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Hi,
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Although I got my licence over 40 years ago, I never pursued amateur radio as an interest until now. So, I was very excited this week to take delivery of my first HF rig - a new assembled QMX+. Even more excited, when connecting it to a homebrew efhw I could hear CW and see the decoded morse code (which I am currently learning).
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But all that excitement was marred by me being an idiot and not inserting the cr2032 battery for the RTC correctly. I assumed I just had to push it into the holder when I should have slid it in under the +ve connectors - so when the time was being lost on shutting down the rig I found that I had bent the +ve positive pins so they were in contact with the -ve terminal of the battery. I bent them back so when inserting the battery correctly they are now in contact with the +ve side of the battery but I lose the time every time I power down.?
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I have tried different configurations with the Real time clock parameter set to QMX+ RTC or software, manually setting the time or attaching the antenna for the internal GPS module and letting that set the time but with no success. So have I damaged the RTC components?
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Paul
G8MAD
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PS it was reading the posts in this group and all the support that it offers that made me decide to go for a QRP Labs radio. Thanks.
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I think it is unlikely that you could harm any circuitry by shorting the Vbat terminals together.
You could have drained your battery, if it was in for any length of time, since the + terminal could have shorted the battery + and - together.
So first thing is to try a new battery, inserted correctly.
And do you have your GPS set for Vbat power or Vdd?? If it is set for Vbat, and Vbat is drained, it won't keep time when off.? When you use the GPS for the clock, based on earlier messages in this forum, I understand you need to set RTC control to 'software' (due to a bug or 'feature' of the current firmware), in order for the GPS to continually update the clock.? [And note that the GPS may take a long time to get clock sync when you first turn it on in a new location - at least many minutes.? Subsequent sync times will be much faster.]
Stan KC7XE
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Paul,?
Take heart! Most of the things I teach to younger (and some almost at my age, 80) I learned by mistakes, misunderstandings, and just trying this and trying that. Just the fact that you admitted how you had made the mistake shows you will be a good teacher. ?Good teachers can’t be proud because if you are proud you can’t confess your mistakes. ?Keep learning, keep on keeping on, and see one, screw up one, then teach one…. We are all brothers in this hobby.
My favorite simile of a good hobby is one that gives you a heart warming feeling, similar to John Wesleys “heart warming feeling” at Watersgate. ?Italian changes you and your response to the world. In this messed up world we need a hobby to help us cope and stay sane. ?Ham radio has done that for me for 65 years. ?
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On Apr 3, 2025, at 2:15?AM, Paul G8MAD via groups.io <paultostevin@...> wrote:
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Hi,
?
Although I got my licence over 40 years ago, I never pursued amateur radio as an interest until now. So, I was very excited this week to take delivery of my first HF rig - a new assembled QMX+. Even more excited, when connecting it to a homebrew efhw I could hear CW and see the decoded morse code (which I am currently learning).
?
But all that excitement was marred by me being an idiot and not inserting the cr2032 battery for the RTC correctly. I assumed I just had to push it into the holder when I should have slid it in under the +ve connectors - so when the time was being lost on shutting down the rig I found that I had bent the +ve positive pins so they were in contact with the -ve terminal of the battery. I bent them back so when inserting the battery correctly they are now in contact with the +ve side of the battery but I lose the time every time I power down.?
?
I have tried different configurations with the Real time clock parameter set to QMX+ RTC or software, manually setting the time or attaching the antenna for the internal GPS module and letting that set the time but with no success. So have I damaged the RTC components?
?
Paul
G8MAD
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PS it was reading the posts in this group and all the support that it offers that made me decide to go for a QRP Labs radio. Thanks.
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Hi Stan
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Thanks for your reply. It didn’t occur to me to recheck the battery voltage but it still shows 3.15V on my dvm. I reinserted it ensuring good contacts with the positive pins of the holder. I nervously checked the voltage on the solder to the left and right of the holder, which I assume supplies the power to the RTC, and that also gives 3.15V. Without the GPS antenna cable connected and the Real time clock setting set to QMX+ RTC I set the clock manually and it still powers up showing the time 00:00.
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The GPS Vbat/Vdd settings - I couldn’t see these in the menu system so are these configured via a terminal connection.
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Paul
GMAD
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Thanks for your encouragement Dave. ?I need to learn to remember the highs rather than pondering n the lows! I’m looking forward to trying to get up to speed n this hobby.
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Paul
G8MAD
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I didn't even know that the clock settings could be preserved, or that there is a place for a cr2032 battery in my QMX+. I didn't see anything about it in the manual, but of course the Plus doesn't seem to have a manual that I could find.
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Hi Braden
The QMX+ has its own assembly manual. The operating manual is the same for QMX and QMX+, and any differences between them are identified where they occur.?
73 Hans G0UPL
I didn't even know that the clock settings could be preserved, or that there is a place for a cr2032 battery in my QMX+. I didn't see anything about it in the manual, but of course the Plus doesn't seem to have a manual that I could find.
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On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 06:07 AM, Paul G8MAD wrote:
The GPS Vbat/Vdd settings - I couldn’t see these in the menu system so are these configured via a terminal connection
This is a jumper on the board, it is only relevant if you have a GPS module.? It's mentioned in the QMX+ assembly manual which is hidden in the QMX+ section of the QRP Labs website.
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Well ... Certainly not hidden.?
Both Assembly and Operating manuals for the QMX+, in all its versions, are in the section titled 'Documentation' on the main QMX+ web page.?
GREG
On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 11:53 AM, Chris <chris.rowland@...> wrote: On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 06:07 AM, Paul G8MAD wrote:
The GPS Vbat/Vdd settings - I couldn’t see these in the menu system so are these configured via a terminal connection
This is a jumper on the board, it is only relevant if you have a GPS module.? It's mentioned in the QMX+ assembly manual which is hidden in the QMX+ section of the QRP Labs website.
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The QMX+ operation manual that I saw is for the regular QMX. Do you have access to a different one? For instance, the diagrams of the front and (I think) rear panels are laid out differently. I understand now that the QMX+ and the regular QMX manuals are largely the same other than the diagram.
Just to clarify, I ordered a preassembled QMX+ and so didn't think I had any reason to download the assembly manual. I now understand that that may not be the case.
Thank you all for your input! 73
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The GPS vdd or vbat setting is a wire link on the PCB.
de VK6XT?
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And as noted in the assembly instructions ...
WARNING: the jumper wire must sit flush down on the board. Otherwise it will short with the metal body of the SMA connector!
I insulated mine with a thin piece of shrink tubing. Using a small gauge of insulated wire instead of a lead cutoff and tubing would work too. Get it close and flat on the PCB.?
G
On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 6:23 PM, Rick Hill via groups.io <6xraytango@...> wrote: The GPS vdd or vbat setting is a wire link on the PCB.
de VK6XT?
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On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 07:35 PM, Greg McCain wrote:
Using a small gauge of insulated wire instead of a lead cutoff and tubing would work too. Get it close and flat on the PCB.?
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Extra style points for tacking the wire/tubing down with Krazy-type glue.
73, Don N2VGU
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Thanks for suggestions Stan and co. Confirming that with GPS connected and RTC source set to "software" the clock became accurate within a few minutes.
de VK6XT?
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The internal GPS sets my clock within a few minutes. The problem for me is that no matter what the ‘Real time clock’ is set to at power down the clock is always 00:00 at power up.
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On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM, Paul G8MAD wrote:
The problem for me is that no matter what the ‘Real time clock’ is set to at power down the clock is always 00:00 at power up.
What is the voltage on the VBAT line?? This is available on JP218, the three pin connector under the GPS module, the pin labelled 'Batt'.? It needs to be about 3V from the CR2032 battery, even when the power is off.
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Chris, G5CTH
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On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 04:35 PM, Greg McCain wrote:
WARNING: the jumper wire must sit flush
down on the board. Otherwise it will short
with the metal body of the SMA
connector!
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The JP218 jumper wires are well clear of the SMA connector, in front of it, not underneath at least on the Rev 3 boards. Maybe this was moved on the later PCBs.
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Chris, G5CTH
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Hi Chris,
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Stan had mentioned about Vbat but I didn’t know where to look. The QMX+ was assembled and the GPS module came already installed. Vdd is linked to VBat which I assume is the pre-assembled default. ?With the rig powered off a probe on Batt and the other on the Gnd (on top of the GPS module) there is no voltage - the battery is installed and shows 3.17V (via the battery connections to the pcb). With power VBat shows 3.27V.
Paul, G8MAD
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David Wilcox K8WPE
Braden Glett
Donald S Brant Jr