[HQRP] Fwd: KIT: NorCal Surface Mount Transceiver in the Pipeline

[Ed Manuel (N5EM)]

For those not subscribing to QRP-L - the latest Kit from NorCal (well,
October-ish).  These guys (that's Doug and Jim) are amazing.

Ed



>Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:25 PST
>Reply-To: ki6ds@hotmail.com
>Sender: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU
>From: "Doug Hendricks" <ki6ds@hotmail.com>
>To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" <qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU>
>Subject: KIT: NorCal Surface Mount Transceiver in the Pipeline
>X-To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu
>X-Originating-IP: [206.78.133.48]
>X-Orcpt: rfc822;qrp-l@listserv.cc.lehigh.edu
>
>Guys, NorCal has in development right now the next step in QRP Kits.  We are 
>doing a full fledged transceiver, using surface mount parts.  Before you 
>scream and go arrrgh, bear with me.  This kit will use the 1206 sized 
>components whenever possible, (these are the largest surfacemount 
>components) and use the IC's that are the same size as the ones that 
>Embedded Research uses for their surface mount TiCK keyer.  Last year at Ft. 
>Tuthill, Gary and Brad of Embedded Research helped us do an experiment.  
>They donated 30 TiCK surface mount kits, Mike Wyman and the Arizona 
>ScQRPions brought the equipment, and we had 29 of 30 people successfully 
>build a surface mount kit.  Yes it was very simple, and had 1 IC, 1 
>transistor, 1 diode and 2 capacitors, but almost all of them were built 
>successfully.  There were only 2 or 3 people who had ever tried surface 
>mount before, and even a very cute 19 year old young lady who had never 
>soldered before was successful.  (Sorry about the very cute, but you gotta 
>tell it like it is guys.)
>
>The purpose of this experiment (which was not announced until now) was to 
>see if it was viable to do a surface mount kit.  When we had the great 
>success, it was full speed ahead.  What we are talking about is a full 
>featured transceiver, very small in footprint, has a built in keyer, dds VFO 
>(did he say dds VFO!!!!!), and it will be offered on 10 meters to begin 
>with, with later versions on 12, 15, 17 and 20 meters.  We will of course 
>have some through hole parts that are necessary, but surface mount will be 
>used where ever possible.
>
>The kit will be board and parts only, with you doing your own case.  Who is 
>the designer?  Well, if I told you that, he would be deluged with questions 
>and would not have time to design.  But rest assured that it is a very well 
>known qrp-l member, and he is an outstanding designer.
>
>When will it be ready?  The target date is this fall, before Pacificon, like 
>August - September.  The design is in the concept stage now, several circuit 
>components have been built and tested, but the design is not done, and no 
>prototype has been built.  I will keep the list up to date on the progress.
>
>We have several new problems to solve that are unique to a surface mount 
>kit.  They include how to package the kit, how to identify the parts, how to 
>do the manual (remember this will be the first time for many of the builders 
>to do a surface mount kit).  We have some unique ideas, things that have 
>never been done before with a kit.  I am excited about trying new ideas, and 
>some of the concepts that the NorCal Surface Mount Team is working on.
>
>Oh yes, the target price for the kit is $50!!  Full featured qrp 
>transceiver, rit, xit, keyer, dds vfo, afa, commercial quality board.  Will 
>we be able to do it?  Yes I think so.  The dds vfo chip will be premounted, 
>as it does not come in a package that is feasible for the average guy to 
>mount.  But the rest of the chips, caps, inductors, trimcaps, trimpots, 
>resisitors, transistors, diodes, all will be surface mount when possible.
>
>Why are we doing this?  Because guys, through hole parts are going away.  
>For us to be on the cutting edge, to do new things, we will have to bite the 
>bullet and use surface mount parts.  Look at it as a new skill to learn, not 
>as something that you "can't do".
>
>I'll be posting more information as it becomes available.  Look for it here 
>on QRP-L.  72, Doug, KI6DS
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>

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