CW using QMX QRP transceiver - set up of portable station and antenna, activation on 40m

[@peterwei]

An excellent video. One of the best activation videos I've seen. Can't wait for my QMX to arrive. Peter VK1PDW.

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Peter for the feedback, it is much appreciated. Hope your QMX arrives soon, it is a great QRP radio, 73

[@o2bnov0307]

It was great to see you being able to toss a wire into the trees. In Texas both National and State park rangers told me I wasn't allowed to put wires into trees, and National parks told me I wasn't allowed to put a stake into the ground. That's when I bought a 5.5-m telescopic whip and a tripod. I've moved to Utah, and their state parks have the same rules. So, I carry the vertical antenna with me, and it is with me on my travels (along with the FT-891). My EFHW is packed away until I move to the East Coast. It is fantastic to see you with the QMX. Thank you for another excellent CW video. vy 73 de David AE4LH

[@vk2ter]

Thank you David for the feedback. It can differ from park to park here depending on the ranger or manager. A telescopic mast tied to a built structure (i.e. picnic table or sign post) is another option. I also have a vertical whip and tripod when nothing else is suitable. The QMX is a great QRP radio, always fun to operate portable with it, 73

[@LU8HRW]

Great video. Tnx share.

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for watching and for your feedback, 73

[@tomhelo4523]

Great video and very motivating. Got my QMX today as a kit, so will start to build asap (and improve my CW) Thanks again and vy 73 to the otherside of the world. DL1OT

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback Oliver. Have fun building your QMX, it is a great QRP radio, I am sure you will enjoy using it. 73

[@PhilG0BVD]

James another excellent video, I am 541 in the QRPlab assembled queue for my QMX. You need a throw line with weight like Thomas K4SWL uses, he has also got a good QRP channel like yours 🙂 Merry Christmas from UK

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback Philip. Yes there is a long queue for the assembled QMX, I ordered my assembled QMX in May and it only arrived last week. Hopefully the production rate will speed up. I have an arborist throw bag and line but I forgot to pack it, so a large stick was the best substitute hi hi, 73

[@betterbprepared]

Great video. I am just learning CW, but it is easy for me to follow along with the QSO scrolling along the bottom of the screen. There are not many videos showing the QMX, so glad to find this one. I have a friend with a QMX and he is trying to get me to buy one. I have a TX-500 as my primary rig and I am looking for a backup. It is either the QMX or the SW3B. Loved the video, new subscriber.

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback. Good luck with your CW practice, I hope the videos help. I enjoy using both the QMX and SW-3B, they are both great radios, 73

[@KX4UL]

Nice contacts! Cool QRP, QMX radio. Now subbed.

[@vk2ter]

Thanks Gary, this was my first activation using the QMX, very nice QRP rig, 73

[@radioredoctober]

wow ! good job & nice setup : )

[@vk2ter]

Thank you, I like the simple setup with QRP radio and wire antenna, 73

[@ChanYC8829]

Nice QRP radio setup n👏👏👏 out dxing

[@vk2ter]

Thank you, I like the simple setup with the QRP radio and wire antenna. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching, 73

[@andrewwilliss6500]

Great to work you again James, the little QMX sounded great! 73 de Andy, VK5LA

[@vk2ter]

Thanks Andy for the QSO, great to get you in the log again. Band conditions were difficult so glad the 5W got through ok, 73

[@mattsartori2624]

Nicely done video James and amazing rig Congratulations and thanks for sharing 73 de K7BCW dit dit!!!

[@vk2ter]

Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed the video. It was my first activation using the QMX. Hoping to get more time to operate portable over the summer break, 73

[@ok1if]

It is very interesting sounds from QMX.

[@vk2ter]

The QMX sounded good for this activation. Sometimes the volume can vary a lot between weak and strong stations as it does not have AGC (hopefully implemented in a future firmware update). Thanks for your comments, 73

[@michaelharkey9675]

de KI5DPA. Nice new look! Same excellent execution 👍

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Michael, I thought I would try something different. Thanks for the feedback, 73

[@rejeanmichaud662]

Super

[@vk2ter]

Glad you liked the video, 73

[@ve3sif]

great video, James. Hope you're liking the QMX. 73 Ron

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Ron, I am really enjoying the QMX, this was my first activation using the radio. I like the size and simplicity of the QMX and enjoy operating QRP, 73

[@zerocoolkim]

Long time no see, Nice QSO and QMX. 😊 My QMX will arrive soon.

[@vk2ter]

Yes this was my first park activation in a few weeks. I am hoping to get more time to operate portable over the new year period. The QMX is a great radio, I am sure you will enjoy using it when your QMX arrives, 73

[@brianfields4479]

brilliant

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Brian, 73

[@DM7XK]

Great video - I really like to see both setup and operation. Have the same key, and my QMX arrived just today 😊. I‘m a bit worried about max. voltage. Hans clearly advises not to go beyond 12.0V, but looks like you run it successfully with 12.8V LiFePo4. Originally, that was my plan as well. Will look into this. 72 de Holger DM7XK

[@vk2ter]

Thanks for the feedback Mike. I have read similar articles, so I may be pushing the QMX a little too hard. A better option may be to use 3x 3.7V LiFePO batteries (rather than 4x 3.2V) which is closer to the recommended 12V maximum, 73

[@RC-rv1mo]

AWESOME!

[@vk2ter]

Thank you, 73

[@thuff3207]

I hope you enjoyed this radio. I prefer my KX2 for portable opps.

[@vk2ter]

This was my first activation with the QMX, I really enjoyed using this radio. The KX2 has been on my wishlist for a while, I would like to buy it one day soon, 73

[@AussieAndyHardy]

That was awesome..! Nice one..! 73 de G1AJH (formerly VK2CHA back in the early 80s)

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Andy, glad you enjoyed the video, 73

[@JonathanAdami]

Great video! Thanks for posting it! funny how the qmx lets you choose between 80/40/30/20 and 20/17/15/12/10, I'd be happy with 40/20/15/10 but I guess I'll opt in for the 5 upper bands. And get some CW training before this haha I've seen the new FW version has AGC, it makes it a very attractive radio!

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Jonathan. I opted for the low-band version as I am most active on 40m. But I am tempted by the high-band option as band conditions improve on 15m and 10m. The QMX is working well with the latest firmware update. I am looking forward to future updates which may include SSB. 73

[@JonathanAdami]

@@vk2ter yeah it might be a smarter decision actually, 40/20 seem to be the way to go for activations anyway! SSB QRP is a work of patience, I'm not sure if I have it in me... I'd go for a FX4CR instead haha

[@vk2ter]

QRP is great fun when the band conditions are good but can be frustrating when the conditions are poor. The FX4CR is another great radio and it has 20W on SSB and 10W on CW, 73

[@sparky62]

60-10 QMX kits are now available! I'm building mine right now...

[@JonathanAdami]

@@sparky62 yup when I posted this, the option wasn't available, I have one assembled on order now 😁

[@eagletoti]

Great video! What is the external speaker model, where you took it from?

[@vk2ter]

The speaker is a generic / unbranded speaker I purchased off EBay a few years ago. Unfortunately I have not seen it listed since then, so it appears that it is no longer in production, 73

[@h.m.2138]

A good video as usual! I also like the picures of the national park. Does the knee holder not slip during operation? All the best 73

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback. It is a beautiful national park that overlooks the ocean, several inlets and beaches. The leg strap works well, it does not slip and the key remains stable, 73

[@h.m.2138]

Tanks for the quick reply! 73

[@grantmcduling9760]

James, is your antenna resonant of all the QMXs bands? Grant VK4JAZ

[@vk2ter]

Hi Grant, I am using a 20m long EFHW antenna which is resonant on 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m. My QMX is a low band version so can only use this antenna on 40m and 20m, 73

[@SMB_SpeedTwin]

Thank you for sharing your set up. I’m interested in your battery power bank. Did you print it yourself? If so could you please point me in the right direction the file maybe obtained? Thank you

[@vk2ter]

I purchased the battery case from my local electronics store. You should be able to source it from EBay or Amazon, search for “4 AA battery holder” or similar. Thanks for the feedback Steven, 73

[@SMB_SpeedTwin]

@@vk2ter thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I appreciate it.

[@gordonmiller4439]

Merry Christmas, James! 72 de KO4AYC

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Gordon. I hope you have a great Xmas and New Year, 73

[@johnbspringer]

RST 419? I thought they were coming in pretty good, perhaps a 3. Great video. What does /p and /m along with call sign?

[@vk2ter]

Thanks for the feedback John. Agreed that the signal strengths may have been slightly higher. The suffix “/p” means operating portable (away from home station) and “/m” means operating mobile (in a vehicle), 73

[@Betrue875]

This rig is essentially the same as a WWII covert set used by the resistance, only smaller and using modern technology.

[@vk2ter]

Very interesting. The QMX is certainly a compact and portable radio and a great performer for its size, 73

[@polarbear5464]

Hi! Is using a bit more voltage (in my case 12.3V) dangerous for my 12v version of the QMX? Just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

[@vk2ter]

I believe QRP Labs recommend using a maximum voltage of 12V. I push my QMX a little using up to about 12.8V and so far no issues, 73

[@psei513]

Super movie. I'm waiting for mine myself. Did I see correctly that you are using 4 x 16850? if the batteries are well charged, the voltage is above 16 V. Do you know what power this TRX achieves at this voltage?

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Piotr. I was using four 14500 (3.2V 600mAH) LiFePO4 batteries. I measured the voltage to be about 13.5V to 14V when the batteries are fully charged. The QMX documentation indicates a power output (for a 12V version) to be about 5.5W to 6W on the 40m band. Hope you receive your QMX soon, I am sure you will enjoy using it, 73

[@Syomiti]

​@@vk2terShouldn't the supply voltage of the QMX stay strictly at or below 12V?

[@vk2ter]

@Syomiti Yes you are correct the operating manual recommends a maximum of 12V. I am pushing the QMX a little hard. I have used this configuration for sometime now with my QCXs and QMX and so far no issues. A better solution would be to use three 3.7V LiFePO batteries which is closer to 12V when fully charged, 73

[@Syomiti]

@@vk2ter Thank you for the detailed reply. Seems like many QMX ops have fried their MOSFET finals using >12V for the 12V version of the TRX. So I actually planned to use 3x3,7V rechargeables for portable operation as you suggested. 73

[@vk2ter]

@Syomiti I will do the same and get 3x3.7V LiFePO batteries for the QMX to protect the finals. I will use the 4x3.2V LiFePO batteries with the SW-3B radio which can handle up to 15V, 73

[@jbird4h30]

Where did you find the case you carried everything in? If you don't mind me asking.

[@vk2ter]

The case is an “Antler Clifton Mini in Black”. I bought it at a bricks and mortar store but you should be able to buy it directly from the Antler website, 73

[@M0KVI]

Im interested in your thigh strap. Is it a made item or did you buy it somewhere? I've made something not quite as slick. Ill probably make another thats magnetic perhaps.

[@vk2ter]

I purchased the leg strap from BaMaTech. It’s called a “knee-strap / TP-III” under key accessories on the website. It is designed for the BaMaKey TP-III key but should work with other similar sized keys with a magnetic base, 73

[@TheArtofEngineering]

Nice I think I’ll order one! QRP Labs makes cool stuff. 73 de VK2AOE.

[@vk2ter]

The QMX is a great QRP radio. I believe the kits are readily available but there is a bit of a wait on the prebuilt units. Thanks George for watching and for your comments, 73

[@KirilMiloshev]

Hey, as i see you don't have issues with longer dahs and dits with your QMX. How had you achieved it? 73 de LZ3OM

[@vk2ter]

My QMX is a prebuilt unit, the only change I made was to upgrade the firmware to version 14. Sorry I cannot help out with this issue Kiril, I hope you get your QMX working soon, 73

[@todddavid3695]

I like the paddle with the leg strap. Where did you get it? DE KL4EL

[@vk2ter]

I purchased both the paddle and leg strap from BaMaTech. The paddle is the “BaMaKey TP-III ultra compact twin paddle key - red”. The leg strap is the “Knee-strap // TP-III” found under “key accessories” on the website. The paddle and leg strap is a great combination when operating portable, 73

[@RonanCantwell]

Nicely done. The QMX is a great little radio. What version of the firmware were you using here? You didn't have too many glitches with the internal keyer

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Ronan, the QMX is a great QRP radio. I upgraded the firmware to version 14 just before the activation. The radio itself didn’t seem to have any glitches with the iambic keying, just some human glitches as I am a bit out of practice hi hi, 73

[@RonanCantwell]

@@vk2ter there were a few glitches in the video that were the radio rather than your keying. The display gets corrupted too but that's not a big deal. It's going to be a beast of a radio when the firmware matures.

[@vk2ter]

@RonanCantwell I did notice the screen glitches with the CW decode, hopefully it will be fixed in a firmware update. I am also looking forward to the other proposed firmware upgrades including AGC and SSB, 73

[@hitthebones]

How does the transceiver qmx work?

[@vk2ter]

The QMX is a great QRP radio, enjoyable to use and suits portable operations. It still has a few bugs which are being fixed with firmware updates. The latest update includes AGC which will improve receive audio. A future update may include addition of SSB transmission, 73

[@hitthebones]

Hi! How does the cw key work? r1bp, Yuri

[@vk2ter]

Hi Yuri, the TP-III key is a great key, it is my favourite key to use. It has a very nice feel to it and is very compact so it suits portable operations. Thanks for watching, 73

[@ianshepherd917]

Very interesting outing - sadly spoilt by backgorund track - far too intrusive

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback, 73

[@JonathanKayne]

Still waiting on Hans to implement AGC before I take mine out to the field again. At this point I still prefer the QCX over the QMX.

[@vk2ter]

I am looking forward to AGC being implemented too, it will really improve the receive performance. I will avoid using headphones with this radio until then. Thanks for the comments Jonathan, 73

[@KD9ZHF]

i'm new... Iambic A or B?

[@vk2ter]

I use Iambic A. Thanks for watching, 73

[@KD9ZHF]

@@vk2ter thanks for taking time to make the video and to answer my question. I appreciate that.

[@vk2ter]

@jstoltenburg thank you for your feedback, 73

[@tavirasz]

VY 73 OP DE YO5PCH OP GYURI

[@vk2ter]

Thank you Gyuri, 73

[@marcelpost4052]

that music is obnoxious... Nice setup though..

[@vk2ter]

Thank you for the feedback, 73

[@DCDura]

Beyond obnoxious actually 😮 Just have to watch set-up with no sound.

[@M0KVI]

I like it. I can't tell you're wrong. That's how it works tho right everyone is different. I've just rerun the video to listen to it again. ❤

[@dennispeake1877]

G'day James, Nice setup with the QMX I'm wondering how you get the persons name, you must have QRZ on your phone? Thank you for video and happy Merry Christmas enjoy your day mate. 73 44 de Dennis vk4oc.

[@vk2ter]

Several of the hunters are regulars so I know their names. I also use an app on my phone (ParksAndPeaks) to log the contacts during the activation and it provides the name after I enter the call sign. Hope you have a nice break over the festive season Dennis, 73