I am torn between QMX 60m-15m and the QMX 20m-10m.
In the Philippines, we cannot use 60m and 11m, so I’ll have one less band in each version. I already MTR4B and QCX-mini 20m. If I get a QMX, I plan to sell the MTR4B. I find the QRP-Lab rig easier to use than MTR. Also, I never used 80m.
I’d like to buy once, cry once. How usable will QMX 20m-10m once sunspot cycle is over?
No need to cry! The QMX is worth its money! One might have to add: If you are CW operator. Hans said that he would come up with software to allow SSB, but that might take some time. I am pretty sure that this radio will be sold out as soon as the new software is available. So better hurry.
I have built the 20 to 10m version for a multi-day hiking trip where low weight was of prime importance. After all it is the year of the 10m challenge, so I chose the 20 - 10m version. Otherwise I would have built the 60 - 15m version.
I am very satisfied with the little radio and am thinking about building the other version now as the days get shorter. Might be a nice challenge to have one ready by Christmas.
I asked myself this question too, but it wasn’t too difficult for me to find the answer for the following reasons:
→ I already saw several cycle maxima
→ my prioritized bands are 60, 30, 20, 17 and 15 m
So the QMX 60-15 is almost ideal for my needs and requirements for a slightly lighter CW transceiver than the Elecraft KX2/3 for portable radio.
So far, this QMX has met all my expectations in practice and even exceeded them with the built-in SWR tune utility.
If you can only have one rig I’d go for 60m-15m. Even at the peak of the sunspot cycle my most important bands for SOTA operating have been 30m and 20m. During the summer 10m has been rubbish but 15m has often delivered. When there are fewer sunspots 40m becomes a much better SOTA band.
I went with 40-10 m. All the best bands for SOTA, especially with the 10 m action right now.
Dan, AI6XG, figured out how to make it work. https://www.ai6xg.com/post/a-40-10-meter-qmx
I bought the original version (made for 80/60/40/30/20m) but modified and built as 60/40/30/20/17/15/12/10m version. It was a bit of an engineering battle due to how the T/R switch and LPF banks interfere with the receiver bandpass, but it was manageable.
However, as I learned that carrying heavy packs while hiking is good for building muscle strength, I lost a reason to go lighter equipment… I should do SOTA with a 100W rig and lead acid battery haha. (In reality I still use KX3 and LiCoO2 battery packs.)