The QRP Labs QCX Morse Code Radio Kit.

[@southsidehopper3662]

Hi Gil, thanks for the tutorial. After reviewing your assembly and downloading the assembly manual, I had to purchase one. Such a neat unit with so many features and power. The GPS is interesting and it could be useful when I venture into the wilderness. Also got a 10W amp for 27 MHz use. They have some great kits available. I can’t wait to receive the unit in the post. Have a good one, Andrew....

[@RadioPrepper]

And wait for the QSX!

[@cwqrpportable]

Nicely done. Good job with this video; very informative and no silly antics. Thanks very much

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks.

[@mikeve3mkx774]

Thanks for taking the time to make the video ! It clears some things up ! 73 Mike VE3MKX

[@AE5X]

Congrats on a successful build! I received my QCX 4 days ago and hope to start on it soon. 73

[@peterarmitage5357]

Hi Gill, received mine about two weeks ago, i ordered some 8 pin dip sockets for the six ic,s well worth the wait from japan, taking my time no rush, its for 40m i have to confess i check all the resistors, capacitors, for tolerance, some vary, so i change for better tolerance, res +/- 1% this is some thing i did with frog sounds chineese kit a long time ago, and to my surprise a slight improvement 2.4 on 10volts, time to get serious with the QRP LABS KIT.

[@RadioPrepper]

Interesting... I have a 30m version on order... I wish it was better on current draw but quite a nice rig. I will put my two radios in Hammond 1590BB cases for field ops...

[@mikemiles3068]

Nice little Rig, I have mine in my emergency back pack and I just build two battery pack for it one the three 18650 and one with four 18650 but I chose mine in a 40 meters configuration. Mine puts out 4 watts with the 3 cell battery pack and 6.3 watts with the 4 cell battery pack. 73. KV5P

[@RadioPrepper]

You risk frying it on 4S...

[@mikemiles3068]

@@RadioPrepper Hans said he has run test up to 20 volts but didn’t recommend it and I jut made a quick test, I normally use LFP-4 battery pack it love it a t 5 watts out. 73 👍KV5P

[@RadioPrepper]

I did not know thanks.

[@mikemiles3068]

@@RadioPrepper love you videos❗️

[@ksb2112]

You made the assembly seem fast! I'm guessing I spent around 20 hours building mine. :-\ However, since I was super careful it all turned out right the first time. :-)

[@RadioPrepper]

I built so many kits, I am really fast ;-)

[@Digi4u]

Nice video Gil....enjoyed viewing the building and alignment process....well done ! I already built an Ultimate 3S from QRP Labs and was also fun....watching this makes me want to order a QCX too ;o) Best 73 ! Patrick ON4CDJ

[@RadioPrepper]

+Patrick Verkimpe It will even do WSPR as well!

[@SaxOMatic374]

What speaker do you have plugged into the QCX? I'm doing CW Academy in January and need a speaker to go with my QCX for class.

[@RadioPrepper]

Veho360

[@tim46767]

Opinel is like QRP: simple, cheap robust and efficient. I own a lot of knifes, a ceramic too, but Opinel is my fav! Btw marquee text is hard to read . Non scrolling text is much better

[@jerrybates5791]

At nearly 70 I just got my Tech and working on General. Love your channel. Would this be a go starter kit for a newbie like myself? Thanks for sharing KG5UYD Jerry 73’s

[@RadioPrepper]

+Texas Jerry Thanks. A bit advanced for a first kit but possible if very careful. Alignment is easy. I'd suggest a Rock-mite to start.

[@wabisabifarm]

Just ordered one of these (assembled) and want to know whether this antenna is OK? If so, do I need an antenna tuner and can I configure as an inverted V? Thanks. I watch all of your videos!

[@wabisabifarm]

www.ebay.com/itm/QRP-Style-40-meter-40M-Half-Wave-Amateur-Ham-Radio-Dipole-Antenna-/113728901462?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

[@RadioPrepper]

Great thanks. Which antenna?

[@wabisabifarm]

@@RadioPrepperwww.ebay.com/itm/QRP-Style-40-meter-40M-Half-Wave-Amateur-Ham-Radio-Dipole-Antenna-/113728901462?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

[@ssubaihi]

I loved your Phone ring

[@ChuckieSS]

Hello! I have one of these on order, and wanted to ask what type of battery and connectors you are using. I'm a total newbie, and initially I'll be using the radio to practice and learn CW. I know that the radio comes with two cables but have no idea how to connect up to a power source. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, I use a standard 5.5mm DC connector. Batteries are three 18650 cells in serie.

[@pathopkins4500]

Wow full size parts to solder 8-) Great project Gil =) Cool KEYER and nice case :-))) The price is right and looks like a nice kit .... well missing a few parts .... as long as they are shelf parts and not IC's =) Does it have computer interface ????? =)

[@RadioPrepper]

+Pat Hopkins I can't even brag about soldering the surface mount ICs! No computer interface, That I know of...

[@Liberty4Ever]

I'm very eager to get the QSX radio from QRP Labs and package it in a waterproof and rugged enclosure with upgraded switches and rotary encoder. It might also be possible to upgrade the firmware to include JS8CALL or THOR (pseudo-security through obscurity?) digital modes using a plug-in waterproof silicone keyboard.

[@RadioPrepper]

I'm ordering one the day it will be available...

[@stationvictormike3415]

Mine is for 40 and looks the same... had to overlap just a little.

[@RadioPrepper]

Overlap on the 80m version is messy!

[@akt67]

Hi Gil, How does it compare with mountain toppers and youkits? thx Axel

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, Youkits I don't know. It does burn much more current than the MTR which will last 5 times longer on the same batteries... It is otherwise a very good radio. I am getting a 30m version. Lots of features... The MTR is still the king of the hill, but if you need a specific band, great deal and cheaper. My 80m QCX is a great companion to my MTR.

[@akt67]

Looks very good, I would otherwise use my ft817. For the price and with the reviews I thought it was a great option, Im getting the 20m. I hope I can build it properly!. thx

[@RadioPrepper]

Great. See the boxing up photos I just posted on radiopreppers.com

[@roneymonte]

Nice video, FB. I also built mine at 17m, it's very nice and outputs about ~2,5w at 12v, I liked a lot and have already ordered other for 40m band. Au revoir, merci! 73 de PY1ZB

[@RadioPrepper]

+roney monte Great! Have fun!

[@roneymonte]

Radio Prepper I'm impressed. I forgot I had already written about it here. 73 anyway...

[@billryland6199]

Mine works great on 40. Now to get my code speed up ---

[@RobMacKendrick]

Another great video, Gil. I'm very interested in this rig. The annoying sidetone sounded much better during your QSO with G4RHR; did I miss a mod or something?

[@RadioPrepper]

It was just the sidetone volume being too high...

[@billryland6199]

There is a mod to get rid of the thumping when transmitting. See the QRP Labs website for "REV 4" info. Just change 2 caps from 10 uF to .1 uF. I love my QCX.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep, I need to do it still...

[@MyTube4Utoo]

I'm really anxious to get a 'QSX.'

[@RadioPrepper]

We have all been waiting for a year!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

@@RadioPrepper *lol* I haven't built any kit for a very long time, but that's one I'll get ASAP!

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

Chouette kit et très bon choix d'illustration musicale ;)

[@RadioPrepper]

+Elektro LUDIKITS Merci! La musique vient de epidemicsound.com.

[@MorayMac]

You must be getting good at the soldering Gil. Have you attempted the electrolytic capacitors on the 320's as yet?

[@RadioPrepper]

+Moray Macdonald Not yet, but It's on my list.

[@MorayMac]

i bought a thick finned yesterday so i have two now also :)

[@RadioPrepper]

+Moray Macdonald Nice. Two is one, one is none!

[@charlieb.4273]

Are you sure you wanted iambic b? A and b differ in how they handle squeeze keying. Nice video Gil. Interesting radio. For $50 how could you go wrong? 73 Charlie

[@RadioPrepper]

Well, I am used to Iambic B... Indeed, great value compared to say, a Rock-Mite...

[@TeddyD802]

Can you post a link for that enclosure ?

[@RadioPrepper]

+Ted D Hi, It's posted on radiopreppers.com somewhere. Look for the QCX thread...

[@FranciscoCarmo1997]

Great little kit, FB indeed! 73 de F4VSE (Also in the 59Dept) :)

[@RadioPrepper]

+Francisco Carmo Bonjour, es tu sur le relais de Lille?

[@philippeklein1181]

Bonjour et merci pour tes tutos, ils sont très instructifs. A l'occasion, te serrait-il possible d'en faire quelques uns en français..... Bon, c'est purement égoïste de ma pars de te demander ça mais ma connaissance de la langue de Shakespeare est limitée à la simple survie...... 73,

[@RadioPrepper]

Il y en aura plus, oui.

[@Robmarbz]

Good Job. I am waiting my free time to built mine. Thanks for the video. 73 de in3ade

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

Honnêtement, moi qui monte aussi beaucoup de kits (pas spécialement radio), je me suis constitué, à vil prix, des stocks de composants (résistances 1%, condensateurs électrochimiques, céramiques, céramiques multicouches, transistors, diodes, etc.) qui permettent de palier 90% des oublis et de finir les kits même s'il manque des composants... ;)

[@RadioPrepper]

+Elektro LUDIKITS Oui, j'en avait mais ma boite est probablement au fond de l'Atlantique... Longues histoire...

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

Oui, j'ai cru comprendre ça, en filigrane dans tes vidéos. C'est bien triste :/

[@mutexnet]

Nice job. 73

[@connormouse]

great Vid. Thanks

[@prestonshute7243]

Check the forum will give you lots of help regarding the firmware update. Would love to see some still photos of your case project when completed. 73 wd4dda

[@ntc490]

Thanks for the review Gil. I was super excited to find this rig recently and have some ideas for mods and things. Love the open nature, price, and feature-set. Maybe this is the start of the ultimate weather-ready portable survival radio? For avrdude, use "avrdude -p m328 -c usbasp -e -U flash:w:T1.00b.hex" as a command. Not sure what your programmer is for sure, so you may have to change the "-c usbasp" option. Check www.nongnu.org/avrdude/user-manual/avrdude_6.html and qrp-labs.com/images/qcx/HowToUpdateTheFirmwareOnTheQCXusingAnArduinoUNOandAVRDUDESS.pdf for refs. LMK if you have more questions. I've used avrdude a lot.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you. I finally used an Arduino Uno which worked great. I wish I could work with a designer to make the perfect survival radio!

[@abdula4256]

Very nice tnx de a71br