The QRP-LABS QCX Transceiver

The “QCX” is a 5W, single-band, high performance CW transceiver kit with WSPR beacon, and built-in alignment/test equipment. It is available for 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 17m bands.. It has rotary encoder synthesized tuning, VFO A/B/Split, Iambic keyer, CW decoder, and more… $49.00 USD.  See it – buy it at – http://qrp-labs.com/qcx.html

Features

• Easy to build, single-board design, 10 x 8cm, all controls are board-mounted
• Professional quality double-sided, through-hole plated, silk-screen printed PCB
• Choice of single band, 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 17m
• Approximately 3-5W CW output (depending on supply voltage)
• 7-16V recommended supply voltage
• Class E power amplifier, transistors run cool… even with no heatsinks
• 7-element Low Pass Filter ensures regulatory compliance
• CW envelope shaping to remove key clicks
• High performance receiver with at least 50dB of unwanted sideband cancellation
• 200Hz CW filter with no ringing
• Si5351A Synthesized VFO with rotary encoder tuning
• 16 x 2 blue backlight LCD screen
• Iambic keyer or straight key option included in the firmware
• Simple Digital Signal Processing assisted CW decoder, displayed real-time on-screen
• On-screen S-meter
• Full or semi QSK operation using fast solid-state transmit/receive switching
• Frequency presets, VFO A/B Split operation, RIT, configurable CW Offset
• Configurable sidetone frequency and volume
• Connectors: Power, 3.5mm keyer jack, 3.5mm stereo earphone jack, BNC RF output
• Onboard microswitch can be used as a simple straight Morse key
• Built-in test signal generator and alignment tools to complete simple set-up adjustments
• Built-in test equipment: voltmeter, RF power meter, frequency counter, signal generator
• Beacon mode, supporting automatic CW or WSPR operation
• GPS interface for reference frequency calibration and time-keeping (for WSPR beacon)

Build time:  3 evenings, about 14 hours.  Here is my unit, Serial # 2481 – puts out just under 3W with 12.5V.  Easy to build, easy to align – worked on first power up without an issue!  Nice receiver, quiet….and lots to play with.  Made the first two QSOs with a straight key (#2 was K3Y/1); then using the keyer/paddle at 30 WPM (#3 was KG9X in the afternoon session of CWOps CW-T) .   A neat little radio. 

And the Inaugural QSO goes to……..W8FHF!!

I LOVE THIS RADIO STUFF!!!!