[Elecraft] DEM Transverters

Sun May 26 19:05:06 2002

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Brown" <[email protected]>
To: "Elecraft" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2002 5:23 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] DEM Transverters

First of all contrary to the "manual" these are not beginner kits in fact it
is one of the most difficult kits I have ever built. The instructions are
"non existent" and consist of a drawing of the circuit board a parts list
and the instruction to install all of the parts. The PC board is not
silkscreened so you have to find the part in the parts list then search the
diagram to find where to install it. The mechanical design is such that once
everything is installed it is just about impossible to remove the board for
service. There was not enough wire to complete the kit and there are several
surface mount parts requiring quite a bit of skill to install. I got the 6
meter unit built and it so far it receives but the transmitter is flaky. I
will get it working but, I will not build the 2 meter kit.

I usually don't like to run down a product and electronically the DEM looks
well designed but some of you may be thinking of buying this kit. Just be
warned its not for beginners. I don't consider myself a beginner, it's not
for me either. JMHO

Don, I dont know what the manual says but I would be surprised if it says
their transceivers are beginner kits. They are not. I know none of their
promotional matterial indicates that they are beginner kits. In fact, if you
read their product descriptions, see the word surface mount, and look at the
photos of completed boards, its pretty obvious that these "kits" are
designed for advanced builders, especially those that have experience with
UHF/microwave parts.

For me, all it took was a brief review of their product literature to know
that it was not worth a $100 worth of my time to build it. When you have to
read the product description very slowly to understand what they are
offering, its not a good sign that the kit will be easy to build.

That aside, they do make very good equipment. I got a two meter transceiver
from them and it was the best two meter radio I've ever owned (also owned
two Icom Multimodes). The front end was almost uncrunchable.

Net net, it is very good equipment but its not a beginner or even
intermediate kit.

73 de Dave, N0IT