I got my mid-band in the mail last week. I'm finishing up another project, and then I'll do the QMX! Thanks for sharing this video. It makes the build look doable 🙂
Nice! It’s a fun build. One mistake I made during the build was cutting one of the vertical toroid wires before measuring them installed on the board. That’s why it ended up a little crooked when installed. However, that’s purely aesthetic and hasn’t impacted the quality. Good luck!!
I built the QMX+ 160 -6 meter kit and also had the same issue with the display. I found a comment on the QRP Labs forum where it said you had to do the firmware update, then power off and back on, and that did the trick. Anyway, maybe Hans will put something in the instruction manual in bold red letting people know this will be an issue, so it gets your attention. Yeah, and thought I had missed a solder joint, but after another inspection, didn't find anything wrong, and then got the answer after searching for this problem. Everything tested good and I ended up from a low of just under 4 watts on 20 and 17, ranging to a high of just over 5w on 160, near 5 on 40 and 80. Overall, a success I believe, but maybe tweaking the toroid windings on the lower wattage bands will help. Or, maybe I just leave it as is. Mike - ND7E
Huge congratulations on the QMX+ build! What an awesome rig! I may have to try my hand at that build here soon. I’m with you! I think it is documented somewhere but I missed it and was so excited to see it power up after throwing the firmware on! 73 de KI7QCF
I just finished a QMX mid-band build tonight and upon installing the firmware I found that I had a partially working display! I was distraught to say the least. Fortunately that’s an easy board to diagnose and I quickly found some continuity issues with a couple of the pins. Enter some more heat and solder and all was well. I can’t wait to give it a test run later this week!
@@Radio_KS4BG Oh nice! Yeah that’s great news I’ve heard some tragic stories following the build. One of my good friends just finished his QMX a few days ago and he was convinced something was wrong with the build only to find out his USB cable was charge only (non-data) haha. I’m stoked for you man. QMX is one of my favorite rigs and an essential radio for QRP guys like us!! Hopefully we can snag a QMX P2P soon!
@@UtahforrestMan, that would be great to get a QMX P2P with ya! In October I’ll be using the NAQCC call N3A/4 for a few days and I’m hoping to use it for POTA and a couple of gnarly SOTA spots If I can reach them without getting myself killed.
Btw I kinda wish I had a MB QMX instead of my HB bc I think it appears to be slightly more optimized on receive sensitivity and TX power (an extra watt+), on average. But no biggie. :)
It’s probably a better idea to take some time with this build! Haha. One thing I forgot because I went so fast was to put the spacer under the right push button. I went back and did it. Enjoy the build process and the finished product. Hans is really innovating with this radio!
Hi Forrest. Just found your channel and I'm really liking it. I love your energy. A question for you, though: you inspired me to order a QMX kit. I ordered the 80/60/40/30/20 version yesterday. I'm wondering if I should actually have ordered the 'mid' band version (60/40/30/20/17/15). Your thoughts? Do you do much CW on 80 meters?...
Thank you! I appreciate you watching and your kind words. What's funny is I have assembled the low, mid, and I have an "assembled" high band that'll likely ship in the next 30 days (it's been a long wait). Because these kits are like $102 I like having the band ranges from top to bottom and the three radios combined cost about the same as a Mountain Topper and half the price of a Penntek (for all 3 rigs!). But to answer your question I wish they'd just make a 40-10 version as I never use 60 or 80. However, I'm new to CW & HF frequencies, I just got my General back in January. If I had to bet, I'll venture into 80 here soon I just don't have an 80 antenna yet. So I'll be glad I have the 80 band rig as well here soon. If I had to recommend one it depends on what bands you like but the mid-band has the best band options IMO.
That's awesome you've built a few QDXs! The QMX+ is definitely catching my eye. Looks like an awesome radio and would be a very fun build. Let me know if you end up getting one!
