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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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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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Hello All, In an unfortunate accident, I dropped my QMX+ pcb that I was working on and broke few of the toroids. Visually, other toroid looks ok. Can these broken toroids be salvaged? I Is there any website/ store in US that I can buy the new ones in small quantities( like 2-3 ) instead of buying 25 pcs? What other alternatives can I try to substitute these components? Your help is appreciated. 73 Subash KE2BKS
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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 SSB QSOs
4
Hi Guys, the SSB modus for the QMX is awesome. Even with a small Magnetic Loop antenna. I?m Using a microphone of the QRP-GUYs from California, USA. At the Antenna connection (bnc) I also use a LED SWR bridge from the QRP Guys. So I can tune my magnetic Loop antenna with full power about 4 Watts with 11V Supply(3 Watts keep in the bridge resistors..lol, 1 Watt will be used for the measurement) . When the LED goes out, I can switch into the operation mode. I NEVER switch of the SWR Protection off (SWR3 in the Menue of the qmx). Has anybody an idea, if the internal microphone can be activated in the nearer future or will there maybe have to do any hardware change ? enclosed my video :) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKZ_0NkJAIA By the way, I?m using a DC-DC converter to reduce the voltage to 11-11.5V . And yes, it doesn?t make any noise, believe me, Its a quality module from an european electronic supplier and not a cheap piece of sh.. from Temu ! Im using toroids around the voltage supply cables (lpf). Have much fun with the QMX. YOu really did a great job Hans , 72 de Matt, DL1SER
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QMX 40-10?
5
Is it possible to build a QMX that would cover 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 & 10? I¡¯d much prefer that instead of 60-15. Don W6CZ
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T507 and SSB SWR
3
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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#qmx Don¡¯t Use USB-C PD to power your QMX?!
74
#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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Wanted to give a heads up - I haven't seen this battery in stock for a bit and I think it is a perfect match for the QMX. I thought they were discontinued... It's the Turnigy 9xR 3S LiPo cell, very small (approximately a stick of gum sized, a little larger), and it has a protection PCB built in to prevent over discharge or over current. 2.2AH of capacity, 3.3A max continuous current, 12.6v fully charged Can't argue with the price either at under $10 https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-9xr-safety-protected-2200mah-3s-1-5c-transmitter-pack.html
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Rev 1 vs. Rev 3 QMX Kit?
2
I have an unbuilt Rev 1 QMX kit, that I am finally seeing time ahead to build it. But am wondering, would I be better off getting a Rev 3 kit. Are there significant upgrades or differences in the current version that would make it worth getting the new kit revision? Tnx Paul w2eck
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QCX-mini LCD backlight not coming on
6
Just completed troubleshooting a couple of items on the QMX-mini build and the unit now up and appears in good shape except the backlight doesn't turn on. I've rotated the LCD pot all the way which changes character brightness but without the backlight illuminating. I have the backlight set to 'on' in the menu system. Is these somewhere obvious I can trace the issue ? I imagine the signal from the processor to the LCD to turn on the backlight is not getting through but I'm not sure where to start looking, which pin on the LCD is connected to which pin on the processor (IC2). Any help is appreciated.
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Hermes Light 2 vs. QMX+
12
Hello. While I await my QMX+ to arrive so I can experiment, I joined this Group and searched for a few topics that come to mind, but did not find much information. The users here are very knowledgeable about the QMX+ and I am hoping others will provide some insight to these questions. Thank you all in advance: 1. Can the QMX+ be controlled by Thetis? 2. If yes to question 1, do "Radio Model" profiles for the QMX+ exist in Thetis? I only see Hermes and ANAN profiles. 3. Will the developer kit allow the addition of an Ethernet connection? 4. If yes to question 3, will it also allow PoE? 5. Could the QMX+ be powered by USB-C? 6. Could WiFi be added to the QMX+? 7. Can the QMX+ be operated remotely over the Internet? 8. Can a USB microphone connected to the PC be used with the QMX+? 9. It appears that the QMX+ makes use of some form of pre-distortion. Can this be used with an external amplifier (e.g., Mercury Lux)? The Hermes Lite 2 has an additional SMA connector for Pure Signal. I don't see one on the QMX+. 10. Any heat concerns with high-duty cycle modes (e.g., FT8)? The Hermes Lite has a heat sink shim that dissipates heat via the enclosure. I did not see anything like that for the QMX+. I really like my Hermes Lite/Hermes Lite 2+ but appreciate the wider band coverage and some of the intelligent engineering present in the QMX+. I look forward to experimenting, but hopefully others further along in this journey have already sorted out answers to the above questions. Thanks in advance for any replies. 73, Frank - KG9M
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USB audio level boost QMX+
5
I don¡¯t know if anyone else has experienced this, but I was checking out FT8 on 10M and the audio levels were in the red -too low, with no decodes, despite seeing faint signals on the waterfall. I¡¯m using a Surface Go tablet with Windows 11 Pro. I¡¯ve checked the recording control in Windows and it is maxed at 100%. I¡¯m using digi mode and usb audio from the QMX+ plenty of level and good decodes on the lower bands Nick G0OQK
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File /QMX-PC-Controller.html uploaded
#file-notice
The following items have been added to the Files area of the [email protected] group. /QMX-PC-Controller.html By: Paul Harrison <dj0cu@...> Description: Control the QMX via the PC. Instructions just save the File to your hard Disc, right click and Open with Chrome, Edge etc. Make sure your QMX is connected to the PC and click on Connect.
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Just updated firmware to SSB. on my QMX +, and am waiting a bit on the QMX. My ancient Icom HM 125 ( rewired) worked for a few minutes and quit. I had expected that the official release would enable use of the internal mike?? disappointed. These mikes seem quite inexpensive SO ---- Can anyone recommend a plug in ready to go mic from Amazon USA. Hopefully a product which has actually been tried and works decently with good sensitivity. Yes,I am lazy and impatient (been waiting for SSB for over a year )and also 82. and a bit of a rant I'm also biased against manufacturers who cannot be bothered to have their websites work with safari - the qrp dudes want me to use firefox or whatever. If they don't have the competency to work this out, what about the product( mic) they are trying to sell me?
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QMX+ SSB not keying from Mic/Paddle Port
8
Hello Bill here it is probably just a defective operator. My QMX works no problem Digital, CW and SSB (using digital). The Mic/Paddle port has no issue with CW but when the Microphone is used it does not key the QMX+. I insert the microphone and using the PTT button on the microphone I can get it to key and send very slow CW. Is there a setting that I am missing. I tried to key the QMX+ with just the Tip Sleeve to get the rig to key ( bare wire on the jack ) with no luck. When I run microphone diagnostics I see modulation. From what I am reading that when you insert the microphone it should sense that it is not a Paddle and use the microphone. Yes I am in USB and or LSB mode into a dummy load. The microphone I have is the Electret Mic from QRP Kits wired and tested as per instruction manual ( qrp-labs ) . https://qrpkits.com/microphone.html I have also tried to repurpose a microphone from a Baofeng with no joy. Any help would be appreciated Thanks in Advance Bill N3GTY
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New QMX+ Calibration victim
4
Hi, I¡¯ve had my QMX+ for a number of months and had tested the then beta now regular SSB firmware with good results except pretty low output power in SSB. As I had never gotten around to fine tune the LPFs when building it I decided this was the logical next thing. So I fiddled with spreading and compressing turns on the toroids and managed to get all bands to between 4 and 5w output for CW except 160m that was already at 6w. Running 12.0v input and build for 12v Being happy with results I then first tested resetting to factory defaults, and then tested SSB output power. Still max 2-2.5w according to the Bird. I then decided to run the SSB calibration again. Worked fine til perhaps 12m or 10m phase. I then heard some terrible noise from the speaker and saw the QMX crashing with all blocks in the display and turning itself off. I tried powering on again, but won¡¯t start now. Just blank display and current protection on PSU kicks in due to over current. I suspect maybe finals are fried with internal short as result? Jonas 7 maj 2025 kl. 23:12 skrev Stan Dye via groups.io <standye@...>: ? On Wed, May 7, 2025 at 01:38 PM, Wiggle Pig wrote: It¡¯s D503 and D504 These are placeholders for diodes that could be placed across the BS170 outputs, as was commonly done with QDX. Hans included them in the design, but has not encouraged installing the diodes, which he believes are unnecessary for QMX. They may suppress spikes, but they also add additional capacitance to the PA, which may affect it adversely in other ways. There were many posts on this list regarding this topic a year or so ago. Stan KC7XE
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QMX+ Case - Screws
3
#QMXplus
Can anyone kindly inform about the M3 black screws used in the QMX+ case ? what'is lenght ? 6 mm 8 mm ? This afternoon after assembly and performed all tests i was presented with 8 black screws that dit not fit, they are M2.5. In the assembly manual is stated they are M3 but no info about lenght. Ahh, by the way the QMX+ worked first power on but with a garbled screen. Had to disassembly the front panel and retouch the LCD pins. Its a big PITA to properly solder them by the manual. Now everything is ok. Greetings //Eduardo
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CW with I/Q on
15
#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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