POTA DX with QMX+ on the high bands

[@PY4FQ]

Hello John. That vertical antenna you used is amazing. We have 2 QSOs on ARRL DX CW (Feb 2016/Feb 2021). Hope to see you again on the ARRL DX CW 2025. 73 de Mario PT9DX also PY4FQ.

[@AE5X]

Thanks for the contest QSO's Mario - hope to see you on the air again soon! 73

[@Utahforrest]

Love seeing the solid state out in the wild!

[@w0mm]

Tnx fr QSO John! 5:17 Worked you also on 12m that day (I use an inverted vee with a tuner on all the bands)

[@AE5X]

Thanks for the contacts!

[@K4FR_Radio]

Nice DX! Thanks for taking us along. 73 de K4FR

[@laszlokovacs8827]

Great video! A+ . What paddle is that? And where did you get the flip feet? I got a handful of uses for those.

[@AE5X]

Hello, the paddles are from 9A5N: www.9a5n.eu/index.html and the feet: amzn.to/3ZoGEJN 73

[@bob-N4REE]

Impressive, John! Tell a little more about the antenna. I'm guessing a 17' whip. What counterpoise are you using with it? ... and how close are you to saltwater? FWIW, the little brother hi-band QMX is doing fine work for me. Satisfying tiny radios!

[@AE5X]

Hi Bob, yes it is a 17' whip. I think I mentioned that in the video and then accidently edited it out when rendering the final video. I also had two 17' radials attached at the base. They are fun radios alright - I don't need another one but I sure have the urge to build one...!

[@bob-N4REE]

@@AE5X Thanks! OK, I've seen other suggestions for 2 raised counterpoises about that same length. Have to give it a try soon.

[@N9OHW-xy7sw]

How does your QMX+ compare to your QMX? I have QMX high and low band, and wondering whether the QMX+ is basically the two in one, plus 160 and 6. The 17' vertical worked great. I always wonder, what are hunters using on 12M. Tuning their 15M or 10M antenna on 12M, or really a resonant antenna on 12M? I often skip 12M because I assume not too many hunters have an antenna there, but after seeing your activation, I think I'll activate on 12M more often.

[@AE5X]

Unfortunately, I sold my QMX after ordering the QMX+ kit. I do wish I'd kept it a bit longer just so I could make comparisons between them. I agree with you in that 12m is under-utilized by many hams - but at this point in the solar cycle, let's use it while we can! Any 10m antenna can usually perform well enough on 12m to make contacts when the band is open. 73, John

[@Inkling777]

The voltage issue might be solved with a 12-volt buck-boost converter. Supplied with more than 12 volts it reduces it to 12. Supplied with less than 12 it boosts it to 12. The one I have maintained 12.5 volts as I adjusted the supply from 6 to 16 volts. They sell for about $25 on Amazon. One caveat. The switching of the supply is around 10KHz. I've only tested it with a voltmeter not my QCX+. I don't know if it generates RF noise or not.