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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
On 14/11/2021 07:07, Evan Hand wrote:
I either get operation as normal or the input bar is either high or low red meaning no audio or too much audio.? Two more power cycles and it is back to mid-level green.I have much the same experience. CAT is lost. Sometimes around 3 startup attempts before it works again for a while. Several times on startup or during an attempt to recover from lost CAT I have seen a giant signal sent to WSJT-X. It is white noise at a very high level. I was hoping the QDX would be like a USB sound device and initialise and startup when booting Windows but no way. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hi Hans,
When it does happen, the LED is on solid, with no flashing.? I wait until it is solid before opening WSJT-X.? Then I either get operation as normal or the input bar is either high or low red meaning no audio or too much audio.? Two more power cycles and it is back to mid-level green.? Since following my startup-sequence I have not seen it again.? I will see if I can replicate what causes the problem and post back to you if I do. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hi Evan To know where QDX is in firmware update mode or not, you only need to look at the status LED. A slow continuous flash means firmware update mode.? In power up in normal operating mode the status LED flickers quickly for 5 seconds. During this time if you disconnect power and reconnect, it will enter firmware update mode.? There are a lot of posts and I can't refer to it precisely but I seem to remember someone posting their sequence of operations, their recipe for success... That included waiting for the status light flickering to stop and become steady. In fact this is not necessary. QDX operates in those first 5 seconds, there is no need to wait for connecting PC etc. You don't need to wait for the steady LED.? 73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com -------- Original message -------- From: Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> Date: Sun, Nov 14, 2021, 9:36 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low Hi Hans, |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hi Hans,
I still do not know what the underlying issue is with the two Windows 10 systems that I have tried so far.? I can say that I can now reliably connect and use the QDX on one of them, it may just take 3 restarts to get it to work.? I do not have that issue with the Raspberry Pi system unless I first have the issue with one of the Windows systems.? So it seems to be a state issue in the QDX that can take 3 power cycles to resolve.? Once resolved it does work well on both systems.? Maybe it has something to do with the upgrade system in the QDX.? Not sure that I have the tools to work this one out. As long as I know about the 3 power cycle fix, I see it only as a nuisance.? If you are careful on the first startup after a power down it does not happen.? The sequence seems to be the thing: 1 Connect the antenna and USB cable 2 Be sure the PC is on and ready to go 3 Connect the QDX power 4 Then start whatever program you want to connect to. If the program will not work, then power off the QDX, reapply power, and try again.? You may have to repeat this a second time to get it to work.? If I do need to start again, I always start with the terminal connection to ensure it is not in update mode.? I also ensure that I always exit out of terminal mode before closing the PuTTY program.? A power switch on the QDX would have made this easier.? I am looking into modifying the case and board to see if I can squeeze one in.? I have two extra to experiment with as two of our builders opted not to build the kit. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hi Evan? I did test on Windows. It takes a while to boot up but if you're patient Win10 does work OK. I find it frustrating but it works.? I didn't have any problems connecting or operating QDX from Windows. Quite a few reports from other users here also confirm the same. So Windows works... But then again other people are having problems with it. So it seems not all Windows systems are equal.? 73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com -------- Original message -------- From: Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> Date: Sun, Nov 14, 2021, 7:21 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low Hi Ben, |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
It may seem counterintuitive, but this tool works better if there is plenty of solder on/in/around the hole. The reason is that with more solder, there is more contact with the tip of the desoldering tool, so more heat flows all the way through the via to the other side and melts the solder on the other side too, which is critical for a good clear. You really want to have to do it only once, otherwise too much pressure and the high (420C) temperature will damage &/or lift the pad, so be brave, add enough extra solder to cover the entire flat surface of the tool tip.
This technique of adding a little extra solder is especially important if the hole you're trying to clear is on the ground plane, which will do its darnedest to pull all the heat away and prevent a successful clear.? As with all soldering, make sue the board is properly restrained and not wobbling around, plan your angle of approach, make sure you don't touch plastic parts with the shaft of the tool, and be careful not to slip and remove surface mount parts instead. -- Julian, N4JO. |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Jay,
I have found a tool like this to be the best: Note: This is not the exact tool that I have, as I cannot find the link that I used a couple of years ago. I find that positioning the hole of the tool right over the lead sticking through, putting slight pressure on the lead until I feel it give a little, then try to center and then release the bulb.? Be sure to squeeze the bulb with you thumb before you put it over the board.? I have an old box that I keep beside the work surface that I pump the bulb a couple of times to clear before going to the board to remove the part.? Again, be sure to squeeze the bulb away for anything that can be damaged, and holding the bulb squeezed, place it on the joint to be processed. Here is the video that I used to learn how to do it: I have not had a solder pad lift using this tool and technique.? Your mileage may vary. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Thanks for the advice, Evan. How did you clear the solder from the BS170 holes? I tried wick and was only successful with 2 holes. I didn¡¯t want to be too aggressive as the pads were starting to lift.?
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Jay On Saturday, November 13, 2021, 9:38 PM, Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> wrote:
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Jginaz |
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Re: L14 question
#qdx
Hello Mike,
As others have stated, it MAY be OK.? If it were a kit I was building I would strip the wire from the toroid, deburr the toroid, and then rewind.? If you will not be moving the QDX much, then the other fixes should be OK.? I did have the same issue with T1.? Deburring and careful inspection is required for all ferrites,? Again, this is the way that I would do it.? Others have had success with their repairs. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: Qdx smoked - USB
#qdx
I too had an issue with sharp edges on T1, even after a quick deburring.? I noted the issue and had to strip out the wire, do an aggressive deburring, and replace it with fresh wire.? Good thing I had the right size wire.
I did not see or feel burs on the toroids, just the binocular core. I did share this with my club build group, did not post it on the Groups.io server. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hello Jay,
FWIW, I had to replace IC5 after determining that it was not working.? I removed the 4 BS170 MOSFET finals and then tested the output of IC5 to the gate pads.? One side had nice square wave signals, the other did not.? IC5 was bad, probably taken out when the finals became resistors and not MOSFETs anymore. To repair IC5, I simply cut off all of the leads of IC5 with a fine diagonal cutter right next to the IC.? Clip parallel to the chip side to reduce any strain on the pad.? ?I then cleaned off the left behind leads with my iron and solder wick. Then installed the 74ACT08 replacement.? I verified that the drives to the gate pads were correct (On the first test I found that one of the output leads of IC5 had a cold joint) and then installed the BS170s.? I would have had issues if I had not found the joint issue with one of the pins on IC5. You might want to replace all 4 of the BS170 MOSFETs while you are at it.? The ones that check out as OK could be weakened, and they are not that expensive.? Better to start with a fresh set of tested BS170s. If you do decide to use Chip Quick be sure to clean off all of the solder after the removal of the IC as per the instructions.? That solder is very brittle and will cause long-term issues if not removed properly before installing the new part. Good luck with the repair. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
Hi Ben,
Congratulations on finding the problems and the QSO. FYI, I too have the issue of needing to power cycle the QDX a number of times to get a connection.? I have the issue on more than one Windows PC, so it is a compatibility question with Windows.? As Hans has stated he has not done extensive testing with Windows as he has a long startup situation with his current Windows PC.? I was given a tip to disable the suspend function for the USB connections.? That may have helped in reducing the reoccurrence of the problem, but I was able to connect prior to making the change.? The tip is in this message from Gregg Myers: /g/QRPLabs/message/74548 I have found that after I get the QDX connected it does work well. 73 Evan AC9TU |
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Re: Revisiting a Ultimate3S case shipping question.
Jim Campbell
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Re: QDX - No RF output, Tx line stays low
I resolved my problem today, not a hardware problem (the rabbit hole I went down initially) but a computer issue. ?Setting both the computer audio output and the power level in WSJT-X at maximum, and trying a few different USB cables, I got RF output: ?80M, 5.6W; 40M, 5.2W; 30M,5.5W; 20M, 3.6W. ?I had a couple QSOs on 20M, and saw many spots on PSKReporter. ?I found it was necessary to connect the USB cable between the QDX and the computer (Win10 laptop) BEFORE powering on the QDX (9V) to get the computer to recognize the rig. ?I found it was sometimes necessary to repeat the process of turning on the QDX then launching WSJT-X a couple times to establish a connection. ?I suspect it is more an issue with this particular PC than with the QDX. ?So today zi am a happy camper!
73, Ben ?K0IKR |
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Re: L14 question
#qdx
Thanks, Julian.? T1 primary and secondary are not shorted so we're good there.? We have not gotten to T2 yet.? We appreciate your feedback.
73, Mike KK7ER (and Wesley, N7BIN) |
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Revisiting a Ultimate3S case shipping question.
Has anyone received a case for the?Ultimate3S lately??? It was pasted off the the airmail carrier 8 weeks ago today. The latest tracking is attached.? Thank for any information you may have.? p s I know about covid etc etc. I¡¯m just wondering if anyone has received a case from China.? |
Leonardo IW5CWC
Julian N4JO
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