Hi Gang
A while back, I asked the group for ideas on my next kit project. This
is what I have chosen to do while I am waiting for a larger scale kit to
arrive (suprise!!!):
I just wanted to let the group know that I have been tinkering with a kit
that Kanga calls the "Bag-O-Parts" any band transmitter.
Hey, this kit (or should I say parts, parts list and schematics) is
fun!!! It is essentially bags of parts with good schematics, parts
lists, and hints that allow you to build a QRP transmitter on the HF band
of your choice. There is no board, and no step-by-step "place the
Black-Brown-Red resistor in hole marked R-17" instructions, but the
schematics are broken-up into block assembly. This consists of VFO, AMP,
Phase Shifter, RIT/Sidetone. The intermediate and advanced kitbuilder
will have little trouble with this kit.
You start with the VFO assembly, and get it producing a good stable
signal for the band you want to set the transmitter up for. You then
move on to the amp curcuit, then the Sidetone/RIT.
There is no printed curcuit board, just very nicely laid out parts lists,
and block schematic diagrams. I found this approach interesting, fun,
and refreshing! I used two small copper-clad curcuit boards (from your
local Radio Shack), and assembly flowed from the schematic to the parts
list to the boards with a little concentration and effort. You will find
that when you finish the VFO curcuit, you will need to enclose it in a
shielded compartment to minimize frequency jump when you key the rig.
The hints suggest using pieces of un-etched PC board, but I used a very
small metal box. Without the enclosure, my frequency did indeed jump
about 2 or 3 Kc every time the rig was keyed. I seem to have no problem
now that the VFO is shielded.
I originally set the little xmitter up for 40 meters, and have since
experimented with 20 and 30 meters. Heck, this kit is so much fun to
play with, you can use an experimenters board and play with the curcuit
until you get what you want. I am still in the midst of deciding which
band will be my final solution. I have (with a few KG8SF Modifications -
heh heh) about 4 watts out on 40 meters. I will probably add the mini R2
receiver at some point for a nifty little package.
The bottom line here, is that if you are ready for some
kitbuilding/experimentation/feel-like-u-designed-homebrewed-es-diagnosed-ur
-own-rig sort of fun, try this kit. I personally think it is good
springboard from simple assembly step-by-step kits to more advanced
kitbuilding. The experimentation value alone is worth the investment in
my book. If interested, check out the article that this little rig is
based on. It appeared in the November, 1995 issue of QST - pages 41-46
authored by Rick Campbell - KK7B. There has since been a *corrected*
article that appeared in the ARRL book - QRP Power.
Compared to some other members on this list, my electronic curcuit design
and conceptualization skills are laughable. I can imagine some of the
list members taking this design and producing a real FB final rig with
great mods es other variations.
Kanga can be contacted by internet - kanga@bright.net
Usual disclaimers, as always, apply.
Best 72/3
Len
KG8SF
len@infinet.com kg8sf@key.com
________________________________________________________________
QRP-L # 841 CQrp # 2 ARCI # 9025 FISTS # 2134
CHARTER MEMBER - THE COLUMBUS QRP CLUB - CQrp
Web Page: http://www.infinet.com/~len
________________________________________________________________
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