The QRP Labs QCX Morse Code Radio Kit.

A great transceiver for just $49! The QCX has a ton of features and outputs a few Watts of Morse code awesomeness. I chose 80m for its NVIS capability for regional contacts, a very important range for preppers. Please see: / radioprepper DISCLAIMER: The Radio Prepper logo (depicting a microphone) is indeed inspired from a famous flag created in 1775. It is NOTHING BUT a symbol of freedom and independence. It does NOT imply support to any political group. It does NOT imply, represent nor support any ideology with an intent on harming anyone. Freedom means freedom from persecution based on any human trait or belief such as, non exhaustively, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. The Radio Prepper channel is a technology and science channel with a focus on preparedness and use of radio technology for disaster relief and small group communications in times of need. It is apolitical and open to anyone sharing the same interests. .
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[@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

[@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!

[@AE5X]

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

[@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!

[@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...

[@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

[@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 ;-)

[@ssubaihi]

I loved your Phone ring

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

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

[@RadioPrepper]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@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.

[@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...

[@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

[@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...

[@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❗️

[@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...

[@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

[@Robmarbz]

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

[@FranciscoCarmo1997]

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

[@RadioPrepper]

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

[@mutexnet]

Nice job. 73

[@morayr6]

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.

[@morayr6]

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

[@RadioPrepper]

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

[@connormouse]

great Vid. Thanks

[@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

[@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...

[@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...

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@abdula4256]

Very nice tnx de a71br

[@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

[@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 :/