QMX SSB beta release

I just noticed that Hans has released a SSB beta firmware update for the QMX and QMX+.  This is only for the brave.

https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp/ssbbeta.html

The question is, 'am I brave enough?'

The answer is yes!  

I firstly, modified a microphone that was in the junk box.  The original curly cord had perished in the tropical climate.  And then I gave it a quick test.

An update to the firmware was released (as I was on the site).  This fixed a number of bugs, so I loaded the firmware (1_01_002 SSB Beta) into the QMX.  After reading Hans's calibration notes I duly followed them, with a dummy load connected.  The calibration does take a while, (as mentioned in the notes).  After the calibration a quick test and the QMX just works, as it should.  

This is an amazing achievement by Hans and all credit goes to him.  It has been worth the wait!

Calibration screen showing 20m USB Sync

 

The QMX, now with a mic!

  

Note: there has already been another update to the firmware. (21 March)

 

FT8 with my QMX and an Android phone

A few months back I build a mid-band QMX. I've not had the opportunity to play with it much, but that changed a few days ago. By brother, who is also an Amateur Radio operator, and about as active on the bands as me, was operating FT8 portable. I was 880km from home and had some time on my hands. So, I put up a long wire tuned in 20m, connected my phone to the QMX and opened the FT8CN app. After some minor configuration changes we were up and running. There were a few contact into VK2, (so I knew we were getting out) and then I could see VK6BI/P (my brother) in the RX window. after several attempts we managed a two way contact. This was a first on the HF bands using FT8.  4 or 5 watts was all that was needed.  

This was a bit of fun, so I must do it again sometime soon.

Ham Clock

The other day I came across an article about a Pi based Ham Clock. Given that I had a surplus 7 inch display in the junk box and a few Raspberry Pi SBCs, I thought I would give this project a go. 

There are a lot of configuration options, which took a little working out, but it came together well, and I am very pleased with the result. It has its own webserver so you can log into it from anywhere on the network, which is handy.

You can find the project at:-  www.clearskyinstitute.com/ham/HamClock/

 

Allstar Link 3

For a few years now, I have been running Allstar, and for the majority of that time I used the Hamvoip software.  Just recently I have switched back the Allstar Link software. The ASL3 software has undergone a major rebuild and so I thought it worth a try.  It also includes a revamped Allmon node monitoring web interface. Again this has also been extensively upgraded.

You can find more information here:-

https://allstarlink.github.io/

SSTV from the ISS

I'm currently in one of the desert communities of the Northern Territory, amongst people who have one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Yes, I am a foreigner on their land, but they have made me feel very welcome.  It is from here that I managed to receive a SSTV image from the ISS.  My trusty ID-51 did the job nicely.  

I found this very strange as the hi-tech space-age manned satellite beacon out its message across an ancient land, whilst I was there living amongst an ancient cultural group.  It can really do your head in as these two, seemingly incompatible, worlds collide (not literally).  What a great space to be in!

For a brief moment in time the closest Amateur Station to me was 400km straight-up. Fact Check, I found that VK6PCB was in Halls Creek (only about 300km away).

'Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in a cradle forever.' 

(Konstantin Tsiolkovsky)