[Lowfer] "ALTOIDS" Tin 1750 Meters Part 15 Beacon Transmitter

[Charlie , W5COV]

In the recent discussions of difficulty obtaining certain transistors for the classic "K0LR" Part 15 , LowFER transmitter , our good friend Charles Wenzel , offers us a new alternative transmitter .

This transmitter , with its PIC ID , is nicely fit into the classic "Altoids" tin .

Charles has some extremely innovative circuits in this transmitter design . This is one of many projects for the LF and below region , that he designs from scratch .

He explains the design in great detail in the transmitter article on his web page . The link to the transmitter is : http://www.techlib.com/area_50/barneysprojects.htm#Atoids

I ran this particular transmitter at times during this past season . It was just hooked to the station 12 volt power supply and then tuned to the antenna and was up and running on the air in a matter of minutes . The mode was QRSS60 .

The reports were at least equal to my "classic" beacon , using a lightly modified K0LR simple transmitter .Captures at 500 to 1,000 miles were received .

Charles has also included the PIC ID in the Altoids tin. He also provides a program for you to use to program your own ID chip at home . He is using a simple homebrew PIC programmer , also of his own design .

If you carefully read the article , in the "parts" section he even offers you the 33uH choke , and a 186.00 kHz. crystal , in the event that you have trouble locating either of these .

There are MANY useful ideas in his design , that lend themselves to use in other projects .

Please also take the time to look over the many interesting projects on his main page , www.techlib.com  
Choose the circuits tab at the top to see even more of his articles .

We are indeed fortunate to have such a well known and highly respected engineer , that is so willing to share his work with us .

ENJOY the article and say thanks to Charles for designing the transmitter .

Charlie , W5COV , LowFER Beacon : CV