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Still waiting on delivery

jim pulliam
 

I ordered a QCX mini 20 assembled on Feb 1, my card was immediately charged. It still has not been built,
nothing has been shipped since June 13. What's going on?
Re: QDX issues: please include info: #qdx

Mike GM1RHV
 

Windows revisited successfully, this time using a newer Windows laptop. 
Selected Com 3. Checked audio level max for QDX.
Waterfall okay but blank activity windows. Resolved by synchronising laptop clock. Decodes appearing fine.
This was quite easy.

Audio test replicates experience with Linux machine - when QDX is connected there is no audio for other applications.
1366 x 768 resolution limits waterfall display to 2000 Hz. My Linux desktop has a more suitable resolution of 1920 x 1080.
Again, I suspect the issue with the older Windows laptop is a driver issue.
Re: The Chips Act

kf7rcm@yahoo.com
 

Sorry, I do not. I should since two of them are about 12 miles down the road. If you google search "semiconductor plant construction in Peoria, AZ" I imagine you will find it. The third one is in Mesa, at least that was what I was told,
W.
Re: Toroid values #toroid

kf7rcm@yahoo.com
 

It does, thank you,
W.
Re: The Chips Act

Dave Edwards
 

Do you know what companies they are?

I once went from one to the next when I worked for Agilent and wafer test equipment.

....Dave

On 6/29/22 7:43 AM, kf7rcm@... via groups.io wrote:
There are three huge "chip" plants being built in the Phoenix area. Hopefully they will be online before too long.

Re: Capacitor issue question #40m #qcx40 #troubleshooting

kf7rcm@yahoo.com
 

No doubt, but both would be good to have at one's disposal.
Re: The Chips Act

kf7rcm@yahoo.com
 

There are three huge "chip" plants being built in the Phoenix area. Hopefully they will be online before too long.
The Chips Act

George Korper
 

If you wonder 'Why" the supply chain in semiconductor chips is a continuing problem look no further than the US Congress. Failure to implement 'The Chips Act' will slow or cripple US chip manufacturing for a decade! 

What's that Pogo said? 
Re: Capacitor issue question #40m #qcx40 #troubleshooting

Jim Strohm
 

I'll have to peek into EMRFD and see what it says about an RF probe.  Given how easy and cheap they are to make, I feel comfortable saying that if you have a VTVM, an o-scope, or an VNA, you can also have an RF probe.

The electronic components needed to make an RF probe cost less than a dollar.  I know hams are cheapskates, but when does that go completely over the top?

73
Jim N6OTQ

On Wed, Jun 29, 2022 at 5:55 AM howard winwood G4GPF <winwoodh@...> wrote:
why do you need an RF probe?
In all my years playing with electronics and ham radio I have not needed one.
being able to read and understand a schematic would be of more benefit.

On 28 Jun 2022, at 21:19, kf7rcm via groups.io <kf7rcm@...> wrote:

Advice taken. RF probe is the next thing to get.
Appreciate the advice,
Wayne/KF7RCM.

#QDX V3 filters and low output power #qdx

Esa Nieminen
 

Hello

I am using 9V power supply. All output powers are bit low compared to graph showing Output vs Supply voltage.

I have been able to make some test QSOs on 40m band (my antenna is half wave dipole). Rx is OK on all bands,

I am wondering how the filter outputs from internal RF test should look out.
In my QDX on 20m band, peak -10  is from 14MHz to 15.5MHz. Output is very very low.
On 30m band, peak -10 is from 10MHz to 11.5 MHz. Output is low and 2nd harmonic is -29dBm only.
on 40m band, peak -5 is from 8Mhz to 8.3 MHz, on 7MHz it is -10. Output is about 4W.
On 60m band cannot be measured but there is the highest output on spectrum analyzer and dummy load.
On 80m band, peak is -15  about 5MHz. Output is about 4W.

By the way, I used MAC to get them. The QDX terminal program was very strange to use. When trying to get out from the selection I had to use cmd+q to get out then restart QDX and terminal. Mac told every time: Disk not correctly removed?? Otherwise it works fine with wsjt-x.

Any advice?

73 de oh2awg, Esa N
Re: Toroid values #toroid

Al Holt
 

The QRP Labs LPF assembly guide states the design is based on "the GQRP Technical Notes, a design by Ed Wetherhold, W3NQN."  George Dobbs, G3RJV, wrote this datasheet, which I think may be the one referenced:  http://www.gqrp.com/harmonic_filters.pdf 

If you'd like to see the current version of these notes, http://www.gqrp.com/technical2.htm will lead you to http://www.gqrp.com/Datasheet_W3NQN.pdf. In this second document you'll see the design has changed slightly by improving second harmonic filtering. Also see: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9902044.pdf which look like a a more detailed version by Ed.

Also there's this article by Ed published by ARRL on designing Band Pass Filters: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9805044.pdf.
And this more general introduction to RF and AF filters by ARRL: http://www.arrl.org/rf-and-af-filters 

Hope this helps!

--Al
WD4AH
Re: Capacitor issue question #40m #qcx40 #troubleshooting

howard winwood G4GPF
 

why do you need an RF probe?
In all my years playing with electronics and ham radio I have not needed one.
being able to read and understand a schematic would be of more benefit.

On 28 Jun 2022, at 21:19, kf7rcm via groups.io <kf7rcm@...> wrote:

Advice taken. RF probe is the next thing to get.
Appreciate the advice,
Wayne/KF7RCM.

Re: QDX Rev 3 Build Video Series

Ryan Flowers
 

Thanks everyone for the input! I've chosen a format, and while the first video is on the long side (it's an intro + the first two bits of the build) the rest will remain as short as is reasonably possible. But, winding + installing every toroid is gonna take a while. I strongly encourage watching at 2x for those who wish to do so, or skip to the part you need help on. I'll post when the first video is online :) 

--
Ryan Flowers - W7RLF
MiscDotGeek - QRP and More (Website)

QDX News, Tips, Build Series (YouTube)
QCX Mini "Mini Tip" Series (YouTube)
QCX Mini Troubleshooting and Repair (Website)
W7RLF Prototyping Boards
Re: Toroid values #toroid

kf7rcm@yahoo.com
 

Thanks for messaging me Gary. That "come back" was directed at someone(s) else, just my way of asking them to not take themselves too seriously. apologies for any confusion.
Re: Question: Post in this thread the farthest distance you have had a QSO with any of these kits and under what condx. #amazing #contest #power #poll #qcx

dbauer@...
 

Portable location QCX+ into buddipole vertical. 8745 km complete with qsl card!
VE7AHT_EA8TL_CW_df6oMqf6.jpg
Re: Soundcard for QCX Mini #qcxmini

Jim Linder, AJ6ER
 

Thanks. 

From: QRPLabs@groups.io <QRPLabs@groups.io> on behalf of Wes AE6ZM <wesbflyer@...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 10:02:51 PM
To: QRPLabs@groups.io <QRPLabs@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Soundcard for QCX Mini #qcxmini
 
I have found the soundcards from Kevin at Masters Communication work really well. 
http://www.masterscommunications.com/
--
> I finally got it together...now I can't remember where I put it<

VY 73,
Wes

AE6ZM

Sierra Vista, AZ

 
Re: QDX - QDX QSO's #qdx

Richard Bolter
 

That was my first live relay. The second call sign confused me. I have responded to stored messages. Good times!

Richard
N6IJK
Re: Toroid values #toroid

Gary Bernard
 

Wayne, I’ve been following your thread. I saw the recent one that said. “Manual?” You have said several times that you rushed through the build.
I’m 81 and have built mini’s, pluses and a couple of classics. Many worked the first time, some didn’t. First time builders need to pay very close attention to the manual, super close. I’ve needed lots of help on a mini.
Anyhow, I wasn’t trying to be funny and I hope you get yours going.
Yes, there’s help from this forum.
73, Gary W0CKI 


On Jun 28, 2022, at 7:00 PM, kf7rcm@... via groups.io <kf7rcm@...> wrote:

Ok, I want to be a smart Alek and say no or something as bad, but I will assume your question is on the level. 
Yes, I did. 
I will take this opportunity to state here for the record that I was so excited to get this little rig that I am positive that I built WAY too fast to have done it the way the designer intended, reading through the entire set of instructions first would have been a good start.
Plus, I have not built anything quite like this before, it is pretty dang small and crowded.
I have a 20m one and a PA coming soon with a dummy load and a few other items. I have every intention of exercising a build speed that will make glacier movement seem faster.
I have learned and re-acquainted myself with so much that I don't entirely regret this first build. There is a very helpful HAM not far away from me that will take a look at this build and let me know what thing(s) I did incorrectly, and I really appreciate all of the helpful comments I have received from so many helpful people. I have to say that the niche that is "CW operators" seems to be a cut above when it comes to being helpful and encouraging,
Wayne/Kf7rcm.

Re: Soundcard for QCX Mini #qcxmini

Wes AE6ZM
 

I have found the soundcards from Kevin at Masters Communication work really well. 
http://www.masterscommunications.com/
--
> I finally got it together...now I can't remember where I put it<

VY 73,
Wes

AE6ZM

Sierra Vista, AZ

 
Re: TX on 80 & 40... but not on 30 & 20... reasons?? #problem

Evan Hand
 

I have read about it.  It is normally one of two reasons:
1 - the bands are not enabled in the configuration settings
2 - the Low Pass Filter (LPF) toroids are not soldered correctly
3 - the LPF is not being selected (20 and 30 meters share the same LPF)

The fix is to:
1 - verify that the configuration is correct (in the operations manual)
2 - reflow the 20/30 meter toroids
3 - check that D3 and D6 have close to zero volts on the banded side of the diodes.

You did not say what version of the software is on the QDX nor which rev for the board.  The current software version is 1_03.  The board could be either rev 1, rev2, or rev 3.  Rev 2 and 3 are marked on the boards.

Download the operations manual for the 1_03 software and use it to update the firmware if not at 1_03.
https://www.qrp-labs.com/images/qdx/manual_operation_1_03.pdf

73
Evan
AC9TU
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