QRP-Lers,
I have to agree with K0FRP. The extreme that I had to go to, just to
get the current fine crop of kits (N6KR design, NN1G design, K1BQT design
& others), to sound like some of the old tube type VFOs (less than 24
deg. F, outdoors, with 11VDC batteries). At room temperature (70 degrees
F), every one of these current NE602 based design xcvr kits, out perform
the 12AU7 VFO designs of a few years ago. Anyone remember the VF-1 from
Heathkit ? Anyone remember the fun keeping that box stable for any length
of time ? There is a great tube vs. current QRP xcvr design cost
analysis, by K0FRP, in the current issue of the Colorado QRP Club's "The
Low Down". If Al's figures are correct, the current crop of NE602 based
QRP designs, cost a little over $6.00 in 1962 dollars. In fact, if You
have ever played with 1AD4 tube designs, and the 2C39A tube designs,
trying to keep them stable just on VHF, there is no comparison to today's
radios/kits. I am about to break a sacred rule on this list, but I still
like building linear amps (1KW) using 3-500 Z's & the TH series tubes.
There, they work beautifully. Yes, I still like to play with "glow in
the dark" radios (I still have my HW-16 & BC-348Q) radios, but these new
QRP xcvr kits are an order of magnitude better in the stability/cost part
of the curve.
Maybe we should tap some of our Fraternity, in the "Boat Anchor" list,
to run some stability tests for us. Compare notes...
Let's jar some memories here. When was the last time that You had heard
of someone building a QRP xcvr kit (NN1G, N6KR, K1BQT, W6EMT, et al
designs), and getting bit (shocked) by 12 VDC ? Let's see the show of
hands. I had thought so. You old timers out there (QCWA++); how many of
You remember being bit (Shocked) by the tube type radios (Heathkits) ? I
rest my case. Keep them neat itty-bitty designs coming. Gee, if I had the
noise figure of just one of these kits on the HW-16 when I had started a
few years ago, I would not have needed 70+ watts to talk to everyone.
Less than 2 months to QRPTTF (April 26th). :-)
72...Jay, WA5WHN
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