Monday, Jan 23 2017

Monday, Jan 23 2017

World's Smallest Transmitter?

Keychain QRP is the world’s smallest HF Ham Radio CW transmitter available for sale, and they are proudly handmade in The United States of America.
Available frequencies:

10m ham band: 28.224 MHz – Any Ham license
80m ham band: 3.57954 MHz – Any Ham license
160m ham band: 1.8432 MHz – General class or higher license required

FM broadcast band: 100.000 MHz – No license required
AM broadcast band: 614.400 KHz – No license required

Typical Power Output: 160 milliwatts max with 9v battery
Antenna Connector: SMA female 50 ohm

Built-in LED indicator to verify your battery is still good and that you are indeed transmitting when you key the transmitter.

Seems to be an ETSY product.  Sold out when I checked.

http://qrznow.com/the-worlds-smallest-hf-transmitter-made-in-u-s-a/

Raspberry Pi Alternative

The new Asus Tinker Board is a Raspberry Pi sized board with a more powerful processor and 2 Gig of onboard RAM.  Capable of playing 4K video.  About $68

https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/23/asus-tinker-board/

RS-HFIQ 5W Software Defined Radio (SDR) Tranceiver

Thanks to Rich K2UPS

From a kickstarter project and brought to us by the same folks who make the HardRock 50  amplifier, the RS-HFIQ is an assembled SDR Transceiver for 80 - 10 Meters at 5 Watts output.  Requires a computer with an additional sound card (recommended card is on web site).  $239 and up

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hobbypcb/rs-hfiq-5w-software-defined-radio-sdr-tranceiver

Chinese Kit Market May Be In For Price Increases

Thanks to Craig KD2CXK

Due to potential, politically-driven changes the price of Chinese kits and radios may be increasing soon.  Grab then while you can from:

eBay

Ali Express

BangGood

Amazon

Monday Jan 9 2017

Happy new year!

Here are some news tidbits for today.


Ashar Farhan continues to sell the BITX 40 40M SSB Rig: Now including a digital display and synthesizer.
    Previously a board with all parts installed, including connectors, mic, and controls. Just needed to be put in a case.  the original version was varactor tuned with a simple variable resistor for $45.  Now offered for $59 shipped from India with a DDS - Digital display module.   5 to 10 Watts with 12 volts, or you can feed the PA with a separate supply up to 25 Volts for 20 Watts out (with a better heat sink).  Lots of support through the Yahoo group.  Order or read up:  http://hfsigs.com

Omnia SDR releases the Proficio SDR Transceiver.  160 - 10 5 Watt SDR Transceiver.
     The Proficio has its own A/D conversion hardware so it does not require a sound card connection to function.  Just one USB connection for control and audio!  $235.95 as a kit with all SMT parts completed.  Install thru-hole parts and wind some toroids.  Custom case will be offered soon.  http://www.omnia-sdr.com/

ICOM Re-releases the IC-7200.  
     Thought to be discontinued after the release of the 7300, ICOM has brought it back due topopular demand.  $900 at Universal Radio