QRP Labs QMX, Assembly Manual

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1. Introduction
The QMX is a high performance, five-band 5W CW and Digital modes transceiver with CAT
control and built-in USB sound card.
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80, 60, 40, 30 and 20m operation, with 5W from a 9V or 12V supply (build options)
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Clean single signal output (zero residual carrier, zero unwanted sideband)
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Sunlight viewable, large 16 x 2 character yellow/green LCD, switchable backlight
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Built-in SWR metering and protection
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Lightweight: 210 grams
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Solid state PIN-diode switched Low Pass Filters and solid state Band Pass Filters
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Solid state transmit/receive switching
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High performance embedded-SDR SSB receiver using 112dB 24-bit stereo ADC chip
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Built-in USB sound card: 48ksps 24-bit stereo
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Built in USB Virtual COM port serial for CAT control
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Si5351A Synthesized local oscillator with better than 0.001Hz resolution and high precision
25MHz TCXO reference as standard
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Built-in signal generator
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Built-in suite of configuration and analysis tools
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Built-in iambic keyer
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On-screen S-meter
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CW decoder
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CW: Full or semi QSK, fast break-in; VFO A/B/Split, RIT, configurable offset, sidetone
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Beacon mode: standalone CW, FSKCW or WSPR operation
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GPS interface for real-time clock and frequency discipline for WSPR operation
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Lifetime free firmware upgrades with QRP Labs Firmware Update (QFU) bootloader for
easy firmware update on any OS with no extra software, or drivers, or programming
hardware
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All SMD components pre-installed by factory, only through-hole component soldering by the
kit constructor
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Low receive current (switching buck converters) 80mA; Transmit current 1.0 – 1.1A
(transmit dependent on power supply; example is approximately for 9V supply, 5W output)
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Connectors: USB-C (audio and serial for CAT), Power, PTT (external amp), audio out,
paddle and RF
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Optional smart aluminium extruded enclosure measuring just 95 x 63 x 25mm
No test equipment is required to build, align and operate this digi modes transceiver. All
adjustments can be made using built-in test equipment; or left alone (the transceiver will work well
even with no adjustment).
We hope you enjoy building and operating this kit! Please read this manual carefully, and follow
the instructions step by step in the recommended order. The construction is necessarily very
compact and so it is important to really give attention to ALL the details described in this manual.
The circuit theory is described in detail in another document and we recommend reading and
understanding this section too, to get the maximum enjoyment and education from your new radio.
The operating manual is a separate document and will get you started with QMX with CW,
or with your WSJT-X or other digi modes software, in minutes.
PLEASE READ THE BASIC ASSEMBLY AND USE INSTRUCTIONS IN
THIS MANUAL VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING POWER TO
THE BOARD!
QMX assembly Rev 1.00e
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