QDX: new digital transceiver kit by QRP Labs
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- Опубліковано 8 жов 2021
- 4 band 5W transceiver (5W at 9V supply)
80/40/30/20m solid state band and tx/Rx switching.
Built-in 24-bit 48ksps USB sound card.
Built-in USB virtual COM serial for CAT control.
High performance embedded SDR SSB receiver.
Single signal Class D push pull transmitter.
Built-in signal generator and test tools.
Synthesized VFO with TCXO reference.
Optional enclosure 89 x 63 x 25mm.
$60 QDX, $20 optional enclosure.
Ordering opens 11-Oct-2021 at 1800 UT.
See qrp-labs.com
NOTE: Terminal utilities shown in this video allow the user to experiment with changing configuration parameters, investigate modes, debug CAT issues, many interesting things... but the terminal utilities are NOT needed for ordinary operation of the radio and for the vast majority of operators, it will never be necessary to use the terminal.
not only a neat product but also an excellent explanation on how it works! well done Hans
I was able to get my order in for 3 V3 kits on May 1...and haven't regretted my purchase. The QDX V3 is an absolutely astonishing transceiver. For $66, it is a phenomenal performer, and, I reckon that it's this radio that will solidify Hans' inclusion in the QRP Hall of Fame
What an amazing kit. The manual is just great, kudos for that. I had a lot of fun building this kit. Very recommended!!
Pure genius ! Can't wait to see what is next . Kudos to QRP LABS
Thank you! I have been waiting for someone to come out with this and was hoping it would be you. This is going to be amazing!
Very impressive Sir. Thank you for another great product.
Thank you Hans !! This is another must-have product for QRP-Labs addicts like myself ;-) ( and the video is a master class in design excellence ! )
Very interesting and impressive signal processing ... I am really impressed by your work ,excellent job , hats off !! ...
I missed the boat on getting this kit, Hans! I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to order one. Thanks for providing another wonderful product for the Ham community 👍🏻 W9BLH
Brilliant! I think this will be extremely popular once the word gets out.
I know what I will be doing at exactly 1800Z on Monday! Thanks Hans!
Me too!!!!!
Wow, sold out in under 15mins!
Nice job. I see you have straightened up your office a bit since the QCX Mini video. hihi. The QDX looks like a great kit, Hans. Thanks.
Just ordered mine. Looking forward to building it. Thanks!!!
This looks amazing, thank you!
My wife hates you! LOL Every time you bring out a new kit - I have to have one because they are excellent. Thank you!
This looks great, particularly for portable operation. I love the minimal hardware made possible by the direct frequency synthesis approach. It simplifies construction, reduces cost and improves the performance. The clever software is a nice touch, too. I'm looking forward to using this with JS8Call. The 100mA receive current is excellent for battery powered operation. A small solar panel could power a station with the QDX as the transceiver. I only wish it provided 20W RF output for more reliable communications. I'm less interested in random QRP contacts. I want more reliable communications that aren't as reliant on optimal propagation.
The gives us a starting point and given the modes involved the 5w output will be fine with a half decent antenna. I wouldn’t surprised if an optional amp becomes available later but wouldn’t see it as a necessity.
Yes, I'm looking forward to using this on JS8Call too, and portable with a laptop and small battery, and a simple antenna.
I'm getting one to build into the case of my Pi-Top laptop
They sell an inexpensive 50w amplifier which should pair well with this
Really good! Thanks for this explanation 👍
Was anyone able to get one?
Awesome mate! Very good work!
Brilliant design and acheivement Hans. Having previously built 4 QRPLabs kits. I was very interested in this kit and lucky enough to buy one of the first kits available. Looking through the manual, the design features are amazing for a compact 4 band transceiver, which will be of great interest to digital operators in the same way as the QCX is to CW operators. Looking forward to building and operating. G4PEY
Very elegant design!
Looks great!
Awesome. Hopefully can get one tomorrow.
Looks fantastic
Very informative. Thank you.
Fascinating design and perfect for those newcomers who are cash strapped but want to get on to HF. If a built version is offered it’ll prove even more popular but am sure it’ll fly off the shelves as a kit.
I think the first batch will sell out quickly as kits-only. In future, when things settle down and supply can catch up with demand, I will get my team here trained up on assembling QDX kits too (they do QCX+ and QCX-mini now). 73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs I’m sure they will, looking forward to getting my hands on one. 73 G7JPH
The QDX produces the same overwhelming feeling that my first contact with a Nano VNA did - a sense of absolute magic! If only every microcontroller could be so fully and cleverly utilized!
Thank you so much Hans. I've been involved in electronics R&D for 40 years, working as a tech for companies from HP to SONY, so I'm a fairly good judge of good engineering. Yours is very good engineering.
I bought 2 of your Rev 3 kits and am very, very pleased with them. I think every ham would be wise to own at least 1 QDX if for no other reason than emergency use. They are well designed to the point of amazing little rigs.
The only thing I can fault it for, and it's not really a fault as such, merely an inconvenience, is that the bd is only designed for mounting in that $20 box. I didn't purchase the 2 boxes to go with my kits, as I have plenty of surplus metal boxes to use, with room in them for batteries, additions, modifications, and various different styles of connectors. And $40 for boxes is still $40. But unfortunately, upon looking at the boards after they arrived I found no way to securely mount them other than sliding them into the precise size of slide box that you sell. I find hot-glue, Velcro and such kludges to be repugnant. But I see there are no mounting holes for use with stand-offs, and nowhere on the board to add them. And T2 looks very close to shorting on most other metal slide holders. So I've been reduced to doing a bit of my own engineering to mount the bds. That is no problem for me, merely an inconvenience. A 3D printed holder should do the trick. But it would by useful for other builders to have the PCB mounting situation made clear to them in advance of their purchase. Again thank you for this design, and I suspect I'll be buying more of your rigs in the near future. They are far better engineered than one can expect for the price.
Dear John, thank you for your kind feedback.
Almost everyone orders the QDX with its companion aluminium enclosure.
However - in the next PCB revision I will add some holes for PCB mounting. I won't be able to put them right in the corners on the right-hand side of the PCB because the space is necessarily used by the connectors. But I should be able to put some holes somewhere nearby.
73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs, Hi Hans. If almost everyone is getting the box too, then there's no reason to try to fit in mounting holes in a thousand bds just for me. But for anyone else like me it would help if they know in advance that it will be an extra step to devise a PCB mount unless they order the box. As for me, I think I've already come up with a satisfactory mounting technique for my bds.
BTW, I listened again to your presentation simply for the pleasure of hearing a clear and rational explanation of creative solutions to a series of interesting engineering problems regarding the QDX. I don't know if you realize it, but your QDX presentation is a tour de force of creative electrical engineering. If I were an EE prof I'd play the video for my students and tell them that this is what good engineering looks like.
Looking forward to the next video!
Cool stuff. Looks like more research leading to the QSX. I'm a QRP CW nut so not really interested in the QDX, but FB Hans!
Very neat - nice design - cant wait for mine to be delivered :-)
Hans you have Gold-Fingers ! All very nice Equipment from QRP-Labs ! Thank you. Joe, DL1DUR
UFB! Very nice.
Awesome!
Bravo!
Great, I want one!
Nice video, thanks :)
Looks amazing. Thank you Hans. Again, you are spoiling us. I only just saw this video - so no chance of ordering a kit until stock becomes available 🥺. The PA looks very impressive - so simple and 5W from a 9V supply. Clever use of the Si5351A clock generator. I realise the QDX cannot be used for PSK modes. However, what about other MFSK modes such as Olivia?
As long as the modes only transmit one tone at a time, MFSK and IFSK modes should work.
Excellent
Great effort Hans. M0OLI
Does it handle phase shift keying like PSK31? Thinking those waveforms have phase change and envelope shaping too! (Some analysis they appear as a two tone signal, so I guess not workable)
It looks great though, especially for FT8 and WSPR! I wonder if it will do CW. It should do as that's just a single signal that turns on and off.
Waiting for a ssb small transciver !!
Nice work Hans! I think u should be an early adapter :) 73 PA5MR
I waited a little while, a year, and I've got a couple on order now
Will this be offered pre-built also? My licence conditions do not allow me to build transceivers.
Hans, I am most impressed by what the QDX can do, but I am also in a bind with my limited hardware. When you get a chance I'd love to see a video on if/how it can be configured to be controlled from an iPhone or iPad.
Hi Michael... QDX presents itself as a standard digital audio device and a standard virtual COM serial port. My whole reason for doing this was that it would work with a wide variety of software and be platform independent. I'm not familiar with amateur radio software on Apple products... Actually not really an Apple person... I suggest asking this question on the QRP Labs groups.io group. 73 Hans
If you are budget constrained maybe a Raspberry Pi device is a good option? It’s only ~$40. A keyboard, mouse, and monitor can be found very cheap at thrift stores.
@@QRPLabs Thanks much! I've signed up for the QRP Labs group.
I know this is an older post but, as already mentioned, you could control the QDX with a Raspberry PI. A Raspberry Pi can be had for around $40. Raspberry PIs run Linux which allows you to install various ham software like WSJT-X. Its possible to control a Raspberry Pi using a tablet such as an iPad via remote desktop or SSH.
There are also Windows based tablets out there (Microsoft Surface) as well that could possibly be used with the right adaptors. However, I'm not sure if they allow installation of WSJT-X, you might have to modify one to run Linux.
What I would do is go the Raspberry PI route myself and either use a tablet to interface with the PI or add a 7" screen and Bluetooth keyboard to the Raspberry PI to turn it into a portable computer system that's lighter than a laptop.
Now I know what my next radio is going to be. :-).
Would this construction work with PSK31? I'm unsure if the phase shifts would be preserved properly.
Makes sense to use the separate I2S ADC when STM32F401 has only a single ADC and the AKM part has superior dynamic range.
At the moment it is not suitable for phase shift keyed modes.
73 Hans
Nice work Hans....
clever menu options....also ADC Cortex μC...
Hope to buy it for CW qso...
Dinos..73
Hi, it doesn't do envelope shaping. While you could generate CW on a PC and QDX would transmit it, it would be a clicky transmission. So I don't recommend QDX for CW.
This would be a great unit to use with the FreeDV digital audio mode from a PC/tablet I think.
73 Ed DD5LP/VK2JI/G8GLM.
It's a brilliant idea. If I understand right, this will transmit any digimode that encodes signals using "one frequency in each time slot" codes. So RTTY and the FT-x modes are OK, but PSK31 and any mode that uses several signal frequencies simultaneously, are _not_ OK. Is that right? Thanks -- va7cpc
Good...mr
Wow.... Hans, how cool is that! My only question: where can I pluging the morse key? HI HI....but....maybe can plug it to computer to generate a audio tone as needed. Not sure this trx has enough control to implement CW envelope shaping in software?
Hi Thomas, it doesn't do envelope shaping. While oyou could generate CW on a PC and QDX would transmit it, it would be a clicky transmission. So I don't recommend QDX for CW.
@@QRPLabs Hi Hans, for sure ... just hope you can offer an upgrade option with key shaping. So we can lets say a raspberry pi to build a cool multi band CW SDR transceiver. Just ideal.... as you hooked me on CW with the QCX kit....
@@thomasbf Seems like there could be a future "all modes" kit. But this is purpose built "digital modes" kit, and the QCX was purpose built for CW. So don't expect each kit to operate outside its swim lane so to speak.
Does the QDX support split mode operation? (I.e. changing the carrier frequency during transmitt so that the Tx audio is always kept in the range 1500 to 2000 Hz.)
Yes, it does. Or it SHOULD... though I have not tested it specifically. There is NO point doing this, on QDX. Conventionally the Split mode is used for two reasons:
1) Because many SSB transceivers don't have a consistent flat IF passband... so you get best and cleanest power output if you stay in the middle of the SSB bandwidth;
2) The audio harmonics of 1500-2000 Hz are OUTSIDE the SSB passband so don't get transmitted. Harmonics arise by overdriving or other imperfections.
However, in QDX, the innovative design means that neither of these reasons apply.
QDX transmits at full 5W power output regardless of any IF passband considerations. It doesn't care. It just receives the audio tone from the PC, measures it, then transmits a perfect pure RF signal (no unwanted sideband, no audio harmonics, no residual carrier, no IMD or splatter due to overdriving or transmitter non-linearity). 5W would be transmitted cleanly and perfectly, whether your incoming audio from WSJT-X is at 100 Hz or 4,000 Hz.
This is why split mode is not necessary on QDX. Though I believe if you really want to use it, it would work fine.
73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs Thank you for a very clarifying answer. QDX really does look like a greate radio, especially for field operation.
You’re a ham Hero
I love the office. I understand...
Nice rig！I'd like to order one.
Thank you for the vid. Fantastic product. Are you planning to add 10m at any point? This would work great for those of us who want to use it with a transverter on 2m or 70cm. When it comes to 6m, 2m and 70cm there is a real vacuum on the market. Very few radios to buy and try.
The initial batch of 500 kits is just 80 40 30 20m. When the dust settles and when I can fight through the global semiconductor crisis to find more parts and manufacture more, I intend to produce different sets of 4 band kits, including 10m. 73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs Thank you for your reply. I would be really interested in; 40,20,15,10m bands (with the PTT output to control a transverter) if not 40,20,10,50. Also, some small CW/Digital transceiver (10-20W) for 2m would probably pick some interest. Nobody makes this stuff and I do not have skills to build one.
Have you managed to source parts for v3 yet? Missed the previous builds and I know parts are a major issue and you're probably going to end up redesigning just for the few hundred of us waiting :(
Missed the sale window. Any suggestion on running it with CW? MixW or FLDigi sound card CW perhaps.?
QDX is not recommended for CW because there is no RF keying envelope shaping; CW transmission would be very "clicky". It is a digi modes transceiver only... 73 Hans
@@QRPLabs Thank you for the answer. Both FLDigi and MixW produces a sound envelop trying to reduce such clicks, it suffers from any other non-linearity in the chain tough.
Never mind, read the manual entirely and now understand that any shaping on the audio envelop is futile. Perhaps at a later stage a CW mode isn't that difficult to add in the firmware and a great value for portable/QRP operation complementing the digital capability.
Can’t seem to get downloaded drivers that will work with Windows 7 Professional.😞
USB Audio does get recognized by Windows 7 Professional.
Yea!…Got it working! 73
Hans, another great QRP Labs product. For those who could not type fast enough, can we pre-order from the next batch? Thanks and 73. Rick (VE3CVG)
I'm not taking pre orders on the next batch until I know When it will be available
Hi Hans, amazing design rig.What a pitty only USB and no CW...
Has has some amazing CW radios already made.
@@nelsnelsen6741 I know, I built two QCX+ and one QCX mini
Hello Hans. Any plans to add 17-10m bands? Thanks
This was my question too. I would like to have 10m to use it with a transverter on: 6m, 2m and 70cm. The PTT out (with some delay) would be nice in this case.
Victor, the first batch is 80 40 30 20 only. But in future I hope to produce different band versions. 73 Hans
Great product!
My daughter, who is a tech, and has recently discovered FT8, has become radio active again. However due to her licensing restrictions here in the USA, she is limited to running FT8 on 10 meters. Is there a possibility of making a version of this with a 10 meter option - or perhaps provide a table for all the HF bands so that the end user could pick the 4 bands they want to use this for.
WB8ERJ
Not in the first batch, which is 80 40 30 20m only. Later when the dust settles and we can meet demand, I intend to consider higher band versions. 73 Hans G0UPL
I assume that since the QDX doesn't have plug-able band pass filters, it would require a change on the PCB to the torroids for the band pass filters.
@@JasonRobinsonidaho Band Pass Filters, Low Pass Filters, and the firmware...
@@JasonRobinsonidaho My thought is to be able to select 4 bands of your choice when you build the QDX
Outstanding. Now if it only used Bluetooth instead of a wired connection…
Hi Hans. Congrats for add this very nice surprise. I'm look forward for assembled QDX. Does have any idea when? Thanks 73 PU2AOO
Hi Julio, the first batch of 500 are kit-only, and probably demand will exceed supply. When I can get more parts to manufacture more batches and we can catch up with demand, we will start offering assembled QDX. Right now due to the global semiconductor shortage it is impossible to put an actual date on anything, sorry. 73 Hans G0UPL
@@QRPLabs Thank You, Hans. 73
What would estimated build and checking time be for somebody with reasonable skills and equipment..?? Thanks
Hi Dave, I'd say 1-2 hours... mostly it's winding toroids that takes the time. Isn't hard, just a bit time consuming. 73 Hans
@@QRPLabs Many Thanks...
Any plans to offer it also assembled? Or kit only?
Hi Peter, yes, assembled... But later. The initial batch is going to be kit only and I suspect demand will be high. Later when things settle down and we can meet demand, I'll offer assembled/tested QDX. 73 Hans
Which Digi modes is this compatible with? Is there a list?
At leasr: FT8, JS8Call, JT4, JT9, JT65, WSPR. Anything that is a frequency shifted single tone.
If the mode uses phase shift keying or transmits multiple tones concurrently then it would need SSB.
@@QRPLabs Will FT4 be available especially useful for contest and remote working? G4PEY
@@ralphwilmot6351 FT4 will work yes, as it is a sequential tone FSK mode. 73 Hans G0UPL
thx...i consder to order!
73!
I want one! :)
me too !
Me, too. I’ll hurry and complete my QCX!!
George W9ZSJ
I see no mention of CW?
Hi Frank, CW Is not supported. This is a digi modes only transceiver. It has no paddle input or keyer. You could force it to do CW using fldigi or other software to key it. However QDX does not include keying envelope shaping because it is intended for FSK digi modes, not on/off keyed modes like CW.
73 Hans G0UPL
Did you give up on the QSX SSB transceiver? It was supposed to be available in kit form 3 years ago.
No. It isn't given up. Just a complex project and a lot of other things interrupted it. It was a mistake on my part to announce it until it was more ready.
We are fine with waiting for the QXB here.
What happened to the QSX project?
Please read my replies to other comments on this video...
Any ideas on likely timelines for delivery? Appreciate it’s no doubt ‘crazy busy!’ 73
Does the transmitter ignore the raised cosine ramp at the beginning and end of an FT8 transmission?
@@pdp8a honestly don’t know, for a variety of unexpected reasons mines still unbuilt sitting in a corner of the shack.
@@BikingChap would you like to sell it? :-)
@@pdp8a if I can find it, sure. I’ll have a nose around after I get back from work today.
This was wishful thinking by me. My wife says I have to finish building the QRP Guys kits I bought before I can get another one! Thank you though, it looks like a really cool project.
A prelude to QSX?
There's a fair bit of code and circuitry in common...
@@QRPLabs just realized how innovative the tx part is! It’s truly impressive! Super looking forward to it!
I bet Hans is working on an affordable 50W linear amplifier.
Actually, after reading the manual, just realized a linear amplifier is not necessary. This design is truly impressive!! You rock Hans!
50w is now cheap and easy as long as you are not stuck on 12v power source.
Could this be used with winlink email.
Apparently not. QDX is suitable for any digi mode using sequential tone FSK modulation. I don't think winlink email matches this. 73 Hans
Take my money please!
Only $80 with case? Take my money! :)
Will MFSK work?
Yes, MFSK is supported. 73 Hans G0UPL
Hans, I sent you a Gmail - let us all know on your website when you are likely to be back in production and will you be taking advance orders once your supply chain is re-established?
veey nice Hans 73 Ta4au
Ridiculously low price for what it does - I'll he having one👍
Where to download the software?
Stephen, QDX will be supplied with all firmware already installed. It is not open source. When firmware updates are published they will be on the QRP Labs website qrp-labs.com/qdx and freely downloadable. Firmware update procedure is easy on any PC, any OS, no drivers, no special software, no hardware. 73 Hans
@@QRPLabs sorry for the noob question, I just got my license 1 mth back
Congratulations on the license, welcome! And no need to apologize. Have fun! 73
10m please as this band is on the up..
The initial batch of 500 kits is just 80 40 30 20m. When the dust settles and when I can fight through the global semiconductor crisis to find more parts and manufacture more, I intend to produce different sets of 4 band kits, including 10m. 73 Hans G0UPL
Obviously a problem focusing on product completion. QSX???!!!
where is QSX?
QSX a complex project and a lot of other things interrupted it. It was a mistake on my part to announce it until it was more ready. I don't have a schedule but I will finish it.
@@QRPLabs I may be wrong, but in my opinion QDX is the ideal business model. and it covers those who do not know CW and have not bought QRP-LABS products yet.
@@MrCudgel exactly and given the popularity of ft-8 and the entry price this was always going to be a ‘sell ‘em as fast as I can make ‘em’ product.
@@BikingChap Yes, synthetic types of communication kill CW...
@@MrCudgel in my experience FT-8 has had no impact on CW. 🤷♂️
Well that didn't last long... :(
Unfortunately, it's not QSX again...
Funnily enough I’ve got past the QSX now (though will get one when it does drop) The QDX was unexpected though and right up my alley so very pleased to have got one. Looking forward to putting it together (except for the toroids) and learning what it’s capable of.
Hans, your designs are revolutionary and brilliant. I own five of your transceivers. I am now buying them as gifts to my closest friends. I dare not laud your products too long. Suffice to say, you command my respect, hold my admiration, and earned my thanks! de W7UDT