QRP Labs QCX User Manual

• 11-digit operating frequency (VFO A or B, according to the VFO mode setting and transmit/
receive state
• 5 spaces
• 5-digit RIT frequency, as +/-9999Hz e.g. RIT up 200Hz returns “+0200” in this field
• RIT status: 0 = RIT OFF, 1 = RIT ON
• XIT status: always 0 because QCX+ has no XIT
• Memory channel bank number: always 0
• Memory channel number: always 00
• Transceiver status: 0 = RX, 1 = TX
• Operating mode: always 3 (CW)
• Receive VFO: 0 = VFO A, 1 = VFO B
• Scan status: always 0
• Split: 0 = Simplex operation (VFO mode A or VFO mode B), 1 = Split
• Tone: always 0
• Tone number: always 0
• Space character
KS: Get/Set Keyer speed
Set: Sets the Keyer speed to the specified number of words per minute
Get: Gets the current Keyer speed setting (in words per minute)
KY: Get/Set message for immediate sending
Set: Initiates a CW message transmission at the current keying speed. The format of the command
is KY followed by a space, followed by the message to be sent, followed by a semicolon
termination character. For example command
KY HELLO;
will initiate CW transmission of the text “HELLO”.
Get: Returns:
KY0; if message sending is in progress and the transmit text buffer is not more than 75% full
KY1; if message sending is in progress and the transmit text buffer is more than 75% full
KY2; if no message is being sent, therefore the transmit text buffer is emtpy
?; if the attempted message would overflow the transmit buffer; in this case it is canceled
Note: The KY transmit text buffer is 80 characters long. It is a circular buffer. It is acceptable to send
new messages with KY before the message sending is complete, they are simply appended to
the transmit buffer. You may not send a message that would overflow the buffer, if attempted
the message will simply be ignored and error code ?; returned.
MD: Get operating mode
Get: Always returns 3 (CW)
OM: Get the radio’s model number
Get: Returns the radio’s model number. For QCX+ this is QC so the result is simply OMQC;
QM: QCX+ Menu
The QM command allows get/set of any item in the QCX+ menu system. It is not part of the TS-480
CAT command set, it is specific to the QCX. Please refer to the paragraph below for a full description.
QU: QCX+ Update
QCX operang manual, rmware 1.07, manual edit 0.03 44

QRP Labs QCX Specifications

General

Category	Transceiver
Modes	CW
Frequency Bands	80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m
Output Power	5W
Supply Voltage	12V
Receiver Sensitivity	0.2 μV for 10 dB S/N
Tuning Method	Digital Tuning
Frequency Range	80m, 40m, 30m, 20m

Summary

1. Overview of features

Synthesised VFO with rotary encoder tuning

Describes VFO tuning using a rotary encoder and Si5351A synthesiser.

Memory features

Explains 16 frequency presets for storing favourite frequencies.

Message memory

Details storage for 12 message memories with varying character limits.

CW Keyer

Covers the CW keyer function, including modes like Iambic and Ultimatic.

CW Decoder

Explains the CW decoder's ability to decode Morse code signals.

CAT control - PC Control commands

Covers CAT control commands for PC operation via serial interface.

3. Operator Controls

3.1 Tune rate

Explains how the rotary encoder tunes the VFO and changes tuning rate.

3.2 Keyer speed

Details adjustment of keyer speed (WPM) for Morse code transmission.

3.3 RIT

Describes Receiver Incremental Tuning (RIT) for adjusting receive frequency.

3.7 Automated message transmission mode

Explains sending stored messages like CQ calls repeatedly or once.

4. Menu System

4.1 Saving current operating parameters (VFO frequency etc)

Explains how to save current settings to EEPROM as power-up defaults.

4.3 Editing a configuration menu parameter

Describes the process of editing a parameter using cursor and rotary encoder.

4.10 VFO menu

Covers configuration parameters affecting VFO operation and CW reception.

4.16 Test equipment

Details the built-in test equipment features for diagnosis and testing.