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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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Release of version 1.2 of ABS solution for QMX+ (Automatic internal antenna tuner, internal battery and internal speaker with audio amp)
98
#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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Newbie with battery question
5
Hello All This is my first post to group. Thank you for the invite, I appreciate it. After searching thru some of the files I found myself somewhat confused by all the battery options. My kit building days took place in the 50s thru the 80's with the complete Heathkit SB line along with many other kits. My hands and eyes are not what they used to be. I ordered a prebuilt QMX-12-volt xcver and after perusing the files as to what type of battery and accessories to get, I found myself confused by all the different options. I have an IC 705 which is essentially plug and play. Apparently, that's not the case with the QMX. From what I gather from the group, the Talent Cell 12-volt battery is popular. There are many Bioenno 12-volt batteries available as well. Not sure what AH ratings I should be looking for. It seems the xcvr is very picky as to what you power it with and what accessories you should have along with the battery PD Banks, Buc converters etc. all that I'm not familiar with. Any suggestions you have would be most appreciated and the KISS term would help me a lot. Thank you very much for your help. 73 Jeff WB9DAR
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I purchased the development kit with my QMX+ because I thought maybe I'd install a tuner. I did and although I can't drill a hole in the right location to save my life, out of laziness for sure, I was able to do it this way. I decided not to make it totally internal as I run an amplifier sometimes. This way, it's just a tuner that uses internal power so it comes on with the radio. Pretty handy, too. It works just like I hoped and it's one less thing I have to pack. Given the choice of an internal power source or this, personally, I think this is more convenient. It make look trashy but I also added a high quality speaker. The holes looked fine but given the conditions I will likely use the radio in, I decided to keep dirt out. 73 Frank
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PSK31 with QMX + Digipan
13
Hi all, just some hints how to configure QMX and Digipan. QMX: - SSB Menue: Mic AGC ON; Input: USB; MIC Gain 50; Compression 0 USB Gain: Adjust for 50% power on idle PSK Signal. (I am using USB Gain 5) - VOX: ON - CESSB: ON Make sure your antenna SWR is ok. If "Protection" is on it might stop your TX. (Its not the fault of Digipan, hi) DIGIPAN: Set your Serial port (where QMX is connected), no RTS/DTR as we are using VOX. Soundcard: Type: "Computer soundcard"; Input/ Output: "digital interface QMX"; sample rate: 11025 Thats it. Ready to make first PSK contacts! Good DX and hope to work you in PSK. 73 Mat DF2OF
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QMX receiver went deaf
11
Last night while playing with my qmx the receiver went deaf. This happened after txing on ssb with IQ mode on and panadapter open. I was using a mic connected to the radio. The S meter with antenna dropped to nearly nothing and I can only hear white noise now. The radio will still put out 5w. I ran my little signal generator into qmx and on receive I hear nothing at -33dbm. At 0dbm (I know quite strong) the signal will get through. Any thoughts? Thank you Ryan KK6DZB
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#firmware #qmx
3
#qmx
#firmware
Greetings all, So yes a firmware upgrade issue. But I have not seen this particular issue or this process described. Fully updated windows 10 Tried all 6 USB ports on my PC Rebooted multiple times. Win10 either see QMX as an audio device or says the did not give a proper driver ID and win10 disabled the device. Now wait! With everything connected and QMX NOT recognized by Win10 I went: QMX, Menu/firmware/sure?/ yes And THEN a popup window on my PC came up, QMX shut itself down and the Popup (in my case i:/) was QMX with firmware 1.00.027. I opened the folder on my D:/ containing the new 1.02.000, dragged it into i:/ immediately that popup window closed itself and a second later QMX came back alive, on its own, with the new firmware installed. Yeah! But... With that done QMX has again disappeared from my win10 PC? Is that the way it is suppose to be? Should I be able to see QMX whenever I plug it in my PC or does it just briefly appears during the firmware update process? Cheers, a.
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Howdy all, I finally was able to get the QMX on the air last night since having it for over several months now. Mine is setup for 9v and I¡¯m using a wall wart tO power it at the moment. It worked well on CW, making a nice contact and qso to KS from NV, and then several Digi contacts to China, Argentina, NV, Japan and New Zealand, using the iPhone iFTx app. I didn¡¯t see any output from anything in the screen but still need to play with the settings. Thanks Hans for a great little rig. -- Jason- Wv3v Las Vegas, NV.
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QMX+ damaged internal microphone?
2
#QMXp
#QMXplus
Hey there! I am coming to the end of constructing my QMX+ and assembling the display board. I've got to the point of soldering the internal microphone and when I have got it out of the bag of remaining parts, I have found that the positive lead out of the body of the microphone is loose. I guess this is the best description of it. The lead can go into the microphone body a little bit, but doesn't come right out of the body and it doesn't seem to be attached to anything internally. Have I got a damaged microphone? If so, can someone advise me if I can source a replacement? 73s Glenn VK2AXV
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Internal battery for QMX+
11
Has anyone installed a rechargeable battery in the QMX+? If so, would you share the details, such as what brand of battery and how you wired it inside the QMX+ case? Thanks. Hiroki AH6CY
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LCD Stopped Working
While building my QCX mini, I damaged my R47 variable resistor while trying to remove it, because I forgot to cut off the feet before soldering it in. I finished the rest of the build a few days ago, and discovered when I powered it on that the display contrast was set well enough that I could use it before the potentiometer came in. However, while I was unplugging a paddle, the screen suddenly went blank and hasn't displayed anything since, even after installing the replacement potentiometer today. I suppose it's possible I shorted something with my finger? I have an enclosure on the way to prevent further incidents, if so. After reading through the manual, I decided to take a reading on the pins of the display module, and they don't match very well with the expected values. With R47 turned 50%, the voltages I read on pins 1-16, respectively, were: 0, 4.7, 1.5, 0.1, 0, 0, 4.7, 4.7, 4.7, 4.7, 2.6, 1.8, 4.7, 4.7, 4.4, 0. I'm not sure if that's useful information or enough to help you debug it, but I'm happy to provide further detail or information you might need to help me get this fully working. While the screen was working, I was able to get it set up and tuned, and listened in on a few frequencies and it seemed to be working fine. TU es 73 de W5JIA
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I designed and printed a small stand for my QMX mid-band TRX. It has a built in Li-Ion battery powered amplifier and speaker with a charging unit and USB-C port on the back. Sounds very good and the battery lasts 12+ hours (I never ran it until it died). A short video can bee seen here: QMX Speaker Stand I also made a small 3D printed enclosure for the DROK 3-15VDC adjustable Buck/Boost converter (very RF-quiet) and used Anderson Power Poles for the connections. The Anderson PPs fit into small chassis mount holders I designed and 3D printed. I've used these on many other projects. I set the DROK to 12.0VDC. I've used these DROK devices in several projects and they work very well indeed. Now, just waiting for the small hand mic which Erik (AD7OV) is kitting and I'm all set for POTA/SOTA... Great little rig and the new FW seems to work very well. 73, Robert VE7ZN PS: If anyone wants the .stl or .f3d files send me an email (good on QRZ)
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USB C on QDX
2
Has anyone tried replacing the USB B connector on the QDX (or any of the other Q*X radios) with A USB C breakout board like this one: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5807 Either with or without using the USB C for power delivery? Thanks, Nate KV4RD *** Nathaniel Drexler
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#qmx Don¡¯t Use USB-C PD to power your QMX?!
86
#qmx
My QMX released the magic smoke yesterday and I quickly traced the smoke to a crater in D108, the 5.6V zener on the 5V PSU board. Having recently read Hans¡¯ excellent SMPS analysis (http://qrp-labs.com/qmx/smpsstep.html ) it got me wondering what could have caused the fault. I had been powering my QMX from a USB-C battery and this 12v cable (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09ZL1WZ4G). I then remembered that USB-C PD adapters typically start with the output at 5V and then shortly afterwards increase the voltage to that negotiated by the device (in this case 12V). This would generate exactly the voltage pattern Hans has told us to AVOID. I took a trace of the voltage power-up sequence, and this is the result (no QMX¡¯s were harmed in creating this trace). Output power starts at 5V for 120ms before increasing to 12V, perfectly creating Hans¡¯ disaster scenario and causing D108 to sacrifice itself to protect the rest of the QMX. Thankfully the rest of my QMX appears to have survived unharmed, thanks to D108. Conclusion: don¡¯t use a USB-C battery to power your QMX, unless you¡¯ve confirmed your adapter behaves differently! Cheers, Dave M0JTS
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Jeff Moore
Another QMX quickly repaired by Jeff. It is a mid-band version. always good to know that if you build one of these and it doesn¡¯t work there¡¯s support from this group and hands on support from Jeff. thanks Hans, Jeff and all those on line helpers. phil K3UT
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QMX Won't Transmit in SSB
11
I'm the proud owner of 2 QMX's. One I built myself (s/n136) and one that was built by QRP-Labs (s/n 1137). I installed the PTT mod in both units, and I installed 1_02_000 firmware on both QMX's. As soon as the SSB (beta) firmware came out, I built K6ARK's mini-mic and both the mic gain test and PTT diagnostic tested fine when plugged into the Paddle jack. I checked the mic wiring with an ohm meter and everything was correct. My problem is that I cannot get either QMX to transmit in USB or LSB mode by pressing the mic PTT button. When I press the button the audio blanks out but there is no RF output. However, if I switch to CW mode and press the mic button, it transmits a tone perfectly with RF output. I tried resetting the QMX's to factory settings and recalibrating them. I also verified that the SSB configuration is set to External Mic. Granted, I'm a newbie and I probably missed some setting or something else trivial, but I can't seem to figure it out. I have tried searching the QRP-Labs and QMX forums, but I haven't found a solution. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 73 Chris - KE8VOD
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Weller WS51?
14
I noticed in a video I watched last night that Hans recommends a 60W soldering iron for building the QMX for quicker heat transfer. I have a Weller WS 51 that I have had for a long time. I am using Kester 63/37 usually at 325F. So is this set up good enough as I start a QMX+ build or should I get a higher wattage soldering ?? 73 Paul w2eck
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Microphone problems
7
QMX I have built two microphones. The Radtel one described in the Wiki and the Adam Kimmerly (printables one). PTT is tip to sleeve and the mic is ring to sleeve. In SSB, Input is set to Ext. mic When I push PTT on either microphone, nothing changes on the display. Checked for continuity, tip to sleeve has continuity when button is pressed. When I run the microphone test and talk into the microphone, there doesn't appear to be any modulation. Mic gain is set to the default 50. Obvious I am doing something wrong.
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QMX Manual Nomenclature Suggestion
2
Hello, While performing an inventory of my QMX kit (60m - 15m version), I had some trouble identifying the inductors I received. I believe the following two edits would make the manual's inventory section easier for the reader to understand. On Page 20, the FT37-43 inventory item should have "(dull black)" after it. On page 23, the T37-10 inventory item should have "(shiny black)" after it, instead of just "black". With some help, I was able to figure this out using info on page 38. Again, having these additional comments in the inventory section would be helpful. Cordially, Rob, AH6X
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QMX or QMX+ Which to go for?
9
Is there any performance difference between the QMX and QMX+? I'm about to hit the button and order a QMX+ but, since I will be using it pretty much exclusively for portable working (POTA, SOTA, etc) the smaller size of the QMX does appeal. Although having to pick a band set definitely does not. 10m and 40m are both bands that would be useful to me but 60m isn't since I currently only have a UK intermediate license (and 60m regulations are pretty inconsistent around the world) Anyone got any recommendations based on experience of building and using either? Thanks Mark 2E0OIW
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