[Elecraft] Off topic: beginner kit recommendations?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

To meet the criteria of being "first time" and "tube" I'd go for a one tube
regen receiver based on a 1T4 or similar tube that can be run from batteries
and drive a headphone. You'd need 1.5 volts for the filament and fairly
low-voltage B+ - something in the range of 27 to 45 volts depending upon the
sensitivity of the phones. Use magnetic phones and you can put them in the
plate circuit as the plate "load". Three to five 9-volt batteries snapped
together into a series pack will handle that, eliminating any need for a
mains power supply. 

I'd suggest covering the AM broadcast band. It's really easy to pick up
signals there and get used to the receiver. Then my second choice would be
the 6 to 10 MHz region of the shortwave bands: lots of signals, CW and AM to
copy there. 

In fact, Midnight Science makes just such a kit: http://tinyurl.com/dn5vx

I was just a little younger than you son when my Dad gave me a Meissner
regen kit. I learned to solder building it. I still remember the look in his
face when I turned it on and we heard signals! 

It's a good thing you are doing, Mike

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Markowski
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:29 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic: beginner kit recommendations?


My 11 year old son KB3KYB has been fascinated by my recent K2 kit building.
He has never soldered but is excited about the idea of building a radio of
his own.  With his birthday coming up this would be the perfect chance to
get him a small kit that we could build together.

I thought a shortwave receiver with a few bands would be best since it's
simpler & cheaper.  Though I'm also considering a "cake tin special,"
getting the parts to homebrew one of the old tube beginner rigs built on an
upside down cake pan.  Any ideas would be very welcome.  Thanks!

Mike  AB3AP
Avondale, PA
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