Dave (NM0S) has updated the NorCal 40A transceiver kit. Here’s the information from NM0S’s website:
NM0S Electronics has received permission from the Wayne Burdick N6KR to produce an updated version of the legendary NorCal 40A CW Transceiver.
The new ‘B’ version kit overcomes the issues with obsolete components that caused the original kit to end production.
The NorCal 40B follows the design of the original faithfully, while adding a rugged pre-drilled, silkscreened enclosure!
The receiver in the NC40A is fabulous for such a simple superhet. It is nice to see a commercial re-spin.
Back in 2017 Chuck, K7QO spearheaded a group project on the Qrp-Tech group to homebrew an updated version of the NC40A with N6KR’s permission. The project produced an updated PCB design and parts list and made the Gerber files available. We then ordered our own PCBs from China and each sourced our own parts and homebrewed an updated NC40A. It was a wonderful building experience and I learned a lot from it.
Cheers
Michael VE3WMB
P.S. FWIW, the book “The Electronics of Radio” by David B. Rutledge is still available. This teaches analog electronics by working through the circuit analysis and building of an NC40A.
No display so how can a General or Advance know if they have wondered down into the Extra part of the band, 7.000-7.025???
Nice little toy.
73, ron, n9ee
When aligning it, one can use another radio with an accurate freq display to find where it’s transmitting. Just have that radio near the NorCal without an antenna attached. It’ll pick up the NorCal’s signal. If the 40b is like the 40a, there’s a really easy adjustment when one pulls the lid off the unit.
My wife and I built a 40a in 1996. It’s still one of my favorites. I often adjust the frequency range with that adjustment, as I really like the old Novice band, yet sometimes want to go down to 7.030.
George
KG8DA
You can always add a LCD frequency counter. You may need to know where to hook the frequency counter up and make sure it does not affect the circuit. You can find cheap LCD and LED frequency counters on ebay, amazon, etc. Otherwise, do it old school and add marks to the screen to indicate very 100 KHz (as an example).
That’s why we take exams: to understand electronics, the rules, the technology, and the principles of RF communications. In addition to that, the amateur radio discipline encourages solving such challenges as these over and above just the basic studying to pass the tech, general, and extra class testing.
Now, having said that, do you, if you’re a general or advanced class, have the initiative to solve that challenge.
I’ll leave you with this thought: I solved the problem by studying and getting my extra ticket.
I’ve built a few NM0S kits. They’re good.
Hi ~
NM0S Dave
I’m glad to see NorCal 40B .
NorCal 40A is an excellent WORK.
72~
Gu
BD4LB
I started my build on the NorCal 40B yesterday. It looks pretty straight forward. I have used this case design before. Very sturdy if it is done right.
Years ago, I built and used the Wilderness Radio Norcal 40. Sold it long ago.
I built the NC40A when it was a group project. Added a “Freqmite” audio frequency readout to and left the RIT unimplemented. It is a fine radio, used it just the other day.
Glad NM0S is offering a kit again. If am not mistaken the price isn’t much different than the Wilderness Radio kit back in the day.
A cute project, but I would place this rig firmly in the “vintage” and “nostalgia” category, as it’s quite primitive by todays standards. For $80, one can build a (tr)uSDX kit, get 5 bands instead of one, SSB/CW/digital in a package half the size and get a digital readout as well.
Different strokes, I guess…
The NorCal 40A/B has very pleasing audio and only draws 15mA on RX. It still has some advantages. It is a quite nice little radio to run.
-73 de Chris KQ6UP
Excellent! This is super news. I built the Norcal 40A about 20 years ago and it still serves me well– a great, simple, fun, and all around rig that performs very well. I’m ordering the 40B today. Looks like a great project for the winter. I broke it to my 40A that a little brother is on the way, lol.