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On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 04:21 PM, Dave (G8PTN) wrote:
Whether frequency memories would be advantageous is another point for debate, I am not so sure it helps in situations where the antenna configuration is changing, which is probably the case for portable use.Hi Dave, ?
Using my manual mode "emulation" method, I only use short button clicks and never do a long press with my ABS. I need a double click after entering the QMX+ reduced power tuning menu to enable auto-tuning (which turns-on the panel LED) and then a single click to disable auto-tuning after tuning (which turns-off the panel LED) before leaving the QMX+ tuning menu. I've deliberately used this process after changing bands back and forth that should result in a memory memory tune recall, but the tuner has never used its memory. I hear relays chattering during every tune. It finds a tune quite quickly though (far faster than a typical LDG tune) but, for unknown reasons, it's not using memory.
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Article about Kenny Martinez of KM3KM Electronics (MercuryIII PA inventor):
?He's not a fan of memories. For companies (like the two mentioned above) who make competitive tuners that include memories, far less time is required to design that amp; the algorithmn used isn't critical because once an acceptable tuning point is reached for a frequency, it goes into memory. But Martinez wondered, what would happen if instead of relying on memories, we actually spent the time to improve the algorithmn in such a way that you could get a "fresh tune" in nearly the same time it takes to pull up a memory?
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I agree with Kenny. I'd rather have a fast fresh tune than a memory tune! The AT-100 is pretty darn fast.
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73,
Cal (AD8Q)
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Re: Speaker for QCX+
Mike Krieger On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 8:20?PM Mike Krieger <wa8uoc@...> wrote:
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Re: Speaker for QCX+
JBL2 has audio jack as well as Bluetooth. Works great with QMX and QMX+. Mike Krieger On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 7:34?PM Roger Hill via <rhill=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: ABS for QMX+. Version 1.1 (Current) Group Buy and BOM Information
On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 04:11 PM, <me@...> wrote:
For Companion board v1.1 we will need two of CD4066BE and two its sockets.? I forgot about the second one. That's a bummer. I just placed my order for the new 1.2 Companion board parts about an hour ago. The 2nd IC will be $7 shipping for a 70 cent part. Oh-- I'll need a 33 cent socket too. If I can find my stash of DIP sockets, I could just "borrow" the CD4066BE from my current Companion board and not re-order right now.
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Are there any other connectors to support the new forward-looking features?
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73,
Cal (AD8Q) |
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Re: Speaker for QCX+
Try JBL GO 2. Not 3 though.
Roger
8P6RX
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On 18 Nov 2024, at 19:54, "Keith Greiner via " <gmail.com@groups.io target=_blank>[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: Automatic Antenna Tuner, Internal Battery with a charger and built-in speaker for QMX+. Open Source.
On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 12:06 PM, <me@...> wrote:
I meant, for your group buy fell free creating a new thread :) Okay. Thread is up and "primed" with my first post.
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I just received a promo email today from 18650batterystore.? They have the Samsung 35E 18650 3500mAh 8A Battery INR chemistry and a few others at not quite as attractive pricing back on sale for Black Friday. $2.75 for the flat top cells:
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Button tops for $3.95:
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I think this high capacity cell is what we want for the QMX+ABS! I've been using them to power my QMX, QMX+ and (tr)uSDX most of the time I operate those rigs. The QMX and (tr)uSDX run a long time on three cells, which I charge to only 4.1V instead of 4.2V.
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Given the extra relay loads, etc. in the QMX+ATU, "3500" mAh sure beats "2500" mAh (quoted, because the Samsung and other data sheets indicate even the reputable manufacturers are "rounding up" numbers for their model number labels).
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Remember to order the non-P battery holders on your Companion Board, if you plan to use flat-tops! Both flat-top and button-top versions should fit in the non-P holders (but with no "P"olarity protection).
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I think I read that 18650batterystore ships to Canada. I've purchased over $200 of Samsungs there (here in the USA). I've always been happy with their products and service and I'm confident that they are genuine Samsung cells.
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73,
Cal (AD8Q) |
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Hi Sardar,
Since the QMX is intended to be a QRP radio, with a low quiescent operating current, particularly in receive mode, the ABS (ATU) should not compromise that goal.
With that in mind, I think the ATU should probably use latching relays, which only need a short activation pulse to change the relay state. Something similar to the ATU-10 may be a starting point. Whether frequency memories would be advantageous is another point for debate, I am not so sure it helps in situations where the antenna configuration is changing, which is probably the case for portable use. It may not be too difficult to add such a feature, provided it is linked in with getting the frequency information from the QMX. 73, Dave |
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Hi Dirk,
I have tried to provide an explanation below. 73, Dave ?
My understanding is that the BMS can only effectively balance at relatively low currents and when the battery voltages are not too far apart.
In the example shown below, the balance resistors are 43?, so the maximum balance current is going to be around 100mA.
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An example circuit using a typical balance IC is shown below. I think most BMS modules use the N-MOSFET option.
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A simple charging model is shown below with two batteries at 4.2V and one battery at 4.18V. I have assumed an internal battery resistance of 5m? for B1 and B2 and 20m? for B3.
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With the charge voltage at 12.6V and no current limiting.
AM_CHG = 699 mA AM1 = 98 mA ? ? ? ?SW1 closed AM2 = 98 mA ? ? ? ?SW2 closed AM3 = 0 mA? ? ? ? ? SW3 open AM4 = 601 mA VM1 = 4.2 V VM2 = 4.2 V VM3 = 4.19 V Therefore there is approximately 600mA flowing through batteries B1 and B2 and 700mA flowing through battery B3. The protection ICs will cut off charging if any of the battery voltages (measured at the BMS) exceeds approximately 4.28V. The balance circuit will continue to operate and will discharge any overvoltage battery via the 43? shunt (100mA), until the battery voltage reduces to 4.19V. The balance resistor will dissipate approximately 0.43W, when enabled. The actual behaviour will also depend on the track resistances between the batteries.
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Speaker for QCX+
I generally use headphones with the QCX+ CW transceiver. ?
If possible, I'd like to use a speaker. ?
Checking Amazon and other sources, I don't see any speakers that look like they would work. ?
What I see are bluetooth speakers or wires that are not compatible with the QCX+, some are stereo.
What is recommended for a speaker? |
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ABS for QMX+. Version 1.1 (Current) Group Buy and BOM Information
Greetings to all who have been following Sardar's project over the last few months. I'd like to extend a special welcome to all the future builders who are already on my email list for the PCB group buy. Thank you for your patience while waiting for our first ABS for QMX+ "release." I will be sending an email to everyone on the list in the next few days with updated information and I'll post here too.
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In the meantime, here is my current Digikey BOM. There are other places where you can satisfy the BOM but this is where Sardar and I have sourced most of the required parts. Between the items listed in this Digikey BOM and the SMD components that will come pre-installed on the ATU board, almost all the parts are covered. The other two boards (ATU Mount Board and Companion Board) do not feature any SMD parts--other than the battery management system (BMS) sub-board, which has large solder pads on it. I used the biggest tip available for my 60W Weller soldering station AND a somewhat more powerful butane powered soldering pencil at the same time on each of those solder joints, so please anticipate the need for soldering tools that can make some heat for this step. Installing the BMS board to the Companion Board is not delicate SMD work, but an SMD hot air blower soldering tool might work too. I have never used one for this task. Also, a few more parts must be obtained from Amazon (or elsewhere) and some of the Amazon parts can, alternatively, be obtained from Digikey, but they are not in the following Digikey BOM:
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I'll provide more information about the Amazon portion of the BOM later, or you can visit the excruciatingly long thread where I discussed it hundreds of posts ago (I think it was hundreds--it sure feels like it) :
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The thread linked above will soon become inactive, now that Version1.1 is nearing formal release (perhaps little more than a week away, when I expect to receive the latest Companion Board PCB). Then I'll total up how many people wish to get in on Sardar's fun and very useful QMX+ add-on that will fill up all the voluminous space in your QMX+ that Hans so cleverly designed into it for these sorts of experimenter projects!
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The PIC and ATmega MPU chips are not in any of the BOMs for this PCB group buy, because I will provide those two chips to group buy builders, pre-programmed and tested, in shipment with the three PCBs needed for the project. Builders will need to obtain the other items in the BOMs I post here on their own, or they can organize together for group purchases. I'm sorry but, with all my validation and manufacturing-related activities related to this project, I don't have time to manage any additional elements and "moving parts" in another group buy of parts.
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If you are not on my builder email list and would like to be added to it, please contact me at my ARRL email forwarding address and I'll reply back to you. The ARRL forwarding address is in the usual format (<my_callsign> AT arrl.net).
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73,
Cal (AD8Q)
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Re: QMX+ becomes a DX magnet with a simple portable antenna
MFJ1979 and QMX+ are a great combo. I did POTA hunting all Summer with 100+ QSO¡¯s. QRP will the QMX and QMX+ is a blast. Mike Krieger On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 4:21?PM John AE5X via <ae5x=[email protected]> wrote:
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Re: QMX L401 B Winding Question
Making the tap on 16 instead of 15 will make the L a bit larger in the LC bandpass filter for 15m.? This will shift the center of the filter down a bit, maybe by as much as 1MHz, depending on interactions - but looking at the RF filter scan on my unit, such a change likely wouldn't significantly diminish reception quality on 15.? It won't affect any other bands.? So I would be tempted to leave it there, then check the RF filter scan at the end of the build, and if it looks adverse on 15, then fix it.?? Odds are that it will be OK.
Stan KC7XE |
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Re: Is it bricked?
#dummy
#firmware
#problem
#QMXplus
#troubleshoot
Hello,
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Today I connected the QMX+ to my computer (Mac) and re-installed new firmware. following that I restarted the QMX. There was still no life in the display. ?Then I rechecked voltages. With the PSU supplying 11.5v the measured Vcc is 1.6v and Vdd is 3.2 volts.
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Some time ago I installed putty on my MacBook Air but since that time have upgraded the OS and it looks like some of the supporting components appear to be missing. Besides that, I was stumped at the very first step - the address for the QMX+.
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That's it on that front.
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So, the BMS I got from Am... are garbage.
I can dial the cell voltage up to 4.5 V, then I stopped to avoid cell damage. The balancer doesn't kick in at all.
Full respect goes to JLCPCB and their board quality. I soldered the BMS flat on the PCB with a lot of solder.
Now I removed it again and that required a lot of heat for long time. The BMS board crackled, bent and got smelly, but the companion board is still fine.
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I think it would be better to have drill holes for short wires as interconnect.
I made my own standoffs now to check the other BMS, but it's the same.
No balancing at all.
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QMX+ becomes a DX magnet with a simple portable antenna
I went to a local (Florida) park over the weekend with the QMX+ and an MFJ-1979 telescoping whip. The whip is 5m (17 ft) tall - a 1/4-wave on 20m, and on higher bands when retracted appropriately. Lots of European callers and one Chilean went into the log. It was nice being able to operate on any band with such a portable radio. I've had a lot of monoband and 20-40m QRP rigs over the years - it's really nice to be able to use any HF band that currently supports propagation.
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The battery was a 1300mAH LiPo. The activation lasted an hour and I used only 400mAH of battery juice.
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The prrof is in the video:
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73,
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John AE5X
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Hello,
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I'm here :-) Not really a design improvement, more a comment to the existing system.
The BMS I got from Am... is not really doing it's basic job, or at least what I would have expected.
I turned up the voltage a little more and two of the three cells a full and one lacking behind, in this case the large resistors on the board should start wasting energy to keep the full cells below 4.25 V.
My readings are:
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The 4.27 should be still okay, but 4.37 V is too much and the resistor is not even starting to burn energy.
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Dirk
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