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Hi all
I released firmware 1_00_020 for QMX and QMX+ which you can download at and there is also an updated operating manual for this version.?
Please note, this is a minor release, and I hope it will not draw too much criticism of what has and what has not been included; I just wanted to get the documentation up to date (1_00_019 was missing an operating manual) and clear up a few things that several people had identified as urgent or were very simple or I had done already in the last few weeks. The new "Test ADC I/Q" tool is also a useful diagnostic aid.?
As always: if it is not in this list, it has not been done; so no need to point out all the things that are wrong that are NOT in this list, if it has been mentioned on this forum already it means it is most likely already on my ToDo list. And I do know some bugs will be particularly?bothering?particular people... and aren't solved yet... and that will surely disappoint someone. So I have my asbestos on... But at least, let's tick off a few things and keep the ball rolling.? And do please rest assured: SSB is the current main priority - and now Dayton and Friedrichshafen are out of the way, this will be my focus.?
1. New Test ADC I/Q tool shows baseband I/Q samples, aiding diagnostics
Useful tool that shows a 750Hz sinewave cycle at baseband, and if it is correct, clean and shows correct 90-degree I Q phase, it verifies the receiver front end is working properly. If NOT, then it could give indications of other issues, in conjunction with other evidence; please see the operating manual at page 83 for a full description.?
2. Add 20dB of attenuation in earphones when in Digi mode (equalize volume to CW) Stops you being accidentally deafened if you change from CW mode to Digi by mistake. Surely there must be some way to calculate given a bandwidth difference, what the perceived volume difference would be... in the absence of having a sufficiently functional cerebral cortex I just found that 20dB sounds a lot better than nothing at all.?
3. Remove the experimental "SuppressThump" setting which is now always on
I see no reason to not use SuppressThump, so the setting is now gone and the thing it did, is now always done.?
4. Configure AGC defaults on factory reset (or new installation)
AGC (CW mode) is now on by default (after factory reset or on a fresh QMX) and the settings of the video? set up by default, except for Sample Blocks which is set to 2.?
5. Bug fix: Display leftovers on GPS display on LCD
6. Bug fix: RF, AF and Image Sweep tools didn't work unless in VFO Mode A already
7. Bug fix: Selecting a preset did not change the LPF selection, only the VFO
Now it selects the appropriate band and filters selection, so this should solve some danger, when using presets...?
8. Bug fix: LPF and SWR sweep screens broke if not all bands were enabled
Now fixed...?
9. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in AG; command response
10. Bug fix: CAT bug, in IF command (1 character too long)
11. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in TM; command response
12. Bug fix: Change minimum frequency from 3.2 MHz to 1.5 MHzSo now 160m receive should work BUT - note that I have not fixed up the correct 90-degree phase on 160m, and this means that there isn't any image rejection on 160m and also sensitivity will be a bit lower than it should be.?
Note also the description of the CPU Utilisation monitor is now also in the operating manual, at page 102.
73 Hans G0UPL
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Thank you Hans!? I've been greatly enjoying my QMX+!? :-)
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Thanks Hans,
Always love seeing new firmware releases. Just a note that the href link to the operating manual on the QMX page is still to the 1_00_018 PDF even though the link description says it points to the 1_00_020 PDF.
73s,
Geoff
KC8FDU
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024, at 13:17, Hans Summers wrote: Hi all
I released firmware 1_00_020 for QMX and QMX+ which you can download at
and there is also an updated operating manual for
this version.
Please note, this is a minor release, and I hope it will not draw too much
criticism of what has and what has not been included; I just wanted to get
the documentation up to date (1_00_019 was missing an operating manual) and
clear up a few things that several people had identified as urgent or were
very simple or I had done already in the last few weeks. The new "Test ADC
I/Q" tool is also a useful diagnostic aid.
As always: if it is not in this list, it has not been done; so no need to
point out all the things that are wrong that are NOT in this list, if it
has been mentioned on this forum already it means it is most likely already
on my ToDo list. And I do know some bugs will be
particularly bothering particular people... and aren't solved yet... and
that will surely disappoint someone. So I have my asbestos on... But at
least, let's tick off a few things and keep the ball rolling.
And do please rest assured: SSB is the current main priority - and now
Dayton and Friedrichshafen are out of the way, this will be my focus.
*1. New Test ADC I/Q tool shows baseband I/Q samples, aiding diagnostics*
Useful tool that shows a 750Hz sinewave cycle at baseband, and if it is
correct, clean and shows correct 90-degree I Q phase, it verifies the
receiver front end is working properly. If NOT, then it could give
indications of other issues, in conjunction with other evidence; please see
the operating manual at page 83 for a full description.
*2. Add 20dB of attenuation in earphones when in Digi mode (equalize volume
to CW)*
Stops you being accidentally deafened if you change from CW mode to Digi by
mistake. Surely there must be some way to calculate given a bandwidth
difference, what the perceived volume difference would be... in the absence
of having a sufficiently functional cerebral cortex I just found that 20dB
sounds a lot better than nothing at all.
*3. Remove the experimental "SuppressThump" setting which is now always on*
I see no reason to not use SuppressThump, so the setting is now gone and
the thing it did, is now always done.
*4. Configure AGC defaults on factory reset (or new installation)*
AGC (CW mode) is now on by default (after factory reset or on a fresh QMX)
and the settings of the video set up by
default, except for Sample Blocks which is set to 2.
*5. Bug fix: Display leftovers on GPS display on LCD*
*6. Bug fix: RF, AF and Image Sweep tools didn't work unless in VFO Mode A
already*
*7. Bug fix: Selecting a preset did not change the LPF selection, only the
VFO*
Now it selects the appropriate band and filters selection, so this should
solve some danger, when using presets...
*8. Bug fix: LPF and SWR sweep screens broke if not all bands were enabled*
Now fixed...
*9. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in AG; command response*
*10. Bug fix: CAT bug, in IF command (1 character too long)*
*11. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in TM; command response*
*12. Bug fix: Change minimum frequency from 3.2 MHz to 1.5 MHz*
So now 160m receive should work BUT - note that I have not fixed up the
correct 90-degree phase on 160m, and this means that there isn't any image
rejection on 160m and also sensitivity will be a bit lower than it should
be.
Note also the description of the CPU Utilisation monitor is now also in the
operating manual, at page 102.
73 Hans G0UPL
--
Sent from my email client.
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Just tried this. After update, CW sidetone clicks like crazy. I had to set "S9 sounds like" to 9. It was at zero.
Tony
AD0VC
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi all
I released firmware 1_00_020 for QMX and QMX+ which you can download at and there is also an updated operating manual for this version.?
Please note, this is a minor release, and I hope it will not draw too much criticism of what has and what has not been included; I just wanted to get the documentation up to date (1_00_019 was missing an operating manual) and clear up a few things that
several people had identified as urgent or were very simple or I had done already in the last few weeks. The new "Test ADC I/Q" tool is also a useful diagnostic aid.?
As always: if it is not in this list, it has not been done; so no need to point out all the things that are wrong that are NOT in this list, if it has been mentioned on this forum already it means it is most likely already on my ToDo list. And I do know
some bugs will be particularly?bothering?particular people... and aren't solved yet... and that will surely disappoint someone. So I have my asbestos on... But at least, let's tick off a few things and keep the ball rolling.?
And do please rest assured: SSB is the current main priority - and now Dayton and Friedrichshafen are out of the way, this will be my focus.?
1. New Test ADC I/Q tool shows baseband I/Q samples, aiding diagnostics
Useful tool that shows a 750Hz sinewave cycle at baseband, and if it is correct, clean and shows correct 90-degree I Q phase, it verifies the receiver front end is working properly. If NOT, then it could give indications of other issues, in conjunction
with other evidence; please see the operating manual at page 83 for a full description.?
2. Add 20dB of attenuation in earphones when in Digi mode (equalize volume to CW)
Stops you being accidentally deafened if you change from CW mode to Digi by mistake. Surely there must be some way to calculate given a bandwidth difference, what the perceived volume difference would be... in the absence of having a sufficiently functional
cerebral cortex I just found that 20dB sounds a lot better than nothing at all.?
3. Remove the experimental "SuppressThump" setting which is now always on
I see no reason to not use SuppressThump, so the setting is now gone and the thing it did, is now always done.?
4. Configure AGC defaults on factory reset (or new installation)
AGC (CW mode) is now on by default (after factory reset or on a fresh QMX) and the settings of the video?
set up by default, except for Sample Blocks which is set to 2.?
5. Bug fix: Display leftovers on GPS display on LCD
6. Bug fix: RF, AF and Image Sweep tools didn't work unless in VFO Mode A already
7. Bug fix: Selecting a preset did not change the LPF selection, only the VFO
Now it selects the appropriate band and filters selection, so this should solve some danger, when using presets...?
8. Bug fix: LPF and SWR sweep screens broke if not all bands were enabled
Now fixed...?
9. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in AG; command response
10. Bug fix: CAT bug, in IF command (1 character too long)
11. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in TM; command response
12. Bug fix: Change minimum frequency from 3.2 MHz to 1.5 MHz
So now 160m receive should work BUT - note that I have not fixed up the correct 90-degree phase on 160m, and this means that there isn't any image rejection on 160m and also sensitivity will be a bit lower than it should be.?
Note also the description of the CPU Utilisation monitor is now also in the operating manual, at page 102.
73 Hans G0UPL
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Thanks Geoff
I fixed it?
73 Hans G0UPL
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024, 22:29 Geoffrey E. Gallaway via <geoffeg= [email protected]> wrote: Thanks Hans,
Always love seeing new firmware releases. Just a note that the href link to the operating manual on the QMX page is still to the 1_00_018 PDF even though the link description says it points to the 1_00_020 PDF.
73s,
Geoff
KC8FDU
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024, at 13:17, Hans Summers wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I released firmware 1_00_020 for QMX and QMX+ which you can download at
> and there is also an updated operating manual for
> this version.
>
> Please note, this is a minor release, and I hope it will not draw too much
> criticism of what has and what has not been included; I just wanted to get
> the documentation up to date (1_00_019 was missing an operating manual) and
> clear up a few things that several people had identified as urgent or were
> very simple or I had done already in the last few weeks. The new "Test ADC
> I/Q" tool is also a useful diagnostic aid.
>
> As always: if it is not in this list, it has not been done; so no need to
> point out all the things that are wrong that are NOT in this list, if it
> has been mentioned on this forum already it means it is most likely already
> on my ToDo list. And I do know some bugs will be
> particularly bothering particular people... and aren't solved yet... and
> that will surely disappoint someone. So I have my asbestos on... But at
> least, let's tick off a few things and keep the ball rolling.
>
> And do please rest assured: SSB is the current main priority - and now
> Dayton and Friedrichshafen are out of the way, this will be my focus.
>
> *1. New Test ADC I/Q tool shows baseband I/Q samples, aiding diagnostics*
> Useful tool that shows a 750Hz sinewave cycle at baseband, and if it is
> correct, clean and shows correct 90-degree I Q phase, it verifies the
> receiver front end is working properly. If NOT, then it could give
> indications of other issues, in conjunction with other evidence; please see
> the operating manual at page 83 for a full description.
>
> *2. Add 20dB of attenuation in earphones when in Digi mode (equalize volume
> to CW)*
> Stops you being accidentally deafened if you change from CW mode to Digi by
> mistake. Surely there must be some way to calculate given a bandwidth
> difference, what the perceived volume difference would be... in the absence
> of having a sufficiently functional cerebral cortex I just found that 20dB
> sounds a lot better than nothing at all.
>
> *3. Remove the experimental "SuppressThump" setting which is now always on*
> I see no reason to not use SuppressThump, so the setting is now gone and
> the thing it did, is now always done.
>
> *4. Configure AGC defaults on factory reset (or new installation)*
> AGC (CW mode) is now on by default (after factory reset or on a fresh QMX)
> and the settings of the video set up by
> default, except for Sample Blocks which is set to 2.
>
> *5. Bug fix: Display leftovers on GPS display on LCD*
>
> *6. Bug fix: RF, AF and Image Sweep tools didn't work unless in VFO Mode A
> already*
>
> *7. Bug fix: Selecting a preset did not change the LPF selection, only the
> VFO*
> Now it selects the appropriate band and filters selection, so this should
> solve some danger, when using presets...
>
> *8. Bug fix: LPF and SWR sweep screens broke if not all bands were enabled*
> Now fixed...
>
> *9. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in AG; command response*
>
> *10. Bug fix: CAT bug, in IF command (1 character too long)*
>
> *11. Bug fix: CAT bug, remove \0 character in TM; command response*
>
> *12. Bug fix: Change minimum frequency from 3.2 MHz to 1.5 MHz*
> So now 160m receive should work BUT - note that I have not fixed up the
> correct 90-degree phase on 160m, and this means that there isn't any image
> rejection on 160m and also sensitivity will be a bit lower than it should
> be.
>
> Note also the description of the CPU Utilisation monitor is now also in the
> operating manual, at page 102.
>
> 73 Hans G0UPL
>
>
>
>
>
--
Sent from my email client.
|
On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 08:17 PM, Hans Summers wrote:
?
2. Add 20dB of attenuation in earphones when in Digi mode (equalize volume to CW)
Stops you being accidentally deafened if you change from CW mode to Digi by mistake. Surely there must be some way to calculate given a bandwidth difference, what the perceived volume difference would be... in the absence of having a sufficiently functional cerebral cortex I just found that 20dB sounds a lot better than nothing at all.?
?
Hi Hans, thanks for this FW release. A thought: I wonder why one would need to have audio on in Digi modes? Just mute it. And enable the audio in the third (not yet there) mode to have the choice of an RX broad band audio on to listen to SSB signals. ? -- 73 Bojan S53DZ
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... what I want to say is that the audio volume of one Continuous Wave signal in BW of 300 Hz is about equal to the SSB signal in the 3kHz BW. Considering the characteristics of a SSB signal.
But you are correct as you have done with this -20dB attenuation in the Digi mode, for instance FT-8, you can have 100 different carriers of a comparable power adding up in the 3 kHz BW (+20dB). But again why would you like to listen to the jam of the Digi modes signals?
--
73 Bojan S53DZ
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On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 11:48 PM, Bojan Naglic wrote:
But again why would you like to listen to the jam of the Digi modes signals?
If I don't have a proof of time sync listen to the audio and watch the computer clock gives me a first impression of sync. And in the moment Digi is the only way to listen to SSB I think. 73, Ludwig
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Hi Ludwig,
I think the time sync has to be done correct and not just at the about right maner. Bseides one can observe the spectrum to get the information about the start.
For the use of the wide band audio for the RX I proposed to introduce the third mode which would than also switch the frequency to the last heard SSB signal and not stay on the Digi band.
--
73 Bojan S53DZ
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On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 05:32 PM, Bojan Naglic wrote:
A thought: I wonder why one would need to have audio on in Digi modes? Just mute it.
I find it useful if I am trying to debug another radio setup (listening to the signal coming from the other radio).? Definitely prefer that audio remain available for listening in digi modes.
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"why one would need to have audio on in Digi modes?"
I disagree, though I agree that some would not!
My ear can't decode the signals, but I can hear how everything is
going. Agree, that it's elsewhere in the displays. But if I'm
listening, I don't have to search it out.
Just sayin'. OK that YMMV!
73, Paul -- AI7JR
--
Paul -- AI7JR
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Thanks Hans. All the fixes worked for me. Love the radio. Moving on to development board. You actually got me in digital modes finally, because.I can hear the audio. That humanized the feel and allows for instant band condition assessment as well as
SSB for now. The WSPR beacon mode works. Internal GPS and battery work. And practice mode works as code oscillator. Combined?
with my WolfWave a $3000 radio!
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On Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 10:48 PM, Bojan Naglic wrote:
But again why would you like to listen to the jam of the Digi modes signals?
Niche case maybe but some of us like to listen to the digital sigs for sensory reasons. I find the warble of FT8 very soothing and when I operated the mode I always listened to it as it was very comforting.? It's nice to have options in life :)
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I just got my QMX, a few days ago.
It was already flashed with 1_00_019, but after i flashed it to 1_00_020, the text makes no sense.
I had to use the jumper trick, to get into firmware mode.? I tried to load 1_00_019 and the text is back to normal.
Downloaded the 1_00_020 again and flashed it and the text is weird again.
Im back on 1_00_019.
I been using win10 and the PCB is Rev. 2.
?
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I appreciate you spelling out the additional instruction pages. That allows me to print off my additional resources to add to my already existing manual without comparing page by page.
Keep up with the great work and thank you!
Greg?
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Hans,
Thanks for the CAT fixes! Works great now with DXLabs Commander!!
73,
Randy, KS4L
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My QMX+ has the same issue. 1_00_019 works fine. 1_00_020 has unreadable display. The 1_00_020 release is the first one to use all 8 address bits on the LCD. All previous revisions use only 4 of them. Address lines D0, D1, D2 and D3 are now also in use. You should check the continuity end to end from the appropriate LCD leads to the corresponding leads of the MCU. Also look for shorts to ground and shorts between the lines and adjacent circuitry. In my case that all seemed to test good so I am installing a new LCD when it arrives tomorrow.
73 .. .Ron
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On Sun, Jul 14, 2024 at 01:08 AM, Ronald Taylor wrote:
The 1_00_020 release is the first one to use all 8 address bits on the LCD
Got mine preassembled (order 82860) from QRP labs, so I expected it to be ok. Only had it a few days. But looking at FT8 it receive very bad, compared to the QDX with same antenna. Maybe I got a bad unit.
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Has there been a definitive fix for this issue? My QMX+ also has a garbled display with firmware 20.
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Hello Tim
> Has there been a definitive fix for this issue? My QMX+ also has a? > garbled display with firmware 20.
If your QMX+ has a proper display on version 19 but a garbled?display on version 20, this categorically means that you have a connection fault on one of the D0, D1, D2, D3 signals between the microcontroller and the LCD. It's a hardware fault with your QMX+. A connection fault means short to ground, short to an adjacent signal, dry solder joint (no connection), poorly aligned connector between boards, etc.?
The reason for the change in 20 is that the display is now written in 8-bit mode, requiring all 8 data line signals between microcontroller and LCD. All previous firmware versions and all other QRP Labs kits use 4-bit mode. But 8-bit mode writes data twice as fast as 4-bit mode.?
On Mon, Jul 22, 2024 at 5:39?PM Tim Adkinson via <bigring466= [email protected]> wrote: Has there been a definitive fix for this issue? My QMX+ also has a garbled display with firmware 20.
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Dj Merrill
Paul - AI7JR
OZ5OPK
Randy
Ronald Taylor