I have been a licensed radio amateur since 1978, when I was licensed as G8RYQ, and then G4IFA in the UK. About 10 years later, I became AA7EE here in the US.
In a previous life (which ended very recently), I was the “voice” that represented Virgin Megastores in the US; being both the voice in all radio and TV commercials, as well as the voice on the telephone on-hold systems, and the presenter of in-store programming in all the stores in the US. I produced all of the above too, with the exception of the TV commercials. Now I am gainfully unemployed, which gives me a little time to figure out what to do with the next part of my life, as well as the time to try to get an antenna in the tree at the back of my apartment building with the slingshot I just bought.
Dave, Nice chat on 40M today 11/29/09. Your 2n22 sounds great. Perhaps you know about Pacificon held each October (except this last time) in San Ramon, I usually go and they have a great QRP get together. http://www.pacificon.org/
October is a long way away but you should come if you haven’t known about it.
Mike Scott AE6WA
Tarzana, CA
Comment by Mike — November 29, 2009 @ 6:59 pm |
Mike – I was hoping that Pacificon would be in Reno again this year. It’s cheap to get there on the Greyhound from my QTH in the Bay area (if you let them drop you off at a Casino) and besides, it’s a fun break. I haven’t been to Pacificon before, but may go in 2010.
Ur sigs were varying from 429 to 599 due to the slow QSB and later on in the QSO, the fact that you upped your power! The readability only dropped below 5 for a total of about a minute in the entire QSO – sigs being around 569 – 579 most of the time.
Good to talk to you about Elecraft. I don’t think things have ever been better for amateur radio kit builders. Thanks once again for the chat and I hope we do it again soon.
Good luck with those early mornings!
Dave,
AA7EE.
Comment by aa7ee — November 29, 2009 @ 8:26 pm |
Dave Richards and CW, never thought I’d see the day. Glad your still active in the sport. Merry X-mas.
Larry
KA0ERZ
Comment by Larry — December 24, 2009 @ 3:07 am |
Dave,
Curious about the orange case you are using for the FT-817 and your tuner….I have been looking all over for something like it.
Love the blog…..I basically am running the same station out here in MD. Hope to run into you on the air.
73′s,
Jim KB0JTC
Comment by Jim — June 29, 2010 @ 12:22 pm |
Jim – the orange case was made by Mountain-Ops Communications. They went out of business some years ago unfortunately. I don’t know why – their cases were exactly what I wanted for my FT-817. As well as the case for the 817, I had an orange case made by them for my Z-11 tuner, and a separate orange bag for holding accessories for portable ops (microphone, key, antenna etc.) At the time, though several other companies were making cases for the 817, only this one did exactly what I needed.
Sorry I couldn’t help, but good luck in your search Jim!
Comment by aa7ee — June 29, 2010 @ 2:38 pm |
Hi Dave,
Your 40m regen receiver and its PCB enclosure is nothing less than inspiring. Beautifully done.
I would love to build this. Do you happen to have a contact email for a kit, circuit and/or build details for this RX and may I have it?
73′s
John
Comment by John S — August 23, 2011 @ 1:07 am |
John – there are a few QRP clubs who are organizing group builds for this receiver. I may be able to put you in touch with someone, but the one group build I know a bit about is not going to be until 2013. I believe that Far Circuits sell the PCB, but in my opinion this circuit is ideal for a Manhattan build.
This was really a roundabout way of saying that I don’t know of a full kit as I don’t believe there is one. As I mentioned in my blog post, the original article was in Aug 2001 QST and has been reprinted in the ARRL book “More QRP Power”. It’s one of those projects that you have to source all the parts yourself I’m afraid (feels so much better when you finish it though!)
I bought my PCB material from seller abcfab on eBay. I already had most of the rest of the parts, but I’m pretty sure they’re all available (including the knobs) from Mouser.
Some 4-40 hardware is available from Radio Shack (such as bags of nuts) – they sell circuit board standoffs too. I often use my local Ace Hardware for other 4-40 hardware. It gets a bit pricey paying 20 cents for a screw or a couple of washers, but when you’re close to completing a project, a few bucks to finish it off doesn’t seem so bad.
I actually think this is such a good regen that it would be worth someone working with N1BYT and putting a kit together. There are so many regen designs out there that utilize RF preamp stages, and this circuit doesn’t need one. It doesn’t radiate into the antenna, has no hum, and smooth regeneration which doesn’t need constant adjustment. It’s a good ‘un.
Comment by AA7EE — August 23, 2011 @ 1:25 am |
Hi again Dave,
I hope you don’t mind. I’ve injected a thread about your PCB enclosure DIY here:
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4562.new;topicseen#new
It’s stirred up some heartfelt enthusiasm. If you want, please drop in and add your 2c worth
John
Comment by noozillander — August 24, 2011 @ 7:06 am |
I’m honored that you considered it worthy enough to reference somewhere else – thank you John. FYI, by clicking on the title of the post in my blog, that will give you a page that contains just that one post, which is better for linking to than the url to my entire blog. If people click on that link in a few months, they’ll have to scroll down quite a bit before they get to the post you intended them to.
Comment by AA7EE — August 24, 2011 @ 2:50 pm |
Dave, I’ve enjoyed your posts on building the K2. I’m just not at the point where I can afford one. But I sure want one! It was nice to “watch” you build yours.
I also wanted to ask your permission to use the picture of your “Manhattan Project” in a PowerPoint presentation that I’m presenting to my local club. I had never seen the QRPme square pads. They’re kind of neat looking. Nice looking little rig too!
I couldn’t find an email address for you so just thought I’d leave a comment here.
You can email me at ‘on30ng at gmail dot com’ with your reply.
Thanks.
Dan Reynolds KB9JLO
Comment by Dan Reynolds KB9JLO — December 14, 2011 @ 4:48 pm |
Dan – I saw the Powerpoint presentation on QRP-L and am really flattered that you considered my home-brew project worthy of inclusion in the presentation to your club. Permission most definitely granted, and I will send you an e-mail too to make sure you get this message,
Dave
AA7EE
Comment by AA7EE — December 14, 2011 @ 4:53 pm |
Hey Dave,
Great site. Do you have an email I can contact you on? Have a few minor questions for you.
Thanks
Ryan
Comment by Ryan Gibson — February 2, 2012 @ 4:52 pm |
Ryan – I just e-mailed you.
Comment by AA7EE — February 2, 2012 @ 5:11 pm |