WSPR without GPS unit
6
Hi I have been trying to set up WSPR on the QCX and have the following display WSPR call (without error) but cannot get it to transmit I cannot figure out what I am during wrong the start time is set and frame time is set The display does not change to give the WSPR info at the set time Any ideas??? John
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Solder pot for toroid leads
16
Does anyone use Solder pots for tinning and removing the enamel from the toroid leads? Any hints and tips? I see a cheap one on Amazon for about $20. Any suggestions if I should buy special solder for this, or use my normal Kester 63/37 solder in it?
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Region 1 Field Day
The Whitsunday Weekend is the Region 1 CW field day. Get your QRP Labs rig out into the field and have fun. https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/iaru-region-1-fieldday/en/ My QMX plus will be there as DL0EU/P Solar panel power https://dxhf2.darc.de/~fdcwlog/map.php?form=referat&lang=de lok for me east of Hamburg -- Martin DK3UW
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yellow t37 torroids
#qcx
Hi probably a silly question but which bag do the yellow t37 torroids live ? i have 2 qcx+ kits and i have both red torroids in both kits but no yellow . thanks nic
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Release of version 2.0 of ABS solution for QMX+ (Automatic internal antenna tuner, internal battery and internal speaker with audio amp)
44
#PSU
#QMXplus
#audio
#ABS
#ATU
Hi, I have released a version 2 of ABS solution. Please refer to the readme front page file at the git repository for full details and release notes: https://github.com/AC8L/QMX_Plus_Autotuner_Internal_Battery_Speaker/ The release includes new PCB fabrication files, BOM and detailed build instructions. This release took into consideration lessons learned and a feedback from first group buy participants fearlessly organized by Cal (AD8Q) and Stan (KC7XE). -- 73, Sardar (AC8L, 4K6SA, VA3DUA).
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QMX+ SSB audio distorted on one band only
17
Hi, I installed the 1_01_003 beta firmware yesterday and I am amazed at how it has transformed my QMX+ (rev 2 board). I am, however, perplexed at the fact that the SSB audio is distorted (on another receiver) only on 20M. This only occurred after calibration and the audio becomes absolutely clear again after disabling the phase predistortion. All other bands have good audio with and without predistortion, and the RF output is within normal limits on all bands, although 20M is a little lower than others at about 3W. I am using a 12V stabilised PSU and a good dummy load, via a Bird isolator, giving me a solid signal into my receiver. Trying to think of an explanation made me consider that the LPF used for 20M (LPF 3) may not present a good load to the PA, so I looked at the LPF sweep using PuTTY. Here is the sweep for 20M: The 14MHz line is in a less than ideal part of the curve, whereas the bands which share this LPF are better placed. Is this significant? The phase calibration sweep for 20M also looks odd and is different to the others which are all nice curves (except 160M which sounds fine!): This is the 20M USB IMD sync optimisation curve, the title of which has been overwritten by the asterisks of the curve. The 20M USB curve looks identical: Here is the adjacent band 30M curve for comparison: Everything on the board looks good and the radio otherwise works perfectly. I am perplexed at why only one band is distorted (it really is unreadable) yet 160m, which has similar calibration curves but a great looking LPF, Sounds OK. Any ideas? The simple answer is to switch off predistortion, but that doesn't solve the problem! 73 Ellis GM4GZW
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Updated Wiki Page: QMX QMX_plus Debugging
#wiki-notice
The wiki page QMX QMX_plus Debugging has been updated by @Ludwig_DH8WN <DH8WN@...>. Compare Revisions
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QMX SWR measurement is not correct while using with PA
10
Hello! I've noticed that SWR protection stops TX when I try to use QMX with one of my PA. When I measure SWR with connected PA threw QMX hardware test it shows 1.8-1.9. And it causes SWR protection actuation (even if SWR protection level is 3 or 4 by the way...). When I do SWR measurement with Nano VNA or another transceiver they measure SWR = 1.1. So it looks like QMX is incorrect. That is strange... When I do not use PA then QMX SWR measurement tool provides correct figures (compared with Nano VNA). Any ideas? BR/Sergey UB3AZK
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New QMX - observations and best QSO
8
My QMX arrived last week. Since I operate primarily digital, ( but seriously working on honing my CW skills) I was able to get several 'DIGI' mode programs to work. Not so easy with the SSB-required modes. I cannot believe the lack of YT videos on setting up this radio on digital modes. That will probably come with time. I now have Winlink, VARAC, FLdigi, etc. running. Some observations so far: 1. When I switched between two antennas I was testing last night, the QMX display suddenly shows only all horizontal lines, and the software loses contact with the rig. I have to re-start them. And NO, the rig is NOT transmitting when I remove the BNC connector. 2. I hope we will eventually have access to narrow filters in SSB digital modes. I have found that a weak DIGI signal becomes much stronger and copy improves when filtering to even 200Hz with my other rigs. 3. Finally, I must report my longest-ever ham radio QSO occurred last night on 40 meters. It was a QMX-to-QMX, JS8 contact with Cal, AD8Q in northern Idaho, 725 miles NW of my Colorado QTH, which lasted 2hrs, 17 minutes! I am very impressed with both the QMX and the INIU 10,000mAh PD power bank as recommended by the 'Ham Radio Duo' channel. On full charge, I am getting up to 22 hours of operating with moderate transmissions, and will probably see 14-16 hours of long QSOs like last evening. Not bad for $20 (on sale).
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QDX Low Receive but Xmit fine
8
GM QDX¡¯ers. I was gifted a QDX still in kit form so I spent a day building it this week. Except for one band, 80M, I got between 4.8 and 5.4W output which is optimal. The cure for that was to just put some more heat and re-solder leads on the inductors. I get reports of anywhere from -2 to -20. My issue seems to be with the received signal getting into WSJT-x. Although I¡¯ve made a dozen or so contacts on 20M and 30M, the db meter (I¡¯ll call the S meter) barely hits 15db maybe 20db on a real strong signal. Never higher. Most signals reports I give out are in the -17 to -10 range which would correlate with the db meter. I know from experience it should be a lot higher than that. I¡¯ve seen no signals decoded on 40M or 80M but I haven¡¯t listened at night which is going to be the most likely time to see those out in the NW. I¡¯m using a retired MacAir as the computer using OSX. All radio and audio settings are set to the QDX settings and to full audio by default. The Radio is set to a Kenwood TS-440. It gives the impression there is not enough signal/audio getting into WSJT-x but I¡¯ve got no way to adjust that. The antenna is a hexbeam for 20M and a 100ft high loop for 30/40/60/80 The version of QDX is 1.4 Any insight into this receiver issue would be greatly appreciated. I can live with the way it is now but I think with the receive signal stronger, it will show me a lot more stations. It may be MAC thing. I just don¡¯t know. Thanks. John / K7RLD
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QMX I/Q question
3
#qmx
With the official SSB firmware now supporting 3 virtual com ports, are we able to use the soundcard and I/Q at the same time? So can I do digital modes and have a panadapter? Would I be able to use IQ for a panadapter and still be able to use my mic for SSB? Thanks Randal VE7NHW
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SSB Calibration question
3
I have two QMX rigs, one I built (mid band version) the other I ordered assembled. The one I built was successful with the SSB calibration. However, the one that I received assembled from QRP Labs (high band version) fails the initial phase calibration on 20 meters, but passes on 17, 15, 12, 11 and 10. After which the all the bands calibrates fine with USB and LSB. I'm not a big SSB phone guy, but out of completion I would like to know if I should send back the High band QMX. I did the configurations via a USB cable and Putty in Linux. I haven't tried to initiate the calibration via the radio tools without being connected to a computer. Any suggestions?
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QLG2 GPS
7
I plan to build a QLG2 GPS Receiver Module to use it with my QCX+ I will add: - the blue LCD accessory kit; - the Customized case kit (enclosure). I guess I will have to order it with the "Front blank cut/drilled plate. But what rear plate will I have to order? I might better build the Clock kit with its enclosure and the QLG2 GPS but will the GPS be inside the Clock enclosure? 73 - Pierre - FK8IH
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QMX 1n4007 diodes
12
I needed to replace one of the 1n4007 diodes in my QMX (I cut the lead for an experiment) so I went looking for a replacement. None of the 1n4007 diodes at Mouser have the small diameter leads like the ones from QRP Labs. They are all about .7mm diameter where the QRPLabs diodes are more like .3mm. I ended up ordering Vishay diodes with the fat leads. I had cleared the holes with the solder sucker but the leads still did not fit so I used some PCB drill bits to clear the holes and finally got the diode in there. Hopefully the via barrel is still intact. I am waiting for some caps to put it back together and try it. Any discussion about these diodes? My experience is that 1N400x diodes all had fat leads. Thanks, Tony AD0VC
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QDX: low power on all bands but 80m after PA died
3
Hey everyone, short story: After one of the PA transistors died, I replaced all of them. Now I only get 3,5W power on 80m but less than 0,5W on the other bands. Is this because of insufficient (fake) replacement transistors or could something else be damaged? long version: I built the QDX and after some wire pushing on the coils I got 5W@9V at all bands and was super happy. I am measuring DC on the detector diode of a QRP dummy load. After a some FT8 operation using an antenna, the output power dropped to 2.5W on all bands. Then I accidently shorted one of the transistors during some measurements and the output power went to a few mW. I removed the BS170s from the circuit and measured them using a diode tester and one was definitely broken. Then I bought replacments for the BS170 transistors at three different online shops (not really trustworthy ones). However during testing after replacing the transistors, the QDX behaved identically with each of the different BS170 sets. There was about 3,5W output power at 80m but only less than 0,5 W on the other bands. I supect that the transistors are fake because their performance decreased with higher frequency. But I am not sure. Is there a way to validate this? I used a LCR-T4 transistor tester to measure the transistors. This showed differences in capicatance. The original BS170s from the kit have 50pf, one of the sets I bought has 60pf and the others 30pf. Does this give any indication if the parts are correct? Or could it be possible that someting else in the QDX is broken? Maybe the IC that drives the PA (74ACT08)? However, I measured 2.5V at the BS170 gates so I guess it still works. Unfortunately I do not have an oscilloscope at the moment. Or is maybe the PIN diode switching circuit for the LPFs not working anymore? Reception is still fine! I would be really grateful for help on finding the issue! regards Chris
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Calibrate the QMX's time through Android APP(FT8TW)
6
I wanted to try using WSPR, but every time I reboot, I have to set the time on the QMX again. A friend told me there's a GPS module that can help calibrate the QMX's time. I thought to myself¡ªmy phone already has GPS, so why buy an extra GPS module just to set the time on the QMX? So, I added a feature to calibrate the QMX's time through FT8TW. https://youtu.be/l8dey0vc6_E
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Jeff Moore
Jeff has done it again! Repaired my mid-band QMX - a couple suspected cold solder joints and improperly wound T507 (how¡¯d I do that?). Included was a free wax and polish (Jeff removed caked solder flux and scrubs the board with alcohol). All done in a day or two. I had my QMX back in ten days (could have been faster but that¡¯s our slow postal service). it is so nice to know that Jeff is available to bail you out should your build fails. I¡¯ve built two QMXs and he¡¯s made them right for me. Thank you Jeff! And Hans! (his info is on QRZ) Phil K3UT
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T507 and SSB SWR
12
Hello everyone, I've seen in different topics that T507 solder joints should be checked & reflowed in the event of a high SWR spike on SSB transmit... a problem that several of us have mentioned, and in my case, makes the rig completely unusable on SSB. I do understand, looking at the schematic, how this could cause the protection circuit to trigger. What I do not (yet) understand is why this would be a problem that I see on SSB only, and not on CW. I have not witnessed this on CW. A theory I have is that maybe if the joint is just on the edge of continuity, then a higher duty cycle CW signal would temporarily "anneal" the bad joint, but that on SSB you don't have that effect. I am a skeptic about my theory...in any case, I do plan on trying reflowing T507 and associated circuitry. This was a factory assembled unit so I was hoping to avoid this, but I appreciate all that Hans is doing. I'm not complaining at all... just looking for guidance and thoughts so I can get this amazing rig on SSB. God bless, Joel W9JFK
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Hi SWR, sometimes
12
This seems to be a complex problem because I do not understand what is happening. I will try to explain as best as I can. QMX mid bands built for 12 volts and Z-11 Pro auto tuner. I start on 40 meters and go to hardware then SWR tune and start the tune. The tuner light move and ends when a <1.5 SWR is reached. I then go to iambic and send CW at about 20 wpm. After about 10 dits the tuner jumps up to over 4 and the S protection letter shows on the screen after the last number. I cycle the menu, go to hardware, SWR tune and it shows <1.5 SWR. I go back to normal CW and the same pattern shows up again. It happens on multiple bands and is frustrating because I can't complete a POTA contact let alone a ragchew. My sBITx is also low power 1 - 4 watts and does not do this action with the tuner. Any ideas where to look? 73, Dean/ N2TNN
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Qmx L501 inductor Partially broken
9
Received the kit from FedEx in a perfectly intact box. The content check was positive with the exception of the L501 inductor with the partially broken edge. Can this defect affect the operation of the kit?
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