The more I read on this (and other forums), there seems to be a lot of pitfalls in building a QDX. I bought a v1 from another ham and it was awesome for about 4 months until it smoked all of the ICs one night on JS8. I ordered a new one, but it increasingly looks like just soldering and correctly winding the toroids isn't enough to ensure a good build of this unit. My only building experience was a Norcal 40A which worked like a charm. But getting this right may well be over my head with the level of troubleshooting needed. Therefore, I'm looking for someone who (for a fee) could build my v3(a) (I assume as it hasn't shipped yet).

Let me know by PM.

Thanks, de Charlie KB8CR

It’s a fun build. I would say it is medium difficult. There are no SMDs to solder. Only you can decide if you are ready but read the manual while you are waiting.?
--
Colin Kaminski - K6JTH
https://www.qsl.net/k6jth/

I have read the manual, the physical building process doesn't scare me, but the troubleshooting afterwards does. Luckily, a board member is going to build this one for me. Thanks !

Charlie

Build it! You’ll have fun. And the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

If it doesn’t work, there are folks on this list who will help you to get it right, no matter how limited your own troubleshooting skills are.

Ask me how I know ;-)

Phil K3UT

OK, here comes some truth: if I can do it, anyone can. Due to the rigors of my career path, I have carpal tunnel issues along with arthritis in both hands...let's just say that my soldering skills have seriously deteriorated since the radios that I built in college.?

What helped me:
-magnified Ott light?
-10x jeweler's loupe (thanks for the tip, Hans)
-micro-tipped soldering iron?
-thin solder
-PATIENCE

Mine worked upon first fire up...and the ONLY reason that I blew mine up was 100% my fault.?

You got this!

John KB2HSH?

开云体育

Besides, just following directions (when building a new kit) isn’t really teaching you anything. ?If it doesn’t work and with help from others on this connection you finally figure out what is wrong, YOU LEARNED SOMETHING. ?Isn’t this what a hobby is all about. Learning something new? ?How boring if you get a box, plug it in, and it works. ?What did you learn? How to plug in a new toy? Half of ham radio is learning about the how and why the boxes on your desk actually work. ?The other half might be the camaraderie of ham radio friends. ?Oh, yes…. There are those who get a charge out of making contacts with other hams. Even more fun. ?I am 77 and still learning, sometimes by my mistakes in making the build. ?But learning from a mistake will never be forgotten. ?Experience has its price but it is worth every error, at least in my book.

Another note of encouragement.

If you take it slow, and like Hans' says triple check each connection, you can't go wrong.

Like travel, half the fun is getting there.

Good Luck!

--Al
WD4AH