Ken’s PCB holder makes for a great weekend project

Thanks, Ken (WA4MNT), for bringing this very cool and simple project to our attention.

Click here to download instructions–parts are available from Ken for $23, or components can be home-brewed (I can imagine the plastic components can be replaced with wood).

Check out some of Ken’s other projects at www.qrpbuilder.com.

 

Morse “encoded” National Guard building in Milan, Illinois

Dave Mayfield noticed a pattern in the bricks of this Milan, Illinois National Guard building.

(Source: WQAD)

If you have trouble viewing the embedded video above, please click this link to view on WQAD’s website.

Ham Radio Magazines now also available as a free download

Image source: VE3WGX

Just after we announced that 73 Magazine was available on archive.org as a free download, Ham Radio Magazine (1968-1990) is also now available. [Thanks to John AE5X (via QRP-L) and Eric WD8RIF for the tip!]

I cannot underscore the treasuretrove of information that you can mine out of these two publications. Both 73 and Ham Radio Mag have numerous articles related to home brewing, antenna design and low power operation.

What are you waiting for???  Christmas is here early! Go grab your copies of Ham Radio Magazine!

[UPDATE: It appears Ham Radio Magazine has been removed from Archive.org. Has anyone noticed if they’re still available somewhere online?  Please comment!]

Be sure to check a full index of article by topic at Bill VE3WGX’s website.

73 Magazine now available as free download

Ready for some serious browsing? Archive.org now has every issue of 73 Magazine from 1960 to 2003, available in PDF format for download.

Click here to go to the 73 Magazine page on Archive.org.

Comedian Tim Allen Stars as Radio Amateur on New TV Show

(Source: ARRL)

Tim Allen — star of Home Improvement, Toy Story, The Santa Clause and Galaxy Quest, just to name a few — stars in Last Man Standing, an ABC comedy airing at 8 PM (EST) on Tuesday nights. Allen plays Mike Baxter, KA0XTT, a married father of three and the director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods store in Colorado whose life is dominated by women. While Amateur Radio has not been prominently featured in the first episodes, according to John Amodeo, NN6JA — the producer of Last Man Standing — it is a part of the show and an important part of Mike’s character. The episode that will establish Mike as a radio amateur is currently scheduled to air in mid-January.

Read the full article at the ARRL website.

The YouKits HB1B four band transceiver now available at Ten-Tec

YouKits HB1B Four Band QRP TransceiverJim Wharton (NO4A) announced on QRP-L this morning that Ten-Tec has received their first shipment of  YouKits HB1B four band QRP transceivers and they are ready for sale. Ten-Tec is the exclusive distributor for for the Canadian company YouKits, hence will honor all warranties. The HB1B is not a kit, in fact it is fully assembled and ready for use.

Click here to view/purchase the YouKits HB1B at Ten-Tec.

HB1B Description (Courtesy of Ten-Tec)

HB1B Four Band CW QRP Transceiver

Come enjoy the fun of QRP operation with this simple, light weight, palm of your hand, trail friendly quad band transceiver.

TEN-TEC is the exclusive U.S. distributor for the YouKits brand.

The YouKits HB1B covers 80-40-30-20 meter amateur bands.

It is a fully assembled transceiver using the latest SMT technology.

Receives SSB & CW. Transmits CW only.

Features:

  • Bright easy to read LCD display informs you of frequency, mode, supply voltage, S meter, RIT and more
  • BNC RF connector
  • Sensitivity (typical) .8 micro volts. MDS .2 micro volts
  • Transmitter power, 5 watts (typical)
  • Powerful DDS electronic synthesizers allow 3.2-16 MHz general coverage receive.
  • Convenient 30 frequency memory storage
  • Includes internal battery holders for Lithium batteries. An external (optional) 12 to 14 VDC regulated power supply may also be used.
  • Easily adjustable tuning steps for both Amateur bands and general short wave listening.
  • Low current consumption: About 60 mA on receive or about 800 mA on transmit depending on supply voltage
  • Built in adjustable keyer with automatic CQ and call sign insertion for memory keying.
  • Use with straight key or your favorite key paddle.
  • Adjustable 4 pole crystal filter, 400Hz to 3KHz continuousely adjustable.
  • 8 ohm headphone output (requires stereo plug). No internal speaker.
  • RIT (receive incremental tuning) allows for 10Hz or 100 Hz tuning
  • Power Plug- 2.1mm ID x 5.5mm OD with center positive. The Radio Shack part number for an equivalent is 274-1567. They come in a two pack for $3.29.
  • An optional Lithium battery pack R9411 is available, requires slight modification to the radio.
  • Size: 5.2” X 3.4” X 1.4” (not including knobs)
  • Weight: 14 oz (not including batteries)

Black Friday at Hendricks QRP Kits: Free domestic and international shipping

Wow–a Black Friday event I can certainly get my head around!

From Doug Hendricks via QRP-L:

Friday is known as “Black Friday” because most of the stores have big sales to attract the shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving. I thought about this and decided to do a QRP version. Here is the announcement.

Hendricks QRP Kits will have a Black Friday Sale from 12:01 AM Thursday to Midnight Friday (0801 GMT to 0800 GMT). During this sale, if your order shipped to a US address is $50 or more, you will get free shipping. And, if your order shipped to a DX address is $150 or more, your shipping will be free. All kits are included, nothing is held back. I have all kits in stock and ready to ship. Kits will ship starting Monday, Nov. 28th. When you place your order via paypal, I will refund your postage. If you order via US mail, the order needs to be postmarked Friday, Nov. 25th. Please do not include shipping and handling if you are ordering via mail. I have never had a Black Friday sale, but thought it might be fun to do. This is your opportunity to “Save the Shipping” on your Christmas orders. 72,
Doug

Check out what’s available at Hendricks QRP Kits!

Ham Radio Licenses at an All-Time High

(Source: Fox News)

The newest trend in American communication isn’t another smartphone from Apple or Google but one of the elder statesmen of communication: Ham radio licenses are at an all time high, with over 700,000 licenses in the United States, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Ham radio first took the nation by storm nearly a hundred years ago. Last month the FCC logged 700,314 licenses, with nearly 40,000 new ones in the last five years. Compare that with 2005 when only 662,600 people hammed it up and you’ll see why the American Radio Relay League — the authority on all things ham — is calling it a “golden age.”

“Over the last five years we’ve had 20-25,000 new hams a year,” Allen Pitts, a spokesman for the group, told FoxNews.com.

Read the full article at Fox News.

W1AW announces new winter schedule

(Source: ARRL)

With the switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, has updated the W1AW operating schedule to reflect the change. Your local standard times have not changed, but the UTC times they reference have.

Click here to read full article and winter schedule.

NAQCC Sprint Tuesday Night

The NAQCC Sprint is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you must use QRP power levels to compete for awards.

The sprint will be held Wednesday, October 12, 0030-0230Z (Tuesday PM, EST).

For rules and general information, please check the NAQCC’s website.

The NAQCC has a great newsletter and monthly events open to all. You can join the NAQCC for free–for life–by visiting their membership page!

QRP radios, product announcements, reviews, news and more. Low power amateur radio fun!