开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 开云体育
  1. QRPLabs
  2. Topics

I just ordered a QCX+ kit

 

After months, even years of thinking I eventually ordered another QRP Labs kit today: a QCX+.
I had previously built a QDX Hi Band and am satisfied with it. I followed closely the development of the QMX and thought to buy a 60M to 15M model then followed the development of the QMX+.
I read a lot of comments about the problems experienced by some builders and as I'm 80 years old, with bad eyesight and rather shaky hands and considering my former experience to build my QDX then modify its T1 transformer and replace the BS170 I finally thought that such tiny technology was not anymore for me.
I will build my 20M QCX+ with dev-board, TCXO and AGC cards. With the dev-board I plan to experiment with internal LiFePo4 batteries, audio amp with speaker and why not do something with the IQ signal ahead of the CW filter to decode in Rx SSB and AM.
Another reason for my choice of the QCX+ is that it is very robust and there are no SMD components, only through-hole components, something I have been used to deal with since the year 1959 with my first regenerative receiver built with vacuum tubes then many Heathkit units.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH
 

Good luck with your QCX+. You do need good eyesight and a magnifying glass to identify the parts.? I built my QMX and QMX+ at eighty. They are great kits. I have made several SSB contacts with good success. I worked at Heathkit for thirty years. What a great company they were.

Mike Krieger


On Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 3:45?AM Pierre - FK8IH via <jb.gallauziaux=[email protected]> wrote:
After months, even years of thinking I eventually ordered another QRP Labs kit today: a QCX+.
I had previously built a QDX Hi Band and am satisfied with it. I followed closely the development of the QMX and thought to buy a 60M to 15M model then followed the development of the QMX+.
I read a lot of comments about the problems experienced by some builders and as I'm 80 years old, with bad eyesight and rather shaky hands and considering my former experience to build my QDX then modify its T1 transformer and replace the BS170 I finally thought that such tiny technology was not anymore for me.
I will build my 20M QCX+ with dev-board, TCXO and AGC cards. With the dev-board I plan to experiment with internal LiFePo4 batteries, audio amp with speaker and why not do something with the IQ signal ahead of the CW filter to decode in Rx SSB and AM.
Another reason for my choice of the QCX+ is that it is very robust and there are no SMD components, only through-hole components, something I have been used to deal with since the year 1959 with my first regenerative receiver built with vacuum tubes then many Heathkit units.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH
 

Bonjour Pierre, after building several QRP Labs kits I started building the QMX+. I'm 84 with good eyesight and steady hands. It is more of a challenge than their other products that I have built. I have chosen to take it very slow, sometimes only a component or two a day. I read each instruction section several times before starting. I'm several days away from applying power.?
Hopefully, no smoke.
Gary W0CKI, since 1954
.

On Monday, March 31, 2025 at 06:07:21 AM MDT, Mike Krieger via groups.io <wa8uoc@...> wrote:


Good luck with your QCX+. You do need good eyesight and a magnifying glass to identify the parts.? I built my QMX and QMX+ at eighty. They are great kits. I have made several SSB contacts with good success. I worked at Heathkit for thirty years. What a great company they were.

Mike Krieger


On Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 3:45?AM Pierre - FK8IH via <jb.gallauziaux=[email protected]> wrote:
After months, even years of thinking I eventually ordered another QRP Labs kit today: a QCX+.
I had previously built a QDX Hi Band and am satisfied with it. I followed closely the development of the QMX and thought to buy a 60M to 15M model then followed the development of the QMX+.
I read a lot of comments about the problems experienced by some builders and as I'm 80 years old, with bad eyesight and rather shaky hands and considering my former experience to build my QDX then modify its T1 transformer and replace the BS170 I finally thought that such tiny technology was not anymore for me.
I will build my 20M QCX+ with dev-board, TCXO and AGC cards. With the dev-board I plan to experiment with internal LiFePo4 batteries, audio amp with speaker and why not do something with the IQ signal ahead of the CW filter to decode in Rx SSB and AM.
Another reason for my choice of the QCX+ is that it is very robust and there are no SMD components, only through-hole components, something I have been used to deal with since the year 1959 with my first regenerative receiver built with vacuum tubes then many Heathkit units.
73 - Pierre - FK8IH


--
Gary W0CKI
 

Mike and Gary, Thanks for your comments. Building and then repairing the QDX was the most I could do. I'm using a soldering station set to 750°F with a very fine tip. I've carefully studied the QCX+ manual; the PCB is low-density, and I'm familiar with through-hole components. I plan to mount all the ICs on sockets. What I also like is the multitude of pin header pads, which will allow me to experiment with a circuit I understand well. As for choosing the 20M band, solar activity will start to decrease, and at my age, the higher bands will become permanently unaffordable, even if the 10M band is currently very active; it won't last. Hi!
73 - Pierre - FK8IH
 

开云体育

Pierre, good plan to mount the IC’s on sockets . I did so on my QCX kits.
Worked out great.
Enjoy the build.
Gary?

On Mar 31, 2025, at 4:19?PM, Pierre - FK8IH via groups.io <jb.gallauziaux@...> wrote:

?
Mike and Gary, Thanks for your comments. Building and then repairing the QDX was the most I could do. I'm using a soldering station set to 750°F with a very fine tip. I've carefully studied the QCX+ manual; the PCB is low-density, and I'm familiar with through-hole components. I plan to mount all the ICs on sockets. What I also like is the multitude of pin header pads, which will allow me to experiment with a circuit I understand well. As for choosing the 20M band, solar activity will start to decrease, and at my age, the higher bands will become permanently unaffordable, even if the 10M band is currently very active; it won't last. Hi!
73 - Pierre - FK8IH

--
Gary W0CKI

1 - 5 of 5