First QSO on the Brendon TCVR!

Tonight I had my first QSO on the Brendon DSB radio! I was talking to LA6GOA/M on 3.670MHz and received 59+ without the linear! The distance was not very far, just a couple of hundred metres. This is pure QRP fun! I have a minor problem that I need to sort out: The audio disappears from time to time on both TX and RX. I will have a look at this later.

A Simple Telephony Transmitter Tester

Yesterday I built the Simple Telephony Transmitter Tester by Steve Hartley G0FUW found in Hot Iron issue 64. I built it on a perfboard with copper islands. The circuit is a simple audio oscillator often used for morse code practice. I intend to use the tester to align the Brendon transceiver that I've built.

The problem is that I can't get it to oscillate! I might have blown the BC212 transistor as I didn't bother to get my ESD protection mat and wrist strap from the basement. Luckily I ordered more than one BC212 so I will replace it and check if that was the problem.

Hot Iron is the newsletter of Tim Walfords Construction Club. You will find the website of Walford Electronics at http://walfordelectronics.co.uk/

Brendon TCVR completed!

Yesterday I finished building the Brendon TCVR. Now I only need to find a suitable Dynamic Mic to test the radio. I have already tested the receiver and it works very well. The first station I heard was LA9XV.

I have ordered parts to build a simple audio oscillator to align the radio before going on the air. I'm also waiting for the linear amplifier kit to arrive but will test the radio at 1,5W before adding the amplifier.

I found the building instructions easy to follow and I especially liked the test procedures after each building step. This way the builder can be confident that the previous sections are working before a new section is added.

Building the Brendon phone transceiver

This morning I started building the Brendon phone transceiver. I've already mounted the front panel with all the controls and started to add parts to the main PCB. The instructions are easy to follow.

I have also ordered a linear amplifier kit from Tim Walford to upgrade the rig.

Later I might try to modify it to work on 40m with a 7.159MHz crystal from the G-QRP club shop. I'm aware that the tuning range will be very narrow with this mod.

The Brendon Phone TCVR

This morning I finally decided to order one of Tim Walfords kits, The Brendon Phone TCVR. This is a double sideband (DSB) 80m transciever producing 1.5W. I'm looking forward to build it and also to test it on the air! You can have a look at the kits available at http://walfordelectronics.co.uk/.