iFTX FT8 Setup and Operations on the QMX Transceiver

[@SOTA-plus]

Everyone with a QMX will want to watch this video at some point. Great explanation, and thanks for showing how it’s done! 73, KD7DTS

[@dugbohamradio]

TNX KD7DTS !!! QMX is an awesome qrp rig as will as iFTx app. Both couple to each other perfectly for FT8/FT4 operations.

[@N9OHW-xy7sw]

Great tutorial. I used it to get FT8 running on my QMX and iPhone SE. I also got SOTAmat working, with the same interface. If you haven't tried it yet, it's a good tool to have. Uses FT8 to trigger a spot on SOTA or POTA boards under any mode when you are out of cell range. I don't activate with FT8, I'm a CW op, but this allows me to post a spot that shows up on the POTA board, and then my subsequent CW RBN spots will get tracked on POTA.

[@dugbohamradio]

Fantastic !!! I have not tried SOTAmat yet . I operate mostly CW too and use the RBN to spot me with the SOTA watch page. After my CW on the summit I’ll run FT8 while I’m relaxing or eating some snacks .

[@jbird4h30]

Holy smokes, this is awesome. Thanks for the intel! So tired of wrestling with a headless Raspberry Pi to try and do this portable. iPad might get the job done easy with the QMX.

[@dugbohamradio]

Works well with the iPad using lightning connector. I just updated to iPhone 16 and the USB-C works great too.

[@misteraon]

Don’t have a QMX yet but just did my first POTA activation last weekend. It was the same weekend as CQWW SSB contest so I wanted to avoid SSB besides a little hunting. I stuck mostly with FT8 and used the iFTx app and it was awesome. I made about 118 contacts running 30W into an EFHW across the country and a good bit of DX too. I’m thinking that newer iPhones may even be less clunky to hook up since they’ve switched to USB C from lightning.

[@dugbohamradio]

Incredible amount contacts on FT8 with DX. Nice Work!!! I just upgraded the my iPhone to a 16Pro and the IFTX app along with a small USB-C connector worked flawlessly. No issues.

[@misteraon]

@@dugbohamradio thanks good to know the USB C will work. The QMX is on my radar. A TP-3 portable paddle is probably next on my list. Working to get into CW ops. Still building proficiency. Have started to hunt with CW but use macros for sending to be efficient.

[@eyemanny493]

SSB is in the works. There is already a microphone installed on the QMX. I just built mine. You should notice a small hole on the front of the enclosure.

[@dugbohamradio]

You are correct ! It will be a fantastic qrp radio once SSB is released.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Interesting. I have never tried FT8. I just got a QMX, so I many have to give it a try. 73, Patrick KF4LMZ

[@dugbohamradio]

QRP Labs are engineering fantastic radios packed with options as well as the price. I thought it was just really cool to have the ability to run FT8 on your iPhone coupled to the QMX.

[@DL1GKC]

There is a bug in iFTX that it will not take 5 watts in the settings. The log can also not edited if you should forget to set the band. But it is cool to only use one cable between QMX and iPhone. It even works without a cable with transceivers with a mic and a speaker so that the iPhone/TRX can pick up the signals.

[@dugbohamradio]

That’s what I was thinking (bug) about the setting not taking the 5watt input value. Thanks for the heads up on not being able to edit the QSO bands if on the wrong frequency.

[@BennyLeslie-e3s]

Albert Forks

[@32532jfbk]

I’ve tried using iFTx on firmware v18. It cuts in and out of transmit about once per second in the 15 second cycle. Are all the settings in your QMX default except for VOX being set to On? Also, when SSB is implemented you won’t need to carry a mic, there is always built in mic in the QMX.

[@dugbohamradio]

Im running iFTX on QMX PCB REV 2 firmware v17. All my settings are default with exceptions to my preferred CW settings. I turn VOX off when operating CW. Oh I forgot about the Electret microphone when I built the kit. Probably the easiest component to install on this build. I also have tested on my IPAD and works well using the lighting to usb camera adapter.

[@32532jfbk]

Thanks for the follow up of firmware and settings. I might try doing a factory reset on the QMX, only turn the VOX on and see what happens. I really want iFTx and the QMX to work together. Thanks for checking that the iPad works.

[@dugbohamradio]

@@32532jfbk You bet 👍🏻 ! Glad to be of assistance. For now I am not updating my firmware since the QMX is working well.

[@Jaidom1]

Is there a major difference if i use an iPad instead of iPhone? Can you use Grid Tracker on your phone along with IFTX?

[@dugbohamradio]

I have grid tracker on my MacBook for FT8. Grid tracker is not in the Apple App Store. That would be incredible if grid tracker could be used on the iPhone .

[@dugbohamradio]

Grid tracker is not in the apple App Store . That would be incredible if grid tracker could be used on an iPhone .

[@angelscomputers]

I wonder if this really works because I am trying right now with the same setup and cant make a contact using my base station antenna. Decodes fine but cant make a contact! the 4.6 watts my LP-100 shows coming out of the QMX should be enough

[@dugbohamradio]

I have approximately the same wattage , ~4.5 watts. I have made contacts both on summit and QTH . You have TX watts of 4.6 so I am assuming you turned on VOX under digi interface menu. Keep me updated .

[@angelscomputers]

@@dugbohamradio The VOX is turned on because I am getting signal out because I can see the wattage in my Watt meter but no contacts. I am going to test today having a shortwave radio next by so I can hear the transmission and be 200% sure that is coming out. I am using a DX Commander with my Palstar tuner at 1.0 SWR. Ive tried putting an amplifier at the end but for some reason when the QMX (or the app) detects an AMP in line it stops transmitting (weird, or some sort of protection)

[@dugbohamradio]

@ you might want to turn of SWR protection if your antenna is resonant. I have to turn off my SWR protection bc sometimes it triggers and stops transmitting signal. QMX has some quirks .

[@angelscomputers]

@@dugbohamradio good call, I didnt know I can turn that off. Yes, ill try to turn it off, that way I can probably use an amp to confirm if I can get out. Thanks!

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Just made an old earpiece and mic from a phone into a diy interface it's simple. George