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Hi all SSB firmware was released into beta on 17-Mar-2025 after 9+ months of development. Many thanks to everyone who bravely helped test it and patiently provided their feedback and observations. There are now quite a few YouTube videos, forum reports and other social media mentions about on-air successes with QMX SSB. Now that it has been at least 6 weeks in beta and I believe most of the issues have been resolved, it's time to promote it to an official version. I have called this version 1_02_000 and published it on the QMX page http://qrp-labs.com/qmx where I have also published the updated operating manual, which grew from 111 pages to 134 pages. The main changes are: SSB (obviously!) including CESSB, TX Equalization, Mic AGC, VOX, Pre-distortion and and and... Addition of up to two more USB Virtual COM serial ports (up to three total). All of the hardware tests such as RF and SWR sweep, and Diagnostics, are now available on the LCD too. New CAT commands for LCD contents, S-meter, AGC-meter, Power meter, SWR meter, SSB source Complete list (relative to 1_00_027 the previous official version): SSB modes added (USB and LCB), with CESSB, TX Equalization, Mic AGC, VOX, Phase pre-distortion and more Rationalization of menus, grouped into CW, Digi and SSB submenus (now Keyer and Decoder are submenus of CW) Added up to two more USB Virtual COM serial ports (configurable) LCD versions of AF, RF, Image, LPF, Test ADC I/Q sweeps (miniature graph on LCD) New function PA mod. test to check operation of amplitude modulator Diagnostics screens are now available on the LCD interface too Now remembers previous menu location on ALL menus regardless of nesting level Add way of forcing factory reset, press Menu (left) button during power-up Change TX color in diagnostics screen from red to blue, to avoid confusion since red things are errors Added CAT LC command to retrieve LCD contents Added CAT commands SA (AGC meter), SM (S meter), PC (Power meter), SW (SWR meter) Added CAT command SS (get/set SSB input source) Bug fix: PTT P did not work properly Bug fix: Incorrect PA voltage display on the Diagnostics screen 73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com https://www.buymeacoffee.com/g0upl
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CW with I/Q on
8
#audio
#QMXplus
I really appreciate this idea. I'm addicted to panadapter/waterfall displays when using CW. That said, I must be missing something. When I enable I/Q output to USB and use CW mode, I seem to totally lose front panel earphone audio, except keyer sidetone. I was hoping it would still be CW audio, as when I/Q is disabled. Is this the expected behavior? -- Brent DeWitt, AB1LF Milford, MA
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QMX, WSJT-X 2.7.0, Hamlib 4.6.2 DLL - Odd Behavior
4
When I power up my low-band QMX, put it into DiGi mode, then start WSJT-X in FT8 mode, I get tons of decodes. If I then enable transmit, it will transmit with about 3.5 watts on 20m and my signal, as reported by pskreporter.info, covers the entire United States (at least today). However, after that first transmission my decodes stop. Even though the QMX is still in DiGi mode, I can no longer hear FT8 stations. If I then put the QMX into USB mode then I can hear lots of FT8 stations and decoding resumes, but as soon as WSJT transmits it puts the QMX back into DiGi mode, I can no longer hear FT8 stations, and the decoding stops. My transmitted signal continues to be heard throughout the United States. Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong? Best, Jim / K8DDV
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Failed software upgrade-help!
12
Well I have done it again. My QMX mounted. I deleted the old firmware and copied the new SSB version. I did notice there was another file that started with e. I emptied the trash and checked the contents of the mounted QMX volume. It was empty. I started to recopy the firmware and the QMX unmounted. It will not mount, nor will the unit turn on. What have I done and how can I fix it? Jim
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Why I think QMX Calibration Kills PA
23
I just hooked my scope up to the drain of one of the PA transistors in my QMX+ and kicked off a 160M Phase cal (O button). I am seeing 120 volt spikes during the cal. Here is a link to a screen shot from my scope: 160PhaseCalGlitch.jpg This is going to fry some BS170s for sure. Tony ADoVC
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QMX 9v Power Supply
3
#9v
Hello, I am getting ready to build my QMX and want to do so in the 9v configuration. Question is the manual says it runs at 9v or "a little over", so the question is. Will the radio be happy and safe to operate with a Bioenno 9v battery. Their website says the battery is regulated to discharge "around 9.6v" Anyone have any experience with using this configuration of Bioenno 9v and the QMX? If so how is it working for you? Thank and 73's W7YWF. (Mike)
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QRP Labs QMX SSB Firmware Is REAL!!
5
Thanks Mustafa TA2MUN for sharing this one with me! The enthusiasm is so infections, might even get ME on SSB eventually! https://youtu.be/P09N-t1U1-E?si=xLUi5bMmboDOEnrL&t=396 73 Hans G0UPL http://qrp-labs.com https://www.buymeacoffee.com/g0upl
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QMX gets a full POTA trial
2
Park US-3843 today, central NC. Low humidity after yesterday's storms. Slight breeze. QMX built for 9w Dork regulator DROK Adjustable Voltage Regulator... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089ND7PTH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Bioenno 9v battery SOTA Beams Bandhopper Palm pico paddle Why I love this rig: even though it is menu-driven, it seems SO INTUITIVE that it doesn't seem difficult to do what I want. Hans must have done some serious human factors analysis with the rig. Also, the receiver is outstanding. I made 24 QSO in 45 minutes on 20. The beacon CW message capability is superb. Thanks to all for the Drok regulator suggestion. And thanks to Hans!! Mark Lunday wd4elg@...
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It¡¯s Summers-time!
It¡¯s May, 2025! Time to take your Qrp-lab equipment outside and enjoy the coming summer, assuming you are in the northern hemisphere. If southern hemisphere, then get that last fling in before bad weather sets in.
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How to use ProgRock2 in an oscillator?
2
How would one use a ProgRock2 in a Colpitts crystal oscillator? A crystal is essentially an LC circuit, while the ProgRock outputs a square wave. Can the ProgRock2 simply replace the crystal? If so, will the Colpitts circuit turn it into a sine wave? Does the ProgRock2 start up at the last frequency used before its last power down? Steve, N9SZ
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QMX+ First 1000 QSOs Impresions
After initial hickups after assembly, i deployed my QMX+ as base/main rig. 3 months have passed making QSOs with it and the following is the statistic, all FT8 Worked QSO: 1004 Worked DXCC: 86 CQ Zones: 20 ITU Zones:27 Continents:5 Longest contact: Fiji 16231km Other than that i made contacts with few Australia 15400km and New Caledonia 15900km away from my QTH All results on 20M with 3.2W and under the roof dipole. Overall very happy with how this rig performs, nothing can beat the price range vs performance it provides. Bad weather here is over, time to deploy some new antennas for this bad boy, and improve the statistics :)
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Release of version 1.2 of ABS solution for QMX+ (Automatic internal antenna tuner, internal battery and internal speaker with audio amp)
90
#ABS
#ATU
#PSU
#QMXplus
Hi, I have released a version 1.2 of the solution. Please refer to the readme front page file at the git repository with details: https://github.com/AC8L/QMX_Plus_Autotuner_Internal_Battery_Speaker/ While I am writing this note - a group buy with 35+ participants is happening for this same version 1.2 - organized by Cal (AD8Q) and Stan (KC7XE). -- 73, Sardar (AC8L, 4K6SA, VA3DUA).
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Feature request: Band select by Tune knob
7
Hi all, Long press of Select enters the Menu system, displaying "Audio" (or whatever). But while still pressing Select, turning the Tune knob could exit the Audio menu and instead, select another band, up or down depending on the turn direction. This would be handy, especially using the QMX+ which requires 11 Vol button double presses to go down to the next lower band. -- 73 Matti OH6BEX
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To socket or not to socket, that is the question!
10
Gotta replace the PAs. To socket them, good or bad? See numrous sockets on ebay and online, but which to order, oh me oh my, what spacing or whatever. What do you say? -- 73 ChuckR
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First VARA (Winlink) tests with the new SSB-firmware. CESSB is turned of for that. Looks like that it works flawlessly.
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QMX current too high
2
#troubleshooting
#qmx
Hi, I recently finished building my qmx and after checking for shorts and not finding any I plugged it in but it draws too much current (200mA when applying 7V (which drop to 3.7V)). I can connect to the device via the serial console where it outputs the following data: Supply Voltage: 3.7 V 5V SMPS Status: Error Voltage: 3.34 V Duty max: 85 % Duty cycle: 85 % The 3V3 SMPS is working fine. When testing the 5V SMPS board it seemed to work. Any ideas where I should start looking? Cheers Lieven DF1CN
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QMX+ with WA3TFS amplifier
35
I recently built the WA3TFS linear amplifier featured in the March QST. The build went very well and with my old MFJ 20M QRP CW radio, 3W in gives 20W out with a peak 4A draw. So, I tried to interface my QMX+ to it and was surprised to see the QMX+ stop transmitting after the first dit. It would recover after a time and would transmit fine by itself or through the amp but it didn¡¯t like it all when I activated the amp. The firmware hasn¡¯t been upgraded in awhile so I¡¯m not sure if this has already been addressed. I¡¯m not sure the RF detection is maybe not fast enough ?? Any ideas appreciated. 73, Jamie WB4YDL
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QMX - Audio-out levels configurable?
Hi, I have a question relating to audio levels as heard in a pair of earphones¡ As I change from mode to mode, listening on a pair of earphones, I find that changing from CW to DIGI is an ear-blowing experience! So much so that I take out the earphones or greatly reduce the audio-out (volume) when doing so. Moving on to USB, the audio level returns to a safe level. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a fix for it? I can¡¯t find any reference to mode-specific audio-out levels in the operation manual or in group messages. Mine is a factory assembled QMX 80-20 using v1.02.000 firmware. Thanks, Mark VK2MOH
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SSB firmware and QRP Labs
5
Hi All, At 63 my mind id blown at how fast and cooperative these projects are going. I do not have the balls or knowledge to dare install a Beta firmwhere on my QRP QMX, but I am eagerly waiting for the official release. Thank you all! Rgds, a.
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Fun QRP SSB POTA Activation with QMX mid-band
It really does work well! Thank you again, Hans! Activating Saguaro NP in Arizona with SSB was fun! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1N3Lr332Pg/
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am