Just placed my order for a Rock-Mite 40M (7030). I was tossed between the 20M or the 40M, I went with the 40M first and will get the 20M after I finish my builds. I also ordered the dummy load/power meter from Hendricks, It has been some time since I have soldered components so I figured I would start with this to get my truck driver hands and toe thumbs use to handling small parts again. Then move on to the Rock-Mite.
I plan on getting the EFT-10/20/40 trail friendly antenna, and a KK1 straight key kit from American Morse. I am not sure if I want/need a tuner or not. If I do get one I have it down to the EFHW tunner kit from Better QRP or the SOTA tunner from Hendricks.
I think this will make a good set up, but not sure. This is my jump into this side of radio coms. I have been practicing and re-learning code. It has been 15-20 years since I have used it.
I will post picks of the builds as I go.
Thanks
Joe
QuoteI plan on getting the EFT-10/20/40 trail friendly antenna, and a KK1 straight key kit from American Morse
Excellent choices!
Gil.
I think you'll like the 40 more. The wire is longer than for 20M but 20M gets real quiet when the sun goes down.
If you get the most-excellent EFT-10/20/40 you won't need a tuner. You'll only need a tuner if you want to use a different length of wire, and there's no reason for that. The Betterqrp and SOTA tuners are essentially the same thing. They only differ in how the detect the mismatch to light the LED(transformer coupler vs. resistor bridge).
Just received an email from Small Wonder Labs. The Rockmite is on its way. :) Can't wait to get started.
Recieved a nice little envelope today. :) Will post pics of the build as I go. Right now I have a crazy idea for a case and battery supply, I am working on that to see if it will work or not.
QuoteRecieved a nice little envelope today. Will post pics of the build as I go. Right now I have a crazy idea for a case and battery supply, I am working on that to see if it will work or not.
Excellent Joe! Keep us posted, and take photos!
Gil.
This is what you get in the Rock-Mite 40M kit. Comes with basic instructions, you will need to go to small wonder labs and download a suplament.
I also ordered the connector kit.
So, what's the original enclosure?
Gil.
The original enclosure will be a modified Bendix King radio case. I have 4 up and running BK's with clam shells and rechargable batteries. 3 are EPH models and 1 is a LPH series. I have 1 that is FUBAR and have it around for spare parts. I am going to take the case and modify it to house the RockMite. The main reason for this is to use the battery packs from the BK. I will still instal the stock DC connector. But this way the battery pack will have a easy way to connect to the radio, and the RockMite will share the same packs as the BK's to cut down on gear needed to pack for .
Nice, pretty original...
Gil.
I am removing about 1" of length from the radio. The biggest reason is the case has a crack. I am going to instal and hard wire the speaker that comes with the BK. On the top of the radio it has 3 toggle switches, I am going to use these, one will be a on/off, one speaker or phones, and the last will be the trans/rec. I will remount the green LED in the PRI spot for a trans/rec light. It will be on when I am in the transmit mode. The volume knob will mount in the antenna hole. The key and phone connectors will be in SQ and VOL spot. I am going to fill in the channel knob area and place the red LED there. I will use this as a battery indicator.
On the side of the radio where the PTT botton was I will instal the BNC and DC power connector. I will instal a new gasket kit, to keep everything dry. This may seem a little extream or over kill for a RockMite. But its something different.
73 Joe
Got some time and installed all the resistors today. I have been using direction I printed from http://www.hcra.org/files/Rockmite-build-manual-a.pdf. They are easy to follow and have boxes to check off as you go. This is good for first time or rusty builders like myself.
Good stuff. Keep the posts and pictures coming Joe! I especially can't wait to see the installation into the cannibalized case.
Cool project. A Rockmite is on my list of projects to do.
Installed the capacitors except C10 and C11 they did not come in the kit :( , they are 68 pF caps. Time to look in the junk box and I will swing by Radio Shack if I am in town tomorrow. But atleast they at located at the edge of the board so I can keep going. :)
Finished the board minus the 2 missing caps. Now it's time to move on to the case. ;D
For the first time builders out there this is what tools I used to build the board.
60/40 Solder .032
Desolder Braid
Small Diagnal Cutters
Small Needle Nose Pliers
Sharp Knife
Large Tweezers
Tooth Brush
Helping Hand with LED lights
Soldering Iron
Quote from: Joe on May 05, 2013, 05:12:13 PM
For the first time builders out there this is what tools I used to build the board.
60/40 Solder .032
Desolder Braid
Small Diagnal Cutters
Small Needle Nose Pliers
Sharp Knife
Large Tweezers
Tooth Brush
Helping Hand with LED lights
Soldering Iron
Joe has a good point, don't let lack of tools keep you from building, these are all pretty basic tools and if you're a real bargain hunter you could probably get all the above for about $20.
One more basic tool that can be invaluable is a basic DMM (Digital Multi Meter). A few months ago Harbor Freight had a sidewalk sale that included DMM's for $2!! Although I already own several nice meters including a Fluke, at 2 bucks a pop I bought 10 of them. I sold half of them at a hamfest which paid for the other half.
So get off your butt, get a kit, get a few tools, learn code and have a blast. Most QRP kits are freaking dirt cheap in comparison to commercial rigs from Yacomwood but don't let their low price and simplicity fool you, they're capable of serious communications.
I have the BK case chopped and back together, the RockMite board fitted to the back panel. As soon as the weather turns back to normal I can weld the frame up and put the base coat of paint on the case and assemble it. You can see the base coat color in the photo.
Oh now -THIS is going to be COOL! Slide ON/OFF batteries, rugged case and for fun, you can tell people that you have an HF HT!!! ha ha
>Ray
Now you need a 40' rubber ducky :o
Gil.
Quote from: gil on May 06, 2013, 08:37:50 PM
Now you need a 40' rubber ducky :o
Gil.
I was thinking If I put on my proximity suit, and wrap about 35' around my body with a 20' tail, I think I would only need about a 5' rubber ducky. ;)
I AM CW MAN 8)
Gee - pedestrian mobile and you will BE your own counterpoise!
>de RadioRay ..._ ._
Decided to take a day off and have a little fun with this thing. I got the frame welded up, and base coat of paint on the case. Mounted the controls and ran the wires. Still have to wire the power supply with on/off switch, the external speaker and speaker switch.
72
Joe
Wow!
Joe - THAT is really looking great! It has to be the most robustly built RockMites that anyone is going to see. Looking forward to your continuing project and your contacts on the air.
>RadioRay ..._ ._
Joe, we can try a RM-to-RM contact if you'd like..?
Gil.
Quote from: gil on May 19, 2013, 09:40:47 PM
Joe, we can try a RM-to-RM contact if you'd like..?
Gil.
That would be great Gil. I don't know when I will get it finished. But when its up and running we can set up a contact.
73
Joe