#202

开云体育

I'm sorry I set so many guys up thinking Jim was going to offer us boards.? I understand his concern and final decision.?

But, we still have the famous QRP Labs QCX, the w8DIZ/Kits and Parts ORGANIC 5, and a possible another run of the 4SQRP Hilltopper.

Again, I'm sorry I got a lot of peoples hopes up.

Lee, w0vt

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All,

After a lot of discussion with close associates and thinking through all of the issues with making the PCB available for the NorCal 2N2/XX rig, I've decided not to do it.? Here are the main reasons why.

That PCB is really dense, so much so that many of the support issues I had to deal with came down to builders putting the parts in the wrong place.? In addition, there are 300 parts needed for that PCB, many of which are no longer available, and some of them were quite expensive like the 10-turn tuning pot at nominally $10.00 per unit.

It is obvious to me that a substantial amount of time would be required to find suitable replacements for the extinct parts; I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that for a design that is now 11 years old.? Additionally and realistically, since I was the designer of the rig, most of the support questions would come to me; I've moved on and can't get back into that mode.? When the kit launched, support issues took over my life for most of a year.? I'm going to be selfish and not let that happen again.

Finally, all of the documentation for the 2N2/XX is on my web site: so you can get the docs, build any of the 3 bands Manhattan-style, like I did originally, or make your own PCB using DipTrace or KiCAD with the changes you see fit (like DDS tuning and Digital Display) on a PCB sized to your liking.

So, I hate to disappoint all of those clamoring for 2N2/XX PCBs, but for the reasons above, (and a lot of other unspoken reasons) it won't be happening.

72/73 to all and enjoy the upcoming holidays,

Jim, K8IQY

PS....thanks to all who offered to help out with making boards available, I truly appreciate your support.

__._,_.___

Posted by: Jim Kortge <jim.k8iqy@...>

#209

That's too bad, but I understand Jim's reasoning. However, as he said, the info is all there for the taking.?

I wonder which parts he's talking?about not being available anymore? I took a quick look through the schematics and didn't see anything that looked like it was made of unobtanium.?

It does look like a fun project. I have a little experience with Kicad, but I don't think I could pull this off by myself.?

73

Mike M.

KU4QO

Show quoted text

On Sun, Nov 10, 2019 at 12:50 PM Leland L. Bahr <w5drc@...> wrote:

I'm sorry I set so many guys up thinking Jim was going to offer us boards.? I understand his concern and final decision.?

But, we still have the famous QRP Labs QCX, the w8DIZ/Kits and Parts ORGANIC 5, and a possible another run of the 4SQRP Hilltopper.

Again, I'm sorry I got a lot of peoples hopes up.

Lee, w0vt

?

All,

After a lot of discussion with close associates and thinking through all of the issues with making the PCB available for the NorCal 2N2/XX rig, I've decided not to do it.? Here are the main reasons why.

That PCB is really dense, so much so that many of the support issues I had to deal with came down to builders putting the parts in the wrong place.? In addition, there are 300 parts needed for that PCB, many of which are no longer available, and some of them were quite expensive like the 10-turn tuning pot at nominally $10.00 per unit.

It is obvious to me that a substantial amount of time would be required to find suitable replacements for the extinct parts; I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that for a design that is now 11 years old.? Additionally and realistically, since I was the designer of the rig, most of the support questions would come to me; I've moved on and can't get back into that mode.? When the kit launched, support issues took over my life for most of a year.? I'm going to be selfish and not let that happen again.

Finally, all of the documentation for the 2N2/XX is on my web site: so you can get the docs, build any of the 3 bands Manhattan-style, like I did originally, or make your own PCB using DipTrace or KiCAD with the changes you see fit (like DDS tuning and Digital Display) on a PCB sized to your liking.

So, I hate to disappoint all of those clamoring for 2N2/XX PCBs, but for the reasons above, (and a lot of other unspoken reasons) it won't be happening.

72/73 to all and enjoy the upcoming holidays,

Jim, K8IQY

PS....thanks to all who offered to help out with making boards available, I truly appreciate your support.

__._,_.___

Posted by: Jim Kortge <jim.k8iqy@...>

#216

开云体育

For anyone who didn’t see this on the 2N2 Group or original qrp-tech group ….

?

Cheers

?

Michael VE3WMB

?

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From: NorCal_2n2@... <NorCal_2n2@...>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 5:54 AM
To: [email protected]; norcal_2n2@...
Subject: [NorCal_2n2] PCBs for NorCal 2N2/XX Rig

?

All,

After a lot of discussion with close associates and thinking through all of the issues with making the PCB available for the NorCal 2N2/XX rig, I've decided not to do it.? Here are the main reasons why.

That PCB is really dense, so much so that many of the support issues I had to deal with came down to builders putting the parts in the wrong place.? In addition, there are 300 parts needed for that PCB, many of which are no longer available, and some of them were quite expensive like the 10-turn tuning pot at nominally $10.00 per unit.

It is obvious to me that a substantial amount of time would be required to find suitable replacements for the extinct parts; I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that for a design that is now 11 years old.? Additionally and realistically, since I was the designer of the rig, most of the support questions would come to me; I've moved on and can't get back into that mode.? When the kit launched, support issues took over my life for most of a year.? I'm going to be selfish and not let that happen again.

Finally, all of the documentation for the 2N2/XX is on my web site: so you can get the docs, build any of the 3 bands Manhattan-style, like I did originally, or make your own PCB using DipTrace or KiCAD with the changes you see fit (like DDS tuning and Digital Display) on a PCB sized to your liking.

So, I hate to disappoint all of those clamoring for 2N2/XX PCBs, but for the reasons above, (and a lot of other unspoken reasons) it won't be happening.

72/73 to all and enjoy the upcoming holidays,

Jim, K8IQY

PS....thanks to all who offered to help out with making boards available, I truly appreciate your support.

__._,_.___

Posted by: Jim Kortge <jim.k8iqy@...>

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#283

As per usual, Jim is a true gentleman and has made some very valid points. The 2N2XX is an order of magnitude more complex than -- say -- the NorCal 40A or SW-XX+ and certainly sports some esoteric parts.?

That said, the Winter edition of the 1998 QRPp publication (NorCal QRP) was devoted to building the Jim Kortge 2N2-40 original. It was done by Paul Harden, NA5N, sporting his marvelous hand illustrations. This was a stage-by-stage/circuit-by-circuit pictorial and text manual on how to recreate Jim's wonderful Manhattan construction masterpiece along with notes. Also, around that time, the Arizona Scorpions offered a PCB with the outline of the circuit and marks where the pads should be placed.

It might be a way forward for those wishing to relive history. (It's on my bucket list despite the overbearing temptation to stuff through-hole parts, apply juice, and get on the air.) Of course, in order to "distribute" these, permission must be asked of Jim, Paul, Doug Hendricks, et al. However, Jim has left up his site with a description of his original rig and updated documentation.

At the risk of being overly-maudlin, I had the pleasure of meeting with and talking to Jim at a Pacificon back in the days of yore.To boot, I saw firsthand his marvelous little radio -- meticulously constructed -- and that set the hook, so to speak.

William, k6whp
--------------------
"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."

#285

I must of read that issue 10 times, and I still keep it within easy reach.   Retirement is around the corner, and this is near the top of my list of projects...  thanks william for the reminder.  And I know Paul is still around.   I remember camping on blm land between Magdelena, and the VLA and looking down on it and thinking of him.   Great memories.
  dave  /nt1u