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QRX #809 Alive and Kickin' also: 2 questions on encoder

 

Hello All !!

I'm happy to report QRX #809 is up and running. Built for 40 meters, it's receiving & decoding CW; transmit is functional with an output of 4W. I'm still getting used to how operates and haven't read through the operation/theory part of the manual much yet. This being Thanksgiving day here is US, I'll have to put that off 'till later today.

I didn't mount the encoder on the PCB and was wondering if its pining/mount falls on a 0.1" grid. It would be nice to mount it on some VectorBoard to attach it to a baseplate for the time being.

I see how tuning with the encoder works, but when the cursor is on a frequency comma "," is it steps differently. Just curious if that's a feature or not. Also, is there a way to move the cursor to the left? I didn't see that in the manual, so if it's there apologies in advance.

I'm very impressed on the design, operation, documentation, etc, etc! A lovely piece of kit (as <I think> the saying goes)!

73

WD4AH
 

To change the tune rate, simply press the encoder knob. Check out the 'cheat sheet' at the end of the manual for all operations.

?

Steve, N4IAG
 

Al,
I see nobody has answered your other question on the encoder yet so I will.? Mine fits a piece of .1" spaced vector board just fine so yours should as well.? That spacing seems to be pretty much standard on these types of encoders as I have a number of them from different manufacturers and they all will mount on .1" vector board if desired.

Jim - W0EB
 

Thanks for the help, Jim and Steve! I see that tuning while the cursor in on the comma moves the VFO by 500 Hz, cool idea!

I found I needed to take turns off the T1 toroid (Secondary 3) as the trimmer cap plates were just about open and I really wasn't getting a good peak indication. I was worried about the process and decided to work from the bottom end of the windings and removed 4 turns (my gut told me this) instead of the recommended 5. The operation was a success!! Trimmer cap is better, just about 1/2 way open.

During the construction process I was able to do a test winding and fitting of T1. I have a spool of 28 gauge magnet wire and I'm glad I did a trial run because as good and clear as the instructions are there's no substitute for actually doing it. The real tricky part for me was fitting the toroid and windings onto the populated board. I understand why Hans' instructions install it in an end-to-front manner. But, I'd like to add that once you get the transformer initially fitted and are double-checking your work, work through the windings in the front-to-end manner. The drawing by Ed, WA4MZS, is a great help, too!

A couple of other tips: First, when you go to form the loops between secondaries, don't over twist the wire trying to get it tight against the core. It just kinks the wire and can make it difficult to straighten out. Second. don't try and get the windings installed with the toroid close to the PC board; you'll find that getting the last wire installed into hole #2 difficult.

Good luck!

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