Can’t decide whether to go for original (tr)USDX orange or green. For scale here is an image next to one of my QCX Minis:

Having messed up slightly by installing a turned pin SIL socket on one PCB and then realising I didnt have a turned pin SIL header the trUSDX project has been on hold whilst I waited for some of the correct header pins to arrive. The header pins actually arrived a couple of days ago but I have been too busy to return to playing with the radio.

Saturday morning came and at last I have had the time to complete the build (well, apart from putting it into a nice enclosure – that will come later). So, a strong cup of cofffee with BBC Radio 4 in the background, and I wound the last couple of toroids (actually it was the FT37 transformers which I had left as a ‘treat’ until the end!) and then fitted the RF amplifier devices (3 x BS170 FETs).

First tests to check the receiver (HF wire antennas) and I was pleasd to find that the bands were alive with strong CW and SSB signals from 80m through to 20m (helped of course, as is customary on a weekend, with lots of Contest QSOs). So, I made a quick YouTube video of the radio on receive (see YouTube clip below). A couple of CW calls on 20m were quickly answered (HA, HB9 and IT9) and some decent reports on the Reverse Beacon including VE2WU in Quebec, Canda) I’ve also shown below the results of later CW tests on 40m and 80m

Next, it was time to wire up a microphone (I am not using the onboard electret – I used a spare (and larger) module left-over from an old BiTX project. A quick tune through 40m looked promising with lots of PA stations working away in the PA contest. I promptly worked over 10 stations and made a clip of SSB QSO #1 on this radio with PI4CC, again see below.

So what next? I need to wire up a proper microphone and then fit the radio into an enclosure. As far the the enclosure goes I am not inclined to put it in one of the 3D-printed organge cases (ie. the DL2MAN original), time to have another look in the junk box I think!

I’ll probably have a go on FT8 and RTTY also because, er … why not!

Running at just 5V (0.45W out) on 20m.

and later in the evening…

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SSB Audio quality

RX

TX

and testing transmit, 40m QSO with PI4CC

Hans Summers has done it again with an amazing new product for kit builders, QRP and digital enthusiasts with the new QDX transceiver. News of the new product release broke last week sending QRP Labs fans into a frenzy on the QRP Labs Google group. An initial batch of 450 units was released on at 1800Z on 11 October with all units sold in 12 minutes! Wow, that’s popular!

The initial batch has been limited in number due to a current global lack of semiconductors although Hans has promised at least one further batch will be available once his supply situation improves. In the meantime, I was pleased to get my order in (despite a number of glitches caused by the online sales portal being overloaded by the sheer number of folks trying to secure their QDX).

All being well the QDX will be here in the UK in a week or so and I will then, as time permits, document the build and operating on here.

Outline details and specs are here:

• Four bands 80, 40, 30 and 20m
• 5W output at 9V supply (can be built for 4-5W at 12-13V supply)
• Single signal transmission (zero unwanted sideband, zero residual carrier, zero intermodulation distortion)
• Solid-state band switching and transmit/receive switching under CAT control
• High performance embedded SDR SSB receiver with 60-70dB of unwanted sideband cancellation
• Built-in 24-bit 48ksps USB sound card
• Built-in USB Virtual COM Serial port for CAT control
• Si5351A Synthesized VFO with 25MHz TCXO as standard
• Easy to build single-board design, Professional quality double-sided, through-hole plated, silk-screen printed PCBs
• All SMD components factory assembled
• Connectors: 2.1mm power barrel connector, USB B (for audio and CAT control), BNC RF input/output
• Built-in test signal generator and testing tools
• Receive current 100mA, Transmit current 1.0-1.1A for 5W output with 9V supply (around 0.7A for 5W with 13V supply).
• QFU firmware update for lifetime free firmware updates, easy installation on any PC without drivers, software or hardware e.g. programmer
• Optional aluminum extruded cut/drilled/laser-etched black anodized enclosure

See Hans’ website for more details: https://qrp-labs.com/qdx.html and the DRAFT manual here: https://qrp-labs.com/images/qdx/manual_1_00.pdf The ordering page is here: http://shop.qrp-labs.com/qdx2?search=qdx

Finally, to whet the appetite, here is a YouTube video outlining the new kit:

Delighted by QRP Labs QLG2 GPS module and patch antenna arrived this morning. Especially pleased because the item is has gone of of stock in the last few days as Hans is having supply problems with the microcontroller due to the current global semiconductor chip shortage. The microcontroller is based on a 32-bit STM32 ARM processor.

With optional 16×02 LCD diplay:

Features of the QLG2:

• Supply voltage range 3.3 to 6V.
• Board 80 x 37mm (Same as Ultimate3S, VFO and Clock kits).
• Multi GNSS satellite constellation receiver supports GPS (US), Galileo (Europe),
• GLONASS (Russia) and Beidou (Chinese) – (default GPS + Beidou) – giving a faster
• more accurate position fix – Module is E108-GN01 (GK9501 GNSS chip set)
• • Serial to USB converter, using onboard USB B connector, for convenient interface to
• PC software if required – no drivers required. Jumpers select either the GPS serial
• data, or your own externally connected serial data, for example you could use this as
• a USB to Serial data converter for CAT control of QCX, QCX+ and QCX-mini
• transceivers.
• • Can optionally be connected to a standard 1602 LCD, in the same style as the
• Ultimate3S, VFO and Clock kits, to GPS date, time and satellite information using
• the onboard microcontroller.
• • Supplied with included magnetic-mount active antenna, approx 2m coax and SMA
• connectors
• • Supply voltage range 3.3 to 6V.
• • Board 80 x 37mm (Same as, and compatible with, Ultimate3S, VFO and Clock kits).
• • Onboard LEDs for status indication: Red (Power), Yellow (Serial data) and Green
• (PPS).
• • 2.8 to 5V logic level conversion to provide 5V serial data for full compatibility with all
• QRP Labs kits.
• • Supports 2.8/3.3V logic OR 5V logic (jumper wire selected)
• • SMD assembly already undertaken by factory facility – only SMA connector, and
• optional USB B connector to solder.
• • Space provided for optional ultra-capacitor for faster hot-start

The QLG2 will be used to provide the GPS controlled time synch signal for both my QCX range of QRP Labs transceivers and also my Ultimate 3 WSPR beacon. I’ll post ‘build and boxing’ images here soon. I am considering adding the device to a clock module using a 20×4 LCD display for more information including Maidenhead locator, Lat and Lon and altitude.

The clock module is available here: http://shop.qrp-labs.com/clock

Once back in stock the GPS receiver module can be purchased here: http://shop.qrp-labs.com/qlg2
In the meantime, Hans has temporarily replaced the module with a QLG2-SE which provides the same functionality as the QLG2 without the microcontroller functionality. http://shop.qrp-labs.com/kits/QLG2SE

The marvel that is the QCX Mini is already equipped with a rudimentary electronic keyer for Iambic modes and including memories, beaconing and practice modes but I wanted to add a K16 keyer for increased features.

The K16 Keyer from Steve Elliot K1EL is perfect for both contesting and casual use and fits on a PCB measuring just 38mm x 35mm. I am using the Kanga UK version of the board available here. Detail of the full range of keyers from K1EL (US site) are here. The K16 chip can be purchased separately if you wish to design your own PCB here (US) or in the UK, again from Kanga UK, here.

Further details of K16 features and operation can be found here.

I have previously built a K14 keyer into an Altoids tin but on this occasion I am salvaging a defunct USB soundcard case to build the keyer into (matches the QCX Mini styling) and will be supplying the power from 2 x CR2032 cells (the keyer only draw 1mA when on and uA when in standby mode) rather than the larger PP3 specified by Kanga.

This is the original soundcard and box:

The K16 keyer in progress:

I intend to integrate my old K14 Keyer into my 20m QCX (vanilla).

The QCX mini is a high-performance single band HF QRP CW transceiver kit available for just $55 with a 50W amp for an additional $29.50.

My QCX Mini kit from Hans Summers QRP Labs arrived just before Christmas and was sitting under the Christmas tree for me to open. I’ll be documenting the journey with some links to other useful sites along the way. Watch this space!

Made sure to install the IC holder as far to the top of the PCB as possible to ensure sufficient space for the paddle socket and the TCXO board.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Now for a nice cup of coffee before alignment this evening

Alignment now done, no issues (once I had fixed a dodgy soldering joint on the TCXO!). I followed Hans’ video here: (117) Tuning up your QCX+ – YouTube

Initial findings are that it’s receiving very well and RF output at 12V is just a shade over 3W.

Having a Bud to celebrate progress so far!

Transmit test to follow …

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Testing the Mini QCX in WSPR TX mode:

My very first transmission tests on WSPR:

And the results – AMAZING – Decoded in Antractica on first transmission, how excellent is that for something that was a bag of components 2 days ago!

Received on both receivers at DP0GVN – Neumayer Station III
Ekstroem Ice Shelf, Atka Bay, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Top 50 spots, all over 1000Km in less than 10min (note only ONE station is reporting drift). Ignore the power shown as 5W, it’s actually 3.6W!:

… and also DP0POL/MM the German Ice-breaker Maritime Mobile (at this very moment the Polarstern, a German research icebreaker is presently off the coast of Africa en route to the scientific station in Antarctica. )

Time to play with CW I think …

No reply to CQ call but picked up on the reverse beacon network in USA and Russia.

Now to bed … Looking forward to some CW QSO’s tomorrow 🙂 Anyone for a QCX to QCX sked?

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I am going to put further WSPR posts here: https://m0icr.com/category/wspr

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First CW QSO on QCX Mini – Willi DL2IAD

Very pleased to report working Willi DL2IAD (Herschweiler-Pettersheim, Germany) this morning on the QCX Mini. 599 both ways, a solid QSO. Exactly 600Km IO91SO <> JN39QL.

Second QSO on QCX mini GM4ENF 489 (Al in in Cupar, Fife, Scotland)

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Boxed up and finished! ( ….. for now!)

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A few minutes in the New Year’s Day German AGCW contest on 40m using the Mini QCX

Date	UTC	Freq	Mode	Call	RST S	RST R
Jan-01-2021	11:12:18	7032.5	CW	DR7T	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:15:39	7007	CW	DR165TESLA	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:17:06	7013.4	CW	DL3HAH	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:18:30	7024.9	CW	DL4CF	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:19:58	7038.8	CW	DR2C	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:21:58	7018.9	CW	DL5AXX	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:23:14	7023.6	CW	DL1CW	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:24:13	7027.6	CW	DL5XJ	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:29:25	7031.8	CW	PA3ARM	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:32:55	7030	CW	SN1T	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:55:56	7032	CW	DL8QS	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:57:06	7012.5	CW	DK3QZ	599	599
Jan-01-2021	11:59:42	7027.6	CW	DF7YE	599	599

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Reference Materials for the QCX Mini

QRP Labs: QRP Labs Kits (qrp-labs.com)
The QCX Mini: QCX-mini 5W CW transceiver kit (qrp-labs.com)
Order your QCX Mini here: QCX-mini 5W CW transceiver (qrp-labs.com)

In the build I will be following some of the useful tips by Ryan Flowers (including his YouTube videos), link here: https://miscdotgeek.com/

I’ve just noticed that David Casler (Excellent YouTube channel by the way) has just received his QCX Mini and will be describing his build here: (117) The QCX-Mini 20m QRP Rig Kit Arrives (#342) – YouTube)

A link to Hans Summers QRP Labs videos including on the QCX Mini and a ‘lab’ tour is here: https://www.youtube.com/c/QRPLabs/featured

Thank you to Steve Hartley G0FUW and all the team at GQRP for the excellent virtual GQRP Convention run over the weekend 5-6th September.

A thoroughly enjoyable event. I have attended a number of the conventions in person over the years and was a little apprehensive about how well it would run as an online event. Whilst I admit I missed the face to face conversations and annual ‘meet-up’ given the circumstances this year I thought the event was a huge success, so much so that I hope the online element continues in future years – if nothing else it provides a much greater global reach and provided a valuable source of videos to watch over again for ideas and stimulation.

A link to the event webpage and links to all the presentation (now on YouTube) is here: http://www.gqrp.com/convention.htm

A direct link to the GQRP YouTube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClhe-ybLZzpnJh80VmFuS-A

Intrigued by the potential I have converted a spare 40m QCX from QRP Labs into an SSB transceiver, it’s not without it’s issues but it’s remarkable piece of coding. Here’s mine boxed up (groovy orange 44870 LCD unit!).

An earlier manifestation of my build, do you think I need a bigger VFO knob?

Here’s a short video of it working on receive:

Here’s me playing with FT8 and the uSDX using an ancient laptop rescued from the bin!

Guido’s GitHub page full of QCX-SSB info, manual, schematic and firmware (*.ino): https://github.com/threeme3/QCX-SSB

If you want a technical explanation of the coding, look at Guido’s page here noting this began with work on a RPi back in 2013: http://pe1nnz.nl.eu.org/2013/

The latest version of the QCX is this QCX Mini and Hans has kindly included a PCB module to enable the uSDX to be built into the Mini. Alternatively you can ‘go the full hog’ and build the uSDX ‘sandwich’, full details are at the DL2MAN website here: DL2MAN´s HAM Radio Page – home of the uSDX Sandwich, it’s also worth checking-out DL2MAN’s YouTube channel here: Manuel K – YouTube