Budget $350 CW POTA Setup With NO Compromises

[@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!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for video. I have a few QRP Labs QCX kits which I am very happy with.

[@Utahforrest]

@@Steve-GM0HUU They’re such great rigs! Thanks for watching, Steve!

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Very helpful! I’m a few steps behind you as I’m learning Morse and preparing for the General exam. I’ll be getting a QMX and plan on building it myself. Looking forward to it. Oh, and I fly fish as well so I completely get catching with a fly you tied. I’m sure a QSO on a radio you built will be as satisfying.

[@Utahforrest]

@@elmoreglidingclub3030 love it! Keep up the CW learning process! Feel free to snag my email off of QRZ if I can help with the build process at all I’d love to. 73!

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

@@Utahforrest Many thanks for the offer. 73, KO4GQS

[@KN7U]

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

[@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

[@ChrisV_WP4PUV]

So far I’ve only experienced 2m/70cm FM radio. This CW, QRP, POTA, home-brew, budget-mindful set up is about what I’ve been looking into. This video is making me want to start with a QMX kit instead of a QCX-mini kit. I have 0 experience soldering anything, so I feel a bit intimidated, but I just don’t think I’d enjoy just buying assembled equipment if I can potentially learn through building a set up like this.

[@Utahforrest]

I love it! QMX kit is STELLAR it's one of my favorite rigs and the best value in QRP CW, by far. I'd recommend getting a QMX mid-band. That'll cover the most widely used bands in POTA/SOTA. I'd also highly recommend building it as a 9v. (The instructions will give you both a 9v or 12v option). You'll get slightly higher performance w/9v. Similar to you I had never held a soldering iron before a few months ago. All I had ever built (weeks before) was an EFHW antenna where I wound one toroid and did some soldering. My first QMX (low band) build was unsuccessful as it did not power up after completion. There is a Gentleman, W1NC in Massachusetts that does free repairs on QMX builds, you just pay shipping. You can make a donation to him if you so please ( I did to say thank you!) - But it was really just a silly thing it didn't turn on it was just some cold solder joints. If you watch my CFT1 build video (or my QMX build video overview) you'll see the type of soldering tip I use. That's what I used for the 2nd go around when I successfully built the QMX in one day. The most important thing is to get enough heat to the 6 layer PCB (the board where the components go). I really recommend Kester 245 as well. Feel free to snag my email off my QRZ I'm more than happy to answer any questions and give advice. I'm not an expert builder but I've built 3 rigs and have activated parks with all of them! Nothing is more satisfying than home built QRP activations :)

[@ChrisV_WP4PUV]

@@Utahforrestthanks for the info! I will reach out and ask for advice on the set up I’m wanting to put together.

[@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

[@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

[@misteraon]

I’m working to start to put together a POTA kit. I’m thinking that a throw line or fish line attached to a modified tennis ball paired with a dog ball launcher may be a good solution. Probably a bit more accurate. I used a ball launcher in a pinch.

[@Utahforrest]

@@misteraon Awesome! I sometimes just tie my EFHW to a rock lol. But throwlines are great. I’d love a demonstration of that setup! 73 de KI7QCF

[@uilfut]

Hello may I ask why you chose 9v for this? I’m looking at qmx and default is 12v. You’ve inspired me to learn cw 😅 and wondering which qmx version to order, as I’d need to specify voltage obviously. Many thanks and appreciate your content

[@Utahforrest]

@@uilfut that means a lot to me! I’m excited you’ve begun the learning process. 2 weeks ago I took delivery of a 12v factory assembled unit. I was shocked that the tech sheet from QRP Labs showed the majority of the high-bands SUB 4 watts. My low band and mid band QMX are all 4+ watts (basically 5 watts) on all bands. After speaking with some friends this sounds like the norm for the 12v version. So I highly recommend 9v! It’s a little annoying because my other rigs are all 12v but it’s worth it for the performance. Let me know what you end up deciding. Either is honestly fine! :)

[@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.

[@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! 😂

[@eljuano28]

I'm debating the µBit vs the QMX or QMX+. The decision is gonna be the timeline on the new firmware from QRP Labs. I'm looking for a motorcycle portable, inexpensive rig that can do more than single tone digital modes, which is apparently coming on the QMX (which i think i like more,) but it already runs on the µBit. Btw/ Your yellow is my green. Not everything has to be the same colors, but apparently i have a preference when it comes to ham accessories. Funny; the little details we get stuck on. 73.

[@Utahforrest]

@@eljuano28 Sorry I’m late to respond I’ve fallen behind on some comments. Yeah I like colorful, always have! What kind of bike do you ride? I’ve been thinking how amazing an adventure bike would be for POTA here in Utah.

[@that_kai_person]

4X5KD here, I wanna do SSB as well as CW, would the (tr)uSDX be a good replacement for the QMX? Thanks for the video :D

[@Utahforrest]

@@that_kai_person that’s a great question. I actually think the QMX is adding SSB soon. On my rig there’s a PTT port that’ll be functional with a future firmware update. I’ve never used the (tr)uSDX so I’m not totally sure!! Thanks for watching 73 de KI7QCF

[@Lifeguard326]

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

[@Utahforrest]

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

[@patring620]

Same. Sold my 20 and 40 and bought the QMX.

[@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.

[@AdrianScottty]

Jackson Nancy Clark Brenda Thomas David

[@PaulaNguyen-d9w]

Anderson Donald Hernandez Helen Moore Laura

[@rodneylamay5926]

i made a qso with that same tranceiver i built to the same station 3 days in a row from here in california to tokyo using a doublett diploe here at home qth. 73s ki6pxv