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QCX Transceivers
QCX/QCX+/QCX-mini 5W CW Transceiver kit
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Firmware version 1.07
This is the Operating Instructions manual for the QCX, QCX+ and QCX-mini CW transceivers.
All versions of the firmware are compatible with all PCB revisions and all models of the QCX
family. However there are features which are specific to certain models.
1) CAT control can only be used on the QCX+, QCX-mini, and the more recent PCB revisions of
the QCX (unless you have modified your older QCX to add the three components that facilitate the
CAT port).
2) Control of the LCD module LED backlight is only applicable to the QCX-mini and these settings
have no effect in the QCX and QCX+ models.
1
QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03
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Table of Contents
Related Manuals for QRP Labs QCX
Summary of Contents for QRP Labs QCX
- Page 1 However there are features which are specific to certain models. 1) CAT control can only be used on the QCX+, QCX-mini, and the more recent PCB revisions of the QCX (unless you have modified your older QCX to add the three components that facilitate the CAT port).
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
4.12 Decoder menu..............................21 4.13 Beacon menu..............................23 4.14 Other menu...............................30 4.15 Alignment menu..............................34 4.16 Test equipment..............................38 4.17 CAT Control commands (PC remote operation)....................41 5. Operation reference “cheat sheet”...........................51 6. Resources.................................. 52 7. Document Revision History............................52 QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 3: Overview Of Features
Owners of the QRP Labs Ultimate-series weak signal mode transmitter kits will be familiar with the operation of WSPR. A GPS module such as the QRP Labs QLG1 GPS receiver kit can optionally be connected to this CW transceiver kit to provide frequency and time discipline, as well as setting the Maidenhead locator (from latitude and longitude) that is encoded in the WSPR message. - Page 4 GPS Interface The QCX kit has a GPS interface, which is used for calibration, setting the real time clock, and for frequency and time discipline and locator setting during WSPR operation. The GPS interface (1pps and 9600 baud serial data) shares the same pins as the paddle dit and dah signals (necessary due to limited processor I/O).
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Page 5: Display Elements
2. Display elements The kit uses a 2 row, 16 character LCD module. In the QCX and QCX+ models, this has a blue backlight. The QCX-mini has a yellow/green LCD module with backlight that can be switched off to lower current consumption. -
Page 6: Operator Controls
3. Operator Controls This diagram shows the operating controls of the QCX+ radio as an example. All of the controls except the Gain potentiometer have multiple functions, depending on the operating mode, menu editing, etc. The tuning rotary encoder at the bottom right has a button on its shaft that is activated by pressing it, and this button also has multiple functions. -
Page 7: Keyer Speed
The tune rate of the RIT control is again indicated by the underlined digit (here 100Hz). In order to change the tune rate, press and hold the “Rotary” button (in the rotary encoder shaft) and turn the QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 8: Vfo Mode
Often it is more convenient to just save them from the current VFO frequency. To show the list of preset frequencies in normal operation mode, double click the “Exit” button. The display now shows something like this: QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 9: Automated Message Transmission Mode
REPEAT: Transmit the message repeatedly by pressing the “Select” button ONCE: Transmit the message only once by pressing the “Rotary” button CANCEL: Cancel the messages operation by pressing the “Exit” button QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 10: Menu System
EEPROM. These then are the defaults the next time you power up the radio. This is very convenient if you want to recommence operating next time you switch on, with exactly the QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 11: Types Of Configuration Menu Item
When you are finished editing, press the “Exit” button to conclude editing. This saves the parameter in the microcontroller’s EEPROM memory. A flashing inverted cursor is also available, you can choose that in the “Cursor Style” parameter in the “Other” menu (see later section). QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 12: Editing A List Parameter
When you have keyed in the whole number, the number is automatically saved to EEPROM, which leaves editing mode. Once you are used to editing numeric parameters by keying in CW, it becomes the easiest and fastest way to edit menu parameters. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 13: Editing A Text Parameter
It is also possible to edit a text parameter entirely with the buttons and rotary encoder, though this is usually a slower way to edit text parameters. Owners of the QRP Labs Ultimate3S (or earlier) QRSS/WSPR transmitter kits will already be familiar with this style of editing text. -
Page 14: Frequency Presets Menu
2) Key in the desired text on the straight Morse key on the board, or using your external paddle. The CW decoder must be enabled for menu editing (see “Enable edit” parameter). QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 15: Vfo Menu
This parameter specifies the VFO mode at power-up. It can be A, B or Split. The current VFO mode during ordinary operation is not stored in this parameter unless you “Save settings” as described previously. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... - Page 16 3.6 RIT rate This parameter specifies the RIT tuning rate at power-up. The current RIT tuning rate during ordinary operation is not stored in this parameter unless you “Save settings” as described previously. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
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Page 17: Keyer Menu
If you wish to use a traditional up/down Morse key, these are called “straight” keys and you should select the “Straight” mode. If you wish to use a modern paddle then select the desired operating mode e.g. IAMBIC A. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... - Page 18 The keyer speed is unchanged by altering the weight parameter. As an example: suppose you want to make your Morse sound “harder” by shortening the dits and dahs. You could set the parameter to 450, which means 45.0%. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 19 In Semi-QSK mode the Transmit/Receive switch is set back to “Receive” only after a suitable delay (of 8 dit lengths), long enough to occur only at the end of the transmission. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 20 When you adjust the sidetone volume by turning the rotary encoder after selecting a digit, the QCX will play the sidetone at the new volume briefly so that you can hear how it sounds and easily adjust it to a comfortable volume.
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Page 21: Decoder Menu
Available settings are “tip”, “ring” and “both”. This controls the action of a key plugged into the key jack during Straight Key mode only. If a 3.5mm mono plug was used with the QCX+, the longer ground barrel shorted the ring to ground causing continuous keying. This configuration menu is the solution to that problem. - Page 22 An experienced CW operator may well dislike the CW decoder scrolling across the display all the time. With this setting you can switch “Enable RX decode” to OFF and the receiver decoding is disabled. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
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Page 23: Beacon Menu
4.13 Beacon menu The beacon function is an added bonus feature of this QRP Labs CW transceiver kit! We already have extensive experience for several years, developing the Ultimate-series QRSS/WSPR transmitter kits (current incarnation, the Utimate3S). These have a huge array of functionality and modes including CW, QRSS, DFCW, FSKCW, Hellscreiber (full speed and slow FSK), WSPR, JT9, JT65, ISCAT, Opera and PI4. - Page 24 BS170s get unreasonably hot. Even though the output stage is Class-E, nothing is 100% efficient! It will still dissipate some power as heat. In the QCX+ and QCX-mini, the heatsinks are bolted to the PCB as a heatsink, to help dissipate the heat.
- Page 25 WSPR decoding takes place in the WSPR program by K1JT (see http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html ). Below is a screenshot showing the WSPR 2.0 screen following reception of a few transmissions (output frequency = 1,500Hz, Frame = 02, Start = 00). QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 26 OFF: The beacon mode is off, the transceiver is in ordinary manual operating mode CW: the kit simply sends stored message 1 repeatedly, according to the configured Keyer speed, and with message start timing determined by the Frame and Start parameters (see next sections). QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 27 60m: 5.288600 – 5.288800 40m: 7.040000 – 7.040200 30m: 10.140100 – 10.140300 20m: 14.097000 – 14.097200 17m: 18.106000 – 18.106200 15m: 21.096000 – 21.096200 12m: 24.926000 – 24.926200 10m: 28.126000 – 28.126200 QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 28 If the callsign you enter does not obey the necessary rules, then an error message is displayed on exiting the configuration menu system: Beacon error: WSPR call QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 29 (internally counted but not displayed) are set to zero, when editing of this menu is concluded: either by pressing the “Select” button after setting the minutes, or by pressing the “Exit” button at any time. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
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Page 30: Other Menu
In order to measure and display the battery voltage, it is necessary to jumper the “DVM” input header pin to the supply voltage header pin. This hardware wiring is described in the assembly manual. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... - Page 31 Cursor style setting. 7.6 S-meter A rudimentary S-meter is shown in the top right of the display, if this parameter is set to ON. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 32 When set to ON, a real time clock is displayed in the bottom right part of the screen during operation. The time is NOT maintained when the QCX+ is powered down. This clock may be set in the “Set time” menu item in the “Beacon” menu. You may also set the clock by connecting a GPS such as the QRP Labs QLG1.
- Page 33 This parameter configures the delimiter character that appears between the MHz, kHz and Hz parts of frequency or numeric displays on the QCX+ screen. The default is a comma. Now the operator may select a dot if preferred; for example European convention is the use of a dot as the thousands separator.
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Page 34: Alignment Menu
The audio frequency at which the LOW audio frequency 90-degree phase shift is performed. 8.4 Phase Hi frq The audio frequency at which the HIGH audio frequency 90-degree phase shift is performed. QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... - Page 35 25,000,000 priort to using the GPS calibration function. To build the QCX radios for 160m operation, you must use a 12MHz crystal (in place of the 27MHz crystal) and manually set this parameter to 12,000,000 before operating the radio.
- Page 36 8.11 Cal ref osc Press Select! If you have connected a GPS receiver module such as the QRP Labs QLG1 GPS receiver http://qrp-labs.com/qlg1 with a one pulse per second (1pps) output signal, then when you press...
- Page 37 The system is capable of calibration of 27, 25 and 12MHz reference oscillators. NOTE: If using the OCXO option in the QCX+ and QCX-mini models, make sure you set menu 8.5 manually to 25,000,000 before using the GPS calibration function.
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Page 38: Test Equipment
The test equipment menu provides several items of test equipment, which can be used to diagnose faults in your radio, and even for other testing purposes too! The diagram below shows the connection points for the test equipment on the QCX+. If you are attempting to measure external equipment or circuits, then you will also need to make a ground connection between the CW transceiver and the external circuit. - Page 39 The value is much less than that measured on Audio Ch.1. This is because one ADC least significant bit equates to a voltage of about 5mV. The signal QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
- Page 40 Note that the output is directly connected to the Si5351A Synthesiser chip’s output pin. Take very great care not to short the output to ground or in any other way abuse this output! If you damage the Si5351A chip it is very difficult to replace QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
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Page 41: Cat Control Commands (Pc Remote Operation)
R50, together with one diode D6, allow this sharing. In the QCX+ and QCX-mini models, these components are already installed and there is a 3.5mm jack for the CAT serial port. In the QCX later PCB revisions, the components are installed and there are PCB pads for a 3-pin header. - Page 42 QCX+; an attempt to write (SET) a parameter which in the QCX+ implementation is read-only, will be ignored; the QCX+ will answer with the parameter reply, just the same as if a read (GET) command had been issued. The commands implemented should be sufficient for operation with popular logging programs.
- Page 43 Get: The value written to LCD_D6 and LCD_D7 is read back, plus 4 if the DVM signal is high, and plus 32 if the FREQ signal is high. This allows the AX; command to read the state of the QCX+ DVM signal and FREQ signal as two general purpose input pins.
- Page 44 QM: QCX+ Menu The QM command allows get/set of any item in the QCX+ menu system. It is not part of the TS-480 CAT command set, it is specific to the QCX. Please refer to the paragraph below for a full description.
- Page 45 This is an unsolicited notification sent by the QCX+ to the host computer; it is not part of the TS-480 CAT command set. Please refer to the paragraph below for a full description RD: Set negative RIT offset amount Set: Sets negative (down) RIT;...
- Page 46 4.3 of the QCX+, you would send QM4.03; (sub menu 03, including the leading zero).
- Page 47 4.1 of the QCX+, you would send QM4.01; (sub menu 01, including the leading zero).
- Page 48 Depending on what was changed, and how, and when, it is possible that more than one parameter in the QCX+ could be changed and notified in a single QU update to the host. The QU format therefore implements a 2-digit numeric field, which is bit-mapped to 6 event flags that indicate what changed on the QCX.
- Page 49 QU notifications in instances such as the operator quickly turning the tuning knob. In the event that a QU notification was sent, and the QCX+ operator made more changes, which the host computer does not know about, then when the host computer sends CAT commands, the QCX+ will send a new QU notification to inform the host of the new events.
- Page 50 Also note that in the QCX+, CW is always decoded, even if it is not configured for display on the QCX's own display; therefore decoded CW over the CAT interface is independent of whether or not it is being shown on the QCX+.
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Page 51: Operation Reference "Cheat Sheet
7.8 Custom splsh: enable custom Save settings!: save current VFO etc allows use of 3.5mm mono plug splash screen settings to be the default on power up; press “Select” to save, “Exit” to cancel QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03... -
Page 52: Resources
7. Document Revision History 0.01 27-Oct-2020 Firmware version 1.06 0.02 06-Nov-2020 Added a section about the GPS interface and restrictions using it, to section 1 (bottom of page 4) 0.03 02-Dec-2020 Firmware version 1.07 QCX operating manual, firmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03...
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Questions and answers
how to connect to qdx
The QCX+ and QCX-mini models have a serial connection scheme as follows:
- Tip: QCX+ RxD
- Ring: QCX+ TxD
- Sleeve: Ground
To connect the QRP Labs QCX to the QDX, use this scheme to ensure proper communication. The microcontroller handles serial port and LCD writes separately to prevent conflicts. A 1K resistor (R49) is used on the processor’s RxD signal to prevent two circuits from driving each other. Additionally, a 270-ohm resistor and a diode are used to manage signals properly.
This answer is automatically generated