Finishing and Operating the QCX Morse Code Radio.

[@mdouble100]

I continue you to be impressed with the elegant simplicity of Morse. Having watched you make many dx contacts with qrp radios is inspiring. You are correct in stressing the value of low power portable gear for prepping. Clearly such gear will be invaluable in a grid down situation.

[@RadioPrepper]

Undoubtedly the last ones on the air!

[@juju-yi9di]

j'adore votre chaine, il y a vraiment du contenu complet et vraiment interessant, merci pour tout!

[@billryland6199]

I just finished building the 40 meter version. I'm very impressed with the receiver. It is just as sensitive and sounds better than my Icom IC-756 Pro III. I'm getting my code speed up enough to get on the air. N6ZCU

[@RadioPrepper]

Bah, just get on the air, the speed will come...

[@rodshehan3886]

New subscriber here mate, all the way from Australia. Love your videos so far, and I have some advice for you (and your subscribers), such as it is: When using pilot holes (to make bigger holes), choose a pilot drill only slightly bigger than the web of the larger drill. The web is the flat nosed part of the drill, that is right in the center, between the two cutting edges. Believe me, this makes driller the bigger hole vastly easier. The web does not actually make any cut, so when it is spinning in the middle of the hole, its really a solid rod of metal, not a drill as such. This solid rod of metal will follow your properly sized pilot hole exactly. I have used this process to manufacture rifle actions for up to 338 lapua cartridges. Always use a non slip top on your drill press. Thin rubber or soft wood is ideal. Its no big deal just holding the item in your hand, but having it stay there, makes for a much neater (and safer) job. Use a fast drilling speed and slow feed in softer metals, such as alum boxes. Slow feed gives smaller chips, and less likely to grab the thing and kill you with it :-) Use coconut oil as a lubricant on alum, it works awesome try it.

[@RadioPrepper]

Great thanks!

[@rjinnh3933]

@@RadioPrepper Hi Gil. As usual, a great video. Almost complete w my 40Mtr QCX kit. Have struggled, off and on, for 3 days w T1 but that was due to 'Pilot Error'. Ready to mount it as I 'stylus' this. Although licenced for 35+ yrs, I've only made one CW contact abt 30 yrs ago and it was a 'gruussuum' disaster! You, and your videos, have been very instrumental In my 'Jumping In With Both Feet' to become a proud CW/QRP/Prepper. A lot of work ahead but I'm taking your comments and advice to heart. I've Prepped for yrs but have had to re-start my efforts and QRP/CW is my current focus. Thank You Moocho-Much for your Inspiration! I've watched dozons upon dozens of your vids and loved every one, even the two where you only speak in Begiumese..... Someday, I'll start at your beginning and watch them all in sequence. 73 Russ in NH KA1RUW AND AS FOR RON'S COMMENT Tnx 4 a timely comment abt pilot hole sizing. Now I'll be selecting the correct pilot drill size instead of doing it randomly. Again, very timely info and tnx alot for posting it. Russ

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks Russ, glad I inspired you :-) keep at it!

[@profsnoes]

Happy birthday Gil!

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you!

[@baptiste6058]

Hi Gil, Je souhaite me lancer sur un kit QCX mais je ne sais quelle fréquence choisir ? J'aurai tendance à prendre un 20m pour la simplicité de transport d'une dipole pour cette fréquence... mais est-ce le meilleur choix ? Merci pour vos conseils. Et à bientôt sur les ondes dès que l'ANFR relance les sessions d'examen;

[@RadioPrepper]

Bonjour, il y a un nouveau modèle, le QCX+! J'ai choisi 30m... Pas de concours...

[@baptiste6058]

@@RadioPrepper oui, j'ai vu le QCX+, mais il est plus encombrant. A priori le 20m à un vfo qui couvre de 6.5 à 18MHz. J'attends leur réponse et je me lance. Merci pour votre chaîne, c'est une excellente source d'information.

[@baptiste6058]

@@RadioPrepper je viens d'avoir confirmation de la rupture de stock des QCX... A priori l'effort est mis sur le QCX+.

[@RadioPrepper]

Envoyez moi vote addresse à [e-mail]

[@prestonshute7243]

Got a 40 meter version that I will start building next week. I use 100 feet of wire and a unun and can work 80 - 10 with my IC703+. Thanks for the video. 73 wd4dda

[@n8nkqrp595]

Fine video Gil. As usual! Fun and very pleasant to watch. I'd like to make a comment that you will most likely not agree with. I've seen you mention it before. I've seen other hams 'somewhat' bothered by your refusal to give what they called a 'real signal report'. I have to admit... I laugh every time. The 'strength' portion of the RST system was never meant to correspond to either a mechanical meter movement or an LCD display. Its subjective! This subjectivity is ALL that I care about when receiving your report... I don't care what your 'S' meter displays. Every radio model will have differing 'S' meter standards, as will each unit within a model line. Those numbers on the scale mean nothing to me. They tell me nothing. I'm not fishing for an ego boost when I receive your signal report (obviously. lol... I'm a QRPer) I'm just interested in how I 'sound' to your ears. SINAD is the only objectve way to assess signal strength. Yer gonna have to give it up eventually Gil... and give 'em what they want: a number. Haha! Just putting in my two cents. Keep up the wonderful vids!

[@RadioPrepper]

You might be right. Only got one complaint in six years...

[@n8nkqrp595]

Gil, that one complaint was worth it's weight in gold. Oh man did I laugh at the old guy getting audibly perturbed. Its all good. If you gave me a '?' in my report I'd happily accept it. Thank you again for your very pleasant videos. 73

[@randyvanvliet226]

Who makes the battery powered speaker you have there? Very clever! A link?

[@RadioPrepper]

It's a VEHO360, on EBay.

[@abdula4256]

Tnx om

[@believethebible88]

Gil, I noticed you have a battery pack attached to the QCX. Can you tell me what sort of batteries you are using? I just finished assembling the 40m model, and have yet to power it up. Thanks for the great videos. 73

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, it's three 18650 cells salvaged from an old laptop battery...

[@pathopkins4500]

Gill you can get some black FELT to cover the inside and outside of the holes to make it dust proof ( kind of ) under the knobs and make the hole look better =) Really nice little rig Gil =)

[@RadioPrepper]

Good idea thanks.

[@pathopkins4500]

Well Gil I have purchase a OCX-20 with the offered case and will receive it this week =) Looking forward to getting on the air with the little critter =)

[@RadioPrepper]

Great. You'll enjoy it. Neat little rig..

[@johndeluca230]

Happy birthday! I have a QCX arriving soon. I ordered a similar case, too! Thanks for sharing. 73 de N1DEL

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you!

[@W7LDT]

I’ve built the 20-30-40 Mtr versions. Love them. The T1 winding on the 80 looked formidable. Did you manage it first try? Larry - W7LDT

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, I just ordered a 30m kit and updated mine's firmware last night. T1, yes, first try. It was a pain, but I enjoy toroid winding so... ;-)

[@samuelmorrlson9005]

Thumbs up as always.

[@ziyayergok6090]

again perfect vıdeo as usual..thank you Gil...de ta3le...73...

[@mabo4848]

Tnx

[@ThatguyFirst]

I like your paddles. Who made them? Very nice and informative video. Merci!

[@RadioPrepper]

The wooden ones? Me. I have a video on them...

[@jamilsouzagodoisouzagodoy1099]

Ô que adianta essa Droga sendo fado em inglês,sem tradução ou legenda?? Grande coisa...

[@warplanner8852]

Of course, Gil, QRPlabs now has a case similar to the one you engineered here available on their web site for US$35 plus about $7 shipping. Your efforts here are, nonetheless, stellar and up to your usual standards. Merci de Bill, k6whp dit dit

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks Bill :-)

[@pietrogazzera5733]

Hello there! Pse put a piece of wood over the drilling stand. You'll never risk to damage the stand itself or the drill bits. 73 de IU0EUI (fmr IK0RKR)

[@RadioPrepper]

Good idea thanks.

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

Ah, manque une petite Dremel pour faire les découpes ;)

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui, c'est sur ma liste!

[@smartazz61]

I just Googled a couple of things do to a comment you had on a previous video about French politics having an effect on ham radio in France. Well I was surprised to see what I saw and then I'm not surprised you probably don't want to talk about politics here but all I can say is keep your ham radio stuff and hide a couple of them someplace where nobody knows where they're at so you can use them if the shit hits the fan I guess take care.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep. One needs only to watch the news here to paint a pretty grim picture...