| WD8DSB |
Rating:  |
2023-09-25 | |
| Excellent Design and Performance (really perfect) |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Built the 40, 30, and 20 meter versions of the QCX-mini and could not be happier. Installed the AGC and TCXO options in all 3 of my builds. Close to 5 watts output on all 3 radios when using a 12.0 Vdc supply. Just did my first POTA activation at Park K-1489 using the QCX-mini with a home brew EFHW antenna horizontally mounted 17 feet above the ground and the QCX-mini operated flawlessly and I made 331 CW QSOs mostly on 40 meters over a 4 day activation while operating about 1.5 hours per day. The built in Keyer on the QCX-mini makes for a very clean setup and just need to add a power supply, paddles, and antenna to get on the air. The Keyer memory feature is really handy for calling CQ when operating POTA. The image rejection on this radio is exceptional considering it's a DC receiver. Its digital frequency display and frequency adjustment works great and really nice to have the ability to operate split when needed. I give this radio a 10 out of 10 rating and this radio has now displaced my MFJ Cubs when I go camping. I still love the MFJ Cub but the QCX-mini has so many technical advantages over the MFJ Cub including price. |
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| VE3EGA |
Rating: |
2023-04-01 | |
| Dont Buy 'Factory Built' (Buyer Beware!) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchase two - both factory-built as I did not want to deal with tiny components and winding toroids and tweaking turns! (I might add that I previously built an original QCX and it went together fine!) - So why "Dont Buy Factory Built" My 40m QCX was working fine until I stored it pre-covid. Took it out Display was erratic (TX was ok!) and I decided to take a look under the hood - the PCB was "Unwashed" - I washed it and kinda got the RX working again - but deaf!
My normal reaction would be to ship it back for 'Factory Repair' However, QRPLabs Posts indicate that they DO NOT want to entertain RA's or Returns/Repairs - (using 'some weak (BS) excuse' that it is too costly as Customs try to route it as Commercial) isn't QRPLabs Commercial?
Anyway that said - You Are on your own! (unless some benevolent forum member can help you?) QRPLabs will happily sell you 'factory built' QCX but don't expect to send it back for repair! If you must - buy the kit and build it yourself, that way you screw-up-you-fix! |
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| VA3YG |
Rating: |
2023-03-11 | |
| Perfect! Genius product.... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Having already owned many QRP radios (KX3, KX1, K2, K1, FT-817ND, Hendricks PFR-3B, Norcal 40A, TenTecs, MFJ Cubs, YouKits HB1B, etc.) and having built the majority of them, I was looking for something new and exciting. Then I found the QCX Mini.
I built my QCX Mini, following the instructions to a T and the result was a wonderful, full featured little QRP rig for 20m. You can feel the quallity of this gem when you hold it in your hand.... the receive and transmit are superb. I've just started the build on the QCX 50W PA and the quality of this kit is undeniable.
My plans are to order a 40m and 30m kit and at least one more 50W PA kit.
Don't mess with success ......... don't change a thing Hans, it's perfect in so many ways..... price, features, small size, quality and most of all FUN!
72 de Brent VA3YG |
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| W7UDT |
Rating: |
2023-01-07 | |
| Thank you Hans! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
So far, my experience has been fantastic! So much so, I now own 20, 30 & 40 meter bands, and two QDX digital transceivers.
Anyone owning these tiny radios will attest to their performance. Five out of five!
The menu & features are amazing. I’m a hack when it comes to CW, but improving each time I use these radios. It’ll copy strong to moderate signals, and the Keyer, which I use, works flawlessly. Presets, WSPR, clock, various controls, all handy and intuitive.
I highly recommend these radios, especially to the Ham learning CW. What a hoot! Buy a 20 or 40 meter, its guaranteed fun! Thank you Hans! |
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| VE7EA |
Rating: |
2022-06-24 | |
| Amazing radio for the price |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I have three of these for SOTA: 40, 20 and 15m, built from kits. Don't attempt building yourself unless you are a careful builder, reads manuals before and during the build, are good at soldering, have a quality magnifying glass/headset and some basic troubleshooting skills and equipment. Amazing what fits into such a small, ultralight package these days! I get more pleasure from operating these than I do from my IC-7300. |
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| KF4KQS |
Rating: |
2022-06-07 | |
| Fantastic little radio! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| While at the last Dayton Hamvention (Xenia, OH) I stumbled upon the QRP-Labs booth and was immediately drawn to this little kit he had on display. After a few short questions and a small demo, I was hooked. I picked up the kit for 40 meters along with the case and all the options it had available. I had the radio built and aligned in two evenings after work. What a well designed and thought out radio! The assembly and instruction manual was outstanding with all kinds of in depth information on the circuitry and functions. If you are into lightweight QRP CW, this kit is for you! It is barely larger than a pack of cigarettes. I will be picking up more from QRP-Labs! |
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| K4ALE |
Rating: |
2022-02-05 | |
| Outstanding and Goal setter |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
When I came to this hobby 15 years ago, I had a goal to learn Code and take a QRP radio with me on the backpacking trail. There were a few options in kit form (e.g. NorCal and then Elecraft K1 and Kx1). Batteries were the limiting factor. Well, the SDR revolution and lithium battery technology have converged to make my original goal come true.
I love my K1, which is very usable with an LiFePO4 battery. I managed to kill my KX1 with a static zap from an antenna, but when the KX3 was introduced, I jumped on it. It is the true pinnacle of digital processing design and form factor, and serves as my main home station (with a KXPA100). But....it has become too valuable to take out backpacking. I was still searching for the Holy Grail (think: Monte Python....)
Then one of my radio pals found the QCX minis. I have now built 4 of them (and one QDX), so far. I kept ones in 40m and 20m, and gifted out a couple, and have an 80m and more QDXs on deck. They are absolutely amazing radios, and if you have any interest in lightweight portable operations, this is by far your first choice--assuming the ability to use CW mode. Frankly, it is really not practical to carry anything other than a VHF/UHF handheld in a backpack if you cannot do at least a minimal amount of CW. Practice it--it is REALLY worth the effort. For short hiking loaded with gear, SSB is possible.
When I first drafted this, I greatly overran the word limit. I will post an update shortly with more details. SRI.... |
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| VA3ERW |
Rating: |
2021-12-28 | |
| Far higher quality and functionality than the price suggests |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Hans Summers and his team are an enormous asset to the QRPers with a limited budget! This recently introduced compact CW-transceiver is really chock full of features.
Build went well. The installation document is extensive, lots of clear diagrams and pictures, and it does a very good job explaining the various steps. Adjustments are easy to carry out.
Soldering experience (and a good magnifying headset) are really a must. I used an LC-meter to adjust the coils to the required value, this turned out to be a good choice.
I am very happy with my purchase! |
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| N7KM |
Rating: |
2021-08-18 | |
| Nice! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I just finished building my second QCX mini. I’ve used the 20 meter for several months and just added the 40 meter. I’m QRP rig poor and enjoy this part of the hobby. With at least eight nice QRP rigs, some expensive and some low buck jobs I can make an honest observation. These QCX mini single band CW radios are a great way to break into QRP. They are Functional, relatively easy to build (great instructions), small, light, low current and just fun to use. If your just learning the code this little rig will copy it for you until you build your skills. If you’re thinking of getting started in QRP, you can’t go wrong with this little 55 buck kit, but spend the extra 20 bucks for the very functional case. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine and I’ll see you on the NAQCC QRP sprints. |
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| K0INN |
Rating: |
2021-08-13 | |
| An amazing QRP rig for the money! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I took my time and carefully completed the kit and it worked the first time! I'd consider myself an intermediate kit builder. I used a fine tip soldering iron and an illuminated magnifier on a floor stand. I believe a magnifying lens and fine tip soldering iron to be mandatory to completing this kit.
The instructions stress to carefully align the components before soldering as well as trim of the excess leads on the bottom of the board. I paid careful attention to that. When I was done, everything fit correctly in the compact case.
When I was done, I was putting out about 4.0 watts at 12 volts. With some tweaking of the toroids L1 through L3, I was able to improve that to to about 4.9 watts. Ultimately, I ended up removing 2 turns from L3.
You couldn't ask for a more full featured QRP rig. The rigs keyer has the ability to store and recall 12 messages. I'd compare the keyer options to a full size rigs keyer options. If you like, you can also turn on the option for decoding of sent and received CW.
It's worth mentioning that the finished product is beautiful. The case is beautifully designed and lettered and fits together perfectly.
I had so much fun building the kit and now using the QCX mini that I'm going to order the power amp. |
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