Additionally the unit was never put into transmit. Tried bench PS and also battery.

Jim KQ3S

I powered up my prebuilt QCX mini 30m for the first time today. I get the splash screen Rev. etc. Goes to vfo-a screen. None of the buttons work. After several minutes of trying it finally went to the menu screen. I put it into practice mode. Then exited the menus. Once again none of the buttons work. I am able to change frequency. I can hear faint CW. The key works. But none of the three buttons work. I can’t even change the frequency scan rate.

Thanks Jim KQ3S

Thanks for the advice!

Jeff just asked me to post a link to my notes on bringing up a QCX for the first time.
Here it is:
https://groups.io/g/QRPLabs/message/70211
I'll try to refine it over the weekend.
--
Julian, N4JO.

Of course it's a good place to ask :-)
How to solder?  First, look to YouTube; there will be videos there. Next, find yourself an "Elmer" - a mentor, at least for the electronic stuff, and preferably for the radio stuff.
Buy a REALLY cheap kit to learn soldering with, don't risk building a QCX kit until you've developed competence; you'll likely get into trouble quickly that you can't dig yourself out of.
Also, don't buy a QCX Mini as a first radio kit - they are not kits for beginners; buy a QCX Plus: much more room to work.
Others will pile on with advice...
--
Julian, N4JO.

Whilst I'm sure all QRP Labbers understand health and safety of batteries, I thought
I'd post this little ditty on puncturing Lithium Polymer cells.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqcX1AjdxSw

They don't like being provoked that's for sure ;-)

The QLG2:-
14:14:10  $GNGGA,
14:14:10  $GPGSA,
14:14:10  $BDGSA,
14:14:10  $GPGSV,
14:14:10  $GPGSV,
14:14:10  $GPGSV,
14:14:10  $GPGSV,
14:14:10  $BDGSV,
14:14:10  $BDGSV,
14:14:10  $GNRMC,
14:14:10  $GNVTG,

This matches that shown in the QLG2 manual. Manual should be read...
I guess this is default, no backup, been off a few days.
I think VTG is not actually needed? Or is it?

73 Alan G4ZFQ

In fact I was correct saying Checksum. If you read the manual it at least partly explains what happens with non-QRP Labs GPS modules.

On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 06:07 AM, Rob Giuliano wrote:

Anyone using a GLG1 or GLG2 that can verify the default messages being sent?

Most interesting thread...

I never looked or noticed before, but here's some observations from my QL Clock with QLG2-SE:

1. Visually comparing time with time.is browser, it's pretty accurate, within 1 second....
2. Often, the Heartbeat will skip a beat.
3. Sometimes, the Heartbeat will not beat for 2-5 seconds...
4. Occasionally, Clock displayed time update is delayed slightly
5. Occasionally, Clock displayed time skips a second to keep up (self correct).

Here's comparison observations from my QL Clock with QLG1:

1. Comparing seconds with time.is browser, always matches.
2. Occasionally a single heartbeat is skipped, maybe once or twice in a minute
3. Clock displayed time always matches time.is, at least "visually".

Two other things I did see that I hadn't noticed before:

1. The Heartbeat displayed on line 1 is much clearer than when it's displayed on line 2.
2. If you try to program the Heartbeat to display on both LCD lines 1 & 2, it will only display on line 1.

Here's a captured burst of data from the QLG2-SE (default settings as came from QL):
Here's a captured burst of data from the QLG1 (default settings as came from QL):
73,
km6wt

On 19/08/2021 14:07, Rob Giuliano via groups.io wrote:

The checksum is per message.

Rob

OK, I used the wrong term.
The manual describes what is checked, The "A" or "V" in one of the sentences?
The GLL sentence somehow interferes with this.

I hope I was not inferring anything except that the U3 does not like the GLL sentence.
What made your delay is speculation, possibly Hans could clarify but it is not his fault that some like you and me use non-QRP Labs GPS modules.

The U3S works properly with QRP Labs GPS modules.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

The checksum is per message.
The GPS had a lock, and the checksums were valid for each message (verified with another tool from the USB port data).

So, I assume you are saying that, what takes extra time is the calculation of the checksum of each additional message received.
I disagree - if that were true, the delay would be greater with the original 7 or 8 messages I had enabled, vs. just the 5 and GLL.
   But the delay was about the same.
Also, you 'imply' that disabling the validity check should eliminate the delay - I don't think that was true either, but can't be sure I tried that.

All I can say for sure was, the issue went away when:
1. GPS sentence output rate was 1 Hz (originally 5 Hz)
2. Only the 4 listed GPS messages were being sent
    Anyone using a GLG1 or GLG2 that can verify the default messages being sent?
    Most GPS units I have used default to the 5 messages (includes GLL)
3. Freq adjust from PPS seems work best on the falling edge (1 not 2) with this uBlox GPS module

--
Rob KB8RCO

On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 03:36 AM, M0PWX wrote:

Any thoughts or gotcha’s to be aware of?

I have one suggestion, which you may have already done (wish I had done this ahead of time...)

Review and study the webpages and manuals for all QCU based kits, i.e. the Clock, U3S, VFO/Sig Gen, etc.

While all these kits use the same QCU controller board, none of them seem to have a complete schematic of the board.  So, much can be learned by examining each manual, as they each show a different view of the same hardware circuit.  While each manual focuses on the part of the schematic necessary for the product they are written for, viewing the manual for all of them will achieve a more overall understanding of the board's design.

These kits are fun to play with.  And, any QCU based kit can be re-purposed to function as one of their siblings, with just changing the firmware, and, re-wiring a couple of external controls.  For example, the VFO uses a Rotary Encoder, U3S and Clock do not.  U3S uses "Key" pin for a receiver's Mute switch.  The VFO uses "Key" and "R" header pins for rotary encoder input.


It's not listed on the products web pages, but the basic QCU board can be purchased without firmware as a separate kit for a replacement for any of the QCU based kits (click here).  The firmware for QCU kits can also be purchased separately (click here), or downloaded (click here).


Have Fun,
km6wt

On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 12:58 AM, Brad Thompson wrote:

I wonder whether the local fish-and-chips stands objected to the loss of business....

Lol!

Anyway loss of business is self inflicted these days.

Have you seen the price of cod and chips around here ?

Those greedy imperialist capitalist warmongers..ooops I meant fishmongers have almost
doubled the price in the last year.

Rick, so how'd it go with your shipping via TNT/FedEx?  What extra did you have to pay?  (Canada)

After having bad experiences with the couriers adding excessive "brokerage" fees, I always use regular mail service.  My previous QRP Labs shipments were shipped (mail) from Japan and I haven't ordered anything since the change to Turkey.

So I'm thinking I will get my current order via "Post Office Airmail".  Ya, it will take longer but at least I can avoid any surprise fees from TNT/FedEx.  At least with Canada Post the most I can expect to get charged is GST and $5 for their brokerage.  I've got no problem with that.


Sheldon

You guys are breakin' my heart! You didn't read my notes on how to bring up a new QCX Mini!!!  :-(

5V appears on the center pin of the BNC connector because it is put there courtesy of the output of IC3C via a 120k ohm resistor, which is used to inject an RF signal for receiver calibration.

I mentioned it because it's a quick and dirty way of checking you have 5V supplied to the logic chip IC3.

Tsk tsk ;-)

--
Julian, N4JO.