¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. QRPLabs
  2. Topics

Considering a club project kit

 

What kits are currently available at QRP Labs, kits that are not anticipated to have the same shipping and component delays that kits like the QDX are currently experiencing?? Much simpler kits are also on the table.? I would like to present such a list to our club for consideration as a group project, perhaps for some who have never before touched a soldering iron.

Thank you,
Karl
K4GMV
 

Hi Karl

Currently all kits are in stock EXCEPT for the QDX. Everything else is in stock.?

QDX is new and has very high demand, and supply problems due to the global chip shortage; this does not affect any other current QRP Labs kits.?

73 Hans G0UPL

On Thu, Nov 4, 2021 at 6:43 PM Karl S <ksfound@...> wrote:
What kits are currently available at QRP Labs, kits that are not anticipated to have the same shipping and component delays that kits like the QDX are currently experiencing?? Much simpler kits are also on the table.? I would like to present such a list to our club for consideration as a group project, perhaps for some who have never before touched a soldering iron.

Thank you,
Karl
K4GMV

 

Hans,

Mini is still showing pre order....

73
-Mike
 

On Thu, Nov 4, 2021, at 10:43 AM, Karl S wrote:
What kits are currently available at QRP Labs, kits that are not anticipated to have the same shipping and component delays that kits like the QDX are currently experiencing?? Much simpler kits are also on the table.? I would like to present such a list to our club for consideration as a group project, perhaps for some who have never before touched a soldering iron.
Hi Karl,

I am one of the "Mentors" for the NSRC club and have been doing the same research over the past year.? We recommend that first-time builders start with an "I Can Solder" kit that is simple and is really just focused on soldering skills.? This is followed by a shack appliance like a dummy load (QRP-Labs 20watt dummy load is a great example) and then on to QRP SWR/Power/Dummy Load, Step Attenuator, or RF Probe.? Unfortunately, QRP-Labs does not offer any of the latter?

For a first transceiver, we list the QCX+ for intermediate to advanced skill builders.? We had a 100% success rate for the QCX+ with only one bad part that was more than the builder could handle (Since that time Hans updated the build instructions that we believe caused the part to fail).? The QCX-Mini is a challenge that is best left for the more experienced builders in our opinion.?

The QDX was planned as our next advanced/intermediate build when it was announced, though with the supply issues we will delay this until next year.? We bought 5 kits for the Mentors to build for evaluation and "Tips" creation.? So far the posted issues with low transmit power have been experienced by one of the Mentors as well as issues on reworking the SMD inductors.? We are hoping that the v2 board will have the inductors replaced with through-hole soldering or at least be delivered with the SMD devices removed to avoid damage to the board.?

There are a number of accessories in our list as well for both QRP and QRO stations.? These tend to be things like power boxes and antennas for remote use like POTA or Hams in the Park.? We have as yet to put together a list for SOTA or a backpack-ready setup.? The QRO items include the QRP-Labs 50watt class C power amp as well as a QRO Dummy Load that we have just a few left that unfortunately is no longer offered (the kit supplier is SK and the shop is closed).

If you want a copy of the list, please respond with a private email, as I do not want to use the QRP-Labs list server to promote potential competing projects.? This is with the caveat that there is not an implied endorsement or guarantee of any kind by me or the club.? Just our combined experiences.??If you have put together a list, we would be interested in it, as a number of the kits on our list are not currently shipping due to the parts shortage.? Our list is also in constant updating as new kits become available like the QDX, or are discontinued like the QRO dummy load.
.
Have fun with the club build, we are!
73
Evan
AC9TU
 

Based on Hans's record with other kits, notably the revisions of the QCX, I expect that all the current known issues with the QDX will be resolved on the Rev 2 board. The inductors will be replaced with correctly working SMD ones like his prototype had (which were not identical to the ones the board house used in the original run), or they will be removed and the new PCB will have holes for the through-hole parts. The voltage regulator will be replaced with one that does not need the large input capacitor, or holes for mounting the cap will be provided. And there will be an updated manual.

It is very common in the electronics industry for the first production version of a product to need some hardware fixes. They're usually called ECOs (Engineering Change Orders). If you look at one of those products, you'll see wires that are soldered onto the board, traces that have been cut, and extra components put on wherever they will fit, just as we see with the mods for the QCX and QDX. The only difference is that we get to install the ECOs ourselves, rather than sending the gear back to the factory, having a technician show up to do the job, or having them already in place when we buy the product. It's a KIT, after all, and we are hams!

On Thu, Nov 4, 2021 at 1:04 PM Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> wrote:
On Thu, Nov 4, 2021, at 10:43 AM, Karl S wrote:
What kits are currently available at QRP Labs, kits that are not anticipated to have the same shipping and component delays that kits like the QDX are currently experiencing?? Much simpler kits are also on the table.? I would like to present such a list to our club for consideration as a group project, perhaps for some who have never before touched a soldering iron.
Hi Karl,

I am one of the "Mentors" for the NSRC club and have been doing the same research over the past year.? We recommend that first-time builders start with an "I Can Solder" kit that is simple and is really just focused on soldering skills.? This is followed by a shack appliance like a dummy load (QRP-Labs 20watt dummy load is a great example) and then on to QRP SWR/Power/Dummy Load, Step Attenuator, or RF Probe.? Unfortunately, QRP-Labs does not offer any of the latter?

For a first transceiver, we list the QCX+ for intermediate to advanced skill builders.? We had a 100% success rate for the QCX+ with only one bad part that was more than the builder could handle (Since that time Hans updated the build instructions that we believe caused the part to fail).? The QCX-Mini is a challenge that is best left for the more experienced builders in our opinion.?

The QDX was planned as our next advanced/intermediate build when it was announced, though with the supply issues we will delay this until next year.? We bought 5 kits for the Mentors to build for evaluation and "Tips" creation.? So far the posted issues with low transmit power have been experienced by one of the Mentors as well as issues on reworking the SMD inductors.? We are hoping that the v2 board will have the inductors replaced with through-hole soldering or at least be delivered with the SMD devices removed to avoid damage to the board.?

There are a number of accessories in our list as well for both QRP and QRO stations.? These tend to be things like power boxes and antennas for remote use like POTA or Hams in the Park.? We have as yet to put together a list for SOTA or a backpack-ready setup.? The QRO items include the QRP-Labs 50watt class C power amp as well as a QRO Dummy Load that we have just a few left that unfortunately is no longer offered (the kit supplier is SK and the shop is closed).

If you want a copy of the list, please respond with a private email, as I do not want to use the QRP-Labs list server to promote potential competing projects.? This is with the caveat that there is not an implied endorsement or guarantee of any kind by me or the club.? Just our combined experiences.??If you have put together a list, we would be interested in it, as a number of the kits on our list are not currently shipping due to the parts shortage.? Our list is also in constant updating as new kits become available like the QDX, or are discontinued like the QRO dummy load.
.
Have fun with the club build, we are!
73
Evan
AC9TU

 

Hi Mike

I was awaiting new Rev 3 PCBs for QCX-mini and now have them on hand. I also wanted to complete testing, then get caught up on the backlog. However all that is now done and so this morning I have removed the "pre-order" warning from the QCX-mini ordering page and I confirm they should all ship within 1 business?day of the order placement.?

73 Hans G0UPL

On Thu, Nov 4, 2021 at 7:46 PM Mike - N5AQM <n5aqmdb@...> wrote:
Hans,

Mini is still showing pre order....

73
-Mike

 

I just built the QRPGuys power/vswr/dummy load kit.
It was a pretty easy build and is very nice to use with the QCX's.
It could be a nice stepping stone ("gateway drug") to the more advanced kits.

73, Mike KK7ER
?
 

You¡¯ve done what I plan to do. At only $25, that QRP Guys kit is a marvelous deal and compliments the transceivers from QRP-Labs. It¡¯s QRP-only, but duplicating that feature set elsewhere would run well over $100. It just might give me the confidence to build a QDX or QSX. I just wish that kit could be ordered with a pretty case, but I¡¯ve got some old clear plastic boxes that might make do.

¡ªMike Perry, WA4MP

On Nov 5, 2021, at 9:08 am, Mike KK7ER <groupio@...> wrote:

I just built the QRPGuys power/vswr/dummy load kit.
It was a pretty easy build and is very nice to use with the QCX's.
It could be a nice stepping stone ("gateway drug") to the more advanced kits.
 

I put it on standoffs for now until I find a suitable case.
One slightly annoying and inexplicable (so far) feature is that when switched to dummy load, the circuit still includes the antenna in parallel!? It is necessary to ensure that the antenna is unplugged when running into the dummy load.


73, Mike KK7ER
 

Mike,

I like your standoff idea. It¡¯ll offer at least a little protection. I don¡¯t understand why QRP Guys doesn¡¯t add a 3D printer guy to their group and sell cases alongside their handy devices. I wouldn't fret that they¡¯re not as pretty as those from QRP Labs. Those are works of genius. Just that they offer some protection. For now, I might try clear plexiglass standoffs top and bottom, leaving enough space to move the switches. I need some excuse to use that second-hand jig saw I picked up for $5.

I imagine they assume that putting the antenna in parallel with the dummy load is a ¡°feature not a bug.¡± You can use it to reduce your power out, although not completely. They also sell a 10/20/30db attenuator to do just that, although you have to manually switch that attenuation out on receive. Perhaps they should make a version that uses the PTT port to switch a relay that does that automatically. That would not be hard to add aftermarket either. Just replace the switch with a relay.

That said, it is a good product at a good price. Without it, all I would have is the LED on my ZM-2 ATU being dim or out. This gives me a way to measure the actual SWR and power out. And if it isn¡¯t as precise as a $200 SWR/power meter, at least it is repeatable.

Thanks! Your mention of it prompted me to go ahead and order. The QRP Guys have it rough. Ebay is filled with Chinese clones of their stuff. The thieves are so brazen that they don¡¯t even bother to remove the QRP Guys logo from their PC board.

¡ªMike Perry, WA4MP

On Nov 5, 2021, at 12:09 pm, Mike KK7ER <groupio@...> wrote:

I put it on standoffs for now until I find a suitable case.
One slightly annoying and inexplicable (so far) feature is that when switched to dummy load, the circuit still includes the antenna in parallel! It is necessary to ensure that the antenna is unplugged when running into the dummy load.

1 - 10 of 10