Introducing QCX-mini 5W CW transceiver!
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- The miniature version of our popular QCX 5W CW transceiver, with special portable-friendly features for SOTA and other portable operators:
- Small size: 95 x 63 x 25mm enclosure (plus protusions)
- Low current consumption (58mA receive at 12V supply no LCD backlight)
- Low weight, 202 grams
- Sturdy extruded aluminium enclousre
- All-metal BNC short connector, bolted to enclosure
Available from 03-Dec-2020 at 1900Z:
$55 at the QRP Labs shop shop.qrp-labs.com/kits/qcxmini
$20 optional aluminium extruded enclousre
$8.25 optional TCXO module
Also available ready assembled/tested/adjusted: shop.qrp-labs.com/assembled/qc...
Full details at the QCX-mini page qrp-labs.com/qcxmini
The kit includes a small daughterboard that makes the uSDX modification easy. Technical support for this modification is provided by the uSDX group, not QRP Labs, see groups.io/g/ucx
Hans - you are truly a great person and tremendous asset to the ham community. Thank you so much for your dedication and ingenuity! 73, KE6MT
Yes, that's exactly what the torroids look like when I wind them. Any rumors that mine look like they were wound by a drunk during a hurricane are false.
I am most impressed by how clever that construction is. So many clever solutions to keep it affordable, repairable and compact. Well done!
I agree. Hans is spoiling us. That kits with these features, amount of development and good quality can be sold at such low cost astounds me. I think we are being spoiled 😀.
This is incredibly impressive. The cutout in that PCB is genius.
Brilliant Hans! Your mechanical designs are second only to your electrical designs and a very close second! I think I need one for each band! I think I will start with 40 and then go from there later next year. I love all my QCX and QCX+ rigs and the mini will fit right in with the other QRP-Labs family. Thank you for your outstanding work! Very 73!
W3AL, Alan
Very impressive.... What a sweet QRP radio! I love the small size. Thanks for the walk through of it's construction and components. Brilliant!
👍👍😃 Brilliant Hans. Have been patiently awaiting launch of the QCX-mini. The assembly design looks superb. An excellent development of the original QCX. Thanks for all the hard work.
Received my QCX-mini kit for 17m the other day. Wasted no time constructing it. Beautifully designed, excellent instructions and much quicker to build than original QCX. On power up, all worked just fine, alignment completed and it outputs 5W. Thank you Hans. Just need to wait for a nice day so that I can try it out in the field.
What a beautifully engineered radio! So much thought went into that design! Now I'm lusting for one.
Mate this is incredible. Such a clever design. Well done!
Beautiful work, Hans. That BNC connector looks pretty substantial, too. Nicely laid out. Good to see a clean spot on your work bench too. hi hi.
Excellent piece of engineering!
Brilliant Hans. Congratulations. Outstanding engineering design.
I built my second QCX-Mini (40 meter) over the last weekend without a hitch, passed the smoke test and I didn't have to a adjust the low pass filter toroids to get maximum watts out, it was already pegging 5 watts with my 12v Bioenno battery on the Watt meter. AGC and TCXO modules installed. Now I want to build more kits :) 72 de AI5DD Joe
Outstanding engineering work Hans!
Many thanks. I am impressed with the talent QRP Labs put into the design. What I'd love to see is a QCX Mini with external plug-in modules for different bands.
Cool kit, mate!! I ordered one just right now! Can't wait to build it. 73s from Munich!!!
I finished my 30m version yesterday. It took me 8 hours from start to first qso. Alignment was easy but I had to remove a few turns from the toroids to get 4.5W output @13.8V. Well done Hans! vy73! Pawel, SN5O
How beautifully elegant!
A fantastic mechanical design! You have quite a gift in both the electrical and mechanical realms, Hans.--73, K2UA
I am learning morse code and want to use QRP on 30 meter.
Great the mini is available.
Looking forward to receiving it, and even more for the build!
Just finished building the 40 meter QCX-mini. No smoke escaped - yay! First QSO was to Texas (from Ohio) with a 579 report.
I'm planning on doing POTA activations with this rig - Thanks for a great product!
WB8ERJ
I just don’t need another QCX. I have six already. WHY do I want one? Is it the magic of Han’s smile that is hypnotizing me into pushing the BUY button. Or some other non sinister plot in mind control?
Thanks Hans. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Dave K8WPE since 1960
wish more bands were available so i could have more qcxs
@@ElDirtyFly I am afraid you have the fever, old son, and you have it bad - which is good, I suppose.
After ordering the Mini, I was reading the manual, and concerning the section on presets: "The “S” in the first character and “L” in the 16th character at the far right, are intended as a
reminder of which button to press to Save and to Load [the preset frequency]." Brilliant! While reading that section I was thinking, "How will I ever remember which button loads or saves?" Very thoughtful. You know your audience, Hans.
It looks so cool!
Excellent product video Hans.
I ordered mine. I am going to pace a rut into the floor waiting for it to arrive! I ordered the 17M version to add to the thrill of the chase! :-)
Super big thank you for the in-depth videos on this and the QRX+, ended up settling on this! 73 AC1KP
Thanks Hans! Seems to be another great rig in the QCX family! But I have to finish my QCX+ first :)
Hans, as usual you have an amazing mind and you have produced yet another outstanding radio. I have 2 QCX and 2 QCX+ radios but I don't see how I can stand not building one of these. Thanks for your efforts. de N4NRL
OMG that amazing transceiver.
Thanks Hans. I did. Greetings from Brazil.
Beautiful job
Very impressive, very clever, chapeau bas Hans !
Nice job Hans👍
Brilliant!
Excellent Vlog. Thanks for sharing..
Now that is one cool device...
Great job. Just ordered a 40 M radio.
Imagine basically all the options except an amplifier and shipped to USA for $126 ???
Take my money 💰!!!!
73 de KB2QQM
Cudos, it is so sweet. While the price is right to buy two, I still wish for a 40m / 20m dual band flavor :-) 73 Vojtech ok1iak
Mr. Hans, first of all, I supplied the product with your friend Mr. Muhsin. It reached me within 1 day. After getting my license first job will be to try mini qcx.
Hans, thank you so much for this rig ! Looking forward to built it. 73 Manuel; DL2MAN
Great new addition Hans. 73, VE7TK
Just got my 40 m in yesterday. Cant wait to start assembly! By the way, I looked up the acronym ‘SMD’ online. The answer I got had nothing to do with electronic. Lol
Great work! I’ll looking at getting a 20m.
Brilliant.
Hans does it again!!! well done Hans.... wish I could see well enough to build one
Keep safe, 73 de Ian, G3ROO
Thanks Ian! We have them in assembled/tested/calibrated form too see shop.qrp-labs.com/qcxminia
NICE RIGs. thanks.
Just waiting for my 17m to ship. Hopefully in time for XMas.
Ordered 👍
Yesssss.. I am in for one on 20 meters!
Awesome buddy
YES ! thank Hans to be ready for Christmas time ! I just try to purchase one but not available today, I'll try later. ... OK I try to purchase one before the end of the video... I'll wait 1900Z then.
Hans, could I order in addition a C1 (30pFTimmer) and the D3 for my QCX 20m as à fried those two pieces ?
@@baptiste6058 Sure, just make a note in the comments section of your order form. And maybe email me too, to make sure it doesn't get missed. We'll add those to your order (no cost)
mines already ordered :)
HERO!!!
Отлично, красиво и качественно сделано - вот я и определился с мини-велосипедно-байдарочным трансивером, надо брать. 73!
Switchable power would be great, for tuning the right swr with less power.
but cool product. i have 2 of the "normal"
Мечта Михаила Зарокова,агент "НАДЕЖДА"...
Smaller formfactor? The original was hard to solder ^^. kewl product. ty.
Where can I read reviews about QCX mini and QCX+? I found only one on eham concerning the mini.
Fine !
Would you recommend this kit for an Intermediate Level electronics student? I was relieved when I saw that all of the IC's were already installed on the circuit boards! I have some experience assembling simple circuits but never anything quite like this. I'm 61 yrs young and my eyesight isn't as good as it once was. I do use a lighted magnifying glass to aid me during some simple soldering operations.
I think I like to look of the QCX mini maybe more than the QCX+. Of course there's more room in the + for experimenting. The uSDX board and mod sounds interesting. I know you're not providing technical support and assume the QSX is still in development; what do you think of the uSDX? From what information I've been able to look at so far, the uSDX converts a the well working QCX cw transceiver into an experimental "sort of works" multi mode transceiver. Is that a fair judgement?
does it have SWR meter?
Impressive. 73's K9FS
QSX? Please?
Where to order the power connector?
How you can do it for $100 assembled as a small business I dont know!!
Excellent too
Totally awesome what a neat job! I would love to get an 80 meter Radio in the mini. I only have one question, do you think there will be any issue with the voltage regulator overheating, not having a heat sink?
Hi Bruce, the voltage regulator's tab is soldered to the PCB, which acts as a kind of heatsink. There is no problem with it overheating.
@@QRPLabs Thanks! cant believe I didn't consider that? That would work perfectly.
Hi Hans!
I think Ritchie Long (VE1RPL) from the Halifax Amateur Radio Club in Nova Scotia has likely been on contact with you, as a group of us are going to do a buildathon of your QCX radios. I want to build the QCX-mini for 40m and I while the enclosure is a no-brainer, I was wondering what other options you would choose if you were building it for yourself. The TCXO and AGC boards sound like a good idea and I was wondering about the benefit of the 1.09 chip upgrade. Thanks for any advice you can offer! 73, Tim VE1XR
I notice the socket for the key says "paddle". Will it also operate using a straight key? This isn't a theoretical question. I generally use a straight key.
Yes, you can use a straight key. There's a configuration menu for choosing keyer type. In straight key mode you can use a stereo plug with the key on either tip or ring. Or a mono plug if you prefer.
This is really lovely Hans!! Very ingenious how everything fits together. Great work! Is there a possibility to program the controller chip as with the original QCX?
Stay safe and many 73’s /Mikael
Yes, the same chip is used, in 28-pin DIP package, and the board has the same 2x3-pin in-circuit programming connector. Same as QCX+. Firmware updates are fine.
Very nice radio! I am still learning about the QCX products. Is there an automatic antenna tuner in the future from QCX Labs?
I have thought about an automatic tuner and I'd love to, when I get some other projects out of the way first. So maybe some time!
73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs Thanks for considering it! I should have said QRP Labs, my bad. :-) Cheers!
Just order my QCXmini and the enclosure. Didn't order the TXCO, but think I will go back and order it as well after watching this video. Hans, you have done great work with these QRP rigs, I love my QCX40 and my QCX20. I do have one issue with my QCX40, and that is the volume, it seems to be constant volume no matter whether turning up or down. I have to use a set of amplified speakers that has their own volume control to keep the volume down. Do you have any suggestions as to what my problem may be??? Thanks again for the hard work and the video. Juddie - WD8WV
Hi Juddie, it would be good to ask this question on the QRP Labs discussion group on groups.io... UA-cam comments section may not be easy... have you checked the gain potentiometer? Maybe you have a poor connection of the grounded pin. Sometimes the pots on the QCX/QCX+ develop connection faults, the track is printed on a phenolic substrate and the connecting pins are crimped to that. Even mild mechanical abuse can break the connections... and that could I think, result in you always being at full volume. You are compensating for that with your amplified speakers. I'd check that first.
In the QCX-mini the gain potentiometer is a different part; it is a fully encapsulated plastic-bodied pot where the pins are embedded firmly in the potentiometer body so I think it is a more robust part.
@@QRPLabs thanks Hans, I will check out the group and see if I can find an answer there. Juddie -WD8WV
Does it have a cw decoder for tx and rx like the other QCX +
Yes! It is the same schematic, same firmware, same features, same performance. Just mini!
Erm, what is it and what is it used for?
I’m at 3:10 and still have no clue.
Transceiver - transmit and receive?
At around 4:06 I hear “Radio”...
hmm, nice design - that board layering is neat 👍
This is a radio receiver kit for amateur radio operators (ham radio operators). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
@@QRPLabs thank you and great job!
Not possible to built it?
where are these made and shipped from if its uk thats fine if usa more tax not for me ..jeff
Hi Hans. I can't order QCX Mini. When it will be available again?
The shop is not open yet. Sales will be started at 1900Z. Which is to say, in 6 minutes from now
Well done sir! Excellent work! G7VFY
It's very neat, very small and very nice.
G4GHB.
Can anyone help me with getting in touch with the owner? I ordered mine first week of December and had to wait for 2 weeks without any notice (other then auto-confirmation of the order) before it arrived (just before Xmas). When I inspected the board one SMD component was missing so I send information using the shop contact form. After another week I send an email to the owner. Still no response in any form. I'm really disappointed with the approach to other people, but still would like to complete the project.
73 Jakub
Hi Jakub, many apologies for the delay (email overload here still) I have now found your email and replied to it, so we can resolve this problem.
@@QRPLabs Thank you so much, I'm looking forward to become a very happy user of this neat kit. From what you say I imagine it must be challenging to stay on top of everything.
OK, I just saw this on a facebook group.
My question is how do I get one?
Thank you
BOB AF2DX
shop.qrp-labs.com/qcxmini
@@QRPLabs ok, thank you BOB AF2DX
were i can buy it
shop.qrp-labs.com/qcxmini
Love the design on this one! 73 NE5U
whats the price please inform
$55 QCX-mini, $20 enclosure, $8.25 TCXO... this info is in the video and in the description text and on the website...
That's funny! He says he wants to make the video short and then shows how to unscrew the screws!
Dude I sped up the video in that section! Whaddayawant!
@@QRPLabs I would have thought you would cut that part out about unscrewing the screws. I would hope any ham watching would be able to figure that part out but ya never know these days(hihi)
Why why why does it not have a second band?
Why?
Because Rome wasn't built in a day.
Because don't run before you can walk.
Because it's difficult.
Multi-band involves compromises of cost, complexity and perhaps performance too.
There's no radio available other than QCX that offers anywhere near such a high ratio of price&features to cost. Even if you built two or three for the bands of interest you'd still be ahead on performance & features vs cost ratio
@@QRPLabs Yes, you are right. I don’t know much about them but must compliment you on a brilliant looking set. It really does look professional. Ok, does it come assembled and how much. Thank you for your work.
@@donalfinn4205 yes, the assembled version costs an additional $40 and the link is in the video description above.
73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs 👍. I salute your knowledge and your efforts. EI5IJB
COOL I WANT ONE LOL TAKE CARE 73 DE VE3HIP
UA-cam audio volume is little bit low.
some will not love the green color and would rather put up with the higher current.. so next option could be adding a way to turn on the backlight, on the fly, for a predefined brief period, and make available alternate color displays.
And the case “you can have in any color so long as it’s black.”
BAND'S? UA9OMN
Single band, your choice of 80 60 40 30 20 or 17m.
You can also build for 160m if you change the crystal to 12MHz.
And you can build for 15, 12, 10 or 6m, but the receiver sensitivity and transmitter output goes down, as the frequency goes up.
Lost interest in this when you created the QSX. Been waiting and waiting and waiting...
I was waiting for the QSX and finally gave up and bought a Yaesu FT-891.
Good things come to those who wait. You'll be pretty happy when that shiny object finally arrives. Until then, enjoy this old thing, which is a marvel of electrical engineering, community support, and product documentation.
@@patring620 My lifetime is limited ;)
@@DeeegerD There's always the $600+ Yaesu option like Bill Ryland chose. I'll sell you my KX3 I haven't used in years. :)
@@patring620 In the time I've been waiting for the QSX I could have designed and built one ;)
Just finished mine.....awesome! de VK2AOE