I just received the following from Ten-Tec:
We are progressing along per our schedule for having the 539 ready for orders at Dayton of 2012.
I have a hunch the Ten-Tec booth will be busy at the Hamvention this year.
For many, the CW event of the year is Straight Key Night (SKN). This is the time of year that you dust of the straight key and hit the bands with fellow hams who are using the most time-honored tradition for sending CW.
Regardless of your sending and receiving skills on CW, SKN has a lot in store for you. Since this is a non-contest event, fellow operators are more patient with making contacts and more likely to rag chew. For many, this is the first time they’ve used their straight key since the previous year’s SKN, thus CW speeds are more comfortable for the novice across the band.
Straight Key Night is held every January 1 from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC.
The ARRL has a great article about SKN–check it out and get pumped for a full day of straight key bliss.
It appears that Elecraft is now accepting orders for the KX3 QRP tranceiver that we first mentioned on QRPer.com during the 2011 Dayton Hamvention. Order are expected to be shipped in February 2012.
The kit version of the KX3 will be priced at $899.95 US, while the factory assembled and tested version will sell for $999.95 US.
Here are full details from an email via Elecraft’s Wayne (N6KR) and Eric (WA6HHQ):
Some of the [KX3] options can be ordered now, while others (including the internal 2-m module and 100-W external amplifier/ATU), will be available later this year.
The basic KX3 includes:
Available options include:
In addition, a custom-designed KX3 dust cover is available (please contact [email protected] ).
Delivery of both the basic KX3 and options subject to availability. As always, we invite suggestions for new features, improvements and accessories.
For more information ontheKX3, including pictures, specifications and videos, see our KX3 Page: http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm
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.
Dave Mayfield noticed a pattern in the bricks of this Milan, Illinois National Guard building.
(Source: WQAD)
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.
Ready for some serious browsing? Archive.org now has every issue of 73 Magazine from 1960 to 2003, available in PDF format for download.
(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.
Jim 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 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:
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