Greetings. My new QMX kit arrived yesterday and I am excited to start the build. I am a somewhat experienced builder, having built a couple of Elecraft K2's with 100w internal amp and various accessories, and a K1, NorCal 40 etc. But it has been a while and my vision is certainly not what it was when I was younger. So is could be a challenge with the QMX being a smaller rig ... but will take my time and enjoy it. Any hints, tips, tricks for a QMX build?? And thanks for letting me be a part of this group!

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Very valuable… not to be missed prior to building your QMX… ? ??

Great kit! Very challenging. I had to redo the SWR/power bridge because of poor contact in beautiful solder joints. Scraped every wire to visible bare copper. Don't care what Hans says, my heat was not hot enough to burn the enamel off the #28 wire so I scraped them.?

The LCD contrast pot is a touchy adjustment. Turn full right then slowwwly turn back left to get numbers and letters.

Shim the encoder shafts for a snug fit with knobs. Wobble knobs booger switch action and the set screw work loose quickly.

Mine had to be the only one with an SMD missing. C509 was AWOL and was discovered on first power up: no receive!
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73
Karl
KI4ZUQ

On Sat, Jul 6, 2024 at 03:50 PM, Mike N4JX wrote:

my vision is certainly not what it was when I was younger.

Good stereo magnification and VERY bright lighting help immensely.? Shadowless ring illumination is my choice.? I do microelectronic assembly/modification/reverse engineering as a consultant, so I bought
this microscope: and this stand:
But even an inexpensive head-worn magnifier like this will help immensely: ?
I found the USB microscope/display systems to be of little value; others may have different experience.? Binocular vision provides depth perception which is the key.??

A couple of #7SA, stainless, non-magnetic tweezers will help manipulate parts; titanium are no better and pointlessly costly.? Magnetic e.g. carbon steel tweezers will drive you nuts, as many components have nickel metallization and they will stick, annoyingly, to your tools.? Plastic is a non-starter.? Sewing needles are also handy as manipulators (and for probing tight spots) , as are shaved-down wooden swab sticks.?
73, Don N2VGU

Hi Mike!? My vision isn't what it used to be either.? I found a digital microscope with a 7 inch display screen to be a valuable tool for checking things on my recent QMX+ build.? This is the one I bought, but there are cheaper ones available:


Good lighting helps a lot too!

Great feedback and suggestions. Thanks.? I have a digital microscope that I use to check bevels in knife sharpening, so that will work great if needed. Hadn't thought about it. Will keep you posted on the build!

I posted my QMX Build Notes, message ?#124306, on June 15. You might find something useful in there.

Like everyone else said, lighting, magnification, and a soldering iron with enough power to heat the ground planes.

I’ll add one thing I think is essential - Static Protection.
I’ve used a non static assembly mat, plus an anti static wrist band.

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