QCX Mini Build Part 3 - Fixing Mistakes, Passives, and some Tools

Sometimes you make mistakes... its all part of the thing, nothing to worry about. In this case I soldered a hole before putting a part in... it happens.

 

I accidentally lifted the 12v pad on the main board header connector to the LCD. Had to run a jumper wire from a transformer to the header to get the 12v where it needed to be.

Also note the "pre-blown" Q5 circled in red. The first batch had really crappy QC. Had to order a few (just in case) from Mauser to replace it. Just glad it was sort of off by itself rather than crammed up against other SMD components. Made it much easier to (de)solder.

 

Great stuff, Steve.

 

Steve, what are you getting for output? 5watts? I have 40m mini and am having trouble getting more than 500mw. Adjusting toroids had no effect so I ordered an LCR meter to measure inductance and I think that I will rewind them and see if I can get required inductance as measured by meter, then reinstall them. Not much else that I can think to do.....

 

Kill the "music"

 

I don't think that is the best approach. Toroids being off any any reasonable amount won't knock down the power like that on the 40m model. 20, maybe.
Seems to me you have a bigger problem. Solder joint? The T1 toroid miswired?
Good luck!

 

Please don’t

 

Great job, Steve!

 

I love those kind of videos. Very personal, real life. Not to offend anyone but it really distracts from that personal identity we all share. The music destroys that identity.
Thanks

Cliff

 

Thank you for information.
It was helpful.

73 JF1IRQ

 

I had the same issue. I didn't notice my "pre-blown" Q5 until after the smoke test. I was getting 400mw. After replacing it, I got 4.2w. Do you have a 1st gen or 2nd gen board? If first I would take a lupe and check every component.

 

Pro level skills and patience!

 

I don't have a laboratory grade meter, so I went from "no power" to "more power" My guess is that I'm around 5w. I'd double check the finals also and make that I didn't get that odd one mixed up or I'm missing a connection somewhere? I'm just taking a guess though. Let me know what happens!

 

I hear you, no pun intended. It seems like awkward silence without the music... its one of those things where its just "off" either way.

 

I'm building the 40m version. I have a REV 1 board. I just finished removing the old voltage regulator and swapping in a 78M05 regulator IC. Everything was going great until C30. Somebody mistakenly supplied a 30pf instead of the required 56pf capacitor. It should be here by next wednesday. Annoying, but that is all part of kit building. I'm just glad that I'm done winding T1 Toroid. LOL.