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Sticky
#qmx #SSB Firmware beta 1_01_003 release
117
#qmx
#ssb
Hi all I updated the SSB beta testing webpage of the brave, here: https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp/ssbbeta.html and released firmware version 1_01_003 to it. These are the changes: Bug fix: Initial value for noise gate samples was 100 (should be max 99) - makes no real difference but it needed to be fixed Added TX indication underlining the A character when transmitting from USB sound card in SSB mode. Note that the two possible states for this indication are a single dot (indicating PTT has been applied and now the radio is in TX mode) and the solid bar (indicating audio is being received from the PC and transmitted). There is no double-dot like there is in Digi mode indicating insufficient volume, because in SSB mode the radio transmits whatever you give it, even if the volume is low. Bug fix: CAT command TQ1; did not cause transmit when in SSB mode. Now TQ1; and TQ0; work properly in SSB mode. Bug fix: Prevent button presses from accidentally activating VOX, which was happening due to sound picked up from the internal (cancellation reference channel) microphone when you pressed buttons right next to it, and that prevented band change because the second click of the double click was ignored because by then the radio was in transmit mode. All fixed! Now you can click buttons however you like and when button clicks are done, VOX is temporarily disabled until your button pushing frenzy is over. Power meter now reads Peak Envelope Power (PEP) when in SSB mode. Previously it was just reading a sampled value (NOT an average); so if the power meter was updated 10x a second, the updates would just randomly pick a value from the SSB amplitude envelope, which was most unlikely to be its peak value. Bug fixL Calibration hung at DAC 1300 when run on LCD. Now the calibration completes properly when run from the LCD. Many thanks for all the feedback so far, SSB in QMX is getting better and better! 73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com https://www.buymeacoffee.com/g0upl
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QMX+ points A continuity check to ground question
3
On p25 of the Rev 3 QMX+ manual, there is a check for continuity to ground from three points A. BEFORE installing T501, when checking the three points A, I get about 15 ohms with the DMM black lead on the ground connection, but open circuit (desired) with the leads reversed (ie red lead on the ground connection). Is this to be expected? The 4 BS170's ARE installed. I am troubleshooting a continuity check problem identified after having installed T501 (now removed). Thanks Steve AK0M
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Pulse modulation on QLG2 / progrock output frequencies
I am using a GPS QLG2 to supply 1 second pulses to a progrock, the progrock is generating 27Mhz for a AD4351 DDS and 24Mhz for a receive function. On both the signals generated there is a "blip" when the 1pps fires, I have removed the bright green external LED I am using to no avail, also there is no modulating pulse if the GPS is not locked. This may be an old problem, any help appreciated 73 Dave
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Hello all, Long time lurker, first time poster here. I recently built a 60m-15m QMX and I am having some trouble getting good reception on 15m and 17m (see attached RF sweeps). I should mention that I am using a Rev 1 board purchased in 2023, but with a mid-band component kit from 2024. Here’s where I’m at: I get good power (4-5w at 12V) out on all bands, and my LPF sweeps look like the firmware manual 60m-20m RF sweeps look more or less like what’s shown in the manual. I use a QRP Labs 50 ohm dummy load for the sweeps. When I connect to an antenna, I can hear FT8 signals on 40m and 20, but not on 17 or 15 Because the lower bands seem to receive OK, I suspect an issue with L401a, C401 or C403. However, 20m uses L401a and C401 and is OK, but 17 also uses those and is not good. I reflowed solder on all 3 taps for L401a and the capacitors, with no change. I’m pretty confident I’ve burned off all the enamel at the junctions at this point. I get continuity at all the points shown in the Rev 1 manual (plus at pin 6 of IC402, which I think makes sense because I’m using all 4 connections for L401 instead of just the 3 with the low band version) I did a factory reset, with no change I’ve counted the number of turns on 401a more times than I’d care to admit, and keep coming up with the same number I’m supposed to have (24 turns, tapped at 15) I confirmed that C401 and C403 are the correct values printed on the component, and don’t appear to have any physical damage Trying to figure out my next steps, but coming up a bit short. All I can think of is to replace capacitors, and possibly re-wind L401a. Or, even less ideally, replace IC402. I don’t have an oscilloscope (or any real expertise to use one), so my ability to diagnose is somewhat limited. Before I start swapping out components, is there anything else I should try looking at? It’s been fun building this kit and I have managed to iron out quite a few kinks along the way by reading posts on this forum. However, this one has me stumped. Thanks in advance Alex, N7ADH
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QMX+
3
Just finished my QMX+ and really enjoyed the build. Built a QDX a couple of years ago and it has been great. Powered up at 9 volts and no smoke! Draws about 100 ma and audio out can be controlled and tune appears to work and mode / band does something. Connecting an antenna increases the noise so it appears the receiver is working. But nothing appears on the display except for the backlight. Turned the pot from stop to stop with no results. I’m going to touch up all 16 of the display header pins. What a bad place for a soon to be 83 year old duffer to be soldering. Why couldn’t that bave been added to the display board before mounting? Any other thots? 72/73 Jim w0nkn
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VARA Rise/Fall Threshold Changes Affect JS8?
2
KJ7RBS (I think) did yeoman's work in getting the QDX to work with VARA. He suggested setting: Rise Threshold to 65 (default 80) Fall Threshold to 45 (default 60) Min. Samples to 120 (default 480) Two questions: 1. Has anyone tried these Vara compatible settings with JS8? I will if no one has. 2. Is there a way to change these parameters other than running Putty to make the changes in the QDX Configuration application? It'd be nice to just run a script that tells the QDX what parameters to change. Best, Jim K8DDV
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New Chat: QMX Bricked
#chat-notice
A new chat has been created: I have been enjoying the 10-20m QMX for several weeks. I used two 1N4001 diodes to drop the voltage to about 10.5V. I had a beacon set on 10m. Antenna SWR was 1.2. Everything worked great until today. The diodes melted and the QMX is dead. I took the unit out of the case but there was no visible damage. HELP! By: w8mv@... View/Join This Chat Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
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Thank you
Stan, Ludwig, Dan, Jeff and all the others, whose names I cannot remember at this moment, for all your time and effort in volunteering to help others... And of course Hans, for designing and providing such an excellent product at such low cost. You are all invaluable gems that give us hope in this rotten world. 73! de Bekir TA2RX
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QMX Feature Request
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#building
#qmx
#QMXplus
Gents, Just finished build of QMX+. Everything works perfectly from first power-up. Glad I watched Hans' video. The 6-layer board really does take a lot of heat to solder properly. Power is a little low - about 3W on most bands, compared to 4W from my QMX but that doesn't make much difference. One feature would be handy... I find that the QMX goes into SWR protection before my ATU10 has a chance to tune. I have to manually turn off protection when I want to tune a new antenna and/or band. How about when turning keyer speed to zero, in addition to going to straight key, set power to 50% and turn off SWR protection. 73, Glen W6GJB
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Hi, I've just finished my QMX+ rev.3 (firmware 1_00_027). Everything seems to be working correctly, except for the SWR and PWR does not show. They don't appear on the LCD, even though I have them enabled ON in the setup. The LCD display is working properly, showing the battery icon and clock, frequency, etc. Any advice would be welcome Thank you so much! 73 Miguel
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Startup issues with QCX Mini (Rev. 3)
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Hi all, I've just finished building a QCX Mini (Rev 3; software version 1.09a; 30-meter version). When I powered it up for the first time, I got the intro screen followed by a 160-meter frequency. Having read the advice to do a factory reset if I didn't get a band select screen, I attempted to do that, and that's when my problems began. First, going to option 7 (other) and then heading for option 17, I found that the menu options stopped at around 9. Then, once I tried to move past that point, the display either went blank (still fully lit but no info) or started producing gibberish. After cycling the power several times (and waiting 30 seconds or longer before powering up again) trying to "get lucky," the display now goes to gibberish after option 4 or 5 on the main menu. Any thoughts on what the issue might be and/or how to try to resolve it? Many thanks in advance. 73, Rich, W2VU
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QMX+ RF output fluctuates wildly
11
#QMXplus
#troubleshooting
Assembled my QMX+ and it's working. I had a couple of issues related to enameled wire not making good connections that were resolved. I know it's working, I've made contacts on several bands successfully, including some decent DX, all on FT8. What bothers me is that the output power seems to jump around wildly. If I go to the diagnostics screen and key the transmitter, the Bias SMPS shows fluctuations in current that correspond to the fluctuations in the output power. The Duty cycle on the Bias SMPS always shows 0%, even as the current jumps around in the red. I suspect I've managed to damage one (or more) of the surface mount semiconductors. At least that's what my reading on the subject would seem to suggest. What I need is a test that can be done with a multi-meter that would shed some light on the problem. I can probably resurrect an oscilloscope if I need it, but I'm hoping someone can lead me to a simple voltage or resistance test that could help isolate the problem. My last problem was related to soldering and enameled wire which was easily resolved. I'm hoping this issue can be resolved without major surgery as well. Thanks in advance for all of the good advice I'm about to receive. Andy WB9YXA
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QMX hiband for sale
Factory built 12 volts, works perfectly. I've only made a few hundred CW QSOs. -27 firmware installed. With case $165 plus postage from Japan. JS6TMW
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QMX+ T507 winding direction?
In the QMX+ does the polarity of the 10-turn windings on T507 (part of the Fwd/Ref power detector) matter? In the assembly manual the photo looks like they're wound to be mirror images of each other. I wound mine so the turns advance clockwise on both sides. Will this cause a problem with RF power measurement? Or worse yet, cause a serious impedance mismatch for the lowpass filters and finals?
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QMX+ with ~1000 tone on 12M & 6M
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The radio is a Ver. 1 QMX plus that in general performs exactly like I expect. It does not have the GPS option installed, and there is no battery in the clock battery slot. The radio is used for CW only. As the title suggests, I have an approximate 1000 tone on only 12M and 6M bands. It is internal, in that I can remove antenna and it's still there. It does not change in level or tone while tuning around the band. It appears to de-sense the receiver a bit, as a signal must be pretty strong for me to be able to copy it on 12M. There is normally a 'beat' frequency between the received signal and the tone when I can copy someone. I have run the I/Q sweeps in Putty, using a raspberry pi computer. The tone is present with or without the computer attached. The I/Q sweeps look very nice on the lower bands, and begin to deteriorate as the frequency goes up. They are still showing the two sine waves, but are a bit distorted( not a perfect line of x's ). This deterioration is also noted on 10M and 15M ( to some extent ) and the sweeps for 12M and 6M are not suspiciously worse than others. 10M works flawlessly, as do the other bands. The remaining filter sweeps look good, with some tweaking needed possibly, but totally functional as is. I have a set of QMX HB and LB radios to compare symptoms, and the HB QMX does not have the 'tone' on 12M when swapped into the system. I am curious what path to take troubleshooting this issue. I did not find anything in the archives that addressed this strange behavior. Thanks & 73 Dick W4PID
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I received a QMX and built it. I've built a number of QRP kits all successfully, but not so for this little guy. I attempted to powered up using a regulated power supply at 7v and 250 mA but without success. In my efforts to get things going, I resoldered every joint and inspected for bridging. In the end, I clearly identified a component (Q109) on the 3v power supply that had a hole melted through the package. I've just order the spare power supply boards from QRP Labs, but don't know where to look for the cause of the current failure before installing and destroying another 3v power supply. Any ideas for me. Regards, Wilson Little (NT5AT)
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Tariffs?
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Will USA tariff laws affect the import pricing of Hans’ great radios/kits into the USA?
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QMX+ bias current + output power fluctuating
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My QMX+ went together really nicely, along with my battery and speaker mods. However, the bias current is varying wildly on TX, also transmitter voltage is indicating low and output power varies. All other tests and sweeps look ok. I've attached a short video showing the diagnostics test on TX. I've replaced C504 as has been suggested and reflowed all joints that looked like they might be dry. I'm a bit stuck now on what the issue might be - any thoughts from the hive mind?
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New Chat: QMX+ assembled
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#chat-notice
A new chat has been created: Hello, i'm sorry for asking newbie-easy questions. Do i need dummy load, perform any possible calibrations if will receive already assembled and tested QMX+? Can i use built in SWR sweep and meter for tuning my antenna? I'll use it mostly for digimodes. By: Algis Unknown <wiseacre1@...> View/Join This Chat Do not reply to this message to post to the chat. You can participate in chats only through the group's website.
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QMX first launch: power failure
2
#12v
#building
#power
#qmx
Hello, I just completed a QMX build and had a power-up issue. I used a lab PSU at 7V initially; QMX draws ~150 mA right away - not proper. But at the same it did power-up and display lights up. So I tried USB connection and was able to flash the firmware successfully. - it self-turns on; - MCU probably thinks it is underpowered: as soon as it boots and displays normal view, it shows "Shut down!" and cycles; - display backlight blinks randomly - again, power stability issue? - draws too much power: I dared to try to turn it on with 9V and got almost 1A consumption. I double-checked all components, especially on power boards and found no fried parts or soldering issues. I also checked the 8-pin power board connector; it is the only board getting the incoming voltage, is this correct? I don't see constant grounding on PWR_ON pin (unless left knob is pressed). There's no measurable impedance between power and ground on the power connector if the power board is removed. I also checked for notorious Q103/Q104 short before building - not a known V4 problem, but just in case. What else I can check? I assume the problem is within 8-pin power board; could it be somewhere else? Thank you in advance.
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Sat 8:39am