[KLQRP] QST Homebrew Challenge

[Derek Brown]

Todd,

The biggest stretches to me are the dual mode portion and the $50 parts
limits.  For $150 Steve Weber has a "serious" CW only rig with his ATS-3
series and there are some rigs from Small Wonders Labs that are high
performance as well.  The best deal for a newcomer that wants a
multiband, multi-mode transceiver is an old Heathkit HW-101.  I have
seen them at hamfests in working or near working condition for around
$125.  True, it lacks some of the latest, greatest technology but even
some of that can be added later.  Also that is a 100W class rig - much
better for the newcomer who wants / needs lots of QSO's.  With a dipole
antenna, antenna tuner (if desired), key and microphone the total tab
for a "good" first HF station can be well under $250 - expensive only
for a young kid.  But I have drifted far off frequency...

Derek   

-----Original Message-----
From: rfman at nc.rr.com [mailto:rfman at nc.rr.com] 
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 10:19 AM
To: Derek Brown
Cc: klqrp at knightlites.org
Subject: Re: RE: [KLQRP] QST Homebrew Challenge

I thought it was tough, too.  In fact, I thought it was a kind of
unrealistic set of specs.  $50 in onesie-twosie prices for most parts is
flat problematic.
Having something that is SSB AND CW, easy to align, etc, etc, good for a
beginner...and then saying it's OK to cripple the frequency agility
(crystal-
controlled) is really counterproductive and, again, not realistic.

I do think that lots of folks have designed very nice rigs, like
Elecraft and the German qrp project folks (who have LOTS of rigs to
choose from).
On the other hand, $50 for a rig that plugs into a PC is
reasonable...but DON'T charge anything against the $50 if the rig uses
standard PC hardware!!

I'm afraid that, in the end, not much useful will come out of this
effort due to some of the specs/rules.  On the other hand, opportunities
abound :-)

Todd

----- Original Message -----
From: Derek Brown <DEREK at rfmd.com>
Date: Friday, October 20, 2006 9:17 am
Subject: RE: [KLQRP] QST Homebrew Challenge
To: rfman at nc.rr.com, klqrp at knightlites.org

> Todd,
> 
> I scanned through the rules...very tough...Phone & CW...5W 
> output...verylimited test equipment...limited to $50 in materials.
> The only ray of
> sunshine is that it can be single band & crystal controlled.
> 
> Derek
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: klqrp-bounces at knightlites.org
> [mailto:klqrp-bounces at knightlites.org] On Behalf Of rfman at nc.rr.com
> Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 9:01 AM
> To: klqrp at knightlites.org
> Subject: [KLQRP] QST Homebrew Challenge
> 
> All,
> 
> Anyone seen this?
> 
> http://www.arrl.org/qst/hbc/
> 
> Anyone interested?  Comments?  This would be a good discussion forum 
> for this, at least for a little while :-)
> 
> Todd
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