QRP kits, etc.,....

[Brian Carling (Radio G3XLQ / AF4K)]

Anyone looking for KITS today should take a look at my MAJOR LIST of
SUPPLIERS at:

http://www.mnsinc.com/bry/hamfiles.htm

and click on KITS for the list!

73 to everyone here -
de AF4K, Bry

On 21 Apr 97 at 18:22, ED WELCH spoke about QRP kits, etc.,.... and
said:

> Quoting Dick Dillman...
>
> -> As to the modern QRP rigs, I've seen these only at swapmeets...
> and I -> was impressed.  The things that prevented me from going
> this route -> were cost, single band capability (for most) and
> difficulty of -> building.  The QRP list is loaded with guys with
> problems building -> various models.
>
> There's some good QRP kits/rigs to be had out there.  Dick is right
> about the majority of the kits being single-band rigs.  The Oak
> Hills Research OHR400 (bands are hardwired in) is a multi-band rig
> as is the Wilderness Radio (Norcal) Sierra (bands are in module
> form).  These might not be for the beginning builder as they are a
> bit "involved". But given time and patience, certainly buildable.
>
> The single-band rigs are normally within easy reach of the new
> builder. Small Wonder Labs, Kanga, OHR, Wilderness, and the list
> goes on.  I've only been a ham since last July, but 3 months after
> getting my ticket I purchased a Wilderness Radio NorCal 40a kit (40
> meter/1.5 watt) for around $130 delivered.  I'd never soldered
> *anything* prior to this. I took my time, rechecked myself often and
> the baby fired up the first time, some tweaking and the addition of
> a 10-turn pot really made this peanut-whistle shine! :)
> Super-heterodyne, narrow-filter, about 50mhz tuning range, RIT...
> Very nice little rig.
>
> I've now got a OHR400 waiting in the wings to build....my confidence
> is stronger and I *know* I can build it.  If I run into problems the
> guys on the QRP-L list will *SWAMP* me with help.<g>  Sure there's
> problems in building a kit...some are hardware problems, some are
> builder problems.....but they all can be overcome.
>
> I'll never forget the first signals coming in through the rig *I*
> built. And I definitely won't forget the first time I heard my call
> coming through the headphones attached to the NC40a. :)  Really gave
> me a charge!
>
> Heath Kits were a little before my ham-days, but I'm sure there were
> problems encountered building them and I'm sure there were folks
> that were just as excited as I was when they heard their first
> signals come through on a rig they had built.  The end result isn't
> just a radio, but a radio that you built yourself!  Got something to
> do with pride or something. :)
>
> I was hesitant to dive into kit-building, but I'm sure glad I took
> the plunge.  Heathkits are not available anymore as new kits, but
> there are some good new rigs/kits out there.  Heathkit fired and
> ignited many a ham's interest in electronics and building...these
> other kit-vendors are doing there part in carrying on a very
> important part of amateur radio, a tradition of self-reliance,
> electronics knowledge, and individual pride in what we do.
>
> Dick is right, there are guys having problems building kits, but
> they're also learning while they solve there problems.  And
> really....if you figure how many kits are being built, the
> "problems" are few.
>
> Oh, to stay on the topic of the list, I've got an HW-8, an HW-101,
> and a couple of pieces of test equipment.  Great kits that have
> brought the kit market to where it's at today.  We owe a lot to
> HeathKit.
>
> FWIW.
>
> 72/73
> Ed Welch KF4KRV
>
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