5-band QMX on this morning's 5-band POTA activation

The little QMX has come a long way since it was first released as a CW/digital transceiver, and I don't just mean the addition of SSB.

Far more significant to me are the very recent firmware updates that corrected two major shortcomings with the radio:

Strict DC input voltage limitations and

Common failure of the final BS170's during high SWR at full power.

These two issues prevented the QMX (and QMX+) from being a serious consideration for outdoor ops who don't use resonant antennas and don't want to take along a buck converter, LiPo battery or place "dropping diodes" in series with the DC source.

Those are a lot of things to contend with if you want to just set up and be on the air with minimal fuss.

They are no real issue at all though, if you don't mind taking the time to accommodate the radio rather than have the radio accommodate you.

Sometimes I like to savor the steps necessary to put a station on the air and don't mind taking extra time (and steps) to enjoy the process.

But for a roadtrip like the one I have planned, I want a minimal to-do list and a quick set up time - and I'm happy to say that the QMX/QMX+ now support this.

This morning's was my first activation with the 15-40m QMX. Hans built this one for me and expedited it to me a few months ago as I was trying to get permission to operate in Vietnam and Thailand. Thailand said 'Yes" but Vietnam said "No, don't even bring a radio here". So I had to leave the radio at home since VN was our first stop.

Now, with a different type of trip on the horizon, the little QMX again has become the front runner of the 4 radios I'm considering. 

Video: 3Y0K equipment transfer begins

It's impossible to watch this video and not be impressed by the operations currently underway in the South Atlantic. 

Chun (@satofishi) is onboard the Argus and is a "field chronicler" for the 3Y0K Bouvet DXpedition. He created the following video.

He provides frequent real-time updates via his X account (@satofishi), sharing photos of the voyage, sea conditions, and the loading of critical gear like helicopters and containers.

“I woke up this morning at 09:40, just in time for the helicopter practice. In the afternoon, when the weather improved, we began flying supplies and personnel onshore. The first test flight took off at 17:02, and we continued with two more passengers and three more cargo round trips until 19:05. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get on the helicopter before sunset.

We will continue transporting the remaining supplies and personnel to the island tomorrow. Hoping the weather will be good.” 

Here is a video Chun posted today documenting the quite impressive preparations being made to put Bouvet on the air:

 

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KX2's internal battery capacity when charged from different voltage sources - and a new product for the KX2

The manual for the KX2's internal battery charger (KXIBC2) allows for a variety of input voltages, up to a maximum of 15V, to be used to charge the radio's 2.6AH lithium battery. The manual also mentions that lower voltages (down to 11V) can also be used although the battery will not be fully charged at these voltages.

I was curious to see how a lower charging voltage - ie, a partial charge - would correspond to capacity.

My main interests were:

• If I charge the KX2's battery from my motorcycle's lead-acid battery, how much capacity will it have?
• If I charge a completely discharged KX2 battery from the motorcycle, will I still have enough juice in the motorcycle battery to be able to start the bike?

Exploring my QRP options for bumpy travel

I've made several short excursions with three of the following QRP rigs (except for the Currahee, which I just received today) and am considering which of the four to carry with me on longer trips like the TAT and various BDR's.

Conditions would be: Bumpy riding, likely to fall (I hate riding in deep sand!), exposure to heat and humidity.

I operate only CW and would like to activate parks (and possibly SOTA summits) on the way, usually only on 15, 20 and 40 meters.

The antenna in all cases would be a 5m (17-ft) telescoping whip attached to a mount on the bike, a loading coil for 40 meters, two radials and with an antenna tuner. The latter is a must to compensate for variations from one set-up to the next.

Power would come from the bike's 7.4AH lead-acid battery. 

These are the radios I'm considering: 

Strong magic on the "magic band"

Only one signal on the band but what a strong one.

This is HC2FG booming into central Florida from Guayaquil Ecuador. 

Gustavo is using a kilowatt into a 5-el monoband Yagi on 6 meters and I'm at 100 watts (Anan-10E, Neptune amp) into a 17-ft whip that was previously on 20m CW in the ARRL DX Contest - I switched to 6m just have a quick look and saw the +27dB signal.

I don't think I've ever seen a stronger signal on any band. A few minutes after I worked him, he's up to +33dB.

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