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Amateurs and KitsAmateurs and Kits
““I love the smell I love the smell of solder in the of solder in the morning”morning”
(or, Why kits?)(or, Why kits?)
Robby WB5RVZRobby WB5RVZ
www.wb5rvz.cowww.wb5rvz.comm
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For Note TakersFor Note Takers
http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/KitBuilding.pptKitBuilding.ppt
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Why Build KitsWhy Build Kits
• ConvenienceConvenience
• EconomyEconomy
• EducationEducation
• ConfidenceConfidence
• FunFun
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HistoryHistory• Knight Kits Knight Kits
(Allied Radio)(Allied Radio)
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HistoryHistory
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HistoryHistory• HeathkitsHeathkits
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HistoryHistory• Lafayette RadioLafayette Radio
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What You Should Expect in What You Should Expect in a Kita Kit
• BoardBoard
• SchematicSchematic
• Parts List/BOMParts List/BOM
• Construction DocumentationConstruction Documentation
• EnclosureEnclosure
• On-Line Support/ResourcesOn-Line Support/Resources
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Some Kit SourcesSome Kit Sources
• NORCAL QRP ClubNORCAL QRP Club• 4SQRP4SQRP• SoftrockSoftrock• GenesisGenesis• Ten-TecTen-Tec• CarlsCarls• RamseyRamsey• ElencoElenco• VellemanVelleman• Quality KitsQuality Kits• AC6V Home PageAC6V Home Page Kits/links Kits/links• W1WC Kits/LinksW1WC Kits/Links• EmtechEmtech• HF ProductsHF Products (“Packer”) (“Packer”)• Jackson HarborJackson Harbor
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ToolsTools
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Trouble-ShootingTrouble-Shooting
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Newbie StrategyNewbie Strategy
• Start small and practicalStart small and practical• e.g.:e.g.:• Beginners - Solder starter kits:Beginners - Solder starter kits:
– HobbytronHobbytron– http://http://www.hobbytron.com/solder_kit.htmlwww.hobbytron.com/solder_kit.html– Velleman: Velleman:
http://www.vellemanusa.com/images/products/0/k-start2http://www.vellemanusa.com/images/products/0/k-start2.jpg.jpg
– Elenco: http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/AK-Elenco: http://www.kitsusa.net/phpstore/html/AK-100-2-in-1-Learn-to-solder-kit-wtools-1037.html100-2-in-1-Learn-to-solder-kit-wtools-1037.html
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Newbie StrategyNewbie Strategy
• Practical: Four State Practical: Four State QRP electronic Keyer kit QRP electronic Keyer kit $17.00 $17.00 (http://www.wa0itp.com/(http://www.wa0itp.com/aa0zzkeyer.html}aa0zzkeyer.html}
• Practical (SMD): Four Practical (SMD): Four State QRP Dummy Load State QRP Dummy Load SMD Starter Kit (40 2k SMD Starter Kit (40 2k 1206 resistors) $7.00 1206 resistors) $7.00 (http://www.wa0itp.com/(http://www.wa0itp.com/dummyload.html)dummyload.html)
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Newbie StrategyNewbie Strategy• Practical: Ten-Tec Thru-hole Practical: Ten-Tec Thru-hole
transmatch tuning bridge, $18.00, transmatch tuning bridge, $18.00, http://radio.tentec.com/kits/accessorhttp://radio.tentec.com/kits/accessoryfun/1051yfun/1051
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Newbie - TacticsNewbie - Tactics• Be PreparedBe Prepared
– ToolsTools– Workspace and lightingWorkspace and lighting– (Re)Read Documentation(Re)Read Documentation
• Be OrganizedBe Organized– Inventory Parts Against BOMInventory Parts Against BOM– Organize PartsOrganize Parts– Don’t trust colorcodesDon’t trust colorcodes
• Be Refreshed and AlertBe Refreshed and Alert• Ideally: Ideally:
– Build a little, Build a little, – test a little, test a little, – build a little, build a little, – test a little, . . .test a little, . . .
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Example – Softrock SR LIte II Example – Softrock SR LIte II RXRX• $18 SDR 20m receiver from KB9YIG$18 SDR 20m receiver from KB9YIG• Kit includes:Kit includes:
– ComponentsComponents– BoardBoard
• Documentation (via www.wb5rvz.com)Documentation (via www.wb5rvz.com)– Six StagesSix Stages– SchematicSchematic– Detailed BOMDetailed BOM– Detailed Stage Steps & TestsDetailed Stage Steps & Tests
• Support: Softrock40 Yahoo User GroupSupport: Softrock40 Yahoo User Group
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II SchematicSchematic
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Example – SR Lite II PCBExample – SR Lite II PCB
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Example – SR Lite II PS StageExample – SR Lite II PS StageSubschematicSubschematic
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Example – SR Lite II PS StageExample – SR Lite II PS StageStage Parts PlacementStage Parts Placement
Top Bottom
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II PS Stage BOMPS Stage BOM
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II PS Stage StepsPS Stage Steps
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II PS Stage TestsPS Stage Tests
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II PS Stage Completed ViewsPS Stage Completed Views
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Example – SR Lite II Example – SR Lite II CompletedCompleted
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Q&AQ&A
• http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/KitBuilding.pptKitBuilding.ppt
• Pick up my card.Pick up my card.
http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/http://www.wb5rvz.com/presentations/KitBuilding.pptKitBuilding.ppt