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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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Audio level request
6
I would like to block Digi mode audio from going to the earphone jack. The audio levels are painfully loud when adjusted for correct usb output to WSJT-X. I am afraid to switch between sidebands or to CW without removing headphones first. Any Suggestions ? QMX+ with 1.02 . de VK6XT
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Does anyone happen to know of a manufacturer or US distributor part number for a replacement rotary encoder switch for the QMX? My left hand (power, band, mode) rotary encoder switch appears to have failed. I checked the assembly manual for details, but I'm coming up short.
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#qmx plus assembly one LP and Band filter at the time
2
#qmx
Hi Everyone I was wondering if is possible to assemble only one band filter at the time on a qmx plux rev3, this means I have assembled the all QMX leaving out only the toroids of all the filters, the LP and BP ones. Now next I have assembled only the 160m LP and BP and test the filters. The swipes look normal on the 160m. Next is to test transiting to a dummy load only this band, but I get the swr protection kicking in and no power out. voltages look normal. running a swr plot on 160m shows swr 10 on all graph. The main idea is to tune filters one by one with space for the soldering iron making it easy. I have reviewed soldering of transformer and swr brigde plus the jumper to the bnc is in place. My question is, Is it expectable that the SWR is High when only the filters for one band are on the board or this means something else is already wrong from the beginning. Thank you a lot 73 Azgael
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SSB Cal problems with QMX (not +)
2
I have been running firmware 1_02_000 on my QMX+ with good results on CW and SSB (haven't tried Digi yet) since the release of that firmware. So yesterday, I updated my original QMX with 1_02. The update went fine, and operation on CW was great, but I can't get all the SSB calibration procedures to look right. This is an 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 QMX, built for 12v (same voltage as my QMX+). The cals failed to complete on 80, 60, and 30. On 80 and 30, I get an error message saying "Change over 30 degrees" from the phase error cal and it stops at about dac=~1100 to 1300. I got a similar error on 60m, but this cal ran successfully on 3 subsequent runs. On the USB IMD sync, the final table in the upper right says 80m:15, 60m:74, 40m:23, 30m:62, 20m:26. In addition, 80m and 40m responses were almost flat - 80m ~140, 40m~100. On the LSB IMD sync, the final table in the upper right says 80m:74, 60m:74, 40m:29, 30m:15, 20m:26. In addition, 40m and 30m were almost flat - 40m ~280, 20m ~ 250. Also, for whatever reason, the y-axis max on 80m was ~7000000, and the y-axis max on 60m was ~1000000, both 1000 times higher than all other bands. On the ADC I/Q tests, the curves looked about the right shape (compared to samples in the oper. manual), but the upper left and lower left numbers were not very symmetrical. 80m 42183/-42067 60m 52338/-52457 40m 55808/-56412 30m 53881/-54284 20m 36459/-35947 Mic test works fine. PA Mod test looks good. Diagnostics look good on all bands with the following RF outputs. 80m 4.0w 60m 4.3w 40m 4.4w 30m 3.7w 20m 5.4w All tests with dummy load with Diagnostics showing SWR around 1.1:1 Any comments or suggestions are welcome. 73, Randy, KS4L
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Why no AGC for digital modes, as other modes?
2
To Da Wiz; thank you, and a request, to make it better. Personally, I would appreciate the choice to use AGC, with my QMX+, or not, for all modes. I have used fast or slow AGC with my FT-990 and TS-790A for years, for different modes, and have found no noticeable performance penalty, except that the sound from no AGC was harsh and undesirable, and the S meter unusable. Some folks will not RTFMs to turn off the AGC, or properly tweak other software or hardware, and complain about imagined "bugs" - but for this ol' geezer, the choice would be appreciated, and I promise I will not whine about the consequences ;-) Thanks for a hearing, DA Ol' Dog, wa4hei
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Pop! Oops, blew a BS170 in my QMX, my fault. Lesson learned
4
Hi all, I learned from the operating manual that the SWR measurement is from the center of the band. I had forgotten this trying to squeeze a POTA activation while on a business trip this week. My SWR reading was 2.00, on 20m . Not great but I was too lazy to pull my antenna out of the tree and use the shorter segment which usually gets me 1.4. (EFRW 71¡¯ with 41¡¯ segment) I have a EFHW which will work better but haven¡¯t put it together yet. To test propagation, I decided to hook up the iPad and do a little FT8. I think the SWR was much worse down at that frequency because halfway through my first transmit cycle.. snap! I knew what happened right away. I did have SWR protection on and set at 3 but it didn¡¯t stop the pop. Radio still received but I shut it down. I ordered some BS170¡¯s from Digikey for a whopping 24 cents a piece and they¡¯ll be here tomorrow. I think I should replace all four but thought I¡¯d ask from those who know if it is likely the others are damaged too. Hopefully nothing else is damaged and I¡¯ll recalibrate as well. Love this radio and pack it in my bag when I travel.
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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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OoT-RADIO HIFI TAMAGUCHI
Hello there, I found something amazing is possible. We need intelligent friends and we want to speak with them on many different topics. Do you remember that Tamaguchi baby robots need 24 hours of attention ? I found that it's possible to train large language models lot smaller than chat gpt , free , open source and expandable and than load that model in to 90 dollars worth of raspberry pi 5 and add to that chip an oled touch sensitive screen and a ram and than you have a box you can carry around and chat with it I am thinking of training and expanding the mini llama llm model 1GB- or a 7GB one with stereophile magazines - around a 60 years collection - and with some large amateur radio magazines collection , arrl books in 80 years - not all of them , only I can find free pdf - and electronics , physics books. I can reach hundreds of them But I have two ways to walk. The first one is to translate every book and magazine into Turkish and train the mini llama OR other LLM with 800 000 pages of Turkish and the same amount of English data. It would take 2 weeks to translate the data into Turkish and another 72 hours to train the LLAMA or larger model and 72 hours to optimize it with a GPU card. BUT I found that it's possible to hire a GTX 1080 12 GB GPU WINDOWS 10-11 Computer from Shadow PC company for 29 dollars per month. Computer memory is 256 GB. Every Turkish or foreign radio or hifi amateur can use this . I will publish all the data free at GITHUB. Mustafa Umut Sara? Istanbul TA2JCO , 73
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Hello, I recently build QMX+ and noticed a huge noise floor and wistling a 6 m. Therfore I measured sensitifity using a signal generator. Band [MHz] Sens [dBm]@Noise+10dB Noise [dB] 1,85 -100,0 0 3,65 -106,0 0 5,35 -107,0 6 7,07 -107,0 0 10,14 -110,0 2 14,23 -107,0 1 18,1 -103,0 4 21,04 -99,0 9 24,9 -97,0 7 28,1 -103,0 5 50,5 -79,0 20 Method: injection of signal Rx frequency + 1,1 kHz Mode: Digi Noise: signal detected by WSJT-X Sens: Noise floor + 10 dB Noise floor is increasing by frequency, but at 6 m wistling and digital noise make RX unusable. Output at 6m is about 2 W at 9V Vbat (12V Version) 1,5 kHz wistle starts at 20 m and is increasing by frequency Using wsjt-X i evalating waterfall diagram: (QMX+ at 50 Ohm) AVE:1, cumulative Noise [dB] : signal by WSJT-X signal in waterfall diagram AU QMX+ freq [Hz] freq [Hz] freq [Hz] freq [Hz] freq [Hz] freq [Hz] Frequency [MHz] Noise [db] Noisefloor 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 1,84 0 0,2 0,2 0,2 0,8 0,2 0,2 0,2 3,57 0 0,3 0,3 0,3 0,7 0,3 0,3 0,3 5,3 1 0,5 0,5 0,5 1 0,5 0,5 0,5 7,04 5 0,8 0,8 0,8 1,1 0,8 0,8 0,8 10,1 1 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5 14,1 1 0,5 0,5 1,3 2,8 2,1 0,5 1,5 18,1 5 0,8 1 1,8 2,3 2,1 1,1 2 21,1 7 1 1 2,1 2,6 2,1 1,1 2,1 24,9 7 1 1,2 2,7 2,8 2,7 1,3 2,5 28,1 7 1 1,2 2 1,5 1,5 1,2 2,2 50,3 22 1,8 2,5 3,8 4,2 3,9 2,8 3,8 At higher bands 1,5kHz signal is constant and independent from RX freuqency. At 6m additional audio signals are appearing. 6m RF Filter seems to be ok. Any suggestions to detect cause? vy 73 Michael (DF6TV)
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When Elecraft introduced the KH1 a year ago, I was immediately enthusiastic about the concept. A small and lightweight shortwave radio with an integrated telescopic antenna. This means that, weighing less than 400g, it can be used in any suitable location on shortwave. So I wanted to build something myself. I immediately began my own experiments with telescopic antennas for 7-30 MHz. This confirmed that a counterweight is absolutely necessary. This wire, which is a quarter of the wavelength long, contributes significantly to the radiated energy. So the idea arose to forgo the telescopic antenna and experiment with end-fed wires twice the length. Of course, it makes sense to stretch the wire as high as possible. But I also got respectable reports with EFHW lying on the ground or in bushes. In this place the antenna may detunes itself, so a tuner is necessary, as well as the standard 1:64 transformer (Unun). The tried-and-tested resonance circuit (Fuchs Kreis) performs both tasks. Once the antenna issue was resolved, QRP Labs brought out the QMX. The ideal TRX for my projects, and now even capable of SSB. Now all that was missing was a suitable housing with an integrated battery and a speaker with an amplifier. Then a paddle for CW as a contactless touch key directly on the device. And the QMX Carrot was finished. But it wasn¡¯t that simple, because everything had to be as small and light as possible. It now weighs 340g and measures 15x8.5x3.0 cm. I¡¯m happy with that. 73 Chris https://youtu.be/0kksiWVOtnQ
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[OT] - Winkeyer and Ham Radio Deluxe (DM780)
Hello, Can't find this answer anywhere and this is my last try. I would like to properly key my transceivers from the computer with a dedicated keyer. So far my K42 worked very well, but it is a standalone solution (no computer). I would like to know if anybody is using the Opencw Keyer with Ham Radio Deluxe, instead of the golden standard K1EL Winkeyer. it seems to me that Opencw Keyer does implement Winkeyer protocol version 2, while now the "standard" is 3.0 / 3.1. I asked to HRD support but they said they only support "original" Winkeyer chip based keyers. Thanks in advance. -- Giuseppe Marullo IW2JWW - JN45RQ PS: I know that my QrpLabs radios do have an internal keyer, just in case...
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QMX+ and DTR/RTS like CW keyering
Hello dear all and devs, Several hams on our side have equipped themselves with the QMX+. Some would like to know if it would be possible to add a few lines of code to the firmware so that when PTT is triggered¡ªeither via CAT or through DTR/RTS emulation¡ªand the QMX+ is in CW mode, it would transmit a carrier. From our tests, this already works in Digi mode, where a tone is sent through the sound card emulation. However, in CW mode, when PTT is sent via CAT, the radio does switch to transmit, but no signal is actually emitted. It might work if the software sent a tone via the sound card, but most CW software assumes that PTT alone is sufficient. This request is therefore aligned with improving compatibility with most CW-capable software (e.g., fldigi in CW mode with PTT via CAT or RTS/DTR). One of the advantages of operating in CW with the QMX+ is also the ability to reduce receive bandwidth, onboard decoding, breakin etc. We believe only a small firmware adjustment would be needed to have the carrier generated automatically, since the radio already enters transmit mode via CAT PTT. Adding RTS/DTR handling would enable a simple and widespread configuration method for this kind of operation. Otherwise, some have considered building interfaces using FT232 chips and optocouplers, but it would be unfortunate to require extra hardware when just a few lines of code might suffice. Perhaps the addition of a CW submenu to automatically enable the carrier when PTT is activated? Thank you in advance.
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RIT in N1MM
4
I still use TS 480 for the setup of N1MM. When I am in Run and press the up or down key the QMX + changes to RIT .- .030 but cannot be modified then. I have to exit from that on the QMX+. It would have been perfect, if the QMx+ would follow the RIT in run. any suggestions ? -- Martin DK3UW
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Tune SWR on QMX+ always shows SWR <1.05
11
Hi, I wanted to tune my magloop antenna with the "Tune SWR" tool in the QMX+ menus, and no matter what I do with the antenna, the SWR never goes above 1.04 or so. That cannot be correct, as I'm using a magloop. Any tips on what I'm doing wrong?
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I need to order some parts from Digikey. I though it would be good to order some backup parts for the QMX+. Besides BS170's what are the components that fail most frequently? Also if you have specific digikey part numbers or names that would be great, ss some of the part names match multiple items.
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QMX SSB low output
13
Greetings to the brain trust. I have a kit built QMX which is awesome and works great on CW. I have upgraded to the 1.02.000 ( the latest firmware) and added a QRP GUYS mic. Everything seems to check out in the hardware tests, but it seems very low output on SSB. I've set the mic. gain to 75 which seems to help, some. Any ideas on trouble shooting? Thanks in advance. WX7J Doug
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QMX+ printed assembly manuals
10
Do most folks print their QMX+ assembly manuals or just use/read them online? While I do own a Brother inkjet, does anyone know of a cheap online service to print single copies? My local (good folks) printing company estimated about $30 for 2-sided color printing of 100 pages. Thanks de
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T507 Winding Direction/Handedness
4
#building
#QMXplus
#transformer
Does the winding direction/handedness in each side of the T507 binocular core transformer have to be the same. Hans stated in his 2023 Evolution in Radio Design paper (pg 21) that: "... Here we use a more compact method, a binocular core. The two transformers are each wound in the two separate holes. As far as the binocular core is concerned, what happens on one side is electrically invisible from what happens on the other. So the use of a single binocular core instead of two toroids is a parts count reduction benefit and also in our case, crucially, helps reduce the space required, which in QMX Is at a premium." I've wound one side (10 turns) and started the second but I think I've reversed the direction and want to know if I have to start it over. BTW if there is a trick to getting these windings tight and neat I haven't figured it out. My other torroids turned out OK looking but this one is not behaving. Probably does not matter but I would prefer it look pretty (pilot's axiom - "If it looks right it will fly right").
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QLG2 for Icom 9700
4
#gps
#icom
#qlg2
My objective is to use a QLG2 to provide GPS information to my Icom 9700 (because I want to do so). My QLG2 is built and tested. I can communicate via a PuTTY terminal. I can see GPS data in the terminal window. I have connected the QLG2 to a TTL-RS232 interface based upon the Max3232 chip. The connection to the IC9700 is made with a 2.5mm stereo plug. The SER data from the QLG2 is connected to the RING terminal on the 2.5mm stereo plug (per configuration specs in the IC9700 Basic Manual, page 13-2). Using my oscilloscope, I connect channel 1 to the ground and RING terminal on the 2.5mm stereo plug. I can see AND decode the data coming from the QLG2. When I plug this mess into my IC9700 i get ... nothing. I have checked and double-checked the Connections configuration for the data port on the radio. I have confirmed that the Settings are correct on the radio. Will someone please help me figure this out?!? I'm pulling my hair out...and I don't have that much to lose. I can't find more detail in my Basic or Advanced manuals. Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo have stoped talking to me. I've been through the firmware documentation and the specs for the GPS chip on the QRP-Labs site. I am well and truly stumped. If you have read this far, thank you for your time. I hope one of you really smart people can help me with this.
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am