[SMCARA] Youkit QRP TX/RX

Fri Jan 23 16:53:55 EST 2015

I want to add a comment to my suggestion that folks look at Sherwood
engineering's web site before deciding on what transceiver to buy. What
Sherwood has to say about CW performance (in the power point presentation)
also applies to narrow bandwidth digital modes as well, e.g. PSK-31. A 300
Hz crystal filter can be darn useful when operating PSK.

KLC

-----Original Message-----
From: SMCARA [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sam Leach
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 21:03
To: 'Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS'; smcara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [SMCARA] Youkit QRP TX/RX

I have a recommendation to all.  Receiver performance pretty much dictates
what you can work, antennas come next and, short of serious QRP (<5W), power
is last (although I agree with Tom's comment ... you want some power
available).  Go to the Sherwood engineering web site, spend a few minutes
learning what he is rating and look at where each of the modern transceivers
falls re performance with close in QRM.  There is also a slide presentation
on the site that talks to what it all means.  It's a worth while place to
visit before choosing a new radio.  I was surprised to learn that many of
the currently popular radios are just average in the receiver department and
that several of the really excellent performers aren't the most expensive
sets on the market.

73

Sam K3KLC

-----Original Message-----
From: SMCARA [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Clarke,
Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 12:10
To: smcara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [SMCARA] Youkit QRP TX/RX

Jason, et al

That is a neat looking little box!  I had a very short opportunity to play
with one at Dayton this year and it seemed to work well.  YouKit sold all
they had by the second day!  They also have a kit version ($349 vice $399
for the wired and tested version) available that does not require soldering
at the component level.  The Elecraft  K-2 and K-3 kits are the same, just
plug various boards into a motherboard, plus some mechanical assembly.

Although it doesn't do all the "gee whiz" stuff that the FT-817NG does, it
does come in at about half the price.  The 817 also has much greater band
coverage including WARC and V/UHF. The TJ-5's lack of the 80 M, 30M and the
WARC bands is puzzling in view of the popularity of 30 and 17 to QRPers.

QRP is fun, but probably not for the "newbie" to HF.  It is nice to run QRP
with an FT-857 or an Icom IC-706/7000, as you have the option of cranking up
the power to 100 watts (depending on your power source) when nothing is
going into your log running QRP! The Elecraft KX-3 is a super QRP rig that
enjoys a sterling reputation.  A 100 watt "afterburner" is available also
when QRO is called for.  Ten-Tec has some nice rigs like the Eagle (100 W)
and the new Argonaut (QRP) that work well, albeit are missing some popular
bands.  Happens when you design a radio to a price point.

For an experienced ham, I would look at the Elecraft rigs. Although they are
a bit more expensive, they really deliver the performance.  I am still on
the upside of the learning curve for my K-3, but it really does work well.
It was fun to build also.  You can start out with the basic 10 watt K-3 kit
and then add more filters, a 100 watt PA, built in autotuner, built-in 2M
transverter, etc.

When making a decision on any rig, QRP, mobile, or home station check out
Sherwood Engineering's test results. http://www.sherweng.com/table.html
Elecraft is always near the top, but some of the high end Japanese rigs, as
well as the latest Flex radios are near the top too.

One thing to consider with a QRP rig, is that there are amplifiers
available.  The HF Packer kit (http://www.hfprojectsyahoo.com/ ) by K5OOR is
good, as is the new HardRock amp (http://www.hobbypcb.com/ ) see recent QST
for review.  Tokyo High Power also has some amps, as does a company in
Italy.  Avoid using CB amps as they tend to have poor RF filters and do not
meet FCC spectral purity specs.  I have seen these amps modified by adding
band pass filters, but tend to be a bit "Kludgey" (Kludge is a workaround or
quick-and-dirty solution that is clumsy, inelegant, difficult to extend and
hard to maintain, that are invariably at odds with good engineering
practices,  yet are an effective and quick solution .... there are some
non-Politically Correct terms that you may hear in place of kludge also!).

Whichever way you go, I am sure you will have FUN!

Trivia:  did you know that in Jamaica (6Y5), FLEX is slang for chilling, or
have a good time?

73 Tom/W4OKW

-----Original Message-----
From: SMCARA [mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
jbr13 at md.metrocast.net
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 10:30 AM
To: smcara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [SMCARA] Youkits QRP TX/RX

	 BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px; }I
just ran across these guys and their TJ5A kit.  With all the talk lately on
the repeaters about kits and QRP kits, I thought this was interesting.  
	http://youkits.com/#TJ5A_HF_20W_SSB_CW_Transceiver_Kit_and [1]
	SSB and CW transceiver

	RX= 3.500 to 30.000

	TX= 40M 20M 15M and 10M

	0.25 to 20 watts SSB and  0.1 to 10 watts CW

	I figured some others may not have seen this before.
	N3YUG

	Jason Rearick

Links:
------
[1] http://youkits.com/#TJ5A_HF_20W_SSB_CW_Transceiver_Kit_and
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