I am looking for a simple -- as in not too much more complex than a
Pixie -- schematic for a 2m or 6m FM transmitter or transceiver. Anyone
know where I can find one that's low-cost and suitable for a beginner to
build, if such a thing exists?

Brian Connors
KB1KKC

Brian Connors wrote in message ...
I am looking for a simple -- as in not too much more complex than a
Pixie -- schematic for a 2m or 6m FM transmitter or transceiver. Anyone
know where I can find one that's low-cost and suitable for a beginner to
build, if such a thing exists?

Ramsey sells a 2M crystal-controlled (single channel) FM transmitter for
about $70. No receiver. I'd be extremely reluctant to recommend this to a
newbie because they'd need a separate receiver too.

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I think you'd be better off getting some older crystal-controlled
transceivers (assuming you can find any!) and teaching newbies how
to put a crystal in for the local repeater and align them.

Tim.

Brian Connors wrote in message ...
I am looking for a simple -- as in not too much more complex than a
Pixie -- schematic for a 2m or 6m FM transmitter or transceiver. Anyone
know where I can find one that's low-cost and suitable for a beginner to
build, if such a thing exists?

Ramsey sells a 2M crystal-controlled (single channel) FM transmitter for
about $70. No receiver. I'd be extremely reluctant to recommend this to a
newbie because they'd need a separate receiver too.

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I think you'd be better off getting some older crystal-controlled
transceivers (assuming you can find any!) and teaching newbies how
to put a crystal in for the local repeater and align them.

Tim.

"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
om...

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I'd hedge a little on that "good values" statement. At least for 2 meters,
already built, name brand, far more capable radios cost less than the
Ten-Tec kit. Now perhaps it's worth some premium to come from Seiverville
rather than Tokyo, but you do pay for it.

And Brian, if I were you, I'd think hard about what your motivation is. VHF
radios are a lot more difficult to build than HF radios. If your interest
is homebrewing, then go for it. But if you are looking for something that
you can operate and save a few bucks, then homebrewing something isn't the
way to go for VHF.

On VHF, layout is very important. Tiny differences in how things are put
together can have a huge impact on performance. The Ramsey receiver is a
good case. The thing is so wide and unstable that it's virtually useless on
the ham bands, unless you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you choose
to build something from a schematic, prepare yourself for a lot of tinkering
to get it right. Likely your construction time will be measured in years,
rather than months, unless you are very experienced at this sort of thing.

The Ten-Tec is a good one to look at for a kit. I'm sure, knowing Ten-Tec's
reputation, that it works well. But compare the price and feature list to,
say, an Icom 2100. You get a fifth the power, a tenth the channels, and
half the receive coverage, for a 25% higher price. Plus, you miss a pile of
the frills that adorn the typical rice box these days.

All that having been said, there is no thrill quite like operating a radio
you built yourself. If that's what you are after, then by all means, go for
it. Just recognize up front that, expecially at VHF, there is a price, and
it's pretty significant.

...

"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
om...

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I'd hedge a little on that "good values" statement. At least for 2 meters,
already built, name brand, far more capable radios cost less than the
Ten-Tec kit. Now perhaps it's worth some premium to come from Seiverville
rather than Tokyo, but you do pay for it.

And Brian, if I were you, I'd think hard about what your motivation is. VHF
radios are a lot more difficult to build than HF radios. If your interest
is homebrewing, then go for it. But if you are looking for something that
you can operate and save a few bucks, then homebrewing something isn't the
way to go for VHF.

On VHF, layout is very important. Tiny differences in how things are put
together can have a huge impact on performance. The Ramsey receiver is a
good case. The thing is so wide and unstable that it's virtually useless on
the ham bands, unless you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you choose
to build something from a schematic, prepare yourself for a lot of tinkering
to get it right. Likely your construction time will be measured in years,
rather than months, unless you are very experienced at this sort of thing.

The Ten-Tec is a good one to look at for a kit. I'm sure, knowing Ten-Tec's
reputation, that it works well. But compare the price and feature list to,
say, an Icom 2100. You get a fifth the power, a tenth the channels, and
half the receive coverage, for a 25% higher price. Plus, you miss a pile of
the frills that adorn the typical rice box these days.

All that having been said, there is no thrill quite like operating a radio
you built yourself. If that's what you are after, then by all means, go for
it. Just recognize up front that, expecially at VHF, there is a price, and
it's pretty significant.

...

"Brian Connors" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a simple -- as in not too much more complex than a
Pixie -- schematic for a 2m or 6m FM transmitter or transceiver. Anyone
know where I can find one that's low-cost and suitable for a beginner to
build, if such a thing exists?

Brian Connors
KB1KKC

IF you have a good HF transceiver or an inexpensive 28 - 30 MHz
10 meter transceiver, why not build an Elecraft transverter??
Models XV-50 or XV-144
http://www.elecraft.com

w9gb

"Brian Connors" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a simple -- as in not too much more complex than a
Pixie -- schematic for a 2m or 6m FM transmitter or transceiver. Anyone
know where I can find one that's low-cost and suitable for a beginner to
build, if such a thing exists?

Brian Connors
KB1KKC

IF you have a good HF transceiver or an inexpensive 28 - 30 MHz
10 meter transceiver, why not build an Elecraft transverter??
Models XV-50 or XV-144
http://www.elecraft.com

w9gb

In article ,
"xpyttl" wrote:

"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
om...

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I'd hedge a little on that "good values" statement. At least for 2 meters,
already built, name brand, far more capable radios cost less than the
Ten-Tec kit. Now perhaps it's worth some premium to come from Seiverville
rather than Tokyo, but you do pay for it.

Don't the Japanese farm it out to China these days like everyone else
anyway?

And Brian, if I were you, I'd think hard about what your motivation is. VHF
radios are a lot more difficult to build than HF radios. If your interest
is homebrewing, then go for it. But if you are looking for something that
you can operate and save a few bucks, then homebrewing something isn't the
way to go for VHF.

That's good to know. Essentially, my situation is that I can afford a
very basic HT; 2M is not so much a big deal as 6M, which would seem to
be somewhat easier. Basically I can't afford a triband radio, so I want
to build one for 6M. 2M would be gravy, but apparently it's not worth
the trouble to try to build. I won't worry about it -- I'll just go
shopping.

On VHF, layout is very important. Tiny differences in how things are put
together can have a huge impact on performance. The Ramsey receiver is a
good case. The thing is so wide and unstable that it's virtually useless on
the ham bands, unless you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you choose
to build something from a schematic, prepare yourself for a lot of tinkering
to get it right. Likely your construction time will be measured in years,
rather than months, unless you are very experienced at this sort of thing.

Very good to know. In that case, I won't bother until I know what I'm
doing. At least not on 2M.

The Ten-Tec is a good one to look at for a kit. I'm sure, knowing Ten-Tec's
reputation, that it works well. But compare the price and feature list to,
say, an Icom 2100. You get a fifth the power, a tenth the channels, and
half the receive coverage, for a 25% higher price. Plus, you miss a pile of
the frills that adorn the typical rice box these days.

All that having been said, there is no thrill quite like operating a radio
you built yourself. If that's what you are after, then by all means, go for
it. Just recognize up front that, expecially at VHF, there is a price, and
it's pretty significant.

Well, I got my ticket for the tech. I didn't know going in just how
complex it would be, expecially given how simple something like a Pixie
is.

Thanks for the commentary. Sadly, it looks like I'll be stuck on 2M for
the forseeable future, at least until I get my General ticket. Whenever
that is.

In article ,
"xpyttl" wrote:

"Tim Shoppa" wrote in message
om...

Ten-Tec's 1220 (2M) and 1260 (6M) kits are nice radios, but are $200
and way way more than what you asked for. They are full-fledged
digital PLL radios. They're good values, but not what you asked for.

I'd hedge a little on that "good values" statement. At least for 2 meters,
already built, name brand, far more capable radios cost less than the
Ten-Tec kit. Now perhaps it's worth some premium to come from Seiverville
rather than Tokyo, but you do pay for it.

Don't the Japanese farm it out to China these days like everyone else
anyway?

And Brian, if I were you, I'd think hard about what your motivation is. VHF
radios are a lot more difficult to build than HF radios. If your interest
is homebrewing, then go for it. But if you are looking for something that
you can operate and save a few bucks, then homebrewing something isn't the
way to go for VHF.

That's good to know. Essentially, my situation is that I can afford a
very basic HT; 2M is not so much a big deal as 6M, which would seem to
be somewhat easier. Basically I can't afford a triband radio, so I want
to build one for 6M. 2M would be gravy, but apparently it's not worth
the trouble to try to build. I won't worry about it -- I'll just go
shopping.

On VHF, layout is very important. Tiny differences in how things are put
together can have a huge impact on performance. The Ramsey receiver is a
good case. The thing is so wide and unstable that it's virtually useless on
the ham bands, unless you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you choose
to build something from a schematic, prepare yourself for a lot of tinkering
to get it right. Likely your construction time will be measured in years,
rather than months, unless you are very experienced at this sort of thing.

Very good to know. In that case, I won't bother until I know what I'm
doing. At least not on 2M.

The Ten-Tec is a good one to look at for a kit. I'm sure, knowing Ten-Tec's
reputation, that it works well. But compare the price and feature list to,
say, an Icom 2100. You get a fifth the power, a tenth the channels, and
half the receive coverage, for a 25% higher price. Plus, you miss a pile of
the frills that adorn the typical rice box these days.

All that having been said, there is no thrill quite like operating a radio
you built yourself. If that's what you are after, then by all means, go for
it. Just recognize up front that, expecially at VHF, there is a price, and
it's pretty significant.

Well, I got my ticket for the tech. I didn't know going in just how
complex it would be, expecially given how simple something like a Pixie
is.

Thanks for the commentary. Sadly, it looks like I'll be stuck on 2M for
the forseeable future, at least until I get my General ticket. Whenever
that is.

"Brian Connors" wrote in message
...

Don't the Japanese farm it out to China these days like everyone else
anyway?

Or Taiwan or Korea, who knows? Although all my Icom stuff seems to say
Osaka.

That's good to know. Essentially, my situation is that I can afford a
very basic HT; 2M is not so much a big deal as 6M, which would seem to
be somewhat easier. Basically I can't afford a triband radio, so I want
to build one for 6M. 2M would be gravy, but apparently it's not worth
the trouble to try to build. I won't worry about it -- I'll just go
shopping.

Depending on where you are, a 2M HT can be pretty handy. Actually, single
band mobiles are probably cheaper than HT's. If you have a number of
repeaters nearby, then the HT may be more flexible. If you need a little
power to reach out then the mobile might be a better choice. (Although if
you're not going to mount the mobile in a car then the power supply does
almost double the cost).

Very good to know. In that case, I won't bother until I know what I'm
doing. At least not on 2M.

Actually, you can get on 6 meter CW pretty simply with homebrew stuff, but
recognize that QSOs are going to be few and far between. 6 meters is only
open occasionally, and even less frequently to low power. In most parts of
the country there is relatively little local 6 meter operation, so your QSOs
are going to be largely limited to band openings, unless you are in a major
metro area.

Well, I got my ticket for the tech. I didn't know going in just how
complex it would be, expecially given how simple something like a Pixie
is.

Yeah, well, as I said. You can build a Pixie-like thing for 6 meters, in
fact, I did such a thing relatively recently to try to get a friend upgraded
(no such luck, he seems to have a block for the code). But the problem is
that 6 is open so rarely, and 6 meter CW operation is pretty scarce. SSB or
FM add a whole pile of complexity, although SSB receive on 6 meters could
be pretty simple since the band is rarely crowded.

*BUT*, to get the frequency stability you either need to go with crystal
control or a DDS. Now crystal control may not be as much of a disadvantage
on 6 as it is on most other bands, since probably 90% of the operation is on
50.125. But it will be frustrating to be unable to move away from the QRM
on that one day a year that the band is open and you happen to be there!
DDS can quickly put the cost up there.

Now, if you have a buddy nearby and you want to get your code speed up for
the general, I have a circuit you can build for around $25 that will get you
on the air. But it's CW, fixed frequency, and low power. Given the
infrequency of 6 meter openings that are friendly to low power, that means
the QSOs are going to be limited to a nearby station.

I should add, I don't mean to imply that 6 meters is a big power band.
Indeed, the noise and absorption are both low o 6, which makes power less of
an issue for "traditional" openings. But on 6, traditional openings are
rare, so you look for other modes more frequently. There are basically 4
kinds of openings on 6 that are fairly common.
- F - very rare, friendly to low power
- Es - somewhat less rare, very unpredictable, friendly to low power,
although you will often be competing with high power stations
- Aroura - getting unusual with the sunspots going down, high power
- HSMS - common, predictable, high power

If you want a QSO on 6 almost every day, HSMS is a good bet. *BUT*, you
need a good antenna, preferably with an az-el mount, lots of power (a few
hundred watts, anyway), and a computer.

Hunting QSOs on 6 is a lot of fun, but if it's your only outlet, it could
get pretty frustrating because they are pretty rare, and getting tougher as
the sunspots decline. With low power and fixed frequency it will be even
tougher.

...