurate LC meter for uH L values unlike most LCR meters in zero span mode.? ? Most commercial inductors and the winding equation used for toroids are at 100 KHz though so if you want the meter to match values that typically is where you want to measure L in the zero span with the NanoVNA.? This is part of the reason that you still need to adjust the turns a bit at operating frequency.?
I built my QCX mini by measuring all of the inductances when building it, but I didn't so far with the QDX as I wonder if it's worth the effort, as you also are trimming out the? ?tolerances and strays on the board with the filter adjustments.?
I have not installed the factory molded inductors.? Maybe when I have the free time to work on the QDX again if there is interest I can measure them.? ?But likely that will be Thanksgiving for me. I suspect that they will be close anyway.?
Fred W0FMS?
On Thu, Nov 11, 2021, 3:23 AM Suat Alper Seyhan < saseyhan@...> wrote: Hi Alan,
I added the screenshot.
not 79 but +10 to -75 quite similar also as of it's shape.
73. Alper TA2SUA
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Re: QDX Extremely Low Receive Volume
#qdx
see /g/QRPLabs/message/74332 </g/QRPLabs/message/74332>. The audio level setting in QDX is a simple multiplier, and 500 is probably rather excessive for a busy band and good antenna! Robin, Is there some misunderstanding? My QDX needs around 8000 set in the configuration. One thing that I am currently investigating is the enumeration or initiation of the QDX. If I power it and then boot the computer the QDX does not operate correctly. It outputs a very high noise level (even 0dBFS?). WSJT-X into the red+++. In my case rebooting the QDX rectifies this and it works properly. Windows "Listen to this device" may be used to hear this noise, do not be deafened! I do not know about other systems. 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Shirley Dulcey KE1L
N3MNT
Bill Lamm
Fred Spinner