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Hello Folks,
I'm a newbie. I just got my HAM license.
For the last two weeks I've been looking around for a small, portable QRP rig, that has SSB phone & PSK31. An ideal rig would be a dual-band with 20 & 17/15/10/6 meters.
I haven't been able to find one, other than a rig from Russia that doesn't have much support, as far as documentation.
I notice there is plenty of documentation on the BITX. However, I'm not so technically inclined. I could study before I put one of these together. Yet, I have lots of things going on right now, & would rather not have to put a kit together for my first radio. At this point I'd just like to get on the air & start practicing.
What I'd like to do is just purchase a kit that has bee completely assembled. However, there are no assembled BITXs with these specs that I could find.
Does anyone know if these are available fully assembled?
I realize this is an email list for people who construct their own BITX kits. Yet, I thought it would be a good start to find out if this is possible.
If not, are there HAMs who would put one together for me if I paid them?
I was thinking about placing an AD on craigslist, or in one of the classified sub-forums on a ham website.
Your suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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Mark… I’m sure someone around you will help you.? What city do you live in? ? ? Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton – J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: Like us on Facebook! ? Moderator – North American QRO Yahoo Group. ? email:? bill@... ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mark via Groups.Io
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2018 11:13 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [BITX20] Looking for Completely Functional Dual-Band 20/(17/15/10/6) Meter QRP Rig with SSB/PSK #bitx20help ? Hello Folks,
I'm a newbie. I just got my HAM license.
For the last two weeks I've been looking around for a small, portable QRP rig, that has SSB phone & PSK31. An ideal rig would be a dual-band with 20 & 17/15/10/6 meters.
I haven't been able to find one, other than a rig from Russia that doesn't have much support, as far as documentation.
I notice there is plenty of documentation on the BITX. However, I'm not so technically inclined. I could study before I put one of these together. Yet, I have lots of things going on right now, & would rather not have to put a kit together for my first radio. At this point I'd just like to get on the air & start practicing.
What I'd like to do is just purchase a kit that has bee completely assembled. However, there are no assembled BITXs with these specs that I could find.
Does anyone know if these are available fully assembled?
I realize this is an email list for people who construct their own BITX kits. Yet, I thought it would be a good start to find out if this is possible.
If not, are there HAMs who would put one together for me if I paid them?
I was thinking about placing an AD on craigslist, or in one of the classified sub-forums on a ham website.
Your suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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?This is a really easy rig to put together.? ?A friend of mines 9 year old granddaughter put together a Ubitx.?
On 24 Feb 2018 11:13 am, "Mark via Groups.Io" <mboston72= [email protected]> wrote: Hello Folks,
I'm a newbie. I just got my HAM license.
For the last two weeks I've been looking around for a small, portable QRP rig, that has SSB phone & PSK31. An ideal rig would be a dual-band with 20 & 17/15/10/6 meters.
I haven't been able to find one, other than a rig from Russia that doesn't have much support, as far as documentation.
I notice there is plenty of documentation on the BITX. However, I'm not so technically inclined. I could study before I put one of these together. Yet, I have lots of things going on right now, & would rather not have to put a kit together for my first radio. At this point I'd just like to get on the air & start practicing.
What I'd like to do is just purchase a kit that has bee completely assembled. However, there are no assembled BITXs with these specs that I could find.
Does anyone know if these are available fully assembled?
I realize this is an email list for people who construct their own BITX kits. Yet, I thought it would be a good start to find out if this is possible.
If not, are there HAMs who would put one together for me if I paid them?
I was thinking about placing an AD on craigslist, or in one of the classified sub-forums on a ham website.
Your suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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Art,
I thank you for the response. I suppose I could consider it if there was not much of a learning curve. I don't have the tools for soldering. I'm guessing there is a bit of a learning curve to do this properly. You think it is reasonable for me to think that I can easily put a working rig together (such as the one I specified) without much technical knowledge or specialized tools?
Thanks,
Mark
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Have you looked at the Yaesu FT-817? You didn't mention price range but it is a great little radio. There isn't much you can't do with it.
On Feb 24, 2018 12:13, "Mark via Groups.Io" <mboston72= [email protected]> wrote: Hello Folks,
I'm a newbie. I just got my HAM license.
For the last two weeks I've been looking around for a small, portable QRP rig, that has SSB phone & PSK31. An ideal rig would be a dual-band with 20 & 17/15/10/6 meters.
I haven't been able to find one, other than a rig from Russia that doesn't have much support, as far as documentation.
I notice there is plenty of documentation on the BITX. However, I'm not so technically inclined. I could study before I put one of these together. Yet, I have lots of things going on right now, & would rather not have to put a kit together for my first radio. At this point I'd just like to get on the air & start practicing.
What I'd like to do is just purchase a kit that has bee completely assembled. However, there are no assembled BITXs with these specs that I could find.
Does anyone know if these are available fully assembled?
I realize this is an email list for people who construct their own BITX kits. Yet, I thought it would be a good start to find out if this is possible.
If not, are there HAMs who would put one together for me if I paid them?
I was thinking about placing an AD on craigslist, or in one of the classified sub-forums on a ham website.
Your suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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Hello Patrick,
Yes, that is my "someday" QRP unit. Right now its out of my price range. Because I'm also looking for a decent HT for about $100, I'd like to keep the cost of my HF QRP rig under $300. They were selling on eBay for about $500. So, perhaps my expectations are inconsistent with this price range?
Thanks,
Mark
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They say the FT-818 will be coming out soon. I think Gigaparts is taking pre-orders. Still, that radio came out in 2001 and it hasn't changed much so the 818 didn't do much for me.
Jack, W8TEE
From: Patrick G <KC9RGE@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2018 12:44 PM
Subject: Re: [BITX20] Looking for Completely Functional Dual-Band 20/(17/15/10/6) Meter QRP Rig with SSB/PSK #bitx20help
Have you looked at the Yaesu FT-817? You didn't mention price range but it is a great little radio. There isn't much you can't do with it.
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Mark,
?If you would be interested in a Bitx40 CW/USB/LSB with AGC CW filter and built in keyer with case get back to me. I have just finished my Ubitx and the bitx40 is just going to sit looking for a good home.
?E-mail or call
dherron at live dot com seven three four- seven one six- six nine one seven
--
David
?N8DAH
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Mark:
Welcome to the group! First, the ?BITX is what I call a "semi-kit" and not offered assembled. Go to HF Signals web site (hfsignals.com) and look at the "Wiring" instructions (?BITX-->Wireup). I think you will find that it's really very simple to do because all of the on-board components are already in place. Second, after reading those instructions, if you're still uncomfortable, go to a local ham club meeting about 45 minutes before the meeting starts and introduce yourself and explain what you're goals are. I would be surprised if someone didn't offer to help you build the ?BITX.
Still, I think your best approach is to order the rig now, study the wiring diagrams while you wait for it to arrive, and then put it together yourself (or with a mentor watching you). That way, you'll know something about your radio and that's always a good thing. There's also plenty of hand-holding available on this site from some very bright and helpful people. Dollar-for-dollar, I think you'll find this is your best option.
Jack, W8TEE
From: Mark via Groups.Io <mboston72@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2018 12:13 PM
Subject: [BITX20] Looking for Completely Functional Dual-Band 20/(17/15/10/6) Meter QRP Rig with SSB/PSK #bitx20help
Hello Folks,
I'm a newbie. I just got my HAM license.
For the last two weeks I've been looking around for a small, portable QRP rig, that has SSB phone & PSK31. An ideal rig would be a dual-band with 20 & 17/15/10/6 meters.
I haven't been able to find one, other than a rig from Russia that doesn't have much support, as far as documentation.
I notice there is plenty of documentation on the BITX. However, I'm not so technically inclined. I could study before I put one of these together. Yet, I have lots of things going on right now, & would rather not have to put a kit together for my first radio. At this point I'd just like to get on the air & start practicing.
What I'd like to do is just purchase a kit that has bee completely assembled. However, there are no assembled BITXs with these specs that I could find.
Does anyone know if these are available fully assembled?
I realize this is an email list for people who construct their own BITX kits. Yet, I thought it would be a good start to find out if this is possible.
If not, are there HAMs who would put one together for me if I paid them?
I was thinking about placing an AD on craigslist, or in one of the classified sub-forums on a ham website.
Your suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
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If you get a uBitx, you will have to do some soldering, also some mechanical work.
Will at least want to mount the controls and connectors to a panel,
then nail that and the main PCB to a sheet of plywood.?
Will need an adequate power supply.
Once having put it together, it may not be obvious if it's working
Possibly some time spent on debug, especially if you are just now learning to solder.
Will need a decent outdoor antenna to hear any signals.
And will need a dummy load and some way to measure power to see if the transmitter is working.
If you haven't done any of this before, figure on weeks of weekends to get it going,
plus an investment in soldering iron, multimeter, and hand tools.
You would learn a lot if you bought a uBitx, it's time well spent.
You may need assistance from a local ham to get going.
Hard to get around it, you will either need money or time to get on HF.
Or possibly a good lead on some cheap used gear, perhaps ask at the local ham club.
The $100 VHF FM handheld, on the other hand, you can pull out of the box and operate.
About as challenging as using a cell phone.
Jerry
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On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 09:52 am, Mark wrote:
Yes, that is my "someday" QRP unit. Right now its out of my price range. Because I'm also looking for a decent HT for about $100, I'd like to keep the cost of my HF QRP rig under $300. They were selling on eBay for about $500. So, perhaps my expectations are inconsistent with this price range?
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As Jerry says, a GOOD
antenna is the problem for most.
I don't receive much
where I am.??? I had a 50' long wire, and then the property
owner cut down the tree!
I built a 6' Loop, I
get some reception when the band is open.? I would like to put
it on the Stump of the beautiful tree he cut down!? But I keep
it hidden in the car port.
It is hard to beat a
dipole up as high as possible.?? People that I have met lately
don't know what ham radio is and think the antennas have to
go!?? They just don't get it.? A friend came from Las Vegas
last week, I hooked bitX to the Loop ant. I found some guys
rag chewing in the Arizona area, he thought it was stupid!? He
has an I phone for that!
So, the radio is easy
part in my opinion?? Us older guys can't climb towers or trees
anymore either.?
73's
Mike, WA6ISP
On 2/24/2018 10:15 AM, Jerry Gaffke via
Groups.Io wrote:
If you get a uBitx,
you will have to do some soldering, also some mechanical work.
Will at least want to mount the controls and connectors to a
panel,
then nail that and the main PCB to a sheet of plywood.?
Will need an adequate power supply.
Once having put it together, it may not be obvious if it's working
Possibly some time spent on debug, especially if you are just now
learning to solder.
Will need a decent outdoor antenna to hear any signals.
And will need a dummy load and some way to measure power to see if
the transmitter is working.
If you haven't done any of this before, figure on weeks of
weekends to get it going,
plus an investment in soldering iron, multimeter, and hand tools.
You would learn a lot if you bought a uBitx, it's time well spent.
You may need assistance from a local ham to get going.
Hard to get around it, you will either need money or time to get
on HF.
Or possibly a good lead on some cheap used gear, perhaps ask at
the local ham club.
The $100 VHF FM handheld, on the other hand, you can pull out of
the box and operate.
About as challenging as using a cell phone.
Jerry
On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 09:52 am, Mark wrote:
Yes, that is my "someday" QRP unit. Right now its out
of my price range. Because I'm also looking for a decent HT for
about $100, I'd like to keep the cost of my HF QRP rig under
$300. They were selling on eBay for about $500. So, perhaps my
expectations are inconsistent with this price range?
--
Mike Hagen, WA6ISP
10917 Bryant Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
(909) 918-0058
PayPal ID "MotDog@..."
Mike@...
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Mike & Jerry,
I appreciate you both taking the time to reply.
Jerry, It would be nice to learn about putting this kit together, because that would be highly useful knowledge. I would rather not go the lazy route, yet I would like to start practicing HF communication. I think you have an excellent point. There are no 20 meter rigs available for both SSB & PSK. To put the uBitx together might take me weeks, possibly longer. I will have to learn the basics, how to hookup a battery & power source. I would also need the tools.
Mike, I realize that the antenna is (according to some) is the most important part of the HAM radio. I was thinking about the, Ultralight 40-6 Meter HF Off-Center Fed Dipole QRP Portable Multiband Antenna, for $50 on eBay. I will need a tuner (hopefully small & highly portable).
Thanks,
Mark
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Hello Jack,
Another option. Maybe I can get in contact with a local HAM club. It would probably be best for me to join one anyway.
Can you tell me if this uBit has both SSB phone & PSK?
Thanks,
Mark
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On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 10:12 am, N8DAH wrote:
David
Hi David, That is very kind of you to offer. I was thinking about using a 40-meter monoband QRP because 40 meters is the open-all-the-time work horse band. However, I'd rather not have to climb up very high in the woods 40 feet or so, to hang a 130 foot dipole. The vertical antennas that I saw were not so portable. I think one person suggested hanging a vertical wire from a piece of paracord, so that might be a possibility. For safety reasons (& portability) I thought a 20-meter would be my best option. From what I understand, a 20-meter dipole is only 15 feet up? Thanks, Mark
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I use a center supported inverted V tuned to 40m. 32ish feet a leg, center on a rope over a branch with a rock toss and legs with rope and stacked to the ground. -- David
?N8DAH
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If you're on a budget and don't want to fiddle with soldering, David's offer of a working 40m rig?
seems ideal.? There are no hard and fast rules about antennas, a 64 foot long dipole (or inverted V)
20' up?should get out just fine on 40m, lots of folks on 40m with a 10 foot whip bolted to the
back bumper while driving down the freeway.? Most hams on digital modes use an SSB transceiver
with cables from the microphone and headphone jacks into a computer's soundcard.
Several in this forum have reported success using the Bitx40 and the uBitx on digital modes.
Jerry
?
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On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 02:44 pm, Mark wrote:
That is very kind of you to offer. I was thinking about using a 40-meter monoband QRP because 40 meters is the open-all-the-time work horse band. However, I'd rather not have to climb up very high in the woods 40 feet or so, to hang a 130 foot dipole. The vertical antennas that I saw were not so portable. I think one person suggested hanging a vertical wire from a piece of paracord, so that might be a possibility. For safety reasons (& portability) I thought a 20-meter would be my best option. From what I understand, a 20-meter dipole is only 15 feet up?
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Hi Jerry,
Thanks for recommendation. This might be the best deal for my situation. I'm glad to hear that that I have some flexibility & portability with the antenna for the 40-meter. I'd rather have the 40 than the 20, because it's open day & night.
Mark
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David,
Is that the silver rig there, at the top of the page, on http://www.kit-projects.com? I probably should have mentioned that I'm looking for something smaller for my backpack (or radio bag),? something lightweight, with a battery. I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Mark
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HAAT (Height Above Terrain) is only part of the story, and mostly what is quoted is a recommended 'effective' height of deployment. In fact, anything conductive held insulated above ground can be an antenna - an old saying describes a random wire slung into a tree as a 'piece of wet string', and that, too, can be made to work. Upshot: you don't "have to climb". Sling a fishing line, use that to haul a rope, use that as a lanyard to haul up (and anchor) your antenna.
73
Dex, ZL2DEX
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I recommend looking up some YouTube videos, there are plenty, and easy to construct. And feds are good, easy to construct and you don't need to get them that high off the ground, just like the previous post said. I'm sure you will find one that fits your needs. Just like any good ham, some research and scrounging around for parts and you'll be upp and running in no time
On Feb 24, 2018 18:29, "Mark via Groups.Io" <mboston72= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Jerry,
Thanks for recommendation. This might be the best deal for my situation. I'm glad to hear that that I have some flexibility & portability with the antenna for the 40-meter. I'd rather have the 40 than the 20, because it's open day & night.
Mark
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Mark K0ABD
K9HZ
Art Howard
N8DAH