I discovered the uBITX around Christmas and had promised myself that when I Extra'ed, I'd setup my first HF shack.? The uBITX removed the financial barrier and two weeks after I discovered the uBITX I passed my Extra (50 of 50, to brag a bit) and the adventure was in full-swing.? I was aware of the anecdote of not to QRP for your first rig, but some frustration and failures do not dissuade me easily.
I decided against building my own antenna for my first go as the uBITX was already going to be somewhat of a variable and less variables == better, so I decided against my own wire+matchbox (9:1 or 64:1 unun was my plan) and went with an EFHW from MyAntennas, which seemed pretty well regarded.? I learned about configurations, gotchas of EF's, radiation patterns and about slingshotting fishing weights over tree limbs.
While waiting for my uBITX to ship I read mercilessly, every single post.? If there was a part number, I went and read.? If there was something I needed, I ordered it. (I have a stash of 2822's, sockets, IRF510's, RD16 and BN's sitting around).? Bought a new soldering iron, bought a handful of newly discovered SMD practice boards and then read some more.
My uBITX arrived and had the dreaded WX, but I was not discouraged for I had a stash of step-downs from eBay.? I rushed putting my uBITX together with a build that aesthetically belongs in class of what not to look like.? I printed a mic enclosure and a double paddle (I've been practicing my CW regularly) and brought it to life.? There were VOICES on my radio!? I tried some SSB CQ, but my output looked very low...some to follow-up on.
Next I built an audio interface (easy digi, but without the kit) and tried some FT8 because I have two young helpers who need to see results...they make activist investors look like puppy dogs, they don't want to hear daddy endlessly calling CQ, they need action!
I had my first uBITX QSO on FT8 last week and with my helpers we look at the map everyday.? We worked Mexico and down to Colombia shortly after.? Last night we managed our first FT8 QSO's across the pond to Slovenia and Hungary on my junkyard uBITX.
I write this not for myself, but because all this happened because of the fact that the uBITX being available changed a "someday" into a "Hmm, I can do this right now" and ignited a grand adventure for myself and a couple of young men.
Next up are CW and SSB QSO!? I've already met a local HF'er via FT8 who's going to be my testbed for SSB and I'm practicing for my first QRS CW QSO.
Thank you Ashhar for making our little hackable platform of discovery and thank you to the community for imparting the "Yeah, I can do this" motivation...without both this adventure and these discoveries probably didn't happen.
73 Rob AG5OV
