Great job. I love you do CW! I built a Heathkit DX-60 when I was a Novice at 14 years old. I also built the matching VFO a year later as well as a Heathkit HW-22A when in college. They were big and easy. I also built a couple of Ten Tec single band QRP rigs. They are more like the QCX mini! I needed to buy a magnifying lamp with light so I could see all the little parts! You did excellent and should be very proud of building that little rig! 73, Don N4DJ
Great job. I scratch built a 25 watt homebrew xmtr when I was first licensed in 1964 at age 14 (you can do the math). My QCX-mini is on order, just got the FedEx email. Hope I can do as well as you did. Really excited. 73, Mike W9LG
@@HamRadioDuo Many kits. No home-brew. My biggest challenge was an Elecraft K2 with literally all of the options that my wife gave me for a retirement gift. It took 9 months. It’s still my favorite radio.
Thanks Dave and that's a main reason we decided to do this video. I wanted to try and at the same time hopefully shows others that are hesitant that it's possible with a little patience and attention to detail. You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
Beautiful job on that toroid, Becky! Its the toroids and the soldering that is keeping me from trying my hand at building a kit. But your video is giving me some courage. Hats off to you!
Thank you STU!!! That first toroid was a whole experience all in itself. I think that might be why they knock it out first. If you can get past that then the rest seems much easier 🤣 Thanks for supporting us as always! 73, Becky es Mike
There is one toroid transformer in the QCX that is a little tricky. However, the instructions are very good. As some folks say, if you can count, you can wind toroids.
CONGRATS Becky. Hans designed a fantastic little radio, packing a ton of features into a tiny package. It's a building challenge for sure, but one you obviously did well. You're going to have a lot of fun with it. I'll be listening for you. 72 de N4REE
Thank you Bob! It was definitely a challenge but very rewarding when that first response came it. We use the 20m version ALL the time and now have even more options! Hope to hear you on the air! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats, Becky. Very, very, very well done. I love the pure receive audio from those radios. Time for a QMX for that multi-band fun. They are a lot more fiddley to assemble. Just take your time, one step at a time. It’s like eating an elephant. 73, Larry - W7LDT
👍Well done. I have built a few QCX/QCX-mini kits. I found the instructions were excellent. I have found them to very capable QRP CW rigs. Nice to see someone new to CW using a straight key.
Thank you, I really do prefer the straight key! The build was challenging, but straight forward from the instructions. We love both of our QCX-minis! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job, Becky! You're fearless taking on a kit like that! Glad it powered up on first try and you were able to make a contact. Still waiting on my QCX because I was too lazy to build it myself
Thanks Steve! It was definitely harder than I expected but at the time we ordered it I had no idea it was THAT much 🤣 Hope to get you in the logs when you get your QCX!! 73, Becky es Mike
Very wel done Becky! Enjoy your 40m QCX, which can also be used on the 60m band by pressing and immediately turning the encoder button to the left so that you can detune from 7 to 5MHz and then further to, for example, 5.352. My QCX still has 4W output there. One rig, two bands! Just try it. 72, PA0CMU
Absolutely brilliant, thank you for sharing! I used to take on electronics projects as a kid but haven't since. I think you've just given me some encouragement to try my luck again. 73 and keep up the great work, cheers!
Thank you! And you definitely should give it a try. The experience of the project was fun in itself and to have it actually work was bonus!! 73, Becky es Mike
Thanks for the video! You guys are great! I have built one of those (Actually, I have built most of Hans's radios. I recomend them all). They are great! The manuals are fantastic and Hans is just a mail away from helping out and QRP-Labs have a great user managed knowlege base online! Tips: When finish soldering, before putting juice on it, take photos of your work with your phone and blow it up on a big screen. Look for solderbridges and bad connections. Great job! 73 de LA6UOA!
Nice work, Becky ! I've built a few of those, and just yesterday completed my second QMX +. That should be your next project -- 160m to 6m in one fantastic all-band radio. Both you and Michael are in my log from a park I activated back in August. Best 72 from W3WJ.
Thank you and congrats on the QMX! We ordered the pre-built QMX before I decided to take on a project. Thankfully I think it has shipped already! Glad to have you in the logs. We were headed down to FL to drop off a college kid for that hunt. 73, Becky es Mike
Thank you for your kind comment! And ... great job on the Elecraft and yes, those toroids are no joke. I promise I counted that little thing about 30 times 🤣 and still wasn't 100% sure it was right! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats and thanks for sharing your joy! I really enjoy when you’re able to scroll the CW across the screen as it’s happening, helps me practice :-) Cheers & 7 3
Thank you! I was excited and relived to make that contact for sure! Appreciate the feedback on the CW and may try to do more of that on our regular activations, it's just a bit time consuming :-) 73, Becky es Mike
That's actually one of the harder kits to built - its a "puzzle". After this kit, the rest of them are just longer duration builds, but not really any harder. Great Work Becky!!!
That's great feedback. Mike built one of these years ago when they first came out so neither of us have experience building any other kit from scratch to compare it to. During the build, We purposefully made sure I was using just the instructions, not leaning on Mike's previous experience. It's good to know how it compares. 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@@HamRadioDuo If you build it and it works, you did AMAZING. I love to build kits, so if you take a look at my builds, I drop some "nuggets" here and there that would make building a bit easier in the future. But "FUN" first! There are bad kits out there though... you'll find some.
That's great feedback! That is exactly why we are making our videos. We're having a ton of fun with it. We all know how much work it is but that is part of the fun and why it is so rewarding. We share in hopes that it keeps others going also so we call have fun with it! 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Yay!!! Glad you're taking on the challenge. It was a tight squeeze because sooo much goes in that little box, but still fun! We love our 20m version as well! Good luck, you got this! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job Becky, I love the fact that you put that kit together. I want to do the same thing but, feel a little hesitant. You may have inspired me to buy the kit and give it a try. Thank you so very much for sharing. Keep building. Feels good, right?
I was nervous but just took my time and was careful. It was a great feeling to get it on the air and worth the detail work! You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
Yes. Built a “Star Roamer” Shortwave Radio when I was 12, from Allied Radio in Chicago. First station I heard was Radio Switzerland’s music box. Amazing. Now it’s time for another build at 72… 60 years later. This video made my day. Thank you. Congrats Becky. Hope to hear you on 40 meters!
Wow that must have been an amazing experience at 12! And full circle to tackle another project 60 years later. Just he experience of trying was fun for me! Hope to hear you as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Well done Becky and it worked first time 😊 Build the qmx and really enjoyed that now thinking of building the qmx+ Keep up the great videos giving me inspiration for my cw practice.
Thank you and glad to hear you're getting your CW reps in!! I was nervous but happy with the outcome for sure! We have a pre-built QMX on the way so not sure what I might try next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Hi Becky and Mike, your 40 meter QCX-mini is a great addition to your 20 meter one. I use my cell phone to take a zoomed in picture of my toroid which makes counting the turns easy. 73, Don wd8dsb
That was so absolutely awesome to watch this video. I've seen your little transmitter and thought about buying a kit myself I didn't know if I could handle it. I have soldered up three AM radio kits that were very successful. I actually thought about the joy you must be feeling knowing you built that transmitter so exciting.
Thank you so much for your comment. It was fun to build and share my experience. Absolutely if you've already tackled those projects you can do it! Just read ahead on each section before you add the part. The details definitely matter :-) Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike
Nice Work!. I just purchased an assembled and operating QCX cw mini. I didn't get to experience the build like you did. I will probably purchase another one to build it in the future. Thanks for this great video. Cheers and 73
Thank you, it was fun to build! We just got our pre-built QMX and can't wait to give it a try. Good luck on your future build project, just take you time and read ahead. 73, Becky es Mike
Awesome job Becky. I’ve always been scared of tackling the QCX build, but you have given me the confidence that I can do it. Congrats on such a fun project. Scott KW4NJA
Thank you so much for the compliment! Mike has been super encouraging and helped me just go for it and get on the air. And I love this thought .... You don't get good to get on the air, you get on the air to get good. 73, Becky es Mike
Thank you! It was a fun project and hopefully you will enjoy it as well! Good luck ... just take your time and read ahead! Way to take on the challenge and let us know how it goes!!! 73, Becky es Mike
We love our 20m one, which was pre-built. That is our main portable radio, but until now, we had to bring out one of the bigger onces to do 40m which meant we really weren't often on 40m portable. 20m seems to be a great sweet spot for easier to deploy antennas also. 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Having worked as an production engineer . It was quickly known that you should be grounded. You should be wearing a wrist grounding strap. During the handling of any circuit board. With integrated circuits installed. This is know to be a requirement when handling integrated circuits. Nice going on your radio build. Congratulations.
Great job on the build and nice fist on the straight key. I've got a QMX kit sitting in the box, this video really makes me want to find some time to build.
Thank you, it was challenging but worth the reward. Go for it and you can do it in stages (just keep track of the parts) 🤣 Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike
Thank you and you're absolutely right about the reward and sense of accomplishment when that first contact came through! I'll have to start looking into what's next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Great video, tnx. I just finished a QMX which was my first real build. I had to go back through it as I had some problems which turned out to be some common mistakes but it now works on all bands. I've yet to make my first contact with it but will soon. I know the feeling when you go to power it up for the first time. Keep up the great videos. Steve, K7OFG
Great job on the QMX and congrats on figuring out the problems. I got lucky on my first go around but yes, I was super nervous adding power and then actually getting in on an antenna. Thanks for watching! 73, Becky es Mike
FANTAST JOB Becky!!! You are so brave! I have the QMX and have yet to talk to you two on the air… but someday!! Also, I heard from Hans (QRP-Labs) that you should use the large left dial and long press it to turn the rig on/off.. just sayin’. Looked like it was coming on right when you added the power. 72 and CUL, Mike - KK7MMN
Thank you Mike! It was a challenging project for sure but such a fun experience! I wonder if the on/off is just on the QMX vs the QCX? Our left dial does not press? We will do a little more research for sure! Thank you and hope to hear you on the air! 73, Becky es Mike
I have a QMX on the way (probably delivering in a couple of weeks)... I chose to have my first one built because I wanted a working one. I may order a second(or a QMX+) and build it myself as a winter project.
Mike built his first and *poof* smoke and then ordered the one we use now. We also have a pre-built QMX hopefully that has shipped! Sounds like a fun winter project! 73, Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo Yeah, I don't want to poof on my first use.. If I poof a second, backup one, it's less devastating. I'm in the 90s now on the waiting list, so freaking close! I already have a buck converter and set it to only output ~12v no matter what battery I use, since I have many lifepo batteries rated at 13.8v. Winters in Canada are cold and and dark, so a project will be fun!
Wow, thanks for the compliment. I think just going for it and getting on the air a lot really helps. I can relax and let the sounds come out! 73, Becky es Mike
Wow... well done ! You're also a good cw operator already. I did enjoy my qcx+ soldering project as well. I might be looking for the qmx project. Hope one day we will meet on 40m. '73 de pd0st
Thank you, it was a fun experience for sure! We ordered the pre-built QMX so don't know what's next :-) Hope to catch you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Super job. U got good fist on cw. Gud spacing. So many run the code together makint very hard to copy. Gud luck with the new rig. I do pota also. 73 jim
Thank you Jim! The more I get on the air the more relaxed I am and that really helps with the sending. My goal is to always send something the other operator can understand or it's just a one-way conversation 🤣 Hope to catch you P2P sometime! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job! There is no way that I could build one! I no longer have any of my electronics tools and my hands aren't steady enough anymore! I ordered my QMX prebuilt. N7BBQ
Thank. you. We have a QMX pre-built on the way also. Mike built a QCX-mini in the past and had no interest in building another. This is all new for me and very fun so far! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Impresionante 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 muy buen trabajo. Es una satisfacción construir tu propia equipos 😄, mis felicitaciones 👋 Espero muy pronto tener QSO con ambos 🤩 73/72
¡Muchas gracias! Fue muy satisfactorio escuchar esos pitidos y hacer ese primer contacto.🔊🎶 ¡Esperamos poder tener un QSO contigo pronto también! 73/72 Becky es Mike
WOW Becky I take my hat off to you and bow, brilliant work with the QMX mini and the toroid winding. I built the Kanga Kits Rooster QRP single band single frequency. You are a real QRPer building you own radio and working CW stations. Pleased Mikes wrist is looking better 73s Phil G0BVD
Thank Phil! I was super nervous it was going to puff out smoke!! Mike is doing better and up to a 5# lifting restriction now! Slowly but surely and thanks for checking in! 73, Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo Hi Becky, thanks. I would like to be able to build it myself one day, my fear is that of doing some soldering badly and ruining the project. But I agree with you that it is truly a great satisfaction. I always follow your videos, they keep me company and you and Mike are really nice. I hope to be able to have a QSO with you on air soon, 73 de IU3QOA.
Thank you! For me, I went in with the mindset that I was going to learn a lot and it may or may not work. The process and accomplishment to just finish was my goal to start with. It working at the end really was a giant bonus 🤣 Hope to catch you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Congratulations! I know very well the feeling of making the first contact with a radio you've built yourself. Looking forward to meeting on the air! 73 DE TA2CCN
That make sense. I got our 20m qcx-mini pre-built and ordered our qmx pre-built. $50 is an awesome deal to save yourself 10 hours unless you are looking forward to the process of doing it or just absolutely can't wait the 6 months on the waitlist HIHI 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Nice build! I can highly recommend getting some Optivisors so you can get a better view while you are soldering. I've built a lot of stuff over the years and wouldn't be without them. So... when is your first Manhattan-style scratch build going to happen? 😄
Thank you for the tip. Definitely had some tiny part to verify and make sure I didn't mess up the soldering job! Uh, don't see a scratch build in my near future just yet 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
Hey Carlos! Good philosophy for ya (I heard this early on) ... you don't get good to get on the air, you get on the air to get good! Just go for it! 73, Becky es Mike
Good luck. It's a challenge, but fun! Just read through each section and part info before you put solder on it. The details matter .. a lot !! 73, Becky es Mike
Hey Lidi, not as of yet. So far we love just being QRP! Great to catch you on the air yesterday but sorry I couldn't hear you very well. 73, Becky es Mike
We're actually going to make a video soon about learning CW, including our story, because its hard to fit into a small amount of words. Until the video, the short version is that Mike (me) tried off and on for YEARS and feels like he was learning the wrong way. Becky learned with some advise from the hard lessons Mike had trying to re-learn. Becky had the advantage of some of those lessons *and* being a natural fast learner *and* using Michael as a slow decoder at the start. All of that is to say that it was really fast and probably not something to use as an expectation. She learned most all of the letters by sound at 30wpm in a weekend, decided to get licensed only after learning the letters, which went super quick and then got on the air with the first CW (with Michael as the decoder) the day it hit the FCC. Again, probably too much to fit into a comment so probably I shouldnt try, but here is my (Mike's) advise I wish I could give myself: - enjoy the journey. like playing a musical instrument, it takes a lot of practice and a long time, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun all along the way. It just means you have to set the expectation that you'll be enjoying the journey a little every day for a very long time, not just checking off a box. About 20 mins per day seems like a reasonable amount. - learn the letters by sound (learning by memorizing a map of dits and dahs means you always have to look them up in your mind and means you get stuck) - learn the letters around 30pm so that your brain is forced to hear the sound and not individual dits and dahs. learning the letters at around 30wpm so you hear the sound doesn't mean you are aiming to have conversations at that speed. If you learn the sounds at 30wpm or higher, you'll also "hear" them at the slower speeds you actually use at the start. - an app called Morse Mania gamifies learning the letters, which is what Becky used - get on the air as soon as possible, before you are ready. we've all been there and that's one step to keep it fun during the journey - after learning all the letters, get on the air and try writing everything down. just print out and or memorize some standard basic short QSOs - after learning the letters, join clubs, take classes, and use online tools to keep over-learning the letters and working on building words. - keep having fun all along the way. celebrate every small victory. the first few letters you learn. the first time you start having letters pop in your head when you hear a sound. the first time you hear a few letters and recognize it as a state. very step is fun and it just gets better and you never stop learning.
LOL. So we messed up when turning on our mics so the radio sound and our voices were pre-mixed together. To eliminate the radio noise so you could hear Becky's voice, we used the "enhance" audio feature in premiere. It is an artifact of that. Oops, I should have gotten rid of that. 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Haha ...... thankfully it was only a few times that he decided to be curious! And, I was careful to put things away when I took a break so they wouldn't get knocked on the floor 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
Hey Ulfert! Yes, we are playing with it out in our backyard when the weather permits it. We both got a few QSO's in that evening. Getting a QMX soon and can hopefully get on 10m again! 73, Becky es Mike
Have you built a radio?
Nope, you are braver than I. My QMX+ is being built.
Great job. I love you do CW! I built a Heathkit DX-60 when I was a Novice at 14 years old. I also built the matching VFO a year later as well as a Heathkit HW-22A when in college. They were big and easy. I also built a couple of Ten Tec single band QRP rigs. They are more like the QCX mini! I needed to buy a magnifying lamp with light so I could see all the little parts! You did excellent and should be very proud of building that little rig!
73,
Don N4DJ
Great job. I scratch built a 25 watt homebrew xmtr when I was first licensed in 1964 at age 14 (you can do the math). My QCX-mini is on order, just got the FedEx email. Hope I can do as well as you did. Really excited. 73, Mike W9LG
@@HamRadioDuo Many kits. No home-brew. My biggest challenge was an Elecraft K2 with literally all of the options that my wife gave me for a retirement gift. It took 9 months. It’s still my favorite radio.
Yes! 14 stressful hours of soldering a TR-35. 😊
That's very impressive, Becky! I''ve been on the fence about building a busy kit like this but you've inspired me. Thanks a million! Dave
Thanks Dave and that's a main reason we decided to do this video. I wanted to try and at the same time hopefully shows others that are hesitant that it's possible with a little patience and attention to detail. You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
Love this! My QMX just arrived today!
Nice! Kit or pre-built? 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@@HamRadioDuo Kit. Starting on it tonight. May have it built for the weekend. We'll see. 73!
Good luck!
Congrats! Job well done! I have a QMX sitting here ready to build. I'll start on it once I get all my fall chores done -- a good winter project.
Thank you! It was definitely a fun build and good idea for a winter project! Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike
Beautiful job on that toroid, Becky! Its the toroids and the soldering that is keeping me from trying my hand at building a kit. But your video is giving me some courage. Hats off to you!
Thank you STU!!! That first toroid was a whole experience all in itself. I think that might be why they knock it out first. If you can get past that then the rest seems much easier 🤣 Thanks for supporting us as always! 73, Becky es Mike
There is one toroid transformer in the QCX that is a little tricky. However, the instructions are very good. As some folks say, if you can count, you can wind toroids.
They start you off with the tricky 🤣 but you're right, the instructions are great! 73, Becky es Mike
CONGRATS Becky. Hans designed a fantastic little radio, packing a ton of features into a tiny package. It's a building challenge for sure, but one you obviously did well. You're going to have a lot of fun with it. I'll be listening for you. 72 de N4REE
Thank you Bob! It was definitely a challenge but very rewarding when that first response came it. We use the 20m version ALL the time and now have even more options! Hope to hear you on the air! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats, Becky. Very, very, very well done. I love the pure receive audio from those radios. Time for a QMX for that multi-band fun. They are a lot more fiddley to assemble. Just take your time, one step at a time. It’s like eating an elephant. 73, Larry - W7LDT
Thank you Larry, we love our QCX and yes we ordered a QMX but pre-built this time. Not sure what I'll tackle next? 73, Becky es Mike
👍Well done. I have built a few QCX/QCX-mini kits. I found the instructions were excellent. I have found them to very capable QRP CW rigs. Nice to see someone new to CW using a straight key.
Thank you, I really do prefer the straight key! The build was challenging, but straight forward from the instructions. We love both of our QCX-minis! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job, Becky! You're fearless taking on a kit like that! Glad it powered up on first try and you were able to make a contact. Still waiting on my QCX because I was too lazy to build it myself
Thanks Steve! It was definitely harder than I expected but at the time we ordered it I had no idea it was THAT much 🤣 Hope to get you in the logs when you get your QCX!! 73, Becky es Mike
Very wel done Becky! Enjoy your 40m QCX, which can also be used on the 60m band by pressing and immediately turning the encoder button to the left so that you can detune from 7 to 5MHz and then further to, for example, 5.352. My QCX still has 4W output there. One rig, two bands! Just try it. 72, PA0CMU
Thank you and appreciate the tip to get to 60m. We will have to give that a try for sure. 73, Becky es Mike
Absolutely brilliant, thank you for sharing! I used to take on electronics projects as a kid but haven't since. I think you've just given me some encouragement to try my luck again. 73 and keep up the great work, cheers!
Thank you! And you definitely should give it a try. The experience of the project was fun in itself and to have it actually work was bonus!! 73, Becky es Mike
Thanks for the video! You guys are great! I have built one of those (Actually, I have built most of Hans's radios. I recomend them all). They are great! The manuals are fantastic and Hans is just a mail away from helping out and QRP-Labs have a great user managed knowlege base online! Tips: When finish soldering, before putting juice on it, take photos of your work with your phone and blow it up on a big screen. Look for solderbridges and bad connections. Great job! 73 de LA6UOA!
That is a great tip! Mike's close up vision isn't very good anymore and that is a great way to work around it! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Nice work, Becky ! I've built a few of those, and just yesterday completed my second QMX +. That should be your next project -- 160m to 6m in one fantastic all-band radio. Both you and Michael are in my log from a park I activated back in August. Best 72 from W3WJ.
Thank you and congrats on the QMX! We ordered the pre-built QMX before I decided to take on a project. Thankfully I think it has shipped already! Glad to have you in the logs. We were headed down to FL to drop off a college kid for that hunt. 73, Becky es Mike
Last major kit was an Elecraft K2, but I got the pre-wound torrids. Hope you continue with all of this and continue to inspire others! 73 de n0km
Thank you for your kind comment! And ... great job on the Elecraft and yes, those toroids are no joke. I promise I counted that little thing about 30 times 🤣 and still wasn't 100% sure it was right! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats and thanks for sharing your joy! I really enjoy when you’re able to scroll the CW across the screen as it’s happening, helps me practice :-) Cheers & 7 3
Thank you! I was excited and relived to make that contact for sure! Appreciate the feedback on the CW and may try to do more of that on our regular activations, it's just a bit time consuming :-) 73, Becky es Mike
Well done Becky, great video and congratulations.
Thank you! It was challenging, but worth it in the end! 73, Becky es Mike
That's actually one of the harder kits to built - its a "puzzle". After this kit, the rest of them are just longer duration builds, but not really any harder. Great Work Becky!!!
That's great feedback. Mike built one of these years ago when they first came out so neither of us have experience building any other kit from scratch to compare it to. During the build, We purposefully made sure I was using just the instructions, not leaning on Mike's previous experience. It's good to know how it compares. 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
@@HamRadioDuo If you build it and it works, you did AMAZING. I love to build kits, so if you take a look at my builds, I drop some "nuggets" here and there that would make building a bit easier in the future. But "FUN" first! There are bad kits out there though... you'll find some.
Thanks T.O. Hopefully we won't run into a bad one :-) 73, Becky es Mike
great video, so helpful to have added the decode of the CW. I am just learning CW and it was very encouraging
That's great feedback! That is exactly why we are making our videos. We're having a ton of fun with it. We all know how much work it is but that is part of the fun and why it is so rewarding. We share in hopes that it keeps others going also so we call have fun with it! 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Great job, Becky! Hope to work you guys on the new rig! 73 es cul de K4FR
Thank you! Hopefully we'll get you in ithe logs from it soon! 73 Becky es Mike
Way cool video! Very encouraging for builders, QRPers, and future CWers alike!!!
Thank you! It was fun and a little terrifying to take on this challenge, but getting it on the air made it all worth it!! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats on the build. You've inspired me to order a 20m qcx mini kit and try building one myself. 73
Yay!!! Glad you're taking on the challenge. It was a tight squeeze because sooo much goes in that little box, but still fun! We love our 20m version as well! Good luck, you got this! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job Becky, I love the fact that you put that kit together. I want to do the same thing but, feel a little hesitant. You may have inspired me to buy the kit and give it a try. Thank you so very much for sharing. Keep building. Feels good, right?
I was nervous but just took my time and was careful. It was a great feeling to get it on the air and worth the detail work! You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
Yes. Built a “Star Roamer” Shortwave Radio when I was 12, from Allied Radio in Chicago. First station I heard was Radio Switzerland’s music box. Amazing. Now it’s time for another build at 72… 60 years later. This video made my day. Thank you. Congrats Becky. Hope to hear you on 40 meters!
Wow that must have been an amazing experience at 12! And full circle to tackle another project 60 years later. Just he experience of trying was fun for me! Hope to hear you as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Well done Becky and it worked first time 😊
Build the qmx and really enjoyed that now thinking of building the qmx+
Keep up the great videos giving me inspiration for my cw practice.
Thank you and glad to hear you're getting your CW reps in!! I was nervous but happy with the outcome for sure! We have a pre-built QMX on the way so not sure what I might try next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Count turns thirty times, solder once. lol. Great job.
Thank you, and that's no joke! I counted and counted and counted and still wasn't sure I knew what I was supposed to count. 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
Hi Becky and Mike, your 40 meter QCX-mini is a great addition to your 20 meter one. I use my cell phone to take a zoomed in picture of my toroid which makes counting the turns easy. 73, Don wd8dsb
Whoa!! That is a great idea ... then it doesn't move around when you're trying to count 🤣 I will definitely be doing that next time! 73, Becky es Mike
That was so absolutely awesome to watch this video. I've seen your little transmitter and thought about buying a kit myself I didn't know if I could handle it. I have soldered up three AM radio kits that were very successful. I actually thought about the joy you must be feeling knowing you built that transmitter so exciting.
Thank you so much for your comment. It was fun to build and share my experience. Absolutely if you've already tackled those projects you can do it! Just read ahead on each section before you add the part. The details definitely matter :-) Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike
Nice Work!. I just purchased an assembled and operating QCX cw mini. I didn't get to experience the build like you did. I will probably purchase another one to build it in the future. Thanks for this great video. Cheers and 73
Thank you, it was fun to build! We just got our pre-built QMX and can't wait to give it a try. Good luck on your future build project, just take you time and read ahead. 73, Becky es Mike
Well done!
Thanks Scott! 73 Becky es Mike
Awesome job Becky. I’ve always been scared of tackling the QCX build, but you have given me the confidence that I can do it. Congrats on such a fun project. Scott KW4NJA
Thank you Scott! You can do it! Just read ahead, take your time, and check / count twice (or more) and solder once 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
Very nicely done! Your fist is excellent, especially for only knowing the code for 6 months. 73, Len, KD0RC
Thank you so much for the compliment! Mike has been super encouraging and helped me just go for it and get on the air. And I love this thought .... You don't get good to get on the air, you get on the air to get good. 73, Becky es Mike
Great job! I've got the QCX-mini ordered. Very cool.😀
Thank you! It was a fun project and hopefully you will enjoy it as well! Good luck ... just take your time and read ahead! Way to take on the challenge and let us know how it goes!!! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats Becky.
Thank you! 73, Becky es Mike
Great build!! Congratulations!
Thanks so much! It was a challenge but definitely worth the experience. Bonus was that it worked! 73, Becky es Mike
nice job.. I built the QCX mini on 20m ... great little portable/pocket sized rig...
We love our 20m one, which was pre-built. That is our main portable radio, but until now, we had to bring out one of the bigger onces to do 40m which meant we really weren't often on 40m portable. 20m seems to be a great sweet spot for easier to deploy antennas also. 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Brilliant job Becky! The qcx is a great little rig.73s Chris Gm4zji
Thank you Chris! We have the 20m version and knew we would love another band. 73, Becky es Mike
Having worked as an production engineer . It was quickly known that you should be grounded. You should be wearing a wrist grounding strap. During the handling of any circuit board. With integrated circuits installed.
This is know to be a requirement when handling integrated circuits.
Nice going on your radio build. Congratulations.
Thanks for the tips it really was a fun and challenging project! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job on the build and nice fist on the straight key. I've got a QMX kit sitting in the box, this video really makes me want to find some time to build.
Thank you, it was challenging but worth the reward. Go for it and you can do it in stages (just keep track of the parts) 🤣 Good luck! 73, Becky es Mike
Well done! Nice clean CW, pleasure to hear.
Thank you! I was just excited that it worked 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Hi Becky, great build de GW1DRZ
Thank you! It was hard but fun. 73, Becky es Mike
Way to go! It’s so rewarding to build it yourself, and have success! QRP Labs kits are so addictive, and they work great! Good luck and 72! N0YMA
Thank you and you're absolutely right about the reward and sense of accomplishment when that first contact came through! I'll have to start looking into what's next 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Great video, Nicely done7 3'S
Thank you! Was a fun project and I look forward to whatever might be next! 73, Becky es Mike
Great video, tnx. I just finished a QMX which was my first real build. I had to go back through it as I had some problems which turned out to be some common mistakes but it now works on all bands. I've yet to make my first contact with it but will soon.
I know the feeling when you go to power it up for the first time.
Keep up the great videos.
Steve, K7OFG
Great job on the QMX and congrats on figuring out the problems. I got lucky on my first go around but yes, I was super nervous adding power and then actually getting in on an antenna. Thanks for watching! 73, Becky es Mike
Approved. 👍👍. This is what AR is all about.
Thank you! It really was a fun project and definitely rewarding in the end! 73, Becky es Mike
FANTAST JOB Becky!!!
You are so brave! I have the QMX and have yet to talk to you two on the air… but someday!!
Also, I heard from Hans (QRP-Labs) that you should use the large left dial and long press it to turn the rig on/off.. just sayin’. Looked like it was coming on right when you added the power.
72 and CUL,
Mike - KK7MMN
Thank you Mike! It was a challenging project for sure but such a fun experience! I wonder if the on/off is just on the QMX vs the QCX? Our left dial does not press? We will do a little more research for sure! Thank you and hope to hear you on the air! 73, Becky es Mike
I have a QDX radio that I bought awhile back but apprehensive about putting it all together. This video gives me hope 🙂 - Dave KE6EX
Dave, it was definitely a fun project and I'm super glad I did it. Makes using that radio a little bit more fun knowing I built it 😊 73, Becky es Mike
Very nice. I have one on order, but I'm having it built. I might have it by spring, lol 😂. Great job. John
Thank you! I hope you enjoy yours in the spring! HIHI. We ordered a qmx many months ago and it just shipped! 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
I have a QMX on the way (probably delivering in a couple of weeks)... I chose to have my first one built because I wanted a working one. I may order a second(or a QMX+) and build it myself as a winter project.
Mike built his first and *poof* smoke and then ordered the one we use now. We also have a pre-built QMX hopefully that has shipped! Sounds like a fun winter project! 73, Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo Yeah, I don't want to poof on my first use.. If I poof a second, backup one, it's less devastating. I'm in the 90s now on the waiting list, so freaking close!
I already have a buck converter and set it to only output ~12v no matter what battery I use, since I have many lifepo batteries rated at 13.8v.
Winters in Canada are cold and and dark, so a project will be fun!
Becky, you have a killer straight key fist! First rate!!
Wow, thanks for the compliment. I think just going for it and getting on the air a lot really helps. I can relax and let the sounds come out! 73, Becky es Mike
Great job Becky, nice to see your successful build and you enjoying the radio.
73 GL GD DX de Hans G0UPL
You have designed a fine radio Hans. Becky did amazing work. 73 Phil G0BVD
Thank you so much Hans, and thank you for doing such great work for us CW enthusiasts! I'm debating just what to do next 🤔 73, Becky es Mike
Great job!!! from KC1SXC in Mass.
Thank you! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Wow... well done !
You're also a good cw operator already. I did enjoy my qcx+ soldering project as well. I might be looking for the qmx project. Hope one day we will meet on 40m. '73 de pd0st
Thank you, it was a fun experience for sure! We ordered the pre-built QMX so don't know what's next :-) Hope to catch you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Super job. U got good fist on cw. Gud spacing. So many run the code together makint very hard to copy. Gud luck with the new rig. I do pota also. 73 jim
Thank you Jim! The more I get on the air the more relaxed I am and that really helps with the sending. My goal is to always send something the other operator can understand or it's just a one-way conversation 🤣 Hope to catch you P2P sometime! 73, Becky es Mike
that toroid wind is crazy! Nice job!
Perhaps the instructions have you start with that to make sure that part is over so that you keep going LOL HIHI 73 Becky es Mike
Great job! There is no way that I could build one! I no longer have any of my electronics tools and my hands aren't steady enough anymore! I ordered my QMX prebuilt. N7BBQ
Thank. you. We have a QMX pre-built on the way also. Mike built a QCX-mini in the past and had no interest in building another. This is all new for me and very fun so far! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
WOW...great Job. Seems to work as it should. Mission accomplished 💯👍 73 de Your Friend Uncle Günter
Thank you Gunter. I was very relieved when everything seemed to work! 😅 73, Becky es Mike
Impresionante 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 muy buen trabajo.
Es una satisfacción construir tu propia equipos 😄, mis felicitaciones 👋
Espero muy pronto tener QSO con ambos 🤩
73/72
¡Muchas gracias! Fue muy satisfactorio escuchar esos pitidos y hacer ese primer contacto.🔊🎶 ¡Esperamos poder tener un QSO contigo pronto también! 73/72 Becky es Mike
WOW Becky I take my hat off to you and bow, brilliant work with the QMX mini and the toroid winding. I built the Kanga Kits Rooster QRP single band single frequency. You are a real QRPer building you own radio and working CW stations. Pleased Mikes wrist is looking better 73s Phil G0BVD
Thank Phil! I was super nervous it was going to puff out smoke!! Mike is doing better and up to a 5# lifting restriction now! Slowly but surely and thanks for checking in! 73, Becky es Mike
Very great job Becky, maybe I can do myself too. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, 73 de IU3QOA Riccardo
Thank you Riccardo! It was challenging, fun and I'm really glad I gave it a try! You can do it! 73, Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo Hi Becky, thanks. I would like to be able to build it myself one day, my fear is that of doing some soldering badly and ruining the project. But I agree with you that it is truly a great satisfaction. I always follow your videos, they keep me company and you and Mike are really nice. I hope to be able to have a QSO with you on air soon, 73 de IU3QOA.
Thank you! For me, I went in with the mindset that I was going to learn a lot and it may or may not work. The process and accomplishment to just finish was my goal to start with. It working at the end really was a giant bonus 🤣 Hope to catch you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Congratulations on your successful build! 73, Patrick KF4LMZ
Thank you Patrick. I'm sure it won't be my last but a very challenging first! 73, Becky es Mike
Congratulations! I know very well the feeling of making the first contact with a radio you've built yourself. Looking forward to meeting on the air!
73 DE TA2CCN
Thank you! It was a great experience and amazing to get on the air using it the first time! Hope to hear you on the air as well! 73, Becky es Mike
Quite an adventurous build! 120 pages !! 😮
Thanks TJ, not all of it was instruction, but it was definitely a lot of information and a fun build. 73, Becky es Mike
Good job !
Thank you! 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
great job! i just don't have time to build a radio, would rather get a ready to go unit!
That make sense. I got our 20m qcx-mini pre-built and ordered our qmx pre-built. $50 is an awesome deal to save yourself 10 hours unless you are looking forward to the process of doing it or just absolutely can't wait the 6 months on the waitlist HIHI 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Congratulations!
Thank you! I was definitely excited and relieved that it actually worked 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
Nice build! I can highly recommend getting some Optivisors so you can get a better view while you are soldering. I've built a lot of stuff over the years and wouldn't be without them. So... when is your first Manhattan-style scratch build going to happen? 😄
Thank you for the tip. Definitely had some tiny part to verify and make sure I didn't mess up the soldering job! Uh, don't see a scratch build in my near future just yet 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how fast you learned CW. I'm still on the struggle bus.
Hey Carlos! Good philosophy for ya (I heard this early on) ... you don't get good to get on the air, you get on the air to get good! Just go for it! 73, Becky es Mike
Congrats! That's a great build. Is it from QRP lab?
Yes, it is from QRP Labs. We have another radio from them and love it. The instructions were great. 73 Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo I'll buy it soon. Thanks for the video.
Good luck. It's a challenge, but fun! Just read through each section and part info before you put solder on it. The details matter .. a lot !! 73, Becky es Mike
@@HamRadioDuo Thanks a lot! 73
Great job Becky. Does it work with both straight key and paddles? ND9G.
Yes, it works perfect with all kinds of keys. I use a PC and a WKmini from K1EL. 73 de LA6UOA
amazing!!!
Thank you! Do you have any new videos coming soon? 73 Becky N4BKY es Mike N4FFF
Respect
Awww thank you! It was more than I thought, but so happy to have accomplished that one and look forward to another build! 73, Becky
I love to build kits! Great job. 73 Rohn KD4HCT
Thank you! It was my first, but I'm sure not my last😊 . It really was a fun challenge. 73, Becky es Mike
Good job! Are planning on getting the amp too?
Hey Lidi, not as of yet. So far we love just being QRP! Great to catch you on the air yesterday but sorry I couldn't hear you very well. 73, Becky es Mike
Enjoyed that and your CW sending is quality, subscribed de Ei2iP.
Thank you for joining our adventures and the compliment! 73, Becky es Mike
How long did it take to learn CW well enough to get on the air?
Going through LICW sometimes it feel hopeless.
We're actually going to make a video soon about learning CW, including our story, because its hard to fit into a small amount of words.
Until the video, the short version is that Mike (me) tried off and on for YEARS and feels like he was learning the wrong way. Becky learned with some advise from the hard lessons Mike had trying to re-learn. Becky had the advantage of some of those lessons *and* being a natural fast learner *and* using Michael as a slow decoder at the start. All of that is to say that it was really fast and probably not something to use as an expectation. She learned most all of the letters by sound at 30wpm in a weekend, decided to get licensed only after learning the letters, which went super quick and then got on the air with the first CW (with Michael as the decoder) the day it hit the FCC.
Again, probably too much to fit into a comment so probably I shouldnt try, but here is my (Mike's) advise I wish I could give myself:
- enjoy the journey. like playing a musical instrument, it takes a lot of practice and a long time, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun all along the way. It just means you have to set the expectation that you'll be enjoying the journey a little every day for a very long time, not just checking off a box. About 20 mins per day seems like a reasonable amount.
- learn the letters by sound (learning by memorizing a map of dits and dahs means you always have to look them up in your mind and means you get stuck)
- learn the letters around 30pm so that your brain is forced to hear the sound and not individual dits and dahs. learning the letters at around 30wpm so you hear the sound doesn't mean you are aiming to have conversations at that speed. If you learn the sounds at 30wpm or higher, you'll also "hear" them at the slower speeds you actually use at the start.
- an app called Morse Mania gamifies learning the letters, which is what Becky used
- get on the air as soon as possible, before you are ready. we've all been there and that's one step to keep it fun during the journey
- after learning all the letters, get on the air and try writing everything down. just print out and or memorize some standard basic short QSOs
- after learning the letters, join clubs, take classes, and use online tools to keep over-learning the letters and working on building words.
- keep having fun all along the way. celebrate every small victory. the first few letters you learn. the first time you start having letters pop in your head when you hear a sound. the first time you hear a few letters and recognize it as a state. very step is fun and it just gets better and you never stop learning.
@@HamRadioDuo awesome
Also 09:38 ... What was that sound 🤣
LOL. So we messed up when turning on our mics so the radio sound and our voices were pre-mixed together. To eliminate the radio noise so you could hear Becky's voice, we used the "enhance" audio feature in premiere. It is an artifact of that. Oops, I should have gotten rid of that. 73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY
Your building a radio with a cat on your project mat made my anxiety go through the roof.
Haha ...... thankfully it was only a few times that he decided to be curious! And, I was careful to put things away when I took a break so they wouldn't get knocked on the floor 🤣 73, Becky es Mike
great job becky, I saw your call yesterday on HamAlert on 40m, maybe with the self-built TRX? 73 de DJ3XM, Ulfert
Hey Ulfert! Yes, we are playing with it out in our backyard when the weather permits it. We both got a few QSO's in that evening. Getting a QMX soon and can hopefully get on 10m again! 73, Becky es Mike
Well done Becky, you are an inspiration! Enjoying your videos, thanks for sharing!
72, Rudi de ZS6DX/ZS2M/ZS1BT/V51VE
Awww, thank you for saying Rudi! We are having fun and hoping by sharing it encourages others to get out there and find their fun! 73, Becky es Mike