[Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur Radio and Electronics

[ab2tc]

Hi all,

Interesting OT thread. It's getting closed to the limit for OT threads, but
I'll risk another entry anyway. It reverberates with me since I just became
a grandfather. Of course I have another 10 years or so before I have to
really start thinking about this.

On G3RJV's book. It is very interesting, but dates back to 1972! All
semiconductors are germanium and Eurocentric to boot. I used the glass
encapsulated OC45 and OC71 as a teenager way back in Norway. I don't think
these were ever sold in NA. OC45 is an RF transistor (of sorts) and in his
final design it's used as both an RF amplifier and first stage AF amplifier.
He doesn't mention this in the text. The design is strikingly similar to the
one in my first spring terminal based trainer kit, probably around
1965-1970. On the OC transistors, they were glass encapsulated with a black
lacquer coating. One had to be very careful not to injure this coating as
they would become sensitive to light if you did. With lamp lighting you'd
get hum. Don't ask how I know this.

On the OPs question, for a 10 year old I think the "trainer" style kits
would be more appropriate as they come with all materials needed. The
posting prior to Don's had what appears to be a good suggestion, but Amazon
had only one left in stock last time I checked.

AB2TC - Knut


Don Wilhelm wrote
> Ted,
> 
> G3RJV - the Reverend George Dobbs has spent a lot of time and energy 
> creating easy to build radios.  He has also done a lot with children to 
> help their interest in building and radio.
> His name is familiar to most QRPers and until last year has presented at 
> FDIM - always quite interesting.
> 
> He has publish many articles and books, but one that may be of interest 
> is available online at 
> http://www.mds975.co.uk/Content/george_dobbs_trf_radio.html.
> 
> Inexpensive materials and easy to build are two things that George 
> always adhered to.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> <snip>





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