Re: Next LIVE streamed Buildathon update
Hi Rex! Good job getting the re-design done and tested!
?
I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving.
?
Are you providing the tin this time around? If not, where did you source yours?
?
I have not had much luck finding anything from that brand/company locally.
?
73,
?
Tom - N8TPN
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Re: Next LIVE streamed Buildathon update
A Holiday delay would be welcomed indeed Rex as we will get back to FL on Dec 30 from seeing the grandbabies near Chicago, but building from the video is a very nice option nonetheless. The same goes for the companion kits I ordered in parallel. 72/73 de KU9L
On Sat, Nov 30, 2024 at 1:02 PM, Rex Harper via groups.io <tunacankits@...> wrote:
Gangue,
The next LIVE stream
Buildathon from QRPme/W1REX is scheduled for Friday night
December 13th. That was a mutual time between mine and N1SH's
schedules but the date might be pushed back a bit due to me
dropping the ball on some pcbs. I have the missing boards in
process now but shipping to me and then out to builders adds
about 2 weeks to the schedule so Dec 13th is a really tight
time frame... The date sounded goo a month ago but stuff
happened on the farm that got me really side-tracked.
The build kit is a new
version of my keyer/paddles kit. As per my homage to the
vintage kits that really busted the QRP kitting age wide open:
Tuna Tin 2, CB Slider, Herring Aid 5, The Oner, this kit is
LOOSLY based on the Sardine Sender. But it isn't an 80m
transmitter made with parts from Raddio Shack and it isn't in
a sardine tin. Sardine tins are rather nondescript after you
remove the paper wrapper or box they come in. This kit is
based on the Tuna Salad tin...which looks like a sardine tin
only prettier! I have to substitute simpler designs into the
buildathon series in order to have the build time from start
to finish a more reasonable time for a short 1 to 2 hour time
slot. So the 80m transmitter 'sender' in a sardine tin has
been morphed into a keyer/paddles Morse sending design in a
tuna salad tin that looks like a sardine tin.
Maine features are:
jumper selected:
paddle operation into a
transmitter with build in keyer like the Rockmite
???? or
single line keyer
output for operating into a straight key jack on a simple
transmitter
Full featured keyer
chip with dual messages and pot selected speed selection
Built in side tone
EASY to build
Fits in a beautiful
Delamaris Tuna Salad tin.
Built in 'piggy bank'
base for weight.
check it out here:?
You can buy the kit and
build along with the live stream or build later with the
archived live stream in a tutorial mode using pause/play
Or you can simply
watch/enjoy it for FREE as there are no paywalls or passwords
to the live stream! It will broadcast on my YouTube broadcast
account.
There are 4 previous
live streams I've hosted over the past year available on my
website:
Maybe we will see you
there...
Rex?? W1REX
|
Next LIVE streamed Buildathon update
Gangue,
The next LIVE stream
Buildathon from QRPme/W1REX is scheduled for Friday night
December 13th. That was a mutual time between mine and N1SH's
schedules but the date might be pushed back a bit due to me
dropping the ball on some pcbs. I have the missing boards in
process now but shipping to me and then out to builders adds
about 2 weeks to the schedule so Dec 13th is a really tight
time frame... The date sounded goo a month ago but stuff
happened on the farm that got me really side-tracked.
The build kit is a new
version of my keyer/paddles kit. As per my homage to the
vintage kits that really busted the QRP kitting age wide open:
Tuna Tin 2, CB Slider, Herring Aid 5, The Oner, this kit is
LOOSLY based on the Sardine Sender. But it isn't an 80m
transmitter made with parts from Raddio Shack and it isn't in
a sardine tin. Sardine tins are rather nondescript after you
remove the paper wrapper or box they come in. This kit is
based on the Tuna Salad tin...which looks like a sardine tin
only prettier! I have to substitute simpler designs into the
buildathon series in order to have the build time from start
to finish a more reasonable time for a short 1 to 2 hour time
slot. So the 80m transmitter 'sender' in a sardine tin has
been morphed into a keyer/paddles Morse sending design in a
tuna salad tin that looks like a sardine tin.
Maine features are:
jumper selected:
paddle operation into a
transmitter with build in keyer like the Rockmite
???? or
single line keyer
output for operating into a straight key jack on a simple
transmitter
Full featured keyer
chip with dual messages and pot selected speed selection
Built in side tone
EASY to build
Fits in a beautiful
Delamaris Tuna Salad tin.
Built in 'piggy bank'
base for weight.
check it out here:?
You can buy the kit and
build along with the live stream or build later with the
archived live stream in a tutorial mode using pause/play
Or you can simply
watch/enjoy it for FREE as there are no paywalls or passwords
to the live stream! It will broadcast on my YouTube broadcast
account.
There are 4 previous
live streams I've hosted over the past year available on my
website:
Maybe we will see you
there...
Rex?? W1REX
|
Re: Been trying to reach Rex... My order is missing
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Re: Been trying to reach Rex... My order is missing
Not qrpkits.com. Wrong website?
?
to contact Rex, try w1rex at megalink dot net
?
GL,
Bruce N1RX
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Re: Been trying to reach Rex... My order is missing
Look at the bottom of the page here ...
?
On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 10:06?PM David Knapp via <renewables= [email protected]> wrote: I've been ordering from Rex since 2014 & had the same issues on & off. Me dealing with sudden cataracts in 2016-2018 took me out, but would have bought more afterwards if I could have got luckier at dealing with pwb version & schematic differences, but rarely was someone building the same kit at the same time I was. Rex has a lot of family & other interests going on simultaneous to QRPme. He will resurface, hold firm. I look forward to the new Rockmite versions when we get to FL for the winter, currently we are buttoning up USFS campgrounds in CO for the next 7 weeks.
I want to build it as a 30M 10.116Mhz with the Rock Topper with the Alex Loop magloop tuner. Aaron W4ARB shows how well his Alex Loop works at QRP levels in his YT channel. On 30M POTA no VFO is required for sure so the Rockmite & Amp should be a good combo if the offset is good, I have questions about that as my 63 year old ears aren't as good as they once were.
Cheers,
Davey - KU9L? On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 7:09 PM, ab2ts via Does anyone have a reliable way to reach Rex? ? Sorry to do this here, but I'm not getting replies to my emails.? Perhaps I have the wrong email address.
?
I made a decent size order on July 24 which I have not received.? It has been 6 weeks now.? I sent few query emails to tunacankits@...? with no response. ? I hesitate to contact him through PayPal as I assume that triggers some red flags at PayPal.? Mail theft is virtually unheard of at my address but I suppose is not out of the question.? If it was shipped, perhaps it can be tracked. ? ?
Help!
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Re: Been trying to reach Rex... My order is missing
I've been ordering from Rex since 2014 & had the same issues on & off. Me dealing with sudden cataracts in 2016-2018 took me out, but would have bought more afterwards if I could have got luckier at dealing with pwb version & schematic differences, but rarely was someone building the same kit at the same time I was. Rex has a lot of family & other interests going on simultaneous to QRPme. He will resurface, hold firm. I look forward to the new Rockmite versions when we get to FL for the winter, currently we are buttoning up USFS campgrounds in CO for the next 7 weeks.
I want to build it as a 30M 10.116Mhz with the Rock Topper with the Alex Loop magloop tuner. Aaron W4ARB shows how well his Alex Loop works at QRP levels in his YT channel. On 30M POTA no VFO is required for sure so the Rockmite & Amp should be a good combo if the offset is good, I have questions about that as my 63 year old ears aren't as good as they once were.
Cheers,
On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 7:09 PM, ab2ts via groups.io <sciascia@...> wrote: Does anyone have a reliable way to reach Rex? ? Sorry to do this here, but I'm not getting replies to my emails. ?Perhaps I have the wrong email address.
?
I made a decent size order on July 24 which I have not received. ?It has been 6 weeks now. ?I sent few query emails to tunacankits@...? with no response. ? I hesitate to contact him through PayPal as I assume that triggers some red flags at PayPal. ?Mail theft is virtually unheard of at my address but I suppose is not out of the question. ?If it was shipped, perhaps it can be tracked. ? ?
Help!
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Re: Buildathon #4 & Lobstercon2024
As they say, I'm all better now. Really bummed to have missed year 25.
Stephen, N1SH
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Re: Buildathon #4 & Lobstercon2024
Gangue,
It did happen and it didn't happen! Stephen was supposed to be at
Lobstercon and was going to help organize the Buildathon? and get
it online but at the last minute he tested positive for Covid,
again, and couldn't attend. There are a lot of hams and QRPers who
fit the very susceptible category so we thought it best for
Stephen to stay home... i attempted to link up with him via Skype
and he could have broadcast it out over my YouTube broadcast
channel but I couldn't get a data connection worth the attempt. So
we passed of the Buildathon and I moved on to getting set up to
cook 125 lobsters!!
All in all, Lobstercon came off pretty good despite all the
problems I had last week. The Friday night SmokeFest was a hit and
everyone waddled off their campsite afterwards completely full.
Although my Rexo55 BBQ grill was out of commission, we managed to
again fill everyone up again for lunch on Saturday. The mini-QRP
Swap Session was very thin this year so it was a perfect time to
try to do a Live Stream from the field but we just could not get
any data out of the campground. My plan B was to try to use the
area over by the log cabin snack building to hold the Buildathon
as there is WIFI over there but there was a corporate employee
party using that area so my grand idea had to be scrapped.
I did drop a bombshell to the Lobstercon campers after the
lobster dinner was over. I announced that the Lobstercon party
hosted by ME was finally coming to an end after 25 years! I pulled
the plug on MY hosting it and challenged the Lobstercon family to
come up with a plan to allow it to continue. So several plans are
afoot to hold Lobstercon2025! in the same place at roughly the
same time next year but hosted by a contingent of Lobstercon
regulars... We shall see...
As for the Live Stream Buildathon #4, I still have form cleaning
and storing to do of my rather large collection of cookers,
stoves, pots etc, and Stephen has to get over Covid so when we get
together to do the Buildathon, he won't give Covid to me...again!
I'll keep the Buildathon crowd informed by direct emails.
Rex? W!REX
On 7/23/2024 8:59 AM, Tom, N8TPN wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I have not been able to determine if a video for Buildathon
#4 at Lobstercon2024 was ever posted or streamed.
I know that Rex was going to attempt to do it via cellphone
connection, and I am wondering if that worked.
?
I have not found it on Rex's Youtube channel, but maybe it
was hosted somewhere else. If so, is there a link to that stream
or video?
?
My Cento x-1er-O showed up on Mon 22 Jul, so I still need to
build it and the LPF kit.
?
I hope everyone had fun at Lobstercon this year, and hope
that our schedule will allow my wife and I to attend it next
year!
?
73,
?
Tom - N8TPN
|
Buildathon #4 & Lobstercon2024
I have not been able to determine if a video for Buildathon #4 at Lobstercon2024 was ever posted or streamed.
?
I know that Rex was going to attempt to do it via cellphone connection, and I am wondering if that worked.
?
I have not found it on Rex's Youtube channel, but maybe it was hosted somewhere else. If so, is there a link to that stream or video?
?
My Cento x-1er-O showed up on Mon 22 Jul, so I still need to build it and the LPF kit.
?
I hope everyone had fun at Lobstercon this year, and hope that our schedule will allow my wife and I to attend it next year!
?
73,
?
Tom - N8TPN
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Re: NEW QRPme stuff in July 2024!
Have a good time & bon appetite.
Gangue,
I've been working for
several months on lots of NEW kits and upgrades to old
designs. We had had 3 live streamed video Buildathons using
new updates on on old classics. Classic designs are in general
simpler from simpler times so using them as the basis kit for
a Buildathon allows for quicker builds. Of course, I can never
just do an old design, I have to update them for more FUN and
what we used to call in the toy business 'play value'. I put a
link to a YouTube video on the new kits on my
homepage. The biggest items are the updated RockMite
transceiver and RockTopper Amp now with band module capability
and nice extruded aluminum cases.
Check it out.
I'll be QRT for a
couple of days I'm heading off to Lobstercon shortly. Much FUN
and many mouths to feed....
Rex? W1REX
|
NEW QRPme stuff in July 2024!
Gangue,
I've been working for
several months on lots of NEW kits and upgrades to old
designs. We had had 3 live streamed video Buildathons using
new updates on on old classics. Classic designs are in general
simpler from simpler times so using them as the basis kit for
a Buildathon allows for quicker builds. Of course, I can never
just do an old design, I have to update them for more FUN and
what we used to call in the toy business 'play value'. I put a
link to a YouTube video on the new kits on my
homepage. The biggest items are the updated RockMite
transceiver and RockTopper Amp now with band module capability
and nice extruded aluminum cases.
Check it out.
I'll be QRT for a
couple of days I'm heading off to Lobstercon shortly. Much FUN
and many mouths to feed....
Rex? W1REX
|
Re: My Two Tinned Tunas EZBuild - Transmit Issue
Hello gang, I finally got back to my Two Tinned Tunas EZ Build that did not work.? Fixed it.? It is working correctly now.? Yay! Sadly, it had been sitting around in my project / junk box so it got bounced around.? Lost the original final transistor and 7.110 crystal.? I do have a 7.030 crystal that was still in the can.? I think the LED had come loose somehow.? So, I desoldered it...? Well, attempted to desolder it multiple times.? I spent time on reading various methods of how to desolder on youtube including using simply a soldering iron with a clean tip and using fresh solder for heat transfer, solder wick, a good solder sucker like my Engineer solder sucker, hot air gun, and then Chip Quik solder alloy.? ?The solder sucker worked the best - after many, many attempts.? Even though I failed.? I came back another day and tried again.? I was not doing it just for this project, I wanted to make sure I learned to desolder.? But I finally got the tiny LED lead that stuck in the hole out.? This is why I could not get the hole clear.? A very tiny broken lead in the hole.? Resoldered the LED.?? I discovered that the sockets for the final transistor and the crystal were not making a good connection.? So, I desoldered the sockets for both the cyrstal and the transistor and then solderd a new crystal and a new 2N2222A (Q2) can transistor directly.? This earlier message helped me to learn to replace Q3 for the keyer because the LED stayed on.? This solved the last problem. ?I had an extra 2N3906 PNP transistor. /g/QRpmeKits/topic/two_tined_tunas_need_some/104782826Anyways, I tried the various suggestions that Rex suggested.? It helped.? I think there is some intermittent issues once in a blue moon probably with some connection / soldering issue.? ?Other than that I hear the transmitter on my rig when keying.? The LED only shows when I key.? The crystal is 7.030 MHz but I hear it on about 7.029.?? The area 7.030 is a terrible place to do testing because it is around a popular spot in the band.? But I had lost my 7.110 MHz crystal.? Does not matter than my main rig and TTT are only hooked up to a dummy load.? The CW signals are strong tonight... Must be those good solar cycle 25 sun spots... I recently got a new oscilloscope and it shows a signal at 7.029 like my rig shows.? However, I could not get the FFT Math function to display correctly.? ?Since my rig was showing the small signal correctly on my rig in the waterfall, I think the TTT is OK.? I think FFT Math function on my scope is not showing correctly due to interference of some kind or my misunderstanding of how to get it to work properly.? I did have FFT Math working correctly hooked up to a signal generator though.? I will try again later... My Diamond SWR/Power Meter shows almost 0.3W but I seriously doubt it is outputting 0.3W - most likely less than that.? But at least I see indication on my scope and power meter now. Thank you Rex, Russel, and others... 73 Daniel KK4MRN
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Re: Coney Island Excursion...
And you may be able to take the trains and buses to get around! When last in NY/NJ and not worry about where to park, i stayed in Elizabeth, took the hotel shuttle to Newark, then the train to Hoboken or Penn Station, then off to my jobsites. All convenient. I was able to get a decent snack at Penn Station on the way back to the hotel in the evening as well.
73, kevin kc6pob
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 02:07:52 PM PDT, Edward Rostollan via groups.io <edward.rostollan@...> wrote:
Hey Rex, take a look at Jersey City, NJ by the water front. Or something near the Newwark airport. Things are definitely less expensive in NJ. FYI, I'm on a project in Branchburg, NJ. Good luck!
On Tue, May 21, 2024 at 4:34 PM, Rex Harper <w1rex@...> wrote: Gangue,
I'm back home from Fairborn Ohio and can stop thinking FDIM thoughts.
Its back to QRPme stuff....EXCEPT... my daughter is on a panel of
'experts' on Harpo Marx at the upcoming Marxfest in Coney Island this
coming weekend. I've searched for inexpensive hotels near there but
inexpensive and NYC just don't go together. AirBnB had some spots but
not for this weekend as everything has already been booked. We tried to
find a place to camp but have not found spots until AFTER Memorial Day,
again a few days late and a few dollars short. We have 3 Marx Brothers
fans scouring the net for someplace to stay and coming up empty. I'm now
seeking help from 'MY QRPme base' who might be able to provide some
local knowledge. Looking for a motel, AirBnB, campground, driveway, or
unused room for this weekend withing 'easy' commuting distance to Coney
Island were the MarxFest is takig place. Thanks for any assistance you
can provide.
Rex? W1REX
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Re: Coney Island Excursion...
Hey Rex, take a look at Jersey City, NJ by the water front. Or something near the Newwark airport. Things are definitely less expensive in NJ. FYI, I'm on a project in Branchburg, NJ. Good luck!
On Tue, May 21, 2024 at 4:34 PM, Rex Harper <w1rex@...> wrote: Gangue,
I'm back home from Fairborn Ohio and can stop thinking FDIM thoughts.
Its back to QRPme stuff....EXCEPT... my daughter is on a panel of
'experts' on Harpo Marx at the upcoming Marxfest in Coney Island this
coming weekend. I've searched for inexpensive hotels near there but
inexpensive and NYC just don't go together. AirBnB had some spots but
not for this weekend as everything has already been booked. We tried to
find a place to camp but have not found spots until AFTER Memorial Day,
again a few days late and a few dollars short. We have 3 Marx Brothers
fans scouring the net for someplace to stay and coming up empty. I'm now
seeking help from 'MY QRPme base' who might be able to provide some
local knowledge. Looking for a motel, AirBnB, campground, driveway, or
unused room for this weekend withing 'easy' commuting distance to Coney
Island were the MarxFest is takig place. Thanks for any assistance you
can provide.
Rex? W1REX
|
Coney Island Excursion...
Gangue,
I'm back home from Fairborn Ohio and can stop thinking FDIM thoughts. Its back to QRPme stuff....EXCEPT... my daughter is on a panel of 'experts' on Harpo Marx at the upcoming Marxfest in Coney Island this coming weekend. I've searched for inexpensive hotels near there but inexpensive and NYC just don't go together. AirBnB had some spots but not for this weekend as everything has already been booked. We tried to find a place to camp but have not found spots until AFTER Memorial Day, again a few days late and a few dollars short. We have 3 Marx Brothers fans scouring the net for someplace to stay and coming up empty. I'm now seeking help from 'MY QRPme base' who might be able to provide some local knowledge. Looking for a motel, AirBnB, campground, driveway, or unused room for this weekend withing 'easy' commuting distance to Coney Island were the MarxFest is takig place. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Rex? W1REX
|
Buildathon #3 - Cento Receivo
Buildathon #3 is a very cool concept...almost a solderless breadboard or prototyping kinda thing.
Rex's use of machine-pin headers throughout in a solder-free format should allow? the builder to swap out the band specific parts, and allow multi-band operation for those wanting to try it.
I think it's another win-win for the QRP community...thoughtful and fun!
Way to go Rex!
Looking forward to Buildathon #3.
Tom - N8TPN
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Two Tinned Tunas buildathon in January 2024
This is a very nice video of Rex explaining how the Two Tinned Tunas transmitter works.
I will going to get this kit if any are still left.
73 Daniel KK4MRN
|
Re: Two Tined Tunas - Need Some Help
That was supposed to be LATE, not last. Dang fat fingers¡.
--
K7TXA / Eagle, ID
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Re: Two Tined Tunas - Need Some Help
Reporting back, although very last - sorry. I replaced Q3 after purchasing a $15 solder sucker on Amazon that worked unbelievably well. With Q3 replaced, the little rig now works. Made a handful of contacts with it. Has a slow drift problem. Not sure how to cure that but at least it now functions.
--
K7TXA / Eagle, ID
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David Knapp
Bruce Beford N1RX
Stephen Houser, N1SH