A new transmitter is Born !! [First homebrew project, too!]

[steve_qix]

Karl, KD3CN is the proud father of this transmitter, born today 10-Feb-06 sometime in the late afternoon / early evening !!



This is a completely homebrew [including the VFO], 400 watt 80/160 meter transmitter.  10 MOSFETs in the final, 2 MOSFETs in the pulse width modulator.   I believe this is Karl's first homebrew project !!  And what a great project it is.   I know Karl has plans to replace the presswood panels with aluminum panels and cabinets.

Nice job

 

[n3lrx]

Nice job Karl!

Hopefully I'll have mine on the air soon too!

[K1MVP]

EXCELLENT,--Me thinks the wood and press board give  the rig a
"distinctive" look,--If the rig works good, I think I would not bother
to use metal (aluminum or steel) cabinets or chassis.
I have found in my experience,--that once I get a prototype to
work,--if I try to get too fancy with metalwork,--to make it
look better,--the rig never works as good as my first creation,
and many times much worse.--so my belief is if it works good,
do as little as possible to "make it look "pretty".
I might paint the press board a gloss black or silver gray, but that
would be about it.
In any case it does look GREAT just as it is,--congratulations.
                                 73, K1MVP

[KD3CN]

Thanks guys,

It's been a 10 month labor of love.  After years of decline, operating AM these last two years has definitely rejuvenated my interest in amateur radio.  Building my own rig has lit a fire under it!  I'm still working out the last of the 'bugs', but you'll hear it on the air shortly.  It's really great to be part of the AM community.  Thanks for the help and encouragement to all!

And thanks especially to WA1QIX for the engineering that makes a great am rig design free to anyone who has the desire to build one! 

73, Karl

[David, K3TUE]

very nice

[WBear2GCR]

Nice work!

Surely this isn't the first electronic project you've done??

And... how could it possibly work?? That bench is far too clean!!
 

              _-_-WBear2GCR

[n3lrx]

Surely he only made it pretty for the picture..
Can't see how anyone can actually work in an environment like that!

[KD3CN]

Thanks Bear,

"Surely this isn't the first electronic project you've done??"

No, I used to build heathkits and such, but stuff like power supplies and test gear. This is my first transmitter, and first true homebrew construction.  I started small with the VFO and just kept going.  Steve has fielded MANY JN questions from me!

"how could it possibly work?? That bench is far too clean!! "

Well, the meters show drain voltage about 40V and current about 8A for 320watts.    So I guess you caught me.  The boxes containing tools, parts, wire, pizza crusts, etc. are sitting under the table.  My wife got quite a laugh out of your 'clean' comments though.   

Waiting for a couple parts to put it on the air.  Can't wait, it's a serious upgrade to the Elmac I've been using!

73, Karl

[W1DAN]

Karl:

Nice work. Congrats!!!!

I look forward to working you.

Be proud!

73
Dan
W1DAN