Re: QSX availability update?
Hi Justin
I wish I could have something useful to share but unfortunately I do not... I do not consider myself well organized or managing time well. Too much going on, too many balls juggling at the same time, hi hi. I have more work also that you don't see, as I have a corporate customer project ongoing too, in parallel with everything else, for the last 18 months :-/? ?I just try to be quick and get on as fast as I can...?
In my opinion, the most important thing is being too dumb to know when to quit! Never give up! No retreat, no surrender
73 Hans G0UPL
Hi Hans,?
would you be willing to share how you managed to learn the time management skills necessary to accomplish all that you do??
from where I'm sitting it seems to be a great deal of stuff!?
-Justin N2TOH?
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Re: QSX availability update?
Hi Hans,?
would you be willing to share how you managed to learn the time management skills necessary to accomplish all that you do??
from where I'm sitting it seems to be a great deal of stuff!?
-Justin N2TOH?
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Re: how to set the non volatile configuration in the 5351 chip?
Hi Justin
You cannot. Only SiLabs can prepare a chip with this "non-volatile" start-up configuration programmed. And you probably have to order 100,000 of the chips or something crazy, to get them to do that :-/
73 Hans G0UPL
Hi how does one go about writing to the one time programmable memory for the start up configuration??
-Justin N2TOH?
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Re: QSX availability update?
Hi Randy
I have no update or change at the moment.?
73 Hans G0UPL
Hans,
Any chance of an update on the estimated November availability of the QSX?
73,
Randy, KS4L
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Hans,
Any chance of an update on the estimated November availability of the QSX?
73,
Randy, KS4L
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Re: Relay Switched BPF with VFOSig/Receiver
Directions are on this page:
Step 5 of this doc: ? ??? (has directions & picture)
? ?5) Relay/diode on U3S PCB
If using the LPF board with the Ultimate3 QRSS/WSPR kit, solder the 6th diode and relay (for band 0) in place under the plug-in LPF on the main Ultimate3 PCB. Note that if you have previously fitted wire jumpers at W0W1 and W2-W3 on the main Ultimate3 PCB (for standalone use WITHOUT the relay switched LPF board), then you need to remove these wire jumpers now.
John H. Long Jr.
KW7A
1370 N 150E Nephi, Utah 84648
USA ? (435) 888-LONG ?  ?Admit it ... Life Would be Boring without me!
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [QRPLabs] Relay Switched BPF with VFOSig/Receiver
From: "Bill Watkins" < kf7yxs@...>
Date: Sun, September 23, 2018 3:57 pm
To: [email protected]
Hi, Can someone point me in the right direction in adding the relay kit with BPF to an already existing QRP receiver driven by QRP VFO kit?
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Re: Relay Switched BPF with VFOSig/Receiver
I suggest you have a look at Application Note 6, which describes the VFO/SigGen Set ... it's based on the
QRPLabs VFO kit and LPF relay kit.
Best -
Bruce K1FFX
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Well, I think I am really close.? WSPR is showing receive signals
in the waterfall but I am not getting any spots.? I have synced my
PC clock with NIST.GOV but wonder if the problem could still be
timing.? The TX & RX on WSPR and my U3S do not jive.? For
example WSPR will say receiving when U3S is transmitting.? Timing
or have I missed something in the WSPR or U3S setup?
I' trying TX and RX as per the QRP-Labs manual for operation and
Receive module:
RX:
0? 014,083,600
RX????????????? 12 0
Park Mode 2 and Park Freq 56,334,400
Frame:
10? 00
WSPR:
IQ Mode enabled and Reverse RX IQ enabled with offset set to
12,000
Radio set to None and no CAT
I also set the settings per Ken's suggestions with same result.?
Waterfall OK but no spots reported which again makes me suspect I
have timing issues somewhere.? I have synced PC to atomic clock
but is it feasible I could be off a few seconds?
Thanks for any input.
73 Vince N1VIN
On 9/17/2018 6:49 AM, V Zecchinelli
wrote:
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Hey Ken,
Thanks for the good thorough info.? One more cup of coffee and
I'll give it another go.
73 Vince N1VIN
On 9/17/2018 2:49 AM, KEN G4APB via
Groups.Io wrote:
Hi Vince,
I set mine up as follows;
U3S v3.12a:-
Slots 0-3 RX mode (= 4 x 2 minutes = 8 minutes of Rx time) Set
freq to USB RX freq (dial)
CAL 10 115 (takes 2 minutes plus display of cal)
FRAME 10 00? (made from 8 mins of Rx + CAL cycle).
PARK 4 and (4x RX dial LO freq)? ?= allows Rx during CAL mode.
WSPR set RADIO to None, CAT etc to none, choose
your audio input (mic/ USB adaptor etc).Set your Maidenhead
locator and callsign normally.
73 Ken G4APB
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how to set the non volatile configuration in the 5351 chip?
Hi how does one go about writing to the one time programmable memory for the start up configuration??
-Justin N2TOH?
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Relay Switched BPF with VFOSig/Receiver
Hi,
Can someone point me in the right direction in adding the relay kit with BPF to an already existing QRP receiver driven by QRP VFO kit?
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Re: Still digging... looking for a low audio issue
#problem
#qcx
Pin 7 on the /30 appears fine. It is between C20 and C19 is where I see a drop. I¡¯ve tested the value of C20 and it is ok. I¡¯ve tested the value of R34 and it is ok. Did not test C19. Tested continuity from C20 to C19, OK. Tested continuity between C19 and IC9 pin 3, OK. Kurt, Referring to the manual and the link to the actual design I see these components are part of the 700Hz filter, I would expect some reduction after a 2.2n capacitor but I am not familiar with the circuit. I'd guess that the value of C19 might be critical, it and R35 form part of the filter. Check R35. Perhaps someone else could comment? 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: 30m QCX working ¨C but not for long....
if your shack window was open you may have heard the shout of joy from Lymington. Chris, No, a little too cool and rainy. Bingo.? So I guess I need more practice at soldering. Yes, me too. Must be over 60 years since I first soldered and still I get bad joints... 73 Alan G4ZFQ
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Re: Still digging... looking for a low audio issue
#problem
#qcx
Pin 7 on the /30 appears fine. It is between C20 and C19 is where I see a drop. I¡¯ve tested the value of C20 and it is ok. I¡¯ve tested the value of R34 and it is ok. Did not test C19. Tested continuity from C20 to C19, OK. Tested continuity between C19 and IC9 pin 3, OK.?
Thanks...
73;
Kurt -W2MW?
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Re: 30m QCX working ¨C but not for long....
Good morning all,
Success!? Alan - if your shack window was open you may have heard the shout of joy from Lymington.
Checked C21 / 22, which are different components on v4 pcb, 1uF blob capacitors, but still polarised - they were the right way round.?
Checked R39/40, which were the correct values, resoldered just in case, and then got more sensible voltages at IC10 pins 5 (5.2v) and pin 6 (4.6v) but still no output.?
So went round the whole board and resoldered everything in sight.?
Bingo.? So I guess I need more practice at soldering.? Thank you to all for your help.? Much appreciated.?
Looking forward to getting my hands on a QSX, whatever colour it may turn out to be.?
Thanks once again.
73? Chris G4CWS
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Re: Still digging... looking for a low audio issue
#problem
#qcx
So last night I went and tested all the resistor values in the last 2 stages. All are OK. I have tested continuity tests on all traces, all ok. Not exactly sure how I can test for a leaky Q7 with out pulling the device. I do have replacements on the way.?
Thanks all for for the suggestions.
I have parts arriving this week. I¡¯m going to take a break mull things over in my head anger back to it later.
73;
Kurt
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Re: QSX Enclosure Request
I built my 6/4/2m and 5W PA module rig in a reclaimed plastic battery casing, nice shade of yellow, convenient carrying handle, etc. No screening, no TVI, works fine.
73 Ken G4APB
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Re: 30m QCX working ¨C but not for long....
Hi Glen
On transmit the decode input signal is obtained from the key. Not from the 700Hz tone. There is no need to go through the whole detection stage, with amplitude variation tracking etc., when the keying state is already known...?
If the iambic keyer mode is being used, the decoder also skips the stage which tracks keying speed variations, since the keying speed is already known.?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Sat, Sep 22, 2018 at 11:49 PM Glen Leinweber < leinwebe@...> wrote: I have made a guess regarding QCX Morse decoding.....
Am guessing that Hans does receiver decoding and transmitter decoding the same way:
Audio is picked off at IC10B pin 7 and goes into analog-to-digital converter IC2 pin23.
From there, it is digitally processed in a 700 Hz bandpass filter, and its amplitude detected.
Am guessing that if transmit 700 Hz sidetone is Morse-decoded, then audio is present at IC10B
output - this is very near the receiver's output.
I may be wrong: Hans may have pumped the key signal into the Morse decoder, and
in that case, audio digital signal would be ignored.
If my guess is right, then that leaves one stage to troubleshoot: IC10A
Alan's troubleshooting suggestions (added below)? are right-on. Those 10V measurements on
IC10B seem high. A resistor value wrong? Those 10K resistors look similar to 1K resistors.
---------------------
Alan G4ZFQ wrote:
Are you looking at the manual? These voltages do not match. IC10 pin 5 should be fixed by a potential divider, something around 6V if measured with a DVM, Hans measured 4.2 with the inbuilt meter.
Check R39, 40 and joints around here.
°Ú¡±Õ
About Q7:
Shows it is not actually turned on. I'd expect the drain to be 0V. Have you checked the resistance to ground here? And you are positive C21, 22 are the right way round?
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Re: 30m QCX working ¨C but not for long....
I have made a guess regarding QCX Morse decoding.....
Am guessing that Hans does receiver decoding and transmitter decoding the same way:
Audio is picked off at IC10B pin 7 and goes into analog-to-digital converter IC2 pin23.
From there, it is digitally processed in a 700 Hz bandpass filter, and its amplitude detected.
Am guessing that if transmit 700 Hz sidetone is Morse-decoded, then audio is present at IC10B
output - this is very near the receiver's output.
I may be wrong: Hans may have pumped the key signal into the Morse decoder, and
in that case, audio digital signal would be ignored.
If my guess is right, then that leaves one stage to troubleshoot: IC10A
Alan's troubleshooting suggestions (added below)? are right-on. Those 10V measurements on
IC10B seem high. A resistor value wrong? Those 10K resistors look similar to 1K resistors.
---------------------
Alan G4ZFQ wrote:
Are you looking at the manual? These voltages do not match. IC10 pin 5 should be fixed by a potential divider, something around 6V if measured with a DVM, Hans measured 4.2 with the inbuilt meter.
Check R39, 40 and joints around here.
°Ú¡±Õ
About Q7:
Shows it is not actually turned on. I'd expect the drain to be 0V. Have you checked the resistance to ground here? And you are positive C21, 22 are the right way round?
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Re: Still digging... looking for a low audio issue
#problem
#qcx
What DC voltages do you measure on pins 2&3 of IC9?? If they're close to expected (4.8v and 0.65v), then you have a wrong/bad part in that circuit or Q7 is leaky/shorted.? you should be able to measure the resistors in circuit (radio is off), and check the markings on the capacitors (222) C19 & 20 with a magnifying glass.? This stage is part of the audio bandpass filtering, and a wrong part will put the filter to something other than the desired 700 hz, giving low gain.
If you have a 'scope, you can rule out problems with Q7 by comparing IC9 pin 1 signal level with the volume set loud vs all the way down - it should stay the same as volume knob changes.? Hope this helps.
73 Paul K9ARF
On Saturday, September 22, 2018 2:55 PM, Alan de G1FXB via Groups.Io <g1fxb@...> wrote:
Hi Kurt,
before you warm up the Soldering Iron...
If the voltages around the op amp is correct, I would not condemn
the IC as faulty.
It's a DC coupled device, It would be strange for it to have the
correct DC conditions` but not pass AC (audio)
If troubleshooting with a wet finger from the earphone socket back
to the gain control proves inconclusive.
One of your troubleshooting tools you said you had was an amplified
speaker,
Have you tried tracing the audio from front to back in the other
direction?
(Some times it's more revealing to trace a signal rather than
injecting one.)
You can use the in-built RF generator to compare with your QCX's?
for comparison.
If it indicates IC9 again, then fair comment.
Alan
On 22/09/2018 16:16, Kurt Zimmerman
wrote:
Oddly voltages seem to compare about equal on both.
Kurt
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Re: Was :OLED screen for QCX Now: Thermal considerations for QCX
Charlie,
I fly radio controlled airplanes and use LiFeP04 batteries to power my receivers. They are great!
When fully charged each cell will be 3.7 volts; a 4S pack will be 14.8VDC.
Here is a pack that would run a transmitter for a long time.
A 30 C rated pack can produce 30 times 4.2 amps. Yes, the pack will get very warm and be drained rapidly, but for lighter
current loading, it will work great. It can be charged by a low priced hobby charger like one of the following:
I own both of these chargers and they work great. I charge at 1C rating. This (in theory) means it takes an hour to fully charge the battery.
For the battery URL listed above, I would set my charger to 4.2 amps and 4 cells and it will automatically stop charging when the pack is fully charged. WARNING: NEVER LEAVE CHARGING BATTERIES UNATTENDED! Flame proof 'sacks' are available to contain a charging battery.
If you keep them stored in a reasonably cool place, don't discharge them below the minimum cell value, and don't drop/damage them, you
can expect to get 300-500 cycles (probably years of service). When storing the batteries, always make sure you use the battery charger to charge or discharge the cells to the 'storage' voltage.
I have LiPo batteries that are 2 years old and still going strong. Some I fly daily. Others, weekly. So far, I have not had any issues.
Best Flying, Oh, correction Best DX! :)
Garry / WD0DUD
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-----Original Message----- From: g4sra via Groups.Io Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2018 11:52 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Was :OLED screen for QCX Now: Thermal considerations for QCX John, Thanks for the pointer. Unfamiliar with LiFePO4 so just carried out some quick research. An interesting technology, the safety aspect certainly appeals and so does the reduced weight. Battery charge management seems a little complex with each cell having its own controller, I wonder what the reliability is like. Prohibitively expensive here in the UK. 73 Charlie On 22/09/2018 19:07, John VA7JBE via Groups.Io wrote: If you're looking for a more stable battery chemistry without sacrificing (too much) energy density, then you might look into LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. It's the kind of chemistry that's used in electric vehicle batteries because you can basically cut them in half while they're discharging and they won't even start smoking. The nominal voltage per cell (3.2v vs. 3.7v) is lower than lithium ion batteries, but a 4S configuration can act as a drop-in replacement for SLA batteries. In particular, you might look at cells manufactured by A123, or the batteries made by BioEnno ( ).
Cheers,
John VA7JBE
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Randy
Kurt Zimmerman