Well Gang,
I'm new to this list server as well as QRP. I thought QRP would be a
way to work CW. I ordered a Wilderness Sierra kit complete with all the
band modules. Now, I've never built a kit before and I was a little
concerned when it arrived and I inventoried ALL the parts. Oh my! Then
I read that I had to wind my own coils, too. One would think for that
price, the coils would come already wound. Oh yea, then this would not
be called AMATEUR radio.
Okay, so I have to wind a coil or two. Wrong! There are five coils on
the main board and the monster VFO coil with 58 turns of #28. Then each
band module has 8 coils. Argh!
I'm really out on a limb on this one. Well, there are others in the
area who have done this stuff before, so I can use them for help, right.
Actually, I had to prove to myself that I can do more than operate an
appliance (commercial rig). What a better way to learn new and exciting
things.
My Sierra kit went together in 4 evenings, and with exception of the
coils, everything went like clock work. I even installed the KC/2.
Tune up took about 30 minutes, but I think I still need some work there.
Saturday February 23 I went on the air for the first test. 40m during
the day netted me a 579 contact in San Diego, 589 contact in Houston,
and 559 contact in Long Beach. Okay, now I'm impressed. With the rig
and my new found abilities. Well it gets better. On 2/28/97 VE7DMQ
sent me a 579 RST fron British Columbia. It gets better. Today,
03/12/97 I got a 439 RST from FK8GJ in New Caledonia. I almost passed
out from excitement!
I may never go QRO again. Did I say that?
Okay now what? WAS/QRP! Join the local QRP club, AZ ScQRPions!
I must say, the Sierra is a fine rig and a pleasure to operate. The
KC/2 is a must and only 7ma..
I do need some help though. When I tune to the bottom portion of the
bands, I can not get to the bottom. It only goes within a few Kz from
the bottom 2 to 5. Do I need to align the rig/VFO again? I'm sure I
can correct this, with some direction.
Until next post, I'm having QRPn fun..
Best regards,
Mark Saunders -- KJ7BS
Glendale, Arizona
http://www.dancris.com/~tracker/tracker.html
tracker@dancris.com
KJ7BS@KC7Y.AZ.USA.NOAM
FISTS # 2972
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