Sticky
#qmx #Firmware release 1_02_000
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#qmx
#firmware
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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QMX+ receive current; what's typical?
My QMX+, a factory 12v build, draws 160ma at 9.28v, the voltage at which I operate for tx/rx. for all modes. Transmit current is consistent with my readings. The various PDF manuals I have searched, speak of ~80ma for rx. I am interested to know if mine is a typical, and how it compares to other build and operating voltages between 9v and 12v TIA, Pete/wa4hei
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QMX+ onboard microphone
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#QMXplus
What's the short story on why the onboard QMX+ microphone doesn't work (yet). Is there an upcoming solution? Just curious, Roy de K2RMA
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QMX Receiving FT8 but No Change When Antenna Disconnected
Hi all, I¡¯ve completed assembly of my 60¨C15m QMX. It powers on and passes the RF and SWR sweep tests. Test ADC I/Q shows sine waves, particularly on 60m. I can hear what sounds like FT8 on 7.074 MHz in DIGI mode, and the tones appear to cycle every 15 seconds as expected. However, I¡¯ve noticed that disconnecting the antenna makes little or no audible difference ¡ª there¡¯s no significant drop in the noise floor or change in the signal. Additional observations: The BNC center pin shows ~0 ¦¸ to ground (I understand this is expected due to the SWR bridge). BNC center has continuity to one side of C510 and C526. Test ADC I/Q and scope work as expected. Reflowed L506, L508, L510, L511, L512, and L513 for better LPF continuity. I¡¯ve confirmed IC402 pin 13 is not grounded, but I don¡¯t have continuity from the BNC center to pin 13. At this point, I¡¯m hearing what I believe is live FT8, but the lack of change when removing the antenna is making me question whether the antenna signal is actually routed through the intended receive path. Would appreciate any guidance or suggestions for what else to check. Thanks! -Tanner
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RF Amp using the now cheap GaN-FET's
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Starting a new thread. Scouring the web, here's mention by KG7AGO of using a GaN-FET similar to the INN650D240A getting 300 W on 20 meters with a 60v supply. https://www.qrz.com/db/KJ7AGO https://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=47457.0 (search for KG7AGO) The amp would be more efficient at a higher supply voltage, but to keep heat down we'd need a higher turns ratio on the output transformer. Not only does the higher voltage reduce resistive losses due to the internal Rds, it drastically reduces internal capacitances. These parts are rated for a Vds_max of 650v A power out from a 100% efficient current mode class D power amp is given by this paper https://repositorio.inesctec.pt/server/api/core/bitstreams/4b52de91-5d27-41cc-acc2-70feeca9a7c7/content His equation for power out resolves to this python script: def pout(Vdd, R): return(3.1416**2 * Vdd**2 / (2 * R)) Also, the peak voltage for a current mode class D amp is pi times the DC supply voltage when properly loaded. I have figured out where that math comes from, would be happy to explain if anyone is curious. Trying that formula out for 50 Volts DC into 50 Ohms (a 1:1 turns ratio) we get: pout(50, 50) # 246.7 Watts We get the same 246.7 Watts with 100v into 200 ohms (a 2:1 turns ratio, peak Vds of 314v) 150v into 450 ohms (a 3:1 turns ratio, peak Vds of 471v) 200v into 800 ohms (a 4:1 turns ratio, peak Vds of 628v) Power out is proportional to the square of the DC supply voltage, for a given turns ratio we can reduce heat by reducing the DC supply voltage: 100v into 800 ohms gives 61.7 Watts, or 1/4 the power at 200v From the datasheet for that $0.04 GaN-FET (on JCLPCB website) https://www.innoscience.com/uploads/61af2c81/INN650D240A_Datasheet_V1.0.pdf it claims to be able to dissipate 75 Watts into a 25C heatsink. As Allison notes, the package is not easy to attach to a heatsink. I think we could have JCLPCB solder it down to a small multilayer board with lots of thick copper planes and lots of vias, then bolting that board to a heatsink. Should dissipate maybe 20 Watts, good enough for a 100W amp. Make those boards available for $5 or less. If the Gan-FET's fail, replace the board. Jerry, KE7ER ######################################################### I hijacked this other thread with talk of GAN FET's for an RF amp /g/QRPLabs/topic/113293149#msg146121 On Sun, May 25, 2025 at 04:44 PM, ajparent1/kb1gmx wrote: I've worked with GAN mosFets and that was 10 years ago. The ones I used easily ran at 15mhz very high speed 20W switcher. The TI driver chip was the real limiter. The GAN devices were froom EPC. And yes they can make very efficient amplifiers. They are optimized for switching and with very low RDSon and fast switching speeds they don't get very warm. Never tried them in a linear class A or B format. Cooling a beamlead chip 120x40x 60 mils would be a mounting challenge for most. One would hope for a flavor of a flange package. On Sun, May 25, 2025 at 03:51 PM, Jerry Gaffke wrote: Anyways, I was hoping you might ask some questions about that $0.04 GanFET in the other thread. Near as I can tell, two of those should make a dandy legal limit amp. Probably fine at 4mhz, but cooling those suckers at 30mhz might be an issue. /g/QRPLabs/message/146094 It all started with this post in yet another thread: /g/QRPLabs/message/146094 On Sun, May 25, 2025 at 09:09 AM, Jerry Gaffke wrote: Moderately high power RF parts for linear amps don't have much of a market, they come and go. The MRF101 and MRF300 seem to be the primary choices these days, who knows how long they will be available. For decades the low end amateur gear has been using the IRF510 to achieve moderately high power, occasionally with a half dozen of them in parallel. But the IRF510 is not designed to be linear and also requires a fair bit of gate drive, making a linear RF amp a difficult challenge. Polar modulation should ease this situation. I've been looking at some of the GanFET's. These can be high powered devices with very low internal capacitances. The
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Timing confusion U3S
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#gps
#u3s
#wspr
I have run my U3S many times before and it has run flawlessly with either a Beitian E-280 or Acxico GPS module attached. Both are U-blox M8 series. It has been sitting for some time, but I have a new propagation test and pulled it out to set it up again. The unit has the 25MHz TCXO module installed. The heart pumps on the screen, and the Time display is dead on when watching WSJT-X on my computer or a GPS clock screen from a GPS connected to the computer. Now it is acting rather strange. The old setup was 2-minutes WSPR TX, 2 minutes WSPR RX on each of 5 bands (10, 12, 15, 18, and 20m) with a Frame 30, so time between. The first TX decodes in WSJT, but each TX after that is late (later with each TX). By the 3rd TX (15m) it starts 10 seconds late and is not decoded at all. After each CAL sequence the display shows '=' and makes no changes. CAL (Step Time) is 01 100. I removed the RX windows and cut it to the 3 main bands (10m, 15m, and 20m) and the Frame to 10. Short_Setup.txt attached. The first TX decodes in WSJT, but each TX after that is late (later with each TX). The second TX (15m now) doesn't decode, and the 3rd TX (20m) starts 10 seconds late. Round it goes, and the first TX is right on time again! ------- Robert Giuliano KB8RCO
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#qmx #troubleshooting
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#troubleshooting
#qmx
Hello everyone. My name is Jesus. I recently purchased a QMX multi-band multi-mode transceiver with the 80/60/40/30/20 version. I assembled the radio and made sure to perform checks to ensure there was no shorts to ground. I proceeded to power up the radio and the radio did not power up. There was no power consumption. A quick inspection showed the D103 on one of the SMPS boards was sheared off possibly during shipping, maybe on assembly? Regardless I ordered 2 sets just to be safe. I installed the new set of SMPS and attempted to power the QMX on again. The transceiver still does not show signs of life. No power consumption showed on the meter. I did some checks with my limited knowledge. Power seems to be getting to the SMPS. Ground is in tact. There is no 3v or 5v output from the SMPS. The board does not power on or register as a device via my PC. I wanted to reach out for some guidance on any additional checks I can perform? I double checked all the solder joints with a microscope and can¡¯t see any bridging that could short anything out. So I¡¯m suspecting there¡¯s an open somewhere I¡¯m not seeing.
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QMX+ Power Output
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I just finished my QMX+ and thought I would share my RF power out readings. I did my best to wind all the torroids evenly though not perfect. Measurements are made with an Oak Hills QRP meter into 50 ohms, and with a LiPo supply voltage of 13.4 volts through a single diode. Voltage at the rig when keyed is just below 12 volts. 73, Gary W8PU 160 m - 5.9 w 80 m - 5 w 60 m - 3.9 w 40 m - 3.9 w 30 m - 3.7 w 20 m - 3 w 17 m - 2.3 w 15 m - 4 w 12 m - 2 w 10 m - 3 w 6 m - 2 w
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QMX died before i got a chance to transmit.
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Hello, I ordered a fully assembled QMX in April, and got it about two weeks ago. It died while i was listening to it. I maybe have listened to it a half hour total or less. i was switching bands and got a real sharp noise from my speaker, and then the screen went blank. not sure what the problem is, but i have only listened with it, and haven't even transmitted yet as a dont do cw yet, and i was building a mic for ssb. I was hoping to try digital modes on sunday, but i was just about to tune in to see if i could hear the 10m FT8 band as its a nice and sunny day, and i haven't been able to even hear ft8 on 10m as of yet. but its been pretty stormy here when i have been able to look at it during the week. I have not open it up as i am not sure if Hans will want me to return it as is since it is so new, or if im stuck and have to repair myself. I really dont think this should have died after only about 20 minutes of just listening to it. i know things happen, but i would have just bought the kit. It did turn itself off a couple times randomly before this. TBH i thought this was just my battery turning off since the draw is so low on receive. but maybe there was a problem in the first place? I did measure a resistance a couple places, and battery terminal is fine, but the antenna to ground is less than a half ohm? also not sure how to contact hans for what to do, but i replied to the email sent and tried the "help ticket" but not sure i should message him here? thanks, Ted
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PTT selection in QMX+
Is it possible to choose the active grounded method for PTT via the Menu or is it necessary to utilize a terminal program. If so,I could use some help finding the correct menu item! Thanks.
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Updated Wiki Page: QMX QMX_p kernel failures
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#wiki-notice
The wiki page QMX QMX_p kernel failures has been updated by @Ludwig_DH8WN <DH8WN@...>. Compare Revisions
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Penny Paddles
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Sounds like the U.S. penny might be going away. I was inspired by the touch feature of DL1CR's touch feature on his QMX Carrot. This is pretty easy to print without supports, but you do need a couple of pennies! https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7049323
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QCX+ adjustement and alignment
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Checking my newly built 20M band QCX+ I found the following facts: On a 50 Ohm dummy load - with a 13.5V DC supply I only get around 3 Watt output; - 8.7 Peak BPF looks OK; - 8.8 I-Q Bal 8.9 Phase Lo and 8.10 Phase Hi show high minimum values; After connecting my AlexLoop magnetic antenna I get only noise where I should ear some CW and around 14,074 some FT8 noise. I went to 15,000 MHz to ear the hour signal but nothing except a continuous signal on 15,005MHz. Para 7.3 page 130 of the manual writes: "Your results may vary depending on your Low Pass Filter inductor construction! If the cut-off frequency becomes too low, then you start to get attenuation at the operating frequency. In this case you can remove one turn or two from each toroid." As the LPF work both in Rx and TX I understand that if their cut-off frequency is too low I loose Rx sensitivity and TX output power. Do you think I should actually start by removing one turn on L1, L2 and L3? I guess it would just raise a little the cut-off frequency without increasing the 2nd and 3rd harmonics? 73 - Pierre - FK8IH
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QMX Plus in contest
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Hi all, someone stated elsewhere, that the QMX+ was a good rig for contest. Not really I think. I just used it in the CQWPX as well as my Flex 1500. Well the waterfall is a + for the flex ( I dont want tb buy more hardware to have one for the QMX) and changing the filters directly on the Hercules console is way quicker. I have not updated to the SSB software yet. The 300 hz filter is vy wide on the high side. Strong signals can be heard widely. Nothing after 0 beat. Also strong signals seem to saturate the rx and that was a problem especially on 40 m CW clicks are not nice but that is known. 160 m when the band is used above 1.840 is not workable as all stn from below have a similar signal there again. And then I have still to figure out how to set up the AGC. The hang time on strong signals is too long and that makes life difficult. On the positive side I prefer the audio sound of the QMX+ to the flex. I dont't want to be too critical and I never had a newer state of the art rig to compare. Years back I had a TS 830 and liked that. S next up is the region 1 FD for the QMX+ -- Martin DK3UW
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Introducing QMX CARROT
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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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At Dayton Hamvention we are seeing a revolution in amateur radio before our eyes
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(Right: Gerald Youngblood, Flex Founder) They launched their new product "Aurora", 160-6m, 500W transceiver that uses polar modulation just like QMX Hans: "So they visited me to admire QMX and I visited them to admire Aurora" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Brw3LK9zY/ 73 DE muhsin TA1MHS
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50 Watt Power Amplifier - Low Power, High Harmonics
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#50w
#50wpa
Hello. I'm assembling a 50 watt power amplifier for use with a QCX+ that I assembled last month, for the 80 metre band. I have very high harmonics at the output of T3 - as a result, I get only about 9.3 watts out when running at 13.8 V. Output from the LPF looks OK on the 'scope. I found the excellent videos by NA5Y which shows the output of T3 should be much closer to a sinusoid than what I get. I also found the discussion with KO1KR in August of 2020, but unfortunately I can't see his scope photos so I don't know if he had the same problem. I've since skimmed through the many discussions on this forum but haven't found the same issue exactly, though I did check out some of the suggestions given here. I found the amplifier took 67 mA with R5 fully CCW - I adjusted R5 till the amplifier drew about 70 mA with the QCX+ key-down in practice mode. Here are my scope traces: 0092 is the gate drive, yellow is Q1 gate, purple is Q2 gate - all is well here. 0090 is the drain voltage, Q1 in yellow and Q2 in purple - these look like there is oscillation ? 0091 is the voltage at the output of T3. This has a lot of third harmonic and doesn't look like the waveform NA5Y showed at this point. (QCX+ was set for 3.520 MHZ , amplifier connected to a dummy load.) I thought that perhaps my bench power supply is doing something odd when the amp is drawing power, but I probed the 12 volt line right at the barrel connector and the 'scope showed almost no disturbance of the +12 v supply. In frustration, I observed the output of T3 with the 'scope set for a long capture - it almost looks as if the distortion grows with time, for the first few tens of microsceconds the scope showed a small but sine-ish waveform, which over the span of a few hundred microseconds got wigglier and wigglier till it developed into the mess seen in my scope capture 0091. I've checked DC continuity to the windings of all the transformers and coils. I did find a bad joint on the primary of T1 but I cleaned it up and can now get power out of the amplifier. I haven't yet checked bias on all the 1N4007 diodes but the input looks quite sinusoidal at R3 closest to the input. The few watts the amplifier does produce look OK at its output. The QCX+ makes about 4.3 wats into a dummy load (43 V peak to peak) at 13.8 V DC. I'm assembling these units for a friend, and I had really hoped to have them ready for Field Day this year. The instructions are excellent and I have followed them closely. What can I look at next? Bill VE4STW
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3 cell lipo battery, how to use it anyway
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By doing this you recharge the pack with storage function and will have only 3.85 volts per cell at the end of the charge for a total of 11.55 volts. Another my hobby is rc airmodell and normally put in storage mode the cell packs when finished the flights. I use charter M6 by toolkitrc. 73 Luca
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Elecraft T-1 tuner usage
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Could someone please explain to me a simple, quick, non-fiddly way to send a signal that my T-1 tuner can use to tune itself? I tried searching the forums but didn't find anything. Thanks all.
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QMX test on SSB from a SOTA summit
Hi All, I activated a SOTA summit yesterday with the QMX to test it's SSB capability. I only operated on 40m, with the expectation that local stations would hear me well and many I've worked before could comment on my audio. It went very well and reports on my signal quality were very good. To my surprise and delight I was called by F5PYI and we managed to complete a contact! Larry was actually not bad copy but constant static crashes from an approaching storm made it hard to hear his call - this was with 5W of SSB on 40m in the middle of the local afternoon. There's a more complete writeup with photos on the SOTA Reflector. https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/testing-my-qmx-on-ssb-from-a-summit/38137 73 David VK3KR
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