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the next time someone asks when SSB firmware will be ready

 

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73, Mike KK7ER
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Mike,
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I can't help but think that these folks were once those kids that sat in the back seat of the car on a road trip repeatedly asking their parents "Are we there yet????"
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Len KJ9E
 

Hans & QRP Labs make some of the most innovative and affordable amateur radios out there. To be able to have a radio with all those features you can build, work on, repair or modify yourself is truly second to none. These little QRP rigs are awesome for CW and digital modes, 3-5 watts sideband would be another cool feature to have when/if it happens I will load that firmware, but I personally don't think I will make nearly as many contacts with that mode. In the mean time I am loving these little rigs! Thank you QRP Labs for all you do for amateur radio.
 

So when will it be ready?
 

soon :)
 

Never been closer :-)
 

Hans & QRP Labs make some of the most innovative and affordable amateur radios out there. To be able to have a radio with all those features you can build, work on, repair or modify yourself is truly second to none. These little QRP rigs are awesome for CW and digital modes, 3-5 watts sideband would be another cool feature to have when/if it happens I will load that firmware, but I personally don't think I will make nearly as many contacts with that mode. In the mean time I am loving these little rigs! Thank you QRP Labs for all you do for amateur radio.
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I agree, most of us are here because we love CW, Ditigal modes and don't really care about Phone due to CW/Digital being so efficient. We are a niche group.?
 

Is it ready yet, is it 'there' yet, when we gonna have it, Dad.

sorry, could'nt resist the temptation.

On 24 Jan 2025 at 3:04, Len Bandala, KJ9E via groups.io wrote:

Mike,

I can't help but think that these folks were once those kids that sat in the
back seat of the car on a road trip repeatedly asking their parents "Are we
there yet????"

Len KJ9E
 

Another consideration is adding SSB is going to open up a whole additional group of operators to the QRP Labs transceivers. That will be good for QRP Labs Co. but it is going to put more strain on Hans, that is a real concern. Personally I haven¡¯t used SSB or digital in years so I am in no rush to see it happen.?
Larry NA0F
 

It will also bring a new group of hams interested in QRP and all of their good ideas. More people using the gear in more ways is good for everyone.
 

Some of you have forgotten that SSB capability is required for some digital modes. ?Currently you can not do PSK-31 with any QRP Labs radio specifically because they do not have SSB capability. ?I personally hate CW even though I¡¯ve been a ham since 1981. ?I was an Advanced Class ham for 10 years because I couldn¡¯t get my CW speed up to 20 WPM. ?I could only do about 15 WPM. ?The consequence of that is that my SSB band privileges were limited. ?The pure stupidity of making voice privileges dependent on CW proficiency still infuriates me to this day, so much so that I¡¯m fine with making CW illegal on all ham frequencies just to get revenge. ?So yes, ?I¡¯ll ask the question over and over again ¡°When will SSB be available?¡± ?Have a nice day. ?73, Jerry AC5JM?
 

I haven't forgotten about SSB capability for some digital modes, that will definitely be cool. I agree with you the way that the FCC did the CW requirements back in the day was stupid and made no sense. Oddly enough, I didn't get into CW until it was no longer a requirement. Amateur radio has so many different niche areas to get into. Glad you are into your SSB & PSK31, there is plenty of room for all of us and our interests. FYI 15 WPM is very respectable, you can make a TON of contacts at that speed ;-)
 

I keep thinking Hans really ought to raise the price when SSB is available. For sure his support load is going to rise, perhaps dramatically. (Which means I should order a QMX+ now while the getting is good!)

On the plus side, a SSB radio limited to 5w is still going to have limited appeal (and utility). Maybe the SSB-enabled QMX will be the basis of a new radio with a bigger RF output. Would he have to change the name to QRO-Labs? :-) (If I was his only customer, he'd have to change it to QRS-Labs...)

Personally I have no interest in SSB, though it'll be fun to say my little tiny QMX (mini) is capable of it. And someday I intend to investigate digital modes.

Re: CW: my journey is ironic, though perhaps not unique. I was licensed in 1998 as a Tech+ specifically so I could use CW with my little SW-40. My license lapsed after a time. I re-licensed just over a year ago because, with the code requirement gone, why not? Like Corey, now that I am licensed, I have been on the air and growing in my CW abilities, and I operate almost exclusively CW.

My bet is Hans would LOVE to make a big announcement at FDIM, as with the introduction of the QMX+ last year. And adding SSB a year after introduction would indeed be a coup.

But the QMX's will always be mainly about CW for me: their diminutive physical size and their diminuitive QRP power (and battery consumption) both lend themselves to that use. And they are still far more affordable than anything remotely comparable. It has been exactly the right radio for me.

73 de Todd W2TEF
 

Like the sign at the Bar.... Free Beer Tomorrow!? :-)
 

Just checked my POTA hunter statistics - I've never used more than 5 watts:
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2 CW
228 Data
103 Phone
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I find 5W SSB fun and pleasantly surprising that it works as well as it does.
 

Many will argue, and say "Show me where it says that!!!"? But there's no arguing....POTA is mostly a QRP sport!
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Dave KD2E

On 01/24/2025 11:26 AM EST Brian KB9WFS <brian@...> wrote:
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Just checked my POTA hunter statistics - I've never used more than 5 watts:
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2 CW
228 Data
103 Phone
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I find 5W SSB fun and pleasantly surprising that it works as well as it does.

 

On 24/01/2025 16:17, Todd W2TEF via groups.io wrote:
a SSB radio limited to 5w is still going to have limited appeal (and utility)
You may not have heard of the Yaesu FT-817 that sold essentially unchanged for 22 years and is possibly the best selling amateur radio of all time.

In case it passed you by, it was a 5W CW/SSB radio. With VHF/UHF and FM.

;-)
 

Mike KK7ER <groupio@...> wrote:

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Not yet, but I bet
It's a journey you won't forget
 

On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM, Andy wrote:
You may not have heard of the Yaesu FT-817 that sold essentially unchanged for
22 years and is possibly the best selling amateur radio of all time.

In case it passed you by, it was a 5W CW/SSB radio. With VHF/UHF and FM.
Touche! I am betraying my status as an Amateur Radio novice, no matter what the FCC may have printed on my license! Excellent point.

Hans better hunker down against the onslaught of orders and support once SSB firmware is released and word gets out!
 

On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM, Todd W2TEF wrote:
a SSB radio limited to 5w is still going to have limited appeal (and utility). Maybe the SSB-enabled QMX will be the basis of a new radio with a bigger RF output.
5W is a perfectly good starting point for amplification.? There is no shortage of 50-100-watt class amplifiers available for those who want more power.? My Hardrock50, for example,? is perfect for use with QRP Labs radios, and it has a great built-in tuner, which can also be used with the barefoot radio.
73, Don N2VGU

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