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Startup issue loading Firmware. #firmware #troubleshoot #troubleshooting #USB-C

 

Just finished QMX build and I can’t get my Mac to recognize the USB so as to upload firmware. ?I am powering with a 7v power supply. ?I am using USB c to usbA and then an adapter. ?Have tried two other cables with no success. ? I have seen all the tips on YouTube and also page 63 in the manual. ?Feel like I’ve wasted $150 on this radio and likely never to get it to work. ?I will try on a Windows machine if I can borrow one this week. ?Other than that don’t know what to do. ?

Bill, KJ5IVB?
 

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Have you heard about Jeff Moore? He can help.

On Apr 1, 2025, at 7:22?PM, Bill KJ5IVB via groups.io <Wdbuck@...> wrote:

?
Just finished QMX build and I can’t get my Mac to recognize the USB so as to upload firmware. ?I am powering with a 7v power supply. ?I am using USB c to usbA and then an adapter. ?Have tried two other cables with no success. ? I have seen all the tips on YouTube and also page 63 in the manual. ?Feel like I’ve wasted $150 on this radio and likely never to get it to work. ?I will try on a Windows machine if I can borrow one this week. ?Other than that don’t know what to do. ?

Bill, KJ5IVB?

--
Gary W0CKI
 

?I am powering with a 7v power supply.
?
Perhaps that's not enough ... I found that my QMX+ won't really run below about 7.5 VDC.? Below
that, it flashes the "flashing battery" icon.
?
Good luck!
?
- Bruce K1FFX
?
 

A really good question that you should ask yourself is:

Does your radio work when you power it up?

They all come with firmware installed for the factory
tests of the SMT parts on the board, so if your radio
is assembled correctly, it should play.

If it doesn't, concentrate on that. Save the firmware
loading for after you have fixed any construction errors.

-Chuck Harris, WA3UQV

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:22:27 -0700 "Bill KJ5IVB via groups.io"
<Wdbuck@...> wrote:

Just finished QMX build and I can’t get my Mac to recognize the USB
so as to upload firmware. ?I am powering with a 7v power supply. ?I
am using USB c to usbA and then an adapter. ?Have tried two other
cables with no success. ? I have seen all the tips on YouTube and
also page 63 in the manual. ?Feel like I’ve wasted $150 on this radio
and likely never to get it to work. ?I will try on a Windows machine
if I can borrow one this week. ?Other than that don’t know what to do.

Bill, KJ5IVB
 

Chuck--
?
If I understand correctly, it's only the QMX+ that gets powered up, firmware loaded, and tested...
On Apr 1, 2025, 19:47 -0700, Chuck Harris via groups.io <cfharris@...>, wrote:

A really good question that you should ask yourself is:

Does your radio work when you power it up?

They all come with firmware installed for the factory
tests of the SMT parts on the board, so if your radio
is assembled correctly, it should play.

If it doesn't, concentrate on that. Save the firmware
loading for after you have fixed any construction errors.

-Chuck Harris, WA3UQV

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:22:27 -0700 "Bill KJ5IVB via groups.io"
<Wdbuck@...> wrote:
Just finished QMX build and I can’t get my Mac to recognize the USB
so as to upload firmware. ?I am powering with a 7v power supply. ?I
am using USB c to usbA and then an adapter. ?Have tried two other
cables with no success. ? I have seen all the tips on YouTube and
also page 63 in the manual. ?Feel like I’ve wasted $150 on this radio
and likely never to get it to work. ?I will try on a Windows machine
if I can borrow one this week. ?Other than that don’t know what to do.

Bill, KJ5IVB
 

Bill, can you measure the current draw when you turn on the qmx?? If it is waiting for firmware,? it should be about 200mA, maybe a bit more at 7V.? If it is much less than that, or way more, there is likely a problem to resolve before it will mount the USB drive.
?
You could also verify your cable setup to make sure it supports data transfer by plugging it into another device like a camera or card reader or whatever.? ?Some cables? and adapters only support power/charging.
 

No, I don’t know about Jeff Moore. ? Can you provide more contact info. ?Send privately if necessary.?

Bill Buck , KJ5IVB
 

Bill...
Have you watched this video ?
It worked for me on my Mac mini.
?
Rich, AD0SN
 

Hi Bill,

Don't give up! You're almost there!

As has been mentioned: make sure you have a good cable. Some are charge-only. That could stymie you right there.

Make sure you're providing enough power. If it's not drawing excessive current, give it a little closer to the power you built it for.

Building errors are easy to make and common, especially on the QMX mini. These errors often escape builders' notice, even on examination.

There are lots of voices willing to share wisdom on this forum if you want to continue your building efforts and finish the job.

If at some point you decide you've reached the limit of your own patience, you can find contact info for Jeff Moore W1NC on his QRZ (.com) page. He offers skilled repair in the U.S. for the QRP-Labs line of devices.

Feel free to search the forums for ample testimony (including from myself) of his skill and generosity. It's a challenging build, and he provides a gracious back-stop to less-than-expert builders like myself.

73 de Todd W2TEF
 

I reached out to Jeff through the web interface for this group.?
?
He found a few issues with my mid band QMX, a couple of shorts (one of which took out my smps and cpu) and a few other minor issues (we both believe that my buttons might have gotten some Flux in them as they felt gummy to both of us).
?
Fortunately he had the tools to replace the cpu because I don't!? He also does great work.?
?
With that, I'll likely be a little bit captain obvious:
?
Make sure that the QMX is connected to the computer before even plugging in power to the unit.? Then turn it on.? This often resolved new units not connecting.?
?
Look very closely for possible solder shorts. I thought I did a good job of this, but the smps and cpu says differently.
?
Until you get the new firmware loaded and are ready to start testing the unit in full, use a current limiting power supply and set it to no more than 400 mA.?
?
 

My pardon, I thought that was what we were talking about.

As the fictional character Emily Latella would say: "Never mind."

-Chuck Harris, WA3UQV


On Tue, 1 Apr 2025 19:56:03 -0700 "Paul - AI7JR via groups.io"
<paul.hanchett@...> wrote:
Chuck--

If I understand correctly, it's only the QMX+ that gets powered up,
firmware loaded, and tested... On Apr 1, 2025, 19:47 -0700, Chuck
Harris via groups.io <cfharris@...>, wrote:
A really good question that you should ask yourself is:

Does your radio work when you power it up?

They all come with firmware installed for the factory
tests of the SMT parts on the board, so if your radio
is assembled correctly, it should play.

If it doesn't, concentrate on that. Save the firmware
loading for after you have fixed any construction errors.

-Chuck Harris, WA3UQV

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:22:27 -0700 "Bill KJ5IVB via groups.io"
<Wdbuck@...> wrote:
Just finished QMX build and I can’t get my Mac to recognize the
USB so as to upload firmware. ?I am powering with a 7v power
supply. ?I am using USB c to usbA and then an adapter. ?Have
tried two other cables with no success. ? I have seen all the
tips on YouTube and also page 63 in the manual. ?Feel like I’ve
wasted $150 on this radio and likely never to get it to work. ?I
will try on a Windows machine if I can borrow one this week.
Other than that don’t know what to do.

Bill, KJ5IVB

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