Hi, I'm into homebrew, kit building, and low power operation. I currently operate with a General Class ticket.

    If you are one of the Op's I've recently contacted - then thank you. I know low power operation is usually even more work on the other end. Your efforts were appreciated. If you are a kit builder, homebrewer, or operated QRP during our QSO then you will be getting an old-fashioned QSL card in the mail from me - on account of I know how hard you may have worked to get the contact. If you mail me a QSL card I will gladly return one. I no longer participate in EQSL.net

        The summer 2007 project was researching, designing and assembling a remotely tuned, 17, 20, 30, 40, and 80 meter, 34 foot vertical antenna using aluminum tubing from an old, defunct GAP Challenger and CB antenna purchased at Hamfests and following the methods and ideas published by N3OX at his marvelous website.

        Enjoying this hobby the 'Old fashioned' way seems to be my thing. I operate only CW and QRP. After 13 years of operating only my OHR 40m monoband rig, I built the 2N2/20 by K8IQY and then a OHR100A for 30m. Picked up a used Ten Tec Delta 580 in the Fall of 2006, and now a Corsair II in Jan 2008.

    I seriously considered construction of an Elecraft K2 instead of my latest Ten Tec purchase as I have always been a kit builder, and have always read about and wanted to tackle the venerable and respected K2. However, after downloading and reading through its manual, I found that its all menu operation. Thats just not for me right now. Seems I have always been into radio to actually escape from computer technology rather than pursue it, and there is somthing special about these older rigs in my opinion.

        So I enjoyed going thru the Corsair II on the bench - learning, tweaking, and repairing this last of the great analog rigs from Tennessee.
Definately having alot of fun with this classic on the air and I remain committed to 100% QRP / CW operation with it.

    I was excited about trying portable operation, and from March until May 2008 I assembled the "Sierra" multi-band QRP transceiver thats been published in the back of the ARRL Handbooks and staring at me for all of my Ham years.

    I preferred to build it from the original article as opposed to using Wilderness Radio's kit for the additional challenge, satisfaction, and possible $ savings it would bring.

    First there was locating (And sometimes cross referencing) all the parts. This was a project in itself. I then ordered the components from several online sources, including the board set from FAR Circuits because I did not think I could accurately reproduce the proper hole pitch for the 50 pin band module connector or do double sided board etching with the necessary precision.
I then completed the band modules for 40, 30, 20, and 17m. The 80 and 15m modules were finally added in Jan, 2009.

Portable operation is currently my favorite activity with ham radio.






                       The "Worlds Largest" Norcal Sierra (From The ARRL Handbook, Spring 2008)


       

     LINKS:

       

         
       

• Eham
• QRZ
• Ham Universe
• K8IQY "Manhattan Madness" Projects Page
• Norcal QRP Club
• American QRP Club
• Oak Hills Research
• Seven Oaks Art
• Amateur Radio Clip Art