QRVtronics

09/04/2023

Due to closing of QRVTronics.com, I will no longer be selling kit products. However, if any assistance for the products that were sold is needed, please feel free to contact me. Also check out crkits.com for other products.

11/07/2022

After reviewing a new radio available on Amazon and Aliexpress, it appears that the market for my radios has evaporated. My ALX-SSB Transceiver kit is a single band while the All Mode 8 Band HF Ham Radio QRP CW Transceiver 80M/60M/40M/30M/20M/17M/15M/10M radio costs between $100 and $150 seems like a good deal. I will investigate further. Check it out.

08/28/2022

08/24/2022

After reviewing the modification to the OLED to eliminate the 50 Hz hum, I have decided not to recommend it when using it with a transmitter. About 40% of the OLEDs that I modified flashed and stopped working following keying in the transmitter. I suspect that a capacitor or choke could be added to eliminate the problem, but I have not found a solution yet. The DC voltage in the KN-Q7A, CS Series or the ALX-SSB radios holds steady when moving to the transmit mode, so I suspect that it is an RF issue.

08/05/2022

Front of new Digital VFO. OLED is not installed.

08/05/2022

I have discovered an Si5351 module that is available from a couple of different vendors. Therefore, I am introducing a replacement for my Digital VFO with OLED display. This will be Rev H. It will make assembly of my ALX-SSB radio simpler but is not an upgrade for previous units. This will be shipped with all orders of the ALX-SSB radio, or it can be ordered separately beginning 15 August 2022.

07/22/2022

I now have a solution for the 50 Hz noise that is caused by the OLED display. It is simple and it works. It is a PDF file and located at https://www.qrvtronics.com/CatHAM_Radio/Products/ALX_SSB.htm

QRVTronics.com, Boy Scout Merit Badge, Battery, HAM Radio

07/20/2022

I took a closer look at the display and decided that some people may not want the added dimness that occurs with the OLED modification. One thing that I will be investigating will be to connect C6 to the 8 volts on the VFO board. I measure 7.6 volts on an unmodified OLED. Attached is the brightness difference between a modified (TOP) and unmodified display.

07/20/2022

One of my customers, Don//KL7KN has discovered an issue with the OLED display used on the ALX-SSB Transceiver and other radio equipment. There is a 50 Hz tone that has been reported with this issue. I have verified that this is present but I didn't verify that it was @ 50 Hz, it does sound like it. It is a known issue with the OLED used in this and many other radios. See this YouTube video:
OLED Modification (tr)u-sdx - YouTube

The solution is fairly easy to resolve. On the back of the display, you remove C3 and C4 and put a jumper between U2 and C6 as shown. HUM disappears. Be careful as the OLED display can be fragile. The HUM is gone and the display appears to work as before.

Thanks again to KL7KN.

07/06/2022

I have created a LiFePO4 Battery pack to go with my ALX-SSB Transceiver Kit. However, it is too expensive to sell as a kit. Not sure what I will do with what I have developed yet.

07/06/2022

I have been busy trying to get my Digital VFO to operate above the 10 Meter band. There has been a limitation in the code that prevented this from happening. I have discovered the problem and I am experimenting with it at this time. Also, Adam Rong, BD6CR/4, has developed a new DIY7 coil that works on 6 Meters. My modified code is now in experimentation and I will determine if there are any errors in the code. I will place the new 6 Meter coil in my ALX-SSB Transceiver and determine if it will work. Also, I have found a new Si5351 module that will replace part of my PCB which should improve the construction of the Digital VFO with OLED.

12/28/2021

I have been playing with a kit from QRPGuys.com. It is the AFP-FSK Digital Transceiver III.
The advantage that it has over the D4D/FT8 kits from China that I sell, is that it is a multiband radio. You assemble different band boards. You can assemble boards for all of the HF FT8/JS8Call frequencies.
Power out is between 2 watts and 5 watts depending on how well you make the output filter. The other advantage is that it has a Digital VFO so that you can change the frequency to work with JS8Call.
You plug in the frequency board and plug in the power and the VFO goes to the frequency of the board you plugged in.
Disadvantage is that there are several SMD (Surface Mount Devices) which make assembly more difficult. The pin spacing on the devices is not too bad so you can easily assemble if you have a narrow pin soldering iron.
It does not come with a case and it is more expensive than the China Kits. There is a 3D printable case at: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4928051

This case is designed to work with the new QRPGuys AFP-FSK Digital Transceiver III:https://qrpguys.com/qrpguys-digital-fsk-transceiver-iii There is a small window to allow you to see the xmit light along with inset labels for all the switches. It will work with standard M3 screws however you will ne...