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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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START UP INSTRUCTIONS FOR A REV 2 QMX+
2
Dear gang, I have finished building my QMX+ Rev2 ( my QMX+Rev 1 Never made it to operation). Right now I am a little gun shy of turning Rev 2 on. I did buy one of the power supplies that freezes the current output so you don't blow it up turning it on, But I have not had the guts to hook it up just yet. The Operations Manual talks more about the QMX than it does about the QMX+, so it has some good general information but the QMX+ to me is a different breed of cat. Is there someone in the group who has written or video'ed the basic light off procedure for the QMX+. I have gone over the PC board multiple times looking at all the solder connections and went over the parts placement plus when I was building it, I read the part numbers 3 times before I soldered it in. I made it carefully through the build without having installed the wrong part in a spot. So if someone has an outline of steps to go through in the initial power on of a completed QMX+ Rev 2, I would really like to study it and see if I can get mine going. Thanks for the help, 73 Dave WA5DJJ -- 73 Dave WA5DJJ SUPER QRSS/WSPR (160m to 6m) GRABBER https://www.qsl.net/wa5djj/ WEBSITE: https://www.zianet.com/dhassall/
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PSK31 with QMX + Digipan
4
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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Rev 1 vs. Rev 3 QMX Kit?
11
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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QRSS mode and other capabilities of Ultimate 3S
6
Hi anyone, I would like to learn more about weak signal modes? Please suggest a good book for beginners. TNX, George K3GK
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Iq enable and demodulated audio both over USB
8
I am wondering if this would be possible with future firmware. Is it possible to have the demodulated audio sent over usb for digital modes (wsjtx, fldigi ect) and IQ output on a separate audio feed from qmx at the same time? Since we have a computer connection anyway it would be nice to have the panadapter open using the IQ feed and digi mode open on demodulated audio at the same time. They can all be linked together via hamlib. Ryan KK6DZB
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Bug report: Band limits on 60m triggered with mode switch - 1_02_000
2
Hello Matthias. I'm a new General and not familiar with 60 Meters. Here is what AI told me, does this explain your situation? Here's a more detailed explanation: 1. Secondary Allocation and Restrictions: Amateur radio on 60 meters is a secondary allocation, meaning they share the band with other services like government agencies. Amateurs must yield to other users if they hear them on the channel. Amateur operation is limited to five specific channels, each 2.8 kHz wide. Amateurs are allowed to operate only on Upper Sideband (USB). Power is limited to 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP). 2. Channelization and Operation: The 60-meter band is channelized into five specific channels: 5.332 MHz, 5.336 MHz, 5.340 MHz, 5.344 MHz, and 5.348 MHz. Each channel is 2.8 kHz wide, meaning the transmitted signal must fit within that bandwidth. Amateurs must ensure their transmitted signal is within the allotted channel and should avoid transmitting if another user is present. To find a clear channel, operators can start at Channel 5 and move down if necessary.
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Running Hardware Tests Menu From Windows 11
4
I built a version 1 QMX+ transceiver which I really like. It seems to work well on the channels I use which is 40-20-15-10M. I recently updated the firmware to version 1_02_000 and I am impressed with the SSB reception. At this time I took the opportunity to connect the transceiver to the Ham Radio Deluxe software which definitely helps me to scan the bands. But I have a reoccurring problem in that my computer does not always recognize the QMX+ and I will get a Device Malfunction when I connect up the patch cord? I have rectified the problem by rebooting both the computer and QMX+ which seems to work. I have a new HP 64 bit laptop running Windows 11 Home software. I was hoping someone could tell me if this is normal? I would like to run the Hardware Tests Menu and I was hoping someone could walk me through using the Windows 11 PC Terminal Emulator. I understand that I should use the Windows PowerShell Terminal App? I opened the Terminal App and realized it is DOS based with which I am very rusty. It has been 20 years since I have interfaced with DOS and I don¡¯t want to jump down the proverbial rabbit hole. What commands do I use and is it fairly straightforward? The QMX+ is my third QRP Labs kit as I previously built a 20 M QCX-mini and an upper band QMX transceiver. Also have a lower band QMX kit coming so I have something to build this summer. Always amazed at how well these kits perform without adjustment. I built a Heathkit HW-16 in High School which was a blast but I had to get a friend who worked at the local TV station to tune it for me.
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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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Internal battery for QMX+
5
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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QMX receiver went deaf
3
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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Release of version 1.2 of ABS solution for QMX+ (Automatic internal antenna tuner, internal battery and internal speaker with audio amp)
92
#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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QMX Won¡¯t turn on
9
Hello, I was trying to connect a electret mic to qmx, I applied external 3.3volts to mic input and it died, won¡¯t turn on , doesn¡¯t draw any current. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
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#QMX - dim backlight remains when backlight turned off
2
#qmx
I had posted about this in the past regarding my rev4 QMX (/g/QRPLabs/message/127055) but I still haven't been able to resolve this issue. Essentially, when the backlight is turned OFF in the display settings, the LED is still dimly lit. Could this be a failed BSS123 transistor (Q301)? The radio otherwise functions normally. I'm not sure what else would cause this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated! -- 73 Andrew KI7FXL
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QMX+ WSPR
30
Hi Wei, yes it might well be from the WSPRnet database, the full locator is in there under my registration. That still doesn¡¯t explain why JD38 is being decoded by some and IO91 by others! it does seem to end up as JD38, I take this from the WSPR rocks website which shares WSPRnet and it¡¯s there to behold if you search the last 24hrs with my call sign as the tx. I¡¯m running it into a 40M resonant 1/4wave with a return loss of >20db, 12V supply (real 12V!) and the output is circa 3.6W according to both my test set and vector power meter. At this time I can¡¯t really put my finger on anything outside of the QMX+ box as a suspect. 73 Clive, G4KCM
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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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Michigan QRP Club Weekly Zoom Chat
Please join us Thursday, May 15 (and every Thursday) at 4PM Eastern for the Michigan QRP Club weekly QRP Chat where the main topics will be QRP and other ham interests. New hams are encouraged to participate and ask questions. It's fun, it's easy, and it's free. You only need a computer, a smart phone, or a tablet that can connect to the Internet. OR if you can't be close to any of those you can join by audio with any standard phone. Just follow the directions below. No software needs to be loaded or installed. Anyone can join and non members are welcome. Details are here: https://www.miqrp.net/zoom Zoom ID: 811 0835 6229 The topic for Thursday, 15 May will be TBD. The agenda for the 15 Mayl QRP Chat: Pete to do a short introduction and acknowledge any new folks to the Zoom chat. The topic for next May 15 will be an open forum. During the open forum anyone can take the floor. We will go one by one until all have had a chance to have the floor. Files, pictures and presentations can be shared if you have any. Please try to stay muted when someone has the floor. Thanks Ed AB8DF
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Thanks to W1NC!
As I described in this post, what started as a harmless part exchange resulted in a dead QMX, so I sent it off to Jeff, W1NC. He not only fixed it, he sent me a detailed explanation of what he had to do to repair the radio. Total turn around was 11 days door-to-door. I spent several minutes looking over the PCB before I could positively recognize it as the one I had sent him - he cleaned up all of my poor soldering and even removed all of the scorch marks! I would definitely recommend contacting Jeff if you get to a point where you can't fix it yourself. While damaging my radio wasn't a good thing, working with Jeff was definitely a great experience! 73, Mike, KL7MJ
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Unable to buy a QMX+ on QRP Labs site
22
I have tried for two days to buy a QMX+ but forgot my password and could not log on. So I clicked the "forgot password" thing and the system asked for my email address, saying a link to change the password would be sent, but it was never sent (it was not in trash otSPAM folders!). Because it forgot my password I cannot complete my order!! What do I do now? EuGene Smith KA5NLY
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Feature Request
4
Hans: A couple of items for your feature request list: 1. (Probably already listed) Use an added USB port to allow PC to access internal QMX+ GPS receiver for time synchronization. 2. In CW mode, add zero-beat command to tune radio to exact frequency of chosen CW sidetone. This could, if enabled, perhaps replace the RIT function. 73, Bill, K2HRT
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Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am