Gilbert ZL3GIL
During the lockdown I had time to finish off my BITX20 usb transceiver. This was one of my decade-long projects… I’d bought the pcbs & inductor cans off Sunil Lakhani VU3SUA around the time of the 2010- 2011 earthquakes and a bag of 10MHz crystals for the IF from one of our local suppliers.
The BITX20 was the precursor to a group of qrp monoband transceivers such as the MKARS80, the MST400, and the Iler-20.Four years ago I’d finally persuaded my BITX20 to work well and all that remained was to install the pbas into a suitable enclosure. Eventually I discovered a brand of tinned shortbread in my local supermarket.
The shortbread itself was not that flash but the empty tin that resulted was a valuable asset. In one of the attached photos I have left the lid off to show the layout. The largest of the three pbas is the main board, the second largest is the rf amplifier (2N3866 driver + IRF510 PA). The smallest pba is part of a frequency counter that was kitted by Doug Pongrance N3ZI.
With my inverted vee dipole at about 15ft above ground level I have been able to hear several VK to VK qsos, and just today I had my first qso with a local op using this rig.
Some readers might recognise the rig stand in the other photo… that shoebox has served me well over the years, and is regarded as useful as my dummy load and the ex-burger skewer that I use for moving surface mount components into position.
Stan Whitfield ZL3AP
This may not be exactly radio related but it is electronic related. I am the proud owner of a 2 manual 42 stop classical electronic organ (the sort you would find in a church). I have the ability to revoice it as a concert/ theatre organ.
This may not be exactly radio related but it is electronic related. I am the proud owner of a 2 manual 42 stop classical electronic organ (the sort you would find in a church). I have the ability to revoice it as a concert/ theater organ.
It gives me a lot of pleasure and I keep up my
regular practice as I play regularly for Lodge meetings and the occasional concert when there is no virus about. Lately I have noticed an increase in foot traffic past my place as people keep up there exercise so I decided that occasionally I would open all the front windows and front door and play a brief concert.
It is nice to notice some folk stop and listen for a few moments. On ANZAC morning I played a special program including the Last Post and Reveille, Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer and the Dambuster’s March. Just a small contribution to the cause and a bit different.
73’s to you all and keep safe.
Ron Parry ZL3VX
Ron has been having another go at getting his Hikers One going, built when he was just a lad. Now he has the headphones, he has no excuses!
