Budget $350 CW POTA Setup With NO Compromises

QRP Labs QMX: shop.qrp-labs.com/qmx
QRP Guys Mini EFHW: qrpguys.com/qrpguys-mini-80m-...
Xtenna Wire: www.etsy.com/listing/15022057...
Bioenno 9v 3ah Battery: www.bioennopower.com/products...
CW Morse Paddle: cwmorse.us/products/copy-of-o...
Wired Earbuds Amazon: www.amazon.com/Empsun-Headpho...
Audio Cable: www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-...

[@HamRadioDuo]

You can tell your passion from the energy increasing as you continue to talk about your kit! Thank you for sharing! 73 Mike N4FFF & Becky N4BKY

[@HamRadioDuo]

Also, how intense was the building process? I built a qcx mini and definitely thought afterwards that $50 was more than worth it hihi. It took me quite a while. I soldered a bunch in the past but no longer have any interest in doing it for fun. I just want the radio 😉 I just don't want to have to wait for the qmx and wondering if it's worth building it even though I don't want to.

[@Utahforrest]

@@HamRadioDuo Thanks so much for your kind words. What's funny is I have an infinite amount of hobbies but even my wife is surprised how passionate I am about CW! I love watching you and Becky for the same reason! Great question! so the QMX build process is definitely hefty. I actually built my 2nd QMX in one day (about 7-8 hours) but I flew on it because I had built it before. Because you've built a QCX mini, you absolutely will have a leg up on the QMX. I 100% agree that the $50 is an exceptional value to have someone else build it. But I'll caution you the wait times are pretty awful right now. I ordered my QMX 3 months ago now and I'm still 300+ on the waitlist. I expect to receive my assembled QMX (high band) by the end of August (5 months total). I think wait times have only increased though with the recently popularity of this rig and the addition of the QMX+! 73 de KI7QCF

[@patrickhall5739]

great video, love the setup. I also built a QMX. very challenging build. I've only done digital on it so far, but I need to get out there on the cw. This vid has definitely motivated me to get out and give it a go!

[@Utahforrest]

Thanks, Patrick! I hope to work you soon! 73

[@KQ3Q]

Nice setup. I built a QCX mini 20m but I should have built a multi-band. Maybe next time.

[@Utahforrest]

@@KQ3Q nice! Love the QCX mini! To be honest 99% of my POTA QSOs are on 20m I should’ve just built that! 😂

[@KYFriedHam]

Thanks for the shoutout!! I did design a case, it's on the printer right now. I have had some quality and support issues with QRP labs in the past but even with that, I agree with you that there isn't a better value on the market than the QMX. I mean a full CW and digital and soon to be SSB rig for $100...unreal! Also, I want to say that the QMX is not an easy kit to build. I think even though you say you have no electronics experience, it seems like you must have an aptitude for it! Keep up the good work! 72 de KO4TFE!

[@Utahforrest]

For sure! If I said “easy” I shouldn’t have. I was more trying to highlight I had no experience whatsoever and was able to build one. Please keep me posted on your design. I just got my first ever 3D printer and I’m super excited to use it with the ham radio hobby!

[@KYFriedHam]

@@Utahforrest Oh boy...3d printing is another rabbit hole!

[@Lifeguard326]

After watching, I ordered a QMX to replace my QCX 20 & 40

[@Utahforrest]

Love it! QMX is an awesome rig! 73 de KI7QCF

[@KX4UL]

Good video! I have the QRP Labs QMX and love it. I have the same exact CW paddle, color and all. Although I have higher quality paddles, I actually like the 'CW Morse' paddle and find it fun to use. I enjoy milking the inexpensive gear for all I can. I guess that is why I love QRP and mini sized radios. Now subbed!

[@Utahforrest]

Thank you for watching! I agree! For my first time ever using that paddle it actually went really well. For the price, I think it's an exceptional little paddle. I may use it on a base moving forward to avoid inadvertent dits. Hope to work you soon! de KI7QCF

[@lostinspace280]

I have three QCX minies that are fantastic 20, 30, 40 meters. Also I have a QMX assembled on order should be here in July. I like kits but I am to shakey and eye site is not as keen as it was 30 years ago. Good video. Oh by the way I built same antena UN-UN 64-1. I have cut three seperate lengths wire for 20, 30, and 40 meters, makes a great endfed antenna system. One last thing I ordred the same paddle, and after using it once it went into the trash, it works but not well, I am use too quality paddles, eneded up buying one made in Japan, dont remember the name of it but is is like the Peco Paddle only higher quality. For me anyway the paddle has to have a good feel for me to enjoy CW.

[@Utahforrest]

I love that you've built three QCX minies! Awesome rigs. I need to just cut EFHW wire lengths and have them tuned ready to go for all bands. Today I actually just posted another activation video with this exact setup but guess what? I swapped out the paddle! Haha. I think one could argue the CW Morse paddle is a "bit" of a compromise. It does work, and if you use it often you'll become extremely proficient with it. But I pretty much decided I only want to use my CW Morse paddle when attached to a base (not handheld). I'm guessing we have the same Japanese paddle. Is it the Sur-Kobo? If so, awesome paddle! Thanks for watching and 73!

[@lostinspace280]

@@Utahforrest Sur-Kobo looks to be of fine quality, I looked in my Radio pack, my paddle is a Gemini GHD Key. Compact Paddle Gemini GHD Key.. I might buy a Sur- Kobo.

[@Utahforrest]

@@lostinspace280 Oh man... I'm in the same boat. I may need that Compact Paddle Gemini GHD key.. That thing looks pretty sweet!

[@paydencash]

Very nice. As someone who used to be proficient with a soldering iron, I'm a little embarassed to be sitting on the QMX waiting list while you work an activation with yours :) Have to agree on the throw line viewing - love K4SWL's follow through. 72 from Colorado (born and raised in Ogden), Mike, KN7U

[@Utahforrest]

There’s no denying it, Thomas is the Patrick Mahomes of throw lines! 😂 Nice, I grew up playing a lot of sports against Ogden and Ben Lomond high schools. Thanks for watching hope to work you soon! De KI7QCF

[@carelmulder8035]

Hi Forrest, if you press the left button (Keyer, rit, menu) after you selected a message to transmit, it repeats with an adjustable delay (see Key menu) until you touch the paddle! At least, that's how the QCX works. I guess the QMX acts the same.

[@Utahforrest]

That’s great advice! I need to do that! Yes I believe the QMX has the same functionality.

[@potatoslim2332]

I've been seeing you pop up on POTA spots but unfortunately propagation hasn't worked in my favor. I've built a lot of CW kits in the past. They're super fun and don't take that long to assemble. It's a shame there's not more out there to kit and build.

[@Utahforrest]

Someday we will have the right propagation. From my base station there are states I just never hear! I agree I hope more kits come out over the years.