Thanks Sparks, I saw that page and read it. There doesnt seem to be much info on it, but having the service manual is a bonus.

Bob, I totally agree with you about the foul mouthed idiots on the 11 meter band. I got my start in Ham radio over 30 years ago because I just couldn't figure out why we couldn't talk normally on the our CBs instead of using all that stupid Jargon like, (hey squirrelly you got your ears on?), kind of of stuff. At least over in the UK they talk somewhat normal on the air. Anyway, my interest in this radio is mostly for the technology and the collector aspect. If I never actually talk on it, that will be okay too. I do have a couple of 10 meter imports, (I know I'm bad), that will work on the 11 meter band if I decide I have to hear some slack jaws talking:-) Oh and no echo on any of them:-(

I bought a EFE 40 on eBay, it's a 40 meter SSB QRP rig. It came with all the chips in sockets and completely preassembled, board only. It worked great for a couple of hours and then went dead on receive. It turns out that one of the 4 NE602, (yes 4!), mixer chips went belly up. I just popped it out and stuck another one out of my drawer and I was back on the air. It ran for years until I decided to clean out the shack and I sold it for 40 bucks more than I paid for it mounted in a nice black case. I could have sucked the chip off the board, but wasn't sure whether is was the culprit or not, so it sure made trouble shooting the problem easier. Still, I don't know whether I want to do it on the QCX or not.

Joel
N6ALT

A ham friend of mine wants to give me a Palomar Digicom 100 SSB CB radio. From what I can tell, this radio was very well made and designed. It's the closest thing to a Commercial, (Non Consumer), CB radio you can get. It's huge though and I'm just not sure if I want to get involved with 11 meters or not. I think I can even move the PLL to 10 meters as it is programmable, not sure about that though. Does anybody know anything about this radio? BTW, its pretty clean, and works, and has never had a golden screwdriver in it. We shall see.

Joel
N6ALT

One more thing, are any of you guys going to use IC sockets or just solder the chips? I have some good quality machined pin sockets, but I don't want to introduce any problems either. I have never experienced any problems using sockets, but there is always the first time. Your opinions matter.

Joel
N6ALT

My QCX showed up this morning, YAAAAA! Now to find some uninterrupted time to build it. Probably start on it Mon morning after my wife goes to work and all is quiet. I noticed it came with the 1.00b firmware, so First thing after building it will be to attempt to upgrade to 100.c.

Joel
N6ALT

Soon

Gil,

What engine will you use? I just watched a couple of Pietenpol videos, one had a 65hp Corvair engine and the other one had a Model A engine, both were great. I have also seen VW engines used.

Joel

Quote from: gil on October 05, 2017, 08:36:20 AM
Oh boy, what am I getting into :o

Gil.

That's great Gil, everybody needs something to dump their money into :) I cant think of anything better.

Joel
N6ALT

Congratulations Bob,

I hope you enjoy building it. Mine will be awhile yet, but that's okay I'm in no hurry. I think I'm going to mount the display and all controls off board so I can put it in a nice case later.

Joel
N6ALT

Mine is going to be a while, number 628.

Joel
N6ALT

Quote from: swxx on September 01, 2017, 08:58:29 PM
These are being shipped from China so I wonder what the situation there is. If your number is 493+ then that's in the second batch which is allegedly in 2 weeks time. How many are in that batch? One would hope 500 otherwise we're in trouble.

The rate at first was averaging 10 sent out per day, but that was a small time sample so no good indication of longer term. If it is, and now it has dropped way below that average, we won't get our QCX this year. So they certainly need large quantities AND full time sending out, which I don't know how that can be afforded easily even in China.

I think the better option if they can arrange it, is to have this done across the border in Laos. The postage is crazy cheap, and the cost of living is less. That's how some of the Pixies are sent out.

Actually, they are being shipped from Tokyo Japan.

Joel
N6ALT

Wow! looks like a bunch of tooth picks. It's almost hard to understand how a house can be reduced to that much debris.

Joel
N6ALT

I have been listening to this myself.

Joel
N6ALT

Great video Gil, I can't believe you towed banners with a ultralight. My dad towed banners with his Taylorcraft with a 65 horse Continental for years over Chico CA. He would pick the banner up with it between two poles also, then when he was done he would fly low over the field an pull the release. We would have it all rolled up by the time he got on the ground and off to the Pub:-) One time he flew a banner with a guy proposing to his girlfriend, she said yes! It was in all the papers. Fun times.

Joel
N6ALT

Beautiful plane Bob. Great to see your wife propping it. Man, if I had a dollar for every plane I propped when I was young, (including a AgCat), I'd be rich. None of the planes my family and friends owned had electrical systems in them, that would just be wrong. When they put a tower at my home town airport it took all the fun out of flying because we had to look for green or red lights in the window of the tower before we could land. Finally had to get Icom handhelds as the FAA required it on that field due to commercial traffic. We switched to a grass field south of town that had Almond orchards at both ends of the runway. The trees made the strip look very short, but it was all in my head.

Joel
N6ALT