Radio Preppers

General Category => Morse Code => Topic started by: gil on December 06, 2014, 11:58:21 AM

Title: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: gil on December 06, 2014, 11:58:21 AM
Great news from Steve Weber!

Steve is working on a new MTR, a five band version, 15, 17, 20, 30 and 40m, with built-in end-fed tuner, but no case this time. It will be a few months before a batch of kits if offered for sale, so make sure you are subscribed to the yahoo AT_Sprint group.

Also in the news is the announcement that LNR Precision will be selling the MTR V2 three bander for about $250, already built. No mention of it on their site yet. I am not holding my breath because LNR Precision has had trouble with their transceiver production before (long delays). I could use a 20/40/80m version ;D as 30m is mostly DX, few ragchews. The five-bander is very tempting as well with the built-in tuner. I hope the LNR three-bander has a battery holder for eight AA cells...

Gil.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: KK0G on December 06, 2014, 02:01:35 PM
Damn it! Now I'm gonna have to break out the credit card.......... again. 8)
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: cockpitbob on December 06, 2014, 06:49:23 PM
Mmmm, 17 & 15 would be nice.  Plus I could put the battery and touch-keyer in the case.  My ideal only has 2 connectors:  headphones and antenna.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: RadioRay on December 06, 2014, 07:35:18 PM
I have a a small water-tight case, with a water proof speaker in the lid, all ready to go!


>RadioRay ..._  ._
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: KK0G on December 06, 2014, 08:21:57 PM
Some more info from AE5X's blog (http://www.ae5x.com/blog/2014/12/04/kd1jvs-mtr-now-available-pre-built/).
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: gil on December 06, 2014, 08:39:57 PM
I'll probably get both!

For the MTR5b, I would look into a Hammond cast aluminum case with enough space for eight AA batteries or a small LIPO, though I've had bad luck with LIPOs. Maybe the ones I got were a bad brand.. Like Ray I would want to make the case waterproof. AA cells would be better and alkalines can be used when they are not available, though only seven should be used with a dummy shorted cell in the holder.

Gil.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: madball13 on March 11, 2015, 02:14:29 PM
LNR Just released a run of 100 last night. I bit the bullet and picked up a 3 bander 20/30/40.

I still don't know morse but i'm going to use this to motivate me.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: gil on March 11, 2015, 02:45:04 PM
Awesome! It is a great radio. Now you have a motivation to learn code. I did the same with my K1 three years ago, bought and built it before I had a license or knew Morse code, then I had no choice but to learn!

Gil.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: madball13 on April 14, 2015, 10:40:13 AM
My MTR shipped today!

They had some delays but it didn't matter since i haven't grasped morse yet. This will be nice to take on the road with me to practice and listen to other hams on CW.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: cockpitbob on April 14, 2015, 11:07:39 AM
Matt, in recent months some improvements for MTR_V2 have been published on the Yahoo group.  A few component changes make a significant improvement in Rx sensitivity.  Plus the firmware has had some features added.  Any idea what your MTR will contain? 

I just ordered the caps and inductors for the sensitivity improvment.  Since the parts cost about a dime each I ordered several spares.  If you (or anyone else here) want some I can send you a kit.  It's all through-hole parts, so the hardest part would be getting the board out of the box.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: madball13 on April 14, 2015, 02:43:32 PM
Quote from: cockpitbob on April 14, 2015, 11:07:39 AM
Matt, in recent months some improvements for MTR_V2 have been published on the Yahoo group.  A few component changes make a significant improvement in Rx sensitivity.  Plus the firmware has had some features added.  Any idea what your MTR will contain? 

I just ordered the caps and inductors for the sensitivity improvment.  Since the parts cost about a dime each I ordered several spares.  If you (or anyone else here) want some I can send you a kit.  It's all through-hole parts, so the hardest part would be getting the board out of the box.

Thanks for the offer Bob it's much appreciated.

I believe it will have the latest mods and firmware. LNR posted an updated stating that they added a diode to the design last minute and updated all the radios before they went out.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: madball13 on April 21, 2015, 08:44:31 AM
Got my MTR last Thursday delivered to work and havent been able to open it until today. I am blown away by how small this thing is. It is truly amazing.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: cockpitbob on April 21, 2015, 08:49:43 AM
Quote from: madball13 on April 21, 2015, 08:44:31 AM
Got my MTR last Thursday delivered to work and havent been able to open it until today. I am blown away by how small this thing is. It is truly amazing.
I just read on the MTR Yahoo group that the MTRs from LNR Precision do have all the newest and best.  I jut got all the parts to do the Rx sensitivity mod but don't see any spare time for a couple weeks :-(
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: madball13 on April 21, 2015, 09:46:31 AM
Quote from: cockpitbob on April 21, 2015, 08:49:43 AM
Quote from: madball13 on April 21, 2015, 08:44:31 AM
Got my MTR last Thursday delivered to work and havent been able to open it until today. I am blown away by how small this thing is. It is truly amazing.
I just read on the MTR Yahoo group that the MTRs from LNR Precision do have all the newest and best.  I jut got all the parts to do the Rx sensitivity mod but don't see any spare time for a couple weeks :-(

That's too bad. Least you be on the air with yours before i'm on the air in an actual QSO with mine.
Title: Re: New MTR 5b and MTR by LNR Precision.
Post by: cockpitbob on April 21, 2015, 12:21:26 PM
Naw.  It's all good.  I had fun building it.  I've been using it for months.  And now I get to make it even better. 

My dad grew up in rural areas of Oregon and Montanna during the Great Depression.  I got his disease of liking to get something broken and fixing it almost more that getting a brand new one.