Radio Kits

[KC2RPP]

Where can i get a ham radio kit. When my mom gets her W-2 back she wants to get me one. Where can i order one??

[M0GLO]

Go to http://www.amqrp.org.

[N2RJ]

http://www.qrpkits.com
http://www.smallwonderlabs.com


I'd really recommend that you practice soldering before you CAREFULLY assemble any kit by READING ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOWING THEM TO THE LETTER.

Get some pieces of wire and a cheap $10 soldering iron from radio shack, along with some solder.

That way you learn how to make nice, clean solder joints that make a good mechanical and electrical connection.

When you have mastered that, get your kit and solder away!

I'm serious, dude.

But I am glad that you at least have decided to look into building a radio.

Kudos to you, young man, and if you need any help, we will be more than glad to help.

Remember - stop, think, ask if you feel uncertain...

As for particular recommendations on kits, I am eyeing the BITX20.

[N2NH]

Todd and Ryan gave some good links and advice. Here's a couple more to add to your look-see list of Radio kits:

http://www.elecraft.com/KX1/KX1.htm

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-9330K

[M0GLO]

What Ryan said!
Really! :D

(Great advice Ryan, it's been so long I forget soldering is a learned skill)

Please let us know if we can help RPP.

You will be incapable of failing.

What are you planning to build?

[N8YX]

I miss Heathkit.

In addition to complex electonics, they had some very well put together beginner's kits...including many that were meant to teach. I still have their 'Learning to Solder' course and its attendant monostable multivibrator circuit, complete with flashing LEDs.

From time to time I see small kits of this nature for sale at hamfests and computer shows. They're affordable for everyone and can help the neophyte develop sound electronic assembly skills.

[KC8TCQ]

I miss Heathkit.

In addition to complex electonics, they had some very well put together beginner's kits...including many that were meant to teach. I still have their 'Learning to Solder' course and its attendant monostable multivibrator circuit, complete with flashing LEDs.

From time to time I see small kits of this nature for sale at hamfests and computer shows. They're affordable for everyone and can help the neophyte develop sound electronic assembly skills.

I actually got my introduction to the radio hobby through Heathkit. My uncle (now passed away) was an avid SWL, but he was a quadrapalegic, he would order the radio kits from Heathkit, and I became his hands building the radios, clocks, whatever else he decided to get. Every year or so he would get me a new SW reciever for Christmas.

I miss Heathkit.

In addition to complex electonics, they had some very well put together beginner's kits...including many that were meant to teach. I still have their 'Learning to Solder' course and its attendant monostable multivibrator circuit, complete with flashing LEDs.

From time to time I see small kits of this nature for sale at hamfests and computer shows. They're affordable for everyone and can help the neophyte develop sound electronic assembly skills.
Just keep the multivibrator away from the crotch area. It can get messy. "Specially if it is stable with mono. :think

[n4aud]

While I commend RPP for wanting to build a kit, I would steer him away from QRP until he gets some experience under his belt. An inexperienced operator at the very bottom of a sunspot cycle trying to make QRP contacts is a recipe for frustration and would probably turn anyone away from the hobby.
If you can afford $250, you can get a TS-520 and get on the air. If you are wanting to build a kit for the experience, build a receiver kit first. There are quite a few out there. Ten Tec, Ramsey and a few others have them. That way, coupled with an antenna you'll build too, you can get some experience listening to the HF bands.

[KC8TCQ]

While I commend RPP for wanting to build a kit, I would steer him away from QRP until he gets some experience under his belt. An inexperienced operator at the very bottom of a sunspot cycle trying to make QRP contacts is a recipe for frustration and would probably turn anyone away from the hobby.
If you can afford $250, you can get a TS-520 and get on the air. If you are wanting to build a kit for the experience, build a receiver kit first. There are quite a few out there. Ten Tec, Ramsey and a few others have them. That way, coupled with an antenna you'll build too, you can get some experience listening to the HF bands.


Could also try the K-2 with the 100w addon. I'm building one. is fun since my stroke, I'm right handed, and thats the side that was effected by tge stroke.

[n4aud]

Here's a link to another place, PCS electronics. LOTS of electronic kits. I bought an audio amplifier kit from them a while back.

http://www.pcs-electronics.com/

[WB5MJT]

I gotta say that I miss Heathkit as well. Built 6 and 2 meter lunchboxes in Boy Scouts. Bought another 2 meter lunchbox and converted for 220. We talked on those things through high school both base and mobile (I upgraded to a 6m Gooney bird as a senior). Had them through the '70s. In the non-ham side i also built 3 Heathkit TVs over the years and a host of other ham and non-ham projects. Its and excellent way to get an understanding of what is actually going on when you turn it on. IMHO, the elecraft kits are way overpriced. $300+ for a QRP kits will send me running to eBay for an all mode, all band commercial rig that I don't have to put together.

Rick Price
WB5MJT/4

[W7XF]

Guy...

These guys are telling you right.... MAKE SURE YOUR SOLDERING SKILLS ARE A-1 BEFORE YOU TRY TO BUILD A RADIO IN KIT FORM!!

And, with you being a technician class... there aren't many (if any) kits for anything you can transmit at. There are plenty of inexpensive 2 metre radios around both new and used... and if you want to get your feet wet in 10 metres, try a used Ranger RCI-2950. Those are fairly plentiful and inexpensive used.

[N2RJ]

And, with you being a technician class... there aren't many (if any) kits for anything you can transmit at.

That's where you're wrong.

The vast majority of QRP transceiver kits today can be used by technicians, provided they know morse code.

Remember that techs have privileges on the 40, 18 and 15 meter bands, the same as Generals for CW only, but limited for 200 watts maximum.

I think you mean 80M rather than 18M.

And if you build a radio with a digital interface, you can operate CW without knowing CW with a computer program that is free to download. Multipsk works well on CW as well as other modes.

[W7XF]

That's where you're wrong.

The vast majority of QRP transceiver kits today can be used by technicians, provided they know morse code.

Remember that techs have privileges on the 40, 18 and 15 meter bands, the same as Generals for CW only, but limited for 200 watts maximum.


Oops... My bad. I totally forgot about those.{THWAP!}

Ya got me there Ryan.