[Boatanchors] vacuum tube radio kits

[Carl]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jack Dunigan" <np2or at yahoo.com>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 6:37 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] vacuum tube radio kits


> As a boatanchor fan and user, I favor the technology of vacuum tube 
> radios.
> There are many solid state kits on the market these days but few offering
> vintage design and Heathkit-style assembly. I am considering developing 
> and
> offering vacuum tube kits through an internet store. The kits would focus 
> on,
> but not be limited to QRP radios starting with a design developed and 
> published
> in QST a few years ago based on the Tuna Tin II model. This kit would be a
> vacuum tube model. An auxiliary device is the power supply.
>
>
> Vacuum tube components are not as inexpensive as solid state stuff so the 
> kit
> for the radio would have to sell at about $99.
> Before I get too far in this I need to assess the potential market.
>
> 1. Would vacuum tube kits be of interest to you?
>
> 2. Would you spend $99 for a kit to build a vacuum tube QRP transmitter?
>
> 3. If we were to essentially reproduce a Heathkit AT-1 type radio and 
> could
> market it for under $200 would you consider purchasing?
>
> 4. What vacuum tube kits would you like to see on the market?
>
> Thank you for your time and attention.
>
> Jack Dunigan
> www.hamradiosafari.com


While a new kit isnt anything I would buy ( I have several tube era rigs, 
kit and wired) Id think that at $200 entry level for 20-30W out it would 
appeal to many. At $100 it should be pretty easy to scale down to 5W. Most 
of the cost will be sheet metal and iron.

I have mixed feelings about making the PS optional as those rigs were far 
less popular and/or discarded faster than a complete TX. My own feeling is 
that trying to emulate DeMaw is not a recipe for success.

Do as the early Heathkit and shop for quality surplus components. These days 
that would mean more modern than WW2 (-;  Readily available cheap tubes, 
6AG7, 6AQ5, 6GH8A, 6BQ6/6DQ6, etc to keep cost low and easy to find. Even 
807's are dirt cheap and easy to tame contrary to some opinions, check on 
NOS or Chinese socket availability.

Consider a punched chassis that could be used for two power levels by adding 
a second final and a different xfmr. Offer a controlled carrier or other 
type of economy modulator that plugs in along with instructions to outboard 
a plate modulator. Keep development cost down by copying what worked from 
Heath, Johnson, Globe/WRL, Eico, etc.

Make sure it works well on 10M as that is becoming a very popular AM band 
and will get even better when the sun cooperates.

Dont limit it to the usual 80/40M ultra cheap mindset, those bands can get 
tiring real fast especially in the summer.

Offer a SS VFO kit.

QRP can be fun, Ive worked 5BDXCC at 5W or less and quite a bit of DX on 160 
and the WARC bands. I can usually be found on 30M these days with a 1938 
Meissner Signal Shifter and a 1934 National FB-XA.

Carl
KM1H