KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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QCX Mini now available

Posted: 04 Dec 2020 08:44 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email


Hans G0UPL of QRP Labs posted the following to the QRP Tech mailing list.
Looks like a pretty good value—the base kit is only $55—and a fun kit to
buildDan


Many of you will already be aware of the QCX CW transceiver kit which was
launched in August 2017, and evolved into the QCX+ in May 2020. To date, in
total 11,568 of these kits have been sold (August 2017 to December 2020).

I am pleased to announce the QCX-mini: all the same performance, functions,
firmware and price of the original QCX/QCX+, but in a much smaller package,
a perfect Christmas stocking gift! QCX-mini is now available costing $55
for the kit (same price as the QCX+). A beautifully CNC machined
black-anodized extruded aluminium enclosure is available, with laser-etched
lettering, for $20. The QCX+ TCXO option is $8.25 and is compatible with
QCX-mini. Sturdy and small, its cute in the shack or perfect for outdoor
adventures.

QCX-mini info
QCX-mini video
Order a QCX-mini


We also will have assembled/tested/aligned/calibrated QCX-mini kits which
can be pre-ordered now but probably will take several weeks to assemble
since we will be busy handling QCX-mini kit order shipments as much as
possible in time for Christmas. The Assembled radio pre-order page is:
http://shop.qrp-labs.com/qcxminia

Special portable-friendly features:

Small size: 95 x 63 x 25mm enclosure (plus protrusions)

Yellow/green LCD module, sunlight viewable, backlight can be switched off
Low current consumption (for example 58mA receive current, with 12V supply
and display backlight off)
Low weight, 202 grams
Sturdy extruded aluminium enclosure
All-metal BNC short connector, bolted to enclosure


In addition to all the standard QCX/QCX+ features:

Easy to build, two-board design, board with main circuit and connectors,
display panel board with LCD; all-controls board-mounted on a press-out
sub-board. No wiring, all controls and connectors are board-mounted
Professional quality double-sided, through-hole plated, silk-screen printed
PCBs
Choice of single band, 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 17m (160m, 15, 12, 10 and 6m
are possible with component value changes)
Approximately 3-5W CW output (depending on supply voltage)
7-16V recommended supply voltage
Class E power amplifier, transistors run cool
7-element Low Pass Filter ensures regulatory compliance
CW envelope shaping to remove key clicks
High performance receiver with at least 50dB of unwanted sideband
cancellation
200Hz CW filter with no ringing
Si5351A Synthesized VFO with rotary encoder tuning
Iambic keyer or straight key option included in the firmware
Simple Digital Signal Processing assisted CW decoder, displayed real-time
on-screen
On-screen S-meter
On-screen real time clock (not battery backed up)
Full or semi QSK operation using fast solid-state transmit/receive switching
Frequency presets, VFO A/B Split operation, RIT, configurable CW Offset
Configurable sidetone frequency and volume
Connectors: 2.1mm power barrel connector, 3.5mm keyer jack, 3.5mm stereo
earphone jack, 3.5mm stereo jack for PTT, 3.5mm stereo jack for CAT
control, Â*BNC RF output
Built-in test signal generator and alignment tools to complete simple
set-up adjustments
Built-in test equipment: voltmeter, RF power meter, frequency counter,
signal generator
Beacon mode, supporting automatic CW, FSKCW or WSPR operation
GPS interface for reference frequency calibration and time-keeping (for
WSPR beacon)
CAT control interface
Optional 50W PA kit


A small daughtercard PCB has been included to facilitate easy modification
to the uSDX software-defined SSB transceiver see https://groups.io/g/ucx
(this modification is supported by the uSDX group, not QRP Labs).

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