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Newly built version 5 QDX high band transceiver not booting correctly problem

 

I'm working on trying to find the problem with a version 5 QDX high band transceiver that is not booting properly at startup.? When powering on the QDX it comes on with fast blinking on the LED and doesn't get beyond that point.? If you power it off and wait maybe 10 seconds then power it on it comes up with the LED on solid.? This can be repeated and never changes.

It does come up in the mode where I can upgrade the firmware which I have done successfully.? When running WSJT-X in the FT8 mode it won't find the com link to the QDX device.? I can see some activity on the waterfall screen but it just won't receive or connect to the computer.

I know I'm using the com port being sent from the QDX as I can see that in the Device Manager screen on the computer.

I have my own QDX high band device that runs just fine with the setup parameters I have established for it, but the QDX with the problem won't work with those parameters or any other parameters I've tried.

It acts like it can't finish the boot up routine and make a link to the WSJT-X software.

I have very carefully looked over all of the soldering connections and touched up a few but they are looking good overall.

Anyone run into this problem and if so what did you find?

Gary A. - W0MNA
 

Gary,

Have you tried going over the board with a toothbrush lightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol? This is good practice for clearing up residual rosen on the board, but it can also help flush out small solder blobs and wire whiskers lurking on the PCB. I usually follow that up dabbing the board with a paper towel; that seems to leave less fibers hanging on protruding wires.

Very close inspection around the processor and EEPROM seems in order, too.

Good luck with the project!

--Al
WD4AH
 

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Another thought here¡­.. I had an expert builder well known on these sites build a QRP xcvr kit for me a few years ago. It had low audio until I used it for 5 minutes or more. ?After 5 minutes the audio would slowly come up to normal. I sent it back twice and the second time the builder removed the audio chip and cleaned off flux that was under it. Problem solved. So flux can cause issues if in excess in places where it shouldn¡¯t be. ?Builder beware. ?

Dave K8WPE since 1960?

David J. Wilcox¡¯s iPad

On May 12, 2023, at 12:47 PM, Al Holt <grovekid2@...> wrote:

?Gary,

Have you tried going over the board with a toothbrush lightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol? This is good practice for clearing up residual rosen on the board, but it can also help flush out small solder blobs and wire whiskers lurking on the PCB. I usually follow that up dabbing the board with a paper towel; that seems to leave less fibers hanging on protruding wires.

Very close inspection around the processor and EEPROM seems in order, too.

Good luck with the project!

--Al
WD4AH

 

Hi Garry.
?I had a similar issue with my low band version a few weeks ago.
It turned out to be a poor battery supply.
I built mine 9V and it wants a good quality of 9 volts!
Hth.
Rick.
DE G6UZT.
 

Rick,

Good thought.? I tried a different power source with a good solid 9vdc under load and no change in the symptoms.? Also fed 12 volts into it which is still in the range but again no symptom change.

Thanks for the input.

Gary a. -W0MNA

On Sat, May 13, 2023, 08:44 Rick Brown <rick.g6uzt@...> wrote:
Hi Garry.
?I had a similar issue with my low band version a few weeks ago.
It turned out to be a poor battery supply.
I built mine 9V and it wants a good quality of 9 volts!
Hth.
Rick.
DE G6UZT.

 

Al,

Yes, I have gone over the board very closely with a jewelers eyepiece and it all look good.? Cleaned the rosin and found no changes in the symptoms.

Hope to ask Hans later this week while in Dayton.

Thanks for the input.

Gary a. - W0MNA

On Fri, May 12, 2023, 11:47 Al Holt <grovekid2@...> wrote:
Gary,

Have you tried going over the board with a toothbrush lightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol? This is good practice for clearing up residual rosen on the board, but it can also help flush out small solder blobs and wire whiskers lurking on the PCB. I usually follow that up dabbing the board with a paper towel; that seems to leave less fibers hanging on protruding wires.

Very close inspection around the processor and EEPROM seems in order, too.

Good luck with the project!

--Al
WD4AH

 

Gary,

When you connect using the USB disk emulation, do you see the current version and EEPROM file in the folder?? There has been at least one case where the EEPROM failed and would not save the firmware or configuration data.

73
Evan
AC9TU
 

Yes, you can see the eprom file when it comes up emulating a drive.? You can change to an earlier version of the firmware and it will show up when you restart the QDX in a firmware update mode.? It appears to be accepting updates.

Here's what I'm seeing....when you first apply power the LED constantly blinks.? Nevee goes solid.

If you unplug the power and wait 10 seconds or so, reapply power the LED comes on solid and it is in the firmware mode.

Gary a.

On Sun, May 14, 2023, 09:14 Evan Hand <elhandjr@...> wrote:
Gary,

When you connect using the USB disk emulation, do you see the current version and EEPROM file in the folder?? There has been at least one case where the EEPROM failed and would not save the firmware or configuration data.

73
Evan
AC9TU

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