40m QRP CW Transceiver Build

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  • harleymac1

    Sharpshooter
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    6   0   0
    Dec 19, 2013
    343
    18
    Morgan County
    I started building my transceiver from QRP Labs today. The kit is called the QCX and only costs $49 but it is feature rich. The only thing I hated so far is winding the toroid you see in the pic. Anyone else enjoy kit building or morse code, low power ops?
    3cbb3aec5bbd89579bdbb7aa419b8106.jpg



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    fullmetaljesus

    Probably smoking a cigar.
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    6   0   0
    Jan 12, 2012
    5,849
    149
    Indy
    I've got a bitx40 rig that's not entirely complete yet.

    I'd love to get into Morse but I just have the time to devote that that skill.

    Very cool build tho. What's the farthest station you've worked?
     

    PistolBob

    Grandmaster
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    4   0   0
    Oct 6, 2010
    5,387
    83
    Midwest US
    I started building my transceiver from QRP Labs today. The kit is called the QCX and only costs $49 but it is feature rich. The only thing I hated so far is winding the toroid you see in the pic. Anyone else enjoy kit building or morse code, low power ops?
    3cbb3aec5bbd89579bdbb7aa419b8106.jpg



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    Looks great. That is one stuffed full board!
     

    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
    18
    Morgan County
    I've got a bitx40 rig that's not entirely complete yet.

    I'd love to get into Morse but I just have the time to devote that that skill.

    Very cool build tho. What's the farthest station you've worked?

    I had a Mountaintopper but sold it during a need for cash. Did not get to get out much with it but worked PA on about 3 watts CW. My longest contact is South Africa on 40m SSB with 100 watts. I used my Yaesu FT 991A and an 80m OCF dipole up about 25’ in the trees in my backyard.


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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
    18
    Morgan County
    Got some of the caps soldered in last night before I ate some dinner and went to bed. Taking my time with this build.
    64a789d189e717ea09e21948095e11d5.jpg



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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    Caps and diodes are in. Tonight I hope to vertically install the 60 resistors. The board is tight so you have to watch for solder bridges. Getting closer to getting on the air.


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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    Great looking build. I haven't worked HF in a while now but used to work PSK-31 on 20 and 40 meters.

    I have toyed with PSK a couple of times. I need to revisit that some time but I have been focused on learning Morse Code which is a time consuming venture between work and life.
     

    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    Put in about 12 resistors yesterday before I had to leave. My daughter signed her letter of intent yesterday to play softball at the University of Illinois so I did not get much done on the radio. Tonight I am shooting USPSA at Parabellum so probably very little solder smoke sniffing tonight either. For those interested I will post up a pic once all resistors are in. 73 W9BRI
     

    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    Progress made last night. I should be able to complete it this weekend. May have an issue with a 750k resistor but not sure yet. May be out if tolerance.
    6cb2a4fdeae064e2d5ccb9acd847246b.jpg



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    Sailor

    Master
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    19   0   0
    May 5, 2008
    3,716
    48
    Fort Wayne
    Looks great!

    I built a Bitx40 a few yrs ago. 3d printed case for it. I pretty much suck at soldering.

    My field radio is now an ft-815 with an all in one Rpi holding the gps and soundcard, in a 3d printed case. I run it headless to my phone. Mostly I use JS8Call

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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
    18
    Morgan County
    c1ad971477876a085913a0d762623b40.jpg
    it lives!! Finished major assembly today and added Anderson Power poles. Have some trimming on the 3D printed enclosure and tomorrow I will perform the alignment. She powers up so hopefully she hears and talks too.


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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    I ordered a QRP Guys No Tune EFHW kit that I will build when it gets here this week. I had one before and sold it with my Mountaintopper. It is perfect for portable operations. Your coax acts as your counterpoise so you only need a wire cut for the band you want to work. It can be ran as a vertical, sloper, inverted V, etc. Very versatile.


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    harleymac1

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    Dec 19, 2013
    343
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    Morgan County
    That is a perfect antenna for portable ops. I went to QRPGuys website and found a kit I am interested in building for JT65.

    I have had 2 or 3 items from those guys and have been very happy with every one of them. I am thinking of buying the mini tuner from them as well to build up just to have.
     

    phatgemi

    Expert
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    16   0   0
    Oct 1, 2008
    1,217
    63
    Metamora, IN
    Congrats on nice build. Eyes and skill preclude much building but I do dabble in qrp. Have a ten tec 20/40 qrp rig and a argonaut. Also have a xiegu g90 but it’s qro at 20 watts. Maybe we’ll run into you on the air.
     

    Backpacker

    Expert
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    27   0   0
    Apr 5, 2008
    932
    43
    Greenwood
    Are you planning to use a key for sending and receiving or are you using a computer? I apologize for my ignorance. Last time I used morse code was about twenty years ago when I passed the General's exam.
     
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